My Ann Arbor Vs. Chicago Rant...

I grew up in a culinary wasteland of the the tri-cities *midland/bay city/saginaw* in Michigan, where red lobster was the best meal in town and where the closing of chi chi's was met with much dismay. Weekend brunch at a bob evans and perhaps a lunch/dinner at the olive garden was as good as it gets, and what did I know? That's where I grew up. I went to school at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor and was amazed at their offerings, in terms of cheap eats, (around 10$ or so.) I spent 5years there and moved to chicago after graduation and simply miss many of the old places I used to frequent. Recently I went back (been in chicago now for 7 years) to see if those places I craved were simply nostalgic or the real deal. Sadly to say, I recognized not only that these places were in fact, the real deal, but that there is nothing in the vicinity of Chicago, the third largest metropolitan area in the U.S., that can match some of the uniqueness of the places listed below. If anyone can suggest any places here in the chicagoland area that are near quality to the places mentioned below, please respond.

Angelo's Restaurant
(734) 761-8996 http://www.angelosa2.com
1100 Catherine St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104

The place I miss the most! Besides Mikey's Dairy Bar up in Madison, this has to be my all time favorite breakfast place. Huge fried french toast unlike any you've ever had before, and the best omlette's I've never had. All there items, including their lunch offerings are exceptional, this truly is a one of kind place where the long wait is well worth it. (unlike such places in chicago such as yolk or bongo room)

Zingermans
(734) 663-3354 http://www.zingermansdeli.com
422 Detroit St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Quite possibly, the best deli in the world, or at least in the midwest. Quality ingrediants, and although pricey, well worth it. I've considered doing mail order for their pastrami or bbq chicken, not to mention they have these amazing garlic pickles that come with your sammy. In chicago we have manny's, which is decent alternative to the jewish deli's in nyc, and we also have Fox and Obel, which is great and probably the best thing we have similar to zingermans but it still pales in comparison imho.

Mr Spot's
http://www.mrspots.com

808 S State St
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 747-7768

My favorite wings of all time. I've frequented many of the wing joints here but they just don't do it for me. The wings here are huge, plump, juicy and pefectly crisp. The sauces are also very tangy and have just enough kick. Bw-3's and the various wingery's by uic are all substandard, forgettable compared to Mr. Spots. Try these once and you will realize, a wing is not a just a wing.

Pizza Bob's
http://www.pizzabobs.net

814 S State St
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 665-4517

For those of you who frequent the chain Pocket's, they have a similar thing here called the chipati. The difference being that their bread is much tastier. Their pizza is also very good as all their ingrediants seem to be fresh and the dough is very similar to the chipati bread.

Blimpy Burger
http://www.blimpyburger.com

551 S Division St
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 663-4590

And finally, the beloved, Blimpie Burger, so greasy that the brown bag will start soaking before you get home but oh so good. Not the best burger I've ever had, but nevertheless, one of the most unique and satisfactory.


Anyhow, sometimes I fantasize about moving back to Ann Arbor simply for these establishments, it's only a 3.5 hour drive away from chicago I realize, but I really took it for granted during those years. And sadly, as I've mentioned, I have not found any places here that resemble any of these places... Does anyone know of or can anyone recommend any places in the chicagoland area that are similar to these places mentioned above? I do appreciate what chicago does well, such as Greek and Mexican (whereas ann arbor has hardly any decent options for those 2) and of course, the amount of high end options we have here such as steakhouses, (outback is honestly one of Ann Arbor's best options for steak), but for cheap eats, (around 10$) Ann Arbor is very hard to beat. Very hard!

FoodSnob77 wrote:...but for cheap eats, (around 10$) Ann Arbor is very hard to beat. Very hard!

I'd strongly encourage to peruse this thread.

Obviously we have nothing here that compares to Zingerman's. Angelo's is indeed good, but I'm sure someone here can suggest a good substitute. Mr. Spot's I've only had cheesesteak at and that was enough. Here's a thread on wings, though. Chipati is an Ann Arbor thing; we had a thread on that, too, and I don't think anyone was able to find a local purveyor. Blimpy Burger is just gross, sorry. Any of a million forum favorites (Wiener and Still Champion, Poochies, Paradise Pup, etc.) is better and WaSC will even put ten patties on the same bun for you, if you miss Blimpy's gimmick.

Interestingly enough, the many times I've been to Ann Arbor, I've actually found the food there pricier than similar establishments in Chicago. I've actually been quite shocked at how pricey it is for a college town. Maybe I just go to the wrong places.

Zingermann's is my favorite deli in the Midwest, and there's nothing here in Chicago that I've seen that can really match it. However, it would be worth checking out Bari Foods. It's only Italian sandwiches, but I would say that a Bari sandwich may be better than any sandwich I've had at Zingermann's at maybe half the price. (However, Zingermann's wide range of sandwiches, as well as its extensive meat & cheese counter, oils, vinegars, breads, etc., make it my favorite deli overall. I really wish a place like that existed here.)

Bari Foods
1120 W Grand Ave
Chicago, IL 60622

Binko wrote:Interestingly enough, the many times I've been to Ann Arbor, I've actually found the food there pricier than similar establishments in Chicago. I've actually been quite shocked at how pricey it is for a college town. Maybe I just go to the wrong places.

No, you're accurate. I can't remember where I read/heard it (possibly from a friend who lives in A2) but the cost of living in A2 is very high compared to the national average.

=R=

FoodSnob77 wrote:I grew up in a culinary wasteland of the the tri-cities *midland/bay city/saginaw* in Michigan, where red lobster was the best meal in town and where the closing of chi chi's was met with much dismay. Weekend brunch at a bob evans and perhaps a lunch/dinner at the olive garden was as good as it gets, and what did I know?

Chi Chi's in Saginaw (before Midland got its own) was the perfect place for that special birthday celebration. Nothing says authentic Mexican like getting to wear the sombrero for a polaroid picture while going to town on the fried ice cream.

Not sure if I saw it linked here originally, but this site is great:

Creepy, Abandoned Chi Chis

I have a similar case with Madison and Ive been eating good for a long time being raised in Chicago. But there are similar spots in Madison that I will always carve and nothing will do the job in Chicago. What I have come to learn is that if we had everything available everywhere we wouldn't have the amzing regional eats that make up our nation and foodies wouldnt have a reason to travel. Now if I ever moved from here, then Id really have a problem like yours.

HI,

I like that I cannot find everything in Chicago. I like there are places to visit that have best-of X and cannot be experienced anywhere else. It's the joy of travel and exploration otherwise why leave home?

Regards,

If "remember when" is the lowest form of conversation, the "city v. city" rant is the lowest form of LTH post. Just my opinion based on years of participation here, and no offense meant to the OP or to the great (possibly greatest, definitely top 5) college town of Ann Arbor. To underscore, this is not a criticism of any particular post, despite being in a city v. city specific string.

The truth is, Chicago is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. This is not just the idle postulate of a civic booster, but the consensus conclusion of people, not in Chicago, who study such things. Chicago, NY and LA are America's global cities. Yet, even the most global cities don't touch all of the culinary bases.

New York and London are, by most standards, far and away the most cosmopolitan cities in the world. (Other places are bigger -- Mexico DF, Tokyo or Shanghai -- or more "sophisticated" in terms of the locals' appreciation for food -- Paris, Bangkok, Bolgna, New Orleans -- but are relatively monocultural compared to places such as Chicago). Yet, the fact is, London and New York sorely lack one of the world's great and unique cuisines, sprung from the largest city in the world and the capital of a huge country -- Mexican.

It happens. But the number of different foods, of which one can find at least several good examples, in Chicago (or NY or LA for that matter) is pretty amazing. Ann Arbor is good too, but it should come as no surprise and be the basis of no serious lament that local one-off restaurants heavy on "uniqueness" have no doubles in other cities.

PS, I like Zingerman's very much (they are transplanted Chicagoans, natch), but Kenny & Zuke's looks to be quite as good or maybe better for what I'm seeking. Maybe in 2008 great deli needs to happen in places with the size and demographics of a Portland or an Ann Arbor, since there's nothing quite like either place in Chicago, LA, NY, Cleveland, or other places where one might expect great deli.

JeffB wrote:no offense meant to the OP or to the great (possibly greatest, definitely top 5) college town of Ann Arbor. To underscore, this is not a criticism of any particular post, despite being in a city v. city specific string.

I agree with the city vs city thing but Ann Arbor a top 5 college town? ever been to Madison? I once went to ann arbor for a Wisco-Michigan football game and it was so weak and boring and the exact opposite of favorite college towns of mine like Madison, Amherst and Athens that we stayed the wkd in Windsor.

Zingerman's doesn't do any of their own meats (pastrami/corned beef). Really they're just great at sourcing great quality stuff, then marking up prices to absurd levels and adding an east coast affectation.

Reminded me of an upscale version of the cracker barrel store.

Beef, to each his own. Neither Madison nor AA are pure college towns in any event. madison, I think, doubles as the capital of the cheese state. Ann Arbor is one of those very new-millenium rich, diverse, smarty-pants mini-urbs that exist in an orbit around a big old city (Palo Alto comes to mind).

My undergrad years were spent in a pure (and great) college town, Gainesville. (I will not claim that it is a great eating town, however.)

To be truthful, and on further reflection, a place with a school to which I have zero allegiance or connection quite obviously is the best college town -- Chapel Hill. If you've been, you probably understand. Great BBQ, also.

JeffB wrote:My undergrad years were spent in a pure (and great) college town, Gainesville.

I guess that explains the jorts.

[/tigerfan]

I admit my original posting topic title was a bit juvenile, but my point was to basically complain about how some of the places that I favored in Ann Arbor didn't seem to have a duplicate in this great city of Chicago. The replies have altered my perspective and allowed me to appreciate Chicago more, as I realize the multitude of diverse offerings this city has. However, I still have not found an Angelo's from Ann Arbor, (or a Mickey's Dairy Bar in Madison) substitute for a truly sinful breakfast, and that really bothers me I guess. Perhaps american depot diner is the closest thing I'll find to those two spots?

FoodSnob77 wrote:However, I still have not found an Angelo's from Ann Arbor, (or a Mickey's Dairy Bar in Madison) substitute for a truly sinful breakfast, and that really bothers me I guess. Perhaps american depot diner is the closest thing I'll find to those two spots?

Get thee to Patty's Diner in Skokie!

=R=

ab wrote:Zingerman's doesn't do any of their own meats (pastrami/corned beef). Really they're just great at sourcing great quality stuff, then marking up prices to absurd levels and adding an east coast affectation.

Well, aside from baking their own breads, but I know what you mean. It seems so simple (and profitable) -- why, there must be thousands of others doing the same thing just as well, if not better.

ab wrote:Reminded me of an upscale version of the cracker barrel store.

That may be the harshest thing I've read on LTHForum in 4+ years.

Made me laugh out loud.

Matt wrote:

JeffB wrote:My undergrad years were spent in a pure (and great) college town, Gainesville.

I guess that explains the jorts.

[/tigerfan]

That made me laugh. Now, I'm hoping "tiger" means Bengal tiger and not Plainsman/Tiger/War Eagle whatever. I'm willing to absorb mild good-natured abuse from the second best school in Louisiana, but not the second best school in Alabama. It's a quirk.

JeffB wrote:That made me laugh. Now, I'm hoping "tiger" means Bengal tiger and not Plainsman/Tiger/War Eagle whatever. I'm willing to absorb mild good-natured abuse from the second best school in Louisiana, but not the second best school in Alabama. It's a quirk.

Bayou Bengals, friend. (And I guess I really shouldn't be talking smack with a trip to the Swamp looming in just over three weeks.) We can be united for the time being in our distaste of all things Auburn.

Chapel HILL?? You've got to be kidding (except for the bbq, of course!). One two-sided block downtown and you're out of the eating district... ouf.

Once-upon-a-time-pure-college-town for eating: Boulder.

Best eating neighborhood around the U: You-Dub.

Weirdest: Berkeley.

Etc.

I've spent my whole life looking for good eats in college towns. Sometimes succeeding. One of the best conferences I ever spent in my life was at UTEP. Man, an hombre can get some real eats in EP.

But the point is well-taken: there are still lots of unique places hidden in the woods out there. And it's LTH's job to find them! Then, as C2 justly notes, the fun begins: TRAVEL TO EAT!



Geo

JeffB wrote:Beef, to each his own. Neither Madison nor AA are pure college towns in any event. madison, I think, doubles as the capital of the cheese state.

Well this can be said of AA but if not for the university, Madison wouldnt be much. Its the states #1 employer and if downtown Madison and the lake isnt a college town, what is? it might be the best eating college town to go along with more bars per capita than anyplace in the world and we all know about the parties with halloween and Mifflin St. block party. good football and bball too. Best college town in America.

da beef wrote:Best college town in America.

I know some folks in Lawrence who'll seriously challenge you on that claim.

Geo

Been there too. Its a really fun college town and they got some great-great wings at this local bar who's name escapes me but not even close in atmosphere and overall enjoyability. Food isnt even close, Lawrence is filled with the usual, sports is about all they have in that argument with the recent bball title but football is still better at Wisco. Lawrence's most famous party is wakarusa. Madison shares one of the wildest halloween parties in thw world with Las vegas, Key West fantasy fest and Guavaween in Tampa.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mifflin_Street_Block_Party

Da Beef wrote:Food isnt even close, Lawrence is filled with the usual

Krause Dining Room

Having spent quite a bit of time in Ann Arbor, both in grad school and intermittently while growing up, I feel the OP's pain. However, if he's anything like me, I chalk it up more to sentimentality than actual superiority of AA cuisine.

While I'd rank Zingerman's and the Pizza Bob's chipati as best in class (along with the bi bim bop from Kang's), most of my other beloved foods from that era have proven to be completely disappointing upon revisiting them, now that I have a more "refined palate". Be it the Cottage Inn sub with that great mustard sauce, the Bell's tuna grinder and pizzas, or the Maize & Blue Georgia reuben, I've continually found that the foods I loved back then and enjoyed on almost a weekly basis, really aren't all that spectacular anymore.


I will confess my complete agreement and awe that there is nothing in Chicago even remotely approaching the quality of Zingerman's in terms of sandwiches. In the country's third largest city, one really would think there would be a knockout deli (Skokie and Manny's cafeteria aside).

I am going to Ann Arbor very soon for the Illinois v. Michigan football game. First stop?

Zingerman's! I can't wait! I've heard so many good things. Plus, the guy that started it went to my Jewish private elementary school in Northbrook.

Don't forget to go to Angelo's (and early to avoid the lines) for their fried French toast! Probably the most unique (although unhealthy) and tasty french toast I've ever had!

Fragels.

leek wrote:Fragels.

Oh, god, yes.

Glad to stumble upon this thread as I'll be up in Ann Arbor this weekend for the Wisco/Michigan game. Plan on going to Zingerman's and Blimpie Burger. I know its gimicky, but dammit, Guy Fieri already convinced me....