Michigan Daily Best of Ann Arbor 2014

BEST ANN OF

2014 ARBOR

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Ann Arbor can’t be condensed into one paragraph, one story or one magazine. Ann Arbor is a bastion for art and intellect and freedom and ambition and fun, and no single publication could ever encompass all that the city has to offer. During the year, the Michigan Daily strives to expose readers to all sides of campus and the city it calls home, but once a year, when the flowers begin to bloom and graduation looms ever closer, we take a step back to appreciate the best that Ann Arbor has to offer. This year, the Best of Ann Arbor issue contains the restaurants, stores and bars most cherished in the hearts of University students and Ann Arbor residents alike. Whether you are a new student, yearning to discover the best spot to coolly drink coffee and talk politics, or a long-time alum hoping to reconnect with your alma mater, this list will be a good start.

Happy exploring.

Natalie Gadbois, Senior Arts Editor

TABLE OF CONTENTS 4. Winners and Runners-Up 7. New Restaurant and Fan Apparel 8. Coffee and Bagel 11. Late Night Food and Italian 12. Sandwich and Mediterranean 13. Map of Best of Locations 14. Barbershop and Thrift Shop 16. New Business and Clothing Store 19. Dessert and Burger 20. Bar and Sushi 22. Breakfast and Thai Food COVER DESIGNED BY SHANE ACHENBACH

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&

WINNERS RUNNERS-UP

COFFEE SHOP

BURGER

SUSHI

PIZZA

Espresso Royale Sweetwaters

Frita Batidos Five Guys

Sadako Totoro

Pizza House Cottage Inn

BREAKFAST Angelo’s Cafe Zola

CHINESE FOOD ITALIAN FOOD THAI FOOD INDIAN FOOD KOREAN FOOD No Thai Marnee Thai

Gratzi Mani Osteria

TK WU China Gate

Shalimar Raja Rani

MEDITERRANEAN FOOD ICE CREAM/FROYO/GELATO Jerusalem Garden La Marsa

DESSERT/SWEETS Washtenaw Dairy Cupcake Station

Washtenaw Dairy Iorio’s Gelateria

BAGEL

MEXICAN FOOD

NEW BUSINESS

HOUSING

TEST PREP

Bruegger’s Barry Bagels

Prickly Pear Isalita

World of Beer Literati

Landmark Zaragon Place

Kaplan Princeton Review

THRIFT SHOP Ragstock Salvation Army

FAN APPAREL M Den Underground Printing

CLOTHING STORE PARTY STORE Urban Outfitters Pitaya

Campus Corner Strickland’s Market

SPA

CLUB

NEW RESTAURANT

OUTDOOR APPAREL

Bellanina Day Spa Douglas J

Rick’s Blind Pig

Isalita BurgerFi

Bivouac REI

MAIN STREET BAR Mash Arbor Brewing Company

LANDLORD J Keller Properties Oxford Property Management

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Seoul Garden Seoul Street

SANDWICH

HAIR SALON

LATE NIGHT

Aveda Institute Salon Vox

Pizza House Coach & Four Zingerman’s Fleetwood Diner Arcade Barbers Maize & Blue Deli

BARBER

ON CAMPUS BAR TANNING SALON BANK/CREDIT UNION Ashley’s Good Time Charley’s

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Big House Tan Campus Tanning

TCF Chase

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It’s Ok. You Can Stare.

Thanks for voting us one of the best new restaurants in Ann Arbor!

1235 S.University, ANN ARBOR, Mi | 734.929.5605 |burgerfi.com

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Best New Restaurant Isalita ADAM GLANZMAN/Daily

I happened upon Isalita one night with a friend. It was the end of Thanksgiving break, and after an exhausting day we were in search of some good Mexican food and a place to rest our tired feet. Isalita didn’t disappoint, and since then, I’ve been

back whenever the opportunity for a nice dinner out arises.

The atmosphere is sophisticated and classy, and the food is fantastic. I recommend the peel & eat shrimp and the Mexico City mushroom quesadilla, though I’ve enjoyed everything

I’ve had there. The different dishes are perfect for sharing with a group of friends — and if you’re planning on going with 5 or more others, make sure to call ahead for a reservation, as Isalita is constantly crowded. Though the prices

may be a bit out of a student’s budget, if you’re in search of a nice night out and willing to sacrifice a few hours of work at Espresso Royale or Bert’s Cafe, Isalita is well worth a short walk down East Liberty.

-CAROLYN GEARIG

Best Fan Apparel The M Den RYAN REISS/Daily

Whether you’re an incoming freshman, an alumni or simply a fan, there is no place more equipped than the M Den to satisfy all of your Michigan apparel needs. Located in the heart of State Street — with various other locations

throughout the Ann Arbor area — The M Den is the only place to go for U of M fan apparel.

Its three-story State Street location houses innumerable options for anyone who bleeds blue — March Madness gear, maize-wear for Football Sat-

urdays, personalized mugs and even an entire section dedicated to the family dog.

The top f loor discount room ensures high quality, low cost selections, while the main f loor showcases topof-the-line Michigan garb.

A trip to the M Den is a must for all students. The University of Michigan is home to the leaders and best — and thanks to the M Den, Wolverines can showcase their pride in sleek, affordable style.

-ALEC STERN

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Best Coffee Espresso Royale NICK WILLIAMS/Daily

After an early 8 a.m. class or a long day of homework and exams, Espresso Royale provides a much-needed solace with its cushy chairs, soothing music and hot coffee and tea.

Its ability to create an inviting and homey environment has earned Espresso Royale a warm place in the hearts of the Ann

Arbor community. Conveniently situated on both State Street and South University, the coffee shop is never more than a short walk away. The baristas are always friendly and quick to help. The service is very efficient and you may have coffee in your hands almost as soon as you order it.

The menu offers a large repre-

sentation of delicious coffees and tea. The shop also offers a variety of warm baked goods and sandwiches that make it easy to grab a quick lunch when on the go.

Royale’s many chairs, tables and couches make the shop perfect for afternoon study group meetings, cramming for an

exam or just leisurely reading and book and sipping coffee on a couch. Whether providing students with a place to escape from the cold winters or unwind after an exam, Espresso Royale provides Ann Arbor with a unique local coffee shop that caters to its student’s needs.

—EMILIE PLESSET

Best Bagel Bruegger’s Bagels REBECCA JULIANNE/Daily

Where I grew up, we didn’t have Bruegger’s Bagels. So unlike many of my peers who grew up with a Bruegger’s on every other corner, when I came to the University, the restaurant was an entirely new concept to me. Tucked into a small storefront on North University, the chain is unassuming among the more exotic cultural findings Ann Arbor has to offer. Hiding

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behind Bruegger’s simple façade, however, lies the best selection of warm, dense, cream-cheese-laden bagels in Ann Arbor.

Possibly the greatest joy of my childhood was the few times every year my babysitter would take me to Krispy Kreme. (Simple pleasures, I guess?) I was surprisingly indifferent to the donuts, but fascinated with looking through

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the glass windows at the perfect machinated conveyor belt spitting out donut after donut.

Walking into Bruegger’s for the first time you get the same visual experience; as you order your bagel from choices including the savory asiago parmesan, decadent chocolate chip and traditional everything, you can watch soonto-be-bagel dough floating to the

top of a giant metal bagel-maker — a magical collision of food and science.

Though simple, Bruegger’s supplies classically delicious New York style bagels with a nostalgic view of the way they are made.

At just $3 a bagel, it’s hard to not appreciate this fast and functional meal.

—NATALIE GADBOIS

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Best Italian Restaurant Gratzi TERRA MOLENGRAFF/Daily

As my last name would suggest, I’m Italian, which is to say that there’s only one voice I truly respect when it comes to culinary wisdom — my own little Italian grandma, Adeline DePollo.

Since coming to Ann Arbor, however, I’ve had to add another voice to my list of experts on the subject: Gratzi.

Built inside what was once the Orpheum Theater, the restaurant is gorgeous. From the massive bay window looking out over Main Street to the paintings of Orpheus and an ancient Greek bacchanalia hanging above the dining room, few other restaurants in Ann Arbor can boast such sumptuous and elegant décor.

But Gratzi’s real strength lies in its Head Chef, John Fisher.

The man is an artist, constantly creating fresh new takes on traditional Italian dishes with close attention to flavor, presentation and the history of the food he loves. Each month, Fisher crafts a new menu built around the flavors of a different region of Italy, bringing recipes

to Ann Arbor rarely seen outside the confines of the peninsula.

Though the menu is always changing, the quality of food and service remains consistently high at Gratzi — and it’s the only place outside of my grandma’s kitchen that you can find a truly excellent plate of gnocchi.

—ADAM DEPOLLO

Best Late Night Food Pizza House TRACY KO/Daily

Oh, Pizza House and your divine cheesy creations. Are you the bane of late-night partygoers or the perfect culmination of a night out with friends? Are you the abominable diet destroyer or the super taste-bud teaser? Do you want to make my stomach curdle and churn or do you want to make it joyous? These are the questions we demand an answer to. And

here are the charges we bring against you: 1) You are so subtly addictive.

God only knows what kind of special concoction could make cheese and bread so majestic.

2) Your late-night availability only makes you crueler. How dare you try to exploit the money-blowing habits of hungry and impressionable individuals.

3) No amount of fair-pricing or generous food portioning could justify your late-night snacking monopoly. Okay, this third point is false.

Pizza House, no one knows exactly what your ambitions for world-domination-after-dark may be, but we’re on to you. Your feta cheesy bread, your pizza pockets, calzones and chipatis are

exceptional. The convenience of your nocturnal operation is commendable. The tempting aromas of your foodstuffs that fill offcampus walkways are outrageous.

You are tasty, you are reliable and you are clever. You may rule the world of late-night snacks for now, but we’re on to you. We are so on to you.

—BRIAN BURLAGE

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Best Sandwich Zingerman’s REBECCA KERPHART/DAILY

Like the 1927 Yankees or the “bottomless” party scene in “Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay,” some things just seem too good to be true. Except they really are true. Zingerman’s is one of those places. Ask any Ann Arbor resident where you should eat, and Zingerman’s comes up, usually accompanied by a soft sigh and an “oh my god.” Everyone, from

eager high school seniors touring campus to a certain Commander in Chief with a fondness for Reubens, must make the journey to Kerrytown when they visit.

The long wait outside on a brisk Saturday, even on a game day, is worth it. The walls, shelves and glass cases are stuffed with an overwhelming bounty of food — breads and cheeses and cured meats and

salads and seemingly everything else humanity regards as delicious. You want everything, so badly that you consider buying the whole store. The menu, with several dozen sandwiches, makes the agonizing decision worse. When you finally make the call, and the slightly easier one of a half sour or old garlic pickle, you find a table, and longingly wait to hear your name as if

the caller is a long-lost lover.

It finally comes, and you take that first glorious bite. The pastrami and corned beef is comparable to a New York deli’s, but the bread is worlds better; crusty and dense, it puts the rye in rye bread. With a Dr. Brown’s soda, a basket of latke fritters and that all important pickle, it’s a meal worth any wait or any walk.

—GIANCARLO BUONOMO

Best Mediterranean Jerusalem Garden TERESA MATHEW/Daily

Jerusalem Garden sits on the corner of E. Liberty and 5th avenue in a small, quiet yellow house. Inside, you’ll find the cash register greets you not two steps from the entryway, and a small counter in the corner in front of a grill that seems to take up the entire room. It’s a modest establishment, sure, but there’s a

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reason why so many Mediterranean food enthusiasts pack into its narrow halls day in and day out. The proprietors know their falafel.

They know their kabobs and shwarma, too. They choose to grill their meats instead of skewer them, like the more traditional and abundant Mediterranean

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restaurants in Ann Arbor. For vegetarians, Jerusalem Garden offers impressively tasty falafel sandwiches and plates, as well as various salads and soups. And, of course, their main dishes are served on or with a pita and delicious hummus.

As an added bonus, the food is highly affordable, yet does not

suffer in terms of quality. A small patio out front offers fresh air to the otherwise tight quarters. It’s perfect for students on those rare but always-welcome warmer blue-sky days. Take a seat, grab a sandwich and embrace the classic Ann Arbor goodness that is Jerusalem Garden.

—JAMIE BIRCOLL

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PO T

THE BEST OF

Oh, the places you’ll go with this guide to all of the best restaurants, bars, stores, coffee shops and salons Ann Arbor has to offer!

ANN ARBOR

N. 4TH ST.

N. 1ST ST.

W. ANN ST.

E. ANN ST.

W. HURON ST. J. Keller Properties

S. MAIN ST.

W. M ED I

Angelo’s

E. ANN ST.

E. HURON ST.

Ragstock

E. WILLIAMS ST.

TK WU MAYNARD ST.

S. 4TH ST.

S. ASHLEY ST.

S. 1ST ST.

Prickly Pear

Jerusalem Garden

S. DIVISION ST.

Gratzi

Isalita E. LIBERTY ST.

WASHTENAW AVE.

S. STATE ST

WASHINGTON ST.

Shalimar

Urban Outfitters

AVEDA Espresso Royale Bivouac

Bruegger’s

N. UNIVERSITY AVE.

Ashley’s

CHURCH ST.

DIAG

BEST O Espresso Royale

Big House Tan

S. UNIVERSITY AVE.

Washtenaw Dairy

BAR/LIQUOR STORE

World of Beer No Thai

Sadako

Landmark

MADISON

Pizza House

KEY RESTAURANT

R DR. ENTE LC A C

Mash

S. 5TH AVE .

.

Y ST ERT

GLEN AVE.

CATHERINE ST.

N. THAYER ST.

LAWRENCE ST.

N.STATE ST.

N. MAIN ST.

N. ASHLEY ST.

Zingerman’s

MILLER AVE.

Frita Batido’s

ST .

Rick’s

Coach and Four Barber Campus Corner

OTHER

DESIGN: KRISTEN CLEGHORN

Best Barber

Coach and Four TERRA MOLENGRAFF/DAILY

A haircut is a haircut is a haircut, right? If we’re just talking about the very service of getting a trim, then yes … sort of. Like car problems or brewing beer, it’s something you know a bit about but would rather just leave to a professional. In short, you can walk into pretty much any barber shop, say “I need a haircut,” give a very vague explanation of what you

want and in thirty minutes you’ll be good. In a pinch, this works.

But why settle? What’s great about Coach and Four, located at the south end of campus, is that it combines the reliability expected from any barbershop with a unique and enduring personality.

The actual haircuts are wonderful. The barbers can tell how long it’s been since you last came in at

a glance and can take a vague “I don’t want it too short,” and turn it into a date-ready cut. Best of all, each haircut is concluded with a neck shave, except here it’s done with warm shaving cream and a straight razor.

And if it’s true that a barbershop is all about the ambiance, then Coach and Four gets a full score.

This review wouldn’t be complete

without mentioning the free beer and Playboys, but even without them, the Michigan sports memorabilia on the walls lets anyone who walks in know that this is a barbershop that could only exist in Ann Arbor. So, if you need a haircut, or just some advice on your bracket, Coach and Four is the place for you.

—GIANCARLO BUONOMO

Best Thrift Store Ragstock NICHOLAS WILLIAMS/DAILY

There are plenty of places to shop in downtown Ann Arbor, but for a college student on a budget, perusing the sale racks at the staple stores can get old pretty fast.

Luckily, just a couple of blocks down E. Liberty Street from the

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main State Street drag, is Ragstock — the low cost little sister to American Apparel and Urban Outfitters. Whether you’re looking forward to summer with a new pair of denim cutoffs or in search of an oversized Bill Cosby sweater to throw on over leg-

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gings, Ragstock is the ultimate haven for college students with dusty wallets.

Peek inside the store and you’ll find racks upon racks of secondhand and vintage clothing, ranging from outrageous accessories for crafting the perfect Hallow-

een costume to basic tanks and tee shirts for everyday wear.

Walking into Ragstock’s dimly lit, pattern-filled storefront is like pulling on a familiar pair of worn-in jeans (the very kind that the store itself probably sells).

—MADDIE THOMAS

VOTED BEST TEST PREP OF ANN ARBOR! WHERE WILL YOU TAKE YOU?

1214 S UNIVERSITY AVE 1-800-KAP-TEST | WWW.KAPTEST.COM

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Best New Business World of Beer

TERRA MOLENGRAFF/DAILY

Good times, fast times, high times, right times — World of Beer doesn’t distinguish among them.

Come for the variety, stay for the atmosphere. Interesting people and their stories abound. The people who go to WOB (an aptly coined abbreviation for the bar riveting with youth and personality) are the people who want to make the most of their night — and their budget.

World of Beer boasts “The Finest Craft Beer, Culture and Experience” while respecting the moderate purchasing power of its collegiate customers. Students can select from a wide array of seasonal brews, delicate crafts and flavorful experiments. Anyone homesick for the taste of a local draught can flip through the multi-paged menu, locate their state and choose from

the listing of subset breweries. It’s a healthy way to bask in regional pride, but also to share with friends, co-workers or date partners the special taste of home.

For many people, the bars they frequent become qualitative entities that take on a life-like, friendly form. Emotions poured into sports games, jokes invested into date nights, gambles taken on orders

that include risky new dishes — all of these actions create a kind of relationship with the bar itself, one that is subject to high points and low points, turbulence and triumph.

WOB is like the cool new guy in town. With a clean slate, it’s taking the campus by storm. Everyone wants a new friend. WOB says: let the good times roll.

—BRIAN BURLAGE

Best Clothing Store Urban Outfitters REBECCA KEPHART/DAILY

When your inner hipster is ready to go out on the town — and don’t kid yourself, we all have one — there’s only one store that sells the right attire: a perfect blend of casual and chic, comfort and class. That store is Urban Outfitters.

From its unique location just below the iconic Art Deco State Theater sign

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to the racks of records and ironic coffee table books lining its walls, Urban Outfitters offers the Ann Arbor community a selection of clothing dripping with practiced diffidence and an atmosphere that all but screams “I liked them before it was cool.”

No other outlet provides the same variety of non-standard pant colors,

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floral-print dresses and Native American-inspired sweaters. Nowhere else can you buy an OBEY hat, Icona Pop on vinyl and a novelty beer can helmet without making three separate trips. And, thanks to an ever-changing clearance rack and frequent sales celebrating the less popular American holidays, no other outlet offers

such a wide selection of fashionable clothing and culturally relevant knick knacks at prices reasonable enough to fit into a college student’s budget.

Plus, it’s the only place you can buy Blake’s bear coat from “Workaholics.” Thank you for the profile picture, Urban Outfitters.

—ADAM DEPOLLO

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Best Dessert Washtenaw Dairy VIRGINIA LOZANO/Daily

Washtenaw Dairy is dangerously unassuming. Surrounded

by Ann Arbor homes and beyond the outskirts of campus, you could walk right past the dull brown bricks without even realizing what you missed out on. It isn’t luring people in with blaring music, flashy signs or even a sign at all, but with simply the best ice cream you can find in Ann Arbor.

Walking through the door is a trip to a simpler time. Regulars debate the day’s news over freshly-made donuts in the back corner. Locals mill about, watching the Tigers game on the TV or watching downtown Ann Arbor on the horizon, all with gigantic ice cream cones in hand. Servers mingle with customers, recommending flavors and weighing in on conversations.

Contrary to the South U. strip, no one here is on deadline. No one is stressed, everyone cares.

In a society that becomes fasterpaced and harsher by the minute, Washtenaw Dairy is a break from it all. Where a single scoop is secretly a triple, ice cream is given time to taste its best and profits take a backseat; where smiles and friendships are more important than efficiency and

revenue; where the number one goal has been to give customers a refreshing treat since 1931.

It isn’t fro-yo, it isn’t trendy, it isn’t hip — it’s simply great ice cream for a greater price. It isn’t a pit stop in the bustle of downtown, it’s a destination, where time and worries take a break.

It’s Washtenaw Dairy, and it’s what dessert should be.

—ZACH SHAW

Best Burger Frita Batidos VIRGINIA LOZANO/Daily

To find the best burger in Ann Arbor, you’ll have to look beyond the likely candidates — Five Guys, Charley’s, BurgerFi — and start thinking outside the box. Located past Main Street on W. Washington, Frita Batidos uniquely blends cultures and flavors, making it one of the most interesting, exciting and talked-about restaurants in Ann Arbor.

Described by its founders as “Cuban inspired street food,” Frita Batidos is known for its creative variation on burgers and shakes.

The Frita — a burger typically made from spicy chorizo (though chicken, fish and beef are also offered) — pairs perfectly with the Batido — tropical milkshakes made with fresh fruit, sweetened milk and rum.

If that’s not enough, the Frita’s toppings take this meal to the next level. Every burger is served below shoestring fries and between a soft egg bun. If you’re feeling brave, “make it loco,” and add Muenster cheese, a sunny side up egg, cilantro-lime salsa, tropical slaw and avocado spread for a truly unforgettable experience.

Many have praised Frita Batidos

— including the Daily’s own food columnist, Nate Wood — for its delicious drinks, sensational sides and authentic atmosphere. But its burger, or Frita, stands above the rest. If you haven’t yet experienced this Ann Arbor hotspot, put it on your to-do list. Or, rather, put it at the top of that list. .

—ALEC STERN

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Best Bar Ashley’s PAUL SHERMAN/DAILY

If you’re a fan of grinding up against sweaty, Greek-affiliated under-21s after downing five slushy cups of brownish ice that cost a dollar — “Long Island Iced Tea” is far too generous a label — then Ashley’s probably isn’t the bar for you.

If you’re willing to shell out a few extra bucks for a nicer

drink, a calmer vibe and a crowd more likely to be discussing politics than which frat star is buying the next pitcher of Miller Lite, head over to Ashley’s.

With 70 beers on tap, 70 more in bottles and the option to explore your choices prior to your visit with a comprehensive

online catalogue, Ashley’s is unparalleled in its selection of quality craft beers from around the globe. Its wait staff knows every drink on the menu, and its vibe is lively without being overwhelming.

Beer isn’t the only game in town, either — once you’ve downed a brew or five, you

can try French fries doused in anything from stilton to curry sauce to cheese curds, spicy Buffalo wings, and an impressive variety of burgers, pizzas and more. Whether you’re there for a beer, a snack, a harder beverage, or any and all of the above, Ashley’s can’t be beat.

—GREG GARNO

Best Sushi Sadako VICKY LIU/DAILY

Increasingly popular among even the blandest of palates, sushi — once considered strange and exotic by the average American — is now enjoyed by anyone and everyone. Sadako, conveniently located on South University, is bound to satisfy any Ann Arborite’s sushi craving, whether you’re adventurous or still cautious about the concept

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of consuming raw fish. The rolls are prepared fresh, the service is fast, and orders are available for carry out or as a sit-down meal in the clean and casual atmosphere of the restaurant.

Sadako’s low prices and high quality make sushi an available option for even the invariably broke college student, and once you’ve had your first taste, you’re

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hooked. The menu ranges from beginner California Rolls to more curious options, such as eel, octopus or squid. (I myself get mysterious craving throughout the week for the deep-fried Sunny roll, filled with salmon and cream cheese, an option I imagine embodies everything sushi isn’t meant to be.)

Sushi isn’t your thing? Sadako

offers various soups and salads, noodle dishes and rice bowls to keep the picky eaters happy.

It’s the jackpot combination of a varied, inexpensive menu that’s served quick and is most importantly delicious. Reasons that are undoubtedly why Ann Arbor’s residents keep coming year after year.

—KATHLEEN DAVIS

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Best Thai Food No Thai!

VICKY LIU/DAILY

You know how sometimes you just crave Chinese food? And it can’t be any Chinese food — it’s got to be the most beautifully Americanized blend of comfort food. Sometimes you’ve just got a hankering for hot-and-sour soup.

You’re jittery for General Tso’s.

Ornery until you get your orange chicken fix.

No Thai fills that niche for Thai

food. It’s fresh, flavorful, and maybe most importantly, fast. Located on South University Ave, this restaurant is a mecca for those who want a steamy Pad Seeyu, and want it now. What sets No Thai apart from the rest is its combination of quality and speed. Try the signature Pad Thai, infused with its famous pad thai sauce and topped with the perfect amount of crushed peanuts

to mix in — not too much, not too little. Or sample the drunken noodles, delicious whether you match the state of the noodles or not.

Whatever you end up choosing, you’ll eat it amid No Thai’s cheerful color scheme and fun music. The restaurant cultivates a bright, friendly vibe appropriate for informal dates, outings with friends, or even casual interviews.

Its playfulness is obvious down to the menu, which allows customers to select among different, customizable spice levels called Weak Sauce, Medium, Yoga Flame, and Dim Mak — the last is also known as The Death Touch, so if you’re adventurous or trying to impress your date, then this one’s for you.

Let us know how it goes.

—KAREN YUAN

Best Breakfast Angelo’s NICK WILLIAMS/DAILY

Angelo’s, located on Catherine Street amid the quaintness that is Kerrytown, is an Ann Arbor staple. A true family business, Angelo Vangelatos came to Ann Arbor from Greece in 1951 with his soon-to-be wife Patricia Verames. They worked hard to establish Angelo’s, which was thriving by the 1970s. Later, their

son Steve took over and carries on Angelo’s delicious legacy today.

With an in-house bakery, Angelo’s homemade bread is a must. They’ve recently added a Portabello Benedict to their specials — a delicious vegetarian option topped with tomato and hollandaise sauce to complement their crisp bacon, turkey sausage,

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lox and other breakfast treats.

With its Mediterranean heritage, a simple Greek salad at Angelo’s seems like a good choice.

Angelo’s embraces Ann Arbor’s community culture — not just the city’s culinary tastes, but its artists as well. Illustrations by local artist Michael C. Konas line the walls, complemented by Uni-

versity alum Joyce Lieberman’s “UNStill Life” series.

Breakfast at Angelo’s is a tasty and comforting way to start the day. A glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice (authentic at “market price”) and a stack of cinnamon raisin pancakes — how could anything go wrong after that?

—GILLIAN JAKAB

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