Brooklyn, Michigan and surrounding areas (including Ann Arbor)

[Hoover13]

Hello,

I actually plan on being in Michigan several times over the coming months (for work) and will be making my first trip back (was at the Auto Show earlier this year and had found some great food: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/6803...), for a two week stay, this coming weekend. I'm a bit further out this time though in Brooklyn, MI where the Michigan International Speedway is located.

I'd love to get any rec's for Brooklyn and the surrounding areas and also for the other, larger, communities nearby (Ann Arbor, Chelsea, etc.). I’ll be working pretty crazy hours so I’ll be somewhat limited for long distance excursions during the week, but it’s game on over the weekends. I will have car too BTW.

If anyone has anything for me, please let me know (I'm open for anything including dives, stands, fine dining etc.) I drove around a bit last night and ended up at Bob's Big Boy. I'd like to avoid this having to happen again.

Would also like to drink some local beers, or micro-brews, while I'm out here too. Got anything for me?

Thanks and I look forward to eating through your towns!

[uhockey]

Zingerman's Roadhouse for Breakfast was superb - possibly the best breakfast in the Tri-State area (MI, IN, OH.)

If you have a car and the time I would STRONGLY recommend Forest Grill up in Birmingham. City is great, food is better - I'd say it is the only "destination" restaurant in Ohio or Michigan that I've been to.

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Forest Grill Restaurant
735 Forest Ave Ste 100, Birmingham, MI 48009

Zingerman's Roadhouse
2501 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103

[tokyo]

If you haven't already, you may (definitely) want to try Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger in Ann Arbor. I would be interested in hearing your feedback. I haven't been there and am curious how -novelty and reputation aside- the burgers rate. Be sure to preview the ordering process online first: www.blimpyburger.com
If you make it to Common Grill, please report. Thanks! And welcome back to Michigan.:)

[Hoover13]

Yes, thanks - heard a few good things on ole' Blimpy. Will try to sqeeze it in though I'm not sure how much time I'm gonna end up having in Ann Arbor any more (especially with the graduation and Obama rolling into town).

Was also thinking of hitting Sidetrack up: http://www.sidetrackbarandgrill.com/f...
Ever been? thanks...

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Blimpy's
4180 Luna Pier Rd, Luna Pier, MI 48157

[Hoover13]

PS, think I'm gonna make it over to Common Grill on Friday night and will def. report back.

And, thanks, good to be back. : )

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Common Grill
112 S Main St, Chelsea, MI 48118

[JanPrimus]

For beer in Ann Arbor you might as well drop into the Jolly Pumpkin.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/24/din...

They also have a pretty good rotating Cheese and Charcuterie plate that I like a lot.

[mega1021]

in ann arbor, you need to go to zingerman's (arguably over-priced, but wonderful deli), cafe zola, and the fleetwood. the latter is as divey as you can get... which is to say it's wonderful.

[vtombrown]

I must second mega1021's recommendation. A foodie from out of town will want to have dropped by Ann Arbor's Zingerman's Deli to gawk and to pig-out a la carte for dinner. www.zingermansdeli.com

More easily accessible from I-94, is Zingerman's Roadhouse. www.zingermansroadhouse.com
Yes, there is a lot of hype behind these places, but anybody who has "really been" to Ann Arbor has been to Zingerman's.

You'll go home very happy, but just $8 lighter than you had intended.

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Zingerman's Roadhouse
2501 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103

[Hoover13]

Yup, was luckily able to nail down a reservation at Zingerman's Roadhouse on Saturday night (pretty amazing given how crazy it's gonna be out there this weekend with Obama there for the graduation). Looking forward to it - thanks!

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Zingerman's Roadhouse
2501 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103

[trapani]

Napoleon Cafe in Napoleon. Good plain ole American cooking. Fried chicken and the pies are wonderful.

[momskitchen]

I agree about the Napoleon Cafe - good breakfast! Eat with the farmers! Also out near Brooklyn, I recommend Jerry's Pub on Wampler's Lake. What will you be doing out there for work - working at the Speedway? There's nothing much else that way...

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Jerry's Pub & Restaurant
650 Egan Hwy, Brooklyn, MI 49230

[JanPrimus]

There is a Big Boy I hear...

[momskitchen]

There's also a Mystery Hill where you can experience the mysteries of the forces of gravity!

[JanPrimus]

The Dinosaur park too!

[Hoover13]

haaaaaa! not funny. : (

[Hoover13]

Yes, out here working at the track (for a few weeks at a time) over the next several months.

Yes, Jerry's...been back twice now. Solid spot, thanks! I like the atmosphere in there as well as the view. Some nice beers on tap too. The food was really good on one trip, and then not so much on another. I suspect it depends on who's in the kitchen on any given night (I actually asked and there was a different chef in the kitchen on each visit). I suspect this will be a fun place to be during the warmer months.

Got a good, simple, breakfast over at Momma’s and Poppa’s too…

[JanPrimus]

In Chelsea it would be criminal to miss "The Common Grill".

Annoying music on website warning....
http://www.commongrill.com
Also in Chelsea if you are up for drinks would be...

Seitz's Tavern
http://www.lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=27599&p=307845

Seitz's is a throw back place...it looks pretty much the same as it would have back when you great great granddad would have gone.

While in Brooklyn there is one thing you must keep your eyes open for...
http://www.mcclurespickles.com

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Common Grill
112 S Main St, Chelsea, MI 48118

Seitz's Tavern
110 W Middle St, Chelsea, MI 48118

[gooddog]

I believe the Brooklyn referred to on the McClure's Pickles website is the NY one, not MI. While you will find them in a number of retail stores in Michigan, it doesn't appear any of them are near Brooklyn, MI.

[JanPrimus]

DOH! Your right.... am not sure where got that into my head.

[Hoover13]

I've heard good things on Common Grill. Interestingly enough, I also read (via Yelp) that one of the former chefs went on to open 'Daryl's Downtown' in Jackson (which is pretty close to me).
http://www.darylsdowntown.com/

I might give it a shot as well.

Seitz's looks AWESOME. Right up my alley. I'll add it to my list.

Thanks for the info - much appreciated.

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Common Grill
112 S Main St, Chelsea, MI 48118

[JanPrimus]

Word of Warning that I learned yesterday.....Seitz is closed on Sundays.

[Hoover13]

Well then I'll just have to drown my sorrows at Miller's Bar!

[JanPrimus]

Now that would be a haul (I also have to admit not really a Miller's Fan - I think it is more novelty than good tasting)

If you are going to be near Ann Arbor and need some good beer either hit up Jolly Pumpkin or if you REALLY want variety....

http://www.ashleys.com/

The Website sucks....but they have TONS of different beers on tap. Not to mention college girls to look at! :)

[Hoover13]

Yea, I hear you. I personally bought into both the burger and the novelty, but to each thier own.

There are also some other burger joints (some suggested by others below) , that I wanted to try and hit while I'm out here including the yet to be recommended Sidetrack Grill.

Gonna hit up Jolly for sure...thanks!

[coney with everything]

Hoover, if you're a car guy (just guessing, based on the timing of your visits) there's a cruise night on Thursdays in the summer in the area around Sidetrack (assuming you mean the one in Ypsi).

http://depottownforward.com/cruisenit...

I can't say from experience if the cars are worthwhile, but the Sidetrack burger definitely is a good one.

[momskitchen]

At the Sidetrack...since you are an car guy, check out the vintage Hudsons at the Hudson museum across the street. I can't say a Hudson would be good for racing LOL but they sure were pretty cars. I have never made it to one of their cruise nights but there is bound to be some Hudsons rolling around. They were made in Ypsi. I recommend ordering the deep fried pickles at the Side Track. Their burgers are good, too. They have a great beer selection and it is fun sitting there on their patio when the train goes by...

[Hoover13]

To be honest, I'm really not a car guy. But, I am helping run a competition to bring more fuel efficient vehicles to market. However, I am a burger, beer pickle guy indeed and appreciate the info!!

[coney with everything]

Oh, are you working on the Xprize? Cool

[Hoover13]

I sure am : ). Lots of hard work going on out here! Not much time for food adventures yet...

[Hoover13]

Hit up Seitz's last night followed by Common Grill. Sadly, I did not have my license on me and was not able to grab a drink at Setz's, but I did walk in and suck up all the atmosphere - a really cool spot (bought a shirt too). Common Grill was wonderful and would be considered so in any city. Great seafood selections and beer/wine too. My only note would be they could simplify some of their dishes a bit, but other than that excellent. I'll be going back, to both, on future visits.

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Common Grill
112 S Main St, Chelsea, MI 48118

[vtombrown]

Hoover13--Don't take that Seitz thing too hard. Sure, maybe today you only are a guy who lives in Southern California, has an expense account and is still young enough to get carded for drinks. But, things will get better, later in life, if you can just hang in there. VTB

[Hoover13]

Thank you for your concern. Things are actually looking up for me - had a great meal last night at Zingerman's Roadhouse and luckily this time I had my ID. Work (a non profit organization!) picked up the pulled pork, but, sadly, not my adult beverage consumption. Gotta run, valet just pulled up in my yellow Lamborghini convertible - got a tanning appointment and then I'm off to frost my tips (hair). Toodaloo!

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Zingerman's Roadhouse
2501 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103

[tokyo]

Haaahaha!

[vtombrown]

:-) Rub it in.
Hoover13-- Glad you had a respectable experience at Zingerman's Roadhouse.
Please do make a post for us upon your next return to SE Michigan.
Happy Travels.

[coney with everything]

Is that Lambo powered by an alternative fuel??

[Hoover13]

Yea, my post Lafayette Coney Island gas!

[JanPrimus]

www.instantrimshot.com