The Michigan Daily-Thursday, September 6, 1979-Page D9 State-Liberty Bacchus Garden 338 S. State Rather slow service combined with mediocre food at least ensures an un- rowded atmosphere. Greek dishes in- cluding Sicilian pizza. Best Steak House 217 S. State This cafeteria-style restaurant will 4serve you a t-bone at your table in just a few minutes. Its price range is quite 'wide, and you generally get'a good deal for your money. Be warned, however: They have no Coke-only Pepsi. Cottage Inn 512 E. William Service is usually dependable in this ,nicely decorated Italian-American restaurant. The entrees are just mediocre, but the pizza's good, and their special bleu cheese and bacon burger is dynamite. Also affords a good ,cappucino. Just one catch: long lines during rush hours. Delta 640 Packard There are only two rasons to go to the Delta: you want to see a Michigan .athlete-since Delta is only a block from Yost and three blocks from Crisler Arena and the stadium, many athletes and coaches frequent the place; you are absolutely starving, and you are 10 feet away from the Delta and 11 feet away from any other restaurant. In short, the Delta is just like hundreds of other forgettable restaurants in hun- 'dreds of insignificant cities. The menu is basically American greasy spoon ,with some Greek thrown in for spice. In any other town the Greek menu itself would be a big draw, but in the Athens of the Midwest (in case you didn't know it Greek Americans own just about every other restaurant in town) it is just another low-priced, plastic boothed diner with food to match. Dominic's Monroe St. This charming Italian restaurant/ cafe is one of the best places to eat in Ann Arbor. Upstairs you can have a leisurely dinner of eggplant par- migiana or perhaps veal in madeira with mushrooms, good wine, and ex- cellent service for under $25. Down- stairs you can drink beer from a glass that used to be a peanut butter jar. Drake's Sandwich Shop 709 N. University This nostalgic monument attracts tea and candy lovers like a magnet. You can choose from over 100 different varieties of the old herb, while tickling your sweet tooth with a large assor- tment of chocolates. In addition, a large menu of sandwiches and fountain delights are offered. The service system is especially unique; you write out your own order. Prices are generally reasonable, making it- ideal for an after-movie munch. Eden Foods 330 Maynard That rarest of creatures-an inex- pensive health food restaurant. Chapati-a salted, seeded, Asian flat- bread is stuffed with vegetarian fare of every ilk. Cold sandwiches range from egg salad to cheese and lettuce, to a filling concoction called the "Complete Protein Special." Hot sandwiches can be drab and gloppy but mixtures of melted cheddar and zucchini are quite good. Desserts, salads, and other trap- pings are nothing special. Frank's 334 Maynard It may look like just another greasy diner, but this place has good food, decent service, and reasonable prices. The dinners can't be beaten price-wise, and breakfast is also a good bet. Don't turn away because of the crowd, you'll be seated soon enough. McDonald's 337 Maynard It's close to campus, which is probably the only thing you may not have known about this establishment. Burger King 520 E. Liberty Often a haven for refugees from Dooley's, which is right next door. Mr. Tony's 342 S. State, 1327 S. University While almost everything here is overpriced, easily available coupons make most of Tony's subs affordable. The pizzas taste all right, but they're small. Olga's Kitchen Billed as a Greek fast food place, Olga's is neither very fast nor very Greek. The restaurant does offer a variety of reasonably-priced san- dwiches, including several options for the vegetarian. It's specialty, however, is breakfast, served from 7 to 10:30 a.m. on weekdays. Pizza Bob's 810 S. State, 814 S. State The high prices aren't bad for the subs you get, and the pizza is better than most. Bob's offers many extras high prices. The beef and bean burrito is especially good. Don't come during peak hours, though, or you'll have to deal with a crowd. Second Chance 516 E. Liberty This unlikely gem is attached to the Second Chance rock nightclub. The restaurant features a wide assortment of tasty sandwiches, a reliable salad bar, and a fine New England clam chowder. The entrees are limited, but interesting and well prepared. The warm colors and natural wood surroundings make for a cozy, setting for lunch or dinner. This combined with reasonable prices makes it jammed from noon until 2:00 p.m., but if you'd like an early dinner you can beat the crowd next door and have a pleasant time. Stage Door 300 S. Thayer The menu is a la carte, and for the most part leaning toward haute cuisine. The vegetarian dishes here, like La Toscana (vegetable lasagne), are delicious. The quiche and veal and shrimp are also recommended. For dessert the mousse is always good. Dinner is around $10-$15. State Street Deli 800 S. State The deli is a good alternative to a piz- za for an after-studying snack or a late dinner. It serves a wide variety of san- dwiches-recommended is the number 11, corned beef and chopped liver with Russian dressing, or a number 9, roast beef and meunster cheese with Russian dressing. The restaurant is open 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week, and san- dwiches range from $1.50 to about $3.50. Thano's Lamplighter 421 E Liberty Thano's Sicilian pizza is rated by many as the best in town. Some say the quality has slipped in recent years but fans of the thich chewy pizza topped with sesame'seeds and scads of stringy cheese regularly jam the small smoky restaurant on weekends for a tray and a brew. Turtle Island 315 S, State Turtle Island is a nifty place for a light vegetarian lunch or dinner. Salads with lots of alfalfa sprouts, whole wheat bread, homemade vegetable soups and juices are fresh and perhaps too healthy for junk food freaks. The a la carte items are moderately priced and not overly filling. It also has omelettes and fish. Victors (Campus Inn) East Huron at State A combination of plush red decor, candlelight, and soft harp music give Victors "big city" flavor. Although somewhat out of most students' price ranges, the food, such as the coq au vin (chicken in wine), is delicious. Be forewarned, however. The highly recommended dessert Haagen Daz, a Dutch ice cream, is not worth the $1.50 it costs. S. University The Bagel Factory 1306 S. University ' Not the place to go on a fancy date, this spot does offer pretty good san- dwiches on bagels. The workers can get behind on busy days, but it's usually worth the wait for one of their corned beef of cream cheese and lox san- dwiches. Good for a carry out when you're in a hurry. Bicycle Jim's 1301S. University What was once a more-than- respectable restaurant has deteri- orated much. The service, when you can get any, leaves much to be desired. And it only gets worse with the food, which is overpriced and under quality. The French Onion soup is BJ's only redeeming quality. Not worth the time it takes to read the menu. Brown Jug 1204 S. University Often 'compared to its neighbor across the street, the Wolverine Den, the Jug is definitely the sleazier of the two. The food's pretty bad, the place is noisy and not so clean, and the help is ever-turning over. Despite all this, though, you might want to risk it late some night since it's open every night until two A.m. The Count of Antipasto S. University If you can imagine an overpriced Italian McDonald's, the Count is it. The design of the place is very unique, but the prices for the Italian offerings are high considering the so-so quality and the fact that you have to wait in line and carry the food to your own table. Don Cisco's 611 Church Although everything in this place is proclaimed "Mexican," don't be fooled by the Mariache guitarists and Latin- dressed waitresses. The enchiladas are exceptionally hot and prepared adeanatelv at hest. The ton dish on the Kamakura Japanese Restaurant 611 Church This eatery on Church Street offers Japanese cuisine, including such specialties as raw fish, chicken teryaki, and a clear seasoned broth with seaweed. The teryaki, seaweed soup, and rice, the least expensive on the menu, sells for $4.75, and raw fish ranges from $7.00 to $13.00. All meals are served with chopsticks. Orange Julius 1237 S. University , The specialty here, a sweet orange juice/milk combination, is worth hit- ting the spot for. The hamburgers and fries are surprisingly good, though or- dering one of their hotdogs could be a near-fatal maneuver. The service is only fair, considering there's rarely anyone there. Pretty cheap, though. The Wolverine Den 1201 S. University No doubt one of the best eating places on campus. Open late on weeknights and four a.m. on the weekends, the Den offers good breakfasts, mediocre din- ners, and fantastic sicilian pizza, all at pretty low prices. Often frequented by bizarre characters, the Den is a good place to sit and unwind. Don't leave Ann Arbor without going there. Highly recommended. ter service only to its patrons. The food might be considered bland, but, like the service, it's always reliable. Bimbo's 114 E. Washington The spaghetti isn't bad and the weekly specials make the Italian cuisine a good deal. An extensive salad bar is featured. Game machines and a blaring large-screen television make for a rather different atmosphere. Students are drawn to Bimbo's by the old-time entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights. Central Cafe 322 S. Main At the Central Cafe the world is always laid back. The surroundings are light and airy (especially in the sum- mer when one can dine in the garden), and the help is friendly albeit the slowest in town. From 3 p.m. until mid- night the Central features the best Mexican menu in town (which only means that it is good, not 'great). The soups are homemade and hearty, and in the summer the gespatche is the best this side of Guadalahara. But the star is a burger known as the Central. It is two quarter-pound pat- ties on onion roll with blue and American cheeses, sauteed An escapist's guide to the good and the bad of A, Over the summer, the Daily attem- pted to review as many restaurants as possible in the Ann Arbor area. Special emphasis was placed on restaurants in the immediate campus area and most such establishments are included in the listings. Many restaurants located more than a normal walking distance from cam- 2 eateries pus are also often frequented by studen- ts, especially when the family (and the family car) come to visit. Many of the better known are reviewed here. While we don't claim to have the last word on the merits or demerits of the area eateries, we hope these brief descriptions and commentaries will help you select a good place to eat. Bon Appetit. Nearby Angelo's Lunch 1100 Catherine A description of Angelo's is like a toast to toast. The thick buttery homemade bread,' either raisin or white, is even more famous than the rather mediocre waffles advertised as the house specialty. Angelo's is the place to go for a quick breakfast before class or a big stick-to-your-ribs meal of eggs, American fries and toast (of course) that doesn't cost a lot of dough. Gandy Dancer 401 Depot Situated in Ann Arbor's historic old train station building, the Gandy serves up the area's most luxurious seafood cuisine, complemented with a well- stocked salad bar. Ideal for special oc- casions, the Gandy offers an intimate dining evening, along with a gay at- mosphere. Diners traditionally ap- plaud as the train rolls by. A fine two- level lounge adjoins the main dining area. Krazy Jim's 551 S. Division Maybe it's because he never has to advertise or maybe it's because he fries the "Blimpy-Burgers" himself, but whatever the reason, Krazy Jim offers the best food value in town. Jim and Chris offer great hamburgers fixed any way you like them, good soup and chili, lean corned beef, and sundry other delicacies at incredibly low prices. Watch out around noon, though, the lines can get long in the small ham- burger stand. An Ann Arbor institution. Raja Rani 1133 E. Huron Raja Rani, located across from Couzens, provides a unique Indian at- mosphere. Waitresses wrappped in Saris serve aromatic and spicy chicken or lamb specialties in the midst of In- dian music. The dishes, offered in a choice of mild, hot and Indian Hot, in- clude vegetables such as peas and potatoes, and a spicy sauce. Each meal is served with a delicious pre-dinner pastry. Warning: Indian hot is very hot. Downtown Afternoon Delight Liberty at Fifth Between rows of bright orange and green formica tables, Afternoon Delight offers a variety of quiches, salads, and interesting hot dishes con- sisting of vegetables, tuna, and cheese. The style is cafeteria and the service is quick, but the prices are a bit steeper than the usual fast food restaurant. Try Afternoon Delight for breakfast (the Danishes are enormous) and for frozen yogurt. Big Boy 100 S. Fourth The original double-decker ham- burger is still the specialty at this restaurant. The place is comfortable, k~.+ +ha ca :ir ..rna -e f ., fr ..to mushrooms, grilled onions, and lettuce and tomato-try it. There are no bad items on the menu, but the prices are erratic. Mexican din- ners seem expensive, but are often too much for one person. They also include tortilla chips with two dips-jalapena and tomato and onion. The jalapena is as scorching as it is delicious, so be prepared. Chez Crepe 328 S. Main In France, the crepe is something one makes out of leftovers. Somehow in this country it has become haute cuisine. Maybe people think anything French must be fancy. And at Chez Crepe they' think the American public will believe that anything French must also be ex- pensive. The crepes are fair to good, and the quaint French countryside cafe setting is pleasant, but who would ex- pect a Frenchman to pay Chez Crepe prices for my cold beef sandwiches (American leftovers)? Complete Cuisine Main Street It is nice to see an attempt to bring some classic French food into Ann Ar- bor, but so far Complete Cuisine is strictly close but no cigar. They only serve lunch (although you can buy din- ner to take home), and with just six tables reservations are a must. Prices are moderately expensive, but the am- bitious menu comes up a bit flat. The veal pate tasted fine but there were so many chunks floating around it might as well have been mashedwith a fork instead of a food processor. Cracked Crab 112 W. Washington This used to be a low cost eatery, where paper plates and long lines were the norm. The restaurant was remodeled a while ago, and although the menu is the same, the prices have gone up. The service and most of the food selections are fair, but the crab is excellent. Great Lakes Steak Company 3965 S. State THE place for steaks in Ann Ar- bor-and with the best prime rib around. Dinner is about $15-$20 per per- son with wine, but you'll walk out feeling dined. The service is always good as is the broccoli with cheese sauce. Don't order fish (on the new menu)-it's not up to par with the steaks. And always leave room for a slice of thick New York-style cheesecake with your favorite topping (fresh, when in season). Good place to take the parents or anyone who can af. ford to take you out. Leopold Blooms 118 W. Liberty The food here is bland, dry, sometimes soggy, and usually microwaved. Everything is a la carte. The waitpeople appear put out to refill your waterglass. However, the decor is rather nice, and that, apparently, is what brings people to this very expen- sive restaurant. almost identical to the fowl offered at the !Kentucky Colonel's place. But the fish is surrounded by a sort of greasy, mushy batter that is worse than most of the stuff that surrounds typical cheapie fish. But the prices are small-diner reasonable. Maude's 314 S. 4th Maude's is aching to be New York chic, with prices to match. Loads of hamburgers and salads for the more moderate student budget (though not cheap), but the entrees are strictly for special occasions or when mom and dad are buying. St. Louis babyback ribs are scrumptious, and feature a special sauce. The much-ballyhoed Amaretto mousse is interesting, but simply not a mousse. Try the fried eggplant and the princess dressing (yes, together). Metzger's German Restaurant 203 W. Washington Quantity rather than extraordinary quality seems to be the general rule. It's a good place to go if you're really hungry-the food is reasonably priced and the portions are large-but stay' away if you appreciate really good German food. The potato pancakes are surprisingly good, but are served only on Thursdays and Saturdays. Old German 120 W. Washington The decor and canned ethnic music make it seem as if you're in Germany itself at this pleasant eatery. Most dishes are medium-priced, and the ser- vice is pretty good, even when the place is busy. The house ribs aren't bad, though fatty, and the standard German fare-spatzen and sauerkraut-are good and fair, respectively. Old Heidelberg 215 N. Main The great Bavarian atmosphere and decor at the Old Heidelberg make you feel as if you are dining in a fine restaurant in the Black Forest. Although the German cuisine is not out- standing, and the prices are a bit high, the Bratwurst and Sauerkraut are good dishes to try. Also, on weekends you can dance to a polka band upstairs or listen to folk music in the Rathskeller in the basement. Olympic 221 N. Main The Olympic has good coffee, good service, good atmosphere, and the prices for the standard Greek and American selections are reasonable. Pagoda 311 S. Main Surprisingly underrated by most Ann Arborites, this Chinese restaurant of- fers all the standard fare, at mid-range prices, and they're all at least good. A; bit out of the way for students, but it's worth the walk (esp'eaIlly for lunch). The Pgoda gives 'up a little in decor, but makes up for it in good food. Stan- dard fortune cookies. Parthenon Gyros Restaurant 226 S. Main The gyros sandwiches here are very good, but quite overpriced. Canned Greek music and the decor don't exac- tly make you feel like you're in Athens. The spinach pies aren't up to par, either. Pretzel Bell 120 E. Liberty The quality of the food at the Pretzel Bell is certainly good, but the prices are way above what one would expect to pay for such fare. The tables arefull of historic carvings, and the walls display hundreds of old-time Wolverine sports photos. The service is good, and the salad bar is one of the best in town. Bluegrass music on weekends. The Real Seafood Co. 341 S. Main Fresh fish, a scarcity in Ann Arbor, can be found in massive quantities in this downtown eatery. If you're willing to part with $5-8, a hearty, delicious meal awaits you. The "Catch of the Day" is strongly recommen- ded-striped bass, bluefish, and lake trout make regular appearances, while a frozen daquiri provides the fitting en- ding. The intimate atmosphere and friendly service make the visit even more worthwhile. The Whiffletree 208 W. Huron A fine, medium-priced restaurant that serves everything from ham- burgers to seafood to steak. Divided in- to several private sections, the dimly-lit atmosphere is perfect for couples, and the Whiffletree serves excellent Marguaritas and Rusty Nails. And don't pass up one of their hamburger specialties- a Yosemite Sam. Take the car Bill Knapp's Carpenter and Washtenaw Briarwood Mall Jackson at Stadium Like every other Bill Knapp's in the midwest, Ann Arbor's three locations offer good, hearty Sunday-dinner type for a moderate sit-down restaurant nrie. The excellent service and the restaurant. The food is moderately- priced and the service is usually good. DJ's Pizza 3148 Packard Although the pizzas here are a cu above the subs, the "Club Sub" (whic contains strips of bacon) is a uniqu alternative to the normal hoagie in An4 Arbor. The prices are a bit higher tha$ average for pizzas or submarines. Forbidden City 3535 Plymouth Ann Arbor was the winner when the Forbidden City people decided to locate their third restaurant here. Chinese food lovers from Saginaw and Flint already know the mouth-watering menu of authentic Peking-style food. It's expensive but a must for anyone with a yen for Chinese food. Hung-Wan 2560 Packard When it comes to Chinese food everyone lauds Ypsilanti's Old China. But frankly, it is living on its reputation. Prices have gone way u, and quality has dropped. Ann Arbor's own Hung-Wan offers spicier Mandari and Szechuan cooking for a dollar ar two less per dish. The hot and sour soup is titilating, and the twice-cooked pork is uniquely delicious. The atmosphere is typical Chinese restaurant . style-Oriental tacky-but that is pat of the show. Make sure to bring lots of friends so you can share dinners, and use chopsticks for the total effect. Lim's 2161 W. Stadium The Chinese dinners in the $7-$9 range are nothing spectacular, but the food is a good change of taste. Eggrolls are a bit tough. Service is quick and ef- ficient. Mr. Steak 2333 E. Stadium Mr. Steak offers the standard steak house fare, with a few additions, such as lobster and chicken. The meat in char-broiled to your taste (usually, and the menu includes a huge butterfl' cut steak-it takes a bit longer to cook, but it wholeheartedly satisfies hefts appetites. Mr. Steak is the place to tak Mom and Dad for a good, inexpensive meal: moderate food at a moderaty price. Weber's 3050 Jackson Rd. A sign on I-94 tells you that you ar only 20 minutes away from one Qf America's finest restaurants-Weber) Inn. The sign lies. There is nothi special about Weber's. It has passab steaks, passable seafood, a standar menu, an unimpressive wine list any friendly service in a pleasant a - mosphere. It's not that anything is ba . It's just that Weber's is just like thousand other hotel restaurants, an4 who wants to pay top dollar for that? Wendy's Old Fashioned Hamburgers 5445 Jackson The "big and juicy" burgers simpy aren't that big and juicy, but they be.t McDonald's. The french fries are nothing to cheer about, but their shakes are as thick as regular sundaes. X fairly nice place to eat. Bars Del Rio Bar Ba 122 W. Washington A good place to go for a drink with e close friend or two, Del-Rio's also features some great sandwiches. The drinks are excellent and the candle-lit tables provide that touch of class. Tle walls are decorated with some great local art work, so if you're bored... Dooley's 310 Maynard This ,is probably the most popular watering hole for students at the University. A spacious bar with pinball machines, pool tables, and piped in roek music, Dooley's is always packed ofr Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. The bar has average prices for average drinks, and usually offers some great specials during the.week. Hot dogs are 15d on Friday. Mr. Flood's Party 120 W. Liberty For folk,rcountry, blues, and mellow rock, Mr. Flood's Party is an in- terestingalternative to the bar scene in Ann Arbor. The nostalgic 1890s decor is worth the trip alone-stained glass, old photographs, and even a wooden cigar- store Indian. The drinks here are ex- pensive, but on weeknights the enter- tainment is free. Old Town 122 W. Liberty A rustic bar located right next to Mr. Flood's Party, the Old Town has cheap beer and drinks. If you like, you can get big baskets of peanuts in the shell, and occasionally the place does get rowdy.. Second Chance 516 E. Liberty For rock and roll entertainment, no bar in Ann Arbor can match the talent that the Second Chance brings to its audiences. The bar is set up on three levels, but'no matter where you sit, the music is too loud. Cover varies depen- ding on the group playing, and drinks are relatively exensive