11

8F - The Michigan Daily - New Student Edition- Tuesday, September 3, 2002
DORM FOOD ALTERNATIVES
Tired o chicken nuggets?A=
has the cure to what ails you

By Usa Hoffman
Daily News Editor


With restaurants ranging from Blimpie Burger on
South Division Street, serving up made-to-order burg-
ers and fries, to the Chop House on Main Street, one of
the city's finest eateries, restaurants both on and off
campus can satisfy almost any taste bud craving.
"Restaurants in Ann Arbor for the most part are good,
but better places, like Palio, are a little expensive," LSA
senior Paul Gabrail said.
Though some restaurants, like Palio, an Italian eatery
on Main Street, are a little pricey, many surrounding the
Diag, including Good Time Charlie's, the Brown Jug
and Ashley's Pub, offer a variety of affordable dining
options.
"As long as it's not on Queen Street," LSA alum
Kelly Godchaux said, referring to the affordability of
restaurants around the Diag. "The breadsticks at Pizza
House are really good," she added.
Need a quick lunch or cup of coffee? The wealth of
bagel stores, delis, coffee shops and pizza places
around campus assure that students always have options
at all corners of the Diag.
For students looking for a different option, the many
hot dog stands on the outskirts of campus offer a
refreshing change.
Looking for something more upscale - go west to
Main Street, a hot spot for fine dining which boasts
Best of Ann Arbor 2002 winners for Best Seafood, Best
Steak and Best Dessert.
The respective winners, Real Seafood, The Chop-
house and La Dolce Vita, are only a few of the many
restaurants in the Main Street area, all of which offer a
variety of foods from across the globe, though they are
a bit pricey for just a plain, everyday meal.
"The Chophouse is fine, but students can't afford
it," Rackham student Dimitri Krallis said, who added

that he also enjoyed the Blue Nile, which serves
Ethiopian food, and Raja Rani, 2002 winner for Best
Indian Cuisine.
Other 2002 Best winners include BD's Mongolian
BBQ, which one for Best All You Can Eat and Best
Barbeque and is also located on Main.
The create-your-own-meal restaurant offers a variety
of meats, vegetables, sauces and spices that dining
guests can mix and match to create their own personal-
ized stir-fry.
When dining off campus isn't an option, which is
when Entree Plus, a service that works much like a
debit card in which money can be placed on one's M-
card and used at a number of eateries around campus,
comes in handy.
Entree Plus points can be purchased or can be
acquired by selecting reduced meal plan options,
according to the University Housing website.
Restaurants, coffee shops and fast food counters
inside the Michigan Union on State Street, the Michi-
gan League on North University Avenue and for those
on North Campus, Pierpont Commons, all participate in
the program.
In the basement of the buildings, a variety of fast food
restaurants, including Subway, Mrs. Field's, Wendy's ,
Magic Wok and Villa Pizza in the Union, offer quick
ways to grab a bite to eat in between classes and all
accept plus points.
Both the League and Pierpont also house fast food
restaurants on their ground floors such as Tim Horton's,
Wendy's and McDonald's. The large tables and booths
also make all three places a good place for group meet-
ings and study sessions.
"Entree Plus is the best thing here because of all the
options," Gabrail said, who often studies in the Union
basement. "I need some noise in the background when I
study, but it's bad because I wind up doing other things
instead."


4

4

4

Mongolian Barbeque, one of Ann Arbor's most popular restaurants on Main Street, is known for its giant circular grill, crazy
chefs and great food. Just be ready for long waits to be seated if you try to eat during the dinner hours on the weekend.
Other Entree Plus options include dining at the Uni- different eateries are just minutes away by car or bus,
versity Club in the Union, which offers a full service including Macaroni Grill, Bennigans, Max & Erma's
restaurant and soup and salad bar, and the Michigan and T.G.I.Fridays.
League Buffet. "I like to eat at the chain restaurants myself," Gabrail 4
When looking to get away from campus, a myriad of said.

DAMON'S IS THE PLACE ...
... for more than just ribs, making it one of Ann Arbor's best kept secrets

By Kyle O'Neill
Daily Sports Writer

What makes Damon's more popular than your average sports bar is that it
appeals to any gender as there is a normal restaurant setting with muted televisions
in the wall. Sports fans can bring their dates without fear of ignoring them, but at

4

It has an aura to it. the same time, they can still watch the games.
You walk in and you can feel the history of past athletes that have marched "I think Damon's certainly is gender-friendly, but based on my own personal
through its entrance. experience, I'd say that my male friends probably enjoy it more," LSA sophomore
To your right, you see sporting contests keeping the masses entertained. Alexis Lopez said. "Regardless, I definitely feel that Damon's provides a fun
Straight ahead there are fans cheering and jeering their teams. atmosphere for both of the sexes."
And to your left there are families Damon's is alsoggreat for any social event
enjoying themselves, watching the thanks to its restaurant area, which is about
game around them, but only absorbed as fine dining as one can get when eating
in each other. ribs.
There's even a resting area while Any celebration can be held there; birth-
you wait in line for your "ticket." days, anniversary dinners, team celebrations
No, you're not the Big House, and even pre-formal dinners are held there.
Crisler or Yost. You're in Damon's' "I first went to the Damon's in Saginaw
Grill - the place for ribs. for prom during my freshman year of high
A restaurant for everyone, Damon's school," Lopez said.
quietly entered the Ann Arbor scene Even though ribs are the big seller, there
in Spring 2001 and has since won '.. is plenty of food to sooth the soul from large
over the majority of the public. salads to pastas and chicken dishes.
"My reaction to first seeing "The food is palatable," Campbell said.
Damon's was, 'I wish I had money to "They have big, hearty, hungry man meals.
spend there,' because I like it," Eco- Even the pasta is measured in kilograms."
nomics senior Brian Campbell said. Damon's is also very accessible as itsis a
Don't know where to go for CBS's short drive or bus ride away.
March Madness or ESPN's Bowl '>'r f ' The restaurant is located on State Street
Week, why not go to where you can ., across from Briarwood Mall, giving shoppers
watch all the games at once? a place to eat after a tough day of walking.
In one portion of the restaurant, the Damon's is also a popular stop for lunch
sports lover in you will be more than considering meals are as low as $6.99. Even
content with the four giant big screen the ribs are inexpensive as a plentiful appe-
televisions and stadium-like seating :tizer amount of the BBQ-flavored meat can
- each table has its own speakers', so be found for under $10.
you can chose the game you're listen-- For those without the privilege of having a
ing to. car, fear no. Damon's is a block away from
With its satellite dish, Damon's is DANNY M LOSHOK/Daily the AATA stop at Briarwood.
able to take its restaurant-goers to any Damon's Grill, located on State Street near Briarwood Mall, offers great food and four big Catch the bus at the Michigan Union and
four games in the world simultaneously. screen televisions, so you can eat and catch the game all at once. wait for the one going to Briarwood.
"The clubhouse, that's why I go No mater what mode of transportation used,
there," Campbell said. make sure to get dressed up in your best shirt-and-tie or jersey (both are accepted).
For those not wanting a restaurant environment, head over to the Damon's mid- Whether it's spending time having a nice, relaxing meal with' the parents.or par-
section where you can sit at the bar and be surrounded by multiple televisions ticipating in a rambunctious time with fellow fans of the Wolverines, Red Wings,
hung from the ceiling. Pistons, Tigers, Lions ... and occasionally a few Spartans games when they play
Get a good seat at the bar and the big screens are still in full view. Ohio State, Damon's is the place for all types, no matter what your affiliation.


Pizza House one of many choices
for an attack of late night munchies
By Jeremy Berkowitz Overall Restaurant Award for the Best of Ann Arbor.
Daily Staff Reporter The one downside is it also one of Ann Arbor's more expensive eateries.
Down a few blocks is Jimmy's Sgt. Peppers, located at the corner of East
An unique aspect of Ann Arbor is the existence of late night hours for University and Greenwood Avenues.
restaurants and takeout places. One will find there are numerous places to While not offering the extensive menu that Pizza House or Pancheros
go for food after a night of parties, rather than frequenting the local 24- does, Sgt. Peppers offers almost every type of late night snack food, other
hour diner found in most small towns or cities (though Ann Arbor does weekend necessities and pizza for under $2 a slice. In addition, one of the
have one of those). From bustling South University Avenue to quiet Green- main attractions of Sgt. Peppers is the owner himself. Jimmy is a flamboy-
wood Avenue, one has many choices to satisfy his night eating desires. ant person who loves working around University students and their busi-
If one is coming from a fraternity party on Washtenaw Avenue on a Fri- ness.
day night, they might decide to take a little detour down South University. If on the more northwest end of campus, stop by the New York Pizza
One place to stop is the world famous Jimmy John's, open until 4 a.m. Depot on East William Street. Otherwise known as NYPD, this pizza sta-
The Jimmy John's menu displays a variety of subs and clubs with all the tion is open until 4 a.m. and is a favorite of many students.
necessities of a good deli. It offers a wide variety of pizza toppings from baked ziti to barbecue
Of course what Jimmy John's famous is The Gargantuan, a monstrous chicken. Decorated with pictures of New York City, the place makes one
sandwich loaded with salami, provolone cheese and mayonnaise among feel they're back in Little Italy.
other ingredients. There are also two Subways on campus, one in the basement of the
The menu says, "Its huge enough to feed the hungriest of all humans!" Michigan Union and the other on South University. But, they usually close
In addition, the seating is plentiful and the employees are easygoing and earlier than Pita Pit, another sandwich place on South University a few
efficient. doors down from Jimmy John's and right next to Subway.
Across the street is Pancheros. Open until 3 a.m. on the weekend, this Pita Pit offers a great variety of sandwiches. In addition to the usual
small Mexican takeout place offers everything from quesadillas to burritos. choices of turkey and roast beef, Pita Pit also offers a falafel vegetarian
One moves along a line while a cook personally makes your order with or pita. And for those desiring a heftier meal, the Pit offers meals like the
without various items. steak and chicken cesar salad pitas. There's also flexibility on how much
Meanwhile, right off South University on Church Street is one of Ann you're going to get, so you may get more than your money's worth.
Arbor's many pizza places. Pizza House, open till 4 a.m. seven days a week Another advantage of Pita Pit is that it offers a 10 percent discount to all
offers more than just pizza. students with ID.
With a variety of sandwiches, salads, pizza and delicious chipatis, Pizza While cheap pizza places open till 4 a.m. are hardly reasons why stu-
House has been a favorite of Ann Arbor students for many years now, dents choose to come to the University, these late night options add to the
which is one of the reasons it received the Best of Ann Arbor 2002 Best character of the city and guarantee students a full stomach.

Got a late night snack attack? Try Jimmy John's, one of many places op
night munchies. If you're out of cash, they do offer "free smells."