w w V V V - -V-- -____ v a 8B - The Michigan Daily- WeekeidMagazine - Thursday, March 11, 2004 Sabor Latino shocks taste buds with homey traditional fare The Michigan Daily -WeekedMa TWO GUYS AND A BURRITO PLACE By Sravya Chirumamilla Daily Weekend Editor By Emily Liu Daily Arts Writer Sabor Latino, located on Main Street right next to the Heidelberg, is often overlooked by students, who frequent the South University Avenue and State Street areas instead. There is actually a second location on campus, hidden on State Street amid the construction near Washington Street, but with a less extensive menu. Both locations are small, homey eateries reminiscent of family restaurants, with flags of Latin American countries on the walls and brightly-colored paper placemats on the tables. Upon being seated at the Main Street location, we were given a bas- ket of tortilla chips and an assort- ment of condiments that included a tasty, medium-spicy salsa, jalapeno peppers, fresh limes and pico de gallo. The pico de gallo contained a pleasant mix of chopped tomatoes, onions and cilantro, but was mild and would have tasted better with a bit of jalapeno. The homemade tortilla chips were a little too dense for my taste, crunchy but not crispy enough. The server explained the menu items thoroughly and also mentioned the daily specials, which, on this day, were a soup consisting of pork and hominy, and beef in red sauce. Not only are there many basic Mexican foods on the menu, such as tacos, bur- ritos and enchiladas, but also Puerto Rican and Cuban dishes, which are offered on the weekends. Various meat fillings are available, such as beef steak, marinated pork, fried pork, chicken and chorizo, as well as vege- tarian options. Menu items are avail- able as entrees or a la carte. Our food arrived at the table quickly. The fajitas were still sizzling in an iron platter and came with both corn and flour tortillas (or one or the other upon request). The flour tor- tillas were more enjoyable because of their softness; the corn tortillas, in See SABOR LATINO, Page 9B WILLA TRACOSAS/Daily While Sabor's service seems impressive, its food sometimes elicits mixed reviews. Ever fallen asleep during the fourth screening of "Battleship Potemkin" and dreamt of burritos? Film and Video and English student Adam Lowenstein couldn't help but let his mind wander from the daily grind of junior year. Returning home to California, Lowenstein met up with boarding school friend Justin Herrick. The two decided that Ann Arbor was in desperate need of a burrito place and the concept of Big Ten Burritos was born. "Ann Arbor has such a drought of Mexican food," explains Lowenstein. They headed back to the Midwest in June, aiming to open a restaurant before the fall football tailgates. The two management novices had no previous business experience but were ready to face the chal- lenges of the competitive restaurant industry. Lowenstein remarks, "My majors had nothing to do with business. After so much time spent studying theory, watching movies and reading literature, I was ready to try something more practical." Herrick has been interested in the business for some time now but has had a difficult time deciding on the location for the venture. An Amherst College graduate, Herrick was a biology major about to enter medical school. While he was working at a hospital, another friend from the high school days at Midland School in Santa Barbara County, invited Herrick to open a burrito place. While the initial plans involved opening a restau- rant in the Midwest, Herrick later found partners for an endeavor in Australia. When that fell through, the two friends decided on Ann Arbor, from which they hope to expand to other Big Ten schools. Opening this business has been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride: while at the bank writing a check for one venue, a local restaurant owner convinced them that the landlords were involved in shady busi- ness practices. Walking home disheartened, they saw the sign outside Mr. Spots, announcing its move three feet north on South State Street. A quick phone call later, they began negotiating to lease 810 S. State Street. Within an hour and a half, the two part- ners completely changed the location, store size and landlord of their business. Their luck continued when they walked into the . ( .{ k. JEFF LEHNERT/ Adam Lowenstein and Justin Herrick unveil a sign designed by a friend with the Big Ten Burrito logo that they hope to place above their doorway once they receive a permit from the city. office of Ply Architecture. Two Architecture profes- sors, Craig Borum and Karl Daubmann, head this company, which redesigned the restaurant. Inside, patrons can find a decoration scheme complete with art deco hanging lights, mod chairs and a long, wooden table. "There is only one table for family style seating," Lowenstein explains. The limited seating will encourage carryout, but Herrick explains the main purpose of the seating is to accommodate a large crowd. "Everyone eating here should be packed in," Herrick describes, noting the ample standing space along the counter. The art deco provides an uptown atmosphere usu- ally not associated with burrito places. Lowenstein hopes to change perceptions about burrito restau- rants. "This environment adds to the healthy, good and clean - a meal that's respectable." The 4 a.m. closing time and on-the-dollar, tax- included pricing should greatly aid post-party, ine- briated patrons. With food prices that peak at Lowenstein and Herrick hope to draw in many dents. "Being so shortly removed from students, way we can relate is different from, say, Jin John's. We know not to charge an exorbitant pric The three pizza parlors and four sandwich sh around the block offer little diversity in the f selection. Big Ten hopes to provide a healt option, though the owners remark that they are n competitor. "We want to add something to the bl without competing," Herrick is quick to note. The owners also comment on the friendly nei bors and their excitement whenever passers-by r their sign. "1 think there is a lot of comrad around here," Adam comments. Their preparations should pay off when they o this weekend and Ann Arbor can experience w these entrepreneurs are marketing as "The Grea Burrito of All Time." The University of Michigan College of Science, and the Arts presents aI lecture and reception Literature, public I The Centered Self | Backpacks? Hostels? 3 Cities in 4 Days? This ain't uour parents' travel aaencu... it's uour; N. r 1 J. David Velleman G.E.M. Anscombe Collegiate Professor of Philosophy March 11, 2004 Founders Room Alumni Association 4:10 PM for more information call 734/998-6251 Iwww.statravel.com I 528 South State St. (734) 769.2555 1218 South University Ave. (734) 998.0200 OnlnE >> On THE PHOnE >> On CmPU/ >> On THE fTREET