2F - The Michigan Daily - New Student Edition - Fall 2004 ANN ARBOR E Late eats, cool treats Gear up for school with a full wallet and an empty stomach 4 By Steve Cotner and Joel Hoard Daily Staff Writers College students keep busy schedules, and as a result, it can be difficult to maintain a regular dining schedule. Students end up eating at odd hours, oftentimes late at night. Fortunately, whether you're looking for a late-night dinner or just an early start on breakfast, there are several establishments in Ann Arbor sympathetic to your needs. Jimmy John's 929 E. Ann St. (734) 913-9200 600 Packard St. (734) 741-9200 342 S. State St. (734) 222-7000 1205 S. University Ave. (734) 827-2600 Offering homemade bread, choice-cut meats and fresh vegetables, Jimmy John's strives to provide "the world's greatest gour- met sandwiches." In truth, the food is merely mediocre. But with four clean locations scat- tered around campus, cheap prices and an efficient staff, Jimmy John's is the most con- venient late-night option. Hours: 10 a.m.-3 a.m. Sun.-Wed., 10 a.m-4 a.m. Thurs.-Sat. Food: *** Convenience: ***** Atmosphere: *** Subway 1315 S. University Ave. (734) 761-4160 Why go to Subway when you have several superior options available? There's no good answer. Subway has grown into the world's largest fast food chain, and it's time to stem the tide. Do yourself a favor: Pass on Subway and explore the many other unique eateries available. Hours: 10 a.m.-3 a.m. Mon.-Sat., 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sun. Food: ** Convenience: **** Atmosphere: ** PitaPit 1317 S. University Ave. (734) 663-2811 Special sauce or Tzatziki? It's a bit overpriced. and there is no seating, but this spot delivers quality pitas stuffed with all the meats and veg- gies you can imagine. Also, they have souvlaki, whatever that is. Hours: 11 a.m.-3 a.m. Mon.-Sat., Noon-3 a.m. Sun. Food: **** Convenience: **** Atmosphere: **I In-and-Out Food Store 615 E. University Ave. (734) 662-6560 Buy a slice while picking up some smokes from this pizza store within a store. You'll be in and out in no time. Hours: 8 a.m.-2:30 a.m. Mon.-Fri., Noon- 2:30 a.mn. Sat.-Sun. Food: ***4 Convenience: ***** Atmosphere: *9 The Backroom Pizzeria 1204 S. University Ave. (734) 741-8296 Pizza of many kinds: cheese or pepperoni. That's all you need to know about this place. Hours: 11 a.m.-2 a.m. daily Food: *** Convenience: ***** Atmosphere: *1 Leonardo's 1031 E. Ann St. (734) 994-1111 Leonardo's has a delicious selection of piz- zas, sandwiches and chipatis. Although its location is a bit out of the way for many stu- dents and its large seating area typically lacks atmosphere, it provides a viable eating option for dorm dwellers on the Hill. Hours: 10:30 a.m.-4 a.m. Mon.-Sat., Noon- Midnight Sun. Food: **** Convenience: **** Atmosphere: *** New York Pizza Depot 605 E. William St. (734) 669-6973 New York Pizza Depot remains a heavy- weight in the late-night dining arena. Its menu boasts delicious New York-style pizza by the pie or slice, pasta dishes and sandwiches with a side of grease. Add to that NYPD's conven- ient location, social atmosphere and quick service and you have one of Ann Arbor's best pizza joints. Hours: 10 a.m.-4 a.m. daily Food: ***** Convenience: **** Atmosphere: ****i I 4 TONY DING/Daily The Fleetwood Diner, open 24 hours, offers patrons superior convenience. 4 Big Ten Burrito 810 S. State St. (734) 2224822 Upon opening in March, Big Ten Burrito was an instant hit with insomniacs and bar flies alike. Big Ten provides an excellent array of Mexican food, and its convenient location, unique d6cor, late hours and rounded-to-the-dollar, tax-includ- ed prices make it one of the best choices in town. Hours: 11 a.m.4 a.m. daily Food: **** Convenience: ***** Atmosphere: **** Panchero's 1208 S. University Ave. (734) 996-9580 What Panchero's lacks in atmosphere, it makes up for with its delicious, hand-made tortillas and speedy service. Getting a handle on the ordering process may take a few tries, but before long, you'll be ordering your El Gordo (Spanish for "five pound burrito") like a seasoned veteran. Hours: 10 a.m.-3 a.m. Mon.-Sat., 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Sun. Food: **** Convenience: **** Atmosphere: *** Rendez-Vous Cafe 1110 S. University Ave. (734) 761-8600 Open rooftop seating, smoking upstairs, wire- less internet and a bohemian crowd of hookah- tokers make Rendez-Vous Ann Arbor's most Euro-friendly spot. The sidewalk seats are just steps away from campus. Gorge on gyros and crepes, sip on Fair Trade Coffee and philosophize about Foucault. Hours: 7:30 a.m.-3:30 a.m. Mon.-Fri., 8:30 a.m.-3:30 a.m. Sat.-Sun. Food: ***** Convenience: ****I Atmosphere: ***** Fleetwood Diner 300 S. Ashley St. (734) 995-5502 Delightfully grimy and cramped, Fleetwood is a hike from Central Campus, but its cocka- mamie crowd of townies and undercover rock stars will keep you coming back for midnight burgers and fries. Hours: Open 24 hours Food: **** Convenience: *** Atmosphere: ***** King of Queens 1235 S. University Ave. (734) 994-5860 As the newcomer of the bunch, King of Queens has yet to develop any real character as a late-night dining spot. KQ offers an extensive menu of mediocre diner-style food and cheesy, brightly colored decor. Only time will tell if it turns into a contender on the late- night circuit. Hours: 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Sun.-Wed., 8 a.m.-4 a.m. Thurs.-Sat. Food: *** Convenience: **** Atmosphere: ** Bell's Pizza 700 Packard St. (734) 995-0232 Bell's unintentionally grimy interior is enough to turn away many patrons, and its average food leaves much to be desired. But if you're still interested, Bell's has some killer cheesy bacon fries. Hours: 10 a.m.-4 a.m. daily Food: ***I Convenience: **** Atmosphere: *** 4 Pizza House 618 Church St. (734) 995-5095 If you're looking to take a load off after a long night of studying, Pizza House has sit- down dining in a friendly atmosphere. Their menu features deep. dish pizza, burgers, chipatis and a variety of desserts. Hours: 10:30 a.m.-4 a.m. daily Food: ****I Convenience: **** Atmosphere: **** New program provides alternative to Entree Plus April 20, 2004 By Ekjyot K..Saini For the Daily For LSA junior Kelly Holcomb- Densmor, the dining halls on campus just don't satisfy her eating habits because she's never around during din- ing hours. To serve students such as Holcomb- Densmor, the Off-Campus Meal Plan, an alternative to the traditional universi- ty meal plans, has sprung up on college campuses across the nation. The Off- Campus Dining Network, not affiliated with any university, is sponsoring a renewable debit card that students can use at participating restaurants in Ann Arbor in the fall term. The Off-Campus Meal Plan allows students and parents to add a cus- tomized amount to the card or select one of their preset spending options. There is a one-time $25 fee for joining the program. Currently, 11 restaurants have joined the program, including Cottage Inn Pizza, Our Town Coffee House, Raja Rani, Papa John's Pizza and Quizno's Classic Subs have agreed to participate. Thomas Deloge, the network's direc- tor of operations, said the program gives students a "dollar-to-dollar value." "It gives students a better value (than traditional meal plans) because the money transfers over from semester to semester and year to year," Deloge said. The program currently has 5,000 cardholders across the country and is in place at Michigan State University. The plan hopes to have about 30 eateries and other Ann Arbor area merchants join the program before the fall term. Chad Maki, manager of Papa John's said he expects to see an increase in stu- dent business with the restaurant's involvement in the program, "especially on Sundays when the dining halls don't have dinner." Deloge said research indicates that University students wanted to see an expansion of Entree Plus - the Univer- sity's own debit card system - to loca- tions off campus. Housing spokesman Alan Levy said Entree Plus will not be extended to off- campus eateries because of contractual obligations. Levy added that he doesn't expect the meal plan to "have much impact on the on-campus meal plan program." "It's good for students to have other options," he said. Students can sign up for the meal pro- gram online at wwwocdn.com or call (888) 512-DINE. Ann Arbor resident Cathy Sanborn browses for ice cream at Stucchi's on State Street. Take a strollfor some sweet, cold goodies By Emily Uu Daily Staff Writer All U of M Stuclents receive a 10% discount off of their meal Szechuan, Hunan & Mandarin Specialties Diriinra Coktaii Nothing is better than escaping your sweltering dorm room and getting an ice cream cone with a group of friends before fall term begins. Ann Arbor offers numerous shops to choose from, so grab a cone and start enjoying these local favorites. Close to home ... Stucchi's 1121 S. University Ave. (734) 662-1716 302 S. State St. (734) 662-1700 This local business is the perennial student favorite - and with good reason. One scoop is gigantic and only $2.50, whereas three whopping scoops constitute a "regular" cone. Although the ice cream seems to contain some additives, resulting in a stickier consis- tency, customers keep returning for unique flavors such as white russian fudge and mango. Stucchi's also sells frozen yogurt, soft serve frozen yogurt, ice cream drinks, sundaes and smush-ins - ice cream with your choice of toppings mixed in. Hours: 11 a.m.-11:30 p.m. Mon.-Thurs., 11 a.m.- Midnight Fri.-Sat., Noon-11:30 p.m. Sun. Price range: $2.50-$4.50 M Anct nnn n l v nrc. crrc),nnnar nipc, mprmnn American Spoon 539 E. Liberty St. (734) 997-7185 American Spoon specializes in sorbetto and gelato, the Italian versions of ice cream. Although served in smaller cups, the gelatos and sorbettos pack a big punch of flavor. The burnt caramel gelato is reminiscent of the top of a creme brule. In addition to a wide range of fla- vors such as zabaglione (an Italian custard), American Spoon also serves coffee drinks and Italian and French sodas. The store also carries many of its catalog items, such as preserves, sal- sas and grilling sauces, some of which are avail- able for tasting. Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Tues.-Wed., 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Thurs.-Sat., Noon-6 p.m. Sun., Closed Mon. Price range: $3.18-$5.25 Most popular flavors: Gelato: chocolate, hazel- nut, burnt caramel; Sorbetto: blood orange, red raspberry Further away from campus ... Zingerman's Next Door 418 Detroit St. (734) 663-5282 Although there are not as many flavors of gela- to at Zingerman's, the gelato they feature is rich- o-r nrArroomior thmanm th-at o~f A morirnnRn. Kilwin's Chocolate Shoppe and Ice Creamn Parlor 107 E. Liberty St. (734) 769-7759 This ice cream parlor is located next door to Kilwin's Chocolate Shoppe, a franchise that Michiganders might recognize from Mackinac Island. The homey, old-fashioned atmosphere at Kilwin's is very appealing - you can watch employees make waffle cones on the premises. Unfortunately, the ice cream tasted as if it had been left in the freezer too long and was crystallized. In addition to the waffle cones and bowls, you can indulge in sundaes, shakes, malts and ice cream sodas. Hours: (seasonal) 10 a.m.-l0 p.m. Mon.- Wed., 10 a.m.-l1 p.m. Thurs.-Sat., Noon-10 p.m. Sun. Price range: $3.10-$5.50 Most popular flavors: Ann Arbor mud, turtle, Kilwin's tracks Washtenaw Dairy 602 S. Ashley St. (734) 662-3244 This ice cream shop is a bit of a hike away from campus and therefore unknown to many University students - instead, it is more of a, haunt for locals. Its owners are mainstays in the city a~nd the chon k ito nf the hest ni acec to