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The Michigan Daily - michigandaily.com 0

The Best of Ann Arbor 2008

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The Best of Ann Arbor awards, select-
ed annually by The Michigan Daily
readers, are given to the top establish-
ment in categories ranging from the
best Chinese food to the best bank.
Here's why a few of these places were
named number one.
ZING ERMAN'S
Best Deli
When it comes to Ann Arbor res-
taurants, Zingerman's is definitely
the leader and best. The deli started
as a small two-person venture in 1982
but has blossomed into a nationally
renowned business. Last year, the New
York Times ran a feature on the deli,
and Oprah voted its sandwiches some
of the best in the country. .
Your first trip to Zingerman's might
be a little overwhelming. The line is
usually out the door, and if that's the
case, you'll have the menu delivered
to you while you wait. Once in the tiny
main building, you'll rub elbows with a
wide selection of breads and an impres-
sive displayoffresh cheeses, olives and
meats.
The sandwich ingredients range
from fresh fish to homemade chopped
liver to their famous corned beef, items
that raise the prices on their sand-
wiches well above those of other delis
in Ann Arbor. The deli often gets flak
from students who can't afford a $12
Reuben on a daily basis - but fora spe-
cial occasion, Zingerman's sandwiches
can hardly be described as overrated.
Though it was a modest shop dur-
ing its younger years, the Zingerman's
empire now includes Zingerman's
Bakehouse, Creamery, Roadhouse and
Coffee Company. The Creamery chees-
es melt in your mouth, the food at the
Roadhouse is reminiscent of Southern-
style dinners and the Bakehouse gives
your parents a perfect excuse to send

you moist, buttery cookies. With no
sign of slowing down, Zingerman's is
truly the maize-and-blue champion of
the delis.

ANGELO'S
Best Breakfast

ALLIE FOSTER At the corner of Catherine and Glen
on weekend mornings, there is always
B LI MPY BURGER a line of hungry and hungover col-
lege students, anxious for breakfast at
Best Burger Angelo's.
The family-owned restaurant is best
I've banned myself from eating known for its eggs Benedict and raisin
at Blimpy Burger more than twice a toast.
semester. And the 25 cents extra to get raisin
It's that bad for you. toast with your omelette is worth it.
When a burger comes off the grill, After you see the huge, buttery slices,
the grease flowsfreely. It soaks through you'll barely want to eat your eggs.
the bun and destroys everything in its The legend of the restaurant stretch-
path - and probably reduces years es beyond its famous fare. Ann Arbor
from your life, native Dick Siegel recorded "Angelo's"
But it's worth it. in 1992, and the song has become a
Blimpy Burger has garnered a lot of mantra on local radio station WCSX.
attention over the years. Recently, the In it, he lauds the "eggs over easy, hash
television program "Diners, Drive-ins browns and toast."
& Dives" featured Blimpy Burger on Angelo's is frequented by the typical
the Food Network. Ann Arbor crowd, including profes-
Founded in 1953, Blimi' Burger is sors and parents. But even though the
a remnant of a time before fast food crowd is usually more families fresh
became fast. from church than freshmen just leav-
When you walk in, prepare yourself ing a frat party, you won't be judged
for a line of starving patrons. I've never on your morning-after breakfast selec-
been there when there wasn't a line - tion. (My roommate once ordered a
even on a Monday afternoon. Diet Coke, chocolate milkshake and
Itsemployeesareknowntogivetheir bacon.)
customers a little sass if they don't fol- The restaurant is also just a short
low the rules, which are simple: Wait walk from the Central Campus dorms
your turn to order. But part of the fun and the Hill, which saves the trouble of
is quarrelling with the grillers, which searching for a spot in the tiny parking
means intentionally causing trouble lot.
while in line is almost necessary. The line stretches down the block,
While ordering your burger, be sure but the wait will seem quick -the cor-
not to overlook the onion rings or fried ner is a prime people-watching spot.
vegetables. They have a flaky tender- When you look back on freshman
ness, unlike most fried foods, and they year, you'll want to make sure your
fall apart easily while you eat. And memories include Sunday morning
they're also greasy, like everything trips to Angelo's.
at Blimpy Burger. If it's not fried or Go with your friends or ask your
grilled, you won't find it on the menu. parents to take you when they visit.
If you're looking to make your fresh- Either way, it's a welcome change from
man 15 a freshman 30 - and enjoy the cold scrambled eggs and watery
every bite of it - Blimpy Burger is your orange juice you would have had for
place. breakfast in the dorms.
JASON KOHLER ALLIE FOSTER

Clockwise from top: Zingerman's Deli, Angelo's and Blimpy Burger.

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