If you’ve never been to Ann Arbor you really should. Not only is it a great college town that’s home to the biggest football stadium in the country, Ann Arbor has some really great places to hang out whether you want to watch the game or just enjoy some really good food.
The Five Best Game Day Spots In Ann Arbor For Michigan Football
Zingermanns
Located on Detroit Street just off Main Street in Ann Arbor, Zingermanns Deli is world-famous. It has a very relaxed vibe to it with most of the seating upstairs. Basically, everything is great and it’s one time you won’t mind spending $20 or more for a full-sized sandwich. One of the best sandwiches they have is Jinny’s Fix which is a version of the Reuben sandwich. It comes piled high with pastrami, Swiss cheese, coleslaw, and Russian dressing. Zingermanns also has a good selection of soups. The lentil soup is fantastic.
Zingermanns is one place you don’t want to miss. Expect to wait to get in. You won’t mind a bit once you’ve inside.
The M Den
The M Den is not a restaurant or a bar. What makes it a hot spot is the TVs inside that allow you to watch the game while you’re shopping for all your favorite Michigan gear. But they don’t just have gear they have everything a true Michigan fan wants.
The M Den has several locations in and around Ann Arbor including one in the Courtyard By Marriott in Livonia which is about a 20-minute drive from downtown Ann Arbor. Consider staying in Livonia when traveling to a game. The cost of a hotel is much cheaper than one in Ann Arbor.
The flagship M Den is located on State Street. Main Street and State Street are the two main drags in Ann Arbor and a perpendicular to each other. The M Den on State Street literally has everything you could want as a fan. Don’t go there if you’re in a hurry because you’re going to be late for the next place you’re going.
The Brown Jug
Named after the trophy awarded to the winner of the game between Michigan and Minnesota, The Brown Jug is the best combination restaurant and bar in town. All of their food is good and you don’t want to miss out on the pizza.
The Brown Jug is also known for creative alcoholic drinks. When Penn State was in town for a night game several years ago, The Brown Jug created a drink for the event. It consisted of a blueberry concoction with vodka and had ice cubes that glowed in the dark. It was served in pitchers and aptly named “Under The Lights”.
If you’re planning on going to The Brown Jug on game day get there early. It’s going to be packed. It’s also a great place to go to watch other sporting events when there isn’t a Michigan football game going on.
Ashley’s
Also located on State Street is Ashley’s bar. While they do serve food, Ashley’s is all bar. What sets it apart is the old-time salon-like decor and its intimate setting. In other words, Ashley’s is small. Very small.
Ashley’s also has what they call a “Beer Tour”. By signing up for an account, you earn rewards for trying as many of their beers as possible. The more you try, the more rewards or the better the prize you get. This doesn’t mean you should try all the beers in one visit.
Ashley’s also has an annual “Lobsterfest”. Basically, it’s an all-you-can-eat lobster eating contest. It doesn’t get much better than that. The long and short of it is that Ashley’s is an Ann Arbor institution. Don’t skip it when you’re in town.
Buddy’s Pizza
Home of the famous square Detroit pizza, the Ann Arbor location is on the outskirts of town. While not the rowdiest place to watch a game compared to some of the others, the Ann Arbor location offers a friendly vibe and plenty of TV to catch the action.
Buddy’s is really all about the pizza. The sauce is absolutely to die for. It’s a little sweeter than most places but by no means too sweet. In fact it’s perfect. The way they cook the pizza with the cheese covering the crust is awesome. While the pizza is crunchy on the outside it’s very soft on the inside. It’s not a stretch to call Buddy’s the best pizza on the planet.
Ann Arbor is home to the University of Michigan and has one of the most beautiful campuses in the country. Always a relaxing atmosphere greets you when you come to town. It seems like everyone is friendly and happy to be there. Even though they didn’t make the top five, don’t miss out on Krazy Jim’s Blimpie Burger and Cherry Republic while you’re there. If you’ve been to Ann Arbor, book a trip whether you’re a fan of the Maize and Blue or not. You’ll be glad you did.
Main Image: Kimberly P. Mitchell / USA TODAY NETWORK
