One of my favorite places to go to. I don't know if it is because I don't come here regularly or if my fond memories of this place is because of my overall AA trip, but I do make it as my dinner destination always. I agree that the prices are pretty steep, but if my food really comes fresh from the farms, I will be fine with that. I love the free warm and crunchy bread smeared with the butter. I then go ask for more bread. By the time I get my food, I am halfway full, but I am happy to have leftovers. The mac and cheese is really good. For those who complain about the price, it is pricey for what it is, but they use Martenelli pasta which I have seen for $10 a bag. They also use awesome cheese. It's the stuff of dreams. I also get the catfish platter (giant fried whole catfish) with some sides. Really good. I have gotten the bbq plate and it is pretty good, but favorite are the ribs. The service is also always top notch here. Also, whenever we split a plate, they actually bring us half plates each instead of separate plates to split ourselves. A small thing like this gives them an extra half a star. If you are in the AA area and would like to splurge for a dinner, come here! Also, free dessert for bday girl/boy!
(5)
Rebekah M.
We stop at the Zingerman's Roadhouse drive-through every time we're on our way out of town on a road trip. I want to LOVE it. It's convenient and good quality. The bagels are the best in town - nice crust. Not doughy. The cakes and muffins are flavorful and delicious. The problem is that - almost every time we stop (say around 10am) - we're told, "we're out of .... bagels. We only have everything bagels." or "we only have salt bagels." How does a restaurant that has its own bakeshop, and which supplies bagels to grocery stores and businesses throughout Ann Arbor, run out of bagels in its own restaurant - at 10am!!! Make more bagels! The other problem is that the waiters at the drive-through try to impress by not writing down the order. There's four of us in the car and we all want something different. They listen to our order. Then they repeat it back to us and usually forget something. Then, when they bring the order, 8 times out of 10, something's missing or something's not as requested. Just write the order down on a piece of paper - we won't think less of you. In fact, it's reassuring to see you write it because there's a better chance you'll get it right.
(2)
Ashley M.
Service was very nice and quick. Food was delicious. My husband and I started with pimento cheese and celery (love their homemade pimento!) then went to two of the standard burgers, his with the brick cheese and mine with maytag blue. I got sweet potato fries because I saw the other reviews saying they were the bomb and he had the regular fries. Afterwards, we split the grapefruit tart. I will never leave the place without having the sweet potato fries and grapefruit tart! The sweet potato fries are incredibly thick. Soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. A perfect amount of salt sprinkled on top and served with their chipotle mayo. Large portion served with my burger. The grapefruit tart was beautifully balanced. A butter crust with vanilla cream and slices of ruby red grapefruit topped with powdered sugar and mint leaves. Wowza. Definitely a place to return to, hoping to do breakfast soon!
(4)
Kunal R.
Great fresh food and a delicious brunch menu. The roadhouse has some good veggie options, surprisingly. Their veggie burger is one of the best I've had. Cool place with quality food. A little pricey but worth it. Making reservations on open table is really convenient and worked out well for me.
(5)
S J.
Great Mac n Cheese! I tried the fried chicken mac n cheese and it was excellent! I love mac n cheese and this definitely lived up to my expectations! I wasn't really a fan of their bbq beef, but I think that might just be because I don't really like pulled/shredded meat-- more of a steak type of girl. Had the brownie sundae and it was decent-- nothing too out of the ordinary-- dense brownie with vanilla ice cream whipped cream and fudge on top with pecans on the side.
(4)
AloisSchicklgruber H.
Ridiculously overrated and overpriced. But tourists don't know better and Affluent Ann Arborites don't mind. Not as ridiculously overpriced as their bakery place though. You won't see the regular customers of those establishments across the road (McDonald's, Taco Bell, etc.) come here very often.
(2)
K S.
I am new to Ann Arbor (and coming from a city that is known for its food/restaurant scene). Have to say the two times i've been (once for breakfast/once for dinner) I have not been disappointed! Will look forward to trying other items on their menu. Highly recommend!
(5)
Krista V.
Great pulled pork! Melts in your mouth. Mac and cheese is also excellent. Definitely worth the wait.
(4)
Hannah A.
The food was small in portion sizes, over priced, and really didn't have amazing flavor. We paid high for all of it and the best part of my meal was the coffee! The service was slow.... at best. We saw the food runner more than our server! The dessert- i could out bake them in my sleep!
(2)
Stephanie S.
I was kind of skeptical of this place. At first blush, it appears to be a chain restaurant a la TGI Friday's. But once you step inside and are met with a display of heirloom tomatoes, you start to think this place is a little different. It was hard to choose a brunch entree because so many things sounded delicious, but I settled on the untraditional grits 'n bits waffle (a waffle stuffed with grits, cheese and bacon). It was unexpected and delightful, and unfortunately I probably won't be able to find it anywhere else. The coffee was great, and the staff was even better. Every person I interacted with was helpful, friendly and warm. The prices were very fair for the amount of food you get (and even in relation to their other eateries). Sidenote: Zingerman's colorful, kitschy branding is a miss because it's actually a thoughtful, locally focused, kind of indie company.
I always order from the Zingerman's catalog but this is my first experience in the Ann Arbor restaurant. There were four of us at dinner and all of us left very happy. We shared the oysters harvested from a beach in MA that one of us knew by name, as well as the fried green tomatoes and veggie gazpacho. All were seasoned perfectly, fabulously fresh, and gone instantly. The entrees were just as good. The mac and cheese with the mushrooms was a big hit all around the table, but I loved the Cal Fiorentina mac and cheese the best. It was swimming in flavor, but not at all heavy. The burger and crab cake combo was as good as it gets. Burger cooked exactly the way my son asked and the crab cake could have come from my own kitchen in the DC region (it was billed as Baltimore crab). You could tell the crab patty was made that evening. The other entree we sampled was a local freshwater fish offering, the Walleye, which the experienced fishermen among us were impressed with as soon as they saw the size of the fish, since apparently the flavor of the fish can be impacted by its size- the size here was perfect. We were all full, so ended the meal by sharing the Hummingbird Cake. This was a solid dessert that tasted like carrot cake, but nothing special to write home about. Our server told us they change the menu three times A DAY, so it could be that a dish you were hoping to have is sold out when you get there, but that's the risk of going to a restaurant that only serves food they can prepare freshly for you that day-my kind of place! And, really,everything is so good here, you might as well close your eyes and point to the menu to just pick something else. You won't be disappointed. Lastly,the food comes out quickly (we were completely done in an hour) and service staff are fantastic. Intelligent, funny, warm but not hovering, and genuinely cheerful. They must be treated well by management to then treat the guests so well in return. Nice job all around Zingerman's Roadhouse!
(4)
Daron D.
Another one of those typical places that I have always passed by but never tried until recently. The first thing I will say is that you should make reservations beforehand because it is packed when you do a walk up (we had about a 40 minute wait before we got seated). They have a full service bar with about 10 beers on tap (between $5-$6 for a pint). Now on this day I came in (it was a Tuesday), they serve the Nashville style hot chicken, which I never had and wanted to try. I did the 4 piece, which they serve with pickles and white bread and a shot of buttermilk (because it's suppose to be super hot like it is in Nashville). The chicken was excellent and hot, but not hot enough to where I needed the shot of buttermilk. For my sides I had their fries (very good) and their macaroni and cheese (also excellent but I like the Mac n cheese served at their deli way way better). Overall the food was very good (makes me want to go to Nashville to try the real thing) but very very expensive and that is always the story with zingerman and their food places.
(4)
Hannah S.
This is a breakfast review. The first statement being that you must try breakfast here! I ordered a steamed vanilla milk, which was dreamy creamy to the max, the standard breakfast plate (eggs, potatoes, bacon, biscuit), and a homemade donut, which was so fresh and warm. Yum! The eggs, potatoes, and bacon were perfect. The biscuit tasted fresh, and the butter and honey additions made it magical. I'll definitely be coming here for breakfast again. Zingerman's just can't do wrong.
(5)
Andrew B.
Above average food bolstered by very, very good service. I like to joke that Zingerman's is an upscale Cracker Barrel, but it isn't really untrue. Overly huge menu's full of shockingly unhealthy comfort food that get delivered in massive portions. I have eaten here twice now, several month apart. First time I had the chicken fried steak and was underwhelmed. While it was well battered and cooked, it was criminally under seasoned and the gravy was lacking in quantity and flavor. The second time I ate there I opted for the fried chicken mac and cheese (are you kidding me? Why does this even exist). This was a much better experience, the mac was creamy and great and the fried chicken was in largish chunks and did not just disintegrate into the bowl. This time the server also gave us a complimentary serving of the pimento cheese spread which wasn't my bag but was pretty solid. Also, the place is damn expensive. That Mac n Cheese cost 20 bucks. C'mon guys, its half lb of pasta a bechamel and some cheddar augmented with a little bit of fried chicken. So yeah, it is a 3 star joint. However the service each time has been overly impressive. Extremely nice servers who seem to genuinely want you to enjoy the hell out of your food. So 4 stars, why not?
(4)
Kristin M.
Excellent breakfast! Sat on the patio and really loved my summer skillet and biscuits. The eggs were perfectly poached and the veggies in the skillet were just delicious. Went with a group of friends and all the food looked incredible.
(4)
Shane B.
Not worth the hype, small portions. Flavor seriously lacking. You would expect a huge plate of smoked meats for a bbq platter, but all we received was a spoon full of each meat with less then an oz of sauce. Staff was great, kitchen needs work, that's you chef...
(2)
Edward M.
A year later and this place is still just as good as last time. The Crab Cakes, still the best I've ever had The Calamari was yummy, it comes with some kind of sauce that is like tartar but not. It's creamy and has a little bit of spice to it. The fried chicken was so moist and much better than when it was in the Mac and Cheese, don't get the the chicken mac, get fried chicken and get a side of mac if you want. The service is still wonderful, only wish it was slightly less pricey. Previous review ___ What a wonderful place! I came here because on Best oF (Food Network) ALton Brown said they had the best Mac and Cheese. On their site I find out it is headed by a James Beard award winner. So I'm like let's check out this seasonal locally sourced place. It rocked! We ordered the crab cakes and fried vidalia onions, at 12.50 and 6 dollars they were pricey but I must say it's the best crab cakes I've ever had! The onions were great too! Though comparing it to a blooming, you get more for your buck with the blooming but the flavor of the vidalia and sauce is far superior. Then comes the smorgsaborg The Pulled Pork sandwich was good, sauce was nice but could be mixed better, the bottom was more tangy than the top and the pork could be pulled apart better, the not pulled parts were too dense. The Blue Plate of BBQ had the pulled pork, same issue with pulling. The BBQ beef and chicken were both excellent! Small chickens but they are amish cage free chickens. The Mac and Cheese with fried chicken (supposedly their fried chicken is good) was the best mac and cheese i'd ever had, but it's still mac and cheese, so not mind blowing you know? The chicken was good but not great. The Gelato flight had Peanut Butter, Burnt Sugar, Pistachio, and Hazelnut, all 4 are made locally by them and just amazing flavor profiles, the icing on the cake! The bathrooms are neat and the whole place is decorated with all sorts of collectibles like salt shakers and such. I will be back next time I am in town! Oh and on Thursdays (check calendar not sure if it's all year) they have a farmer's market outside! I got the best strawberries I've had in my life!
(4)
Jill M.
I've only ever come for breakfast. Both times it was amazing! First time was the Huevos Rancheros and the second time was the Eggs Benedict. The Eggs Benedict (and breakfast potatoes that came with it) were the best I have ever had. The portion was so generous I had to take half home to eat later. The service was perfect; enough that we didn't feel neglected, but around when we needed her. She knew the menu and helped us make the best choice from the menu.
(5)
Ted D.
This restaurant provides an excellent example of unhealthy food at its finest. The euphemism for high-fat, often high animal fat, food is "comfort food." This restaurant's fare provides a living demonstration of why our diet produces so much obesity, diabetes, coronary disease, and other vascular disease. If they offered discount coupons for a local cardiac catheterization laboratory, it would be fully consistent with their business model.
Had to try this place because of the "Zingerman" name! I ordered the 1/2 Po-Boy and salad lunch combo and it was wonderful.The po-boy was quite large with tons of shrimp! The salad was kinda meh next to the po-boy but I do give it kudos for the fresh ingredients! I ordered to-go and they quoted me 15-20 min for the food to be ready. I came 10 min later and the food was already in the bin waiting for me!
(4)
Joanna L.
Had to come here before I left Ann Arbor. Good homey food, huge menu with lots of options, and friendly service. My group tried a variety of dishes- BBQ pork entry, chili, burger, sweet potato fries, mac and cheese, etc. What really stood out was the mac and cheese. YUM. We liked the good ol' regular one over the other varieties. It had a focused rich depth in flavor. They also serve complimentary quality bread and buttttta.
(3)
Maggi I.
I come here for a couple very specific reasons. One of them is their burgers. They grind their Niman beef every day, which makes it possible for me to order my burger rare. It's cooked on an oak-fired grill, and heck if that doesn't produce a really wonderful flavor. They have a lot of other delicious dishes, including the cream of wild mushroom soup, the grown-up mac & cheese and the chocolate chess pie from their bakery. The very best thing I've eaten here (butterscotch pudding) unfortunately isn't on the regular menu. Long waits, moderate noise levels and high prices don't keep me from coming back, or from bringing guests.
(4)
Christy F.
Color me unimpressed. And I am one of Zingerman's #1 fans. I mail order their bread all the time in Arizona. Do yourself a favor and skip the Roadhouse and go straight to Kerrytown and hit the Deli. Things I liked: Zingerman's bread and butter are brought to the table prior to your meal. My dining patrons almost passed on the bread and I thought I was going to faint. Hello??? They are know for this. Luckily, I spoke up. The poutine did hit the spot. also was big into the thousands of salt and pepper shakers en-glassed around the restaurant- I dig kitsch. The little Shasta trailer used for carry out and drive through, again, cute. However, one cannot eat cute nor live on cute alone. The service was horrible. There was a long wait to be seated, painfully long wait for our food, the soup came out with the meal not prior even upon request. Sigh. The mac and cheese was literally just noodles with a roux based cheese sauce with no flair. The Sunday special really needs a better description. I thought I was getting a steak with a Cajun sauce and I was served something more like chili that was influenced more by Hormel then they flavors of New Orleans. Sigh.
(2)
Jessica Y.
Overrated and overpriced brunch experience. Food was by no means spectacular: bland and one-dimensional. $12.50 for an omelet that was dry with scant "fillings", really?! Hubby's steak and potatoes skillet for $14 had MAYBE 5 bites of shredded meat in there. Will NOT be returning.
(2)
Jenne E.
I've lived in the Ann Arbor area for over two years now and have heard rave reviews on zingermans. I finally adventures to try it myself and was very disappointed. I ordered fish and chips with sweet potato fries and what i got was very bland food. I've had better food at the local pub for $8, this meal costed a whopping $30 for bland, greasy fish and chips. My husband had a pulled pork sandwich which he said was mediocre but not worth the $20 price tag. To sum it up... Zingermans is ridiculously overpriced for mediocre food. Your basically buying into the hype if you try this place.
(2)
Dia D.
We were a group of four and our experience was very mixed. We went on one of those bitterly cold days when school was canceled so they were very busy (too cold to go to school? Let's go out for lunch!) and service was slow. I had the shrimp and grits ($24) which was very delicious and based on that alone I would go back. Others in the group had the pork sandwich ($15) which was dry and boring (maybe the waiter forgot to bring out the BBQ sauce or they forgot it in the kitchen?) and the Roadhouse Reuben (14.50) which was greasy. When only 1 of 4 people liked their meals, that isn't a very good rating. One shrimp and grits, 3 sandwiches, 1 decaf, 1 diet coke, 1 iced tea, and 1 beer and our bill was $86 plus tip. If you are a seafood lover, there seafood is flown in fresh daily.
(3)
Kevin R.
A stones throw from the Canadian border it's surprising to find a restaurant that rocks southern food. But rocks it does. A nice single malt at the bar while waiting for my table, I had time to look over the well rounded menu. Once seated, I opted for the Ari's pimento cheese spread to start. A generous portion of the best spread I've ever had. The presentation is unique in that the celery sticks out of the round spread ball like a porcupine. Next I had a Brooklyn style Ruben without bread (no carb thing) and a side of grilled asparagus. The smoked bbq like corned beef was served atop grilled sauerkraut with Russian dressing and Swiss cheese. The asparagus was perfectly grilled with plenty of salt. After several trips to Ann Arbor I've discovered that anything with the Zingerman name on it is amazing!
(4)
Beth H.
Oh Ig Vella mac, how I missed you! Our visit was for lunch today, right at noon. We were seated right away, but the parking lot was packed. Thankfully the overflow lot is available. Lunch menu has two portion options for the pastas: small and large. Small doesn't look like much and is $4 cheaper but the small plate more than filled me up for how hungry I was today. Very rich monterray jack cheese, smoked chicken pieces, green chilies for heat, fresh cut corn, cilantro and I like to add red pepper flake for extra heat. I think they must pan fry this dish a bit, to get the wonderfully crispy pieces of melted cheese, tossed in this dish. Fantastic as always. My husband had the grilled cheese and chili - 2 yr cheddar. He didn't care for the cheese, it was too mild. He did really enjoy the chili. Great chunks of smoked meat, with the smoky ancho chili flavor. The restaurant was very loud, as usual. The waitress was excellent. Prices are high but the quality is there. Service was fast and we were able to keep to our lunch hour. Bonus!
(5)
Megan K.
The dinner menu prices are way out of my range, but the brunch is delightful. Great, homey food and very knowledgeable staff. Plus, Ari's philosophy on his business is just so spot on sustainable that I feel good spending my money at Zingerman's. (It is more pleasant when my parents pay though.)
(4)
Allison L.
I absolutely love everything about this place: the service, the food, the atmosphere with the salt and pepper shakers, the local farm that supplies many veggies, the candy they sell at the front, the way they seat you right away when you have a reservation from OpenTable, the Air Streamers...everything! Do not resist their bread basket. The Roadhouse bread is my favorite Zingerman's bread and it comes out warm with a big chunk of creamy butter. You have to get an appetizer. Their sweet potato fries are thick and crispy; I almost always get these. The pimento cheese is also stellar. I often make a meal out of a few apps, a couple of cheeses (their cheese boards are awesome) and a fresh salad. When I do go for an entree, I like their mac and cheese. The desserts are fantastic too, especially the butterscotch pudding! When my family visits from out of town, we always come here for dinner.
(5)
Anne R.
What's there to say about a place that offers excellent service every single visit, top food quality sourced from known farms around the country, and a great atmosphere?! If you haven't been, you need to know what you've been missing. Zingermann's isn't just a restaurant, it's a foodie cult. Breakfast: I love the cold brew coffee with skim milk and some simple syrup, followed by a pastry basket of coffee cake samples, and then a savory omelette. Lunch: I keep it simple with a fresh soup & salad, and an Arnold Palmer, but occasionally I splurge into Mac & Cheese or BBQ sandwich territory. Dinner: I'm often looking at the smoked BBQ offerings for the evening- and the red rage sauce is my fave.
(5)
Craig O.
Amazing food prepared in amazing ways. I was surprised by the knowledge of ingredients. You just don't see Carolina Gold Rice in many restaurants and the same goes for Anson Mills Grits. This restaurant was build by flavor. I will drive the 2 hour trip more often just to eat here.
(5)
Lizbeth T.
Finally made it here, a few years after my first visit to Zingerman's Deli. In Ann Arbor for a conference, the Roadhouse was able to accommodate our group of 8 for dinner on short notice. The place is huge (in a good way), so there is plenty of space for groups, and they take reservations so we didn't have to wait. The menu is also huge, maybe a bit too big, but everyone in our group loved their food. We shared poutine as an appetizer - so, so good. I had the pimento mac n'cheese small portion, which was more than enough for dinner with a side of spinach. Others in the group ordered fried chicken, burgers and other mac n'cheese dishes, and everyone was happy. Service was just right. In fact, I spilled a beer on myself while grabbing for a piece of the amazing, fresh baked bread on the table and it was instantly replaced by our kind server. All in all, a really nice spot in the outskirts of Ann Arbor that works well for families, large groups, or those who just don't want to wait to get in at a downtown restaurant.
(5)
Tsyria T.
After taking our seats at Zingerman's, I was very excited. We had waited for 30 minutes, and the atmosphere and decorations were wonderful, as noted in previous reviews. Unfortunately, my experience did not meet my expectations. We ordered oysters, Zingerman's corned beef hash, and fried bread pudding french toast. We told our waitress that we were sharing, so she had the plates split in half for us, which was nice. Unfortunately, I was extremely disappointed when I saw the plates. The portions were so small, and yet we were paying $14 per plate. That's absolutely ridiculous! It wasn't anything that really stood out to me where I would be willing to pay that much. My favorite thing we had was the oyster and that was $3.50 a piece. When my sister saw the plates, she asked if more was on the way. I don't get to see my sister often, so I was willing to spend more on a nice brunch with her, but we just left feeling a bit robbed.
(2)
Joshua M.
Great food at an average BBQ restaurant. I was not disappointed but the app and regular fries could have been cooked a little longer. The flavor of them took em to a new level tho. Fries perfectly seasoned corn dogs well not your average carny dog that's for sure. The BBQ Beef sandwich was great the sauce had a kick which is always plus in my book and the beef very juicy.
(4)
Mike W.
Not from Michigan so didn't realize it was such a well know Resturant. Had a long wait that was well worth it. Looks like a nice bar but while we were waiting we noticed the 5 James Beard awards in the lobby. Turns out the really now their stuff. Even though we are both gluten free they had some great items to choose from. The pulled pork was lightly smoked and seasoned well. Three of their sauces are GF with the vinegar and mustard bring my two favorite. The French fries were great and cooked in a GF fryer. So all good on the front. They make the gelato at there creamery so we had to try that. Wow, local and fresh does matter. I would recommend the berry but all three flavors were fantastic. The pricing is not cheap but the experience, both food and service, won't disappoint.
(5)
Phee L.
One of my favorite restaurants in the A2 Area! Unfortunately, it is sometimes difficult to get a seat
(5)
Karen B.
5 stars for the food on its own. Excellent service as well. Hubby and I both enjoyed the pit-beef BBQ sandwich, but agreed that the portion of beef could have been a bit larger. I also would've enjoyed more BBQ sauce. The mustard slaw was refreshingly good, but once again, the portion was small. Hubby said the fries were the best he's had in recent memory. The cost to portion ratio is what knocks it down to 4 stars. Portions were a bit in the small side for the cost, as I was expecting the portions to be on par with the famous zingerman's deli in downtown Ann Arbor, but they were not.
(4)
Josh A.
Been going to this place for years. Always and experience and good food. Occasionally I've been disappointed by something that wasn't over the top good...they are a victim of their own good Reputation. Dishes can be on the pricy side and special dinners are very expensive. For breakfast I recommend omelets, French toast, and bagels. For lunch a BBQ sandwich is great and although I don't care for it the egg salad is much talked about. Dinner specials most nights too. Most of the time I skip the sit down experience for the side show in the Parking lot. It's faster and offers the best items: coffee, baked goods, and sandwiches.
(4)
Zoe Y.
This place is average at best. I went here a few months ago when I was visiting U of M and we saw this place off the highway on the way back to the airport. I thought it would have been a lot better. The food was extremely salty and greasy - I guess it's a Midwest thing which makes a lot of sense to me (being from Southern CA). Or maybe someone used tablespoon instead of teaspoon when it came to measuring that day. Who knows. One thing I really did like about this place was that it was very quaint. It had a homestyle feel and everyone was really friendly here. I do not think I'll be back but if you're into Midwest homecooking, this is your place.
(3)
Amy G.
With respect to entrees, I've eaten the turkey reuben (I think only available on the lunch menu) and the fried chicken dinner. They were decent, and only such because what I really remember from each meal are the: sweet potato fries. I am dedicating this review solely to them. The most notable thing about these fries are that they are thick, and the length of an entire sweet potato. It's like they cut a single sweet potato into just 4 or 5 pieces. The thickness yields a crispiness on the outside, but preserves the innards to be the consistency of a soft roasted sweet potato. Scattered with savory salt morsels, you don't even necessarily need the sauce that comes with it! Would it be weird if I only ordered a platter of these the next time I go? Don't let yourself come to Zingerman's Roadhouse without getting the sweet potato fries. To be honest I think Zingerman's Deli has more impressive entrees for what they are. Meaning, the Deli has proportionally better sandwiches than other delis in AA, whereas the Roadhouse's American fare is not far superior to comparable neighborhood restaurants, which is my way of saying that the only real draw to the Roadhouse are the sweet potato fries. Get them as an appetizer and/or upgrade to them with your sandwich or burger meal without hesitation. The only bad part about them is that they'll ruin all other sweet potato fries for you from then on.
(4)
Jim E.
Back again after two years!! Typical Ann Arbor, great joint, great food, great vibe, great bbq!! I got the Buffalo Chicken Mack and Cheese special and enjoyed it!!! I usually like rich and creamy mac and cheese but this was unique in a good way. The Buffalo Chicken was tender, fresh and delicious. The mac and cheese had a the perfect blend of blue cheese, chicken, chives, and flavour for a kind of pasta I have never tasted before. It did not leave me feeling bloated. For dessert I had the fresh pumpkin spice cheesecake. Everyone needs to try Zingermans Roadhouse!!
(5)
Anthony R.
I dream of zingermans. Deli. Everytime in Ann Arbor , I am very excited to go. I always want to go to zingermans roadhouse . Went for dinner a couple of years ago and not since. Finally we went for brunch. First our 1045 reservation didn't get seated until 11. The food looked good on the menu. When we received our orders, they were mostly small portions; very un zingermans. The food was good for the most part, but not great. The waitress was very nice, but they forgot things and we had to ask multiple times. Zingermans sets such a high standard, and for good reason. At least at this meal, it was not close to the standards.
(3)
Lisa W.
Wow what a yummy time!! The service was great . Started off with a cheese sampler and it was delicious!! I ordered the pulled pork sliders they were wonderful 3 different sauces on each with some tasty mustard coleslaw and sweet potato fries that were melt in your mouth watering. My mate got a slab of ribs and I must say they were so juicy and flavorful.
We went on a Sunday and it was pretty packed as expected. The wait time was 30minutes however, we were seated in 15minutes with prompt service. Our waitress was great and friendly. Every table was full and taken however the ambiance is still light and cozy. The strawberry blonde beer (forgot exact name) was very flavorful and recommended by our waitress. My boyfriend ordered a few oysters. These are said to be flown fresh. We ordered the Kumamoto oysters from Washington. At $3.25 a pop they were GREAT! I told him next time to order 12! I ordered the 3 pimento goat cheese Mac and cheese with a Lincoln log. It was so flavorful and rich and the Lincoln log was just perfect! I ordered the small which was perfect and at $15 the plate did not disappoint. The tomatoes were a delicious addition to the Mac and cheese. The service again was great and felt no rush. Next time I will definitely be ordering dessert. Make a stop here, you won't regret it!
(4)
Joy M.
We loved the atmosphere and the food. This was the best part : I had told Laura I was from out of town and this would likely be my only opportunity to eat there and I was torn between two menu items. After I placed my order she brought me a small sample of the other thing I wanted to try so I wouldn't have to wonder for the rest of my life about how wonderful it might have been.
(5)
Rhonda L.
Went to a graduation party. 19 people The large menu was perfect. Stuff for vegans, carnivores and everyone in between . Very affordable and everyone served together . Quite impressive
(5)
Matthee H.
Despite my loving of the regular zingermans deli, I have had an unpleasant experience at the roadhouse. The food is below average and the service is decent. Like all of the zingermans the food is extremely overpriced. Despite specifications made to my order while ordering there was still not any thing that I specified on the food. I ordered a side of bacon that didn't come until I finished and I asked the waitress multiple times. Despite ordering plain macronni and cheese there was some odd black substance inside of the dish. Considering I came from out of town and heard so many good things, this definitely did not live up to the hype AT ALL.
(3)
Mary J.
Not worth the trip. Took the waitress' recommendation and ordered the pulled pork sandwich. Bun was dry and crumbly, pork was dry too, sauces mediocre. Does not live up to the Zingermans name.
(2)
Antony H.
Enjoyed the bar experience with an attentive barman who even gave a soda to my 4 year old daughter sitting next to me. Waited less than 5 minutes even though it was packed and the food selection provided light and heavy fare. Can't wait to return!
(5)
Kelly V.
I have been coming to Zingerman's Roadhouse once or twice a month for the last few years and it's one of my favorite restaurants. The food here is really good. I have never ordered something that I didn't like. They also have a large variety of options available on the kids menu. The customer service here is wonderful. The staff is great with kids and they go above and beyond to make sure everyone is happy. I highly recommend this restaurant to others.
(5)
Mitch L.
My brother took me here on his/my way out of Detroit a couple weekends ago after spending the weekend in Detroit/Cedar Point. I would first recommend reservations no matter what day or time you plan on going here. We had them and got sat down quickly and watched other groups wait an hour. The place is warm and inviting upon walking in. Throughout the entire restaurant, they have framed information about all the farms the food comes from. Being from Iowa, I had to find the Maytag, Iowa (Maytag Blue Cheese) framed information. Just a fun little add-on for the guests. Our table ordered the sweet potato french fries and the fried green tomatoes. The fries themselves were baked than fried. They were amazing and had a nice flavored mayo dipping sauce. We all ate ourselves sick of them. The fried green tomatoes were fresh and tasty too. I had the fried chicken. The chicken was well seasoned and not greasy whatsoever. I think it could have been a bit more seasoned, but overall it was an excellent choice. The mashed potatoes and gravy were a nice addition to dip the chicken meat into. I really liked the gravy. My brother had the pulled pork. The pulled pork was tasty, but the collared greens left a lot to be desired. My brother's partner had the Mac and Smoked Chicken and Monterey Jack. The bite I had we good and had a nice flavor. The all-star of the meal was the ancho-beef chuck chili. It was just amazing and was probably the best chili I can say I have ever had. We all left stuffed with no room for desert. In hindsight I wish I would have ordered a doughnut sundae...
(4)
Joe H.
If I could choose only one place to eat at for the rest of my life, Zingerman's would be the place (at least thus far in my life). Have eaten here a number of times and I'm always amazed at the food. Sure, I've had dishes that were less that stellar, but even those lackluster meals were still good. The main contention with Zingerman's is price. Yes, it is expensive. However, nearly everything on the menu is handmade. They source most of their produce locally & are very conscious of where their food comes from. When you pay for your meal at Zingerman's, you're paying for a lot more than just a plate of fried chicken. Additionally, many of cheeses, breads, and now beers are made there as well. Basically, you can rest assured that your meal is using some of the finest quality ingredients around and that everything is going to be pretty damn tasty. I'm going to focus on my last 2 visits to the Roadhouse because I had a couple really fantastic dishes & a couple not so incredible ones. Appetizers: Scallop ceviche (Georges bank scallops sliced thin and flash marinated in a citrus marinade. Served with spiced plantain crisps.) was a special one evening & I couldn't pass that up. Actually, once I placed the order, Ari (the owner) came over and talked to me for a minute about how wonderful the scallops were. Also, Ari was pouring water & waiting tables all night - pretty awesome, if you ask me. And yes, they were delicious. Perfect little morsels of sweetness swimming in the tart marinade. The crispy plantain chips were a sweet, texturally welcome addition. The Maize & Blue Hush Puppies are incredible. Crunchy on outside, sweet & creamy on inside - and they're served with a firey housemade hot sauce & spicy mayo that are both out of this world. Focusing on seasonal foods, heirloom tomatoes were a focus last time I visited. The Ceres Salad (Cherokee Purple, Striped German, Mortgage Lifters, fresh from the farm, served with handmade mozzarella cheese and drizzled with Pasolivo olive oil and sprinkled with salt and pepper) is absolutely delightful. The tomatoes are sweet, the olive oil fruity, the cheese so creamy - I literally sopped up everything last drop off this plate with the amazing warm, crusty bread that each table is given. This salad will ruin all other Caprese salads forever. The mac & cheese is tremendous. The french fries divine. Mashed potatoes awesome. Braised greens porky & delicious (add hot sauce!). The New Mexico Green Chile Burger with goat cheese is very good, but not $14 very good. The flavors are all spot on, but the burger itself was a touch overcooked and tough for me. Although, the creaminess of the goat cheese couple with the roasted, fiery goodness of the chiles was a welcome addition to the burger. A special one night was grass fed beef with roasted veggies - the steak was very tough. It was cooked well & the herb butter was delicious, but steak just wasn't doing it for me. The veggies were fine, but nothing out of this world. Dessert is awesome, too. The doughnut sundae is something that needs to be experienced at least once (if not more than that). The magic brownie sundae is...well...magical. The summer citrus chiffon cake is good, but was a little too dry for me, which is odd for a chiffon cake. Seriously, Zingerman's does everything well - I've tried their fried chicken, pulled pork, pulled goat, and a number of other dishes - all have been at least good. Their beer list is pretty decent & they have a full bar otherwise. Easily one of my favorite restaurants.
(5)
Mary K.
I'm going to say -- 5 stars for breakfast/brunch, 3 stars for dinner/lunch... so it evens out to 4. Love, love LOVE their breakfast and brunch... awesome eggs benedict (the Baltimore Benedict dish this summer was DIVINE), wonderful real corned beef hash and hash browns, great huevos rancheros, awesome "something I can't recall the name of" but it was like french toast, deep friend, with macerated bananas (yum), coffee, orange juice -- superb. Lunch and dinner I think are somewhat overrated and overpriced. Their burgers are very good, but the BBQ is just ok, and I had a Cobb salad once that was overly salty. One other thing I love about all of the meals, though, is that they often bring out little tasting portions of some of their menu items.. pimento cheese and doughnuts (not together), specifically, for free! Also the service there is always, always excellent. 4 stars.
(4)
Ainsley E.
The S.O. and I have been to the Roadhouse three times now. That's three opportunities to wow us and make the price worthwhile. So far they're 1 for 3. The sweet potato fries are to-die-for, and once we had some gumbo on special that was amaaazing. We've had the mac n cheese(s) (kind of bland and overpriced), and the BBQ beef (was tender, but also lacked flavor and didn't have near as much sauce as it needed). Tonight the boyfriend had Jim's Pennsylvania Scrapple, which tasted distinctly of mutton and was otherwise regrettable. My Grillades and Grits? My mom has made better-tasting shit on a shingle. We ate part of our meals out of politeness and left ASAP, feeling very disappointed and gypped. I'm not sure we'll be returning again. Truth be told, I've had more enjoyable meals at McDonald's.
(2)
Scott S.
Stumbled upon this place on a road trip through Ann Arbor thanks to yelp! It did not disappoint. The only thing better than the excellent service was the food. I had the BBQ beef. Very well smoked with a sauce that was tangy and not too sweet. Accompanied by some greens with bacon and honey (unusual but delicious) and lumpy mashed potatoes (just the way I like them.) The Mrs. Had the fried chicken and ate it all declaring it very good. One son had corn dogs. Said they were the best he's had. (somewhat of a corn dog connoisseur, if there is such a thing). Other son has food allergies to which our server was very accommodating, adding grilled chicken to a salad and even bringing him a complimentary dessert that he could eat while we chowed down on the awesome peach pie and gelato sampler. Highly recommend this place.
(5)
jim s.
I've been coming here for years and have never had a meal I didn't enjoy. This is one of my favorite go-to restaurants for most any occasion. Great selection on the often changing menu ensures there is thoughtfully prepared food for most any tastes. Plus their bourbon selection is good, and the house vodka is Tito's!
(5)
Matt W.
Patrick Swayze would rip a person's throat out if they tried to sell him $25 catfish.
(1)
Jane K.
Great service. Excellent food. Noisy. Fun atmosphere.
This place can get nothing but five stars in my mind. The food is just insanely good. I highly recommend the pimento cheese as an appetizer. I love the pulled pork sandwich as well. Their draft beer selection can't be beat. This place is my wife and I's favorite restaurant. Period. That isn't a statement I would make lightly. Yes, the wait times are long, but make a reservation. Lots of people want to eat there because their food is good. Fairly simple. As far as complaints I saw from others about the prices- yes, the prices are higher than Applebee's, but you are getting absolutely outstanding food and drink. Much higher quality than uppity places charging 40 or 50 bucks for a main course.
(5)
Clare W.
OVER-RATED *clap clap clapclapclap* But srsly, it wasn't that good for all the hype. Just a lot of seasoning.
(2)
Enrique B.
Awesome! Zingerman's Roadhouse doesn't have the cheapest menu in town, but the food is all of very high quality. I also like the fact that Zingerman's staff are trained to know the menu inside and out, and can tell you the origin of all the ingredients. For example, if you order something with bacon on it, they can tell you exactly where the pig lived, and the name of the farm. I believe that if you can't get it local, you should at least know the origin. Another awesome thing about Zingerman's Roadhouse is that there is ample free parking. When I went to the deli on Detroit St, finding a parking space was like hunting for unicorns. You should definitely try the Roadhouse sometime.
(4)
Chiwei L.
Damn Zingerman. How can I love and hate you so much at the same time. This is one of my favorite mid/high level restaurants in Ann Arbor, and usually the goto place for the peeps from out of town for a quintessential A2 experience. I've had the pleasure of having some amazingly good, down home, real American food. So why the 3 (3.5 really) stars... Well it's the inconsistency. For a "James Beard" head chef nominated, service oriented, relatively high priced eatery, with the semi-legendary Zingerman name, one would expect heaven on a plate every time. Unfortunately, I've been served average food more often than not. Things like, BBQ and sauces that seem a little dry and under seasoned (Especially compared with slows in Detroit), fish that came out lukewarm, dishes that felt under seasoned, just too many things to be inexcusable... I still love this place, I will still come to this place, I will still spend way to much money on this place... I just hope that they don't take my love for granted... (Jolly Pumpkin might just steal my heart away.)
(3)
Shon C.
I'm going to say it up front - downgraded a star because you have to spend a lot of money to eat here. That being said, as with other things in life, you pay for what you get. Like the deli, Zingerman's Roadhouse specializes in good "American Food," namely BBQ, meat, fresh seafood, great bread, and great cheese. Also a pretty good beer and wine selection. Most impressive is the selection of Mac n Cheese dishes, all priced between $10-$20. If you're the type of person that is interested in eating "real food" (in the Michael Pollan sense of the word), then you would really enjoy this restaurant. The beef taste like real beef, the chicken taste like real chicken. There's a great selection of cheeses (not quite as extensive as the deli, but great for before dinner or with drinks). My last visit was two nights ago with friends, my wife got a bowl of the chili (usually very hearty, big chunks of meat, but a little too beany this time around) and a hot spinach salad (yum!); I went with the corn-dog appetizer (served with 3 gourmet mustards) and the pulled chicken BBQ sandwich with hand cut fries. My meal was great. In fact, the only meal I had at this restaurant that I didn't love was a daily special a few months back -- their take on Cioppino -- suboptimal. Pros: great American food, great ingredients, Zingerman's quality, fancy Mac n Cheese Cons: long wait on weekend nights, expensive for what you get, location isn't really walking distance to other bars/restaurants
(4)
Eric M.
This is another one of those places... drive by it almost everyday and have really never gone there. Ok, I went there to interview somebody at one point, but didn't really eat (or pay attention to) the food. However, the other day a very good friend of ours was in town, and we decided to grab lunch here because it was (surprise) close to our house. It was kind of a rainy day, one of the ones we've been having so many of lately this wet fall, and we decided to sit out on the heated, covered patio to take advantage of the "warmth." As it was a rainy day, I decided to try mac & cheese. Not usually something I'd attribute too much gastronomic creativity to, mac & cheese is the quintessential comfort food. Then I looked at the menu. ** WAIT A MINUTE... ** There were like, six different kinds of mac & cheese. Six kinds! That's a cheese-junkie's overdose. So, I went for the pimento cheese and applewood bacon version. YUM. Yes, it was very rich. No, it was not helping to unclog my arteries. However, it spread a big smile across my face and left me with the intent that THIS week, yes, THIS week I would amp up my workouts. Just not today. :) Wonderful flavor in the food, at least what I had. Just disregard the overpowering smell of butter as you walk in - you can survive just ONE dish, right? Definitely a place I'd go back to, but not if I'm on a diet. At least not that dish...
(4)
Karl H.
This place is aiight. It's definately overrated and like most Ann Arbor restaurants, overpriced. The food isn't bad at all, but it just isn't that great. Their southern style dishes are hit or miss and the fried chicken was worse than Popeye's. Plus they charge a lot for Mac N' Cheese (seriously?). However I did like their Texas Cabrito with some good collard greens, their tasty mussels, and their pulled pork was decent. The service is excellent and they have a lot of good beers on tap. I only go here when I've got cash to burn, which isn't often.
(3)
Stever G.
I had never been here before but always wanted to ever since they opened. My SO has always met that suggestion with "Well...I don't think you'll like it...there's not much in the way of vegetarian fare, and it's really expensive." He knows my tastes well, so I figured he was right. We were on "staycation" recently and I finally convinced him to take me there. We went on a weeknight and was told the wait was 30 minutes, but it turned out to be more like an hour. While I waited, I stared at a huge banner advertising an everything-bacon-fest, with a cartoon piggie on it. Not really the most appetizing image in the world, and I was beginning to regret coercing my SO into coming here. Thankfully, we were seated outside. The inside dining area seemed way claustrophobic, which is one of my beefs with the deli. I'm not usually a fan of outdoor seating, but apart from some seriously uncomfortable chairs, the patio area is spacious and lovely. It was one of the most beautiful nights of the summer, so that added to the atmosphere. The service was, as expected, some of the best service you can get anywhere. Not only was our server amazingly attentive (despite a packed house with some way crabby and demanding patrons--did I mention this place is great for people watching?!), but one of the owners was helping out and making recommendations. Onto the meal. The cocktail menu features clever names and tantalizing descriptions. My guy opted for a very, very strong martini, while I went for a fairly priced Oberon the size of my head. As I looked over the menu, I was impressed that there were actually several vegetarian options. My guy kept insisting that we stick to the appetizers because he's never had a good entree there. Reading the descriptions of the veg dishes, I wasn't having any of that. He ordered sweet potato fries anyway, and I'm glad he did, because they were indeed scrumptious. For entree, I bypassed the veggie burger (cue regret #1) and went for the Mac & Cheese (cue regret number #2!) Can't remember what it was called, but it was the one without bacon. I gotta say, it needed some major doctoring. Anything would have been an improvement. It tasted like...nothing. If I'm indulging in a fattening comfort food, it's supposed to at least taste like it! My SO, while not vegetarian, cooks amazing meatless dishes. And his variations on mac & cheese put this overpriced slop to shame. That makes me feel annoyed that this place is getting away with charging such a high amount of money for such a below average entree. He tried some kind of pulled pork sandwich and nibbled on it throughout the dinner with a "told you we should have gotten another appetizer" look on his face. The price was probably the worst part of this experience. I did notice they had a section on the menu that was "lighter fare" and had more standard prices. If I go again, perhaps I'll try something off of there. Or maybe I'll get that veggie burger. Or maybe I'll listen for once and stick with splitting multiple appetizers! In a nutshell, exceptional service, great atmos if you sit outside, but one gross ridiculously priced dish really tainted my first experience here.
(2)
Sarah W.
I have come here many times. And what I can say is that the food is only okay. If you really want to eat Zingerman sandwiches go to the deli downtown. It just tastes way better and the atmosphere is much more suitable for that kind of meal. But! At Zingerman's Roadhouse the dessert is really really good! The doughnut sundae is a genius idea. I love doughnuts, I love good vanilla gelato, the two should be combined! It's topped off with fresh whip cream and drizzled with caramel sauce and peanuts. It is really great, and I have never seen something like this anywhere else. I also love the apple pie a la mode. And the magic brownie sundae is perfect. If you have a sweet tooth come here and don't forget to order the coffee.
(3)
Jen K.
Was in town for a ZingTrain seminar and decided to check out the Roadhouse with a friend for Sunday Brunch. I was stunned that they had gluten-free corn/bacon/cheddar waffles with maple syrup. Honestly, it didn't sound like it was going to be that great but bacon makes everything great so I decided to try it. They were amazing. LOVED IT! Super friendly staff, did feel that the server was a little slow at bringing us our check, but that might be an Ann Arbor thing because I experienced it at every restaurant we visited!
(5)
Angela R.
Had a wonderful Sunday brunch - I had the huevos rancheros, a nice combination of spice in the pinto beans, green chilies, eggs and the crunchy tormilla. My husband had "New" English Breakfast which was two fried eggs with English pork and beans, Nueske's applewood ham steak and fried heirloom tomatoes and mushrooms with toast. We both really enjoyed our meal our waitress kept the coffee flowing and we enjoyed a mimosa at the end, very nice. Great service great food would go again and we highly recommend!
(4)
Michelangelo S.
Unimaginably good. Inconceivably overhyped. The entire decor of the Roadhouse is invested in a single goal: to justify why you're paying $20 for macaroni and cheese. We get a $50 gift card to here every year and always end up with a $70 bill for two people. Somehow they pull it off, with every dish being outstanding. However, the unpretentious staff and verbose menus sometimes seem at odds; it's like they're unfazed about the fact that you're about to lay out a lot of green for mundane dishes- because they understand that these dishes are turned into something special by being prepared using only the highest quality ingredients. As I understand it, this uncompromising quality actually caused the Roadhouse to be the single unprofitable Zingerman's enterprise for its first year, but propped up by the Bakery, Deli, Mail-Order, and Creamery, along with generous patronship by Ann Arbor snobs and foodies, it's survived and it ready to become an institution.
(4)
Jon T.
Was just there for the Sunday Brunch menu and had a great time. To me, it's one of the few restaurants in SE Michigan that 'get's it'. In fact, if I didn't know I was in Michigan, I would have guessed more like Portland or Seattle. Examples...it uses local ingredients, it brands where items on its menu come from, they have their own bakery, and creamery, its casual and upbeat and an extra friendly environment and so on and so on. Meaning, you can eat great food without spending an arm or a leg or having to put on a suit because you're in a white table cloth environment. Most places here, don't understand that. I had the waffles with grits, Vermont cheddar and Niman Ranch bacon....fricken exceptional! The only thing better was our server Sharon. Thanks for the great time.
(5)
Sunny K.
Yum! I had the new mexico grilled chicken sandwich and it was delicious. The atmosphere and service was great. The only negative is the overpriced meal options, considering the size of the sandwiches. I'm not sure if this is the case for other entree options as well. But I will definitely go back to try some of them.
(4)
Liane R.
Best. Sweet. Potato. Fries. Ever. . . . Ever.
(5)
Jane D.
The Roadhouse has consistently excellent food. One of the things I like best is to sit at the bar and watch the cooks working and all the luscious food going by. It's a bustling place! The staff is well trained and attentive without being intrusive. The burgers are heaven and you can get a burger card. After 10 burgers, you get one free!
(5)
A H.
I agree, the prices seem a little steep but the staff is very attentive and go out of their way to make sure everyone is taken care of. Their cheese plates are amazing, though I would prefer a cracker to the bagel crisps that they use, because it drowns out the flavor of the cheese. Their Smoked Chicken & Monterey Jack macaroni is amazing, very flavorful and creamy. Recently went back for brunch and their granola is wonderful. Oats, almonds, cranberries, and brown sugar. Enough said?!
(5)
Nick L.
Ehh... I want to like Zingerman's, I really do. The service was great, our waitress was very nice and even took a chili bowl off of our tab that one of us didn't like. Plus they give back part of their bill to the town! On the other hand... wow is this expensive. Good luck finding anything under $10-15, I think your only option might be the salad (which I did not enjoy). Vegetarian options are almost non-existent, which I somewhat expected coming from a Roadhouse but still, this is generic American food for way more than its worth.
(3)
Elizabeth L.
Good Northern Southern Barbecue, but what you're saving on the plane ticket south you're paying in the tab. Now that I've lived in Austin for five years (more Austin restaurant reviews to come) and my in-laws live in Charleston SC, I consider myself more versed in barbecue and Mexican food than all my years in the Midwest allowed. So when I heard that Zingerman's opened up a barbecue place that had won some accolades, I knew we had to go. The decor was definitely reminiscent of some of the Southern barbecue places we used to frequent (Threadgill's, Chuy's, County line, etc.) but they managed to merge it well with what seems to be the "Zingerman's style" (based on their deli). I had to order brisket, because I discovered a love of brisket when we moved to Austin back in 03' and it is hard to find on a menu in Chicago. Yum! I wasn't disappointed... very tender and flavorful. My husband ordered the pulled pork and also enjoyed his meat. The sides, however, were a little lackluster tasting and seemed a bit disjointed. Collard greens may be thematic, but I wasn't raised on them and can't imagine them being all that popular up North. I recommend making them an optional vegetable, not the default. Additionally, the Macaroni & Cheese seemed to be "gourmet-ed" up, but it wasn't clear why (other than the price) - why not just do the classic right and charge appropriately? I've given this restaurant three stars because the food and atmosphere are enjoyable, but they don't match the prices. Not that the South doesn't have expensive barbecue places, but if you walk into a barbecue place in the South and see prices like these, expectations are high. This has the feel and taste of a moderate to inexpensive neighborhood barbecue joint, but they are asking "bbq gourmet" prices. Additionally, while I'm all about portion control, it's not as if the portion sizes justify the price either... dishes are moderately sized.
(3)
Alissa H.
I have been a fan of Zingerman's in general for a long time, especially their oils/vinegars/breads/cheeses from the deli, but I was disappointed with my first visit to the Roadhouse. The service started out great, our waitress was really helpful and attentive, but after we put our orders in we didn't see her as frequently and kept trying to have to waive her down to put in drink orders or ask about our appetizer (which didn't come out after we had finished our main course). The main courses were mosly successful. My macaroni and cheese was really, really tastey but a relatively small portion for the price. My husband did not like the fried chicken; the chicken pieces were large but the breading didn't have much flavor and fell off the chicken when he picked it up. Our other friend enjoyed the barbecue platter for the most part except the mole sauce, and the fourth in our party was pleased with her NY strip and raved over the spinach side dish. For the price, my friends had hoped for a little more but, in all fairness, we were at a Zingerman's establishment and it's no secret that its generally a little overpriced. Had the service been better it would have been a four-star review.
(3)
Allison D.
Um, I recently moved to Ann Arbor & have asked several people for restaurant recommendations, and unanimously have heard the praises of Zingerman's, so we headed to the very cute Roadhouse for dinner. After sitting down, we were asked for drink orders, and clearly disappointed the server by not ordering cocktails. The service got worse as my mother (who wasn't hungry) ordered the crab cake appetizer, I ordered the macaroni & cheese with vegetables (an amazingly high $18.50), and my fiance ordered the New Mexico Black Bean Burger with sweet potato fries. My fiance & I have both lived in New Mexico and love spicy green chile, but neither of us could handle the truly ridiculous level of HOT of the green chile on that burger. The burger was obviously home-made, but it kept falling apart. I mentioned the spiciness to the waiter, but instead of concern, his response was literally a scoff with a smile, and no words. He just walked off. After my fiance admitted there was was no way to eat the atomically hot burger, we waited for a long while before the server reluctantly came back to check on us. He nodded, and curtly asked if he wanted a burger without green chile when it was reported that it was simply too hot to eat. The sweet potato fries in contrast were amazing chunks of crisp on the outside, soft on the inside goodness. The crab cakes were small, but good, served on a plate with absolutely no garnish. The macaroni and cheese was a huge disappointment. A large plate with a thin layer of excessively oily pasta with a few pieces of oil drenched spinach and remnants of a tomato mixed in. The highpoint was the fried goat cheese in the center which was perfectly done. After I was finished eating the second burger finally came out and my fiance could finally eat, but the server didn't bring silverware, which took a while and more bad attitude to get. Of course when we ordered dessert (the hummingbird cake - moist but bland) the server perked up a bit, but not nearly as much as he did when he presented the large bill. Overall, the experience was not good. I will not be going back to Zingermans Roadhouse to pay handsomely for under average food and unpleasant service.
(2)
M B.
I have been visiting The Roadhouse since it first opened. It is my favorite restaurant in Ann Arbor. The food is amazing - yes, it's expensive, but no more expensive than other AA restaurants. The food is worth the price. The service is exceptional and I always feel like I've landed at a friend's house, having dinner.
(5)
mike w.
Recommended Meal: Drink: - Zaisson (some strong wheat beer they have on tap) Appetizers: - Large order Sweet Potato fries (believe me get the larger otherwise you will spend more getting two regular orders, they are that good). - Oysters (mix up the types, delicious!) Meal: - Anything that catches your eye is probably delicious. I would lay off the beef brisket, because a deli by the same name has the best there is!
(5)
Sara G.
I just have to give another shout out to Z's Roadhouse. The servers I've had have been nothing less than super friendly and helpful and the food continues to be marvelous and mouth-watering. Also, I have recently become positively addicted to their my-T-fine Caesar salad, topped with hanger steak. Why didn't this appear on the menu sooner? OY VEY.
(5)
Alison T.
The main complaint I hear about the Roadhouse is that it's overpriced, but I disagree. Expensive? Yes. Overpriced? No. I think the problem is that people generally associate "American food" with chain restaurants like Applebee's and Bob Evans, so they're shocked when they see the prices on Zingerman's burgers and mac 'n cheese (which, frankly, are not THAT much higher than you'd pay at a chain restaurant anyway). But the food and service here are both exceptional, which is less than I can say about any of those chains. The ingredients are fresh and, when possible, locally grown, beginning with the basket of Zingerman's bread you're served when you sit down (probably a $10 value in itself, knowing their bakery prices). I've visited on three separate occasions and eaten the fried chicken, the pulled pork and the Roadhouse macaroni and cheese. Each time, when I hesitated upon ordering my meal, the server offered to bring me a taste of the item I was considering. How many chain restaurants do that? All three dishes were absolutely amazing, as was the donut sundae I split with several people on one particular visit. I've never heard anything negative about the food here; only the prices. But if you'd gladly spend $20 per meal at a nice steakhouse, I would urge you to try this place--it's no more expensive than a steakhouse and much more unique. PS: They also have a great beer selection!
(4)
Stephen B.
I was in town for a UM football game and made a reservation here after the game. I visited with my wife and two daughters (age 11 and 13). We were seated a bit early (about 5 minutes) for a 7:15 reservation. We had a very friendly waiter. My wife ordered crab cakes which were fantastic. One of the best she had eaten and after a taste I had to agree. My daughters split a sirloin steak dinner which they really liked. I took a taste and it was ok but the mashed potatoes were very good. I ordered what was listed as a duck breast, it was not, it was the leg/thigh section. Still very good. The sweet potato pancake that came with it really made the dish. The downside was the side of shitake mushrooms that also came with it. Shitake mushrooms have a very tough stem that needs to be removed prior to cooking. These were not, they just chopped up the mushrooms. End result, most of the mushroom side was inedible. What was edible was very good. The combo of duck (just the breast would have been better) mushrooms and sweet potato pancake was a great taste combo. I would definitely go again. I would have rated it higher except for the mushrooms and the non-duck breast. It is pricey.
(3)
Suzy Q.
I'm so happy my husband and I picked Zingermans as the place to celebrate our anniversary. The staff truly made us feel special the whole night. As we walked in, the hostess and waiter wished us a happy anniversary, they had fresh flowers on our table that was in the back of the room, they made us our own printed menu that read 'Happy Anniversary" on it and even gave us a complimentary dessert! Our waiter, Jake was simply amazing. Because everything looked so good on the menu and we were being indecisive, he brought us several samples of the brisket, pulled pork, pimento and cheddar cheese. For dinner, we shared: 1. Roadhouse Mac & Cheese 2. Cornman Farms Burger w/sweet potatoe fries 3. Dessert - Southern Cake We will definitely be going back sooner than later! P.S. Don't forget to complete your visit with a trip to their food market rated one of the best in the world!
(5)
Adam P.
After weeks of reading reviews, seeing top ratings and another nomination the Chef has received for a James Beard award, how couldn't I go....? Upon my arrival from such easy directions, I pulled up to a novelty type looking place that was quite "Unique". I loved the old looking trailer attached to the building they had set up for pull up takeout orders... Entering on a Monday dinner rush, my wait was only 5 mins. My company and I perched up to the bar for a few delicious signature drinks. My first drink was a Sazerac bourbon/Absinthe type drink with an orange twist in it. It was pretty good. We started with Crab cakes and some oysters. The oysters were great. I loved how they select from both Coasts as most places I've been, only select from the east. Also the Bartender was Excellent. Seeing how it was our first time she offered us many samples of sauces, pork and Brisket. They do cook the brisket in house. Tasted good with the sauce but seemed a bit overcooked and more tasting of Roast Beef. I've had better. The Crab cake was unique and we both really enjoyed how flavorful it was. What I really admire is how the Chef uses all local ingredients including meat from his own cows from his farm. I couldn't pass up the steak. I ordered the Bone in Rib eye. If I would USDA rate this which I don't think it is seeing how it's so local. I would rate it a Select Cut. I wasn't impressed. I loved the Grits I ordered with it and the Chicken Macaroni and Cheese was quite Unique My Date ordered the burger and Salad Special. I loved the onion roll they served it on and it was really flavorful. Their fries are to die for and seem as fresh and real as it can get. Now my issue was with the Willamette Pinot Noir Wine. 13.50 A glass, it had no complexity AT ALL especially from its appellation, it should have tasted better than a table wine. I did think it paired great with the steak though. Other than that, I really appreciated the service and how welcoming the service was. We were also presented with a desert for it being our first time, Vanilla Gelato.. ABSOLUTLY DELICIOUS. Macaroons with it were too coconutty. Unless you like Coconuts, you will love em.. All and All my experience was good, my service was outstanding, but for all the accolades on the food and company.. I can understand for the fact you will not find a menu like theirs anywhere else. The place reminds of something that is about to turn into a chain for their uniqueness of menu selections and fresh ingredients. I was not "Wowed" by it as I was expecting from all/ the hype but did have a good time. I would rate it 7/10 or 4 outta 5 stars..
(4)
Galen B.
The staff seemed unhappy, the sandwich was cold, and tasted like it has been sitting around all day. Other than that, it was a marvelous experience.
(1)
Matthew M.
The food at Zingey's is outstanding. Order the Cornman Farms burger medium rare with 7 year cheddar and sweet potato fries and you'll be in heaven/broke. I'm looking forward to trying their ribs with Alex's red rage barbeque sauce.
(5)
John D.
We moved to Ann Arbor three years ago from Philadelphia, and this is by far my favorite restaurant in Michigan. Prices are definitely high, but you get what you pay for. Servers are genuinely kind and usually knowledgeable. The Nashville Hot Chicken, while only available on Tuesday, is better than the original in Nashville -- yes, I've been to Prince's. I love Zingerman's Roadhouse. If I had the money, I would eat here every day.
(5)
Cecilia P.
Totally worth it. The fried chicken is what keeps me coming back. Listen, I'm not gonna get fried chicken very often, and when I do I want it to be the best fried chicken available. I like how they ask what kind of chicken meat you prefer. I like the presentation (looks like a boxed meal you'd take on a long train ride, in say the late 1800's). And as far as the portions go- more than enough. Service - always awesome. It's a good sign when one of the titans of the Zingerman's empire is walking around filling water glasses. They have a Farmer's market on summer Thursdays - and taste samples of what you can make with some of the produce that's for sale! They have AMAZING cocktails. The cocktail menu is categorized by era, so not only are you having a cocktail, you're drinking history (that might be some massive rationalization on my part, but I'm totally comfortable with that). If you're into the story of your meal (knowing that many of the ingredients are produced by artisan farmers, that there is respect paid to each and every ordinary ingredient going into the recipe, and that there is a history behind the dish), if you value good service and a connection to the community - check out the Roadhouse. If you don't care about those things and aren't willing to pay for them, this isn't the place for you.
(4)
Chris C.
I was excited to finally try this place. It didn't quite live up to my high expectations, but i wasn't totally disappointed. Initially, the mac & cheese was a little bland. But it turned out to be really good the next day, after all the flavors settled. On the other hand, the fried chicken was an oversized CRUNCH of nothingness...very unimpressive. The decor was cool with interesting figurines throughout, but this place can get awfully loud.
(3)
John F.
Hands down in my top 10 favorite places. You won't find the frills and thrills associated with your $100 a plate restaurants here, but I would put this food up against any of those places and guarantee Zingerman's wins hands down. It's one of the few places that takes true pride in their food. They source their ingredients from only the best locations. For instance, if they determine the best Swiss cheese comes from a small farmer in Montana who has only four cows, that's where your Swiss cheese is coming from. It's truly an "institution" as one of my good friends says that introduced me to the place. Turning down multiple buyout offers in order to maintain the Zingerman's quality is what this place is all about. Be sure and visit their Bakehouse and Deli as well. If you're ever in or around Ann Arbor be sure to stop in, definitely a must visit. It doesn't look fancy from the outside, but trust me, it's AMAZING! For the actual food, they have a great list of microbrew beers. I highly recommend anything on their menu, but am in love with the Roadhouse Burger with sweet potato fries, followed by some Chocolate Puddin' or Vanilla bean Cheese Cake. ENJOY!
(5)
Ted S.
I've been coming here off and on since they opened so I have tried quite a few staples and specialties over the years. *Most* of the time the Roadhouse nails it, but every once in a while things can go awry. Every single soup I have ever tried here has been hands-down delicious. The cheddar ale, split pea, cream of mushroom, the chili and many others. They put a lot of effort into the soups and it shows. All of the manifestations of potato here are superb. Regular fries, sweet potato fries, mashed potatoes.....they have taken the right page from classic American food and gotten these just right, which for me means hand-cut fries with just the right amount of grease and mashed potatoes using simple butter and cream with no unwelcome guests. Red meat dishes can be hit or miss as far as preparation; on a couple of occasions "medium" has ended up being pretty much still mooing. Also the size of the burger's bun is ridiculously large compared to the burger. And it is a sizable burger, for sure; just that the bun is of needlessly epic proportions. All that being said, when correctly prepared, the burger, salisbury steak (the burger without the bun, with a bordelasie reduction sauce), and regular ole steaks I have tried have been at least a solid A-. The famous fried chicken here I do find to be disappointing. The regular stuff they serve daily is nicely fried up but just not interesting enough in its flavor. The other side of the coin, the Nashville "Hot" chicken is oddly enough guilty of the same sin; it is ALL heat and no flavor, at least that I can detect. (It may just be a matter of me not coming with the requisite heat shield that allows me to penetrate into whatever flavor may lay beneath). The fish here is hands-down great. Many varieties of super fresh fish flown in daily and it can be cooked in pretty much any way imaginable. The Zingerman's Coffee Rub is fantastic. All manner of pork and BBQ I have had are quite delicious as well. Excellent list of wines by the glass (at least 20 different glasses to choose from and they are rotated with decent regularity). Amazing selection of alcohol in general. Service is always spot-on. I would give 4.5 stars if I could.
(4)
emeril l.
A bit pricey for casual dining, but a nice place to celebrate a special occasion. Our bill was $80 (with tip) for the following items: 1) the roasted root vegetable salad, which was so tasty that I recreated it at home a few nights later! Can't get enough of it!!! 2) An order of sweet potato fries, our first choice was sold out, which turned out to be nothing short of AMAZING! 3) a pint of beer 4)BBQ pork platter - pork was so tender that it melted in your mouth 5) Catfish platter - very good- served southern style, you don't get fillets, you get an entire catfish, minus the head. I'm from the south, so I get how to eat it and enjoyed it very much. Less seasoned people might end up with a mouth full of bones, though, so beware. The sides were amazing. some sort of coleslaw, and some other stuff, very tasty! 6) The donut rum sundae. No room for this, we had to bring some of the above dishes home, since we were stuffed. I assembled the sundae at home later and was happy to find that they had packed it nicely in separate cups so that it didn't get mangled on the way home. Yay! 7) a free cupcake for the birthday boy All in all, we'll come back, but will probably go through the drive up (in the trailer) because the prices there are a bit more affordable for sandwiches and whatnot.
(4)
Jarrod V.
Just plain fantastic, including both food and service!
(5)
Missy C.
Growing up in the South and then living in Ann Arbor Area for 28 years it has always been hard to find good fried chicken. Not anymore, I just head over to Zingermans RoadHouse. It is authentic, dipped in egg and the coating is great. No, I don't eat fried chicken much but when I get hungery for it, this is where I go. Another favorite dish is the free range, mushroom salad.
(5)
Mike P.
Went 1-11-2013. My wife and I went for dinner. We had the Cornman Farms' Ploughman's Board as an appetizer. I can only say that it is a bit odd.... the roasted red peppers and tomatoes are simply strange. Not a fan of this. The cheese and ham were fantastic however. For an entree I had Roasted Heirloom Pepper & Anchovy Mac. It was not edible. I was not expecting such a massive amount of anchovy or capers which made the dish so overwhelmingly fishy and salty I could only eat about a 1/4 of it. I should have just sent it back but I ate half of my wife's burger which was very good and was satisfied. The server although seeing I hardly ate the dish did not ask any questions regarding my meal. He did not even ask if I wanted it boxed up. Not the usual Zingerman's service or meal. This was a wasted meal and calories along with poor service. Well probably avoid for a few months. Fortunately my wife and I had nice conversation
(1)
Bonnie L.
Many find this place overpriced and overrated, and that's a perfectly valid viewpoint. I am willing to shell out for a nice meal out, but the Roadhouse pushes my limits by charging me $7 for a piece of cake or $20 for fried chicken. And when it's simple American-style comfort foods you're eating, it's easy to understand why some wonder what all the fuss is about. My theory is that Zingerman's prices are high for two reasons: 1) as they state, they splurge on high quality foods; and 2) they give away so much free stuff to customers who purport to be dissatisfied. While it's annoying to subsidize the people who take advantage of #2, it's still worth it to me for the feeling of security I get at a Zingerman's establishment that I will be treated well during my stay there. Plus, it's really good food. Make a phone call before you head over. It's fairly easy to get a reservation, and can be highly difficult to walk in off the street.
(4)
Kirsten T.
The food is undoubtedly great, but having become privy to information regarding higher-ups, I can't in good conscience recommend this restaurant to people. It's a shame because I REALLY miss their goat cheese mac.
(1)
Louise K.
Delicious! The Roadhouse may be crowded, but the FOOD is worth the wait! Enjoyable dishes are as follows: Ribs Fried Chicken Cheesecake Fried Catfish The drinks are nice(root beer right out of the bottle!) Every time I go here I leave satisfied.
(5)
Rala S.
I liked the actual restaurant's atmosphere, but the food isn't really all that great. I should have probably splurged for the mac and cheese but $20 just seemed like highway robbery for that dish - so I got a burger. The burger was good, but again wasn't the best I'd ever had. I expected more. The bread though, of course, was delicious.
(2)
D T.
Have not been here for a long time, but went twice in last month. Wow, everything was really amazing. BBQ is great, loved the soups, salads and the steak with honey and rosemary was very good. Service was truly exceptional
(5)
Rachel B.
YUM YUM YUM. Classy but comfortable, homemade cheeses and breads. Amazing and unique sweet potato fries. A MUST buy.
(5)
Craig O.
Didn't have a great breakfast experience. We got there early and didn't have to wait in line. I don't think the staff had a chance to warm up yet. They forgot our coffee and didn't even remember us ordering it. Not a great way to start out a morning. The food came out and was lukewarm at best. The people sitting next to us also sent their food back. I had chorizo w/ eggs. The beans were bland and cold. The corn tortilla didn't have any flavor, and the chorizo was more like sausage. Very little flavor. My wife had the huevos rancheros. Much better. The verde sauce was flavorful and the fried tortilla added complexity to the dish. I want to go back to try dinner, but our first visit wasn't worth the price.
(3)
Chen L.
I usually avoid Mac n Cheese, but I'm glad I tried it at Zingerman's. It's definitely the best I've had. The wife got a burger an it was fantastic too. Zingerman's lives up to the hype! Really good food that hits the spot. Keep in mind though, a burger, Mac n Cheese, two drinks will run you $80. The blue cheese on the burger was four bucks!!!
(4)
Dick H.
Eggs and grits, perfect smoked bacon, and excellent coffee. One star subtract for rye bread sliced too thick and not crunchy enough, but that's being picky!
(4)
k t.
This place is too expensive. That being said, it's not bad. The Mac and Cheese is great, especially the Cal Fiorentina which comes with a fried ball of brie on top. Also be sure to try many of the millions of different types of oysters they carry, as they are all subtly different and quite tasty. I was (gently) let down by my BBQ brisket sandwich; this was to be expected since I am from Texas and should have known better. It was oversauced and the meat lacked smoke flavor and wasn't tender enough (kind of rubbery). Perks: friendly and fast service, parking (almost worth another star when compared to downtown restaurants) Insignificant gripe: annoying faux-newspaper menu Hidden Gem: The wild rice entree looks like absolute crap when they bring it out (sloppy presentation) but it is quite tasty. I'd split it with a friend as a side dish. Conclusion: Come here on someone else's dime.
(3)
Debbie C.
Some of the most amazing barbecue I have had ever had! The spare ribs were to die for! All the food and drink we've had at all of the Zingerman's stores (deli, creamery, coffee shop and bakery) have been top-notch. The staff is very knowledgeable and extremely friendly. We made a 50-mile detour on our vacation to visit Zingerman's and were not disappointed in the least. It'll be a trip we'll be making again and again, I'm sure.
(5)
Kevin K.
I really enjoy eating at Zingerman's Roadhouse and prefer it to the original Deli. The food is consistently very good (I love the burgers and selection of cheeses) and of high quality, if a bit over-priced. The service has always been very good as well. It would probably warrant a fifth star if it wasn't a bit over-priced.
(4)
Brad T.
Let me get this out of the way first: often when people complain about this place, it's related to the prices. Yes, there are cheaper places to get all of this food, that's clear. But since opening, Zingerman's Roadhouse has gone from being very shaky to downright awesome, and I would no longer consider that criticism very valid. After all, isn't quality what should drive the price of a meal in the first place? That being said, Zingerman's Roadhouse has grown into one of my few always-reliable local restaurants. This is probably because both a chef friend of mine and my dad (who has great taste) are both huge champions of this restaurant, leading my wife and I to eat here more than we ever expected to. I'm so glad we have, because my initial impressions of this place weren't that hot, but they've found their footing in a way I never expected. The barbecue here is excellent, the seafood is awesome, the oysters are some of the best in the city, the macaroni and cheese is fantastically decadent, and then there's the fried chicken. There are some good fried chicken places in the area, but they're often avoided because they tend to be in unexpected or rundown locations. So let me lay it out there for those of you who avoid joints like Mary's Chicken: Zingerman's Roadhouse has the very best fried chicken of any sitdown American restaurant in town. THE VERY BEST! The service is always good, the drinks are both strong and yummy, the revolving beer selection is a treat, and the deserts are a knockout. I've never even experienced the long table waits that most other good restaurants in town are guilty of. In short, this place is tops in my book, I can't recommend it enough.
(5)
Darian R.
This place is pretty pricey. $13 for a basic burger and fries. And by basic, I mean basic. Fries are okay, but you get free refills. Their menus are all made of different quantities and sizes of paper. The place looks nice and smells great, but the prices of the food kept me away from a lot of the options. Didn't feel like shelling out $18-22 for some basic food. Maybe it's great and amazing. The salad was alright. Croutons weren't great. Also, the seating is really cramped. And the bread was not great. Overall, paid almost $40 for two sandwiches and a plate of fruit for my daughter. Overall concept of that is lost on me.
(2)
Jason C.
Every cardiologist in your town will be glad for the extra business from eating at this place. A whole lot of fat and salt. Although the marketing hype says the food comes from the farm somehow by the time it gets to the plate the veggies are doused with grease and salt. I'm a local and find the food disappointing for the hype, best for the tourist and football crowd. Overpriced for the quality, service can be excellent to near miss,
(1)
Alfred K.
This has got to be one of the best restaurants in Ann Arbor. A sit-down full-service version of its sister store, the Roadhouse serves up classic cuisine Americana with the best ingredients that Zingerman never fails to deliver. Some of the things I've had here and loved include the fried green tomatoes, fried chicken, and green bean casserole. All amazingly executed classics. The oyster hash (during brunch) is also a great twist on a classic breakfast dish - top notch. If you like Mac and Cheese they have about 5 varieties of them, and the pick-your-own cheese board is just as fun. The infamous barbecued oysters weren't quite what I had hoped, but they are very unique and smokey... chacun a son gout I suppose. The donuts are fan-freaking-tastic - don't ever miss the desserts! In terms of decor, it's really nice and that's about the only adjective I have. The outdoor patio is very charming, oh and if you're a member of OpenTable you of course want to make a reservation. I hear what other yelpers are saying... Zingerman will probably not knock your socks off when it comes to flavor, and frankly it's hard to feel like my expections are exceeded when the hype is miles high. But the truth is that I have never been to another restaurant like Zingerman's Roadhouse where I feel completely confident that every item is made from scratch with high quality, whole/unprocessed ingredients. In that sense Zingerman's approach is a genius twist on American cuisine and holds a very dear place in my heart. I strongly recommend Zingerman's to all.
(5)
JJ P.
Excellent food. You pay for it, but it is worth it. Our waitress was an older woman, but clearly loved her job and loved the company. She was very knowledgeable and friendly. Come hungry and expect to feast!
(5)
Monica S.
Boy was this place good! Despite a 90 minute wait, it was totally well worth it. Our server was a flamboyant man who was completely friendly and attentive. We ordered sweet potato fries as an appetizer, and were surprised to see they were the large cut kind. It was served with thousand island sauce, although I thought maple syrup would have been better, Mother in law ordered macaroni and cheese- which lacked a little flavor in my opinion, while the husband and I ordered pork ribs. Wow, the meat on the ribs were just falling off the bone. I've never seen a barbeque place accomplish that feat, ever. The meat must have been braising for hours on end before they were served. For dessert, try the donut sundae. It's a unique twist on a tried and true sweet.
(4)
Kate S.
Waited at least 10 minutes for the table. Waited 20-25 minutes for our lunch. Lots of empty tables. Waitperson NEVER apologized for the wait. Refilled the drinks, asked if my husband wanted another iced coffee, then charged for the refill. Food was okay. Another server attended to table wearing a white apron that who knows what was wiped on the apron, but it looked nasty. Terrible service.
(2)
Jonas L.
The Roadhouse extends the concept behind Zingerman's a step further: make American comfort food with better-than-average ingredients and charge a ridiculous amount of money for it. If you are happy paying $10 for a sandwich, then you'd be equally happy to pay $30 for mashed potatoes and chicken fried steak. Still, this place is better than most restaurants on Main Street of Ann Arbor, who charge equally high prices but do not even rise above mediocrity. I suppose that is a point in The Roadhouse's favor, that its $30 fried chicken does taste a little better than the $5 fried chicken you can find in Harlem. A little better, however, hardly justifies its price. Go only if it's a really special occasion (but then why would you want comfort food?) or if it's on someone else's dime.
(3)
Eric K.
The food is excellent and everything I've tried here tastes so good. However, it's too expensive for what you get. Perhaps this place will become a five star when I start making more money and menu items appear more affordable.
(4)
Dani A.
Zingerman's roadhouse is not bad, but I have never had anything there that I have felt was worth the price. They have pretty good burgers but expect to pay anywhere from $14-$20 for a burger. And there are definitely better burgers in the city for a much better price. I also highly recommend the sweet potato fries as they have been the hands down best thing I have ever had there. As I said before it is a fairly good place, but you are paying for the Zingerman's name and for the atmosphere. And while they use fancy names and maybe even some ingredients, they are a casual restaurant. They jack up prices by trying to promote the "anti-chain" style and saying they use local ingredients, but add in whenever possible which is a nice way of not committing to anything or actually having to.
(2)
Tiffany M.
The food was perfectly edible. I would definitely eat here again if I was hungry and in the area.
(4)
S J.
I travel for work, and whenever I come to Ann Arbor, I make sure to stop at Zingerman's. I was there on 4/18/2012 and the hostess asked me how I was. I said I was ok, and she asked what would make me better. I said that you can never go wrong with chocolate. I settled in and looked over the menu, and tried to decide what to get My waitress, Sharon, came over to greet me with a little ramekin in her hand with chocolate pudding. Now that's the way to get me to be happy! I savored the pudding while looking at the menu. Sharon was kind enough to help me decide on some options for dinner, and made sure that I was happy. I had fried chicken (YUM!) and a tomato pesto mac and cheese. The Mac and cheese was a bit salty, but that's fine. Dessert was chocolate and butterscotch pudding. Now I'm not a butterscotch person, but this had salt in it, and was delicious! All in all, a great dinner. Not expensive either, since I only ordered one chicken breast knowing that I was on my own and I didn't want to waste any food!
(5)
Debra S.
I really don't understand the huge fuss over prices. Zingerman's is not any more expensive than Cafe Zola, Paesano's, The Chop house, The Earl, or many, many others, yet no one really complains about the costs at these establishments, and at Zingermans- you get MORE. It's simply understood at these upscale places that you pay, Yet with Zingerman's reviews, it's all complaints. Of course that plate will cost you $23.00! It's ALL organic, free range, produced in small batches, flown in special, processed from scratch, with all sides and additions also being from the same caliber of ingredients and processes. The staff power alone to produce this sort of culinary feat- plate after plate, would drive costs through the roof, and by any standards, Zingerman's should have gone out of business years ago. Consider too, that brunch items are $9.00-$13.00 a plate, and it's enough to fill you to the point of napping, and it all seems so silly. If you don't want the highest food quality in Michigan, don't eat here. Don't detract a star because good food costs more to prepare, that's really silly, and unfair. They can't simply GIVE you the food for free, or at cost of the cheap-o diner down the road, or they will have to shut their doors. With that said, Zingerman's has always strived to exceed all possible limits and expectations, and is the one and only culinary contender (for real and true) that stands the test of time in the Ann Arbor area. It is Ann Arbor's second claim to fame, behind the U of M. I have eaten at near every Ann Arbor establishment for 9 years, repeatedly- and none can hold a candle to Zingermans- there's just nothing like it. The brunch is to DIE for. After stuffing ourselves to the brim, with two sides and two full plates and one amazing coffee, it cost us $33. We won't have to eat for the rest of the day, and I can die happy. Go there, and ask the waiter/waitresses what's the best, and you'll win near every time. I LOVE that it's not downtown. Ann Arbor Parking is a nightmare. The fried chicken is by far and away- the best I've ever had. Maybe the best on the planet. The mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potato fries, and the slow cooked pork are out of this world. And omg... the corned beef hash with poached eggs... Ugh! Mmmm....
(5)
Amy M.
Really disappointed. Party of 6 -- 1 entree came 10 minutes after all the others; 1 entree was the wrong kind of fish; neither steak was not cooked as ordered -- sent 1 back, it came back wrong a second time, sent it back again, and it came back totally overcooked; grilled polenta was covered in ash; spinach and wild mushroom salad contained one small mushroom piece. The stuff that wasn't messed up was really good, but most of our food wasn't right.
(2)
E S.
Lots of butter and grease even on the sandwiches. Kinda disappointed because I was expecting something gourmet but walked away feeling very bloated.
(2)
Ariel W.
I've heard lots of great things about the Roadhouse and how their American comfort food is delicious, but after last night's meal, I've determined that while their food is good, it wasn't extraordinary and definitely not worth the price. I don't know about all the magic that happens in the kitchen (butcher cutting up an actual pig so it's fresh and getting their noodles shipped from Italy...) but the taste was ordinary. I had their Goat Cheese mac and cheese and it was bland. The waiter warned me about the black peppers, but I didn't even taste them. The description said it had roasted tomatoes, but they must have been tiny tomatoes because I only saw 2 small globs. The portion was small for $17. My husband had their pulled pork sandwich and I had a few bites. It was tasty, but I've had better (like at Blue Tractor). The only thing that was delicious and worth the price was the $5 sweet potato fries appetizer. Huge cuts of sweet potato and their zesty sauce was delicious. Overall, it was an okay experience, but I wouldn't choose to go back there.
(2)
Lisa W.
I came here because I heard they had fried chicken -- there isn't really anyplace in Ann Arbor to get decent fried chicken except for Cafe Habana and once in a blue moon, Old Town. The friend chicken was pretty good. It is made with buttermilk. The greens were alright, the mac 'n cheese was intense, and the mashed potatos were good. But folk's ain't lyin' when they say this stuff is expensive. The problem is, it doesn't taste expensive. I might be willing to drop 12 bones on some fried chicken if one of the sides wasn't this weird tasting coleslaw. Dessert was good -- a sweet biscuit with fresh blueberries on top and fresh whipped cream (not Reddi Whip). I added gelato to it, but it didn't need it. Plus the vanilla gelato wasn't that great, I was disappointed. Nice little touches around the restaurant -- a pretty cute collection of salt 'n pepper shakers tucked safely behind glass cases, a couple of metal gliding benches outside that my boyfriend asked, "Are they bolted down?" The paper towels in the bathroom are actually paper towels, you can't tell because they're so thick. The outdoor seating is tented. The problem is consistency -- the stuff that's good isn't amazing, and a lot of it is just ok.
(3)
Joel S.
Good service, nice brunch. I had the grits waffles brunch entree, and didn't much notice the grits but it WAS delicious in any case. Definitely a good brunch option.
(4)
A. A.
The sandwich shop is much better. Not a bad brunch...but definitely not as good as the hype would have you believe. Kind of overpriced for the portion size. The corn beef has is ok...the eggs benedict kind of bland. I don't know. Don't feel like you have to go hear, cause you won't miss it. But you could do worse.
(3)
Marisa S.
Amazing food and superior service. Love the outdoor tent and aroma of BBQ!!!
(5)
Andrea T.
Okay, my favorite things about Zingerman's roadhouse are Rhode Island Coffee milk, these amazing preserved tomatoes, and the excellent service. So on my first visit, I got one of my faves, sweet potatoe fries. They are hard to mess up so it's not that I give anyone extra credit for making them. What impressed me is that about 2 fries fell from the plate to the floor as the server set them before me, and no joke, he pretty much brought us an entire EXTRA plate of fries. My salad had these amazing preserved tomatoes, which because of the wonderful flavor I had mistaken for red peppers. I asked about the preparation of them, commented that I liked them, and five minutes later, I had a saucer full of them to ADD to my salad. Pretty much all of my visits to the Roadhouse involve stories like that. Sure, Zingerman's does charge a bit more for what is basically just American comfort food, but I like the dining experience and the attentiveness of the waitstaff. Clearly, you can get cheaper food or even just stay at home and make some of these things, but this is a fun, casual environment and it's interesting that they challenge themselves to keeping a 100% American menu. I'm kind of a food snob and largely turn my nose up at our "ordinary" cuisine, so it's a nice niche that they have filled to show some of the best of what American cuisine (and wine) has to offer. I like the themed dinners a lot too.
(4)
Erik J.
To cut the chase - the food is delicious, the atmosphere is awesome and the service is spectacular. It just loses the one star because, though it is an excellent imitation, it's just not the same as true southern bbq. I had the BBQ Pork Entree, which is pulled pork served with your choice of sauce, greens and mashed potatoes. The pork itself and the greens are excellent. The potatoes are nothing particularly special, though certainly pleasing. The sauce here was my hang up. They have the holy trinity of tomato, vinegar and mustard based sauces, as well as the elusive Alabama mayo-based one. I had the mustard since I hadn't had it in four years since the last time I was in South Carolina. The sauce is certainly sweet and tangy, but the chef chose to head toward the spicier side of the sauce. He's a James Beard winner and by all means, the sauce is good. It just falls short of what I expected which is sweeter and relies more on the mustard's natural tang then on spice. By all means, however, this is both the first time I've seen it served outside of the Carolinas and it's definitely worth a try. Haven't had the others, though I would expect them to be delicious as well. My wife had the macaroni smoked chicken and monterrey jack. It kept the jack heat and added some green chilis. It's a hefty pool so come hungry if you're going after that or any of the pasta dishes.
(4)
Kelly B.
I like Zingerman's Deli so I was eager give this place a try. Sadly I was disappointed. Since veggie options are plentiful at the deli I assumed I would encounter the same here. The veggie options were mostly bread and cheese, not my idea of a balanced meal. Alas I settled on a mac and cheese variety. It wad great but completely lacked nutrients and any sort of complete meal feeling. I gave this three stars because I am sure my former non-veg self would have enjoyed this place more, though it was still primarily unbalanced comfort food, which I do not enjoy from a place that is usually local and farm fresh.
(3)
Ani B.
had high expectations coming for breakfast for my birthday. now know that the only guaranteed expectation was a large bill for common food. did like that they offered green chilies in the omelet offerings. got the grilled onions, chiles, and cheddar-they made a fairly good tasting omelet, but no extreme earth-shattering omelet no matter where the eggs came from. i was also disappointed with the one piece of zingerman toast, crusts too hard and the whole wheat was just that, common whole wheat, the worst was the "hash browns" which were boiled potatoes mashed/mixed with miniscule pieces of red peppers and slopped on a grill-just a mashed mess 2/3rds way to a potato cake. Nothing was seasoned; and we know nothing will season up after being cooked. i thought the food could have been presented on the plate better; i felt like i was at a mess hall with it being slopped on a plate, no garnish, no neat presentation. waitress didn't seem like she wanted to be there. mumbled something about what was popular. I didn't understand what she was saying. and i guess it didn't matter. not very attentive on refills or extras. Was hoping for a special high quality breakfast but did not get anything special. look forward to the Cheesecake Factory who makes fantastic breakfasts.
(3)
Jose S.
Unique but pricey.
(2)
Jennifer S.
So I came out to the arctic tundra to visit friends, and I kept hearing about Zingerman's. I finally came for brunch, and got the grits plate. You get chunky slightly cheesy grits, applewood bacon, eggs and toast. The sour cherry preserves are to die for, absolutely perfect. Now the server did mess up my over easy eggs, they ended up well done and medium. Plenty of spots at 10am on a Sunday, and a good price @ $10. I did see the mac/cheese for 15-20 on the dinner menu. Would love to come back sometime and try it out. Dinner had over an hour wait time though for two people =(
(4)
Basak D.
I tried two of the famous Mac and Cheeses and wasn't to impressed. They were overrated and frankly a little greasy. On the other hand the service was great and I ordered a Caesar salad was one of the best I've had.
(3)
Barbara W.
We were staying nearby, so I stopped by after dinner to get my dessert--a mini cherry pie. It was unbelievably good--crisp crust, not-too-sweet filling. The next morning we went for breakfast--yummy omelet, blueberry French toast, great coffee. We need one of these places in Austin!
(5)
Steven L.
Although the food here is not very good, I still have to give this a 4 because it is a Zingerman's restaurant and I can eat here. This shows us that sometimes a restaurant is more than the food it serves. It is about getting the respect you deserve. Also, I feel not too many poor people eat here. I make a six-figure income and I am sure most of the patrons that eat here do as well. It is nice to dine with intelligent humans, not just regular trash. For this, Yay! I am a fan.
(4)
Kay B.
I don't dislike Zingerman's, and I'm certainly no Z-hater. However, having been here twice I continue to be unimpressed by anything other than their extensive cocktail menu and the fact that on Sunday's ($2.00 off classic cocktails) the price of said cocktails becomes reasonable. I like that they have such a clearly marked GF menu, but my two entrees I've had from it were pretty blah (pulled pork) and kind of gross (white grits). Was not expecting giant triangles of polenta-like grit cakes, and while the toppings were interesting after about two bites I knew I had made a poor decision. We did get some good gluten free chili cheese fries, and it's nice that they have an option of GF fries. No one in my party had a bad meal but no one had much to say about their food either. Pretty blah all around.
(2)
Sue D.
This is by far the best restaurant in Ann Arbor. We go as often as we can afford it. I can be confident that anything I get here is made with high quality ingredients and perfectly prepared. Cheap it ain't, but I would much rather pay a price for reliable perfection than pay less and end up with a mediocre meal. Dinner: As other reviewers have noted, the fried chicken is perfection - crispy, moist, flavorful. On Tuesdays they do a hot and spicy version that is smeared with a killer chili sauce. You get a special press-on tattoo if you dare to eat it. My favorite appetizer is the cheese platter. You and your tablemates choose from a long list of specialty cheeses from around the country, and your server is happy to help you put together a nice selection. Sampling these savory tidbits while nibbling on country bread and sipping a glass of wine makes me a very, very happy person. Little pickled grapes come with the cheese. Yum. My kids happily consume the mac'n'cheese and corn dogs. The wine and beer lists are carefully chosen, and there are great deals if you look. Same with the food: many of the prices are high but you can put together a moderately priced meal if you choose carefully - eg, split a whole order of fried chicken with your date (for $20 you get four pieces of chicken plus sides; they happily plate this up for two), or get a fabulous burger and fries. Breakfast: The dougnnuts. Oh, lord. They fry them when you order. These beauties arrive at your table hot and crispy, sprinkled with a thick layer of some fancy, crunchy brown sugar. They are $3 for 3. I can't think of a better start to a weekend morning. Coffee is strong and delicious; bottomless cup. As we were leaving they offered to fill up a cup to go (free!), but I was buzzing too much from sugar and caffeine to take up this generous offer. The bits waffle has bacon and cheese in it. My husband seemed pleased with his, sharing very little of it with his family. I usually have eggs, toast, bacon and hash-browns. This simple breakfast is only as good as the quality of its ingredients and preparation. In a greasy spoon it's salt and grease that you eat fast, washed down with coffee. This is enjoyable in its own way. Here it's an experience to be savored. The toast is thick slices of Z's bread (sourdough or white) slathered with butter from a local producer. Fruit preserves on the side; I chose cherry. Thick slices of peppery Neuske bacon. The over-easy eggs were perfectly prepared. The hash-browns were the only mediocre element; I wanted crispy, browned edges, and these were pretty soft and tasteless. After dinner, we often stop by the to-go dining car parked in the lot. Baked goods are half-price in the evening, which lets us extend our happy Z's experience into the next morning with lemon clouds and scones.
(5)
Denise K.
Located in a refurbished Bill Knapp's restaurant (anyone of a "certain age" who lived in Michigan and surrounding states remembers that former chain), Zingerman's Roadhouse is where Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip would go, incognito, if they wanted the best diner food in America. This is the kind of comfort food you wish your mama knew how to make, and maybe she could if she had the fabulous ingredients that The Roadhouse always uses -- fresh, top quality and home-grown if available. From breakfast to a late night supper, the offerings are imaginative without being over the top, and while they often add new menu items they wisely retain the tried and true favorites. Ahhhhh, the bread, the butter, the super-duper cocktails from the bar ... and that's all before you ever look at a menu. They're also wonderful with substitutions (no eye-rolling by the server), sooooo good with little kids (sometimes I wanna eat off the kids' menu), and a great place for larger parties. Today, on an extremely busy day at The Roadhouse, we celebrated the 37th anniversary of our first date with our three adult daughters, two sons-in-law and a serious boyfriend, and two toddler grandchildren -- 10 in all. Our server made us feel like we were the only folks in the joint (but service is always excellent here). Between us, we had their Eggs Benedict, Waffles, Reuben, Buttermilk Fried Chicken, two kids' Mac-n-Cheese, Black Bean Burger with Jalapeño & Avocado sauce, and a Grilled Limburger Cheese Sandwich with Onions, Tomatoes and Bacon (guess who ordered that ... ). Just delicious. In addition, parking is plentiful. During peak hours, which is almost always, I would recommend reservations.
(5)
Jason P.
I dont get to Ann Arbor often, but this place might change that! What a great meal!! I had heard of Zingermans from friends and various food network shows, but had never experienced the food. I am here to tell you it was fantastic. When you walk up it looks, well, like a roadhouse, but this aint the Double Deuce! The inside is very clean and comfortable with pictures of the various places they get their ingredients. Most is home grown around Michigan or from organic houses in Vermont, Cali, ect...I had the BBQ Pork Sandwich with Sweet Potatoe Fries. My server brought it out with five different sauces. All were good, but the green tomato and aielo sauce were the best. The meat was tender, and the fries were cooked just right. Our server was very knowledgable about the food and how it is prepared. Overall, a great meal and I have become a fan!
(5)
April J.
SO YUM. Everything here was truly delicious. A bit pricey but delicious. I didn't get anything fancy but the food was just plain good. Not sure if I'm willing to pay for it considering I can get delicious food elsewhere, but there were no complaints about the food itself.
(4)
C O.
This is a great place to get fresh, locally-sourced, home-cooked American fare in a comfortable, inviting, and enjoyable setting. The service is amazing. Not many places offer an unconditional guarantee of your happiness and satisfaction. If you aren't happy, they will make it so. If that means removing food from the bill, swapping a meal for another, or letting you sample everything they offer on the menu for absolutely no charge then that is what they will do. They are prompt, they are attentive, and they are friendly as hell. The food is largely great. I'd particularly recommend picking up a bowl of their Ancho Beef Chuck Chili. It's simply divine. The perfect balance of spice, flavor, color, and texture. If only I'd saved some bread to dip in it from the free bread basket. "Wait, you'll give me more bread for free just to dip in my chili?" "Can it be just the white sourdough bread?" "Yes?" "Awesome, will you have my lovechild?" "No? OK, it was worth asking..." The mac-and-cheese is the only other thing really worth noting on their menu. By that, I mean worth noting how terrible it is. Clumpy, tepid, bland, fatty, heart-cloggingly terrible. Skip it, save your self the disappointment, and order a regular dinner of their menu. It's an institution in Ann Arbor for a reason. It's good. Well, or myself and the bulk of Michigan have no taste.
(4)
Ashley P.
Stop it. This was one of the best meals I've ever had. My colleague called ahead, so we skipped the 30 minute wait and were seated immediately. We ordered the margaritas ($2 off on Wednesday) and our entrees. My colleague couldn't decide what to order so Jacob, our server who was awesome, brought her a few samples of the dishes so she could decide...who does that?! He then brought us some tasty pimento cheese dip because he thought we would like it. He brought us ice cream we didn't order with the check, because he thought it would be a great way to end the meal. I had the fried chicken, crunchy on the outside and mouth-melty on the inside...with mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables. My colleague had the Green Tomatoes "Whole Hog"...the pulled pork was sweet at first and had some spice at the end...omg good. But wait, the Mac and Cheese. I'm glad I only got a side, because if I'd gotten the whole thing I surely would have eaten it all. The restaurant was lively and casual and clean and the people were friendly and kind. J$ would have LOVED this place, can't imagine why we'd come back to Ann Arbor but if I do, he's coming and we're eating here for sure! I was shocked to see the bad reviews on this site. I've been to some amazing restaurants all over the country, and will reference this as one of my favorite dining experiences.
(4)
Andy N.
Great decor and ambiance. If I were you and I were going to visit Ann Arbor, I would definately make a stop at Zingerman's Roadhouse.
(4)
Josh K.
Their food is really delicious made with premium ingredients that are locally sourced when possible. The wait staff puts customers first and will really get you anything that you want. I like their blue plate specials for dinners. I also like $2 off bourbon pours on Thursday nights.
(5)
Marie H.
Wow overpriced! But then again, 'overpriced-for-what-you-get' and Zingerman's are synonyms. Look it up...Anyway, I paid $18 for a enchilada (but it was a crepe) with 5 or 6 mushrooms and a few onion slices in it with a little dollop of goat cheese and some absolutely bizarre tasting mole sauce. Rick Bayless would have shuddered. I guess I should have expected as much, since my first foray into roadhouses of the non-Patrick Swayze variety involved 'oyster hash browns' with 2 oysters in them. I tasted my boyfriend's pulled chicken sandwich, which tasted awesome, and I don't even like BBQ, so yay to that. If I ever go back, I will definitely get that! My dad had the brisket, which was meh. Since my would-be enchilada sated 1/8 of my appetite, I got a key lime pie slice, which was very tasty and came with a little lime guy with googly eyes made of frosting that amused the table for awhile. Also, the old fashioned I had was good and no hair was muddled into the orange, unlike the Old Town. So overall, good drinks, good BBQ (if it's chicken) and some good desserts. OK, but not worth the wait overall. I'd pick Patrick Swayze's Roadhouse any day, especially if Sam Elliot and Ben Gazarra are there.
(3)
Casey C.
Love this place! Everything I have had had been great. Recommend the chili fries, sweet potato fries, and BBQ. Make reservations even for off times!
(5)
Susan R.
So obviously I have to give 5 stars for the food. Zingermans always has innovative and delicious delicacies that make me and my boyfriend salivate. I did an online reservation ahead of time and they did a great job at reminding me that it was coming up. The reason I did not give it 5 stars was the actual service. The people at the hostess stand were fine but the waitress left much to be desired. She didn't try and sell up anything on the menu and barely talked to us. Heck the people who brought us bread and our food were friendlier. Now granted it was a busy Saturday night but with people willing to drop some serious money on some serious grub you think we could at least get some friendliness. That aside, run don't walk people to zinger mans and savor the food.
(4)
K D.
Good food, but overpriced for what you get. Go to the deli instead!
(4)
Kristina B.
I've been here twice now, both times in groups of 4+ diners, and both times nobody was really impressed. When ordering at the the last visit, we all hit the menu highlights (so we thought); mac and cheese, hamburgers, fried chicken. The most positive comment was that a dish was "OK." The mac and cheese eater probably had the most successful entree, but he said it wasn't good enough that he'd come back for it again. Our server was MIA when we needed napkins or refills, but as we were reaching the end of the meal he repeatedly tried to clear our plates as we were still eating. I understand fully the value of high-quality, local and sustainable food (that's why I visit the farmer's markets), but to charge an extra quarter on top of a $19.50 hamburger platter for a slice of heirloom tomato that was neither requested nor consumed just seems petty. Definitely not worth the $105 I spent that night, and I'd say not even worth half of that. I will stick to patronizing the Bakehouse and Creamery, as I clearly have no luck with the Zing restaurants.
(2)
jim g.
The food IS great, but I'm writing to laud the bartenders. As with all Zingerman's employees they will do anything to be sure you are happy. Cris (I believe this is how he spells it) is a particularly skilled and knowledgeable mixologist - and a fun guy to talk to. They do have quite a selection of interesting and tasty cocktails. We're lucky to have this place in A2.
(5)
Dave W.
Amazing comfort food and the best service I've ever received at a restaurant. Pricey but worth it.
(5)
NOYFB S.
Above average food but pricy, but the worst part about the Roadhouse is how the staff talks to you like you're a retard, or 4 years old! I don't understand why these people act like that. Unbelievably fake smiles on every face and insulting obsequious behavior. I wonder if you have to be dead in brain to work there?
(1)
David S.
I've always said that without Zingerman's, Ann Arbor's coolness factor would drop by about 50%. While that may or may not be true, the comment was primarily made at the awesome Zingerman's Deli (downtown), I can now extend that sentiment to The Roadhouse. The Roadhouse has come a long ways - when we first visited the restaurant when it opened several years ago, they had some issues with their menu - some items didn't work so well. It took them a little while to tweak out the menu but each subsequent trip here has resulted in better & better food to a point where now, I consider it to be the best sit-down restaurant in Ann Arbor not named The Chop House. Zingerman's prides itself on it's customer service, which truly is second to none. But that is secondary to the incredible food that it serves, made with the highest quality meats and vegetables. This is my favorite place to get a burger (bacon & blue cheese!). Along with Casey's Tavern, their burgers are the best in town. The hand-cut fries (either regular or sweet potato) are so delicious! Splurge and get the chili cheese fries - black bean chili with chunks of ancho beef topped with fresh cheddar. Yum. The Buttermilk Fried Chicken is simply best fried chicken I've ever had. Another favorite is the mushroom soup (which may or may not be on the menu so you should ask for it) - using several kinds of fresh mushrooms, it is so soothing and comforting. Served with a large piece of crusty bread, an order of soup is more than enough for a satisfying lunch. I could go on & on about other items including their great breakfasts, beers & cocktails, and dessert items but for now I'll just say that Zingerman's Roadhouse should be on the top of anyone's list of local restaurant eats. The Roadhouse is a well-oiled machine. From the decor to the service of the greeters & wait staff to the quality of the food, you won't find a better place to dine. It's not cheap, but it's worth every penny and so much more. Plus, you may get a chance to have Zing's celeb owner, Ari, refill your water glass at your table. What could be better than that?
(5)
Theresa F.
I have only eaten at the Roadhouse a couple of times (twice for lunch, once for dinner). One of my first impressions was sitting down to lunch and the server handing me a black napkin -- I was wearing black pants and he didn't want the white napkin to leave white fuzzies on my pants! Wow, talk about great service. I've had a couple of salads and the pulled pork sandwiches. Yum. A little on the pricey side, but worth it when you discover the taste and flavor of the food is over and above what you get at other places. And bottomless fries -- you gotta love that! The macaroni and cheese (Steve's order) was incredible -- REAL cheese! It's worth getting, and besides, makes a great lunch the next day! One of the owners is also the head chef -- you can tell there's a lot of thought and care that goes into the food and the menu. It's always great when an owner is also the brains behind the tasty food :-) You can also buy Zing's Zzang bars at the Roadhouse! (Think Snickers but a MILLION times better -- handrolled nougat and peanuts in dark, Ecuadorean chocolate). Dangerous when I drive past there everyday on my way home from work!
(4)
Kassandra F.
I don't think I'll ever tire of this place. One of my biggest pet peeves anywhere is the poor customer service. Even before it earned the best service category in this years Current, I remember thinking they should create that category for this restaurant. What an expansive menu and the servers are well versed in it all. And it doesn't stop with the entree selection - the drink, the desserts, the appetizers......all of it is expansive and inventive. I admit I don't go there often because it is on the pricier side, but when I want a treat it's good to know that I'll get what I pay for at the Roadhouse.
(5)
Mark L.
To give a rating of "5-Stars", I would think that EVERYTHING would have to be excellent... well, despite all of the 5-star ratings on here for this place, my experience was far from perfect. To start off, the restaurant has a nice look and feel to it. You could smell the BBQ cooking even as you were walking in from your car. But, after a 20 to 30 minute wait (which I can understand being a Friday evening and all), when I got a look at the menu, the prices were a bit of a shock. The bread that was brought out to the table was very good, and even the butter that accompanied it was excellent. I tried the wild mushroom soup and was quite underwhelmed. My friend ordered the BBQ ribs, and they were quite good. I went with an order of the Mac 'N Cheese (which was supposed to be a favorite, according to the menu)... (It was the Macaroni, Smoked Chicken & Monterey Jack) well, it was fairly tasteless and under-seasoned. After paying 18 dollars for an average bowl (and not even a very BIG bowl) of Mac 'N Cheese, well... wouldn't you be a bit upset? (If you've ever tried the Mac 'N Cheese over at "The Twisted Rooster", then you know just HOW GOOD Mac "N Cheese can actually taste... this place wasn't like that). Also, the "mustard" cole slaw that came with my friend's ribs was also bland, and lacking in flavor (even though some other reviewer on here loved it). Oh... and add to that the Polenta Dish that we also tried was very bland as well?? (Okay, I'm no "Polenta" expert, maybe it's supposed to be that way?) All of those things added together made for a very disappointing meal at a place that has gotten such good word-of-mouth. Perhaps we just didn't make the best choices of what was listed on the menu, but shouldn't EVERYTHING on the menu be quite good for a place with SO MANY 5-Star ratings? I don't expect to change anyone's "HIGH" opinion of this place (for all those that have gone here and love it), but for anybody who has NEVER been yet, just be prepared to spend a lot of money and don't necessarily expect the greatest tasting food that you have ever had (although the Quality of the food is excellent).
(3)
Laurel B.
Delicious food, southern style approved by a southern gal! We had a huge mix of food. We started with oysters, nice selection, very fresh and tasty. For our main meals we had the BBQ plate and the fried chicken steak, huge portions! I'm not a big coleslaw fan but their mustard slaw is very good. We also had a side of pimento macaroni and cheese. It was delicious, a little spicy, and super creamy. We had no room for dessert but the menu looked to be equally as yummy.
(5)
Crystal R.
Yum yum yum! We've been here twice recently and they never dissapoint! The service is ALWAYS amazing, the food is delicious, and they have lots of paleo/keto options to boot! They do mark their items as gluten free and vegan on their menu if that is helpful to anyone going there :)
(5)
Libby S.
Extremely friendly staff and great local recipes and distributors. They are a little expensive, but not too bad. The quality of the food is fabulous.
(4)
Ed K.
Took our son there for parents weekend. Great ribs. Really good bread. The fried chicken was delicious. Overall a solid meal and good service.
(4)
Ian M.
I don't think I need to say much about this place that people don't already know. It's Zingerman's, they have a James Beard award winning chef, and the best macaroni and cheese I've ever had. Just go and you'll be very happy.
(5)
Shy T.
Its just ok. Overrated. Can be expensive. I like their fried fish & fried chicken the best. The pulled chicken & pork sandwiches aren't bad either but like I said can be expensive.
(3)
Tom B.
Service was good. Pork BBQ was a bit fatty. Mac and cheese was good. I thought the prices were high compared to other restaurants. Make a reservation to avoid a 30-45 minute wait!
(3)
Rye W.
Amazing experience for brunch!! We had the cinnamon roll (devoured in about 60 seconds), malted waffle, corned beef hash and biscuits. I am from the south and take my biscuits seriously and these were the best restaurant biscuits I have ever eaten. The hash was amazing and the customer service was impeccable. We lucked out with a seat at the bar so we didn't have to wait for a table. I would definitely try everything on the menu here and can't wait to go back!
(5)
Melissa W.
Hands down the best mac & cheese I've ever had. Order the Roadhouse Mac and add pit chicken with a side of red BBQ sauce. I've been to this place numerous times and can never order anything else because the mac & cheese is that good. However, their menu is quite extensive. Make a reservation as wait times are often super long.
(5)
Samantha S.
I think most of the wait-staff really make a point to satisfy your whims, which is nice. I only go to get the nashville fried chicken when I go on Tuesdays, and it was good. Good portions so you can eat again the next day. Can't go wrong with eating here, but for me it is quite a treat, easily $30 a person.
(4)
S B.
About as good as breakfast gets. The Corned Beef Hash is amazing as was everything else we ordered. And they have a curated list of local cheeses and oysters from around the country. Worth a long drive
(5)
Lauren P.
I really enjoy Zingerman's Roadhouse. Honestly, this is probably close to a 5 star rating. I went to Zingerman's this past weekend in a group of 8. We all immensely enjoyed the complimentary donut holes and the large baskets of sweet potato fries. (FYI - there are FREE REFILLS, so we probably only should have ordered one basket for the table instead of 2.) I ordered the reuben sandwich with a side of ratatouille. Both were delicious but I couldn't finish the sandwich in one sitting. My boyfriend ordered the BBQ platter but was actually surprised by the smaller portion on his plate (even the omelet ordered by the person next to me seemed bigger than his portion of meat!). Everyone seemed to like their food and all leftovers were taken to go. I also ordered a slice of chocolate cake to eat later on my flight home, which was pretty marvelous. You could tell it was homemade and was super moist. I love the atmosphere of the roadhouse, and I think it's cool that there's a DRIVETHROUGH option to order almost anything off the menu. If this place was in Boston, I'd be here more often. :-)
(4)
Nora K.
I have ordered multiple dishes and have gone multiple times, and it has never disappointed- not once! Recommendation? SWEET POTATO FRIES!
(5)
Abbie L.
Zingerman's Roadhouse has been a favorite of mine for many years. The food is always excellent which is why I go back whenever I'm in Ann Arbor. The only thing keeping me from five stars is the service. The last few times I've been there our waitress has completely forgotten about us. The last time we were there, we waited for 15 minutes after we were done eating our food before the waitress even checked on us. Fortunately, everything there is so good, that it keeps us coming back. I love the ceasar salad, fried chicken salad, huevos rancheros, mac and cheese, etc... Their bread basket is always super fresh and tasty. I usually overdo it on the carbs when I'm there.
(4)
Catie F.
This place has PLENTY of reviews, so I'll skip to the important parts: 1) You get free donut holes (warm, fresh) when you sit down. You also get a basket of free, fresh Zingerman's bread. 2) The portions of most of the sandwiches and meals are pretty big. The portions of the mac and cheese, however, are relatively small. I don't recommend subbing the mac and cheese as a side (or paying for a side of it at all) unless you want to pay $7 for about three bites' worth. It's good, but it's not THAT good. 3) As everyone has said, the sweet potato fries ARE amazing. Try really hard to pace yourself because the other food is good, too. I was particularly pleasantly surprised by the Dexter Reuben. So yummy and very different from any other reuben I've ever had. Definitely worth trying. 4) We didn't have room to try the desserts, but I can't wait to come back and have them. Fresh donut sundae? Yes, please. Overall the service was fantastic - they took care of our big party quickly and happily. They dealt with our grouchy, hungry, hungover party with a sense of humor and plenty of attention. They were great about refills, questions, condiments, and to-go containers. Everyone from the host staff to the bussers and waiters were great. It's definitely the Zingerman's Deli hospitality translated to a restaurant setting. Not the healthiest place on the planet, but a great go-to when you need to feed your hangover hunger or any time you want to enjoy just really good food. Comfortable and comforting.
(4)
Nancy C.
Came here for brunch on a Sunday and got the Zingerman's Roadhouse Famous Corned beef hash and was completely underwhelmed. The hash itself wasn't all that seasoned or flavorful, the 2 poached eggs that accompanied it were, well, normal poached eggs, and the portion was pushing the smaller end of portion sizes. The cost, in true Zingerman's fashion was expensive, which I wouldn't have minded if I thought the food is worth it, which it usually is at Zingerman's. But in this particular instance, the corned beef hash just did not live up. On a positive note, the sweet potato fries here are great. As is the service. Burgers are pretty good as well, albeit pricey.
(3)
Jarrod F.
I have been coming to Ann Arbor Michigan for the last three years and I always eat at Zingerman's Delicatessen, and it wasn't until last year that someone told me about their Roadhouse. We must have eaten there three days in a row, and loved each time. I did think the dinner was better then the lunch, but it still was good. The BBQ is the bomb and everything seems and tastes so fresh, even my dessert tasted great. Give this place a chance like me and you won't be unsatisfied.
(4)
Candice G.
Patrick Swayze. moving on... I got the cold brew coffee as my beverage about 40 hours ago... still going strong. Now I just need to know how quickly I can get more delivered to my house. Zingerman's Roadhouse was our second option after our first vegan tamale venue turned out to be closed on Sundays. No bigs, as Zingerman's is just about the best 'second choice' anyone can have. I've had and been to Zingerman's deli over a dozen times but had yet to put the Roadhouse to the test. Unfortunately, I wasn't feeling super hungry, and knowing the normal monster sized portions that Zingerman's serves, I played it safe and got a small sampling of oysters from their 'flown in fresh' daily oyster menu. I ended up getting 4 different kinds, 3 straight raw and 1 BBQ... but to be honest, there was only one that liked, but still didn't love. My boo went with the caramel gelato milkshake and the black bean burger with fries... which are apparently unlimited... so it's not a bad deal if you're a fry-monger like myself. The gelato shake was unbelievable. My guy literally had to pry the straw out of mouth. I couldn't stop myself. And though my guy enjoyed the burger, he thought it was on the dryer side, but the 3 bites I had were super creamy from the avocado topping... I must've gotten all the good stuff on my side. It was hard to skip out on ordering the donut sundae for dessert, but we wanted to try and squish a few more sites into our Ann Arbor getaway before it was time to take the trek back to the Chi-Burbs. The service was perfect and on point and the patio setting on the most gorgeous 80-something degree day, after a series of 100+ ones, made it feel like heaven. For a late breakfast/early brunch, it was pricy for how I felt about the food overall, but I understand it's a brand thing and they don't want to cheapen it. Overall, the experience was really enjoyable and it's a place I'd try again for brunch (for real this time), but for lunch or dinner I'd prefer to drive a few miles over and stand in line for the regular Zingerman's faves. Either way, I hope they'll have a fresh glass of cold-brew coffee waiting for me.
(4)
Celeste D.
My favorite restaurant in Ann Arbor. I go whenever I can. Maybe it's the nod to Carolina cooking, could be the atmosphere. Or the 30+ bourbons at the bar - that doesn't hurt. In any event, love this place.
(5)
Dee W.
Live in the neighborhood and frequent the establishment. The service is excellent. Love the wine list. Mac and cheese anything is worth a try. The burger is well above average. Love the oysters. Salads are worth your while. Donut Sundae is a fave. Sunday Brunch we love to take out of town visitors. The breakfast ham steak is simply divine. It's almost a smoked pork chop but better. I sent compliments to the chef and learned it was from Zingerman's own farm. That must be why it tasted as heavenly as my Uncle's ham does on his farm in Iowa. They are always experimenting. The menu changes often, usually based on the season. Don't be afraid to try something new. The wait staff can answer in detail any question you ask. One warning, count your calories and watch your fat intake, some dishes are very rich. If unsure, it's wise to split with a companion.
(5)
Chad W.
On food, the pulled pork is fairly solid, perhaps a 4 out of 5. However, its difficult to leave ZR without paying $25 for a sandwich and drink.
(3)
Jerry R.
Zingermans has an addictive, soul satisfying BBQ. Their BBQ is home cooked and one of the best in Ann Arbor/Detroit area. I enjoyed this place so much I had to stop by the next time I was in town. After eating there once your taste buds will be Zinged into coming back. Ribs are absolutely fall off the bone delicious. The BBQ sauce they use is sweet yet with a tangy twist. I substituted the mashed potatoes with the sweet potato fries. My oh my what a delight. A must try when you go. They are hand cut and very thick. You won't be disappointed. I also ordered the Nola BBQ Shrimp. I enjoyed it very much. To me it had the right amount of spice. My friend that ate with me thought it was too spicy. There is a lot on the menu to choose from. Several different varieties of Mac & Cheese which is also home made. I was told they were very good too. My friend was allowed to have two different types by splitting them on one order. Several types of steak and seafood as well. I was told the steak was average when compared to other places. Steak is on the pricy side for just being average. Very great atmosphere. Service was excellent both times I went. The beer selection is ok. They have only micro brews on tap. A nice selection, just wish they had more choices on tap. They also have a decent selection of wine. Nice place to eat with friends or take a client to dinner. Can be on the loud side at times. A very nice casual atmosphere overall where you can go dressed up or casual and not feel out of place. Call ahead to get reservations. If not plan on waiting. There was a 10 min wait on a Mon and 25 min wait on a Thurs. Definitely worth the wait though. A definite must visit if you are in town or traveling through. Right near I94 which is an added bonus. If going the Mac & Cheese, Ribs (half rack is plenty filling), and sweet potato fries are a must try.
(4)
R. L.
I wouldn't come back for food because I'm a vegetarian (they do have a veggie burger! and delicious mac n' cheese) and the place smells pungently of meat... but I just had to finally experience zingerman's and see what all the hullabaloo was about..The atmosphere is really relaxing, especially in the partially outdoor seating. We went on a Saturday for lunch and had no wait. My boyfriend had a chicken sandwich that was dry, and our friend got the shrimp po'boy- yummy but too much bread. It was nice to just sit and not be rushed. Sweet potato fries are soo good. The only real bother was how our waitress was really mistaken when it came to the beer. The first order was correct, but for the second round she brought us two totally different beers and proceeded to tell us that they were right and that she brought us the wrong ones the first time. She was very defensive and clearly didn't know what she was talking about. The third round was all wrong too. I've never encountered a waitress who was so argumentative and actually kind of offensive with how she spoke to us. Off-putting. We were only asking for the same beers each time (how is that complicated?) but were obviously always brought something different.. Very annoying. The emergency feminine products in the ladies room is sucha' nice/smart idea.
(3)
Carolina R.
really good food here. the bread is amazing. I had the kale, Parmesan salad with pine nuts and lemon dressing. excellent! and shared the mac and cheese with bacon. no rom for dessert. great service too! a bit pricy. that's my only complaint.
(4)
Michael L.
I love Yelp because when I'm traveling, it enables me to find places like this! So, we flew to Detroit and drove into Indiana for my cousin's wedding and my wife and I were hungry. After eating dinner here at Zingerman's, we revised our travel plans so we could have breakfast here on the way back. What a great place! On the outside, it has faintly the "log cabin" feel of a ride in FrontierLand. Inside, you're greeted by friendly staff with great senses of humor and shown to a table that's sure to be underneath a display of multifarious salt and pepper shakers of every imaginable shape. Nat King Cole or June Christy or something of that ilk will be playing in the background. The huge menu (which is reprinted three times a day depending on what has just come in from local farms!) will have dozens of things to tantalize you. I can't begin to list them all. I only wish I lived in Ann Arbor so I could go back again and again and try them all. Good people of Ann Arbor, you have not excuse for not eating here often! If you come for breakfast, don't fail to try the Biscuits with Chocolate Bacon Gravy. OMG! Sinfully decadent, chocolaty salty savory goodness. Also, be sure to get a housemade, freshly fried doughnut: like no doughnut you've ever had, crispy on the outside, sprinkled with brown sugar instead of glazed, piping hot and soft inside. If you come for lunch or dinner: I had the Fried Green Tomatoes and they were rich with flavor. I also had a ham and pear salad. I'd love to have tried one of their creative mac and cheese dishes or some of their on-site-smoked barbecue. My wife had the Pulled BBQ Chicken Sandwich. Everything was delicious. As we left, my wife said, "You know, babe, when we were talking about good places to move to from the Bay Area, Ann Arbor was one of those places..."
(5)
Claire L.
Okay, Zingerman's is basically where Jesus would pick to go for a meal. That's established. With that being said, my personal favorite is the fried chicken mac & cheese. It's exactly what it sounds like- their famous fried chicken, chopped up and mixed into their famous macaroni and cheese, to be enjoyed with a hearty dose of oh-God-how-did-I-eat-all-that. Outstanding. Their iced tea is also pretty freaking great- it's not just plain tea, it's got a hint of Earl Grey or something else delightful. My dining companions loved the mustard coleslaw, the pulled pork sliders, and the omelet (not sure if there's more than one). Even the free bread is fantastic- a delicious crusty rye. Good beer selection, a zillion cheeses, the environment of a deli meets diner meets quaint little organic eatery- Zingerman's is life. It's a symbol of Ann Arbor. Expect to see college students, Michigan pride, and possibly even Jesus. It's that good. (Edit: Wonderful service as well. Thanks to Amy R. for taking care of us!)
(5)
James R.
My favorite place in ann arbor to eat. Bar none. The mac and cheese dishes are all amazing, specifically the fried chicken mac and cheese... The brunch dishes are the best I've ever had, and the bread they bring you when you sit down is the best plain bread I've ever eaten. It's more expensive than some other options, but that's the price you pay for competent waitstaff delivering quality food.
(5)
Jadranka H.
Visited this Restaurant about a couple of months ago and it was absolutely wonderful all around. However, when I had dinner there a couple of nights ago, it was an absolute disappointment. We were seated in a corner booth which was away from all the Friday night crowd, the down side to it was there were flies zooming all over the window which then made their way to our table. It did take a while for our drinks to arrive, our food was delayed for whatever reason, tables that were seated after us got their food in a timely manner. Finally our entrees arrived and the fries were greasy and soggy, completely tasteless and my Mac & cheese was pan burn which left a burnt taste in the cheese sauce. I couldn't eat it so I sent it back to which I noticed a manager was the expediter, how can you even send burnt out food to the table. Well like I mentioned earlier about those flies, they started to visit our table. One fly was literally stuck to my beverage glass which I slowly killed it with a napkin and gave it to the server to pass this disgusting bug problem. Will I be back, probably not, the food and service was not up to my expectations, it's too bad because the other 4 people that I was with was hoping for a pleasant memorable experience. They were quite surprise with the big name as Zingerman's they have let their popularity get to their head.
(2)
Marisa B.
Cutting right to the chase, we spent way too much on super small portions of food. My macaroni & cheese and salad combo was an especially bad deal at $12 with barely any food on the plate. Some of the food was alright, like the barbecue beef and the greens. Mostly it was very bland and poorly prepared though, especially my lukewarm macaroni and cheese. If I am going to pay this much for so little food, it all better taste great. The only reason I am giving this place 2 stars is because everyone was very hospitable, but good service can only make up for so much.
(2)
Layne S.
The Roadhouse is one of my favorite places to have dinner, from birthdays to more relaxed evenings. Last night is a prime example, had the chance to sit out on the patio on a fine summer evening and had excellent service from entry to exit. Our server, Derrick, was kind, attentive (but not overly so), and made the dining experience quite lovely. And there's the food. The burger I had last night was top notch, evenly cooked medium rare. The bacon was perfectly crunchy and the blue cheese unctuous and delicious. Their iced tea has a touch of bergamot that is wonderful. We split a strawberry shortcake and while simple, each component was well cared for. I'll be moving away from Ann Arbor soon, and will look forward to my next chance to come home and dine here.
(5)
Tom G.
We were disappointed. Nothing we ordered was outstanding. The mac and cheese was actually bad- sort of a weird taste that we couldnt stand. Spare ribs were good but over-priced.
(2)
Cynthia C.
I want to like the Roadhouse, but the food there is just too uneven. Had lunch there yesterday. My goat cheese tart turned out to be a little hard cube of cheese--mixed with something and overly ripe--plopped on a pile of undressed greens surrounded by 4 mounds of (tasty) roasted tomatoes. It was pretty wretched, made palatable only by the tomatoes. My lunch companion had barbecued pork with a couple of sides. I don't know how it tasted--I didn't ask--but the portions were small (we're both small people so not looking for super-sizing, just reasonable) and also plopped down on the plate without any attempt at making it look good. It looked, in fact, like a plate of food at a sub-prime nursing home. I had Huevos Rancheros at ZR 2Xs in 2014. The first time, on a crowded Saturday morning, they were the best I've ever eaten. The second time, on a crowded Sunday at 1 PM, they were dreadful. As was some of the other food on that Sunday. I am a big fan of Zingermans and the founders and their care for their employees, etc. But the Roadhouse--based on my experiences, I just can't get behind it.
(2)
Josh W.
This is a Zingerman's establishment, so many of you will know what to expect. Decent food that's a little pricey. The service staff were friendly and recommended the barbecue, as that's what they said the Roadhouse is known for. I came with my girlfriend on a Thursday night so we were in luck because they had a special bbq combo that came with chicken, pulled pork, and beef. It was okay, though nothing incredible. The pulled pork was served dry, which seemed a bit unusual considering that we didn't get any sauces at the table. The beef had the tomato bbq sauce on it which was decent, but a bit too sweet for my taste. Overall, it was decent barbecue, but nothing particularly special. I will say that we ordered one of their cocktails that was delicious. I would go back, but I'm not crazy about the place.
(3)
Richard M.
Zingerman's Roadhouse features classic American cuisine, served with good old Midwestern charm. Service here is always super friendly, almost too friendly! Gastronomically, Zingerman's hits on a lot of great notes, especially, the way they celebrate primarily American produce and products. Most dishes featured on the menu are populist soul food numbers, from hamburgers with fries or onion rings (all you can eat, not that I've ever asked for more!), to mac and cheese, B.B.Q. ribs, grits, Cajun influences, and everything Americana in between. They have an outstanding wine list brilliantly sourced from every major wine region in the country. Beer list is also out-of-this-world, with not only many Michigan micro beers, but, micros from pretty much every major State. The all-American cheese selection is impressive, too. This is not your average roadhouse - it is one of the best and most refined in the country. Definitely worth getting off the I-94 for a gastro pit stop.
(4)
Amy C.
"You're like a kid in a candy store." Salt and pepper shakers collection Long bar and list of blue plate specials Cute metal trailer for goodness to go Eye "Candy" Cakey Donut Toasted sugar crumbles Bottomless cup of Coffee Waffles with grits and cheddar cheese Undercooked Bacon bits sprinkles Cool Michigan maple syrup drizzles Carb "Candy" Bite from a hot, moist drumstick Crispy, greasy, peppery, Chicken skin Forkful of buttery potato chunks Dipped into rich brown gravy Taste of mustardy coleslaw Vicarious "Candy" Toasted Bagel Cream cheese, lox, capers, onion slivers Request for a non-seasonal tomato Graciously given sun dried ones D and E Up for Zingerman's Roadhouse brunch 9:30am on a Saturday Sweet "Candy" 3/12
(4)
Brad C.
Had breakfast as a group of 8. The service was extremely slow and inattentive. Coffee was fantastic as well as the side orders of cheese. The meals were expensive and the serving size was too small. The actual food was good. After hearing such good things I had high expectations for Zingerman's and was unfortunately disappointed.
(2)
Abi J.
Wow! Had a great meal here for a birthday celebration. This review is actually more of a 4.5 First things I liked was that they have joined the online reservation program, Opentable. Super convenient, was emailed a confirmation- love that- mainly because I hate calling and being put on hold for 20 minutes. Ordered the sweet potato fries as an appetizer- They were so good! Crunchy, with a really nice dipping sauce- spicy, which was a nice surprise. I ordered the pimento mac and cheese. I was basically in mac and cheese heaven. It was actually too rich to eat in one sitting but was SO good the next day. The bacon in the mac and cheese was delicious. Other people ordered the salisbury steak and the slider sampler. Both very good. Service was okay. Our server was friendly but we did have to ask a few times for more sauces and it look a really long time for her to return. Granted it was a Saturday night, but still. The fries were not as interesting without the sauce!! Anyway, I will be back! SOOOO GOOD! Sidenote: do not come here with tight pants or intentions for maintaining a diet. You will fail on both accounts.
(4)
Steve X.
Open on Christmas Eve, my brother & I with our counterparts were happy to find a place with good beers on tap & even wound up getting some potato bacon soup. Everything was delicious & our bartender Amos was quick to offer more bread and another round. All together a great experience & would love to come back with a larger appetite.
(4)
Al D.
I love this place. I'm a Zingerman's groupie to begin with so I was quite pleased with the change up that Zingerman's Roadhouse brought to the menu. I'm use to the deli which has great sandwiches and such but the Roadhouse has everything you're looking for in a great Dinner/nice Lunch menu. The food was wonderful and so was the service. Never waited long when we had to put our name on the list. I've also bought to go food from their air stream and service is quick and kind there as well.
(5)
John M.
Service is impeccable. Quality is great. I've never had an issue at any of the Zingerman's locations. If you're traveling this place is a MUST visit!
(5)
David K.
I went to Zingerman's Roadhouse a couple months ago and had a pretty good experience. I was torn between the fried chicken with a side of macaroni vs the macaroni with fried chicken in it. I went with the latter. Kinda wish I got the former, because it was pretty one note. However, it was pretty damn good. For desert, I ordered the donut with ice cream, which was bonkers awesome (is that a phrase?). The place isn't terribly cheap - I think I spent around $25 including tip. I ate with three other people, and everyone really enjoyed their meals. Service was good, atmosphere was good. I plan on going back to try other things on the menu. If you're in the Ann Arbor area and looking comfort food that's gonna cost you a handful of bucks, Zingerman's roadhouse is definitely worth checking out.
(4)
Tina R.
My husband and I love Zingerman's and were going to be passing through, so we thought we would stop. So I called and asked if they had call ahead seating. The lady said they did not. However, when we pulled in to check the wait the sign said reservations call the number. What is the difference? I told the lady we were over an hour away and had plenty of time. The food is good, but not an hour wait good.
(3)
Ryan B.
Yea, it's good. But is it as good as the price. Short answer: No. Yes, the Pimento Cheese Mac & Cheese (w/ Bacon) was delicious and filling, but it was served in a soup bowl sided dish for $18.50. If it was $10, I'd say it was 4 stars. At double the cost, I'd say not worth it. Also, the Deli has more options for tastings and things to sample for the $13 sandwich you're paying for. The roadhouse does not offer an equivalent. So no, I won't be returning. I'll stick to the Deli.
(3)
Kevin P.
I get it, it's Zingerman's it's either the best place in the world or the most overrated and overhyped place in town. Sure, I don't think the deli is quite worth it's weight in gold but the sweet potato fries with chipotle mayo and the roadhouse definitely are. Other highlights include the pimiento cheese, the barbecue entrees, burgers, and mac & cheese. I'll admit to having a couple misses over the years (crab cakes were minuscule and the fish stew was just okay) but the number of times I've left feeling completely satisfied far outweighs these few instances. My understanding is that much of the food including the meat comes from the chef's locally owned and run farm and the menu changes based on the seasons. Service is usually pretty good and the atmosphere is uniquely casual (although the prices are not...). I prefer coming for lunch if I have the option and am the one buying as prices are lower but the quality is still there. Honestly, it's probably one of my favorite restaurants. I guess I fall on the fanboi side of the spectrum with this one.
(5)
Carlito M.
It's very refreshing to eat fantastic fare and experience exceptional service. Definitely a must visit in Ann Arbor
(5)
Rebecca C.
Delicious! Got there at 5pm and beat the rush. Got the poutine gravy was delicious. Carbonara Mac and cheese delicious real pieces of lardon. Donut sundae delicious scratch made donut vanilla bean gelato #yum
(5)
Nijole T.
If it wasn't for the high prices I would have given Zingerman's 5 stars no doubt. Being a place one HAS to try in Ann Arbour seeing they own half the town from bakeries to delis, cheese and ice cream places, Zingermans is everywhere! Having been to all of their stores and knowing the prices I figured here I would get to try all they offer in one place. For starters the breead basket and their butter was excellent! Fresh, crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside and the butter slightly salty and just the right temperature. I would have liked more of a variety than just sourdough and a dark loaf, but both were top notch nonetheless. I got the New Mexico Black Bean and Hominey Burger, Spiced with roasted garlic, red peppers and onion. It's served with avocado salad, fire-roasted New Mexico green chilies, lettuce, onion and pickles, on a Bakehouse onion roll. and fresh spinach sauteed with 2 yr. Vermont cheddar, wild local mushrooms, roasted Cornman Farms' roasted red peppers, leeks and fennel in a brown butter vinaigrette. Well needless to say that tasted as good as it sounds! The roll could have been crunchy, it was pretty soft and mushy. I asked for the housemade spicy ketchup and honey mustard and both were the best condiments i have ever had! My husband got the Pimento Bacon Macaroni with Martelli pasta caramelized with applewood smoked bacon and our housemade Southern pimento cheese A tiny portion at $20, he liked it but it was overpriced. My son got the kids burger and fries and we couldn't help but laugh when we saw his face fall when he got it and exclaimed "ridiculous" They serve a mini burger sampler for $20 and for his $6 burger they gave him one of those. He was so hungry we had to make him something to eat at home, the meat was raw and I've never seen a burger that small in my life. For dessert we got the famous Ari's Donut Sundae A housemade Dutch donut smothered in bourbon-caramel sauce, vanilla gelato, whipped cream and a cherry in the chocolate version with roasted peanuts, chocolate bar slices, chocolate sauce and chocolate gelato. I was dissapointed again how small it was for $10, the donut was not sweet at all and hard, the chocolate and peanuts however very good and from having the ice cream at their creamery I knew that would be amazing and it was. In all a great dinner, but alot of money spent for 2 burger, mac n cheese salad and dessert. The products are all made in house from bread, cheese, really EVERYTHING so it is worth the try, just know you will be spending about $100 for dinner.
(4)
Russell R.
I don't have much to add in words that others haven't said, so I'm just going to add my stars to pull the rating up. Actually, my girlfriend apparently liked my description of this place as "country chic", so do with that what you will.
(5)
Gretchen B.
Zingerman's Roadhouse is over priced and mediocre! I had the Salmon cooked on the wood fire grill...the Salmon had no grill marks and tasted bland, the mashed potato were bland tasting, but the spinach was good! That's not good when spending $30 and the only thing you can say the spinach is good! Maybe I could show the chef how to cook salmon properly! My husband had the fish and chips...$27.00, the french fries were soggy and the fish was just okay, certainly not worth the high price tag! The Donut Sundae and Brownie Sundae....mediocre! Not impressed with this eatery and will not return!
(1)
Nancy K.
When we moved to Ann Arbor anyone we met from anywhere else would say how jealous they were of Zingerman's. But they meant the place in Kerry Town with the best sandwiches on the planet. Unless they talk about mac 'n cheese. Then they mean this cute spot on the west side (Jackson/Maple/Stadium in Westgate Plaza). We were slow to try this spot but at some point our first summer in the house we got take out twice. I really like the takeout system here. It might be because I don't have to get out of my car. It might be because it's so swift and efficient. It might be because they sometimes hand you a free cookie. I think it's a mix of everything. K and I have also eaten inside twice. I've never been moved to write a review because I'm so conflicted about this place. It's known for the mac 'n cheese entrees but, to be honest, they aren't as great as everyone says. At least not in my opinion. And there's way too much. It's mac 'n cheese. You don't need a lot to fill you up. I've experimented with a few other dishes on the menu and I've found them to be okay. Last night, after about four days of everyone in our house saying we wanted BBQ, K suggested we get it from here because it's close, doesn't require the nonsense of getting it from downtown (parking, etc) and is supposed to be really, really good. N and I agreed. She got a half slab of spareribs and K and I split a BBQ plate that had chicken, brisket, ribs, mashed potatoes, and greens. We got a side of roasted veggies and two sides of mac 'n cheese because, you know, as a side it's great and it's even better leftover. The bbq was fantastic except that the ribs were super dry. And I found myself feeling the way I always do when it comes to this place. I want to love it but something is just always a little off. And then I realize why, despite being okay, I never suggest getting food from or going here: the price. I would pay $20 for a Zingerman's sandwich downtown. Willingly. Hell, for HALF of a Zingerman's sandwich. Because it's that good. This food? Not nearly as good. And Jesus, is it expensive. I actually thought, based on the prices for bbq, that each listing was supposed to serve multiple people. The food is a solid 3, some things (the sides, especially) venture into four star territory but it's not worth the price. Which is sad because I like supporting this local business. Just not at this particular venue.
(3)
Matt D.
I love Zingerman's Deli--love. I was disappointed in the Roadhouse. I thought the barbecue was pedestrian, not something I would say about the offerings at the deli. The deserts, two different puddings, were the wrong consistency, gritty, as if the sugar or more likely gelatin hadn't fully and properly dissolved. The pimento cheese stuffed roasted heirloom tomato was outstanding. Perhaps worth the visit just for that.
(3)
Clare F.
I had goat cheese, tomatoes with olive oil, and fried chicken mac and cheese. Everything was delicious. They use very good quality olive. The mac and cheese is rich and delicious.
(4)
Diane C.
Zingerman's = Service. Some of the best service I have ever had. I also had the fried chicken...pretty damn tasty. The bread bowl was also excellent. Everyone seemed to love what they had. Recommend.
(4)
Will B.
I want to give this place four stars, but it falls short. You really have to appreciate the artisan way of doing things to really appreciate their food. IMO the Zingerman's deli is good, but more-so because of what they do in-house and how much they do in-house than anything. Not all of it shows up in the taste of their food. In some ways I feel the Roadhouse falls short in the same manner. I ordered the Top Sirloin steak "Meat and Three" combo (three sides and your meat). I have to agree, the sides were super super small. My salad was tiny, and the potatoes were small and lacked quantity and taste. I figured with three sides I could go with a smaller steak, but I ended up leaving hungry. My steak was only 8 ozs, but it was $28, and it was way over cooked. I ordered it med-rare and it was cooked well, barely pink. I really thought about sending it back (I never send anything back), but it took over 20 min to get our food, and it was an hour wait. I was starving and didn't want my gf to have to eat alone. The calamari was just, eh... nothing special, and my gf got the mac and cheese, and she wasn't really impressed either. I really wish they would increase the quantity of their sides and veggies to give a better "value" and dining experience. It's tough to spend $100 on a meal for two people and a couple beers and leave hungry.
(3)
Ryne D.
I'm out in East Lansing for work, and for our team dinner I'm informed we're headed to Ann Arbor. Not being a native Michigander (is that right?), I was pretty surprised to see that the guys wanted to drive almost an hour just to get food, but my general train of thought is that if I'm traveling for work I may as well spend my free time searching out good food. The first thing that surprised me was when my co-worker informed me you could ask for samples of anything except their steak. What? Has this always been a think at restaurants? When I hear sample, I think CostCo samples of frozen burgers or spinach dip, not a taste of Zingerman's awesome sweet potato fries or mac and cheese. Their mac and cheese is honestly some of the best I've ever had, and the fact that they use Cabot (which I understand to be lactose-free) makes it 1000x better. You know that scent when you open a bag of Cheez-Its? It smells like that, but with real cheese instead of "cheez". I ended up ordering a side of it with my fried chicken, which was very juicy and with good seasoning. Cutting off bits of it and eating it with my mac - bliss. I also tried their chili which had quite a kick of spice to it, though I'd order it again. Now I don't know how high prices get in these parts, but I was pretty surprised to see some of the prices here. It made me expect some giant plates of food. What I got was definitely appropriate for a meal, but I think most of that cost is sunk into the quality of the ingredients over quantity. Make it worth your while like I did: feast on samples, order your food, save some for lunch the next day. You're welcome.
(4)
Blair R.
I've been to Zingerman's Roadhouse for brunch, lunch AND dinner! I'll happily return for dinner/lunch but would skip the brunch (unless I want a reservation -- pretty clutch that this place takes and honors brunch resies). Regardless of the food, this place is super cute and fun. It sells old-fashioned candy, uses cute little news-papery menus, etc.. But I know you are more concerned about the food, so I'll quickly debrief dinner and brunch. Dinner: I had the Mac and Three when I was there last time, which is a great option if you want to taste some mac and cheese but also eat some veggies. I've definitely have had mac and cheese, which I thought was better than this but you can't really dislike any mac and cheese, especially if it is Zingerman's. I'd order the dish again and be happy to dig into it. There's lots of beers, cocktails, etc to choose from. Brunch: For brunch I ordered the omelet of the day. I just thought it was greasy. And I couldn't figure out why it had to be so greasy, since it was egg whites, spinach, mushrooms and parmesan cheese. Also I didn't get the free donut holes that I see in my friend Catie S.'s review! BUMMER! The toast looked great but just tasted burnt. Potatoes were good but generally I don't choose brunch places for the potatoes because I am just not a tater girl.
(3)
Dee D.
Went for lunch. I'm giving 3 stars because our waiter was excellent. The food, not so much. I had the buffalo chicken mac and cheese. The serving size was adequate yet on the small side. Unfortunately there were only 3 small chunks of chicken in the dish. There was what tasted like moist bbq chicken skin throughout it too. Weird, and not appetizing at all! The flavor was unremarkable, lacking that rich cheese taste of an old-fashion homemade mac and cheese. At $15 for a lunch-size serving, this was both disappointing and unfortunate. My friend had a cup of soup and salad. The salad was nothing but average, and her soup was bland. I understand fresh, organic, local food can be more costly to use, however the prepared dishes need to taste good to be worth it. Not going back. Didn't find it worthy of my spending.
(3)
Heather R.
Amazing. Make reservations because this place stays busy. You can smell the barbecue pit from 1/2 mile away, seriously. Huge cheese selection and everything is locally grown. They have an amazing business structure. Worth checking out....one of a kind and the best in Ann Arbor if you ask me.
(5)
Alex S.
The Roadhouse. One of the go-to restaurants for when the parents come to town. The food was fantastic. I had the county fried chicken and it was excellent. The chicken was fried enough to be tasty, but not enough to be overly filling. The mashed potatoes were excellent on their own right with very good gravy on top. And then dessert. You just try (preferably split) the donut sundae. The donut was absolute perfection. Very crisp on the outside and warm cakey goodness in the middle The only slightly bad part about the evening was the service. It was Zingerman's quality when we got our waitress's attention. She had a lot of tables so this was less frequent than desired.
(4)
Julia M.
"I really wanted to love it!! Much of our food was overcooked but the cocktails were excellent." I don't know if it was just an 'off' night, but we were a little disappointed with the food. If you can imagine that at Zingermans!! We love the deli and the creamery, and have been looking forward to trying the Roadhouse ever since in opened. A few of my friends have been less than pleased with their experiences at the Roadhouse, but my husband and I really wanted to give it a try anyway. We decided that we'd go back for apps and drinks or desserts and drinks, but for the money try a different spot for a dinner. Overall, the atmosphere was pretty noisey and lots of kids, the service was friendly but less than excellent. I highly recommend the bourbon cream and coffee. It was heavenly!
(2)
Art R.
Wow first time here and had tongue. For those of you that never had it, it might sound gross but definitely a specialty and these folks rate right up there with all the famous deli's in NYC as far as the meat is concerned. Don't miss this one.
(5)
Vikash K.
Amazing! Went there for brunch, and it was worth the 30 min wait. The chili was on point with beef chunks. The ribs were fall off the bone good. YUMM!!
(5)
Kate S.
I am a big fan of Zingerman's usually, so I was really disappointed by Zingerman's Roadhouse. I ordered the Mac n Cheese, since it was one of their award-winning foods, but I was not impressed. My mom ordered fried green tomatoes, but they almost had the taste of a pickle. I could only eat one or two before it became too overwhelming. Overall, there was nothing that I thought was amazing about this place, which is annoying because the Zingerman's chain is fairly expensive. Service was good, but if I didn't have a reservation, I would have had to wait a long time for a table. If you are in Ann Arbor, there are other restaurants out there that are better than this one.
(2)
Friedrich S.
Top notch farm to table with a Zingerman's twist, great BBQ, great service, a little bit pricier, but you pay for the quality.
(5)
John W.
In a word.... PERFECT!! Being in the service industry myself, I know how hard it is to obtain perfection. Their training truly sets them apart and propels them to a different category all their own. The food was simple yet delicious. I enjoyed sitting at the "cook line" bar and watching their staff work their magic. I am truly impressed. If I lived within 500 miles of Ann Arbor, I would move my family here and become a "Zingernaut" myself!!
(5)
Mary Y.
I don't care if it's expensive. I have never, ever been disappointed here. Last night was no different. The new spring/summer menu has the mini sliders back, and we were tempted to throw some of those fantastic cheeses on the 5 of them, but I opted as healthy as I could. Kale salad w/pine nuts, lemon, dried cherries, and shaved stravecchio? Crack. Sooooo yummy. We opted to eat sweet potato fries and after we devoured our basket, our server came back to ask us if we wanted a refill because they were free. Say whaaaaat??? As usual service was stellar, we didn't look around once for water, bread, food, or our check. Our server even had them cook up just 2 sliders since we were feeling a need for Wisconsin Cheddar aged 30 years. My dinner companion opted for a PBR and Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese but forgot to say no blue cheese, so I had to eat that for him. I'm great that way. The spring/summer menu has some great Cornman Farms veggies, roasted up and sounding delicious! Now, if the weather would turn around we can move our Thirsty Thursdays to the patio.
(5)
Alysha M.
Great food with great service! The french fries are so yummy and they are bottomless if you get a burger. We also got calamari bruschetta that was amazing! The martinis are super tasty too. Dinner was great, of corse it cost a lot more then a normal place, but it's worth it. The service was very helpful and the venue is super cute with lots of vintage salt and pepper shaker! If you want to celebrate something special I recommend the Roadhouse.
(5)
Daniel W.
I enjoyed a bun-less pulled pork sandwich with a side of greens. The greens were great and the mustard sauce for the pork was a real treat. The size of the portion was disappointing.
(3)
Teri C.
The GOOD: Lunch and Dinner here is excellent! I have never been disappointed and each time we visit A2.....this is where we stop. Quality meats and veggies. Love their local connection for farm fresh. We have never left hungry. ==================================================Â= The BAD: Yesterday was a different story......decided to eat breakfast there. BIG mistake. It's like I was in a different restaurant! I wanted just a side of Corn Beef Hash and some toast......she brought me a small plate with about 2 scoops of hash......which contained a few potatoes, some meat and TONS of celery and red peppers! I was like WTF??? CELERY????? It tasted horrid. My toast had zero butter on it and only one slice was brought to me. Again I was like......????? The waitress wasn't very attentive and I had to flag her down to ask for ketchup, to choke down the hash. When she asked how everything was, I told her that it was not tasty.....her response was oh....sorry, and walked away. The cost: $8.00 Hubby ordered a skillet....which I must admit, he is used to the ones served at places like Cracker Barrel.....so when his came out in the tiny bowl, he looked at me and said, "Do you think they will bring the rest later?".......he said it lacked flavor and had it gone in about 6-7 bites. He did however get 2 pieces of bread. The cost: $14.00 Needless to say, our server wasn't the best (not what we are used to).......food was "meh".......and I will never return for breakfast again!!!!!!!
(3)
Mevei I.
Roadhouse was a disappointment for me and my family. It wasn't our first time but it may be our last. We came here with our out-of-town family for father's day brunch. We were all expecting to be blown away but instead, we left rather annoyed. Stay away from the po-boy sandwiches. The BBQ pork, corn beef hash, fish sandwich were all decent but nothing to pay $$$ over. They are able to charge so much bc of their name, but their quality does not stand behind it. Perhaps they were a great restaurant in the past, but they are no longer. I guess I should have sent it back, but we were in a rush to head out and I don't usually send food back. Maybe I should start. I can justify given them 2 stars bc the staff was amazing, friendly and super, duper patient with our little children. I think it it weren't for them, I would give them less stars. Or none.
(2)
Sara M.
I seem to love all things ZIngerman. Though it is not the only reason to visit Ann Arbor, it sure is a good reason. Though I have been to the Delicatessen many times, I had never been to the Roadhouse before this trip. The two places are so different, except for the quality of the food and the service. The Roadhouse features southern and other homestyle cuisine and has waiter service and a bar. We started with some poutine at the bar while waiting for seats. The place was mobbed so I can excuse the one little slip up of the evening with the gravy being disappointingly cool. But lots of cheese curds and fresh fries. Fried chicken seems to be a very popular item and it was excellent. I can be pretty particular about the quality of chicken any style and often avoid fried. But this was first rate. They were out of the main ingredient of the tea drink I wanted, but an excellent bartender came up with a substitute plan that was excellent and refreshing. And I cannot forget the always appreciated yummy Zingerman bread. We got a basket of a mix of sourdough slices and the Roadhouse, a type of rye I had never had before but would absolutely get again. And served with wonderful fresh butter, apparently a popular local brand in Ann Arbor.There were a variety of other items across the table and all seemed well received by my dining companions, especially the cream of asparagus soup. I regretfully was too full to try the desserts I heard about, but maybe next time. The cutest thing ever was the Airstream near the front entrance of the restaurant where you pick up to-go orders via a drive thru lane. How typically Zingerman clever.
(4)
Marc M.
Only 4 stars because the price is steep. This is a great BBQ location with a bourbon bar to match. Plenty of options
(4)
Theresa U.
Been here several times, never fails to please! Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner - it's all good!
(5)
Tyra N.
People! I'm upset NO ONE mentioned this place directly to me before. This was unbelievable. I can't wait to return. The decor and feel was underwhelming. Everything on my tongue was total shock. I had the andouille mac and cheese. Oooo-wwwweeeee. I couldn't manage to fit it all in my stomach but of what I did was beyond what I could measure in greatness. Warm, spicy, creamy, and exciting. This was a good flavor combo. The portions were close to family size. Not four but more than enough for two fair appetites. I will be trying this at home very soon. My friend had the buttermilk fried chicken with the house mac n cheese and house slaw. This place amazed me. I don't like many slaws but the cider vinegar and seasonings made this worth imitating. The house mac was also surprisingly creamy and flavorful. His chicken tasted as good as my Mom's and Dad's. I feel like no place large or small can get a leg up on home fried chick. Every place gives it the old college try but fall short. This chicken was damn near home made. The skin was crispy and seasoned well. The meat was not dry. It wasn't southern Maw's but It was definitely running neck and neck with home made competition. The breading and meat were perfect. I can't wait to return to write another review. Oh and I didn't get to try ANY of the decadent desserts. I'm missing life here! I feel like this place is not for watching your waist but true indulgence. I just ended something and this is the perfect place to fill the holes in my emotions. The bad is the price point. They over do it but they can. The demographic is Ann Arbor (yuppie) and college town. They can get away with charging this for American classics because it's great and no one else is doing American food like this in this area. So I will pay to eat here again, on lunch with smaller portions or I'll go with a group to save on cash and share the varieties.
(4)
Ken E.
In town for business and decided to check this place out based on the reviews. Could not be happier that I did. Had the pulled pork sandwich with the mustard BBQ sauce. Little bit of bite and was super tasty. Even better was the poutine. It was yummier than many of the poutines I've had in Canada. Well done. And the best part was the service. Ate at the bar and both of the bartenders were super friendly and helpful. I might have to find reasons to return to Ann Arbor just for this place.
(5)
Andres M.
This place is very good. I had a bbq beef sandwich with the fries! It's very tender beef with some delicious fries. Born and raised in Texas and this is the most authentic bbq I've had in a different state. Nicole was great server and I'm satisfied with the wonderful service I've received from her! The only con is the food is a really small portion for the price but that's easy to overcome due to how delicious the food was! Will come here again when I come back to Michigan to visit!
(5)
Salena H.
So let me just start by saying this - Don't listen to the negative reviews on here! Zingerman's has been my favorite place in Ann Arbor since 2010. I love this company for so many reasons. I hate it when people say they are overpriced. Yes, they DO cost a bit more than normal places, but here's why: They are sourcing the most quality, local ingredients they can. Organic, fresh, local. Their integrity as a company is amazing. And as a person who eats healthy, I can taste the difference! I have tried lots of things at Zingerman's and liked all of them. Here is a list of my favorites: 5 burger sampler Mac and Cheese In-house made hot sauce Gluten-free bread for both sandwiches and toast Gluten-free fried chicken Poutine Mashed Potatoes Donut Sundae Gelato COFFEE!! Bacon Diez y uno burrito (in the Road Show) Grits Pulled Pork But my absolute favorite meal there is the Roadhouse American breakfast, which has eggs with peppers and cabot cheddar, potatoes and sausage patties with toast and preserves. I always get the house hot sauce with it too because it is amazing on the potatoes. I have dreams about this breakfast and try to get my husband to take me there practically every weekend, sometimes it works :) Bottom line, you truly get what you pay for. People who write crappy reviews are not looking at the full picture. The only downfall to this place is that it can get really packed. My friends and I waited almost two hours one night at the bar, but if you want to beat the crowd, try to either go for breakfast on a week day or early enough on the weekend, or go on a Monday or Tuesday night. Don't go at 7 pm on a Friday and then whine about the wait - expect it!
(5)
Robin L.
Zingerman's Roadhouse is the perfect place to take friends who love comfort food. I love that they seek out the best quality ingredients and locally whenever possible. In truth, I don't first consider comfort food. And yet, I still love the Roadhouse. I asked to be seated in an area that might be less noisy because it's challenging for me to hear. Considering they were packed, and in general it's a noisy place, they accommodated us beautifully. Our server was wonderful. We were all in a playful mood and she totally met us in that fun spirit. Food was delicious. Service was perfectly attentive. Prices were exactly what we expected. Five stars for a lovely experience.
(5)
Rebecca B.
Service was good. Prompt. Efficient. Good at reading our body language. Menu was massive. I thought it was good. Not much more to say outside of that. Interesting menu that is worth a try.
(4)
Karla M.
Went there for the first time tonight. The waitstaff was excellent and the food was excellent. Only visiting Ann Arbor for a few days but will definitely go back.
(5)
Kelly J.
There's a lot to be said about the Roadhouse's charm. Pros: 1.) The menu is exciting and thoughtful 2.) The service is always spectacular 3.) The serving staff is always knowledgeable about the menu 4.) The donut sundae is out of this world. Think a fresh-fried donut on homemade gelato from the Creamery and a bourbon sauce that brings the whole dish together with the depth and smoky goodness of the whiskey. Cons: 1.) Sometimes things fall short. The pulled pork is only so-so, the mac and cheese is not nearly exciting enough or a big enough portion to justify the price, etc. 2.) Yes, I'm sorry to say this, it's overpriced. I've eaten in a lot of wonderful, exciting, proud-to-be-foodie establishments, and this one is overpriced. But it's still worth the occasional splurge, just don't think too hard about the quality-to-quantity-to-price ratio and you won't feel cheated. But you have to love the vibe in there, and sometimes Ari is buzzing around and is always excited to talk about the menu with customers--such a treat.
(4)
Molly C.
So disappointed, especially after having the sandwich of a lifetime a year ago at Zingerman's Deli. Very, very slow service, with food that was disappointing overall. Calamari appetizer was amazing, perfectly cooked with crisp, light, flavorful dressing. I wish I'd stopped there. Bread was stale ends, mostly inedible. Husband ordered the barbecue platter, which came with two ounces of a couple of different kinds of meat and sauce. Sauces were great, but the pork and chicken both had bone shards. "Kid's steak" was maybe an ounce of meat--my son ate it in three small bites. $8 for that and a handful of fries. Daughter' s hot dog was supposed to be a corn dog, they took it back and disappeared for nearly a half-hour. My fried chicken mac and cheese was unseasoned, too rich, unbaked, and full of shreds of fatty chicken skin and tendons. $15 for a small plate, plus $4.50 for a "mini" house salad, which came on a saucer--mini indeed. We waited 40 minutes after our empty plates were cleared before our server came back to offer dessert. Uh, no thanks--just the check. $90 for two kids meals, two adult meals, and one cup of coffee--not even a drink! I get it--it's fresh, farm-to-table food. But the execution was off and the service was embarrassing, especially in Ann Arbor, with about two million restaurants to choose from. No to all of it.
(1)
Chinmay S.
This was my first time here. So before going I read lot of yelp comments to make sure what is good and what is bad here. Service : 4/5 Food:3/5 Price: 2/5 Quantity of food for price: 1/5 My order: pulled pork sandwich with macaroni. Macaroni was excellent. Pulled pork sandwich was just rip off. For $15, they gave me very small quantity of pork on giant bread. pork was alright. My wife tried house salad. She did not like it at all. I doubt I will go to there again anytime.
(2)
LaToya C.
I called Zingerman's on my way to the Detroit airport. The person that answers is unable to take your order you are then transferred to another number. Placing an order with the place I wanted to pull my hair out.....a pork sandwich can be ordered 2 ways.....the difference: one is a tad bigger and you get to choose your sauce. To change side items I was told some sides included an extra upcharge, Mac n cheese wasn't one of them. We finally arrive at the place, our charge $46 for 2 pulled pork sandwiches! This is Ann Arbor , MI not NYC. We were charged extra for the Mac n cheese! The lady at the window was unprofessional, she only wanted to insist she wasn't the one who took our order on the phone. Thankfully another cashier stepped in corrected the order. I haven't gotten to the food yet, one star for service.
(1)
Alex N.
Zingerman's. It's an institution in the Ann Arbor area. It's also expensive and incredibly overrated in my book. I've been to the Kerrytown deli and the Roadhouse more times than I can count, and each time I walk away feeling underwhelmed. Sure, I've had some good meals at each. But never have I been blown away by the food and never have I felt that the quality justified the exorbitant prices. This past weekend's visit was no exception. My wife's family was in town and wanted to go to the Roadhouse for Father's Day brunch. My first thought was to stick with my usual - bagel and lox. Although Zingerman's bagels are hardly the best, this is usually a safe choice. Then I spotted the fried clam po'boy and decided to give it a try. HUGE mistake. The bread was stale and tasted like day-old (or maybe two-day-old) bread. Come on, Zingerman's! You guys pride yourselves on your baked goods and you give me stale bread? The clams were so overdone and dried that they tasted like fried rubber bands. The tomato chutney they serve on the sandwich was dumped on one end, all 2 teaspoons of it. The twice-fried french fries were soggy and gross and tasted like they had been barely fried once. All of this for $17. I seriously thought about sending it back, and in hindsight I probably should have. But we had a large group of hungry eaters, some of whom needed to hit the road for a long drive back home after, and I didn't want to be the one to hold-up the meal. But it was one of the most disappointing meals I've had in my entire life. Not a single thing on the plate was done right. I would have been pissed if it was a $10 sandwich, but for $17 I was downright furious. My wife had the fried shrimp po'boy and had similar complaints. On the way back home we decided that we will never again eat at the Roadhouse, given how many "meh" meals we've had. I'm giving them two stars because of the great service. That's one thing I'll say about the place - the staff are always friendly and attentive. But the food varies between one and three stars at most, and the prices are insane for the quality of food you get. I don't care if they are serving artisanal free-range organic grass-fed clams; if they overcook them and serve it to me on stale bread, what difference does the quality of the ingredients make? I'm convinced the only reasons Zingerman's has managed to stay in business so long - and to grow - are because a) too many Ann Arborites are morons when it comes to food, b) too many Ann Arborites equate expensive dining with good food, and c) Paul and Ari are masters of promotion and marketing. Good for them. Now, can you guys please direct your cooks not to murder the clams?
(2)
Rachel R.
Any of their Mac and cheeses are amazing. The barbecue is also good, but nothing can top their Mac and cheese.
(5)
Natasha P.
Fun ambience and good food. My first time at Zingerman's after hearing a lot about the place. The food was nice, but not fabulous. My husband ordered a BBQ platter, which was pretty small for the price, and the food was warm not hot. However, it was tasty, and I think it would have been better if it was hot. I ordered the chorizo Mac and cheese, which was excellent. I think it was the best dish at our table. It was extremely cheesy and had a perfect amount of spices and chorizo. The other people at our table ordered burgers, which they said was good, but the sweet potato fries I had from their plate were a little burnt and bitter. I would go back to Zingerman's roadhouse again... But it certainly won't be top priority.
(3)
Yadi T.
Great place to take the family for a great meal. We highly enjoyed their poutine and calamari. We also enjoyed the fried chicken dinner (very crispy chicken) and the mac and cheese. My husband had the chicken fried steak. It was a very thick and generous portion with the calabasa and mashed potatoes. He was raving about the calabasa because it was a great vegetable compliment to his meal. I highly recommend a reservation if you are party larger than 4 people because this place gets busy especially on the weekends.
(5)
ying l.
Not sure why folks keep on taking me back to this place- the food is modest and comparable to everything else you can get in Ann Arbor, but price is marked up at least 30%. Mac-and-cheese for the kids for instance, don't have the carmelized onion and is made of "american cheese" and is a whopping $11. I had a cup of tomato soup and a goatcheese-arugula-beet salad, very middle of the road, no exceptional creativity there, and they were well over $25. Hard to get a reservation for a party greater than 4 last minute, even on a week day. Loud and obnoxiously cold during summer and boiling hot in the winter. If this place tunes itself down a notch it may actually be better.
(3)
Shelly G.
All I can say is awesome. Friendly staff, checking in and helpful, food was the best I ever had.
(5)
Logynn H.
What can be said about the Roadhouse's sublime awesomeness that hasn't already been said? All I can tell you is that my favorite thing is to sit at the bar, split a pork bbq plate and some sweet potato fries with a friend, and enjoy the lovely staff and surroundings. My other favorite thing is gluten free grits n bits waffles, which are so amazing that I know I will always come back here to have them even if I move away from Ann Arbor.
(5)
Aileen A.
I SO wanted to love this place. I have been searching for a go to restaurant since recently moving to Ann Arbor. But my fried chicken was bitter since the skin was burnt but what sucked more was that it was a little bit uncooked in the middle. I told the waitress it was raw just so that they know (I wasn't expecting a replacement since I already lost my appetite) but she tried to explain to me it was just the bloodline that i was seeing. I am still giving this place two stars because the mac and cheese was good. Also, I made reservations and they actually had a table ready for us when we got there.
(2)
Justin P.
I went here with my family for lunch and the food was great. We were served bread at the table, and as you would expect from the Zingerman franchise, even that was great. The bread had a somewhat sour aftertaste that hinted toward the use of a natural yeast. As for the drink, I am somewhat ashamed to admit that I let my choice be influenced by the sample bottle on the table. I was successfully marketed to. It was a bottle of Blenheim's spicy ginger ale. While the shame of being a consumer sheep still lingers, any regret was blown away when I took my first whiff of the seductive elixir. Once the bubbles hit my nose, I had to wheeze out a cough, splashing droplets of the HOT ginger ale all over my menu. I immediately bought two more bottles for the road. As for the main dish, my wife and I both went the Amish fried chicken route because we are visiting for just a few weeks from Japan, where the Colonel reigns supreme. If we want any real fried chicken, this is our chance. My wife got the fried chicken salad and I got the two piece. Now, 2 pieces doesn't sound like a lot, but amish chickens are huge. I know, right? You'd think they'd be svelte from not sitting around watching TV all day or using other electronic devices, but they are big and mean and juicy. And the breading was just all om nom nom. It took me a full extra 6 seconds to type that 'om nom nom' because I had to do the gestures of me eating it all over again as I typed/said that. Also, I got the sweet potato fries for a dollar extra and the guy who gave them to me said I could ask for more whenever I wanted. They were great and I did ask for more even when my stomach was telling me this was not an option. While my meal was good, I was most impressed with the kids menu. My daughter got the barbecue plate. There was no sauce on the meats, but the pulled pork had a very strong hickory taste without any of the sugar/corn syrup - just the taste of real meat and hickory. Also, she was given the choice of mashed potatoes, fries, or fruit. First, it's a small thing, but I appreciated the fact that the waiter asked if she wanted mashed potatoes first instead of considering fries the go-to option. My daughter went with fruit and I expected something like three grapes in a little plastic solo cup, but they brought out this full plate with raspberries, blueberries, melon, and some other fruit. The restaurant is great. If there is a problem, it is simply that they know they are great and charge as if they were great. They're not winning many points for cost efficiency, but they don't really need to. Great meal.
(4)
Emma P.
Had breakfast here with my cousin when he came to UofM . Great service, our waitress was delightful. Food was solid. I loved their mini biscuits and in-house jam. Pur waitress always made sure we were never short on coffee. We loved her description of their house made donuts, so much we indulged.
(4)
Katie K.
I wouldn't say this is quite as good as the deli, but it's still great - hence the 4 instead of 5 stars. I went here with some family I haven't seen in a few years and it was the perfect place for a delicious casual dinner. I had heard great things about the Mac'n'cheese and I was not disappointed. It was definitely one of the best I've ever had! One of my uncles, who is usually a pescatarian, had a cheat day because of how great the fried chicken is - he ate every last bite. This is definitely a great place to go in groups, especially because everything on the menu sounds so great: sharing is caring.
(4)
Ann W.
Zingerman's is always a good choice for excellent food, exemplary service, in a casual, fun atmosphere. This visit was no different. Mid-morning on Saturday, there was already a wait for brunch/lunch. The Georgia Grits & Bits Waffle sounded unusual: classic Belgian waffles filled with grits, sharp cheddar, and bacon. They were unusual and amazing. The waffles had a light, crisp exterior and tender interior. Savory instead of sweet, they were delicious dipped into the thick, sweet syrup. The Roadhouse sausages were well seasoned and spicy but the breakfast potatoes were just average. Other good breakfast items here include: * Biscuits & Chocolate Bacon Gravy - large biscuits smothered in a thick (almost velvety) chocolate sauce and sprinkled with bacon. They are also awesome, although I prefer the gravy to be served on the side so that the biscuits don't get too soggy. * Doughnuts - dense doughnuts flavored with molasses and nutmeg and dusted with brown sugar. These are best enjoyed hot. Truly, these doughnuts are worth the drive and the wait. For dinner, I highly recommend: * Fried chicken - Crispy pieces of chicken in a well-seasoned buttermilk batter. While they come with mashed potatoes and gravy, I always ask for a substitute. * Spare ribs - A full rack of ribs in a yummy sauce. What makes Zingerman's memorable is the customer service. They even offer business training on customer service through ZingTrain; they live and breathe exactly what they preach. As a business fully entrenched in the Ann Arbor community, I find that Zingerman's interest in food is not limited to just serving it. They've sought to educate us on what we eat (and to be selective while doing so). At this restaurant specifically, they've educated us on the differences between grits and hominy, allowed us to sample cheeses and different desserts, and even created a meal composed of components of other meals. Some of these examples occurred several years ago, but because truly great customer service is rare, they are remembered, relished, and shared. Give them a try - you will truly enjoy this dining experience.
(4)
Melissah L.
The food at Zingerman's is simple, fresh and prepared really well. Can't go wrong. I've been here for dinner (get the side of chili cheese fries) and brunch (get the country skillet). This place does everything well, and the Roadhouse is where you want to go for a warm, cozy brunch/lunch/dinner experience.
(5)
Marisa S.
Ridiculously amazing comfort food. They're known for their barbecue, but all the food looked fabulous! We had Mac and cheese with fried chicken in it. The bread was fresh and delicious. The atmosphere was fun and very interesting, and the staff couldn't have been friendlier. Its more than worth the stop!
(5)
Zachary F.
Cool as shit! Ambience 5: the exterior truly reminds me of a roadhouse. I almost expected to get carded by Patrick Swayze when I walked in. The interior was cool also. It was open and decorated well. Food/drinks 5: I had the buffalo mac n cheese. It was decadent. Extremely cheesy and delicious. They even bring you an extra side of Buffalo sauce, so you can add a little extra spice if you want. I ordered an old fashioned to drink. It tasted amazing. Service 5: Our waitress was really nice and accommodating. She was even nice enough to laugh at a couple of my brothers lame jokes. Overall 5: the entire experience was great. My only knock is it could be a tad overpriced but regardless, I will be back.
(5)
Jason D.
The atmosphere is very nice and for that alone it may be worth is for someone who doesn't have to look at menu prices. Our server was really good, did a great job of explaining the menu, and was nice and energetic with a good attitude. The prices are absolutely unjustified and ridiculous, though. I work at a craft beer bar that is pricey itself, and under no circumstance should Brewery Vivant's Farmhand beer cost more than $6+ for an 8OZ pour. That is absolutely asinine and just plain greedy. I understand that you would pay more for a certain atmosphere that theoretically takes more to run, but in the case of this restaurant, while nice, I don't see anything that justifies the prices. I had the ribs, which were good, but were not worth the premium pricing. They were decent, but forgettable ribs. The restaurant was full and the food came out timely, but simply put the enjoyment did not meet the cash paid. This is a place you go just for the nice clean atmosphere alone. I can't help but think the place is fraudulent in that it acts as a high-price begets-placebo-quality situation. You know that experiment when a person is given cheap wine and is told that it is ultra expensive and rare, and they end up preferring it over an actually expensive wine that they're told is a value wine? That's what this place is to me. If you want to pay significantly more for half a pour of a draft beer than you would another place for a full pint of the same draft beer, this is your place. If you never question if premium prices buy you matching quality, dine here. This place to me feels and looks really nice, but reaks of fraudulent preying on people who spend more for the privilege of being able to spend more. The money put down does not match the taste, so this place is reserved for people to which price tags are meaningless, and to its employees who get significant discounts on its food.
(2)
Stephen M.
What to say? It's best to watch what you eat, eat healthy, yada, yada, yada. So having graduated from THE school, having moved to Chicago and with family in SE Michigan we always stop in Ann Arbor for dinner on our trips to see the fam. So there I sat with only my wife. Adult kids were not there to castigate me. What can I say? The fried chicken seemed perfect. And it was! I'm sure a little known fact is that there was a restaurant which sat in the approximate location--we'd go there when family came in when I was enrolled. They had great fried chicken. Must be the spot or something. On our trip back to Chicago, we stopped in once again. Wife had scallops and was very, very positive. My recommendation is look at the menu, find your perfect guilt food and go for it. This place will serve you well.
(4)
Tom A.
We went in for breakfast and by the time we ordered, they were out of half of the items on their menu. We opted for lunch instead and ordered their "world famous" mac and cheese and brisket. Meh. It was okay. There are certainly better options. However, I was impressed with their menu. There are a TON of options, many of which rotate on a daily basis. I would go back. If you enjoy a tiny parking lot, a jam packed restaurant, and enough options to satisfy any picky eater, make sure you go here. Otherwise, save your money :)
(4)
Jim I.
Awesome, I get to write the 500th review. It's all true. The food is great, the price point is elevated, and this place is always busy. As far as the prices... I know this is Ann Arbor and it's to be expected, yet some say it's too much. I have enjoyed everything I've had here. From the Mac and Cheese and BBQ to the sweet potatoes fries. Good stuff. High prices or not. The proof is in the wait times.
(4)
Anita B.
Have an oyster-versary approaching. Very eclectic menu and great food. Love the patio in the warmer weather. Just about anything on the menu is recommended. Friendly waitstaff and service is phenomenal. Lots of flavorful dishes and unique items on the menu.
(5)
Kori Y.
This place never disappoints. The food is always fresh and well prepared. The place is busy, so plan on waiting.
(4)
Vladimir K.
I have to preface this by saying I am a super-fan of the other Zingerman's businesses... but we found the Roadhouse to be kind of sucky. Ambiance-wise, the interior is not unlike a Chili's or some shit like that. The booze selection was OK, but nothing special. Everything on the menu was majorly expensive. Now, I like to splurge on expensive restaurants from time to time, so I'm not shocked by $30 entree prices. However, I do expect something in this price range to kick ass. Beer is served in weird glassware, something I didn't quite understand. You'd think a place like this would know what's up with beer glassware, but I guess not. The description of the creole cioppino sounded awesome, but it tasted like nothing but garlic and was really skimpy on the seafood. There was just one tiny scallop, one little shrimp, a couple mussels, and some fish chunks. Definitely not worth the high price tag around $30. Also, $20+ is a little much for a pile of risotto. We just didn't think the stuff was worth the money. Dinner for two with three beers plus tip was almost $100, and we were like "meh." I'd rather just hit up a classy steakhouse at this price.
(1)
Naz M.
Zingermans, let me count the ways that I love you. I don't really think I can, but I can try by recounting the details of my newest foodie love affair. Imagine, up until the day before that I had plans to come here and almost totally forgot. Easter Sunday, of all days, is what my old boss, a few of her lovely friends and my hubs decided on. Don't worry though! We were smart about making reservations, because this is one of the most popular restaurants in the area. From the outside alone, you know you're in for an experience. There's a drive through, right there because maybe you want the brunch, lunch, without the waiting and debating. Maybe you're one of those people who always just knows what they want outta life. BUT if you're not lol, and you're like me, sitting down is necessary because internal conflicts, particularly those about food, are best to deal with INSIDE the restaurant around people who love you and can make your suggestions. I was lucky to have been seated and already had a mimosa waiting for me, first plus. THEN the bread came, amazing. They'd a wine list, cheese list, five other lists and menus all full of delectable things, albeit pricey, just waiting for you which seem to change on various occasions as our brunch menu was DATED. After fighting myself I settled on Pulled Pork, it's kinda my thing and I had a feeling it would be done right, and goodness it was. Succulent, juicy and they'd a slider version available, with sweet potato fries and applewood bacon, because why not?! 'Twas so good that next time I might be able to muster the courage to go out of my comfort zone. Normally, between the hubs and I, he's the one with leftovers, today that was NOT the case, which means his Roadhouse breakfast was too good to leave a scrap even for the furries at home. This place is an experience to be had, pricey but worth it. I mean, just look at the pictures I took! Uh huh, you're reading this while you should be halfway to Jackson Rd.
(5)
Matthew K.
I almost want to give this place a 2-star (3-star = A-OK based on the yelp metric, which it wasn't, but 3-star = "Fair" in my ratings) based on the price vs quality of the food. But service was good, and it was clean and had an enjoyable atmosphere. I ordered the fried chicken macaroni and cheese. It was overly salty and didn't have any fried chicken in it, just a few pieces of chicken and then crumbles of the fried chicken crispies on top. The noodles were overcooked and the cheese sauce was starting to separate. Very disappointing. My wife ordered the pulled pork entree. The pulled pork was OK, but I smoke better pork at home. And there was too much fat left in the meat -- my wife didn't finish it. The mashed potatoes were OK, but because of the extra sauce they add to the pulled pork (in my opinion, to try covering up the dryness), the mash potatoes just started turning soggy. The braised greens was just a soggy mess. The sweet potato fries were delicious though -- large, nicely fried and wonderful. I don't plan on ever coming back to this place, but if I did I'd probably only order the sweet pototo fries, since everything else was disappointing. And the prices were ridiculous -- $19 for a bowl of mac & cheese? $16 for a small serving of pulled pork with some mashed pototoes and braised greens? Yuck. Is this really what Ann Arbor-ens eat? It was packed when we left, so I'll be happy to donate my seat from now on. One of those occassions when pictures of food are better than the food itself.
(3)
S W.
I had lunch today here, Caesar Salad with Grilled Salmon. The salad was great and the service was even better.
(4)
Alexandra K.
Ok this is not at all what I thought it would be. It's beautiful inside. The large wooden floors mesh wonderfully with the granite countertops, rugged tables and beautiful glass cases filled with the cutest salt and pepper shakers of all sorts. Apparently they used to have ones from the movie "Jaws" that would play the theme song when you shook them. My wonderful and pleasant waitress told me so. On to the food: -Complimentary bread: Rye: it's very thick and quite chalky in taste but fresh; Sourdough: mmmm I love it. Mushy and sour it leaves a perfect lemon taste in your mouth. Entrees -New Mexico Grilled Chicken Sandwich (Amish free-range chicken breast with Ig Vella soft jack cheese, applewood smoked bacon, lettuce, avocado salad, green chilies and spicy mayo on grilled sourdough bread): Incredible. The chicken is so tender and mixes so well with the cheese and avocado which have an indescribable zing. It's creamy, crunchy, buttery, spicy, crispy and soft all in one. -Sweet Potato Fries: let me tell you why these are so wonderful: simply because they are thickly cut. This causes them to still be mushy on the inside while crisp on the outside. One of the best sweet potato fries of my life. -Hand-Cut Fries: The regular fries are also delicious--fried in the best-tasting oil. Desserts -Donut Mondae (bacon sundae with a homemade Dutch donut, bacon chocolate gravy, apple-wood smoked bacon, vanilla gelato, bourbon-caramel sauce, whipped cream, Virginia peanuts and a cherry): hmmm it's very interesting. The caramel bourbon is syrupy sweet (not my favorite) but it seriously brings out the sweetness of the salty bacon bits. The vanilla gelato is bursting with vanilla bean flavor. The doughnut is of a cakey texture (my favorite kind) and tastes very much like a beignet--sugary but plain. That's why it mixes so well with the sauce, chocolate and bacon. It's an interesting combo. I'm glad I tried it but wouldn't need to order it again. FINAL VERDICT: For a strip mall restaurant, this has got it goin' on. The Zingerman Company in general only uses the finest ingredients (albeit this menu serving up some serious calorie-dense comfort food). That wait staff is wonderful and if you can get over the outrageous prices, stop on in. They also have a great oyster bar and throw away the beautiful pearl shells outside for everyone to see. And if you are looking for a quick bite, drive up to the Roadshow Drive-Up & To-Go, as they serve coffee, pastries, breakfast food, bread, sandwiches, and soups.
(5)
Heather G.
The customer service here is incredible. Can we have a cup of water as we leave? Yes. Can you call us a cab? Our pleasure! I'm wearing new shoes - do you have band aids for my poor, blistered feet? abso-freaking-lutely. It's near-comical how hospitable the staff here is. Our server, upon noticing we weren't drinking our beers, insisted on taking them back and bringing us something else because he could tell we didn't like them. He made nice recommendations and insisted that life was too short to drink beer you're not into. That said, the beer list is OK. Not amazing, but not the run-of-the-mill stuff found in every pub, either. The bread basket they serve prior to your meal is insane. I ate two of them (baskets, not slices) myself, and thus had to take most of my dinner to-go due to fullness. WORTH IT. Their burger is solid, their fries (regular and sweet potato) are both excellent. Daily specials rotate, but we came on a day they were serving potlikker. The dish was very rich, salty, and fatty, and it warmed us up on such a cold winter night. My advice? Come for the bread basket, splurge on a daily special, and enjoy what makes Zingerman's so beloved. 5 stars on bread and service, 4 stars on food, 3 stars on beer.
(5)
Kk W.
I would rate the coffee 5 stars!! Husband's corned beef hash was delish and a huge portion. My omelet was overcooked. No problem with having it redone. Still was a bit crispy but when chef checked with me I declined to have it remade as I was HUNGRY. Without extras, breakfast was over $30 plus tip and for that reason I gave it one less star. You learn that in Ann Arbor, the Zingerman's mystique means very high prices. Will not be our regular but we did enjoy it. Great wait staff. This establishment is not for anyone who is counting calories although can imagine you could work with the staff for modifications.
(4)
Allison S.
Very disappointing! I'm a big fan of the original Zingermans and there was no resemblance between the two. The food was inedible. The salad was drowning in dressing, the chicken was tough, and the children's burger was bite size. We left most of our meals and just filled up on bread. I would never go back.
(1)
Andrea D.
Great place to entertain. The involvement in the community and efforts to engage with their clientele is superb. Their menu is always changing so it is a fun place to visit again and again.
(5)
Holly P.
Came here for brunch while trying to make sure an out of town guest had a solid end to his visit, and we were not disappointed. We showed up around 10:45 and the place was hopping, maybe a 20 minute wait? I'm not sure we would have been seated faster had we had reservations, but I would recommend making them on Open Table if you're planning on going, just in case. Brunch was hearty and the 3 of us raved about our food. The vegetarian got Huevos Rancheros and was very pleased (and he's had a lot of huevos rancheros in his life so I knew his thumbs up meant something!), the other guy got Eggs Benedict, and I got the Grits and Eggs. I was worried I was playing it too straight, but with some of their hot sauce and a biscuit on the side, I was in heaven. We will definitely be coming back here for brunch!
(5)
Scott P.
I really want to like the Roadhouse, seriously I do. I regularly go to the deli and shell out obscene amounts of money for meats and cheeses ( I once spent 20 dollars on a jar of mustard that was so good I nearly cried) so I am not opposed to spending money or food snobbery- in fact those are my two best features! But the Roadhouse, dear god the Roadhouse is just a disaster. I went there 4 or 5 times in the last 5-6 years , after the first time almost exclusively because a large group of people wanted to go there and I didn't want to be the lone dissenter crapping in the punch bowl. My impression every time has been that it is overpriced for the quality, and generally disappointing. I was hesitant to even write a negative review because I do love the deli so much,and all the people who work at the roadhouse are very nice, the customer service is awesome and just in general Zingermans is the kind of business I like to promote- quality in the face of generic chain garbage. But last night I plopped down 70 dollars for an all you can eat "south American" themed BBQ dinner and it was extremely disappointing- which was the consensus among the 7 of us who went. I will give some quick bullet points -Cheese bread- if you have ever been to fogo you know what these are- they ran out after like 10 minutes of service- how do you run out of cheesy poofs?? -Meat- as a purist I was a little upset about some of the meat advertising/choices. The advertised menu said "bottom sirloin" but they actually served "flank steak" -which are not the same thing. They also advertised and even discussed serving "pincanha" but what was actually served was tri-tip. I understand to most people this is splitting hairs, but at 70$ a plate I think this is unacceptable. -While not as bad as above, the meat was cooked in a traditional smoker and did not resemble what you would get from a grill- when you go to something like a fogo or anywhere in Argentina what you want is a super burnt crispy outside, not just general medium rare meat. They also discussed the salting used in South America but the meat was noticeably bland, no the slap you in the face salt we were expecting. -Both the chicken wrapped in bacon and the Parmesan pork were incredibly dry and overcooked. I will say though- the desert (which the chef said was prepared by his Brazilian wife) was amazing. In terms of regular Roadhouse fare- I used to be a vegetarian and tried just about every mac and cheese they have ever had on their menu and give them a resounding meh. At 15 or more dollars a pop, definitely not worth it. So in closing, Zingermans Deli- Awesome. Zingermans Roadhouse- not so much.
(2)
Tabitha M.
Full disclosure: I work for Zingerman's. Not the Roadhouse specifically, but still... The Roadhouse is THE place for a great breakfast. Today, I had sauteed spinach topped with Canadian bacon, two perfectly poached eggs and Hollandaise sauce. Paired with a well-crafted Americano, this is my favorite breakfast on the planet. Need more convincing? No crowds at breakfast. Plenty of great seating options for single diners or families. Grits and Bits waffles. Peppered bacon. Grilled Bakehouse cinnamon rolls. Mimosas. Man, I wish it was breakfast time again already.
(5)
Jason G.
let me start by saying that i had heard zingerman's described as a combination of the greatest gourmet restaurant, bakery, dairy, roastery and overall eclectic food store in the midwest (for the past two years). my gf is a UofM alumn and all the locals seem to love the place. apparently, the owners travel the country (first class, all the way, i'm guessing) to find the best regional ingredients and recipes... i gotta say that everything i tasted was excellent. the menu was interesting and well prepared, with fresh, wholesome ingredients. and very tasty. with that said, every single item on the menu (from the $4 fresh-squeezed lemonade to the $14 burgers) was RIDICULOUSLY overpriced. almost to the point of absurdity. the food is good, the atmosphere is exactly what you'd expect, the staff is friendly and knowledgeable. but none of that could possibly justify the EXTREME price gouging. is there a zingerman family? or is this just another big corporation, masquerading as a local mom & pop operation (e.g., oberweis dairy in chicago). i have never written a negative yelp or tripadvisor review, but zingerman's is just begging for it! as a 20+ year veteran of the restaurant, wine, culinary & craft spirits industries, i've never come across a restaurant that was so blatantly and brashly overpriced. but it's almost as if their customers don't care. there is constantly a line to get a table! i'm simply at a loss for words... so, i'll give zingerman's four stars for food quality and service, but they definitely deserve an absolute ZERO for value... if zingerman's cut their prices in half, they would still be just an average value. in fact, the typical american restaurant needs to maintain an overall food cost of about 24-30%, in order to remain profitable. my guess is that zingerman's food cost is somewhere south of 10%... the owners should be ashamed and maybe even investigated for criminal price gouging. despite my passion for supporting local, "independent" restaurants, i would definitely rather eat a big mac at walmart than spend another cent of my hard-earned money on anything at zingerman's.
(1)
Lily K.
Giving the Roadhouse five stars because of my recent experience with the life changing Grilled Carolina White Grits! Such a simple concept yet bursting with complex favors that I can't stop thinking about. I wouldn't have considered there Roadhouse a place to go for good vegetarian eats, but know I will! I love the atmosphere of the Roadhouse as well, and wish I owned the quirky collection of salt and pepper shakers! I miss the cheese curds, haven't seen them on the menu in a while, but they were phenomenal, get them if you can. If I were able, I would give 4.5 stars because the meat here can be inconsistent. My boyfriend had the pork shoulder last time and it was very dry and tasteless. Disappointing. Steaks also have been known to disappoint. I suggest choosing other excellent menu items!
(5)
K V.
This was our first time here and it lived up to all our expectations. The Mac n Cheese was killer good as was the crispy fried chicken. Our server was so helpful with her recommendations. Can't wait to go back and try more on the menu.
(5)
Liz W.
I like the Roadshow. Its a mere cute little trailer hanging out just outside the Roadhouse but it has a seperate menu and is great for a quick take out. They offer quick fare, leaning heavily to coffees, general bakery type breakfast, soups, sandwiches and baked goods. You are served either via walk-in or drive-through. I have used this option twice now. Once for breakfast, I was impressed because they got me some salmon for my to go sesame street bagel and cream cheese, which of course was delicious. My much healthier sister got some wild oats with milk and was very happy. Coffee here was very good and a nicely perked us up for shopping. They even carry coffee milk, not a common find, yay! We got a few doughnuts to go for the guys later on and they were very happy with them. Another night we dropped in and got some assorted stuff to take to my parents. Again, just in a hurry and not feeling the fast food. The mushroom soup and ancho beef chili were hits, just like at the big kid restaurant. I loved the egg salad with the applewood bacon (with a bread switch), James was happy with the ham, salami & cheddar, my dad was delighted with the meatloaf and my mom quite liked the smoked chicken salad. It worked. You can grab breads here, coffeecake, brownies and other assorted goods too. It's not glam but a very nice option indeed, tasty.
(4)
Phillip W.
Pretty cool place, and a nice follow-on to Zingerman's Deli. But the prices are truly stunning. And the place was packed to the rafters, with a line going out the door. Are people in Ann Arbor really doing well enough to be able to eat here regularly? If so, I'm moving back to Michigan!
(3)
Susan W.
Just can't beat it. Best deli food along with fab bakery. It's a must have where I am in Ann Arbor- or Michigan for that matter! Sandwiches piled high- always enough for 2 meals. Soups feat too. Comfort foods of all types that are delicious.
(5)
Gary M.
not crazy about this place!
(2)
Kelly A.
How could I forget the drinks? Rich coffee from their own beans with brunch, and amazing citrus iced tea for most other meals, and even sometimes with brunch. I asked my waitress for more info on the iced tea because I was crazy about it, and she brought be a sample of the blend to take home. After some research, I do believe it's Rishi. Mmm... They also have an awesome list of classic cocktails with $2.00 off on Sundays. I had a Corpse Reviver #2. Strong and complex! I was reminded that I don't care for the licorice leaning liquors though, so next time it's the Vesper.
(5)
Trent N.
So far I've had ribs, pulled pork, and gelato from zingerman's, and I have yet to be let down. Also, make sure to get the sweet potato fries; they're MUCH better than the plain fries, and so good that I regularly stop by just to order them.
(4)
Steven S.
Honestly, I think Zingerman's deli is pretty overrated, so when I came here, I didn't have the highest expectations. I was pleasantly surprised. There was a pretty long wait in spite of the fact that there was a snow storm that night and roads were terrible, but we sat at the bar while we were waiting, and the drink prices were very reasonable. We got bread when we got to the table which was fresh and yummy. I got a smoked barbeque beef sandwich which came with fries. The beef was delicious, although the bun got very soggy and fell apart as I was eating. The fries were good, although a bit on the salty side. All in all, it was a pretty good dinner, and I had a good time with my family. It's a bit on the pricey side, but if you're getting a sandwich, the prices are fairly reasonable.
(4)
Natalie B.
Zingerman's Roadhouse is on the top of my list of foodie heaven spots. I am in love with & am in utter admiration of the passion to exceptional customer service, local/fresh/homegrown food & awesome flavor!! I'm from Ypsi/Ann Arbor, MI, but now living in Austin, TX: and on the recent trip home, my boyfriend & I /had to/ do the Tour De Zingerman's. We started the day off at the Bakery/Creamery/Coffee Co., went to the Deli/Next Door, and then ended the day at the Roadhouse. It could not have been a better meal to end a day of amazing food, and James Beard Award (AKA Beardy) winner Chef Alex Young never fails your taste buds. Our waiter was helpful and gracious to offer samples when choosing over menu items (as it reaLLy is hard to narrow it down when everything truly is delicious)! For a starter we began with my ~favorite~: Sea Island Sweet Potato Fries. They're twice cooked and served with spicy mayo: they are freaking AWesoMe! I dream of these fries with drool-faced joy whenever I think of Ann Arbor & home. They are a must for any sweet potato fan. In fact - I have personally never had better sweet potato fries in my life. For me, these blow all the others out of the water. To drink I ordered the Root Beer, & my boyfriend had the Ravin' Red Cranberry-Cherry Soda: both awesome and packed with refreshing flavors. For our meal, we wanted to share some soup and mac & cheese. It was a toss up between the Tortilla soup and the Ancho Chilli, then the Three Peppercorn Goat Cheese and the Smoked Chicken and Monterey Jack. After deliberating with some /amazing/ samples of all, we went for sharing the chilli, which had more of a spiciness we often go for, and the Smoked Chicken Mac & Cheese that had New Mexico green chillies (awesome flavor/spiciness!). The meal, with the Zingerman's bread basket of beautiful crusty, hearty bread made our taste buds and tummies OD on carb-awesomeness. It was wonderful! Also, during our Tour De Zingerman's earlier in the day we ran into one of the Zingerman's co-founders, author, and foodie extraordinaire, Ari Weinzweig. We Just wanted to say hello and nudge him to come down to Austin to teach a class again perhaps in the future (Both I & my boyfriend work at Central Market in Austin, and heard he taught a cooking class there some years ago). So, it was a surprise to run into him again at the Roadhouse, coming around to each table refilling water glasses and checking to make sure we had enough spicy mayo for my sweet potatoes. To have one of the owners of a company come around personally and wait on you, and make sure you're taken care of ... is huge. He really was gracious to let us get a picture with him too. Awesome flavorful food!, people, staff, cleanliness, and passion for all of it. If you haven't had dinner here: GO!! It is worth every moment & mouthful.
(5)
Maureen M.
My coworker & I stopped here for lunch the other day. I was a little excited to finally try Zingerman's Roadhouse. We were trying to find a different place, which didn't pan out and I'm glad it worked out that way. It wasn't too crowded at 12:30pm, which made me even happier. Our waiter came over quickly to introduce himself. He asked if we'd eaten at the Roadhouse before. This was our 1st time, so he did his little speech about the menu, and accolades on some food show (I don't care). It was a little long winded, but I appreciate the effort. My coworker ordered the Roadhouse Reuben, and I ordered the New Mexico Grilled Chicken Sandwich. The Reuben is made with ham, not corned beef. She also ordered the sweet potato fries, and I opted for the twice baked fries. My coworker really enjoyed her greasy Reuben, and fries. I tried a fry and wish I'd chosen those instead of the regular fries. My fries were a little limpy and just okay. The sweet potato fries come with a delicious, slightly spicy dipping sauce that complimented them perfectly. My sandwich was really good. I could definitely taste the smokey flavor of the applewood smoked bacon with every bite. The spicy mayo & avocado salad added a lot of flavor and loved the combination. Our server was surprised we didn't order any macaroni & cheese, so he brought us a little sample. I'm confident that a bowl of this little piece of heaven will significantly contribute to clogging an artery. I am not a big fan of macaroni & cheese. I like it, but I can do without it. If it wasn't for the fact that I could gain 5 lbs from eating it, I'd order this every time. I was contemplating ordering it for my husband to take with me. The sample confirmed that thought was a good idea. He is definitely a fan of mac & cheese. Our server gave me some great tips on how to reheat it without losing substance. I followed his instructions last night, and it worked out great! The only bad part of the meal was my bill. Although, I knew it would be expensive because that's Zingerman's. $34 for my Diet Coke, sandwich, and a very small container of mac & cheese...for lunch. I'm definitely going to save my pennies for another trip to try more of their delicious offerings.
(4)
Brian G.
4 stars the food was great, a bit expensive but great. My wife's burger was on te menu as having an onion bun but came out sans the onion bun but with poopy (yes I said poopy) seed buns
(4)
Dante F.
The sweet potato appetizer with the skin on was horrible and left me bloated. For the main entree, I chose the turkey reuben which was absolutelly tasteless and came with yet more soggy fries.
(1)
Natalie M.
LOVE THIS PLACE!! This place has the best....everything. =D So much good food on one menu makes it really hard to choose what to get. (not complaining one bit about that!). My favorite meal is their buttermilk fried chicken. OMG SO AMAZING. Tastes like southern chicken in a MI restaurant. Also, they have a bunch of interesting soda, besides your usual Coke or Pepsi. I love their Traverse City Tart cherry soda. It's out of this world... AND WITH FREE REFILLS. The service is always fantastic. I recommend this place to anyone =)
(5)
Sarah M.
I recently moved here from San Francisco and was excited about this dinner because it's one of the few restaurants that from reading the menu, reminded me of something I might find back home. I came here last night for dinner. i made a reservation so I didn't wait long. The menu looked fantastic - great options for vegetarians and gluten-free, using high quality local ingrediants. The waitstaff were very helpful and friendly - they deserve 5 stars. My main problem with the restaurant is the kitchen. There's obviously something going wrong in there. The wine, bread and cheese plate we ordered were really good - a 5 star experience, and it probably was because they don't need to be "cooked". What really let the evening down were the main courses and the dessert. We ordered the black bean hominy burger, the Carolina White Grits and the Donut Sundae. The burger failed conceptually and in execution, it was a very, very mushy burger with the hominy being very tough in parts. The french fries the came alongside were soggy and not crisp. Not nailing french fries in a place like this is a big disappointment, because it's a barometer of the kitchen's level of skill and technique. It's shocking really, didn't the chef win a James Beard award? Last night I did not see James Beard level cooking. The first thing that came to mind when I tasted the Grits was "under-seasoned". The topping was supposed to be sauteed with cider vinegar, but I got none of the bite the dish really needed to sing. Also the grits were burnt, I mean really burnt with ash on my plate. I understand charring, grill-marks etc etc but serving a grit cake with a thick coating of black is inexcusable. Overall the main dishes were underwhelming and not worth the price. We wanted to see what the pastry chef had to offer so we ordered the Donut Sundae which is supposed to be what they're famous for. The elements were really good, good donut with a fluffy crumb and crisp exterior, the vanilla gelato was smooth and studded with vanilla seeds, , peanuts perfectly roasted, great butterscotch sauce, but together the components did not become more the sum of it's parts which is the real indicator of a great ice-cream sundae. There was none of the thrill and joy of eating a sundae,(Think about when you got a Sundae as a kid...) Honestly, I think calling it a donut ala mode would be a more accurate description. Overall, Zingerman's over-promises and under delivers. It is also outrageously priced. It reminds me of the Chow neighborhood restaurants in San Francisco, but is twice the price and half as good. BUT, I will probably be back. This place has great potential, and a really nice vibe, they just need to seriously get it together in the kitchen. When you think Zingerman's you think high-quality food prepared expertly and the Roadhouse does not live up to it's name.
(3)
Deborah N.
This is a family favorite. When the kids are home on the holidays they will go and bring back an assortment of goodies. I have not had anything bad. I really enjoy the pulled pork and chicken. Very moist and smokey. Never seen so many Mac and cheeses and they all taste great. Not just for kids these macs appeal to all taste if you like cheese. The atmosphere is very casual. Most items are between $13 and $16. While there take a look at the salt and pepper collection. It is very large. It is located at a busy intersection so be careful leaving. On the weekends you will usually have a wait but not too long. Staff is very friendly. I love their fresh lemonade.
(5)
Martha R.
I have to agree 100% with Jen H. and Cd S.'s comment about it being just too expensive for what you get. It's good food. Very good. But for the price, it kinda hurts me. I almost always go to Zingerman's Roadhouse every time I come back into town. This past visit, I had to avoid the place because I am on a more limited budget these days. Who isn't? But it also hurt me when I was working full time and making decent money. Why do I go? Because they have good beer on tap, decent wine, and they always have a great selection of food options. If you're in the mood for one thing, and the people you are going to dinner with are in the mood for something else - well, you're set. I also enjoy the atmosphere - it's open and inviting and we almost always get good service. I imagine that they are going to hurt during the recession... if they'd drop their prices and keep them there, then I just might come back the next time I hit the A2 area. Otherwise, it's going to have to fall off the list of places to go when I'm in town.
(3)
Jim B.
A "must" if you're in the Ann Arbor area. The wait-staff was friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive. The pulled-pork was tremendous. I especially liked the ability to order side dishes that were not the usual run-of-the-mill stuff . That is to say, I did not have to settle for fries and coleslaw. For an appetizer try the fried green tomatoes. They're grown in the Road House's own garden and canned in a pickle brine. Very unique and quite flavorful.
(4)
Denise R.
Four of us went for dinner. I will summarize to save time reading. My blackened red fish was awesome and cooked to perfection!!! I had the Swiss chard and it was garlicky but excellent. My family had the buttermilk chicken and said it was the best chicken they ever had. My daughter loved their mac and cheese. the chocolate pudding was delicious and made from very good chocolate. Everyone at my table raved about their food. It was our best meal while visiting Ann Arbor. I've read some of the other reviews and it appears that the dinners are the meal of the day here. I have always trusted and will always trust Zingerman's restaurants to deliver quality food and to back it up. I once had a specialty coffee drink I didn't like ..not their fault but a matter of taste.. and they replaced it with another for no charge. I'm a raving fan!
(5)
Suzanne W.
I love this place and the bread!!!
(5)
Natalie M.
I love this place. I love the attitude, the decor, the customer service, the crafty tone to everything Zingerman's does, and especially the food. The fried chicken and mashed potatoes tastes like they hijacked a grandma from North Carolina and employed her to do her magic at the Roadhouse. So freakin' good. Their Traverse City cherry pop is fizzy and marvelous, too. Love the clamshells lining the building's landscaping and love the Airstream drive-thru trailer even more. Gush. Zingerman's is the bomb. Flat out.
(5)
matt p.
I have always had great food at all of Z-mans outlets, (the deli, the bakery outlet, here) but at the roadhouse the portions are smallish and overpriced, so i would give 5 stars for quality of the food and 2 for prices and the portion size. The atmosphere is great.
(3)
Eileen S.
Overall impression: disappointing food, tiny portions, ridiculously expensive, noisy atmosphere, slow service. My boyfriend and I tried Zingerman's Roadhouse last night for the first time. We were underwhelmed. I had no idea that tiny portions of average food could be so expensive. I have no respect for a restaurant that charges as much as they possibly can whether the food is deserving of that price or not. Such as a $3 Arnold Palmer ice tea. Really Zingerman's? You feel good making probably a 500% profit on a glass of ice tea? Is that necessary? So I'll cut to the chase: my $14.50 BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwich was ok but very small for the price (the bun was maybe the size of a kid's meal burger) and it had a very small amount of chicken on the sandwich. There was more bread than chicken. The fries that came with the meal were really good, although oversalted. The waiter conned me into ordering a side of their mac & cheese. I didn't realize--until the bill came--that it was $9.50 for what amounted to about a 1/2 cup of penne pasta in cheese sauce. I was so shocked at the price I actually asked the waiter if he had made a mistake on the bill! My boyfriend ordered the Chicken Fried Steak which he said was ok but not the best he's had. The three sides he chose were the Mustard Cole Slaw and mashed potatoes which were very good, and rice...which looked like plain white rice to me. Then it was the usual wait for our bill, wait for him to pick up my card, wait for him to return with the final bill, etc. So for our two dinners the bill came to $48. I never mind spending that much on a good meal, but this one was so disappointing. We have no reason to go back. Oh, and I forgot to mention how loud it was in there. I absolutely hate having to shout out my dinner conversation. Ugh.
(1)
Jessica R.
Saying Zingerman's Roadhouse is delicious is like saying that fire is hot. But, my goodness, is Zingerman's Roadhouse delicious. We both got the same thing--the super sampler of burgers, which gives you 5 sliders, each with different cheese, and a side of fries--and were both wowed. The meat is delicious, the cheesy melty and complementary, even the bun was tasty. The fries may have been the best I've had in my life; they're somehow more potatoey than other fries. We didn't try much else (drank water, and had only the bread-with-butter, which they automatically give you), but I get the feeling everything here would be delicious. Why 4 stars, and not the full 5? The ambiance is a little chain restauranty (think upscale Applebees or Friday's), and the prices are pretty steep.
(4)
Bo D.
Somehow, it took me until my fifth year living in Ann Arbor to finally step inside one of the Zingerman's places. I had turned back a few times in the past due to the long waiting times, but this time I had a reservation. The food was very good, to the point that I will likely be back soon. But the service...well, let's just say that next time I'm bringing a pile of exams to grade while I wait.
(4)
Andrea S.
1) Whether the restaurant, the deli, the bakery, staff is uber friendly and helpful. 2) I am a pimento cheese snob. There are few of us outside of the south, so I have to take on the burden of being the responsible one in the family. So freakin' good. 3) Brussels sprouts. How do I love thee? Let me count using the Zingerman's offering....you are just a hair short of my love for my husband 4) While everyone raves about their mac and cheese (too rich for me, but delicious) and all their meats (not a huge meat eater), their vegetarian offerings are top notch. Fish is fresh, fresh, fresh. And delicious. 5) Breads are amazing. Deli has meats and cheeses you won't see anywhere else. I could go on and on about Zingermans...worth every good thing said about them. The reason for four instead of five stars? EXPENSIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! People who would love to try the food, but have a very limited income, aren't going to be able to get more than an appetizer or salad. Wish there were some lower price, or maybe smaller portions and smaller price, items.
(4)
Kristine N.
Really cute restaurant and everything is made in house which is amazing. Food was decent, drinks were decent, nothing stood out except how they make their food.
(3)
Julia K.
Tie me up with Mac N Cheese & slather me with hot BBQ sauce, but only if it's from Zingerman's. I could die fat and happy if I ate here every day of the rest of my life. + Stars - The menu. It changes. Daily. What?! That's so LA! + Stars - Locals Rule! Love you team Z for caring that your produce and everything possible - that hot sauce of heavenly love included - is local, yokel and all. + Stars - The grilled cheese sammich. Oh Oh OH as the When Harry Met Sally lady would say. I am slamming my hands on the counter in the pleasure that is 7 year cheddar melted between crispy, buttery toasty good sourdough. + Stars - Decor Galore. Over 2000 salt n pepper shakers are displayed here. And the walls are painted here and there (like on the way to the loo) with fun, fanciful designs. Oh, and there's an Airstream-y trailer. I could literally live here. I would pitch my tent in the parking lot (Which they use to have a Farmer's Market once a week when it's not arctic out), get fresh in the adorable multi-stall bathroom, and eat eat eat til I explode. Zingermans, you make Michigan proud.
(5)
Meggie S.
Zingerman's was fantastic! I made my way to the Roadhouse for only the second time last week, Friday around lunch. The smell of the barbecue outside is enough to make you drool, but I couldn't resist getting some of their famous macaroni and cheese. I chose the Smoked Chicken and Monterey Jack. It came out piping hot and delicious! Not bad paired with their ice tea, as well. Our service was top notch, which is usually the kicker for me. The host was friendly and our waitress was super on top of things. She saw me giving my boyfriend a gift and offered us an amazing dessert on the house for his birthday -- the doughnut sundae. Light with the perfect amount of crispy, sweet and creamy... Unbelievably delicious! It's pretty rare to find a place with great service AND food. Clearly you get what you pay for at Zingerman's. I'll definitely be back!
(5)
Marie L.
Since I have family that lives blocks away from the Roadhouse, we eat there frequently. The ONLY con of this place is the wait you encounter. On a Tuesday night, at 7pm, the wait-time for a table is often over an hour. All of the dishes can be split if your goal is fiscal responsibility. If you're not concerned about cash, order different items and share. The menu changes frequently based on seasons and availability, so you never know when the item you're eying will be on the menu again. My favorites: Goat cheese enchiladas Goat cheese pasta New Mexico chicken sandwich Chili - cheese fries I have never had a bad meal here. Even when I don't feel like clogging my arteries - they have plenty of appealing (and delicious) healthy options. It's not all just for the fatties. I LOVE their emphasis on local; you'll notice, on the wall leading to the bathroom, a huge map of Michigan naming the cities and farms where their menu items come from. The waitstaff is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. They almost always can rattle off the menu items on request and give thoughtful, intelligent opinions on food and beverage options. Speaking of beverages....they have a great selection of wines and microbrews. I could go on all day about how much I love this place! Best time to avoid a wait is during the week, between lunch and dinner (2:30-5)...
(5)
Pascal M.
The only thing that would make Zingerman's Roadhouse better was if Patrick Swayze, the baddest bouncer in the world, was there to greet you at the door. BAD ATTITUDE? POW! Roundhouse kick to the mouth, followed by a throat rip!!! OK, OK OK, that got out of hand. I've dined in once, had a pretty good time. Every other time I get my food to-go from their little cable car that's outside. I love getting food to go. The service is uber friendly and they do a great job of ensuring your orders complete. What's not to love? They have a damn Macaroni and Cheese section. I typically get their BBQ Ribs, Beef, or Pork. All are very good. For sides I get their Bacon Braised Greens and Side of Mac-n-Cheese. Both are very impressive. If you pay a little extra, you can get a side of mac from their mac section. I've also had their Buttermilk fried Chicken. Feels like a Sunday atcha Grammamma's. Zingerman's is an amazing company. The Roadhouse may not be their finest hour, but they still put out great product in a great environment.
(5)
levramosis H.
I'm not going to rate the food. Everyone knows the food here is good. I love the sweet potato fries and their spicy dip so much I would like to swim in them Scrooge-McDuck-diving-in-his-gold style. And let's not mention the donut sundae (and it's many other days-of-the-week variations) Really, don't mention them because I will want one right now and will agonize over which to choose. What I go to the Roadhouse for (in addition to the two things mentioned above) is a great craft cocktail and the company of the fabulous bartenders, the most amazing of which is Cris. If he had a fan club, my BF and I would join.
(5)
Joyce H.
I'll have to come back and review this again - 3 stars for now! I was really excited to come here because when I think of Ann Arbor, I think of Zingerman's. It's a little different from the deli (which I love!) My company and I walked in on a busy Sunday afternoon to a table that we had reserved ahead of time. This was very convenient. This is one of my friends' favorite every-day go-to restaurants in AA. I felt right at home with the decorations (lots of maize and blue - excellent) and our private booth. Besides the Michigan decorations and the nice open kitchen, there wasn't too much else that struck me. Food: Food-wise, we were served complimentary bread & butter (pretty good) and pimento cheese with celery. This was pretty delicious! I ordered a Memphis Mac-n-cheese after hearing that their mac-n-cheese is #1 in some ranking. I knew I should have gone with either the original or the pimento - the Memphis had bacon & pulled pork BBQ which was tasty (and looked beautiful/colorful), but I found the BBQ flavor to be a little on the salty and overwhelming side. I couldn't taste much of the cheese. My friend ordered a mac-n-cheese side and I was much happier after I tasted his dish. He ordered the hamburger and his wife ordered the scallops - both looked pretty delicious! I ordered a side of roasted veggies (potatoes, carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, etc.) and this was delicious!! I ate the whole thing almost right away. I could probably eat this all the time. Finally, we had dessert. It was fried cheesecake with chili syrup. My friend joked that it looked like a giant eggroll. It was a great end to the meal - chili was a great kick, but not too mind-blowing overall. I enjoyed my company, and the service was friendly & helpful. Great experience, but perhaps I'll have some better fare next time.
(3)
Adam M.
Reasons why I give it 5 stars: Highest Quality in Michigan. 7 year Aged Cheddar that you can taste. Fantastic concept, with flawless execution. Oyster bar with sweet potato fries, oh yea. Great feel. A little quirky, but always comfortable. I really like Zingey's Burger with the 7 year Aged Cheddar. Simply phenomenal, and you will be able to taste the difference in the cheese. The oysters are also fabulous, along with the draft beer selection. My picky brother calls the beef brisket the best sandwich he's had, and I enjoy it as well. Simply put: You get what you pay for. The prices are high and Zingey's delivers every time.
(5)
Kyle M.
Wish I was cool enough to bash this place but my nit picker is a little rusty. All i could find was delicious food, friendly service, and a comfortable atmosphere. Tip: Sit at the chefs counter to get the full experience.
(4)
Bill S.
I love this place so much. Everytime I come to Ann Arbor, I try to get in here. The food is really, truly amazing. The service is fantastic. I love that everything is fresh and mostly local. If you're looking for a great place to eat, this is it.
(5)
Nikki P.
The Sweet Potato Fry Appetizer is the best thing in the whole world. Their chipotle mayo is the best. It's fair priced but they're always super busy so you have to wait for a table. Everything tastes fresh and delicious.
(4)
Robert F.
I have eaten here a number of times and typically have results that are from pleased to very pleased. The prices are high, even for the quality. However, the last time I ate there I ordered the lamb goulash for $26. The overall size of the serving was on the small side. I could have handled that, but what was unacceptable was that there were only two itty-bitty, and I mean miniscule pieces of lamb in the entire goulash. It was more a thick soup with so little meat. Since I was taking a number of guests out for the meal, I wasn't comfortable sending the dish back, as it wouldn't have been comfortable for some of my guests. Besides, I shouldn't have to be put in this position. Otherwise, service was the typical well done service. Others seemed to enjoy their food.
(3)
Jenni H.
While in my mind nothing can compare with Zingerman's sandwiches (so unbelievably yummmmmm), the roadhouse is a fun place to get a taste (pun intended) of another style of Zingerman's creations. They have a huuuge menu, which I would rate as only somewhat vegetarian friendly (at least for main dishes), but I could easily just eat appetizers and desserts here and be more than stuffed. Definitely check out their cheese flights (and try the grapes that accompany them-delicious!). And of course, pretty much every dessert on the menu is super-decadent--I would have eaten two or three if there were room in my tummy. They even have a gelato flight. This place always seems to be busy (there was a 30 minute wait for 3 even on a Sunday night), so I would definitely recommend making reservations.
(4)
Thor I.
Have eaten there twice, didn't impress me. Friendly staff, ok food, but a bit boring. Very salty and few vegetables.
(3)
Opinionated B.
My Friday Night 12:00am: pre-game 1:00am: jimmy johns 2:00am: beer pong 3:00am: rock out to 80's music and lady gaga 4:00am: passed out 5:00am: passed out 6:00am: passed out 7:00am: wake up to pee, then pass out 8:00am: passed out 9:00am: passed out 10:00am: passed out 11:00am: passed out 12:00pm: awake, but barely 1:00pm: awake, but starving 2:00 pm: go to zingerman's and order the bacon cheddar waffle 2:30pm: devour the bacon cheddar waffle, and all is right with the world.
(4)
Nico S.
I am not an uppity white lady.... but this is unacceptable... Zingermanns roadhouse is overpriced, mediocre waitstaff, and completely unprofessional billing!!! We had to return 2 burgers to the kitchen to be recooked after the "medium" was delivered completely raw on the inside.... not acceptable when you are paying up the ^%$ for it... If its an $8 meal ok... whatevs... but at $15+tax+tip for a burger it should come out right the first time...total bill for a party of 7 = $190... WORST OF ALL: I was charged an additional $80 to my credit card for a separate purchase that I didnt even make!!!! The charge is pending, and has not been posted yet, but it still seals off any chance of me visiting again. UPDATE: The $80+ charge did not post, and the staff was friendly over the phone, when I called... Something strange though: I was transferred to the person who handles payment issues and he said that he would have to call me back because had to check the payment logs on a computer in another room, which doesnt have a phone... If the office is actually set up like that, it makes me wonder...
(1)
Pebbles And Bam Bam A.
Like their deli, I really want to like the Roadhouse, given that it's a local gem. But every time I eat here, I'm disappointed. During my last visit, I ordered their original mac 'n cheese. I'm a HUGE mac 'n cheese fan and was hoping my distant memory of theirs not being good was incorrect. Alas, my memory served me correctly. The cheese to noodle ratio is 3:1. The cheese itself is pretty good, but the overall sauce is oily and like glue. I brought leftovers home (don't know why....), and the dish and utensils I used now hate me - concrete, greasy sauce stuck to them that could be permanent. I'm all for cheesy, gooey goodness that provides more than the daily recommended grams of fat. But these grams of fat are not at all worth it. I also ordered a Bloody Mary (Sunday morning therapy :) Ok but not good. Their bloody mix is a bit bland, but they try to cover it with lots of ground pepper. My husband, who loves sausage and breakfast meats, was completely turned off by their sausage patties - very dry and without flavor. I don't eat oysters, but apparently their selection and quality is good. My only question is why a family-style restaurant in the Midwest is well known for their oysters-? More ironically, Zingerman's prides themselves on serving local foods, yet their oysters are flown thousands of miles (possibly every day, or at least very regularly). So the Roadhouse wouldn't be my first choice for oysters if I ate them. The upside is that the staff were great. We loved our server; very personable, friendly, and helpful. Sorry, Zingerman's. You're like the person who, on paper, should be perfect for me, yet our dates never live up to my expectations...
(2)
Sean B.
GREAT service, great food.
(4)
Seoung L.
My friends and Yelp people rave about this place and I finally got to see what the fuss is about. We ate outside (which is covered from the sun) and it was a great eating experience. The waiter (Matt) was on top of his game. Outstanding service and great at giving recommendations. Going against what my waiter (His name is Matt and he was an outstanding waiter) told me I tried the Fried Chicken because of the great reviews. I was pretty disappointed! The breading/skin was really tasty and crispy. However, the the chicken itself was nothing special. I would actually rather have KFC to be honest. Good thing I also got the Mac and Cheese because it was outstanding. Great mix of cheeses and the pasta was al dente. We got the sweet potato fries and onion rings for appetizer. The sweet potato fries was the best I ever had. The onion rings were terrible. We also got dessert. The Donut Sundae... wow. It was very very delicious. Get it! I think the price is little bit too high for the type of food it serves. It's a casual dining place and you do not have to dress up even though the prices of the food makes you think it's high class. You should make a reservation on weekends. I will come back here again to try some ribs and other types of Mac and Cheese. Good - Mac & Cheese, Sweet Potato fries, Donut sundae, Waitstaff Bad - Fried Chicken, onion rings, Price
(4)
Kate B.
I'm sorry ZRH, but after years of mediocre, to downright-inedible food interspersed with a stellar meal once-in-a-blue-moon, I can no longer dine with you. Last night was the last straw: I ordered a dozen oysters, raw, on the 1/2 shell. Each oyster, while fresh, was the size of a dime, the brine enough to fill a mouses' thimble. $6 each. They were NOT freed from the shell, I had to scrape the sad little things up with a teaspoon. They were Malpeques, and should have made at least a mouthful apiece! My entree: leathery, overcooked, uninspired scallops, $28 for 6 of them. $28! You ruined beautiful shellfish by throwing them in a pan in a wad--I could tell, they came glued-together on the plate, almost raw in the cold center of the pile and bitter, leathery, and over-cooked on the edges. The spinach saute' that came with, was 1/2 cooked and gritty...gritty with sand. The igantic Krakatoa of mashed-potatoes did little to assuage my disgust (if it blunted my hunger) at the subpar cooking. Science help me, but I ate most of it - I was ravenous. Why did I do it? WHY? Every time I dine at ZRH I want to love the food, and with the prices - I feel I HAVE to love the food...it's the Emperor's New Clothes of restaurants! My husband ordered a burger and felt ill afterwards...was it the unseasoned meat or the cold, greasy, heavy fries that came with? Our other dinner guests couldn't even eat 1/3 of what they ordered it was so bad...the only edible item on the table was the fried chicken (actually, it was great hence the extra star). I've had better food at Red Lobster. It was insulting paying the bill (our server was very nice, if harried). The dining rooms were awful: full of smug, loud-mouth, ostentatious diners (lots of bratty/misbehaving children running amok without any notice from their snotty parents.) Zings: we LOVE your baked goods, retail items, and deli shop, but this restaurant has been consistently bad and is on our black list.
(1)
Robyn T.
I've had Zingerman's bookmarked forever so I took the hubs for his birthday. To be expected it was packed, but i had made a reservation so we were seated right away. It's a very fun, all American atmosphere and I instantly felt comfortable. Our service was excellent but the real hero of the evening was the food. I don't think I can order fried chicken anywhere else as they will all suffer by comparison. Also, the mac and cheese is to die for! Other faves were the sweet potato fries, the ribs, and who can forget the mashed potatoes and gravy. Because it was a birthday, they brought out a piece of chocolate cake, which was fabulous! I ate so much I started getting dizzy and seeing stars, but I seriously could not stop. Although the prices aren't too outlandish, the restaurant is expensive. I'm sure we are paying for the Zingerman's name rather than the food. But this is an excellent place and I know I'll be back.
(4)
Lou B.
Ordered bbq chicken sandwich from take out menu $6.85 and added sweet potato fries. She says $17.90 please. Gave her a $20 and when she returned with my change I wanted to confirm what I had ordered, she says "oh the chicken sandwich is bigger" I thought did I just order a whole chicken or something. I received my carry out, it was a bit of shredded ckicken on a round bun with a side of greasy fries. The worst chicken sandwich and side of fries I had and for $17.90. Are you kidding me? Do not give these crooks any business.
(1)
Barnaby F.
Does Yelp need another review of the Roadhouse? Probably not. But for the benefit of my loyal followers, and in the interest of being a good patron, I will tell you a couple of things. Number One - get a seat either at the bar or in the bar area. The ghost of Bill Knapps still haunts this property, and the lighting mysteriously gets too bright and harsh in the other rooms. The bar is more fun and lively, and if you know the secret of Zingerman's (which I won't divulge here) the bar is the best place to take advantage of that. Number Two - the fried chicken really is all that. As far as I'm concerned, this is where the James Beard award came from and went to. Totally worth it. Number Three - there is no number three. Number Four - If you need a quick coffee and a little something in the morning, the drive through is awesome, but here's the trick - skip the line by actually *gasp* PARKING your car and WALKING up to the walk up window in the trailer. They will server you faster, and you will have the joy of interacting with humans and breathing air, while your engine isn't idylly idling. Number Five - they make some very good cocktails and have an excellent bar. have I mentioned the bar? Go to the bar. Number six - that scruffy lanky guy refilling your water glass probably owns the place. Tell him what you think. Number seven - the secret is out on the roadhouse - in fact it's gotten out, run around town, come home, had a nap on the sofa, and baked a pie. If you want to get in in a timely fashion, beware of things like football weekends, when everybody and his Uncle Fred is already in line. The roadhouse is one of the places I'll miss about not living in Michigan, and one of the places I'll frequently return to on short trips home.
(4)
Laci S.
This is an Ann Arbor staple if you know what's good for you. We love their breakfast menu, but lunch and dinner are really good too. The eggs with grits that have melted vermont cheddar is divine. I also love that they have the drive through for pick up! Its a fabulous option when you want take out, but don't have to park and go in, wait and pay, etc. Just drive up, tell them your name, pay and your off! The chocolate cake is seriously the best I've ever had. I dont know if its the frosting they make or what.. but trust me on this one, its AWESOME!
(4)
Jenn L.
I think this place is overrated and overpriced.However, I didn't get their famous sweet potato fries when I went. (I only learned afterwards that's what you're supposed to get there) Nonetheless, my parents and I got the BBQ platter, the mushroom mac n' cheese, and 6 oysters as well as some beers because they were on special. The BBQ platter was underwhelming. For it to be priced at 30$ was outrageous... it definitely wasn't worth that much in quality. The Shiitake Mushroom Macaroni was also not what I was expecting for a $20 dish. The taste was mostly white wine and a hint of mushroom. Otherwise, it was just pasta with clear sauce. Also, finally, the oysters were the tiniest oysters I have ever seen. Don't ever get oysters there. Each one was about $3 if I'm not mistaken. Definitely not worth it. So, all in all, overrated and overpriced.
(2)
David K.
Over rated and overpriced
(2)
Laura L.
Our family has been regulars since the Roadhouse opened in 2004, the year we got married. Who wouldn't like this place? People who are watching their diet. Look, it's not for everyone and that's okay. A place known for its barbecue, fries, enormous portions, bread, and a signature dessert that is a donut topped with ice cream and whipped cream isn't exactly courting weight watchers. I tried my first oyster here. Barbecued of course. But I'd have to say my favorites are the service, the friendliness of the staff, and did I mention the barbecue? My favorite time to eat here is actually their breakfast. Applewood smoked bacon, eggs with some melted cheddar and peppers, and some hash browns - ask for them a little well done. It's a place to indulge. Everything they do is big. Big flavor. Big enthusiasm. Big portions.
(5)
Bob B.
Zingermann's is a local legend, of course. Of all their offerings (deli, bakehouse, creamery, etc.) the Roadhouse is my favorite. It's a bit on the pricey side and not all of the food is great, but when I find something I like, I usually REALLY REALLY like it. I'm a bit of a BBQ snob and I don't love Z's 'cue. I love their grits, I love their hamburgers, I love their huevos rancheros. More than anything, I love the whole experience. I've got a grade-school and a middle-school child. Along with my wife, we've been going to the Roadhouse for years and everytime --except for once--it's been a fun outing. Good service, good food (once you figure out what you like/don't like) and a fun atmosphere. What makes their food exceptional is the ingredients. They really choose their ingredients with care.
(4)
Diana K.
Ah, just as good as I remembered. This is the only deli that I can justify the high costs and long wait time for... and I'm not even a deli kind of person. Heart.
(5)
Friend of D.
This place has some very creative menu choices and the service / atmosphere is cool. We got some po boy sandwiches for lunch and all were good. The only bad thing for me was my BBQ platter, which had 4 types of BBQ meats. The food itself was fine, but man were the quantities of each meat TINY! Literally 2 ribs, a spoon-sized helping of shredded BBQ, and an equally small portion of the other two meats. For $28, I felt that I should at least get something more than this. The sandwiches & fries that the others in my party ordered were very generous sizes, so maybe BBQ is treated like a rarity?!?
(3)
Erin B.
I got the BBQ plate and a side of mac-n-cheese. Their mac-n-cheese is famous (per the waitress) and delectable. Someone else at the table got the fried chicken and I definitely had plate envy--I had to try it. I will certainly be getting the fried chicken on my next visit.
(4)
Shane M.
Hush puppies were delicious, as was the burger sampler. I just wished they were labeled so I could know which delicious cheese I was eating! Very fun atmosphere, prices are a little above average, but worth the quality.
(4)
Robert J.
For my review of Zingerman's Roadhouse, I'm going to have to plagiarize myself, stealing from comments I made in a blog entry from November 23, 2008. That review can be found at the following URL :http://robjurado.wordpress.com/2008/11/ Just scroll down a bit to a blog entry entitled "Meat and Greet: Michael Symon, Roast, Detroit, MI." Zingerman's Roadhouse states that they serve "really good American food." I may have to disagree with that statement. I would probably have to say that they serve some really good American food, and they have some truly outstanding items as well. I have been to Zingerman's Roadhouse a number of times. One evening Ari Weinzweig himself was there pouring water for guests. Generally, it's just the same friendly staff knowingly and enthusiastically serving great food. Sure, it's a bit more expensive than the same dishes that you might find elsewhere, but it's on another level entirely. Not every restaurant has an executive chef who was nominated by the James Beard Foundation for Best Chef: Great Lakes as Alex Young was in 2009. My favorite items are generally classics that one would find elsewhere, but Alex Young and his crew elevate them to a rarefied level. I love the Chili and Cheddar Fries; their selection of oysters; the Buttermilk-Fried Free-Range Chicken; the Chicken-Fried Steak, Roadhouse Macaroni & Cheese; Macaroni, Smoked Chicken & Monterey Jack; The Peacemaker Po' Boy; Pit-Smoked Spare Ribs; the Zingerman's Creamery Gelato selections; the Bagel, Smoked Salmon & Artisan Cream Cheese (no joke, the best I've had in recent memory); the Eggs Benedict (again, no joke, the best I've had in recent memory); and the Roadhouse Corndogs--in no specific order. The two items that I can't seem to ever forget--two items I have eaten most often there--are the fried chicken and the ribs. I've even gone there and gotten a half-order of chicken and a half-rack of ribs. The chicken is made from Amish, free-range chicken. It is seasoned beautifully, but simply. It's crispy, and it's down-home. It's so tasty. Honestly, I can't stop ordering this chicken. The ribs are so tender that any attempt to pull them apart by the bone will result in the bone coming out cleanly, leaving the meat behind. The meat is succulent, tender, and beautifully flavored. They taste so good that the exemplary Alex's Red Rage BBQ sauce, which is served on the side, often goes forgotten by me. I have to make a conscious effort to remember to apportion some ribs for eating with the sauce. I think these are the best ribs I have had in the area. Another "best" that I've had at Zingerman's Roadhouse is the fantastic Chili and Cheddar Fries. These fries are topped with an ancho-beef chili, which is made with hand-cut Niman Ranch beef and black beans. The chili has this wonderful smoky flavor that sets it apart from the mediocre masses. The beef is likewise of such obvious quality that it's so hard to ignore. The fries themselves are twice-cooked, light, and just perfect. The 2-year-aged Vermont Cheddar is also the perfect compliment to the dish. I'm actually salivating as I write this. I wish Zingerman's Roadhouse had a branch closer to where I live. If it were anywhere within a twenty-minute drive, I would be there much more often. As it is, the 40- to 45-minute drive (in good conditions) from my place to Ann Arbor is a real turn-off for me. I can, however, rest assured that I'm going to be very satisfied with my meal at Zingerman's Roadhouse. When I go out there, I tend to make an afternoon of it by visiting other Zingerman's stores such as the deli, bakery, and creamery. There, I go shopping with the zeal of a shopaholic on Black Friday at an outlet mall! Addendum: You have got to try the burgers, especially the grass-fed one. Beefy nirvana.
(5)
Michelle L.
This place is definitely as good as it gets, in every way possible. Amazing food, sourced locally (sometimes from their own farm), great servers, and really fun seating at the counter! I really wish that I lived closer to Ann Arbor, because I would be frequenting Zingerman's Roadhouse far more often! But I would probably get kinda fat...everything I like there is serious comfort food. So serious I need a nap immediately after eating at Zingerman's! So, let me explain this counter seating to you because I feel like I'm giving away a little secret...Make a reservation to sit at the counter (not the bar) which is right in front of where the food comes out. Your servers will tell you, if you see anything coming out of the kitchen that looks good and you want to try-just tell them and they will give you a sample! I love that! It is like having built in entertainment while eating. Plus if you can't decide between two things they will just give you a sample of the one you don't order! First off, you absolutely have to get the mac and cheese...it is unbelievable! The macaroni they use for it is so different than anything else, and the way they put it together allows the pasta to remain al dente which never happens with mac and cheese. I would also suggest the pimento cheese they make in house, either the appetizer with celery or the american fry bread (my favorite). The fry bread is a piece of their bread fried in bacon fat, spread with pimento cheese and then topped off with pepper bacon...yeah, its REALLY good! I've also tried their fried chicken and the mini burger sampler with 5 different cheeses (a really good way to try a bunch of the amazing cheese they have). I'd suggest upgrading any burger you get there to the cornman farms beef, which is their own beef that they raise naturally. It is delicious. Basically, just go to Zingermans and order anything-you will be happy! Just make sure to starve yourself before because you are about to do some serious eating!! Writing this makes me really want to go there right now...
(5)
Ryanne O.
Go here rather than the bakehouse. Great food, locally grown, they even have their own farm in Dexter, Mi. Even though this is not the original it is much better and the wait isn't nearly as bad. During our visit the head chef even came up to us and gave us samples because we were on the fence on what to order.
(5)
Caroline C.
I'm sorry to say, the honeymoon is over. Let's split the money, pack up our bags, ship the kids off every other weekend. After being transported to heaven and back during our first visit with the fried chicken, there simply isn't anything else on the menu that impressed us on subsequent visits. Not the burgers, not the BBQ beef, not even the plain-as-Jane mac-and-cheese. Yes, I am sure that the ingredients are just as local and just as fresh.... but Zingerman's, can't you make things taste better for what I just paid?? It's like finding out the guy you've been dating for 6 months is pretty to look at, saves puppies for a living, and gets along with your mother (super gold star!)... but has no other reedeming traits. That, unfortunately, is not enough for love. Sorry, Zingerman's, we did try to make it work, but it's not me, it's you.
(3)
Beck E.
I'm not sure what the big deal is. The food is fine, not great... and not as good as I'd expect from the price. At least the waitstaff is friendly, and the ($9) mimosas are good.
(3)
Mark E.
I will admit that this place is somewhat overpriced for what you get, but it is Zingerman's after all(!) Regardless, this is one of my regular places for both lunch and dinner (partly due to its proximity) and I would dearly miss it if it weren't here. Love seeing Ari there filling water glasses and giving out samples. I really like it as a place to enjoy a drink as well as they have quality versions of many classic cocktails and usually some great beers on tap. As I unfortunately say in many of these reviews, not a lot of great vegetarian options (entrees) My favorites include the New Mexico grilled chicken sandwich (which seems to disappear and reappear from the menu), burgers, smoked chicken macaroni and cheese, fried chicken, sardines (when they have as a special), the chili, meatball sandwich, sweet potato fries. As you may divine from the above list, hearty food!
(4)
Benjamin M.
Automatic 5-star because you can't get iced tea this good anywhere in Ann Arbor. We go here a lot, usually for brunch because it's less expensive. The menu changes frequently, but there are a few regulars worth noting. The Grits & Bits waffle, a holy trinity of bacon, cheese and waffle, is the greatest innovation in food since, well, food. If you go here and it is on the menu, you should get it. The pulled pork sandwich is delicious, thanks to appropriate use of an actual smoker on the premises (the smell of which blankets half of west Ann Arbor). The grilled cheese is classic, but probably a touch over-priced. Given the above, I've never actually had cause to order the mac and cheese, but others swear by it. You can also order absolutely delicious hot tea, but it'll set you back $4. The associated drive-through, run out of a perma-trailer in the parking lot, adds a tasty, inexpensive and quick option and, as a bonus, offers the same delicious iced tea! Unbeatable! The best restaurant in town, then. It's a little out of the way and pricier than some of the competition, but worth the drive and cost. Unfortunately, it's not that vegetarian friendly. The omelette of the day is usually vegetarian (and tasty), as are the decent huevos rancheros. Don't get the salad. You're only hurting yourself.
(5)
Jill S.
Staff is so knowledgeable about the food it will blow your mind. I was a little shy to try this place since I'm not a big meat eater, but I was pleasantly surprised by all the vegetarian options.
(5)
Trevor M.
This place is awesome for a quick sandwich or pick up order. I recommend their buttermilk chicken if you want awesome moist fried chicken. Can't go wrong with any of their bread or cookies and brownies. Make sure to get in the bread club and earn yourself a free loaf after a few visits. Also their open faced meat loaf sandwich is remarkable
(4)
Frances C.
To start with the good, the service and atmosphere at Roadhouse is always great. Very attentive and willing to bend over backwards to fulfill any special requests. The only problem I have is that the food underwhelms me almost everytime I go. There is not one dish (with the exception of the sweet potato fries) that I would crave. Of course, I still go now and then because I think Zingermans as a company is worth supporting and because it is convenient to my house.
(3)
Matt M.
Great food! Many local and pasture raised food options. Its taken me years of hearing about this place to finally come in for a meal. Usually there is a wait to get a table so I pass this place up. We arrived at Zingermans for lunch on a Monday, were promptly seated, and had a Bells porter in front of me within 3 minutes. The decor is sort of an eclectic mix of farmhouse / BBQ joint / old lady's attic. Not very visually appealing to MY tastes, but the textured smell of smoldering hardwood and sweet cabbage was enough to make me forget about the thousands of ceramic salt and pepper shakers all over the walls. Prices are mid to high, but you get what you pay for. Every flavor of every ingredient seemed to be well thought out and married perfectly. I can't say enough about how good our food was. The few detractions are more distractions that real problems. Very often this place is too busy for me to deal with. It seems very loud when full of people. Too many different people came to our table. We were sat by the door host, drinks form another server, food order was taken by another waitress, then our 4 entrees were brought to us by two different people about 2 minutes apart. I was confused who I was supposed to ask for another drink for my mother-in-law. I'm glad that I've finally been to Zingermans Roadhouse, it really is a piece of what makes Ann Arbor what it is. I enjoy going to the Kerrytown location, but that's more for splitting a gelato and people-watching than for a meal. For those folks that are visiting the city I recommend you dropping in for lunch or dinner.
(4)
Holly R.
Let's get this out of the way: You'll need to dig a little deeper in your pockets to eat at Zingerman's Roadhouse than you might at a similar eatery. But oh man, is it ever worth it. I'm a Southern Girl, from SC in fact, and I can tell you that the grits are bang on perfect. The greens are delectable, the pork bbq (regardless of sauce) is divine, and the pimento cheese may actually be some kind of spiritual revelation. The SC Mustard BBQ sauce is fantastic, even though it's a bit spicier than the versions I had growing up. I will definitely keep returning to the Roadhouse and trying more of their inspired dishes. The staff is welcoming, helpful, and usually fairly witty. My only complaint would be that inside the restaurant the noise levels can get a little too high. I prefer sitting on the patio where I can enjoy fresh air as well as the fantastic food.
(5)
Tom W.
I always stop here whenever I'm in A^2. The ribs are fantastic, some of the best I have had anywhere. There is always a good selection of craft beer, and friendly service. Zingermans would be a stand out place in any city.
(5)
Brian G.
I am truly amazed to see this place filled to the gunnels everyday. The service is great that is for sure, the staff is really well trained. However the food is so-so to good and the prices are OUTRAGEOUS for what you get. These are the prices you expect to pay when entertaining a business client or an intimaate romantic dinner - BUT it is NOISY, CRAMPED and full of kids and families chowing down on super-over-priced chilli or 100% overpriced burgers or barbeque pork sandwiches.
(3)
Alex E.
I think that the reason people love the roadhouse is because a) we're in Michigan not near a coast so there's not great seafood and b), we're not in the south so people don't know what barbecue should taste like. Yes, the quality of the seafood is probably the best you can get in Ann Arbor since they fly it in so lickity split. It's okay. I've been three times, all three times at the expense of the College of Engineering (yay recruiting season!) - two times were full menu, the other time was just a part-menu. Last March when I went, they gave us a sweet potato soup which tasted like a dessert pudding - waaaay overboard on the marshmellow nonsense for an appetizer. I had the macaroni and cheese since I've never had it before and it's raved about and it was fine. I didn't think it was anything special until I compared it to Blue Tractor's the next day, and Zingerman's is far superior. Too heavy for my taste (and I do love cheese, so it's definitely not a question of that!) I've tried the pulled pork sandwich too, and this just kinda cemented my opinion that Michigan does not know barbecue. Still, decent for Ann Arbor. I rate on a global scale though, normalizing by price, hence the two stars.
(2)
Dee C.
Went to the roadhouse even though we were really not that hungry after all the food and drinks we had today....but we are in a new town so why the hell not! We had already made reservations so that was really good because it was homecoming week and it was packed! We ordered: Roadhouse garden: organic baby greens, red onion, cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, croutons. Very good dressing. Salad was crisp and fresh. Had a cider vinaigrette dressing and that was spectacular. Warm spinach salad: fresh spinach, roasted red peppers, leeks and fennel in a brown butter vinaigrette. The dressing seemed almost nonexistent. It tasted like oil. Spinach tasted good. Onions did not have much of a flavor Spicy green tomato soup: onions, celery, tomatoes, chilies and garlic. Very good spicy soup. It was interesting. They even gave us the recipe for it! Desserts: Ari's donut sundae: a housemade Dutch donut smothered in bourbon-caramel sauce, vanilla gelato, whipped cream, Virginia peanuts with cherry on top. Great ending to the night. Warm donut with ice cream with a cherry on top. Tasted great. Service was ok. It was crowded because it was homecoming week and they were sold out of some entrees. Otherwise, I was not all that impressed so it was just 3 stars for me. Entrees were hit or miss for me.
(3)
Janet L.
On a recent visit we hit the Roadhouse for what was expected to be great evening. However, we found service to be careless although the food was top notch. First, the bartender was stuck at the far end of the bar talking.....the bar wasn't packed. When served and paid, he shorted me by $10.00 in the change which was brought to his attention and responded to w a laugh. How many times in a night do people not check their change resulting in a built in tip? Second was the in attentive server who knocked a pint of water onto our table flooding 2 out of 3 guests and making our dinner a damp one. Pay attention..... Not asking a lot. Overall disappointing and stay on guard and keep and eye on the staff. Or go to one of the other great places in Ann Arbor.
(2)
Mike C.
This piece of the zingerman's empire is mostly a good experience for diners. The bread is always top-notch (perhaps the best zingerman's product). If you order carefully, you can get some really tasty food. The pit-smoked meat, barbecued meat, oak-grilled meat, etc., is very good. Basically it's good cuts of meat cooked over a wood fire, which provides you with all kinds of wonderful smoky flavors. Desserts can be a bit disappointing at times. I've noticed that sometimes special items on the menu, including desserts, can be a bit of a bust. Prices are on the high side. Zingerman's spends a good deal of energy telling us all how great they are, how they have the best ingredients from all over the world, etc etc. Clearly, their business plan is working. I have to say that I find it a bit much, however. My petty gripes aside, I keep coming back to The Roadhouse because they serve up good food, really good wood-fired meat, and fantastic bread.
(4)
Jen R.
This restaurant was hands down the best I've ever been to. The entire meal was delicious down to the iced tea. A friend who had been there before gave me recommendations and so I had some of their best items including oysters (covered in liquor and salt), a side of mac and cheese (the best mac and cheese I've ever had in my life), and an oyster po'boy with a garden salad. All were AMAZING. I also tried someone's sweet potato fries, and they were also incredible. Overall fantastic experience - exceptional service and food. I would encourage everyone to eat here.
(5)
Ben G.
Food was all around decent. I would have given 3 stars if not fir the hype. The sweet potato fries are not good and the burger was less than impressive. What was good was the cheese, beer, and Mac.
(2)
Amy Y.
They have great All American food. They have good prime ribs and snow crabs. Don't know if they still have the all you can eat on Mondays but I use to go then. The sweet potatoes are huge and yummy. Get that loaded up with butter and sugar. MMM! You definitely get a big portion served here.
(5)
Mary Ann C.
This place is fabulous! We went today for breakfast, and what a treat! I love the decor-especially all of the antique salt and pepper shakers! Our server, Mandy, was so sweet and helpful. She actually took the time to explain where the jams were from, how the sausage was made, and brought different types of hot sauces for my husband to try. She brought us samples of the fresh orange juice to try. She was a delight! Now...on to the food! I had the eggs benedict-lovely ham on top of sourdough bread! Yumm! Between the three of us, we tried both types of sausage patties and the bacon-all were delicious! My husband loved the potatoes that came with the breakfasts. The prices are on the higher end, but the food is top notch and portions are large! This is a must try spot if you are in Ann Arbor!
(5)
D M.
I have had nothing but good experiences, breakfast, lunch and dinner. In February we took a large party for a birthday and at least 50% of the entrees went back to the kitchen for being WAY to salty. The Chef 'agreed' with half of them (??), but they offered to replace all of them. Some said yes, some said no because it had been a busy night and we had already had to wait a while (we were informed of this ahead of time and it was not an issue). Ultimately ALL the entrees were comp'd along with a round of drinks AND we were given a gift card for another $50 after we had paid the bill. While this was not a 'good' experience, how it was handled made up for it in spades. The food is fantastic. It's local (produce) and generally organic. The beef (maybe all meat?) is grass fed on the farm a few miles away owned by the Chef. They source ingredients from all over the world, like their apple cider vinegar from Montreal, and then put their stories on the wall. Just a neat place. My wife and I were in for our first anniversary this past Saturday and Ari (co-founder of the Zing-Empire) was filling water glasses, running tickets, and cashing folks out. You gotta respect a rich owner who still goes to work, does real work with no fanfare or 'do you know who I am'.
(5)
Dave W.
Consistently the best restaurant in town. Everything is good. The secret.... They don't use crap to make their food. Order what you're in the mood for. If you don't want to spend 15-30.00 for dinner go somewhere else.
(5)
Becky L.
Decent food, if a little over priced. The macaroni and cheese is nice and filling, the collared greens are fairly perfect, and the bbq is passable. Overall, however, I feel that while Zingerman's makes a good attempt at classic soul food it falls just a little short of my expectations. I'm not sure I would have realized this before I moved to DC (where it is so easy to find great soul food) but there is definitely a little soul lacking in the execution. My vote: if you are hitting up a Zingerman's go to the deli downtown. The sandwiches there are much better than anything you will get at the RoadHouse.
(3)
kim d.
Bad. Just plain bad. It's like they hired a writer to insert as many adjectives as possible into the menu descriptions to make their food sound worthy. It's just not. Below average food, above average prices. What not to like?-ALOT unfortunately. I feel like such a sucker for having wasted money in this restaurant yet again.
(1)
Morgan D.
When I think about the old Roadhouse, that one blues riff comes into my head, so its like: I went down to the roadhouse (dunh dunh dunh dunh) to get some dinner to eat (dunh dunh dunh dunh) I ended up with some overpriced mac n cheese cause there's not much for a vegetarian to eat... So rhyming eat with eat is a crime, but I hope the blues jam part came through. Actually, I think the roadhouse is a nice place with some great people working there and pretty good food. But its overpriced and it has an interior that feels like a chain restaurant (TGI Zingerman's?) I don't know what a "Roadhouse" is- maybe something that only exists in a Patrick Swayze movie, but if there is a roadhouse on this planet somewhere, it probably doesn't look like this place inside. I'm just sayin... Still gonna give it 3 stars though.
(3)
James B.
For anyone reading my first few posts, one may get the impression that I have a decidedly anti-American food bias. Quite the contrary, I LOVE it. I love Maryland blue crabs, Texas brisket, New Orleans mudbugs, Carolina BBQ, San Francisco cioppino, Virginia ham, New York anything, Wisconsin dairy (of course), Michigan cherries, and on and on. One could literally spend a lifetime sampling regional cuisines of the USA... what a delicious occupation that would be! What I don't like is when a restaurant uses an ethnic sounding name or theme, claims to be "Authentic", but then adjusts the cuisine in question to appeal to a mass audience, a trend I refer to as Americanizing, as it often applies to places here in the US. Think of any one of the chain restaurants - Brio, PF Changs, Kona Grill, Bahama Breeze, Benihana, et.al . - you'll know what I mean. This disturbing trend has found it's way to over-seas places that mainly cater to the American tourist... I am saddened every time I think of Playa del Carmen and how the restaurants doing well down there, with their "authentic Mexican cuisine", serve the same kind of over-cheesed, refried beaned, over-hot-sauced crap that's served here at places like Chi-Chi's or Don Pablo's. To find the real stuff, the good stuff, the authentic stuff... go where the locals go. But I digress. What does this have to do with a review of Zingerman's Roadhouse? Everything! The Roadhouse isn't trying to be anything else but a place to get good old American food representing the various regions of the US... ribs, fried chicken, mac & cheese, grits, oysters, peanut butter, fruit preserves, and more... in all their American glory. Nowhere on the menu will you find "Asian influenced", "Nouveau French inspired", or "Latin flavored" anything. The beauty of what they are doing here is that for the dishes, they source the ingredients locally and, whenever possible, from the very region the dish hails from. There is a reason the Southern style fried chicken tastes like the fried chicken from the south... authentic ingredients. "But James, you haven't said a thing about the actual food!" Well here ya go... Fried chicken - crispy, juicy, perfectly seasoned... 'nuf said. Ribs - the first time I had this dish, I was taking hold of the bone to cut off a rib, when the bone came out completely clean, now that's fall off the bone tender! No sauce is necessary as the ribs are succulent by themselves. For whatever reason, I am personally not a big fan of barbeque sauce (maybe a freak bbq sauce accident I have suppressed?!) but I like theirs so much that I actually use it. Mini corndogs - for someone like me, who grew up in rural Wisconsin, this brings tears to the eyes. These are a staple of any Wisconsin fair and Zingerman's does them right... served only with mustard, not that red abomination the heathens use. Shrimp and grits - tasty I could go on and on but we have that character limit. Yes, Zingerman's is pricey and yes, it's a 45minute drive to get there... it's all worth it.
(5)
Nick F.
I appreciate the whole "locally grown organic" food movement but charging 15 dollars for a pulled pork sandwich is bad business anyway you cut it., i don't care if Jesus himself raised that pig I shouldn't need to pay 40% percent over normal restaurant prices. Especially when the food is only so-so.
(2)
Kevin S.
Traverse City, Michigan and Cleve/Akron, Ohio are exactly one meal apart in driving time. Just type in the address for Zingerman's Roadhouse on Google Map, and the rest of the trip will magically flow along... Can you tell I'm in rapture? Here's how you make this a five star experience: Get there either early, or late. Dine during "shoulder" times, off-peak, and you'll experience the greatest meal within about five hunnert miles. I poop you not. Heading north for another graduation, meeting up with dozens of family, and car-pooling with five, two of whom had never been Zingermanned, we made it an early lunch. No crowd. Attentive service. I can't recall another dining experience recently in which every worker was smiling. It can border on cult-like, this place; they know and love this food. Every bite is a new experience. I'm not usually a fan of "here taste some of mine," but I do that here. I don't want to miss a morsel and love to read and learn about the foods, their origins, their preparation. My non-foodie sister was nearly weeping in joy. If you take a look at the negative reviews, most list "had to wait for a table" or some other nonsense. Nonsense, I say. I'd wait through breakfast and lunch if I could have a dinner this good. Hell, I'd SKIP both meals. (We'll stop there on the way BACK, too!)
(5)
Erin Y.
Much like the deli, food quality is fairly close to excellent. However, much like their mail order business, the mark up is freakin' outrageous. Last I heard, the mac n chz was around 20 bucks. Seriously, considering the current economy in the state they are, you know, located? You could make three pans of premium mac n cheese at home and have enough left to splurge on the Z for dessert and coffee. If you want to blow some major cash on a dinner, why not go for something with more value, more ambiance, better service? And a tad more of a white linen vibe?
(1)
Whitney S.
The food is delicious, like you would expect from zingerman's. My boyfriend and I stopped by on 1/8 around 6 pm, but didn't want to wait an hour for a table for two. We did end up returning on 1/16 with a reservation. The original time ended up not being good for us, so with a quick call earlier that day, we were able to change the reservation without any hassle. The sweet potato fries were delicious. The spare ribs were falling off the bone delicious. The misto frito was falling apart off. The mojito was the best I've had at a restaurant. It's hard to go wrong or hungry at Zingerman's. The staff was attentive and knowledgeable. The only drawbacks are the constant din from a full restaurant of happy people talking loudly, and the wait.
(4)
Pauline S.
So not worth it. Started off with the Ari's Pimento Cheese plate which was presented with celery sticks. One or two was good enough and after that it just seemed like I was eating fat. I also had the Pimento Cheese & Peppered Bacon Macaroni for an entree. Paying nearly 20 dollars for mac n cheese, one would have high expectations. However, i was sorely disappointed. Way too oily and the amount you get is not worth the price. To top it off, the service was so very slow. While our waitress was nice and perky, it took her forever to bring out our food. She realized that it was a long wait since she apologized for it when she brought out the netrees. But where was she when we were waiting around for the food? She never once checked in with us to tell us when the food would come or that there were some delays.
(2)
B. K.
Annoying night. Here's what happened. We showed up on a Saturday night at 6pm. We ordered a couple cheeseburgers, our go-to. The waitress (very nice) warned us that they were out of hamburger buns and that this typically happens on game weekends (mind you, it was only 6pm on a Saturday.... already out of buns?) We took a chance on the thick-cut sour dough alternative (the crust was rock-hard). Burgers arrive cooked incorrectly: I had ordered mine medium rare. It was medium. My wife told the waitress she was pregnant and ordered her's medium well. It was medium. Both were medium. We discovered this by cutting the burgers in half, which was nearly impossible because the crust was so hard. Then (forgive the play by play): I decided to live with mine. The waitress took my wife's back. At this point, we had cut the burgers in half and it was kind of a mess. My wife decided she did want the burger at all. The waitress was busy. By the time she got back, I was half done with my burger and my wife decided to order dessert instead. They were out of the cheesecake she wanted. Meanwhile the second beer I had ordered never showed up. On the bright side, they gave us a gift card for a burger and also gave us a free (overpriced) brownie. If it weren't for this, I would be writing a one star review. We won't be going back for a while. The waitress was fine -- a bit forgetful and overwhelmed. Everything else was a failure. Zingerman's needs to get back to basics. One more thing I'm just realizing. If you don't want to smell like you just spent three hours engulfed in BBQ smoke, don't sit in the enclosed patio area (this was November) Last point: I spent the night on the verge of sweating because of the heatlamp near our table. Another annoyance. Makes a dude want to head over to The Quarter Bistro (yeah, the place with the massive head of garlic hanging outside) and join the sad-eyed divorcees.
(2)
Li C.
Overpriced and underwhelming. All the hype and for what? A $20 plate of soggy fries, greasy fennel and dry bbq? I agree with other reviewers: TOURIST TRAP!! My review based on 3 visits to see what the hype is about. Barbecue is just OK. Sweet potato fries are greasy and not crispy. Fennel confit tastes oily and unflavorful. Honestly for good mac n cheese, I'd travel to Royal Oak just for Vinsetta Garage's Mac n Cheese. Truly dynamite mac at Vinsetta. I live a mile from the Roadhouse and honestly not even worth my short drive. Keep in mind Chef Alex Young is more of a figure head. Don't expect him to cook your meal. Only redeeming facet is the service. Servers do try their best and I love talking to the staff. All really nice people.
(2)
Michael T.
This place is pretty great, albeit expensive. The portions aren't really that large either. I went with the steak and three sides - Fries, Rice and Mushrooms, which were all pretty decent. I ordered the fried chicken mac n cheese as a side. It was okay. Maybe I had too high of expectations, but I've had better.
(4)
Andrea T.
Yummy, home style cuisine.
(4)
s m.
We went for a birthday brunch and I didn't want to complain so I didn't - the sauteed greens were cold, & my omelet didn't have any cheese - it was supposed to. However the iced tea was delicious as was my bacon. The Roadhouse charges a lot and the Coney down the street has much better breakfast food. This restaurant usually disappoints me.
(2)
Katie M.
My indecisive brain cannot handle this menu! I mean this in the best way possible. Everything ( I mean EVERYTHING) sounds delicious. How does one possibly choose!?! I came here for lunch on a cold COLD day and was happy to have the waitress offer to bring a taste of each of their homemade soups. I tried the chili, clam chowder and the mushroom in little metal condiment cups. All were excellent but I opted for the chili as it was gluten free. Their side salad was fresh and crisp and homemade ranch dressing was different, but still tasty! I could not resist the bread that was brought to the table... dangit! I am in awe that they serve everything from Omlettes to Oysters. Can't wait to go back!
(4)
Robert L.
Great place! Food was really tasty but the sides are much better than most BBQ places I've visited. The mac and cheese with lobster was particularly tasty. Above the food, our service was top notch. Our server Nicole was extremely attentive and helped us navigate the menu and offered solid guidance. I can't remember having better service anywhere - she rocks! Also special note for our hostess Alice she came by a bunch of times to make sure we were getting everything we needed.
(5)
Jeanie S.
I'm contemplating a re-visit, as my dining companion had remarked that my meal was definitely off that night. Service: friendly without being over-the-top. Appetizer: Red Pepper and Goat Cheese Bruschetta was tasty if undistinguished. Salad: Roadhouse Garden with honey mustard vinaigrette. Fresh, tasty dressing. Mains: -Burger plate special with fries -- my companion ordered this and after taking a bite, I wished I'd ordered this too. Perfectly cooked burger with a little melted blue cheese on top. Yummy fries. My mouth is watering just thinking of it. -Pit-Smoked BBQ Beef plate -- disappointing. I understand the Roadhouse is known for their pit-smoked meats, but this was so....meh. Both the mashed potatoes and greens (which I both normally love) were incredibly salty and I left most of it on the plate. -Side of Sauteed Spinach was so salty that I (a salt lover) couldn't take more than a couple bites. Dessert: The were out of the Butterscotch Puddin' (sad face), so we shared the Donut Sundae. It was tasty and decadent, but I definitely would've preferred the butterscotch dessert. So, all in all, a disappointing visit. Will update my review if I re-visit.
(2)
Geekar L.
I've been here a couple of times, sort of a must when visiting Michigan. It's the type of food that you'd eat every day if packing on the lbs. meant nothing to you. Everything about this place is just so welcoming, their menus, the service, as well as the decor. I mainly came here because I was craving their donut, yum! Their donut with vanilla gelato, even better! So yes, go for the donut sundae. As for the actual food, I haven't tried many things off their menu, but from my limited exploration of it, the food has been consistently good. You also can't go wrong with their oysters! I ordered the pit-smoked beef and it's served with a bbq sauce with just a little kick, perfect. Really good mashed potatoes too! My sister liked her oyster po'boy, which came with fries (get another round of fries for free). Overall, I'm always happy to grab a meal here!
(4)
IsTacoBellBetter ?.
I measure by three different things in comparison to Taco Bell: DECOR: The restaurant is great from the inside and out. It's right at the corner of Jackson Rd. in front of the Staples. Very easy to spot! Going inside you feel very warm and welcomed right away. There's lots of seating. There are signs that feature the specials and fresh catch of the day. Everyone working there is super friendly. 1.5 stars. SERVICE: Zingerman's is known for customer service. In fact I used to work there and they have a whole CLASS just on customer service that is required when working. Never have I ever been disappointed with Zingerman's. The restaurant waitstaff is great as well as the hosts. If you step out to the trailer to order a coffee they are always very friendly as well. 1.5 stars here. FOOD: The food is absolutely amazing. The Caesar salad is the best here and could be comparable to the best steakhouses in the US. I have gotten the Macaroni and Cheese with Fried Chicken here and it's to die for! The menu is very unique as well as the beverage menu. As they say there is something for everyone here. 2 stars for food! FINAL VERDICT: Is Taco Bell better? NO!!!!!!!!!! Okay Zingerman's is an expensive restaurant, but it's definitely one of the best restaurants I have ever eaten at. The reason why they are expensive is because they use fresh high quality ingredients. All their bread comes from the bakehouse baked daily. The cheese, produce, and meat comes from a local farm. That alone makes it better than Taco Bell, who don't exactly use fresh ingredients. Beyond that all the food tastes amazing. If you never been to Zingerman's Roadhouse, definitely give it a shot! Between the customer service and food you won't leave disappointed!!
(5)
George S.
This place was recommended by a cabbie on our trip to Ann Arbor... I'm so glad he did. Good food, a raucous atmosphere and more stuff on the walls than museum on steroids, this place is pleasing to the eye and palate. It is a bit loud there, but that's because it is one of the most beloved places in Ann Arbor, The barbecue comes in wide variety, and the sauces are quite good. Also, and this should tell you something, I'm not a greens fan (as in collard,) but the bacon and greens these folks make were so good, even I gobbled em down! Their mac and cheese was fine and complex, and I even got some nice parsnips in a pesto that...well, redefined parsnips for me! The service was really great, and we didn't even have to wait that long even though they told us, at the time, 30 minutes. There's lots of parking, and the drinks are vast and of great variety. My only beef...I couldn't stay longer to try more stuff. They have a full and impressive bar on premises. So when you're on the road in Ann Arbor, stop at the Roadhouse, you'll be glad you did!
(4)
Clay C.
Five times this year I have forced myself to try something different. I have never left disappointed. Tonight my wife and I had the spare ribs and they were perfect. We have been fortunate to have the same server (Amy) she remembers my quirky preferences. I highly recommend the sweet potatoes fries. They are awesome with the spicy mayo. Top notch service, top notch food.
(5)
Tara L.
Sadly, I'm updating with a Debbie Downer of a 2 star. We had been itching to try their brunch, and Husband hadn't been here yet, so we were looking forward to it. Considering we like Zingerman's products for the most part, we thought that things would taste great. Well, I'm not sure if we ordered the wrong things, but on our Saturday brunch visit with 2 other friends, our entrees were not good at all. I went with the "Famous Corned Beef Hash ($11.75)", and Husband went with their Bagel, Smoked Salmon, and Cream Cheese ($12.25). We didn't mind the price of each entree, but what came out was totally not what we expected. My corned beef hash was a mixture of corned beef, potatoes, red peppers, and celery. Served with two slices of toast (I chose wheat), fruit preserves (I went with blueberry), and poached eggs, the quantity was good. The hash was mediocre at best, with the flavors being very flat. I didn't even taste the fragrant celery, and what was the worst, poached eggs that were NOT poached. They were overcooked, and became hard-boiled eggs. Not to mention, the eggs were so puny, smaller than what I've ever been served at a restaurant. They looked like little dollops of cream. We were disappointed. Husband's bagel, smoked salmon, and cream cheese entree was depressing for the price. What baffles me the most is that for one bagel, 3 small slices of smoked salmon, some vegetables, and a little sample size of cream cheese, this entree was $12.25. The portion was much smaller than the corned beef, and the products used were definitely more inexpensive. Strange, I tell you. Though the smoked salmon was from the west coast and wild caught, I didn't think it justified that price. The only thing somewhat appetizing was the whipped cream cheese. When it comes down to it, Zingerman's has established a name for themselves to deliver high quality, hard-to-find products. What we were served at brunch did not exemplify that, and for that reason, I'm definitely not coming back. Just stick to their delicatessen.
(2)
Jordan B.
Good Food! Waitstaff McDonald's Quality!! Like seriously the chubby redhead has to go. After going to high school next door to the original, I was a big Zinerman's fan... . So I decided to take my family here instead of The Whitney... HORRIBLE MISTAKE. First the lady tried to explain the consistency of Almond Milk, when I was was the requester.. Then kept making off beat comments to my family and myself. Then when I requested another cup of coffee because she never came to check in on us.. She remarked "I'll put it in a TOGO CUP!" Fact: I understand that living in New York City my standards may be higher than most... But being treated like an ASSHOLE and getting McDonalds service while spending $100 bucks for brunch... Really? And then after my girlfriend talked to a manager.. they did nothing.. Some serious changes will have to mad before I ever come here again...
(1)
Joe W.
Had an amazing chef salad. Honey mustard was outstanding. Upgraded the blue cheese to the best they carry from thier creamery. The service was mediocre so my review is purely on good quality. If you are anywhere near 94 and this location stop in and have a great meal.
(5)
Christie B.
We had a very attentive waitress. Good good as usual. You can always count on a good meal here. And it's CLEAN.
(5)
Mo J.
BEST RESTAURANT, (perhaps best restaurant in Michigan)!! Steaks are awesome, appetizers are awesome, drinks are stellar, service is THE BEST IN MICHIGAN!!! (That's what you expect from Zingermans I guess). I am becoming a regular slowly but surly because of the consistent great food and consistent great service! Highly highly highly recommended.
(5)
C Y.
Yummy and decadent comfort food, PLUS they can accommodate diners with severe allergies to tree nuts and peanuts on some items. They are knowledgeable on how to prevent cross contamination. Hurrah!
(5)
Fritz A.
Zingerman's Roadhouse is where I go for great selection of fresh fish, selection changing daily based on availability, prepared exactly how I want. Pricing is competitive with other quality local restaurants, and service at Zingerman's is great. The overall menu offers several favorites for my other family members, while sweet potato fries are a concurrent fave. Out-of-town guests always enjoy the Zingerman's experience. Finish your meal with a cup of Roadhouse Joe coffee, or a yummy dessert, and you will likely be very happy. Just make sure that you phone ahead to reserve a table, to avoid waiting for your seating.
(4)
Brad O.
Had a poor service experience today which detracts from the generally good food. I was driving through Ann Arbor from Chicago and planned my trip so I could get dinner here. Well, I had car trouble mid-trip that set me back 2 hours, but I drove pretty aggressively after that so that I could still get to Zingerman's and have a burger and a beer at the bar. I called at 9:45 to explain my situation and that I was going to arrive at 10:05 (5 minutes past closing time) but I had planned my trip around eating there and if they could just give me 5 minutes. While the manager was polite, she had no interest in accommodating me. So I ordered food through the carry out window and had to sit outside in the parking lot and eat. I generally think very highly of the Zingerman's operations, but I don't think keeping the door open for five minutes extra for a loyal customer is an unreasonable request.
(2)
Gary V.
Excellent restaurant in AA. I 've been here several times and have never been disappointed. Favorites include the Mac n Cheese and Buttermilk-Fried Chicken. Try to get a seat at the counter facing the kitchen that is just past the hostess stand. Pretty awesome watching the fire and the cooks prepare food.
(4)
Louai S.
I have no idea where the 4 and 5 star reviewers here ate at. Definitely not the same place I ate at. This place was a pure disappointment. This is a late review from last August, but should be mentioned. We sat outside and checked out the smoker and I got all GEEKED up and super hungry, even told waitress to keep my Margaritas coming. the smell was amazing, restaurant looked rustic with wood floors and only to be so so so let down by the food. From flavorless pork rinds with spots of hot sauce on it to the worst ever greasy calamari and greasy nasty un-fried a second time and unmelted cheddar poutine, that my kids were not willing to order anything after. I finally talked them into the order of the following: a flavorless dressed caesar salad, a flavorless, broken sauced mac and cheese and my plate "the worst BBQ combo plate ever with smokeless, reheated, old tasting "the only flavor" roast beef, grey looking cold and old tasting pulled pork and nasty looking pulled chicken". I do not remember the sides, I recall some greens and mustardy looking sauce. Wow, total amateurs, for that matter my 12 and 14 year olds would have put out better food. I must give my respect to the waitress. She kept offering me a free return with my decline to accept to the point, I had a $100 gift card that I tried to give her and told her to keep all the change, I didn't care. I am glad she wouldn't except the card, because somehow it escaped my mind "Zingerman's deli, breads, dairy". Went to deli and bought meats, cheese and Pecan Raisin Bread" I now drive from Troy to the deli for the Pecan Raisin Bread and St. Angel cheese all the way from Troy. Never to the roadhouse, the manager never had the courtesy to come to my table, even though I never made a big deal of it at table, waitress just noticed that we were not eating food.
(1)
J H.
Paid $40 for two NASTY pulled chicken sandwiches.... The chicken looked like it had been sitting out all day. Bit into a huge chunk of nasty cartilage.... It's safe to say that we will NOT be returning!
(1)
Adventurous Palate S.
We've been here several times. Loved all of their appetizers. Have loved most of everything we have ordered in the past. One day we stood in line for 45 minutes even though a table sat empty the whole time. Our food took a very long time to be served and it was not so good. Fortunately, a manager came by as we were putting on our coats and noticed barely eaten food left on our plates and asked us about our experience. They comped our whole meal. What service recovery! We were impressed and grateful.
(5)
Sandie L.
Ok. I really love this place. There's not much to say except that the ribs are amazing (I get them every time....which is why I can't say much about the other things!), and that any dishes my friends have also taste great when I sample them. The portions are a good size (rather larger than not) and the atmosphere is casual-nice. It's not the cheapest place but I leave the roadhouse so full I could roll, so I feel like the price is justified.
If you're a fan of American food you can't go wrong with Zingerman's Roadhouse. The menu features several takes on classic American dishes. I had the Mac & Cheese (apparently voted best in the country) and was a big fan. I also sampled some of the North Carolina BBQ and was equally impressed. I'd definitely like to go back again to try out some of the other dishes. The restaurant is located in what used to be a Bill Knapp's. I think the addition of au gratin potatoes would be an excellent homage to the former tenant.
(4)
John J.
Becki and were traveling through Ann Arbor, stopped at the Apple Store to have them fix Becki's iPhone 6+. Asked the tech for a local good choice restaurant. He brought over a couple of foodie/techs and the top choice was Zingerman's Roadhouse!!! So off we left with fixed fone in pocket for an anticipated marvelous meal! Let me say first.... Awesome!!! Becki had the Mac and Three Goat Cheese that was OTC! (Off The Chart) she generously shared a nibble or two, had to ask for the third. Chris, Our waitress was a gem. She explained the menu and all the great choices that change daily. They also have extensive beer and cheese menus! Since it will be a year before we get back through here and everything looked great, I narrowed it down to three things. Started with a corn dog jacketed in home made batter accompanied by the best sharp deli mustard I ever had. All left over mustard was generously applied to the home made dinner bread. Am I gushing to much? Hold on, for the rest of my meal! Next was the buttermilk batter fried chicken with mash potatoes and amazing gravy. I will allow you to mentally insert your own comments here. Thirdly was the pulled pork with their amazing BarBQ sauces. The mustard one was very different, sharp and good but the special smoky red sauce was OTC (see above) You know when someone says something is great and you try with your expectations to high and your disappointed? I don't think that will happen in this case! Ask for Chris and have a wonderful meal and tell'em Becki and John sent ya!
(5)
Cheese C.
Heard all the hype about the Roadhouse, so we went. Our Chicago taste buds were ready! 1st experience in March: We both ordered the Bearded BBQ Plate, what a disappointment! The portions were very small! 2-3 ribs, one tablespoon of pork, one tablespoon of chicken, tasteless green beans and not much mashed potatoes. The ribs stunk (like the animal) so I could not eat them. That's not what we were expecting for $29.00 each. 2nd experience in Sept: Tried the Roadhouse again. Ordered the BBQ Chicken sandwich w/ fries. Nothing to write home about. Little BBQ sauce and it's just not a tasty sauce. So far, for the quantity of food and the high prices, we don't understand the hype. However, we have found that Ron's Roadside BBQ is outstanding! Meat piled high with awesome BBQ sauce. Very impressed! Too bad they don't have a sit down restaurant, as they would get much more business.
(2)
Mel G.
New to the area. Been here twice already. My first regular spot in AA. The staff is super friendly, the food is awesome and the beer selection is excellent. I eat dessert here even though I shouldn't cuz it's just that damn good! Thanks all!
(5)
Matthew S.
This was my first time eating at The Roadhouse, and I walked away with a wonderful first impression. I ordered the BBQ pulled-pork sandwich with the "Red Rage" sauce and it was the most delicious barbecue that I can remember having. I tried some of my sister's fried chicken and mac & cheese combo, which turned out to be amazing. The food came quickly and the staff was very friendly, especially our waitress Margret, who gave us a free dessert to congratulate us on the event that we went out to eat in order to celebrate it the first place! Everything about my experience at The Roadhouse was so perfect that I brought my Yelp account back to life in order to post my first review. If you're anywhere near Ann Arbor and you're looking for a unique place to eat, I couldn't recommend this place enough.
(5)
Margaret V.
I don't know what is better about Zingerman's... the food or the service! I've been here a few times, and am just now "yelping" about it.... Zingermans Roadhouse serves breakfast/brunch, lunch and dinner and has something for everyone (vegetarians/meat lovers/sandwiches/salads, etc). Chef Alex has been nominated for several James Beard awards and the Food Network declared it had the best comfort food a few years ago. It is very pricey, but the food is of an extremely high quality and is often organic. The last time I visited, I had breakfast and ended up ordering a chai tea, two eggs, bacon, and sourdough toast. The chai was delicious. Not too spicy with cinnamon/cloves... I do recommend the coffee as well. I consider myself a coffee snob and it is excellent!The eggs were cooked per request of over medium. The sourdough test was home made, slighly buttered and excellent. I had my choice of either blueberry or sour cherry American Spoon (a Michigan comppany) preserves. The blueberry was great! The only downside was the baon... Zingermans LOVES their bacon (they host bacon themed meals and have written books about bacon), but this time it was over cooked. I like it crispy, but this was overdone. The smokey flavor was great, but way too done. I only ate two of the three pieces. Zingermans is an Ann Arbor tradition. Ari and Paul (the owners) do quite a bit for the Ann Arbor community. Great place to eat!
(4)
Scott F.
I have been here twice in the past month. They have a rotation of Michigan craft beers. Foods eaten in my group includes the country fried steak, macaroni and cheese with buttermilk fried chicken, burger with aged cheddar, poutine, and pulled chicken sandwich. All items were great. I look forward to my next visit.
(5)
Will M.
My kids and I were looking forward to a lunch out and though Zingerman's roadhouse would do the trick. Boy were we wrong. The 10 to 20 min wait tuned out to be more like 30min. The hostest seated her friend before us after a 5 min wait for a table with the same number of people. Then ordering also took forever, no kids menus we have to print more. After ordering again a long wait. Kids were complaining, no fun. When the food finally came, we couldn't believe how small the kids portions were! A teeny burger and a few fries, three tiny pancakes! And my fries were cold to boot! After an hour and a half my kids were still hungry and I took them somewhere else. Not going back again!
(2)
Tracey H.
I LOVE this place, trendy, fun and yummy, a bit over priced for a Deli, but hey you get what you pay for! Great quality food!
(5)
Chester C.
I honestly can't understand why this place is sooo loved. Portions are dinky and the food is really not all that special, especially for the price. I do have a couple things I get through the drive through on occasion ..pimento cheese and sweet potato fries..bread sometimes. Staff is always friendly, almost overly friendly..lol All in all I think it's overrated as Hell and so do most if not all people I know. I'll give it 2 stars for the pimento cheese alone cause it's basically like crack.
(2)
Jenny K.
The name "Zingerman's" convinced me that this was a great, high quality restaurant. We made reservations to celebrate my mother's birthday with 4 of us attending. We got seated in the outdoor area in the middle of November, but you didn't feel too cold at first. The room had heaters running and had an occasional cold breeze come through. Our waitress was attentive and gave some recommendations on what to order. They brought out a sample plate of the pork with different sauces to try to help us pick which one we wanted. My husband ordered Chef Alex's BBQ Plate which consisted of pit-smoked Niman Ranch spare ribs, BBQ Beef with Alex's red rage tomato BBQ sauce, South Carolina pulled pork and pit-smoked chicken with green tomato BBQ. It is also served with bacon-braised greens and mashed local potatoes. It seemed liked it would be a lot of food, but it really wasn't for $29. The mashed potatoes that came out with his order were dry and old. When we asked for fresh ones, the server brought it out on a smaller plate with a fraction of the amount. That was disappointing, but at least they were fresh. I ordered the Cornman Farms' Cheeseburger with Pasture-raised beef, dry-aged, grilled over oak, served on a Bakehoue onion roll, American cheese with lettuce, onion, tomato and pickles for $15. I also paid $7 for a side of their famous mac and cheese. I ordered the burger medium-well and it came out closer to well done. The mac and cheese was fresh, but tasted a bit too salty for me. My mother and sister also ordered burgers, but with fries, which tasted fresh. Overall, I felt this place was overpriced for what they offered. We probably won't be back.
(3)
Ivan J.
Overpriced & overrated. The food can be better for the price offered, service is really good though..
(2)
Mari K.
Amazing! Though I'm a NorCal gal now, I'll go out of my way to stop into the Roadhouse. First time there for breakfast. Soooo yum. And the service, as always, was even better than the fantastic food.
(5)
Saudia S.
Amazing food, all with a story. Everything BBQ is good, and definitely try the cheese sampler to start. A bit in the pricey side, but withy every penny.. Definitely try the freshly made donut sundae - yes, you read that right.... Try not to lick the plate!! Go with an appetite and enjoy the experience!
(4)
Mathias B.
The roadhouse doesn't quite have the same effect that the deli does, but it's still a decent restaurant packing in flavor for each meal. There are far fewer vegetarian options than the deli too, limiting what we could eat. The wait is shorter, and the menu is still pretty diverse so both of those are a plus. The Mac and cheese was the best item we got and I would definitely recommend it. It was very grand in flavor, and was worth a trip to get. The prices are still Zingerman's level so be ready to spend some money on food. Overall, this Ann Arbor spot was good, but not amazing like some of their other places. If you haven't had the deli yet, go there first.
(3)
Kate P.
I love Zingermans Roadhouse. I've lived in Michigan for 7 years come August. When we moved here everyone said you had to go to Zingermans and I now know why. The previous times I've been to Zingermans it has been for dinner. The last time was for my Dad's birthday. I ordered the country fried chicken and it was delicious! I went a few days ago with one of my best-friend for brunch. We were seated in the back room in a booth. For drinks we ordered the fresh squeezed orange juice and she ordered the chilled coffee. The orange juice was so fresh and very delicious! For food I ordered the Eggs Benedict and she ordered the Country Skillet. The Eggs Benedict was so good. It was served on sourdough bread, which is my favorite. The potatoes on the side, made my taste buds so happy! The service is always great and friendly. The restaurant is well kept and clean. We were going to sit outside that day but the smoke from the outside grill/smoker was a little over powering. And from just a few minutes sitting outside before we moved inside, you smelled the smoke. Be prepared to spend a little bit but for great quality food and drinks!
(5)
Yaakov H.
The food wasn't good, definitely not for the pricing. The hamburger i got was over cooked and the ceviche was bland. The only good thing was the service. Never going back
(1)
M S.
We have been here several times and the food is always good and the service friendly as well as very knowledgeable of the menu. Today I ordered eggs Benedict since we were there during brunch. I must say, it was outstandingly!! The eggs were cooked perfectly and the sourdough toast was the perfect toast for this as it held up and the flavor excellent. The star of the show was the hollandaise sauce which was done to perfection. Absolutely the perfect consistency and excellent flavor. Just the right amount was applied to the dish. The ham was also very nicely paired as well. Truly an excellent start to the day and worth it's price. On a side note..we always get an order of the sweet potato wedges. They are also excellent and the spice sauce served with them makes them even better.
(4)
Jiah C.
My state of happiness for this place elevates little by little everytime I go to ZR. Thus, the star jump. My bizarre server interaction from my first visit was quite the first impression, but have noticed pretty great service from every single staff member since then. A few highlights: #1) I agree with fellow oyster fanatics-- solid everytime. Love their oyster menu & presentation, and also love how staff seems to be familiar enough with whats going on with these babies. #2) I didn't believe my friend when she raved about ZR's mac & cheese. I am now their bitch. I don't like super cheese saucy nor gritty chunky cheesey m&c, if that makes sense. The cheese consistency is perfect. Now add some lobster please. #3) RIBS. I live 1/4 mile from here and can smell when they are smoking their goods. It really is as good as it smells. My significant other and I have the opposite preference for types of ribs (he likes country style/st louis, I like baby back/spare, gimme that fatty fat fat) and we both absolutely loved the ZR ribs. Honorable mentions: SPIDER BREAD. You want to find out what this is. Trust me. Comes with their beefy chili. Fried green tomatoes. Perfect. As I am probably going to be ZR's neighbor for another 2 years, according to my lease, we are going to become best buddies.
(4)
Meredith B.
Stop everything and get the wood-grilled trout with bearnaise sauce over mashed potatoes and spinach. It is one of the best things I have ever had the pleasure of eating. Sweet lord. My parents and boyfriend got barbecue and even THEY were excited to sneak bites of my dish - them with their ribs and pulled pork, were singing the praises of my fish! It sounded so simple that I worried I had made a dull choice, but then once I started eating it I realized I won dinner. Two glasses of Michigan riesling and some roasted tomatoes and olive oil with their warm bread basket capped off a perfect meal. You can order with confidence here, because nobody ever has a mediocre meal at Zingerman's.
(5)
Alan G.
Not a good experience. Been going to the place since the day it opened. We had a large holiday party of around 15 so it was out of the norm but my burger was rare (ordered well done) service was slow and the billing (one check--new policy...) was a nightmare. Good luck on your customer service presentation biz but you might want to give a refresher to your management. Won't ever be back with a large group.
(2)
Terese C.
Bases on all the great reviews, this was not a great first time dining experience. It took 30+ minutes for our salads. Then they served our entrees and we had to ask for our salad. They forgot to serve my husband his drink. And, they didn't serve our BBQ sauces until we asked! The salad may have been rushed as two of the Cesaer salads were very gritty. It was as if they hadn't washed the greens! They offered us desserts on the house. I'm not ready to go back here anytime soon.
(2)
Aaron D.
As a diehard fan of Ari and the Zingerman's empire, the Roadhouse definitely lives up to its reputation. The sheer diversity of options (satisfying everyone from discerning baby to picky adult, clean/light to heavy/rich foods), attentive customer service and tastefulness of everything on the menu makes it my go-to place when people visit. I'm partial to the fish (especially salmon) with coffee rub, macaroni and cheese and Sazerac cocktail -- though honestly, you really can't go wrong with anything.
(5)
Albert T.
This is one of the best dining experiences in all of Ann Arbor. The servers are always very well trained and provide excellent service. The secret here to is refrain from ordering large dishes and to instead order a variety of different options. Despite this, I nearly always end up ordering the Fried Chicken Mac & Cheese. I will also say that nearly everything on tap is great and somehow having it here at Zingerman's Roadhouse only makes it better. This is also where I believe they serve the best Tom Collins in Ann Arbor.
(5)
Kelly C.
Wow! These guys have a good thing going! I wish I lived closer so I could try everything they have to offer! Went with a large party and we had everything from ribs and burgers, to the fried chicken and the whole fish! Everyone loved everything they had to eat and they even brought out a birthday dessert as a surprise for the birthday girl! Great service, drinks, and the options are overwhelming.
(5)
Henry T.
For some reason, I wasn't too impressed with the food. I had such a great time here, but I guess one mistake really cost them. Flight of bourbon had 3 different samples of bourbon. We got the rare flight. Unfortunately for me, I don't remember any details of them other than 2 of them not being something I'd enjoy drinking. The other one was very smooth and would be excellent to have over a conversation. We had some sweet potato fries, and IMO these were the best part of the meal. I didn't have too much since I was anticipating a large delicious steak, but they were great. Dipped in the sauce it comes in....amazing. For my entree I had the London broil. I ordered it specifically medium rare, and asked her for confirmation if they typically make them as ordered. She reassured me and so I went with it. It comes out and mine was medium well. Blah. My friend's was medium rare when he ordered medium. The cook probably mixed it up. Now since mine wasn't as juicy cooked medium well, I didn't really enjoy it. The steak comes with 3 sides. The bacon braised greens were really disappointing. The texture was just ... off, and the taste, well, I guess wasn't up to my standard, or even my brother's homemade excellent bacon collard greens. The mashed potatoes and spiced potatoes were good and something I'd recommend. (Yes, I did choose two potato sides--I love potatoes with steak). I tried some of my friend's mac & cheese. They are very heavy and oily. Tastes good, but I wouldn't be able to eat much since it was so heavy. But then again, with the small portion they give you, you would still feel full anyway; so portion size doesn't really apply. Overall, the experience was nice, but the delivery seemed off. I think if my steak was cooked as ordered (medium rare), they may have received another star rating. Yes, I could've asked my server to send it back and cook it properly, but meh I didn't want to waste the steak they made.
(3)
Sacha U.
We were headed out of town and had to turn around and come home due to bad road conditions. Though Zingerman's can be pricey, decided to try their breakfast and splurge a little and it was worth it! The coffee is obviously something special. The breakfast was absolutely delicious. We both had such a great meal we went back the next weekend. Compared with other breakfast options in Ann Arbor, definitely a great meal worth every penny.
(4)
Charlotte C.
Fabulous, as always. Despite the Sunday morning crush, service was fast and friendly. We had a reservation -- but seating was proceeding smoothly for those without a reservation. Mimosas at 9am is such a nice start. They'll fill your coffee go-cup too.
(5)
Erin Y.
This is our favorite place in Ann Arbor. Whenever we're in town we make sure to stop by! My personal favorite is the chicken fried steak. It's delicious, although they could give you more gravy on the side! Last time we came, they had a special whole cornmeal-fried catfish, which was amazing. Hot and crispy, just as it should be. We also had fried green tomatoes, which were good. Desserts here are also great. We recently had the donut sundae which didn't disappoint. Big portions, so good for sharing! The service and atmosphere are amazing here, and make up for the high prices. Overall, I love the Zingerman's establishments and can't wait to come back.
(4)
Alex C.
Wow. We were visiting Ann Arbor for the weekend and this was the first place we came to. Oh my gosh! Incredible service! We had Casey and she was AMAZING! I have never had service as good as here. The BBQ was awesome and you can really tell that their ingredients are farm to table. Incredibly diverse menu that has comfort food for everyone! Cannot stress enough how great of an experience we had. The next time we can in was for breakfast and that was equally delicious with another great server. The host staff was super friendly and was floored by how they handled the "hungry" people who were on a wait! My Bloody Mary was bomb and my Eggs Benedict has some mighty good sourdough bread! Please check it out! Wow!
(5)
Allison K.
Amazing place. Gets very busy and you need a reservation but it was delicious. You MUST get the sweet potato fries and try them in the dipping sauce they bring it's amazing. The pulled chicken sandwich is great too and their Mac and cheese is delicious! Definity go!
(4)
Christina C.
Ah, so this is Pure Michigan... wait. I kid, I kid. Apparently hitting up a Zingerman's location is a must-do when in Ann Arbor. A relic. A tradition. A do-not-leave-without-trying kinda place - especially if you're looking for an outstanding Jewish deli! About half of that was embellished a bit... I walked in to Zingerman's for breakfast, only to be slapped silly by the smell of BBQ. I wasn't planning to get BBQ for breakfast, but the smell sure made me think twice. After perusing the menu a bit, I found it extremely difficult to narrow down my choice(s) -- there was no way I was getting just one thing! After some discussion, and suggestion from my Michigan-native counterpart, I excitedly settle on the Bagel & Smoked Salmon Scramble Sandwich and pastry basket. Now, the sandwich comes with sour cream, not cream cheese, so take note. To be honest I prefer the cream cheese, but the sour cream was a nice addition regardless. The pasty basket is a bargain if you're interested in noshing on some freshly fried donuts and moist, house-made coffee cake. You get a donut and your choice of three slices of coffee cake. Don't miss out! Our service was incredibly attentive and my coffee cup was never half-full (I know some people hate when servers mess up the coffee-to-creamer ratio, but it worked out nicely for me regardless.) I hear this is a great lunch/dinner place too! Next time...
(4)
Ebenezer S.
I had the fried chicken last night and the food was so delicious that I came back for lunch. I love lightly fried fries (not crispy) so this is a new favorite place for me in Ann Arbor. The sauteed spinach was well-seasoned as was the fried chicken batter. For lunch today, I had the BBQ beef -- very good but the portion was small -- and since I was still hungry, I ordered a bowl of the beef chili which was really superb. I came at 2:30 p.m. and had no problem getting a table.
(5)
Michelle D.
Hmmm... This place is a mixed bag- I have to rate it 3 stars, as i have been here for breakfast and it was a delight- from beginning to end, the service to the food to the atmosphere... Then i went back for dinner and thats where it all falls apart. The beet and goat cheese salad was excellent, the zingerman bakery bread and culver butter- top notch. The burger, which i ordered medium, came to the table well done and dry. This is not a matter of perception, since the server pulled out a handy dandy flip-chart to illustrate what their 'medium' doneness looks like, which had plenty of pink throughout- and the finished product had no pink whatsoever. The bun was hard and stale and the cheddar cheese they charged me $4 for, was a little lumpy ball that kind of rolled out as i was eating it. All in all my burger cost me $21 because I added bacon(2.50), cheddar(4) and a slice of heirloom tomato (.75 ). If i spend 21 bucks on a burger i really do expect more- and who wouldn't? My advice- and one I will heed to myself- go to the roadhouse for breakfast and go to the silver bus the rest of the time- their sandwiches are a LOT better and a LOT less $$$. And their coffee is excellent
(3)
Jennifer V.
I'm re-rating the Roadhouse because I didn't think they could surprise me anymore and they absolutely did! Well played, Roadhouse. Well friggen' played. I hit up the Roadhouse (for the umpteenth time) for a late lunch today with my sister and brother-in-law. They apparently have po'boys on occasion as their lunch special, which was total news to me! I decided to order the Andouille sausage po'boy because, let's face it, I love me some sausage. I was absolutely BLOWN away by sandwich! It was completely amazing. The sausage was of phenomenal flavor and quality, with just the right amount of heat. It was also cooked to absolute perfection and served on a soft yet toasty baguette with some sort of tasty mayonnaise and shredded lettuce, with their yummy fries complete with Cajun seasoning. I can't recommend this po'boy enough!! Oh, and since I didn't mention it before... The Sprecher's on-tap Root Beer is to DIE for.
(5)
Tracy W.
We were in Ann Arbor for a very short stay and were looking for some place local to eat. Zingerman's Road House was recommended and we had a very good meal. We were told ahead of time that there would probably be a wait (it popular) and it would not be cheap. When we arrived we were told it would be an hour wait. Indecision - wait or not. While we were deciding we asked about bar seating - it's first come first served. We saw that several people were getting ready to leave, so we hovered around them and scored 2 seats. Our seats looked into the kitchen area and we were entertained through the whole meal watching the cooks and servers (man they move fast!). Our waitress was there when we needed her and helpful with suggestions. The food was really good. I recommend this place - but do yourself a favor and call ahead for reservations.
(4)
Bob M.
we ate there on a Sunday night. I had the Pit smoked beef, it was very tender and tasty but not traditional BBQ. they smoke it, then braise it. That came with mashed potatoes and collards. the collards were very good. the potatoes tasty too. I tried a side of mac and cheese as well. it was good, but seemed thrown together, not baked after wards like most of that type, Rigatoni with a bechemel sauce and cheese. The girlfriend had the smoked chicken mac and cheese i believe . She liked it and i tasted it as well and it was good. The prices were a bit on the high side for this type of food, but not outrageous. It was $65 for two dinners, one side and two drinks (not top shelf). I would return to try something else.
(3)
Nissa N.
This review is for the Roadhouse and the Roadshow. We went to the Roadhouse last spring and our experience was great in terms of service. Our server was polite and answered all our questions. This sort of friendly service is what we've come to expect at Zingerman's businesses. I ordered the Cornman Farms' Burger medium to well. Taste wise the burger was not bad but nothing spectacular either. I got a terrible stomach after it, though, something that's never happened to me after a medium well burger before, but I suppose that's the risk you take ordering anything other than well done. Hubby ordered the fried chicken, which was pretty good. Nicely crisped up on the outside as good fried chicken should be. Overall, the Roadhouse experience was a 4/5. Where they lose the other star is on service at their connected Roadshow. I stopped through here this afternoon with the intention of getting a sandwich and pastry on this very cold day and ordered a sour cream coffee cake slice and a chili cheese dog. The server who came up to the window seemed unfriendly, impatient and not very accommodating. Not something I'm used to with any of the Zingerman's businesses I've been to. He raised an eyebrow when I asked him to make sure the hotdog I was ordering was cooked thoroughly because being pregnant I didn't want to take any chances. I figured Zingerman's would be the one place I could go to for my pregnancy hotdog craving because they're so accommodating that I could ask them to reheat the meat. This server unfortunately just seemed to want to get the transaction over with as soon as possible. Well, the chili cheese hotdog (after I finally got a chance to reheat the sausage myself) was not great, but the sour cream coffee cake was quite good. Because I've generally had good service encounters at most of the Zingerman's locations, I won't be writing off the Roadshow. I'll update as necessary.
(3)
T T.
I went to Zingerman's for a banquet dinner, and I have to say that I was really disappointed with the food. The meal started with an asparagus soup, which had a really strange grainy and chunky texture and was not appetizing at all. I'm usually one to finish my food, even if I don't like it very much, but I could only eat a few spoonfuls of this soup. For the entree, I had the BBQ beef. The beef had a strong, unpleasantly sweet flavor and was a little on the dry side. The mashed potatoes and greens were not bad, but they also weren't distinctive. For dessert, I had vanilla gelato, which was ok, but again, nothing special. Luckily, I didn't have to pay for the food because I'm sure it was expensive. The service, though, was extremely friendly.
(2)
Meg F.
I went here for a work lunch recently and did not enjoy the atmosphere or the food. The atmosphere is like any chain restaurant (Applebee's, Chili's) - generic and loud. The tables are too close together and you feel awkward and crowded. People behind me kept bumping into my chair, and wait-staff had to plaster themselves to the table to get out of the way. If I wanted T&A in my face while I ate, I'd go to Hooters. The food is nothing to write home about. I had a half sandwich and soup, neither of which were worth the price or the wait. I think they used most of a stick of butter to grill my sandwich - I had butter running down my fingers. It was, quite frankly, gross. In my opinion, Zingerman's Roadhouse doesn't live up to its reputation.
(2)
Tony K.
I visited Zingerman's in mid-January 2012. The food quality is very good, although I tend to not necessarily value some things to the same extent that other diners seem to, and that Zingerman's is known for -- locally grown organic food, for example. Even though it has a casual feel, its prices are anything but, and it is largely for that reason that I am giving it only three stars. Our dinner for two (appetizers, no wine, one shared dessert) was $93. Also, start-to-finish took 90 minutes, which I thought was a bit excessive; we went for long stretches without seeing our server. Reservations are a must on weekend nights.
If you love Zingerman's Delicatessen, you will be disappointed in Zingerman's Roadhouse on Jackson Ave. It has NOTHING of the deli's menu -- not even corned beef! I was hugely disappointed, having come from East Lansing and thinking we'd avoid the Saturday afternoon crowds at the deli. BIG mistake. They make their reuben sandwich with ham! My friend and I were both less than satisfied with what we ordered. The only thing we liked was the bread!
This may be the first (and only) time that I ever give a restaurant 4-stars, based solely on the merits of a side dish. But the mac and cheese at Zingerman's is THAT good! I had the side of smoked chicken mac and cheese and it was, by FAR, the best mac and cheese I've ever eaten. It wasn't gooey, heavy, and sticky like most "gourmet" mac and cheese--which is what I expected and why I didn't order it as my entree. Basically, it was perfect and, if you come to Zingerman's, you gotta try the mac and cheese. For my entree, I had the meatloaf (because it was the daily special). Meatloaf was always me least favorite dinner as a kid, and, apparently, things haven't changed much. The meatloaf was super dense and filling, I was hoping more for a juicy, tender version. If you do happen to get the meatloaf, mix it with the spinach side that comes with it--it is MUCH better! To summarize, come to Zingerman's and get the Mac and Cheese and DON'T get the meatloaf!
(4)
Moody A.
I do not know what heck the other reviewers are bragging about this place for. They must have been inebriated when wrote the reviews. This food is horrible. Its bland and poorly put together. I have had better ribs at McDonalds with their McRib sandwich. I will say that the waitress and service was great. If you want to waste $100 for 2 then go here.
(1)
Jamie V.
Great food and absolutely fresh fresh fresh! Their warm spinach salad was delicious and satisfying on its own. I also got the fried green tomatoes which were tasty but the salad was the best, bar none. Service was excellent and my children and hubby loved it also. Fine selection of Michigan beers and even some wine!
(5)
Danielle S.
I'm a Zingerman's groupie, but I have to say, I'm a way bigger fan of the deli than The Roadhouse. The Roadhouse just isn't that special. It's not bad. But given the price and the Zingerman's name, I was expecting more. I've tried it twice and both times, it was just sort of average. PRO's: The service is on par with the Zingerman's name. Just like the deli, catering, and all other Zingerman's services, the customer service is fantastic. The staff are responsive and friendly. The food is also pretty good. Nothing spectacular, but just fine. CON's: This place is unjustifiably expensive, especially when it comes to the macaroni and cheese, which is what I've had both times I've gone. $22 for macaroni and cheese? Really?!? I'm not sure what could possibly make macaroni and cheese that expensive, but if there is something then The Roadhouse doesn't have that factor, at least not for me. It's good macaroni and cheese, but not anything super special. And the serving sizes were not particularly generous. It's not like you could get 2 meals out of it; it's seriously one dinner-sized portion of macaroni and cheese for $22. For some reason I just can't get over that. Maybe it's just me. I don't really remember the atmosphere, which probably means it was fine but nothing special. At the end of the day, I'd go to the deli over the Roadhouse.
(3)
Marshall W.
Just felt like treating ourselves to a special Holiday dinner. We've been here once, about a year ago. Glad we made reservations! The atmosphere is fun and foodie - they tout their locally grown veggies, small local, farm raised meats and home-baked breads. She wanted a yummy drink - debated between a couple - and the waiter suggested the Hot Toddy - went over real well. The waiter was great - joked a bit, was very interested in telling us about the various specials and where all the ingredients came from.Then he showed up with a small sample of the Chilled Mulled Red Wine! She was happy :) Most of the menu initially looks like simple, homey fare - but, if you look carefully, it is a carefully selected mix of rather unusual, mostly local ingredients. We split the Shrimp and Grits ("Gulf shrimp, sauteed with bacon, andouille sausage, green peppers, green onions and white wine over Anson Mills grits"). I loved the subtle corn flavor with the bacon and shrimp - we each got 3 large shrimp. The only drawback was it tasted rather greasy. Had a side of "Roadhouse Mac & Cheese" - rather small for $7.50, barely a spoonful - but very tasty "Housemade bechamel sauce & lots of Cabot clothbound cheddar caramelized with Martelli pasta." Minor drawback is the bill - $50, with tip. But, would definitely come back again - really wanted to try the other adventurous menu items.
(4)
Lisa P.
A must do for any foodie in Ann Arbor area! The sandwiches are great for lunches and tailgating. The deli has an awesome selection of breads, cheeses and specialty items. It's definitely well worth stopping in to pick up something unique and wonderful! Sometimes there is a wait. But the line moves pretty quickly.
(5)
Angela B.
Great service. Awesome root beer from the tap. Food very good.
(4)
Sarah P.
This is just a great place to eat. Make a reservation, be patient when it is busy and you don't get your table right on the minute, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere. The wine, beer, mixed drink offerings are extensive (absinthe + champagne anyone?). The service is always top-notch. The food is too. The bbq is great any which way you order it. They will often offer samples if you can't make up your mind. The grilled carolina grits are the best vegetarian offering on the menu--the corn/cheese/green onion topping pairs really well with the texture and taste of the grits (these grits are grilled and are in a cake-like form, not mushy). For a once in awhile caloric splurge the goat cheese mac and cheese is absolutely amazing.
(5)
John S.
Food is way over priced. Macaroni and cheese for $18, and you get a little bowl? $2 corn dogs that are the size of my pinky? I had the pork BBQ and it was a tiny portion for $18. The food is all way overpriced. It's good, but not worth the money charged. Our service was really off too. We ordered a donut sundae and it apparently takes 30 minutes for them to cook the donut. Our waiter failed to mention that, so we waited, and waited... Our booth was near a larger party and they had moved the tables so that every time someone wanted to walk past, they had to wait for anyone else walking past. Major congestion and a lot of butts aimed our way. Nice. I wouldn't go back to this place. I don't understand the hype.
(2)
Reed N.
Dropped in for a burger and left with a smile. Amazing bar service from Jami (you should ask for her) and killer food. The frites (fries) were amazing. Double fried. Rustic. Seasoned. Oh. My. God. Neighboring diners let me try several of the sweet potato fries, and those large rustic chunky strips of goodness are among the best ever. Ever. Period. Then the amazing Jami brought me a sampling of the pimiento cheese, which she observed me drooling over on a neighbors burger. Delicious... and also used in a Mac and Cheese creation. God help me. Then there was my burger. Lean but tender. And Maytag blue cheese. Nothing else. Nothing needed. Delicious, but I was wishing for more fat in the meat. Yep. I said more fat. Finally, more blue cheese in the form of homemade dressing on a mixed green salad with julienne vegetables and dreamy sun dried tomatoes from their farm in Dexter MI. Run on sentence? Sorry... I am that impressed.
(5)
David O.
I was surprised to find Zingermans to be mostly average overall. I kept hoping to find something about it that just blew me away but in the end it was just okay. The restaurant itself has quite a bit of charm, and the service and portions were both good. I certainly didn't regret my visit, but afterwards I couldn't think of anything that made me want to run back.
(3)
George P.
Been here on more than one occasion and my biggest disappointment with this place is the cost of the food, I feel like I am paying more for the "Zingerman's" brand. Will that keep me from returning? Probably not, though it will not be at the top of the list. With that out of the way, the food is good, the service is some of the best I've experienced in the region and it has a great atmosphere for celebration, for getting together with friends and family. Zingerman's is innovative in their approach to ingredient selection, food preparation: they really go to great pains to prepare sauces and sides that compliment what you are being served (which is the point of a restaurant, I hope). The service is friendly, they know the menu well and joyfully accommodate special requests (menu related). The atmosphere is part of what one would expect from a "Zingermans" brand restaurant: open, cordial, tongue-in-cheek but everything about it tells you that Zingerman's is serious about their food.
(3)
Peter C.
Food is pretty good especially if you like BBQ. It's definitely on the pricey side but if you're dining in Ann Arbor that pretty much is the norm. Excellent food with a trendy/casual atmosphere.
(4)
Pam D.
I've been to the Roadhouse many times and usually get my favorite fried chicken and sweet potato fries. This time I tried the meatball mac and mushroom Mac. Both were recommended and both were not good. It was really disappointing and I think it will be awhile before we are back at the Roadhouse.
(3)
Steve G.
One of my favorite meals in Ann Arbor. Smoked pulled pork was the best I've had. Even better than Slow's which is hard to beat. The flavor was absolutely perfect. The fried chicken was equally amazing. The service was friendly and efficient. It's not cheap, nothing from Zingerman's ever is, but definitely worth it. Can't wait to go back.
(5)
Christina K.
This ain't Applebee's people! The food price is absolutely worth it and amazing! I come here once a month at least for the past three years and I haven't been disappointed yet! Some of the highlights on the menu would be the burgers (the meat is hand ground everyday!), the Macaroni with smoked chicken and Monterey jack cheese (good eats, yes it is $17 but the portions are huge so you can always eat the rest the next day!), the chili cheese fries (must have!) and so much more! Oh and make sure you save room for dessert! The Magic Brownie Sundae or the Donut Sundae are yummy!! The service is awesome as well. You can pretty much get a sample of anything on the menu but I wouldn't go as far as getting a sample of the steak but they'll do it if you ask! The servers are very well trained and know everything about everything on the menu, they even know the ingredients in the dressings that are homemade!
(5)
David M.
Let's start with the bad news first - this place is pricey, especially for a student in A2 who is probably used to buying slices of pizza at $2 or less per. But you knew that going in; it's Zingerman's. And after traveling around the country this spring break, I have grown to appreciate the fact that what we call expensive here is what you pay for a grilled cheese sandwich in some other cities. My guests ordered the world famous Mac & Cheese (recommended by no one less than the czar of cuisine, Alton Brown), which I sampled, and of course it was just incredible. Don't think you aren't getting your money's worth; this isn't mac 'n cheese that you're going to pull off at home, even if you are good at this sort of thing. I ordered the Nashville Hot Fried Chicken since it was only available on Tuesdays, and who knows when you'll be back to Zings Roadhouse on a Tuesday. It was really hot, and really good. I might just recommend the fried chicken in general, since you will probably taste more of it and it's quite good and juicy, but if you're into spicy give the Nashville Hot a try. Don't drink the shot of buttermilk though, it might cool the tongue, but ew! It was all of our's first time there (grammar success!), and our waiter was amazingly helpful and knowledgeable about everything. He was great in helping us choose a wine despite our collective idiocy on such a topic, and brought out free samples of their BBQ and grits! The BBQ was quite good as well. My guess is that the grits were good too, but my palette is not totally receptive to the dish and never has been. I'm not sure when I'll be back, but I hope it's soon. I'm guessing it'll be sometime after April 15 when I have my tax refund check in hand.
(5)
C M.
Stilling dreaming about our poutine appetizer. This is a great place to eat if you want to spend some bucks on some extremely fine fare done with thoughtfulness and social responsibility. An Ann Arbor treasure
(5)
Honest R.
The people who complain about Zingerman's are often people who feel intimidated by class. Zingerman's Roadhouse is an expensive but amazing restaurant. The menu can a bit of a hit or miss, but most of it is a big hit. The quality of the cooking can be hit or miss too, but mostly hits. I highly recommend the five-course special dinners they do in the back room. We went for oyster day and were blown away by the quality and presentation. Of course the flavors were amazing too. The roadhouse is one of a number of Zingerman's stops worth making. Don't let the idiots on here fool you.... it's an experience! :) ps. Be sure to leave with a half-pound of their 7-year cheddar from the kitchen! It's really good and not too pricey for fancy cheese.
(5)
Rhubarb K.
As I noted in my review of the Deli, the only complaint I have with the Zingermans family is that it forces this poor graduate student to spend his hard earned cash on their delicious food that he cannot afford. One month, I think I came to the Roadhouse more than twice a week to splurge on food, only to have barely enough money to pay my rent.
(5)
Julie C.
Dropped by for dinner on a Wednesday evening and the place was packed. Luckily, we had made a reservation so we were seated quickly. The last time I tried to eat here, I didn't make a reservation and the wait was an hour, so I ended up eating somewhere else. The menu is printed daily, which I think is a pretty cool feature. Every visit to Zingerman's is a once in a lifetime moment! The bread was warm and delicious, as expected. I liked the casual atmosphere and decor. And the staff was very friendly. Two of us split the Chef Alex's Bearded BBQ Plate. The food came out split into two servings, two ribs each with BBQ beef, pulled pork, smoked chicken, mashed potatoes, and greens. Despite sharing, we both ended up stuffed and with leftovers. The ribs were my favorite, the meat fell off the bone and was tender. I also had a bite of the Arugula Pesto Macaroni, which was tasty, so I'll probably order this next time. If I wasn't so stuffed by the end of the meal, I definitely would have ordered some dessert too!
(4)
Miriam S.
Why did it take me so long to acknowledge our favorite place to eat? Easy, it is part of the human condition to take for granted what it loves. From the moment we walk in, they call us by name. Now, that is classy and thoughtful. Servers and excellent food make this place. We happen to also think the world of unassuming part owner Ari, who is involved personally with the customers. They have many outstanding choices even for those of us that go easy on carbs.......The fruit salad is fresh and aromatic....of course, their coffee would make "el exigente" delighted and pleased....(for those of you that might remember the Columbian TV ad for coffee). Huevos rancheros..perfecto.....grits with cheese.....oo-la-la..they even made us enjoy spainach with bacon.....Bread is crusty and fresh....Above all, this place is human, alive, friendly.....oh.......forgot to tell....the price is right.....Really, our favorite place....
(5)
Julie M.
My favourite place to eat. Sweet potato fries, corndogs, ancho beef chili fries, CORNED BEEF HASH OMG, the fresh bread, I could go on and on. The mac & cheese with the smoked chicken is a win. The fried chicken is a WIN - and get the large order, it is even better the next day. The service is OUTSTANDING. Every employee from the chef to the person clearing tables is friendly and thank us for coming in. It's a place that I'm proud to support. The focus on local ingredients means the money is staying in our community. Reservations and call ahead seating is available.
(5)
Briza Y.
Okay, like I've said before I'm a fan of Zingerman's. And I'm easily wooed by free sweet potato fries! My parents and I came here while they were visiting for my internship graduation. My dad ordered a burger and of course he chose regular fries over sweet potato fries. My mom and I jokingly (sort of) protested and then ordered our food. A few minutes later, here comes a small plate of sweet potato fries. YUM and super sweet of the cute waiter! I ordered the Ig Vella Macaroni and it was really tasty. I only finished half and the leftovers were okay the next day. I would order it with a friend next time! :)
(5)
Rachel L.
If I had to pick one place to eat every single meal for the rest of my life (assuming health and money were infinite), I think I would choose Zingerman's Roadhouse. I've eaten here a bunch, and have only had one or two things that aren't out-of-this-world amazing. The impetus for this review was a recent brunch. Though I've had a number of lunches and dinners, this was my first Roadhouse brunch. HOLY MOLY. My grits and eggs were super yummy, as were my dining companion's heuvos rancheros. Everything was just so good! And of course, being a Zingerman's operation, the service was impeccable. We almost couldn't resist brunch dessert (a brilliant concept to which I was introduced in New York), but would never have been able to fit it in our tummies. Yes, it's pricey, but you get a good meal! Make a reservation online (yes, even for brunch) and treat yourself. I insist.
(5)
Evan H.
Every time I go to Ann Arbor, I pay a visit to the Roadhouse. Every single time I pay a visit to the roadhouse, we are paid a visit by Ari, one of the founders of the Zingerman's empire. He usually drops by to say hi, or provide some suggestions, or even a little taste of something new. I have tried all kinds of daily specials, so those wont exactly be easy to replicate nor will they be served again (maybe, who knows). I do know that the Pimento Cheese & Peppered Bacon Macaroni is the BOMB. SO freakin' good. Also the Pit Smoked Beef Brisket is spectacular. They always have great daily specials of fish, meats, veggies, often grown in their own garden or brought in from great local vendors, farmers, cattle ranches etc. The Grilled Carolina White Grits is a huge meal that I have tasted a few times. I'm not sure about the reviews who say the portions are small. Maybe they are used to a platter the size of the table of food, not too sure. The portions are always huge and always enough, with leftovers, usually. In addition to great menu choices, appetizers, the beer and wine list is always large and takes a while to digest. I always go for a local beer that doesn't make it to the east coast. The waiters we have had have always been friendly and at the top of their game. I will always come back as long as I am in A2.
(5)
Kiersten K.
I think the fact that we eat here once a week should say it all. Really love this place. The fact that the meat is purchased from local farmers that humanely raise their meat, along with local produce.... I am sold. Favorites so far: Sweet potato fries, all their salads, all their pastas, coleslaw is the bomb. Try to go there on a Monday and have the Mondae Sundae: I wont spoil it by telling you what it is.... you just need to experience it.
(4)
Andrew F.
[For the full review with pictures, see the link to my blog on my profile.] The buttermilk fried chicken is faultless, as is the espresso mousse. Though, despite giving them three chances, they seem incapable of cooking a burger medium rare.
(3)
Joanna L.
I headed to this outpost of Zingerman's (not to be confused with the Zingerman's in downtown Ann Arbor). The Roadhouse looks run down, but that's the style. Headed in and my friends were waiting. First thing we decided on was to share a dish of their famous mac & cheese. Now, recently on Food Network, their mac & cheese was labeled as the best comfort food in America. I'm not so sure about that... I mean, don't get me wrong, it was tasty, but best? Meh. The dish was small. I'm not sure if their dinner order is larger, but this was a small plate covered in maybe a handful of noodles. Compared to what I ordered next, I'm really not sure why this mac & cheese is considered an entree. For the entree, I ordered the fried chicken. It came with 2 pieces, one GINORMOUS (I swear it was the size of a small cornish hen). The chicken was nicely breaded and had good crunch to it. The inside was juicy and how I always imagine fried chicken. The chicken also came with mashed potatoes and cole slaw (yum!). I'm not entirely sure how this is for one person (maybe it's not really for 1 person, but I ordered it as such... and no one warned me otherwise). My friends ordered the sliders and another friend ordered the New Mexico Sandwich. They all looked good and all the dishes had a lot of food. I was just shocked by how little mac & cheese there was compared to the other entrees. Anyway, I'd go back to try the other food. Very casual environment, and a lot of delicious food options!
(4)
Brian T.
I've dined at the Roadhouse dozens of times and I have finally figured them out. 1. Don't let the superior "I'm making you think I'm your new best friend" and "service recovery with a smile" dazzle you. 80% of the time, a "customized" order comes out wrong and has to be sent back to the kitchen. 2. Different portions of the same order come out at different times. 3. Presentation on the plate is non-existent. I'm no fan of a generous sprig o' parsley but the plate often looks thrown together. 4. Their greatest sin is that I asked for extra, extra crispy bacon with my breakfast order today and of the three slices I ordered, one was barely extra crispy and the bacon arrived many minutes after they served me my waffle order. Some of you may not think this is important, but for all of us extra, extra crispy bacon aficionados out there, you know what I'm talking about, right? 5. I'm beginning to think the actual preparation of these high quality ingredients is only average. Famous quote from manufacturing quality world..."who is the best chef, French or Chinese chef? Answer, Chinese because he/she can take average ingredients and make something spectacular out of it. French chef uses quality ingredients and makes something spectacular out of it." The bread and butter is the best part of the meal. Considering the prices you pay and the affected hospitality you have to put up with, all of the above shouldn't be what a diner experiences. I think my Roadhouse days are numbered. But hats off to the Zing-crew for combining marketing prowess and "balls to the wall" pricing guts because the place is always packed.
(2)
Jeff H.
This place will make you fat! Not because all the food is unhealthy (much is, some is not), but because you will not want to stop eating. Great bbq pork, amazing macaroni and cheese options. The greens are just "ok" and the service was average. Prices are a bit on the high side, but the portions are large. The best treat was the Tiny Tim Donut Sundae for dessert. Very, VERY good! Crispy doughnut, vanilla ice cream, nuts, and a yummy bourbon cream sauce. Was delicious!
(4)
David C.
It's Zingerman's folks...yes the food is on the pricier side but you certainly get what you pay for and then some; and, well, I won't spend time telling you what most of you already know...the food is great! I would like to take a moment to focus on the staff of the road house, for it was the staff that made my dinning experience one of the best I've had in Ann Arbor! It was a busy Friday night and my girlfriend and I did not have a reservation but we were willing to wait since it was our first time at the Road House. During our wait we began to chat with the front-end manager "CC". If you start a conversation with CC you don't forget her! Her charming personality and knowledge of the menu kept us entertained for our 20min wait and before we were even seated we had entree' and appetizer suggestions with beer parings! Then, we met our waitress, "Beth" and the amazing service continued! Beth added to CC's suggestions and was extremely prompt and accommodating. She brought out different dipping sauces for our appetizers that we didn't even ask for and didn't hold back with the beer and wine samples! Overall it was the service that made this experience memorable and a wonderful night out. It is why we will be repeat customers at the road house and it is why I tell anyone who is having trouble deciding where to dine to give the Road House a try!
(5)
Marquis T.
Visited this local establishment for the first time this past Friday. Heard mixed reviews about it throughout the years, but decided to give it a try on the strength of my brother's love for BBQ. Needless to say, I should have taken heed of the mixed reviews I have heard from people because this joint is overpriced and overrated. Ordered the Pulled Chicken Sandwich, while my bro ordered the BBQ platter. Both left a lot to be desired as my meat was dry and lacked flavor. The sauces they provided me with helped to add a little flavor, but the sandwich still felt it was missing something. I guess I would more or less disappointed in the size of the sandwich considering how much I paid for it. The BBQ platter seemed like it was decent. But again given the price, one would expect more. In short, if you are a diehard BBQ fanatic it would probably be in your best interest to look elsewhere. Overpriced and overrated...
(2)
Sean M.
Very overrated. Dharma's description of Zingerman's Roadhouse as upscale comfort food is about right. There's a major problem with this model, though: the price tag combined with mediocre food does not leave me feeling very comfortable. It's a shame. I really want to like the Roadhouse, and I've been back a few times trying to like it. They use good quality ingredients and the service is always friendly (but not always competent - when visiting for a friend's birthday, they somehow managed to skip us in the list for a table and then, after that was sorted out, forget that they'd seated us). The food, though, doesn't justify the price, and shows that good, carefully selected ingredients put together in weird proportions, uncarefully, or with shocking amounts of salt or oil is just a waste of the ingredients. The food isn't bad (and is often pretty good), but it falls short of what it should be and what you pay for.
(2)
Moose F.
Sure, I'll be review #92358 of this place. I've been to Zingerman's Roadhouse about 5 times now, and always for dinner. The food is pricey, but in this case I really think it's a "get what you pay for." They strive to use local ingredients, the quality is high, the service is awesome. I love this place, but the price keeps it from being a frequent dinner place. I finally had a chance to try their brunch. Despite all the tourists [I swear 90% of the parking lot had out-of-state plates] we risked it. We got there just before it became completely insane and were seated immediately. As we were starving we started off with some tasty bits. One friend likes sweet-potatoes so he got a small order of the sweet-potato fries. Looking into the basket he was astonished at how big it was. They were thick and crispy and he devoured about half before his main dish arrived. He was the only person at the table who liked sweet-potatoes, though, so I can't tell you how they were. He loved 'em. My other friend and I shared the biscuits with chocolate-bacon gravy. We were originally going to share it 3 ways but Sweet-potato didn't like it. The waitress told us that she found people either loved it or hated it. The gravy is very much like a mole' sauce, with that bitter chocolate taste, but wasn't spicy. The bacon chunks and the biscuits really made it amazing, but very, very rich. Sweet-potato got a "Grits 'n' Bits Waffle" -- a waffle made from grits, cheese and bacon bits. I made him give me a taste and it was awesome. The textures went impressively well together and the tastes were just incredible. I need to go back and get one of these for myself. The other two of us got the invent-your-own omelet. The potatoes with it were perfectly cooked. Mine was made with "wild mushrooms," "local greens," and 2-yr cheddar [as opposed to 4 yr cheddar which -- I asked -- is a bit sharper but dryer and doesn't melt as well or another one of the cheese choices], my friend got provolone, "wild mushrooms" and sausage. We both got sourdough bread for toast. She loved her sour cherry preserves. I got blueberry preserves which I actually ate -- I am not usually a preserves/jam person. I was extra piggy [ha! I amuse myself] and got some bacon slices. I wanted the peppered bacon but they were out. The applewood smoked bacon was tasty nonetheless. The waitress was great, helpful and attentive without being overbearing. With coffee, tax and tip it was not quite $20 for a slightly spendy brunch that was oh so very yummy, full of good and different tastes, and very filling. And now, I shall burp. Excuse me.
(5)
Mark S.
Wow. This place has some seriously good chow. Bit on the pricey side for me, but I'd hazard a guess the food I didn't try is well worth the dough. Got a $7 dessert that looks small, but I can't really complain. Seem like a place to go for special occasions or if you're swimming in loot. Service was ace.
(4)
brent b.
Everything I've had here is amazing. Zingerman's businesses do everything right, and the Roadhouse is no different. Awesome ambiance. Fantastic food. Knowledgeable wait staff. Expect to pay $30/person if you go, but you will not be disappointed. Only complaint: I haven't cared for their greens the last few times ive gone. I wish they'd stick to green beans.
(5)
John T.
Zingerman's Roadhouse has a serious rep for good food. On my first visit, I had dinner there with a few friends. Based on my menu selections, though, this restaurant is over-hyped and way over-priced. I ordered fried okra and the corn dogs for appetizers. The okra was OK not great. The corn dogs were very good, but how can you go wrong with battered and deep-fried hot dogs and spicy mustard? That's a no-brainer so no big score for Zingerman's there. For the main entree I ordered the chicken bog. It was good, however it was very bland and soupier than I expected. I was expecting something a little drier in texture. Again, not bad, but not amazing either and amazing is what I was expecting based on reviews and word of mouth. While I am absolutely 100% on-board with supporting local farmers, I felt that $23.50 for what was essentially a big bowl of chicken rice soup was way overboard even if the chicken came from a local farm. I did not order dessert so I can't comment, though the Mississippi Mudd and the gelato sounded pretty good. The restaurant is decorated in a fun, boisterous and casual way. If you're old enough like me to have eaten at the Bill Knapp's restaurant that used to be there you'll be amazed at how different (and better) the building is now that the Z crew has moved in. Our waitperson was stellar. Actually, all of the employees were cheerful, knowledgeable and very helpful and accommodating. I get the Zingerman's "mystique" but I think the time has come for folks to just take a deep breath and step back a little. The Z crew has a good gig going and definitely serves some good food but their restaurants just aren't all they're cracked up to be IMHO. I think there are restaurants that serve food just as good or better at better prices. I know I'll be stoned in the public square for saying that but oh well. My review and rating might change based on future visits and future menu selections. All in all, it was a fun, relaxing dinner with friends. Will I go back? Sure, someday. Will I be a regular? No. To me the prices are way high and while some folks might be attracted to having 100 different choices to make for each ingredient in a given menu item, it just shouldn't require that much mental effort to order good food. If I do go back I will try either one of the mac-n-cheeses or a burger...I think those were the only menu items that seemed fair on price even if a burger does cost $15 or more and some of the mac-n-cheeses were close to $20.
(3)
M M.
My favorite weekend brunch with friends/ weekday lunch with book/ brisket sandwich and tea drive through spot. When not in Ann Arbor, I crave their burgers, mac & cheese, sweet potato fries, and fried chicken. This is one of the reasons I'll really miss A2 when I move. The Roadhouse is actually not overrated. It's just comfort food done right. And, I love comfort food, especially in the form of a burger slathered in pimento cheese and an order of sweet potato fries.
(5)
Dee W.
During my sister's graduation weekend, we celebrated Mother's Day brunch here. Staff here were super friendly and were able to accommodate our large group of 18 people without a problem. I was able to pre-order fruit plates and pastry baskets in advance which they had ready. Brunch was truly delicious and not a single person complained about your dish. In fact, there was quite some silence as we all dug into our meal and couldn't stop eating! My son and I shared the corned beef hash which is probably a terrific way to sneak in celery and red peppers into his meal without him noticing. We also snuck bites of that delicious chocolate bacon gravy over biscuits! YUM! Overall, fantastic service and delicious food that was able to handle some of the pickiest eaters, vegetarians, and a sister who is allergic to half the world!
(4)
Wally N.
Fried chicken. Cheese plates. Worth it every time.
(5)
Jim M.
Too many great things to express about dining here. Chef Alex and the team serve up a wonderful experience. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Hank's Dad R.
This really is one of those special places! The young hostess seated us, chatting very genuinely the whole time, finding out that the wife and I were here for the first time, welcoming us. A very nice start to the experience. Our server was slow once in getting refills, and slow about getting a desert menu to us, but was very knowledgeable and charming. The atmosphere is wonderful, bright beautiful decor. I have a hearing problem, and though they were extremely crowded, it wasn't so noisy as to make it hard for me to hear conversation at our table, which is a wonderful bonus for me. My meal was the chicken fried steak which wasn't very good, and the wife's mac & cheese wasn't outstanding, but everything else was fantastic food wise. The three sides I had were fries, grilled corn on the cob, and potato salad. All three were very good, especially the fries. The wife had the crab cake appetizer, and it was wonderful. I should mention the couple we went with both also had the chicken fried steak, and both liked theirs. The place is expensive, you pay for the organic food they serve. But it is worth it on an occasional basis. And I had my very first oyster! It was wonderful, I can't wait to have more.
(5)
Rachel P.
Much like the deli, they let you try stuff at Zingerman's Roadhouse (why don't all restaurants do this? I would love it). When one of us were deciding what cheese to get on a burger, we just asked for samples to make the decision. I also had a sample of the pimento mac and cheese after I finished eating, just because I live so far away and I wanted to try it. Mondays at lunch at least there's a nice burger special of a burger with cheese and a side salad for $13. My boyfriend and his brother both got that (one getting a meat burger and one getting the veggie burger, which I tried and was good). I decided on the mac and cheese with salad lunch special, which was a good decision. The salad was simple but tasty and had really delicious housemade ranch. The mac and cheese seemed like a tiny portion, but it was so incredibly rich and filling that it was plenty. Again this is a bit expensive, but I think that it's worth it. The customer service here is just as wonderful as at their other locations, and the ability to try things is again fantastic.
(5)
Dave T.
Another head of the Ann Arbor hydra that is Zingermans. When this place first opened, I was working at another high end restaurant up the road, and I remember that we used to make fun of their inexperience and misfortune ("They ran out of WHAT?!?!). Those days are long past. If you areof the Meatloaf, Fried Fish and BBQ school of cuisine, you will be happy with this place. As with the rest of the Zingermans line, the prices are more than most folk's walking around money. The quality, however, is typical Zingermans, which is to say, par excellance. Incredible breakfast, which is more affordable than the dinner menu. The eggs benedict, in particular, is extraordinary, if a little unusual in the use of southern country ham instead of Canadian bacon, and sourdough toast instead of english muffin. The bar is very full, especially of American whiskeys, of which I happen to be a bit of a fan. They have bourbon sampling flights (!), which you should definitely try if you're looking to expand your tastes.
(5)
Keith G.
You can't live in SE Michigan and not heard of the magic of Zingerman's, especially with the exposure through Food TV and national magazines. Two years ago, I took a large group to the Deli. I came away disappointed in that everything I'd been promised: 1) the best service, 2) the largest portions, and 3) the best food EVER, failed. The service consisted of standing in a long line, sitting outside at a picnic table, then having the food dropped off. The portion wasn't something to write home about, and the sandwich written way better than it tasted. After paying for nine meals at Zingerman prices, the fail proved EPIC. I recently recovered from that debacle and made it to the Roadhouse. I ordered the BBQ because it smelled amazing. It was a warm Spring day and with the smoked air it felt like Summer in the South. The BBQ portion was on the small side. I even ended up hungry after having had some bread (good) and a bit of dessert. I wasn't amazed, and again paid out the wazoo. Because of the many positive reviews, I may one day return. The Mac n Cheese seems particularly intriguing. But I'll have to start an IRA (Individual Roadhouse Account) to prepare for that day. I will add that our waiter WAS very attentive here as well as friendly. He let me sample the brisket which ended up being better than the pulled pork I'd ordered.
(3)
Christine F.
Everything I've had here has been super delicious. I've only been here for dinner. The standouts in the past have been the cream of mushroom soup (this shit ain't from a can), which is filled with a myriad of different types of mushrooms. It's perfectly seasoned and SO creamy. MMM. I've also had bomb-ass-dick grilled cheeses here. You choose the cheese within the sammich - and they have a list of amazing cheeses to choose from. I chose the aged cheddar, and with that mushroom soup? Perfect! It's definitely a place we swing by when we're in Ann Arbor.
(4)
Dave C.
ROADHOUSE! I came here twice and both times was pleasantly surprised by the delicious food and superb service. First time I had the fried chicken and also sampled my friend's sweet potato fries, corn dog, bbq sampler and pesto mac n cheese. Second time I had the bbq sampler and tried some fish dish. So where to begin? The fried chicken was super crispy and delicious.. the sweet potato fries were humongous and served with some awesome dipping sauce. Nothing like the weaksauce sweet potato fries you get at bobby's burger place, or the wannabe fried chicken at popeye's. the bbq, oh the bbq. Such succulent fall of the bone ribs but at the same time having a bit of crisp on the outside, ahh... I feel the ribs and pulled pork are better than slows, heck i dare say they were better than the ones i tried in Texas from rudy's. They do their own smoking out back for 9hrs and raise their own animals, a recipe for win. The only thing mediocre stuff we had were the pesto mac and corn dogs. But who cares. Their shortcomings are overshadowed to the nth degree by the other awesome dishes. A bit pricey but hey, you pay for it in GREAT service and GREAT food. ~try it!
(5)
Christine D.
stopped in on our way from Detroit to Chicago for a late lunch @ 3. Decided to go to take out counter to save time - no line and no other people waiting. Ordered 5 sandwiches and was told that it would be about 8 minutes, since a couple of them had to go on the grill. 15 mins later, guy asked if we wanted our coleslaw on the side or on sandwiches. 20 min later, guy came out and told us sandwiches were almost ready as we were clearly in a hurry to get going. Finally bag brought out and we zipped off in car and jumped on highway 100 yds away. Only to open bag then and find NO napkins and NO coleslaw at all. huh? Was I supposed to look before we left? maybe. Sandwiches were mostly good but some portions a little small for price and lost a star for leaving out the missing stuff. Clearly we were not turning the car around but it was a big pain to eat BBQ in car with no napkins.
(3)
Ernest S.
The mac and cheese is really rich. Maybe overly rich. One order was more than enough for the four of us. The rest of the food - including a heaping order of ribs - was really good. Can't wait to go back next time I'm in the area.
(4)
Kim C.
The place was packed when I arrived. I suggest that you make reservations ahead of time to get seated quickly and luckily I did that. Also, I didn't know the menu changed daily, which is a cool feature. I had dinner here on a Wednesday and got the Chef Alex's Bearded BBQ Plate. I was glad that I ended up splitting the platter because it was huge and I still had some leftovers. Great service, the waitress was very attentive and nice. I will definitely go back to Zingerman's Roadhouse again.
(4)
Chris G.
Out-of-town guests always want to go here because it's famous. They're usually complimentary once the meal is over, but also disappointed. You have to admit the ingredients and cooking technique are impeccable, but the recipes are just not exceptional. As townies, we don't get very excited when we know we're going there. Examples from last night: The $18 grilled grits had the usual outstanding grilled corn flavor, but this time the balance of the dish tipped too much toward heat (peppers, green onions) and the corn flavor got lost. The sweet potato fries were fine; they are distinguished from those at other restaurants by being big wedges rather than strips. They're very salty and altogether tasty, but the size of the portion is overwhelming, even for five people, and would have been a main-course spoiler if we hadn't held back. I saw other tables being cleaned off with easily half of this dish left behind by the diners. The farro piccolo, a heritage grain served in a mushroom-cheese sauce, was rich and satisfying (read: unfinishable) but, jeez, it should at least have a garnish or something. It was basically a big flat plate of brown stuff. Presentation score 0. The burgers are good, but not amazing or memorable. The smoke from the grill smells incredible from the street, but the barbeque is just "pretty good." And so on. Last night, among five people and five dishes shared, nobody said "wow." The service is adequate but over-rated. They certainly train their people to be talkative, personal, quick, team-like, and fairly well-informed about the food, but there's an extra zing that's just not there (in my opinion). For one thing, I'd prefer to have servers who are more flexible, i.e. who don't get sniffy when you want to choose your own five cheeses for the 5-mini-burger sampler (that's why you have a cheese menu, guys!). Finally, don't go here if you want to have conversation. A couple of the rooms are incredibly loud due to the room surfaces. Luckily, the tables are spaced fairly well so you don't actually understand the shouted conversations at the next table, but you WILL be shouting on a busy night. There are a couple of corner booths where the noise level is workable and the grill bar isn't too bad. They have live music in the summers outside, but they need better control of the outdoor grill's smoke and, for some reason, the flies on calm nights. Sorry, Zingerman's, I wish I could be more euphoric. I'll take your deli any day.
(2)
Dharma A.
I should start by saying that as far as going out to eat, this is not my favorite style of food to go out for. Upscale comfort food is how I think of it. It's hardy and tends to be meat and cheese-heavy. But it is really good. They have several different macaroni and cheese dishes, using only the best cheeses. I especially like their chili, which has a good smokey flavor and is made with shredded beef instead of ground. The service, like all Zingerman's establishments, is top-notch. I've met and talked with Chef Alex a few times and love his passion for heirloom tomatoes. They grow their own and dry them, make sauces, etc.! Impressive.
(4)
Kate M.
After a year of living in A2, I finally made it to dinner at the Roadhouse. I was lucky enough to photograph an event for 826 earlier in the year here, but it was a special, Mediterranean one-time only menu (phenomenal, by the way), so I hadn't yet tasted any of Zingerman's signature dishes. Signature dishes we tried: the roasted chicken, corn, and pepper mac-n-cheese, spare ribs, mini burgers, and fried chicken. I tasted everything and everything was mmm-mmm good. A bit appalled at the mac-n-cheese price ($18?!), but considering I ordered it as my main dish, shared it multiple bites with everyone at the table, and still had enough for my lunch at work the next day, I suppose it's a fair deal. The fried chicken was so tasty: crispy, salty, but not dried out. All in all, very good American food. That said, for (largely) unhealthy American menu, it's not a cheap place! I understand they use very primo ingredients, etc, but it's still not a place I could afford to come to often (thanks for footing the bill this time, Dad!) I was also a little put off by the super rowdy MIchigan football fans sitting at the bar watching the game. $18 macaroni and busted eardrums don't mix well. Not that it's Zingerman's fault, but take your superfandom elsewhere, maybe? I'm tryin' to enjoy my high-class mac-n-cheese. =)
(4)
Kristen M.
If I could give five 3.5 stars, I would. I always go in with very high expectations, but leave a little disappointed. During my most recent visit, I had the London broil. It was tasty, nothing spectacular and the meat was a little dry. Sweet potato fries are always solid and I had a very delicious drink called a Knickerbocker (although it was a little weak). My fiance had the chopped pork sandwich, which was decent but not memorable. The server was very nice and knowledgeable about the menu. For me, the Roadhouse is usually not worth the money or the wait.
(3)
Jim C.
The food was excellent and the staff outstanding. In town for a workshop, I enjoyed my dinner the 1st night that I came back for another meal. These people care about food and have created a new approach to American food. Glad I followed another reviewer's recommendation and had sweet potato fries. You should try them. Macaroni & Cheese? Yes, it's on the menu and it's not what I'd expect. Several excellent combinations of cheeses and fresh ingredients to choose from. So much more to try. I'll be back when I'm in Ann Arbor.
(5)
Christopher F.
Similar to Znigermans Deli, the Roadhouse has great food, great service nice atmosphere. The prices are expensive but not as atrocious as Zingerman's Deli. Virtually everything on the menu at Roadhouse is terrific, the pulled pork, brisket, Chicken all wonderful they have three BBQ sauces a NC Vinegar, SC mustard BBQ, or the memphis BBQ they will let you sample each with a bit of pork just ask. They brew their own beers too all of which are pretty good. Their Mac N cheese, the goat mac their applewood Bacon Mac and their regular Mac are the best combination of Mac N Cheese I have ever had. If you want the best bang for your buck eat during Lunch time can get a combination of Pork, chicken, Brisket, with two sides for 11.99; 15.99 if you sub for a Mac (highly recommendaded) the biggest dissapointment was the Texas Charbrito, the goat was excellant but the portions were ridculosly small. Other than that entree have been good with everything I have eaten there. A must try if in Ann Arbor!!!
(4)
Aubrey W.
Two words: Worth it! My boyfriend and I stayed overnight with a friend in Ann Arbor. The next morning, with our stomachs rumbling, so we all headed for Zingerman's. Considering it was Sunday, we expected a wait, but after about 30 minutes we were seated with drink orders placed. Now, The average breakfast plate is somewhere around $12, which may seem a little steep for breakfast. However, Zingerman's uses locally grown ingredients and offers generous portions. You can get a cheaper breakfast elsewhere, but you won't have this kind of quality. First up, my mocha. Rich chocolate with earthy espresso was a "sweet, but not too sweet" start to the meal. Next we ordered a round of doughnuts. These were deep fried works of art: a warm, soft dough with a crumbly crust, topped with rich, dark brown sugar. There's nothing like this at Dunkin Donuts. When it comes to breakfast, I usually opt for the savory, but once I saw the Fasten on the menu, I had to have it. The crispy baguette with the subtle citrus flavor and perfectly topped with a brown sugar and banana sauce, was absolutely incredible. Thankfully, my boyfriend ordered the biscuits and gravy, so I was able to sample a bit of the savory breakfast options. The consistency of the gravy reminded me of clam chowder: thick, rich, and full of flavor. Topped with some scrambled (cage free) eggs, if I wasn't so pleased with my Fasten, I would have ordered this. Together we shared a side of applewood bacon, there really isn't much you can do wrong here. It's bacon! I will say though, it is more chewy than crispy. If you prefer crispy bacon, request it that way. At the end of our meal, our server Chris asked us if we enjoyed it. Our Ann Arbor friend, Anthony, said that he loves it and has been bringing out-of-town friends here for years. Chris then offered to buy us dessert! What a guy. Soon a blueberry shortcake and vanilla gelato were on their way. We just had a delightful experience and when we return to Ann Arbor, we will be sure to patronize Zingerman's Roadhouse again.
(5)
Julie D.
Zingerman's is my place of choice for any special gathering or when I am in the mood for food that won't disappoint. Sure, you'll pay a pretty penny here, but they also use local fresh food. I have NEVER had a bad meal, side dish, drink, dessert or service (which is just as important as the food) at Zingerman's. I would say avoid during peak weekend dinner hours if you do not like to wait.
(5)
Peter S.
Good food and very good service. It would be five stars if it weren't over-priced. The biggest difference between the food here and good southern cooking is the steep price. The chicken-fried steak is highly recommended.
(4)
Matt G.
As one of the staples of Ann Arbor, Zingerman's Roadhouse must be a place visited, either by a visitor, or long time resident. For those die hard Zingerman followers, to the curious first timer, Zingerman's Roadhouse is sure to please those looking for a more upscale and unique environment and menu. No, this isn't some snooty sixty dollar per plate establishment that you may encounter going on Main St., rather a classy and sophisticated casual place, with a wide array of tasty comfort food on the menu. Go there on a fall evening and sit outside with someone near and dear to your heart, have a few drinks, enjoy a great meal; both of you will come away impressed and with a smile on your face, and you will take all the credit for being the mastermind behind a wonderful evening. 4.5/5
(4)
Stuart D.
First, a note of clarification: I do not associate a rating with the simple expense of a meal. Perceived value should certainly come to play, but not just the dollar amount of the check. Second, a note about that note: this is not an inexpensive menu. Some of the prices are appropriately matched to the dish provided (the Prince Edward Island Mussels are really quite wonderful), while other dishes are an interesting miss (the Chopped Pork BBQ Sandwich is actually a bit skimpy). That being said, the level of service CAN really make up for any issues in value. Let's be clear... it's always amazing to have servers that are pleasant, on the ball, and willing to spend time with you to help make selections. It is an entirely different thing when the whole restaurant is built on a culture to please their guests. For instance, you can sample anything. I mean anything. That may include having the kitchen sacrifice a beautiful cut of fish just to let a guest sample a dish. Just think: the solution to the skimpy Chopped Pork BBQ Sandwich that I mention above is simply talking with the server and mentioning that it just seems a bit underwhelming. You should have a small additional plate of Chopped Pork BBQ delivered without any questions asked. I've seen it happen. In addition to what has been previously mentioned, the dishes we've tried have included the Pit Smoked Beef Brisket (which is unfortunately pulled instead of sliced), Pit Smoked Spare Ribs (which are tasty but I find the bones to be brittle), Roadhouse Macaroni & Cheese (amazing), Macaroni, Smoked Chicken & Monterey Jack (the fire-roasted New Mexico green chiles were a bit too hot and overpowering when we had it), Roadhouse Burger (lovely), and we've never gone wrong with any of the appetizers yet. When you get to dessert, don't forget that the Roadhouse is connected to the Roadshow trailer which often has some other Zingerman's bakery treats to fill your needs. This is a great destination that is always busy but reservations can save you some time. Explore the menu and try something different now and then. And if you think something is amiss, test out the service level and see how far it goes. Enjoy!
(5)
Steve S.
Best sandwiches, period. The line/wait to order is beyond the point of annoyance but completely worth it. 100%
(5)
Chelsea M.
We headed here to celebrate a birthday having heard this place has some excellent BBQ. Come to find out it is pretty tasty, however I feel it was kinda over priced. Chris really enjoyed his BBQ pork platter with a mixture of the mustard and tomato based BBQ sauces. He described it as "good, really good" but it seemed to be lacking something. Not to mention for nearly $20 there wasn't a whole lot of food on the plate. The burger I had was tasty. The beef was of the grass fed variety and had an excellent texture and flavor. Aside from that the rest of my meal was just alright. The side of sauteed spinach was decent and the sweet potato fries were crispy and flavorful. Unfortunately nothing during our meal really stood out as- "WOW! We've got to come back here and have this again!" To their credit the service was excellent! The waitress was friendly and attentive. She made good suggestions for drinks and entrees and was never pushy. It is unfortunate the food wasn't more memorable. We'll probably go back and give a a couple different entrees a try in the future.
(3)
Crystal P.
Ladies night out with a few out of town friends. I have only been here once since I've been living in the area so came to re-visit to give my taste buds a reminder and it was good! To start I had the bacon potato soup, it was okay...I tried my friend's mushroom soup and that was much better (definitely going with that choice next time) For my main dish I had the bbq sampler(pork, beef, and chicken) with the mac n cheese (instead of mashed potatoes at of course an extra charge) and the greens. (Greens were good but not broken down enough; I felt like an animal basically putting whole leaves of collards in my mouth). All the meat on the sampler was very good and tender with good flavors. My friends and I split the donut sundae an extreme sugary indulgence for sure. I would come here again to try more of the mac n' cheese and some other items that looked tasty. The three stars are mostly due to the price of everything; my bill was over $50 for soup, a drink, and a main dish.
(3)
Christine E.
How can plain old butter taste so good? This is the most significant thought that I took away from my experience with Zingerman's Roadhouse. Less horrendously expensive than the sandwich shop (only $11 for your breakfast instead of $15 - what a joke) and staffed with some of the nicest people ever. I will say that their Hollandaise sauce was less flavorful than I had hoped/expected. Waffle was very good but not necessarily memorable. Other than that, though, everything was top notch, from the tea to the cinnamon roll to the French toast to the side order of potatoes. But the butter is seriously the best thing - you have to try it for yourself to understand. I had the waitress package what I didn't use, 'cause it's that good. Would definitely visit more often if it were more affordable.
(4)
Jeff W.
I can't say enough positive things about this place. Make sure to get a brownie to go or swing by the coffee shop on the way out too. Both are amazing!
(5)
Chad C.
Z.R. runs into the same tendency as their deli - just because all the ingredients you use are all of the highest grade, it doesn't mean that what you put together will taste really good. That's why chefs/cooks make a big difference. Now, Z.R. has good ones and has many wonderful dishes, but when you're paying Zingerman's prices, you expect all of them to taste good. They, however, do aim to please! Service is a Zingerman's hallmark. The beer list is outstanding; this is where I ran into Dragonmead's "Final Absolution." And you'd be hard pressed to find a better bourbon list this side of Kentucky!
(3)
Jess O.
I've dined at Zingerman's Roadhouse a few times and I still don't get what all the hype is about. The food is average and, while I can appreciate some of the unique creations on the menu, the cost just isn't worth it. The last time I ate there I enjoyed the first few bites of my entree - so much so that I thought Zingerman's just may have won me over. But as I ate on I found the dish to be overpoweringly salty and almost impossible to finish. I don't care for the atmosphere, either, as it's often so noisy and jam-packed full of people that I can barely hold a conversation with the person sitting next to me. Hopefully I've learned my lesson and will find a new place to try the next time I want upscale American food.
(2)
Rebecca W.
I think my Zingerman's appreciation gene is recessive. Or maybe I'm missing it altogether. I like Zingerman's. I guess I just don't see what the big deal is. My food is never SO good that I don't feel a bit of a twinge when it comes time to pay. My feelings go for for both the deli and the roadhouse, but this review of course is focused on The Roadhouse. After we finished, I realized that the meal I had was basically identical to my meal at the Blue Tractor a month or so ago: pulled pork sandwich, sweet potato fries, cole slaw, and a stout. Notable differences: -Zingerman's mustard slaw was MUCH better than BT's creamy cole slaw -From the BT, I brought home a lunch's worth of leftovers. At Zingerman's I finished my plate. The portion was not skimpy--maybe I was just hungrier. -Zingerman's cost $5 more. Don't get me wrong--the pork was very tasty, and so were the fries--huge honkin' hunks of sweet potato, instead of little fried bits (I can get behind both styles). Just....not any tastier than pulled pork and sweet potato fries I've had elsewhere in town. For 2/3 the cost. Maybe to understand what all the hype is about, you have to commit to fish, or ribs, or something more extravagant (ahem, expensive?) to begin with. Maybe pulled pork and turkey sandwiches only get so good. Dunno. While I've always had good food at Zingerman's establishments (ok, extrapolating beyond the Roadhouse again here), I've never yet had something that I couldn't get just as good, for less, elsewhere.
(3)
M D.
This place has been going downhill lately regarding the quality, portion size, and value of the food. For example, I went there on Monday of this week with my girlfriend. Our salad tasted funny and was small. Her fish (the trout, a special for that day) was overlooked, tough, and bland. And my surf and turf (crab stuffed tomato and a steak) dish had a well done steak (when I order medium rare). We both walked away hungry and disappointed -- and this wasn't the first time. This used to be one of my favorite places....but lately they have been putting out exceedingly small portions (especially of the protein) and not cooking the dishes up to expectations. This is tough to swallow when they charge very high prices. Also....don't bother sitting outside when the smoker is on....unless you want to smell like a campfire. C'mon - move the smoker guys! One more point: I order takeout breakfast here, but your staff frequently gets my order wrong. Please have attention to detail so I don't get all the way home to find out I'm missing the jam for my toast, an item in my omelette, and milk for my oatmeal! So frustrating when breakfast for two costs north of 50 bucks. The potential is there to make and serve excellent food. Just do better please. I am a foodie and have certain expectations - but you guys have a ways to go. So here's a summary: Pros: 1) very friendly staff - keep up the good work here. 2) good beer and wine selection 3) good cheese 4) ok tasting BBQ and steak (when not overcooked) 5) focus on American food 6) excellent coffee and tea Cons: 1) food is not prepared at a quality I would expect - it has been going downhill too. 2) portion size is VERY small 3) prices are too high for the amount and quality of the food you get in return 4) hard to sit outside when smoker is on 5) the takeout station consistently makes mistakes, they frequently don't know what's on the menu or the specials, and they are slow on the phone when taking your order Hope this helps and really hope this place gets back on track.
(2)
Mick C.
My second time at the Roadhouse and I once again left underwhelmed. While the commitment to local, sustainable food is commendable, and the service outstanding, I found many dishes to be rather bland. However, my palate tends to favor dishes with spice or strong flavors, so admit a little bias. We had: Green Tomato Mussels - The spicy, sweet sauce completely overwhelmed the delicate, plump mussels. An indicator of a great sauce is my desire to dip lots of bread into it; in this case, I just left the sauce ot one side. Sweet Potato Fries - Generous portion, with a spicy kick - very good. Crab Cakes - Disappointing - Visually, the two small brown cakes on a large white plate did not appear appetizing and lacked any flavor or freshness. Scallops - Cooked perfectly, the best dish of the night Chef Alex's Bearded BBQ Plate - For $28, included 5 small portions of BBQ and foregettable mashed potatoes and greens. The chicken and the ribs were cooked beautifully, with other portions ok.
(3)
Garrett G.
Ok so it is so interesrting to see so many reviews all over the place!! Here are my thoughts: If you truly thought the food was bad, something must of been off. The roadhouse serves lots of things, but one thing they don't serve is bad food. If you had a bad customer service experience that is the exception, and that person is probably no longer employed there. Offering samples of dishes is such a great idea, and it really helps people make a good food choice. The restaurant is great, the food is great, but it is just too expensive for me to be able to frequent here .
(4)
Ajay S.
Went here for breakfast on the way back to Chicago. The breakfast was good and the orange juice was freshly squeezed. Would definately go again. On issue was sitting outside it was a little load with a crew cleaning the bbq grill. Will return.
(4)
Alan W.
Good Food! Been here a few times; good service, good food, and decent decor. I like the place, but find some of the food too expensive. Depends on what you order.
(3)
Andrew M.
The Roadhouse is easily one of the most overrated restaurants in Ann Arbor. The food was average at best, and somewhat dry. I'd rate the food a 3, but given the prices, it's not really worth it. Other Zingerman's establishments, however, are worth a try.
(2)
F T.
Pretty disappointed with this visit to the Roadhouse. Our service was average at best, and the wine list was longer, but not really any better than a decent casual dining chain's. Of course, our food was delicious, albeit overpriced. When I go to a Zingerman's I expect the very best. This is what happens after years of receiving the best quality food with great service in a unique atmosphere. This trip did not meet any of those expectations. I also find it difficult to pay $20+ for an entree at a place with a view of their old Airstream in the parking lot that sells coffee and pastries as a drive-thru. Also disappointing were the chairs on the patio. They are too low for the tables and incredibly uncomfortable. I felt too short at 6'3".
(3)
Josh R.
I have been to many restaurants in my time and this one by far threw me off. It seems to be very popular and the decor is nice inside. Its a clean looking restaurant, so my girlfriend and I decided to eat there on 7/26/13 for lunch. Well we get seated and our server hands us their lunch menu and everything is around $15 per plate. Which is fine if the food reflects the price. Then our server tries to push the mac n cheese dishes, for $15 a plate I sort of laughed. I have never seen mac n cheese so costly it was kind of ridiculous. So I decide on fried perch and she gets a salad with soup. Well the perch came out greasy and stuck together like it was out of a Gordons frozen fish box and ive had better fries at McDonald's. It came with 5 small pieces of perch and their homeade tartar sauce was terrible. Id rather use ketchup. For a $15.50 plate for lunch I was disappointed as was my girlfriend with the salad. We can say we wont be back to this place thats for sure. Hope your visit is better than ours was and this review gives you insight on the perch.
(1)
Kensey W.
i've been here twice now, once for brunch and once for dinner. both times, i've found it to be meh. the price tag is the least of the problem (the brunch was actually pretty cheap) - i believe in the quality of ingredients at zingerman's but that doesn't change the fact that the food is just not that tasty. for brunch, i had a eggs benedict with crab. the hollandaise on it was incredibly bland. the potatoes served on the side were also bland and tasted like someone boiled and then baked them with no seasoning. (i used a lot of pepper and ketchup and it just tasted like peppered ketchup, which was okay i guess.) the portion was large though, so at least it was filling if not satisfying. as for dinner, i had fried chicken, after which, our server made sure to name drop mario batali as a frequent orderer of said dish. the fried chicken itself was decent and worth trying but not worth ordering again. there wasn't enough breading (i would believe if it were baked fried chicken) and the chicken was a little dry as chicken tends to be. my friend had a burger, which looked good, but the bun was overextending the meat, which is a personal pet peeve of mine when it comes to burgers. another friend got pulled pork sandwich which came with three sauces and was tasty, but in a way where i'm sure i've had better somewhere else. another friend got goat cheese mac and cheese, which was fantastic, flavorful, and right amount of gooeyness. i would get that next time if i liked eating large amounts of pasta. the best thing about this place is the service. they are very accommodating about switching out sides for other sides and giving you lots of options with your food. our server was friendly and knowledgeable and brought us some delicious cheese to sample while we waited for our food (yes, my opinion can be bought with delicious cheese). i wish i could give them five stars just for the services, but the food really was just a-ok.
(3)
Tyler B.
The Roadhouse has two major barriers to me being gaga, five stars in love with it - it's expensive and it's not downtown. Now these may be trivial aspects for some, but this is my review, I'll criticize anything I want. I ended up here because the girlfriend wanted a bloody mary for brunch and claimed these were the best. Besides she was aghast that I'd never been. Offering to pick up the check was all the arm twisting she had to do. I can't vouch for the bloody mary (other than to say it looked like a delicious, professionally made cocktail) but they do have a fine selection of beers on tap. Regardless, the main selling points turned out to be that the service is quite incredible and the beef brisket is to die for. I'd note that you get what you pay for, except the portion size left me wanting more. Lots more. So anyone who wants to drive me out here and pay for my meal, I'm in. I'm already contemplating having the brisket again or trying my luck on something new. Ah the eternal conundrum...
(4)
Holly M.
The service alone could make this place a 5 star all the way! Wow! While visiting MI for work this past week I was introduced to Zingermans Bakehouse and the Roadhouse, nice, eh? The Roadhouse had some awesome comfort food, exactly what I was looking for when I am away from Boston. I had the Turkey Hot Brown and it was delicious. I'm a little embarrassed to tell you that I ate every last bite on the plate. It was that good. Our server was super attentive to our needs and honestly made the dining experience. She totally rocked and was so honest and helpful, I was really impressed. My coworkers had a burger (outstanding) and a chicken special. Both were impressed. If I am ever back in MI again, I am going back to Roadhouse for sure!
(5)
Erika K.
Ask about half-sized portions! I went to the Roadhouse for a quick breakfast this morning and was pleasantly surprised by my bill. The waiter asked if I wanted a half portion or full portion of the steel cut oatmeal I wanted. I ordered the half size and it was more than enough; besides being rich and delicious, it was only $2.50! With a cup of awesome coffee (which I had refilled a couple of times gratis), the bill was only $5 before tax. I would take $2.50 steel cut oatmeal over a cheap, greasy sandwich from other places any day of the week.
(5)
Vanessa F.
Over priced for nasty mac n cheese. Nothing on the menu but ribs and mac. Never again. If you want the zingerman's experience go downtown, or to the bakehouse.
(1)
Niki T.
Have eaten here a few times and it's always top notch. The breakfast/brunch is unique and always tasty. The lunch we had here was perfect. I'm not a huge BBQ fan but their BBQ lunch options are amazing and so mouth watering. The service is top notch and very informative. They even go as far as to provide samples of their best entrees if you haven't ordered them. Definitely makes you want to come back to order next time. Everything they serve is local and comes from the surrounding areas.
(5)
Tim M.
I tasted why Food Network rated the Pimento & Bacon Mac 'n Cheese the best in the US - creamy, tender, delicious. But very rich. Barbecue was incredible, too. Pricy. Great service. We'll be back!
(5)
mariah c.
I figured out the secret of catfish consumption here! So, I liked the taste of the catfish dinner, but picking it off the bone? Not so much. However, yesterday I dropped in for lunch. While the Roadhouse isn't usually in my lunch orbit (or budget), the lovely Colleen C was in town and I wanted to show her someplace a little special. So, the Roadhouse it was! I was eagerly eying all sorts of options -- though avoiding the mac and cheese knowing that would = instant food coma mid-afternoon. I came upon the catfish po-boy! Perhaps it's only on the lunch menu, but I'd never noticed it before. I was sold! It was divine. The perfect slight sweet-spiciness of the pepper with the breaded catfish, on a super hearty roll was one special lunch indeed. The fries were ok, but it was hard for them to measure up to that darn sammich. Loved it so much that I ate the second 1/2 for dinner. For those of you who have a hankering for catfish but don't want the work of bone-pickin', go fo' the po' boy!
(5)
Diane T.
I'm usually a big fan of the zingerman's monopoly, but I found the roadhouse to be so so. I ordered the braised goat with sweet potato mash, which pretty much sounds amazing in theory. However, this was probably the chewiest, crunchest, toughest goat I've ever had. The atmosphere was also extremely loud. Even on a Friday night at 10pm, I still felt like I had to yell across the table. Maybe they were just having an off night, but next time I'm in Ann Arbor, I'm skipping the roadhouse and heading straight to the deli!
(3)
A N.
I really enjoy the chef's use of product from his own gardens. Great sides and cocktails. Can be a bit heavy if you don't order carefully. One of a kind!
(4)
missy a.
Great food to fit everyone's tastes. New selections each time yet same favorites. Love their drink and wine list. Cheese selections great & you an choose which type for a grilled cheese. Soups great. I will say fried chicken & mac/cheese weren't as wonderful as expected. Suggest reservations as they can get busy. This is a highlight when we visit family in the area.
(4)
Measie J.
Every time I end up at the Roadhouse for a meal, I always leave telling myself I have to come back and order the... The food and beverages are wonderful! On my last visit I tried the pimento cheese burger with Ari's recommendation of peppered bacon on it, OMG it was the best burger ever. The Roadhouse is also great about letting you taste an item on the menu to be sure that you like it before ordering or just for a taste. Our table had a taste of the pimento cheese and peppered bacon macaroni and it was to die for. Therefore, I will be heading back over there soon for a meal of it. It is worth every bit of the price based on the ingredients used. Zingerman's Roadhouse is definitely a gem for Ann Arbor.
(5)
PJ M.
My mom and I laughed about the last time we tried the Roadhouse for like, YEARS because it was just so comical the way the waiter built up every single dish. He was so enthusiastic about the food that it just really came off as ridiculous. The strawberry shortcake was made with, "local red berries plucked at the peak of freshness, the cake was made from scratch in small batches, the whip cream was from some special cow from some special pasture," etc etc . With fond memories of mom's bisquick shortcake and regular 'ol Michigan strawberries, and regular whipped cream, we felt we couldn't say no. When we were finally served the small but really expensive portions, we were overwhelmed with how completely ordinary, nay less than ordinary it tasted. It became our running joke for years to come....that strawberry shortcake whose berries were watered by the tears of viginal nuns- whose whip cream came from cows massaged daily...you get the idea---ie, Zingerman's Road house is a joke!
(1)
Lauren S.
Great food - I have my annual meeting with a client from Southfield here every year. I just wish they had more than one dinner table with an electrical outlet. Come On, Zingerman's - get with the times!!!
(3)
Allyson L.
In short: a little pricey, but I can't recommend Zing's Roadhouse enough for someone who wants some quality comfort food with great service. I just got back from a delicious lunch there with my mom. I got the fried catfish po' boy - the catfish was crunchy on the outside and moist on the inside, and the cabbage, mayo and pickles complimented the flavors perfectly. The sandwich was so huge that I could only eat half. (But now I have a delicious other half of my sammich to look forward to!) Instead of fries, I got sauteed local greens, which were perfectly cooked and had just enough mustard greens to add a nice earthy flavor. My mom got a meatball sub, which was way too big to pick up and eat but was also quite good. That came with some really great sweet potato fries - skin on, no sugar, and served with a spicy mayo that rivals Seva's (oh how it pains me to say that!). She also got some delicious fresh-squeezed lemonade that was just tart enough. Our bill came to $30; a little steep for a lunch, but absolutely worth it for the quality of ingredients and the great service. The service was fantastic, probably more fantastic because we came at off-peak hours (2:30 pm). The woman who served us was really friendly and even offered to walk us out to our car with an umbrella after our meal because it was raining. She offered us a refill on our sweet potato fries (didn't know you could do that!) and gave us a delicious sample of their "What the Fudge?" candy bar as a dessert since we didn't order any. The other great part of the Roadhouse is the Roadshow, their take-out service. The Roadshow is an old metal trailer stuck on the side of the building, connecting to the restaurant's kitchen. You can either call in your order or place it there - you just drive right up and get your food! I think they do coffee, breakfast, and quick lunches, too. Last time I picked up a take-out order, they included a free loaf of day-old raisin bread and some sort of dessert. Again, wonderful, friendly, helpful people. Now I just need to go back for brunch!
(5)
Freedom M.
Conveniently located on the corner of Jackson and Stadium, this Smokehouse has a relaxed atmosphere but pricey menu. The waitstaff is good, amiable and attentive. The food is more than not, absolute heaven. My favorites being: the hamburgers, the sauteed spinach, the pimento mac and cheese, gumbo, the eggs benedict and any of the chili. Their coffee is INCREDIBLE. I feel this place is worth the money if you avoid the following: any fish (but their shellfish is good), bar b q goat, crabcake appetizer and the hueveros rancheros (too watery). The menu changes often but you can always ask for an old favorite. They have a drive through section where you can pick up stuff in a hurry and the occasional farmer's market selling fresh veggies and fruits in the parking lot. Free samples are another treat you might get on your visit here. A few spoonfuls of their newest soup or pudding or fresh donut bites are free samples I've received. If you are vegetarian, you are going to be alright here. They are a smokehouse, but you can talk them into making just about anything from the menu to your specifications. Dinner guests with me have raved about the beer, smoked chicken sandwich, fried chicken, appetizer salads, Applewood smoked bacon with eggs and the grits. Be prepared to shell out some bucks, as I said before. Not cheap and by some standards, not reasonable - but for me, worth every dime. Update 2011: We still come here regularly. Staff there are still extremely attentive and comfortable to deal with. A helpful detail for breakfast lovers: their small sides menu are very good sized portions, so you can get a nice meal for half the price of their set breakfast plates and it's a little less exotic if you just want a plain ol' no frills breakfast. The smoked sausage is SO extremely tasty. I found their grilled cinnamon rolls to be a new favorite but you have to really get there early and grab one because they sell out fast. Update 2012: Yep. we are still regulars. We love our Zingerman's roadhouse! Some improvements since my original 2009 post: The hueveros rancheros is really incredible now. A plate cleaner. The staff are UNBELIEVABLY accommodating. I would place this staff as the best in town. Some amazing menu items: THE FREAKING DUCK GUMBO!!!!! Fried Oyster po boy, Corned beef hash, warm spinach salad and Mary's wild oats. A recent yummy is something simple - big bowl of yogurt with fresh fruit. Some of the most ordinary sounding things have special flair here. Another golden touch is a great array of Sprecher's sodas - my favorite being orange. Also delectable and surprisingly filling: the cheese plate. It comes with an array of homeade crackers and fruit. I am also a fan of the oysters - but this is not filling and quite expensive. However - if you are ready to lay out some cash, a combo cheese plate and fresh oyster starter is an incredible time!! Summer update 2012: Now is the time to get down there and eat the heck out of the vegetable dishes. If you can imagine works of art for your tastebuds, then I would go for anything with local veggies. Recently I've had some awesome glazed carrots, heirloom tomatoes and the spinach never gets old. Would like to give props to the incredible sorbets - they have an amazing clean finish. Again, the staff is almost worth coming here alone - EVERYONE is unique and a star in their own right. Summertime is bright and shining at the Roadhouse!
(5)
Peter S.
Most recent take was good, but not exceptional (really overcooked burger) - sweet potato fries were pretty good. Will certainly return & hope for another 4 star or better time.
(3)
Kyle H.
I thought Zingermans was way over hyped. We called ahead on a monday night, an hour an a half early to be exact, and put our names in for a table. I thought the menu looked really good but way over priced and especially for what I was served. I got the coffee and coco rubbed short ribs. They were over cooked and the rub wasn't particularly tasty. The greens with braised bacon were 98% flavorless! The 2% flavor was pepper. I think they must have boiled them with that bacon for a day and half. We subbed out our mashed potatoes for what was supposed to be their specialty, the mac and cheese. They up-charged our meals $4 for 1/4 cup of mac and cheese. While that was the most tasty thing in the meal it made me long for my wife's version. They were featured on some show on food network or something and were praised for having the best comfort food around. Maybe that praise made them jack up the prices? I do a lot of traveling and there are a lot of local restaurants like Zingermans doing the same thing for less money and way better quallity. I think the people of Ann Arbor have the Zingerman wool pulled over their eyes if they are so in love with this place.
(2)
Sarah S.
Oh, Zingerman's. I see your menu, with all its hearty yet sophisticated dishes, and I smell the tantalizing smoky aroma in your restaurant, and I want so badly to like you. But after three tries, I don't. Granted, I'm a vegetarian, so I'm probably not sampling the best you have to offer. But your macaroni was bland, your black bean burger dry and tasteless, your enchiladas decent but not worth $18. Furthermore, your service is some of the pushiest I've ever encountered. If I say I'm not interested in a drink or dessert, don't ask me three more times to make sure. Friends who have accompanied me here have been similarly disappointed. The bottom line is, your chef needs to focus on execution, and your overall approach needs to focus on quality, not quantity.
(2)
Michael S.
Pros- good food in general, high quality ingredients Cons- outrageously priced, only the most devoted Zingermans fan or people for whom money is no object would eat here on a regular basis. Verdict- WAY OVERPRICED, good for an occasional casual dinner out when money is not an issue
(2)
Cd S.
Just plain overpriced for what you're getting. We tried some of their comfort food stuff, and it was decent but not exceptional, and the meal for two cost $85 (no wine either). I gotta say, don't believe the hype on this one.
(2)
Kenta Y.
Great food and atmosphere. I was an U of Michigan student when I first tried this place. Had the brisket with a recommendation from a friend and it turned out to be my favorite dish here. The server and workers are really nice and you can try most of the things on the menu before you order. The sweet potato fries with the chipotle dressing is great as well.
(4)
Richard F.
As much as I love Zingerman's Deli, the Roadhouse, while very good, does not get my top grade. Like the deli, they serve Zingerman's own coffees and breads. And like the deli, they really have unique and wonderfully prepared foods. But I feel the prices are not justified here, as they are at the deli. And the service, while usually very personable and well executed has occasionally been slow and spotty. They do have nice daily specials and they have focused on true roadhouse food including some smokehouse specialties. But the execution and pricing have driven me to not go there very often even though they are fairly close to where I work. I am not a big meatloaf fan, but I ordered ti the other day because others seemed to be enjoying it and the portions looked huge. But when mine was delivered the portion was fractional and the meat was fairly dry. I should have sent it back, but I chalked it up to one small loss. I have had great sandwiches there at lunchtime and the fried chicken is great too. The oysters I had as an appetizer were first rate and the wine list is good as well. The servers are well trained to be able to explain the attributes of the wines on the list which is always a plus. If the prices were say ten to twenty percent less and if the food was more repeatable, they would be a five star choice.
(4)
Kerry A.
I was recently in Ann Arbor for a long weekend. My mom and step-dad were really excited to take my boyfriend and I to Zingermans because apparently, its something you have to do in Ann Arbor. Luckily, they had made reservations (it was homecoming weekend and absolutely packed.) When we were seated, I was looking through the menu and while everything sounded great, the prices were outrageous. I ordered the short-rib, which they were out of so I switched to a cheeseburger. The cheese for the burger cost $4. I understand that it was a fancy cheese, but regular old cheddar (which wasn't offered) would have been fine. The bacon I wanted? About $3. It was advertised as apple-wood smoked bacon. What came out was comparable to something from Wendy's. Very thin, flavorless bacon. And it was only 2 strips. My boyfriend got a smoked chicken mac-and-cheese dish. It wasn't bad, but tasted as if the smoke flavor came from a bottle. The smokey flavor overwhelmed the flavor of the cheese, and just about everything else in it. The dish was about $23. For mac-and-cheese? Get real. The service was great and friendly, but the food didn't wow any of us.
(3)
Michael D.
This place rocks. If the food weren't good enough, there are cocktails on the menu here that you can't find anywhere else (like the Papa Doble)...or prepared properly (some using a bit of egg white to produce the correct amount of drink foam...very old school, very cool).
(4)
Samiya B.
nice place, good folks, really pretty good food. the final star is gone because it's outrageously overpriced for no good reason. the food is basic americana. that they offer it -- great. that you can pay $30 for some fried chicken? ridiculous. i'll do it ... but usually only based on someone else's desire -- or when i feel like something and don't care how much it is.
(4)
Emily G.
Kitchsy and Delicious. I came here for my bday dinner and wasn't disappointed. You can smell the BBQ smoking from the outside and it's so good. On the inside it is comfy and eclectic; there are shadow boxes full of salt and pepper shakers. The menu is crazy, the drink/desser/cheese menu gets it's own binder! The dinner menu has season/daily changes on it as well. I got the pork BBQ with NC style sauce, greens and sweet potato fries. If you go you must get the sweet potato fries, really, you must. Also, they have a portion of the menu just devoted to mac 'n' cheese. I mean 'c'mon! Anyway, I highly recommend it, just maybe not around game time, it tends to fill up quickly.
(4)
T. S.
take your wallet and just open it at the door. it will soon be empty anyway. If you don't care, food is good.
(1)
Mike R.
Too bad I couldn't give this 6 stars ! Wowzer was this good or what !! This place now enters the pantheon of places that I would drive to JUST to eat here. Currently, only Momofuko in NYC is in that category. Oh where to begin. Well, it's very close to I-94, about two blocks from the worst hotel we ever stayed at. The Clarion. The menu changes daily. So in the two times we went there (both for brunch) it was like Xmas morning. Soooo what is on the menu today. I think I'll have the super smoked pulled pork with only the greatest mac & cheese I have EVER had ! The day before had some corn beef hash with poached egg... WOW.. My wife had some grits, egg thing.... she is still on cloud nine, and the coffee.... my god was that great !!! Portions are not big.... which is OK by me.... it's kind of like Per Se meets Bob Evans. Don't miss this place.
(5)
Mary P.
Great food, great service, great evening!
(4)
b b.
Expensive and the food was just ok! I wouldn't go back. Go to the deli, food is much better and worth what you pay.
(2)
S H.
Basically they're using high quality ingredients and it comes out below mediocre. Please don't make the mistake of confusing Zingerman's original deli (awesome sandwiches, desserts, and other stuff) with the thoroughly mediocre but perhaps even more pricey Zingerman's Roadhouse. I've tried three times with groups after football games, and have now resolved never to return. Interestingly, virtually all my friends, who encompass a wide range of tastes/backgrounds, were in complete agreement. The menu is slight: there's only a handful of entree options, most of the Americana/pulled pork/smoked meat variety. The Mac & Cheese is WAY too rich, just normal pasta-from-a-box loaded with artery-clogging amounts of rich cheese. While the dish may be rich, you won't be after paying up for it - the prices are almost offensive. Service is slow and the atmosphere - mostly booths and unremarkable decor - make me think this space could operate as a Denny's with just a change of signs. Quite clearly the Zingerman's name has branded people to come here and wait long amounts of time to overpay for bad Macaroni & Cheese - pretty sweet business model if you can pull it off. For those considering, instead head downtown where there are plenty of better options where you might pay as much but actually get a better-than-diner meal served to you.
(2)
Lily H.
First, if I could give The Roadhouse 10 stars, I would. Second, of all of the restaurants where I have dined, of all of the food I have eaten, The Roadhouse is my favorite, maybe one of my favorite places on earth. Honestly, if you are a foodie, you will probably enjoy anything off of the menu. Anything. If you are like me, you will get bogged down by one or two of your favorite things and order them over and over and over and over, each time trying to convince yourself to try something new and then caving in and ordering your favorite item off of the menu because you know it will never disappoint, ever. Even though anything you order will be that good too...it's a cycle, a wonderful and delicious cycle. In these hard economic times, and any time you're feeling that weird Ann Arbor "why is it so expensive here" feeling, check out Zingerman's specials. My sister and I used to look forward to burger night on Mondays, when one may order any burger off of the menu, Roadhouse salad included, for $12.95. I encourage you to swap the regular fries for sweet potato fries (add $1.00) because the sweet potato fries are fantastic but more importantly they serve as a vehicle for the spicy mayo sauce by which they are accompanied. I'm also a fan of the meatloaf special on Wednesdays, the warm spinach and mushroom salad (not a special but satisfying and divine), any of the fresh oysters, and nearly anything off of the brunch menu. If they have any brownies in the Airstream outside, get one to go. This past summer, my Chicago based coworkers and I indulged in several amazing happy hours at the bar inside of the salt&pepper shaker room; really good happy hour beer specials await! After dining at The Roadhouse for many happy years, I wonder what it would be like to stumble upon it again, differently, for the first time. It is my dream to live in an alternate universe and happen upon Zingerman's Roadhouse as a drive through the country. I would find myself hungry and on 94E/W. Maybe on my way to Chicago. I believe that to hungrily exit 94, to decide to try out Zingerman's instead of the Taco Bell or MacDonald's down the street, park and go inside would be like some kind of food experience heaven. Long live Zingerman's!
(5)
Amanda Z.
It's kind of just a meh for me. Went to the Roadhouse with a few friends and it was pretty good but I guess I was just expecting a little more. Our waiter was fantastic, never rushed us, gave us great advice about the menu, and even brought out two small tastes of the different kinds of mac and cheese so my friend could decide between the two! That's service! We ordered the Maize & Blue Hush Puppies as an appetizer. The maize were the clear winner and tasted like a traditional hush puppy. The blue were really dry and even with the spicy mayo as a dipping sauce, they were hard to get down. As a main dish, I ordered the Grilled Carolina White Grits, which more closely resembles polenta cakes. As the name implies, they grill the cakes, but I don't remember asking for my cakes to be well done. They were like blackened on the bottom, making the top part the only edible part. The top part was pretty good though, and the corn, pepper, onion and cheese mixture on top was really flavorful and gave the cakes some moisture they definitely needed. Overall, I would give the food 2 stars, the service 4 stars and average it out to 3 stars. Maybe I just hit an off day?
(3)
Erica R.
I know it might be sacrilegious to say this but I really don't think Zingerman's is anything to call home about. I've been to the road house 2 or 3 times and each time I find myself thinking really was that worth the 25 bucks? It's not that the food is bad its just not that great. Most recently I shared the hand cut sweet potato fries with the spicy mayo as an appetizer and got the Macaroni and 3 pepporcorn goat cheese. The sweet potatos were really good and I might even go so far as to say that they are some of the best sweet potato fries I've ever had, but the Macaroni and cheese was just OKAY. Maybe I was expecting too much but the description of a fresh goat cheese sauce, carmelized onions, fresh cracked peppers, and a topper of a crispy round of goat cheese made me think wow this is going to be really flavorful and perhaps worth the $17 dollars. But no not even close the pasta was a bit bland and it felt like something I could have made at home with the proper ingredients. If I was eating this at say an Applebees and I had paid $9.99 for it then perhaps I would have been okay and even slightly positive about it but since this is Zingerman's which is supposed to be oh so delicious and since they charged me $17 dollars for it, I was not so happy. Our bill for two people was $52 for one pretty good appetizer, two average entrees and a lemonade. If that sounds like a party to you then by all means head to Zingerman's Roadhouse if not head to Applebees and you will probably be equally satisfied and whole lot richer by the end of your meal.
(2)
Will M.
This place is kind of expensive; however almost every restaurant in Ann Arbor is kind of expensive. The food is really good, and usually interesting. The mac and cheese is delightful AND the fried chicken is great. The more "adult" food is also good. The Zingerman's service difference is for real. The number of beers on tap is excellent and they have some interesting ones. They also have very interesting special events.
(4)
Iris S.
We hosted a rehearsal dinner on July 3rd. It was fantastic and everything turned out perfectly. Joanie, the event coordinator, was great to work with, she made good suggestions, and put together cute menus with our picture on them. The outdoor patio setting along with the great food really impressed our guests. The two servers we had were super; they were attentive, patient, and flexible. We also very much appreciated a surprise gift the restaurant gave us. It was really a special touch. I live out of town, so I chose the restaurant based on a friend's suggestion. I'm so happy we did and I can't wait to visit again.
(5)
Pete U.
seriously, not good at all, went with a group of 4, one enjoyed their meal(ribs), everything else greasy, to a point of grossness, double fried fries, fried sandwiches, i wont ever go back, and would not recomend it to anyone
(1)
Nupur L.
I enjoyed my visit to Zingerman's Roadhouse but the experience just doesn't add up for the price. The entrees are certainly good and I appreciate small touches like an amuse bouche and samples of most items on the menu. The interior is little more than a glorified Denny's with dim lighting and better upholstery, though. The food, while quite tasty, does not measure up to what one would expect for $15 mac and cheese or $20 fried chicken. Also, something makes me cringe about $8 cocktails with nothing better than Jim Beam-in Ann Arbor! I've had comparably priced meals in other cities that were absolutely unforgettable and Zingerman's Roadhouse just doesn't deliver at that price range.
(3)
Mike B.
Went here over the weekend and the food was awesome. My wife and I shared the fried chicken w/ mashed potatoes and the roadhouse mac and cheese. One of the best fried chicken I have ever had. It was as good as the last time. Mac and Cheese is fantastic. Since there were 8 people, we waited a little while for the food, which was ok especially since they gave us pimento cheese as a side in addition to sweet potato fries and bread on the house. Service was excellent. Recommend making a reservation b/c the wait can be a while.
(5)
Beth J.
This place is delicious! I went there for brunch one day, so homemade and fresh, and good coffee! I will definately be back!
(5)
Coco C.
I came for the mashed potatoes and gravy and stayed for the fried chicken. Much more satisfying than the Deli, and though it is overpriced - fuuuuck, it's Zingerman's, dudes. If you don't want to pay through the nose, you haven't been living in Ann Arbor very long.
(4)
russ h.
Love the concept of elevating American food to an art form. I will say I have come across a few misses on the menu - the donut sundae was too much for me and that is saying a lot. On the whole a fantastic place to eat.
(5)
Nirmit K.
This place rocks! Everyone told me this is a must visit for Ann Arbor. I agree ! Environment is great, service is great and food is great! The only reason. Starting with the warm breads through the entree it was awesome. Desserts were a little disappointing and the only reason I give them four stars. Real unique place and one of a kind
(4)
Alan M.
The Roadhouse is totally hit or miss. The first time I went there, my meal was fantastic. The second time, lackluster. I've been here a half dozen times, and I'd say my food was really good twice. I know a lot of people who really love the place, but there are so many better options in Ann Arbor, including the fantastic Zingerman's Deli. I'm willing to pay a lot for good food, but why pay their prices when you can get something better for half the price somewhere else in town?
(2)
Claire D.
After a four hour class on how to decorate cakes at the Zingerman Bakehouse, we felt the only option for dinner while in Ann Arbor last Friday would have to be Zingerman's Roadhouse. It's the kind of atmosphere you expect when you participate in any Zingerman's experience; friendly, upbeat, a commitment to service and good food. They have fresh oysters flown in so we had to sample those, while we waited for our food our waiter brought us delicious cheese to sample and our waiter (Will) was able to make great suggestions for our meal. If we hadn't been so full of cake, we would have sampled the ample bar menu as well as the excellent dessert menu. However we stuck to a really flavorful macaroni and cheese and I got the stuffed cabbage. The mac and cheese, I felt was better than my stuffed cabbage dish but I had never tried stuffed cabbage before so I may not like stuffed cabbage as much. However, the bacon with the stuffed cabbage was amazing!
(4)
douglas R.
Ok this has to be one of the best roadhouse's I have ever been to. My family and I went for breakfast while in MI last week and were thoroughly impressed. Home runs all around. First off the hostess automatically asked us if we would like to sit outside, which we wanted to. The Patio was covered with plastic overhead and the tables were delightfully comfortable. Even my 2 year old loved the chairs and sat still to color with the crayons and paper they gave her. Plus one for that. We were seated near the outside grill, which when the breeze blew just right you could smell the heavanly aroma of smoking meat. Plus two because the aroma gave your pallet a chance to catch up to your senses. Our waitress was so delightful and helpful with the menu I almost didn't want to leave after our feast. I ordered a belgian waffle stuffed with bacon and grits. As I am not a fan of grits I was skeptical. I also ordered a side of sausage patties which our gracious waitress said she could make it a half and half order as I wanted to try both types of sausage. Which the Broadbent's Smoked Sausage ended up being the better of the two. The Roadhouse Breakfast Sausage was a bit dry but not bland. When the Bits and Grits waffle showed up it looked just like the wonderful sugar coated waffle's we had in Belgium. To make matters better it tasted just like those waffles. Now the grits in the waffle weren't crunchy or soggy but just right. And the bacon was divine. To top off the waffle was a beautiful "Maple" syrup that when mixed with the butter makes you stop and appreciate the world around you. (More places in MI should be ashamed with not getting great maple syrup when they are so close to Canada.) Like a shape-shifting chupacabra each bite of the waffle was a different tasty flavor. My wife ordered the "NEW" English Breakfast, which was great, except for the ham. The ham was good but not great like the bacon or sausage. It was a bit dry, but it still doesn't warrant a bad mark. The eggs were cooked to my wives liking and the veggies and beans were out of this world good. When I talked to the waitress about the restaurant she tried to get the Chef to come out and talk to me. Unfortunately for me he had some catering to do but I was able to talk to the co-owner Ari. After a lengthy conversation and a good meal I was convinced to buy his book on bacon. I have still to read it but I will by the end of the summer. So if you are in Ann Arbor for a visit or going to watch a Wolverines football game stop by Zingerman's you will not be disappointed. We will all be going back on our next trip to MI. Thank you Ari and staff for making us feel welcome and appreciated.
(5)
Scott I.
This restaurant has everything you expect from Zingerman's: high quality food, good service, and high prices. Fantastic barbecue. Where else are you going to find good North Carolina pulled pork or authentic grits in Michigan? Also check out the cocktail menu -- they are reviving the art of fantastic old-fashioned cocktails. There are actually some good deals here. Monday through Thursday check out the Blue Plate special. Especially on Thursday, when you can have the Barbecue Sampler for $12.95. The burgers are also pricey for burgers, but moderate compared to many of the entrees, and they are outstanding. And for dessert, you have to try the doughnut Sundae. C'mon, you have to. Doughnut. Sundae. 'Nuff said.
(4)
Mae S.
Another overrated Ann Arbor legend in its own mind.
(3)
Erin G.
The Roadhouse has some standouts, but for me they're mostly in the appetizers, not the main meals. Their crabcakes are yummy, as are their sweet potato fries. Their chili cheese fries are really fantastic: "Our ancho beef chuck chili over hand-cut, twice cooked fries with our grated 2-year-raw-milk Vermont cheddar." If it weren't out of my way, I'd go just for those. Once, we got Alex's sampler, which includes said crab cakes, onion rings, ribs, quesadillas, and hush puppies. It was just too much greasiness to handle. Granted, many appetizers are, but I expected more from Zingermans. And I expected more for the price. For main meals, I've tried their ribs and fried chicken and mac n cheese. All of them were just ok, and not worthy of the price. If you've got some money and want to try it out, go for it, but it's not somewhere I'd be a repeat customer. I'll stick to the deli, which Zingerman's knows how to do great. Oh, p.s. I hear they have brunch, I've never made it out to that, is it good?
(3)
Chris S.
Down home American cooking! The fried chicken rocks. Other items on the menu looked quite delectable. Best characterized as a better-than-average suburban restaurant.
(3)
Carolyn S.
Zingerman's Roadhouse was almost too much fun. Great cocktails. The BBQ oysters were out of this world and could become addictive, a ham and cheese plate that was unlike anything I've ever tasted - domestic procuitto maybe - but not salty at all - it was amazing. Served with a beautiful, creamy cows milk cheese. A beet salad that I salivate trying to describe. Get the picture? The four of us split two entrees - coffee rubbed wild boar that was beautifully cooked and we had to have the fried (melt in your mouth) chicken - which was perfect. I'm going to stop here except to say that service was exceptionally friendly and professional. We wanted to go back the next day to have some of the roast suckling pig they were just starting to cook on the outdoor grill.
(5)
Ashley D.
I wasn't too impressed. The real Zingerman's is much better. We waited for an extremely long time and the food was just OK. If you're trying to choose between this and the original, go with the latter.
(3)
brandon h.
phenomenal service, food hit or miss
(3)
Sara B.
Let me start off by saying that the three start rating is because it's in comparison to the other TWO Zingermann's places in town. Also, because you can get much of the menu cheaper and better at other places around town because you aren't paying for the name. That being said, I have eaten here several times. The best thing I had was the breakfast burrito. YUM. Their burgers are good, but everything costs extra. Also, the mac n cheese is good here, but not for $12 for a small take out container. Maybe I just haven't had the right things?
(3)
Jenny Z.
I think Zingerman's in general is overrated, and their staff really drink the Kool-aide hard. But overall this is a pretty decent restaurant. Nothing amazing, but also a decent meal that you won't hate and comes in handy if you're hungry for American cuisine. I would recommend the Deli over the Roadhouse if you can get by with a sandwich though.
(3)
Norman A.
The Zingerman Empire is impressive. It is vast and it has impressive depth. Yet when you go to a restaurant if not distracted by poor service or atmosphere the most important consideration is the food. The Roadhouse has ambiance, loud but not too loud, and lots of great eye candy; the service is excellent in fact the servers are some of the most thoughtful waiters I've encountered in the world. Those factors taken care of we have the food. An impressive menu with a very strong American rural feel with urban sophistication, yet not too sophisticated to be off putting for those who wanted to go to a roadhouse. Perfect? Not exactly. The BBQ is prepared in big smokers on the property. The aroma would lead one to think this will be great BBQ. Never has it been. It is always somewhat dry and often tasteless.How could that be? Gets me, I've had great BBQ in shacks on the side of the road in Alabama and Georgia. Great tasting BBQ, nothing real fancy just great BBQ. This goes for a lot of their dishes. Pretty good but not just not as good as the best I've had. Will I go there again? Probably. But i've scaled back my expectations over the years.
(3)
Evan V.
Alright, this place is a must. The servers are nice and friendly, and best of all, the food is absolutely fantastic. We have gone out of our way to come here many times. If you do go, make sure you get the fried chicken (it's heaven).
(5)
Mark Z.
About 5-6 weeks ago I was coming back from Chicago and I decided to stop at Knights Steahouse in Ann Arbor because there food is awesome, but they were closed on Sunday. So i decided to go ZIngermans to get a steak. I figured this is Zingermans and the steaks would be top notch. I was wrong. I ordered a Medium Sirloin and the steak came back Extra Extra Rare. I usually dont complain but I told my waitress about this, instead of making me a new steak they took the old one and it was charred on both sides and tasted like charcol. I emailed Zingermans about this and got a reply from Elsha Chapman who I belive is a manager: "Thank you for taking the time to write in. I'm very sorry we failed you on this visit. You are right. A medium steak should not have come out that way. I'm going to be giving this information to the Chefs so they can nail down the problem. I feel awful that we were not able to make up for our mistake while you were in. Would you be willing to come and give us another try? I would love for you to come back and have a proper dining experience on us! I look forward to hearing from you". So she sent me a giftcard for a free dinner and decided to try it again. I figured they would have nailed the problem like she said they would, and nope they didnt. Same thing again, I posted pictures of my steak take a look at them. I was disapointed when they didnt fix the issue after they promised me they would. $38 for a Ribeye outrageous, I expect it to be cooked perfectly not burnt on the outside and raw. I can get a bigger better steak for nearly half the price at Luckys, or go to Knights Steak House and get a better quality steak. Not sure who taught the Chef how to cook, I hope it wasn't bob's burgers.
(1)
Barb M.
Their variations on Mac and Cheese are inspired. Their donuts at breakfast are to die for as well as having one for dessert with ice cream at dinner. Their food is delicious and flavorful and and as real as it gets. Probably my favorite place in A2.
(5)
Samir N.
I love to hate on Michigan BBQ (ahem . . . Slow's), but this place holds a special place in this displaced Texan's heart. Everything here is spectacular. Which is why I went with the barbecue sampler. The ribs were good, but the laggard of the bunch. The brisket was AMAZEBALLS. It was not tender like I expect brisket, but more flame kissed like steak fajitas. I fully support this. The pulled pork was pulled pork. You cannot really mess that up. I cruised in on a Saturday afternoon by myself; in addition to the bar option, they also have the counter that looks into the kitchen. I love not having to wait for a seat. Tables looked like a 20 or so minute wait. They have tons of beer on tap and also do tasting flights. It is pricy, but if the quality of their food is this good and consistent I will happily pay the premium. I just wish I had space for dessert.
(5)
Paul V.
A long time favorite of mine. From the Mac-n-cheese, to the BBQ, to the fish, to the desert. I have never left this place disappointed.
(5)
William U.
Very gluten free friendly. Lots of options for GF in every menu section and clearly marked My wife is still talking about the Gluten free buttermilk fried chicken
(5)
Matthew R.
had to wait 45 minutes for a table, which was fine...then, due to some sort of miscommunication, we waited 15-20 minutes for our server to appear. which seems like a weird way to start a review that will include a GLOWING discussion of the level of service. once we flagged down someone to send over our server, she was absolutely fantastic. she apologized profusely and repeatedly, taking full responsibility (as opposed to a half-baked "i'm sorry that other guy messed up" 'apology') and went the extra mile every single moment. rachel (i think that was the name - she appeared to be pregnant but if she was it didn't slow her down one single bit) was fantastic. food (mac and cheese for her, chicken-fried steak for me) was very good, if not earth-shattering, but the service took it to another level entirely. will absolutely return.
(5)
Emily F.
This is my favorite place to go out to eat if we have the kids with us. I always feel well taken care of, food is excellent, service is outstanding! We also really like ordering fried chicken from their carryout menu, (fridge to fridge). You get more chicken for your money this way, actually can't beat it for the quality.
(5)
Myke O.
This place describes itself as serving "comfort food" but I found it to be much more complex. I had the "Meat And Three" with a Beef Tenderloin, french fries, and sweet potato fries. The meat had a smokey / hickory taste to it with a charred crust. The sweet potato fries weren't thin and crispy as much as thick slices of potato. It was all very good but just less comfort food than I expected and more fancy. For dessert, I had the Blondie Brownie Sundae (the Blondie was not even on the menu but was recommended by our waitress). It was OK but not really as light and fluffy as I was expecting (for me, the definitive blondie is from Applebee's and this was nothing like that). One of the other members of our party had the donut sundae which I thought was better...full of sugar and crispy. Our waitress was extremely friendly and helpful.
(4)
Annette J.
Finally got here for Sunday brunch yesterday and was just as pleased with that experience as lunch and dinner. My whole family went and everyone left pleased with their meals. My grandma, who eats like a bird, finished off her entire burger, half the table got the corn beef hash and joined the ranks of the clean plate club. The eggs benedict looked beautiful and I was told by the fam that their bloody mary's were delectable (I'm not big on them so I didn't sip but my family killed off more than one or two glasses each!). Me? I got the grits and bacon waffle. Ahh, the perfect marriage of sweet and salty--the eternal brunch struggle. Crispy yet fluffy inside waffles loaded with grits and bacon in the batter, topped with more bacon and cheddar cheese and a side of creamy butter and real maple syrup. Ohhhh heaven! Such a wonderfully tasty dish. I was sad when my tummy got full and I couldn't eat any more! Add my mimosa and it was a truly fabulous meal. The pastry basked we split was also delish---a hot fresh donut, 3 slices of coffee cake (hot chocolate, lemon poppy seed, and sour cream) with a side of real whipped cream. Oh so tasty! And our server even brought us a complimentary plate of piping hot donut holes. What a nice surprise! Coming back for brunch again and again! Will get the waffle again or the eggs Benedict next time, no question!
(4)
Alex Z.
The food was amazing and the service couldnt be beat. We went on a wednesday night around 6:00 and it was fairly crowded. delcious BBQ with a great vibe to the place. Would go back again in a heartbeat.
(4)
Nancy V.
I was in Ann Arbor on business and discovered this unique restaurant on Yelp. I was adamant about not not going to eat at a place that had the same food I could get anywhere else. Boy, was this a good choice! We made reservations - really glad we did - as there were 5 of us in the group. We arrived a little early, but the table was quickly made ready and we were seated after a very brief wait. The atmosphere is rustic and down-home. It is a bit noisy, but not to the point where you cannot carry on a conversation. The service was good and our waitress was very helpful in answering our questions. Our group ordered a variety of dishes and everyone came away satisfied with their choices. I had the Macaroni and cheese with chicken. This dish shares absolutely no resemblance to the packaged orange stuff that you make at home when you are on the PMS eating binge. This more closely resembled a very rich, very hearty pasta dish with a smooth bechamel sauce with cheese and tender chunks of roasted chicken and a sprinkling of herbs. It went very well with the light house Pinot Grigio that I had ordered to drink with it. One of my companions had the ribs and generously shared some with me. They were melt in your mouth tender with just the right hint of spicy smokiness that tells of meat smoked very slowly over real wood. We were brought a complimentary doughnut sundae as it was one of my colleague's birthday. One gooey yummy desert and 5 spoons. Since we were all stuffed from the delicious food, it was just right. I do not think the meal was overly expensive for the quality of food and service. While it is not a "high end" restaurant, the food is first class and the service was friendly and efficient. If I am in Ann Arbor again, I would definitely make this a required stop. Thanks Yelpers. You did not lead me astray on this one.
(4)
Dan R.
If I lived closer and had a more lucrative budget for dining out I would eat breakfast/brunch here daily if possible. Had the Biscuits w/Crawfish gravy today; however, all things I've tried here are excellent. Always use high quality ingredients and preparation is in point. Had a dozen oysters today as well, yum. Only gig is that today's server meant well and was friendly but was either newer to the organization or was off his game. He was friendly and attempted to make up for the issues. I will not lower my rating though as the other dozen times I have been there were all great service.
(5)
Caroline K.
Breakfast if Fabulous! Even the oatmeal is great! Served with several sides, including dried cherries, pecans and brown sugar, being good -still tastes good :) . Meet your friends for a good way, to start off any day!
(5)
Sophia P.
Great food - bread basket is fresh. The apple cheddar salad portion is small - a few more leaves of arugula would've offset the price - but $10 is kinda steep for a few chunks of cheese & slices of Apple. The Reuben is great & the Russian dressing made Inhouse with the dark Russian rye grilled & decent fries. We both split everything for lunch but could've used a little more salad. Would've like to try the broccoli soup but they were out - maybe next time if I see the size of cup vs. bowl vs. price Hubby did not like the coffee, however. I wasn't fond of it either & for $2.75 there's a Biggby across the street.
(4)
Jose N.
We are in the middle of our Holiday Luncheon for work, 25 of us. Servers are AWESOME!!! Food is sooo good! I'm half way through some fantastic ribs after devouring my Mac and Cheese. Everybody loved my choice for our party!
(5)
John H.
ZR felt like going to a steakhouse (I think the building was a Bill Knapp's in days gone by). But, once inside, there was the Zingerman's touch, exhibited in things like an offer to sample the chili before actually ordering a bowl . My dining companion enjoyed said chili with a plate of gluten-free fries, while my fries came alongside a redfish poboy, and a glass of Short's Huma-Lupa-Licious IPA (silly name, good beer).
(4)
Kimberly B.
First time eating here...I drive by it once a week and I'm so glad I gave it a shot. I love this place so much. Everything about it perfect. The food is great, the atmosphere is great, the waitstaff is great. I would eat here everyday if it was closer to me. I love the smoked meat salad. At first I was like "$16 for a salad?!" but I would pay $30 for it. Also it's huge and I took half of it home. The jams and bread in the beginning are great also. Our waitress entertained my out of control toddlers for half the time we were there and was so sweet. A+ - Can't wait to try the brunch next!
(5)
William M.
It was OK, but not as good as I had hoped. My friend got the fried green tomatoes, and they were outstanding. Perfectly spiced, crispy, and hearty. However, my mac and cheese was quite poor. It had the consistency of cheese soup and it was incredibly heavy. Perhaps I should have gone with one of the different mac and cheeses instead of just the standard one? Next time.. The atmosphere is great, and everyone there was incredibly nice. I just wish I had enjoyed my meal more, since we were just passing through Ann Arbor on the way to Traverse City. Word to the wise: If you are just passing through Ann Arbor and looking to make a stop for food, go with Zingerman's Deli.
(3)
Suki K.
we went to this restaurant today to check out because it's rated high on yelp (I'm new to the city). It was Friday night and was told that it will be 50 min. wait when we got there around 6pm, but we could get seated in 20 min. or so. We ordered Kale salad, chicken burger, and bacon burger with sweet potato fries(free refill!). Their caesar-style kale salad had good texture and flavor. Kale was very tender. Burger was good, but I got tired of the taste when i half-finished. I order sweet potato fries whenever I have an option. The sweet potato fries I had tonight was a bit different style from other restaurant and I liked a lot - good balance of savory and sweet.
(4)
Ted C.
AMAZING The foodie trolls hate it of course... most of them I see are students and can't afford good food. Yo FOODIES.. they don't have Ramen here. So you'll have to go back to your dorms for that. This is for serious food people only. A lot of what you see at Zingermans Roadhouse is from local farm to table. Everything is top notch. I usually start out with the oysters or cheese platter or both -- this place aims to please. There is nothing else to compare it with .. and the service is over the top. Zingermans has a long history in Ann Arbor with quality. If you can't find it here you can't find it in Ann Arbor anywhere... that is just how it is. This is an experience so take the time to enjoy it. This is not a diner or any kind of restaurant that you may be used to. This isn't even the Zingermans Deli experience. It is better... and in some ways very different. I think of it as an expanded palate of choices that goes beyond the Deli. The BBQ is awesome here.... and the place can get crowded. You can usually grab a seat at the bar and get great service. They bend over backwards to please you. That is why I go back again and again. Ari, (the owner) is a freakin' genius and is the mastermind behind all of the goodness under this roof. This building used to be a Bill Knapps and that died... from the firey ashes comes a phoenix and that is.... Zingermans Roadhouse. i love the energy from the staff in this place. They really know how to cater to people.
(5)
Patrick T.
The sweet potato fries are really, really tasty. They are hugely cut fries that you dip in spicy mayo. Yum. The mac and cheese is also fairly good. I tried the Bearded BBQ plate, but was not very impressed. I just didn't enjoy the seasoning/sauce, or the dryness of the meat.
(3)
Masayoshi M.
Food of Zingerman's Roadhouse is really good.
(4)
Brian B.
Well... the shops are really nice...especially the cheese and meat shop... but the deli... expensive and not that good... shop their but skip eating! Go to one of the breweries in town
(2)
Katelyn B.
Adore the mac and cheese.
(4)
John F.
Comfort food at its finest. Couldn't find a nicer place or staff. Food is great. Everything is made so well and served fresh, hot and tasty. This is a family favorite for my wife and kids.
(5)
Jaye K.
Loud roadhouse with decadent offerings! I live a couple of blocks from the original deli and send my foodie family members Zingerman's for the holidays. Call me a fan of the company. The Roadhouse is not someplace I eat at often, but I always have fun when I go there. The Mac and cheese brings back fond memories of a carb coma and one excellent hangover.
(4)
Meg K.
Returned to the Roadhouse for another Sunday brunch. The Huevos Rancheros - with the house hot sauce and eggs over easy - great flavors, textures, and gooey goodness. Breakfast Nachos were good - love the hearty tortilla chips. Had a bite of my son's Trout Po'Boy - the bread had perfect air and chew and the fish was cooked and seasoned perfectly. And of course those thick cut sweet potato fries are a favorite.The only problem was my daughter's Buttermilk Fried Chicken Salad had a hair in it. No problem, that happens. The staff replaced it promptly. However, with Zingerman's class and reputation I expected to not be charged for her entree. I'm sure they would have deducted it from the bill had we asked, but it should be standard procedure.
(4)
Danny S.
I liked Zingerman's Roadhouse. Went there with my family for Parents' Weekend at U of M. My daughter wanted us to go to Zingerman's deli for sandwiches, but we had dinnertime open, so I chose ZR. Overall I give it a 4.5 Reservations were easy through OpenTable. It is a busy place, but not near campus so does not have as much of the college crowd. The atmosphere is funky. Roadhouse is a good description. Outside the restaurant you can see an antique Airstream trailer that is used as a take-out window, and several massive steel smokers. We were a bit late for our reservation so had to wait about 10 minutes for our table, but I'm fine with that (at least they seated us). They have a great selection of beers, and my wine-loving wife liked mine so much that she ordered one. Nice appetizer selection, but we only ordered sweet potato fries, which are more like sweet potatoes sliced longitudinally into 1-inch square pieces. They were delicious. They have a great salad selection, and they are large enough to share. Without my having to ask, they split the salad my wife and I were sharing. They have a number of mac and cheese selections, which my kids enjoyed. My wife had a lovely Scottish salmon with Zingerman's Coffee Spice Rub, which was delicious. And I had a delicious southwest style (local) lamb stew special. I was tempted by the barbeque, especially after seeing the smokers, but I'll have to save that for next time. Overall, it was a great experience and I would go there again.
(4)
Amy D.
Zingermans Roadhouse is a nonnegotiable restaurant for us to visit on our annual trip to Ann Arbor. We alternate each year from visiting the Roadhouse for either breakfast or dinner, and this year we went for the latter. We came to Zing's on a Saturday night and we waited about 45 minutes, which is standard. I love this restaurant because they have so many differently styled rooms to eat in. We sat in a covered and heated patio, it was perfect. We started with a drink each. I have fallen in love with Pisco, so naturally i ordered the pisco sour. It was balanced, and the egg white atop was frothy and the whole drink went down smoothly. My sis had the Knickerbocker, it was the most beautiful red, it was slightly sweet but delicious. I must admit, that in the past it has been quite easy to find an item that i wanted to devour, but this particular night i had to really scour the menu. One tip would be to come during the week, because each night they have a special. I ordered the beef tenderloin and for my sides i chose the collard greens, cheese grits, and sweet potatoes. The steak was the highlight by far of the entire meal. It was beautifully charred, and cooked to the level of doneness that i specified, it was fabulous. For my sides, the greens had great flavour, but they were super gritty. The cheese grits were creamy, but the tiny amount of cheese on top was hardly enough to be deemed as cheese grits. The sweet potatoes were my favourite side. They were smashed, so there were different sizes and the textural contrast and sweetness was great. In the past we have ordered the mac and cheese which i think is the best dish that they serve, so my sis decided to order the baked pasta with roasted mushrooms. On the menu, it stated that this dish didn't contain bechamel sauce which is fine, however there was nothing to bind the dish. It arrived and it was simply mushrooms, pasta and a tiny amount of cheese. The dish arrived at the table and it was lukewarm. Our server was very apologetic and she rushed it to the back and heated it up for us. Overall, this has been our third visit to Zingermans roadhouse and we have loved it every time, but unfortunately we are verging on the point of been there done that. They are known for their service, and i cannot say anything bad about it. I think the Roadhouse would benefit from a menu shakeup, but for anyone who is visiting Ann Arbor, your trip is incomplete until you have dined at the Roadhouse.
(3)
Kris O.
I always go to this place with such high expectations, but end up leaving disappointed. As usual, the food was good. I didn't find it to be stellar though. Our server, who was friendly, seemed out of sorts. He spilled a glass of water on me and forgot to bring bread until we asked. I though he might make a slight adjustment to our bill because of the water incidence, but all I got was an extra napkin. I just can't justify the price. If I am paying that much for Mac and cheese and BBQ, I expect the highest-quality of service and its just not there.
(2)
Jill W.
Have heard many times about Zingerman's Roadhouse, and wanted to try it. Am in town for work, got lost trying to find the Mall, and found Zingerman's. Pretty happy I did, the mall can wait. I enjoyed a local craft beer (Belle's) after Shalama offered me samples, then had the buttermilk fried chicken with mashed potatos and gravy. So lifechanging - I blogged about it later in my hotel room as I enjoyed the chocolate pudding that I got to go. I have heard the wait would be long to dine there, but solo - I was able to eat at the bar and had great service. would easily come back for some bbq and maybe the gelato I have heard about.
(5)
Peter L.
Hmmm...the Roadhouse is one of my brother's favorite restaurants, so I admit my expectations were high. But still I wasn't too impressed with the experience. Started off with some oysters which were decent but not great esp at $3/each. The poutine was very mixed - good gravy but the cheese curds were hard and not melted at all. I ended up having the bbq pulled pork dinner. The pulled pork was very good, very soft and flavorful. But the collard greens were too watery and the presentation looked more like a cafeteria or school lunch. At $19, it did not seem like a very good deal. Overall, the Roadhouse, while pretty good, is not a very good value. And with a number of misses, it's not consistent in execution of the food.
(3)
Jessica C.
Sat at the bar and Bob served us. The cappuccino was delicious and was served up in a tall glass! I asked if I could sub the scrambled eggs in the biscuits and gravy for a small donut and Bob brought us complimentary donut holes. Did I mention he was top notch?? The donut holes were all that people rave they're about. Maxim voted them one of the top ten donuts in the US. I now know why..yum!! My hubby had the corned beef hash with poached eggs on top. He loved it!!! Portions were very generous. I would have liked a tad more crushed black pepper in my gravy but that's just me. This is an absolute must if you're in Ann Arbor!!!
(5)
Lee A.
I would have to disagree with some of the posts about the service. The service we got was horrible. The food took over an hour to come. I remember looking around at one point and not seeing an entire room eating. It wasn't insanely busy either. Not only did the food take forever, but it took our waiter about a half hour to offer us more bread and I don't think he offered us drinks during that time. My wife got her fries and they were cold too. I had adobo pollo and that tasted really good, but my wife wasn't too impressed with the 5 cheeseburger selection and she's obsessed with cheese. You'll find something that you'll like, but you're going to overpay for it.
(3)
Dale L.
Leave extra time ... Always busy Not impressed :( skip the roadhouse and go to the deli!
(2)
Melissa M.
Zingermans ...ahh a little piece of heaven on earth. Well I Love Love LOVE Zingermans Deli and have literally spent hours there taste testing, talking with the workers, eating sandwhiches, new and old pickles, gelato and birch beer. I mean it is amazing. So I had to try Zingermans roadhouse. I came here with my parents and boyfriend, we had reservations but we were running late. We called and told them and they held our reservation and sat us immediatley when we got there. Our server was Marcus and he was a Zingerman's PRO. I learned so much about the resturant and the food from him and really enojyed his service. I ordered the Catfish with grits, greens and Carolina rice. And...we literally got the whole fish battered (see phot above). Wow it was surpising but cool. They showed us the best way to eat it to avoid the bones and it was so good! All of the food was perfectly seasoned. Overall great service and taste. I live in California so I only wish I could try more!!!! I wanted to get the Mac n cheese since everyone raves about it. I guess I will on my next MI trip. At least I got some Bells Oberon. YUM!!
(4)
Rachel F.
People from Ann Arbor hype this spot way too much. The Sweet Potato Fries were nothing special. The Fried-Chicken on my Fried-Chicken salad was a hair shy of burned. Needless to say, the chicken was dry. For a Fried-Chicken enthusiast, this was a major let down. Also, I tried the collards, and they tasted like someone has run them along a ashy log before plating. They landed a little left of the "Smokey" flavor profile.
(2)
Carole T.
Pretty good place to eat. Pulled pork sandwich was very good. Sweet potato fries are about 1/2-1 inch width--knife sliced--good if you like sweet potatoes--very hardy! Fried chicken was pretty good--massive breast piece. Came with mashed potatoes with gravy and a little cole slaw--neither were remarkable. Busy place with lots of choices and hard liquor bar. Service was very good. Decor was road house--ok. Nice bathroom. I would return, but may try another place if I were to return to Ann Arbor.
(4)
Jacqui D.
While I gave a pretty bad review to the Deli, I love the Roadhouse. The food is amazing here, the sweet potato fries are a must. Have had their mac and cheese, fried chicken, and ribs and have really enjoyed all of it. The spicy mayo is to die for. This is a great place to eat in Ann Arbor. I don't remember the service I have received while dining here but I'm sure it was fine, as I would remember any really bad experiences.
(5)
Caleb Y.
Went to the Chef's Mardi Gras dinner a little while ago - and it was a treat...!!! The Chef, Alex Young, won the James Beard award for Best Chef: Great Lakes in 2011! He definitely deserves it...I have been many times to the place and he constantly puts out very, very high quality, and tasty food! Durring the Chef's dinner he presented each course, which were each delectable and was the most humble and friendly man to listen to. He is clearly enamored with cooking and very educated about the regions and types of food he serves. His oysters Rockefeller were rad! Just a fun place...oh and the slow BBQ is not to be missed - solid solid place!
(4)
Edwina S.
I confess the only meal I like here is breakfast/Brunch. Fresh squeezed orange juice, pretty good drinks (not a fan of the stupidly peppery bloody mary (but at least one of you just made plans to have brunch there soon with this simple over-peppered fact)). I am a huge fan of the huevos rancheros. No they are not traditional (get real here... it's a roadhouse... in Michigan... (not even in Mexican town) what did you expect?!). It's good. It has a pleasant kick (translation "hotter than hades" for those of you who order Thai mild from the local Chinese place). The bread pudding French toast is obscenely sweet and delivers a spectacular carb-coma in 30 to 45 min. It may seem weird, but the Bacon-braised greens are fabulous even for breakfast (slap some of that chili vinegar (bottle found on the table) on them and thank me later!) If all else fails... build your own omelette, if it sucks only you to blame! That being said, I know plenty of folks that like their smoked meat/BBQ offerings (sadly I cannot tell you of anyone that likes their fried chicken). I don't like doughnuts, but I swear theirs are made with crack. I can't just have one bite. Finest collection of salt n pepper shakers I have ever seen.
(4)
Kate S.
Best mac-n-cheese in town. Not really anything to say about this place that hasn't already been said. If you haven't been, go. Now.
(5)
Christian S.
When I drove up to Zingerman's Roadshow (the drive-through restaurant in a trailer adjacent to the Roadhouse), the person in the window asked me right off how my day was going. As it happened I was just winding up a truly terrible day. I'd say the worst day in several years. Horrible. I normally don't share this kind of thing with strangers, but I couldn't help myself. I told her, "Actually, it was terrible." She passed me a piece of chocolate cake without saying a word.
(5)
Terry C.
This place is incredible! The meats are smoked to perfection, the sweet potato fries are amazing, sauces are good, mac n cheese is ok. I'll be back whenever visiting family in AA. Only disappointment was the mac, the hype about it is incredible but the dish is nothing special. You can't go wrong eating here.
(5)
Maria G.
Loved this place. A little pricey by food is very good. Never thought mac and cheese can be so tasty. Online reservation worked. Server was very polite. She was kind of slow, but the place was packed at lunch time. It's a little loud but I guess it's not the restaurant's fault. We all like to chat!
(5)
Robin P.
Everything about this place is fantastic. The service is phenomenal. Ingredients are always fresh. Drinks are delicious. Unique menu. The only reason I give four stars instead of five is that the food is a little heavy for my personal taste. It is executed extremely well. I'm just not a big meat-eater, and mac and cheese is a little too rich for me to want a whole meal of it. But I do enjoy it when I go. I often pair the corndog appetizer with a salad.
(4)
Alex S.
After a long day on the road, Zingerman's Roadhouse appeared like an oasis in the desert. *forget water, BBQ is the true vision* I had been to Zingerman's in Ann Arbor before (their pecan blondies regularly appear in my dreams), but never to the Roadhouse. Speeding into the parking lot my mouth was already watering at the smell of smokey air..."BBQ is afoot!", grumbled my stomach. With the help of two traveling companions, I powered through a substantial part of the menu. Here goes the list: - corndogs with Anson Mills batter and Raye's yellow mustard - pulled pork plate - greens cooked with (note caps) BACON - mac and cheese - pulled chicken sandwich - (amazing) double-fried sweet potato fries with spicy sauce - donut ice cream sundae with a side of fresh summer berry compote - strong, flavourful bottomless cups of coffee The food - as other Yelpers will chorus to help me establish - is delicious. But also exceptional is the service. Sitting at the bar we chatted with staff, benefitted from recommendations, and would have loved to have stayed for some signature cocktails if we weren't, well, y'know...about to get behind the wheel of a car. Double aesthetic points for the extensive collection of salt and pepper shakers creatively displayed throughout the restaurant. Yelp note: thanks to an adorable trailer that serves as a drive-up food window, you can also purchase my much-loved blondies, and other Zingerman's offerings, post-meal. Trust me: this is almost more of a roadtrip necessity than fuel in the car.
(4)
Mike U.
Good service. Just okay food. Very expensive for what you get. I am happy to pay for good food but that's not what you get here. Extremely busy for no apparent reason. It has a fun atmosphere but not worth the stop.
(2)
Robert L.
Mmmm. Fried chicken.
(5)
Mark L.
Went today for the first time (brunch) and will return. Had the corned beef hash breakfast and it was tasty but only warm, not hot, and consisted mainly of cubes of potatoes. Poached eggs that it came with were tiny and overdone, one slice of bread cut in half constituted the "toast". Coffee was great, server was very friendly although I had to wait awhile on coffee refills. Total price $16. Love the fact that it's a farm-to-table restaurant, that the chickens are free range and the beef is grass fed. For those complaining that it's too expensive, I do understand but you'll pay more for quality ingredients from animal friendly sources...because it costs more to do. Brunch was busy and probably always is. I don't mind waiting and don't mind higher prices but I do mind if the pressure to get everyone in affects the quality of my meal or the service. My sense is that it did but I'll definitely return.
(3)
Taylor S.
Great take on American food - even for vegetarians. The Roadhouse isn't a substitute for the Deli - don't expect the same type of food or service. The Sweet potato fries are a must. The bread salad is also great, though a very small portion. I love the idea of their Classic Cocktail menu (cashing in on the whole prohibition era thang), but it doesn't live up. Most of the cocktails are overly sweet and remind me of college bar cocktails. Oh, and the Mac and cheese is really effing fantastic.
(4)
Emily N.
I'm traveling from California and I always keep an eye out for notable restaurants and eateries in various cities and states. I read that Zingerman's serves amazing food so we decided to try it. We went into the restaurant and immediately got two seats at the bar area. The waiter was extremely friendly, quick, and attentive. The house bread we received (and we went for a couple rounds of it) was delicious and it even went well with the main courses. We ordered the BBQ Pork Entree: pulled pork with your own choice of sauce, a side of vegetables (spinach for me), and mashed potatoes. The pork was absolutely delicious and the sauce made it all the better. The veges tasted phenomenal and I loved the texture and the flavor of the mashed potatoes. I also had the Beef and Vegetable soup because I wasn't feeling so well. The soup had a burst of flavor in every spoon and it made me feel much better. The beef was cooked perfectly. Soup can easily be overly salty but this soup was just perfect. I can see why the chef has been given so many James Beard awards and nominations. Delicious food. Excellent service. I'll definitely be craving Zingerman's food once I'm back home.
(5)
Mary C.
Zingerman's Roadhouse had a great balance of fun, aesthetics, super great service, extensive menu and was easy to find. The one thing I didn't find on recent reviews was dress code. I wondered how casual it would be, although given it is Ann Arbor, I figured jeans were OK. It turned out to be very casual, including short and tops, on a Friday evening. I had a friend in from Chicago who is has a culinary arts degree, so it is always a learning experience to dine with her. Our dinners included Fried Green Tomatoes - better than in Mississippi or Alabama; Pit smoked BBQ beef and it was definitely smoked and delicious; a special roasted chicken and bacon braised greens. The expert and I felt everything was especially delicious. It was a nice evening. She, as a southerner, was upset that the peach pie had been sold out. Would recommend this experience. We made reservations for 7 PM and were glad we did.
(5)
Dean D.
Here's how I see it with BBQ ribs. If you leave that back membrane on, you're an amateur. Maybe I'm wrong and there's a school of underground Q'ing that is far too elite for me to know about. If that's the case I apologize for this review. I've eaten here a dozen or so times, and yet I cannot explain why. I have faith in the Zingermans way, and I live down the street so... Yet each time I'm disappointed to no end. With the one exception being the fried chicken (always great). Ribs mediocre, brisket tough, pulled pk you can't screw that up, Mac and cheese great but that's not why you go...I'm sure it's the smell that floods the entire area that brings me back. Rhouse suffers from the exact thing that the Zing deli does. Great ingredients and poor execution by the staff preparing your food. Sandwiches thrown together, meats burnt and sloppy. Yet I still go, hoping for a change or that I'll get the right guy on the right day. Quite honestly my friends from Chicago come to town and I avoid it like the plague. Hopefully one day they'll get it together, but that starts at management I guess.
(2)
Lisa A.
I've been coming here for a few years now and try to go for lunch every time I come home to Michigan to visit family and friends. * Three words: Sweet Potato Fries. Or, more specifically, order the Sea Island Sweet Potato Fries. Just trust me. I mean, how can you go wrong with substantial wedges of fried, lightly salted sweet potato goodness with a side a spicy mayo? It's a perfect accompaniment to, say a salad or a bowl of soup or a half a sandwich. Speaking of soup, I had the roasted vegetable soup (rutabaga, turnips, carrots and potatoes in a vegetable broth) which is pureed, yet still chunky with bits of vegetables. It was spiced nicely and hit the spot on a cold December day. I usually order the fries with the Roadhouse salad, which isn't one of those "afterthought basic salads." It has heirloom tomatoes, organic greens, carrots, red onion and homemade croutons. Their menu offerings range from burgers (including two vegan burgers), fish, po' boys, BBQ pork, beef, & chicken sandwiches, salads, and a sizable selection of mac n cheese (including a goat cheese one that is blissful). Besides the food, I enjoy perusing the gigantic collection of novelty salt and pepper shakers--a bit of Americana--that are displayed throughout the restaurant. They can be a tad on the pricey end (more akin to NYC prices, which I'm used to), but I think it's highly worth it for the quality of food you get. Plus, they use local meats and vegetables and other ingredients (some from their creamery and bakehouse) as well as Michigan-based products and products from small companies around the U.S. I would love it if Zingerman's was in Brooklyn, NY...but I think that would take away from the specialness of it as an Ann Arbor institution. I grew up going to Zingerman's Deli and trips to their coffeehouse and I will always be a devotee. Also, they're just some really nice folks. Every waiter/waitress/bartender I've encountered has been super friendly. Oh, and they are usually packed, so I suggest making a reservation whenever you plan to go. And don't forget the sweet potato fries! If you share them with a friend the calories totally don't count. *I've only been for lunch. I need to go for dinner because the fried brussels sprouts and corn fritters are calling my name.
(5)
Michael U.
Arriving early in the breakfast service to the front steps of Zingerman's Roadhouse we found ample parking and made our way into the restaurant after snapping a few pictures of the oyster shell garden and signature neon sign. Greeted by a friendly young lady we were led almost instantaneously to a large four-top in the main dining room and presented with menus, a cheese list, and even a list of the daily oyster selection. Standing up after the server had walked away to snap some pictures of the kitschy interior the name "Roadhouse" certainly fit - from the collection of hundreds of salt and pepper shakers to the unique posters and knick-knacks found throughout the interior. Settling back into my seat and ordering coffee - a thick, bold blend with heavy notes of cocoa and floral tones while my aunt opted for tea we perused the menu and discussed how best to sample a multitude of options amongst the three off us. Fielding questions was our pleasant server, Catherine, and after a few moments decisions were made and orders placed. I will note that Catherine was frequently present throughout the meal to check in on us and make sure beverages were filled - between her and the rest of the team there was never a moment where our glasses dropped below 1/3 empty. Beginning first with the daily pastry basket we were provided with four items for a bargain $6.95. Featuring a steaming hot and crispy cinnamon donut fresh from the fryer, a large chunk of spicy gingerbread, and two types of coffee cake - hot chocolate and sour cream with walnuts - I found each item to be a nearly perfect version of its respective type. While my aunt didn't fancy the donut as she felt it wasn't fluffy enough I loved the cakelike texture of the interior as it contrasted to the cinnamon crisp exterior. The favorite of all three of us, however, was the hot cocoa coffee cake - a textbook dense and flavorful cake with hefty notes of smooth chocolate and a thin frosting that tasted like perfect drinking cocoa. For our main courses my mother selected the "Grits & Eggs" - Stone ground grits topped with two fried eggs, Nueske's applewood smoked bacon and 2-year aged Vermont cheddar and was instantly overwhelmed by the portion the moment it was set before her. Requesting her eggs scrambled this was easily accomplished and although I didn't sample the eggs, the bacon was remarkable both in firmness (not too crispy, but well done - smoked as opposed to pan fried) and texture-on par with the agave bacon at Frontera Grill. The most remarkable aspect of the dish, however, was the grits-hearty and toothsome, creamy yet sharply accented by the cheese, and plethoric in proportion. For my aunt's main course she selected the "Pain Perdu Fasten" - A Bakehouse French baguette dipped in batter and fried then topped with fresh bananas mascerated in brown sugar and all I can say was that this could have easily doubled as dessert (as a matter of fact, with ice cream it did just that at NOLA in New Orleans.) Only mildly doughy on the interior and crispy with notes of cinnamon, vanilla, and brown sugar on the exterior my aunt loved her dish while I rather wished the bread had been a little more thoroughly soaked. Delicious for sure and substantial in portion the bananas were a liquor-less Foster's style and complimented the bread nicely. For my main course I decided on the "Roadhouse French Toast" a dish comprised of cinnamon raisin bread from the Bakehouse soaked through with vanilla bean batter and griddled. Served with a hefty portion of butter from the creamery and pure Michigan maple syrup this was invariably some of the best French Toast I've ever tasted - not too thick, not too heavy, toothsome yet delicate - and the combination of mildly grassy butter and thick maple syrup only acted to enhance the vanilla tones to a whole different level. As an addition to our feast I opted to take a chance on the Biscuits & Chocolate-Bacon Gravy featuring "Gravy" made with bacon, cocoa and milk, served alongside house made buttermilk biscuits and after a single bite I knew I'd made the right decision. Sweet yet savory, salty yet bitter, buttery but texturally complex this dish is an absolute must order for anyone visiting Zingerman's and currently ranks very high on my list of favorite dishes of 2010. While my aunt, an admitted "boring" eater, didn't fancy the amalgam and my mother felt it was too decadent to eat much of I personally didn't mind one bit as I gladly enjoyed both biscuits and every last drop of the wonderful topping. Settling the modest bill and finishing what was likely my 6th cup of coffee we made our way to the car after a short chat with the hostess about our meal, their other locations, and small talk such as the weather. From start to finish I really can't say enough about the food, service, or experience at Zingerman's-and there is no doubt I will be back on my next visit to Michigan for lunch, brunch, or dinner.
(5)
Gary A.
High quality, unique and varied menu, extremely popular, wonderful wait staff, one of my favorite places in Ann Arbor. If you can't find something here, don't both going out, stay home and cook for your self. I used the Yelp reservation feature, setting the reservation the night before for a busy Friday night, and Zingerman's called me back the next day to confirm our reservation. So this feature works well. The only hitch was we arrived 5 minutes before our reservation, and it still took them 15 minutes for the restaurant to seat us. Go with the Fried Chicken or a BBQ selection.
(5)
Eric B.
3.5 stars Tasty food, but awful value. It seems that every James Beard awarding chef's restaurant I've been to (well, this and the other two..) have the same qualities- delicious food but startlingly small portions. This is especiailly disappointing when you're going to a place serving American food. When someone is ordering bbq brisket or mac and cheese and is told they're getting the quintessential American experience, they do not expect a tiny portion. Even with the small portions, I do get a craving every now and then for their mac and cheese, their ribs (probably best in town, but expensive), and most of all, their sweet potato fries! I also think a lot of credit is due to their inventive bar tender. I was amazed when I saw an apple brandy from an orchard near my home-town in NJ on the menu which you have to really dig deep to find in the area where it's made, let alone the midwest. So go every now and then. Complain at how small the portions are, but eventually you'll think about a particular item and a craving will draw you back
(3)
Nina S.
While in Ann Arbor visiting we had to try something from any of the famous Zingerman's in the area. We decided on this place and were not disappointed. The food is really good, the BBQ pulled pork was well flavored and their coleslaw was really good. The prices are a bit steep but I guess it comes with the name. Hands down though, the BEST most AMAZING thing on that menu is the deep fried brussel sprouts -- OH MY GOSH... SOOOOOO AMAZING!!! Get like 3 orders of them. Trust me. They are crispy and coated with a sweet and tangy balsamic reduction that just makes them to die for! Three stars for price and service though.
(3)
Nater B.
Burger good $13 good? hmmmm...Could have almost been there. Crappy bun fell apart while trying to eat burger. Burger not as thick and juicy as I expected. Tapered patty like a UFO instead of a hockey puck. Dry on ends, and first bite. Cooked slightly over medium rare as ordered, but I didn't complain. Seasoned decently. Very friendly staff. Not the best burger I've ever had. Ann Arbor Brewing Company has a better one. I might go back, but I doubt I will.
(3)
Chris P.
Boo! To sum this up its a BBQ joint that doesn't do BBQ very well and does it at a price that makes you annoyed. Again the food is mediocre at best. Food temps are cool to cold. Service is OK but certainly not great. For some reason anything zingermans touches turns to gold without any real reason. James beard award to the chef... I don't think so. To be fair I haven't eaten the whole menu just the BBQ (which supposedly they are known for). Won't be going back and will likely dissuade everyone I know who has any interest in bbq
(1)
Bob M.
Zingerman's Roadshow, located next to the Roadhouse, it a GREAT drive-thru food option. I always get a cup of the Roadhouse Joe. It is an excellent blend crafted by Zingerman's Coffee Company. Also on offer are amazing bagels from the Bakehouse, outstanding sandwiches, and something truly wonderful: "Show-J." It is a blend of fresh squeezed orange juice and lemonade. Sounds simple, but you must try it to believe it. Check out the Road Show. You will not regret it.
(4)
Jason C.
I wasn't really impressed by Roadhouse. With name like Zingerman's and pricey menu items, one would expect the food and taste to be above the standard, typical American food they advertised themselves as... indeed it was typical and over priced! I made a reservation for table for 8, got there, we got seated and the waitstaff asked what we wanted to drink, gave our drink orders, bread basket with butter was delivered. Ask for olive oil and they will bring a plate of olive oil for you; add some cracked blacked peppers and dip the warm bread - YUM! For starters, we went with Sweet Potato fries. Their fries were thick, so some were well cooked and some were undercooked, the dipping sauce make's the fries great, I think without it, it's an average, but the sauce takes it to next level. We ordered our food, I ordered the 1/2 rack of ribs with sweet potato fries and greens. While we waited for the food, the waitstaff brought us chili fries for free, so we were excited :) The chunks of the meat in the chili - OMG... the meat melts in your mouth, so tender! As for the taste of the chili, it was okay, had better chili. So, with the breads, sweet potato fries and chili fries, I was full. I wasn't sure if I could eat my main course... then it came :) All of our dishes were delivered. Great thing about dining out with friends?? You get to sample other dishes :) hahahaha I could tell the rib was smoked for a long time, based upon the color of the bone. I don't know if it was the dry rub or the sauce, but the rib did not taste that good... it was average. The green needed a lot of work... couldn't finish it... yeah... I did finish my fries :) The total price: $19. One of my buddies who ordered the Chicken Fried Steak was very disappointed with his dish. The meat was very chewy, so he told the waitstaff, the waitstaff apologized and asked if he wanted to order something else... he said no... like me, he was full... so instead of taking the plate back, the waitstaff left it on the table... and for some odd reason, the waitstaff never spoke to him the rest of the evening, as if he was blacklisted amongst us... So as we finished, the waitstaff came back and asked if we were done, the waitstaff took my empty plate, my buddies 1/3 eaten plate of chicken fried steak... again, nothing about what was being done. The waitstaff came back asking how we wanted our checks and at that time, my friend was informed that the dish would be taken off, but told him that the check for the sweet potato fries will be under him... a decision the waitstaff made without consulting my friend... Well, I went there once and gave it a try... will I go back? I don't know. I was taken back by the experience my friend went through. The manager should have came out, spoke to my friend and let my friend know what was being done! This is customer service and Zingerman is know for customer service - on this day, it was not displayed!
(3)
Sara F.
We went there for my fiance's 30th birthday. He loves BBQ, so he wanted to go to Zingerman's roadhouse. First: Our waitress was wonderful. She made him feel special without silly birthday songs or anything that would embarrass him. She gave great recommendations for wine and things to eat. Second: Everything from the bread on the table to the fried chicken macaroni and cheese was delicious. My fiance was very happy with his BBQ sampler plate. I'm sure that there are people who really know good BBQ and might be able to speak more to the flavors and cooking styles, but we enjoyed every bite.
(5)
Maya B.
Okay, so enough about the food. Anyone who's from Ann Arbor, or Michigan for that matter, or who even knows someone who knows someone from one of these locals knows that Zingerman's has great food. What I will mention is that I have eaten here a lot, and when I say a lot, I mean probably an average of once a month for 5 years prior to moving out to DC, so I can confirm that the food is consistently good (albeit expensive!). That said, most people would probably agree that the deli has a one-up on the roadhouse. What really sets Zingerman's apart from other restaurants is the service. The staff at Zingerman's are zingtacular (some more zingtacular than others, although I won't name names). The hostesses are always pleasant, the waitstaff is always considerate, and even the busboys and food runners want to ensure you have a great zingxperience. Meals typically begin with a small sample of something on the house just to wet your whistle (especially if for some reason it takes the waiter a bit longer than usual to get to your table--there's a rule that guests cannot wait longer than 5 minutes for their waiter). Waiters are always ready to help with food suggestions and make adjustments to plates according to your needs/wants. Moving along through the meal, if you are dissatisfied with something you have ordered, just politely tell your waiter and he or she will rush it back to the kitchen to bring you out a corrected dish or something entirely different, and remove the not-so-hot dish from you bill. They will probably also comp you something else to make up for it. All in all, Zingerman's offers a true restaurant experience with service as it should be--other restaurants should take a hint!
(4)
Michael T.
Solid and diverse menu. Friendly staff. Started w some root beer from the tap...delicious. My girl had Cream Soda which was also great. I had the BBQ beef entree and the greens were tasty especially w the pepper oil at the table. The macaroni and cheese - Monterey w pulled chicken was our other selection. Very rich but one of the best Mac and cheese entrees I have had. Dessert looked great but we were too full, maybe next time if we r ever in town again...
(5)
Erikalaw S.
If you have the time (and money), it is worth visiting this place more than once. Not everything is home run, but it is all very tasty. For a first visit, try one of their Michigan beers on tap with the chili cheese fries; add pimiento cheese on the side. You won't sink into a sea of fattening regret. Four instead of five stars since not every dish is worth the fairly high price. But even the overpriced dishes are delicious. Don't forget, they also serve breakfast.
(4)
Kiery W.
Food was good, loved the poutine. Very expensive for the portions we received. We both tried the bbq and it was swimming in juices, which soaked everything else, I was okay with it but it is my husband's pet peeve to have random juices flowing all over the plate. I loved the kitschy salt and pepper shakers all over the room we were in, we even played I Spy while we waited for our food but it did seem like we waited quite a while for our food and people who ordered after us were served before us. Would try again but it would have to be for a celebration of some sort to justify the expense.
(3)
Sarah L.
Fathers day. Sunday.June 19 2011. FOOD: 22oz homemade rootbeer. 5 mini burger entree w/ different cheeses for each. Came w/ steak cut sweet potato fries & dip: spicy mayo unlike any other, homemade pickle slices too. 2 huge filets of broiled trout seasoned w/ their coffee spices, along with a heaping amount of mashed potatoes with skin, and onion & garlic flavored spinach. Chocolate pudding was milky smooth with whip cream light & fluffy. Better than Reddi Whip sprinkled with tiny bits of chocolate on top with a blackberry too. SERVICE: Masha was the waitress. A man came around refilled beverages & even refilled the spicy mayo dip. Masha offered to replace sweet potato fries w/ fries if we didn't like it. EXTRA INFO 1.5hr wait, offered to sit at a bar & we did. RSVP highly recommended but we didn't. We've visited this place plenty of times during peak times & off - there's always a wait. It's one of those places that are worth it though. The place is a lot bigger than it appears on the outside. They do have a drive through thats located at their mobile trailer. Foods always top notch & never disappointing. Despite how busy it is the service is always impeccable. While you wait check out their collection of salt & pepper shakers. PRICE: $60.95 for 2 people.seems expensive, but our meals could have fed 2 other people as well as our drink.
(5)
Scott L.
After being unsatisfied with the BBQ offerings in Los Angeles, I was SO READY to be back here ...and let me tell you it does not disappoint! I've been here 3 times in the past year or so and the food and service has been delightfully consistent. BBQ and comfort food at it's finest. THE FOOD The last time I was here, my friend and I shared the Ig Vella Monterey Jack mac+cheese and BBQ sampler plate- both were delish. You can certainly tell that they go to great lengths to select the finest meats and veggies for each entree. The freshness and quality is what I interpret as the hallmark of any Zingerman's product. If you're a BBQ person that's into food defined by the slathered-on sauces, (and I don't blame you, sometimes I love me some saucceeee) then be aware that you may not be completely impressed by the Roadhouse. Again, fresh+quality emphasis here (and it's reflected in the price as well so don't be surprised). THE SERVICE Number one rule to remember is to MAKE A RESERVATION. It says Zingerman's on the door--you know the drill. Seriously though, even on a weekday it can be quite busy. You'll want to have a reservation especially in the winter months so that you don't want to be sitting in the doorway area for half an hour getting slammed in the face with that lovely winter breeze every time someone opens the door. Other than that, service is generally fantastic, wait staff is very knowledgeable about everything on the menu and is very accommodating. No qualms here. THE (non-collegial) ATMOSPHERE I never really gave this much consideration until after I graduated, but should it be the case that you take offense to the thought of college students dining with you for whatever reason, you don't have to be concerned here. The Roadhouse has very little representation from the college community or so it seems and the atmosphere is very casual and laid back. Enjoy!
(4)
Joanna B.
Had high expectations, but was greatly disappointed. Server was forgetful, no water or bread refills. Food was bland, portions tiny, fries seemed like they were from the bottom of the basket, rolls for sandwiches were stale, food appeared to be merely dropped on the plates. Very poor experience all around.
(1)
John L.
Very happy with this place. Price- reasonable (like all zingerman locations). Lunch is about $15, but it's very good. Quantity- Decent sized. You don't get gyped so that is good. Quality- Very good. Ribs and BBQ braised was very moist. I had the mac and cheese too and it was good, but I probably wouldn't get it again- maybe I'll just get some velveetas mac and cheese (don't judge...I don't judge you and ....your face) Atmosphere- Busy and cozy like all Zingerman Staff- Our waitress was fantastic. She would constantly stop by our table to ask if everything was going well, made note of peanut and gluten allergies and pre-divided 2 entrees so we could split them. She also mentioned what to do next time we came here. I would highly recommend this place.
(4)
Jim R.
Visited this spot after reading many positive reviews on Yelp. The restaurant was quite busy even on a Sunday night with lots of folks waiting- "good thing we made reservations I thought". Unfortunately, they started out committing my cardinal sin - making us wait more than a couple minutes to be seated past the reservation time- usually a sign of a poorly run front of the house. In this case it was around 15 minutes. The other thing that struck me was the large number of families with young kids at this place-more than a Gymboree class than a restaurant-so it must be very family-friendly. The restaurant offers a lot of locally sourced foods including raising there own hogs and cattle and running their own dairy. They offer a selection of cheeses and oysters for appetizers. 2-3 cheeses are a nice starter at about $3 per generous one oz. serving. We sampled two and they came with light and crispy bagel chips and sweet oven-dried balsamic grapes. The pulled pork we ordered was sweet, juicy and the overall quality of the food was very good and more than made up for the screaming toddler atmosphere and crazy small waiting area. Advice is to go early.
(4)
Damon L.
Overrated. I heard positive comments about Zingerman's before and it simply underachieved in my book. I will denote that I only ate there once (during a work meeting) and it was breakfast - but how do you screw up breakfast? The menu listings appeared great and although I debated about eggs benedict and more traditional breakfast options - I in the end chose a basic egg, potatoes, toast based meal. The eggs were the most tasty item with a blend of veggie and cheese. But, the toast looked like it had been cooked on a grill and in consequence - burned. It was pretty charred and tasted terrible. Even with the home preserves. There might have been a tablespoon of potatoes at best on the plate. Which is particularly irritating as I like potatoes. I actually forgot what type of meat was served. I believe it was a sausage patty. Point being - when the bill came and I was charged over $12 for a breakfast that was sparse and frankly - not that appetizing. I can assure you I won't bother giving lunch a dinner or chance. Any restaurant that overcharges for the cheapest meal of the day (and subsequently can't provide a delicious meal for the easiest meal to cook in a day) doesn't deserve additional consideration. I am not surprised coming from Ann Arbor where similar restaurants (overpriced and overhyped) tend to be the norm.
(2)
L W.
A place you have to visit if you are new to AA. Amazing food and great place to hang out, have coffee, or meet a friend.
(5)
Abby L.
I was unimpressed enough with Zingerman's Roadhouse to be compelled to write my first Yelp review to warn others against making the same mistake I did. We stopped at Z.R. after a Sunday movie, and since I had stuffed myself full of food at the theater I decided to order a side salad (~$7) and a side dish of mac and cheese ($7.50). Maybe it's my mistake for not asking, but when a side dish of mac an cheese costs $7.50, I'm expecting a little more than a teeny tiny saucer - not the case. I estimate the dish consisted of 20 noodles. Z.R. was probably the most overpriced meal I have ever had. My fiancee had the burger which he thought was average, the salad average, the tiny plate of mac and cheese...average. But for the price not worth it, we won't be going back.
(2)
Apu G.
The food is good but not magnificent, and is certainly NOT worth the money. I'd give four stars if the prices were halved. Example: Two measly crab cakes = $12.50 (or over $15 after tax and tip)
(1)
Jay B.
This was my third time here. We were celebrating our daughter's graduation. Bragged on the place to my parents and drove out of our way to get here. I guess my expectations were too high. The service was lackluster at best (Sharon). She was just going through the motions, seemed cold and perturbed we were there. Service was slow. Brunch took a very long time to come. My husband wondered out loud what the bread plates were for, looked around and noticed every other table enjoying a bread basket. This solidified our bad experience. I spoke to the supervisor and she brought a bread basket. 30 seconds later, our food arrived. I almost cried in disappointment. My parents didn't get their bacon. Sharon took a long while to check back, then it was at least 5 minutes for 3 pieces of bacon to come out. I love their food, bit was so sadly disappointed by the service.
(3)
Vee V.
Buttermilk fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy. Three women, three orders of the same thing, three smiling, happy women at the end of dinner. They also made me a lifetime fan for the following: I'd made a reservation on open table, and they asked if it was a special occasion; I said yes a going-away party of three long-time friends, one whom is moving to another country for a 3 year contract. I didn't ask for anything, just mentioned it in the comments. When we got there, the hostess mentioned the going-away party; Lauren our waitress was fully informed as well. After an excellent meal, she brought out a free brownie sundae with "Good luck in Japan" written in chocolate sauce on the plate! It was Saturday night, we lingered at the table (not unduly) and never felt rushed in the least. Another wonderful Zingerman's experience!
(5)
Kevin N.
You know how there are people who would go ga-ga over Sutter Home wine if you slapped a "Chateau L'Obscure" label on it and told them it was special and expensive? These will likely be your dining companions at the Roadhouse. And by "companions", I'm not talking about people at your table... though it will seem like they're part of your table, given how they pack people in here like sardines. "Zingerman's-the-deli" has carried an unearned cachet in and around Ann Arbor for countless years, and the halo carries over to the Roadhouse. I was with a medium-sized group on my last visit, and we basically ordered every appetizer on the menu, with a broad array of entrees. One of the appetizers was literally "mini corndogs with fancy mustard", with the remaining selections similarly impressive. On the entree side, portions were expectedly small, with the waitstaff "selling" most of the people at our table on what they already ordered. It would have been less unusual had we been ordering off-menu, but it really resonated as though the staff was saying "You're not going to like this very much, but you should, because this sauce is quite special..." or "Even though this really doesn't taste good, you should feel justified in paying $25 for it, because..." If you take away the "quirky" staff and their belabored tales of how the chicken you're about to eat was named Fred, who lived a purposeful life just off of Dixboro Road until he made the personal decision to become food, you'll soon realize that you're paying through the roof for a mediocre meal. The staff seemed generally aloof when they weren't busy telling you how special things were. I'm not sure if "detached stoner" is a component of their branding. If so, it totally works. Otherwise, the experience is somewhere between "sleepy pizza guy who probably didn't spit in my food" and "legally dead". That is, unless you bring up how "awesome" their tattoo or piercing is, where they catapult closer to "insane TGI Friday's person who won't shut up about the chocolate martini special". You won't necessarily get better service that way, but you will discover how the "ironic" tattoo makes your choice of server a unique snowflake. Really, the only reason to go to the Roadhouse is if you're already indoctrinated in to the mindset that Zingerman's is actually special, and whatever they say (or charge) is justifiable. Or, if you want "Ann Arbor funky" that's so over the top it's a caricature of itself. Frankly, you're probably better off going just about anywhere downtown.
(2)
Maria A.
All I could think was I have heard so many good things about Zingerman's so why not try the roadhouse for lunch? EH...NO. We sat down, I looked at the menu and got right back up. If you want a grilled cheese, don't go here. You end up paying 12 bucks just for a grilled cheese (no sides). Don't go here to watch a sporting event. The TVs are so small, people look like ants on the screens. I was so disappointed.
(1)
Kim W.
Very good for breakfast/brunch or a casual lunch/dinner. Wouldn't recommend for a date as it can be very busy and loud. The southern grits with wisconsin cheddar are the best I've ever had!
(4)
Victoria K.
I wrote a review for Gandy Dancer recently due to their oysters caused me stomach pain and diarreah, cost my NYE and New Year Day as well. Then I thought of the best place for oyster in Ann Arbor - Zingerman's Roadhouse. Every year, it hosts oyster dinner for the oyster fans. I am one of the them. Every single time that I go to this restaurant, I go for the fresh oysters as starter. The team actually go all over the places in America to look for the oyster sources. They get the best and freshest in town. I LOVE how they present the plate of fresh oysters to me each time they serve. The servers would point out each oyster and tell me the name. The oyster menu also comes with very accurate descriptions on each type of oysters. This is where I picked up a lot of knowledge about oysters and their habitat because the team respect the food and its source. They also respect customers who have very good taste buds to taste the differences in each different oyster. I honestly don't remember much about having other food here but oysters are truly their specialty. This restaurant should be called The Oysters Company or Zingerman's Oyster Shack. Just kidding.
(5)
Gina D.
It had been quite a while since we had been to the Roadhouse so we wanted to try it again. I had a few questions about the soups and entrees for the waiter but he was very long winded with the answers. I just quickly ordered My husband and I both ordered the house salads, with the red wine vinagrette and he had the apple cider vinagrette, and they were both yummy. He ordered the John Dory fish, and I ordered the ham and cheese stuffed Cornish Hen. Unfortunately, his fish arrived undercooked (raw) and my hen arrived overcooked (dry) with even some slightly burned parsnips and rutabagas. I think the cooks might need lessons on timing. The actual flavors of the stuffing was good. What I could eat of the veggies was good also. I also found it odd when the fish was sent back, the waiter brought the same fish served recooked instead of bringing back a new fish. Seems kind of strange to me. But I don't know much about restaurant sanitation rules. For dessert we ordered Gelato, I ordered the trio of dark chocolate, dulce de leche, and vanilla which was excellent, except I found the dark chocolate to be bitter. My husband just had a scoop of dark chocolate gelato. I also had a large cappuccino which turned out to be the largest size I have ever had in my life, and was really good. Because the fish was undercooked the desserts were on the house, which was nice.
(2)
Jackie K.
I thought the food was very good and I was pleased with the service. I got a burger which was juicy but not runny or messy - GREAT. However: the waiter asked me if I wanted cheese on my burger and I agreed not knowing cheese was an extra $4 (for one piece of cheese) that was 1/3 the original cost of my burger! Oh well - I really enjoyed the food so it was worth the extra $ I just wished they would have told me about the upcharge.
(4)
Sarah D.
I have never left the roadhouse disappointed. The scallops are great, they have deals every day of the week and so many different wines and well... I just love it.
(5)
Rob F.
Very overpriced. i got their chicken and it was served in a mini wooden crate thing....quaint I suppose but very unsanitary. I was initially handed a menu with food smashed all over the inside...really unappetizing. $15 for two pieces of chicken and one side... I'd go again but only if I wasn't paying the bill!
(2)
Nicole M.
Love that they have gluten free options. Food is pretty tasty, the people are pretty friendly, and the atmosphere is pretty ok. It's not knock me out of this world great. But I do enjoy the food and happy about the gluten free brownie!
(4)
Amber E.
Updating my review from 4 to 5 stars because of how consistent the Roadhouse is. We've been many times since our first visit back in April of 2010 and the service has *never* been poor and the food has always been delicious. I can't believe I've never had a server that wasn't trying their best to make our dining experience great in all of our visits - Zingerman's must train their staff very well! As for the food, I am a vegetarian and there are always options for me; however, I usually just order the Roadhouse Mac 'N Cheese - it's simple, filling and keeps me coming back. You can't go wrong ordering the Mac' N Cheese! Pro: Parking lot, great service, portions etc Cons: Always very busy on the weekends, definitely call ahead as they do take reservations! If you're on a budget (which I'm supposed to be....) Zingerman's won't do you any favours :(
(5)
Colleen H.
Calling all vegetarians this is where you want to eat! I had been here once before for lunch and recall thinking I would rather eat lunch at the original Zingermans in Kerrytown. I mean if your eating a sandwich that is where to go, however, if you want a meal - Roadhouse all the way! The Cheeseboard and corn dogs (for my kids) were our appetizers. Delish! The warm spinach and mushroom salad was amazing! But by far I gotta say the mashed potatoes ROCK! I had the black bean burger because it is hard to find a good vegetarian burger and they hit the nail on the head with this black bean burger. I ordered way too much food but everything was amazing! I highly recommend this restaurant for vegetarians, you have many options! Way to go Zingermans!
(5)
Gregg D.
Loved everything about our visit again. Drinks were great, food was awesome and derive was terrific. My wife had the sliders and they were all good. I had the spicy chicken and while very hot and spicy it was moist. I probably wouldn't order it again, but it was as advertised, just not my dish. We can't wait for our next visit.
(5)
Francyn C.
Nice atmosphere and good fresh food. A little pricy but you do get what you pay for. Great location, no problem parking. Soups and bread very good. Chicken dinner was excellent. Fun place to go and a great local tradition.
(4)
Josh R.
The review isn't so much a knock on the food, as it is the over-pricing, and Zingerman's trying to capitalize on their name. Look, the food at the Roadhouse is great, but it's WAY too pricy. The food is good, and it's not a bad atmosphere to take a date or buck-up to take some friends... but it's not necessarily the greatest place either. If you're going to pay lots of money, you can get more bang for your buck elsewhere. Also, the location isn't great either, as there's nothing within walking distance for a post-dinner stroll. To summarize: good food, over-priced.
(2)
Jeff J.
Overrated. I think that because it's in Michigan (a place not exactly known for stellar food) it got hyped because it is admittedly better than the standard chain-restaurants that are ubiquitous around here. I had the Pork BBQ sandwich. Pork was a bit dry. Basically good diner food but 14 dollars for a sandwich? The atmosphere was nice and the staff are very nice. It's a good place to go, but hype aside, this is basically average-tasting/quality food that is very very expensive .
(3)
Tony C.
If only you could give a place 3-1/2 stars, that'd be what Zingerman's Roadhouse deserves. So, let's break it down: The food quality and service is impeccable. The servers are all very attentive and knowledgeable about the food. The quality is on par with what you'd expect from a place bearing the Zingerman's name. It also cracks me up that every time I eat there, I see Ari working as a waiter. The guy is the founder of Zingerman's, buttloaded, but still waits tables. Gotta love that. But, I remove one star for the pure snobbery of the fact that this place is charging people $20 for fried chicken! Is the Zingerman's fried chicken really worth $15 more than what you can get at KFC for $5? It's definitely a lesson in the law of diminishing marginal returns. It's trained into us that at Zingerman's, you're going to pay a limb to eat there and here is no exception. I would also like to remove another 1/2 star for the fact that if you're going to charge people crazy food prices like they do, then this place should be paying downtown rent, not the rent of a place located in the Westgate shopping strip mall. I eat here about twice a year because that's about all I can afford. Try the fried chicken (if you can afford it), the many mac and cheeses, and any of the extremely fresh fish. You will not be disappointed, only your wallet will be.
(3)
Claire S.
This is the ideal place to take your parents: very good food that you can't afford. Hammering in the "fresh, local ingredients" angle is a good idea, too, cuz it makes cheese seem almost healthy. I like the American food angle (no "fusion" here, folks!) and it appears that they focus on different parts of the country in a rotating menu--a good idea in a country known for food ranging from fried chicken to tofurkey. I had the waiter-recommended mac and cheese made unholy with chicken, cilantro, and spice and it was damn tasty (even better reheated the next day). Bf had the bleu cheese bacon burger--not my thing but he raved. Also extensive beer list, with a few good deals.
(4)
Mind Melting F.
Fried buttermilk chicken was very bland. Should be given a choice of mashed potatoes with or without bacon(?). excellent bread and outstanding desert. Expensive. Excellent service. Make a reservation though,otherwise you will have a long wait. not sure why this place is so popular
(2)
Erik B.
The Roadhouse has the most amazing sweet potato fries that I have had. This is a restaurant that goes the extra mile in everything that they do in order to satisfy the customer.
(5)
Shayne D.
Food is heavy on fat, ambiance is loud and not cozy, prices are ridiculously high and you often have to wait quite awhile for a table. This place gets a lot of attention from out-of-town restaurant reviewers as being the quintessential A2 place to eat but it makes me kind of sad to think that people think this place represents Ann Arbor cuisine.
(2)
missy a.
Great food to fit everyone's tastes. New selections each time yet same favorites. Love their drink and wine list. Cheese selections great & you an choose which type for a grilled cheese. Soups great. I will say fried chicken & mac/cheese weren't as wonderful as expected. Suggest reservations as they can get busy. This is a highlight when we visit family in the area.
(4)
Alan M.
The Roadhouse is totally hit or miss. The first time I went there, my meal was fantastic. The second time, lackluster. I've been here a half dozen times, and I'd say my food was really good twice. I know a lot of people who really love the place, but there are so many better options in Ann Arbor, including the fantastic Zingerman's Deli. I'm willing to pay a lot for good food, but why pay their prices when you can get something better for half the price somewhere else in town?
(2)
Jenny K.
The name "Zingerman's" convinced me that this was a great, high quality restaurant. We made reservations to celebrate my mother's birthday with 4 of us attending. We got seated in the outdoor area in the middle of November, but you didn't feel too cold at first. The room had heaters running and had an occasional cold breeze come through. Our waitress was attentive and gave some recommendations on what to order. They brought out a sample plate of the pork with different sauces to try to help us pick which one we wanted. My husband ordered Chef Alex's BBQ Plate which consisted of pit-smoked Niman Ranch spare ribs, BBQ Beef with Alex's red rage tomato BBQ sauce, South Carolina pulled pork and pit-smoked chicken with green tomato BBQ. It is also served with bacon-braised greens and mashed local potatoes. It seemed liked it would be a lot of food, but it really wasn't for $29. The mashed potatoes that came out with his order were dry and old. When we asked for fresh ones, the server brought it out on a smaller plate with a fraction of the amount. That was disappointing, but at least they were fresh. I ordered the Cornman Farms' Cheeseburger with Pasture-raised beef, dry-aged, grilled over oak, served on a Bakehoue onion roll, American cheese with lettuce, onion, tomato and pickles for $15. I also paid $7 for a side of their famous mac and cheese. I ordered the burger medium-well and it came out closer to well done. The mac and cheese was fresh, but tasted a bit too salty for me. My mother and sister also ordered burgers, but with fries, which tasted fresh. Overall, I felt this place was overpriced for what they offered. We probably won't be back.
(3)
Ivan J.
Overpriced & overrated. The food can be better for the price offered, service is really good though..
(2)
Mari K.
Amazing! Though I'm a NorCal gal now, I'll go out of my way to stop into the Roadhouse. First time there for breakfast. Soooo yum. And the service, as always, was even better than the fantastic food.
(5)
Saudia S.
Amazing food, all with a story. Everything BBQ is good, and definitely try the cheese sampler to start. A bit in the pricey side, but withy every penny.. Definitely try the freshly made donut sundae - yes, you read that right.... Try not to lick the plate!! Go with an appetite and enjoy the experience!
(4)
Mathias B.
The roadhouse doesn't quite have the same effect that the deli does, but it's still a decent restaurant packing in flavor for each meal. There are far fewer vegetarian options than the deli too, limiting what we could eat. The wait is shorter, and the menu is still pretty diverse so both of those are a plus. The Mac and cheese was the best item we got and I would definitely recommend it. It was very grand in flavor, and was worth a trip to get. The prices are still Zingerman's level so be ready to spend some money on food. Overall, this Ann Arbor spot was good, but not amazing like some of their other places. If you haven't had the deli yet, go there first.
(3)
Kate P.
I love Zingermans Roadhouse. I've lived in Michigan for 7 years come August. When we moved here everyone said you had to go to Zingermans and I now know why. The previous times I've been to Zingermans it has been for dinner. The last time was for my Dad's birthday. I ordered the country fried chicken and it was delicious! I went a few days ago with one of my best-friend for brunch. We were seated in the back room in a booth. For drinks we ordered the fresh squeezed orange juice and she ordered the chilled coffee. The orange juice was so fresh and very delicious! For food I ordered the Eggs Benedict and she ordered the Country Skillet. The Eggs Benedict was so good. It was served on sourdough bread, which is my favorite. The potatoes on the side, made my taste buds so happy! The service is always great and friendly. The restaurant is well kept and clean. We were going to sit outside that day but the smoke from the outside grill/smoker was a little over powering. And from just a few minutes sitting outside before we moved inside, you smelled the smoke. Be prepared to spend a little bit but for great quality food and drinks!
(5)
Yaakov H.
The food wasn't good, definitely not for the pricing. The hamburger i got was over cooked and the ceviche was bland. The only good thing was the service. Never going back
(1)
M S.
We have been here several times and the food is always good and the service friendly as well as very knowledgeable of the menu. Today I ordered eggs Benedict since we were there during brunch. I must say, it was outstandingly!! The eggs were cooked perfectly and the sourdough toast was the perfect toast for this as it held up and the flavor excellent. The star of the show was the hollandaise sauce which was done to perfection. Absolutely the perfect consistency and excellent flavor. Just the right amount was applied to the dish. The ham was also very nicely paired as well. Truly an excellent start to the day and worth it's price. On a side note..we always get an order of the sweet potato wedges. They are also excellent and the spice sauce served with them makes them even better.
(4)
Jiah C.
My state of happiness for this place elevates little by little everytime I go to ZR. Thus, the star jump. My bizarre server interaction from my first visit was quite the first impression, but have noticed pretty great service from every single staff member since then. A few highlights: #1) I agree with fellow oyster fanatics-- solid everytime. Love their oyster menu & presentation, and also love how staff seems to be familiar enough with whats going on with these babies. #2) I didn't believe my friend when she raved about ZR's mac & cheese. I am now their bitch. I don't like super cheese saucy nor gritty chunky cheesey m&c, if that makes sense. The cheese consistency is perfect. Now add some lobster please. #3) RIBS. I live 1/4 mile from here and can smell when they are smoking their goods. It really is as good as it smells. My significant other and I have the opposite preference for types of ribs (he likes country style/st louis, I like baby back/spare, gimme that fatty fat fat) and we both absolutely loved the ZR ribs. Honorable mentions: SPIDER BREAD. You want to find out what this is. Trust me. Comes with their beefy chili. Fried green tomatoes. Perfect. As I am probably going to be ZR's neighbor for another 2 years, according to my lease, we are going to become best buddies.
(4)
Meredith B.
Stop everything and get the wood-grilled trout with bearnaise sauce over mashed potatoes and spinach. It is one of the best things I have ever had the pleasure of eating. Sweet lord. My parents and boyfriend got barbecue and even THEY were excited to sneak bites of my dish - them with their ribs and pulled pork, were singing the praises of my fish! It sounded so simple that I worried I had made a dull choice, but then once I started eating it I realized I won dinner. Two glasses of Michigan riesling and some roasted tomatoes and olive oil with their warm bread basket capped off a perfect meal. You can order with confidence here, because nobody ever has a mediocre meal at Zingerman's.
(5)
Alan G.
Not a good experience. Been going to the place since the day it opened. We had a large holiday party of around 15 so it was out of the norm but my burger was rare (ordered well done) service was slow and the billing (one check--new policy...) was a nightmare. Good luck on your customer service presentation biz but you might want to give a refresher to your management. Won't ever be back with a large group.
(2)
Terese C.
Bases on all the great reviews, this was not a great first time dining experience. It took 30+ minutes for our salads. Then they served our entrees and we had to ask for our salad. They forgot to serve my husband his drink. And, they didn't serve our BBQ sauces until we asked! The salad may have been rushed as two of the Cesaer salads were very gritty. It was as if they hadn't washed the greens! They offered us desserts on the house. I'm not ready to go back here anytime soon.
(2)
Aaron D.
As a diehard fan of Ari and the Zingerman's empire, the Roadhouse definitely lives up to its reputation. The sheer diversity of options (satisfying everyone from discerning baby to picky adult, clean/light to heavy/rich foods), attentive customer service and tastefulness of everything on the menu makes it my go-to place when people visit. I'm partial to the fish (especially salmon) with coffee rub, macaroni and cheese and Sazerac cocktail -- though honestly, you really can't go wrong with anything.
(5)
Chester C.
I honestly can't understand why this place is sooo loved. Portions are dinky and the food is really not all that special, especially for the price. I do have a couple things I get through the drive through on occasion ..pimento cheese and sweet potato fries..bread sometimes. Staff is always friendly, almost overly friendly..lol All in all I think it's overrated as Hell and so do most if not all people I know. I'll give it 2 stars for the pimento cheese alone cause it's basically like crack.
(2)
Sandie L.
Ok. I really love this place. There's not much to say except that the ribs are amazing (I get them every time....which is why I can't say much about the other things!), and that any dishes my friends have also taste great when I sample them. The portions are a good size (rather larger than not) and the atmosphere is casual-nice. It's not the cheapest place but I leave the roadhouse so full I could roll, so I feel like the price is justified.
(5)
Henry T.
For some reason, I wasn't too impressed with the food. I had such a great time here, but I guess one mistake really cost them. Flight of bourbon had 3 different samples of bourbon. We got the rare flight. Unfortunately for me, I don't remember any details of them other than 2 of them not being something I'd enjoy drinking. The other one was very smooth and would be excellent to have over a conversation. We had some sweet potato fries, and IMO these were the best part of the meal. I didn't have too much since I was anticipating a large delicious steak, but they were great. Dipped in the sauce it comes in....amazing. For my entree I had the London broil. I ordered it specifically medium rare, and asked her for confirmation if they typically make them as ordered. She reassured me and so I went with it. It comes out and mine was medium well. Blah. My friend's was medium rare when he ordered medium. The cook probably mixed it up. Now since mine wasn't as juicy cooked medium well, I didn't really enjoy it. The steak comes with 3 sides. The bacon braised greens were really disappointing. The texture was just ... off, and the taste, well, I guess wasn't up to my standard, or even my brother's homemade excellent bacon collard greens. The mashed potatoes and spiced potatoes were good and something I'd recommend. (Yes, I did choose two potato sides--I love potatoes with steak). I tried some of my friend's mac & cheese. They are very heavy and oily. Tastes good, but I wouldn't be able to eat much since it was so heavy. But then again, with the small portion they give you, you would still feel full anyway; so portion size doesn't really apply. Overall, the experience was nice, but the delivery seemed off. I think if my steak was cooked as ordered (medium rare), they may have received another star rating. Yes, I could've asked my server to send it back and cook it properly, but meh I didn't want to waste the steak they made.
(3)
Sacha U.
We were headed out of town and had to turn around and come home due to bad road conditions. Though Zingerman's can be pricey, decided to try their breakfast and splurge a little and it was worth it! The coffee is obviously something special. The breakfast was absolutely delicious. We both had such a great meal we went back the next weekend. Compared with other breakfast options in Ann Arbor, definitely a great meal worth every penny.
(4)
Charlotte C.
Fabulous, as always. Despite the Sunday morning crush, service was fast and friendly. We had a reservation -- but seating was proceeding smoothly for those without a reservation. Mimosas at 9am is such a nice start. They'll fill your coffee go-cup too.
(5)
Erin Y.
This is our favorite place in Ann Arbor. Whenever we're in town we make sure to stop by! My personal favorite is the chicken fried steak. It's delicious, although they could give you more gravy on the side! Last time we came, they had a special whole cornmeal-fried catfish, which was amazing. Hot and crispy, just as it should be. We also had fried green tomatoes, which were good. Desserts here are also great. We recently had the donut sundae which didn't disappoint. Big portions, so good for sharing! The service and atmosphere are amazing here, and make up for the high prices. Overall, I love the Zingerman's establishments and can't wait to come back.
(4)
Alex C.
Wow. We were visiting Ann Arbor for the weekend and this was the first place we came to. Oh my gosh! Incredible service! We had Casey and she was AMAZING! I have never had service as good as here. The BBQ was awesome and you can really tell that their ingredients are farm to table. Incredibly diverse menu that has comfort food for everyone! Cannot stress enough how great of an experience we had. The next time we can in was for breakfast and that was equally delicious with another great server. The host staff was super friendly and was floored by how they handled the "hungry" people who were on a wait! My Bloody Mary was bomb and my Eggs Benedict has some mighty good sourdough bread! Please check it out! Wow!
(5)
Allison K.
Amazing place. Gets very busy and you need a reservation but it was delicious. You MUST get the sweet potato fries and try them in the dipping sauce they bring it's amazing. The pulled chicken sandwich is great too and their Mac and cheese is delicious! Definity go!
(4)
Christina C.
Ah, so this is Pure Michigan... wait. I kid, I kid. Apparently hitting up a Zingerman's location is a must-do when in Ann Arbor. A relic. A tradition. A do-not-leave-without-trying kinda place - especially if you're looking for an outstanding Jewish deli! About half of that was embellished a bit... I walked in to Zingerman's for breakfast, only to be slapped silly by the smell of BBQ. I wasn't planning to get BBQ for breakfast, but the smell sure made me think twice. After perusing the menu a bit, I found it extremely difficult to narrow down my choice(s) -- there was no way I was getting just one thing! After some discussion, and suggestion from my Michigan-native counterpart, I excitedly settle on the Bagel & Smoked Salmon Scramble Sandwich and pastry basket. Now, the sandwich comes with sour cream, not cream cheese, so take note. To be honest I prefer the cream cheese, but the sour cream was a nice addition regardless. The pasty basket is a bargain if you're interested in noshing on some freshly fried donuts and moist, house-made coffee cake. You get a donut and your choice of three slices of coffee cake. Don't miss out! Our service was incredibly attentive and my coffee cup was never half-full (I know some people hate when servers mess up the coffee-to-creamer ratio, but it worked out nicely for me regardless.) I hear this is a great lunch/dinner place too! Next time...
(4)
Kelly V.
I have been coming to Zingerman's Roadhouse once or twice a month for the last few years and it's one of my favorite restaurants. The food here is really good. I have never ordered something that I didn't like. They also have a large variety of options available on the kids menu. The customer service here is wonderful. The staff is great with kids and they go above and beyond to make sure everyone is happy. I highly recommend this restaurant to others.
(5)
Libby S.
Extremely friendly staff and great local recipes and distributors. They are a little expensive, but not too bad. The quality of the food is fabulous.
(4)
Michelle D.
Hmmm... This place is a mixed bag- I have to rate it 3 stars, as i have been here for breakfast and it was a delight- from beginning to end, the service to the food to the atmosphere... Then i went back for dinner and thats where it all falls apart. The beet and goat cheese salad was excellent, the zingerman bakery bread and culver butter- top notch. The burger, which i ordered medium, came to the table well done and dry. This is not a matter of perception, since the server pulled out a handy dandy flip-chart to illustrate what their 'medium' doneness looks like, which had plenty of pink throughout- and the finished product had no pink whatsoever. The bun was hard and stale and the cheddar cheese they charged me $4 for, was a little lumpy ball that kind of rolled out as i was eating it. All in all my burger cost me $21 because I added bacon(2.50), cheddar(4) and a slice of heirloom tomato (.75 ). If i spend 21 bucks on a burger i really do expect more- and who wouldn't? My advice- and one I will heed to myself- go to the roadhouse for breakfast and go to the silver bus the rest of the time- their sandwiches are a LOT better and a LOT less $$$. And their coffee is excellent
(3)
Christie B.
We had a very attentive waitress. Good good as usual. You can always count on a good meal here. And it's CLEAN.
(5)
K S.
I am new to Ann Arbor (and coming from a city that is known for its food/restaurant scene). Have to say the two times i've been (once for breakfast/once for dinner) I have not been disappointed! Will look forward to trying other items on their menu. Highly recommend!
(5)
Krista V.
Great pulled pork! Melts in your mouth. Mac and cheese is also excellent. Definitely worth the wait.
(4)
Mo J.
BEST RESTAURANT, (perhaps best restaurant in Michigan)!! Steaks are awesome, appetizers are awesome, drinks are stellar, service is THE BEST IN MICHIGAN!!! (That's what you expect from Zingermans I guess). I am becoming a regular slowly but surly because of the consistent great food and consistent great service! Highly highly highly recommended.
(5)
C Y.
Yummy and decadent comfort food, PLUS they can accommodate diners with severe allergies to tree nuts and peanuts on some items. They are knowledgeable on how to prevent cross contamination. Hurrah!
(5)
Fritz A.
Zingerman's Roadhouse is where I go for great selection of fresh fish, selection changing daily based on availability, prepared exactly how I want. Pricing is competitive with other quality local restaurants, and service at Zingerman's is great. The overall menu offers several favorites for my other family members, while sweet potato fries are a concurrent fave. Out-of-town guests always enjoy the Zingerman's experience. Finish your meal with a cup of Roadhouse Joe coffee, or a yummy dessert, and you will likely be very happy. Just make sure that you phone ahead to reserve a table, to avoid waiting for your seating.
(4)
Brad O.
Had a poor service experience today which detracts from the generally good food. I was driving through Ann Arbor from Chicago and planned my trip so I could get dinner here. Well, I had car trouble mid-trip that set me back 2 hours, but I drove pretty aggressively after that so that I could still get to Zingerman's and have a burger and a beer at the bar. I called at 9:45 to explain my situation and that I was going to arrive at 10:05 (5 minutes past closing time) but I had planned my trip around eating there and if they could just give me 5 minutes. While the manager was polite, she had no interest in accommodating me. So I ordered food through the carry out window and had to sit outside in the parking lot and eat. I generally think very highly of the Zingerman's operations, but I don't think keeping the door open for five minutes extra for a loyal customer is an unreasonable request.
(2)
Samantha S.
I think most of the wait-staff really make a point to satisfy your whims, which is nice. I only go to get the nashville fried chicken when I go on Tuesdays, and it was good. Good portions so you can eat again the next day. Can't go wrong with eating here, but for me it is quite a treat, easily $30 a person.
(4)
Kunal R.
Great fresh food and a delicious brunch menu. The roadhouse has some good veggie options, surprisingly. Their veggie burger is one of the best I've had. Cool place with quality food. A little pricey but worth it. Making reservations on open table is really convenient and worked out well for me.
(5)
S J.
Great Mac n Cheese! I tried the fried chicken mac n cheese and it was excellent! I love mac n cheese and this definitely lived up to my expectations! I wasn't really a fan of their bbq beef, but I think that might just be because I don't really like pulled/shredded meat-- more of a steak type of girl. Had the brownie sundae and it was decent-- nothing too out of the ordinary-- dense brownie with vanilla ice cream whipped cream and fudge on top with pecans on the side.
(4)
Trish C.
I always order from the Zingerman's catalog but this is my first experience in the Ann Arbor restaurant. There were four of us at dinner and all of us left very happy. We shared the oysters harvested from a beach in MA that one of us knew by name, as well as the fried green tomatoes and veggie gazpacho. All were seasoned perfectly, fabulously fresh, and gone instantly. The entrees were just as good. The mac and cheese with the mushrooms was a big hit all around the table, but I loved the Cal Fiorentina mac and cheese the best. It was swimming in flavor, but not at all heavy. The burger and crab cake combo was as good as it gets. Burger cooked exactly the way my son asked and the crab cake could have come from my own kitchen in the DC region (it was billed as Baltimore crab). You could tell the crab patty was made that evening. The other entree we sampled was a local freshwater fish offering, the Walleye, which the experienced fishermen among us were impressed with as soon as they saw the size of the fish, since apparently the flavor of the fish can be impacted by its size- the size here was perfect. We were all full, so ended the meal by sharing the Hummingbird Cake. This was a solid dessert that tasted like carrot cake, but nothing special to write home about. Our server told us they change the menu three times A DAY, so it could be that a dish you were hoping to have is sold out when you get there, but that's the risk of going to a restaurant that only serves food they can prepare freshly for you that day-my kind of place! And, really,everything is so good here, you might as well close your eyes and point to the menu to just pick something else. You won't be disappointed. Lastly,the food comes out quickly (we were completely done in an hour) and service staff are fantastic. Intelligent, funny, warm but not hovering, and genuinely cheerful. They must be treated well by management to then treat the guests so well in return. Nice job all around Zingerman's Roadhouse!
(4)
Daron D.
Another one of those typical places that I have always passed by but never tried until recently. The first thing I will say is that you should make reservations beforehand because it is packed when you do a walk up (we had about a 40 minute wait before we got seated). They have a full service bar with about 10 beers on tap (between $5-$6 for a pint). Now on this day I came in (it was a Tuesday), they serve the Nashville style hot chicken, which I never had and wanted to try. I did the 4 piece, which they serve with pickles and white bread and a shot of buttermilk (because it's suppose to be super hot like it is in Nashville). The chicken was excellent and hot, but not hot enough to where I needed the shot of buttermilk. For my sides I had their fries (very good) and their macaroni and cheese (also excellent but I like the Mac n cheese served at their deli way way better). Overall the food was very good (makes me want to go to Nashville to try the real thing) but very very expensive and that is always the story with zingerman and their food places.
(4)
Hannah S.
This is a breakfast review. The first statement being that you must try breakfast here! I ordered a steamed vanilla milk, which was dreamy creamy to the max, the standard breakfast plate (eggs, potatoes, bacon, biscuit), and a homemade donut, which was so fresh and warm. Yum! The eggs, potatoes, and bacon were perfect. The biscuit tasted fresh, and the butter and honey additions made it magical. I'll definitely be coming here for breakfast again. Zingerman's just can't do wrong.
(5)
Edward M.
A year later and this place is still just as good as last time. The Crab Cakes, still the best I've ever had The Calamari was yummy, it comes with some kind of sauce that is like tartar but not. It's creamy and has a little bit of spice to it. The fried chicken was so moist and much better than when it was in the Mac and Cheese, don't get the the chicken mac, get fried chicken and get a side of mac if you want. The service is still wonderful, only wish it was slightly less pricey. Previous review ___ What a wonderful place! I came here because on Best oF (Food Network) ALton Brown said they had the best Mac and Cheese. On their site I find out it is headed by a James Beard award winner. So I'm like let's check out this seasonal locally sourced place. It rocked! We ordered the crab cakes and fried vidalia onions, at 12.50 and 6 dollars they were pricey but I must say it's the best crab cakes I've ever had! The onions were great too! Though comparing it to a blooming, you get more for your buck with the blooming but the flavor of the vidalia and sauce is far superior. Then comes the smorgsaborg The Pulled Pork sandwich was good, sauce was nice but could be mixed better, the bottom was more tangy than the top and the pork could be pulled apart better, the not pulled parts were too dense. The Blue Plate of BBQ had the pulled pork, same issue with pulling. The BBQ beef and chicken were both excellent! Small chickens but they are amish cage free chickens. The Mac and Cheese with fried chicken (supposedly their fried chicken is good) was the best mac and cheese i'd ever had, but it's still mac and cheese, so not mind blowing you know? The chicken was good but not great. The Gelato flight had Peanut Butter, Burnt Sugar, Pistachio, and Hazelnut, all 4 are made locally by them and just amazing flavor profiles, the icing on the cake! The bathrooms are neat and the whole place is decorated with all sorts of collectibles like salt shakers and such. I will be back next time I am in town! Oh and on Thursdays (check calendar not sure if it's all year) they have a farmer's market outside! I got the best strawberries I've had in my life!
(4)
Ted D.
This restaurant provides an excellent example of unhealthy food at its finest. The euphemism for high-fat, often high animal fat, food is "comfort food." This restaurant's fare provides a living demonstration of why our diet produces so much obesity, diabetes, coronary disease, and other vascular disease. If they offered discount coupons for a local cardiac catheterization laboratory, it would be fully consistent with their business model.
Had to try this place because of the "Zingerman" name! I ordered the 1/2 Po-Boy and salad lunch combo and it was wonderful.The po-boy was quite large with tons of shrimp! The salad was kinda meh next to the po-boy but I do give it kudos for the fresh ingredients! I ordered to-go and they quoted me 15-20 min for the food to be ready. I came 10 min later and the food was already in the bin waiting for me!
(4)
Joanna L.
Had to come here before I left Ann Arbor. Good homey food, huge menu with lots of options, and friendly service. My group tried a variety of dishes- BBQ pork entry, chili, burger, sweet potato fries, mac and cheese, etc. What really stood out was the mac and cheese. YUM. We liked the good ol' regular one over the other varieties. It had a focused rich depth in flavor. They also serve complimentary quality bread and buttttta.
(3)
Jill M.
I've only ever come for breakfast. Both times it was amazing! First time was the Huevos Rancheros and the second time was the Eggs Benedict. The Eggs Benedict (and breakfast potatoes that came with it) were the best I have ever had. The portion was so generous I had to take half home to eat later. The service was perfect; enough that we didn't feel neglected, but around when we needed her. She knew the menu and helped us make the best choice from the menu.
(5)
Christy F.
Color me unimpressed. And I am one of Zingerman's #1 fans. I mail order their bread all the time in Arizona. Do yourself a favor and skip the Roadhouse and go straight to Kerrytown and hit the Deli. Things I liked: Zingerman's bread and butter are brought to the table prior to your meal. My dining patrons almost passed on the bread and I thought I was going to faint. Hello??? They are know for this. Luckily, I spoke up. The poutine did hit the spot. also was big into the thousands of salt and pepper shakers en-glassed around the restaurant- I dig kitsch. The little Shasta trailer used for carry out and drive through, again, cute. However, one cannot eat cute nor live on cute alone. The service was horrible. There was a long wait to be seated, painfully long wait for our food, the soup came out with the meal not prior even upon request. Sigh. The mac and cheese was literally just noodles with a roux based cheese sauce with no flair. The Sunday special really needs a better description. I thought I was getting a steak with a Cajun sauce and I was served something more like chili that was influenced more by Hormel then they flavors of New Orleans. Sigh.
(2)
Jessica Y.
Overrated and overpriced brunch experience. Food was by no means spectacular: bland and one-dimensional. $12.50 for an omelet that was dry with scant "fillings", really?! Hubby's steak and potatoes skillet for $14 had MAYBE 5 bites of shredded meat in there. Will NOT be returning.
(2)
Jenne E.
I've lived in the Ann Arbor area for over two years now and have heard rave reviews on zingermans. I finally adventures to try it myself and was very disappointed. I ordered fish and chips with sweet potato fries and what i got was very bland food. I've had better food at the local pub for $8, this meal costed a whopping $30 for bland, greasy fish and chips. My husband had a pulled pork sandwich which he said was mediocre but not worth the $20 price tag. To sum it up... Zingermans is ridiculously overpriced for mediocre food. Your basically buying into the hype if you try this place.
(2)
Dia D.
We were a group of four and our experience was very mixed. We went on one of those bitterly cold days when school was canceled so they were very busy (too cold to go to school? Let's go out for lunch!) and service was slow. I had the shrimp and grits ($24) which was very delicious and based on that alone I would go back. Others in the group had the pork sandwich ($15) which was dry and boring (maybe the waiter forgot to bring out the BBQ sauce or they forgot it in the kitchen?) and the Roadhouse Reuben (14.50) which was greasy. When only 1 of 4 people liked their meals, that isn't a very good rating. One shrimp and grits, 3 sandwiches, 1 decaf, 1 diet coke, 1 iced tea, and 1 beer and our bill was $86 plus tip. If you are a seafood lover, there seafood is flown in fresh daily.
(3)
Kevin R.
A stones throw from the Canadian border it's surprising to find a restaurant that rocks southern food. But rocks it does. A nice single malt at the bar while waiting for my table, I had time to look over the well rounded menu. Once seated, I opted for the Ari's pimento cheese spread to start. A generous portion of the best spread I've ever had. The presentation is unique in that the celery sticks out of the round spread ball like a porcupine. Next I had a Brooklyn style Ruben without bread (no carb thing) and a side of grilled asparagus. The smoked bbq like corned beef was served atop grilled sauerkraut with Russian dressing and Swiss cheese. The asparagus was perfectly grilled with plenty of salt. After several trips to Ann Arbor I've discovered that anything with the Zingerman name on it is amazing!
(4)
Beth H.
Oh Ig Vella mac, how I missed you! Our visit was for lunch today, right at noon. We were seated right away, but the parking lot was packed. Thankfully the overflow lot is available. Lunch menu has two portion options for the pastas: small and large. Small doesn't look like much and is $4 cheaper but the small plate more than filled me up for how hungry I was today. Very rich monterray jack cheese, smoked chicken pieces, green chilies for heat, fresh cut corn, cilantro and I like to add red pepper flake for extra heat. I think they must pan fry this dish a bit, to get the wonderfully crispy pieces of melted cheese, tossed in this dish. Fantastic as always. My husband had the grilled cheese and chili - 2 yr cheddar. He didn't care for the cheese, it was too mild. He did really enjoy the chili. Great chunks of smoked meat, with the smoky ancho chili flavor. The restaurant was very loud, as usual. The waitress was excellent. Prices are high but the quality is there. Service was fast and we were able to keep to our lunch hour. Bonus!
(5)
Megan K.
The dinner menu prices are way out of my range, but the brunch is delightful. Great, homey food and very knowledgeable staff. Plus, Ari's philosophy on his business is just so spot on sustainable that I feel good spending my money at Zingerman's. (It is more pleasant when my parents pay though.)
(4)
Allison L.
I absolutely love everything about this place: the service, the food, the atmosphere with the salt and pepper shakers, the local farm that supplies many veggies, the candy they sell at the front, the way they seat you right away when you have a reservation from OpenTable, the Air Streamers...everything! Do not resist their bread basket. The Roadhouse bread is my favorite Zingerman's bread and it comes out warm with a big chunk of creamy butter. You have to get an appetizer. Their sweet potato fries are thick and crispy; I almost always get these. The pimento cheese is also stellar. I often make a meal out of a few apps, a couple of cheeses (their cheese boards are awesome) and a fresh salad. When I do go for an entree, I like their mac and cheese. The desserts are fantastic too, especially the butterscotch pudding! When my family visits from out of town, we always come here for dinner.
(5)
Anne R.
What's there to say about a place that offers excellent service every single visit, top food quality sourced from known farms around the country, and a great atmosphere?! If you haven't been, you need to know what you've been missing. Zingermann's isn't just a restaurant, it's a foodie cult. Breakfast: I love the cold brew coffee with skim milk and some simple syrup, followed by a pastry basket of coffee cake samples, and then a savory omelette. Lunch: I keep it simple with a fresh soup & salad, and an Arnold Palmer, but occasionally I splurge into Mac & Cheese or BBQ sandwich territory. Dinner: I'm often looking at the smoked BBQ offerings for the evening- and the red rage sauce is my fave.
(5)
Craig O.
Amazing food prepared in amazing ways. I was surprised by the knowledge of ingredients. You just don't see Carolina Gold Rice in many restaurants and the same goes for Anson Mills Grits. This restaurant was build by flavor. I will drive the 2 hour trip more often just to eat here.
(5)
Lizbeth T.
Finally made it here, a few years after my first visit to Zingerman's Deli. In Ann Arbor for a conference, the Roadhouse was able to accommodate our group of 8 for dinner on short notice. The place is huge (in a good way), so there is plenty of space for groups, and they take reservations so we didn't have to wait. The menu is also huge, maybe a bit too big, but everyone in our group loved their food. We shared poutine as an appetizer - so, so good. I had the pimento mac n'cheese small portion, which was more than enough for dinner with a side of spinach. Others in the group ordered fried chicken, burgers and other mac n'cheese dishes, and everyone was happy. Service was just right. In fact, I spilled a beer on myself while grabbing for a piece of the amazing, fresh baked bread on the table and it was instantly replaced by our kind server. All in all, a really nice spot in the outskirts of Ann Arbor that works well for families, large groups, or those who just don't want to wait to get in at a downtown restaurant.
(5)
Tsyria T.
After taking our seats at Zingerman's, I was very excited. We had waited for 30 minutes, and the atmosphere and decorations were wonderful, as noted in previous reviews. Unfortunately, my experience did not meet my expectations. We ordered oysters, Zingerman's corned beef hash, and fried bread pudding french toast. We told our waitress that we were sharing, so she had the plates split in half for us, which was nice. Unfortunately, I was extremely disappointed when I saw the plates. The portions were so small, and yet we were paying $14 per plate. That's absolutely ridiculous! It wasn't anything that really stood out to me where I would be willing to pay that much. My favorite thing we had was the oyster and that was $3.50 a piece. When my sister saw the plates, she asked if more was on the way. I don't get to see my sister often, so I was willing to spend more on a nice brunch with her, but we just left feeling a bit robbed.
(2)
Joshua M.
Great food at an average BBQ restaurant. I was not disappointed but the app and regular fries could have been cooked a little longer. The flavor of them took em to a new level tho. Fries perfectly seasoned corn dogs well not your average carny dog that's for sure. The BBQ Beef sandwich was great the sauce had a kick which is always plus in my book and the beef very juicy.
(4)
Mike W.
Not from Michigan so didn't realize it was such a well know Resturant. Had a long wait that was well worth it. Looks like a nice bar but while we were waiting we noticed the 5 James Beard awards in the lobby. Turns out the really now their stuff. Even though we are both gluten free they had some great items to choose from. The pulled pork was lightly smoked and seasoned well. Three of their sauces are GF with the vinegar and mustard bring my two favorite. The French fries were great and cooked in a GF fryer. So all good on the front. They make the gelato at there creamery so we had to try that. Wow, local and fresh does matter. I would recommend the berry but all three flavors were fantastic. The pricing is not cheap but the experience, both food and service, won't disappoint.
(5)
Phee L.
One of my favorite restaurants in the A2 Area! Unfortunately, it is sometimes difficult to get a seat
(5)
Karen B.
5 stars for the food on its own. Excellent service as well. Hubby and I both enjoyed the pit-beef BBQ sandwich, but agreed that the portion of beef could have been a bit larger. I also would've enjoyed more BBQ sauce. The mustard slaw was refreshingly good, but once again, the portion was small. Hubby said the fries were the best he's had in recent memory. The cost to portion ratio is what knocks it down to 4 stars. Portions were a bit in the small side for the cost, as I was expecting the portions to be on par with the famous zingerman's deli in downtown Ann Arbor, but they were not.
(4)
Josh A.
Been going to this place for years. Always and experience and good food. Occasionally I've been disappointed by something that wasn't over the top good...they are a victim of their own good Reputation. Dishes can be on the pricy side and special dinners are very expensive. For breakfast I recommend omelets, French toast, and bagels. For lunch a BBQ sandwich is great and although I don't care for it the egg salad is much talked about. Dinner specials most nights too. Most of the time I skip the sit down experience for the side show in the Parking lot. It's faster and offers the best items: coffee, baked goods, and sandwiches.
(4)
Zoe Y.
This place is average at best. I went here a few months ago when I was visiting U of M and we saw this place off the highway on the way back to the airport. I thought it would have been a lot better. The food was extremely salty and greasy - I guess it's a Midwest thing which makes a lot of sense to me (being from Southern CA). Or maybe someone used tablespoon instead of teaspoon when it came to measuring that day. Who knows. One thing I really did like about this place was that it was very quaint. It had a homestyle feel and everyone was really friendly here. I do not think I'll be back but if you're into Midwest homecooking, this is your place.
(3)
Amy G.
With respect to entrees, I've eaten the turkey reuben (I think only available on the lunch menu) and the fried chicken dinner. They were decent, and only such because what I really remember from each meal are the: sweet potato fries. I am dedicating this review solely to them. The most notable thing about these fries are that they are thick, and the length of an entire sweet potato. It's like they cut a single sweet potato into just 4 or 5 pieces. The thickness yields a crispiness on the outside, but preserves the innards to be the consistency of a soft roasted sweet potato. Scattered with savory salt morsels, you don't even necessarily need the sauce that comes with it! Would it be weird if I only ordered a platter of these the next time I go? Don't let yourself come to Zingerman's Roadhouse without getting the sweet potato fries. To be honest I think Zingerman's Deli has more impressive entrees for what they are. Meaning, the Deli has proportionally better sandwiches than other delis in AA, whereas the Roadhouse's American fare is not far superior to comparable neighborhood restaurants, which is my way of saying that the only real draw to the Roadhouse are the sweet potato fries. Get them as an appetizer and/or upgrade to them with your sandwich or burger meal without hesitation. The only bad part about them is that they'll ruin all other sweet potato fries for you from then on.
(4)
Jim E.
Back again after two years!! Typical Ann Arbor, great joint, great food, great vibe, great bbq!! I got the Buffalo Chicken Mack and Cheese special and enjoyed it!!! I usually like rich and creamy mac and cheese but this was unique in a good way. The Buffalo Chicken was tender, fresh and delicious. The mac and cheese had a the perfect blend of blue cheese, chicken, chives, and flavour for a kind of pasta I have never tasted before. It did not leave me feeling bloated. For dessert I had the fresh pumpkin spice cheesecake. Everyone needs to try Zingermans Roadhouse!!
(5)
Anthony R.
I dream of zingermans. Deli. Everytime in Ann Arbor , I am very excited to go. I always want to go to zingermans roadhouse . Went for dinner a couple of years ago and not since. Finally we went for brunch. First our 1045 reservation didn't get seated until 11. The food looked good on the menu. When we received our orders, they were mostly small portions; very un zingermans. The food was good for the most part, but not great. The waitress was very nice, but they forgot things and we had to ask multiple times. Zingermans sets such a high standard, and for good reason. At least at this meal, it was not close to the standards.
(3)
Lisa W.
Wow what a yummy time!! The service was great . Started off with a cheese sampler and it was delicious!! I ordered the pulled pork sliders they were wonderful 3 different sauces on each with some tasty mustard coleslaw and sweet potato fries that were melt in your mouth watering. My mate got a slab of ribs and I must say they were so juicy and flavorful.
We went on a Sunday and it was pretty packed as expected. The wait time was 30minutes however, we were seated in 15minutes with prompt service. Our waitress was great and friendly. Every table was full and taken however the ambiance is still light and cozy. The strawberry blonde beer (forgot exact name) was very flavorful and recommended by our waitress. My boyfriend ordered a few oysters. These are said to be flown fresh. We ordered the Kumamoto oysters from Washington. At $3.25 a pop they were GREAT! I told him next time to order 12! I ordered the 3 pimento goat cheese Mac and cheese with a Lincoln log. It was so flavorful and rich and the Lincoln log was just perfect! I ordered the small which was perfect and at $15 the plate did not disappoint. The tomatoes were a delicious addition to the Mac and cheese. The service again was great and felt no rush. Next time I will definitely be ordering dessert. Make a stop here, you won't regret it!
(4)
Joy M.
We loved the atmosphere and the food. This was the best part : I had told Laura I was from out of town and this would likely be my only opportunity to eat there and I was torn between two menu items. After I placed my order she brought me a small sample of the other thing I wanted to try so I wouldn't have to wonder for the rest of my life about how wonderful it might have been.
(5)
Rhonda L.
Went to a graduation party. 19 people The large menu was perfect. Stuff for vegans, carnivores and everyone in between . Very affordable and everyone served together . Quite impressive
(5)
Laurel B.
Delicious food, southern style approved by a southern gal! We had a huge mix of food. We started with oysters, nice selection, very fresh and tasty. For our main meals we had the BBQ plate and the fried chicken steak, huge portions! I'm not a big coleslaw fan but their mustard slaw is very good. We also had a side of pimento macaroni and cheese. It was delicious, a little spicy, and super creamy. We had no room for dessert but the menu looked to be equally as yummy.
(5)
Crystal R.
Yum yum yum! We've been here twice recently and they never dissapoint! The service is ALWAYS amazing, the food is delicious, and they have lots of paleo/keto options to boot! They do mark their items as gluten free and vegan on their menu if that is helpful to anyone going there :)
(5)
Andrew B.
Above average food bolstered by very, very good service. I like to joke that Zingerman's is an upscale Cracker Barrel, but it isn't really untrue. Overly huge menu's full of shockingly unhealthy comfort food that get delivered in massive portions. I have eaten here twice now, several month apart. First time I had the chicken fried steak and was underwhelmed. While it was well battered and cooked, it was criminally under seasoned and the gravy was lacking in quantity and flavor. The second time I ate there I opted for the fried chicken mac and cheese (are you kidding me? Why does this even exist). This was a much better experience, the mac was creamy and great and the fried chicken was in largish chunks and did not just disintegrate into the bowl. This time the server also gave us a complimentary serving of the pimento cheese spread which wasn't my bag but was pretty solid. Also, the place is damn expensive. That Mac n Cheese cost 20 bucks. C'mon guys, its half lb of pasta a bechamel and some cheddar augmented with a little bit of fried chicken. So yeah, it is a 3 star joint. However the service each time has been overly impressive. Extremely nice servers who seem to genuinely want you to enjoy the hell out of your food. So 4 stars, why not?
(4)
Kristin M.
Excellent breakfast! Sat on the patio and really loved my summer skillet and biscuits. The eggs were perfectly poached and the veggies in the skillet were just delicious. Went with a group of friends and all the food looked incredible.
(4)
Shane B.
Not worth the hype, small portions. Flavor seriously lacking. You would expect a huge plate of smoked meats for a bbq platter, but all we received was a spoon full of each meat with less then an oz of sauce. Staff was great, kitchen needs work, that's you chef...
(2)
Anita B.
Have an oyster-versary approaching. Very eclectic menu and great food. Love the patio in the warmer weather. Just about anything on the menu is recommended. Friendly waitstaff and service is phenomenal. Lots of flavorful dishes and unique items on the menu.
(5)
Mevei I.
Roadhouse was a disappointment for me and my family. It wasn't our first time but it may be our last. We came here with our out-of-town family for father's day brunch. We were all expecting to be blown away but instead, we left rather annoyed. Stay away from the po-boy sandwiches. The BBQ pork, corn beef hash, fish sandwich were all decent but nothing to pay $$$ over. They are able to charge so much bc of their name, but their quality does not stand behind it. Perhaps they were a great restaurant in the past, but they are no longer. I guess I should have sent it back, but we were in a rush to head out and I don't usually send food back. Maybe I should start. I can justify given them 2 stars bc the staff was amazing, friendly and super, duper patient with our little children. I think it it weren't for them, I would give them less stars. Or none.
(2)
Sara M.
I seem to love all things ZIngerman. Though it is not the only reason to visit Ann Arbor, it sure is a good reason. Though I have been to the Delicatessen many times, I had never been to the Roadhouse before this trip. The two places are so different, except for the quality of the food and the service. The Roadhouse features southern and other homestyle cuisine and has waiter service and a bar. We started with some poutine at the bar while waiting for seats. The place was mobbed so I can excuse the one little slip up of the evening with the gravy being disappointingly cool. But lots of cheese curds and fresh fries. Fried chicken seems to be a very popular item and it was excellent. I can be pretty particular about the quality of chicken any style and often avoid fried. But this was first rate. They were out of the main ingredient of the tea drink I wanted, but an excellent bartender came up with a substitute plan that was excellent and refreshing. And I cannot forget the always appreciated yummy Zingerman bread. We got a basket of a mix of sourdough slices and the Roadhouse, a type of rye I had never had before but would absolutely get again. And served with wonderful fresh butter, apparently a popular local brand in Ann Arbor.There were a variety of other items across the table and all seemed well received by my dining companions, especially the cream of asparagus soup. I regretfully was too full to try the desserts I heard about, but maybe next time. The cutest thing ever was the Airstream near the front entrance of the restaurant where you pick up to-go orders via a drive thru lane. How typically Zingerman clever.
(4)
Marc M.
Only 4 stars because the price is steep. This is a great BBQ location with a bourbon bar to match. Plenty of options
(4)
Theresa U.
Been here several times, never fails to please! Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner - it's all good!
(5)
Maggi I.
I come here for a couple very specific reasons. One of them is their burgers. They grind their Niman beef every day, which makes it possible for me to order my burger rare. It's cooked on an oak-fired grill, and heck if that doesn't produce a really wonderful flavor. They have a lot of other delicious dishes, including the cream of wild mushroom soup, the grown-up mac & cheese and the chocolate chess pie from their bakery. The very best thing I've eaten here (butterscotch pudding) unfortunately isn't on the regular menu. Long waits, moderate noise levels and high prices don't keep me from coming back, or from bringing guests.
(4)
Hannah A.
The food was small in portion sizes, over priced, and really didn't have amazing flavor. We paid high for all of it and the best part of my meal was the coffee! The service was slow.... at best. We saw the food runner more than our server! The dessert- i could out bake them in my sleep!
(2)
Tyra N.
People! I'm upset NO ONE mentioned this place directly to me before. This was unbelievable. I can't wait to return. The decor and feel was underwhelming. Everything on my tongue was total shock. I had the andouille mac and cheese. Oooo-wwwweeeee. I couldn't manage to fit it all in my stomach but of what I did was beyond what I could measure in greatness. Warm, spicy, creamy, and exciting. This was a good flavor combo. The portions were close to family size. Not four but more than enough for two fair appetites. I will be trying this at home very soon. My friend had the buttermilk fried chicken with the house mac n cheese and house slaw. This place amazed me. I don't like many slaws but the cider vinegar and seasonings made this worth imitating. The house mac was also surprisingly creamy and flavorful. His chicken tasted as good as my Mom's and Dad's. I feel like no place large or small can get a leg up on home fried chick. Every place gives it the old college try but fall short. This chicken was damn near home made. The skin was crispy and seasoned well. The meat was not dry. It wasn't southern Maw's but It was definitely running neck and neck with home made competition. The breading and meat were perfect. I can't wait to return to write another review. Oh and I didn't get to try ANY of the decadent desserts. I'm missing life here! I feel like this place is not for watching your waist but true indulgence. I just ended something and this is the perfect place to fill the holes in my emotions. The bad is the price point. They over do it but they can. The demographic is Ann Arbor (yuppie) and college town. They can get away with charging this for American classics because it's great and no one else is doing American food like this in this area. So I will pay to eat here again, on lunch with smaller portions or I'll go with a group to save on cash and share the varieties.
(4)
Ken E.
In town for business and decided to check this place out based on the reviews. Could not be happier that I did. Had the pulled pork sandwich with the mustard BBQ sauce. Little bit of bite and was super tasty. Even better was the poutine. It was yummier than many of the poutines I've had in Canada. Well done. And the best part was the service. Ate at the bar and both of the bartenders were super friendly and helpful. I might have to find reasons to return to Ann Arbor just for this place.
(5)
Stephanie S.
I was kind of skeptical of this place. At first blush, it appears to be a chain restaurant a la TGI Friday's. But once you step inside and are met with a display of heirloom tomatoes, you start to think this place is a little different. It was hard to choose a brunch entree because so many things sounded delicious, but I settled on the untraditional grits 'n bits waffle (a waffle stuffed with grits, cheese and bacon). It was unexpected and delightful, and unfortunately I probably won't be able to find it anywhere else. The coffee was great, and the staff was even better. Every person I interacted with was helpful, friendly and warm. The prices were very fair for the amount of food you get (and even in relation to their other eateries). Sidenote: Zingerman's colorful, kitschy branding is a miss because it's actually a thoughtful, locally focused, kind of indie company.
Any of their Mac and cheeses are amazing. The barbecue is also good, but nothing can top their Mac and cheese.
(5)
Natasha P.
Fun ambience and good food. My first time at Zingerman's after hearing a lot about the place. The food was nice, but not fabulous. My husband ordered a BBQ platter, which was pretty small for the price, and the food was warm not hot. However, it was tasty, and I think it would have been better if it was hot. I ordered the chorizo Mac and cheese, which was excellent. I think it was the best dish at our table. It was extremely cheesy and had a perfect amount of spices and chorizo. The other people at our table ordered burgers, which they said was good, but the sweet potato fries I had from their plate were a little burnt and bitter. I would go back to Zingerman's roadhouse again... But it certainly won't be top priority.
(3)
Yadi T.
Great place to take the family for a great meal. We highly enjoyed their poutine and calamari. We also enjoyed the fried chicken dinner (very crispy chicken) and the mac and cheese. My husband had the chicken fried steak. It was a very thick and generous portion with the calabasa and mashed potatoes. He was raving about the calabasa because it was a great vegetable compliment to his meal. I highly recommend a reservation if you are party larger than 4 people because this place gets busy especially on the weekends.
(5)
ying l.
Not sure why folks keep on taking me back to this place- the food is modest and comparable to everything else you can get in Ann Arbor, but price is marked up at least 30%. Mac-and-cheese for the kids for instance, don't have the carmelized onion and is made of "american cheese" and is a whopping $11. I had a cup of tomato soup and a goatcheese-arugula-beet salad, very middle of the road, no exceptional creativity there, and they were well over $25. Hard to get a reservation for a party greater than 4 last minute, even on a week day. Loud and obnoxiously cold during summer and boiling hot in the winter. If this place tunes itself down a notch it may actually be better.
(3)
Justin P.
I went here with my family for lunch and the food was great. We were served bread at the table, and as you would expect from the Zingerman franchise, even that was great. The bread had a somewhat sour aftertaste that hinted toward the use of a natural yeast. As for the drink, I am somewhat ashamed to admit that I let my choice be influenced by the sample bottle on the table. I was successfully marketed to. It was a bottle of Blenheim's spicy ginger ale. While the shame of being a consumer sheep still lingers, any regret was blown away when I took my first whiff of the seductive elixir. Once the bubbles hit my nose, I had to wheeze out a cough, splashing droplets of the HOT ginger ale all over my menu. I immediately bought two more bottles for the road. As for the main dish, my wife and I both went the Amish fried chicken route because we are visiting for just a few weeks from Japan, where the Colonel reigns supreme. If we want any real fried chicken, this is our chance. My wife got the fried chicken salad and I got the two piece. Now, 2 pieces doesn't sound like a lot, but amish chickens are huge. I know, right? You'd think they'd be svelte from not sitting around watching TV all day or using other electronic devices, but they are big and mean and juicy. And the breading was just all om nom nom. It took me a full extra 6 seconds to type that 'om nom nom' because I had to do the gestures of me eating it all over again as I typed/said that. Also, I got the sweet potato fries for a dollar extra and the guy who gave them to me said I could ask for more whenever I wanted. They were great and I did ask for more even when my stomach was telling me this was not an option. While my meal was good, I was most impressed with the kids menu. My daughter got the barbecue plate. There was no sauce on the meats, but the pulled pork had a very strong hickory taste without any of the sugar/corn syrup - just the taste of real meat and hickory. Also, she was given the choice of mashed potatoes, fries, or fruit. First, it's a small thing, but I appreciated the fact that the waiter asked if she wanted mashed potatoes first instead of considering fries the go-to option. My daughter went with fruit and I expected something like three grapes in a little plastic solo cup, but they brought out this full plate with raspberries, blueberries, melon, and some other fruit. The restaurant is great. If there is a problem, it is simply that they know they are great and charge as if they were great. They're not winning many points for cost efficiency, but they don't really need to. Great meal.
(4)
Emma P.
Had breakfast here with my cousin when he came to UofM . Great service, our waitress was delightful. Food was solid. I loved their mini biscuits and in-house jam. Pur waitress always made sure we were never short on coffee. We loved her description of their house made donuts, so much we indulged.
(4)
Tom A.
We went in for breakfast and by the time we ordered, they were out of half of the items on their menu. We opted for lunch instead and ordered their "world famous" mac and cheese and brisket. Meh. It was okay. There are certainly better options. However, I was impressed with their menu. There are a TON of options, many of which rotate on a daily basis. I would go back. If you enjoy a tiny parking lot, a jam packed restaurant, and enough options to satisfy any picky eater, make sure you go here. Otherwise, save your money :)
(4)
Ann W.
Zingerman's is always a good choice for excellent food, exemplary service, in a casual, fun atmosphere. This visit was no different. Mid-morning on Saturday, there was already a wait for brunch/lunch. The Georgia Grits & Bits Waffle sounded unusual: classic Belgian waffles filled with grits, sharp cheddar, and bacon. They were unusual and amazing. The waffles had a light, crisp exterior and tender interior. Savory instead of sweet, they were delicious dipped into the thick, sweet syrup. The Roadhouse sausages were well seasoned and spicy but the breakfast potatoes were just average. Other good breakfast items here include: * Biscuits & Chocolate Bacon Gravy - large biscuits smothered in a thick (almost velvety) chocolate sauce and sprinkled with bacon. They are also awesome, although I prefer the gravy to be served on the side so that the biscuits don't get too soggy. * Doughnuts - dense doughnuts flavored with molasses and nutmeg and dusted with brown sugar. These are best enjoyed hot. Truly, these doughnuts are worth the drive and the wait. For dinner, I highly recommend: * Fried chicken - Crispy pieces of chicken in a well-seasoned buttermilk batter. While they come with mashed potatoes and gravy, I always ask for a substitute. * Spare ribs - A full rack of ribs in a yummy sauce. What makes Zingerman's memorable is the customer service. They even offer business training on customer service through ZingTrain; they live and breathe exactly what they preach. As a business fully entrenched in the Ann Arbor community, I find that Zingerman's interest in food is not limited to just serving it. They've sought to educate us on what we eat (and to be selective while doing so). At this restaurant specifically, they've educated us on the differences between grits and hominy, allowed us to sample cheeses and different desserts, and even created a meal composed of components of other meals. Some of these examples occurred several years ago, but because truly great customer service is rare, they are remembered, relished, and shared. Give them a try - you will truly enjoy this dining experience.
(4)
Melissah L.
The food at Zingerman's is simple, fresh and prepared really well. Can't go wrong. I've been here for dinner (get the side of chili cheese fries) and brunch (get the country skillet). This place does everything well, and the Roadhouse is where you want to go for a warm, cozy brunch/lunch/dinner experience.
(5)
Marisa S.
Ridiculously amazing comfort food. They're known for their barbecue, but all the food looked fabulous! We had Mac and cheese with fried chicken in it. The bread was fresh and delicious. The atmosphere was fun and very interesting, and the staff couldn't have been friendlier. Its more than worth the stop!
(5)
Zachary F.
Cool as shit! Ambience 5: the exterior truly reminds me of a roadhouse. I almost expected to get carded by Patrick Swayze when I walked in. The interior was cool also. It was open and decorated well. Food/drinks 5: I had the buffalo mac n cheese. It was decadent. Extremely cheesy and delicious. They even bring you an extra side of Buffalo sauce, so you can add a little extra spice if you want. I ordered an old fashioned to drink. It tasted amazing. Service 5: Our waitress was really nice and accommodating. She was even nice enough to laugh at a couple of my brothers lame jokes. Overall 5: the entire experience was great. My only knock is it could be a tad overpriced but regardless, I will be back.
(5)
Jason D.
The atmosphere is very nice and for that alone it may be worth is for someone who doesn't have to look at menu prices. Our server was really good, did a great job of explaining the menu, and was nice and energetic with a good attitude. The prices are absolutely unjustified and ridiculous, though. I work at a craft beer bar that is pricey itself, and under no circumstance should Brewery Vivant's Farmhand beer cost more than $6+ for an 8OZ pour. That is absolutely asinine and just plain greedy. I understand that you would pay more for a certain atmosphere that theoretically takes more to run, but in the case of this restaurant, while nice, I don't see anything that justifies the prices. I had the ribs, which were good, but were not worth the premium pricing. They were decent, but forgettable ribs. The restaurant was full and the food came out timely, but simply put the enjoyment did not meet the cash paid. This is a place you go just for the nice clean atmosphere alone. I can't help but think the place is fraudulent in that it acts as a high-price begets-placebo-quality situation. You know that experiment when a person is given cheap wine and is told that it is ultra expensive and rare, and they end up preferring it over an actually expensive wine that they're told is a value wine? That's what this place is to me. If you want to pay significantly more for half a pour of a draft beer than you would another place for a full pint of the same draft beer, this is your place. If you never question if premium prices buy you matching quality, dine here. This place to me feels and looks really nice, but reaks of fraudulent preying on people who spend more for the privilege of being able to spend more. The money put down does not match the taste, so this place is reserved for people to which price tags are meaningless, and to its employees who get significant discounts on its food.
(2)
Stephen M.
What to say? It's best to watch what you eat, eat healthy, yada, yada, yada. So having graduated from THE school, having moved to Chicago and with family in SE Michigan we always stop in Ann Arbor for dinner on our trips to see the fam. So there I sat with only my wife. Adult kids were not there to castigate me. What can I say? The fried chicken seemed perfect. And it was! I'm sure a little known fact is that there was a restaurant which sat in the approximate location--we'd go there when family came in when I was enrolled. They had great fried chicken. Must be the spot or something. On our trip back to Chicago, we stopped in once again. Wife had scallops and was very, very positive. My recommendation is look at the menu, find your perfect guilt food and go for it. This place will serve you well.
(4)
Katie K.
I wouldn't say this is quite as good as the deli, but it's still great - hence the 4 instead of 5 stars. I went here with some family I haven't seen in a few years and it was the perfect place for a delicious casual dinner. I had heard great things about the Mac'n'cheese and I was not disappointed. It was definitely one of the best I've ever had! One of my uncles, who is usually a pescatarian, had a cheat day because of how great the fried chicken is - he ate every last bite. This is definitely a great place to go in groups, especially because everything on the menu sounds so great: sharing is caring.
(4)
Teri C.
The GOOD: Lunch and Dinner here is excellent! I have never been disappointed and each time we visit A2.....this is where we stop. Quality meats and veggies. Love their local connection for farm fresh. We have never left hungry. ==================================================Â= The BAD: Yesterday was a different story......decided to eat breakfast there. BIG mistake. It's like I was in a different restaurant! I wanted just a side of Corn Beef Hash and some toast......she brought me a small plate with about 2 scoops of hash......which contained a few potatoes, some meat and TONS of celery and red peppers! I was like WTF??? CELERY????? It tasted horrid. My toast had zero butter on it and only one slice was brought to me. Again I was like......????? The waitress wasn't very attentive and I had to flag her down to ask for ketchup, to choke down the hash. When she asked how everything was, I told her that it was not tasty.....her response was oh....sorry, and walked away. The cost: $8.00 Hubby ordered a skillet....which I must admit, he is used to the ones served at places like Cracker Barrel.....so when his came out in the tiny bowl, he looked at me and said, "Do you think they will bring the rest later?".......he said it lacked flavor and had it gone in about 6-7 bites. He did however get 2 pieces of bread. The cost: $14.00 Needless to say, our server wasn't the best (not what we are used to).......food was "meh".......and I will never return for breakfast again!!!!!!!
(3)
Kori Y.
This place never disappoints. The food is always fresh and well prepared. The place is busy, so plan on waiting.
(4)
Vladimir K.
I have to preface this by saying I am a super-fan of the other Zingerman's businesses... but we found the Roadhouse to be kind of sucky. Ambiance-wise, the interior is not unlike a Chili's or some shit like that. The booze selection was OK, but nothing special. Everything on the menu was majorly expensive. Now, I like to splurge on expensive restaurants from time to time, so I'm not shocked by $30 entree prices. However, I do expect something in this price range to kick ass. Beer is served in weird glassware, something I didn't quite understand. You'd think a place like this would know what's up with beer glassware, but I guess not. The description of the creole cioppino sounded awesome, but it tasted like nothing but garlic and was really skimpy on the seafood. There was just one tiny scallop, one little shrimp, a couple mussels, and some fish chunks. Definitely not worth the high price tag around $30. Also, $20+ is a little much for a pile of risotto. We just didn't think the stuff was worth the money. Dinner for two with three beers plus tip was almost $100, and we were like "meh." I'd rather just hit up a classy steakhouse at this price.
(1)
Aileen A.
I SO wanted to love this place. I have been searching for a go to restaurant since recently moving to Ann Arbor. But my fried chicken was bitter since the skin was burnt but what sucked more was that it was a little bit uncooked in the middle. I told the waitress it was raw just so that they know (I wasn't expecting a replacement since I already lost my appetite) but she tried to explain to me it was just the bloodline that i was seeing. I am still giving this place two stars because the mac and cheese was good. Also, I made reservations and they actually had a table ready for us when we got there.
(2)
Ashley M.
Service was very nice and quick. Food was delicious. My husband and I started with pimento cheese and celery (love their homemade pimento!) then went to two of the standard burgers, his with the brick cheese and mine with maytag blue. I got sweet potato fries because I saw the other reviews saying they were the bomb and he had the regular fries. Afterwards, we split the grapefruit tart. I will never leave the place without having the sweet potato fries and grapefruit tart! The sweet potato fries are incredibly thick. Soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. A perfect amount of salt sprinkled on top and served with their chipotle mayo. Large portion served with my burger. The grapefruit tart was beautifully balanced. A butter crust with vanilla cream and slices of ruby red grapefruit topped with powdered sugar and mint leaves. Wowza. Definitely a place to return to, hoping to do breakfast soon!
(4)
Naz M.
Zingermans, let me count the ways that I love you. I don't really think I can, but I can try by recounting the details of my newest foodie love affair. Imagine, up until the day before that I had plans to come here and almost totally forgot. Easter Sunday, of all days, is what my old boss, a few of her lovely friends and my hubs decided on. Don't worry though! We were smart about making reservations, because this is one of the most popular restaurants in the area. From the outside alone, you know you're in for an experience. There's a drive through, right there because maybe you want the brunch, lunch, without the waiting and debating. Maybe you're one of those people who always just knows what they want outta life. BUT if you're not lol, and you're like me, sitting down is necessary because internal conflicts, particularly those about food, are best to deal with INSIDE the restaurant around people who love you and can make your suggestions. I was lucky to have been seated and already had a mimosa waiting for me, first plus. THEN the bread came, amazing. They'd a wine list, cheese list, five other lists and menus all full of delectable things, albeit pricey, just waiting for you which seem to change on various occasions as our brunch menu was DATED. After fighting myself I settled on Pulled Pork, it's kinda my thing and I had a feeling it would be done right, and goodness it was. Succulent, juicy and they'd a slider version available, with sweet potato fries and applewood bacon, because why not?! 'Twas so good that next time I might be able to muster the courage to go out of my comfort zone. Normally, between the hubs and I, he's the one with leftovers, today that was NOT the case, which means his Roadhouse breakfast was too good to leave a scrap even for the furries at home. This place is an experience to be had, pricey but worth it. I mean, just look at the pictures I took! Uh huh, you're reading this while you should be halfway to Jackson Rd.
(5)
Nancy C.
Came here for brunch on a Sunday and got the Zingerman's Roadhouse Famous Corned beef hash and was completely underwhelmed. The hash itself wasn't all that seasoned or flavorful, the 2 poached eggs that accompanied it were, well, normal poached eggs, and the portion was pushing the smaller end of portion sizes. The cost, in true Zingerman's fashion was expensive, which I wouldn't have minded if I thought the food is worth it, which it usually is at Zingerman's. But in this particular instance, the corned beef hash just did not live up. On a positive note, the sweet potato fries here are great. As is the service. Burgers are pretty good as well, albeit pricey.
(3)
Matthew K.
I almost want to give this place a 2-star (3-star = A-OK based on the yelp metric, which it wasn't, but 3-star = "Fair" in my ratings) based on the price vs quality of the food. But service was good, and it was clean and had an enjoyable atmosphere. I ordered the fried chicken macaroni and cheese. It was overly salty and didn't have any fried chicken in it, just a few pieces of chicken and then crumbles of the fried chicken crispies on top. The noodles were overcooked and the cheese sauce was starting to separate. Very disappointing. My wife ordered the pulled pork entree. The pulled pork was OK, but I smoke better pork at home. And there was too much fat left in the meat -- my wife didn't finish it. The mashed potatoes were OK, but because of the extra sauce they add to the pulled pork (in my opinion, to try covering up the dryness), the mash potatoes just started turning soggy. The braised greens was just a soggy mess. The sweet potato fries were delicious though -- large, nicely fried and wonderful. I don't plan on ever coming back to this place, but if I did I'd probably only order the sweet pototo fries, since everything else was disappointing. And the prices were ridiculous -- $19 for a bowl of mac & cheese? $16 for a small serving of pulled pork with some mashed pototoes and braised greens? Yuck. Is this really what Ann Arbor-ens eat? It was packed when we left, so I'll be happy to donate my seat from now on. One of those occassions when pictures of food are better than the food itself.
(3)
S W.
I had lunch today here, Caesar Salad with Grilled Salmon. The salad was great and the service was even better.
(4)
Shelly G.
All I can say is awesome. Friendly staff, checking in and helpful, food was the best I ever had.
(5)
Logynn H.
What can be said about the Roadhouse's sublime awesomeness that hasn't already been said? All I can tell you is that my favorite thing is to sit at the bar, split a pork bbq plate and some sweet potato fries with a friend, and enjoy the lovely staff and surroundings. My other favorite thing is gluten free grits n bits waffles, which are so amazing that I know I will always come back here to have them even if I move away from Ann Arbor.
(5)
Coco C.
I came for the mashed potatoes and gravy and stayed for the fried chicken. Much more satisfying than the Deli, and though it is overpriced - fuuuuck, it's Zingerman's, dudes. If you don't want to pay through the nose, you haven't been living in Ann Arbor very long.
(4)
russ h.
Love the concept of elevating American food to an art form. I will say I have come across a few misses on the menu - the donut sundae was too much for me and that is saying a lot. On the whole a fantastic place to eat.
(5)
Nirmit K.
This place rocks! Everyone told me this is a must visit for Ann Arbor. I agree ! Environment is great, service is great and food is great! The only reason. Starting with the warm breads through the entree it was awesome. Desserts were a little disappointing and the only reason I give them four stars. Real unique place and one of a kind
(4)
Melissa L.
One of my favorite places to go to. I don't know if it is because I don't come here regularly or if my fond memories of this place is because of my overall AA trip, but I do make it as my dinner destination always. I agree that the prices are pretty steep, but if my food really comes fresh from the farms, I will be fine with that. I love the free warm and crunchy bread smeared with the butter. I then go ask for more bread. By the time I get my food, I am halfway full, but I am happy to have leftovers. The mac and cheese is really good. For those who complain about the price, it is pricey for what it is, but they use Martenelli pasta which I have seen for $10 a bag. They also use awesome cheese. It's the stuff of dreams. I also get the catfish platter (giant fried whole catfish) with some sides. Really good. I have gotten the bbq plate and it is pretty good, but favorite are the ribs. The service is also always top notch here. Also, whenever we split a plate, they actually bring us half plates each instead of separate plates to split ourselves. A small thing like this gives them an extra half a star. If you are in the AA area and would like to splurge for a dinner, come here! Also, free dessert for bday girl/boy!
(5)
Rebekah M.
We stop at the Zingerman's Roadhouse drive-through every time we're on our way out of town on a road trip. I want to LOVE it. It's convenient and good quality. The bagels are the best in town - nice crust. Not doughy. The cakes and muffins are flavorful and delicious. The problem is that - almost every time we stop (say around 10am) - we're told, "we're out of .... bagels. We only have everything bagels." or "we only have salt bagels." How does a restaurant that has its own bakeshop, and which supplies bagels to grocery stores and businesses throughout Ann Arbor, run out of bagels in its own restaurant - at 10am!!! Make more bagels! The other problem is that the waiters at the drive-through try to impress by not writing down the order. There's four of us in the car and we all want something different. They listen to our order. Then they repeat it back to us and usually forget something. Then, when they bring the order, 8 times out of 10, something's missing or something's not as requested. Just write the order down on a piece of paper - we won't think less of you. In fact, it's reassuring to see you write it because there's a better chance you'll get it right.
(2)
Alexandra K.
Ok this is not at all what I thought it would be. It's beautiful inside. The large wooden floors mesh wonderfully with the granite countertops, rugged tables and beautiful glass cases filled with the cutest salt and pepper shakers of all sorts. Apparently they used to have ones from the movie "Jaws" that would play the theme song when you shook them. My wonderful and pleasant waitress told me so. On to the food: -Complimentary bread: Rye: it's very thick and quite chalky in taste but fresh; Sourdough: mmmm I love it. Mushy and sour it leaves a perfect lemon taste in your mouth. Entrees -New Mexico Grilled Chicken Sandwich (Amish free-range chicken breast with Ig Vella soft jack cheese, applewood smoked bacon, lettuce, avocado salad, green chilies and spicy mayo on grilled sourdough bread): Incredible. The chicken is so tender and mixes so well with the cheese and avocado which have an indescribable zing. It's creamy, crunchy, buttery, spicy, crispy and soft all in one. -Sweet Potato Fries: let me tell you why these are so wonderful: simply because they are thickly cut. This causes them to still be mushy on the inside while crisp on the outside. One of the best sweet potato fries of my life. -Hand-Cut Fries: The regular fries are also delicious--fried in the best-tasting oil. Desserts -Donut Mondae (bacon sundae with a homemade Dutch donut, bacon chocolate gravy, apple-wood smoked bacon, vanilla gelato, bourbon-caramel sauce, whipped cream, Virginia peanuts and a cherry): hmmm it's very interesting. The caramel bourbon is syrupy sweet (not my favorite) but it seriously brings out the sweetness of the salty bacon bits. The vanilla gelato is bursting with vanilla bean flavor. The doughnut is of a cakey texture (my favorite kind) and tastes very much like a beignet--sugary but plain. That's why it mixes so well with the sauce, chocolate and bacon. It's an interesting combo. I'm glad I tried it but wouldn't need to order it again. FINAL VERDICT: For a strip mall restaurant, this has got it goin' on. The Zingerman Company in general only uses the finest ingredients (albeit this menu serving up some serious calorie-dense comfort food). That wait staff is wonderful and if you can get over the outrageous prices, stop on in. They also have a great oyster bar and throw away the beautiful pearl shells outside for everyone to see. And if you are looking for a quick bite, drive up to the Roadshow Drive-Up & To-Go, as they serve coffee, pastries, breakfast food, bread, sandwiches, and soups.
(5)
Heather G.
The customer service here is incredible. Can we have a cup of water as we leave? Yes. Can you call us a cab? Our pleasure! I'm wearing new shoes - do you have band aids for my poor, blistered feet? abso-freaking-lutely. It's near-comical how hospitable the staff here is. Our server, upon noticing we weren't drinking our beers, insisted on taking them back and bringing us something else because he could tell we didn't like them. He made nice recommendations and insisted that life was too short to drink beer you're not into. That said, the beer list is OK. Not amazing, but not the run-of-the-mill stuff found in every pub, either. The bread basket they serve prior to your meal is insane. I ate two of them (baskets, not slices) myself, and thus had to take most of my dinner to-go due to fullness. WORTH IT. Their burger is solid, their fries (regular and sweet potato) are both excellent. Daily specials rotate, but we came on a day they were serving potlikker. The dish was very rich, salty, and fatty, and it warmed us up on such a cold winter night. My advice? Come for the bread basket, splurge on a daily special, and enjoy what makes Zingerman's so beloved. 5 stars on bread and service, 4 stars on food, 3 stars on beer.
(5)
Kk W.
I would rate the coffee 5 stars!! Husband's corned beef hash was delish and a huge portion. My omelet was overcooked. No problem with having it redone. Still was a bit crispy but when chef checked with me I declined to have it remade as I was HUNGRY. Without extras, breakfast was over $30 plus tip and for that reason I gave it one less star. You learn that in Ann Arbor, the Zingerman's mystique means very high prices. Will not be our regular but we did enjoy it. Great wait staff. This establishment is not for anyone who is counting calories although can imagine you could work with the staff for modifications.
(4)
Allison S.
Very disappointing! I'm a big fan of the original Zingermans and there was no resemblance between the two. The food was inedible. The salad was drowning in dressing, the chicken was tough, and the children's burger was bite size. We left most of our meals and just filled up on bread. I would never go back.
(1)
Andrea D.
Great place to entertain. The involvement in the community and efforts to engage with their clientele is superb. Their menu is always changing so it is a fun place to visit again and again.
(5)
Holly P.
Came here for brunch while trying to make sure an out of town guest had a solid end to his visit, and we were not disappointed. We showed up around 10:45 and the place was hopping, maybe a 20 minute wait? I'm not sure we would have been seated faster had we had reservations, but I would recommend making them on Open Table if you're planning on going, just in case. Brunch was hearty and the 3 of us raved about our food. The vegetarian got Huevos Rancheros and was very pleased (and he's had a lot of huevos rancheros in his life so I knew his thumbs up meant something!), the other guy got Eggs Benedict, and I got the Grits and Eggs. I was worried I was playing it too straight, but with some of their hot sauce and a biscuit on the side, I was in heaven. We will definitely be coming back here for brunch!
(5)
Scott P.
I really want to like the Roadhouse, seriously I do. I regularly go to the deli and shell out obscene amounts of money for meats and cheeses ( I once spent 20 dollars on a jar of mustard that was so good I nearly cried) so I am not opposed to spending money or food snobbery- in fact those are my two best features! But the Roadhouse, dear god the Roadhouse is just a disaster. I went there 4 or 5 times in the last 5-6 years , after the first time almost exclusively because a large group of people wanted to go there and I didn't want to be the lone dissenter crapping in the punch bowl. My impression every time has been that it is overpriced for the quality, and generally disappointing. I was hesitant to even write a negative review because I do love the deli so much,and all the people who work at the roadhouse are very nice, the customer service is awesome and just in general Zingermans is the kind of business I like to promote- quality in the face of generic chain garbage. But last night I plopped down 70 dollars for an all you can eat "south American" themed BBQ dinner and it was extremely disappointing- which was the consensus among the 7 of us who went. I will give some quick bullet points -Cheese bread- if you have ever been to fogo you know what these are- they ran out after like 10 minutes of service- how do you run out of cheesy poofs?? -Meat- as a purist I was a little upset about some of the meat advertising/choices. The advertised menu said "bottom sirloin" but they actually served "flank steak" -which are not the same thing. They also advertised and even discussed serving "pincanha" but what was actually served was tri-tip. I understand to most people this is splitting hairs, but at 70$ a plate I think this is unacceptable. -While not as bad as above, the meat was cooked in a traditional smoker and did not resemble what you would get from a grill- when you go to something like a fogo or anywhere in Argentina what you want is a super burnt crispy outside, not just general medium rare meat. They also discussed the salting used in South America but the meat was noticeably bland, no the slap you in the face salt we were expecting. -Both the chicken wrapped in bacon and the Parmesan pork were incredibly dry and overcooked. I will say though- the desert (which the chef said was prepared by his Brazilian wife) was amazing. In terms of regular Roadhouse fare- I used to be a vegetarian and tried just about every mac and cheese they have ever had on their menu and give them a resounding meh. At 15 or more dollars a pop, definitely not worth it. So in closing, Zingermans Deli- Awesome. Zingermans Roadhouse- not so much.
(2)
Tabitha M.
Full disclosure: I work for Zingerman's. Not the Roadhouse specifically, but still... The Roadhouse is THE place for a great breakfast. Today, I had sauteed spinach topped with Canadian bacon, two perfectly poached eggs and Hollandaise sauce. Paired with a well-crafted Americano, this is my favorite breakfast on the planet. Need more convincing? No crowds at breakfast. Plenty of great seating options for single diners or families. Grits and Bits waffles. Peppered bacon. Grilled Bakehouse cinnamon rolls. Mimosas. Man, I wish it was breakfast time again already.
(5)
B. K.
Annoying night. Here's what happened. We showed up on a Saturday night at 6pm. We ordered a couple cheeseburgers, our go-to. The waitress (very nice) warned us that they were out of hamburger buns and that this typically happens on game weekends (mind you, it was only 6pm on a Saturday.... already out of buns?) We took a chance on the thick-cut sour dough alternative (the crust was rock-hard). Burgers arrive cooked incorrectly: I had ordered mine medium rare. It was medium. My wife told the waitress she was pregnant and ordered her's medium well. It was medium. Both were medium. We discovered this by cutting the burgers in half, which was nearly impossible because the crust was so hard. Then (forgive the play by play): I decided to live with mine. The waitress took my wife's back. At this point, we had cut the burgers in half and it was kind of a mess. My wife decided she did want the burger at all. The waitress was busy. By the time she got back, I was half done with my burger and my wife decided to order dessert instead. They were out of the cheesecake she wanted. Meanwhile the second beer I had ordered never showed up. On the bright side, they gave us a gift card for a burger and also gave us a free (overpriced) brownie. If it weren't for this, I would be writing a one star review. We won't be going back for a while. The waitress was fine -- a bit forgetful and overwhelmed. Everything else was a failure. Zingerman's needs to get back to basics. One more thing I'm just realizing. If you don't want to smell like you just spent three hours engulfed in BBQ smoke, don't sit in the enclosed patio area (this was November) Last point: I spent the night on the verge of sweating because of the heatlamp near our table. Another annoyance. Makes a dude want to head over to The Quarter Bistro (yeah, the place with the massive head of garlic hanging outside) and join the sad-eyed divorcees.
(2)
Li C.
Overpriced and underwhelming. All the hype and for what? A $20 plate of soggy fries, greasy fennel and dry bbq? I agree with other reviewers: TOURIST TRAP!! My review based on 3 visits to see what the hype is about. Barbecue is just OK. Sweet potato fries are greasy and not crispy. Fennel confit tastes oily and unflavorful. Honestly for good mac n cheese, I'd travel to Royal Oak just for Vinsetta Garage's Mac n Cheese. Truly dynamite mac at Vinsetta. I live a mile from the Roadhouse and honestly not even worth my short drive. Keep in mind Chef Alex Young is more of a figure head. Don't expect him to cook your meal. Only redeeming facet is the service. Servers do try their best and I love talking to the staff. All really nice people.
(2)
Michael T.
This place is pretty great, albeit expensive. The portions aren't really that large either. I went with the steak and three sides - Fries, Rice and Mushrooms, which were all pretty decent. I ordered the fried chicken mac n cheese as a side. It was okay. Maybe I had too high of expectations, but I've had better.
(4)
Katie M.
My indecisive brain cannot handle this menu! I mean this in the best way possible. Everything ( I mean EVERYTHING) sounds delicious. How does one possibly choose!?! I came here for lunch on a cold COLD day and was happy to have the waitress offer to bring a taste of each of their homemade soups. I tried the chili, clam chowder and the mushroom in little metal condiment cups. All were excellent but I opted for the chili as it was gluten free. Their side salad was fresh and crisp and homemade ranch dressing was different, but still tasty! I could not resist the bread that was brought to the table... dangit! I am in awe that they serve everything from Omlettes to Oysters. Can't wait to go back!
(4)
Robert L.
Great place! Food was really tasty but the sides are much better than most BBQ places I've visited. The mac and cheese with lobster was particularly tasty. Above the food, our service was top notch. Our server Nicole was extremely attentive and helped us navigate the menu and offered solid guidance. I can't remember having better service anywhere - she rocks! Also special note for our hostess Alice she came by a bunch of times to make sure we were getting everything we needed.
(5)
Jeanie S.
I'm contemplating a re-visit, as my dining companion had remarked that my meal was definitely off that night. Service: friendly without being over-the-top. Appetizer: Red Pepper and Goat Cheese Bruschetta was tasty if undistinguished. Salad: Roadhouse Garden with honey mustard vinaigrette. Fresh, tasty dressing. Mains: -Burger plate special with fries -- my companion ordered this and after taking a bite, I wished I'd ordered this too. Perfectly cooked burger with a little melted blue cheese on top. Yummy fries. My mouth is watering just thinking of it. -Pit-Smoked BBQ Beef plate -- disappointing. I understand the Roadhouse is known for their pit-smoked meats, but this was so....meh. Both the mashed potatoes and greens (which I both normally love) were incredibly salty and I left most of it on the plate. -Side of Sauteed Spinach was so salty that I (a salt lover) couldn't take more than a couple bites. Dessert: The were out of the Butterscotch Puddin' (sad face), so we shared the Donut Sundae. It was tasty and decadent, but I definitely would've preferred the butterscotch dessert. So, all in all, a disappointing visit. Will update my review if I re-visit.
(2)
Geekar L.
I've been here a couple of times, sort of a must when visiting Michigan. It's the type of food that you'd eat every day if packing on the lbs. meant nothing to you. Everything about this place is just so welcoming, their menus, the service, as well as the decor. I mainly came here because I was craving their donut, yum! Their donut with vanilla gelato, even better! So yes, go for the donut sundae. As for the actual food, I haven't tried many things off their menu, but from my limited exploration of it, the food has been consistently good. You also can't go wrong with their oysters! I ordered the pit-smoked beef and it's served with a bbq sauce with just a little kick, perfect. Really good mashed potatoes too! My sister liked her oyster po'boy, which came with fries (get another round of fries for free). Overall, I'm always happy to grab a meal here!
(4)
IsTacoBellBetter ?.
I measure by three different things in comparison to Taco Bell: DECOR: The restaurant is great from the inside and out. It's right at the corner of Jackson Rd. in front of the Staples. Very easy to spot! Going inside you feel very warm and welcomed right away. There's lots of seating. There are signs that feature the specials and fresh catch of the day. Everyone working there is super friendly. 1.5 stars. SERVICE: Zingerman's is known for customer service. In fact I used to work there and they have a whole CLASS just on customer service that is required when working. Never have I ever been disappointed with Zingerman's. The restaurant waitstaff is great as well as the hosts. If you step out to the trailer to order a coffee they are always very friendly as well. 1.5 stars here. FOOD: The food is absolutely amazing. The Caesar salad is the best here and could be comparable to the best steakhouses in the US. I have gotten the Macaroni and Cheese with Fried Chicken here and it's to die for! The menu is very unique as well as the beverage menu. As they say there is something for everyone here. 2 stars for food! FINAL VERDICT: Is Taco Bell better? NO!!!!!!!!!! Okay Zingerman's is an expensive restaurant, but it's definitely one of the best restaurants I have ever eaten at. The reason why they are expensive is because they use fresh high quality ingredients. All their bread comes from the bakehouse baked daily. The cheese, produce, and meat comes from a local farm. That alone makes it better than Taco Bell, who don't exactly use fresh ingredients. Beyond that all the food tastes amazing. If you never been to Zingerman's Roadhouse, definitely give it a shot! Between the customer service and food you won't leave disappointed!!
(5)
George S.
This place was recommended by a cabbie on our trip to Ann Arbor... I'm so glad he did. Good food, a raucous atmosphere and more stuff on the walls than museum on steroids, this place is pleasing to the eye and palate. It is a bit loud there, but that's because it is one of the most beloved places in Ann Arbor, The barbecue comes in wide variety, and the sauces are quite good. Also, and this should tell you something, I'm not a greens fan (as in collard,) but the bacon and greens these folks make were so good, even I gobbled em down! Their mac and cheese was fine and complex, and I even got some nice parsnips in a pesto that...well, redefined parsnips for me! The service was really great, and we didn't even have to wait that long even though they told us, at the time, 30 minutes. There's lots of parking, and the drinks are vast and of great variety. My only beef...I couldn't stay longer to try more stuff. They have a full and impressive bar on premises. So when you're on the road in Ann Arbor, stop at the Roadhouse, you'll be glad you did!
(4)
Clay C.
Five times this year I have forced myself to try something different. I have never left disappointed. Tonight my wife and I had the spare ribs and they were perfect. We have been fortunate to have the same server (Amy) she remembers my quirky preferences. I highly recommend the sweet potatoes fries. They are awesome with the spicy mayo. Top notch service, top notch food.
(5)
Tara L.
Sadly, I'm updating with a Debbie Downer of a 2 star. We had been itching to try their brunch, and Husband hadn't been here yet, so we were looking forward to it. Considering we like Zingerman's products for the most part, we thought that things would taste great. Well, I'm not sure if we ordered the wrong things, but on our Saturday brunch visit with 2 other friends, our entrees were not good at all. I went with the "Famous Corned Beef Hash ($11.75)", and Husband went with their Bagel, Smoked Salmon, and Cream Cheese ($12.25). We didn't mind the price of each entree, but what came out was totally not what we expected. My corned beef hash was a mixture of corned beef, potatoes, red peppers, and celery. Served with two slices of toast (I chose wheat), fruit preserves (I went with blueberry), and poached eggs, the quantity was good. The hash was mediocre at best, with the flavors being very flat. I didn't even taste the fragrant celery, and what was the worst, poached eggs that were NOT poached. They were overcooked, and became hard-boiled eggs. Not to mention, the eggs were so puny, smaller than what I've ever been served at a restaurant. They looked like little dollops of cream. We were disappointed. Husband's bagel, smoked salmon, and cream cheese entree was depressing for the price. What baffles me the most is that for one bagel, 3 small slices of smoked salmon, some vegetables, and a little sample size of cream cheese, this entree was $12.25. The portion was much smaller than the corned beef, and the products used were definitely more inexpensive. Strange, I tell you. Though the smoked salmon was from the west coast and wild caught, I didn't think it justified that price. The only thing somewhat appetizing was the whipped cream cheese. When it comes down to it, Zingerman's has established a name for themselves to deliver high quality, hard-to-find products. What we were served at brunch did not exemplify that, and for that reason, I'm definitely not coming back. Just stick to their delicatessen.
(2)
Jordan B.
Good Food! Waitstaff McDonald's Quality!! Like seriously the chubby redhead has to go. After going to high school next door to the original, I was a big Zinerman's fan... . So I decided to take my family here instead of The Whitney... HORRIBLE MISTAKE. First the lady tried to explain the consistency of Almond Milk, when I was was the requester.. Then kept making off beat comments to my family and myself. Then when I requested another cup of coffee because she never came to check in on us.. She remarked "I'll put it in a TOGO CUP!" Fact: I understand that living in New York City my standards may be higher than most... But being treated like an ASSHOLE and getting McDonalds service while spending $100 bucks for brunch... Really? And then after my girlfriend talked to a manager.. they did nothing.. Some serious changes will have to mad before I ever come here again...
(1)
Joe W.
Had an amazing chef salad. Honey mustard was outstanding. Upgraded the blue cheese to the best they carry from thier creamery. The service was mediocre so my review is purely on good quality. If you are anywhere near 94 and this location stop in and have a great meal.
(5)
Salena H.
So let me just start by saying this - Don't listen to the negative reviews on here! Zingerman's has been my favorite place in Ann Arbor since 2010. I love this company for so many reasons. I hate it when people say they are overpriced. Yes, they DO cost a bit more than normal places, but here's why: They are sourcing the most quality, local ingredients they can. Organic, fresh, local. Their integrity as a company is amazing. And as a person who eats healthy, I can taste the difference! I have tried lots of things at Zingerman's and liked all of them. Here is a list of my favorites: 5 burger sampler Mac and Cheese In-house made hot sauce Gluten-free bread for both sandwiches and toast Gluten-free fried chicken Poutine Mashed Potatoes Donut Sundae Gelato COFFEE!! Bacon Diez y uno burrito (in the Road Show) Grits Pulled Pork But my absolute favorite meal there is the Roadhouse American breakfast, which has eggs with peppers and cabot cheddar, potatoes and sausage patties with toast and preserves. I always get the house hot sauce with it too because it is amazing on the potatoes. I have dreams about this breakfast and try to get my husband to take me there practically every weekend, sometimes it works :) Bottom line, you truly get what you pay for. People who write crappy reviews are not looking at the full picture. The only downfall to this place is that it can get really packed. My friends and I waited almost two hours one night at the bar, but if you want to beat the crowd, try to either go for breakfast on a week day or early enough on the weekend, or go on a Monday or Tuesday night. Don't go at 7 pm on a Friday and then whine about the wait - expect it!
(5)
Robin L.
Zingerman's Roadhouse is the perfect place to take friends who love comfort food. I love that they seek out the best quality ingredients and locally whenever possible. In truth, I don't first consider comfort food. And yet, I still love the Roadhouse. I asked to be seated in an area that might be less noisy because it's challenging for me to hear. Considering they were packed, and in general it's a noisy place, they accommodated us beautifully. Our server was wonderful. We were all in a playful mood and she totally met us in that fun spirit. Food was delicious. Service was perfectly attentive. Prices were exactly what we expected. Five stars for a lovely experience.
(5)
Rebecca B.
Service was good. Prompt. Efficient. Good at reading our body language. Menu was massive. I thought it was good. Not much more to say outside of that. Interesting menu that is worth a try.
(4)
Karla M.
Went there for the first time tonight. The waitstaff was excellent and the food was excellent. Only visiting Ann Arbor for a few days but will definitely go back.
(5)
Kelly J.
There's a lot to be said about the Roadhouse's charm. Pros: 1.) The menu is exciting and thoughtful 2.) The service is always spectacular 3.) The serving staff is always knowledgeable about the menu 4.) The donut sundae is out of this world. Think a fresh-fried donut on homemade gelato from the Creamery and a bourbon sauce that brings the whole dish together with the depth and smoky goodness of the whiskey. Cons: 1.) Sometimes things fall short. The pulled pork is only so-so, the mac and cheese is not nearly exciting enough or a big enough portion to justify the price, etc. 2.) Yes, I'm sorry to say this, it's overpriced. I've eaten in a lot of wonderful, exciting, proud-to-be-foodie establishments, and this one is overpriced. But it's still worth the occasional splurge, just don't think too hard about the quality-to-quantity-to-price ratio and you won't feel cheated. But you have to love the vibe in there, and sometimes Ari is buzzing around and is always excited to talk about the menu with customers--such a treat.
(4)
Molly C.
So disappointed, especially after having the sandwich of a lifetime a year ago at Zingerman's Deli. Very, very slow service, with food that was disappointing overall. Calamari appetizer was amazing, perfectly cooked with crisp, light, flavorful dressing. I wish I'd stopped there. Bread was stale ends, mostly inedible. Husband ordered the barbecue platter, which came with two ounces of a couple of different kinds of meat and sauce. Sauces were great, but the pork and chicken both had bone shards. "Kid's steak" was maybe an ounce of meat--my son ate it in three small bites. $8 for that and a handful of fries. Daughter' s hot dog was supposed to be a corn dog, they took it back and disappeared for nearly a half-hour. My fried chicken mac and cheese was unseasoned, too rich, unbaked, and full of shreds of fatty chicken skin and tendons. $15 for a small plate, plus $4.50 for a "mini" house salad, which came on a saucer--mini indeed. We waited 40 minutes after our empty plates were cleared before our server came back to offer dessert. Uh, no thanks--just the check. $90 for two kids meals, two adult meals, and one cup of coffee--not even a drink! I get it--it's fresh, farm-to-table food. But the execution was off and the service was embarrassing, especially in Ann Arbor, with about two million restaurants to choose from. No to all of it.
(1)
Chinmay S.
This was my first time here. So before going I read lot of yelp comments to make sure what is good and what is bad here. Service : 4/5 Food:3/5 Price: 2/5 Quantity of food for price: 1/5 My order: pulled pork sandwich with macaroni. Macaroni was excellent. Pulled pork sandwich was just rip off. For $15, they gave me very small quantity of pork on giant bread. pork was alright. My wife tried house salad. She did not like it at all. I doubt I will go to there again anytime.
(2)
LaToya C.
I called Zingerman's on my way to the Detroit airport. The person that answers is unable to take your order you are then transferred to another number. Placing an order with the place I wanted to pull my hair out.....a pork sandwich can be ordered 2 ways.....the difference: one is a tad bigger and you get to choose your sauce. To change side items I was told some sides included an extra upcharge, Mac n cheese wasn't one of them. We finally arrive at the place, our charge $46 for 2 pulled pork sandwiches! This is Ann Arbor , MI not NYC. We were charged extra for the Mac n cheese! The lady at the window was unprofessional, she only wanted to insist she wasn't the one who took our order on the phone. Thankfully another cashier stepped in corrected the order. I haven't gotten to the food yet, one star for service.
(1)
Alex N.
Zingerman's. It's an institution in the Ann Arbor area. It's also expensive and incredibly overrated in my book. I've been to the Kerrytown deli and the Roadhouse more times than I can count, and each time I walk away feeling underwhelmed. Sure, I've had some good meals at each. But never have I been blown away by the food and never have I felt that the quality justified the exorbitant prices. This past weekend's visit was no exception. My wife's family was in town and wanted to go to the Roadhouse for Father's Day brunch. My first thought was to stick with my usual - bagel and lox. Although Zingerman's bagels are hardly the best, this is usually a safe choice. Then I spotted the fried clam po'boy and decided to give it a try. HUGE mistake. The bread was stale and tasted like day-old (or maybe two-day-old) bread. Come on, Zingerman's! You guys pride yourselves on your baked goods and you give me stale bread? The clams were so overdone and dried that they tasted like fried rubber bands. The tomato chutney they serve on the sandwich was dumped on one end, all 2 teaspoons of it. The twice-fried french fries were soggy and gross and tasted like they had been barely fried once. All of this for $17. I seriously thought about sending it back, and in hindsight I probably should have. But we had a large group of hungry eaters, some of whom needed to hit the road for a long drive back home after, and I didn't want to be the one to hold-up the meal. But it was one of the most disappointing meals I've had in my entire life. Not a single thing on the plate was done right. I would have been pissed if it was a $10 sandwich, but for $17 I was downright furious. My wife had the fried shrimp po'boy and had similar complaints. On the way back home we decided that we will never again eat at the Roadhouse, given how many "meh" meals we've had. I'm giving them two stars because of the great service. That's one thing I'll say about the place - the staff are always friendly and attentive. But the food varies between one and three stars at most, and the prices are insane for the quality of food you get. I don't care if they are serving artisanal free-range organic grass-fed clams; if they overcook them and serve it to me on stale bread, what difference does the quality of the ingredients make? I'm convinced the only reasons Zingerman's has managed to stay in business so long - and to grow - are because a) too many Ann Arborites are morons when it comes to food, b) too many Ann Arborites equate expensive dining with good food, and c) Paul and Ari are masters of promotion and marketing. Good for them. Now, can you guys please direct your cooks not to murder the clams?
(2)
Louai S.
I have no idea where the 4 and 5 star reviewers here ate at. Definitely not the same place I ate at. This place was a pure disappointment. This is a late review from last August, but should be mentioned. We sat outside and checked out the smoker and I got all GEEKED up and super hungry, even told waitress to keep my Margaritas coming. the smell was amazing, restaurant looked rustic with wood floors and only to be so so so let down by the food. From flavorless pork rinds with spots of hot sauce on it to the worst ever greasy calamari and greasy nasty un-fried a second time and unmelted cheddar poutine, that my kids were not willing to order anything after. I finally talked them into the order of the following: a flavorless dressed caesar salad, a flavorless, broken sauced mac and cheese and my plate "the worst BBQ combo plate ever with smokeless, reheated, old tasting "the only flavor" roast beef, grey looking cold and old tasting pulled pork and nasty looking pulled chicken". I do not remember the sides, I recall some greens and mustardy looking sauce. Wow, total amateurs, for that matter my 12 and 14 year olds would have put out better food. I must give my respect to the waitress. She kept offering me a free return with my decline to accept to the point, I had a $100 gift card that I tried to give her and told her to keep all the change, I didn't care. I am glad she wouldn't except the card, because somehow it escaped my mind "Zingerman's deli, breads, dairy". Went to deli and bought meats, cheese and Pecan Raisin Bread" I now drive from Troy to the deli for the Pecan Raisin Bread and St. Angel cheese all the way from Troy. Never to the roadhouse, the manager never had the courtesy to come to my table, even though I never made a big deal of it at table, waitress just noticed that we were not eating food.
(1)
J H.
Paid $40 for two NASTY pulled chicken sandwiches.... The chicken looked like it had been sitting out all day. Bit into a huge chunk of nasty cartilage.... It's safe to say that we will NOT be returning!
(1)
Andrea T.
Yummy, home style cuisine.
(4)
s m.
We went for a birthday brunch and I didn't want to complain so I didn't - the sauteed greens were cold, & my omelet didn't have any cheese - it was supposed to. However the iced tea was delicious as was my bacon. The Roadhouse charges a lot and the Coney down the street has much better breakfast food. This restaurant usually disappoints me.
(2)
Adventurous Palate S.
We've been here several times. Loved all of their appetizers. Have loved most of everything we have ordered in the past. One day we stood in line for 45 minutes even though a table sat empty the whole time. Our food took a very long time to be served and it was not so good. Fortunately, a manager came by as we were putting on our coats and noticed barely eaten food left on our plates and asked us about our experience. They comped our whole meal. What service recovery! We were impressed and grateful.
Went here over the weekend and the food was awesome. My wife and I shared the fried chicken w/ mashed potatoes and the roadhouse mac and cheese. One of the best fried chicken I have ever had. It was as good as the last time. Mac and Cheese is fantastic. Since there were 8 people, we waited a little while for the food, which was ok especially since they gave us pimento cheese as a side in addition to sweet potato fries and bread on the house. Service was excellent. Recommend making a reservation b/c the wait can be a while.
(5)
Beth J.
This place is delicious! I went there for brunch one day, so homemade and fresh, and good coffee! I will definately be back!
(5)
John J.
Becki and were traveling through Ann Arbor, stopped at the Apple Store to have them fix Becki's iPhone 6+. Asked the tech for a local good choice restaurant. He brought over a couple of foodie/techs and the top choice was Zingerman's Roadhouse!!! So off we left with fixed fone in pocket for an anticipated marvelous meal! Let me say first.... Awesome!!! Becki had the Mac and Three Goat Cheese that was OTC! (Off The Chart) she generously shared a nibble or two, had to ask for the third. Chris, Our waitress was a gem. She explained the menu and all the great choices that change daily. They also have extensive beer and cheese menus! Since it will be a year before we get back through here and everything looked great, I narrowed it down to three things. Started with a corn dog jacketed in home made batter accompanied by the best sharp deli mustard I ever had. All left over mustard was generously applied to the home made dinner bread. Am I gushing to much? Hold on, for the rest of my meal! Next was the buttermilk batter fried chicken with mash potatoes and amazing gravy. I will allow you to mentally insert your own comments here. Thirdly was the pulled pork with their amazing BarBQ sauces. The mustard one was very different, sharp and good but the special smoky red sauce was OTC (see above) You know when someone says something is great and you try with your expectations to high and your disappointed? I don't think that will happen in this case! Ask for Chris and have a wonderful meal and tell'em Becki and John sent ya!
(5)
Cheese C.
Heard all the hype about the Roadhouse, so we went. Our Chicago taste buds were ready! 1st experience in March: We both ordered the Bearded BBQ Plate, what a disappointment! The portions were very small! 2-3 ribs, one tablespoon of pork, one tablespoon of chicken, tasteless green beans and not much mashed potatoes. The ribs stunk (like the animal) so I could not eat them. That's not what we were expecting for $29.00 each. 2nd experience in Sept: Tried the Roadhouse again. Ordered the BBQ Chicken sandwich w/ fries. Nothing to write home about. Little BBQ sauce and it's just not a tasty sauce. So far, for the quantity of food and the high prices, we don't understand the hype. However, we have found that Ron's Roadside BBQ is outstanding! Meat piled high with awesome BBQ sauce. Very impressed! Too bad they don't have a sit down restaurant, as they would get much more business.
(2)
Mel G.
New to the area. Been here twice already. My first regular spot in AA. The staff is super friendly, the food is awesome and the beer selection is excellent. I eat dessert here even though I shouldn't cuz it's just that damn good! Thanks all!
(5)
Kelly C.
Wow! These guys have a good thing going! I wish I lived closer so I could try everything they have to offer! Went with a large party and we had everything from ribs and burgers, to the fried chicken and the whole fish! Everyone loved everything they had to eat and they even brought out a birthday dessert as a surprise for the birthday girl! Great service, drinks, and the options are overwhelming.
(5)
S B.
About as good as breakfast gets. The Corned Beef Hash is amazing as was everything else we ordered. And they have a curated list of local cheeses and oysters from around the country. Worth a long drive
(5)
Lauren P.
I really enjoy Zingerman's Roadhouse. Honestly, this is probably close to a 5 star rating. I went to Zingerman's this past weekend in a group of 8. We all immensely enjoyed the complimentary donut holes and the large baskets of sweet potato fries. (FYI - there are FREE REFILLS, so we probably only should have ordered one basket for the table instead of 2.) I ordered the reuben sandwich with a side of ratatouille. Both were delicious but I couldn't finish the sandwich in one sitting. My boyfriend ordered the BBQ platter but was actually surprised by the smaller portion on his plate (even the omelet ordered by the person next to me seemed bigger than his portion of meat!). Everyone seemed to like their food and all leftovers were taken to go. I also ordered a slice of chocolate cake to eat later on my flight home, which was pretty marvelous. You could tell it was homemade and was super moist. I love the atmosphere of the roadhouse, and I think it's cool that there's a DRIVETHROUGH option to order almost anything off the menu. If this place was in Boston, I'd be here more often. :-)
(4)
Nora K.
I have ordered multiple dishes and have gone multiple times, and it has never disappointed- not once! Recommendation? SWEET POTATO FRIES!
(5)
Abbie L.
Zingerman's Roadhouse has been a favorite of mine for many years. The food is always excellent which is why I go back whenever I'm in Ann Arbor. The only thing keeping me from five stars is the service. The last few times I've been there our waitress has completely forgotten about us. The last time we were there, we waited for 15 minutes after we were done eating our food before the waitress even checked on us. Fortunately, everything there is so good, that it keeps us coming back. I love the ceasar salad, fried chicken salad, huevos rancheros, mac and cheese, etc... Their bread basket is always super fresh and tasty. I usually overdo it on the carbs when I'm there.
(4)
Maya B.
Okay, so enough about the food. Anyone who's from Ann Arbor, or Michigan for that matter, or who even knows someone who knows someone from one of these locals knows that Zingerman's has great food. What I will mention is that I have eaten here a lot, and when I say a lot, I mean probably an average of once a month for 5 years prior to moving out to DC, so I can confirm that the food is consistently good (albeit expensive!). That said, most people would probably agree that the deli has a one-up on the roadhouse. What really sets Zingerman's apart from other restaurants is the service. The staff at Zingerman's are zingtacular (some more zingtacular than others, although I won't name names). The hostesses are always pleasant, the waitstaff is always considerate, and even the busboys and food runners want to ensure you have a great zingxperience. Meals typically begin with a small sample of something on the house just to wet your whistle (especially if for some reason it takes the waiter a bit longer than usual to get to your table--there's a rule that guests cannot wait longer than 5 minutes for their waiter). Waiters are always ready to help with food suggestions and make adjustments to plates according to your needs/wants. Moving along through the meal, if you are dissatisfied with something you have ordered, just politely tell your waiter and he or she will rush it back to the kitchen to bring you out a corrected dish or something entirely different, and remove the not-so-hot dish from you bill. They will probably also comp you something else to make up for it. All in all, Zingerman's offers a true restaurant experience with service as it should be--other restaurants should take a hint!
(4)
Michael T.
Solid and diverse menu. Friendly staff. Started w some root beer from the tap...delicious. My girl had Cream Soda which was also great. I had the BBQ beef entree and the greens were tasty especially w the pepper oil at the table. The macaroni and cheese - Monterey w pulled chicken was our other selection. Very rich but one of the best Mac and cheese entrees I have had. Dessert looked great but we were too full, maybe next time if we r ever in town again...
(5)
Erikalaw S.
If you have the time (and money), it is worth visiting this place more than once. Not everything is home run, but it is all very tasty. For a first visit, try one of their Michigan beers on tap with the chili cheese fries; add pimiento cheese on the side. You won't sink into a sea of fattening regret. Four instead of five stars since not every dish is worth the fairly high price. But even the overpriced dishes are delicious. Don't forget, they also serve breakfast.
(4)
Friend of D.
This place has some very creative menu choices and the service / atmosphere is cool. We got some po boy sandwiches for lunch and all were good. The only bad thing for me was my BBQ platter, which had 4 types of BBQ meats. The food itself was fine, but man were the quantities of each meat TINY! Literally 2 ribs, a spoon-sized helping of shredded BBQ, and an equally small portion of the other two meats. For $28, I felt that I should at least get something more than this. The sandwiches & fries that the others in my party ordered were very generous sizes, so maybe BBQ is treated like a rarity?!?
(3)
Sarah L.
Fathers day. Sunday.June 19 2011. FOOD: 22oz homemade rootbeer. 5 mini burger entree w/ different cheeses for each. Came w/ steak cut sweet potato fries & dip: spicy mayo unlike any other, homemade pickle slices too. 2 huge filets of broiled trout seasoned w/ their coffee spices, along with a heaping amount of mashed potatoes with skin, and onion & garlic flavored spinach. Chocolate pudding was milky smooth with whip cream light & fluffy. Better than Reddi Whip sprinkled with tiny bits of chocolate on top with a blackberry too. SERVICE: Masha was the waitress. A man came around refilled beverages & even refilled the spicy mayo dip. Masha offered to replace sweet potato fries w/ fries if we didn't like it. EXTRA INFO 1.5hr wait, offered to sit at a bar & we did. RSVP highly recommended but we didn't. We've visited this place plenty of times during peak times & off - there's always a wait. It's one of those places that are worth it though. The place is a lot bigger than it appears on the outside. They do have a drive through thats located at their mobile trailer. Foods always top notch & never disappointing. Despite how busy it is the service is always impeccable. While you wait check out their collection of salt & pepper shakers. PRICE: $60.95 for 2 people.seems expensive, but our meals could have fed 2 other people as well as our drink.
(5)
Scott L.
After being unsatisfied with the BBQ offerings in Los Angeles, I was SO READY to be back here ...and let me tell you it does not disappoint! I've been here 3 times in the past year or so and the food and service has been delightfully consistent. BBQ and comfort food at it's finest. THE FOOD The last time I was here, my friend and I shared the Ig Vella Monterey Jack mac+cheese and BBQ sampler plate- both were delish. You can certainly tell that they go to great lengths to select the finest meats and veggies for each entree. The freshness and quality is what I interpret as the hallmark of any Zingerman's product. If you're a BBQ person that's into food defined by the slathered-on sauces, (and I don't blame you, sometimes I love me some saucceeee) then be aware that you may not be completely impressed by the Roadhouse. Again, fresh+quality emphasis here (and it's reflected in the price as well so don't be surprised). THE SERVICE Number one rule to remember is to MAKE A RESERVATION. It says Zingerman's on the door--you know the drill. Seriously though, even on a weekday it can be quite busy. You'll want to have a reservation especially in the winter months so that you don't want to be sitting in the doorway area for half an hour getting slammed in the face with that lovely winter breeze every time someone opens the door. Other than that, service is generally fantastic, wait staff is very knowledgeable about everything on the menu and is very accommodating. No qualms here. THE (non-collegial) ATMOSPHERE I never really gave this much consideration until after I graduated, but should it be the case that you take offense to the thought of college students dining with you for whatever reason, you don't have to be concerned here. The Roadhouse has very little representation from the college community or so it seems and the atmosphere is very casual and laid back. Enjoy!
(4)
Joanna B.
Had high expectations, but was greatly disappointed. Server was forgetful, no water or bread refills. Food was bland, portions tiny, fries seemed like they were from the bottom of the basket, rolls for sandwiches were stale, food appeared to be merely dropped on the plates. Very poor experience all around.
(1)
John L.
Very happy with this place. Price- reasonable (like all zingerman locations). Lunch is about $15, but it's very good. Quantity- Decent sized. You don't get gyped so that is good. Quality- Very good. Ribs and BBQ braised was very moist. I had the mac and cheese too and it was good, but I probably wouldn't get it again- maybe I'll just get some velveetas mac and cheese (don't judge...I don't judge you and ....your face) Atmosphere- Busy and cozy like all Zingerman Staff- Our waitress was fantastic. She would constantly stop by our table to ask if everything was going well, made note of peanut and gluten allergies and pre-divided 2 entrees so we could split them. She also mentioned what to do next time we came here. I would highly recommend this place.
(4)
Jim R.
Visited this spot after reading many positive reviews on Yelp. The restaurant was quite busy even on a Sunday night with lots of folks waiting- "good thing we made reservations I thought". Unfortunately, they started out committing my cardinal sin - making us wait more than a couple minutes to be seated past the reservation time- usually a sign of a poorly run front of the house. In this case it was around 15 minutes. The other thing that struck me was the large number of families with young kids at this place-more than a Gymboree class than a restaurant-so it must be very family-friendly. The restaurant offers a lot of locally sourced foods including raising there own hogs and cattle and running their own dairy. They offer a selection of cheeses and oysters for appetizers. 2-3 cheeses are a nice starter at about $3 per generous one oz. serving. We sampled two and they came with light and crispy bagel chips and sweet oven-dried balsamic grapes. The pulled pork we ordered was sweet, juicy and the overall quality of the food was very good and more than made up for the screaming toddler atmosphere and crazy small waiting area. Advice is to go early.
(4)
Damon L.
Overrated. I heard positive comments about Zingerman's before and it simply underachieved in my book. I will denote that I only ate there once (during a work meeting) and it was breakfast - but how do you screw up breakfast? The menu listings appeared great and although I debated about eggs benedict and more traditional breakfast options - I in the end chose a basic egg, potatoes, toast based meal. The eggs were the most tasty item with a blend of veggie and cheese. But, the toast looked like it had been cooked on a grill and in consequence - burned. It was pretty charred and tasted terrible. Even with the home preserves. There might have been a tablespoon of potatoes at best on the plate. Which is particularly irritating as I like potatoes. I actually forgot what type of meat was served. I believe it was a sausage patty. Point being - when the bill came and I was charged over $12 for a breakfast that was sparse and frankly - not that appetizing. I can assure you I won't bother giving lunch a dinner or chance. Any restaurant that overcharges for the cheapest meal of the day (and subsequently can't provide a delicious meal for the easiest meal to cook in a day) doesn't deserve additional consideration. I am not surprised coming from Ann Arbor where similar restaurants (overpriced and overhyped) tend to be the norm.
(2)
L W.
A place you have to visit if you are new to AA. Amazing food and great place to hang out, have coffee, or meet a friend.
(5)
Abby L.
I was unimpressed enough with Zingerman's Roadhouse to be compelled to write my first Yelp review to warn others against making the same mistake I did. We stopped at Z.R. after a Sunday movie, and since I had stuffed myself full of food at the theater I decided to order a side salad (~$7) and a side dish of mac and cheese ($7.50). Maybe it's my mistake for not asking, but when a side dish of mac an cheese costs $7.50, I'm expecting a little more than a teeny tiny saucer - not the case. I estimate the dish consisted of 20 noodles. Z.R. was probably the most overpriced meal I have ever had. My fiancee had the burger which he thought was average, the salad average, the tiny plate of mac and cheese...average. But for the price not worth it, we won't be going back.
(2)
Apu G.
The food is good but not magnificent, and is certainly NOT worth the money. I'd give four stars if the prices were halved. Example: Two measly crab cakes = $12.50 (or over $15 after tax and tip)
(1)
Jay B.
This was my third time here. We were celebrating our daughter's graduation. Bragged on the place to my parents and drove out of our way to get here. I guess my expectations were too high. The service was lackluster at best (Sharon). She was just going through the motions, seemed cold and perturbed we were there. Service was slow. Brunch took a very long time to come. My husband wondered out loud what the bread plates were for, looked around and noticed every other table enjoying a bread basket. This solidified our bad experience. I spoke to the supervisor and she brought a bread basket. 30 seconds later, our food arrived. I almost cried in disappointment. My parents didn't get their bacon. Sharon took a long while to check back, then it was at least 5 minutes for 3 pieces of bacon to come out. I love their food, bit was so sadly disappointed by the service.
(3)
Vee V.
Buttermilk fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy. Three women, three orders of the same thing, three smiling, happy women at the end of dinner. They also made me a lifetime fan for the following: I'd made a reservation on open table, and they asked if it was a special occasion; I said yes a going-away party of three long-time friends, one whom is moving to another country for a 3 year contract. I didn't ask for anything, just mentioned it in the comments. When we got there, the hostess mentioned the going-away party; Lauren our waitress was fully informed as well. After an excellent meal, she brought out a free brownie sundae with "Good luck in Japan" written in chocolate sauce on the plate! It was Saturday night, we lingered at the table (not unduly) and never felt rushed in the least. Another wonderful Zingerman's experience!
(5)
Kevin N.
You know how there are people who would go ga-ga over Sutter Home wine if you slapped a "Chateau L'Obscure" label on it and told them it was special and expensive? These will likely be your dining companions at the Roadhouse. And by "companions", I'm not talking about people at your table... though it will seem like they're part of your table, given how they pack people in here like sardines. "Zingerman's-the-deli" has carried an unearned cachet in and around Ann Arbor for countless years, and the halo carries over to the Roadhouse. I was with a medium-sized group on my last visit, and we basically ordered every appetizer on the menu, with a broad array of entrees. One of the appetizers was literally "mini corndogs with fancy mustard", with the remaining selections similarly impressive. On the entree side, portions were expectedly small, with the waitstaff "selling" most of the people at our table on what they already ordered. It would have been less unusual had we been ordering off-menu, but it really resonated as though the staff was saying "You're not going to like this very much, but you should, because this sauce is quite special..." or "Even though this really doesn't taste good, you should feel justified in paying $25 for it, because..." If you take away the "quirky" staff and their belabored tales of how the chicken you're about to eat was named Fred, who lived a purposeful life just off of Dixboro Road until he made the personal decision to become food, you'll soon realize that you're paying through the roof for a mediocre meal. The staff seemed generally aloof when they weren't busy telling you how special things were. I'm not sure if "detached stoner" is a component of their branding. If so, it totally works. Otherwise, the experience is somewhere between "sleepy pizza guy who probably didn't spit in my food" and "legally dead". That is, unless you bring up how "awesome" their tattoo or piercing is, where they catapult closer to "insane TGI Friday's person who won't shut up about the chocolate martini special". You won't necessarily get better service that way, but you will discover how the "ironic" tattoo makes your choice of server a unique snowflake. Really, the only reason to go to the Roadhouse is if you're already indoctrinated in to the mindset that Zingerman's is actually special, and whatever they say (or charge) is justifiable. Or, if you want "Ann Arbor funky" that's so over the top it's a caricature of itself. Frankly, you're probably better off going just about anywhere downtown.
(2)
Maria A.
All I could think was I have heard so many good things about Zingerman's so why not try the roadhouse for lunch? EH...NO. We sat down, I looked at the menu and got right back up. If you want a grilled cheese, don't go here. You end up paying 12 bucks just for a grilled cheese (no sides). Don't go here to watch a sporting event. The TVs are so small, people look like ants on the screens. I was so disappointed.
(1)
Kim W.
Very good for breakfast/brunch or a casual lunch/dinner. Wouldn't recommend for a date as it can be very busy and loud. The southern grits with wisconsin cheddar are the best I've ever had!
(4)
Ted C.
AMAZING The foodie trolls hate it of course... most of them I see are students and can't afford good food. Yo FOODIES.. they don't have Ramen here. So you'll have to go back to your dorms for that. This is for serious food people only. A lot of what you see at Zingermans Roadhouse is from local farm to table. Everything is top notch. I usually start out with the oysters or cheese platter or both -- this place aims to please. There is nothing else to compare it with .. and the service is over the top. Zingermans has a long history in Ann Arbor with quality. If you can't find it here you can't find it in Ann Arbor anywhere... that is just how it is. This is an experience so take the time to enjoy it. This is not a diner or any kind of restaurant that you may be used to. This isn't even the Zingermans Deli experience. It is better... and in some ways very different. I think of it as an expanded palate of choices that goes beyond the Deli. The BBQ is awesome here.... and the place can get crowded. You can usually grab a seat at the bar and get great service. They bend over backwards to please you. That is why I go back again and again. Ari, (the owner) is a freakin' genius and is the mastermind behind all of the goodness under this roof. This building used to be a Bill Knapps and that died... from the firey ashes comes a phoenix and that is.... Zingermans Roadhouse. i love the energy from the staff in this place. They really know how to cater to people.
(5)
Patrick T.
The sweet potato fries are really, really tasty. They are hugely cut fries that you dip in spicy mayo. Yum. The mac and cheese is also fairly good. I tried the Bearded BBQ plate, but was not very impressed. I just didn't enjoy the seasoning/sauce, or the dryness of the meat.
(3)
Masayoshi M.
Food of Zingerman's Roadhouse is really good.
(4)
Brian B.
Well... the shops are really nice...especially the cheese and meat shop... but the deli... expensive and not that good... shop their but skip eating! Go to one of the breweries in town
(2)
Katelyn B.
Adore the mac and cheese.
(4)
John F.
Comfort food at its finest. Couldn't find a nicer place or staff. Food is great. Everything is made so well and served fresh, hot and tasty. This is a family favorite for my wife and kids.
(5)
Jaye K.
Loud roadhouse with decadent offerings! I live a couple of blocks from the original deli and send my foodie family members Zingerman's for the holidays. Call me a fan of the company. The Roadhouse is not someplace I eat at often, but I always have fun when I go there. The Mac and cheese brings back fond memories of a carb coma and one excellent hangover.
(4)
Meg K.
Returned to the Roadhouse for another Sunday brunch. The Huevos Rancheros - with the house hot sauce and eggs over easy - great flavors, textures, and gooey goodness. Breakfast Nachos were good - love the hearty tortilla chips. Had a bite of my son's Trout Po'Boy - the bread had perfect air and chew and the fish was cooked and seasoned perfectly. And of course those thick cut sweet potato fries are a favorite.The only problem was my daughter's Buttermilk Fried Chicken Salad had a hair in it. No problem, that happens. The staff replaced it promptly. However, with Zingerman's class and reputation I expected to not be charged for her entree. I'm sure they would have deducted it from the bill had we asked, but it should be standard procedure.
(4)
Danny S.
I liked Zingerman's Roadhouse. Went there with my family for Parents' Weekend at U of M. My daughter wanted us to go to Zingerman's deli for sandwiches, but we had dinnertime open, so I chose ZR. Overall I give it a 4.5 Reservations were easy through OpenTable. It is a busy place, but not near campus so does not have as much of the college crowd. The atmosphere is funky. Roadhouse is a good description. Outside the restaurant you can see an antique Airstream trailer that is used as a take-out window, and several massive steel smokers. We were a bit late for our reservation so had to wait about 10 minutes for our table, but I'm fine with that (at least they seated us). They have a great selection of beers, and my wine-loving wife liked mine so much that she ordered one. Nice appetizer selection, but we only ordered sweet potato fries, which are more like sweet potatoes sliced longitudinally into 1-inch square pieces. They were delicious. They have a great salad selection, and they are large enough to share. Without my having to ask, they split the salad my wife and I were sharing. They have a number of mac and cheese selections, which my kids enjoyed. My wife had a lovely Scottish salmon with Zingerman's Coffee Spice Rub, which was delicious. And I had a delicious southwest style (local) lamb stew special. I was tempted by the barbeque, especially after seeing the smokers, but I'll have to save that for next time. Overall, it was a great experience and I would go there again.
(4)
Kassandra F.
I don't think I'll ever tire of this place. One of my biggest pet peeves anywhere is the poor customer service. Even before it earned the best service category in this years Current, I remember thinking they should create that category for this restaurant. What an expansive menu and the servers are well versed in it all. And it doesn't stop with the entree selection - the drink, the desserts, the appetizers......all of it is expansive and inventive. I admit I don't go there often because it is on the pricier side, but when I want a treat it's good to know that I'll get what I pay for at the Roadhouse.
(5)
Amy D.
Zingermans Roadhouse is a nonnegotiable restaurant for us to visit on our annual trip to Ann Arbor. We alternate each year from visiting the Roadhouse for either breakfast or dinner, and this year we went for the latter. We came to Zing's on a Saturday night and we waited about 45 minutes, which is standard. I love this restaurant because they have so many differently styled rooms to eat in. We sat in a covered and heated patio, it was perfect. We started with a drink each. I have fallen in love with Pisco, so naturally i ordered the pisco sour. It was balanced, and the egg white atop was frothy and the whole drink went down smoothly. My sis had the Knickerbocker, it was the most beautiful red, it was slightly sweet but delicious. I must admit, that in the past it has been quite easy to find an item that i wanted to devour, but this particular night i had to really scour the menu. One tip would be to come during the week, because each night they have a special. I ordered the beef tenderloin and for my sides i chose the collard greens, cheese grits, and sweet potatoes. The steak was the highlight by far of the entire meal. It was beautifully charred, and cooked to the level of doneness that i specified, it was fabulous. For my sides, the greens had great flavour, but they were super gritty. The cheese grits were creamy, but the tiny amount of cheese on top was hardly enough to be deemed as cheese grits. The sweet potatoes were my favourite side. They were smashed, so there were different sizes and the textural contrast and sweetness was great. In the past we have ordered the mac and cheese which i think is the best dish that they serve, so my sis decided to order the baked pasta with roasted mushrooms. On the menu, it stated that this dish didn't contain bechamel sauce which is fine, however there was nothing to bind the dish. It arrived and it was simply mushrooms, pasta and a tiny amount of cheese. The dish arrived at the table and it was lukewarm. Our server was very apologetic and she rushed it to the back and heated it up for us. Overall, this has been our third visit to Zingermans roadhouse and we have loved it every time, but unfortunately we are verging on the point of been there done that. They are known for their service, and i cannot say anything bad about it. I think the Roadhouse would benefit from a menu shakeup, but for anyone who is visiting Ann Arbor, your trip is incomplete until you have dined at the Roadhouse.
(3)
Rob F.
Very overpriced. i got their chicken and it was served in a mini wooden crate thing....quaint I suppose but very unsanitary. I was initially handed a menu with food smashed all over the inside...really unappetizing. $15 for two pieces of chicken and one side... I'd go again but only if I wasn't paying the bill!
(2)
Nicole M.
Love that they have gluten free options. Food is pretty tasty, the people are pretty friendly, and the atmosphere is pretty ok. It's not knock me out of this world great. But I do enjoy the food and happy about the gluten free brownie!
(4)
Amber E.
Updating my review from 4 to 5 stars because of how consistent the Roadhouse is. We've been many times since our first visit back in April of 2010 and the service has *never* been poor and the food has always been delicious. I can't believe I've never had a server that wasn't trying their best to make our dining experience great in all of our visits - Zingerman's must train their staff very well! As for the food, I am a vegetarian and there are always options for me; however, I usually just order the Roadhouse Mac 'N Cheese - it's simple, filling and keeps me coming back. You can't go wrong ordering the Mac' N Cheese! Pro: Parking lot, great service, portions etc Cons: Always very busy on the weekends, definitely call ahead as they do take reservations! If you're on a budget (which I'm supposed to be....) Zingerman's won't do you any favours :(
(5)
Jason G.
let me start by saying that i had heard zingerman's described as a combination of the greatest gourmet restaurant, bakery, dairy, roastery and overall eclectic food store in the midwest (for the past two years). my gf is a UofM alumn and all the locals seem to love the place. apparently, the owners travel the country (first class, all the way, i'm guessing) to find the best regional ingredients and recipes... i gotta say that everything i tasted was excellent. the menu was interesting and well prepared, with fresh, wholesome ingredients. and very tasty. with that said, every single item on the menu (from the $4 fresh-squeezed lemonade to the $14 burgers) was RIDICULOUSLY overpriced. almost to the point of absurdity. the food is good, the atmosphere is exactly what you'd expect, the staff is friendly and knowledgeable. but none of that could possibly justify the EXTREME price gouging. is there a zingerman family? or is this just another big corporation, masquerading as a local mom & pop operation (e.g., oberweis dairy in chicago). i have never written a negative yelp or tripadvisor review, but zingerman's is just begging for it! as a 20+ year veteran of the restaurant, wine, culinary & craft spirits industries, i've never come across a restaurant that was so blatantly and brashly overpriced. but it's almost as if their customers don't care. there is constantly a line to get a table! i'm simply at a loss for words... so, i'll give zingerman's four stars for food quality and service, but they definitely deserve an absolute ZERO for value... if zingerman's cut their prices in half, they would still be just an average value. in fact, the typical american restaurant needs to maintain an overall food cost of about 24-30%, in order to remain profitable. my guess is that zingerman's food cost is somewhere south of 10%... the owners should be ashamed and maybe even investigated for criminal price gouging. despite my passion for supporting local, "independent" restaurants, i would definitely rather eat a big mac at walmart than spend another cent of my hard-earned money on anything at zingerman's.
(1)
Lily K.
Giving the Roadhouse five stars because of my recent experience with the life changing Grilled Carolina White Grits! Such a simple concept yet bursting with complex favors that I can't stop thinking about. I wouldn't have considered there Roadhouse a place to go for good vegetarian eats, but know I will! I love the atmosphere of the Roadhouse as well, and wish I owned the quirky collection of salt and pepper shakers! I miss the cheese curds, haven't seen them on the menu in a while, but they were phenomenal, get them if you can. If I were able, I would give 4.5 stars because the meat here can be inconsistent. My boyfriend had the pork shoulder last time and it was very dry and tasteless. Disappointing. Steaks also have been known to disappoint. I suggest choosing other excellent menu items!
(5)
K V.
This was our first time here and it lived up to all our expectations. The Mac n Cheese was killer good as was the crispy fried chicken. Our server was so helpful with her recommendations. Can't wait to go back and try more on the menu.
(5)
Colleen H.
Calling all vegetarians this is where you want to eat! I had been here once before for lunch and recall thinking I would rather eat lunch at the original Zingermans in Kerrytown. I mean if your eating a sandwich that is where to go, however, if you want a meal - Roadhouse all the way! The Cheeseboard and corn dogs (for my kids) were our appetizers. Delish! The warm spinach and mushroom salad was amazing! But by far I gotta say the mashed potatoes ROCK! I had the black bean burger because it is hard to find a good vegetarian burger and they hit the nail on the head with this black bean burger. I ordered way too much food but everything was amazing! I highly recommend this restaurant for vegetarians, you have many options! Way to go Zingermans!
(5)
Gregg D.
Loved everything about our visit again. Drinks were great, food was awesome and derive was terrific. My wife had the sliders and they were all good. I had the spicy chicken and while very hot and spicy it was moist. I probably wouldn't order it again, but it was as advertised, just not my dish. We can't wait for our next visit.
(5)
Tony K.
I visited Zingerman's in mid-January 2012. The food quality is very good, although I tend to not necessarily value some things to the same extent that other diners seem to, and that Zingerman's is known for -- locally grown organic food, for example. Even though it has a casual feel, its prices are anything but, and it is largely for that reason that I am giving it only three stars. Our dinner for two (appetizers, no wine, one shared dessert) was $93. Also, start-to-finish took 90 minutes, which I thought was a bit excessive; we went for long stretches without seeing our server. Reservations are a must on weekend nights.
(3)
Liz W.
I like the Roadshow. Its a mere cute little trailer hanging out just outside the Roadhouse but it has a seperate menu and is great for a quick take out. They offer quick fare, leaning heavily to coffees, general bakery type breakfast, soups, sandwiches and baked goods. You are served either via walk-in or drive-through. I have used this option twice now. Once for breakfast, I was impressed because they got me some salmon for my to go sesame street bagel and cream cheese, which of course was delicious. My much healthier sister got some wild oats with milk and was very happy. Coffee here was very good and a nicely perked us up for shopping. They even carry coffee milk, not a common find, yay! We got a few doughnuts to go for the guys later on and they were very happy with them. Another night we dropped in and got some assorted stuff to take to my parents. Again, just in a hurry and not feeling the fast food. The mushroom soup and ancho beef chili were hits, just like at the big kid restaurant. I loved the egg salad with the applewood bacon (with a bread switch), James was happy with the ham, salami & cheddar, my dad was delighted with the meatloaf and my mom quite liked the smoked chicken salad. It worked. You can grab breads here, coffeecake, brownies and other assorted goods too. It's not glam but a very nice option indeed, tasty.
(4)
Phillip W.
Pretty cool place, and a nice follow-on to Zingerman's Deli. But the prices are truly stunning. And the place was packed to the rafters, with a line going out the door. Are people in Ann Arbor really doing well enough to be able to eat here regularly? If so, I'm moving back to Michigan!
(3)
Susan W.
Just can't beat it. Best deli food along with fab bakery. It's a must have where I am in Ann Arbor- or Michigan for that matter! Sandwiches piled high- always enough for 2 meals. Soups feat too. Comfort foods of all types that are delicious.
(5)
Gary M.
not crazy about this place!
(2)
Kelly A.
How could I forget the drinks? Rich coffee from their own beans with brunch, and amazing citrus iced tea for most other meals, and even sometimes with brunch. I asked my waitress for more info on the iced tea because I was crazy about it, and she brought be a sample of the blend to take home. After some research, I do believe it's Rishi. Mmm... They also have an awesome list of classic cocktails with $2.00 off on Sundays. I had a Corpse Reviver #2. Strong and complex! I was reminded that I don't care for the licorice leaning liquors though, so next time it's the Vesper.
(5)
Trent N.
So far I've had ribs, pulled pork, and gelato from zingerman's, and I have yet to be let down. Also, make sure to get the sweet potato fries; they're MUCH better than the plain fries, and so good that I regularly stop by just to order them.
(4)
Steven S.
Honestly, I think Zingerman's deli is pretty overrated, so when I came here, I didn't have the highest expectations. I was pleasantly surprised. There was a pretty long wait in spite of the fact that there was a snow storm that night and roads were terrible, but we sat at the bar while we were waiting, and the drink prices were very reasonable. We got bread when we got to the table which was fresh and yummy. I got a smoked barbeque beef sandwich which came with fries. The beef was delicious, although the bun got very soggy and fell apart as I was eating. The fries were good, although a bit on the salty side. All in all, it was a pretty good dinner, and I had a good time with my family. It's a bit on the pricey side, but if you're getting a sandwich, the prices are fairly reasonable.
(4)
Natalie B.
Zingerman's Roadhouse is on the top of my list of foodie heaven spots. I am in love with & am in utter admiration of the passion to exceptional customer service, local/fresh/homegrown food & awesome flavor!! I'm from Ypsi/Ann Arbor, MI, but now living in Austin, TX: and on the recent trip home, my boyfriend & I /had to/ do the Tour De Zingerman's. We started the day off at the Bakery/Creamery/Coffee Co., went to the Deli/Next Door, and then ended the day at the Roadhouse. It could not have been a better meal to end a day of amazing food, and James Beard Award (AKA Beardy) winner Chef Alex Young never fails your taste buds. Our waiter was helpful and gracious to offer samples when choosing over menu items (as it reaLLy is hard to narrow it down when everything truly is delicious)! For a starter we began with my ~favorite~: Sea Island Sweet Potato Fries. They're twice cooked and served with spicy mayo: they are freaking AWesoMe! I dream of these fries with drool-faced joy whenever I think of Ann Arbor & home. They are a must for any sweet potato fan. In fact - I have personally never had better sweet potato fries in my life. For me, these blow all the others out of the water. To drink I ordered the Root Beer, & my boyfriend had the Ravin' Red Cranberry-Cherry Soda: both awesome and packed with refreshing flavors. For our meal, we wanted to share some soup and mac & cheese. It was a toss up between the Tortilla soup and the Ancho Chilli, then the Three Peppercorn Goat Cheese and the Smoked Chicken and Monterey Jack. After deliberating with some /amazing/ samples of all, we went for sharing the chilli, which had more of a spiciness we often go for, and the Smoked Chicken Mac & Cheese that had New Mexico green chillies (awesome flavor/spiciness!). The meal, with the Zingerman's bread basket of beautiful crusty, hearty bread made our taste buds and tummies OD on carb-awesomeness. It was wonderful! Also, during our Tour De Zingerman's earlier in the day we ran into one of the Zingerman's co-founders, author, and foodie extraordinaire, Ari Weinzweig. We Just wanted to say hello and nudge him to come down to Austin to teach a class again perhaps in the future (Both I & my boyfriend work at Central Market in Austin, and heard he taught a cooking class there some years ago). So, it was a surprise to run into him again at the Roadhouse, coming around to each table refilling water glasses and checking to make sure we had enough spicy mayo for my sweet potatoes. To have one of the owners of a company come around personally and wait on you, and make sure you're taken care of ... is huge. He really was gracious to let us get a picture with him too. Awesome flavorful food!, people, staff, cleanliness, and passion for all of it. If you haven't had dinner here: GO!! It is worth every moment & mouthful.
(5)
Maureen M.
My coworker & I stopped here for lunch the other day. I was a little excited to finally try Zingerman's Roadhouse. We were trying to find a different place, which didn't pan out and I'm glad it worked out that way. It wasn't too crowded at 12:30pm, which made me even happier. Our waiter came over quickly to introduce himself. He asked if we'd eaten at the Roadhouse before. This was our 1st time, so he did his little speech about the menu, and accolades on some food show (I don't care). It was a little long winded, but I appreciate the effort. My coworker ordered the Roadhouse Reuben, and I ordered the New Mexico Grilled Chicken Sandwich. The Reuben is made with ham, not corned beef. She also ordered the sweet potato fries, and I opted for the twice baked fries. My coworker really enjoyed her greasy Reuben, and fries. I tried a fry and wish I'd chosen those instead of the regular fries. My fries were a little limpy and just okay. The sweet potato fries come with a delicious, slightly spicy dipping sauce that complimented them perfectly. My sandwich was really good. I could definitely taste the smokey flavor of the applewood smoked bacon with every bite. The spicy mayo & avocado salad added a lot of flavor and loved the combination. Our server was surprised we didn't order any macaroni & cheese, so he brought us a little sample. I'm confident that a bowl of this little piece of heaven will significantly contribute to clogging an artery. I am not a big fan of macaroni & cheese. I like it, but I can do without it. If it wasn't for the fact that I could gain 5 lbs from eating it, I'd order this every time. I was contemplating ordering it for my husband to take with me. The sample confirmed that thought was a good idea. He is definitely a fan of mac & cheese. Our server gave me some great tips on how to reheat it without losing substance. I followed his instructions last night, and it worked out great! The only bad part of the meal was my bill. Although, I knew it would be expensive because that's Zingerman's. $34 for my Diet Coke, sandwich, and a very small container of mac & cheese...for lunch. I'm definitely going to save my pennies for another trip to try more of their delicious offerings.
(4)
Brian G.
4 stars the food was great, a bit expensive but great. My wife's burger was on te menu as having an onion bun but came out sans the onion bun but with poopy (yes I said poopy) seed buns
(4)
Laci S.
This is an Ann Arbor staple if you know what's good for you. We love their breakfast menu, but lunch and dinner are really good too. The eggs with grits that have melted vermont cheddar is divine. I also love that they have the drive through for pick up! Its a fabulous option when you want take out, but don't have to park and go in, wait and pay, etc. Just drive up, tell them your name, pay and your off! The chocolate cake is seriously the best I've ever had. I dont know if its the frosting they make or what.. but trust me on this one, its AWESOME!
(4)
Sarah M.
I recently moved here from San Francisco and was excited about this dinner because it's one of the few restaurants that from reading the menu, reminded me of something I might find back home. I came here last night for dinner. i made a reservation so I didn't wait long. The menu looked fantastic - great options for vegetarians and gluten-free, using high quality local ingrediants. The waitstaff were very helpful and friendly - they deserve 5 stars. My main problem with the restaurant is the kitchen. There's obviously something going wrong in there. The wine, bread and cheese plate we ordered were really good - a 5 star experience, and it probably was because they don't need to be "cooked". What really let the evening down were the main courses and the dessert. We ordered the black bean hominy burger, the Carolina White Grits and the Donut Sundae. The burger failed conceptually and in execution, it was a very, very mushy burger with the hominy being very tough in parts. The french fries the came alongside were soggy and not crisp. Not nailing french fries in a place like this is a big disappointment, because it's a barometer of the kitchen's level of skill and technique. It's shocking really, didn't the chef win a James Beard award? Last night I did not see James Beard level cooking. The first thing that came to mind when I tasted the Grits was "under-seasoned". The topping was supposed to be sauteed with cider vinegar, but I got none of the bite the dish really needed to sing. Also the grits were burnt, I mean really burnt with ash on my plate. I understand charring, grill-marks etc etc but serving a grit cake with a thick coating of black is inexcusable. Overall the main dishes were underwhelming and not worth the price. We wanted to see what the pastry chef had to offer so we ordered the Donut Sundae which is supposed to be what they're famous for. The elements were really good, good donut with a fluffy crumb and crisp exterior, the vanilla gelato was smooth and studded with vanilla seeds, , peanuts perfectly roasted, great butterscotch sauce, but together the components did not become more the sum of it's parts which is the real indicator of a great ice-cream sundae. There was none of the thrill and joy of eating a sundae,(Think about when you got a Sundae as a kid...) Honestly, I think calling it a donut ala mode would be a more accurate description. Overall, Zingerman's over-promises and under delivers. It is also outrageously priced. It reminds me of the Chow neighborhood restaurants in San Francisco, but is twice the price and half as good. BUT, I will probably be back. This place has great potential, and a really nice vibe, they just need to seriously get it together in the kitchen. When you think Zingerman's you think high-quality food prepared expertly and the Roadhouse does not live up to it's name.
(3)
Dante F.
The sweet potato appetizer with the skin on was horrible and left me bloated. For the main entree, I chose the turkey reuben which was absolutelly tasteless and came with yet more soggy fries.
(1)
Martha R.
I have to agree 100% with Jen H. and Cd S.'s comment about it being just too expensive for what you get. It's good food. Very good. But for the price, it kinda hurts me. I almost always go to Zingerman's Roadhouse every time I come back into town. This past visit, I had to avoid the place because I am on a more limited budget these days. Who isn't? But it also hurt me when I was working full time and making decent money. Why do I go? Because they have good beer on tap, decent wine, and they always have a great selection of food options. If you're in the mood for one thing, and the people you are going to dinner with are in the mood for something else - well, you're set. I also enjoy the atmosphere - it's open and inviting and we almost always get good service. I imagine that they are going to hurt during the recession... if they'd drop their prices and keep them there, then I just might come back the next time I hit the A2 area. Otherwise, it's going to have to fall off the list of places to go when I'm in town.
(3)
Jim B.
A "must" if you're in the Ann Arbor area. The wait-staff was friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive. The pulled-pork was tremendous. I especially liked the ability to order side dishes that were not the usual run-of-the-mill stuff . That is to say, I did not have to settle for fries and coleslaw. For an appetizer try the fried green tomatoes. They're grown in the Road House's own garden and canned in a pickle brine. Very unique and quite flavorful.
(4)
Denise R.
Four of us went for dinner. I will summarize to save time reading. My blackened red fish was awesome and cooked to perfection!!! I had the Swiss chard and it was garlicky but excellent. My family had the buttermilk chicken and said it was the best chicken they ever had. My daughter loved their mac and cheese. the chocolate pudding was delicious and made from very good chocolate. Everyone at my table raved about their food. It was our best meal while visiting Ann Arbor. I've read some of the other reviews and it appears that the dinners are the meal of the day here. I have always trusted and will always trust Zingerman's restaurants to deliver quality food and to back it up. I once had a specialty coffee drink I didn't like ..not their fault but a matter of taste.. and they replaced it with another for no charge. I'm a raving fan!
(5)
Suzanne W.
I love this place and the bread!!!
(5)
NOYFB S.
Above average food but pricy, but the worst part about the Roadhouse is how the staff talks to you like you're a retard, or 4 years old! I don't understand why these people act like that. Unbelievably fake smiles on every face and insulting obsequious behavior. I wonder if you have to be dead in brain to work there?
(1)
Eileen S.
Overall impression: disappointing food, tiny portions, ridiculously expensive, noisy atmosphere, slow service. My boyfriend and I tried Zingerman's Roadhouse last night for the first time. We were underwhelmed. I had no idea that tiny portions of average food could be so expensive. I have no respect for a restaurant that charges as much as they possibly can whether the food is deserving of that price or not. Such as a $3 Arnold Palmer ice tea. Really Zingerman's? You feel good making probably a 500% profit on a glass of ice tea? Is that necessary? So I'll cut to the chase: my $14.50 BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwich was ok but very small for the price (the bun was maybe the size of a kid's meal burger) and it had a very small amount of chicken on the sandwich. There was more bread than chicken. The fries that came with the meal were really good, although oversalted. The waiter conned me into ordering a side of their mac & cheese. I didn't realize--until the bill came--that it was $9.50 for what amounted to about a 1/2 cup of penne pasta in cheese sauce. I was so shocked at the price I actually asked the waiter if he had made a mistake on the bill! My boyfriend ordered the Chicken Fried Steak which he said was ok but not the best he's had. The three sides he chose were the Mustard Cole Slaw and mashed potatoes which were very good, and rice...which looked like plain white rice to me. Then it was the usual wait for our bill, wait for him to pick up my card, wait for him to return with the final bill, etc. So for our two dinners the bill came to $48. I never mind spending that much on a good meal, but this one was so disappointing. We have no reason to go back. Oh, and I forgot to mention how loud it was in there. I absolutely hate having to shout out my dinner conversation. Ugh.
(1)
Jessica R.
Saying Zingerman's Roadhouse is delicious is like saying that fire is hot. But, my goodness, is Zingerman's Roadhouse delicious. We both got the same thing--the super sampler of burgers, which gives you 5 sliders, each with different cheese, and a side of fries--and were both wowed. The meat is delicious, the cheesy melty and complementary, even the bun was tasty. The fries may have been the best I've had in my life; they're somehow more potatoey than other fries. We didn't try much else (drank water, and had only the bread-with-butter, which they automatically give you), but I get the feeling everything here would be delicious. Why 4 stars, and not the full 5? The ambiance is a little chain restauranty (think upscale Applebees or Friday's), and the prices are pretty steep.
(4)
April J.
SO YUM. Everything here was truly delicious. A bit pricey but delicious. I didn't get anything fancy but the food was just plain good. Not sure if I'm willing to pay for it considering I can get delicious food elsewhere, but there were no complaints about the food itself.
(4)
Andrea S.
1) Whether the restaurant, the deli, the bakery, staff is uber friendly and helpful. 2) I am a pimento cheese snob. There are few of us outside of the south, so I have to take on the burden of being the responsible one in the family. So freakin' good. 3) Brussels sprouts. How do I love thee? Let me count using the Zingerman's offering....you are just a hair short of my love for my husband 4) While everyone raves about their mac and cheese (too rich for me, but delicious) and all their meats (not a huge meat eater), their vegetarian offerings are top notch. Fish is fresh, fresh, fresh. And delicious. 5) Breads are amazing. Deli has meats and cheeses you won't see anywhere else. I could go on and on about Zingermans...worth every good thing said about them. The reason for four instead of five stars? EXPENSIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! People who would love to try the food, but have a very limited income, aren't going to be able to get more than an appetizer or salad. Wish there were some lower price, or maybe smaller portions and smaller price, items.
(4)
Kristine N.
Really cute restaurant and everything is made in house which is amazing. Food was decent, drinks were decent, nothing stood out except how they make their food.
(3)
Julia K.
Tie me up with Mac N Cheese & slather me with hot BBQ sauce, but only if it's from Zingerman's. I could die fat and happy if I ate here every day of the rest of my life. + Stars - The menu. It changes. Daily. What?! That's so LA! + Stars - Locals Rule! Love you team Z for caring that your produce and everything possible - that hot sauce of heavenly love included - is local, yokel and all. + Stars - The grilled cheese sammich. Oh Oh OH as the When Harry Met Sally lady would say. I am slamming my hands on the counter in the pleasure that is 7 year cheddar melted between crispy, buttery toasty good sourdough. + Stars - Decor Galore. Over 2000 salt n pepper shakers are displayed here. And the walls are painted here and there (like on the way to the loo) with fun, fanciful designs. Oh, and there's an Airstream-y trailer. I could literally live here. I would pitch my tent in the parking lot (Which they use to have a Farmer's Market once a week when it's not arctic out), get fresh in the adorable multi-stall bathroom, and eat eat eat til I explode. Zingermans, you make Michigan proud.
(5)
Meggie S.
Zingerman's was fantastic! I made my way to the Roadhouse for only the second time last week, Friday around lunch. The smell of the barbecue outside is enough to make you drool, but I couldn't resist getting some of their famous macaroni and cheese. I chose the Smoked Chicken and Monterey Jack. It came out piping hot and delicious! Not bad paired with their ice tea, as well. Our service was top notch, which is usually the kicker for me. The host was friendly and our waitress was super on top of things. She saw me giving my boyfriend a gift and offered us an amazing dessert on the house for his birthday -- the doughnut sundae. Light with the perfect amount of crispy, sweet and creamy... Unbelievably delicious! It's pretty rare to find a place with great service AND food. Clearly you get what you pay for at Zingerman's. I'll definitely be back!
(5)
Marie L.
Since I have family that lives blocks away from the Roadhouse, we eat there frequently. The ONLY con of this place is the wait you encounter. On a Tuesday night, at 7pm, the wait-time for a table is often over an hour. All of the dishes can be split if your goal is fiscal responsibility. If you're not concerned about cash, order different items and share. The menu changes frequently based on seasons and availability, so you never know when the item you're eying will be on the menu again. My favorites: Goat cheese enchiladas Goat cheese pasta New Mexico chicken sandwich Chili - cheese fries I have never had a bad meal here. Even when I don't feel like clogging my arteries - they have plenty of appealing (and delicious) healthy options. It's not all just for the fatties. I LOVE their emphasis on local; you'll notice, on the wall leading to the bathroom, a huge map of Michigan naming the cities and farms where their menu items come from. The waitstaff is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. They almost always can rattle off the menu items on request and give thoughtful, intelligent opinions on food and beverage options. Speaking of beverages....they have a great selection of wines and microbrews. I could go on all day about how much I love this place! Best time to avoid a wait is during the week, between lunch and dinner (2:30-5)...
(5)
Pascal M.
The only thing that would make Zingerman's Roadhouse better was if Patrick Swayze, the baddest bouncer in the world, was there to greet you at the door. BAD ATTITUDE? POW! Roundhouse kick to the mouth, followed by a throat rip!!! OK, OK OK, that got out of hand. I've dined in once, had a pretty good time. Every other time I get my food to-go from their little cable car that's outside. I love getting food to go. The service is uber friendly and they do a great job of ensuring your orders complete. What's not to love? They have a damn Macaroni and Cheese section. I typically get their BBQ Ribs, Beef, or Pork. All are very good. For sides I get their Bacon Braised Greens and Side of Mac-n-Cheese. Both are very impressive. If you pay a little extra, you can get a side of mac from their mac section. I've also had their Buttermilk fried Chicken. Feels like a Sunday atcha Grammamma's. Zingerman's is an amazing company. The Roadhouse may not be their finest hour, but they still put out great product in a great environment.
(5)
levramosis H.
I'm not going to rate the food. Everyone knows the food here is good. I love the sweet potato fries and their spicy dip so much I would like to swim in them Scrooge-McDuck-diving-in-his-gold style. And let's not mention the donut sundae (and it's many other days-of-the-week variations) Really, don't mention them because I will want one right now and will agonize over which to choose. What I go to the Roadhouse for (in addition to the two things mentioned above) is a great craft cocktail and the company of the fabulous bartenders, the most amazing of which is Cris. If he had a fan club, my BF and I would join.
(5)
Joyce H.
I'll have to come back and review this again - 3 stars for now! I was really excited to come here because when I think of Ann Arbor, I think of Zingerman's. It's a little different from the deli (which I love!) My company and I walked in on a busy Sunday afternoon to a table that we had reserved ahead of time. This was very convenient. This is one of my friends' favorite every-day go-to restaurants in AA. I felt right at home with the decorations (lots of maize and blue - excellent) and our private booth. Besides the Michigan decorations and the nice open kitchen, there wasn't too much else that struck me. Food: Food-wise, we were served complimentary bread & butter (pretty good) and pimento cheese with celery. This was pretty delicious! I ordered a Memphis Mac-n-cheese after hearing that their mac-n-cheese is #1 in some ranking. I knew I should have gone with either the original or the pimento - the Memphis had bacon & pulled pork BBQ which was tasty (and looked beautiful/colorful), but I found the BBQ flavor to be a little on the salty and overwhelming side. I couldn't taste much of the cheese. My friend ordered a mac-n-cheese side and I was much happier after I tasted his dish. He ordered the hamburger and his wife ordered the scallops - both looked pretty delicious! I ordered a side of roasted veggies (potatoes, carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, etc.) and this was delicious!! I ate the whole thing almost right away. I could probably eat this all the time. Finally, we had dessert. It was fried cheesecake with chili syrup. My friend joked that it looked like a giant eggroll. It was a great end to the meal - chili was a great kick, but not too mind-blowing overall. I enjoyed my company, and the service was friendly & helpful. Great experience, but perhaps I'll have some better fare next time.
(3)
Adam M.
Reasons why I give it 5 stars: Highest Quality in Michigan. 7 year Aged Cheddar that you can taste. Fantastic concept, with flawless execution. Oyster bar with sweet potato fries, oh yea. Great feel. A little quirky, but always comfortable. I really like Zingey's Burger with the 7 year Aged Cheddar. Simply phenomenal, and you will be able to taste the difference in the cheese. The oysters are also fabulous, along with the draft beer selection. My picky brother calls the beef brisket the best sandwich he's had, and I enjoy it as well. Simply put: You get what you pay for. The prices are high and Zingey's delivers every time.
(5)
Kyle M.
Wish I was cool enough to bash this place but my nit picker is a little rusty. All i could find was delicious food, friendly service, and a comfortable atmosphere. Tip: Sit at the chefs counter to get the full experience.
(4)
Bill S.
I love this place so much. Everytime I come to Ann Arbor, I try to get in here. The food is really, truly amazing. The service is fantastic. I love that everything is fresh and mostly local. If you're looking for a great place to eat, this is it.
(5)
Nikki P.
The Sweet Potato Fry Appetizer is the best thing in the whole world. Their chipotle mayo is the best. It's fair priced but they're always super busy so you have to wait for a table. Everything tastes fresh and delicious.
(4)
Robert F.
I have eaten here a number of times and typically have results that are from pleased to very pleased. The prices are high, even for the quality. However, the last time I ate there I ordered the lamb goulash for $26. The overall size of the serving was on the small side. I could have handled that, but what was unacceptable was that there were only two itty-bitty, and I mean miniscule pieces of lamb in the entire goulash. It was more a thick soup with so little meat. Since I was taking a number of guests out for the meal, I wasn't comfortable sending the dish back, as it wouldn't have been comfortable for some of my guests. Besides, I shouldn't have to be put in this position. Otherwise, service was the typical well done service. Others seemed to enjoy their food.
(3)
Kiery W.
Food was good, loved the poutine. Very expensive for the portions we received. We both tried the bbq and it was swimming in juices, which soaked everything else, I was okay with it but it is my husband's pet peeve to have random juices flowing all over the plate. I loved the kitschy salt and pepper shakers all over the room we were in, we even played I Spy while we waited for our food but it did seem like we waited quite a while for our food and people who ordered after us were served before us. Would try again but it would have to be for a celebration of some sort to justify the expense.
(3)
Bob M.
Zingerman's Roadshow, located next to the Roadhouse, it a GREAT drive-thru food option. I always get a cup of the Roadhouse Joe. It is an excellent blend crafted by Zingerman's Coffee Company. Also on offer are amazing bagels from the Bakehouse, outstanding sandwiches, and something truly wonderful: "Show-J." It is a blend of fresh squeezed orange juice and lemonade. Sounds simple, but you must try it to believe it. Check out the Road Show. You will not regret it.
(4)
Victoria K.
I wrote a review for Gandy Dancer recently due to their oysters caused me stomach pain and diarreah, cost my NYE and New Year Day as well. Then I thought of the best place for oyster in Ann Arbor - Zingerman's Roadhouse. Every year, it hosts oyster dinner for the oyster fans. I am one of the them. Every single time that I go to this restaurant, I go for the fresh oysters as starter. The team actually go all over the places in America to look for the oyster sources. They get the best and freshest in town. I LOVE how they present the plate of fresh oysters to me each time they serve. The servers would point out each oyster and tell me the name. The oyster menu also comes with very accurate descriptions on each type of oysters. This is where I picked up a lot of knowledge about oysters and their habitat because the team respect the food and its source. They also respect customers who have very good taste buds to taste the differences in each different oyster. I honestly don't remember much about having other food here but oysters are truly their specialty. This restaurant should be called The Oysters Company or Zingerman's Oyster Shack. Just kidding.
(5)
Gina D.
It had been quite a while since we had been to the Roadhouse so we wanted to try it again. I had a few questions about the soups and entrees for the waiter but he was very long winded with the answers. I just quickly ordered My husband and I both ordered the house salads, with the red wine vinagrette and he had the apple cider vinagrette, and they were both yummy. He ordered the John Dory fish, and I ordered the ham and cheese stuffed Cornish Hen. Unfortunately, his fish arrived undercooked (raw) and my hen arrived overcooked (dry) with even some slightly burned parsnips and rutabagas. I think the cooks might need lessons on timing. The actual flavors of the stuffing was good. What I could eat of the veggies was good also. I also found it odd when the fish was sent back, the waiter brought the same fish served recooked instead of bringing back a new fish. Seems kind of strange to me. But I don't know much about restaurant sanitation rules. For dessert we ordered Gelato, I ordered the trio of dark chocolate, dulce de leche, and vanilla which was excellent, except I found the dark chocolate to be bitter. My husband just had a scoop of dark chocolate gelato. I also had a large cappuccino which turned out to be the largest size I have ever had in my life, and was really good. Because the fish was undercooked the desserts were on the house, which was nice.
(2)
Jackie K.
I thought the food was very good and I was pleased with the service. I got a burger which was juicy but not runny or messy - GREAT. However: the waiter asked me if I wanted cheese on my burger and I agreed not knowing cheese was an extra $4 (for one piece of cheese) that was 1/3 the original cost of my burger! Oh well - I really enjoyed the food so it was worth the extra $ I just wished they would have told me about the upcharge.
(4)
Sarah D.
I have never left the roadhouse disappointed. The scallops are great, they have deals every day of the week and so many different wines and well... I just love it.
(5)
Sara F.
We went there for my fiance's 30th birthday. He loves BBQ, so he wanted to go to Zingerman's roadhouse. First: Our waitress was wonderful. She made him feel special without silly birthday songs or anything that would embarrass him. She gave great recommendations for wine and things to eat. Second: Everything from the bread on the table to the fried chicken macaroni and cheese was delicious. My fiance was very happy with his BBQ sampler plate. I'm sure that there are people who really know good BBQ and might be able to speak more to the flavors and cooking styles, but we enjoyed every bite.
(5)
jim g.
The food IS great, but I'm writing to laud the bartenders. As with all Zingerman's employees they will do anything to be sure you are happy. Cris (I believe this is how he spells it) is a particularly skilled and knowledgeable mixologist - and a fun guy to talk to. They do have quite a selection of interesting and tasty cocktails. We're lucky to have this place in A2.
(5)
Dave W.
Amazing comfort food and the best service I've ever received at a restaurant. Pricey but worth it.
(5)
Jenni H.
While in my mind nothing can compare with Zingerman's sandwiches (so unbelievably yummmmmm), the roadhouse is a fun place to get a taste (pun intended) of another style of Zingerman's creations. They have a huuuge menu, which I would rate as only somewhat vegetarian friendly (at least for main dishes), but I could easily just eat appetizers and desserts here and be more than stuffed. Definitely check out their cheese flights (and try the grapes that accompany them-delicious!). And of course, pretty much every dessert on the menu is super-decadent--I would have eaten two or three if there were room in my tummy. They even have a gelato flight. This place always seems to be busy (there was a 30 minute wait for 3 even on a Sunday night), so I would definitely recommend making reservations.
(4)
Thor I.
Have eaten there twice, didn't impress me. Friendly staff, ok food, but a bit boring. Very salty and few vegetables.
(3)
Opinionated B.
My Friday Night 12:00am: pre-game 1:00am: jimmy johns 2:00am: beer pong 3:00am: rock out to 80's music and lady gaga 4:00am: passed out 5:00am: passed out 6:00am: passed out 7:00am: wake up to pee, then pass out 8:00am: passed out 9:00am: passed out 10:00am: passed out 11:00am: passed out 12:00pm: awake, but barely 1:00pm: awake, but starving 2:00 pm: go to zingerman's and order the bacon cheddar waffle 2:30pm: devour the bacon cheddar waffle, and all is right with the world.
(4)
Nico S.
I am not an uppity white lady.... but this is unacceptable... Zingermanns roadhouse is overpriced, mediocre waitstaff, and completely unprofessional billing!!! We had to return 2 burgers to the kitchen to be recooked after the "medium" was delivered completely raw on the inside.... not acceptable when you are paying up the ^%$ for it... If its an $8 meal ok... whatevs... but at $15+tax+tip for a burger it should come out right the first time...total bill for a party of 7 = $190... WORST OF ALL: I was charged an additional $80 to my credit card for a separate purchase that I didnt even make!!!! The charge is pending, and has not been posted yet, but it still seals off any chance of me visiting again. UPDATE: The $80+ charge did not post, and the staff was friendly over the phone, when I called... Something strange though: I was transferred to the person who handles payment issues and he said that he would have to call me back because had to check the payment logs on a computer in another room, which doesnt have a phone... If the office is actually set up like that, it makes me wonder...
(1)
Natalie M.
LOVE THIS PLACE!! This place has the best....everything. =D So much good food on one menu makes it really hard to choose what to get. (not complaining one bit about that!). My favorite meal is their buttermilk fried chicken. OMG SO AMAZING. Tastes like southern chicken in a MI restaurant. Also, they have a bunch of interesting soda, besides your usual Coke or Pepsi. I love their Traverse City Tart cherry soda. It's out of this world... AND WITH FREE REFILLS. The service is always fantastic. I recommend this place to anyone =)
(5)
Pebbles And Bam Bam A.
Like their deli, I really want to like the Roadhouse, given that it's a local gem. But every time I eat here, I'm disappointed. During my last visit, I ordered their original mac 'n cheese. I'm a HUGE mac 'n cheese fan and was hoping my distant memory of theirs not being good was incorrect. Alas, my memory served me correctly. The cheese to noodle ratio is 3:1. The cheese itself is pretty good, but the overall sauce is oily and like glue. I brought leftovers home (don't know why....), and the dish and utensils I used now hate me - concrete, greasy sauce stuck to them that could be permanent. I'm all for cheesy, gooey goodness that provides more than the daily recommended grams of fat. But these grams of fat are not at all worth it. I also ordered a Bloody Mary (Sunday morning therapy :) Ok but not good. Their bloody mix is a bit bland, but they try to cover it with lots of ground pepper. My husband, who loves sausage and breakfast meats, was completely turned off by their sausage patties - very dry and without flavor. I don't eat oysters, but apparently their selection and quality is good. My only question is why a family-style restaurant in the Midwest is well known for their oysters-? More ironically, Zingerman's prides themselves on serving local foods, yet their oysters are flown thousands of miles (possibly every day, or at least very regularly). So the Roadhouse wouldn't be my first choice for oysters if I ate them. The upside is that the staff were great. We loved our server; very personable, friendly, and helpful. Sorry, Zingerman's. You're like the person who, on paper, should be perfect for me, yet our dates never live up to my expectations...
(2)
Sean B.
GREAT service, great food.
(4)
Kate B.
I'm sorry ZRH, but after years of mediocre, to downright-inedible food interspersed with a stellar meal once-in-a-blue-moon, I can no longer dine with you. Last night was the last straw: I ordered a dozen oysters, raw, on the 1/2 shell. Each oyster, while fresh, was the size of a dime, the brine enough to fill a mouses' thimble. $6 each. They were NOT freed from the shell, I had to scrape the sad little things up with a teaspoon. They were Malpeques, and should have made at least a mouthful apiece! My entree: leathery, overcooked, uninspired scallops, $28 for 6 of them. $28! You ruined beautiful shellfish by throwing them in a pan in a wad--I could tell, they came glued-together on the plate, almost raw in the cold center of the pile and bitter, leathery, and over-cooked on the edges. The spinach saute' that came with, was 1/2 cooked and gritty...gritty with sand. The igantic Krakatoa of mashed-potatoes did little to assuage my disgust (if it blunted my hunger) at the subpar cooking. Science help me, but I ate most of it - I was ravenous. Why did I do it? WHY? Every time I dine at ZRH I want to love the food, and with the prices - I feel I HAVE to love the food...it's the Emperor's New Clothes of restaurants! My husband ordered a burger and felt ill afterwards...was it the unseasoned meat or the cold, greasy, heavy fries that came with? Our other dinner guests couldn't even eat 1/3 of what they ordered it was so bad...the only edible item on the table was the fried chicken (actually, it was great hence the extra star). I've had better food at Red Lobster. It was insulting paying the bill (our server was very nice, if harried). The dining rooms were awful: full of smug, loud-mouth, ostentatious diners (lots of bratty/misbehaving children running amok without any notice from their snotty parents.) Zings: we LOVE your baked goods, retail items, and deli shop, but this restaurant has been consistently bad and is on our black list.
(1)
Robyn T.
I've had Zingerman's bookmarked forever so I took the hubs for his birthday. To be expected it was packed, but i had made a reservation so we were seated right away. It's a very fun, all American atmosphere and I instantly felt comfortable. Our service was excellent but the real hero of the evening was the food. I don't think I can order fried chicken anywhere else as they will all suffer by comparison. Also, the mac and cheese is to die for! Other faves were the sweet potato fries, the ribs, and who can forget the mashed potatoes and gravy. Because it was a birthday, they brought out a piece of chocolate cake, which was fabulous! I ate so much I started getting dizzy and seeing stars, but I seriously could not stop. Although the prices aren't too outlandish, the restaurant is expensive. I'm sure we are paying for the Zingerman's name rather than the food. But this is an excellent place and I know I'll be back.
(4)
Lou B.
Ordered bbq chicken sandwich from take out menu $6.85 and added sweet potato fries. She says $17.90 please. Gave her a $20 and when she returned with my change I wanted to confirm what I had ordered, she says "oh the chicken sandwich is bigger" I thought did I just order a whole chicken or something. I received my carry out, it was a bit of shredded ckicken on a round bun with a side of greasy fries. The worst chicken sandwich and side of fries I had and for $17.90. Are you kidding me? Do not give these crooks any business.
(1)
Seoung L.
My friends and Yelp people rave about this place and I finally got to see what the fuss is about. We ate outside (which is covered from the sun) and it was a great eating experience. The waiter (Matt) was on top of his game. Outstanding service and great at giving recommendations. Going against what my waiter (His name is Matt and he was an outstanding waiter) told me I tried the Fried Chicken because of the great reviews. I was pretty disappointed! The breading/skin was really tasty and crispy. However, the the chicken itself was nothing special. I would actually rather have KFC to be honest. Good thing I also got the Mac and Cheese because it was outstanding. Great mix of cheeses and the pasta was al dente. We got the sweet potato fries and onion rings for appetizer. The sweet potato fries was the best I ever had. The onion rings were terrible. We also got dessert. The Donut Sundae... wow. It was very very delicious. Get it! I think the price is little bit too high for the type of food it serves. It's a casual dining place and you do not have to dress up even though the prices of the food makes you think it's high class. You should make a reservation on weekends. I will come back here again to try some ribs and other types of Mac and Cheese. Good - Mac & Cheese, Sweet Potato fries, Donut sundae, Waitstaff Bad - Fried Chicken, onion rings, Price
(4)
Bo D.
Somehow, it took me until my fifth year living in Ann Arbor to finally step inside one of the Zingerman's places. I had turned back a few times in the past due to the long waiting times, but this time I had a reservation. The food was very good, to the point that I will likely be back soon. But the service...well, let's just say that next time I'm bringing a pile of exams to grade while I wait.
(4)
Barnaby F.
Does Yelp need another review of the Roadhouse? Probably not. But for the benefit of my loyal followers, and in the interest of being a good patron, I will tell you a couple of things. Number One - get a seat either at the bar or in the bar area. The ghost of Bill Knapps still haunts this property, and the lighting mysteriously gets too bright and harsh in the other rooms. The bar is more fun and lively, and if you know the secret of Zingerman's (which I won't divulge here) the bar is the best place to take advantage of that. Number Two - the fried chicken really is all that. As far as I'm concerned, this is where the James Beard award came from and went to. Totally worth it. Number Three - there is no number three. Number Four - If you need a quick coffee and a little something in the morning, the drive through is awesome, but here's the trick - skip the line by actually *gasp* PARKING your car and WALKING up to the walk up window in the trailer. They will server you faster, and you will have the joy of interacting with humans and breathing air, while your engine isn't idylly idling. Number Five - they make some very good cocktails and have an excellent bar. have I mentioned the bar? Go to the bar. Number six - that scruffy lanky guy refilling your water glass probably owns the place. Tell him what you think. Number seven - the secret is out on the roadhouse - in fact it's gotten out, run around town, come home, had a nap on the sofa, and baked a pie. If you want to get in in a timely fashion, beware of things like football weekends, when everybody and his Uncle Fred is already in line. The roadhouse is one of the places I'll miss about not living in Michigan, and one of the places I'll frequently return to on short trips home.
(4)
Jenn L.
I think this place is overrated and overpriced.However, I didn't get their famous sweet potato fries when I went. (I only learned afterwards that's what you're supposed to get there) Nonetheless, my parents and I got the BBQ platter, the mushroom mac n' cheese, and 6 oysters as well as some beers because they were on special. The BBQ platter was underwhelming. For it to be priced at 30$ was outrageous... it definitely wasn't worth that much in quality. The Shiitake Mushroom Macaroni was also not what I was expecting for a $20 dish. The taste was mostly white wine and a hint of mushroom. Otherwise, it was just pasta with clear sauce. Also, finally, the oysters were the tiniest oysters I have ever seen. Don't ever get oysters there. Each one was about $3 if I'm not mistaken. Definitely not worth it. So, all in all, overrated and overpriced.
(2)
David K.
Over rated and overpriced
(2)
Laura L.
Our family has been regulars since the Roadhouse opened in 2004, the year we got married. Who wouldn't like this place? People who are watching their diet. Look, it's not for everyone and that's okay. A place known for its barbecue, fries, enormous portions, bread, and a signature dessert that is a donut topped with ice cream and whipped cream isn't exactly courting weight watchers. I tried my first oyster here. Barbecued of course. But I'd have to say my favorites are the service, the friendliness of the staff, and did I mention the barbecue? My favorite time to eat here is actually their breakfast. Applewood smoked bacon, eggs with some melted cheddar and peppers, and some hash browns - ask for them a little well done. It's a place to indulge. Everything they do is big. Big flavor. Big enthusiasm. Big portions.
(5)
Bob B.
Zingermann's is a local legend, of course. Of all their offerings (deli, bakehouse, creamery, etc.) the Roadhouse is my favorite. It's a bit on the pricey side and not all of the food is great, but when I find something I like, I usually REALLY REALLY like it. I'm a bit of a BBQ snob and I don't love Z's 'cue. I love their grits, I love their hamburgers, I love their huevos rancheros. More than anything, I love the whole experience. I've got a grade-school and a middle-school child. Along with my wife, we've been going to the Roadhouse for years and everytime --except for once--it's been a fun outing. Good service, good food (once you figure out what you like/don't like) and a fun atmosphere. What makes their food exceptional is the ingredients. They really choose their ingredients with care.
(4)
Diana K.
Ah, just as good as I remembered. This is the only deli that I can justify the high costs and long wait time for... and I'm not even a deli kind of person. Heart.
(5)
Robert J.
For my review of Zingerman's Roadhouse, I'm going to have to plagiarize myself, stealing from comments I made in a blog entry from November 23, 2008. That review can be found at the following URL :http://robjurado.wordpress.com/2008/11/ Just scroll down a bit to a blog entry entitled "Meat and Greet: Michael Symon, Roast, Detroit, MI." Zingerman's Roadhouse states that they serve "really good American food." I may have to disagree with that statement. I would probably have to say that they serve some really good American food, and they have some truly outstanding items as well. I have been to Zingerman's Roadhouse a number of times. One evening Ari Weinzweig himself was there pouring water for guests. Generally, it's just the same friendly staff knowingly and enthusiastically serving great food. Sure, it's a bit more expensive than the same dishes that you might find elsewhere, but it's on another level entirely. Not every restaurant has an executive chef who was nominated by the James Beard Foundation for Best Chef: Great Lakes as Alex Young was in 2009. My favorite items are generally classics that one would find elsewhere, but Alex Young and his crew elevate them to a rarefied level. I love the Chili and Cheddar Fries; their selection of oysters; the Buttermilk-Fried Free-Range Chicken; the Chicken-Fried Steak, Roadhouse Macaroni & Cheese; Macaroni, Smoked Chicken & Monterey Jack; The Peacemaker Po' Boy; Pit-Smoked Spare Ribs; the Zingerman's Creamery Gelato selections; the Bagel, Smoked Salmon & Artisan Cream Cheese (no joke, the best I've had in recent memory); the Eggs Benedict (again, no joke, the best I've had in recent memory); and the Roadhouse Corndogs--in no specific order. The two items that I can't seem to ever forget--two items I have eaten most often there--are the fried chicken and the ribs. I've even gone there and gotten a half-order of chicken and a half-rack of ribs. The chicken is made from Amish, free-range chicken. It is seasoned beautifully, but simply. It's crispy, and it's down-home. It's so tasty. Honestly, I can't stop ordering this chicken. The ribs are so tender that any attempt to pull them apart by the bone will result in the bone coming out cleanly, leaving the meat behind. The meat is succulent, tender, and beautifully flavored. They taste so good that the exemplary Alex's Red Rage BBQ sauce, which is served on the side, often goes forgotten by me. I have to make a conscious effort to remember to apportion some ribs for eating with the sauce. I think these are the best ribs I have had in the area. Another "best" that I've had at Zingerman's Roadhouse is the fantastic Chili and Cheddar Fries. These fries are topped with an ancho-beef chili, which is made with hand-cut Niman Ranch beef and black beans. The chili has this wonderful smoky flavor that sets it apart from the mediocre masses. The beef is likewise of such obvious quality that it's so hard to ignore. The fries themselves are twice-cooked, light, and just perfect. The 2-year-aged Vermont Cheddar is also the perfect compliment to the dish. I'm actually salivating as I write this. I wish Zingerman's Roadhouse had a branch closer to where I live. If it were anywhere within a twenty-minute drive, I would be there much more often. As it is, the 40- to 45-minute drive (in good conditions) from my place to Ann Arbor is a real turn-off for me. I can, however, rest assured that I'm going to be very satisfied with my meal at Zingerman's Roadhouse. When I go out there, I tend to make an afternoon of it by visiting other Zingerman's stores such as the deli, bakery, and creamery. There, I go shopping with the zeal of a shopaholic on Black Friday at an outlet mall! Addendum: You have got to try the burgers, especially the grass-fed one. Beefy nirvana.
(5)
Michelle L.
This place is definitely as good as it gets, in every way possible. Amazing food, sourced locally (sometimes from their own farm), great servers, and really fun seating at the counter! I really wish that I lived closer to Ann Arbor, because I would be frequenting Zingerman's Roadhouse far more often! But I would probably get kinda fat...everything I like there is serious comfort food. So serious I need a nap immediately after eating at Zingerman's! So, let me explain this counter seating to you because I feel like I'm giving away a little secret...Make a reservation to sit at the counter (not the bar) which is right in front of where the food comes out. Your servers will tell you, if you see anything coming out of the kitchen that looks good and you want to try-just tell them and they will give you a sample! I love that! It is like having built in entertainment while eating. Plus if you can't decide between two things they will just give you a sample of the one you don't order! First off, you absolutely have to get the mac and cheese...it is unbelievable! The macaroni they use for it is so different than anything else, and the way they put it together allows the pasta to remain al dente which never happens with mac and cheese. I would also suggest the pimento cheese they make in house, either the appetizer with celery or the american fry bread (my favorite). The fry bread is a piece of their bread fried in bacon fat, spread with pimento cheese and then topped off with pepper bacon...yeah, its REALLY good! I've also tried their fried chicken and the mini burger sampler with 5 different cheeses (a really good way to try a bunch of the amazing cheese they have). I'd suggest upgrading any burger you get there to the cornman farms beef, which is their own beef that they raise naturally. It is delicious. Basically, just go to Zingermans and order anything-you will be happy! Just make sure to starve yourself before because you are about to do some serious eating!! Writing this makes me really want to go there right now...
(5)
Ryanne O.
Go here rather than the bakehouse. Great food, locally grown, they even have their own farm in Dexter, Mi. Even though this is not the original it is much better and the wait isn't nearly as bad. During our visit the head chef even came up to us and gave us samples because we were on the fence on what to order.
(5)
Caroline C.
I'm sorry to say, the honeymoon is over. Let's split the money, pack up our bags, ship the kids off every other weekend. After being transported to heaven and back during our first visit with the fried chicken, there simply isn't anything else on the menu that impressed us on subsequent visits. Not the burgers, not the BBQ beef, not even the plain-as-Jane mac-and-cheese. Yes, I am sure that the ingredients are just as local and just as fresh.... but Zingerman's, can't you make things taste better for what I just paid?? It's like finding out the guy you've been dating for 6 months is pretty to look at, saves puppies for a living, and gets along with your mother (super gold star!)... but has no other reedeming traits. That, unfortunately, is not enough for love. Sorry, Zingerman's, we did try to make it work, but it's not me, it's you.
(3)
Beck E.
I'm not sure what the big deal is. The food is fine, not great... and not as good as I'd expect from the price. At least the waitstaff is friendly, and the ($9) mimosas are good.
(3)
Mark E.
I will admit that this place is somewhat overpriced for what you get, but it is Zingerman's after all(!) Regardless, this is one of my regular places for both lunch and dinner (partly due to its proximity) and I would dearly miss it if it weren't here. Love seeing Ari there filling water glasses and giving out samples. I really like it as a place to enjoy a drink as well as they have quality versions of many classic cocktails and usually some great beers on tap. As I unfortunately say in many of these reviews, not a lot of great vegetarian options (entrees) My favorites include the New Mexico grilled chicken sandwich (which seems to disappear and reappear from the menu), burgers, smoked chicken macaroni and cheese, fried chicken, sardines (when they have as a special), the chili, meatball sandwich, sweet potato fries. As you may divine from the above list, hearty food!
(4)
Benjamin M.
Automatic 5-star because you can't get iced tea this good anywhere in Ann Arbor. We go here a lot, usually for brunch because it's less expensive. The menu changes frequently, but there are a few regulars worth noting. The Grits & Bits waffle, a holy trinity of bacon, cheese and waffle, is the greatest innovation in food since, well, food. If you go here and it is on the menu, you should get it. The pulled pork sandwich is delicious, thanks to appropriate use of an actual smoker on the premises (the smell of which blankets half of west Ann Arbor). The grilled cheese is classic, but probably a touch over-priced. Given the above, I've never actually had cause to order the mac and cheese, but others swear by it. You can also order absolutely delicious hot tea, but it'll set you back $4. The associated drive-through, run out of a perma-trailer in the parking lot, adds a tasty, inexpensive and quick option and, as a bonus, offers the same delicious iced tea! Unbeatable! The best restaurant in town, then. It's a little out of the way and pricier than some of the competition, but worth the drive and cost. Unfortunately, it's not that vegetarian friendly. The omelette of the day is usually vegetarian (and tasty), as are the decent huevos rancheros. Don't get the salad. You're only hurting yourself.
(5)
Jill S.
Staff is so knowledgeable about the food it will blow your mind. I was a little shy to try this place since I'm not a big meat eater, but I was pleasantly surprised by all the vegetarian options.
(5)
Trevor M.
This place is awesome for a quick sandwich or pick up order. I recommend their buttermilk chicken if you want awesome moist fried chicken. Can't go wrong with any of their bread or cookies and brownies. Make sure to get in the bread club and earn yourself a free loaf after a few visits. Also their open faced meat loaf sandwich is remarkable
(4)
Frances C.
To start with the good, the service and atmosphere at Roadhouse is always great. Very attentive and willing to bend over backwards to fulfill any special requests. The only problem I have is that the food underwhelms me almost everytime I go. There is not one dish (with the exception of the sweet potato fries) that I would crave. Of course, I still go now and then because I think Zingermans as a company is worth supporting and because it is convenient to my house.
(3)
Matt M.
Great food! Many local and pasture raised food options. Its taken me years of hearing about this place to finally come in for a meal. Usually there is a wait to get a table so I pass this place up. We arrived at Zingermans for lunch on a Monday, were promptly seated, and had a Bells porter in front of me within 3 minutes. The decor is sort of an eclectic mix of farmhouse / BBQ joint / old lady's attic. Not very visually appealing to MY tastes, but the textured smell of smoldering hardwood and sweet cabbage was enough to make me forget about the thousands of ceramic salt and pepper shakers all over the walls. Prices are mid to high, but you get what you pay for. Every flavor of every ingredient seemed to be well thought out and married perfectly. I can't say enough about how good our food was. The few detractions are more distractions that real problems. Very often this place is too busy for me to deal with. It seems very loud when full of people. Too many different people came to our table. We were sat by the door host, drinks form another server, food order was taken by another waitress, then our 4 entrees were brought to us by two different people about 2 minutes apart. I was confused who I was supposed to ask for another drink for my mother-in-law. I'm glad that I've finally been to Zingermans Roadhouse, it really is a piece of what makes Ann Arbor what it is. I enjoy going to the Kerrytown location, but that's more for splitting a gelato and people-watching than for a meal. For those folks that are visiting the city I recommend you dropping in for lunch or dinner.
(4)
Holly R.
Let's get this out of the way: You'll need to dig a little deeper in your pockets to eat at Zingerman's Roadhouse than you might at a similar eatery. But oh man, is it ever worth it. I'm a Southern Girl, from SC in fact, and I can tell you that the grits are bang on perfect. The greens are delectable, the pork bbq (regardless of sauce) is divine, and the pimento cheese may actually be some kind of spiritual revelation. The SC Mustard BBQ sauce is fantastic, even though it's a bit spicier than the versions I had growing up. I will definitely keep returning to the Roadhouse and trying more of their inspired dishes. The staff is welcoming, helpful, and usually fairly witty. My only complaint would be that inside the restaurant the noise levels can get a little too high. I prefer sitting on the patio where I can enjoy fresh air as well as the fantastic food.
(5)
Tom W.
I always stop here whenever I'm in A^2. The ribs are fantastic, some of the best I have had anywhere. There is always a good selection of craft beer, and friendly service. Zingermans would be a stand out place in any city.
(5)
Brian G.
I am truly amazed to see this place filled to the gunnels everyday. The service is great that is for sure, the staff is really well trained. However the food is so-so to good and the prices are OUTRAGEOUS for what you get. These are the prices you expect to pay when entertaining a business client or an intimaate romantic dinner - BUT it is NOISY, CRAMPED and full of kids and families chowing down on super-over-priced chilli or 100% overpriced burgers or barbeque pork sandwiches.
(3)
Alex E.
I think that the reason people love the roadhouse is because a) we're in Michigan not near a coast so there's not great seafood and b), we're not in the south so people don't know what barbecue should taste like. Yes, the quality of the seafood is probably the best you can get in Ann Arbor since they fly it in so lickity split. It's okay. I've been three times, all three times at the expense of the College of Engineering (yay recruiting season!) - two times were full menu, the other time was just a part-menu. Last March when I went, they gave us a sweet potato soup which tasted like a dessert pudding - waaaay overboard on the marshmellow nonsense for an appetizer. I had the macaroni and cheese since I've never had it before and it's raved about and it was fine. I didn't think it was anything special until I compared it to Blue Tractor's the next day, and Zingerman's is far superior. Too heavy for my taste (and I do love cheese, so it's definitely not a question of that!) I've tried the pulled pork sandwich too, and this just kinda cemented my opinion that Michigan does not know barbecue. Still, decent for Ann Arbor. I rate on a global scale though, normalizing by price, hence the two stars.
(2)
Dee C.
Went to the roadhouse even though we were really not that hungry after all the food and drinks we had today....but we are in a new town so why the hell not! We had already made reservations so that was really good because it was homecoming week and it was packed! We ordered: Roadhouse garden: organic baby greens, red onion, cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, croutons. Very good dressing. Salad was crisp and fresh. Had a cider vinaigrette dressing and that was spectacular. Warm spinach salad: fresh spinach, roasted red peppers, leeks and fennel in a brown butter vinaigrette. The dressing seemed almost nonexistent. It tasted like oil. Spinach tasted good. Onions did not have much of a flavor Spicy green tomato soup: onions, celery, tomatoes, chilies and garlic. Very good spicy soup. It was interesting. They even gave us the recipe for it! Desserts: Ari's donut sundae: a housemade Dutch donut smothered in bourbon-caramel sauce, vanilla gelato, whipped cream, Virginia peanuts with cherry on top. Great ending to the night. Warm donut with ice cream with a cherry on top. Tasted great. Service was ok. It was crowded because it was homecoming week and they were sold out of some entrees. Otherwise, I was not all that impressed so it was just 3 stars for me. Entrees were hit or miss for me.
(3)
Janet L.
On a recent visit we hit the Roadhouse for what was expected to be great evening. However, we found service to be careless although the food was top notch. First, the bartender was stuck at the far end of the bar talking.....the bar wasn't packed. When served and paid, he shorted me by $10.00 in the change which was brought to his attention and responded to w a laugh. How many times in a night do people not check their change resulting in a built in tip? Second was the in attentive server who knocked a pint of water onto our table flooding 2 out of 3 guests and making our dinner a damp one. Pay attention..... Not asking a lot. Overall disappointing and stay on guard and keep and eye on the staff. Or go to one of the other great places in Ann Arbor.
(2)
Nissa N.
This review is for the Roadhouse and the Roadshow. We went to the Roadhouse last spring and our experience was great in terms of service. Our server was polite and answered all our questions. This sort of friendly service is what we've come to expect at Zingerman's businesses. I ordered the Cornman Farms' Burger medium to well. Taste wise the burger was not bad but nothing spectacular either. I got a terrible stomach after it, though, something that's never happened to me after a medium well burger before, but I suppose that's the risk you take ordering anything other than well done. Hubby ordered the fried chicken, which was pretty good. Nicely crisped up on the outside as good fried chicken should be. Overall, the Roadhouse experience was a 4/5. Where they lose the other star is on service at their connected Roadshow. I stopped through here this afternoon with the intention of getting a sandwich and pastry on this very cold day and ordered a sour cream coffee cake slice and a chili cheese dog. The server who came up to the window seemed unfriendly, impatient and not very accommodating. Not something I'm used to with any of the Zingerman's businesses I've been to. He raised an eyebrow when I asked him to make sure the hotdog I was ordering was cooked thoroughly because being pregnant I didn't want to take any chances. I figured Zingerman's would be the one place I could go to for my pregnancy hotdog craving because they're so accommodating that I could ask them to reheat the meat. This server unfortunately just seemed to want to get the transaction over with as soon as possible. Well, the chili cheese hotdog (after I finally got a chance to reheat the sausage myself) was not great, but the sour cream coffee cake was quite good. Because I've generally had good service encounters at most of the Zingerman's locations, I won't be writing off the Roadshow. I'll update as necessary.
(3)
T T.
I went to Zingerman's for a banquet dinner, and I have to say that I was really disappointed with the food. The meal started with an asparagus soup, which had a really strange grainy and chunky texture and was not appetizing at all. I'm usually one to finish my food, even if I don't like it very much, but I could only eat a few spoonfuls of this soup. For the entree, I had the BBQ beef. The beef had a strong, unpleasantly sweet flavor and was a little on the dry side. The mashed potatoes and greens were not bad, but they also weren't distinctive. For dessert, I had vanilla gelato, which was ok, but again, nothing special. Luckily, I didn't have to pay for the food because I'm sure it was expensive. The service, though, was extremely friendly.
(2)
Meg F.
I went here for a work lunch recently and did not enjoy the atmosphere or the food. The atmosphere is like any chain restaurant (Applebee's, Chili's) - generic and loud. The tables are too close together and you feel awkward and crowded. People behind me kept bumping into my chair, and wait-staff had to plaster themselves to the table to get out of the way. If I wanted T&A in my face while I ate, I'd go to Hooters. The food is nothing to write home about. I had a half sandwich and soup, neither of which were worth the price or the wait. I think they used most of a stick of butter to grill my sandwich - I had butter running down my fingers. It was, quite frankly, gross. In my opinion, Zingerman's Roadhouse doesn't live up to its reputation.
If you love Zingerman's Delicatessen, you will be disappointed in Zingerman's Roadhouse on Jackson Ave. It has NOTHING of the deli's menu -- not even corned beef! I was hugely disappointed, having come from East Lansing and thinking we'd avoid the Saturday afternoon crowds at the deli. BIG mistake. They make their reuben sandwich with ham! My friend and I were both less than satisfied with what we ordered. The only thing we liked was the bread!
This may be the first (and only) time that I ever give a restaurant 4-stars, based solely on the merits of a side dish. But the mac and cheese at Zingerman's is THAT good! I had the side of smoked chicken mac and cheese and it was, by FAR, the best mac and cheese I've ever eaten. It wasn't gooey, heavy, and sticky like most "gourmet" mac and cheese--which is what I expected and why I didn't order it as my entree. Basically, it was perfect and, if you come to Zingerman's, you gotta try the mac and cheese. For my entree, I had the meatloaf (because it was the daily special). Meatloaf was always me least favorite dinner as a kid, and, apparently, things haven't changed much. The meatloaf was super dense and filling, I was hoping more for a juicy, tender version. If you do happen to get the meatloaf, mix it with the spinach side that comes with it--it is MUCH better! To summarize, come to Zingerman's and get the Mac and Cheese and DON'T get the meatloaf!
(4)
Danielle S.
I'm a Zingerman's groupie, but I have to say, I'm a way bigger fan of the deli than The Roadhouse. The Roadhouse just isn't that special. It's not bad. But given the price and the Zingerman's name, I was expecting more. I've tried it twice and both times, it was just sort of average. PRO's: The service is on par with the Zingerman's name. Just like the deli, catering, and all other Zingerman's services, the customer service is fantastic. The staff are responsive and friendly. The food is also pretty good. Nothing spectacular, but just fine. CON's: This place is unjustifiably expensive, especially when it comes to the macaroni and cheese, which is what I've had both times I've gone. $22 for macaroni and cheese? Really?!? I'm not sure what could possibly make macaroni and cheese that expensive, but if there is something then The Roadhouse doesn't have that factor, at least not for me. It's good macaroni and cheese, but not anything super special. And the serving sizes were not particularly generous. It's not like you could get 2 meals out of it; it's seriously one dinner-sized portion of macaroni and cheese for $22. For some reason I just can't get over that. Maybe it's just me. I don't really remember the atmosphere, which probably means it was fine but nothing special. At the end of the day, I'd go to the deli over the Roadhouse.
(3)
Marshall W.
Just felt like treating ourselves to a special Holiday dinner. We've been here once, about a year ago. Glad we made reservations! The atmosphere is fun and foodie - they tout their locally grown veggies, small local, farm raised meats and home-baked breads. She wanted a yummy drink - debated between a couple - and the waiter suggested the Hot Toddy - went over real well. The waiter was great - joked a bit, was very interested in telling us about the various specials and where all the ingredients came from.Then he showed up with a small sample of the Chilled Mulled Red Wine! She was happy :) Most of the menu initially looks like simple, homey fare - but, if you look carefully, it is a carefully selected mix of rather unusual, mostly local ingredients. We split the Shrimp and Grits ("Gulf shrimp, sauteed with bacon, andouille sausage, green peppers, green onions and white wine over Anson Mills grits"). I loved the subtle corn flavor with the bacon and shrimp - we each got 3 large shrimp. The only drawback was it tasted rather greasy. Had a side of "Roadhouse Mac & Cheese" - rather small for $7.50, barely a spoonful - but very tasty "Housemade bechamel sauce & lots of Cabot clothbound cheddar caramelized with Martelli pasta." Minor drawback is the bill - $50, with tip. But, would definitely come back again - really wanted to try the other adventurous menu items.
(4)
Lisa P.
A must do for any foodie in Ann Arbor area! The sandwiches are great for lunches and tailgating. The deli has an awesome selection of breads, cheeses and specialty items. It's definitely well worth stopping in to pick up something unique and wonderful! Sometimes there is a wait. But the line moves pretty quickly.
(5)
Angela B.
Great service. Awesome root beer from the tap. Food very good.
(4)
Sarah P.
This is just a great place to eat. Make a reservation, be patient when it is busy and you don't get your table right on the minute, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere. The wine, beer, mixed drink offerings are extensive (absinthe + champagne anyone?). The service is always top-notch. The food is too. The bbq is great any which way you order it. They will often offer samples if you can't make up your mind. The grilled carolina grits are the best vegetarian offering on the menu--the corn/cheese/green onion topping pairs really well with the texture and taste of the grits (these grits are grilled and are in a cake-like form, not mushy). For a once in awhile caloric splurge the goat cheese mac and cheese is absolutely amazing.
(5)
John S.
Food is way over priced. Macaroni and cheese for $18, and you get a little bowl? $2 corn dogs that are the size of my pinky? I had the pork BBQ and it was a tiny portion for $18. The food is all way overpriced. It's good, but not worth the money charged. Our service was really off too. We ordered a donut sundae and it apparently takes 30 minutes for them to cook the donut. Our waiter failed to mention that, so we waited, and waited... Our booth was near a larger party and they had moved the tables so that every time someone wanted to walk past, they had to wait for anyone else walking past. Major congestion and a lot of butts aimed our way. Nice. I wouldn't go back to this place. I don't understand the hype.
(2)
Reed N.
Dropped in for a burger and left with a smile. Amazing bar service from Jami (you should ask for her) and killer food. The frites (fries) were amazing. Double fried. Rustic. Seasoned. Oh. My. God. Neighboring diners let me try several of the sweet potato fries, and those large rustic chunky strips of goodness are among the best ever. Ever. Period. Then the amazing Jami brought me a sampling of the pimiento cheese, which she observed me drooling over on a neighbors burger. Delicious... and also used in a Mac and Cheese creation. God help me. Then there was my burger. Lean but tender. And Maytag blue cheese. Nothing else. Nothing needed. Delicious, but I was wishing for more fat in the meat. Yep. I said more fat. Finally, more blue cheese in the form of homemade dressing on a mixed green salad with julienne vegetables and dreamy sun dried tomatoes from their farm in Dexter MI. Run on sentence? Sorry... I am that impressed.
(5)
David O.
I was surprised to find Zingermans to be mostly average overall. I kept hoping to find something about it that just blew me away but in the end it was just okay. The restaurant itself has quite a bit of charm, and the service and portions were both good. I certainly didn't regret my visit, but afterwards I couldn't think of anything that made me want to run back.
(3)
Matthew S.
This was my first time eating at The Roadhouse, and I walked away with a wonderful first impression. I ordered the BBQ pulled-pork sandwich with the "Red Rage" sauce and it was the most delicious barbecue that I can remember having. I tried some of my sister's fried chicken and mac & cheese combo, which turned out to be amazing. The food came quickly and the staff was very friendly, especially our waitress Margret, who gave us a free dessert to congratulate us on the event that we went out to eat in order to celebrate it the first place! Everything about my experience at The Roadhouse was so perfect that I brought my Yelp account back to life in order to post my first review. If you're anywhere near Ann Arbor and you're looking for a unique place to eat, I couldn't recommend this place enough.
(5)
Margaret V.
I don't know what is better about Zingerman's... the food or the service! I've been here a few times, and am just now "yelping" about it.... Zingermans Roadhouse serves breakfast/brunch, lunch and dinner and has something for everyone (vegetarians/meat lovers/sandwiches/salads, etc). Chef Alex has been nominated for several James Beard awards and the Food Network declared it had the best comfort food a few years ago. It is very pricey, but the food is of an extremely high quality and is often organic. The last time I visited, I had breakfast and ended up ordering a chai tea, two eggs, bacon, and sourdough toast. The chai was delicious. Not too spicy with cinnamon/cloves... I do recommend the coffee as well. I consider myself a coffee snob and it is excellent!The eggs were cooked per request of over medium. The sourdough test was home made, slighly buttered and excellent. I had my choice of either blueberry or sour cherry American Spoon (a Michigan comppany) preserves. The blueberry was great! The only downside was the baon... Zingermans LOVES their bacon (they host bacon themed meals and have written books about bacon), but this time it was over cooked. I like it crispy, but this was overdone. The smokey flavor was great, but way too done. I only ate two of the three pieces. Zingermans is an Ann Arbor tradition. Ari and Paul (the owners) do quite a bit for the Ann Arbor community. Great place to eat!
(4)
Scott F.
I have been here twice in the past month. They have a rotation of Michigan craft beers. Foods eaten in my group includes the country fried steak, macaroni and cheese with buttermilk fried chicken, burger with aged cheddar, poutine, and pulled chicken sandwich. All items were great. I look forward to my next visit.
(5)
Will M.
My kids and I were looking forward to a lunch out and though Zingerman's roadhouse would do the trick. Boy were we wrong. The 10 to 20 min wait tuned out to be more like 30min. The hostest seated her friend before us after a 5 min wait for a table with the same number of people. Then ordering also took forever, no kids menus we have to print more. After ordering again a long wait. Kids were complaining, no fun. When the food finally came, we couldn't believe how small the kids portions were! A teeny burger and a few fries, three tiny pancakes! And my fries were cold to boot! After an hour and a half my kids were still hungry and I took them somewhere else. Not going back again!
(2)
Tracey H.
I LOVE this place, trendy, fun and yummy, a bit over priced for a Deli, but hey you get what you pay for! Great quality food!
(5)
Celeste D.
My favorite restaurant in Ann Arbor. I go whenever I can. Maybe it's the nod to Carolina cooking, could be the atmosphere. Or the 30+ bourbons at the bar - that doesn't hurt. In any event, love this place.
(5)
Tom G.
We were disappointed. Nothing we ordered was outstanding. The mac and cheese was actually bad- sort of a weird taste that we couldnt stand. Spare ribs were good but over-priced.
(2)
Tom B.
Service was good. Pork BBQ was a bit fatty. Mac and cheese was good. I thought the prices were high compared to other restaurants. Make a reservation to avoid a 30-45 minute wait!
(3)
Antony H.
Enjoyed the bar experience with an attentive barman who even gave a soda to my 4 year old daughter sitting next to me. Waited less than 5 minutes even though it was packed and the food selection provided light and heavy fare. Can't wait to return!
(5)
AloisSchicklgruber H.
Ridiculously overrated and overpriced. But tourists don't know better and Affluent Ann Arborites don't mind. Not as ridiculously overpriced as their bakery place though. You won't see the regular customers of those establishments across the road (McDonald's, Taco Bell, etc.) come here very often.
(2)
Andres M.
This place is very good. I had a bbq beef sandwich with the fries! It's very tender beef with some delicious fries. Born and raised in Texas and this is the most authentic bbq I've had in a different state. Nicole was great server and I'm satisfied with the wonderful service I've received from her! The only con is the food is a really small portion for the price but that's easy to overcome due to how delicious the food was! Will come here again when I come back to Michigan to visit!
(5)
Gary V.
Excellent restaurant in AA. I 've been here several times and have never been disappointed. Favorites include the Mac n Cheese and Buttermilk-Fried Chicken. Try to get a seat at the counter facing the kitchen that is just past the hostess stand. Pretty awesome watching the fire and the cooks prepare food.
(4)
Albert T.
This is one of the best dining experiences in all of Ann Arbor. The servers are always very well trained and provide excellent service. The secret here to is refrain from ordering large dishes and to instead order a variety of different options. Despite this, I nearly always end up ordering the Fried Chicken Mac & Cheese. I will also say that nearly everything on tap is great and somehow having it here at Zingerman's Roadhouse only makes it better. This is also where I believe they serve the best Tom Collins in Ann Arbor.
(5)
Catie F.
This place has PLENTY of reviews, so I'll skip to the important parts: 1) You get free donut holes (warm, fresh) when you sit down. You also get a basket of free, fresh Zingerman's bread. 2) The portions of most of the sandwiches and meals are pretty big. The portions of the mac and cheese, however, are relatively small. I don't recommend subbing the mac and cheese as a side (or paying for a side of it at all) unless you want to pay $7 for about three bites' worth. It's good, but it's not THAT good. 3) As everyone has said, the sweet potato fries ARE amazing. Try really hard to pace yourself because the other food is good, too. I was particularly pleasantly surprised by the Dexter Reuben. So yummy and very different from any other reuben I've ever had. Definitely worth trying. 4) We didn't have room to try the desserts, but I can't wait to come back and have them. Fresh donut sundae? Yes, please. Overall the service was fantastic - they took care of our big party quickly and happily. They dealt with our grouchy, hungry, hungover party with a sense of humor and plenty of attention. They were great about refills, questions, condiments, and to-go containers. Everyone from the host staff to the bussers and waiters were great. It's definitely the Zingerman's Deli hospitality translated to a restaurant setting. Not the healthiest place on the planet, but a great go-to when you need to feed your hangover hunger or any time you want to enjoy just really good food. Comfortable and comforting.
(4)
Matthee H.
Despite my loving of the regular zingermans deli, I have had an unpleasant experience at the roadhouse. The food is below average and the service is decent. Like all of the zingermans the food is extremely overpriced. Despite specifications made to my order while ordering there was still not any thing that I specified on the food. I ordered a side of bacon that didn't come until I finished and I asked the waitress multiple times. Despite ordering plain macronni and cheese there was some odd black substance inside of the dish. Considering I came from out of town and heard so many good things, this definitely did not live up to the hype AT ALL.
(3)
Rye W.
Amazing experience for brunch!! We had the cinnamon roll (devoured in about 60 seconds), malted waffle, corned beef hash and biscuits. I am from the south and take my biscuits seriously and these were the best restaurant biscuits I have ever eaten. The hash was amazing and the customer service was impeccable. We lucked out with a seat at the bar so we didn't have to wait for a table. I would definitely try everything on the menu here and can't wait to go back!
(5)
Candice G.
Patrick Swayze. moving on... I got the cold brew coffee as my beverage about 40 hours ago... still going strong. Now I just need to know how quickly I can get more delivered to my house. Zingerman's Roadhouse was our second option after our first vegan tamale venue turned out to be closed on Sundays. No bigs, as Zingerman's is just about the best 'second choice' anyone can have. I've had and been to Zingerman's deli over a dozen times but had yet to put the Roadhouse to the test. Unfortunately, I wasn't feeling super hungry, and knowing the normal monster sized portions that Zingerman's serves, I played it safe and got a small sampling of oysters from their 'flown in fresh' daily oyster menu. I ended up getting 4 different kinds, 3 straight raw and 1 BBQ... but to be honest, there was only one that liked, but still didn't love. My boo went with the caramel gelato milkshake and the black bean burger with fries... which are apparently unlimited... so it's not a bad deal if you're a fry-monger like myself. The gelato shake was unbelievable. My guy literally had to pry the straw out of mouth. I couldn't stop myself. And though my guy enjoyed the burger, he thought it was on the dryer side, but the 3 bites I had were super creamy from the avocado topping... I must've gotten all the good stuff on my side. It was hard to skip out on ordering the donut sundae for dessert, but we wanted to try and squish a few more sites into our Ann Arbor getaway before it was time to take the trek back to the Chi-Burbs. The service was perfect and on point and the patio setting on the most gorgeous 80-something degree day, after a series of 100+ ones, made it feel like heaven. For a late breakfast/early brunch, it was pricy for how I felt about the food overall, but I understand it's a brand thing and they don't want to cheapen it. Overall, the experience was really enjoyable and it's a place I'd try again for brunch (for real this time), but for lunch or dinner I'd prefer to drive a few miles over and stand in line for the regular Zingerman's faves. Either way, I hope they'll have a fresh glass of cold-brew coffee waiting for me.
(4)
John H.
ZR felt like going to a steakhouse (I think the building was a Bill Knapp's in days gone by). But, once inside, there was the Zingerman's touch, exhibited in things like an offer to sample the chili before actually ordering a bowl . My dining companion enjoyed said chili with a plate of gluten-free fries, while my fries came alongside a redfish poboy, and a glass of Short's Huma-Lupa-Licious IPA (silly name, good beer).
(4)
Kimberly B.
First time eating here...I drive by it once a week and I'm so glad I gave it a shot. I love this place so much. Everything about it perfect. The food is great, the atmosphere is great, the waitstaff is great. I would eat here everyday if it was closer to me. I love the smoked meat salad. At first I was like "$16 for a salad?!" but I would pay $30 for it. Also it's huge and I took half of it home. The jams and bread in the beginning are great also. Our waitress entertained my out of control toddlers for half the time we were there and was so sweet. A+ - Can't wait to try the brunch next!
(5)
Jerry R.
Zingermans has an addictive, soul satisfying BBQ. Their BBQ is home cooked and one of the best in Ann Arbor/Detroit area. I enjoyed this place so much I had to stop by the next time I was in town. After eating there once your taste buds will be Zinged into coming back. Ribs are absolutely fall off the bone delicious. The BBQ sauce they use is sweet yet with a tangy twist. I substituted the mashed potatoes with the sweet potato fries. My oh my what a delight. A must try when you go. They are hand cut and very thick. You won't be disappointed. I also ordered the Nola BBQ Shrimp. I enjoyed it very much. To me it had the right amount of spice. My friend that ate with me thought it was too spicy. There is a lot on the menu to choose from. Several different varieties of Mac & Cheese which is also home made. I was told they were very good too. My friend was allowed to have two different types by splitting them on one order. Several types of steak and seafood as well. I was told the steak was average when compared to other places. Steak is on the pricy side for just being average. Very great atmosphere. Service was excellent both times I went. The beer selection is ok. They have only micro brews on tap. A nice selection, just wish they had more choices on tap. They also have a decent selection of wine. Nice place to eat with friends or take a client to dinner. Can be on the loud side at times. A very nice casual atmosphere overall where you can go dressed up or casual and not feel out of place. Call ahead to get reservations. If not plan on waiting. There was a 10 min wait on a Mon and 25 min wait on a Thurs. Definitely worth the wait though. A definite must visit if you are in town or traveling through. Right near I94 which is an added bonus. If going the Mac & Cheese, Ribs (half rack is plenty filling), and sweet potato fries are a must try.
(4)
R. L.
I wouldn't come back for food because I'm a vegetarian (they do have a veggie burger! and delicious mac n' cheese) and the place smells pungently of meat... but I just had to finally experience zingerman's and see what all the hullabaloo was about..The atmosphere is really relaxing, especially in the partially outdoor seating. We went on a Saturday for lunch and had no wait. My boyfriend had a chicken sandwich that was dry, and our friend got the shrimp po'boy- yummy but too much bread. It was nice to just sit and not be rushed. Sweet potato fries are soo good. The only real bother was how our waitress was really mistaken when it came to the beer. The first order was correct, but for the second round she brought us two totally different beers and proceeded to tell us that they were right and that she brought us the wrong ones the first time. She was very defensive and clearly didn't know what she was talking about. The third round was all wrong too. I've never encountered a waitress who was so argumentative and actually kind of offensive with how she spoke to us. Off-putting. We were only asking for the same beers each time (how is that complicated?) but were obviously always brought something different.. Very annoying. The emergency feminine products in the ladies room is sucha' nice/smart idea.
(3)
Carolina R.
really good food here. the bread is amazing. I had the kale, Parmesan salad with pine nuts and lemon dressing. excellent! and shared the mac and cheese with bacon. no rom for dessert. great service too! a bit pricy. that's my only complaint.
(4)
Michael L.
I love Yelp because when I'm traveling, it enables me to find places like this! So, we flew to Detroit and drove into Indiana for my cousin's wedding and my wife and I were hungry. After eating dinner here at Zingerman's, we revised our travel plans so we could have breakfast here on the way back. What a great place! On the outside, it has faintly the "log cabin" feel of a ride in FrontierLand. Inside, you're greeted by friendly staff with great senses of humor and shown to a table that's sure to be underneath a display of multifarious salt and pepper shakers of every imaginable shape. Nat King Cole or June Christy or something of that ilk will be playing in the background. The huge menu (which is reprinted three times a day depending on what has just come in from local farms!) will have dozens of things to tantalize you. I can't begin to list them all. I only wish I lived in Ann Arbor so I could go back again and again and try them all. Good people of Ann Arbor, you have not excuse for not eating here often! If you come for breakfast, don't fail to try the Biscuits with Chocolate Bacon Gravy. OMG! Sinfully decadent, chocolaty salty savory goodness. Also, be sure to get a housemade, freshly fried doughnut: like no doughnut you've ever had, crispy on the outside, sprinkled with brown sugar instead of glazed, piping hot and soft inside. If you come for lunch or dinner: I had the Fried Green Tomatoes and they were rich with flavor. I also had a ham and pear salad. I'd love to have tried one of their creative mac and cheese dishes or some of their on-site-smoked barbecue. My wife had the Pulled BBQ Chicken Sandwich. Everything was delicious. As we left, my wife said, "You know, babe, when we were talking about good places to move to from the Bay Area, Ann Arbor was one of those places..."
(5)
Claire L.
Okay, Zingerman's is basically where Jesus would pick to go for a meal. That's established. With that being said, my personal favorite is the fried chicken mac & cheese. It's exactly what it sounds like- their famous fried chicken, chopped up and mixed into their famous macaroni and cheese, to be enjoyed with a hearty dose of oh-God-how-did-I-eat-all-that. Outstanding. Their iced tea is also pretty freaking great- it's not just plain tea, it's got a hint of Earl Grey or something else delightful. My dining companions loved the mustard coleslaw, the pulled pork sliders, and the omelet (not sure if there's more than one). Even the free bread is fantastic- a delicious crusty rye. Good beer selection, a zillion cheeses, the environment of a deli meets diner meets quaint little organic eatery- Zingerman's is life. It's a symbol of Ann Arbor. Expect to see college students, Michigan pride, and possibly even Jesus. It's that good. (Edit: Wonderful service as well. Thanks to Amy R. for taking care of us!)
(5)
James R.
My favorite place in ann arbor to eat. Bar none. The mac and cheese dishes are all amazing, specifically the fried chicken mac and cheese... The brunch dishes are the best I've ever had, and the bread they bring you when you sit down is the best plain bread I've ever eaten. It's more expensive than some other options, but that's the price you pay for competent waitstaff delivering quality food.
(5)
Jadranka H.
Visited this Restaurant about a couple of months ago and it was absolutely wonderful all around. However, when I had dinner there a couple of nights ago, it was an absolute disappointment. We were seated in a corner booth which was away from all the Friday night crowd, the down side to it was there were flies zooming all over the window which then made their way to our table. It did take a while for our drinks to arrive, our food was delayed for whatever reason, tables that were seated after us got their food in a timely manner. Finally our entrees arrived and the fries were greasy and soggy, completely tasteless and my Mac & cheese was pan burn which left a burnt taste in the cheese sauce. I couldn't eat it so I sent it back to which I noticed a manager was the expediter, how can you even send burnt out food to the table. Well like I mentioned earlier about those flies, they started to visit our table. One fly was literally stuck to my beverage glass which I slowly killed it with a napkin and gave it to the server to pass this disgusting bug problem. Will I be back, probably not, the food and service was not up to my expectations, it's too bad because the other 4 people that I was with was hoping for a pleasant memorable experience. They were quite surprise with the big name as Zingerman's they have let their popularity get to their head.
(2)
Marisa B.
Cutting right to the chase, we spent way too much on super small portions of food. My macaroni & cheese and salad combo was an especially bad deal at $12 with barely any food on the plate. Some of the food was alright, like the barbecue beef and the greens. Mostly it was very bland and poorly prepared though, especially my lukewarm macaroni and cheese. If I am going to pay this much for so little food, it all better taste great. The only reason I am giving this place 2 stars is because everyone was very hospitable, but good service can only make up for so much.
(2)
Layne S.
The Roadhouse is one of my favorite places to have dinner, from birthdays to more relaxed evenings. Last night is a prime example, had the chance to sit out on the patio on a fine summer evening and had excellent service from entry to exit. Our server, Derrick, was kind, attentive (but not overly so), and made the dining experience quite lovely. And there's the food. The burger I had last night was top notch, evenly cooked medium rare. The bacon was perfectly crunchy and the blue cheese unctuous and delicious. Their iced tea has a touch of bergamot that is wonderful. We split a strawberry shortcake and while simple, each component was well cared for. I'll be moving away from Ann Arbor soon, and will look forward to my next chance to come home and dine here.
(5)
Melissa W.
Hands down the best mac & cheese I've ever had. Order the Roadhouse Mac and add pit chicken with a side of red BBQ sauce. I've been to this place numerous times and can never order anything else because the mac & cheese is that good. However, their menu is quite extensive. Make a reservation as wait times are often super long.
(5)
Cynthia C.
I want to like the Roadhouse, but the food there is just too uneven. Had lunch there yesterday. My goat cheese tart turned out to be a little hard cube of cheese--mixed with something and overly ripe--plopped on a pile of undressed greens surrounded by 4 mounds of (tasty) roasted tomatoes. It was pretty wretched, made palatable only by the tomatoes. My lunch companion had barbecued pork with a couple of sides. I don't know how it tasted--I didn't ask--but the portions were small (we're both small people so not looking for super-sizing, just reasonable) and also plopped down on the plate without any attempt at making it look good. It looked, in fact, like a plate of food at a sub-prime nursing home. I had Huevos Rancheros at ZR 2Xs in 2014. The first time, on a crowded Saturday morning, they were the best I've ever eaten. The second time, on a crowded Sunday at 1 PM, they were dreadful. As was some of the other food on that Sunday. I am a big fan of Zingermans and the founders and their care for their employees, etc. But the Roadhouse--based on my experiences, I just can't get behind it.
(2)
Josh W.
This is a Zingerman's establishment, so many of you will know what to expect. Decent food that's a little pricey. The service staff were friendly and recommended the barbecue, as that's what they said the Roadhouse is known for. I came with my girlfriend on a Thursday night so we were in luck because they had a special bbq combo that came with chicken, pulled pork, and beef. It was okay, though nothing incredible. The pulled pork was served dry, which seemed a bit unusual considering that we didn't get any sauces at the table. The beef had the tomato bbq sauce on it which was decent, but a bit too sweet for my taste. Overall, it was decent barbecue, but nothing particularly special. I will say that we ordered one of their cocktails that was delicious. I would go back, but I'm not crazy about the place.
(3)
Richard M.
Zingerman's Roadhouse features classic American cuisine, served with good old Midwestern charm. Service here is always super friendly, almost too friendly! Gastronomically, Zingerman's hits on a lot of great notes, especially, the way they celebrate primarily American produce and products. Most dishes featured on the menu are populist soul food numbers, from hamburgers with fries or onion rings (all you can eat, not that I've ever asked for more!), to mac and cheese, B.B.Q. ribs, grits, Cajun influences, and everything Americana in between. They have an outstanding wine list brilliantly sourced from every major wine region in the country. Beer list is also out-of-this-world, with not only many Michigan micro beers, but, micros from pretty much every major State. The all-American cheese selection is impressive, too. This is not your average roadhouse - it is one of the best and most refined in the country. Definitely worth getting off the I-94 for a gastro pit stop.
(4)
Amy C.
"You're like a kid in a candy store." Salt and pepper shakers collection Long bar and list of blue plate specials Cute metal trailer for goodness to go Eye "Candy" Cakey Donut Toasted sugar crumbles Bottomless cup of Coffee Waffles with grits and cheddar cheese Undercooked Bacon bits sprinkles Cool Michigan maple syrup drizzles Carb "Candy" Bite from a hot, moist drumstick Crispy, greasy, peppery, Chicken skin Forkful of buttery potato chunks Dipped into rich brown gravy Taste of mustardy coleslaw Vicarious "Candy" Toasted Bagel Cream cheese, lox, capers, onion slivers Request for a non-seasonal tomato Graciously given sun dried ones D and E Up for Zingerman's Roadhouse brunch 9:30am on a Saturday Sweet "Candy" 3/12
(4)
Brad C.
Had breakfast as a group of 8. The service was extremely slow and inattentive. Coffee was fantastic as well as the side orders of cheese. The meals were expensive and the serving size was too small. The actual food was good. After hearing such good things I had high expectations for Zingerman's and was unfortunately disappointed.
(2)
Abi J.
Wow! Had a great meal here for a birthday celebration. This review is actually more of a 4.5 First things I liked was that they have joined the online reservation program, Opentable. Super convenient, was emailed a confirmation- love that- mainly because I hate calling and being put on hold for 20 minutes. Ordered the sweet potato fries as an appetizer- They were so good! Crunchy, with a really nice dipping sauce- spicy, which was a nice surprise. I ordered the pimento mac and cheese. I was basically in mac and cheese heaven. It was actually too rich to eat in one sitting but was SO good the next day. The bacon in the mac and cheese was delicious. Other people ordered the salisbury steak and the slider sampler. Both very good. Service was okay. Our server was friendly but we did have to ask a few times for more sauces and it look a really long time for her to return. Granted it was a Saturday night, but still. The fries were not as interesting without the sauce!! Anyway, I will be back! SOOOO GOOD! Sidenote: do not come here with tight pants or intentions for maintaining a diet. You will fail on both accounts.
(4)
Steve X.
Open on Christmas Eve, my brother & I with our counterparts were happy to find a place with good beers on tap & even wound up getting some potato bacon soup. Everything was delicious & our bartender Amos was quick to offer more bread and another round. All together a great experience & would love to come back with a larger appetite.
(4)
Al D.
I love this place. I'm a Zingerman's groupie to begin with so I was quite pleased with the change up that Zingerman's Roadhouse brought to the menu. I'm use to the deli which has great sandwiches and such but the Roadhouse has everything you're looking for in a great Dinner/nice Lunch menu. The food was wonderful and so was the service. Never waited long when we had to put our name on the list. I've also bought to go food from their air stream and service is quick and kind there as well.
(5)
John M.
Service is impeccable. Quality is great. I've never had an issue at any of the Zingerman's locations. If you're traveling this place is a MUST visit!
(5)
David K.
I went to Zingerman's Roadhouse a couple months ago and had a pretty good experience. I was torn between the fried chicken with a side of macaroni vs the macaroni with fried chicken in it. I went with the latter. Kinda wish I got the former, because it was pretty one note. However, it was pretty damn good. For desert, I ordered the donut with ice cream, which was bonkers awesome (is that a phrase?). The place isn't terribly cheap - I think I spent around $25 including tip. I ate with three other people, and everyone really enjoyed their meals. Service was good, atmosphere was good. I plan on going back to try other things on the menu. If you're in the Ann Arbor area and looking comfort food that's gonna cost you a handful of bucks, Zingerman's roadhouse is definitely worth checking out.
(4)
Tina R.
My husband and I love Zingerman's and were going to be passing through, so we thought we would stop. So I called and asked if they had call ahead seating. The lady said they did not. However, when we pulled in to check the wait the sign said reservations call the number. What is the difference? I told the lady we were over an hour away and had plenty of time. The food is good, but not an hour wait good.
(3)
Ryan B.
Yea, it's good. But is it as good as the price. Short answer: No. Yes, the Pimento Cheese Mac & Cheese (w/ Bacon) was delicious and filling, but it was served in a soup bowl sided dish for $18.50. If it was $10, I'd say it was 4 stars. At double the cost, I'd say not worth it. Also, the Deli has more options for tastings and things to sample for the $13 sandwich you're paying for. The roadhouse does not offer an equivalent. So no, I won't be returning. I'll stick to the Deli.
(3)
Kevin P.
I get it, it's Zingerman's it's either the best place in the world or the most overrated and overhyped place in town. Sure, I don't think the deli is quite worth it's weight in gold but the sweet potato fries with chipotle mayo and the roadhouse definitely are. Other highlights include the pimiento cheese, the barbecue entrees, burgers, and mac & cheese. I'll admit to having a couple misses over the years (crab cakes were minuscule and the fish stew was just okay) but the number of times I've left feeling completely satisfied far outweighs these few instances. My understanding is that much of the food including the meat comes from the chef's locally owned and run farm and the menu changes based on the seasons. Service is usually pretty good and the atmosphere is uniquely casual (although the prices are not...). I prefer coming for lunch if I have the option and am the one buying as prices are lower but the quality is still there. Honestly, it's probably one of my favorite restaurants. I guess I fall on the fanboi side of the spectrum with this one.
(5)
Carlito M.
It's very refreshing to eat fantastic fare and experience exceptional service. Definitely a must visit in Ann Arbor
(5)
Rebecca C.
Delicious! Got there at 5pm and beat the rush. Got the poutine gravy was delicious. Carbonara Mac and cheese delicious real pieces of lardon. Donut sundae delicious scratch made donut vanilla bean gelato #yum
(5)
Nijole T.
If it wasn't for the high prices I would have given Zingerman's 5 stars no doubt. Being a place one HAS to try in Ann Arbour seeing they own half the town from bakeries to delis, cheese and ice cream places, Zingermans is everywhere! Having been to all of their stores and knowing the prices I figured here I would get to try all they offer in one place. For starters the breead basket and their butter was excellent! Fresh, crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside and the butter slightly salty and just the right temperature. I would have liked more of a variety than just sourdough and a dark loaf, but both were top notch nonetheless. I got the New Mexico Black Bean and Hominey Burger, Spiced with roasted garlic, red peppers and onion. It's served with avocado salad, fire-roasted New Mexico green chilies, lettuce, onion and pickles, on a Bakehouse onion roll. and fresh spinach sauteed with 2 yr. Vermont cheddar, wild local mushrooms, roasted Cornman Farms' roasted red peppers, leeks and fennel in a brown butter vinaigrette. Well needless to say that tasted as good as it sounds! The roll could have been crunchy, it was pretty soft and mushy. I asked for the housemade spicy ketchup and honey mustard and both were the best condiments i have ever had! My husband got the Pimento Bacon Macaroni with Martelli pasta caramelized with applewood smoked bacon and our housemade Southern pimento cheese A tiny portion at $20, he liked it but it was overpriced. My son got the kids burger and fries and we couldn't help but laugh when we saw his face fall when he got it and exclaimed "ridiculous" They serve a mini burger sampler for $20 and for his $6 burger they gave him one of those. He was so hungry we had to make him something to eat at home, the meat was raw and I've never seen a burger that small in my life. For dessert we got the famous Ari's Donut Sundae A housemade Dutch donut smothered in bourbon-caramel sauce, vanilla gelato, whipped cream and a cherry in the chocolate version with roasted peanuts, chocolate bar slices, chocolate sauce and chocolate gelato. I was dissapointed again how small it was for $10, the donut was not sweet at all and hard, the chocolate and peanuts however very good and from having the ice cream at their creamery I knew that would be amazing and it was. In all a great dinner, but alot of money spent for 2 burger, mac n cheese salad and dessert. The products are all made in house from bread, cheese, really EVERYTHING so it is worth the try, just know you will be spending about $100 for dinner.
(4)
Russell R.
I don't have much to add in words that others haven't said, so I'm just going to add my stars to pull the rating up. Actually, my girlfriend apparently liked my description of this place as "country chic", so do with that what you will.
(5)
Gretchen B.
Zingerman's Roadhouse is over priced and mediocre! I had the Salmon cooked on the wood fire grill...the Salmon had no grill marks and tasted bland, the mashed potato were bland tasting, but the spinach was good! That's not good when spending $30 and the only thing you can say the spinach is good! Maybe I could show the chef how to cook salmon properly! My husband had the fish and chips...$27.00, the french fries were soggy and the fish was just okay, certainly not worth the high price tag! The Donut Sundae and Brownie Sundae....mediocre! Not impressed with this eatery and will not return!
(1)
Nancy K.
When we moved to Ann Arbor anyone we met from anywhere else would say how jealous they were of Zingerman's. But they meant the place in Kerry Town with the best sandwiches on the planet. Unless they talk about mac 'n cheese. Then they mean this cute spot on the west side (Jackson/Maple/Stadium in Westgate Plaza). We were slow to try this spot but at some point our first summer in the house we got take out twice. I really like the takeout system here. It might be because I don't have to get out of my car. It might be because it's so swift and efficient. It might be because they sometimes hand you a free cookie. I think it's a mix of everything. K and I have also eaten inside twice. I've never been moved to write a review because I'm so conflicted about this place. It's known for the mac 'n cheese entrees but, to be honest, they aren't as great as everyone says. At least not in my opinion. And there's way too much. It's mac 'n cheese. You don't need a lot to fill you up. I've experimented with a few other dishes on the menu and I've found them to be okay. Last night, after about four days of everyone in our house saying we wanted BBQ, K suggested we get it from here because it's close, doesn't require the nonsense of getting it from downtown (parking, etc) and is supposed to be really, really good. N and I agreed. She got a half slab of spareribs and K and I split a BBQ plate that had chicken, brisket, ribs, mashed potatoes, and greens. We got a side of roasted veggies and two sides of mac 'n cheese because, you know, as a side it's great and it's even better leftover. The bbq was fantastic except that the ribs were super dry. And I found myself feeling the way I always do when it comes to this place. I want to love it but something is just always a little off. And then I realize why, despite being okay, I never suggest getting food from or going here: the price. I would pay $20 for a Zingerman's sandwich downtown. Willingly. Hell, for HALF of a Zingerman's sandwich. Because it's that good. This food? Not nearly as good. And Jesus, is it expensive. I actually thought, based on the prices for bbq, that each listing was supposed to serve multiple people. The food is a solid 3, some things (the sides, especially) venture into four star territory but it's not worth the price. Which is sad because I like supporting this local business. Just not at this particular venue.
(3)
Matt D.
I love Zingerman's Deli--love. I was disappointed in the Roadhouse. I thought the barbecue was pedestrian, not something I would say about the offerings at the deli. The deserts, two different puddings, were the wrong consistency, gritty, as if the sugar or more likely gelatin hadn't fully and properly dissolved. The pimento cheese stuffed roasted heirloom tomato was outstanding. Perhaps worth the visit just for that.
(3)
Clare F.
I had goat cheese, tomatoes with olive oil, and fried chicken mac and cheese. Everything was delicious. They use very good quality olive. The mac and cheese is rich and delicious.
(4)
Diane C.
Zingerman's = Service. Some of the best service I have ever had. I also had the fried chicken...pretty damn tasty. The bread bowl was also excellent. Everyone seemed to love what they had. Recommend.
(4)
Will B.
I want to give this place four stars, but it falls short. You really have to appreciate the artisan way of doing things to really appreciate their food. IMO the Zingerman's deli is good, but more-so because of what they do in-house and how much they do in-house than anything. Not all of it shows up in the taste of their food. In some ways I feel the Roadhouse falls short in the same manner. I ordered the Top Sirloin steak "Meat and Three" combo (three sides and your meat). I have to agree, the sides were super super small. My salad was tiny, and the potatoes were small and lacked quantity and taste. I figured with three sides I could go with a smaller steak, but I ended up leaving hungry. My steak was only 8 ozs, but it was $28, and it was way over cooked. I ordered it med-rare and it was cooked well, barely pink. I really thought about sending it back (I never send anything back), but it took over 20 min to get our food, and it was an hour wait. I was starving and didn't want my gf to have to eat alone. The calamari was just, eh... nothing special, and my gf got the mac and cheese, and she wasn't really impressed either. I really wish they would increase the quantity of their sides and veggies to give a better "value" and dining experience. It's tough to spend $100 on a meal for two people and a couple beers and leave hungry.
(3)
Ryne D.
I'm out in East Lansing for work, and for our team dinner I'm informed we're headed to Ann Arbor. Not being a native Michigander (is that right?), I was pretty surprised to see that the guys wanted to drive almost an hour just to get food, but my general train of thought is that if I'm traveling for work I may as well spend my free time searching out good food. The first thing that surprised me was when my co-worker informed me you could ask for samples of anything except their steak. What? Has this always been a think at restaurants? When I hear sample, I think CostCo samples of frozen burgers or spinach dip, not a taste of Zingerman's awesome sweet potato fries or mac and cheese. Their mac and cheese is honestly some of the best I've ever had, and the fact that they use Cabot (which I understand to be lactose-free) makes it 1000x better. You know that scent when you open a bag of Cheez-Its? It smells like that, but with real cheese instead of "cheez". I ended up ordering a side of it with my fried chicken, which was very juicy and with good seasoning. Cutting off bits of it and eating it with my mac - bliss. I also tried their chili which had quite a kick of spice to it, though I'd order it again. Now I don't know how high prices get in these parts, but I was pretty surprised to see some of the prices here. It made me expect some giant plates of food. What I got was definitely appropriate for a meal, but I think most of that cost is sunk into the quality of the ingredients over quantity. Make it worth your while like I did: feast on samples, order your food, save some for lunch the next day. You're welcome.
(4)
Blair R.
I've been to Zingerman's Roadhouse for brunch, lunch AND dinner! I'll happily return for dinner/lunch but would skip the brunch (unless I want a reservation -- pretty clutch that this place takes and honors brunch resies). Regardless of the food, this place is super cute and fun. It sells old-fashioned candy, uses cute little news-papery menus, etc.. But I know you are more concerned about the food, so I'll quickly debrief dinner and brunch. Dinner: I had the Mac and Three when I was there last time, which is a great option if you want to taste some mac and cheese but also eat some veggies. I've definitely have had mac and cheese, which I thought was better than this but you can't really dislike any mac and cheese, especially if it is Zingerman's. I'd order the dish again and be happy to dig into it. There's lots of beers, cocktails, etc to choose from. Brunch: For brunch I ordered the omelet of the day. I just thought it was greasy. And I couldn't figure out why it had to be so greasy, since it was egg whites, spinach, mushrooms and parmesan cheese. Also I didn't get the free donut holes that I see in my friend Catie S.'s review! BUMMER! The toast looked great but just tasted burnt. Potatoes were good but generally I don't choose brunch places for the potatoes because I am just not a tater girl.
(3)
Dee D.
Went for lunch. I'm giving 3 stars because our waiter was excellent. The food, not so much. I had the buffalo chicken mac and cheese. The serving size was adequate yet on the small side. Unfortunately there were only 3 small chunks of chicken in the dish. There was what tasted like moist bbq chicken skin throughout it too. Weird, and not appetizing at all! The flavor was unremarkable, lacking that rich cheese taste of an old-fashion homemade mac and cheese. At $15 for a lunch-size serving, this was both disappointing and unfortunate. My friend had a cup of soup and salad. The salad was nothing but average, and her soup was bland. I understand fresh, organic, local food can be more costly to use, however the prepared dishes need to taste good to be worth it. Not going back. Didn't find it worthy of my spending.
(3)
Heather R.
Amazing. Make reservations because this place stays busy. You can smell the barbecue pit from 1/2 mile away, seriously. Huge cheese selection and everything is locally grown. They have an amazing business structure. Worth checking out....one of a kind and the best in Ann Arbor if you ask me.
(5)
Alex S.
The Roadhouse. One of the go-to restaurants for when the parents come to town. The food was fantastic. I had the county fried chicken and it was excellent. The chicken was fried enough to be tasty, but not enough to be overly filling. The mashed potatoes were excellent on their own right with very good gravy on top. And then dessert. You just try (preferably split) the donut sundae. The donut was absolute perfection. Very crisp on the outside and warm cakey goodness in the middle The only slightly bad part about the evening was the service. It was Zingerman's quality when we got our waitress's attention. She had a lot of tables so this was less frequent than desired.
(4)
Julia M.
"I really wanted to love it!! Much of our food was overcooked but the cocktails were excellent." I don't know if it was just an 'off' night, but we were a little disappointed with the food. If you can imagine that at Zingermans!! We love the deli and the creamery, and have been looking forward to trying the Roadhouse ever since in opened. A few of my friends have been less than pleased with their experiences at the Roadhouse, but my husband and I really wanted to give it a try anyway. We decided that we'd go back for apps and drinks or desserts and drinks, but for the money try a different spot for a dinner. Overall, the atmosphere was pretty noisey and lots of kids, the service was friendly but less than excellent. I highly recommend the bourbon cream and coffee. It was heavenly!
(2)
Art R.
Wow first time here and had tongue. For those of you that never had it, it might sound gross but definitely a specialty and these folks rate right up there with all the famous deli's in NYC as far as the meat is concerned. Don't miss this one.
(5)
Vikash K.
Amazing! Went there for brunch, and it was worth the 30 min wait. The chili was on point with beef chunks. The ribs were fall off the bone good. YUMM!!
(5)
Kate S.
I am a big fan of Zingerman's usually, so I was really disappointed by Zingerman's Roadhouse. I ordered the Mac n Cheese, since it was one of their award-winning foods, but I was not impressed. My mom ordered fried green tomatoes, but they almost had the taste of a pickle. I could only eat one or two before it became too overwhelming. Overall, there was nothing that I thought was amazing about this place, which is annoying because the Zingerman's chain is fairly expensive. Service was good, but if I didn't have a reservation, I would have had to wait a long time for a table. If you are in Ann Arbor, there are other restaurants out there that are better than this one.
(2)
Friedrich S.
Top notch farm to table with a Zingerman's twist, great BBQ, great service, a little bit pricier, but you pay for the quality.
(5)
John W.
In a word.... PERFECT!! Being in the service industry myself, I know how hard it is to obtain perfection. Their training truly sets them apart and propels them to a different category all their own. The food was simple yet delicious. I enjoyed sitting at the "cook line" bar and watching their staff work their magic. I am truly impressed. If I lived within 500 miles of Ann Arbor, I would move my family here and become a "Zingernaut" myself!!
(5)
Mary Y.
I don't care if it's expensive. I have never, ever been disappointed here. Last night was no different. The new spring/summer menu has the mini sliders back, and we were tempted to throw some of those fantastic cheeses on the 5 of them, but I opted as healthy as I could. Kale salad w/pine nuts, lemon, dried cherries, and shaved stravecchio? Crack. Sooooo yummy. We opted to eat sweet potato fries and after we devoured our basket, our server came back to ask us if we wanted a refill because they were free. Say whaaaaat??? As usual service was stellar, we didn't look around once for water, bread, food, or our check. Our server even had them cook up just 2 sliders since we were feeling a need for Wisconsin Cheddar aged 30 years. My dinner companion opted for a PBR and Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese but forgot to say no blue cheese, so I had to eat that for him. I'm great that way. The spring/summer menu has some great Cornman Farms veggies, roasted up and sounding delicious! Now, if the weather would turn around we can move our Thirsty Thursdays to the patio.
(5)
Alysha M.
Great food with great service! The french fries are so yummy and they are bottomless if you get a burger. We also got calamari bruschetta that was amazing! The martinis are super tasty too. Dinner was great, of corse it cost a lot more then a normal place, but it's worth it. The service was very helpful and the venue is super cute with lots of vintage salt and pepper shaker! If you want to celebrate something special I recommend the Roadhouse.
(5)
Daniel W.
I enjoyed a bun-less pulled pork sandwich with a side of greens. The greens were great and the mustard sauce for the pork was a real treat. The size of the portion was disappointing.
(3)
Sara B.
Let me start off by saying that the three start rating is because it's in comparison to the other TWO Zingermann's places in town. Also, because you can get much of the menu cheaper and better at other places around town because you aren't paying for the name. That being said, I have eaten here several times. The best thing I had was the breakfast burrito. YUM. Their burgers are good, but everything costs extra. Also, the mac n cheese is good here, but not for $12 for a small take out container. Maybe I just haven't had the right things?
(3)
Jenny Z.
I think Zingerman's in general is overrated, and their staff really drink the Kool-aide hard. But overall this is a pretty decent restaurant. Nothing amazing, but also a decent meal that you won't hate and comes in handy if you're hungry for American cuisine. I would recommend the Deli over the Roadhouse if you can get by with a sandwich though.
(3)
Norman A.
The Zingerman Empire is impressive. It is vast and it has impressive depth. Yet when you go to a restaurant if not distracted by poor service or atmosphere the most important consideration is the food. The Roadhouse has ambiance, loud but not too loud, and lots of great eye candy; the service is excellent in fact the servers are some of the most thoughtful waiters I've encountered in the world. Those factors taken care of we have the food. An impressive menu with a very strong American rural feel with urban sophistication, yet not too sophisticated to be off putting for those who wanted to go to a roadhouse. Perfect? Not exactly. The BBQ is prepared in big smokers on the property. The aroma would lead one to think this will be great BBQ. Never has it been. It is always somewhat dry and often tasteless.How could that be? Gets me, I've had great BBQ in shacks on the side of the road in Alabama and Georgia. Great tasting BBQ, nothing real fancy just great BBQ. This goes for a lot of their dishes. Pretty good but not just not as good as the best I've had. Will I go there again? Probably. But i've scaled back my expectations over the years.
(3)
Evan V.
Alright, this place is a must. The servers are nice and friendly, and best of all, the food is absolutely fantastic. We have gone out of our way to come here many times. If you do go, make sure you get the fried chicken (it's heaven).
(5)
Mark Z.
About 5-6 weeks ago I was coming back from Chicago and I decided to stop at Knights Steahouse in Ann Arbor because there food is awesome, but they were closed on Sunday. So i decided to go ZIngermans to get a steak. I figured this is Zingermans and the steaks would be top notch. I was wrong. I ordered a Medium Sirloin and the steak came back Extra Extra Rare. I usually dont complain but I told my waitress about this, instead of making me a new steak they took the old one and it was charred on both sides and tasted like charcol. I emailed Zingermans about this and got a reply from Elsha Chapman who I belive is a manager: "Thank you for taking the time to write in. I'm very sorry we failed you on this visit. You are right. A medium steak should not have come out that way. I'm going to be giving this information to the Chefs so they can nail down the problem. I feel awful that we were not able to make up for our mistake while you were in. Would you be willing to come and give us another try? I would love for you to come back and have a proper dining experience on us! I look forward to hearing from you". So she sent me a giftcard for a free dinner and decided to try it again. I figured they would have nailed the problem like she said they would, and nope they didnt. Same thing again, I posted pictures of my steak take a look at them. I was disapointed when they didnt fix the issue after they promised me they would. $38 for a Ribeye outrageous, I expect it to be cooked perfectly not burnt on the outside and raw. I can get a bigger better steak for nearly half the price at Luckys, or go to Knights Steak House and get a better quality steak. Not sure who taught the Chef how to cook, I hope it wasn't bob's burgers.
(1)
Barb M.
Their variations on Mac and Cheese are inspired. Their donuts at breakfast are to die for as well as having one for dessert with ice cream at dinner. Their food is delicious and flavorful and and as real as it gets. Probably my favorite place in A2.
(5)
Samir N.
I love to hate on Michigan BBQ (ahem . . . Slow's), but this place holds a special place in this displaced Texan's heart. Everything here is spectacular. Which is why I went with the barbecue sampler. The ribs were good, but the laggard of the bunch. The brisket was AMAZEBALLS. It was not tender like I expect brisket, but more flame kissed like steak fajitas. I fully support this. The pulled pork was pulled pork. You cannot really mess that up. I cruised in on a Saturday afternoon by myself; in addition to the bar option, they also have the counter that looks into the kitchen. I love not having to wait for a seat. Tables looked like a 20 or so minute wait. They have tons of beer on tap and also do tasting flights. It is pricy, but if the quality of their food is this good and consistent I will happily pay the premium. I just wish I had space for dessert.
(5)
Jarrod F.
I have been coming to Ann Arbor Michigan for the last three years and I always eat at Zingerman's Delicatessen, and it wasn't until last year that someone told me about their Roadhouse. We must have eaten there three days in a row, and loved each time. I did think the dinner was better then the lunch, but it still was good. The BBQ is the bomb and everything seems and tastes so fresh, even my dessert tasted great. Give this place a chance like me and you won't be unsatisfied.
(4)
Mary J.
Not worth the trip. Took the waitress' recommendation and ordered the pulled pork sandwich. Bun was dry and crumbly, pork was dry too, sauces mediocre. Does not live up to the Zingermans name.
(2)
Jill W.
Have heard many times about Zingerman's Roadhouse, and wanted to try it. Am in town for work, got lost trying to find the Mall, and found Zingerman's. Pretty happy I did, the mall can wait. I enjoyed a local craft beer (Belle's) after Shalama offered me samples, then had the buttermilk fried chicken with mashed potatos and gravy. So lifechanging - I blogged about it later in my hotel room as I enjoyed the chocolate pudding that I got to go. I have heard the wait would be long to dine there, but solo - I was able to eat at the bar and had great service. would easily come back for some bbq and maybe the gelato I have heard about.
(5)
matt p.
I have always had great food at all of Z-mans outlets, (the deli, the bakery outlet, here) but at the roadhouse the portions are smallish and overpriced, so i would give 5 stars for quality of the food and 2 for prices and the portion size. The atmosphere is great.
(3)
Jim I.
Awesome, I get to write the 500th review. It's all true. The food is great, the price point is elevated, and this place is always busy. As far as the prices... I know this is Ann Arbor and it's to be expected, yet some say it's too much. I have enjoyed everything I've had here. From the Mac and Cheese and BBQ to the sweet potatoes fries. Good stuff. High prices or not. The proof is in the wait times.
(4)
Paul V.
A long time favorite of mine. From the Mac-n-cheese, to the BBQ, to the fish, to the desert. I have never left this place disappointed.
(5)
William U.
Very gluten free friendly. Lots of options for GF in every menu section and clearly marked My wife is still talking about the Gluten free buttermilk fried chicken
(5)
Matthew R.
had to wait 45 minutes for a table, which was fine...then, due to some sort of miscommunication, we waited 15-20 minutes for our server to appear. which seems like a weird way to start a review that will include a GLOWING discussion of the level of service. once we flagged down someone to send over our server, she was absolutely fantastic. she apologized profusely and repeatedly, taking full responsibility (as opposed to a half-baked "i'm sorry that other guy messed up" 'apology') and went the extra mile every single moment. rachel (i think that was the name - she appeared to be pregnant but if she was it didn't slow her down one single bit) was fantastic. food (mac and cheese for her, chicken-fried steak for me) was very good, if not earth-shattering, but the service took it to another level entirely. will absolutely return.
(5)
Emily F.
This is my favorite place to go out to eat if we have the kids with us. I always feel well taken care of, food is excellent, service is outstanding! We also really like ordering fried chicken from their carryout menu, (fridge to fridge). You get more chicken for your money this way, actually can't beat it for the quality.
(5)
Myke O.
This place describes itself as serving "comfort food" but I found it to be much more complex. I had the "Meat And Three" with a Beef Tenderloin, french fries, and sweet potato fries. The meat had a smokey / hickory taste to it with a charred crust. The sweet potato fries weren't thin and crispy as much as thick slices of potato. It was all very good but just less comfort food than I expected and more fancy. For dessert, I had the Blondie Brownie Sundae (the Blondie was not even on the menu but was recommended by our waitress). It was OK but not really as light and fluffy as I was expecting (for me, the definitive blondie is from Applebee's and this was nothing like that). One of the other members of our party had the donut sundae which I thought was better...full of sugar and crispy. Our waitress was extremely friendly and helpful.
(4)
Dee W.
Live in the neighborhood and frequent the establishment. The service is excellent. Love the wine list. Mac and cheese anything is worth a try. The burger is well above average. Love the oysters. Salads are worth your while. Donut Sundae is a fave. Sunday Brunch we love to take out of town visitors. The breakfast ham steak is simply divine. It's almost a smoked pork chop but better. I sent compliments to the chef and learned it was from Zingerman's own farm. That must be why it tasted as heavenly as my Uncle's ham does on his farm in Iowa. They are always experimenting. The menu changes often, usually based on the season. Don't be afraid to try something new. The wait staff can answer in detail any question you ask. One warning, count your calories and watch your fat intake, some dishes are very rich. If unsure, it's wise to split with a companion.
(5)
Chad W.
On food, the pulled pork is fairly solid, perhaps a 4 out of 5. However, its difficult to leave ZR without paying $25 for a sandwich and drink.
(3)
Annette J.
Finally got here for Sunday brunch yesterday and was just as pleased with that experience as lunch and dinner. My whole family went and everyone left pleased with their meals. My grandma, who eats like a bird, finished off her entire burger, half the table got the corn beef hash and joined the ranks of the clean plate club. The eggs benedict looked beautiful and I was told by the fam that their bloody mary's were delectable (I'm not big on them so I didn't sip but my family killed off more than one or two glasses each!). Me? I got the grits and bacon waffle. Ahh, the perfect marriage of sweet and salty--the eternal brunch struggle. Crispy yet fluffy inside waffles loaded with grits and bacon in the batter, topped with more bacon and cheddar cheese and a side of creamy butter and real maple syrup. Ohhhh heaven! Such a wonderfully tasty dish. I was sad when my tummy got full and I couldn't eat any more! Add my mimosa and it was a truly fabulous meal. The pastry basked we split was also delish---a hot fresh donut, 3 slices of coffee cake (hot chocolate, lemon poppy seed, and sour cream) with a side of real whipped cream. Oh so tasty! And our server even brought us a complimentary plate of piping hot donut holes. What a nice surprise! Coming back for brunch again and again! Will get the waffle again or the eggs Benedict next time, no question!
(4)
Alex Z.
The food was amazing and the service couldnt be beat. We went on a wednesday night around 6:00 and it was fairly crowded. delcious BBQ with a great vibe to the place. Would go back again in a heartbeat.
(4)
Jose N.
We are in the middle of our Holiday Luncheon for work, 25 of us. Servers are AWESOME!!! Food is sooo good! I'm half way through some fantastic ribs after devouring my Mac and Cheese. Everybody loved my choice for our party!
(5)
Nancy V.
I was in Ann Arbor on business and discovered this unique restaurant on Yelp. I was adamant about not not going to eat at a place that had the same food I could get anywhere else. Boy, was this a good choice! We made reservations - really glad we did - as there were 5 of us in the group. We arrived a little early, but the table was quickly made ready and we were seated after a very brief wait. The atmosphere is rustic and down-home. It is a bit noisy, but not to the point where you cannot carry on a conversation. The service was good and our waitress was very helpful in answering our questions. Our group ordered a variety of dishes and everyone came away satisfied with their choices. I had the Macaroni and cheese with chicken. This dish shares absolutely no resemblance to the packaged orange stuff that you make at home when you are on the PMS eating binge. This more closely resembled a very rich, very hearty pasta dish with a smooth bechamel sauce with cheese and tender chunks of roasted chicken and a sprinkling of herbs. It went very well with the light house Pinot Grigio that I had ordered to drink with it. One of my companions had the ribs and generously shared some with me. They were melt in your mouth tender with just the right hint of spicy smokiness that tells of meat smoked very slowly over real wood. We were brought a complimentary doughnut sundae as it was one of my colleague's birthday. One gooey yummy desert and 5 spoons. Since we were all stuffed from the delicious food, it was just right. I do not think the meal was overly expensive for the quality of food and service. While it is not a "high end" restaurant, the food is first class and the service was friendly and efficient. If I am in Ann Arbor again, I would definitely make this a required stop. Thanks Yelpers. You did not lead me astray on this one.
(4)
Dan R.
If I lived closer and had a more lucrative budget for dining out I would eat breakfast/brunch here daily if possible. Had the Biscuits w/Crawfish gravy today; however, all things I've tried here are excellent. Always use high quality ingredients and preparation is in point. Had a dozen oysters today as well, yum. Only gig is that today's server meant well and was friendly but was either newer to the organization or was off his game. He was friendly and attempted to make up for the issues. I will not lower my rating though as the other dozen times I have been there were all great service.
(5)
Caroline K.
Breakfast if Fabulous! Even the oatmeal is great! Served with several sides, including dried cherries, pecans and brown sugar, being good -still tastes good :) . Meet your friends for a good way, to start off any day!
(5)
Sophia P.
Great food - bread basket is fresh. The apple cheddar salad portion is small - a few more leaves of arugula would've offset the price - but $10 is kinda steep for a few chunks of cheese & slices of Apple. The Reuben is great & the Russian dressing made Inhouse with the dark Russian rye grilled & decent fries. We both split everything for lunch but could've used a little more salad. Would've like to try the broccoli soup but they were out - maybe next time if I see the size of cup vs. bowl vs. price Hubby did not like the coffee, however. I wasn't fond of it either & for $2.75 there's a Biggby across the street.
(4)
William M.
It was OK, but not as good as I had hoped. My friend got the fried green tomatoes, and they were outstanding. Perfectly spiced, crispy, and hearty. However, my mac and cheese was quite poor. It had the consistency of cheese soup and it was incredibly heavy. Perhaps I should have gone with one of the different mac and cheeses instead of just the standard one? Next time.. The atmosphere is great, and everyone there was incredibly nice. I just wish I had enjoyed my meal more, since we were just passing through Ann Arbor on the way to Traverse City. Word to the wise: If you are just passing through Ann Arbor and looking to make a stop for food, go with Zingerman's Deli.
(3)
Suki K.
we went to this restaurant today to check out because it's rated high on yelp (I'm new to the city). It was Friday night and was told that it will be 50 min. wait when we got there around 6pm, but we could get seated in 20 min. or so. We ordered Kale salad, chicken burger, and bacon burger with sweet potato fries(free refill!). Their caesar-style kale salad had good texture and flavor. Kale was very tender. Burger was good, but I got tired of the taste when i half-finished. I order sweet potato fries whenever I have an option. The sweet potato fries I had tonight was a bit different style from other restaurant and I liked a lot - good balance of savory and sweet.
(4)
Ed K.
Took our son there for parents weekend. Great ribs. Really good bread. The fried chicken was delicious. Overall a solid meal and good service.
(4)
Ian M.
I don't think I need to say much about this place that people don't already know. It's Zingerman's, they have a James Beard award winning chef, and the best macaroni and cheese I've ever had. Just go and you'll be very happy.
(5)
Shy T.
Its just ok. Overrated. Can be expensive. I like their fried fish & fried chicken the best. The pulled chicken & pork sandwiches aren't bad either but like I said can be expensive.
(3)
Kris O.
I always go to this place with such high expectations, but end up leaving disappointed. As usual, the food was good. I didn't find it to be stellar though. Our server, who was friendly, seemed out of sorts. He spilled a glass of water on me and forgot to bring bread until we asked. I though he might make a slight adjustment to our bill because of the water incidence, but all I got was an extra napkin. I just can't justify the price. If I am paying that much for Mac and cheese and BBQ, I expect the highest-quality of service and its just not there.
(2)
Peter L.
Hmmm...the Roadhouse is one of my brother's favorite restaurants, so I admit my expectations were high. But still I wasn't too impressed with the experience. Started off with some oysters which were decent but not great esp at $3/each. The poutine was very mixed - good gravy but the cheese curds were hard and not melted at all. I ended up having the bbq pulled pork dinner. The pulled pork was very good, very soft and flavorful. But the collard greens were too watery and the presentation looked more like a cafeteria or school lunch. At $19, it did not seem like a very good deal. Overall, the Roadhouse, while pretty good, is not a very good value. And with a number of misses, it's not consistent in execution of the food.
(3)
Jessica C.
Sat at the bar and Bob served us. The cappuccino was delicious and was served up in a tall glass! I asked if I could sub the scrambled eggs in the biscuits and gravy for a small donut and Bob brought us complimentary donut holes. Did I mention he was top notch?? The donut holes were all that people rave they're about. Maxim voted them one of the top ten donuts in the US. I now know why..yum!! My hubby had the corned beef hash with poached eggs on top. He loved it!!! Portions were very generous. I would have liked a tad more crushed black pepper in my gravy but that's just me. This is an absolute must if you're in Ann Arbor!!!
(5)
Lee A.
I would have to disagree with some of the posts about the service. The service we got was horrible. The food took over an hour to come. I remember looking around at one point and not seeing an entire room eating. It wasn't insanely busy either. Not only did the food take forever, but it took our waiter about a half hour to offer us more bread and I don't think he offered us drinks during that time. My wife got her fries and they were cold too. I had adobo pollo and that tasted really good, but my wife wasn't too impressed with the 5 cheeseburger selection and she's obsessed with cheese. You'll find something that you'll like, but you're going to overpay for it.
(3)
Dale L.
Leave extra time ... Always busy Not impressed :( skip the roadhouse and go to the deli!
(2)
Melissa M.
Zingermans ...ahh a little piece of heaven on earth. Well I Love Love LOVE Zingermans Deli and have literally spent hours there taste testing, talking with the workers, eating sandwhiches, new and old pickles, gelato and birch beer. I mean it is amazing. So I had to try Zingermans roadhouse. I came here with my parents and boyfriend, we had reservations but we were running late. We called and told them and they held our reservation and sat us immediatley when we got there. Our server was Marcus and he was a Zingerman's PRO. I learned so much about the resturant and the food from him and really enojyed his service. I ordered the Catfish with grits, greens and Carolina rice. And...we literally got the whole fish battered (see phot above). Wow it was surpising but cool. They showed us the best way to eat it to avoid the bones and it was so good! All of the food was perfectly seasoned. Overall great service and taste. I live in California so I only wish I could try more!!!! I wanted to get the Mac n cheese since everyone raves about it. I guess I will on my next MI trip. At least I got some Bells Oberon. YUM!!
(4)
Rachel F.
People from Ann Arbor hype this spot way too much. The Sweet Potato Fries were nothing special. The Fried-Chicken on my Fried-Chicken salad was a hair shy of burned. Needless to say, the chicken was dry. For a Fried-Chicken enthusiast, this was a major let down. Also, I tried the collards, and they tasted like someone has run them along a ashy log before plating. They landed a little left of the "Smokey" flavor profile.
(2)
Carole T.
Pretty good place to eat. Pulled pork sandwich was very good. Sweet potato fries are about 1/2-1 inch width--knife sliced--good if you like sweet potatoes--very hardy! Fried chicken was pretty good--massive breast piece. Came with mashed potatoes with gravy and a little cole slaw--neither were remarkable. Busy place with lots of choices and hard liquor bar. Service was very good. Decor was road house--ok. Nice bathroom. I would return, but may try another place if I were to return to Ann Arbor.
(4)
Jacqui D.
While I gave a pretty bad review to the Deli, I love the Roadhouse. The food is amazing here, the sweet potato fries are a must. Have had their mac and cheese, fried chicken, and ribs and have really enjoyed all of it. The spicy mayo is to die for. This is a great place to eat in Ann Arbor. I don't remember the service I have received while dining here but I'm sure it was fine, as I would remember any really bad experiences.
(5)
Edwina S.
I confess the only meal I like here is breakfast/Brunch. Fresh squeezed orange juice, pretty good drinks (not a fan of the stupidly peppery bloody mary (but at least one of you just made plans to have brunch there soon with this simple over-peppered fact)). I am a huge fan of the huevos rancheros. No they are not traditional (get real here... it's a roadhouse... in Michigan... (not even in Mexican town) what did you expect?!). It's good. It has a pleasant kick (translation "hotter than hades" for those of you who order Thai mild from the local Chinese place). The bread pudding French toast is obscenely sweet and delivers a spectacular carb-coma in 30 to 45 min. It may seem weird, but the Bacon-braised greens are fabulous even for breakfast (slap some of that chili vinegar (bottle found on the table) on them and thank me later!) If all else fails... build your own omelette, if it sucks only you to blame! That being said, I know plenty of folks that like their smoked meat/BBQ offerings (sadly I cannot tell you of anyone that likes their fried chicken). I don't like doughnuts, but I swear theirs are made with crack. I can't just have one bite. Finest collection of salt n pepper shakers I have ever seen.
(4)
Kate S.
Best mac-n-cheese in town. Not really anything to say about this place that hasn't already been said. If you haven't been, go. Now.
(5)
Christian S.
When I drove up to Zingerman's Roadshow (the drive-through restaurant in a trailer adjacent to the Roadhouse), the person in the window asked me right off how my day was going. As it happened I was just winding up a truly terrible day. I'd say the worst day in several years. Horrible. I normally don't share this kind of thing with strangers, but I couldn't help myself. I told her, "Actually, it was terrible." She passed me a piece of chocolate cake without saying a word.
(5)
Terry C.
This place is incredible! The meats are smoked to perfection, the sweet potato fries are amazing, sauces are good, mac n cheese is ok. I'll be back whenever visiting family in AA. Only disappointment was the mac, the hype about it is incredible but the dish is nothing special. You can't go wrong eating here.
(5)
Maria G.
Loved this place. A little pricey by food is very good. Never thought mac and cheese can be so tasty. Online reservation worked. Server was very polite. She was kind of slow, but the place was packed at lunch time. It's a little loud but I guess it's not the restaurant's fault. We all like to chat!
(5)
Alex S.
After a long day on the road, Zingerman's Roadhouse appeared like an oasis in the desert. *forget water, BBQ is the true vision* I had been to Zingerman's in Ann Arbor before (their pecan blondies regularly appear in my dreams), but never to the Roadhouse. Speeding into the parking lot my mouth was already watering at the smell of smokey air..."BBQ is afoot!", grumbled my stomach. With the help of two traveling companions, I powered through a substantial part of the menu. Here goes the list: - corndogs with Anson Mills batter and Raye's yellow mustard - pulled pork plate - greens cooked with (note caps) BACON - mac and cheese - pulled chicken sandwich - (amazing) double-fried sweet potato fries with spicy sauce - donut ice cream sundae with a side of fresh summer berry compote - strong, flavourful bottomless cups of coffee The food - as other Yelpers will chorus to help me establish - is delicious. But also exceptional is the service. Sitting at the bar we chatted with staff, benefitted from recommendations, and would have loved to have stayed for some signature cocktails if we weren't, well, y'know...about to get behind the wheel of a car. Double aesthetic points for the extensive collection of salt and pepper shakers creatively displayed throughout the restaurant. Yelp note: thanks to an adorable trailer that serves as a drive-up food window, you can also purchase my much-loved blondies, and other Zingerman's offerings, post-meal. Trust me: this is almost more of a roadtrip necessity than fuel in the car.
(4)
Mike U.
Good service. Just okay food. Very expensive for what you get. I am happy to pay for good food but that's not what you get here. Extremely busy for no apparent reason. It has a fun atmosphere but not worth the stop.
(2)
Robert L.
Mmmm. Fried chicken.
(5)
Erin B.
I got the BBQ plate and a side of mac-n-cheese. Their mac-n-cheese is famous (per the waitress) and delectable. Someone else at the table got the fried chicken and I definitely had plate envy--I had to try it. I will certainly be getting the fried chicken on my next visit.
(4)
Shane M.
Hush puppies were delicious, as was the burger sampler. I just wished they were labeled so I could know which delicious cheese I was eating! Very fun atmosphere, prices are a little above average, but worth the quality.
(4)
Mark L.
Went today for the first time (brunch) and will return. Had the corned beef hash breakfast and it was tasty but only warm, not hot, and consisted mainly of cubes of potatoes. Poached eggs that it came with were tiny and overdone, one slice of bread cut in half constituted the "toast". Coffee was great, server was very friendly although I had to wait awhile on coffee refills. Total price $16. Love the fact that it's a farm-to-table restaurant, that the chickens are free range and the beef is grass fed. For those complaining that it's too expensive, I do understand but you'll pay more for quality ingredients from animal friendly sources...because it costs more to do. Brunch was busy and probably always is. I don't mind waiting and don't mind higher prices but I do mind if the pressure to get everyone in affects the quality of my meal or the service. My sense is that it did but I'll definitely return.
(3)
Taylor S.
Great take on American food - even for vegetarians. The Roadhouse isn't a substitute for the Deli - don't expect the same type of food or service. The Sweet potato fries are a must. The bread salad is also great, though a very small portion. I love the idea of their Classic Cocktail menu (cashing in on the whole prohibition era thang), but it doesn't live up. Most of the cocktails are overly sweet and remind me of college bar cocktails. Oh, and the Mac and cheese is really effing fantastic.
(4)
Emily N.
I'm traveling from California and I always keep an eye out for notable restaurants and eateries in various cities and states. I read that Zingerman's serves amazing food so we decided to try it. We went into the restaurant and immediately got two seats at the bar area. The waiter was extremely friendly, quick, and attentive. The house bread we received (and we went for a couple rounds of it) was delicious and it even went well with the main courses. We ordered the BBQ Pork Entree: pulled pork with your own choice of sauce, a side of vegetables (spinach for me), and mashed potatoes. The pork was absolutely delicious and the sauce made it all the better. The veges tasted phenomenal and I loved the texture and the flavor of the mashed potatoes. I also had the Beef and Vegetable soup because I wasn't feeling so well. The soup had a burst of flavor in every spoon and it made me feel much better. The beef was cooked perfectly. Soup can easily be overly salty but this soup was just perfect. I can see why the chef has been given so many James Beard awards and nominations. Delicious food. Excellent service. I'll definitely be craving Zingerman's food once I'm back home.
(5)
Francyn C.
Nice atmosphere and good fresh food. A little pricy but you do get what you pay for. Great location, no problem parking. Soups and bread very good. Chicken dinner was excellent. Fun place to go and a great local tradition.
(4)
Mary C.
Zingerman's Roadhouse had a great balance of fun, aesthetics, super great service, extensive menu and was easy to find. The one thing I didn't find on recent reviews was dress code. I wondered how casual it would be, although given it is Ann Arbor, I figured jeans were OK. It turned out to be very casual, including short and tops, on a Friday evening. I had a friend in from Chicago who is has a culinary arts degree, so it is always a learning experience to dine with her. Our dinners included Fried Green Tomatoes - better than in Mississippi or Alabama; Pit smoked BBQ beef and it was definitely smoked and delicious; a special roasted chicken and bacon braised greens. The expert and I felt everything was especially delicious. It was a nice evening. She, as a southerner, was upset that the peach pie had been sold out. Would recommend this experience. We made reservations for 7 PM and were glad we did.
(5)
Dean D.
Here's how I see it with BBQ ribs. If you leave that back membrane on, you're an amateur. Maybe I'm wrong and there's a school of underground Q'ing that is far too elite for me to know about. If that's the case I apologize for this review. I've eaten here a dozen or so times, and yet I cannot explain why. I have faith in the Zingermans way, and I live down the street so... Yet each time I'm disappointed to no end. With the one exception being the fried chicken (always great). Ribs mediocre, brisket tough, pulled pk you can't screw that up, Mac and cheese great but that's not why you go...I'm sure it's the smell that floods the entire area that brings me back. Rhouse suffers from the exact thing that the Zing deli does. Great ingredients and poor execution by the staff preparing your food. Sandwiches thrown together, meats burnt and sloppy. Yet I still go, hoping for a change or that I'll get the right guy on the right day. Quite honestly my friends from Chicago come to town and I avoid it like the plague. Hopefully one day they'll get it together, but that starts at management I guess.
(2)
Caleb Y.
Went to the Chef's Mardi Gras dinner a little while ago - and it was a treat...!!! The Chef, Alex Young, won the James Beard award for Best Chef: Great Lakes in 2011! He definitely deserves it...I have been many times to the place and he constantly puts out very, very high quality, and tasty food! Durring the Chef's dinner he presented each course, which were each delectable and was the most humble and friendly man to listen to. He is clearly enamored with cooking and very educated about the regions and types of food he serves. His oysters Rockefeller were rad! Just a fun place...oh and the slow BBQ is not to be missed - solid solid place!
(4)
Robin P.
Everything about this place is fantastic. The service is phenomenal. Ingredients are always fresh. Drinks are delicious. Unique menu. The only reason I give four stars instead of five is that the food is a little heavy for my personal taste. It is executed extremely well. I'm just not a big meat-eater, and mac and cheese is a little too rich for me to want a whole meal of it. But I do enjoy it when I go. I often pair the corndog appetizer with a salad.
(4)
Lisa A.
I've been coming here for a few years now and try to go for lunch every time I come home to Michigan to visit family and friends. * Three words: Sweet Potato Fries. Or, more specifically, order the Sea Island Sweet Potato Fries. Just trust me. I mean, how can you go wrong with substantial wedges of fried, lightly salted sweet potato goodness with a side a spicy mayo? It's a perfect accompaniment to, say a salad or a bowl of soup or a half a sandwich. Speaking of soup, I had the roasted vegetable soup (rutabaga, turnips, carrots and potatoes in a vegetable broth) which is pureed, yet still chunky with bits of vegetables. It was spiced nicely and hit the spot on a cold December day. I usually order the fries with the Roadhouse salad, which isn't one of those "afterthought basic salads." It has heirloom tomatoes, organic greens, carrots, red onion and homemade croutons. Their menu offerings range from burgers (including two vegan burgers), fish, po' boys, BBQ pork, beef, & chicken sandwiches, salads, and a sizable selection of mac n cheese (including a goat cheese one that is blissful). Besides the food, I enjoy perusing the gigantic collection of novelty salt and pepper shakers--a bit of Americana--that are displayed throughout the restaurant. They can be a tad on the pricey end (more akin to NYC prices, which I'm used to), but I think it's highly worth it for the quality of food you get. Plus, they use local meats and vegetables and other ingredients (some from their creamery and bakehouse) as well as Michigan-based products and products from small companies around the U.S. I would love it if Zingerman's was in Brooklyn, NY...but I think that would take away from the specialness of it as an Ann Arbor institution. I grew up going to Zingerman's Deli and trips to their coffeehouse and I will always be a devotee. Also, they're just some really nice folks. Every waiter/waitress/bartender I've encountered has been super friendly. Oh, and they are usually packed, so I suggest making a reservation whenever you plan to go. And don't forget the sweet potato fries! If you share them with a friend the calories totally don't count. *I've only been for lunch. I need to go for dinner because the fried brussels sprouts and corn fritters are calling my name.
(5)
Michael U.
Arriving early in the breakfast service to the front steps of Zingerman's Roadhouse we found ample parking and made our way into the restaurant after snapping a few pictures of the oyster shell garden and signature neon sign. Greeted by a friendly young lady we were led almost instantaneously to a large four-top in the main dining room and presented with menus, a cheese list, and even a list of the daily oyster selection. Standing up after the server had walked away to snap some pictures of the kitschy interior the name "Roadhouse" certainly fit - from the collection of hundreds of salt and pepper shakers to the unique posters and knick-knacks found throughout the interior. Settling back into my seat and ordering coffee - a thick, bold blend with heavy notes of cocoa and floral tones while my aunt opted for tea we perused the menu and discussed how best to sample a multitude of options amongst the three off us. Fielding questions was our pleasant server, Catherine, and after a few moments decisions were made and orders placed. I will note that Catherine was frequently present throughout the meal to check in on us and make sure beverages were filled - between her and the rest of the team there was never a moment where our glasses dropped below 1/3 empty. Beginning first with the daily pastry basket we were provided with four items for a bargain $6.95. Featuring a steaming hot and crispy cinnamon donut fresh from the fryer, a large chunk of spicy gingerbread, and two types of coffee cake - hot chocolate and sour cream with walnuts - I found each item to be a nearly perfect version of its respective type. While my aunt didn't fancy the donut as she felt it wasn't fluffy enough I loved the cakelike texture of the interior as it contrasted to the cinnamon crisp exterior. The favorite of all three of us, however, was the hot cocoa coffee cake - a textbook dense and flavorful cake with hefty notes of smooth chocolate and a thin frosting that tasted like perfect drinking cocoa. For our main courses my mother selected the "Grits & Eggs" - Stone ground grits topped with two fried eggs, Nueske's applewood smoked bacon and 2-year aged Vermont cheddar and was instantly overwhelmed by the portion the moment it was set before her. Requesting her eggs scrambled this was easily accomplished and although I didn't sample the eggs, the bacon was remarkable both in firmness (not too crispy, but well done - smoked as opposed to pan fried) and texture-on par with the agave bacon at Frontera Grill. The most remarkable aspect of the dish, however, was the grits-hearty and toothsome, creamy yet sharply accented by the cheese, and plethoric in proportion. For my aunt's main course she selected the "Pain Perdu Fasten" - A Bakehouse French baguette dipped in batter and fried then topped with fresh bananas mascerated in brown sugar and all I can say was that this could have easily doubled as dessert (as a matter of fact, with ice cream it did just that at NOLA in New Orleans.) Only mildly doughy on the interior and crispy with notes of cinnamon, vanilla, and brown sugar on the exterior my aunt loved her dish while I rather wished the bread had been a little more thoroughly soaked. Delicious for sure and substantial in portion the bananas were a liquor-less Foster's style and complimented the bread nicely. For my main course I decided on the "Roadhouse French Toast" a dish comprised of cinnamon raisin bread from the Bakehouse soaked through with vanilla bean batter and griddled. Served with a hefty portion of butter from the creamery and pure Michigan maple syrup this was invariably some of the best French Toast I've ever tasted - not too thick, not too heavy, toothsome yet delicate - and the combination of mildly grassy butter and thick maple syrup only acted to enhance the vanilla tones to a whole different level. As an addition to our feast I opted to take a chance on the Biscuits & Chocolate-Bacon Gravy featuring "Gravy" made with bacon, cocoa and milk, served alongside house made buttermilk biscuits and after a single bite I knew I'd made the right decision. Sweet yet savory, salty yet bitter, buttery but texturally complex this dish is an absolute must order for anyone visiting Zingerman's and currently ranks very high on my list of favorite dishes of 2010. While my aunt, an admitted "boring" eater, didn't fancy the amalgam and my mother felt it was too decadent to eat much of I personally didn't mind one bit as I gladly enjoyed both biscuits and every last drop of the wonderful topping. Settling the modest bill and finishing what was likely my 6th cup of coffee we made our way to the car after a short chat with the hostess about our meal, their other locations, and small talk such as the weather. From start to finish I really can't say enough about the food, service, or experience at Zingerman's-and there is no doubt I will be back on my next visit to Michigan for lunch, brunch, or dinner.
(5)
Gary A.
High quality, unique and varied menu, extremely popular, wonderful wait staff, one of my favorite places in Ann Arbor. If you can't find something here, don't both going out, stay home and cook for your self. I used the Yelp reservation feature, setting the reservation the night before for a busy Friday night, and Zingerman's called me back the next day to confirm our reservation. So this feature works well. The only hitch was we arrived 5 minutes before our reservation, and it still took them 15 minutes for the restaurant to seat us. Go with the Fried Chicken or a BBQ selection.
(5)
Eric B.
3.5 stars Tasty food, but awful value. It seems that every James Beard awarding chef's restaurant I've been to (well, this and the other two..) have the same qualities- delicious food but startlingly small portions. This is especiailly disappointing when you're going to a place serving American food. When someone is ordering bbq brisket or mac and cheese and is told they're getting the quintessential American experience, they do not expect a tiny portion. Even with the small portions, I do get a craving every now and then for their mac and cheese, their ribs (probably best in town, but expensive), and most of all, their sweet potato fries! I also think a lot of credit is due to their inventive bar tender. I was amazed when I saw an apple brandy from an orchard near my home-town in NJ on the menu which you have to really dig deep to find in the area where it's made, let alone the midwest. So go every now and then. Complain at how small the portions are, but eventually you'll think about a particular item and a craving will draw you back
(3)
Nina S.
While in Ann Arbor visiting we had to try something from any of the famous Zingerman's in the area. We decided on this place and were not disappointed. The food is really good, the BBQ pulled pork was well flavored and their coleslaw was really good. The prices are a bit steep but I guess it comes with the name. Hands down though, the BEST most AMAZING thing on that menu is the deep fried brussel sprouts -- OH MY GOSH... SOOOOOO AMAZING!!! Get like 3 orders of them. Trust me. They are crispy and coated with a sweet and tangy balsamic reduction that just makes them to die for! Three stars for price and service though.
(3)
Nater B.
Burger good $13 good? hmmmm...Could have almost been there. Crappy bun fell apart while trying to eat burger. Burger not as thick and juicy as I expected. Tapered patty like a UFO instead of a hockey puck. Dry on ends, and first bite. Cooked slightly over medium rare as ordered, but I didn't complain. Seasoned decently. Very friendly staff. Not the best burger I've ever had. Ann Arbor Brewing Company has a better one. I might go back, but I doubt I will.
(3)
Chris P.
Boo! To sum this up its a BBQ joint that doesn't do BBQ very well and does it at a price that makes you annoyed. Again the food is mediocre at best. Food temps are cool to cold. Service is OK but certainly not great. For some reason anything zingermans touches turns to gold without any real reason. James beard award to the chef... I don't think so. To be fair I haven't eaten the whole menu just the BBQ (which supposedly they are known for). Won't be going back and will likely dissuade everyone I know who has any interest in bbq
(1)
Deborah N.
This is a family favorite. When the kids are home on the holidays they will go and bring back an assortment of goodies. I have not had anything bad. I really enjoy the pulled pork and chicken. Very moist and smokey. Never seen so many Mac and cheeses and they all taste great. Not just for kids these macs appeal to all taste if you like cheese. The atmosphere is very casual. Most items are between $13 and $16. While there take a look at the salt and pepper collection. It is very large. It is located at a busy intersection so be careful leaving. On the weekends you will usually have a wait but not too long. Staff is very friendly. I love their fresh lemonade.
(5)
Jason C.
I wasn't really impressed by Roadhouse. With name like Zingerman's and pricey menu items, one would expect the food and taste to be above the standard, typical American food they advertised themselves as... indeed it was typical and over priced! I made a reservation for table for 8, got there, we got seated and the waitstaff asked what we wanted to drink, gave our drink orders, bread basket with butter was delivered. Ask for olive oil and they will bring a plate of olive oil for you; add some cracked blacked peppers and dip the warm bread - YUM! For starters, we went with Sweet Potato fries. Their fries were thick, so some were well cooked and some were undercooked, the dipping sauce make's the fries great, I think without it, it's an average, but the sauce takes it to next level. We ordered our food, I ordered the 1/2 rack of ribs with sweet potato fries and greens. While we waited for the food, the waitstaff brought us chili fries for free, so we were excited :) The chunks of the meat in the chili - OMG... the meat melts in your mouth, so tender! As for the taste of the chili, it was okay, had better chili. So, with the breads, sweet potato fries and chili fries, I was full. I wasn't sure if I could eat my main course... then it came :) All of our dishes were delivered. Great thing about dining out with friends?? You get to sample other dishes :) hahahaha I could tell the rib was smoked for a long time, based upon the color of the bone. I don't know if it was the dry rub or the sauce, but the rib did not taste that good... it was average. The green needed a lot of work... couldn't finish it... yeah... I did finish my fries :) The total price: $19. One of my buddies who ordered the Chicken Fried Steak was very disappointed with his dish. The meat was very chewy, so he told the waitstaff, the waitstaff apologized and asked if he wanted to order something else... he said no... like me, he was full... so instead of taking the plate back, the waitstaff left it on the table... and for some odd reason, the waitstaff never spoke to him the rest of the evening, as if he was blacklisted amongst us... So as we finished, the waitstaff came back and asked if we were done, the waitstaff took my empty plate, my buddies 1/3 eaten plate of chicken fried steak... again, nothing about what was being done. The waitstaff came back asking how we wanted our checks and at that time, my friend was informed that the dish would be taken off, but told him that the check for the sweet potato fries will be under him... a decision the waitstaff made without consulting my friend... Well, I went there once and gave it a try... will I go back? I don't know. I was taken back by the experience my friend went through. The manager should have came out, spoke to my friend and let my friend know what was being done! This is customer service and Zingerman is know for customer service - on this day, it was not displayed!
(3)
George P.
Been here on more than one occasion and my biggest disappointment with this place is the cost of the food, I feel like I am paying more for the "Zingerman's" brand. Will that keep me from returning? Probably not, though it will not be at the top of the list. With that out of the way, the food is good, the service is some of the best I've experienced in the region and it has a great atmosphere for celebration, for getting together with friends and family. Zingerman's is innovative in their approach to ingredient selection, food preparation: they really go to great pains to prepare sauces and sides that compliment what you are being served (which is the point of a restaurant, I hope). The service is friendly, they know the menu well and joyfully accommodate special requests (menu related). The atmosphere is part of what one would expect from a "Zingermans" brand restaurant: open, cordial, tongue-in-cheek but everything about it tells you that Zingerman's is serious about their food.
(3)
Peter C.
Food is pretty good especially if you like BBQ. It's definitely on the pricey side but if you're dining in Ann Arbor that pretty much is the norm. Excellent food with a trendy/casual atmosphere.
(4)
Pam D.
I've been to the Roadhouse many times and usually get my favorite fried chicken and sweet potato fries. This time I tried the meatball mac and mushroom Mac. Both were recommended and both were not good. It was really disappointing and I think it will be awhile before we are back at the Roadhouse.
(3)
Steve G.
One of my favorite meals in Ann Arbor. Smoked pulled pork was the best I've had. Even better than Slow's which is hard to beat. The flavor was absolutely perfect. The fried chicken was equally amazing. The service was friendly and efficient. It's not cheap, nothing from Zingerman's ever is, but definitely worth it. Can't wait to go back.
(5)
Christina K.
This ain't Applebee's people! The food price is absolutely worth it and amazing! I come here once a month at least for the past three years and I haven't been disappointed yet! Some of the highlights on the menu would be the burgers (the meat is hand ground everyday!), the Macaroni with smoked chicken and Monterey jack cheese (good eats, yes it is $17 but the portions are huge so you can always eat the rest the next day!), the chili cheese fries (must have!) and so much more! Oh and make sure you save room for dessert! The Magic Brownie Sundae or the Donut Sundae are yummy!! The service is awesome as well. You can pretty much get a sample of anything on the menu but I wouldn't go as far as getting a sample of the steak but they'll do it if you ask! The servers are very well trained and know everything about everything on the menu, they even know the ingredients in the dressings that are homemade!
(5)
David M.
Let's start with the bad news first - this place is pricey, especially for a student in A2 who is probably used to buying slices of pizza at $2 or less per. But you knew that going in; it's Zingerman's. And after traveling around the country this spring break, I have grown to appreciate the fact that what we call expensive here is what you pay for a grilled cheese sandwich in some other cities. My guests ordered the world famous Mac & Cheese (recommended by no one less than the czar of cuisine, Alton Brown), which I sampled, and of course it was just incredible. Don't think you aren't getting your money's worth; this isn't mac 'n cheese that you're going to pull off at home, even if you are good at this sort of thing. I ordered the Nashville Hot Fried Chicken since it was only available on Tuesdays, and who knows when you'll be back to Zings Roadhouse on a Tuesday. It was really hot, and really good. I might just recommend the fried chicken in general, since you will probably taste more of it and it's quite good and juicy, but if you're into spicy give the Nashville Hot a try. Don't drink the shot of buttermilk though, it might cool the tongue, but ew! It was all of our's first time there (grammar success!), and our waiter was amazingly helpful and knowledgeable about everything. He was great in helping us choose a wine despite our collective idiocy on such a topic, and brought out free samples of their BBQ and grits! The BBQ was quite good as well. My guess is that the grits were good too, but my palette is not totally receptive to the dish and never has been. I'm not sure when I'll be back, but I hope it's soon. I'm guessing it'll be sometime after April 15 when I have my tax refund check in hand.
(5)
C M.
Stilling dreaming about our poutine appetizer. This is a great place to eat if you want to spend some bucks on some extremely fine fare done with thoughtfulness and social responsibility. An Ann Arbor treasure
(5)
Honest R.
The people who complain about Zingerman's are often people who feel intimidated by class. Zingerman's Roadhouse is an expensive but amazing restaurant. The menu can a bit of a hit or miss, but most of it is a big hit. The quality of the cooking can be hit or miss too, but mostly hits. I highly recommend the five-course special dinners they do in the back room. We went for oyster day and were blown away by the quality and presentation. Of course the flavors were amazing too. The roadhouse is one of a number of Zingerman's stops worth making. Don't let the idiots on here fool you.... it's an experience! :) ps. Be sure to leave with a half-pound of their 7-year cheddar from the kitchen! It's really good and not too pricey for fancy cheese.
(5)
Rhubarb K.
As I noted in my review of the Deli, the only complaint I have with the Zingermans family is that it forces this poor graduate student to spend his hard earned cash on their delicious food that he cannot afford. One month, I think I came to the Roadhouse more than twice a week to splurge on food, only to have barely enough money to pay my rent.
(5)
Ebenezer S.
I had the fried chicken last night and the food was so delicious that I came back for lunch. I love lightly fried fries (not crispy) so this is a new favorite place for me in Ann Arbor. The sauteed spinach was well-seasoned as was the fried chicken batter. For lunch today, I had the BBQ beef -- very good but the portion was small -- and since I was still hungry, I ordered a bowl of the beef chili which was really superb. I came at 2:30 p.m. and had no problem getting a table.
(5)
Julie C.
Dropped by for dinner on a Wednesday evening and the place was packed. Luckily, we had made a reservation so we were seated quickly. The last time I tried to eat here, I didn't make a reservation and the wait was an hour, so I ended up eating somewhere else. The menu is printed daily, which I think is a pretty cool feature. Every visit to Zingerman's is a once in a lifetime moment! The bread was warm and delicious, as expected. I liked the casual atmosphere and decor. And the staff was very friendly. Two of us split the Chef Alex's Bearded BBQ Plate. The food came out split into two servings, two ribs each with BBQ beef, pulled pork, smoked chicken, mashed potatoes, and greens. Despite sharing, we both ended up stuffed and with leftovers. The ribs were my favorite, the meat fell off the bone and was tender. I also had a bite of the Arugula Pesto Macaroni, which was tasty, so I'll probably order this next time. If I wasn't so stuffed by the end of the meal, I definitely would have ordered some dessert too!
(4)
Kiersten K.
I think the fact that we eat here once a week should say it all. Really love this place. The fact that the meat is purchased from local farmers that humanely raise their meat, along with local produce.... I am sold. Favorites so far: Sweet potato fries, all their salads, all their pastas, coleslaw is the bomb. Try to go there on a Monday and have the Mondae Sundae: I wont spoil it by telling you what it is.... you just need to experience it.
(4)
Miriam S.
Why did it take me so long to acknowledge our favorite place to eat? Easy, it is part of the human condition to take for granted what it loves. From the moment we walk in, they call us by name. Now, that is classy and thoughtful. Servers and excellent food make this place. We happen to also think the world of unassuming part owner Ari, who is involved personally with the customers. They have many outstanding choices even for those of us that go easy on carbs.......The fruit salad is fresh and aromatic....of course, their coffee would make "el exigente" delighted and pleased....(for those of you that might remember the Columbian TV ad for coffee). Huevos rancheros..perfecto.....grits with cheese.....oo-la-la..they even made us enjoy spainach with bacon.....Bread is crusty and fresh....Above all, this place is human, alive, friendly.....oh.......forgot to tell....the price is right.....Really, our favorite place....
(5)
Julie M.
My favourite place to eat. Sweet potato fries, corndogs, ancho beef chili fries, CORNED BEEF HASH OMG, the fresh bread, I could go on and on. The mac & cheese with the smoked chicken is a win. The fried chicken is a WIN - and get the large order, it is even better the next day. The service is OUTSTANDING. Every employee from the chef to the person clearing tables is friendly and thank us for coming in. It's a place that I'm proud to support. The focus on local ingredients means the money is staying in our community. Reservations and call ahead seating is available.
(5)
Briza Y.
Okay, like I've said before I'm a fan of Zingerman's. And I'm easily wooed by free sweet potato fries! My parents and I came here while they were visiting for my internship graduation. My dad ordered a burger and of course he chose regular fries over sweet potato fries. My mom and I jokingly (sort of) protested and then ordered our food. A few minutes later, here comes a small plate of sweet potato fries. YUM and super sweet of the cute waiter! I ordered the Ig Vella Macaroni and it was really tasty. I only finished half and the leftovers were okay the next day. I would order it with a friend next time! :)
(5)
Rachel L.
If I had to pick one place to eat every single meal for the rest of my life (assuming health and money were infinite), I think I would choose Zingerman's Roadhouse. I've eaten here a bunch, and have only had one or two things that aren't out-of-this-world amazing. The impetus for this review was a recent brunch. Though I've had a number of lunches and dinners, this was my first Roadhouse brunch. HOLY MOLY. My grits and eggs were super yummy, as were my dining companion's heuvos rancheros. Everything was just so good! And of course, being a Zingerman's operation, the service was impeccable. We almost couldn't resist brunch dessert (a brilliant concept to which I was introduced in New York), but would never have been able to fit it in our tummies. Yes, it's pricey, but you get a good meal! Make a reservation online (yes, even for brunch) and treat yourself. I insist.
(5)
Evan H.
Every time I go to Ann Arbor, I pay a visit to the Roadhouse. Every single time I pay a visit to the roadhouse, we are paid a visit by Ari, one of the founders of the Zingerman's empire. He usually drops by to say hi, or provide some suggestions, or even a little taste of something new. I have tried all kinds of daily specials, so those wont exactly be easy to replicate nor will they be served again (maybe, who knows). I do know that the Pimento Cheese & Peppered Bacon Macaroni is the BOMB. SO freakin' good. Also the Pit Smoked Beef Brisket is spectacular. They always have great daily specials of fish, meats, veggies, often grown in their own garden or brought in from great local vendors, farmers, cattle ranches etc. The Grilled Carolina White Grits is a huge meal that I have tasted a few times. I'm not sure about the reviews who say the portions are small. Maybe they are used to a platter the size of the table of food, not too sure. The portions are always huge and always enough, with leftovers, usually. In addition to great menu choices, appetizers, the beer and wine list is always large and takes a while to digest. I always go for a local beer that doesn't make it to the east coast. The waiters we have had have always been friendly and at the top of their game. I will always come back as long as I am in A2.
(5)
Joanna L.
I headed to this outpost of Zingerman's (not to be confused with the Zingerman's in downtown Ann Arbor). The Roadhouse looks run down, but that's the style. Headed in and my friends were waiting. First thing we decided on was to share a dish of their famous mac & cheese. Now, recently on Food Network, their mac & cheese was labeled as the best comfort food in America. I'm not so sure about that... I mean, don't get me wrong, it was tasty, but best? Meh. The dish was small. I'm not sure if their dinner order is larger, but this was a small plate covered in maybe a handful of noodles. Compared to what I ordered next, I'm really not sure why this mac & cheese is considered an entree. For the entree, I ordered the fried chicken. It came with 2 pieces, one GINORMOUS (I swear it was the size of a small cornish hen). The chicken was nicely breaded and had good crunch to it. The inside was juicy and how I always imagine fried chicken. The chicken also came with mashed potatoes and cole slaw (yum!). I'm not entirely sure how this is for one person (maybe it's not really for 1 person, but I ordered it as such... and no one warned me otherwise). My friends ordered the sliders and another friend ordered the New Mexico Sandwich. They all looked good and all the dishes had a lot of food. I was just shocked by how little mac & cheese there was compared to the other entrees. Anyway, I'd go back to try the other food. Very casual environment, and a lot of delicious food options!
(4)
Neal W.
If you're a fan of American food you can't go wrong with Zingerman's Roadhouse. The menu features several takes on classic American dishes. I had the Mac & Cheese (apparently voted best in the country) and was a big fan. I also sampled some of the North Carolina BBQ and was equally impressed. I'd definitely like to go back again to try out some of the other dishes. The restaurant is located in what used to be a Bill Knapp's. I think the addition of au gratin potatoes would be an excellent homage to the former tenant.
(4)
Brian T.
I've dined at the Roadhouse dozens of times and I have finally figured them out. 1. Don't let the superior "I'm making you think I'm your new best friend" and "service recovery with a smile" dazzle you. 80% of the time, a "customized" order comes out wrong and has to be sent back to the kitchen. 2. Different portions of the same order come out at different times. 3. Presentation on the plate is non-existent. I'm no fan of a generous sprig o' parsley but the plate often looks thrown together. 4. Their greatest sin is that I asked for extra, extra crispy bacon with my breakfast order today and of the three slices I ordered, one was barely extra crispy and the bacon arrived many minutes after they served me my waffle order. Some of you may not think this is important, but for all of us extra, extra crispy bacon aficionados out there, you know what I'm talking about, right? 5. I'm beginning to think the actual preparation of these high quality ingredients is only average. Famous quote from manufacturing quality world..."who is the best chef, French or Chinese chef? Answer, Chinese because he/she can take average ingredients and make something spectacular out of it. French chef uses quality ingredients and makes something spectacular out of it." The bread and butter is the best part of the meal. Considering the prices you pay and the affected hospitality you have to put up with, all of the above shouldn't be what a diner experiences. I think my Roadhouse days are numbered. But hats off to the Zing-crew for combining marketing prowess and "balls to the wall" pricing guts because the place is always packed.
(2)
Jeff H.
This place will make you fat! Not because all the food is unhealthy (much is, some is not), but because you will not want to stop eating. Great bbq pork, amazing macaroni and cheese options. The greens are just "ok" and the service was average. Prices are a bit on the high side, but the portions are large. The best treat was the Tiny Tim Donut Sundae for dessert. Very, VERY good! Crispy doughnut, vanilla ice cream, nuts, and a yummy bourbon cream sauce. Was delicious!
(4)
David C.
It's Zingerman's folks...yes the food is on the pricier side but you certainly get what you pay for and then some; and, well, I won't spend time telling you what most of you already know...the food is great! I would like to take a moment to focus on the staff of the road house, for it was the staff that made my dinning experience one of the best I've had in Ann Arbor! It was a busy Friday night and my girlfriend and I did not have a reservation but we were willing to wait since it was our first time at the Road House. During our wait we began to chat with the front-end manager "CC". If you start a conversation with CC you don't forget her! Her charming personality and knowledge of the menu kept us entertained for our 20min wait and before we were even seated we had entree' and appetizer suggestions with beer parings! Then, we met our waitress, "Beth" and the amazing service continued! Beth added to CC's suggestions and was extremely prompt and accommodating. She brought out different dipping sauces for our appetizers that we didn't even ask for and didn't hold back with the beer and wine samples! Overall it was the service that made this experience memorable and a wonderful night out. It is why we will be repeat customers at the road house and it is why I tell anyone who is having trouble deciding where to dine to give the Road House a try!
(5)
Marquis T.
Visited this local establishment for the first time this past Friday. Heard mixed reviews about it throughout the years, but decided to give it a try on the strength of my brother's love for BBQ. Needless to say, I should have taken heed of the mixed reviews I have heard from people because this joint is overpriced and overrated. Ordered the Pulled Chicken Sandwich, while my bro ordered the BBQ platter. Both left a lot to be desired as my meat was dry and lacked flavor. The sauces they provided me with helped to add a little flavor, but the sandwich still felt it was missing something. I guess I would more or less disappointed in the size of the sandwich considering how much I paid for it. The BBQ platter seemed like it was decent. But again given the price, one would expect more. In short, if you are a diehard BBQ fanatic it would probably be in your best interest to look elsewhere. Overpriced and overrated...
(2)
Sean M.
Very overrated. Dharma's description of Zingerman's Roadhouse as upscale comfort food is about right. There's a major problem with this model, though: the price tag combined with mediocre food does not leave me feeling very comfortable. It's a shame. I really want to like the Roadhouse, and I've been back a few times trying to like it. They use good quality ingredients and the service is always friendly (but not always competent - when visiting for a friend's birthday, they somehow managed to skip us in the list for a table and then, after that was sorted out, forget that they'd seated us). The food, though, doesn't justify the price, and shows that good, carefully selected ingredients put together in weird proportions, uncarefully, or with shocking amounts of salt or oil is just a waste of the ingredients. The food isn't bad (and is often pretty good), but it falls short of what it should be and what you pay for.
This place can get nothing but five stars in my mind. The food is just insanely good. I highly recommend the pimento cheese as an appetizer. I love the pulled pork sandwich as well. Their draft beer selection can't be beat. This place is my wife and I's favorite restaurant. Period. That isn't a statement I would make lightly. Yes, the wait times are long, but make a reservation. Lots of people want to eat there because their food is good. Fairly simple. As far as complaints I saw from others about the prices- yes, the prices are higher than Applebee's, but you are getting absolutely outstanding food and drink. Much higher quality than uppity places charging 40 or 50 bucks for a main course.
(5)
Louise K.
Delicious! The Roadhouse may be crowded, but the FOOD is worth the wait! Enjoyable dishes are as follows: Ribs Fried Chicken Cheesecake Fried Catfish The drinks are nice(root beer right out of the bottle!) Every time I go here I leave satisfied.
(5)
Moose F.
Sure, I'll be review #92358 of this place. I've been to Zingerman's Roadhouse about 5 times now, and always for dinner. The food is pricey, but in this case I really think it's a "get what you pay for." They strive to use local ingredients, the quality is high, the service is awesome. I love this place, but the price keeps it from being a frequent dinner place. I finally had a chance to try their brunch. Despite all the tourists [I swear 90% of the parking lot had out-of-state plates] we risked it. We got there just before it became completely insane and were seated immediately. As we were starving we started off with some tasty bits. One friend likes sweet-potatoes so he got a small order of the sweet-potato fries. Looking into the basket he was astonished at how big it was. They were thick and crispy and he devoured about half before his main dish arrived. He was the only person at the table who liked sweet-potatoes, though, so I can't tell you how they were. He loved 'em. My other friend and I shared the biscuits with chocolate-bacon gravy. We were originally going to share it 3 ways but Sweet-potato didn't like it. The waitress told us that she found people either loved it or hated it. The gravy is very much like a mole' sauce, with that bitter chocolate taste, but wasn't spicy. The bacon chunks and the biscuits really made it amazing, but very, very rich. Sweet-potato got a "Grits 'n' Bits Waffle" -- a waffle made from grits, cheese and bacon bits. I made him give me a taste and it was awesome. The textures went impressively well together and the tastes were just incredible. I need to go back and get one of these for myself. The other two of us got the invent-your-own omelet. The potatoes with it were perfectly cooked. Mine was made with "wild mushrooms," "local greens," and 2-yr cheddar [as opposed to 4 yr cheddar which -- I asked -- is a bit sharper but dryer and doesn't melt as well or another one of the cheese choices], my friend got provolone, "wild mushrooms" and sausage. We both got sourdough bread for toast. She loved her sour cherry preserves. I got blueberry preserves which I actually ate -- I am not usually a preserves/jam person. I was extra piggy [ha! I amuse myself] and got some bacon slices. I wanted the peppered bacon but they were out. The applewood smoked bacon was tasty nonetheless. The waitress was great, helpful and attentive without being overbearing. With coffee, tax and tip it was not quite $20 for a slightly spendy brunch that was oh so very yummy, full of good and different tastes, and very filling. And now, I shall burp. Excuse me.
(5)
Mark S.
Wow. This place has some seriously good chow. Bit on the pricey side for me, but I'd hazard a guess the food I didn't try is well worth the dough. Got a $7 dessert that looks small, but I can't really complain. Seem like a place to go for special occasions or if you're swimming in loot. Service was ace.
(4)
Andrew F.
[For the full review with pictures, see the link to my blog on my profile.] The buttermilk fried chicken is faultless, as is the espresso mousse. Though, despite giving them three chances, they seem incapable of cooking a burger medium rare.
(3)
John T.
Zingerman's Roadhouse has a serious rep for good food. On my first visit, I had dinner there with a few friends. Based on my menu selections, though, this restaurant is over-hyped and way over-priced. I ordered fried okra and the corn dogs for appetizers. The okra was OK not great. The corn dogs were very good, but how can you go wrong with battered and deep-fried hot dogs and spicy mustard? That's a no-brainer so no big score for Zingerman's there. For the main entree I ordered the chicken bog. It was good, however it was very bland and soupier than I expected. I was expecting something a little drier in texture. Again, not bad, but not amazing either and amazing is what I was expecting based on reviews and word of mouth. While I am absolutely 100% on-board with supporting local farmers, I felt that $23.50 for what was essentially a big bowl of chicken rice soup was way overboard even if the chicken came from a local farm. I did not order dessert so I can't comment, though the Mississippi Mudd and the gelato sounded pretty good. The restaurant is decorated in a fun, boisterous and casual way. If you're old enough like me to have eaten at the Bill Knapp's restaurant that used to be there you'll be amazed at how different (and better) the building is now that the Z crew has moved in. Our waitperson was stellar. Actually, all of the employees were cheerful, knowledgeable and very helpful and accommodating. I get the Zingerman's "mystique" but I think the time has come for folks to just take a deep breath and step back a little. The Z crew has a good gig going and definitely serves some good food but their restaurants just aren't all they're cracked up to be IMHO. I think there are restaurants that serve food just as good or better at better prices. I know I'll be stoned in the public square for saying that but oh well. My review and rating might change based on future visits and future menu selections. All in all, it was a fun, relaxing dinner with friends. Will I go back? Sure, someday. Will I be a regular? No. To me the prices are way high and while some folks might be attracted to having 100 different choices to make for each ingredient in a given menu item, it just shouldn't require that much mental effort to order good food. If I do go back I will try either one of the mac-n-cheeses or a burger...I think those were the only menu items that seemed fair on price even if a burger does cost $15 or more and some of the mac-n-cheeses were close to $20.
(3)
M M.
My favorite weekend brunch with friends/ weekday lunch with book/ brisket sandwich and tea drive through spot. When not in Ann Arbor, I crave their burgers, mac & cheese, sweet potato fries, and fried chicken. This is one of the reasons I'll really miss A2 when I move. The Roadhouse is actually not overrated. It's just comfort food done right. And, I love comfort food, especially in the form of a burger slathered in pimento cheese and an order of sweet potato fries.
(5)
Dee W.
During my sister's graduation weekend, we celebrated Mother's Day brunch here. Staff here were super friendly and were able to accommodate our large group of 18 people without a problem. I was able to pre-order fruit plates and pastry baskets in advance which they had ready. Brunch was truly delicious and not a single person complained about your dish. In fact, there was quite some silence as we all dug into our meal and couldn't stop eating! My son and I shared the corned beef hash which is probably a terrific way to sneak in celery and red peppers into his meal without him noticing. We also snuck bites of that delicious chocolate bacon gravy over biscuits! YUM! Overall, fantastic service and delicious food that was able to handle some of the pickiest eaters, vegetarians, and a sister who is allergic to half the world!
(4)
Wally N.
Fried chicken. Cheese plates. Worth it every time.
(5)
Jim M.
Too many great things to express about dining here. Chef Alex and the team serve up a wonderful experience. You won't be disappointed.
(5)
Hank's Dad R.
This really is one of those special places! The young hostess seated us, chatting very genuinely the whole time, finding out that the wife and I were here for the first time, welcoming us. A very nice start to the experience. Our server was slow once in getting refills, and slow about getting a desert menu to us, but was very knowledgeable and charming. The atmosphere is wonderful, bright beautiful decor. I have a hearing problem, and though they were extremely crowded, it wasn't so noisy as to make it hard for me to hear conversation at our table, which is a wonderful bonus for me. My meal was the chicken fried steak which wasn't very good, and the wife's mac & cheese wasn't outstanding, but everything else was fantastic food wise. The three sides I had were fries, grilled corn on the cob, and potato salad. All three were very good, especially the fries. The wife had the crab cake appetizer, and it was wonderful. I should mention the couple we went with both also had the chicken fried steak, and both liked theirs. The place is expensive, you pay for the organic food they serve. But it is worth it on an occasional basis. And I had my very first oyster! It was wonderful, I can't wait to have more.
(5)
Rachel P.
Much like the deli, they let you try stuff at Zingerman's Roadhouse (why don't all restaurants do this? I would love it). When one of us were deciding what cheese to get on a burger, we just asked for samples to make the decision. I also had a sample of the pimento mac and cheese after I finished eating, just because I live so far away and I wanted to try it. Mondays at lunch at least there's a nice burger special of a burger with cheese and a side salad for $13. My boyfriend and his brother both got that (one getting a meat burger and one getting the veggie burger, which I tried and was good). I decided on the mac and cheese with salad lunch special, which was a good decision. The salad was simple but tasty and had really delicious housemade ranch. The mac and cheese seemed like a tiny portion, but it was so incredibly rich and filling that it was plenty. Again this is a bit expensive, but I think that it's worth it. The customer service here is just as wonderful as at their other locations, and the ability to try things is again fantastic.
(5)
Jennifer V.
I'm re-rating the Roadhouse because I didn't think they could surprise me anymore and they absolutely did! Well played, Roadhouse. Well friggen' played. I hit up the Roadhouse (for the umpteenth time) for a late lunch today with my sister and brother-in-law. They apparently have po'boys on occasion as their lunch special, which was total news to me! I decided to order the Andouille sausage po'boy because, let's face it, I love me some sausage. I was absolutely BLOWN away by sandwich! It was completely amazing. The sausage was of phenomenal flavor and quality, with just the right amount of heat. It was also cooked to absolute perfection and served on a soft yet toasty baguette with some sort of tasty mayonnaise and shredded lettuce, with their yummy fries complete with Cajun seasoning. I can't recommend this po'boy enough!! Oh, and since I didn't mention it before... The Sprecher's on-tap Root Beer is to DIE for.
(5)
Tracy W.
We were in Ann Arbor for a very short stay and were looking for some place local to eat. Zingerman's Road House was recommended and we had a very good meal. We were told ahead of time that there would probably be a wait (it popular) and it would not be cheap. When we arrived we were told it would be an hour wait. Indecision - wait or not. While we were deciding we asked about bar seating - it's first come first served. We saw that several people were getting ready to leave, so we hovered around them and scored 2 seats. Our seats looked into the kitchen area and we were entertained through the whole meal watching the cooks and servers (man they move fast!). Our waitress was there when we needed her and helpful with suggestions. The food was really good. I recommend this place - but do yourself a favor and call ahead for reservations.
(4)
Bob M.
we ate there on a Sunday night. I had the Pit smoked beef, it was very tender and tasty but not traditional BBQ. they smoke it, then braise it. That came with mashed potatoes and collards. the collards were very good. the potatoes tasty too. I tried a side of mac and cheese as well. it was good, but seemed thrown together, not baked after wards like most of that type, Rigatoni with a bechemel sauce and cheese. The girlfriend had the smoked chicken mac and cheese i believe . She liked it and i tasted it as well and it was good. The prices were a bit on the high side for this type of food, but not outrageous. It was $65 for two dinners, one side and two drinks (not top shelf). I would return to try something else.
(3)
Kim C.
The place was packed when I arrived. I suggest that you make reservations ahead of time to get seated quickly and luckily I did that. Also, I didn't know the menu changed daily, which is a cool feature. I had dinner here on a Wednesday and got the Chef Alex's Bearded BBQ Plate. I was glad that I ended up splitting the platter because it was huge and I still had some leftovers. Great service, the waitress was very attentive and nice. I will definitely go back to Zingerman's Roadhouse again.
(4)
Julie D.
Zingerman's is my place of choice for any special gathering or when I am in the mood for food that won't disappoint. Sure, you'll pay a pretty penny here, but they also use local fresh food. I have NEVER had a bad meal, side dish, drink, dessert or service (which is just as important as the food) at Zingerman's. I would say avoid during peak weekend dinner hours if you do not like to wait.
(5)
Chris G.
Out-of-town guests always want to go here because it's famous. They're usually complimentary once the meal is over, but also disappointed. You have to admit the ingredients and cooking technique are impeccable, but the recipes are just not exceptional. As townies, we don't get very excited when we know we're going there. Examples from last night: The $18 grilled grits had the usual outstanding grilled corn flavor, but this time the balance of the dish tipped too much toward heat (peppers, green onions) and the corn flavor got lost. The sweet potato fries were fine; they are distinguished from those at other restaurants by being big wedges rather than strips. They're very salty and altogether tasty, but the size of the portion is overwhelming, even for five people, and would have been a main-course spoiler if we hadn't held back. I saw other tables being cleaned off with easily half of this dish left behind by the diners. The farro piccolo, a heritage grain served in a mushroom-cheese sauce, was rich and satisfying (read: unfinishable) but, jeez, it should at least have a garnish or something. It was basically a big flat plate of brown stuff. Presentation score 0. The burgers are good, but not amazing or memorable. The smoke from the grill smells incredible from the street, but the barbeque is just "pretty good." And so on. Last night, among five people and five dishes shared, nobody said "wow." The service is adequate but over-rated. They certainly train their people to be talkative, personal, quick, team-like, and fairly well-informed about the food, but there's an extra zing that's just not there (in my opinion). For one thing, I'd prefer to have servers who are more flexible, i.e. who don't get sniffy when you want to choose your own five cheeses for the 5-mini-burger sampler (that's why you have a cheese menu, guys!). Finally, don't go here if you want to have conversation. A couple of the rooms are incredibly loud due to the room surfaces. Luckily, the tables are spaced fairly well so you don't actually understand the shouted conversations at the next table, but you WILL be shouting on a busy night. There are a couple of corner booths where the noise level is workable and the grill bar isn't too bad. They have live music in the summers outside, but they need better control of the outdoor grill's smoke and, for some reason, the flies on calm nights. Sorry, Zingerman's, I wish I could be more euphoric. I'll take your deli any day.
(2)
Missy C.
Growing up in the South and then living in Ann Arbor Area for 28 years it has always been hard to find good fried chicken. Not anymore, I just head over to Zingermans RoadHouse. It is authentic, dipped in egg and the coating is great. No, I don't eat fried chicken much but when I get hungery for it, this is where I go. Another favorite dish is the free range, mushroom salad.
(5)
Natalie M.
I love this place. I love the attitude, the decor, the customer service, the crafty tone to everything Zingerman's does, and especially the food. The fried chicken and mashed potatoes tastes like they hijacked a grandma from North Carolina and employed her to do her magic at the Roadhouse. So freakin' good. Their Traverse City cherry pop is fizzy and marvelous, too. Love the clamshells lining the building's landscaping and love the Airstream drive-thru trailer even more. Gush. Zingerman's is the bomb. Flat out.
(5)
Kate M.
After a year of living in A2, I finally made it to dinner at the Roadhouse. I was lucky enough to photograph an event for 826 earlier in the year here, but it was a special, Mediterranean one-time only menu (phenomenal, by the way), so I hadn't yet tasted any of Zingerman's signature dishes. Signature dishes we tried: the roasted chicken, corn, and pepper mac-n-cheese, spare ribs, mini burgers, and fried chicken. I tasted everything and everything was mmm-mmm good. A bit appalled at the mac-n-cheese price ($18?!), but considering I ordered it as my main dish, shared it multiple bites with everyone at the table, and still had enough for my lunch at work the next day, I suppose it's a fair deal. The fried chicken was so tasty: crispy, salty, but not dried out. All in all, very good American food. That said, for (largely) unhealthy American menu, it's not a cheap place! I understand they use very primo ingredients, etc, but it's still not a place I could afford to come to often (thanks for footing the bill this time, Dad!) I was also a little put off by the super rowdy MIchigan football fans sitting at the bar watching the game. $18 macaroni and busted eardrums don't mix well. Not that it's Zingerman's fault, but take your superfandom elsewhere, maybe? I'm tryin' to enjoy my high-class mac-n-cheese. =)
(4)
Kristen M.
If I could give five 3.5 stars, I would. I always go in with very high expectations, but leave a little disappointed. During my most recent visit, I had the London broil. It was tasty, nothing spectacular and the meat was a little dry. Sweet potato fries are always solid and I had a very delicious drink called a Knickerbocker (although it was a little weak). My fiance had the chopped pork sandwich, which was decent but not memorable. The server was very nice and knowledgeable about the menu. For me, the Roadhouse is usually not worth the money or the wait.
(3)
Aubrey W.
Two words: Worth it! My boyfriend and I stayed overnight with a friend in Ann Arbor. The next morning, with our stomachs rumbling, so we all headed for Zingerman's. Considering it was Sunday, we expected a wait, but after about 30 minutes we were seated with drink orders placed. Now, The average breakfast plate is somewhere around $12, which may seem a little steep for breakfast. However, Zingerman's uses locally grown ingredients and offers generous portions. You can get a cheaper breakfast elsewhere, but you won't have this kind of quality. First up, my mocha. Rich chocolate with earthy espresso was a "sweet, but not too sweet" start to the meal. Next we ordered a round of doughnuts. These were deep fried works of art: a warm, soft dough with a crumbly crust, topped with rich, dark brown sugar. There's nothing like this at Dunkin Donuts. When it comes to breakfast, I usually opt for the savory, but once I saw the Fasten on the menu, I had to have it. The crispy baguette with the subtle citrus flavor and perfectly topped with a brown sugar and banana sauce, was absolutely incredible. Thankfully, my boyfriend ordered the biscuits and gravy, so I was able to sample a bit of the savory breakfast options. The consistency of the gravy reminded me of clam chowder: thick, rich, and full of flavor. Topped with some scrambled (cage free) eggs, if I wasn't so pleased with my Fasten, I would have ordered this. Together we shared a side of applewood bacon, there really isn't much you can do wrong here. It's bacon! I will say though, it is more chewy than crispy. If you prefer crispy bacon, request it that way. At the end of our meal, our server Chris asked us if we enjoyed it. Our Ann Arbor friend, Anthony, said that he loves it and has been bringing out-of-town friends here for years. Chris then offered to buy us dessert! What a guy. Soon a blueberry shortcake and vanilla gelato were on their way. We just had a delightful experience and when we return to Ann Arbor, we will be sure to patronize Zingerman's Roadhouse again.
(5)
Rala S.
I liked the actual restaurant's atmosphere, but the food isn't really all that great. I should have probably splurged for the mac and cheese but $20 just seemed like highway robbery for that dish - so I got a burger. The burger was good, but again wasn't the best I'd ever had. I expected more. The bread though, of course, was delicious.
(2)
D T.
Have not been here for a long time, but went twice in last month. Wow, everything was really amazing. BBQ is great, loved the soups, salads and the steak with honey and rosemary was very good. Service was truly exceptional
(5)
Rachel B.
YUM YUM YUM. Classy but comfortable, homemade cheeses and breads. Amazing and unique sweet potato fries. A MUST buy.
(5)
Stuart D.
First, a note of clarification: I do not associate a rating with the simple expense of a meal. Perceived value should certainly come to play, but not just the dollar amount of the check. Second, a note about that note: this is not an inexpensive menu. Some of the prices are appropriately matched to the dish provided (the Prince Edward Island Mussels are really quite wonderful), while other dishes are an interesting miss (the Chopped Pork BBQ Sandwich is actually a bit skimpy). That being said, the level of service CAN really make up for any issues in value. Let's be clear... it's always amazing to have servers that are pleasant, on the ball, and willing to spend time with you to help make selections. It is an entirely different thing when the whole restaurant is built on a culture to please their guests. For instance, you can sample anything. I mean anything. That may include having the kitchen sacrifice a beautiful cut of fish just to let a guest sample a dish. Just think: the solution to the skimpy Chopped Pork BBQ Sandwich that I mention above is simply talking with the server and mentioning that it just seems a bit underwhelming. You should have a small additional plate of Chopped Pork BBQ delivered without any questions asked. I've seen it happen. In addition to what has been previously mentioned, the dishes we've tried have included the Pit Smoked Beef Brisket (which is unfortunately pulled instead of sliced), Pit Smoked Spare Ribs (which are tasty but I find the bones to be brittle), Roadhouse Macaroni & Cheese (amazing), Macaroni, Smoked Chicken & Monterey Jack (the fire-roasted New Mexico green chiles were a bit too hot and overpowering when we had it), Roadhouse Burger (lovely), and we've never gone wrong with any of the appetizers yet. When you get to dessert, don't forget that the Roadhouse is connected to the Roadshow trailer which often has some other Zingerman's bakery treats to fill your needs. This is a great destination that is always busy but reservations can save you some time. Explore the menu and try something different now and then. And if you think something is amiss, test out the service level and see how far it goes. Enjoy!
(5)
Steve S.
Best sandwiches, period. The line/wait to order is beyond the point of annoyance but completely worth it. 100%
(5)
Chelsea M.
We headed here to celebrate a birthday having heard this place has some excellent BBQ. Come to find out it is pretty tasty, however I feel it was kinda over priced. Chris really enjoyed his BBQ pork platter with a mixture of the mustard and tomato based BBQ sauces. He described it as "good, really good" but it seemed to be lacking something. Not to mention for nearly $20 there wasn't a whole lot of food on the plate. The burger I had was tasty. The beef was of the grass fed variety and had an excellent texture and flavor. Aside from that the rest of my meal was just alright. The side of sauteed spinach was decent and the sweet potato fries were crispy and flavorful. Unfortunately nothing during our meal really stood out as- "WOW! We've got to come back here and have this again!" To their credit the service was excellent! The waitress was friendly and attentive. She made good suggestions for drinks and entrees and was never pushy. It is unfortunate the food wasn't more memorable. We'll probably go back and give a a couple different entrees a try in the future.
(3)
Crystal P.
Ladies night out with a few out of town friends. I have only been here once since I've been living in the area so came to re-visit to give my taste buds a reminder and it was good! To start I had the bacon potato soup, it was okay...I tried my friend's mushroom soup and that was much better (definitely going with that choice next time) For my main dish I had the bbq sampler(pork, beef, and chicken) with the mac n cheese (instead of mashed potatoes at of course an extra charge) and the greens. (Greens were good but not broken down enough; I felt like an animal basically putting whole leaves of collards in my mouth). All the meat on the sampler was very good and tender with good flavors. My friends and I split the donut sundae an extreme sugary indulgence for sure. I would come here again to try more of the mac n' cheese and some other items that looked tasty. The three stars are mostly due to the price of everything; my bill was over $50 for soup, a drink, and a main dish.
(3)
Christine E.
How can plain old butter taste so good? This is the most significant thought that I took away from my experience with Zingerman's Roadhouse. Less horrendously expensive than the sandwich shop (only $11 for your breakfast instead of $15 - what a joke) and staffed with some of the nicest people ever. I will say that their Hollandaise sauce was less flavorful than I had hoped/expected. Waffle was very good but not necessarily memorable. Other than that, though, everything was top notch, from the tea to the cinnamon roll to the French toast to the side order of potatoes. But the butter is seriously the best thing - you have to try it for yourself to understand. I had the waitress package what I didn't use, 'cause it's that good. Would definitely visit more often if it were more affordable.
(4)
Jeff W.
I can't say enough positive things about this place. Make sure to get a brownie to go or swing by the coffee shop on the way out too. Both are amazing!
(5)
Chad C.
Z.R. runs into the same tendency as their deli - just because all the ingredients you use are all of the highest grade, it doesn't mean that what you put together will taste really good. That's why chefs/cooks make a big difference. Now, Z.R. has good ones and has many wonderful dishes, but when you're paying Zingerman's prices, you expect all of them to taste good. They, however, do aim to please! Service is a Zingerman's hallmark. The beer list is outstanding; this is where I ran into Dragonmead's "Final Absolution." And you'd be hard pressed to find a better bourbon list this side of Kentucky!
(3)
Jess O.
I've dined at Zingerman's Roadhouse a few times and I still don't get what all the hype is about. The food is average and, while I can appreciate some of the unique creations on the menu, the cost just isn't worth it. The last time I ate there I enjoyed the first few bites of my entree - so much so that I thought Zingerman's just may have won me over. But as I ate on I found the dish to be overpoweringly salty and almost impossible to finish. I don't care for the atmosphere, either, as it's often so noisy and jam-packed full of people that I can barely hold a conversation with the person sitting next to me. Hopefully I've learned my lesson and will find a new place to try the next time I want upscale American food.
(2)
Rebecca W.
I think my Zingerman's appreciation gene is recessive. Or maybe I'm missing it altogether. I like Zingerman's. I guess I just don't see what the big deal is. My food is never SO good that I don't feel a bit of a twinge when it comes time to pay. My feelings go for for both the deli and the roadhouse, but this review of course is focused on The Roadhouse. After we finished, I realized that the meal I had was basically identical to my meal at the Blue Tractor a month or so ago: pulled pork sandwich, sweet potato fries, cole slaw, and a stout. Notable differences: -Zingerman's mustard slaw was MUCH better than BT's creamy cole slaw -From the BT, I brought home a lunch's worth of leftovers. At Zingerman's I finished my plate. The portion was not skimpy--maybe I was just hungrier. -Zingerman's cost $5 more. Don't get me wrong--the pork was very tasty, and so were the fries--huge honkin' hunks of sweet potato, instead of little fried bits (I can get behind both styles). Just....not any tastier than pulled pork and sweet potato fries I've had elsewhere in town. For 2/3 the cost. Maybe to understand what all the hype is about, you have to commit to fish, or ribs, or something more extravagant (ahem, expensive?) to begin with. Maybe pulled pork and turkey sandwiches only get so good. Dunno. While I've always had good food at Zingerman's establishments (ok, extrapolating beyond the Roadhouse again here), I've never yet had something that I couldn't get just as good, for less, elsewhere.
(3)
M D.
This place has been going downhill lately regarding the quality, portion size, and value of the food. For example, I went there on Monday of this week with my girlfriend. Our salad tasted funny and was small. Her fish (the trout, a special for that day) was overlooked, tough, and bland. And my surf and turf (crab stuffed tomato and a steak) dish had a well done steak (when I order medium rare). We both walked away hungry and disappointed -- and this wasn't the first time. This used to be one of my favorite places....but lately they have been putting out exceedingly small portions (especially of the protein) and not cooking the dishes up to expectations. This is tough to swallow when they charge very high prices. Also....don't bother sitting outside when the smoker is on....unless you want to smell like a campfire. C'mon - move the smoker guys! One more point: I order takeout breakfast here, but your staff frequently gets my order wrong. Please have attention to detail so I don't get all the way home to find out I'm missing the jam for my toast, an item in my omelette, and milk for my oatmeal! So frustrating when breakfast for two costs north of 50 bucks. The potential is there to make and serve excellent food. Just do better please. I am a foodie and have certain expectations - but you guys have a ways to go. So here's a summary: Pros: 1) very friendly staff - keep up the good work here. 2) good beer and wine selection 3) good cheese 4) ok tasting BBQ and steak (when not overcooked) 5) focus on American food 6) excellent coffee and tea Cons: 1) food is not prepared at a quality I would expect - it has been going downhill too. 2) portion size is VERY small 3) prices are too high for the amount and quality of the food you get in return 4) hard to sit outside when smoker is on 5) the takeout station consistently makes mistakes, they frequently don't know what's on the menu or the specials, and they are slow on the phone when taking your order Hope this helps and really hope this place gets back on track.
(2)
Mick C.
My second time at the Roadhouse and I once again left underwhelmed. While the commitment to local, sustainable food is commendable, and the service outstanding, I found many dishes to be rather bland. However, my palate tends to favor dishes with spice or strong flavors, so admit a little bias. We had: Green Tomato Mussels - The spicy, sweet sauce completely overwhelmed the delicate, plump mussels. An indicator of a great sauce is my desire to dip lots of bread into it; in this case, I just left the sauce ot one side. Sweet Potato Fries - Generous portion, with a spicy kick - very good. Crab Cakes - Disappointing - Visually, the two small brown cakes on a large white plate did not appear appetizing and lacked any flavor or freshness. Scallops - Cooked perfectly, the best dish of the night Chef Alex's Bearded BBQ Plate - For $28, included 5 small portions of BBQ and foregettable mashed potatoes and greens. The chicken and the ribs were cooked beautifully, with other portions ok.
(3)
Garrett G.
Ok so it is so interesrting to see so many reviews all over the place!! Here are my thoughts: If you truly thought the food was bad, something must of been off. The roadhouse serves lots of things, but one thing they don't serve is bad food. If you had a bad customer service experience that is the exception, and that person is probably no longer employed there. Offering samples of dishes is such a great idea, and it really helps people make a good food choice. The restaurant is great, the food is great, but it is just too expensive for me to be able to frequent here .
(4)
Ajay S.
Went here for breakfast on the way back to Chicago. The breakfast was good and the orange juice was freshly squeezed. Would definately go again. On issue was sitting outside it was a little load with a crew cleaning the bbq grill. Will return.
(4)
Alan W.
Good Food! Been here a few times; good service, good food, and decent decor. I like the place, but find some of the food too expensive. Depends on what you order.
(3)
Andrew M.
The Roadhouse is easily one of the most overrated restaurants in Ann Arbor. The food was average at best, and somewhat dry. I'd rate the food a 3, but given the prices, it's not really worth it. Other Zingerman's establishments, however, are worth a try.
(2)
F T.
Pretty disappointed with this visit to the Roadhouse. Our service was average at best, and the wine list was longer, but not really any better than a decent casual dining chain's. Of course, our food was delicious, albeit overpriced. When I go to a Zingerman's I expect the very best. This is what happens after years of receiving the best quality food with great service in a unique atmosphere. This trip did not meet any of those expectations. I also find it difficult to pay $20+ for an entree at a place with a view of their old Airstream in the parking lot that sells coffee and pastries as a drive-thru. Also disappointing were the chairs on the patio. They are too low for the tables and incredibly uncomfortable. I felt too short at 6'3".
(3)
Josh R.
I have been to many restaurants in my time and this one by far threw me off. It seems to be very popular and the decor is nice inside. Its a clean looking restaurant, so my girlfriend and I decided to eat there on 7/26/13 for lunch. Well we get seated and our server hands us their lunch menu and everything is around $15 per plate. Which is fine if the food reflects the price. Then our server tries to push the mac n cheese dishes, for $15 a plate I sort of laughed. I have never seen mac n cheese so costly it was kind of ridiculous. So I decide on fried perch and she gets a salad with soup. Well the perch came out greasy and stuck together like it was out of a Gordons frozen fish box and ive had better fries at McDonald's. It came with 5 small pieces of perch and their homeade tartar sauce was terrible. Id rather use ketchup. For a $15.50 plate for lunch I was disappointed as was my girlfriend with the salad. We can say we wont be back to this place thats for sure. Hope your visit is better than ours was and this review gives you insight on the perch.
(1)
Kensey W.
i've been here twice now, once for brunch and once for dinner. both times, i've found it to be meh. the price tag is the least of the problem (the brunch was actually pretty cheap) - i believe in the quality of ingredients at zingerman's but that doesn't change the fact that the food is just not that tasty. for brunch, i had a eggs benedict with crab. the hollandaise on it was incredibly bland. the potatoes served on the side were also bland and tasted like someone boiled and then baked them with no seasoning. (i used a lot of pepper and ketchup and it just tasted like peppered ketchup, which was okay i guess.) the portion was large though, so at least it was filling if not satisfying. as for dinner, i had fried chicken, after which, our server made sure to name drop mario batali as a frequent orderer of said dish. the fried chicken itself was decent and worth trying but not worth ordering again. there wasn't enough breading (i would believe if it were baked fried chicken) and the chicken was a little dry as chicken tends to be. my friend had a burger, which looked good, but the bun was overextending the meat, which is a personal pet peeve of mine when it comes to burgers. another friend got pulled pork sandwich which came with three sauces and was tasty, but in a way where i'm sure i've had better somewhere else. another friend got goat cheese mac and cheese, which was fantastic, flavorful, and right amount of gooeyness. i would get that next time if i liked eating large amounts of pasta. the best thing about this place is the service. they are very accommodating about switching out sides for other sides and giving you lots of options with your food. our server was friendly and knowledgeable and brought us some delicious cheese to sample while we waited for our food (yes, my opinion can be bought with delicious cheese). i wish i could give them five stars just for the services, but the food really was just a-ok.
(3)
Tyler B.
The Roadhouse has two major barriers to me being gaga, five stars in love with it - it's expensive and it's not downtown. Now these may be trivial aspects for some, but this is my review, I'll criticize anything I want. I ended up here because the girlfriend wanted a bloody mary for brunch and claimed these were the best. Besides she was aghast that I'd never been. Offering to pick up the check was all the arm twisting she had to do. I can't vouch for the bloody mary (other than to say it looked like a delicious, professionally made cocktail) but they do have a fine selection of beers on tap. Regardless, the main selling points turned out to be that the service is quite incredible and the beef brisket is to die for. I'd note that you get what you pay for, except the portion size left me wanting more. Lots more. So anyone who wants to drive me out here and pay for my meal, I'm in. I'm already contemplating having the brisket again or trying my luck on something new. Ah the eternal conundrum...
(4)
Holly M.
The service alone could make this place a 5 star all the way! Wow! While visiting MI for work this past week I was introduced to Zingermans Bakehouse and the Roadhouse, nice, eh? The Roadhouse had some awesome comfort food, exactly what I was looking for when I am away from Boston. I had the Turkey Hot Brown and it was delicious. I'm a little embarrassed to tell you that I ate every last bite on the plate. It was that good. Our server was super attentive to our needs and honestly made the dining experience. She totally rocked and was so honest and helpful, I was really impressed. My coworkers had a burger (outstanding) and a chicken special. Both were impressed. If I am ever back in MI again, I am going back to Roadhouse for sure!
(5)
Erika K.
Ask about half-sized portions! I went to the Roadhouse for a quick breakfast this morning and was pleasantly surprised by my bill. The waiter asked if I wanted a half portion or full portion of the steel cut oatmeal I wanted. I ordered the half size and it was more than enough; besides being rich and delicious, it was only $2.50! With a cup of awesome coffee (which I had refilled a couple of times gratis), the bill was only $5 before tax. I would take $2.50 steel cut oatmeal over a cheap, greasy sandwich from other places any day of the week.
(5)
Vanessa F.
Over priced for nasty mac n cheese. Nothing on the menu but ribs and mac. Never again. If you want the zingerman's experience go downtown, or to the bakehouse.
(1)
Amy Y.
They have great All American food. They have good prime ribs and snow crabs. Don't know if they still have the all you can eat on Mondays but I use to go then. The sweet potatoes are huge and yummy. Get that loaded up with butter and sugar. MMM! You definitely get a big portion served here.
(5)
mariah c.
I figured out the secret of catfish consumption here! So, I liked the taste of the catfish dinner, but picking it off the bone? Not so much. However, yesterday I dropped in for lunch. While the Roadhouse isn't usually in my lunch orbit (or budget), the lovely Colleen C was in town and I wanted to show her someplace a little special. So, the Roadhouse it was! I was eagerly eying all sorts of options -- though avoiding the mac and cheese knowing that would = instant food coma mid-afternoon. I came upon the catfish po-boy! Perhaps it's only on the lunch menu, but I'd never noticed it before. I was sold! It was divine. The perfect slight sweet-spiciness of the pepper with the breaded catfish, on a super hearty roll was one special lunch indeed. The fries were ok, but it was hard for them to measure up to that darn sammich. Loved it so much that I ate the second 1/2 for dinner. For those of you who have a hankering for catfish but don't want the work of bone-pickin', go fo' the po' boy!
(5)
Diane T.
I'm usually a big fan of the zingerman's monopoly, but I found the roadhouse to be so so. I ordered the braised goat with sweet potato mash, which pretty much sounds amazing in theory. However, this was probably the chewiest, crunchest, toughest goat I've ever had. The atmosphere was also extremely loud. Even on a Friday night at 10pm, I still felt like I had to yell across the table. Maybe they were just having an off night, but next time I'm in Ann Arbor, I'm skipping the roadhouse and heading straight to the deli!
(3)
Mike C.
This piece of the zingerman's empire is mostly a good experience for diners. The bread is always top-notch (perhaps the best zingerman's product). If you order carefully, you can get some really tasty food. The pit-smoked meat, barbecued meat, oak-grilled meat, etc., is very good. Basically it's good cuts of meat cooked over a wood fire, which provides you with all kinds of wonderful smoky flavors. Desserts can be a bit disappointing at times. I've noticed that sometimes special items on the menu, including desserts, can be a bit of a bust. Prices are on the high side. Zingerman's spends a good deal of energy telling us all how great they are, how they have the best ingredients from all over the world, etc etc. Clearly, their business plan is working. I have to say that I find it a bit much, however. My petty gripes aside, I keep coming back to The Roadhouse because they serve up good food, really good wood-fired meat, and fantastic bread.
(4)
Jen R.
This restaurant was hands down the best I've ever been to. The entire meal was delicious down to the iced tea. A friend who had been there before gave me recommendations and so I had some of their best items including oysters (covered in liquor and salt), a side of mac and cheese (the best mac and cheese I've ever had in my life), and an oyster po'boy with a garden salad. All were AMAZING. I also tried someone's sweet potato fries, and they were also incredible. Overall fantastic experience - exceptional service and food. I would encourage everyone to eat here.
(5)
Ben G.
Food was all around decent. I would have given 3 stars if not fir the hype. The sweet potato fries are not good and the burger was less than impressive. What was good was the cheese, beer, and Mac.
(2)
Mary Ann C.
This place is fabulous! We went today for breakfast, and what a treat! I love the decor-especially all of the antique salt and pepper shakers! Our server, Mandy, was so sweet and helpful. She actually took the time to explain where the jams were from, how the sausage was made, and brought different types of hot sauces for my husband to try. She brought us samples of the fresh orange juice to try. She was a delight! Now...on to the food! I had the eggs benedict-lovely ham on top of sourdough bread! Yumm! Between the three of us, we tried both types of sausage patties and the bacon-all were delicious! My husband loved the potatoes that came with the breakfasts. The prices are on the higher end, but the food is top notch and portions are large! This is a must try spot if you are in Ann Arbor!
(5)
D M.
I have had nothing but good experiences, breakfast, lunch and dinner. In February we took a large party for a birthday and at least 50% of the entrees went back to the kitchen for being WAY to salty. The Chef 'agreed' with half of them (??), but they offered to replace all of them. Some said yes, some said no because it had been a busy night and we had already had to wait a while (we were informed of this ahead of time and it was not an issue). Ultimately ALL the entrees were comp'd along with a round of drinks AND we were given a gift card for another $50 after we had paid the bill. While this was not a 'good' experience, how it was handled made up for it in spades. The food is fantastic. It's local (produce) and generally organic. The beef (maybe all meat?) is grass fed on the farm a few miles away owned by the Chef. They source ingredients from all over the world, like their apple cider vinegar from Montreal, and then put their stories on the wall. Just a neat place. My wife and I were in for our first anniversary this past Saturday and Ari (co-founder of the Zing-Empire) was filling water glasses, running tickets, and cashing folks out. You gotta respect a rich owner who still goes to work, does real work with no fanfare or 'do you know who I am'.
(5)
Dave W.
Consistently the best restaurant in town. Everything is good. The secret.... They don't use crap to make their food. Order what you're in the mood for. If you don't want to spend 15-30.00 for dinner go somewhere else.
(5)
Becky L.
Decent food, if a little over priced. The macaroni and cheese is nice and filling, the collared greens are fairly perfect, and the bbq is passable. Overall, however, I feel that while Zingerman's makes a good attempt at classic soul food it falls just a little short of my expectations. I'm not sure I would have realized this before I moved to DC (where it is so easy to find great soul food) but there is definitely a little soul lacking in the execution. My vote: if you are hitting up a Zingerman's go to the deli downtown. The sandwiches there are much better than anything you will get at the RoadHouse.
(3)
kim d.
Bad. Just plain bad. It's like they hired a writer to insert as many adjectives as possible into the menu descriptions to make their food sound worthy. It's just not. Below average food, above average prices. What not to like?-ALOT unfortunately. I feel like such a sucker for having wasted money in this restaurant yet again.
(1)
Morgan D.
When I think about the old Roadhouse, that one blues riff comes into my head, so its like: I went down to the roadhouse (dunh dunh dunh dunh) to get some dinner to eat (dunh dunh dunh dunh) I ended up with some overpriced mac n cheese cause there's not much for a vegetarian to eat... So rhyming eat with eat is a crime, but I hope the blues jam part came through. Actually, I think the roadhouse is a nice place with some great people working there and pretty good food. But its overpriced and it has an interior that feels like a chain restaurant (TGI Zingerman's?) I don't know what a "Roadhouse" is- maybe something that only exists in a Patrick Swayze movie, but if there is a roadhouse on this planet somewhere, it probably doesn't look like this place inside. I'm just sayin... Still gonna give it 3 stars though.
(3)
Kevin S.
Traverse City, Michigan and Cleve/Akron, Ohio are exactly one meal apart in driving time. Just type in the address for Zingerman's Roadhouse on Google Map, and the rest of the trip will magically flow along... Can you tell I'm in rapture? Here's how you make this a five star experience: Get there either early, or late. Dine during "shoulder" times, off-peak, and you'll experience the greatest meal within about five hunnert miles. I poop you not. Heading north for another graduation, meeting up with dozens of family, and car-pooling with five, two of whom had never been Zingermanned, we made it an early lunch. No crowd. Attentive service. I can't recall another dining experience recently in which every worker was smiling. It can border on cult-like, this place; they know and love this food. Every bite is a new experience. I'm not usually a fan of "here taste some of mine," but I do that here. I don't want to miss a morsel and love to read and learn about the foods, their origins, their preparation. My non-foodie sister was nearly weeping in joy. If you take a look at the negative reviews, most list "had to wait for a table" or some other nonsense. Nonsense, I say. I'd wait through breakfast and lunch if I could have a dinner this good. Hell, I'd SKIP both meals. (We'll stop there on the way BACK, too!)
(5)
Erin Y.
Much like the deli, food quality is fairly close to excellent. However, much like their mail order business, the mark up is freakin' outrageous. Last I heard, the mac n chz was around 20 bucks. Seriously, considering the current economy in the state they are, you know, located? You could make three pans of premium mac n cheese at home and have enough left to splurge on the Z for dessert and coffee. If you want to blow some major cash on a dinner, why not go for something with more value, more ambiance, better service? And a tad more of a white linen vibe?
(1)
Whitney S.
The food is delicious, like you would expect from zingerman's. My boyfriend and I stopped by on 1/8 around 6 pm, but didn't want to wait an hour for a table for two. We did end up returning on 1/16 with a reservation. The original time ended up not being good for us, so with a quick call earlier that day, we were able to change the reservation without any hassle. The sweet potato fries were delicious. The spare ribs were falling off the bone delicious. The misto frito was falling apart off. The mojito was the best I've had at a restaurant. It's hard to go wrong or hungry at Zingerman's. The staff was attentive and knowledgeable. The only drawbacks are the constant din from a full restaurant of happy people talking loudly, and the wait.
(4)
James B.
For anyone reading my first few posts, one may get the impression that I have a decidedly anti-American food bias. Quite the contrary, I LOVE it. I love Maryland blue crabs, Texas brisket, New Orleans mudbugs, Carolina BBQ, San Francisco cioppino, Virginia ham, New York anything, Wisconsin dairy (of course), Michigan cherries, and on and on. One could literally spend a lifetime sampling regional cuisines of the USA... what a delicious occupation that would be! What I don't like is when a restaurant uses an ethnic sounding name or theme, claims to be "Authentic", but then adjusts the cuisine in question to appeal to a mass audience, a trend I refer to as Americanizing, as it often applies to places here in the US. Think of any one of the chain restaurants - Brio, PF Changs, Kona Grill, Bahama Breeze, Benihana, et.al . - you'll know what I mean. This disturbing trend has found it's way to over-seas places that mainly cater to the American tourist... I am saddened every time I think of Playa del Carmen and how the restaurants doing well down there, with their "authentic Mexican cuisine", serve the same kind of over-cheesed, refried beaned, over-hot-sauced crap that's served here at places like Chi-Chi's or Don Pablo's. To find the real stuff, the good stuff, the authentic stuff... go where the locals go. But I digress. What does this have to do with a review of Zingerman's Roadhouse? Everything! The Roadhouse isn't trying to be anything else but a place to get good old American food representing the various regions of the US... ribs, fried chicken, mac & cheese, grits, oysters, peanut butter, fruit preserves, and more... in all their American glory. Nowhere on the menu will you find "Asian influenced", "Nouveau French inspired", or "Latin flavored" anything. The beauty of what they are doing here is that for the dishes, they source the ingredients locally and, whenever possible, from the very region the dish hails from. There is a reason the Southern style fried chicken tastes like the fried chicken from the south... authentic ingredients. "But James, you haven't said a thing about the actual food!" Well here ya go... Fried chicken - crispy, juicy, perfectly seasoned... 'nuf said. Ribs - the first time I had this dish, I was taking hold of the bone to cut off a rib, when the bone came out completely clean, now that's fall off the bone tender! No sauce is necessary as the ribs are succulent by themselves. For whatever reason, I am personally not a big fan of barbeque sauce (maybe a freak bbq sauce accident I have suppressed?!) but I like theirs so much that I actually use it. Mini corndogs - for someone like me, who grew up in rural Wisconsin, this brings tears to the eyes. These are a staple of any Wisconsin fair and Zingerman's does them right... served only with mustard, not that red abomination the heathens use. Shrimp and grits - tasty I could go on and on but we have that character limit. Yes, Zingerman's is pricey and yes, it's a 45minute drive to get there... it's all worth it.
(5)
Karl H.
This place is aiight. It's definately overrated and like most Ann Arbor restaurants, overpriced. The food isn't bad at all, but it just isn't that great. Their southern style dishes are hit or miss and the fried chicken was worse than Popeye's. Plus they charge a lot for Mac N' Cheese (seriously?). However I did like their Texas Cabrito with some good collard greens, their tasty mussels, and their pulled pork was decent. The service is excellent and they have a lot of good beers on tap. I only go here when I've got cash to burn, which isn't often.
(3)
Pauline S.
So not worth it. Started off with the Ari's Pimento Cheese plate which was presented with celery sticks. One or two was good enough and after that it just seemed like I was eating fat. I also had the Pimento Cheese & Peppered Bacon Macaroni for an entree. Paying nearly 20 dollars for mac n cheese, one would have high expectations. However, i was sorely disappointed. Way too oily and the amount you get is not worth the price. To top it off, the service was so very slow. While our waitress was nice and perky, it took her forever to bring out our food. She realized that it was a long wait since she apologized for it when she brought out the netrees. But where was she when we were waiting around for the food? She never once checked in with us to tell us when the food would come or that there were some delays.
(2)
Nick F.
I appreciate the whole "locally grown organic" food movement but charging 15 dollars for a pulled pork sandwich is bad business anyway you cut it., i don't care if Jesus himself raised that pig I shouldn't need to pay 40% percent over normal restaurant prices. Especially when the food is only so-so.
(2)
Mary K.
I'm going to say -- 5 stars for breakfast/brunch, 3 stars for dinner/lunch... so it evens out to 4. Love, love LOVE their breakfast and brunch... awesome eggs benedict (the Baltimore Benedict dish this summer was DIVINE), wonderful real corned beef hash and hash browns, great huevos rancheros, awesome "something I can't recall the name of" but it was like french toast, deep friend, with macerated bananas (yum), coffee, orange juice -- superb. Lunch and dinner I think are somewhat overrated and overpriced. Their burgers are very good, but the BBQ is just ok, and I had a Cobb salad once that was overly salty. One other thing I love about all of the meals, though, is that they often bring out little tasting portions of some of their menu items.. pimento cheese and doughnuts (not together), specifically, for free! Also the service there is always, always excellent. 4 stars.
(4)
Ainsley E.
The S.O. and I have been to the Roadhouse three times now. That's three opportunities to wow us and make the price worthwhile. So far they're 1 for 3. The sweet potato fries are to-die-for, and once we had some gumbo on special that was amaaazing. We've had the mac n cheese(s) (kind of bland and overpriced), and the BBQ beef (was tender, but also lacked flavor and didn't have near as much sauce as it needed). Tonight the boyfriend had Jim's Pennsylvania Scrapple, which tasted distinctly of mutton and was otherwise regrettable. My Grillades and Grits? My mom has made better-tasting shit on a shingle. We ate part of our meals out of politeness and left ASAP, feeling very disappointed and gypped. I'm not sure we'll be returning again. Truth be told, I've had more enjoyable meals at McDonald's.
(2)
Joe H.
If I could choose only one place to eat at for the rest of my life, Zingerman's would be the place (at least thus far in my life). Have eaten here a number of times and I'm always amazed at the food. Sure, I've had dishes that were less that stellar, but even those lackluster meals were still good. The main contention with Zingerman's is price. Yes, it is expensive. However, nearly everything on the menu is handmade. They source most of their produce locally & are very conscious of where their food comes from. When you pay for your meal at Zingerman's, you're paying for a lot more than just a plate of fried chicken. Additionally, many of cheeses, breads, and now beers are made there as well. Basically, you can rest assured that your meal is using some of the finest quality ingredients around and that everything is going to be pretty damn tasty. I'm going to focus on my last 2 visits to the Roadhouse because I had a couple really fantastic dishes & a couple not so incredible ones. Appetizers: Scallop ceviche (Georges bank scallops sliced thin and flash marinated in a citrus marinade. Served with spiced plantain crisps.) was a special one evening & I couldn't pass that up. Actually, once I placed the order, Ari (the owner) came over and talked to me for a minute about how wonderful the scallops were. Also, Ari was pouring water & waiting tables all night - pretty awesome, if you ask me. And yes, they were delicious. Perfect little morsels of sweetness swimming in the tart marinade. The crispy plantain chips were a sweet, texturally welcome addition. The Maize & Blue Hush Puppies are incredible. Crunchy on outside, sweet & creamy on inside - and they're served with a firey housemade hot sauce & spicy mayo that are both out of this world. Focusing on seasonal foods, heirloom tomatoes were a focus last time I visited. The Ceres Salad (Cherokee Purple, Striped German, Mortgage Lifters, fresh from the farm, served with handmade mozzarella cheese and drizzled with Pasolivo olive oil and sprinkled with salt and pepper) is absolutely delightful. The tomatoes are sweet, the olive oil fruity, the cheese so creamy - I literally sopped up everything last drop off this plate with the amazing warm, crusty bread that each table is given. This salad will ruin all other Caprese salads forever. The mac & cheese is tremendous. The french fries divine. Mashed potatoes awesome. Braised greens porky & delicious (add hot sauce!). The New Mexico Green Chile Burger with goat cheese is very good, but not $14 very good. The flavors are all spot on, but the burger itself was a touch overcooked and tough for me. Although, the creaminess of the goat cheese couple with the roasted, fiery goodness of the chiles was a welcome addition to the burger. A special one night was grass fed beef with roasted veggies - the steak was very tough. It was cooked well & the herb butter was delicious, but steak just wasn't doing it for me. The veggies were fine, but nothing out of this world. Dessert is awesome, too. The doughnut sundae is something that needs to be experienced at least once (if not more than that). The magic brownie sundae is...well...magical. The summer citrus chiffon cake is good, but was a little too dry for me, which is odd for a chiffon cake. Seriously, Zingerman's does everything well - I've tried their fried chicken, pulled pork, pulled goat, and a number of other dishes - all have been at least good. Their beer list is pretty decent & they have a full bar otherwise. Easily one of my favorite restaurants.
(5)
Scott S.
Stumbled upon this place on a road trip through Ann Arbor thanks to yelp! It did not disappoint. The only thing better than the excellent service was the food. I had the BBQ beef. Very well smoked with a sauce that was tangy and not too sweet. Accompanied by some greens with bacon and honey (unusual but delicious) and lumpy mashed potatoes (just the way I like them.) The Mrs. Had the fried chicken and ate it all declaring it very good. One son had corn dogs. Said they were the best he's had. (somewhat of a corn dog connoisseur, if there is such a thing). Other son has food allergies to which our server was very accommodating, adding grilled chicken to a salad and even bringing him a complimentary dessert that he could eat while we chowed down on the awesome peach pie and gelato sampler. Highly recommend this place.
(5)
Clare W.
OVER-RATED *clap clap clapclapclap* But srsly, it wasn't that good for all the hype. Just a lot of seasoning.
(2)
Enrique B.
Awesome! Zingerman's Roadhouse doesn't have the cheapest menu in town, but the food is all of very high quality. I also like the fact that Zingerman's staff are trained to know the menu inside and out, and can tell you the origin of all the ingredients. For example, if you order something with bacon on it, they can tell you exactly where the pig lived, and the name of the farm. I believe that if you can't get it local, you should at least know the origin. Another awesome thing about Zingerman's Roadhouse is that there is ample free parking. When I went to the deli on Detroit St, finding a parking space was like hunting for unicorns. You should definitely try the Roadhouse sometime.
(4)
Chiwei L.
Damn Zingerman. How can I love and hate you so much at the same time. This is one of my favorite mid/high level restaurants in Ann Arbor, and usually the goto place for the peeps from out of town for a quintessential A2 experience. I've had the pleasure of having some amazingly good, down home, real American food. So why the 3 (3.5 really) stars... Well it's the inconsistency. For a "James Beard" head chef nominated, service oriented, relatively high priced eatery, with the semi-legendary Zingerman name, one would expect heaven on a plate every time. Unfortunately, I've been served average food more often than not. Things like, BBQ and sauces that seem a little dry and under seasoned (Especially compared with slows in Detroit), fish that came out lukewarm, dishes that felt under seasoned, just too many things to be inexcusable... I still love this place, I will still come to this place, I will still spend way to much money on this place... I just hope that they don't take my love for granted... (Jolly Pumpkin might just steal my heart away.)
(3)
Shon C.
I'm going to say it up front - downgraded a star because you have to spend a lot of money to eat here. That being said, as with other things in life, you pay for what you get. Like the deli, Zingerman's Roadhouse specializes in good "American Food," namely BBQ, meat, fresh seafood, great bread, and great cheese. Also a pretty good beer and wine selection. Most impressive is the selection of Mac n Cheese dishes, all priced between $10-$20. If you're the type of person that is interested in eating "real food" (in the Michael Pollan sense of the word), then you would really enjoy this restaurant. The beef taste like real beef, the chicken taste like real chicken. There's a great selection of cheeses (not quite as extensive as the deli, but great for before dinner or with drinks). My last visit was two nights ago with friends, my wife got a bowl of the chili (usually very hearty, big chunks of meat, but a little too beany this time around) and a hot spinach salad (yum!); I went with the corn-dog appetizer (served with 3 gourmet mustards) and the pulled chicken BBQ sandwich with hand cut fries. My meal was great. In fact, the only meal I had at this restaurant that I didn't love was a daily special a few months back -- their take on Cioppino -- suboptimal. Pros: great American food, great ingredients, Zingerman's quality, fancy Mac n Cheese Cons: long wait on weekend nights, expensive for what you get, location isn't really walking distance to other bars/restaurants
(4)
Eric M.
This is another one of those places... drive by it almost everyday and have really never gone there. Ok, I went there to interview somebody at one point, but didn't really eat (or pay attention to) the food. However, the other day a very good friend of ours was in town, and we decided to grab lunch here because it was (surprise) close to our house. It was kind of a rainy day, one of the ones we've been having so many of lately this wet fall, and we decided to sit out on the heated, covered patio to take advantage of the "warmth." As it was a rainy day, I decided to try mac & cheese. Not usually something I'd attribute too much gastronomic creativity to, mac & cheese is the quintessential comfort food. Then I looked at the menu. ** WAIT A MINUTE... ** There were like, six different kinds of mac & cheese. Six kinds! That's a cheese-junkie's overdose. So, I went for the pimento cheese and applewood bacon version. YUM. Yes, it was very rich. No, it was not helping to unclog my arteries. However, it spread a big smile across my face and left me with the intent that THIS week, yes, THIS week I would amp up my workouts. Just not today. :) Wonderful flavor in the food, at least what I had. Just disregard the overpowering smell of butter as you walk in - you can survive just ONE dish, right? Definitely a place I'd go back to, but not if I'm on a diet. At least not that dish...
(4)
Stever G.
I had never been here before but always wanted to ever since they opened. My SO has always met that suggestion with "Well...I don't think you'll like it...there's not much in the way of vegetarian fare, and it's really expensive." He knows my tastes well, so I figured he was right. We were on "staycation" recently and I finally convinced him to take me there. We went on a weeknight and was told the wait was 30 minutes, but it turned out to be more like an hour. While I waited, I stared at a huge banner advertising an everything-bacon-fest, with a cartoon piggie on it. Not really the most appetizing image in the world, and I was beginning to regret coercing my SO into coming here. Thankfully, we were seated outside. The inside dining area seemed way claustrophobic, which is one of my beefs with the deli. I'm not usually a fan of outdoor seating, but apart from some seriously uncomfortable chairs, the patio area is spacious and lovely. It was one of the most beautiful nights of the summer, so that added to the atmosphere. The service was, as expected, some of the best service you can get anywhere. Not only was our server amazingly attentive (despite a packed house with some way crabby and demanding patrons--did I mention this place is great for people watching?!), but one of the owners was helping out and making recommendations. Onto the meal. The cocktail menu features clever names and tantalizing descriptions. My guy opted for a very, very strong martini, while I went for a fairly priced Oberon the size of my head. As I looked over the menu, I was impressed that there were actually several vegetarian options. My guy kept insisting that we stick to the appetizers because he's never had a good entree there. Reading the descriptions of the veg dishes, I wasn't having any of that. He ordered sweet potato fries anyway, and I'm glad he did, because they were indeed scrumptious. For entree, I bypassed the veggie burger (cue regret #1) and went for the Mac & Cheese (cue regret number #2!) Can't remember what it was called, but it was the one without bacon. I gotta say, it needed some major doctoring. Anything would have been an improvement. It tasted like...nothing. If I'm indulging in a fattening comfort food, it's supposed to at least taste like it! My SO, while not vegetarian, cooks amazing meatless dishes. And his variations on mac & cheese put this overpriced slop to shame. That makes me feel annoyed that this place is getting away with charging such a high amount of money for such a below average entree. He tried some kind of pulled pork sandwich and nibbled on it throughout the dinner with a "told you we should have gotten another appetizer" look on his face. The price was probably the worst part of this experience. I did notice they had a section on the menu that was "lighter fare" and had more standard prices. If I go again, perhaps I'll try something off of there. Or maybe I'll get that veggie burger. Or maybe I'll listen for once and stick with splitting multiple appetizers! In a nutshell, exceptional service, great atmos if you sit outside, but one gross ridiculously priced dish really tainted my first experience here.
(2)
Sarah W.
I have come here many times. And what I can say is that the food is only okay. If you really want to eat Zingerman sandwiches go to the deli downtown. It just tastes way better and the atmosphere is much more suitable for that kind of meal. But! At Zingerman's Roadhouse the dessert is really really good! The doughnut sundae is a genius idea. I love doughnuts, I love good vanilla gelato, the two should be combined! It's topped off with fresh whip cream and drizzled with caramel sauce and peanuts. It is really great, and I have never seen something like this anywhere else. I also love the apple pie a la mode. And the magic brownie sundae is perfect. If you have a sweet tooth come here and don't forget to order the coffee.
(3)
Jen K.
Was in town for a ZingTrain seminar and decided to check out the Roadhouse with a friend for Sunday Brunch. I was stunned that they had gluten-free corn/bacon/cheddar waffles with maple syrup. Honestly, it didn't sound like it was going to be that great but bacon makes everything great so I decided to try it. They were amazing. LOVED IT! Super friendly staff, did feel that the server was a little slow at bringing us our check, but that might be an Ann Arbor thing because I experienced it at every restaurant we visited!
(5)
Angela R.
Had a wonderful Sunday brunch - I had the huevos rancheros, a nice combination of spice in the pinto beans, green chilies, eggs and the crunchy tormilla. My husband had "New" English Breakfast which was two fried eggs with English pork and beans, Nueske's applewood ham steak and fried heirloom tomatoes and mushrooms with toast. We both really enjoyed our meal our waitress kept the coffee flowing and we enjoyed a mimosa at the end, very nice. Great service great food would go again and we highly recommend!
(4)
Michelangelo S.
Unimaginably good. Inconceivably overhyped. The entire decor of the Roadhouse is invested in a single goal: to justify why you're paying $20 for macaroni and cheese. We get a $50 gift card to here every year and always end up with a $70 bill for two people. Somehow they pull it off, with every dish being outstanding. However, the unpretentious staff and verbose menus sometimes seem at odds; it's like they're unfazed about the fact that you're about to lay out a lot of green for mundane dishes- because they understand that these dishes are turned into something special by being prepared using only the highest quality ingredients. As I understand it, this uncompromising quality actually caused the Roadhouse to be the single unprofitable Zingerman's enterprise for its first year, but propped up by the Bakery, Deli, Mail-Order, and Creamery, along with generous patronship by Ann Arbor snobs and foodies, it's survived and it ready to become an institution.
(4)
Jon T.
Was just there for the Sunday Brunch menu and had a great time. To me, it's one of the few restaurants in SE Michigan that 'get's it'. In fact, if I didn't know I was in Michigan, I would have guessed more like Portland or Seattle. Examples...it uses local ingredients, it brands where items on its menu come from, they have their own bakery, and creamery, its casual and upbeat and an extra friendly environment and so on and so on. Meaning, you can eat great food without spending an arm or a leg or having to put on a suit because you're in a white table cloth environment. Most places here, don't understand that. I had the waffles with grits, Vermont cheddar and Niman Ranch bacon....fricken exceptional! The only thing better was our server Sharon. Thanks for the great time.
(5)
Sunny K.
Yum! I had the new mexico grilled chicken sandwich and it was delicious. The atmosphere and service was great. The only negative is the overpriced meal options, considering the size of the sandwiches. I'm not sure if this is the case for other entree options as well. But I will definitely go back to try some of them.
(4)
Liane R.
Best. Sweet. Potato. Fries. Ever. . . . Ever.
(5)
Jane D.
The Roadhouse has consistently excellent food. One of the things I like best is to sit at the bar and watch the cooks working and all the luscious food going by. It's a bustling place! The staff is well trained and attentive without being intrusive. The burgers are heaven and you can get a burger card. After 10 burgers, you get one free!
(5)
A H.
I agree, the prices seem a little steep but the staff is very attentive and go out of their way to make sure everyone is taken care of. Their cheese plates are amazing, though I would prefer a cracker to the bagel crisps that they use, because it drowns out the flavor of the cheese. Their Smoked Chicken & Monterey Jack macaroni is amazing, very flavorful and creamy. Recently went back for brunch and their granola is wonderful. Oats, almonds, cranberries, and brown sugar. Enough said?!
(5)
Nick L.
Ehh... I want to like Zingerman's, I really do. The service was great, our waitress was very nice and even took a chili bowl off of our tab that one of us didn't like. Plus they give back part of their bill to the town! On the other hand... wow is this expensive. Good luck finding anything under $10-15, I think your only option might be the salad (which I did not enjoy). Vegetarian options are almost non-existent, which I somewhat expected coming from a Roadhouse but still, this is generic American food for way more than its worth.
(3)
Elizabeth L.
Good Northern Southern Barbecue, but what you're saving on the plane ticket south you're paying in the tab. Now that I've lived in Austin for five years (more Austin restaurant reviews to come) and my in-laws live in Charleston SC, I consider myself more versed in barbecue and Mexican food than all my years in the Midwest allowed. So when I heard that Zingerman's opened up a barbecue place that had won some accolades, I knew we had to go. The decor was definitely reminiscent of some of the Southern barbecue places we used to frequent (Threadgill's, Chuy's, County line, etc.) but they managed to merge it well with what seems to be the "Zingerman's style" (based on their deli). I had to order brisket, because I discovered a love of brisket when we moved to Austin back in 03' and it is hard to find on a menu in Chicago. Yum! I wasn't disappointed... very tender and flavorful. My husband ordered the pulled pork and also enjoyed his meat. The sides, however, were a little lackluster tasting and seemed a bit disjointed. Collard greens may be thematic, but I wasn't raised on them and can't imagine them being all that popular up North. I recommend making them an optional vegetable, not the default. Additionally, the Macaroni & Cheese seemed to be "gourmet-ed" up, but it wasn't clear why (other than the price) - why not just do the classic right and charge appropriately? I've given this restaurant three stars because the food and atmosphere are enjoyable, but they don't match the prices. Not that the South doesn't have expensive barbecue places, but if you walk into a barbecue place in the South and see prices like these, expectations are high. This has the feel and taste of a moderate to inexpensive neighborhood barbecue joint, but they are asking "bbq gourmet" prices. Additionally, while I'm all about portion control, it's not as if the portion sizes justify the price either... dishes are moderately sized.
(3)
Alissa H.
I have been a fan of Zingerman's in general for a long time, especially their oils/vinegars/breads/cheeses from the deli, but I was disappointed with my first visit to the Roadhouse. The service started out great, our waitress was really helpful and attentive, but after we put our orders in we didn't see her as frequently and kept trying to have to waive her down to put in drink orders or ask about our appetizer (which didn't come out after we had finished our main course). The main courses were mosly successful. My macaroni and cheese was really, really tastey but a relatively small portion for the price. My husband did not like the fried chicken; the chicken pieces were large but the breading didn't have much flavor and fell off the chicken when he picked it up. Our other friend enjoyed the barbecue platter for the most part except the mole sauce, and the fourth in our party was pleased with her NY strip and raved over the spinach side dish. For the price, my friends had hoped for a little more but, in all fairness, we were at a Zingerman's establishment and it's no secret that its generally a little overpriced. Had the service been better it would have been a four-star review.
(3)
Allison D.
Um, I recently moved to Ann Arbor & have asked several people for restaurant recommendations, and unanimously have heard the praises of Zingerman's, so we headed to the very cute Roadhouse for dinner. After sitting down, we were asked for drink orders, and clearly disappointed the server by not ordering cocktails. The service got worse as my mother (who wasn't hungry) ordered the crab cake appetizer, I ordered the macaroni & cheese with vegetables (an amazingly high $18.50), and my fiance ordered the New Mexico Black Bean Burger with sweet potato fries. My fiance & I have both lived in New Mexico and love spicy green chile, but neither of us could handle the truly ridiculous level of HOT of the green chile on that burger. The burger was obviously home-made, but it kept falling apart. I mentioned the spiciness to the waiter, but instead of concern, his response was literally a scoff with a smile, and no words. He just walked off. After my fiance admitted there was was no way to eat the atomically hot burger, we waited for a long while before the server reluctantly came back to check on us. He nodded, and curtly asked if he wanted a burger without green chile when it was reported that it was simply too hot to eat. The sweet potato fries in contrast were amazing chunks of crisp on the outside, soft on the inside goodness. The crab cakes were small, but good, served on a plate with absolutely no garnish. The macaroni and cheese was a huge disappointment. A large plate with a thin layer of excessively oily pasta with a few pieces of oil drenched spinach and remnants of a tomato mixed in. The highpoint was the fried goat cheese in the center which was perfectly done. After I was finished eating the second burger finally came out and my fiance could finally eat, but the server didn't bring silverware, which took a while and more bad attitude to get. Of course when we ordered dessert (the hummingbird cake - moist but bland) the server perked up a bit, but not nearly as much as he did when he presented the large bill. Overall, the experience was not good. I will not be going back to Zingermans Roadhouse to pay handsomely for under average food and unpleasant service.
(2)
M B.
I have been visiting The Roadhouse since it first opened. It is my favorite restaurant in Ann Arbor. The food is amazing - yes, it's expensive, but no more expensive than other AA restaurants. The food is worth the price. The service is exceptional and I always feel like I've landed at a friend's house, having dinner.
(5)
mike w.
Recommended Meal: Drink: - Zaisson (some strong wheat beer they have on tap) Appetizers: - Large order Sweet Potato fries (believe me get the larger otherwise you will spend more getting two regular orders, they are that good). - Oysters (mix up the types, delicious!) Meal: - Anything that catches your eye is probably delicious. I would lay off the beef brisket, because a deli by the same name has the best there is!
(5)
Sara G.
I just have to give another shout out to Z's Roadhouse. The servers I've had have been nothing less than super friendly and helpful and the food continues to be marvelous and mouth-watering. Also, I have recently become positively addicted to their my-T-fine Caesar salad, topped with hanger steak. Why didn't this appear on the menu sooner? OY VEY.
(5)
Alison T.
The main complaint I hear about the Roadhouse is that it's overpriced, but I disagree. Expensive? Yes. Overpriced? No. I think the problem is that people generally associate "American food" with chain restaurants like Applebee's and Bob Evans, so they're shocked when they see the prices on Zingerman's burgers and mac 'n cheese (which, frankly, are not THAT much higher than you'd pay at a chain restaurant anyway). But the food and service here are both exceptional, which is less than I can say about any of those chains. The ingredients are fresh and, when possible, locally grown, beginning with the basket of Zingerman's bread you're served when you sit down (probably a $10 value in itself, knowing their bakery prices). I've visited on three separate occasions and eaten the fried chicken, the pulled pork and the Roadhouse macaroni and cheese. Each time, when I hesitated upon ordering my meal, the server offered to bring me a taste of the item I was considering. How many chain restaurants do that? All three dishes were absolutely amazing, as was the donut sundae I split with several people on one particular visit. I've never heard anything negative about the food here; only the prices. But if you'd gladly spend $20 per meal at a nice steakhouse, I would urge you to try this place--it's no more expensive than a steakhouse and much more unique. PS: They also have a great beer selection!
(4)
Adam P.
After weeks of reading reviews, seeing top ratings and another nomination the Chef has received for a James Beard award, how couldn't I go....? Upon my arrival from such easy directions, I pulled up to a novelty type looking place that was quite "Unique". I loved the old looking trailer attached to the building they had set up for pull up takeout orders... Entering on a Monday dinner rush, my wait was only 5 mins. My company and I perched up to the bar for a few delicious signature drinks. My first drink was a Sazerac bourbon/Absinthe type drink with an orange twist in it. It was pretty good. We started with Crab cakes and some oysters. The oysters were great. I loved how they select from both Coasts as most places I've been, only select from the east. Also the Bartender was Excellent. Seeing how it was our first time she offered us many samples of sauces, pork and Brisket. They do cook the brisket in house. Tasted good with the sauce but seemed a bit overcooked and more tasting of Roast Beef. I've had better. The Crab cake was unique and we both really enjoyed how flavorful it was. What I really admire is how the Chef uses all local ingredients including meat from his own cows from his farm. I couldn't pass up the steak. I ordered the Bone in Rib eye. If I would USDA rate this which I don't think it is seeing how it's so local. I would rate it a Select Cut. I wasn't impressed. I loved the Grits I ordered with it and the Chicken Macaroni and Cheese was quite Unique My Date ordered the burger and Salad Special. I loved the onion roll they served it on and it was really flavorful. Their fries are to die for and seem as fresh and real as it can get. Now my issue was with the Willamette Pinot Noir Wine. 13.50 A glass, it had no complexity AT ALL especially from its appellation, it should have tasted better than a table wine. I did think it paired great with the steak though. Other than that, I really appreciated the service and how welcoming the service was. We were also presented with a desert for it being our first time, Vanilla Gelato.. ABSOLUTLY DELICIOUS. Macaroons with it were too coconutty. Unless you like Coconuts, you will love em.. All and All my experience was good, my service was outstanding, but for all the accolades on the food and company.. I can understand for the fact you will not find a menu like theirs anywhere else. The place reminds of something that is about to turn into a chain for their uniqueness of menu selections and fresh ingredients. I was not "Wowed" by it as I was expecting from all/ the hype but did have a good time. I would rate it 7/10 or 4 outta 5 stars..
(4)
Stephen B.
I was in town for a UM football game and made a reservation here after the game. I visited with my wife and two daughters (age 11 and 13). We were seated a bit early (about 5 minutes) for a 7:15 reservation. We had a very friendly waiter. My wife ordered crab cakes which were fantastic. One of the best she had eaten and after a taste I had to agree. My daughters split a sirloin steak dinner which they really liked. I took a taste and it was ok but the mashed potatoes were very good. I ordered what was listed as a duck breast, it was not, it was the leg/thigh section. Still very good. The sweet potato pancake that came with it really made the dish. The downside was the side of shitake mushrooms that also came with it. Shitake mushrooms have a very tough stem that needs to be removed prior to cooking. These were not, they just chopped up the mushrooms. End result, most of the mushroom side was inedible. What was edible was very good. The combo of duck (just the breast would have been better) mushrooms and sweet potato pancake was a great taste combo. I would definitely go again. I would have rated it higher except for the mushrooms and the non-duck breast. It is pricey.
(3)
Suzy Q.
I'm so happy my husband and I picked Zingermans as the place to celebrate our anniversary. The staff truly made us feel special the whole night. As we walked in, the hostess and waiter wished us a happy anniversary, they had fresh flowers on our table that was in the back of the room, they made us our own printed menu that read 'Happy Anniversary" on it and even gave us a complimentary dessert! Our waiter, Jake was simply amazing. Because everything looked so good on the menu and we were being indecisive, he brought us several samples of the brisket, pulled pork, pimento and cheddar cheese. For dinner, we shared: 1. Roadhouse Mac & Cheese 2. Cornman Farms Burger w/sweet potatoe fries 3. Dessert - Southern Cake We will definitely be going back sooner than later! P.S. Don't forget to complete your visit with a trip to their food market rated one of the best in the world!
(5)
Galen B.
The staff seemed unhappy, the sandwich was cold, and tasted like it has been sitting around all day. Other than that, it was a marvelous experience.
(1)
Matthew M.
The food at Zingey's is outstanding. Order the Cornman Farms burger medium rare with 7 year cheddar and sweet potato fries and you'll be in heaven/broke. I'm looking forward to trying their ribs with Alex's red rage barbeque sauce.
(5)
John D.
We moved to Ann Arbor three years ago from Philadelphia, and this is by far my favorite restaurant in Michigan. Prices are definitely high, but you get what you pay for. Servers are genuinely kind and usually knowledgeable. The Nashville Hot Chicken, while only available on Tuesday, is better than the original in Nashville -- yes, I've been to Prince's. I love Zingerman's Roadhouse. If I had the money, I would eat here every day.
(5)
Cecilia P.
Totally worth it. The fried chicken is what keeps me coming back. Listen, I'm not gonna get fried chicken very often, and when I do I want it to be the best fried chicken available. I like how they ask what kind of chicken meat you prefer. I like the presentation (looks like a boxed meal you'd take on a long train ride, in say the late 1800's). And as far as the portions go- more than enough. Service - always awesome. It's a good sign when one of the titans of the Zingerman's empire is walking around filling water glasses. They have a Farmer's market on summer Thursdays - and taste samples of what you can make with some of the produce that's for sale! They have AMAZING cocktails. The cocktail menu is categorized by era, so not only are you having a cocktail, you're drinking history (that might be some massive rationalization on my part, but I'm totally comfortable with that). If you're into the story of your meal (knowing that many of the ingredients are produced by artisan farmers, that there is respect paid to each and every ordinary ingredient going into the recipe, and that there is a history behind the dish), if you value good service and a connection to the community - check out the Roadhouse. If you don't care about those things and aren't willing to pay for them, this isn't the place for you.
(4)
Chris C.
I was excited to finally try this place. It didn't quite live up to my high expectations, but i wasn't totally disappointed. Initially, the mac & cheese was a little bland. But it turned out to be really good the next day, after all the flavors settled. On the other hand, the fried chicken was an oversized CRUNCH of nothingness...very unimpressive. The decor was cool with interesting figurines throughout, but this place can get awfully loud.
(3)
John F.
Hands down in my top 10 favorite places. You won't find the frills and thrills associated with your $100 a plate restaurants here, but I would put this food up against any of those places and guarantee Zingerman's wins hands down. It's one of the few places that takes true pride in their food. They source their ingredients from only the best locations. For instance, if they determine the best Swiss cheese comes from a small farmer in Montana who has only four cows, that's where your Swiss cheese is coming from. It's truly an "institution" as one of my good friends says that introduced me to the place. Turning down multiple buyout offers in order to maintain the Zingerman's quality is what this place is all about. Be sure and visit their Bakehouse and Deli as well. If you're ever in or around Ann Arbor be sure to stop in, definitely a must visit. It doesn't look fancy from the outside, but trust me, it's AMAZING! For the actual food, they have a great list of microbrew beers. I highly recommend anything on their menu, but am in love with the Roadhouse Burger with sweet potato fries, followed by some Chocolate Puddin' or Vanilla bean Cheese Cake. ENJOY!
(5)
Ted S.
I've been coming here off and on since they opened so I have tried quite a few staples and specialties over the years. *Most* of the time the Roadhouse nails it, but every once in a while things can go awry. Every single soup I have ever tried here has been hands-down delicious. The cheddar ale, split pea, cream of mushroom, the chili and many others. They put a lot of effort into the soups and it shows. All of the manifestations of potato here are superb. Regular fries, sweet potato fries, mashed potatoes.....they have taken the right page from classic American food and gotten these just right, which for me means hand-cut fries with just the right amount of grease and mashed potatoes using simple butter and cream with no unwelcome guests. Red meat dishes can be hit or miss as far as preparation; on a couple of occasions "medium" has ended up being pretty much still mooing. Also the size of the burger's bun is ridiculously large compared to the burger. And it is a sizable burger, for sure; just that the bun is of needlessly epic proportions. All that being said, when correctly prepared, the burger, salisbury steak (the burger without the bun, with a bordelasie reduction sauce), and regular ole steaks I have tried have been at least a solid A-. The famous fried chicken here I do find to be disappointing. The regular stuff they serve daily is nicely fried up but just not interesting enough in its flavor. The other side of the coin, the Nashville "Hot" chicken is oddly enough guilty of the same sin; it is ALL heat and no flavor, at least that I can detect. (It may just be a matter of me not coming with the requisite heat shield that allows me to penetrate into whatever flavor may lay beneath). The fish here is hands-down great. Many varieties of super fresh fish flown in daily and it can be cooked in pretty much any way imaginable. The Zingerman's Coffee Rub is fantastic. All manner of pork and BBQ I have had are quite delicious as well. Excellent list of wines by the glass (at least 20 different glasses to choose from and they are rotated with decent regularity). Amazing selection of alcohol in general. Service is always spot-on. I would give 4.5 stars if I could.
(4)
emeril l.
A bit pricey for casual dining, but a nice place to celebrate a special occasion. Our bill was $80 (with tip) for the following items: 1) the roasted root vegetable salad, which was so tasty that I recreated it at home a few nights later! Can't get enough of it!!! 2) An order of sweet potato fries, our first choice was sold out, which turned out to be nothing short of AMAZING! 3) a pint of beer 4)BBQ pork platter - pork was so tender that it melted in your mouth 5) Catfish platter - very good- served southern style, you don't get fillets, you get an entire catfish, minus the head. I'm from the south, so I get how to eat it and enjoyed it very much. Less seasoned people might end up with a mouth full of bones, though, so beware. The sides were amazing. some sort of coleslaw, and some other stuff, very tasty! 6) The donut rum sundae. No room for this, we had to bring some of the above dishes home, since we were stuffed. I assembled the sundae at home later and was happy to find that they had packed it nicely in separate cups so that it didn't get mangled on the way home. Yay! 7) a free cupcake for the birthday boy All in all, we'll come back, but will probably go through the drive up (in the trailer) because the prices there are a bit more affordable for sandwiches and whatnot.
(4)
Jarrod V.
Just plain fantastic, including both food and service!
(5)
Mike P.
Went 1-11-2013. My wife and I went for dinner. We had the Cornman Farms' Ploughman's Board as an appetizer. I can only say that it is a bit odd.... the roasted red peppers and tomatoes are simply strange. Not a fan of this. The cheese and ham were fantastic however. For an entree I had Roasted Heirloom Pepper & Anchovy Mac. It was not edible. I was not expecting such a massive amount of anchovy or capers which made the dish so overwhelmingly fishy and salty I could only eat about a 1/4 of it. I should have just sent it back but I ate half of my wife's burger which was very good and was satisfied. The server although seeing I hardly ate the dish did not ask any questions regarding my meal. He did not even ask if I wanted it boxed up. Not the usual Zingerman's service or meal. This was a wasted meal and calories along with poor service. Well probably avoid for a few months. Fortunately my wife and I had nice conversation
(1)
Bonnie L.
Many find this place overpriced and overrated, and that's a perfectly valid viewpoint. I am willing to shell out for a nice meal out, but the Roadhouse pushes my limits by charging me $7 for a piece of cake or $20 for fried chicken. And when it's simple American-style comfort foods you're eating, it's easy to understand why some wonder what all the fuss is about. My theory is that Zingerman's prices are high for two reasons: 1) as they state, they splurge on high quality foods; and 2) they give away so much free stuff to customers who purport to be dissatisfied. While it's annoying to subsidize the people who take advantage of #2, it's still worth it to me for the feeling of security I get at a Zingerman's establishment that I will be treated well during my stay there. Plus, it's really good food. Make a phone call before you head over. It's fairly easy to get a reservation, and can be highly difficult to walk in off the street.
(4)
Kirsten T.
The food is undoubtedly great, but having become privy to information regarding higher-ups, I can't in good conscience recommend this restaurant to people. It's a shame because I REALLY miss their goat cheese mac.
(1)
jim s.
I've been coming here for years and have never had a meal I didn't enjoy. This is one of my favorite go-to restaurants for most any occasion. Great selection on the often changing menu ensures there is thoughtfully prepared food for most any tastes. Plus their bourbon selection is good, and the house vodka is Tito's!
(5)
Matt W.
Patrick Swayze would rip a person's throat out if they tried to sell him $25 catfish.
(1)
Jane K.
Great service. Excellent food. Noisy. Fun atmosphere.
(4)
Craig O.
Didn't have a great breakfast experience. We got there early and didn't have to wait in line. I don't think the staff had a chance to warm up yet. They forgot our coffee and didn't even remember us ordering it. Not a great way to start out a morning. The food came out and was lukewarm at best. The people sitting next to us also sent their food back. I had chorizo w/ eggs. The beans were bland and cold. The corn tortilla didn't have any flavor, and the chorizo was more like sausage. Very little flavor. My wife had the huevos rancheros. Much better. The verde sauce was flavorful and the fried tortilla added complexity to the dish. I want to go back to try dinner, but our first visit wasn't worth the price.
(3)
Chen L.
I usually avoid Mac n Cheese, but I'm glad I tried it at Zingerman's. It's definitely the best I've had. The wife got a burger an it was fantastic too. Zingerman's lives up to the hype! Really good food that hits the spot. Keep in mind though, a burger, Mac n Cheese, two drinks will run you $80. The blue cheese on the burger was four bucks!!!
(4)
Dick H.
Eggs and grits, perfect smoked bacon, and excellent coffee. One star subtract for rye bread sliced too thick and not crunchy enough, but that's being picky!
(4)
k t.
This place is too expensive. That being said, it's not bad. The Mac and Cheese is great, especially the Cal Fiorentina which comes with a fried ball of brie on top. Also be sure to try many of the millions of different types of oysters they carry, as they are all subtly different and quite tasty. I was (gently) let down by my BBQ brisket sandwich; this was to be expected since I am from Texas and should have known better. It was oversauced and the meat lacked smoke flavor and wasn't tender enough (kind of rubbery). Perks: friendly and fast service, parking (almost worth another star when compared to downtown restaurants) Insignificant gripe: annoying faux-newspaper menu Hidden Gem: The wild rice entree looks like absolute crap when they bring it out (sloppy presentation) but it is quite tasty. I'd split it with a friend as a side dish. Conclusion: Come here on someone else's dime.
(3)
Debbie C.
Some of the most amazing barbecue I have had ever had! The spare ribs were to die for! All the food and drink we've had at all of the Zingerman's stores (deli, creamery, coffee shop and bakery) have been top-notch. The staff is very knowledgeable and extremely friendly. We made a 50-mile detour on our vacation to visit Zingerman's and were not disappointed in the least. It'll be a trip we'll be making again and again, I'm sure.
(5)
Kevin K.
I really enjoy eating at Zingerman's Roadhouse and prefer it to the original Deli. The food is consistently very good (I love the burgers and selection of cheeses) and of high quality, if a bit over-priced. The service has always been very good as well. It would probably warrant a fifth star if it wasn't a bit over-priced.
(4)
Brad T.
Let me get this out of the way first: often when people complain about this place, it's related to the prices. Yes, there are cheaper places to get all of this food, that's clear. But since opening, Zingerman's Roadhouse has gone from being very shaky to downright awesome, and I would no longer consider that criticism very valid. After all, isn't quality what should drive the price of a meal in the first place? That being said, Zingerman's Roadhouse has grown into one of my few always-reliable local restaurants. This is probably because both a chef friend of mine and my dad (who has great taste) are both huge champions of this restaurant, leading my wife and I to eat here more than we ever expected to. I'm so glad we have, because my initial impressions of this place weren't that hot, but they've found their footing in a way I never expected. The barbecue here is excellent, the seafood is awesome, the oysters are some of the best in the city, the macaroni and cheese is fantastically decadent, and then there's the fried chicken. There are some good fried chicken places in the area, but they're often avoided because they tend to be in unexpected or rundown locations. So let me lay it out there for those of you who avoid joints like Mary's Chicken: Zingerman's Roadhouse has the very best fried chicken of any sitdown American restaurant in town. THE VERY BEST! The service is always good, the drinks are both strong and yummy, the revolving beer selection is a treat, and the deserts are a knockout. I've never even experienced the long table waits that most other good restaurants in town are guilty of. In short, this place is tops in my book, I can't recommend it enough.
(5)
Darian R.
This place is pretty pricey. $13 for a basic burger and fries. And by basic, I mean basic. Fries are okay, but you get free refills. Their menus are all made of different quantities and sizes of paper. The place looks nice and smells great, but the prices of the food kept me away from a lot of the options. Didn't feel like shelling out $18-22 for some basic food. Maybe it's great and amazing. The salad was alright. Croutons weren't great. Also, the seating is really cramped. And the bread was not great. Overall, paid almost $40 for two sandwiches and a plate of fruit for my daughter. Overall concept of that is lost on me.
(2)
Jason C.
Every cardiologist in your town will be glad for the extra business from eating at this place. A whole lot of fat and salt. Although the marketing hype says the food comes from the farm somehow by the time it gets to the plate the veggies are doused with grease and salt. I'm a local and find the food disappointing for the hype, best for the tourist and football crowd. Overpriced for the quality, service can be excellent to near miss,
(1)
Tiffany M.
The food was perfectly edible. I would definitely eat here again if I was hungry and in the area.
(4)
Alfred K.
This has got to be one of the best restaurants in Ann Arbor. A sit-down full-service version of its sister store, the Roadhouse serves up classic cuisine Americana with the best ingredients that Zingerman never fails to deliver. Some of the things I've had here and loved include the fried green tomatoes, fried chicken, and green bean casserole. All amazingly executed classics. The oyster hash (during brunch) is also a great twist on a classic breakfast dish - top notch. If you like Mac and Cheese they have about 5 varieties of them, and the pick-your-own cheese board is just as fun. The infamous barbecued oysters weren't quite what I had hoped, but they are very unique and smokey... chacun a son gout I suppose. The donuts are fan-freaking-tastic - don't ever miss the desserts! In terms of decor, it's really nice and that's about the only adjective I have. The outdoor patio is very charming, oh and if you're a member of OpenTable you of course want to make a reservation. I hear what other yelpers are saying... Zingerman will probably not knock your socks off when it comes to flavor, and frankly it's hard to feel like my expections are exceeded when the hype is miles high. But the truth is that I have never been to another restaurant like Zingerman's Roadhouse where I feel completely confident that every item is made from scratch with high quality, whole/unprocessed ingredients. In that sense Zingerman's approach is a genius twist on American cuisine and holds a very dear place in my heart. I strongly recommend Zingerman's to all.
(5)
JJ P.
Excellent food. You pay for it, but it is worth it. Our waitress was an older woman, but clearly loved her job and loved the company. She was very knowledgeable and friendly. Come hungry and expect to feast!
(5)
Monica S.
Boy was this place good! Despite a 90 minute wait, it was totally well worth it. Our server was a flamboyant man who was completely friendly and attentive. We ordered sweet potato fries as an appetizer, and were surprised to see they were the large cut kind. It was served with thousand island sauce, although I thought maple syrup would have been better, Mother in law ordered macaroni and cheese- which lacked a little flavor in my opinion, while the husband and I ordered pork ribs. Wow, the meat on the ribs were just falling off the bone. I've never seen a barbeque place accomplish that feat, ever. The meat must have been braising for hours on end before they were served. For dessert, try the donut sundae. It's a unique twist on a tried and true sweet.
(4)
Kate S.
Waited at least 10 minutes for the table. Waited 20-25 minutes for our lunch. Lots of empty tables. Waitperson NEVER apologized for the wait. Refilled the drinks, asked if my husband wanted another iced coffee, then charged for the refill. Food was okay. Another server attended to table wearing a white apron that who knows what was wiped on the apron, but it looked nasty. Terrible service.
(2)
Jonas L.
The Roadhouse extends the concept behind Zingerman's a step further: make American comfort food with better-than-average ingredients and charge a ridiculous amount of money for it. If you are happy paying $10 for a sandwich, then you'd be equally happy to pay $30 for mashed potatoes and chicken fried steak. Still, this place is better than most restaurants on Main Street of Ann Arbor, who charge equally high prices but do not even rise above mediocrity. I suppose that is a point in The Roadhouse's favor, that its $30 fried chicken does taste a little better than the $5 fried chicken you can find in Harlem. A little better, however, hardly justifies its price. Go only if it's a really special occasion (but then why would you want comfort food?) or if it's on someone else's dime.
(3)
Eric K.
The food is excellent and everything I've tried here tastes so good. However, it's too expensive for what you get. Perhaps this place will become a five star when I start making more money and menu items appear more affordable.
(4)
Dani A.
Zingerman's roadhouse is not bad, but I have never had anything there that I have felt was worth the price. They have pretty good burgers but expect to pay anywhere from $14-$20 for a burger. And there are definitely better burgers in the city for a much better price. I also highly recommend the sweet potato fries as they have been the hands down best thing I have ever had there. As I said before it is a fairly good place, but you are paying for the Zingerman's name and for the atmosphere. And while they use fancy names and maybe even some ingredients, they are a casual restaurant. They jack up prices by trying to promote the "anti-chain" style and saying they use local ingredients, but add in whenever possible which is a nice way of not committing to anything or actually having to.
(2)
A. A.
The sandwich shop is much better. Not a bad brunch...but definitely not as good as the hype would have you believe. Kind of overpriced for the portion size. The corn beef has is ok...the eggs benedict kind of bland. I don't know. Don't feel like you have to go hear, cause you won't miss it. But you could do worse.
(3)
Marisa S.
Amazing food and superior service. Love the outdoor tent and aroma of BBQ!!!
(5)
Kelly B.
I like Zingerman's Deli so I was eager give this place a try. Sadly I was disappointed. Since veggie options are plentiful at the deli I assumed I would encounter the same here. The veggie options were mostly bread and cheese, not my idea of a balanced meal. Alas I settled on a mac and cheese variety. It wad great but completely lacked nutrients and any sort of complete meal feeling. I gave this three stars because I am sure my former non-veg self would have enjoyed this place more, though it was still primarily unbalanced comfort food, which I do not enjoy from a place that is usually local and farm fresh.
(3)
Debra S.
I really don't understand the huge fuss over prices. Zingerman's is not any more expensive than Cafe Zola, Paesano's, The Chop house, The Earl, or many, many others, yet no one really complains about the costs at these establishments, and at Zingermans- you get MORE. It's simply understood at these upscale places that you pay, Yet with Zingerman's reviews, it's all complaints. Of course that plate will cost you $23.00! It's ALL organic, free range, produced in small batches, flown in special, processed from scratch, with all sides and additions also being from the same caliber of ingredients and processes. The staff power alone to produce this sort of culinary feat- plate after plate, would drive costs through the roof, and by any standards, Zingerman's should have gone out of business years ago. Consider too, that brunch items are $9.00-$13.00 a plate, and it's enough to fill you to the point of napping, and it all seems so silly. If you don't want the highest food quality in Michigan, don't eat here. Don't detract a star because good food costs more to prepare, that's really silly, and unfair. They can't simply GIVE you the food for free, or at cost of the cheap-o diner down the road, or they will have to shut their doors. With that said, Zingerman's has always strived to exceed all possible limits and expectations, and is the one and only culinary contender (for real and true) that stands the test of time in the Ann Arbor area. It is Ann Arbor's second claim to fame, behind the U of M. I have eaten at near every Ann Arbor establishment for 9 years, repeatedly- and none can hold a candle to Zingermans- there's just nothing like it. The brunch is to DIE for. After stuffing ourselves to the brim, with two sides and two full plates and one amazing coffee, it cost us $33. We won't have to eat for the rest of the day, and I can die happy. Go there, and ask the waiter/waitresses what's the best, and you'll win near every time. I LOVE that it's not downtown. Ann Arbor Parking is a nightmare. The fried chicken is by far and away- the best I've ever had. Maybe the best on the planet. The mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potato fries, and the slow cooked pork are out of this world. And omg... the corned beef hash with poached eggs... Ugh! Mmmm....
(5)
Amy M.
Really disappointed. Party of 6 -- 1 entree came 10 minutes after all the others; 1 entree was the wrong kind of fish; neither steak was not cooked as ordered -- sent 1 back, it came back wrong a second time, sent it back again, and it came back totally overcooked; grilled polenta was covered in ash; spinach and wild mushroom salad contained one small mushroom piece. The stuff that wasn't messed up was really good, but most of our food wasn't right.
(2)
E S.
Lots of butter and grease even on the sandwiches. Kinda disappointed because I was expecting something gourmet but walked away feeling very bloated.
(2)
Ariel W.
I've heard lots of great things about the Roadhouse and how their American comfort food is delicious, but after last night's meal, I've determined that while their food is good, it wasn't extraordinary and definitely not worth the price. I don't know about all the magic that happens in the kitchen (butcher cutting up an actual pig so it's fresh and getting their noodles shipped from Italy...) but the taste was ordinary. I had their Goat Cheese mac and cheese and it was bland. The waiter warned me about the black peppers, but I didn't even taste them. The description said it had roasted tomatoes, but they must have been tiny tomatoes because I only saw 2 small globs. The portion was small for $17. My husband had their pulled pork sandwich and I had a few bites. It was tasty, but I've had better (like at Blue Tractor). The only thing that was delicious and worth the price was the $5 sweet potato fries appetizer. Huge cuts of sweet potato and their zesty sauce was delicious. Overall, it was an okay experience, but I wouldn't choose to go back there.
(2)
Lisa W.
I came here because I heard they had fried chicken -- there isn't really anyplace in Ann Arbor to get decent fried chicken except for Cafe Habana and once in a blue moon, Old Town. The friend chicken was pretty good. It is made with buttermilk. The greens were alright, the mac 'n cheese was intense, and the mashed potatos were good. But folk's ain't lyin' when they say this stuff is expensive. The problem is, it doesn't taste expensive. I might be willing to drop 12 bones on some fried chicken if one of the sides wasn't this weird tasting coleslaw. Dessert was good -- a sweet biscuit with fresh blueberries on top and fresh whipped cream (not Reddi Whip). I added gelato to it, but it didn't need it. Plus the vanilla gelato wasn't that great, I was disappointed. Nice little touches around the restaurant -- a pretty cute collection of salt 'n pepper shakers tucked safely behind glass cases, a couple of metal gliding benches outside that my boyfriend asked, "Are they bolted down?" The paper towels in the bathroom are actually paper towels, you can't tell because they're so thick. The outdoor seating is tented. The problem is consistency -- the stuff that's good isn't amazing, and a lot of it is just ok.
(3)
Joel S.
Good service, nice brunch. I had the grits waffles brunch entree, and didn't much notice the grits but it WAS delicious in any case. Definitely a good brunch option.
(4)
Mark L.
To give a rating of "5-Stars", I would think that EVERYTHING would have to be excellent... well, despite all of the 5-star ratings on here for this place, my experience was far from perfect. To start off, the restaurant has a nice look and feel to it. You could smell the BBQ cooking even as you were walking in from your car. But, after a 20 to 30 minute wait (which I can understand being a Friday evening and all), when I got a look at the menu, the prices were a bit of a shock. The bread that was brought out to the table was very good, and even the butter that accompanied it was excellent. I tried the wild mushroom soup and was quite underwhelmed. My friend ordered the BBQ ribs, and they were quite good. I went with an order of the Mac 'N Cheese (which was supposed to be a favorite, according to the menu)... (It was the Macaroni, Smoked Chicken & Monterey Jack) well, it was fairly tasteless and under-seasoned. After paying 18 dollars for an average bowl (and not even a very BIG bowl) of Mac 'N Cheese, well... wouldn't you be a bit upset? (If you've ever tried the Mac 'N Cheese over at "The Twisted Rooster", then you know just HOW GOOD Mac "N Cheese can actually taste... this place wasn't like that). Also, the "mustard" cole slaw that came with my friend's ribs was also bland, and lacking in flavor (even though some other reviewer on here loved it). Oh... and add to that the Polenta Dish that we also tried was very bland as well?? (Okay, I'm no "Polenta" expert, maybe it's supposed to be that way?) All of those things added together made for a very disappointing meal at a place that has gotten such good word-of-mouth. Perhaps we just didn't make the best choices of what was listed on the menu, but shouldn't EVERYTHING on the menu be quite good for a place with SO MANY 5-Star ratings? I don't expect to change anyone's "HIGH" opinion of this place (for all those that have gone here and love it), but for anybody who has NEVER been yet, just be prepared to spend a lot of money and don't necessarily expect the greatest tasting food that you have ever had (although the Quality of the food is excellent).
(3)
Josh R.
The review isn't so much a knock on the food, as it is the over-pricing, and Zingerman's trying to capitalize on their name. Look, the food at the Roadhouse is great, but it's WAY too pricy. The food is good, and it's not a bad atmosphere to take a date or buck-up to take some friends... but it's not necessarily the greatest place either. If you're going to pay lots of money, you can get more bang for your buck elsewhere. Also, the location isn't great either, as there's nothing within walking distance for a post-dinner stroll. To summarize: good food, over-priced.
(2)
Jeff J.
Overrated. I think that because it's in Michigan (a place not exactly known for stellar food) it got hyped because it is admittedly better than the standard chain-restaurants that are ubiquitous around here. I had the Pork BBQ sandwich. Pork was a bit dry. Basically good diner food but 14 dollars for a sandwich? The atmosphere was nice and the staff are very nice. It's a good place to go, but hype aside, this is basically average-tasting/quality food that is very very expensive .
(3)
A N.
I really enjoy the chef's use of product from his own gardens. Great sides and cocktails. Can be a bit heavy if you don't order carefully. One of a kind!
(4)
Tony C.
If only you could give a place 3-1/2 stars, that'd be what Zingerman's Roadhouse deserves. So, let's break it down: The food quality and service is impeccable. The servers are all very attentive and knowledgeable about the food. The quality is on par with what you'd expect from a place bearing the Zingerman's name. It also cracks me up that every time I eat there, I see Ari working as a waiter. The guy is the founder of Zingerman's, buttloaded, but still waits tables. Gotta love that. But, I remove one star for the pure snobbery of the fact that this place is charging people $20 for fried chicken! Is the Zingerman's fried chicken really worth $15 more than what you can get at KFC for $5? It's definitely a lesson in the law of diminishing marginal returns. It's trained into us that at Zingerman's, you're going to pay a limb to eat there and here is no exception. I would also like to remove another 1/2 star for the fact that if you're going to charge people crazy food prices like they do, then this place should be paying downtown rent, not the rent of a place located in the Westgate shopping strip mall. I eat here about twice a year because that's about all I can afford. Try the fried chicken (if you can afford it), the many mac and cheeses, and any of the extremely fresh fish. You will not be disappointed, only your wallet will be.
(3)
Claire S.
This is the ideal place to take your parents: very good food that you can't afford. Hammering in the "fresh, local ingredients" angle is a good idea, too, cuz it makes cheese seem almost healthy. I like the American food angle (no "fusion" here, folks!) and it appears that they focus on different parts of the country in a rotating menu--a good idea in a country known for food ranging from fried chicken to tofurkey. I had the waiter-recommended mac and cheese made unholy with chicken, cilantro, and spice and it was damn tasty (even better reheated the next day). Bf had the bleu cheese bacon burger--not my thing but he raved. Also extensive beer list, with a few good deals.
(4)
Mind Melting F.
Fried buttermilk chicken was very bland. Should be given a choice of mashed potatoes with or without bacon(?). excellent bread and outstanding desert. Expensive. Excellent service. Make a reservation though,otherwise you will have a long wait. not sure why this place is so popular
(2)
Erik B.
The Roadhouse has the most amazing sweet potato fries that I have had. This is a restaurant that goes the extra mile in everything that they do in order to satisfy the customer.
(5)
Shayne D.
Food is heavy on fat, ambiance is loud and not cozy, prices are ridiculously high and you often have to wait quite awhile for a table. This place gets a lot of attention from out-of-town restaurant reviewers as being the quintessential A2 place to eat but it makes me kind of sad to think that people think this place represents Ann Arbor cuisine.
(2)
Measie J.
Every time I end up at the Roadhouse for a meal, I always leave telling myself I have to come back and order the... The food and beverages are wonderful! On my last visit I tried the pimento cheese burger with Ari's recommendation of peppered bacon on it, OMG it was the best burger ever. The Roadhouse is also great about letting you taste an item on the menu to be sure that you like it before ordering or just for a taste. Our table had a taste of the pimento cheese and peppered bacon macaroni and it was to die for. Therefore, I will be heading back over there soon for a meal of it. It is worth every bit of the price based on the ingredients used. Zingerman's Roadhouse is definitely a gem for Ann Arbor.
(5)
PJ M.
My mom and I laughed about the last time we tried the Roadhouse for like, YEARS because it was just so comical the way the waiter built up every single dish. He was so enthusiastic about the food that it just really came off as ridiculous. The strawberry shortcake was made with, "local red berries plucked at the peak of freshness, the cake was made from scratch in small batches, the whip cream was from some special cow from some special pasture," etc etc . With fond memories of mom's bisquick shortcake and regular 'ol Michigan strawberries, and regular whipped cream, we felt we couldn't say no. When we were finally served the small but really expensive portions, we were overwhelmed with how completely ordinary, nay less than ordinary it tasted. It became our running joke for years to come....that strawberry shortcake whose berries were watered by the tears of viginal nuns- whose whip cream came from cows massaged daily...you get the idea---ie, Zingerman's Road house is a joke!
(1)
Lauren S.
Great food - I have my annual meeting with a client from Southfield here every year. I just wish they had more than one dinner table with an electrical outlet. Come On, Zingerman's - get with the times!!!
(3)
Jim C.
The food was excellent and the staff outstanding. In town for a workshop, I enjoyed my dinner the 1st night that I came back for another meal. These people care about food and have created a new approach to American food. Glad I followed another reviewer's recommendation and had sweet potato fries. You should try them. Macaroni & Cheese? Yes, it's on the menu and it's not what I'd expect. Several excellent combinations of cheeses and fresh ingredients to choose from. So much more to try. I'll be back when I'm in Ann Arbor.
(5)
Cd S.
Just plain overpriced for what you're getting. We tried some of their comfort food stuff, and it was decent but not exceptional, and the meal for two cost $85 (no wine either). I gotta say, don't believe the hype on this one.
(2)
Kenta Y.
Great food and atmosphere. I was an U of Michigan student when I first tried this place. Had the brisket with a recommendation from a friend and it turned out to be my favorite dish here. The server and workers are really nice and you can try most of the things on the menu before you order. The sweet potato fries with the chipotle dressing is great as well.
(4)
Allyson L.
In short: a little pricey, but I can't recommend Zing's Roadhouse enough for someone who wants some quality comfort food with great service. I just got back from a delicious lunch there with my mom. I got the fried catfish po' boy - the catfish was crunchy on the outside and moist on the inside, and the cabbage, mayo and pickles complimented the flavors perfectly. The sandwich was so huge that I could only eat half. (But now I have a delicious other half of my sammich to look forward to!) Instead of fries, I got sauteed local greens, which were perfectly cooked and had just enough mustard greens to add a nice earthy flavor. My mom got a meatball sub, which was way too big to pick up and eat but was also quite good. That came with some really great sweet potato fries - skin on, no sugar, and served with a spicy mayo that rivals Seva's (oh how it pains me to say that!). She also got some delicious fresh-squeezed lemonade that was just tart enough. Our bill came to $30; a little steep for a lunch, but absolutely worth it for the quality of ingredients and the great service. The service was fantastic, probably more fantastic because we came at off-peak hours (2:30 pm). The woman who served us was really friendly and even offered to walk us out to our car with an umbrella after our meal because it was raining. She offered us a refill on our sweet potato fries (didn't know you could do that!) and gave us a delicious sample of their "What the Fudge?" candy bar as a dessert since we didn't order any. The other great part of the Roadhouse is the Roadshow, their take-out service. The Roadshow is an old metal trailer stuck on the side of the building, connecting to the restaurant's kitchen. You can either call in your order or place it there - you just drive right up and get your food! I think they do coffee, breakfast, and quick lunches, too. Last time I picked up a take-out order, they included a free loaf of day-old raisin bread and some sort of dessert. Again, wonderful, friendly, helpful people. Now I just need to go back for brunch!
(5)
Peter S.
Good food and very good service. It would be five stars if it weren't over-priced. The biggest difference between the food here and good southern cooking is the steep price. The chicken-fried steak is highly recommended.
(4)
Matt G.
As one of the staples of Ann Arbor, Zingerman's Roadhouse must be a place visited, either by a visitor, or long time resident. For those die hard Zingerman followers, to the curious first timer, Zingerman's Roadhouse is sure to please those looking for a more upscale and unique environment and menu. No, this isn't some snooty sixty dollar per plate establishment that you may encounter going on Main St., rather a classy and sophisticated casual place, with a wide array of tasty comfort food on the menu. Go there on a fall evening and sit outside with someone near and dear to your heart, have a few drinks, enjoy a great meal; both of you will come away impressed and with a smile on your face, and you will take all the credit for being the mastermind behind a wonderful evening. 4.5/5
(4)
Freedom M.
Conveniently located on the corner of Jackson and Stadium, this Smokehouse has a relaxed atmosphere but pricey menu. The waitstaff is good, amiable and attentive. The food is more than not, absolute heaven. My favorites being: the hamburgers, the sauteed spinach, the pimento mac and cheese, gumbo, the eggs benedict and any of the chili. Their coffee is INCREDIBLE. I feel this place is worth the money if you avoid the following: any fish (but their shellfish is good), bar b q goat, crabcake appetizer and the hueveros rancheros (too watery). The menu changes often but you can always ask for an old favorite. They have a drive through section where you can pick up stuff in a hurry and the occasional farmer's market selling fresh veggies and fruits in the parking lot. Free samples are another treat you might get on your visit here. A few spoonfuls of their newest soup or pudding or fresh donut bites are free samples I've received. If you are vegetarian, you are going to be alright here. They are a smokehouse, but you can talk them into making just about anything from the menu to your specifications. Dinner guests with me have raved about the beer, smoked chicken sandwich, fried chicken, appetizer salads, Applewood smoked bacon with eggs and the grits. Be prepared to shell out some bucks, as I said before. Not cheap and by some standards, not reasonable - but for me, worth every dime. Update 2011: We still come here regularly. Staff there are still extremely attentive and comfortable to deal with. A helpful detail for breakfast lovers: their small sides menu are very good sized portions, so you can get a nice meal for half the price of their set breakfast plates and it's a little less exotic if you just want a plain ol' no frills breakfast. The smoked sausage is SO extremely tasty. I found their grilled cinnamon rolls to be a new favorite but you have to really get there early and grab one because they sell out fast. Update 2012: Yep. we are still regulars. We love our Zingerman's roadhouse! Some improvements since my original 2009 post: The hueveros rancheros is really incredible now. A plate cleaner. The staff are UNBELIEVABLY accommodating. I would place this staff as the best in town. Some amazing menu items: THE FREAKING DUCK GUMBO!!!!! Fried Oyster po boy, Corned beef hash, warm spinach salad and Mary's wild oats. A recent yummy is something simple - big bowl of yogurt with fresh fruit. Some of the most ordinary sounding things have special flair here. Another golden touch is a great array of Sprecher's sodas - my favorite being orange. Also delectable and surprisingly filling: the cheese plate. It comes with an array of homeade crackers and fruit. I am also a fan of the oysters - but this is not filling and quite expensive. However - if you are ready to lay out some cash, a combo cheese plate and fresh oyster starter is an incredible time!! Summer update 2012: Now is the time to get down there and eat the heck out of the vegetable dishes. If you can imagine works of art for your tastebuds, then I would go for anything with local veggies. Recently I've had some awesome glazed carrots, heirloom tomatoes and the spinach never gets old. Would like to give props to the incredible sorbets - they have an amazing clean finish. Again, the staff is almost worth coming here alone - EVERYONE is unique and a star in their own right. Summertime is bright and shining at the Roadhouse!
(5)
Peter S.
Most recent take was good, but not exceptional (really overcooked burger) - sweet potato fries were pretty good. Will certainly return & hope for another 4 star or better time.
(3)
Christopher F.
Similar to Znigermans Deli, the Roadhouse has great food, great service nice atmosphere. The prices are expensive but not as atrocious as Zingerman's Deli. Virtually everything on the menu at Roadhouse is terrific, the pulled pork, brisket, Chicken all wonderful they have three BBQ sauces a NC Vinegar, SC mustard BBQ, or the memphis BBQ they will let you sample each with a bit of pork just ask. They brew their own beers too all of which are pretty good. Their Mac N cheese, the goat mac their applewood Bacon Mac and their regular Mac are the best combination of Mac N Cheese I have ever had. If you want the best bang for your buck eat during Lunch time can get a combination of Pork, chicken, Brisket, with two sides for 11.99; 15.99 if you sub for a Mac (highly recommendaded) the biggest dissapointment was the Texas Charbrito, the goat was excellant but the portions were ridculosly small. Other than that entree have been good with everything I have eaten there. A must try if in Ann Arbor!!!
(4)
Kyle H.
I thought Zingermans was way over hyped. We called ahead on a monday night, an hour an a half early to be exact, and put our names in for a table. I thought the menu looked really good but way over priced and especially for what I was served. I got the coffee and coco rubbed short ribs. They were over cooked and the rub wasn't particularly tasty. The greens with braised bacon were 98% flavorless! The 2% flavor was pepper. I think they must have boiled them with that bacon for a day and half. We subbed out our mashed potatoes for what was supposed to be their specialty, the mac and cheese. They up-charged our meals $4 for 1/4 cup of mac and cheese. While that was the most tasty thing in the meal it made me long for my wife's version. They were featured on some show on food network or something and were praised for having the best comfort food around. Maybe that praise made them jack up the prices? I do a lot of traveling and there are a lot of local restaurants like Zingermans doing the same thing for less money and way better quallity. I think the people of Ann Arbor have the Zingerman wool pulled over their eyes if they are so in love with this place.
(2)
Sarah S.
Oh, Zingerman's. I see your menu, with all its hearty yet sophisticated dishes, and I smell the tantalizing smoky aroma in your restaurant, and I want so badly to like you. But after three tries, I don't. Granted, I'm a vegetarian, so I'm probably not sampling the best you have to offer. But your macaroni was bland, your black bean burger dry and tasteless, your enchiladas decent but not worth $18. Furthermore, your service is some of the pushiest I've ever encountered. If I say I'm not interested in a drink or dessert, don't ask me three more times to make sure. Friends who have accompanied me here have been similarly disappointed. The bottom line is, your chef needs to focus on execution, and your overall approach needs to focus on quality, not quantity.
(2)
Michael S.
Pros- good food in general, high quality ingredients Cons- outrageously priced, only the most devoted Zingermans fan or people for whom money is no object would eat here on a regular basis. Verdict- WAY OVERPRICED, good for an occasional casual dinner out when money is not an issue
(2)
Richard F.
As much as I love Zingerman's Deli, the Roadhouse, while very good, does not get my top grade. Like the deli, they serve Zingerman's own coffees and breads. And like the deli, they really have unique and wonderfully prepared foods. But I feel the prices are not justified here, as they are at the deli. And the service, while usually very personable and well executed has occasionally been slow and spotty. They do have nice daily specials and they have focused on true roadhouse food including some smokehouse specialties. But the execution and pricing have driven me to not go there very often even though they are fairly close to where I work. I am not a big meatloaf fan, but I ordered ti the other day because others seemed to be enjoying it and the portions looked huge. But when mine was delivered the portion was fractional and the meat was fairly dry. I should have sent it back, but I chalked it up to one small loss. I have had great sandwiches there at lunchtime and the fried chicken is great too. The oysters I had as an appetizer were first rate and the wine list is good as well. The servers are well trained to be able to explain the attributes of the wines on the list which is always a plus. If the prices were say ten to twenty percent less and if the food was more repeatable, they would be a five star choice.
(4)
Kerry A.
I was recently in Ann Arbor for a long weekend. My mom and step-dad were really excited to take my boyfriend and I to Zingermans because apparently, its something you have to do in Ann Arbor. Luckily, they had made reservations (it was homecoming weekend and absolutely packed.) When we were seated, I was looking through the menu and while everything sounded great, the prices were outrageous. I ordered the short-rib, which they were out of so I switched to a cheeseburger. The cheese for the burger cost $4. I understand that it was a fancy cheese, but regular old cheddar (which wasn't offered) would have been fine. The bacon I wanted? About $3. It was advertised as apple-wood smoked bacon. What came out was comparable to something from Wendy's. Very thin, flavorless bacon. And it was only 2 strips. My boyfriend got a smoked chicken mac-and-cheese dish. It wasn't bad, but tasted as if the smoke flavor came from a bottle. The smokey flavor overwhelmed the flavor of the cheese, and just about everything else in it. The dish was about $23. For mac-and-cheese? Get real. The service was great and friendly, but the food didn't wow any of us.
(3)
Michael D.
This place rocks. If the food weren't good enough, there are cocktails on the menu here that you can't find anywhere else (like the Papa Doble)...or prepared properly (some using a bit of egg white to produce the correct amount of drink foam...very old school, very cool).
(4)
Samiya B.
nice place, good folks, really pretty good food. the final star is gone because it's outrageously overpriced for no good reason. the food is basic americana. that they offer it -- great. that you can pay $30 for some fried chicken? ridiculous. i'll do it ... but usually only based on someone else's desire -- or when i feel like something and don't care how much it is.
(4)
Emily G.
Kitchsy and Delicious. I came here for my bday dinner and wasn't disappointed. You can smell the BBQ smoking from the outside and it's so good. On the inside it is comfy and eclectic; there are shadow boxes full of salt and pepper shakers. The menu is crazy, the drink/desser/cheese menu gets it's own binder! The dinner menu has season/daily changes on it as well. I got the pork BBQ with NC style sauce, greens and sweet potato fries. If you go you must get the sweet potato fries, really, you must. Also, they have a portion of the menu just devoted to mac 'n' cheese. I mean 'c'mon! Anyway, I highly recommend it, just maybe not around game time, it tends to fill up quickly.
(4)
T. S.
take your wallet and just open it at the door. it will soon be empty anyway. If you don't care, food is good.
(1)
Mike R.
Too bad I couldn't give this 6 stars ! Wowzer was this good or what !! This place now enters the pantheon of places that I would drive to JUST to eat here. Currently, only Momofuko in NYC is in that category. Oh where to begin. Well, it's very close to I-94, about two blocks from the worst hotel we ever stayed at. The Clarion. The menu changes daily. So in the two times we went there (both for brunch) it was like Xmas morning. Soooo what is on the menu today. I think I'll have the super smoked pulled pork with only the greatest mac & cheese I have EVER had ! The day before had some corn beef hash with poached egg... WOW.. My wife had some grits, egg thing.... she is still on cloud nine, and the coffee.... my god was that great !!! Portions are not big.... which is OK by me.... it's kind of like Per Se meets Bob Evans. Don't miss this place.
(5)
Mary P.
Great food, great service, great evening!
(4)
b b.
Expensive and the food was just ok! I wouldn't go back. Go to the deli, food is much better and worth what you pay.
(2)
S J.
I travel for work, and whenever I come to Ann Arbor, I make sure to stop at Zingerman's. I was there on 4/18/2012 and the hostess asked me how I was. I said I was ok, and she asked what would make me better. I said that you can never go wrong with chocolate. I settled in and looked over the menu, and tried to decide what to get My waitress, Sharon, came over to greet me with a little ramekin in her hand with chocolate pudding. Now that's the way to get me to be happy! I savored the pudding while looking at the menu. Sharon was kind enough to help me decide on some options for dinner, and made sure that I was happy. I had fried chicken (YUM!) and a tomato pesto mac and cheese. The Mac and cheese was a bit salty, but that's fine. Dessert was chocolate and butterscotch pudding. Now I'm not a butterscotch person, but this had salt in it, and was delicious! All in all, a great dinner. Not expensive either, since I only ordered one chicken breast knowing that I was on my own and I didn't want to waste any food!
(5)
Denise K.
Located in a refurbished Bill Knapp's restaurant (anyone of a "certain age" who lived in Michigan and surrounding states remembers that former chain), Zingerman's Roadhouse is where Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip would go, incognito, if they wanted the best diner food in America. This is the kind of comfort food you wish your mama knew how to make, and maybe she could if she had the fabulous ingredients that The Roadhouse always uses -- fresh, top quality and home-grown if available. From breakfast to a late night supper, the offerings are imaginative without being over the top, and while they often add new menu items they wisely retain the tried and true favorites. Ahhhhh, the bread, the butter, the super-duper cocktails from the bar ... and that's all before you ever look at a menu. They're also wonderful with substitutions (no eye-rolling by the server), sooooo good with little kids (sometimes I wanna eat off the kids' menu), and a great place for larger parties. Today, on an extremely busy day at The Roadhouse, we celebrated the 37th anniversary of our first date with our three adult daughters, two sons-in-law and a serious boyfriend, and two toddler grandchildren -- 10 in all. Our server made us feel like we were the only folks in the joint (but service is always excellent here). Between us, we had their Eggs Benedict, Waffles, Reuben, Buttermilk Fried Chicken, two kids' Mac-n-Cheese, Black Bean Burger with Jalapeño & Avocado sauce, and a Grilled Limburger Cheese Sandwich with Onions, Tomatoes and Bacon (guess who ordered that ... ). Just delicious. In addition, parking is plentiful. During peak hours, which is almost always, I would recommend reservations.
(5)
Jason P.
I dont get to Ann Arbor often, but this place might change that! What a great meal!! I had heard of Zingermans from friends and various food network shows, but had never experienced the food. I am here to tell you it was fantastic. When you walk up it looks, well, like a roadhouse, but this aint the Double Deuce! The inside is very clean and comfortable with pictures of the various places they get their ingredients. Most is home grown around Michigan or from organic houses in Vermont, Cali, ect...I had the BBQ Pork Sandwich with Sweet Potatoe Fries. My server brought it out with five different sauces. All were good, but the green tomato and aielo sauce were the best. The meat was tender, and the fries were cooked just right. Our server was very knowledgable about the food and how it is prepared. Overall, a great meal and I have become a fan!
(5)
Nupur L.
I enjoyed my visit to Zingerman's Roadhouse but the experience just doesn't add up for the price. The entrees are certainly good and I appreciate small touches like an amuse bouche and samples of most items on the menu. The interior is little more than a glorified Denny's with dim lighting and better upholstery, though. The food, while quite tasty, does not measure up to what one would expect for $15 mac and cheese or $20 fried chicken. Also, something makes me cringe about $8 cocktails with nothing better than Jim Beam-in Ann Arbor! I've had comparably priced meals in other cities that were absolutely unforgettable and Zingerman's Roadhouse just doesn't deliver at that price range.
(3)
Claire D.
After a four hour class on how to decorate cakes at the Zingerman Bakehouse, we felt the only option for dinner while in Ann Arbor last Friday would have to be Zingerman's Roadhouse. It's the kind of atmosphere you expect when you participate in any Zingerman's experience; friendly, upbeat, a commitment to service and good food. They have fresh oysters flown in so we had to sample those, while we waited for our food our waiter brought us delicious cheese to sample and our waiter (Will) was able to make great suggestions for our meal. If we hadn't been so full of cake, we would have sampled the ample bar menu as well as the excellent dessert menu. However we stuck to a really flavorful macaroni and cheese and I got the stuffed cabbage. The mac and cheese, I felt was better than my stuffed cabbage dish but I had never tried stuffed cabbage before so I may not like stuffed cabbage as much. However, the bacon with the stuffed cabbage was amazing!
(4)
douglas R.
Ok this has to be one of the best roadhouse's I have ever been to. My family and I went for breakfast while in MI last week and were thoroughly impressed. Home runs all around. First off the hostess automatically asked us if we would like to sit outside, which we wanted to. The Patio was covered with plastic overhead and the tables were delightfully comfortable. Even my 2 year old loved the chairs and sat still to color with the crayons and paper they gave her. Plus one for that. We were seated near the outside grill, which when the breeze blew just right you could smell the heavanly aroma of smoking meat. Plus two because the aroma gave your pallet a chance to catch up to your senses. Our waitress was so delightful and helpful with the menu I almost didn't want to leave after our feast. I ordered a belgian waffle stuffed with bacon and grits. As I am not a fan of grits I was skeptical. I also ordered a side of sausage patties which our gracious waitress said she could make it a half and half order as I wanted to try both types of sausage. Which the Broadbent's Smoked Sausage ended up being the better of the two. The Roadhouse Breakfast Sausage was a bit dry but not bland. When the Bits and Grits waffle showed up it looked just like the wonderful sugar coated waffle's we had in Belgium. To make matters better it tasted just like those waffles. Now the grits in the waffle weren't crunchy or soggy but just right. And the bacon was divine. To top off the waffle was a beautiful "Maple" syrup that when mixed with the butter makes you stop and appreciate the world around you. (More places in MI should be ashamed with not getting great maple syrup when they are so close to Canada.) Like a shape-shifting chupacabra each bite of the waffle was a different tasty flavor. My wife ordered the "NEW" English Breakfast, which was great, except for the ham. The ham was good but not great like the bacon or sausage. It was a bit dry, but it still doesn't warrant a bad mark. The eggs were cooked to my wives liking and the veggies and beans were out of this world good. When I talked to the waitress about the restaurant she tried to get the Chef to come out and talk to me. Unfortunately for me he had some catering to do but I was able to talk to the co-owner Ari. After a lengthy conversation and a good meal I was convinced to buy his book on bacon. I have still to read it but I will by the end of the summer. So if you are in Ann Arbor for a visit or going to watch a Wolverines football game stop by Zingerman's you will not be disappointed. We will all be going back on our next trip to MI. Thank you Ari and staff for making us feel welcome and appreciated.
(5)
Scott I.
This restaurant has everything you expect from Zingerman's: high quality food, good service, and high prices. Fantastic barbecue. Where else are you going to find good North Carolina pulled pork or authentic grits in Michigan? Also check out the cocktail menu -- they are reviving the art of fantastic old-fashioned cocktails. There are actually some good deals here. Monday through Thursday check out the Blue Plate special. Especially on Thursday, when you can have the Barbecue Sampler for $12.95. The burgers are also pricey for burgers, but moderate compared to many of the entrees, and they are outstanding. And for dessert, you have to try the doughnut Sundae. C'mon, you have to. Doughnut. Sundae. 'Nuff said.
(4)
Mae S.
Another overrated Ann Arbor legend in its own mind.
(3)
Erin G.
The Roadhouse has some standouts, but for me they're mostly in the appetizers, not the main meals. Their crabcakes are yummy, as are their sweet potato fries. Their chili cheese fries are really fantastic: "Our ancho beef chuck chili over hand-cut, twice cooked fries with our grated 2-year-raw-milk Vermont cheddar." If it weren't out of my way, I'd go just for those. Once, we got Alex's sampler, which includes said crab cakes, onion rings, ribs, quesadillas, and hush puppies. It was just too much greasiness to handle. Granted, many appetizers are, but I expected more from Zingermans. And I expected more for the price. For main meals, I've tried their ribs and fried chicken and mac n cheese. All of them were just ok, and not worthy of the price. If you've got some money and want to try it out, go for it, but it's not somewhere I'd be a repeat customer. I'll stick to the deli, which Zingerman's knows how to do great. Oh, p.s. I hear they have brunch, I've never made it out to that, is it good?
(3)
Chris S.
Down home American cooking! The fried chicken rocks. Other items on the menu looked quite delectable. Best characterized as a better-than-average suburban restaurant.
(3)
Carolyn S.
Zingerman's Roadhouse was almost too much fun. Great cocktails. The BBQ oysters were out of this world and could become addictive, a ham and cheese plate that was unlike anything I've ever tasted - domestic procuitto maybe - but not salty at all - it was amazing. Served with a beautiful, creamy cows milk cheese. A beet salad that I salivate trying to describe. Get the picture? The four of us split two entrees - coffee rubbed wild boar that was beautifully cooked and we had to have the fried (melt in your mouth) chicken - which was perfect. I'm going to stop here except to say that service was exceptionally friendly and professional. We wanted to go back the next day to have some of the roast suckling pig they were just starting to cook on the outdoor grill.
(5)
Ashley D.
I wasn't too impressed. The real Zingerman's is much better. We waited for an extremely long time and the food was just OK. If you're trying to choose between this and the original, go with the latter.
(3)
brandon h.
phenomenal service, food hit or miss
(3)
S H.
Basically they're using high quality ingredients and it comes out below mediocre. Please don't make the mistake of confusing Zingerman's original deli (awesome sandwiches, desserts, and other stuff) with the thoroughly mediocre but perhaps even more pricey Zingerman's Roadhouse. I've tried three times with groups after football games, and have now resolved never to return. Interestingly, virtually all my friends, who encompass a wide range of tastes/backgrounds, were in complete agreement. The menu is slight: there's only a handful of entree options, most of the Americana/pulled pork/smoked meat variety. The Mac & Cheese is WAY too rich, just normal pasta-from-a-box loaded with artery-clogging amounts of rich cheese. While the dish may be rich, you won't be after paying up for it - the prices are almost offensive. Service is slow and the atmosphere - mostly booths and unremarkable decor - make me think this space could operate as a Denny's with just a change of signs. Quite clearly the Zingerman's name has branded people to come here and wait long amounts of time to overpay for bad Macaroni & Cheese - pretty sweet business model if you can pull it off. For those considering, instead head downtown where there are plenty of better options where you might pay as much but actually get a better-than-diner meal served to you.
(2)
Dharma A.
I should start by saying that as far as going out to eat, this is not my favorite style of food to go out for. Upscale comfort food is how I think of it. It's hardy and tends to be meat and cheese-heavy. But it is really good. They have several different macaroni and cheese dishes, using only the best cheeses. I especially like their chili, which has a good smokey flavor and is made with shredded beef instead of ground. The service, like all Zingerman's establishments, is top-notch. I've met and talked with Chef Alex a few times and love his passion for heirloom tomatoes. They grow their own and dry them, make sauces, etc.! Impressive.
(4)
Niki T.
Have eaten here a few times and it's always top notch. The breakfast/brunch is unique and always tasty. The lunch we had here was perfect. I'm not a huge BBQ fan but their BBQ lunch options are amazing and so mouth watering. The service is top notch and very informative. They even go as far as to provide samples of their best entrees if you haven't ordered them. Definitely makes you want to come back to order next time. Everything they serve is local and comes from the surrounding areas.
(5)
Tim M.
I tasted why Food Network rated the Pimento & Bacon Mac 'n Cheese the best in the US - creamy, tender, delicious. But very rich. Barbecue was incredible, too. Pricy. Great service. We'll be back!
(5)
Jamie V.
Great food and absolutely fresh fresh fresh! Their warm spinach salad was delicious and satisfying on its own. I also got the fried green tomatoes which were tasty but the salad was the best, bar none. Service was excellent and my children and hubby loved it also. Fine selection of Michigan beers and even some wine!
(5)
Lily H.
First, if I could give The Roadhouse 10 stars, I would. Second, of all of the restaurants where I have dined, of all of the food I have eaten, The Roadhouse is my favorite, maybe one of my favorite places on earth. Honestly, if you are a foodie, you will probably enjoy anything off of the menu. Anything. If you are like me, you will get bogged down by one or two of your favorite things and order them over and over and over and over, each time trying to convince yourself to try something new and then caving in and ordering your favorite item off of the menu because you know it will never disappoint, ever. Even though anything you order will be that good too...it's a cycle, a wonderful and delicious cycle. In these hard economic times, and any time you're feeling that weird Ann Arbor "why is it so expensive here" feeling, check out Zingerman's specials. My sister and I used to look forward to burger night on Mondays, when one may order any burger off of the menu, Roadhouse salad included, for $12.95. I encourage you to swap the regular fries for sweet potato fries (add $1.00) because the sweet potato fries are fantastic but more importantly they serve as a vehicle for the spicy mayo sauce by which they are accompanied. I'm also a fan of the meatloaf special on Wednesdays, the warm spinach and mushroom salad (not a special but satisfying and divine), any of the fresh oysters, and nearly anything off of the brunch menu. If they have any brownies in the Airstream outside, get one to go. This past summer, my Chicago based coworkers and I indulged in several amazing happy hours at the bar inside of the salt&pepper shaker room; really good happy hour beer specials await! After dining at The Roadhouse for many happy years, I wonder what it would be like to stumble upon it again, differently, for the first time. It is my dream to live in an alternate universe and happen upon Zingerman's Roadhouse as a drive through the country. I would find myself hungry and on 94E/W. Maybe on my way to Chicago. I believe that to hungrily exit 94, to decide to try out Zingerman's instead of the Taco Bell or MacDonald's down the street, park and go inside would be like some kind of food experience heaven. Long live Zingerman's!
(5)
Amanda Z.
It's kind of just a meh for me. Went to the Roadhouse with a few friends and it was pretty good but I guess I was just expecting a little more. Our waiter was fantastic, never rushed us, gave us great advice about the menu, and even brought out two small tastes of the different kinds of mac and cheese so my friend could decide between the two! That's service! We ordered the Maize & Blue Hush Puppies as an appetizer. The maize were the clear winner and tasted like a traditional hush puppy. The blue were really dry and even with the spicy mayo as a dipping sauce, they were hard to get down. As a main dish, I ordered the Grilled Carolina White Grits, which more closely resembles polenta cakes. As the name implies, they grill the cakes, but I don't remember asking for my cakes to be well done. They were like blackened on the bottom, making the top part the only edible part. The top part was pretty good though, and the corn, pepper, onion and cheese mixture on top was really flavorful and gave the cakes some moisture they definitely needed. Overall, I would give the food 2 stars, the service 4 stars and average it out to 3 stars. Maybe I just hit an off day?
(3)
Erica R.
I know it might be sacrilegious to say this but I really don't think Zingerman's is anything to call home about. I've been to the road house 2 or 3 times and each time I find myself thinking really was that worth the 25 bucks? It's not that the food is bad its just not that great. Most recently I shared the hand cut sweet potato fries with the spicy mayo as an appetizer and got the Macaroni and 3 pepporcorn goat cheese. The sweet potatos were really good and I might even go so far as to say that they are some of the best sweet potato fries I've ever had, but the Macaroni and cheese was just OKAY. Maybe I was expecting too much but the description of a fresh goat cheese sauce, carmelized onions, fresh cracked peppers, and a topper of a crispy round of goat cheese made me think wow this is going to be really flavorful and perhaps worth the $17 dollars. But no not even close the pasta was a bit bland and it felt like something I could have made at home with the proper ingredients. If I was eating this at say an Applebees and I had paid $9.99 for it then perhaps I would have been okay and even slightly positive about it but since this is Zingerman's which is supposed to be oh so delicious and since they charged me $17 dollars for it, I was not so happy. Our bill for two people was $52 for one pretty good appetizer, two average entrees and a lemonade. If that sounds like a party to you then by all means head to Zingerman's Roadhouse if not head to Applebees and you will probably be equally satisfied and whole lot richer by the end of your meal.
(2)
Will M.
This place is kind of expensive; however almost every restaurant in Ann Arbor is kind of expensive. The food is really good, and usually interesting. The mac and cheese is delightful AND the fried chicken is great. The more "adult" food is also good. The Zingerman's service difference is for real. The number of beers on tap is excellent and they have some interesting ones. They also have very interesting special events.
(4)
Iris S.
We hosted a rehearsal dinner on July 3rd. It was fantastic and everything turned out perfectly. Joanie, the event coordinator, was great to work with, she made good suggestions, and put together cute menus with our picture on them. The outdoor patio setting along with the great food really impressed our guests. The two servers we had were super; they were attentive, patient, and flexible. We also very much appreciated a surprise gift the restaurant gave us. It was really a special touch. I live out of town, so I chose the restaurant based on a friend's suggestion. I'm so happy we did and I can't wait to visit again.
(5)
Pete U.
seriously, not good at all, went with a group of 4, one enjoyed their meal(ribs), everything else greasy, to a point of grossness, double fried fries, fried sandwiches, i wont ever go back, and would not recomend it to anyone
(1)
Moody A.
I do not know what heck the other reviewers are bragging about this place for. They must have been inebriated when wrote the reviews. This food is horrible. Its bland and poorly put together. I have had better ribs at McDonalds with their McRib sandwich. I will say that the waitress and service was great. If you want to waste $100 for 2 then go here.
(1)
Dave T.
Another head of the Ann Arbor hydra that is Zingermans. When this place first opened, I was working at another high end restaurant up the road, and I remember that we used to make fun of their inexperience and misfortune ("They ran out of WHAT?!?!). Those days are long past. If you areof the Meatloaf, Fried Fish and BBQ school of cuisine, you will be happy with this place. As with the rest of the Zingermans line, the prices are more than most folk's walking around money. The quality, however, is typical Zingermans, which is to say, par excellance. Incredible breakfast, which is more affordable than the dinner menu. The eggs benedict, in particular, is extraordinary, if a little unusual in the use of southern country ham instead of Canadian bacon, and sourdough toast instead of english muffin. The bar is very full, especially of American whiskeys, of which I happen to be a bit of a fan. They have bourbon sampling flights (!), which you should definitely try if you're looking to expand your tastes.
(5)
Keith G.
You can't live in SE Michigan and not heard of the magic of Zingerman's, especially with the exposure through Food TV and national magazines. Two years ago, I took a large group to the Deli. I came away disappointed in that everything I'd been promised: 1) the best service, 2) the largest portions, and 3) the best food EVER, failed. The service consisted of standing in a long line, sitting outside at a picnic table, then having the food dropped off. The portion wasn't something to write home about, and the sandwich written way better than it tasted. After paying for nine meals at Zingerman prices, the fail proved EPIC. I recently recovered from that debacle and made it to the Roadhouse. I ordered the BBQ because it smelled amazing. It was a warm Spring day and with the smoked air it felt like Summer in the South. The BBQ portion was on the small side. I even ended up hungry after having had some bread (good) and a bit of dessert. I wasn't amazed, and again paid out the wazoo. Because of the many positive reviews, I may one day return. The Mac n Cheese seems particularly intriguing. But I'll have to start an IRA (Individual Roadhouse Account) to prepare for that day. I will add that our waiter WAS very attentive here as well as friendly. He let me sample the brisket which ended up being better than the pulled pork I'd ordered.
(3)
Christine F.
Everything I've had here has been super delicious. I've only been here for dinner. The standouts in the past have been the cream of mushroom soup (this shit ain't from a can), which is filled with a myriad of different types of mushrooms. It's perfectly seasoned and SO creamy. MMM. I've also had bomb-ass-dick grilled cheeses here. You choose the cheese within the sammich - and they have a list of amazing cheeses to choose from. I chose the aged cheddar, and with that mushroom soup? Perfect! It's definitely a place we swing by when we're in Ann Arbor.
(4)
Dave C.
ROADHOUSE! I came here twice and both times was pleasantly surprised by the delicious food and superb service. First time I had the fried chicken and also sampled my friend's sweet potato fries, corn dog, bbq sampler and pesto mac n cheese. Second time I had the bbq sampler and tried some fish dish. So where to begin? The fried chicken was super crispy and delicious.. the sweet potato fries were humongous and served with some awesome dipping sauce. Nothing like the weaksauce sweet potato fries you get at bobby's burger place, or the wannabe fried chicken at popeye's. the bbq, oh the bbq. Such succulent fall of the bone ribs but at the same time having a bit of crisp on the outside, ahh... I feel the ribs and pulled pork are better than slows, heck i dare say they were better than the ones i tried in Texas from rudy's. They do their own smoking out back for 9hrs and raise their own animals, a recipe for win. The only thing mediocre stuff we had were the pesto mac and corn dogs. But who cares. Their shortcomings are overshadowed to the nth degree by the other awesome dishes. A bit pricey but hey, you pay for it in GREAT service and GREAT food. ~try it!
(5)
Andrea T.
Okay, my favorite things about Zingerman's roadhouse are Rhode Island Coffee milk, these amazing preserved tomatoes, and the excellent service. So on my first visit, I got one of my faves, sweet potatoe fries. They are hard to mess up so it's not that I give anyone extra credit for making them. What impressed me is that about 2 fries fell from the plate to the floor as the server set them before me, and no joke, he pretty much brought us an entire EXTRA plate of fries. My salad had these amazing preserved tomatoes, which because of the wonderful flavor I had mistaken for red peppers. I asked about the preparation of them, commented that I liked them, and five minutes later, I had a saucer full of them to ADD to my salad. Pretty much all of my visits to the Roadhouse involve stories like that. Sure, Zingerman's does charge a bit more for what is basically just American comfort food, but I like the dining experience and the attentiveness of the waitstaff. Clearly, you can get cheaper food or even just stay at home and make some of these things, but this is a fun, casual environment and it's interesting that they challenge themselves to keeping a 100% American menu. I'm kind of a food snob and largely turn my nose up at our "ordinary" cuisine, so it's a nice niche that they have filled to show some of the best of what American cuisine (and wine) has to offer. I like the themed dinners a lot too.
(4)
Erik J.
To cut the chase - the food is delicious, the atmosphere is awesome and the service is spectacular. It just loses the one star because, though it is an excellent imitation, it's just not the same as true southern bbq. I had the BBQ Pork Entree, which is pulled pork served with your choice of sauce, greens and mashed potatoes. The pork itself and the greens are excellent. The potatoes are nothing particularly special, though certainly pleasing. The sauce here was my hang up. They have the holy trinity of tomato, vinegar and mustard based sauces, as well as the elusive Alabama mayo-based one. I had the mustard since I hadn't had it in four years since the last time I was in South Carolina. The sauce is certainly sweet and tangy, but the chef chose to head toward the spicier side of the sauce. He's a James Beard winner and by all means, the sauce is good. It just falls short of what I expected which is sweeter and relies more on the mustard's natural tang then on spice. By all means, however, this is both the first time I've seen it served outside of the Carolinas and it's definitely worth a try. Haven't had the others, though I would expect them to be delicious as well. My wife had the macaroni smoked chicken and monterrey jack. It kept the jack heat and added some green chilis. It's a hefty pool so come hungry if you're going after that or any of the pasta dishes.
(4)
Ani B.
had high expectations coming for breakfast for my birthday. now know that the only guaranteed expectation was a large bill for common food. did like that they offered green chilies in the omelet offerings. got the grilled onions, chiles, and cheddar-they made a fairly good tasting omelet, but no extreme earth-shattering omelet no matter where the eggs came from. i was also disappointed with the one piece of zingerman toast, crusts too hard and the whole wheat was just that, common whole wheat, the worst was the "hash browns" which were boiled potatoes mashed/mixed with miniscule pieces of red peppers and slopped on a grill-just a mashed mess 2/3rds way to a potato cake. Nothing was seasoned; and we know nothing will season up after being cooked. i thought the food could have been presented on the plate better; i felt like i was at a mess hall with it being slopped on a plate, no garnish, no neat presentation. waitress didn't seem like she wanted to be there. mumbled something about what was popular. I didn't understand what she was saying. and i guess it didn't matter. not very attentive on refills or extras. Was hoping for a special high quality breakfast but did not get anything special. look forward to the Cheesecake Factory who makes fantastic breakfasts.
(3)
Jose S.
Unique but pricey.
(2)
Jennifer S.
So I came out to the arctic tundra to visit friends, and I kept hearing about Zingerman's. I finally came for brunch, and got the grits plate. You get chunky slightly cheesy grits, applewood bacon, eggs and toast. The sour cherry preserves are to die for, absolutely perfect. Now the server did mess up my over easy eggs, they ended up well done and medium. Plenty of spots at 10am on a Sunday, and a good price @ $10. I did see the mac/cheese for 15-20 on the dinner menu. Would love to come back sometime and try it out. Dinner had over an hour wait time though for two people =(
(4)
Basak D.
I tried two of the famous Mac and Cheeses and wasn't to impressed. They were overrated and frankly a little greasy. On the other hand the service was great and I ordered a Caesar salad was one of the best I've had.
(3)
Barbara W.
We were staying nearby, so I stopped by after dinner to get my dessert--a mini cherry pie. It was unbelievably good--crisp crust, not-too-sweet filling. The next morning we went for breakfast--yummy omelet, blueberry French toast, great coffee. We need one of these places in Austin!
(5)
Steven L.
Although the food here is not very good, I still have to give this a 4 because it is a Zingerman's restaurant and I can eat here. This shows us that sometimes a restaurant is more than the food it serves. It is about getting the respect you deserve. Also, I feel not too many poor people eat here. I make a six-figure income and I am sure most of the patrons that eat here do as well. It is nice to dine with intelligent humans, not just regular trash. For this, Yay! I am a fan.
(4)
Kay B.
I don't dislike Zingerman's, and I'm certainly no Z-hater. However, having been here twice I continue to be unimpressed by anything other than their extensive cocktail menu and the fact that on Sunday's ($2.00 off classic cocktails) the price of said cocktails becomes reasonable. I like that they have such a clearly marked GF menu, but my two entrees I've had from it were pretty blah (pulled pork) and kind of gross (white grits). Was not expecting giant triangles of polenta-like grit cakes, and while the toppings were interesting after about two bites I knew I had made a poor decision. We did get some good gluten free chili cheese fries, and it's nice that they have an option of GF fries. No one in my party had a bad meal but no one had much to say about their food either. Pretty blah all around.
(2)
Sue D.
This is by far the best restaurant in Ann Arbor. We go as often as we can afford it. I can be confident that anything I get here is made with high quality ingredients and perfectly prepared. Cheap it ain't, but I would much rather pay a price for reliable perfection than pay less and end up with a mediocre meal. Dinner: As other reviewers have noted, the fried chicken is perfection - crispy, moist, flavorful. On Tuesdays they do a hot and spicy version that is smeared with a killer chili sauce. You get a special press-on tattoo if you dare to eat it. My favorite appetizer is the cheese platter. You and your tablemates choose from a long list of specialty cheeses from around the country, and your server is happy to help you put together a nice selection. Sampling these savory tidbits while nibbling on country bread and sipping a glass of wine makes me a very, very happy person. Little pickled grapes come with the cheese. Yum. My kids happily consume the mac'n'cheese and corn dogs. The wine and beer lists are carefully chosen, and there are great deals if you look. Same with the food: many of the prices are high but you can put together a moderately priced meal if you choose carefully - eg, split a whole order of fried chicken with your date (for $20 you get four pieces of chicken plus sides; they happily plate this up for two), or get a fabulous burger and fries. Breakfast: The dougnnuts. Oh, lord. They fry them when you order. These beauties arrive at your table hot and crispy, sprinkled with a thick layer of some fancy, crunchy brown sugar. They are $3 for 3. I can't think of a better start to a weekend morning. Coffee is strong and delicious; bottomless cup. As we were leaving they offered to fill up a cup to go (free!), but I was buzzing too much from sugar and caffeine to take up this generous offer. The bits waffle has bacon and cheese in it. My husband seemed pleased with his, sharing very little of it with his family. I usually have eggs, toast, bacon and hash-browns. This simple breakfast is only as good as the quality of its ingredients and preparation. In a greasy spoon it's salt and grease that you eat fast, washed down with coffee. This is enjoyable in its own way. Here it's an experience to be savored. The toast is thick slices of Z's bread (sourdough or white) slathered with butter from a local producer. Fruit preserves on the side; I chose cherry. Thick slices of peppery Neuske bacon. The over-easy eggs were perfectly prepared. The hash-browns were the only mediocre element; I wanted crispy, browned edges, and these were pretty soft and tasteless. After dinner, we often stop by the to-go dining car parked in the lot. Baked goods are half-price in the evening, which lets us extend our happy Z's experience into the next morning with lemon clouds and scones.
(5)
C O.
This is a great place to get fresh, locally-sourced, home-cooked American fare in a comfortable, inviting, and enjoyable setting. The service is amazing. Not many places offer an unconditional guarantee of your happiness and satisfaction. If you aren't happy, they will make it so. If that means removing food from the bill, swapping a meal for another, or letting you sample everything they offer on the menu for absolutely no charge then that is what they will do. They are prompt, they are attentive, and they are friendly as hell. The food is largely great. I'd particularly recommend picking up a bowl of their Ancho Beef Chuck Chili. It's simply divine. The perfect balance of spice, flavor, color, and texture. If only I'd saved some bread to dip in it from the free bread basket. "Wait, you'll give me more bread for free just to dip in my chili?" "Can it be just the white sourdough bread?" "Yes?" "Awesome, will you have my lovechild?" "No? OK, it was worth asking..." The mac-and-cheese is the only other thing really worth noting on their menu. By that, I mean worth noting how terrible it is. Clumpy, tepid, bland, fatty, heart-cloggingly terrible. Skip it, save your self the disappointment, and order a regular dinner of their menu. It's an institution in Ann Arbor for a reason. It's good. Well, or myself and the bulk of Michigan have no taste.
(4)
Ashley P.
Stop it. This was one of the best meals I've ever had. My colleague called ahead, so we skipped the 30 minute wait and were seated immediately. We ordered the margaritas ($2 off on Wednesday) and our entrees. My colleague couldn't decide what to order so Jacob, our server who was awesome, brought her a few samples of the dishes so she could decide...who does that?! He then brought us some tasty pimento cheese dip because he thought we would like it. He brought us ice cream we didn't order with the check, because he thought it would be a great way to end the meal. I had the fried chicken, crunchy on the outside and mouth-melty on the inside...with mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables. My colleague had the Green Tomatoes "Whole Hog"...the pulled pork was sweet at first and had some spice at the end...omg good. But wait, the Mac and Cheese. I'm glad I only got a side, because if I'd gotten the whole thing I surely would have eaten it all. The restaurant was lively and casual and clean and the people were friendly and kind. J$ would have LOVED this place, can't imagine why we'd come back to Ann Arbor but if I do, he's coming and we're eating here for sure! I was shocked to see the bad reviews on this site. I've been to some amazing restaurants all over the country, and will reference this as one of my favorite dining experiences.
(4)
Andy N.
Great decor and ambiance. If I were you and I were going to visit Ann Arbor, I would definately make a stop at Zingerman's Roadhouse.
(4)
Josh K.
Their food is really delicious made with premium ingredients that are locally sourced when possible. The wait staff puts customers first and will really get you anything that you want. I like their blue plate specials for dinners. I also like $2 off bourbon pours on Thursday nights.
(5)
Marie H.
Wow overpriced! But then again, 'overpriced-for-what-you-get' and Zingerman's are synonyms. Look it up...Anyway, I paid $18 for a enchilada (but it was a crepe) with 5 or 6 mushrooms and a few onion slices in it with a little dollop of goat cheese and some absolutely bizarre tasting mole sauce. Rick Bayless would have shuddered. I guess I should have expected as much, since my first foray into roadhouses of the non-Patrick Swayze variety involved 'oyster hash browns' with 2 oysters in them. I tasted my boyfriend's pulled chicken sandwich, which tasted awesome, and I don't even like BBQ, so yay to that. If I ever go back, I will definitely get that! My dad had the brisket, which was meh. Since my would-be enchilada sated 1/8 of my appetite, I got a key lime pie slice, which was very tasty and came with a little lime guy with googly eyes made of frosting that amused the table for awhile. Also, the old fashioned I had was good and no hair was muddled into the orange, unlike the Old Town. So overall, good drinks, good BBQ (if it's chicken) and some good desserts. OK, but not worth the wait overall. I'd pick Patrick Swayze's Roadhouse any day, especially if Sam Elliot and Ben Gazarra are there.
(3)
Casey C.
Love this place! Everything I have had had been great. Recommend the chili fries, sweet potato fries, and BBQ. Make reservations even for off times!
(5)
Susan R.
So obviously I have to give 5 stars for the food. Zingermans always has innovative and delicious delicacies that make me and my boyfriend salivate. I did an online reservation ahead of time and they did a great job at reminding me that it was coming up. The reason I did not give it 5 stars was the actual service. The people at the hostess stand were fine but the waitress left much to be desired. She didn't try and sell up anything on the menu and barely talked to us. Heck the people who brought us bread and our food were friendlier. Now granted it was a busy Saturday night but with people willing to drop some serious money on some serious grub you think we could at least get some friendliness. That aside, run don't walk people to zinger mans and savor the food.
(4)
K D.
Good food, but overpriced for what you get. Go to the deli instead!
(4)
Kristina B.
I've been here twice now, both times in groups of 4+ diners, and both times nobody was really impressed. When ordering at the the last visit, we all hit the menu highlights (so we thought); mac and cheese, hamburgers, fried chicken. The most positive comment was that a dish was "OK." The mac and cheese eater probably had the most successful entree, but he said it wasn't good enough that he'd come back for it again. Our server was MIA when we needed napkins or refills, but as we were reaching the end of the meal he repeatedly tried to clear our plates as we were still eating. I understand fully the value of high-quality, local and sustainable food (that's why I visit the farmer's markets), but to charge an extra quarter on top of a $19.50 hamburger platter for a slice of heirloom tomato that was neither requested nor consumed just seems petty. Definitely not worth the $105 I spent that night, and I'd say not even worth half of that. I will stick to patronizing the Bakehouse and Creamery, as I clearly have no luck with the Zing restaurants.
(2)
David S.
I've always said that without Zingerman's, Ann Arbor's coolness factor would drop by about 50%. While that may or may not be true, the comment was primarily made at the awesome Zingerman's Deli (downtown), I can now extend that sentiment to The Roadhouse. The Roadhouse has come a long ways - when we first visited the restaurant when it opened several years ago, they had some issues with their menu - some items didn't work so well. It took them a little while to tweak out the menu but each subsequent trip here has resulted in better & better food to a point where now, I consider it to be the best sit-down restaurant in Ann Arbor not named The Chop House. Zingerman's prides itself on it's customer service, which truly is second to none. But that is secondary to the incredible food that it serves, made with the highest quality meats and vegetables. This is my favorite place to get a burger (bacon & blue cheese!). Along with Casey's Tavern, their burgers are the best in town. The hand-cut fries (either regular or sweet potato) are so delicious! Splurge and get the chili cheese fries - black bean chili with chunks of ancho beef topped with fresh cheddar. Yum. The Buttermilk Fried Chicken is simply best fried chicken I've ever had. Another favorite is the mushroom soup (which may or may not be on the menu so you should ask for it) - using several kinds of fresh mushrooms, it is so soothing and comforting. Served with a large piece of crusty bread, an order of soup is more than enough for a satisfying lunch. I could go on & on about other items including their great breakfasts, beers & cocktails, and dessert items but for now I'll just say that Zingerman's Roadhouse should be on the top of anyone's list of local restaurant eats. The Roadhouse is a well-oiled machine. From the decor to the service of the greeters & wait staff to the quality of the food, you won't find a better place to dine. It's not cheap, but it's worth every penny and so much more. Plus, you may get a chance to have Zing's celeb owner, Ari, refill your water glass at your table. What could be better than that?
(5)
Theresa F.
I have only eaten at the Roadhouse a couple of times (twice for lunch, once for dinner). One of my first impressions was sitting down to lunch and the server handing me a black napkin -- I was wearing black pants and he didn't want the white napkin to leave white fuzzies on my pants! Wow, talk about great service. I've had a couple of salads and the pulled pork sandwiches. Yum. A little on the pricey side, but worth it when you discover the taste and flavor of the food is over and above what you get at other places. And bottomless fries -- you gotta love that! The macaroni and cheese (Steve's order) was incredible -- REAL cheese! It's worth getting, and besides, makes a great lunch the next day! One of the owners is also the head chef -- you can tell there's a lot of thought and care that goes into the food and the menu. It's always great when an owner is also the brains behind the tasty food :-) You can also buy Zing's Zzang bars at the Roadhouse! (Think Snickers but a MILLION times better -- handrolled nougat and peanuts in dark, Ecuadorean chocolate). Dangerous when I drive past there everyday on my way home from work!
(4)
Christine D.
stopped in on our way from Detroit to Chicago for a late lunch @ 3. Decided to go to take out counter to save time - no line and no other people waiting. Ordered 5 sandwiches and was told that it would be about 8 minutes, since a couple of them had to go on the grill. 15 mins later, guy asked if we wanted our coleslaw on the side or on sandwiches. 20 min later, guy came out and told us sandwiches were almost ready as we were clearly in a hurry to get going. Finally bag brought out and we zipped off in car and jumped on highway 100 yds away. Only to open bag then and find NO napkins and NO coleslaw at all. huh? Was I supposed to look before we left? maybe. Sandwiches were mostly good but some portions a little small for price and lost a star for leaving out the missing stuff. Clearly we were not turning the car around but it was a big pain to eat BBQ in car with no napkins.
(3)
Mitch L.
My brother took me here on his/my way out of Detroit a couple weekends ago after spending the weekend in Detroit/Cedar Point. I would first recommend reservations no matter what day or time you plan on going here. We had them and got sat down quickly and watched other groups wait an hour. The place is warm and inviting upon walking in. Throughout the entire restaurant, they have framed information about all the farms the food comes from. Being from Iowa, I had to find the Maytag, Iowa (Maytag Blue Cheese) framed information. Just a fun little add-on for the guests. Our table ordered the sweet potato french fries and the fried green tomatoes. The fries themselves were baked than fried. They were amazing and had a nice flavored mayo dipping sauce. We all ate ourselves sick of them. The fried green tomatoes were fresh and tasty too. I had the fried chicken. The chicken was well seasoned and not greasy whatsoever. I think it could have been a bit more seasoned, but overall it was an excellent choice. The mashed potatoes and gravy were a nice addition to dip the chicken meat into. I really liked the gravy. My brother had the pulled pork. The pulled pork was tasty, but the collared greens left a lot to be desired. My brother's partner had the Mac and Smoked Chicken and Monterey Jack. The bite I had we good and had a nice flavor. The all-star of the meal was the ancho-beef chuck chili. It was just amazing and was probably the best chili I can say I have ever had. We all left stuffed with no room for desert. In hindsight I wish I would have ordered a doughnut sundae...
(4)
brent b.
Everything I've had here is amazing. Zingerman's businesses do everything right, and the Roadhouse is no different. Awesome ambiance. Fantastic food. Knowledgeable wait staff. Expect to pay $30/person if you go, but you will not be disappointed. Only complaint: I haven't cared for their greens the last few times ive gone. I wish they'd stick to green beans.
(5)
Ernest S.
The mac and cheese is really rich. Maybe overly rich. One order was more than enough for the four of us. The rest of the food - including a heaping order of ribs - was really good. Can't wait to go back next time I'm in the area.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Lise G.
The Salisbury Steak Dinner is soooo delicious and you get a ton of food! The meat is so tender and it comes with skin-on mashed potatoes, sautéed spinach along side a richly dark, mushroom gravy. The craft beers on draft are so good and varied. Make sure you save room for one of their hand crafted deserts, such as Ari's Donut Sundae...I'll be having dreams about that one..amazing! And, if you're lucky you just might get to meet Ari, like we did tonight!
(5)Melissa L.
One of my favorite places to go to. I don't know if it is because I don't come here regularly or if my fond memories of this place is because of my overall AA trip, but I do make it as my dinner destination always. I agree that the prices are pretty steep, but if my food really comes fresh from the farms, I will be fine with that. I love the free warm and crunchy bread smeared with the butter. I then go ask for more bread. By the time I get my food, I am halfway full, but I am happy to have leftovers. The mac and cheese is really good. For those who complain about the price, it is pricey for what it is, but they use Martenelli pasta which I have seen for $10 a bag. They also use awesome cheese. It's the stuff of dreams. I also get the catfish platter (giant fried whole catfish) with some sides. Really good. I have gotten the bbq plate and it is pretty good, but favorite are the ribs. The service is also always top notch here. Also, whenever we split a plate, they actually bring us half plates each instead of separate plates to split ourselves. A small thing like this gives them an extra half a star. If you are in the AA area and would like to splurge for a dinner, come here! Also, free dessert for bday girl/boy!
(5)Rebekah M.
We stop at the Zingerman's Roadhouse drive-through every time we're on our way out of town on a road trip. I want to LOVE it. It's convenient and good quality. The bagels are the best in town - nice crust. Not doughy. The cakes and muffins are flavorful and delicious. The problem is that - almost every time we stop (say around 10am) - we're told, "we're out of .... bagels. We only have everything bagels." or "we only have salt bagels." How does a restaurant that has its own bakeshop, and which supplies bagels to grocery stores and businesses throughout Ann Arbor, run out of bagels in its own restaurant - at 10am!!! Make more bagels! The other problem is that the waiters at the drive-through try to impress by not writing down the order. There's four of us in the car and we all want something different. They listen to our order. Then they repeat it back to us and usually forget something. Then, when they bring the order, 8 times out of 10, something's missing or something's not as requested. Just write the order down on a piece of paper - we won't think less of you. In fact, it's reassuring to see you write it because there's a better chance you'll get it right.
(2)Ashley M.
Service was very nice and quick. Food was delicious. My husband and I started with pimento cheese and celery (love their homemade pimento!) then went to two of the standard burgers, his with the brick cheese and mine with maytag blue. I got sweet potato fries because I saw the other reviews saying they were the bomb and he had the regular fries. Afterwards, we split the grapefruit tart. I will never leave the place without having the sweet potato fries and grapefruit tart! The sweet potato fries are incredibly thick. Soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. A perfect amount of salt sprinkled on top and served with their chipotle mayo. Large portion served with my burger. The grapefruit tart was beautifully balanced. A butter crust with vanilla cream and slices of ruby red grapefruit topped with powdered sugar and mint leaves. Wowza. Definitely a place to return to, hoping to do breakfast soon!
(4)Kunal R.
Great fresh food and a delicious brunch menu. The roadhouse has some good veggie options, surprisingly. Their veggie burger is one of the best I've had. Cool place with quality food. A little pricey but worth it. Making reservations on open table is really convenient and worked out well for me.
(5)S J.
Great Mac n Cheese! I tried the fried chicken mac n cheese and it was excellent! I love mac n cheese and this definitely lived up to my expectations! I wasn't really a fan of their bbq beef, but I think that might just be because I don't really like pulled/shredded meat-- more of a steak type of girl. Had the brownie sundae and it was decent-- nothing too out of the ordinary-- dense brownie with vanilla ice cream whipped cream and fudge on top with pecans on the side.
(4)AloisSchicklgruber H.
Ridiculously overrated and overpriced. But tourists don't know better and Affluent Ann Arborites don't mind. Not as ridiculously overpriced as their bakery place though. You won't see the regular customers of those establishments across the road (McDonald's, Taco Bell, etc.) come here very often.
(2)K S.
I am new to Ann Arbor (and coming from a city that is known for its food/restaurant scene). Have to say the two times i've been (once for breakfast/once for dinner) I have not been disappointed! Will look forward to trying other items on their menu. Highly recommend!
(5)Krista V.
Great pulled pork! Melts in your mouth. Mac and cheese is also excellent. Definitely worth the wait.
(4)Hannah A.
The food was small in portion sizes, over priced, and really didn't have amazing flavor. We paid high for all of it and the best part of my meal was the coffee! The service was slow.... at best. We saw the food runner more than our server! The dessert- i could out bake them in my sleep!
(2)Stephanie S.
I was kind of skeptical of this place. At first blush, it appears to be a chain restaurant a la TGI Friday's. But once you step inside and are met with a display of heirloom tomatoes, you start to think this place is a little different. It was hard to choose a brunch entree because so many things sounded delicious, but I settled on the untraditional grits 'n bits waffle (a waffle stuffed with grits, cheese and bacon). It was unexpected and delightful, and unfortunately I probably won't be able to find it anywhere else. The coffee was great, and the staff was even better. Every person I interacted with was helpful, friendly and warm. The prices were very fair for the amount of food you get (and even in relation to their other eateries). Sidenote: Zingerman's colorful, kitschy branding is a miss because it's actually a thoughtful, locally focused, kind of indie company.
(4)Paul K.
Zingerman's Roadhouse keeps with the tradition of using the highest quality ingredients and providing exceptional service. Add to that a James Beard award winning chef, and you have one of the best restaurants in Ann Arbor. I love coming here anytime of the day, because every menu has different items that are incredible. For breakfast, my go to dish is the corned beef hash, with juicy chunks of corned beef mixed with roasted peppers, onions and potatoes. It's a hearty dish that blows away other restaurants ground up version of corned beef hash. For dinner, my favorite items are sweet potato fries (love the spicy mayo!), Chicken and Monterey Jack Mac and Cheese (rich, creamy béchamel sauce with the awesome pop of sweet corn or roasted peppers), as well as the BBQ sampler (which gives a mix of all of their BBQ items). The biggest downside to the place is the cost, and I've come here with friends/family who simultaneously love the mac and cheese and hate that it costs $19 dollars for the amount given. If you're wanting the best value meal, I wouldn't recommend Roadhouse. If you are willing to pay for a high quality American meal, there isn't any better place to go than this.
(5)Trish C.
I always order from the Zingerman's catalog but this is my first experience in the Ann Arbor restaurant. There were four of us at dinner and all of us left very happy. We shared the oysters harvested from a beach in MA that one of us knew by name, as well as the fried green tomatoes and veggie gazpacho. All were seasoned perfectly, fabulously fresh, and gone instantly. The entrees were just as good. The mac and cheese with the mushrooms was a big hit all around the table, but I loved the Cal Fiorentina mac and cheese the best. It was swimming in flavor, but not at all heavy. The burger and crab cake combo was as good as it gets. Burger cooked exactly the way my son asked and the crab cake could have come from my own kitchen in the DC region (it was billed as Baltimore crab). You could tell the crab patty was made that evening. The other entree we sampled was a local freshwater fish offering, the Walleye, which the experienced fishermen among us were impressed with as soon as they saw the size of the fish, since apparently the flavor of the fish can be impacted by its size- the size here was perfect. We were all full, so ended the meal by sharing the Hummingbird Cake. This was a solid dessert that tasted like carrot cake, but nothing special to write home about. Our server told us they change the menu three times A DAY, so it could be that a dish you were hoping to have is sold out when you get there, but that's the risk of going to a restaurant that only serves food they can prepare freshly for you that day-my kind of place! And, really,everything is so good here, you might as well close your eyes and point to the menu to just pick something else. You won't be disappointed. Lastly,the food comes out quickly (we were completely done in an hour) and service staff are fantastic. Intelligent, funny, warm but not hovering, and genuinely cheerful. They must be treated well by management to then treat the guests so well in return. Nice job all around Zingerman's Roadhouse!
(4)Daron D.
Another one of those typical places that I have always passed by but never tried until recently. The first thing I will say is that you should make reservations beforehand because it is packed when you do a walk up (we had about a 40 minute wait before we got seated). They have a full service bar with about 10 beers on tap (between $5-$6 for a pint). Now on this day I came in (it was a Tuesday), they serve the Nashville style hot chicken, which I never had and wanted to try. I did the 4 piece, which they serve with pickles and white bread and a shot of buttermilk (because it's suppose to be super hot like it is in Nashville). The chicken was excellent and hot, but not hot enough to where I needed the shot of buttermilk. For my sides I had their fries (very good) and their macaroni and cheese (also excellent but I like the Mac n cheese served at their deli way way better). Overall the food was very good (makes me want to go to Nashville to try the real thing) but very very expensive and that is always the story with zingerman and their food places.
(4)Hannah S.
This is a breakfast review. The first statement being that you must try breakfast here! I ordered a steamed vanilla milk, which was dreamy creamy to the max, the standard breakfast plate (eggs, potatoes, bacon, biscuit), and a homemade donut, which was so fresh and warm. Yum! The eggs, potatoes, and bacon were perfect. The biscuit tasted fresh, and the butter and honey additions made it magical. I'll definitely be coming here for breakfast again. Zingerman's just can't do wrong.
(5)Andrew B.
Above average food bolstered by very, very good service. I like to joke that Zingerman's is an upscale Cracker Barrel, but it isn't really untrue. Overly huge menu's full of shockingly unhealthy comfort food that get delivered in massive portions. I have eaten here twice now, several month apart. First time I had the chicken fried steak and was underwhelmed. While it was well battered and cooked, it was criminally under seasoned and the gravy was lacking in quantity and flavor. The second time I ate there I opted for the fried chicken mac and cheese (are you kidding me? Why does this even exist). This was a much better experience, the mac was creamy and great and the fried chicken was in largish chunks and did not just disintegrate into the bowl. This time the server also gave us a complimentary serving of the pimento cheese spread which wasn't my bag but was pretty solid. Also, the place is damn expensive. That Mac n Cheese cost 20 bucks. C'mon guys, its half lb of pasta a bechamel and some cheddar augmented with a little bit of fried chicken. So yeah, it is a 3 star joint. However the service each time has been overly impressive. Extremely nice servers who seem to genuinely want you to enjoy the hell out of your food. So 4 stars, why not?
(4)Kristin M.
Excellent breakfast! Sat on the patio and really loved my summer skillet and biscuits. The eggs were perfectly poached and the veggies in the skillet were just delicious. Went with a group of friends and all the food looked incredible.
(4)Shane B.
Not worth the hype, small portions. Flavor seriously lacking. You would expect a huge plate of smoked meats for a bbq platter, but all we received was a spoon full of each meat with less then an oz of sauce. Staff was great, kitchen needs work, that's you chef...
(2)Edward M.
A year later and this place is still just as good as last time. The Crab Cakes, still the best I've ever had The Calamari was yummy, it comes with some kind of sauce that is like tartar but not. It's creamy and has a little bit of spice to it. The fried chicken was so moist and much better than when it was in the Mac and Cheese, don't get the the chicken mac, get fried chicken and get a side of mac if you want. The service is still wonderful, only wish it was slightly less pricey. Previous review ___ What a wonderful place! I came here because on Best oF (Food Network) ALton Brown said they had the best Mac and Cheese. On their site I find out it is headed by a James Beard award winner. So I'm like let's check out this seasonal locally sourced place. It rocked! We ordered the crab cakes and fried vidalia onions, at 12.50 and 6 dollars they were pricey but I must say it's the best crab cakes I've ever had! The onions were great too! Though comparing it to a blooming, you get more for your buck with the blooming but the flavor of the vidalia and sauce is far superior. Then comes the smorgsaborg The Pulled Pork sandwich was good, sauce was nice but could be mixed better, the bottom was more tangy than the top and the pork could be pulled apart better, the not pulled parts were too dense. The Blue Plate of BBQ had the pulled pork, same issue with pulling. The BBQ beef and chicken were both excellent! Small chickens but they are amish cage free chickens. The Mac and Cheese with fried chicken (supposedly their fried chicken is good) was the best mac and cheese i'd ever had, but it's still mac and cheese, so not mind blowing you know? The chicken was good but not great. The Gelato flight had Peanut Butter, Burnt Sugar, Pistachio, and Hazelnut, all 4 are made locally by them and just amazing flavor profiles, the icing on the cake! The bathrooms are neat and the whole place is decorated with all sorts of collectibles like salt shakers and such. I will be back next time I am in town! Oh and on Thursdays (check calendar not sure if it's all year) they have a farmer's market outside! I got the best strawberries I've had in my life!
(4)Jill M.
I've only ever come for breakfast. Both times it was amazing! First time was the Huevos Rancheros and the second time was the Eggs Benedict. The Eggs Benedict (and breakfast potatoes that came with it) were the best I have ever had. The portion was so generous I had to take half home to eat later. The service was perfect; enough that we didn't feel neglected, but around when we needed her. She knew the menu and helped us make the best choice from the menu.
(5)Ted D.
This restaurant provides an excellent example of unhealthy food at its finest. The euphemism for high-fat, often high animal fat, food is "comfort food." This restaurant's fare provides a living demonstration of why our diet produces so much obesity, diabetes, coronary disease, and other vascular disease. If they offered discount coupons for a local cardiac catheterization laboratory, it would be fully consistent with their business model.
(1)Al M.
A classic...a Winner...What more can one say about this casual offshoot of the original Zingerman's Deli? Tucked in a busy corner of a strip mall parking lot on the west side of the Deuce, the Roadhouse offers a menu full of various regional specialties with only the freshest of premium ingredients. I mean where in the Midwest can you get a legitimate choice among the Creole Pot Likker Fish Stew, the Cornmeal Fried Soft Shell Crab, the Cheesy Appalachian Red Grits or the Cape Cod Fried Clam Strips? As a caution, be prepared for a quite noisy experience when the restaurant is busy amplified by the closeness of the tables and the hardwood floors. We hit the Z-house about 6:00 pm on a Thursday night and were pleasantly surprised we had only a 15-20 minute wait to be seated. Two from our party chose the Anson Mills' Cornmeal Fried Perch served with mashed local potatoes and sautéed local greens. A pricey plate at $33 bills each but really, really good. I opted for a full rack of the Pit-Smoked Spare Ribs that are cooked for 9 hours and served with Alex's Rage Tomato BBQ Sauce and a side of yellow mustard coleslaw. The ribs were meaty and delicious. The extra cup of Alex's own sweet and spicy Rage Tomato BBQ Sauce was perfect to add a little zest to every bite. This would have been a solid 5 star experience but our server was having an off day. She was a bit short with us and failed to provide the complementary bread basket of Zingerman's well-respected baked goods. Zingerman's Deli, their flagship in the Kerrytown section of Ann Arbor has been long nationally recognized as one of Michigan's noteworthy stops for outstanding eats. Their Roadhouse reinforces that they know their business well.
(4)Anna T.
Had to try this place because of the "Zingerman" name! I ordered the 1/2 Po-Boy and salad lunch combo and it was wonderful.The po-boy was quite large with tons of shrimp! The salad was kinda meh next to the po-boy but I do give it kudos for the fresh ingredients! I ordered to-go and they quoted me 15-20 min for the food to be ready. I came 10 min later and the food was already in the bin waiting for me!
(4)Joanna L.
Had to come here before I left Ann Arbor. Good homey food, huge menu with lots of options, and friendly service. My group tried a variety of dishes- BBQ pork entry, chili, burger, sweet potato fries, mac and cheese, etc. What really stood out was the mac and cheese. YUM. We liked the good ol' regular one over the other varieties. It had a focused rich depth in flavor. They also serve complimentary quality bread and buttttta.
(3)Maggi I.
I come here for a couple very specific reasons. One of them is their burgers. They grind their Niman beef every day, which makes it possible for me to order my burger rare. It's cooked on an oak-fired grill, and heck if that doesn't produce a really wonderful flavor. They have a lot of other delicious dishes, including the cream of wild mushroom soup, the grown-up mac & cheese and the chocolate chess pie from their bakery. The very best thing I've eaten here (butterscotch pudding) unfortunately isn't on the regular menu. Long waits, moderate noise levels and high prices don't keep me from coming back, or from bringing guests.
(4)Christy F.
Color me unimpressed. And I am one of Zingerman's #1 fans. I mail order their bread all the time in Arizona. Do yourself a favor and skip the Roadhouse and go straight to Kerrytown and hit the Deli. Things I liked: Zingerman's bread and butter are brought to the table prior to your meal. My dining patrons almost passed on the bread and I thought I was going to faint. Hello??? They are know for this. Luckily, I spoke up. The poutine did hit the spot. also was big into the thousands of salt and pepper shakers en-glassed around the restaurant- I dig kitsch. The little Shasta trailer used for carry out and drive through, again, cute. However, one cannot eat cute nor live on cute alone. The service was horrible. There was a long wait to be seated, painfully long wait for our food, the soup came out with the meal not prior even upon request. Sigh. The mac and cheese was literally just noodles with a roux based cheese sauce with no flair. The Sunday special really needs a better description. I thought I was getting a steak with a Cajun sauce and I was served something more like chili that was influenced more by Hormel then they flavors of New Orleans. Sigh.
(2)Jessica Y.
Overrated and overpriced brunch experience. Food was by no means spectacular: bland and one-dimensional. $12.50 for an omelet that was dry with scant "fillings", really?! Hubby's steak and potatoes skillet for $14 had MAYBE 5 bites of shredded meat in there. Will NOT be returning.
(2)Jenne E.
I've lived in the Ann Arbor area for over two years now and have heard rave reviews on zingermans. I finally adventures to try it myself and was very disappointed. I ordered fish and chips with sweet potato fries and what i got was very bland food. I've had better food at the local pub for $8, this meal costed a whopping $30 for bland, greasy fish and chips. My husband had a pulled pork sandwich which he said was mediocre but not worth the $20 price tag. To sum it up... Zingermans is ridiculously overpriced for mediocre food. Your basically buying into the hype if you try this place.
(2)Dia D.
We were a group of four and our experience was very mixed. We went on one of those bitterly cold days when school was canceled so they were very busy (too cold to go to school? Let's go out for lunch!) and service was slow. I had the shrimp and grits ($24) which was very delicious and based on that alone I would go back. Others in the group had the pork sandwich ($15) which was dry and boring (maybe the waiter forgot to bring out the BBQ sauce or they forgot it in the kitchen?) and the Roadhouse Reuben (14.50) which was greasy. When only 1 of 4 people liked their meals, that isn't a very good rating. One shrimp and grits, 3 sandwiches, 1 decaf, 1 diet coke, 1 iced tea, and 1 beer and our bill was $86 plus tip. If you are a seafood lover, there seafood is flown in fresh daily.
(3)Kevin R.
A stones throw from the Canadian border it's surprising to find a restaurant that rocks southern food. But rocks it does. A nice single malt at the bar while waiting for my table, I had time to look over the well rounded menu. Once seated, I opted for the Ari's pimento cheese spread to start. A generous portion of the best spread I've ever had. The presentation is unique in that the celery sticks out of the round spread ball like a porcupine. Next I had a Brooklyn style Ruben without bread (no carb thing) and a side of grilled asparagus. The smoked bbq like corned beef was served atop grilled sauerkraut with Russian dressing and Swiss cheese. The asparagus was perfectly grilled with plenty of salt. After several trips to Ann Arbor I've discovered that anything with the Zingerman name on it is amazing!
(4)Beth H.
Oh Ig Vella mac, how I missed you! Our visit was for lunch today, right at noon. We were seated right away, but the parking lot was packed. Thankfully the overflow lot is available. Lunch menu has two portion options for the pastas: small and large. Small doesn't look like much and is $4 cheaper but the small plate more than filled me up for how hungry I was today. Very rich monterray jack cheese, smoked chicken pieces, green chilies for heat, fresh cut corn, cilantro and I like to add red pepper flake for extra heat. I think they must pan fry this dish a bit, to get the wonderfully crispy pieces of melted cheese, tossed in this dish. Fantastic as always. My husband had the grilled cheese and chili - 2 yr cheddar. He didn't care for the cheese, it was too mild. He did really enjoy the chili. Great chunks of smoked meat, with the smoky ancho chili flavor. The restaurant was very loud, as usual. The waitress was excellent. Prices are high but the quality is there. Service was fast and we were able to keep to our lunch hour. Bonus!
(5)Megan K.
The dinner menu prices are way out of my range, but the brunch is delightful. Great, homey food and very knowledgeable staff. Plus, Ari's philosophy on his business is just so spot on sustainable that I feel good spending my money at Zingerman's. (It is more pleasant when my parents pay though.)
(4)Allison L.
I absolutely love everything about this place: the service, the food, the atmosphere with the salt and pepper shakers, the local farm that supplies many veggies, the candy they sell at the front, the way they seat you right away when you have a reservation from OpenTable, the Air Streamers...everything! Do not resist their bread basket. The Roadhouse bread is my favorite Zingerman's bread and it comes out warm with a big chunk of creamy butter. You have to get an appetizer. Their sweet potato fries are thick and crispy; I almost always get these. The pimento cheese is also stellar. I often make a meal out of a few apps, a couple of cheeses (their cheese boards are awesome) and a fresh salad. When I do go for an entree, I like their mac and cheese. The desserts are fantastic too, especially the butterscotch pudding! When my family visits from out of town, we always come here for dinner.
(5)Anne R.
What's there to say about a place that offers excellent service every single visit, top food quality sourced from known farms around the country, and a great atmosphere?! If you haven't been, you need to know what you've been missing. Zingermann's isn't just a restaurant, it's a foodie cult. Breakfast: I love the cold brew coffee with skim milk and some simple syrup, followed by a pastry basket of coffee cake samples, and then a savory omelette. Lunch: I keep it simple with a fresh soup & salad, and an Arnold Palmer, but occasionally I splurge into Mac & Cheese or BBQ sandwich territory. Dinner: I'm often looking at the smoked BBQ offerings for the evening- and the red rage sauce is my fave.
(5)Craig O.
Amazing food prepared in amazing ways. I was surprised by the knowledge of ingredients. You just don't see Carolina Gold Rice in many restaurants and the same goes for Anson Mills Grits. This restaurant was build by flavor. I will drive the 2 hour trip more often just to eat here.
(5)Lizbeth T.
Finally made it here, a few years after my first visit to Zingerman's Deli. In Ann Arbor for a conference, the Roadhouse was able to accommodate our group of 8 for dinner on short notice. The place is huge (in a good way), so there is plenty of space for groups, and they take reservations so we didn't have to wait. The menu is also huge, maybe a bit too big, but everyone in our group loved their food. We shared poutine as an appetizer - so, so good. I had the pimento mac n'cheese small portion, which was more than enough for dinner with a side of spinach. Others in the group ordered fried chicken, burgers and other mac n'cheese dishes, and everyone was happy. Service was just right. In fact, I spilled a beer on myself while grabbing for a piece of the amazing, fresh baked bread on the table and it was instantly replaced by our kind server. All in all, a really nice spot in the outskirts of Ann Arbor that works well for families, large groups, or those who just don't want to wait to get in at a downtown restaurant.
(5)Tsyria T.
After taking our seats at Zingerman's, I was very excited. We had waited for 30 minutes, and the atmosphere and decorations were wonderful, as noted in previous reviews. Unfortunately, my experience did not meet my expectations. We ordered oysters, Zingerman's corned beef hash, and fried bread pudding french toast. We told our waitress that we were sharing, so she had the plates split in half for us, which was nice. Unfortunately, I was extremely disappointed when I saw the plates. The portions were so small, and yet we were paying $14 per plate. That's absolutely ridiculous! It wasn't anything that really stood out to me where I would be willing to pay that much. My favorite thing we had was the oyster and that was $3.50 a piece. When my sister saw the plates, she asked if more was on the way. I don't get to see my sister often, so I was willing to spend more on a nice brunch with her, but we just left feeling a bit robbed.
(2)Joshua M.
Great food at an average BBQ restaurant. I was not disappointed but the app and regular fries could have been cooked a little longer. The flavor of them took em to a new level tho. Fries perfectly seasoned corn dogs well not your average carny dog that's for sure. The BBQ Beef sandwich was great the sauce had a kick which is always plus in my book and the beef very juicy.
(4)Mike W.
Not from Michigan so didn't realize it was such a well know Resturant. Had a long wait that was well worth it. Looks like a nice bar but while we were waiting we noticed the 5 James Beard awards in the lobby. Turns out the really now their stuff. Even though we are both gluten free they had some great items to choose from. The pulled pork was lightly smoked and seasoned well. Three of their sauces are GF with the vinegar and mustard bring my two favorite. The French fries were great and cooked in a GF fryer. So all good on the front. They make the gelato at there creamery so we had to try that. Wow, local and fresh does matter. I would recommend the berry but all three flavors were fantastic. The pricing is not cheap but the experience, both food and service, won't disappoint.
(5)Phee L.
One of my favorite restaurants in the A2 Area! Unfortunately, it is sometimes difficult to get a seat
(5)Karen B.
5 stars for the food on its own. Excellent service as well. Hubby and I both enjoyed the pit-beef BBQ sandwich, but agreed that the portion of beef could have been a bit larger. I also would've enjoyed more BBQ sauce. The mustard slaw was refreshingly good, but once again, the portion was small. Hubby said the fries were the best he's had in recent memory. The cost to portion ratio is what knocks it down to 4 stars. Portions were a bit in the small side for the cost, as I was expecting the portions to be on par with the famous zingerman's deli in downtown Ann Arbor, but they were not.
(4)Josh A.
Been going to this place for years. Always and experience and good food. Occasionally I've been disappointed by something that wasn't over the top good...they are a victim of their own good Reputation. Dishes can be on the pricy side and special dinners are very expensive. For breakfast I recommend omelets, French toast, and bagels. For lunch a BBQ sandwich is great and although I don't care for it the egg salad is much talked about. Dinner specials most nights too. Most of the time I skip the sit down experience for the side show in the Parking lot. It's faster and offers the best items: coffee, baked goods, and sandwiches.
(4)Zoe Y.
This place is average at best. I went here a few months ago when I was visiting U of M and we saw this place off the highway on the way back to the airport. I thought it would have been a lot better. The food was extremely salty and greasy - I guess it's a Midwest thing which makes a lot of sense to me (being from Southern CA). Or maybe someone used tablespoon instead of teaspoon when it came to measuring that day. Who knows. One thing I really did like about this place was that it was very quaint. It had a homestyle feel and everyone was really friendly here. I do not think I'll be back but if you're into Midwest homecooking, this is your place.
(3)Amy G.
With respect to entrees, I've eaten the turkey reuben (I think only available on the lunch menu) and the fried chicken dinner. They were decent, and only such because what I really remember from each meal are the: sweet potato fries. I am dedicating this review solely to them. The most notable thing about these fries are that they are thick, and the length of an entire sweet potato. It's like they cut a single sweet potato into just 4 or 5 pieces. The thickness yields a crispiness on the outside, but preserves the innards to be the consistency of a soft roasted sweet potato. Scattered with savory salt morsels, you don't even necessarily need the sauce that comes with it! Would it be weird if I only ordered a platter of these the next time I go? Don't let yourself come to Zingerman's Roadhouse without getting the sweet potato fries. To be honest I think Zingerman's Deli has more impressive entrees for what they are. Meaning, the Deli has proportionally better sandwiches than other delis in AA, whereas the Roadhouse's American fare is not far superior to comparable neighborhood restaurants, which is my way of saying that the only real draw to the Roadhouse are the sweet potato fries. Get them as an appetizer and/or upgrade to them with your sandwich or burger meal without hesitation. The only bad part about them is that they'll ruin all other sweet potato fries for you from then on.
(4)Jim E.
Back again after two years!! Typical Ann Arbor, great joint, great food, great vibe, great bbq!! I got the Buffalo Chicken Mack and Cheese special and enjoyed it!!! I usually like rich and creamy mac and cheese but this was unique in a good way. The Buffalo Chicken was tender, fresh and delicious. The mac and cheese had a the perfect blend of blue cheese, chicken, chives, and flavour for a kind of pasta I have never tasted before. It did not leave me feeling bloated. For dessert I had the fresh pumpkin spice cheesecake. Everyone needs to try Zingermans Roadhouse!!
(5)Anthony R.
I dream of zingermans. Deli. Everytime in Ann Arbor , I am very excited to go. I always want to go to zingermans roadhouse . Went for dinner a couple of years ago and not since. Finally we went for brunch. First our 1045 reservation didn't get seated until 11. The food looked good on the menu. When we received our orders, they were mostly small portions; very un zingermans. The food was good for the most part, but not great. The waitress was very nice, but they forgot things and we had to ask multiple times. Zingermans sets such a high standard, and for good reason. At least at this meal, it was not close to the standards.
(3)Lisa W.
Wow what a yummy time!! The service was great . Started off with a cheese sampler and it was delicious!! I ordered the pulled pork sliders they were wonderful 3 different sauces on each with some tasty mustard coleslaw and sweet potato fries that were melt in your mouth watering. My mate got a slab of ribs and I must say they were so juicy and flavorful.
(5)Vivian L.
Starters: Calamari - lightly battered and very peppery. I love that it was lightly battered!!! Soooo good. A bit too much pepper for my taste but I would definitely order it again and ask them to put slightly less pepper if possible Sweet potato fries as a side - hand cut to perfection! I love the sauce, whatever it is. Cooked ever so perfectly. Best part.... It is bottomless (only when ordered as a side. If ordered on its own then it is not bottomless). Entrees: Braised pork belly and pork tenderloin - delicious. Pork belly was not dry at all. Perfection when paired with the spinach And aromatic veggies. Not a huge fan of the pork tenderloin. It was a bit dry for me. Thank god for pork belly!!! Lake trout sautéed - this was my fiancés dish and my fiancé says, "simply decadent." Man of few words. Side note: the owner just came to fill our waters and check in on us.... Love him!!!
(5)Dulce A.
We went on a Sunday and it was pretty packed as expected. The wait time was 30minutes however, we were seated in 15minutes with prompt service. Our waitress was great and friendly. Every table was full and taken however the ambiance is still light and cozy. The strawberry blonde beer (forgot exact name) was very flavorful and recommended by our waitress. My boyfriend ordered a few oysters. These are said to be flown fresh. We ordered the Kumamoto oysters from Washington. At $3.25 a pop they were GREAT! I told him next time to order 12! I ordered the 3 pimento goat cheese Mac and cheese with a Lincoln log. It was so flavorful and rich and the Lincoln log was just perfect! I ordered the small which was perfect and at $15 the plate did not disappoint. The tomatoes were a delicious addition to the Mac and cheese. The service again was great and felt no rush. Next time I will definitely be ordering dessert. Make a stop here, you won't regret it!
(4)Joy M.
We loved the atmosphere and the food. This was the best part : I had told Laura I was from out of town and this would likely be my only opportunity to eat there and I was torn between two menu items. After I placed my order she brought me a small sample of the other thing I wanted to try so I wouldn't have to wonder for the rest of my life about how wonderful it might have been.
(5)Rhonda L.
Went to a graduation party. 19 people The large menu was perfect. Stuff for vegans, carnivores and everyone in between . Very affordable and everyone served together . Quite impressive
(5)Matthee H.
Despite my loving of the regular zingermans deli, I have had an unpleasant experience at the roadhouse. The food is below average and the service is decent. Like all of the zingermans the food is extremely overpriced. Despite specifications made to my order while ordering there was still not any thing that I specified on the food. I ordered a side of bacon that didn't come until I finished and I asked the waitress multiple times. Despite ordering plain macronni and cheese there was some odd black substance inside of the dish. Considering I came from out of town and heard so many good things, this definitely did not live up to the hype AT ALL.
(3)Mary J.
Not worth the trip. Took the waitress' recommendation and ordered the pulled pork sandwich. Bun was dry and crumbly, pork was dry too, sauces mediocre. Does not live up to the Zingermans name.
(2)Antony H.
Enjoyed the bar experience with an attentive barman who even gave a soda to my 4 year old daughter sitting next to me. Waited less than 5 minutes even though it was packed and the food selection provided light and heavy fare. Can't wait to return!
(5)Kelly V.
I have been coming to Zingerman's Roadhouse once or twice a month for the last few years and it's one of my favorite restaurants. The food here is really good. I have never ordered something that I didn't like. They also have a large variety of options available on the kids menu. The customer service here is wonderful. The staff is great with kids and they go above and beyond to make sure everyone is happy. I highly recommend this restaurant to others.
(5)Mitch L.
My brother took me here on his/my way out of Detroit a couple weekends ago after spending the weekend in Detroit/Cedar Point. I would first recommend reservations no matter what day or time you plan on going here. We had them and got sat down quickly and watched other groups wait an hour. The place is warm and inviting upon walking in. Throughout the entire restaurant, they have framed information about all the farms the food comes from. Being from Iowa, I had to find the Maytag, Iowa (Maytag Blue Cheese) framed information. Just a fun little add-on for the guests. Our table ordered the sweet potato french fries and the fried green tomatoes. The fries themselves were baked than fried. They were amazing and had a nice flavored mayo dipping sauce. We all ate ourselves sick of them. The fried green tomatoes were fresh and tasty too. I had the fried chicken. The chicken was well seasoned and not greasy whatsoever. I think it could have been a bit more seasoned, but overall it was an excellent choice. The mashed potatoes and gravy were a nice addition to dip the chicken meat into. I really liked the gravy. My brother had the pulled pork. The pulled pork was tasty, but the collared greens left a lot to be desired. My brother's partner had the Mac and Smoked Chicken and Monterey Jack. The bite I had we good and had a nice flavor. The all-star of the meal was the ancho-beef chuck chili. It was just amazing and was probably the best chili I can say I have ever had. We all left stuffed with no room for desert. In hindsight I wish I would have ordered a doughnut sundae...
(4)Joe H.
If I could choose only one place to eat at for the rest of my life, Zingerman's would be the place (at least thus far in my life). Have eaten here a number of times and I'm always amazed at the food. Sure, I've had dishes that were less that stellar, but even those lackluster meals were still good. The main contention with Zingerman's is price. Yes, it is expensive. However, nearly everything on the menu is handmade. They source most of their produce locally & are very conscious of where their food comes from. When you pay for your meal at Zingerman's, you're paying for a lot more than just a plate of fried chicken. Additionally, many of cheeses, breads, and now beers are made there as well. Basically, you can rest assured that your meal is using some of the finest quality ingredients around and that everything is going to be pretty damn tasty. I'm going to focus on my last 2 visits to the Roadhouse because I had a couple really fantastic dishes & a couple not so incredible ones. Appetizers: Scallop ceviche (Georges bank scallops sliced thin and flash marinated in a citrus marinade. Served with spiced plantain crisps.) was a special one evening & I couldn't pass that up. Actually, once I placed the order, Ari (the owner) came over and talked to me for a minute about how wonderful the scallops were. Also, Ari was pouring water & waiting tables all night - pretty awesome, if you ask me. And yes, they were delicious. Perfect little morsels of sweetness swimming in the tart marinade. The crispy plantain chips were a sweet, texturally welcome addition. The Maize & Blue Hush Puppies are incredible. Crunchy on outside, sweet & creamy on inside - and they're served with a firey housemade hot sauce & spicy mayo that are both out of this world. Focusing on seasonal foods, heirloom tomatoes were a focus last time I visited. The Ceres Salad (Cherokee Purple, Striped German, Mortgage Lifters, fresh from the farm, served with handmade mozzarella cheese and drizzled with Pasolivo olive oil and sprinkled with salt and pepper) is absolutely delightful. The tomatoes are sweet, the olive oil fruity, the cheese so creamy - I literally sopped up everything last drop off this plate with the amazing warm, crusty bread that each table is given. This salad will ruin all other Caprese salads forever. The mac & cheese is tremendous. The french fries divine. Mashed potatoes awesome. Braised greens porky & delicious (add hot sauce!). The New Mexico Green Chile Burger with goat cheese is very good, but not $14 very good. The flavors are all spot on, but the burger itself was a touch overcooked and tough for me. Although, the creaminess of the goat cheese couple with the roasted, fiery goodness of the chiles was a welcome addition to the burger. A special one night was grass fed beef with roasted veggies - the steak was very tough. It was cooked well & the herb butter was delicious, but steak just wasn't doing it for me. The veggies were fine, but nothing out of this world. Dessert is awesome, too. The doughnut sundae is something that needs to be experienced at least once (if not more than that). The magic brownie sundae is...well...magical. The summer citrus chiffon cake is good, but was a little too dry for me, which is odd for a chiffon cake. Seriously, Zingerman's does everything well - I've tried their fried chicken, pulled pork, pulled goat, and a number of other dishes - all have been at least good. Their beer list is pretty decent & they have a full bar otherwise. Easily one of my favorite restaurants.
(5)Mary K.
I'm going to say -- 5 stars for breakfast/brunch, 3 stars for dinner/lunch... so it evens out to 4. Love, love LOVE their breakfast and brunch... awesome eggs benedict (the Baltimore Benedict dish this summer was DIVINE), wonderful real corned beef hash and hash browns, great huevos rancheros, awesome "something I can't recall the name of" but it was like french toast, deep friend, with macerated bananas (yum), coffee, orange juice -- superb. Lunch and dinner I think are somewhat overrated and overpriced. Their burgers are very good, but the BBQ is just ok, and I had a Cobb salad once that was overly salty. One other thing I love about all of the meals, though, is that they often bring out little tasting portions of some of their menu items.. pimento cheese and doughnuts (not together), specifically, for free! Also the service there is always, always excellent. 4 stars.
(4)Ainsley E.
The S.O. and I have been to the Roadhouse three times now. That's three opportunities to wow us and make the price worthwhile. So far they're 1 for 3. The sweet potato fries are to-die-for, and once we had some gumbo on special that was amaaazing. We've had the mac n cheese(s) (kind of bland and overpriced), and the BBQ beef (was tender, but also lacked flavor and didn't have near as much sauce as it needed). Tonight the boyfriend had Jim's Pennsylvania Scrapple, which tasted distinctly of mutton and was otherwise regrettable. My Grillades and Grits? My mom has made better-tasting shit on a shingle. We ate part of our meals out of politeness and left ASAP, feeling very disappointed and gypped. I'm not sure we'll be returning again. Truth be told, I've had more enjoyable meals at McDonald's.
(2)Scott S.
Stumbled upon this place on a road trip through Ann Arbor thanks to yelp! It did not disappoint. The only thing better than the excellent service was the food. I had the BBQ beef. Very well smoked with a sauce that was tangy and not too sweet. Accompanied by some greens with bacon and honey (unusual but delicious) and lumpy mashed potatoes (just the way I like them.) The Mrs. Had the fried chicken and ate it all declaring it very good. One son had corn dogs. Said they were the best he's had. (somewhat of a corn dog connoisseur, if there is such a thing). Other son has food allergies to which our server was very accommodating, adding grilled chicken to a salad and even bringing him a complimentary dessert that he could eat while we chowed down on the awesome peach pie and gelato sampler. Highly recommend this place.
(5)jim s.
I've been coming here for years and have never had a meal I didn't enjoy. This is one of my favorite go-to restaurants for most any occasion. Great selection on the often changing menu ensures there is thoughtfully prepared food for most any tastes. Plus their bourbon selection is good, and the house vodka is Tito's!
(5)Matt W.
Patrick Swayze would rip a person's throat out if they tried to sell him $25 catfish.
(1)Jane K.
Great service. Excellent food. Noisy. Fun atmosphere.
(4)S And B D.
My husband said it's a good thing we don't live in Ann Arbor or he would have to eat at Zingermans all the time. We loved the menu choices. The Red Fish was sautéed to perfection and the sweet potato fries were some of the best I've ever had. We split an arugula salad with beets and goat cheese and the Red fish. The kitchen split it for us. We always appreciate that kind of service. We also shared the butterscotch pudding. Yummy !
(4)Ryan S.
This place can get nothing but five stars in my mind. The food is just insanely good. I highly recommend the pimento cheese as an appetizer. I love the pulled pork sandwich as well. Their draft beer selection can't be beat. This place is my wife and I's favorite restaurant. Period. That isn't a statement I would make lightly. Yes, the wait times are long, but make a reservation. Lots of people want to eat there because their food is good. Fairly simple. As far as complaints I saw from others about the prices- yes, the prices are higher than Applebee's, but you are getting absolutely outstanding food and drink. Much higher quality than uppity places charging 40 or 50 bucks for a main course.
(5)Clare W.
OVER-RATED *clap clap clapclapclap* But srsly, it wasn't that good for all the hype. Just a lot of seasoning.
(2)Enrique B.
Awesome! Zingerman's Roadhouse doesn't have the cheapest menu in town, but the food is all of very high quality. I also like the fact that Zingerman's staff are trained to know the menu inside and out, and can tell you the origin of all the ingredients. For example, if you order something with bacon on it, they can tell you exactly where the pig lived, and the name of the farm. I believe that if you can't get it local, you should at least know the origin. Another awesome thing about Zingerman's Roadhouse is that there is ample free parking. When I went to the deli on Detroit St, finding a parking space was like hunting for unicorns. You should definitely try the Roadhouse sometime.
(4)Chiwei L.
Damn Zingerman. How can I love and hate you so much at the same time. This is one of my favorite mid/high level restaurants in Ann Arbor, and usually the goto place for the peeps from out of town for a quintessential A2 experience. I've had the pleasure of having some amazingly good, down home, real American food. So why the 3 (3.5 really) stars... Well it's the inconsistency. For a "James Beard" head chef nominated, service oriented, relatively high priced eatery, with the semi-legendary Zingerman name, one would expect heaven on a plate every time. Unfortunately, I've been served average food more often than not. Things like, BBQ and sauces that seem a little dry and under seasoned (Especially compared with slows in Detroit), fish that came out lukewarm, dishes that felt under seasoned, just too many things to be inexcusable... I still love this place, I will still come to this place, I will still spend way to much money on this place... I just hope that they don't take my love for granted... (Jolly Pumpkin might just steal my heart away.)
(3)Shon C.
I'm going to say it up front - downgraded a star because you have to spend a lot of money to eat here. That being said, as with other things in life, you pay for what you get. Like the deli, Zingerman's Roadhouse specializes in good "American Food," namely BBQ, meat, fresh seafood, great bread, and great cheese. Also a pretty good beer and wine selection. Most impressive is the selection of Mac n Cheese dishes, all priced between $10-$20. If you're the type of person that is interested in eating "real food" (in the Michael Pollan sense of the word), then you would really enjoy this restaurant. The beef taste like real beef, the chicken taste like real chicken. There's a great selection of cheeses (not quite as extensive as the deli, but great for before dinner or with drinks). My last visit was two nights ago with friends, my wife got a bowl of the chili (usually very hearty, big chunks of meat, but a little too beany this time around) and a hot spinach salad (yum!); I went with the corn-dog appetizer (served with 3 gourmet mustards) and the pulled chicken BBQ sandwich with hand cut fries. My meal was great. In fact, the only meal I had at this restaurant that I didn't love was a daily special a few months back -- their take on Cioppino -- suboptimal. Pros: great American food, great ingredients, Zingerman's quality, fancy Mac n Cheese Cons: long wait on weekend nights, expensive for what you get, location isn't really walking distance to other bars/restaurants
(4)Eric M.
This is another one of those places... drive by it almost everyday and have really never gone there. Ok, I went there to interview somebody at one point, but didn't really eat (or pay attention to) the food. However, the other day a very good friend of ours was in town, and we decided to grab lunch here because it was (surprise) close to our house. It was kind of a rainy day, one of the ones we've been having so many of lately this wet fall, and we decided to sit out on the heated, covered patio to take advantage of the "warmth." As it was a rainy day, I decided to try mac & cheese. Not usually something I'd attribute too much gastronomic creativity to, mac & cheese is the quintessential comfort food. Then I looked at the menu. ** WAIT A MINUTE... ** There were like, six different kinds of mac & cheese. Six kinds! That's a cheese-junkie's overdose. So, I went for the pimento cheese and applewood bacon version. YUM. Yes, it was very rich. No, it was not helping to unclog my arteries. However, it spread a big smile across my face and left me with the intent that THIS week, yes, THIS week I would amp up my workouts. Just not today. :) Wonderful flavor in the food, at least what I had. Just disregard the overpowering smell of butter as you walk in - you can survive just ONE dish, right? Definitely a place I'd go back to, but not if I'm on a diet. At least not that dish...
(4)Karl H.
This place is aiight. It's definately overrated and like most Ann Arbor restaurants, overpriced. The food isn't bad at all, but it just isn't that great. Their southern style dishes are hit or miss and the fried chicken was worse than Popeye's. Plus they charge a lot for Mac N' Cheese (seriously?). However I did like their Texas Cabrito with some good collard greens, their tasty mussels, and their pulled pork was decent. The service is excellent and they have a lot of good beers on tap. I only go here when I've got cash to burn, which isn't often.
(3)Stever G.
I had never been here before but always wanted to ever since they opened. My SO has always met that suggestion with "Well...I don't think you'll like it...there's not much in the way of vegetarian fare, and it's really expensive." He knows my tastes well, so I figured he was right. We were on "staycation" recently and I finally convinced him to take me there. We went on a weeknight and was told the wait was 30 minutes, but it turned out to be more like an hour. While I waited, I stared at a huge banner advertising an everything-bacon-fest, with a cartoon piggie on it. Not really the most appetizing image in the world, and I was beginning to regret coercing my SO into coming here. Thankfully, we were seated outside. The inside dining area seemed way claustrophobic, which is one of my beefs with the deli. I'm not usually a fan of outdoor seating, but apart from some seriously uncomfortable chairs, the patio area is spacious and lovely. It was one of the most beautiful nights of the summer, so that added to the atmosphere. The service was, as expected, some of the best service you can get anywhere. Not only was our server amazingly attentive (despite a packed house with some way crabby and demanding patrons--did I mention this place is great for people watching?!), but one of the owners was helping out and making recommendations. Onto the meal. The cocktail menu features clever names and tantalizing descriptions. My guy opted for a very, very strong martini, while I went for a fairly priced Oberon the size of my head. As I looked over the menu, I was impressed that there were actually several vegetarian options. My guy kept insisting that we stick to the appetizers because he's never had a good entree there. Reading the descriptions of the veg dishes, I wasn't having any of that. He ordered sweet potato fries anyway, and I'm glad he did, because they were indeed scrumptious. For entree, I bypassed the veggie burger (cue regret #1) and went for the Mac & Cheese (cue regret number #2!) Can't remember what it was called, but it was the one without bacon. I gotta say, it needed some major doctoring. Anything would have been an improvement. It tasted like...nothing. If I'm indulging in a fattening comfort food, it's supposed to at least taste like it! My SO, while not vegetarian, cooks amazing meatless dishes. And his variations on mac & cheese put this overpriced slop to shame. That makes me feel annoyed that this place is getting away with charging such a high amount of money for such a below average entree. He tried some kind of pulled pork sandwich and nibbled on it throughout the dinner with a "told you we should have gotten another appetizer" look on his face. The price was probably the worst part of this experience. I did notice they had a section on the menu that was "lighter fare" and had more standard prices. If I go again, perhaps I'll try something off of there. Or maybe I'll get that veggie burger. Or maybe I'll listen for once and stick with splitting multiple appetizers! In a nutshell, exceptional service, great atmos if you sit outside, but one gross ridiculously priced dish really tainted my first experience here.
(2)Sarah W.
I have come here many times. And what I can say is that the food is only okay. If you really want to eat Zingerman sandwiches go to the deli downtown. It just tastes way better and the atmosphere is much more suitable for that kind of meal. But! At Zingerman's Roadhouse the dessert is really really good! The doughnut sundae is a genius idea. I love doughnuts, I love good vanilla gelato, the two should be combined! It's topped off with fresh whip cream and drizzled with caramel sauce and peanuts. It is really great, and I have never seen something like this anywhere else. I also love the apple pie a la mode. And the magic brownie sundae is perfect. If you have a sweet tooth come here and don't forget to order the coffee.
(3)Jen K.
Was in town for a ZingTrain seminar and decided to check out the Roadhouse with a friend for Sunday Brunch. I was stunned that they had gluten-free corn/bacon/cheddar waffles with maple syrup. Honestly, it didn't sound like it was going to be that great but bacon makes everything great so I decided to try it. They were amazing. LOVED IT! Super friendly staff, did feel that the server was a little slow at bringing us our check, but that might be an Ann Arbor thing because I experienced it at every restaurant we visited!
(5)Angela R.
Had a wonderful Sunday brunch - I had the huevos rancheros, a nice combination of spice in the pinto beans, green chilies, eggs and the crunchy tormilla. My husband had "New" English Breakfast which was two fried eggs with English pork and beans, Nueske's applewood ham steak and fried heirloom tomatoes and mushrooms with toast. We both really enjoyed our meal our waitress kept the coffee flowing and we enjoyed a mimosa at the end, very nice. Great service great food would go again and we highly recommend!
(4)Michelangelo S.
Unimaginably good. Inconceivably overhyped. The entire decor of the Roadhouse is invested in a single goal: to justify why you're paying $20 for macaroni and cheese. We get a $50 gift card to here every year and always end up with a $70 bill for two people. Somehow they pull it off, with every dish being outstanding. However, the unpretentious staff and verbose menus sometimes seem at odds; it's like they're unfazed about the fact that you're about to lay out a lot of green for mundane dishes- because they understand that these dishes are turned into something special by being prepared using only the highest quality ingredients. As I understand it, this uncompromising quality actually caused the Roadhouse to be the single unprofitable Zingerman's enterprise for its first year, but propped up by the Bakery, Deli, Mail-Order, and Creamery, along with generous patronship by Ann Arbor snobs and foodies, it's survived and it ready to become an institution.
(4)Jon T.
Was just there for the Sunday Brunch menu and had a great time. To me, it's one of the few restaurants in SE Michigan that 'get's it'. In fact, if I didn't know I was in Michigan, I would have guessed more like Portland or Seattle. Examples...it uses local ingredients, it brands where items on its menu come from, they have their own bakery, and creamery, its casual and upbeat and an extra friendly environment and so on and so on. Meaning, you can eat great food without spending an arm or a leg or having to put on a suit because you're in a white table cloth environment. Most places here, don't understand that. I had the waffles with grits, Vermont cheddar and Niman Ranch bacon....fricken exceptional! The only thing better was our server Sharon. Thanks for the great time.
(5)Sunny K.
Yum! I had the new mexico grilled chicken sandwich and it was delicious. The atmosphere and service was great. The only negative is the overpriced meal options, considering the size of the sandwiches. I'm not sure if this is the case for other entree options as well. But I will definitely go back to try some of them.
(4)Liane R.
Best. Sweet. Potato. Fries. Ever. . . . Ever.
(5)Jane D.
The Roadhouse has consistently excellent food. One of the things I like best is to sit at the bar and watch the cooks working and all the luscious food going by. It's a bustling place! The staff is well trained and attentive without being intrusive. The burgers are heaven and you can get a burger card. After 10 burgers, you get one free!
(5)A H.
I agree, the prices seem a little steep but the staff is very attentive and go out of their way to make sure everyone is taken care of. Their cheese plates are amazing, though I would prefer a cracker to the bagel crisps that they use, because it drowns out the flavor of the cheese. Their Smoked Chicken & Monterey Jack macaroni is amazing, very flavorful and creamy. Recently went back for brunch and their granola is wonderful. Oats, almonds, cranberries, and brown sugar. Enough said?!
(5)Nick L.
Ehh... I want to like Zingerman's, I really do. The service was great, our waitress was very nice and even took a chili bowl off of our tab that one of us didn't like. Plus they give back part of their bill to the town! On the other hand... wow is this expensive. Good luck finding anything under $10-15, I think your only option might be the salad (which I did not enjoy). Vegetarian options are almost non-existent, which I somewhat expected coming from a Roadhouse but still, this is generic American food for way more than its worth.
(3)Elizabeth L.
Good Northern Southern Barbecue, but what you're saving on the plane ticket south you're paying in the tab. Now that I've lived in Austin for five years (more Austin restaurant reviews to come) and my in-laws live in Charleston SC, I consider myself more versed in barbecue and Mexican food than all my years in the Midwest allowed. So when I heard that Zingerman's opened up a barbecue place that had won some accolades, I knew we had to go. The decor was definitely reminiscent of some of the Southern barbecue places we used to frequent (Threadgill's, Chuy's, County line, etc.) but they managed to merge it well with what seems to be the "Zingerman's style" (based on their deli). I had to order brisket, because I discovered a love of brisket when we moved to Austin back in 03' and it is hard to find on a menu in Chicago. Yum! I wasn't disappointed... very tender and flavorful. My husband ordered the pulled pork and also enjoyed his meat. The sides, however, were a little lackluster tasting and seemed a bit disjointed. Collard greens may be thematic, but I wasn't raised on them and can't imagine them being all that popular up North. I recommend making them an optional vegetable, not the default. Additionally, the Macaroni & Cheese seemed to be "gourmet-ed" up, but it wasn't clear why (other than the price) - why not just do the classic right and charge appropriately? I've given this restaurant three stars because the food and atmosphere are enjoyable, but they don't match the prices. Not that the South doesn't have expensive barbecue places, but if you walk into a barbecue place in the South and see prices like these, expectations are high. This has the feel and taste of a moderate to inexpensive neighborhood barbecue joint, but they are asking "bbq gourmet" prices. Additionally, while I'm all about portion control, it's not as if the portion sizes justify the price either... dishes are moderately sized.
(3)Alissa H.
I have been a fan of Zingerman's in general for a long time, especially their oils/vinegars/breads/cheeses from the deli, but I was disappointed with my first visit to the Roadhouse. The service started out great, our waitress was really helpful and attentive, but after we put our orders in we didn't see her as frequently and kept trying to have to waive her down to put in drink orders or ask about our appetizer (which didn't come out after we had finished our main course). The main courses were mosly successful. My macaroni and cheese was really, really tastey but a relatively small portion for the price. My husband did not like the fried chicken; the chicken pieces were large but the breading didn't have much flavor and fell off the chicken when he picked it up. Our other friend enjoyed the barbecue platter for the most part except the mole sauce, and the fourth in our party was pleased with her NY strip and raved over the spinach side dish. For the price, my friends had hoped for a little more but, in all fairness, we were at a Zingerman's establishment and it's no secret that its generally a little overpriced. Had the service been better it would have been a four-star review.
(3)Allison D.
Um, I recently moved to Ann Arbor & have asked several people for restaurant recommendations, and unanimously have heard the praises of Zingerman's, so we headed to the very cute Roadhouse for dinner. After sitting down, we were asked for drink orders, and clearly disappointed the server by not ordering cocktails. The service got worse as my mother (who wasn't hungry) ordered the crab cake appetizer, I ordered the macaroni & cheese with vegetables (an amazingly high $18.50), and my fiance ordered the New Mexico Black Bean Burger with sweet potato fries. My fiance & I have both lived in New Mexico and love spicy green chile, but neither of us could handle the truly ridiculous level of HOT of the green chile on that burger. The burger was obviously home-made, but it kept falling apart. I mentioned the spiciness to the waiter, but instead of concern, his response was literally a scoff with a smile, and no words. He just walked off. After my fiance admitted there was was no way to eat the atomically hot burger, we waited for a long while before the server reluctantly came back to check on us. He nodded, and curtly asked if he wanted a burger without green chile when it was reported that it was simply too hot to eat. The sweet potato fries in contrast were amazing chunks of crisp on the outside, soft on the inside goodness. The crab cakes were small, but good, served on a plate with absolutely no garnish. The macaroni and cheese was a huge disappointment. A large plate with a thin layer of excessively oily pasta with a few pieces of oil drenched spinach and remnants of a tomato mixed in. The highpoint was the fried goat cheese in the center which was perfectly done. After I was finished eating the second burger finally came out and my fiance could finally eat, but the server didn't bring silverware, which took a while and more bad attitude to get. Of course when we ordered dessert (the hummingbird cake - moist but bland) the server perked up a bit, but not nearly as much as he did when he presented the large bill. Overall, the experience was not good. I will not be going back to Zingermans Roadhouse to pay handsomely for under average food and unpleasant service.
(2)M B.
I have been visiting The Roadhouse since it first opened. It is my favorite restaurant in Ann Arbor. The food is amazing - yes, it's expensive, but no more expensive than other AA restaurants. The food is worth the price. The service is exceptional and I always feel like I've landed at a friend's house, having dinner.
(5)mike w.
Recommended Meal: Drink: - Zaisson (some strong wheat beer they have on tap) Appetizers: - Large order Sweet Potato fries (believe me get the larger otherwise you will spend more getting two regular orders, they are that good). - Oysters (mix up the types, delicious!) Meal: - Anything that catches your eye is probably delicious. I would lay off the beef brisket, because a deli by the same name has the best there is!
(5)Sara G.
I just have to give another shout out to Z's Roadhouse. The servers I've had have been nothing less than super friendly and helpful and the food continues to be marvelous and mouth-watering. Also, I have recently become positively addicted to their my-T-fine Caesar salad, topped with hanger steak. Why didn't this appear on the menu sooner? OY VEY.
(5)Alison T.
The main complaint I hear about the Roadhouse is that it's overpriced, but I disagree. Expensive? Yes. Overpriced? No. I think the problem is that people generally associate "American food" with chain restaurants like Applebee's and Bob Evans, so they're shocked when they see the prices on Zingerman's burgers and mac 'n cheese (which, frankly, are not THAT much higher than you'd pay at a chain restaurant anyway). But the food and service here are both exceptional, which is less than I can say about any of those chains. The ingredients are fresh and, when possible, locally grown, beginning with the basket of Zingerman's bread you're served when you sit down (probably a $10 value in itself, knowing their bakery prices). I've visited on three separate occasions and eaten the fried chicken, the pulled pork and the Roadhouse macaroni and cheese. Each time, when I hesitated upon ordering my meal, the server offered to bring me a taste of the item I was considering. How many chain restaurants do that? All three dishes were absolutely amazing, as was the donut sundae I split with several people on one particular visit. I've never heard anything negative about the food here; only the prices. But if you'd gladly spend $20 per meal at a nice steakhouse, I would urge you to try this place--it's no more expensive than a steakhouse and much more unique. PS: They also have a great beer selection!
(4)Stephen B.
I was in town for a UM football game and made a reservation here after the game. I visited with my wife and two daughters (age 11 and 13). We were seated a bit early (about 5 minutes) for a 7:15 reservation. We had a very friendly waiter. My wife ordered crab cakes which were fantastic. One of the best she had eaten and after a taste I had to agree. My daughters split a sirloin steak dinner which they really liked. I took a taste and it was ok but the mashed potatoes were very good. I ordered what was listed as a duck breast, it was not, it was the leg/thigh section. Still very good. The sweet potato pancake that came with it really made the dish. The downside was the side of shitake mushrooms that also came with it. Shitake mushrooms have a very tough stem that needs to be removed prior to cooking. These were not, they just chopped up the mushrooms. End result, most of the mushroom side was inedible. What was edible was very good. The combo of duck (just the breast would have been better) mushrooms and sweet potato pancake was a great taste combo. I would definitely go again. I would have rated it higher except for the mushrooms and the non-duck breast. It is pricey.
(3)Suzy Q.
I'm so happy my husband and I picked Zingermans as the place to celebrate our anniversary. The staff truly made us feel special the whole night. As we walked in, the hostess and waiter wished us a happy anniversary, they had fresh flowers on our table that was in the back of the room, they made us our own printed menu that read 'Happy Anniversary" on it and even gave us a complimentary dessert! Our waiter, Jake was simply amazing. Because everything looked so good on the menu and we were being indecisive, he brought us several samples of the brisket, pulled pork, pimento and cheddar cheese. For dinner, we shared: 1. Roadhouse Mac & Cheese 2. Cornman Farms Burger w/sweet potatoe fries 3. Dessert - Southern Cake We will definitely be going back sooner than later! P.S. Don't forget to complete your visit with a trip to their food market rated one of the best in the world!
(5)Adam P.
After weeks of reading reviews, seeing top ratings and another nomination the Chef has received for a James Beard award, how couldn't I go....? Upon my arrival from such easy directions, I pulled up to a novelty type looking place that was quite "Unique". I loved the old looking trailer attached to the building they had set up for pull up takeout orders... Entering on a Monday dinner rush, my wait was only 5 mins. My company and I perched up to the bar for a few delicious signature drinks. My first drink was a Sazerac bourbon/Absinthe type drink with an orange twist in it. It was pretty good. We started with Crab cakes and some oysters. The oysters were great. I loved how they select from both Coasts as most places I've been, only select from the east. Also the Bartender was Excellent. Seeing how it was our first time she offered us many samples of sauces, pork and Brisket. They do cook the brisket in house. Tasted good with the sauce but seemed a bit overcooked and more tasting of Roast Beef. I've had better. The Crab cake was unique and we both really enjoyed how flavorful it was. What I really admire is how the Chef uses all local ingredients including meat from his own cows from his farm. I couldn't pass up the steak. I ordered the Bone in Rib eye. If I would USDA rate this which I don't think it is seeing how it's so local. I would rate it a Select Cut. I wasn't impressed. I loved the Grits I ordered with it and the Chicken Macaroni and Cheese was quite Unique My Date ordered the burger and Salad Special. I loved the onion roll they served it on and it was really flavorful. Their fries are to die for and seem as fresh and real as it can get. Now my issue was with the Willamette Pinot Noir Wine. 13.50 A glass, it had no complexity AT ALL especially from its appellation, it should have tasted better than a table wine. I did think it paired great with the steak though. Other than that, I really appreciated the service and how welcoming the service was. We were also presented with a desert for it being our first time, Vanilla Gelato.. ABSOLUTLY DELICIOUS. Macaroons with it were too coconutty. Unless you like Coconuts, you will love em.. All and All my experience was good, my service was outstanding, but for all the accolades on the food and company.. I can understand for the fact you will not find a menu like theirs anywhere else. The place reminds of something that is about to turn into a chain for their uniqueness of menu selections and fresh ingredients. I was not "Wowed" by it as I was expecting from all/ the hype but did have a good time. I would rate it 7/10 or 4 outta 5 stars..
(4)Galen B.
The staff seemed unhappy, the sandwich was cold, and tasted like it has been sitting around all day. Other than that, it was a marvelous experience.
(1)Matthew M.
The food at Zingey's is outstanding. Order the Cornman Farms burger medium rare with 7 year cheddar and sweet potato fries and you'll be in heaven/broke. I'm looking forward to trying their ribs with Alex's red rage barbeque sauce.
(5)John D.
We moved to Ann Arbor three years ago from Philadelphia, and this is by far my favorite restaurant in Michigan. Prices are definitely high, but you get what you pay for. Servers are genuinely kind and usually knowledgeable. The Nashville Hot Chicken, while only available on Tuesday, is better than the original in Nashville -- yes, I've been to Prince's. I love Zingerman's Roadhouse. If I had the money, I would eat here every day.
(5)Cecilia P.
Totally worth it. The fried chicken is what keeps me coming back. Listen, I'm not gonna get fried chicken very often, and when I do I want it to be the best fried chicken available. I like how they ask what kind of chicken meat you prefer. I like the presentation (looks like a boxed meal you'd take on a long train ride, in say the late 1800's). And as far as the portions go- more than enough. Service - always awesome. It's a good sign when one of the titans of the Zingerman's empire is walking around filling water glasses. They have a Farmer's market on summer Thursdays - and taste samples of what you can make with some of the produce that's for sale! They have AMAZING cocktails. The cocktail menu is categorized by era, so not only are you having a cocktail, you're drinking history (that might be some massive rationalization on my part, but I'm totally comfortable with that). If you're into the story of your meal (knowing that many of the ingredients are produced by artisan farmers, that there is respect paid to each and every ordinary ingredient going into the recipe, and that there is a history behind the dish), if you value good service and a connection to the community - check out the Roadhouse. If you don't care about those things and aren't willing to pay for them, this isn't the place for you.
(4)Chris C.
I was excited to finally try this place. It didn't quite live up to my high expectations, but i wasn't totally disappointed. Initially, the mac & cheese was a little bland. But it turned out to be really good the next day, after all the flavors settled. On the other hand, the fried chicken was an oversized CRUNCH of nothingness...very unimpressive. The decor was cool with interesting figurines throughout, but this place can get awfully loud.
(3)John F.
Hands down in my top 10 favorite places. You won't find the frills and thrills associated with your $100 a plate restaurants here, but I would put this food up against any of those places and guarantee Zingerman's wins hands down. It's one of the few places that takes true pride in their food. They source their ingredients from only the best locations. For instance, if they determine the best Swiss cheese comes from a small farmer in Montana who has only four cows, that's where your Swiss cheese is coming from. It's truly an "institution" as one of my good friends says that introduced me to the place. Turning down multiple buyout offers in order to maintain the Zingerman's quality is what this place is all about. Be sure and visit their Bakehouse and Deli as well. If you're ever in or around Ann Arbor be sure to stop in, definitely a must visit. It doesn't look fancy from the outside, but trust me, it's AMAZING! For the actual food, they have a great list of microbrew beers. I highly recommend anything on their menu, but am in love with the Roadhouse Burger with sweet potato fries, followed by some Chocolate Puddin' or Vanilla bean Cheese Cake. ENJOY!
(5)Ted S.
I've been coming here off and on since they opened so I have tried quite a few staples and specialties over the years. *Most* of the time the Roadhouse nails it, but every once in a while things can go awry. Every single soup I have ever tried here has been hands-down delicious. The cheddar ale, split pea, cream of mushroom, the chili and many others. They put a lot of effort into the soups and it shows. All of the manifestations of potato here are superb. Regular fries, sweet potato fries, mashed potatoes.....they have taken the right page from classic American food and gotten these just right, which for me means hand-cut fries with just the right amount of grease and mashed potatoes using simple butter and cream with no unwelcome guests. Red meat dishes can be hit or miss as far as preparation; on a couple of occasions "medium" has ended up being pretty much still mooing. Also the size of the burger's bun is ridiculously large compared to the burger. And it is a sizable burger, for sure; just that the bun is of needlessly epic proportions. All that being said, when correctly prepared, the burger, salisbury steak (the burger without the bun, with a bordelasie reduction sauce), and regular ole steaks I have tried have been at least a solid A-. The famous fried chicken here I do find to be disappointing. The regular stuff they serve daily is nicely fried up but just not interesting enough in its flavor. The other side of the coin, the Nashville "Hot" chicken is oddly enough guilty of the same sin; it is ALL heat and no flavor, at least that I can detect. (It may just be a matter of me not coming with the requisite heat shield that allows me to penetrate into whatever flavor may lay beneath). The fish here is hands-down great. Many varieties of super fresh fish flown in daily and it can be cooked in pretty much any way imaginable. The Zingerman's Coffee Rub is fantastic. All manner of pork and BBQ I have had are quite delicious as well. Excellent list of wines by the glass (at least 20 different glasses to choose from and they are rotated with decent regularity). Amazing selection of alcohol in general. Service is always spot-on. I would give 4.5 stars if I could.
(4)emeril l.
A bit pricey for casual dining, but a nice place to celebrate a special occasion. Our bill was $80 (with tip) for the following items: 1) the roasted root vegetable salad, which was so tasty that I recreated it at home a few nights later! Can't get enough of it!!! 2) An order of sweet potato fries, our first choice was sold out, which turned out to be nothing short of AMAZING! 3) a pint of beer 4)BBQ pork platter - pork was so tender that it melted in your mouth 5) Catfish platter - very good- served southern style, you don't get fillets, you get an entire catfish, minus the head. I'm from the south, so I get how to eat it and enjoyed it very much. Less seasoned people might end up with a mouth full of bones, though, so beware. The sides were amazing. some sort of coleslaw, and some other stuff, very tasty! 6) The donut rum sundae. No room for this, we had to bring some of the above dishes home, since we were stuffed. I assembled the sundae at home later and was happy to find that they had packed it nicely in separate cups so that it didn't get mangled on the way home. Yay! 7) a free cupcake for the birthday boy All in all, we'll come back, but will probably go through the drive up (in the trailer) because the prices there are a bit more affordable for sandwiches and whatnot.
(4)Jarrod V.
Just plain fantastic, including both food and service!
(5)Missy C.
Growing up in the South and then living in Ann Arbor Area for 28 years it has always been hard to find good fried chicken. Not anymore, I just head over to Zingermans RoadHouse. It is authentic, dipped in egg and the coating is great. No, I don't eat fried chicken much but when I get hungery for it, this is where I go. Another favorite dish is the free range, mushroom salad.
(5)Mike P.
Went 1-11-2013. My wife and I went for dinner. We had the Cornman Farms' Ploughman's Board as an appetizer. I can only say that it is a bit odd.... the roasted red peppers and tomatoes are simply strange. Not a fan of this. The cheese and ham were fantastic however. For an entree I had Roasted Heirloom Pepper & Anchovy Mac. It was not edible. I was not expecting such a massive amount of anchovy or capers which made the dish so overwhelmingly fishy and salty I could only eat about a 1/4 of it. I should have just sent it back but I ate half of my wife's burger which was very good and was satisfied. The server although seeing I hardly ate the dish did not ask any questions regarding my meal. He did not even ask if I wanted it boxed up. Not the usual Zingerman's service or meal. This was a wasted meal and calories along with poor service. Well probably avoid for a few months. Fortunately my wife and I had nice conversation
(1)Bonnie L.
Many find this place overpriced and overrated, and that's a perfectly valid viewpoint. I am willing to shell out for a nice meal out, but the Roadhouse pushes my limits by charging me $7 for a piece of cake or $20 for fried chicken. And when it's simple American-style comfort foods you're eating, it's easy to understand why some wonder what all the fuss is about. My theory is that Zingerman's prices are high for two reasons: 1) as they state, they splurge on high quality foods; and 2) they give away so much free stuff to customers who purport to be dissatisfied. While it's annoying to subsidize the people who take advantage of #2, it's still worth it to me for the feeling of security I get at a Zingerman's establishment that I will be treated well during my stay there. Plus, it's really good food. Make a phone call before you head over. It's fairly easy to get a reservation, and can be highly difficult to walk in off the street.
(4)Kirsten T.
The food is undoubtedly great, but having become privy to information regarding higher-ups, I can't in good conscience recommend this restaurant to people. It's a shame because I REALLY miss their goat cheese mac.
(1)Louise K.
Delicious! The Roadhouse may be crowded, but the FOOD is worth the wait! Enjoyable dishes are as follows: Ribs Fried Chicken Cheesecake Fried Catfish The drinks are nice(root beer right out of the bottle!) Every time I go here I leave satisfied.
(5)Rala S.
I liked the actual restaurant's atmosphere, but the food isn't really all that great. I should have probably splurged for the mac and cheese but $20 just seemed like highway robbery for that dish - so I got a burger. The burger was good, but again wasn't the best I'd ever had. I expected more. The bread though, of course, was delicious.
(2)D T.
Have not been here for a long time, but went twice in last month. Wow, everything was really amazing. BBQ is great, loved the soups, salads and the steak with honey and rosemary was very good. Service was truly exceptional
(5)Rachel B.
YUM YUM YUM. Classy but comfortable, homemade cheeses and breads. Amazing and unique sweet potato fries. A MUST buy.
(5)Craig O.
Didn't have a great breakfast experience. We got there early and didn't have to wait in line. I don't think the staff had a chance to warm up yet. They forgot our coffee and didn't even remember us ordering it. Not a great way to start out a morning. The food came out and was lukewarm at best. The people sitting next to us also sent their food back. I had chorizo w/ eggs. The beans were bland and cold. The corn tortilla didn't have any flavor, and the chorizo was more like sausage. Very little flavor. My wife had the huevos rancheros. Much better. The verde sauce was flavorful and the fried tortilla added complexity to the dish. I want to go back to try dinner, but our first visit wasn't worth the price.
(3)Chen L.
I usually avoid Mac n Cheese, but I'm glad I tried it at Zingerman's. It's definitely the best I've had. The wife got a burger an it was fantastic too. Zingerman's lives up to the hype! Really good food that hits the spot. Keep in mind though, a burger, Mac n Cheese, two drinks will run you $80. The blue cheese on the burger was four bucks!!!
(4)Dick H.
Eggs and grits, perfect smoked bacon, and excellent coffee. One star subtract for rye bread sliced too thick and not crunchy enough, but that's being picky!
(4)k t.
This place is too expensive. That being said, it's not bad. The Mac and Cheese is great, especially the Cal Fiorentina which comes with a fried ball of brie on top. Also be sure to try many of the millions of different types of oysters they carry, as they are all subtly different and quite tasty. I was (gently) let down by my BBQ brisket sandwich; this was to be expected since I am from Texas and should have known better. It was oversauced and the meat lacked smoke flavor and wasn't tender enough (kind of rubbery). Perks: friendly and fast service, parking (almost worth another star when compared to downtown restaurants) Insignificant gripe: annoying faux-newspaper menu Hidden Gem: The wild rice entree looks like absolute crap when they bring it out (sloppy presentation) but it is quite tasty. I'd split it with a friend as a side dish. Conclusion: Come here on someone else's dime.
(3)Debbie C.
Some of the most amazing barbecue I have had ever had! The spare ribs were to die for! All the food and drink we've had at all of the Zingerman's stores (deli, creamery, coffee shop and bakery) have been top-notch. The staff is very knowledgeable and extremely friendly. We made a 50-mile detour on our vacation to visit Zingerman's and were not disappointed in the least. It'll be a trip we'll be making again and again, I'm sure.
(5)Kevin K.
I really enjoy eating at Zingerman's Roadhouse and prefer it to the original Deli. The food is consistently very good (I love the burgers and selection of cheeses) and of high quality, if a bit over-priced. The service has always been very good as well. It would probably warrant a fifth star if it wasn't a bit over-priced.
(4)Brad T.
Let me get this out of the way first: often when people complain about this place, it's related to the prices. Yes, there are cheaper places to get all of this food, that's clear. But since opening, Zingerman's Roadhouse has gone from being very shaky to downright awesome, and I would no longer consider that criticism very valid. After all, isn't quality what should drive the price of a meal in the first place? That being said, Zingerman's Roadhouse has grown into one of my few always-reliable local restaurants. This is probably because both a chef friend of mine and my dad (who has great taste) are both huge champions of this restaurant, leading my wife and I to eat here more than we ever expected to. I'm so glad we have, because my initial impressions of this place weren't that hot, but they've found their footing in a way I never expected. The barbecue here is excellent, the seafood is awesome, the oysters are some of the best in the city, the macaroni and cheese is fantastically decadent, and then there's the fried chicken. There are some good fried chicken places in the area, but they're often avoided because they tend to be in unexpected or rundown locations. So let me lay it out there for those of you who avoid joints like Mary's Chicken: Zingerman's Roadhouse has the very best fried chicken of any sitdown American restaurant in town. THE VERY BEST! The service is always good, the drinks are both strong and yummy, the revolving beer selection is a treat, and the deserts are a knockout. I've never even experienced the long table waits that most other good restaurants in town are guilty of. In short, this place is tops in my book, I can't recommend it enough.
(5)Darian R.
This place is pretty pricey. $13 for a basic burger and fries. And by basic, I mean basic. Fries are okay, but you get free refills. Their menus are all made of different quantities and sizes of paper. The place looks nice and smells great, but the prices of the food kept me away from a lot of the options. Didn't feel like shelling out $18-22 for some basic food. Maybe it's great and amazing. The salad was alright. Croutons weren't great. Also, the seating is really cramped. And the bread was not great. Overall, paid almost $40 for two sandwiches and a plate of fruit for my daughter. Overall concept of that is lost on me.
(2)Jason C.
Every cardiologist in your town will be glad for the extra business from eating at this place. A whole lot of fat and salt. Although the marketing hype says the food comes from the farm somehow by the time it gets to the plate the veggies are doused with grease and salt. I'm a local and find the food disappointing for the hype, best for the tourist and football crowd. Overpriced for the quality, service can be excellent to near miss,
(1)Alfred K.
This has got to be one of the best restaurants in Ann Arbor. A sit-down full-service version of its sister store, the Roadhouse serves up classic cuisine Americana with the best ingredients that Zingerman never fails to deliver. Some of the things I've had here and loved include the fried green tomatoes, fried chicken, and green bean casserole. All amazingly executed classics. The oyster hash (during brunch) is also a great twist on a classic breakfast dish - top notch. If you like Mac and Cheese they have about 5 varieties of them, and the pick-your-own cheese board is just as fun. The infamous barbecued oysters weren't quite what I had hoped, but they are very unique and smokey... chacun a son gout I suppose. The donuts are fan-freaking-tastic - don't ever miss the desserts! In terms of decor, it's really nice and that's about the only adjective I have. The outdoor patio is very charming, oh and if you're a member of OpenTable you of course want to make a reservation. I hear what other yelpers are saying... Zingerman will probably not knock your socks off when it comes to flavor, and frankly it's hard to feel like my expections are exceeded when the hype is miles high. But the truth is that I have never been to another restaurant like Zingerman's Roadhouse where I feel completely confident that every item is made from scratch with high quality, whole/unprocessed ingredients. In that sense Zingerman's approach is a genius twist on American cuisine and holds a very dear place in my heart. I strongly recommend Zingerman's to all.
(5)JJ P.
Excellent food. You pay for it, but it is worth it. Our waitress was an older woman, but clearly loved her job and loved the company. She was very knowledgeable and friendly. Come hungry and expect to feast!
(5)Monica S.
Boy was this place good! Despite a 90 minute wait, it was totally well worth it. Our server was a flamboyant man who was completely friendly and attentive. We ordered sweet potato fries as an appetizer, and were surprised to see they were the large cut kind. It was served with thousand island sauce, although I thought maple syrup would have been better, Mother in law ordered macaroni and cheese- which lacked a little flavor in my opinion, while the husband and I ordered pork ribs. Wow, the meat on the ribs were just falling off the bone. I've never seen a barbeque place accomplish that feat, ever. The meat must have been braising for hours on end before they were served. For dessert, try the donut sundae. It's a unique twist on a tried and true sweet.
(4)Kate S.
Waited at least 10 minutes for the table. Waited 20-25 minutes for our lunch. Lots of empty tables. Waitperson NEVER apologized for the wait. Refilled the drinks, asked if my husband wanted another iced coffee, then charged for the refill. Food was okay. Another server attended to table wearing a white apron that who knows what was wiped on the apron, but it looked nasty. Terrible service.
(2)Jonas L.
The Roadhouse extends the concept behind Zingerman's a step further: make American comfort food with better-than-average ingredients and charge a ridiculous amount of money for it. If you are happy paying $10 for a sandwich, then you'd be equally happy to pay $30 for mashed potatoes and chicken fried steak. Still, this place is better than most restaurants on Main Street of Ann Arbor, who charge equally high prices but do not even rise above mediocrity. I suppose that is a point in The Roadhouse's favor, that its $30 fried chicken does taste a little better than the $5 fried chicken you can find in Harlem. A little better, however, hardly justifies its price. Go only if it's a really special occasion (but then why would you want comfort food?) or if it's on someone else's dime.
(3)Eric K.
The food is excellent and everything I've tried here tastes so good. However, it's too expensive for what you get. Perhaps this place will become a five star when I start making more money and menu items appear more affordable.
(4)Dani A.
Zingerman's roadhouse is not bad, but I have never had anything there that I have felt was worth the price. They have pretty good burgers but expect to pay anywhere from $14-$20 for a burger. And there are definitely better burgers in the city for a much better price. I also highly recommend the sweet potato fries as they have been the hands down best thing I have ever had there. As I said before it is a fairly good place, but you are paying for the Zingerman's name and for the atmosphere. And while they use fancy names and maybe even some ingredients, they are a casual restaurant. They jack up prices by trying to promote the "anti-chain" style and saying they use local ingredients, but add in whenever possible which is a nice way of not committing to anything or actually having to.
(2)Tiffany M.
The food was perfectly edible. I would definitely eat here again if I was hungry and in the area.
(4)S J.
I travel for work, and whenever I come to Ann Arbor, I make sure to stop at Zingerman's. I was there on 4/18/2012 and the hostess asked me how I was. I said I was ok, and she asked what would make me better. I said that you can never go wrong with chocolate. I settled in and looked over the menu, and tried to decide what to get My waitress, Sharon, came over to greet me with a little ramekin in her hand with chocolate pudding. Now that's the way to get me to be happy! I savored the pudding while looking at the menu. Sharon was kind enough to help me decide on some options for dinner, and made sure that I was happy. I had fried chicken (YUM!) and a tomato pesto mac and cheese. The Mac and cheese was a bit salty, but that's fine. Dessert was chocolate and butterscotch pudding. Now I'm not a butterscotch person, but this had salt in it, and was delicious! All in all, a great dinner. Not expensive either, since I only ordered one chicken breast knowing that I was on my own and I didn't want to waste any food!
(5)Debra S.
I really don't understand the huge fuss over prices. Zingerman's is not any more expensive than Cafe Zola, Paesano's, The Chop house, The Earl, or many, many others, yet no one really complains about the costs at these establishments, and at Zingermans- you get MORE. It's simply understood at these upscale places that you pay, Yet with Zingerman's reviews, it's all complaints. Of course that plate will cost you $23.00! It's ALL organic, free range, produced in small batches, flown in special, processed from scratch, with all sides and additions also being from the same caliber of ingredients and processes. The staff power alone to produce this sort of culinary feat- plate after plate, would drive costs through the roof, and by any standards, Zingerman's should have gone out of business years ago. Consider too, that brunch items are $9.00-$13.00 a plate, and it's enough to fill you to the point of napping, and it all seems so silly. If you don't want the highest food quality in Michigan, don't eat here. Don't detract a star because good food costs more to prepare, that's really silly, and unfair. They can't simply GIVE you the food for free, or at cost of the cheap-o diner down the road, or they will have to shut their doors. With that said, Zingerman's has always strived to exceed all possible limits and expectations, and is the one and only culinary contender (for real and true) that stands the test of time in the Ann Arbor area. It is Ann Arbor's second claim to fame, behind the U of M. I have eaten at near every Ann Arbor establishment for 9 years, repeatedly- and none can hold a candle to Zingermans- there's just nothing like it. The brunch is to DIE for. After stuffing ourselves to the brim, with two sides and two full plates and one amazing coffee, it cost us $33. We won't have to eat for the rest of the day, and I can die happy. Go there, and ask the waiter/waitresses what's the best, and you'll win near every time. I LOVE that it's not downtown. Ann Arbor Parking is a nightmare. The fried chicken is by far and away- the best I've ever had. Maybe the best on the planet. The mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potato fries, and the slow cooked pork are out of this world. And omg... the corned beef hash with poached eggs... Ugh! Mmmm....
(5)Amy M.
Really disappointed. Party of 6 -- 1 entree came 10 minutes after all the others; 1 entree was the wrong kind of fish; neither steak was not cooked as ordered -- sent 1 back, it came back wrong a second time, sent it back again, and it came back totally overcooked; grilled polenta was covered in ash; spinach and wild mushroom salad contained one small mushroom piece. The stuff that wasn't messed up was really good, but most of our food wasn't right.
(2)E S.
Lots of butter and grease even on the sandwiches. Kinda disappointed because I was expecting something gourmet but walked away feeling very bloated.
(2)Ariel W.
I've heard lots of great things about the Roadhouse and how their American comfort food is delicious, but after last night's meal, I've determined that while their food is good, it wasn't extraordinary and definitely not worth the price. I don't know about all the magic that happens in the kitchen (butcher cutting up an actual pig so it's fresh and getting their noodles shipped from Italy...) but the taste was ordinary. I had their Goat Cheese mac and cheese and it was bland. The waiter warned me about the black peppers, but I didn't even taste them. The description said it had roasted tomatoes, but they must have been tiny tomatoes because I only saw 2 small globs. The portion was small for $17. My husband had their pulled pork sandwich and I had a few bites. It was tasty, but I've had better (like at Blue Tractor). The only thing that was delicious and worth the price was the $5 sweet potato fries appetizer. Huge cuts of sweet potato and their zesty sauce was delicious. Overall, it was an okay experience, but I wouldn't choose to go back there.
(2)Lisa W.
I came here because I heard they had fried chicken -- there isn't really anyplace in Ann Arbor to get decent fried chicken except for Cafe Habana and once in a blue moon, Old Town. The friend chicken was pretty good. It is made with buttermilk. The greens were alright, the mac 'n cheese was intense, and the mashed potatos were good. But folk's ain't lyin' when they say this stuff is expensive. The problem is, it doesn't taste expensive. I might be willing to drop 12 bones on some fried chicken if one of the sides wasn't this weird tasting coleslaw. Dessert was good -- a sweet biscuit with fresh blueberries on top and fresh whipped cream (not Reddi Whip). I added gelato to it, but it didn't need it. Plus the vanilla gelato wasn't that great, I was disappointed. Nice little touches around the restaurant -- a pretty cute collection of salt 'n pepper shakers tucked safely behind glass cases, a couple of metal gliding benches outside that my boyfriend asked, "Are they bolted down?" The paper towels in the bathroom are actually paper towels, you can't tell because they're so thick. The outdoor seating is tented. The problem is consistency -- the stuff that's good isn't amazing, and a lot of it is just ok.
(3)Joel S.
Good service, nice brunch. I had the grits waffles brunch entree, and didn't much notice the grits but it WAS delicious in any case. Definitely a good brunch option.
(4)A. A.
The sandwich shop is much better. Not a bad brunch...but definitely not as good as the hype would have you believe. Kind of overpriced for the portion size. The corn beef has is ok...the eggs benedict kind of bland. I don't know. Don't feel like you have to go hear, cause you won't miss it. But you could do worse.
(3)Marisa S.
Amazing food and superior service. Love the outdoor tent and aroma of BBQ!!!
(5)Andrea T.
Okay, my favorite things about Zingerman's roadhouse are Rhode Island Coffee milk, these amazing preserved tomatoes, and the excellent service. So on my first visit, I got one of my faves, sweet potatoe fries. They are hard to mess up so it's not that I give anyone extra credit for making them. What impressed me is that about 2 fries fell from the plate to the floor as the server set them before me, and no joke, he pretty much brought us an entire EXTRA plate of fries. My salad had these amazing preserved tomatoes, which because of the wonderful flavor I had mistaken for red peppers. I asked about the preparation of them, commented that I liked them, and five minutes later, I had a saucer full of them to ADD to my salad. Pretty much all of my visits to the Roadhouse involve stories like that. Sure, Zingerman's does charge a bit more for what is basically just American comfort food, but I like the dining experience and the attentiveness of the waitstaff. Clearly, you can get cheaper food or even just stay at home and make some of these things, but this is a fun, casual environment and it's interesting that they challenge themselves to keeping a 100% American menu. I'm kind of a food snob and largely turn my nose up at our "ordinary" cuisine, so it's a nice niche that they have filled to show some of the best of what American cuisine (and wine) has to offer. I like the themed dinners a lot too.
(4)Erik J.
To cut the chase - the food is delicious, the atmosphere is awesome and the service is spectacular. It just loses the one star because, though it is an excellent imitation, it's just not the same as true southern bbq. I had the BBQ Pork Entree, which is pulled pork served with your choice of sauce, greens and mashed potatoes. The pork itself and the greens are excellent. The potatoes are nothing particularly special, though certainly pleasing. The sauce here was my hang up. They have the holy trinity of tomato, vinegar and mustard based sauces, as well as the elusive Alabama mayo-based one. I had the mustard since I hadn't had it in four years since the last time I was in South Carolina. The sauce is certainly sweet and tangy, but the chef chose to head toward the spicier side of the sauce. He's a James Beard winner and by all means, the sauce is good. It just falls short of what I expected which is sweeter and relies more on the mustard's natural tang then on spice. By all means, however, this is both the first time I've seen it served outside of the Carolinas and it's definitely worth a try. Haven't had the others, though I would expect them to be delicious as well. My wife had the macaroni smoked chicken and monterrey jack. It kept the jack heat and added some green chilis. It's a hefty pool so come hungry if you're going after that or any of the pasta dishes.
(4)Kelly B.
I like Zingerman's Deli so I was eager give this place a try. Sadly I was disappointed. Since veggie options are plentiful at the deli I assumed I would encounter the same here. The veggie options were mostly bread and cheese, not my idea of a balanced meal. Alas I settled on a mac and cheese variety. It wad great but completely lacked nutrients and any sort of complete meal feeling. I gave this three stars because I am sure my former non-veg self would have enjoyed this place more, though it was still primarily unbalanced comfort food, which I do not enjoy from a place that is usually local and farm fresh.
(3)Ani B.
had high expectations coming for breakfast for my birthday. now know that the only guaranteed expectation was a large bill for common food. did like that they offered green chilies in the omelet offerings. got the grilled onions, chiles, and cheddar-they made a fairly good tasting omelet, but no extreme earth-shattering omelet no matter where the eggs came from. i was also disappointed with the one piece of zingerman toast, crusts too hard and the whole wheat was just that, common whole wheat, the worst was the "hash browns" which were boiled potatoes mashed/mixed with miniscule pieces of red peppers and slopped on a grill-just a mashed mess 2/3rds way to a potato cake. Nothing was seasoned; and we know nothing will season up after being cooked. i thought the food could have been presented on the plate better; i felt like i was at a mess hall with it being slopped on a plate, no garnish, no neat presentation. waitress didn't seem like she wanted to be there. mumbled something about what was popular. I didn't understand what she was saying. and i guess it didn't matter. not very attentive on refills or extras. Was hoping for a special high quality breakfast but did not get anything special. look forward to the Cheesecake Factory who makes fantastic breakfasts.
(3)Jose S.
Unique but pricey.
(2)Jennifer S.
So I came out to the arctic tundra to visit friends, and I kept hearing about Zingerman's. I finally came for brunch, and got the grits plate. You get chunky slightly cheesy grits, applewood bacon, eggs and toast. The sour cherry preserves are to die for, absolutely perfect. Now the server did mess up my over easy eggs, they ended up well done and medium. Plenty of spots at 10am on a Sunday, and a good price @ $10. I did see the mac/cheese for 15-20 on the dinner menu. Would love to come back sometime and try it out. Dinner had over an hour wait time though for two people =(
(4)Basak D.
I tried two of the famous Mac and Cheeses and wasn't to impressed. They were overrated and frankly a little greasy. On the other hand the service was great and I ordered a Caesar salad was one of the best I've had.
(3)Barbara W.
We were staying nearby, so I stopped by after dinner to get my dessert--a mini cherry pie. It was unbelievably good--crisp crust, not-too-sweet filling. The next morning we went for breakfast--yummy omelet, blueberry French toast, great coffee. We need one of these places in Austin!
(5)Steven L.
Although the food here is not very good, I still have to give this a 4 because it is a Zingerman's restaurant and I can eat here. This shows us that sometimes a restaurant is more than the food it serves. It is about getting the respect you deserve. Also, I feel not too many poor people eat here. I make a six-figure income and I am sure most of the patrons that eat here do as well. It is nice to dine with intelligent humans, not just regular trash. For this, Yay! I am a fan.
(4)Kay B.
I don't dislike Zingerman's, and I'm certainly no Z-hater. However, having been here twice I continue to be unimpressed by anything other than their extensive cocktail menu and the fact that on Sunday's ($2.00 off classic cocktails) the price of said cocktails becomes reasonable. I like that they have such a clearly marked GF menu, but my two entrees I've had from it were pretty blah (pulled pork) and kind of gross (white grits). Was not expecting giant triangles of polenta-like grit cakes, and while the toppings were interesting after about two bites I knew I had made a poor decision. We did get some good gluten free chili cheese fries, and it's nice that they have an option of GF fries. No one in my party had a bad meal but no one had much to say about their food either. Pretty blah all around.
(2)Sue D.
This is by far the best restaurant in Ann Arbor. We go as often as we can afford it. I can be confident that anything I get here is made with high quality ingredients and perfectly prepared. Cheap it ain't, but I would much rather pay a price for reliable perfection than pay less and end up with a mediocre meal. Dinner: As other reviewers have noted, the fried chicken is perfection - crispy, moist, flavorful. On Tuesdays they do a hot and spicy version that is smeared with a killer chili sauce. You get a special press-on tattoo if you dare to eat it. My favorite appetizer is the cheese platter. You and your tablemates choose from a long list of specialty cheeses from around the country, and your server is happy to help you put together a nice selection. Sampling these savory tidbits while nibbling on country bread and sipping a glass of wine makes me a very, very happy person. Little pickled grapes come with the cheese. Yum. My kids happily consume the mac'n'cheese and corn dogs. The wine and beer lists are carefully chosen, and there are great deals if you look. Same with the food: many of the prices are high but you can put together a moderately priced meal if you choose carefully - eg, split a whole order of fried chicken with your date (for $20 you get four pieces of chicken plus sides; they happily plate this up for two), or get a fabulous burger and fries. Breakfast: The dougnnuts. Oh, lord. They fry them when you order. These beauties arrive at your table hot and crispy, sprinkled with a thick layer of some fancy, crunchy brown sugar. They are $3 for 3. I can't think of a better start to a weekend morning. Coffee is strong and delicious; bottomless cup. As we were leaving they offered to fill up a cup to go (free!), but I was buzzing too much from sugar and caffeine to take up this generous offer. The bits waffle has bacon and cheese in it. My husband seemed pleased with his, sharing very little of it with his family. I usually have eggs, toast, bacon and hash-browns. This simple breakfast is only as good as the quality of its ingredients and preparation. In a greasy spoon it's salt and grease that you eat fast, washed down with coffee. This is enjoyable in its own way. Here it's an experience to be savored. The toast is thick slices of Z's bread (sourdough or white) slathered with butter from a local producer. Fruit preserves on the side; I chose cherry. Thick slices of peppery Neuske bacon. The over-easy eggs were perfectly prepared. The hash-browns were the only mediocre element; I wanted crispy, browned edges, and these were pretty soft and tasteless. After dinner, we often stop by the to-go dining car parked in the lot. Baked goods are half-price in the evening, which lets us extend our happy Z's experience into the next morning with lemon clouds and scones.
(5)Denise K.
Located in a refurbished Bill Knapp's restaurant (anyone of a "certain age" who lived in Michigan and surrounding states remembers that former chain), Zingerman's Roadhouse is where Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip would go, incognito, if they wanted the best diner food in America. This is the kind of comfort food you wish your mama knew how to make, and maybe she could if she had the fabulous ingredients that The Roadhouse always uses -- fresh, top quality and home-grown if available. From breakfast to a late night supper, the offerings are imaginative without being over the top, and while they often add new menu items they wisely retain the tried and true favorites. Ahhhhh, the bread, the butter, the super-duper cocktails from the bar ... and that's all before you ever look at a menu. They're also wonderful with substitutions (no eye-rolling by the server), sooooo good with little kids (sometimes I wanna eat off the kids' menu), and a great place for larger parties. Today, on an extremely busy day at The Roadhouse, we celebrated the 37th anniversary of our first date with our three adult daughters, two sons-in-law and a serious boyfriend, and two toddler grandchildren -- 10 in all. Our server made us feel like we were the only folks in the joint (but service is always excellent here). Between us, we had their Eggs Benedict, Waffles, Reuben, Buttermilk Fried Chicken, two kids' Mac-n-Cheese, Black Bean Burger with Jalapeño & Avocado sauce, and a Grilled Limburger Cheese Sandwich with Onions, Tomatoes and Bacon (guess who ordered that ... ). Just delicious. In addition, parking is plentiful. During peak hours, which is almost always, I would recommend reservations.
(5)Jason P.
I dont get to Ann Arbor often, but this place might change that! What a great meal!! I had heard of Zingermans from friends and various food network shows, but had never experienced the food. I am here to tell you it was fantastic. When you walk up it looks, well, like a roadhouse, but this aint the Double Deuce! The inside is very clean and comfortable with pictures of the various places they get their ingredients. Most is home grown around Michigan or from organic houses in Vermont, Cali, ect...I had the BBQ Pork Sandwich with Sweet Potatoe Fries. My server brought it out with five different sauces. All were good, but the green tomato and aielo sauce were the best. The meat was tender, and the fries were cooked just right. Our server was very knowledgable about the food and how it is prepared. Overall, a great meal and I have become a fan!
(5)April J.
SO YUM. Everything here was truly delicious. A bit pricey but delicious. I didn't get anything fancy but the food was just plain good. Not sure if I'm willing to pay for it considering I can get delicious food elsewhere, but there were no complaints about the food itself.
(4)C O.
This is a great place to get fresh, locally-sourced, home-cooked American fare in a comfortable, inviting, and enjoyable setting. The service is amazing. Not many places offer an unconditional guarantee of your happiness and satisfaction. If you aren't happy, they will make it so. If that means removing food from the bill, swapping a meal for another, or letting you sample everything they offer on the menu for absolutely no charge then that is what they will do. They are prompt, they are attentive, and they are friendly as hell. The food is largely great. I'd particularly recommend picking up a bowl of their Ancho Beef Chuck Chili. It's simply divine. The perfect balance of spice, flavor, color, and texture. If only I'd saved some bread to dip in it from the free bread basket. "Wait, you'll give me more bread for free just to dip in my chili?" "Can it be just the white sourdough bread?" "Yes?" "Awesome, will you have my lovechild?" "No? OK, it was worth asking..." The mac-and-cheese is the only other thing really worth noting on their menu. By that, I mean worth noting how terrible it is. Clumpy, tepid, bland, fatty, heart-cloggingly terrible. Skip it, save your self the disappointment, and order a regular dinner of their menu. It's an institution in Ann Arbor for a reason. It's good. Well, or myself and the bulk of Michigan have no taste.
(4)Ashley P.
Stop it. This was one of the best meals I've ever had. My colleague called ahead, so we skipped the 30 minute wait and were seated immediately. We ordered the margaritas ($2 off on Wednesday) and our entrees. My colleague couldn't decide what to order so Jacob, our server who was awesome, brought her a few samples of the dishes so she could decide...who does that?! He then brought us some tasty pimento cheese dip because he thought we would like it. He brought us ice cream we didn't order with the check, because he thought it would be a great way to end the meal. I had the fried chicken, crunchy on the outside and mouth-melty on the inside...with mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables. My colleague had the Green Tomatoes "Whole Hog"...the pulled pork was sweet at first and had some spice at the end...omg good. But wait, the Mac and Cheese. I'm glad I only got a side, because if I'd gotten the whole thing I surely would have eaten it all. The restaurant was lively and casual and clean and the people were friendly and kind. J$ would have LOVED this place, can't imagine why we'd come back to Ann Arbor but if I do, he's coming and we're eating here for sure! I was shocked to see the bad reviews on this site. I've been to some amazing restaurants all over the country, and will reference this as one of my favorite dining experiences.
(4)Andy N.
Great decor and ambiance. If I were you and I were going to visit Ann Arbor, I would definately make a stop at Zingerman's Roadhouse.
(4)Josh K.
Their food is really delicious made with premium ingredients that are locally sourced when possible. The wait staff puts customers first and will really get you anything that you want. I like their blue plate specials for dinners. I also like $2 off bourbon pours on Thursday nights.
(5)Marie H.
Wow overpriced! But then again, 'overpriced-for-what-you-get' and Zingerman's are synonyms. Look it up...Anyway, I paid $18 for a enchilada (but it was a crepe) with 5 or 6 mushrooms and a few onion slices in it with a little dollop of goat cheese and some absolutely bizarre tasting mole sauce. Rick Bayless would have shuddered. I guess I should have expected as much, since my first foray into roadhouses of the non-Patrick Swayze variety involved 'oyster hash browns' with 2 oysters in them. I tasted my boyfriend's pulled chicken sandwich, which tasted awesome, and I don't even like BBQ, so yay to that. If I ever go back, I will definitely get that! My dad had the brisket, which was meh. Since my would-be enchilada sated 1/8 of my appetite, I got a key lime pie slice, which was very tasty and came with a little lime guy with googly eyes made of frosting that amused the table for awhile. Also, the old fashioned I had was good and no hair was muddled into the orange, unlike the Old Town. So overall, good drinks, good BBQ (if it's chicken) and some good desserts. OK, but not worth the wait overall. I'd pick Patrick Swayze's Roadhouse any day, especially if Sam Elliot and Ben Gazarra are there.
(3)Casey C.
Love this place! Everything I have had had been great. Recommend the chili fries, sweet potato fries, and BBQ. Make reservations even for off times!
(5)Susan R.
So obviously I have to give 5 stars for the food. Zingermans always has innovative and delicious delicacies that make me and my boyfriend salivate. I did an online reservation ahead of time and they did a great job at reminding me that it was coming up. The reason I did not give it 5 stars was the actual service. The people at the hostess stand were fine but the waitress left much to be desired. She didn't try and sell up anything on the menu and barely talked to us. Heck the people who brought us bread and our food were friendlier. Now granted it was a busy Saturday night but with people willing to drop some serious money on some serious grub you think we could at least get some friendliness. That aside, run don't walk people to zinger mans and savor the food.
(4)K D.
Good food, but overpriced for what you get. Go to the deli instead!
(4)Kristina B.
I've been here twice now, both times in groups of 4+ diners, and both times nobody was really impressed. When ordering at the the last visit, we all hit the menu highlights (so we thought); mac and cheese, hamburgers, fried chicken. The most positive comment was that a dish was "OK." The mac and cheese eater probably had the most successful entree, but he said it wasn't good enough that he'd come back for it again. Our server was MIA when we needed napkins or refills, but as we were reaching the end of the meal he repeatedly tried to clear our plates as we were still eating. I understand fully the value of high-quality, local and sustainable food (that's why I visit the farmer's markets), but to charge an extra quarter on top of a $19.50 hamburger platter for a slice of heirloom tomato that was neither requested nor consumed just seems petty. Definitely not worth the $105 I spent that night, and I'd say not even worth half of that. I will stick to patronizing the Bakehouse and Creamery, as I clearly have no luck with the Zing restaurants.
(2)jim g.
The food IS great, but I'm writing to laud the bartenders. As with all Zingerman's employees they will do anything to be sure you are happy. Cris (I believe this is how he spells it) is a particularly skilled and knowledgeable mixologist - and a fun guy to talk to. They do have quite a selection of interesting and tasty cocktails. We're lucky to have this place in A2.
(5)Dave W.
Amazing comfort food and the best service I've ever received at a restaurant. Pricey but worth it.
(5)NOYFB S.
Above average food but pricy, but the worst part about the Roadhouse is how the staff talks to you like you're a retard, or 4 years old! I don't understand why these people act like that. Unbelievably fake smiles on every face and insulting obsequious behavior. I wonder if you have to be dead in brain to work there?
(1)David S.
I've always said that without Zingerman's, Ann Arbor's coolness factor would drop by about 50%. While that may or may not be true, the comment was primarily made at the awesome Zingerman's Deli (downtown), I can now extend that sentiment to The Roadhouse. The Roadhouse has come a long ways - when we first visited the restaurant when it opened several years ago, they had some issues with their menu - some items didn't work so well. It took them a little while to tweak out the menu but each subsequent trip here has resulted in better & better food to a point where now, I consider it to be the best sit-down restaurant in Ann Arbor not named The Chop House. Zingerman's prides itself on it's customer service, which truly is second to none. But that is secondary to the incredible food that it serves, made with the highest quality meats and vegetables. This is my favorite place to get a burger (bacon & blue cheese!). Along with Casey's Tavern, their burgers are the best in town. The hand-cut fries (either regular or sweet potato) are so delicious! Splurge and get the chili cheese fries - black bean chili with chunks of ancho beef topped with fresh cheddar. Yum. The Buttermilk Fried Chicken is simply best fried chicken I've ever had. Another favorite is the mushroom soup (which may or may not be on the menu so you should ask for it) - using several kinds of fresh mushrooms, it is so soothing and comforting. Served with a large piece of crusty bread, an order of soup is more than enough for a satisfying lunch. I could go on & on about other items including their great breakfasts, beers & cocktails, and dessert items but for now I'll just say that Zingerman's Roadhouse should be on the top of anyone's list of local restaurant eats. The Roadhouse is a well-oiled machine. From the decor to the service of the greeters & wait staff to the quality of the food, you won't find a better place to dine. It's not cheap, but it's worth every penny and so much more. Plus, you may get a chance to have Zing's celeb owner, Ari, refill your water glass at your table. What could be better than that?
(5)Theresa F.
I have only eaten at the Roadhouse a couple of times (twice for lunch, once for dinner). One of my first impressions was sitting down to lunch and the server handing me a black napkin -- I was wearing black pants and he didn't want the white napkin to leave white fuzzies on my pants! Wow, talk about great service. I've had a couple of salads and the pulled pork sandwiches. Yum. A little on the pricey side, but worth it when you discover the taste and flavor of the food is over and above what you get at other places. And bottomless fries -- you gotta love that! The macaroni and cheese (Steve's order) was incredible -- REAL cheese! It's worth getting, and besides, makes a great lunch the next day! One of the owners is also the head chef -- you can tell there's a lot of thought and care that goes into the food and the menu. It's always great when an owner is also the brains behind the tasty food :-) You can also buy Zing's Zzang bars at the Roadhouse! (Think Snickers but a MILLION times better -- handrolled nougat and peanuts in dark, Ecuadorean chocolate). Dangerous when I drive past there everyday on my way home from work!
(4)Kassandra F.
I don't think I'll ever tire of this place. One of my biggest pet peeves anywhere is the poor customer service. Even before it earned the best service category in this years Current, I remember thinking they should create that category for this restaurant. What an expansive menu and the servers are well versed in it all. And it doesn't stop with the entree selection - the drink, the desserts, the appetizers......all of it is expansive and inventive. I admit I don't go there often because it is on the pricier side, but when I want a treat it's good to know that I'll get what I pay for at the Roadhouse.
(5)Mark L.
To give a rating of "5-Stars", I would think that EVERYTHING would have to be excellent... well, despite all of the 5-star ratings on here for this place, my experience was far from perfect. To start off, the restaurant has a nice look and feel to it. You could smell the BBQ cooking even as you were walking in from your car. But, after a 20 to 30 minute wait (which I can understand being a Friday evening and all), when I got a look at the menu, the prices were a bit of a shock. The bread that was brought out to the table was very good, and even the butter that accompanied it was excellent. I tried the wild mushroom soup and was quite underwhelmed. My friend ordered the BBQ ribs, and they were quite good. I went with an order of the Mac 'N Cheese (which was supposed to be a favorite, according to the menu)... (It was the Macaroni, Smoked Chicken & Monterey Jack) well, it was fairly tasteless and under-seasoned. After paying 18 dollars for an average bowl (and not even a very BIG bowl) of Mac 'N Cheese, well... wouldn't you be a bit upset? (If you've ever tried the Mac 'N Cheese over at "The Twisted Rooster", then you know just HOW GOOD Mac "N Cheese can actually taste... this place wasn't like that). Also, the "mustard" cole slaw that came with my friend's ribs was also bland, and lacking in flavor (even though some other reviewer on here loved it). Oh... and add to that the Polenta Dish that we also tried was very bland as well?? (Okay, I'm no "Polenta" expert, maybe it's supposed to be that way?) All of those things added together made for a very disappointing meal at a place that has gotten such good word-of-mouth. Perhaps we just didn't make the best choices of what was listed on the menu, but shouldn't EVERYTHING on the menu be quite good for a place with SO MANY 5-Star ratings? I don't expect to change anyone's "HIGH" opinion of this place (for all those that have gone here and love it), but for anybody who has NEVER been yet, just be prepared to spend a lot of money and don't necessarily expect the greatest tasting food that you have ever had (although the Quality of the food is excellent).
(3)Laurel B.
Delicious food, southern style approved by a southern gal! We had a huge mix of food. We started with oysters, nice selection, very fresh and tasty. For our main meals we had the BBQ plate and the fried chicken steak, huge portions! I'm not a big coleslaw fan but their mustard slaw is very good. We also had a side of pimento macaroni and cheese. It was delicious, a little spicy, and super creamy. We had no room for dessert but the menu looked to be equally as yummy.
(5)Crystal R.
Yum yum yum! We've been here twice recently and they never dissapoint! The service is ALWAYS amazing, the food is delicious, and they have lots of paleo/keto options to boot! They do mark their items as gluten free and vegan on their menu if that is helpful to anyone going there :)
(5)Libby S.
Extremely friendly staff and great local recipes and distributors. They are a little expensive, but not too bad. The quality of the food is fabulous.
(4)Ed K.
Took our son there for parents weekend. Great ribs. Really good bread. The fried chicken was delicious. Overall a solid meal and good service.
(4)Ian M.
I don't think I need to say much about this place that people don't already know. It's Zingerman's, they have a James Beard award winning chef, and the best macaroni and cheese I've ever had. Just go and you'll be very happy.
(5)Shy T.
Its just ok. Overrated. Can be expensive. I like their fried fish & fried chicken the best. The pulled chicken & pork sandwiches aren't bad either but like I said can be expensive.
(3)Tom B.
Service was good. Pork BBQ was a bit fatty. Mac and cheese was good. I thought the prices were high compared to other restaurants. Make a reservation to avoid a 30-45 minute wait!
(3)Rye W.
Amazing experience for brunch!! We had the cinnamon roll (devoured in about 60 seconds), malted waffle, corned beef hash and biscuits. I am from the south and take my biscuits seriously and these were the best restaurant biscuits I have ever eaten. The hash was amazing and the customer service was impeccable. We lucked out with a seat at the bar so we didn't have to wait for a table. I would definitely try everything on the menu here and can't wait to go back!
(5)Melissa W.
Hands down the best mac & cheese I've ever had. Order the Roadhouse Mac and add pit chicken with a side of red BBQ sauce. I've been to this place numerous times and can never order anything else because the mac & cheese is that good. However, their menu is quite extensive. Make a reservation as wait times are often super long.
(5)Samantha S.
I think most of the wait-staff really make a point to satisfy your whims, which is nice. I only go to get the nashville fried chicken when I go on Tuesdays, and it was good. Good portions so you can eat again the next day. Can't go wrong with eating here, but for me it is quite a treat, easily $30 a person.
(4)S B.
About as good as breakfast gets. The Corned Beef Hash is amazing as was everything else we ordered. And they have a curated list of local cheeses and oysters from around the country. Worth a long drive
(5)Lauren P.
I really enjoy Zingerman's Roadhouse. Honestly, this is probably close to a 5 star rating. I went to Zingerman's this past weekend in a group of 8. We all immensely enjoyed the complimentary donut holes and the large baskets of sweet potato fries. (FYI - there are FREE REFILLS, so we probably only should have ordered one basket for the table instead of 2.) I ordered the reuben sandwich with a side of ratatouille. Both were delicious but I couldn't finish the sandwich in one sitting. My boyfriend ordered the BBQ platter but was actually surprised by the smaller portion on his plate (even the omelet ordered by the person next to me seemed bigger than his portion of meat!). Everyone seemed to like their food and all leftovers were taken to go. I also ordered a slice of chocolate cake to eat later on my flight home, which was pretty marvelous. You could tell it was homemade and was super moist. I love the atmosphere of the roadhouse, and I think it's cool that there's a DRIVETHROUGH option to order almost anything off the menu. If this place was in Boston, I'd be here more often. :-)
(4)Nora K.
I have ordered multiple dishes and have gone multiple times, and it has never disappointed- not once! Recommendation? SWEET POTATO FRIES!
(5)Abbie L.
Zingerman's Roadhouse has been a favorite of mine for many years. The food is always excellent which is why I go back whenever I'm in Ann Arbor. The only thing keeping me from five stars is the service. The last few times I've been there our waitress has completely forgotten about us. The last time we were there, we waited for 15 minutes after we were done eating our food before the waitress even checked on us. Fortunately, everything there is so good, that it keeps us coming back. I love the ceasar salad, fried chicken salad, huevos rancheros, mac and cheese, etc... Their bread basket is always super fresh and tasty. I usually overdo it on the carbs when I'm there.
(4)Catie F.
This place has PLENTY of reviews, so I'll skip to the important parts: 1) You get free donut holes (warm, fresh) when you sit down. You also get a basket of free, fresh Zingerman's bread. 2) The portions of most of the sandwiches and meals are pretty big. The portions of the mac and cheese, however, are relatively small. I don't recommend subbing the mac and cheese as a side (or paying for a side of it at all) unless you want to pay $7 for about three bites' worth. It's good, but it's not THAT good. 3) As everyone has said, the sweet potato fries ARE amazing. Try really hard to pace yourself because the other food is good, too. I was particularly pleasantly surprised by the Dexter Reuben. So yummy and very different from any other reuben I've ever had. Definitely worth trying. 4) We didn't have room to try the desserts, but I can't wait to come back and have them. Fresh donut sundae? Yes, please. Overall the service was fantastic - they took care of our big party quickly and happily. They dealt with our grouchy, hungry, hungover party with a sense of humor and plenty of attention. They were great about refills, questions, condiments, and to-go containers. Everyone from the host staff to the bussers and waiters were great. It's definitely the Zingerman's Deli hospitality translated to a restaurant setting. Not the healthiest place on the planet, but a great go-to when you need to feed your hangover hunger or any time you want to enjoy just really good food. Comfortable and comforting.
(4)Nancy C.
Came here for brunch on a Sunday and got the Zingerman's Roadhouse Famous Corned beef hash and was completely underwhelmed. The hash itself wasn't all that seasoned or flavorful, the 2 poached eggs that accompanied it were, well, normal poached eggs, and the portion was pushing the smaller end of portion sizes. The cost, in true Zingerman's fashion was expensive, which I wouldn't have minded if I thought the food is worth it, which it usually is at Zingerman's. But in this particular instance, the corned beef hash just did not live up. On a positive note, the sweet potato fries here are great. As is the service. Burgers are pretty good as well, albeit pricey.
(3)Jarrod F.
I have been coming to Ann Arbor Michigan for the last three years and I always eat at Zingerman's Delicatessen, and it wasn't until last year that someone told me about their Roadhouse. We must have eaten there three days in a row, and loved each time. I did think the dinner was better then the lunch, but it still was good. The BBQ is the bomb and everything seems and tastes so fresh, even my dessert tasted great. Give this place a chance like me and you won't be unsatisfied.
(4)Candice G.
Patrick Swayze. moving on... I got the cold brew coffee as my beverage about 40 hours ago... still going strong. Now I just need to know how quickly I can get more delivered to my house. Zingerman's Roadhouse was our second option after our first vegan tamale venue turned out to be closed on Sundays. No bigs, as Zingerman's is just about the best 'second choice' anyone can have. I've had and been to Zingerman's deli over a dozen times but had yet to put the Roadhouse to the test. Unfortunately, I wasn't feeling super hungry, and knowing the normal monster sized portions that Zingerman's serves, I played it safe and got a small sampling of oysters from their 'flown in fresh' daily oyster menu. I ended up getting 4 different kinds, 3 straight raw and 1 BBQ... but to be honest, there was only one that liked, but still didn't love. My boo went with the caramel gelato milkshake and the black bean burger with fries... which are apparently unlimited... so it's not a bad deal if you're a fry-monger like myself. The gelato shake was unbelievable. My guy literally had to pry the straw out of mouth. I couldn't stop myself. And though my guy enjoyed the burger, he thought it was on the dryer side, but the 3 bites I had were super creamy from the avocado topping... I must've gotten all the good stuff on my side. It was hard to skip out on ordering the donut sundae for dessert, but we wanted to try and squish a few more sites into our Ann Arbor getaway before it was time to take the trek back to the Chi-Burbs. The service was perfect and on point and the patio setting on the most gorgeous 80-something degree day, after a series of 100+ ones, made it feel like heaven. For a late breakfast/early brunch, it was pricy for how I felt about the food overall, but I understand it's a brand thing and they don't want to cheapen it. Overall, the experience was really enjoyable and it's a place I'd try again for brunch (for real this time), but for lunch or dinner I'd prefer to drive a few miles over and stand in line for the regular Zingerman's faves. Either way, I hope they'll have a fresh glass of cold-brew coffee waiting for me.
(4)Celeste D.
My favorite restaurant in Ann Arbor. I go whenever I can. Maybe it's the nod to Carolina cooking, could be the atmosphere. Or the 30+ bourbons at the bar - that doesn't hurt. In any event, love this place.
(5)Dee W.
Live in the neighborhood and frequent the establishment. The service is excellent. Love the wine list. Mac and cheese anything is worth a try. The burger is well above average. Love the oysters. Salads are worth your while. Donut Sundae is a fave. Sunday Brunch we love to take out of town visitors. The breakfast ham steak is simply divine. It's almost a smoked pork chop but better. I sent compliments to the chef and learned it was from Zingerman's own farm. That must be why it tasted as heavenly as my Uncle's ham does on his farm in Iowa. They are always experimenting. The menu changes often, usually based on the season. Don't be afraid to try something new. The wait staff can answer in detail any question you ask. One warning, count your calories and watch your fat intake, some dishes are very rich. If unsure, it's wise to split with a companion.
(5)Chad W.
On food, the pulled pork is fairly solid, perhaps a 4 out of 5. However, its difficult to leave ZR without paying $25 for a sandwich and drink.
(3)Jerry R.
Zingermans has an addictive, soul satisfying BBQ. Their BBQ is home cooked and one of the best in Ann Arbor/Detroit area. I enjoyed this place so much I had to stop by the next time I was in town. After eating there once your taste buds will be Zinged into coming back. Ribs are absolutely fall off the bone delicious. The BBQ sauce they use is sweet yet with a tangy twist. I substituted the mashed potatoes with the sweet potato fries. My oh my what a delight. A must try when you go. They are hand cut and very thick. You won't be disappointed. I also ordered the Nola BBQ Shrimp. I enjoyed it very much. To me it had the right amount of spice. My friend that ate with me thought it was too spicy. There is a lot on the menu to choose from. Several different varieties of Mac & Cheese which is also home made. I was told they were very good too. My friend was allowed to have two different types by splitting them on one order. Several types of steak and seafood as well. I was told the steak was average when compared to other places. Steak is on the pricy side for just being average. Very great atmosphere. Service was excellent both times I went. The beer selection is ok. They have only micro brews on tap. A nice selection, just wish they had more choices on tap. They also have a decent selection of wine. Nice place to eat with friends or take a client to dinner. Can be on the loud side at times. A very nice casual atmosphere overall where you can go dressed up or casual and not feel out of place. Call ahead to get reservations. If not plan on waiting. There was a 10 min wait on a Mon and 25 min wait on a Thurs. Definitely worth the wait though. A definite must visit if you are in town or traveling through. Right near I94 which is an added bonus. If going the Mac & Cheese, Ribs (half rack is plenty filling), and sweet potato fries are a must try.
(4)R. L.
I wouldn't come back for food because I'm a vegetarian (they do have a veggie burger! and delicious mac n' cheese) and the place smells pungently of meat... but I just had to finally experience zingerman's and see what all the hullabaloo was about..The atmosphere is really relaxing, especially in the partially outdoor seating. We went on a Saturday for lunch and had no wait. My boyfriend had a chicken sandwich that was dry, and our friend got the shrimp po'boy- yummy but too much bread. It was nice to just sit and not be rushed. Sweet potato fries are soo good. The only real bother was how our waitress was really mistaken when it came to the beer. The first order was correct, but for the second round she brought us two totally different beers and proceeded to tell us that they were right and that she brought us the wrong ones the first time. She was very defensive and clearly didn't know what she was talking about. The third round was all wrong too. I've never encountered a waitress who was so argumentative and actually kind of offensive with how she spoke to us. Off-putting. We were only asking for the same beers each time (how is that complicated?) but were obviously always brought something different.. Very annoying. The emergency feminine products in the ladies room is sucha' nice/smart idea.
(3)Carolina R.
really good food here. the bread is amazing. I had the kale, Parmesan salad with pine nuts and lemon dressing. excellent! and shared the mac and cheese with bacon. no rom for dessert. great service too! a bit pricy. that's my only complaint.
(4)Michael L.
I love Yelp because when I'm traveling, it enables me to find places like this! So, we flew to Detroit and drove into Indiana for my cousin's wedding and my wife and I were hungry. After eating dinner here at Zingerman's, we revised our travel plans so we could have breakfast here on the way back. What a great place! On the outside, it has faintly the "log cabin" feel of a ride in FrontierLand. Inside, you're greeted by friendly staff with great senses of humor and shown to a table that's sure to be underneath a display of multifarious salt and pepper shakers of every imaginable shape. Nat King Cole or June Christy or something of that ilk will be playing in the background. The huge menu (which is reprinted three times a day depending on what has just come in from local farms!) will have dozens of things to tantalize you. I can't begin to list them all. I only wish I lived in Ann Arbor so I could go back again and again and try them all. Good people of Ann Arbor, you have not excuse for not eating here often! If you come for breakfast, don't fail to try the Biscuits with Chocolate Bacon Gravy. OMG! Sinfully decadent, chocolaty salty savory goodness. Also, be sure to get a housemade, freshly fried doughnut: like no doughnut you've ever had, crispy on the outside, sprinkled with brown sugar instead of glazed, piping hot and soft inside. If you come for lunch or dinner: I had the Fried Green Tomatoes and they were rich with flavor. I also had a ham and pear salad. I'd love to have tried one of their creative mac and cheese dishes or some of their on-site-smoked barbecue. My wife had the Pulled BBQ Chicken Sandwich. Everything was delicious. As we left, my wife said, "You know, babe, when we were talking about good places to move to from the Bay Area, Ann Arbor was one of those places..."
(5)Claire L.
Okay, Zingerman's is basically where Jesus would pick to go for a meal. That's established. With that being said, my personal favorite is the fried chicken mac & cheese. It's exactly what it sounds like- their famous fried chicken, chopped up and mixed into their famous macaroni and cheese, to be enjoyed with a hearty dose of oh-God-how-did-I-eat-all-that. Outstanding. Their iced tea is also pretty freaking great- it's not just plain tea, it's got a hint of Earl Grey or something else delightful. My dining companions loved the mustard coleslaw, the pulled pork sliders, and the omelet (not sure if there's more than one). Even the free bread is fantastic- a delicious crusty rye. Good beer selection, a zillion cheeses, the environment of a deli meets diner meets quaint little organic eatery- Zingerman's is life. It's a symbol of Ann Arbor. Expect to see college students, Michigan pride, and possibly even Jesus. It's that good. (Edit: Wonderful service as well. Thanks to Amy R. for taking care of us!)
(5)James R.
My favorite place in ann arbor to eat. Bar none. The mac and cheese dishes are all amazing, specifically the fried chicken mac and cheese... The brunch dishes are the best I've ever had, and the bread they bring you when you sit down is the best plain bread I've ever eaten. It's more expensive than some other options, but that's the price you pay for competent waitstaff delivering quality food.
(5)Jadranka H.
Visited this Restaurant about a couple of months ago and it was absolutely wonderful all around. However, when I had dinner there a couple of nights ago, it was an absolute disappointment. We were seated in a corner booth which was away from all the Friday night crowd, the down side to it was there were flies zooming all over the window which then made their way to our table. It did take a while for our drinks to arrive, our food was delayed for whatever reason, tables that were seated after us got their food in a timely manner. Finally our entrees arrived and the fries were greasy and soggy, completely tasteless and my Mac & cheese was pan burn which left a burnt taste in the cheese sauce. I couldn't eat it so I sent it back to which I noticed a manager was the expediter, how can you even send burnt out food to the table. Well like I mentioned earlier about those flies, they started to visit our table. One fly was literally stuck to my beverage glass which I slowly killed it with a napkin and gave it to the server to pass this disgusting bug problem. Will I be back, probably not, the food and service was not up to my expectations, it's too bad because the other 4 people that I was with was hoping for a pleasant memorable experience. They were quite surprise with the big name as Zingerman's they have let their popularity get to their head.
(2)Marisa B.
Cutting right to the chase, we spent way too much on super small portions of food. My macaroni & cheese and salad combo was an especially bad deal at $12 with barely any food on the plate. Some of the food was alright, like the barbecue beef and the greens. Mostly it was very bland and poorly prepared though, especially my lukewarm macaroni and cheese. If I am going to pay this much for so little food, it all better taste great. The only reason I am giving this place 2 stars is because everyone was very hospitable, but good service can only make up for so much.
(2)Layne S.
The Roadhouse is one of my favorite places to have dinner, from birthdays to more relaxed evenings. Last night is a prime example, had the chance to sit out on the patio on a fine summer evening and had excellent service from entry to exit. Our server, Derrick, was kind, attentive (but not overly so), and made the dining experience quite lovely. And there's the food. The burger I had last night was top notch, evenly cooked medium rare. The bacon was perfectly crunchy and the blue cheese unctuous and delicious. Their iced tea has a touch of bergamot that is wonderful. We split a strawberry shortcake and while simple, each component was well cared for. I'll be moving away from Ann Arbor soon, and will look forward to my next chance to come home and dine here.
(5)Tom G.
We were disappointed. Nothing we ordered was outstanding. The mac and cheese was actually bad- sort of a weird taste that we couldnt stand. Spare ribs were good but over-priced.
(2)Cynthia C.
I want to like the Roadhouse, but the food there is just too uneven. Had lunch there yesterday. My goat cheese tart turned out to be a little hard cube of cheese--mixed with something and overly ripe--plopped on a pile of undressed greens surrounded by 4 mounds of (tasty) roasted tomatoes. It was pretty wretched, made palatable only by the tomatoes. My lunch companion had barbecued pork with a couple of sides. I don't know how it tasted--I didn't ask--but the portions were small (we're both small people so not looking for super-sizing, just reasonable) and also plopped down on the plate without any attempt at making it look good. It looked, in fact, like a plate of food at a sub-prime nursing home. I had Huevos Rancheros at ZR 2Xs in 2014. The first time, on a crowded Saturday morning, they were the best I've ever eaten. The second time, on a crowded Sunday at 1 PM, they were dreadful. As was some of the other food on that Sunday. I am a big fan of Zingermans and the founders and their care for their employees, etc. But the Roadhouse--based on my experiences, I just can't get behind it.
(2)Josh W.
This is a Zingerman's establishment, so many of you will know what to expect. Decent food that's a little pricey. The service staff were friendly and recommended the barbecue, as that's what they said the Roadhouse is known for. I came with my girlfriend on a Thursday night so we were in luck because they had a special bbq combo that came with chicken, pulled pork, and beef. It was okay, though nothing incredible. The pulled pork was served dry, which seemed a bit unusual considering that we didn't get any sauces at the table. The beef had the tomato bbq sauce on it which was decent, but a bit too sweet for my taste. Overall, it was decent barbecue, but nothing particularly special. I will say that we ordered one of their cocktails that was delicious. I would go back, but I'm not crazy about the place.
(3)Richard M.
Zingerman's Roadhouse features classic American cuisine, served with good old Midwestern charm. Service here is always super friendly, almost too friendly! Gastronomically, Zingerman's hits on a lot of great notes, especially, the way they celebrate primarily American produce and products. Most dishes featured on the menu are populist soul food numbers, from hamburgers with fries or onion rings (all you can eat, not that I've ever asked for more!), to mac and cheese, B.B.Q. ribs, grits, Cajun influences, and everything Americana in between. They have an outstanding wine list brilliantly sourced from every major wine region in the country. Beer list is also out-of-this-world, with not only many Michigan micro beers, but, micros from pretty much every major State. The all-American cheese selection is impressive, too. This is not your average roadhouse - it is one of the best and most refined in the country. Definitely worth getting off the I-94 for a gastro pit stop.
(4)Amy C.
"You're like a kid in a candy store." Salt and pepper shakers collection Long bar and list of blue plate specials Cute metal trailer for goodness to go Eye "Candy" Cakey Donut Toasted sugar crumbles Bottomless cup of Coffee Waffles with grits and cheddar cheese Undercooked Bacon bits sprinkles Cool Michigan maple syrup drizzles Carb "Candy" Bite from a hot, moist drumstick Crispy, greasy, peppery, Chicken skin Forkful of buttery potato chunks Dipped into rich brown gravy Taste of mustardy coleslaw Vicarious "Candy" Toasted Bagel Cream cheese, lox, capers, onion slivers Request for a non-seasonal tomato Graciously given sun dried ones D and E Up for Zingerman's Roadhouse brunch 9:30am on a Saturday Sweet "Candy" 3/12
(4)Brad C.
Had breakfast as a group of 8. The service was extremely slow and inattentive. Coffee was fantastic as well as the side orders of cheese. The meals were expensive and the serving size was too small. The actual food was good. After hearing such good things I had high expectations for Zingerman's and was unfortunately disappointed.
(2)Abi J.
Wow! Had a great meal here for a birthday celebration. This review is actually more of a 4.5 First things I liked was that they have joined the online reservation program, Opentable. Super convenient, was emailed a confirmation- love that- mainly because I hate calling and being put on hold for 20 minutes. Ordered the sweet potato fries as an appetizer- They were so good! Crunchy, with a really nice dipping sauce- spicy, which was a nice surprise. I ordered the pimento mac and cheese. I was basically in mac and cheese heaven. It was actually too rich to eat in one sitting but was SO good the next day. The bacon in the mac and cheese was delicious. Other people ordered the salisbury steak and the slider sampler. Both very good. Service was okay. Our server was friendly but we did have to ask a few times for more sauces and it look a really long time for her to return. Granted it was a Saturday night, but still. The fries were not as interesting without the sauce!! Anyway, I will be back! SOOOO GOOD! Sidenote: do not come here with tight pants or intentions for maintaining a diet. You will fail on both accounts.
(4)Steve X.
Open on Christmas Eve, my brother & I with our counterparts were happy to find a place with good beers on tap & even wound up getting some potato bacon soup. Everything was delicious & our bartender Amos was quick to offer more bread and another round. All together a great experience & would love to come back with a larger appetite.
(4)Al D.
I love this place. I'm a Zingerman's groupie to begin with so I was quite pleased with the change up that Zingerman's Roadhouse brought to the menu. I'm use to the deli which has great sandwiches and such but the Roadhouse has everything you're looking for in a great Dinner/nice Lunch menu. The food was wonderful and so was the service. Never waited long when we had to put our name on the list. I've also bought to go food from their air stream and service is quick and kind there as well.
(5)John M.
Service is impeccable. Quality is great. I've never had an issue at any of the Zingerman's locations. If you're traveling this place is a MUST visit!
(5)David K.
I went to Zingerman's Roadhouse a couple months ago and had a pretty good experience. I was torn between the fried chicken with a side of macaroni vs the macaroni with fried chicken in it. I went with the latter. Kinda wish I got the former, because it was pretty one note. However, it was pretty damn good. For desert, I ordered the donut with ice cream, which was bonkers awesome (is that a phrase?). The place isn't terribly cheap - I think I spent around $25 including tip. I ate with three other people, and everyone really enjoyed their meals. Service was good, atmosphere was good. I plan on going back to try other things on the menu. If you're in the Ann Arbor area and looking comfort food that's gonna cost you a handful of bucks, Zingerman's roadhouse is definitely worth checking out.
(4)Tina R.
My husband and I love Zingerman's and were going to be passing through, so we thought we would stop. So I called and asked if they had call ahead seating. The lady said they did not. However, when we pulled in to check the wait the sign said reservations call the number. What is the difference? I told the lady we were over an hour away and had plenty of time. The food is good, but not an hour wait good.
(3)Ryan B.
Yea, it's good. But is it as good as the price. Short answer: No. Yes, the Pimento Cheese Mac & Cheese (w/ Bacon) was delicious and filling, but it was served in a soup bowl sided dish for $18.50. If it was $10, I'd say it was 4 stars. At double the cost, I'd say not worth it. Also, the Deli has more options for tastings and things to sample for the $13 sandwich you're paying for. The roadhouse does not offer an equivalent. So no, I won't be returning. I'll stick to the Deli.
(3)Kevin P.
I get it, it's Zingerman's it's either the best place in the world or the most overrated and overhyped place in town. Sure, I don't think the deli is quite worth it's weight in gold but the sweet potato fries with chipotle mayo and the roadhouse definitely are. Other highlights include the pimiento cheese, the barbecue entrees, burgers, and mac & cheese. I'll admit to having a couple misses over the years (crab cakes were minuscule and the fish stew was just okay) but the number of times I've left feeling completely satisfied far outweighs these few instances. My understanding is that much of the food including the meat comes from the chef's locally owned and run farm and the menu changes based on the seasons. Service is usually pretty good and the atmosphere is uniquely casual (although the prices are not...). I prefer coming for lunch if I have the option and am the one buying as prices are lower but the quality is still there. Honestly, it's probably one of my favorite restaurants. I guess I fall on the fanboi side of the spectrum with this one.
(5)Carlito M.
It's very refreshing to eat fantastic fare and experience exceptional service. Definitely a must visit in Ann Arbor
(5)Rebecca C.
Delicious! Got there at 5pm and beat the rush. Got the poutine gravy was delicious. Carbonara Mac and cheese delicious real pieces of lardon. Donut sundae delicious scratch made donut vanilla bean gelato #yum
(5)Nijole T.
If it wasn't for the high prices I would have given Zingerman's 5 stars no doubt. Being a place one HAS to try in Ann Arbour seeing they own half the town from bakeries to delis, cheese and ice cream places, Zingermans is everywhere! Having been to all of their stores and knowing the prices I figured here I would get to try all they offer in one place. For starters the breead basket and their butter was excellent! Fresh, crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside and the butter slightly salty and just the right temperature. I would have liked more of a variety than just sourdough and a dark loaf, but both were top notch nonetheless. I got the New Mexico Black Bean and Hominey Burger, Spiced with roasted garlic, red peppers and onion. It's served with avocado salad, fire-roasted New Mexico green chilies, lettuce, onion and pickles, on a Bakehouse onion roll. and fresh spinach sauteed with 2 yr. Vermont cheddar, wild local mushrooms, roasted Cornman Farms' roasted red peppers, leeks and fennel in a brown butter vinaigrette. Well needless to say that tasted as good as it sounds! The roll could have been crunchy, it was pretty soft and mushy. I asked for the housemade spicy ketchup and honey mustard and both were the best condiments i have ever had! My husband got the Pimento Bacon Macaroni with Martelli pasta caramelized with applewood smoked bacon and our housemade Southern pimento cheese A tiny portion at $20, he liked it but it was overpriced. My son got the kids burger and fries and we couldn't help but laugh when we saw his face fall when he got it and exclaimed "ridiculous" They serve a mini burger sampler for $20 and for his $6 burger they gave him one of those. He was so hungry we had to make him something to eat at home, the meat was raw and I've never seen a burger that small in my life. For dessert we got the famous Ari's Donut Sundae A housemade Dutch donut smothered in bourbon-caramel sauce, vanilla gelato, whipped cream and a cherry in the chocolate version with roasted peanuts, chocolate bar slices, chocolate sauce and chocolate gelato. I was dissapointed again how small it was for $10, the donut was not sweet at all and hard, the chocolate and peanuts however very good and from having the ice cream at their creamery I knew that would be amazing and it was. In all a great dinner, but alot of money spent for 2 burger, mac n cheese salad and dessert. The products are all made in house from bread, cheese, really EVERYTHING so it is worth the try, just know you will be spending about $100 for dinner.
(4)Russell R.
I don't have much to add in words that others haven't said, so I'm just going to add my stars to pull the rating up. Actually, my girlfriend apparently liked my description of this place as "country chic", so do with that what you will.
(5)Gretchen B.
Zingerman's Roadhouse is over priced and mediocre! I had the Salmon cooked on the wood fire grill...the Salmon had no grill marks and tasted bland, the mashed potato were bland tasting, but the spinach was good! That's not good when spending $30 and the only thing you can say the spinach is good! Maybe I could show the chef how to cook salmon properly! My husband had the fish and chips...$27.00, the french fries were soggy and the fish was just okay, certainly not worth the high price tag! The Donut Sundae and Brownie Sundae....mediocre! Not impressed with this eatery and will not return!
(1)Nancy K.
When we moved to Ann Arbor anyone we met from anywhere else would say how jealous they were of Zingerman's. But they meant the place in Kerry Town with the best sandwiches on the planet. Unless they talk about mac 'n cheese. Then they mean this cute spot on the west side (Jackson/Maple/Stadium in Westgate Plaza). We were slow to try this spot but at some point our first summer in the house we got take out twice. I really like the takeout system here. It might be because I don't have to get out of my car. It might be because it's so swift and efficient. It might be because they sometimes hand you a free cookie. I think it's a mix of everything. K and I have also eaten inside twice. I've never been moved to write a review because I'm so conflicted about this place. It's known for the mac 'n cheese entrees but, to be honest, they aren't as great as everyone says. At least not in my opinion. And there's way too much. It's mac 'n cheese. You don't need a lot to fill you up. I've experimented with a few other dishes on the menu and I've found them to be okay. Last night, after about four days of everyone in our house saying we wanted BBQ, K suggested we get it from here because it's close, doesn't require the nonsense of getting it from downtown (parking, etc) and is supposed to be really, really good. N and I agreed. She got a half slab of spareribs and K and I split a BBQ plate that had chicken, brisket, ribs, mashed potatoes, and greens. We got a side of roasted veggies and two sides of mac 'n cheese because, you know, as a side it's great and it's even better leftover. The bbq was fantastic except that the ribs were super dry. And I found myself feeling the way I always do when it comes to this place. I want to love it but something is just always a little off. And then I realize why, despite being okay, I never suggest getting food from or going here: the price. I would pay $20 for a Zingerman's sandwich downtown. Willingly. Hell, for HALF of a Zingerman's sandwich. Because it's that good. This food? Not nearly as good. And Jesus, is it expensive. I actually thought, based on the prices for bbq, that each listing was supposed to serve multiple people. The food is a solid 3, some things (the sides, especially) venture into four star territory but it's not worth the price. Which is sad because I like supporting this local business. Just not at this particular venue.
(3)Matt D.
I love Zingerman's Deli--love. I was disappointed in the Roadhouse. I thought the barbecue was pedestrian, not something I would say about the offerings at the deli. The deserts, two different puddings, were the wrong consistency, gritty, as if the sugar or more likely gelatin hadn't fully and properly dissolved. The pimento cheese stuffed roasted heirloom tomato was outstanding. Perhaps worth the visit just for that.
(3)Clare F.
I had goat cheese, tomatoes with olive oil, and fried chicken mac and cheese. Everything was delicious. They use very good quality olive. The mac and cheese is rich and delicious.
(4)Diane C.
Zingerman's = Service. Some of the best service I have ever had. I also had the fried chicken...pretty damn tasty. The bread bowl was also excellent. Everyone seemed to love what they had. Recommend.
(4)Will B.
I want to give this place four stars, but it falls short. You really have to appreciate the artisan way of doing things to really appreciate their food. IMO the Zingerman's deli is good, but more-so because of what they do in-house and how much they do in-house than anything. Not all of it shows up in the taste of their food. In some ways I feel the Roadhouse falls short in the same manner. I ordered the Top Sirloin steak "Meat and Three" combo (three sides and your meat). I have to agree, the sides were super super small. My salad was tiny, and the potatoes were small and lacked quantity and taste. I figured with three sides I could go with a smaller steak, but I ended up leaving hungry. My steak was only 8 ozs, but it was $28, and it was way over cooked. I ordered it med-rare and it was cooked well, barely pink. I really thought about sending it back (I never send anything back), but it took over 20 min to get our food, and it was an hour wait. I was starving and didn't want my gf to have to eat alone. The calamari was just, eh... nothing special, and my gf got the mac and cheese, and she wasn't really impressed either. I really wish they would increase the quantity of their sides and veggies to give a better "value" and dining experience. It's tough to spend $100 on a meal for two people and a couple beers and leave hungry.
(3)Ryne D.
I'm out in East Lansing for work, and for our team dinner I'm informed we're headed to Ann Arbor. Not being a native Michigander (is that right?), I was pretty surprised to see that the guys wanted to drive almost an hour just to get food, but my general train of thought is that if I'm traveling for work I may as well spend my free time searching out good food. The first thing that surprised me was when my co-worker informed me you could ask for samples of anything except their steak. What? Has this always been a think at restaurants? When I hear sample, I think CostCo samples of frozen burgers or spinach dip, not a taste of Zingerman's awesome sweet potato fries or mac and cheese. Their mac and cheese is honestly some of the best I've ever had, and the fact that they use Cabot (which I understand to be lactose-free) makes it 1000x better. You know that scent when you open a bag of Cheez-Its? It smells like that, but with real cheese instead of "cheez". I ended up ordering a side of it with my fried chicken, which was very juicy and with good seasoning. Cutting off bits of it and eating it with my mac - bliss. I also tried their chili which had quite a kick of spice to it, though I'd order it again. Now I don't know how high prices get in these parts, but I was pretty surprised to see some of the prices here. It made me expect some giant plates of food. What I got was definitely appropriate for a meal, but I think most of that cost is sunk into the quality of the ingredients over quantity. Make it worth your while like I did: feast on samples, order your food, save some for lunch the next day. You're welcome.
(4)Blair R.
I've been to Zingerman's Roadhouse for brunch, lunch AND dinner! I'll happily return for dinner/lunch but would skip the brunch (unless I want a reservation -- pretty clutch that this place takes and honors brunch resies). Regardless of the food, this place is super cute and fun. It sells old-fashioned candy, uses cute little news-papery menus, etc.. But I know you are more concerned about the food, so I'll quickly debrief dinner and brunch. Dinner: I had the Mac and Three when I was there last time, which is a great option if you want to taste some mac and cheese but also eat some veggies. I've definitely have had mac and cheese, which I thought was better than this but you can't really dislike any mac and cheese, especially if it is Zingerman's. I'd order the dish again and be happy to dig into it. There's lots of beers, cocktails, etc to choose from. Brunch: For brunch I ordered the omelet of the day. I just thought it was greasy. And I couldn't figure out why it had to be so greasy, since it was egg whites, spinach, mushrooms and parmesan cheese. Also I didn't get the free donut holes that I see in my friend Catie S.'s review! BUMMER! The toast looked great but just tasted burnt. Potatoes were good but generally I don't choose brunch places for the potatoes because I am just not a tater girl.
(3)Dee D.
Went for lunch. I'm giving 3 stars because our waiter was excellent. The food, not so much. I had the buffalo chicken mac and cheese. The serving size was adequate yet on the small side. Unfortunately there were only 3 small chunks of chicken in the dish. There was what tasted like moist bbq chicken skin throughout it too. Weird, and not appetizing at all! The flavor was unremarkable, lacking that rich cheese taste of an old-fashion homemade mac and cheese. At $15 for a lunch-size serving, this was both disappointing and unfortunate. My friend had a cup of soup and salad. The salad was nothing but average, and her soup was bland. I understand fresh, organic, local food can be more costly to use, however the prepared dishes need to taste good to be worth it. Not going back. Didn't find it worthy of my spending.
(3)Heather R.
Amazing. Make reservations because this place stays busy. You can smell the barbecue pit from 1/2 mile away, seriously. Huge cheese selection and everything is locally grown. They have an amazing business structure. Worth checking out....one of a kind and the best in Ann Arbor if you ask me.
(5)Alex S.
The Roadhouse. One of the go-to restaurants for when the parents come to town. The food was fantastic. I had the county fried chicken and it was excellent. The chicken was fried enough to be tasty, but not enough to be overly filling. The mashed potatoes were excellent on their own right with very good gravy on top. And then dessert. You just try (preferably split) the donut sundae. The donut was absolute perfection. Very crisp on the outside and warm cakey goodness in the middle The only slightly bad part about the evening was the service. It was Zingerman's quality when we got our waitress's attention. She had a lot of tables so this was less frequent than desired.
(4)Julia M.
"I really wanted to love it!! Much of our food was overcooked but the cocktails were excellent." I don't know if it was just an 'off' night, but we were a little disappointed with the food. If you can imagine that at Zingermans!! We love the deli and the creamery, and have been looking forward to trying the Roadhouse ever since in opened. A few of my friends have been less than pleased with their experiences at the Roadhouse, but my husband and I really wanted to give it a try anyway. We decided that we'd go back for apps and drinks or desserts and drinks, but for the money try a different spot for a dinner. Overall, the atmosphere was pretty noisey and lots of kids, the service was friendly but less than excellent. I highly recommend the bourbon cream and coffee. It was heavenly!
(2)Art R.
Wow first time here and had tongue. For those of you that never had it, it might sound gross but definitely a specialty and these folks rate right up there with all the famous deli's in NYC as far as the meat is concerned. Don't miss this one.
(5)Vikash K.
Amazing! Went there for brunch, and it was worth the 30 min wait. The chili was on point with beef chunks. The ribs were fall off the bone good. YUMM!!
(5)Kate S.
I am a big fan of Zingerman's usually, so I was really disappointed by Zingerman's Roadhouse. I ordered the Mac n Cheese, since it was one of their award-winning foods, but I was not impressed. My mom ordered fried green tomatoes, but they almost had the taste of a pickle. I could only eat one or two before it became too overwhelming. Overall, there was nothing that I thought was amazing about this place, which is annoying because the Zingerman's chain is fairly expensive. Service was good, but if I didn't have a reservation, I would have had to wait a long time for a table. If you are in Ann Arbor, there are other restaurants out there that are better than this one.
(2)Friedrich S.
Top notch farm to table with a Zingerman's twist, great BBQ, great service, a little bit pricier, but you pay for the quality.
(5)John W.
In a word.... PERFECT!! Being in the service industry myself, I know how hard it is to obtain perfection. Their training truly sets them apart and propels them to a different category all their own. The food was simple yet delicious. I enjoyed sitting at the "cook line" bar and watching their staff work their magic. I am truly impressed. If I lived within 500 miles of Ann Arbor, I would move my family here and become a "Zingernaut" myself!!
(5)Mary Y.
I don't care if it's expensive. I have never, ever been disappointed here. Last night was no different. The new spring/summer menu has the mini sliders back, and we were tempted to throw some of those fantastic cheeses on the 5 of them, but I opted as healthy as I could. Kale salad w/pine nuts, lemon, dried cherries, and shaved stravecchio? Crack. Sooooo yummy. We opted to eat sweet potato fries and after we devoured our basket, our server came back to ask us if we wanted a refill because they were free. Say whaaaaat??? As usual service was stellar, we didn't look around once for water, bread, food, or our check. Our server even had them cook up just 2 sliders since we were feeling a need for Wisconsin Cheddar aged 30 years. My dinner companion opted for a PBR and Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese but forgot to say no blue cheese, so I had to eat that for him. I'm great that way. The spring/summer menu has some great Cornman Farms veggies, roasted up and sounding delicious! Now, if the weather would turn around we can move our Thirsty Thursdays to the patio.
(5)Alysha M.
Great food with great service! The french fries are so yummy and they are bottomless if you get a burger. We also got calamari bruschetta that was amazing! The martinis are super tasty too. Dinner was great, of corse it cost a lot more then a normal place, but it's worth it. The service was very helpful and the venue is super cute with lots of vintage salt and pepper shaker! If you want to celebrate something special I recommend the Roadhouse.
(5)Daniel W.
I enjoyed a bun-less pulled pork sandwich with a side of greens. The greens were great and the mustard sauce for the pork was a real treat. The size of the portion was disappointing.
(3)Teri C.
The GOOD: Lunch and Dinner here is excellent! I have never been disappointed and each time we visit A2.....this is where we stop. Quality meats and veggies. Love their local connection for farm fresh. We have never left hungry. ==================================================Â= The BAD: Yesterday was a different story......decided to eat breakfast there. BIG mistake. It's like I was in a different restaurant! I wanted just a side of Corn Beef Hash and some toast......she brought me a small plate with about 2 scoops of hash......which contained a few potatoes, some meat and TONS of celery and red peppers! I was like WTF??? CELERY????? It tasted horrid. My toast had zero butter on it and only one slice was brought to me. Again I was like......????? The waitress wasn't very attentive and I had to flag her down to ask for ketchup, to choke down the hash. When she asked how everything was, I told her that it was not tasty.....her response was oh....sorry, and walked away. The cost: $8.00 Hubby ordered a skillet....which I must admit, he is used to the ones served at places like Cracker Barrel.....so when his came out in the tiny bowl, he looked at me and said, "Do you think they will bring the rest later?".......he said it lacked flavor and had it gone in about 6-7 bites. He did however get 2 pieces of bread. The cost: $14.00 Needless to say, our server wasn't the best (not what we are used to).......food was "meh".......and I will never return for breakfast again!!!!!!!
(3)Mevei I.
Roadhouse was a disappointment for me and my family. It wasn't our first time but it may be our last. We came here with our out-of-town family for father's day brunch. We were all expecting to be blown away but instead, we left rather annoyed. Stay away from the po-boy sandwiches. The BBQ pork, corn beef hash, fish sandwich were all decent but nothing to pay $$$ over. They are able to charge so much bc of their name, but their quality does not stand behind it. Perhaps they were a great restaurant in the past, but they are no longer. I guess I should have sent it back, but we were in a rush to head out and I don't usually send food back. Maybe I should start. I can justify given them 2 stars bc the staff was amazing, friendly and super, duper patient with our little children. I think it it weren't for them, I would give them less stars. Or none.
(2)Sara M.
I seem to love all things ZIngerman. Though it is not the only reason to visit Ann Arbor, it sure is a good reason. Though I have been to the Delicatessen many times, I had never been to the Roadhouse before this trip. The two places are so different, except for the quality of the food and the service. The Roadhouse features southern and other homestyle cuisine and has waiter service and a bar. We started with some poutine at the bar while waiting for seats. The place was mobbed so I can excuse the one little slip up of the evening with the gravy being disappointingly cool. But lots of cheese curds and fresh fries. Fried chicken seems to be a very popular item and it was excellent. I can be pretty particular about the quality of chicken any style and often avoid fried. But this was first rate. They were out of the main ingredient of the tea drink I wanted, but an excellent bartender came up with a substitute plan that was excellent and refreshing. And I cannot forget the always appreciated yummy Zingerman bread. We got a basket of a mix of sourdough slices and the Roadhouse, a type of rye I had never had before but would absolutely get again. And served with wonderful fresh butter, apparently a popular local brand in Ann Arbor.There were a variety of other items across the table and all seemed well received by my dining companions, especially the cream of asparagus soup. I regretfully was too full to try the desserts I heard about, but maybe next time. The cutest thing ever was the Airstream near the front entrance of the restaurant where you pick up to-go orders via a drive thru lane. How typically Zingerman clever.
(4)Marc M.
Only 4 stars because the price is steep. This is a great BBQ location with a bourbon bar to match. Plenty of options
(4)Theresa U.
Been here several times, never fails to please! Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner - it's all good!
(5)Tyra N.
People! I'm upset NO ONE mentioned this place directly to me before. This was unbelievable. I can't wait to return. The decor and feel was underwhelming. Everything on my tongue was total shock. I had the andouille mac and cheese. Oooo-wwwweeeee. I couldn't manage to fit it all in my stomach but of what I did was beyond what I could measure in greatness. Warm, spicy, creamy, and exciting. This was a good flavor combo. The portions were close to family size. Not four but more than enough for two fair appetites. I will be trying this at home very soon. My friend had the buttermilk fried chicken with the house mac n cheese and house slaw. This place amazed me. I don't like many slaws but the cider vinegar and seasonings made this worth imitating. The house mac was also surprisingly creamy and flavorful. His chicken tasted as good as my Mom's and Dad's. I feel like no place large or small can get a leg up on home fried chick. Every place gives it the old college try but fall short. This chicken was damn near home made. The skin was crispy and seasoned well. The meat was not dry. It wasn't southern Maw's but It was definitely running neck and neck with home made competition. The breading and meat were perfect. I can't wait to return to write another review. Oh and I didn't get to try ANY of the decadent desserts. I'm missing life here! I feel like this place is not for watching your waist but true indulgence. I just ended something and this is the perfect place to fill the holes in my emotions. The bad is the price point. They over do it but they can. The demographic is Ann Arbor (yuppie) and college town. They can get away with charging this for American classics because it's great and no one else is doing American food like this in this area. So I will pay to eat here again, on lunch with smaller portions or I'll go with a group to save on cash and share the varieties.
(4)Ken E.
In town for business and decided to check this place out based on the reviews. Could not be happier that I did. Had the pulled pork sandwich with the mustard BBQ sauce. Little bit of bite and was super tasty. Even better was the poutine. It was yummier than many of the poutines I've had in Canada. Well done. And the best part was the service. Ate at the bar and both of the bartenders were super friendly and helpful. I might have to find reasons to return to Ann Arbor just for this place.
(5)Andres M.
This place is very good. I had a bbq beef sandwich with the fries! It's very tender beef with some delicious fries. Born and raised in Texas and this is the most authentic bbq I've had in a different state. Nicole was great server and I'm satisfied with the wonderful service I've received from her! The only con is the food is a really small portion for the price but that's easy to overcome due to how delicious the food was! Will come here again when I come back to Michigan to visit!
(5)Salena H.
So let me just start by saying this - Don't listen to the negative reviews on here! Zingerman's has been my favorite place in Ann Arbor since 2010. I love this company for so many reasons. I hate it when people say they are overpriced. Yes, they DO cost a bit more than normal places, but here's why: They are sourcing the most quality, local ingredients they can. Organic, fresh, local. Their integrity as a company is amazing. And as a person who eats healthy, I can taste the difference! I have tried lots of things at Zingerman's and liked all of them. Here is a list of my favorites: 5 burger sampler Mac and Cheese In-house made hot sauce Gluten-free bread for both sandwiches and toast Gluten-free fried chicken Poutine Mashed Potatoes Donut Sundae Gelato COFFEE!! Bacon Diez y uno burrito (in the Road Show) Grits Pulled Pork But my absolute favorite meal there is the Roadhouse American breakfast, which has eggs with peppers and cabot cheddar, potatoes and sausage patties with toast and preserves. I always get the house hot sauce with it too because it is amazing on the potatoes. I have dreams about this breakfast and try to get my husband to take me there practically every weekend, sometimes it works :) Bottom line, you truly get what you pay for. People who write crappy reviews are not looking at the full picture. The only downfall to this place is that it can get really packed. My friends and I waited almost two hours one night at the bar, but if you want to beat the crowd, try to either go for breakfast on a week day or early enough on the weekend, or go on a Monday or Tuesday night. Don't go at 7 pm on a Friday and then whine about the wait - expect it!
(5)Robin L.
Zingerman's Roadhouse is the perfect place to take friends who love comfort food. I love that they seek out the best quality ingredients and locally whenever possible. In truth, I don't first consider comfort food. And yet, I still love the Roadhouse. I asked to be seated in an area that might be less noisy because it's challenging for me to hear. Considering they were packed, and in general it's a noisy place, they accommodated us beautifully. Our server was wonderful. We were all in a playful mood and she totally met us in that fun spirit. Food was delicious. Service was perfectly attentive. Prices were exactly what we expected. Five stars for a lovely experience.
(5)Rebecca B.
Service was good. Prompt. Efficient. Good at reading our body language. Menu was massive. I thought it was good. Not much more to say outside of that. Interesting menu that is worth a try.
(4)Karla M.
Went there for the first time tonight. The waitstaff was excellent and the food was excellent. Only visiting Ann Arbor for a few days but will definitely go back.
(5)Kelly J.
There's a lot to be said about the Roadhouse's charm. Pros: 1.) The menu is exciting and thoughtful 2.) The service is always spectacular 3.) The serving staff is always knowledgeable about the menu 4.) The donut sundae is out of this world. Think a fresh-fried donut on homemade gelato from the Creamery and a bourbon sauce that brings the whole dish together with the depth and smoky goodness of the whiskey. Cons: 1.) Sometimes things fall short. The pulled pork is only so-so, the mac and cheese is not nearly exciting enough or a big enough portion to justify the price, etc. 2.) Yes, I'm sorry to say this, it's overpriced. I've eaten in a lot of wonderful, exciting, proud-to-be-foodie establishments, and this one is overpriced. But it's still worth the occasional splurge, just don't think too hard about the quality-to-quantity-to-price ratio and you won't feel cheated. But you have to love the vibe in there, and sometimes Ari is buzzing around and is always excited to talk about the menu with customers--such a treat.
(4)Molly C.
So disappointed, especially after having the sandwich of a lifetime a year ago at Zingerman's Deli. Very, very slow service, with food that was disappointing overall. Calamari appetizer was amazing, perfectly cooked with crisp, light, flavorful dressing. I wish I'd stopped there. Bread was stale ends, mostly inedible. Husband ordered the barbecue platter, which came with two ounces of a couple of different kinds of meat and sauce. Sauces were great, but the pork and chicken both had bone shards. "Kid's steak" was maybe an ounce of meat--my son ate it in three small bites. $8 for that and a handful of fries. Daughter' s hot dog was supposed to be a corn dog, they took it back and disappeared for nearly a half-hour. My fried chicken mac and cheese was unseasoned, too rich, unbaked, and full of shreds of fatty chicken skin and tendons. $15 for a small plate, plus $4.50 for a "mini" house salad, which came on a saucer--mini indeed. We waited 40 minutes after our empty plates were cleared before our server came back to offer dessert. Uh, no thanks--just the check. $90 for two kids meals, two adult meals, and one cup of coffee--not even a drink! I get it--it's fresh, farm-to-table food. But the execution was off and the service was embarrassing, especially in Ann Arbor, with about two million restaurants to choose from. No to all of it.
(1)Chinmay S.
This was my first time here. So before going I read lot of yelp comments to make sure what is good and what is bad here. Service : 4/5 Food:3/5 Price: 2/5 Quantity of food for price: 1/5 My order: pulled pork sandwich with macaroni. Macaroni was excellent. Pulled pork sandwich was just rip off. For $15, they gave me very small quantity of pork on giant bread. pork was alright. My wife tried house salad. She did not like it at all. I doubt I will go to there again anytime.
(2)LaToya C.
I called Zingerman's on my way to the Detroit airport. The person that answers is unable to take your order you are then transferred to another number. Placing an order with the place I wanted to pull my hair out.....a pork sandwich can be ordered 2 ways.....the difference: one is a tad bigger and you get to choose your sauce. To change side items I was told some sides included an extra upcharge, Mac n cheese wasn't one of them. We finally arrive at the place, our charge $46 for 2 pulled pork sandwiches! This is Ann Arbor , MI not NYC. We were charged extra for the Mac n cheese! The lady at the window was unprofessional, she only wanted to insist she wasn't the one who took our order on the phone. Thankfully another cashier stepped in corrected the order. I haven't gotten to the food yet, one star for service.
(1)Alex N.
Zingerman's. It's an institution in the Ann Arbor area. It's also expensive and incredibly overrated in my book. I've been to the Kerrytown deli and the Roadhouse more times than I can count, and each time I walk away feeling underwhelmed. Sure, I've had some good meals at each. But never have I been blown away by the food and never have I felt that the quality justified the exorbitant prices. This past weekend's visit was no exception. My wife's family was in town and wanted to go to the Roadhouse for Father's Day brunch. My first thought was to stick with my usual - bagel and lox. Although Zingerman's bagels are hardly the best, this is usually a safe choice. Then I spotted the fried clam po'boy and decided to give it a try. HUGE mistake. The bread was stale and tasted like day-old (or maybe two-day-old) bread. Come on, Zingerman's! You guys pride yourselves on your baked goods and you give me stale bread? The clams were so overdone and dried that they tasted like fried rubber bands. The tomato chutney they serve on the sandwich was dumped on one end, all 2 teaspoons of it. The twice-fried french fries were soggy and gross and tasted like they had been barely fried once. All of this for $17. I seriously thought about sending it back, and in hindsight I probably should have. But we had a large group of hungry eaters, some of whom needed to hit the road for a long drive back home after, and I didn't want to be the one to hold-up the meal. But it was one of the most disappointing meals I've had in my entire life. Not a single thing on the plate was done right. I would have been pissed if it was a $10 sandwich, but for $17 I was downright furious. My wife had the fried shrimp po'boy and had similar complaints. On the way back home we decided that we will never again eat at the Roadhouse, given how many "meh" meals we've had. I'm giving them two stars because of the great service. That's one thing I'll say about the place - the staff are always friendly and attentive. But the food varies between one and three stars at most, and the prices are insane for the quality of food you get. I don't care if they are serving artisanal free-range organic grass-fed clams; if they overcook them and serve it to me on stale bread, what difference does the quality of the ingredients make? I'm convinced the only reasons Zingerman's has managed to stay in business so long - and to grow - are because a) too many Ann Arborites are morons when it comes to food, b) too many Ann Arborites equate expensive dining with good food, and c) Paul and Ari are masters of promotion and marketing. Good for them. Now, can you guys please direct your cooks not to murder the clams?
(2)Rachel R.
Any of their Mac and cheeses are amazing. The barbecue is also good, but nothing can top their Mac and cheese.
(5)Natasha P.
Fun ambience and good food. My first time at Zingerman's after hearing a lot about the place. The food was nice, but not fabulous. My husband ordered a BBQ platter, which was pretty small for the price, and the food was warm not hot. However, it was tasty, and I think it would have been better if it was hot. I ordered the chorizo Mac and cheese, which was excellent. I think it was the best dish at our table. It was extremely cheesy and had a perfect amount of spices and chorizo. The other people at our table ordered burgers, which they said was good, but the sweet potato fries I had from their plate were a little burnt and bitter. I would go back to Zingerman's roadhouse again... But it certainly won't be top priority.
(3)Yadi T.
Great place to take the family for a great meal. We highly enjoyed their poutine and calamari. We also enjoyed the fried chicken dinner (very crispy chicken) and the mac and cheese. My husband had the chicken fried steak. It was a very thick and generous portion with the calabasa and mashed potatoes. He was raving about the calabasa because it was a great vegetable compliment to his meal. I highly recommend a reservation if you are party larger than 4 people because this place gets busy especially on the weekends.
(5)ying l.
Not sure why folks keep on taking me back to this place- the food is modest and comparable to everything else you can get in Ann Arbor, but price is marked up at least 30%. Mac-and-cheese for the kids for instance, don't have the carmelized onion and is made of "american cheese" and is a whopping $11. I had a cup of tomato soup and a goatcheese-arugula-beet salad, very middle of the road, no exceptional creativity there, and they were well over $25. Hard to get a reservation for a party greater than 4 last minute, even on a week day. Loud and obnoxiously cold during summer and boiling hot in the winter. If this place tunes itself down a notch it may actually be better.
(3)Shelly G.
All I can say is awesome. Friendly staff, checking in and helpful, food was the best I ever had.
(5)Logynn H.
What can be said about the Roadhouse's sublime awesomeness that hasn't already been said? All I can tell you is that my favorite thing is to sit at the bar, split a pork bbq plate and some sweet potato fries with a friend, and enjoy the lovely staff and surroundings. My other favorite thing is gluten free grits n bits waffles, which are so amazing that I know I will always come back here to have them even if I move away from Ann Arbor.
(5)Aileen A.
I SO wanted to love this place. I have been searching for a go to restaurant since recently moving to Ann Arbor. But my fried chicken was bitter since the skin was burnt but what sucked more was that it was a little bit uncooked in the middle. I told the waitress it was raw just so that they know (I wasn't expecting a replacement since I already lost my appetite) but she tried to explain to me it was just the bloodline that i was seeing. I am still giving this place two stars because the mac and cheese was good. Also, I made reservations and they actually had a table ready for us when we got there.
(2)Justin P.
I went here with my family for lunch and the food was great. We were served bread at the table, and as you would expect from the Zingerman franchise, even that was great. The bread had a somewhat sour aftertaste that hinted toward the use of a natural yeast. As for the drink, I am somewhat ashamed to admit that I let my choice be influenced by the sample bottle on the table. I was successfully marketed to. It was a bottle of Blenheim's spicy ginger ale. While the shame of being a consumer sheep still lingers, any regret was blown away when I took my first whiff of the seductive elixir. Once the bubbles hit my nose, I had to wheeze out a cough, splashing droplets of the HOT ginger ale all over my menu. I immediately bought two more bottles for the road. As for the main dish, my wife and I both went the Amish fried chicken route because we are visiting for just a few weeks from Japan, where the Colonel reigns supreme. If we want any real fried chicken, this is our chance. My wife got the fried chicken salad and I got the two piece. Now, 2 pieces doesn't sound like a lot, but amish chickens are huge. I know, right? You'd think they'd be svelte from not sitting around watching TV all day or using other electronic devices, but they are big and mean and juicy. And the breading was just all om nom nom. It took me a full extra 6 seconds to type that 'om nom nom' because I had to do the gestures of me eating it all over again as I typed/said that. Also, I got the sweet potato fries for a dollar extra and the guy who gave them to me said I could ask for more whenever I wanted. They were great and I did ask for more even when my stomach was telling me this was not an option. While my meal was good, I was most impressed with the kids menu. My daughter got the barbecue plate. There was no sauce on the meats, but the pulled pork had a very strong hickory taste without any of the sugar/corn syrup - just the taste of real meat and hickory. Also, she was given the choice of mashed potatoes, fries, or fruit. First, it's a small thing, but I appreciated the fact that the waiter asked if she wanted mashed potatoes first instead of considering fries the go-to option. My daughter went with fruit and I expected something like three grapes in a little plastic solo cup, but they brought out this full plate with raspberries, blueberries, melon, and some other fruit. The restaurant is great. If there is a problem, it is simply that they know they are great and charge as if they were great. They're not winning many points for cost efficiency, but they don't really need to. Great meal.
(4)Emma P.
Had breakfast here with my cousin when he came to UofM . Great service, our waitress was delightful. Food was solid. I loved their mini biscuits and in-house jam. Pur waitress always made sure we were never short on coffee. We loved her description of their house made donuts, so much we indulged.
(4)Katie K.
I wouldn't say this is quite as good as the deli, but it's still great - hence the 4 instead of 5 stars. I went here with some family I haven't seen in a few years and it was the perfect place for a delicious casual dinner. I had heard great things about the Mac'n'cheese and I was not disappointed. It was definitely one of the best I've ever had! One of my uncles, who is usually a pescatarian, had a cheat day because of how great the fried chicken is - he ate every last bite. This is definitely a great place to go in groups, especially because everything on the menu sounds so great: sharing is caring.
(4)Ann W.
Zingerman's is always a good choice for excellent food, exemplary service, in a casual, fun atmosphere. This visit was no different. Mid-morning on Saturday, there was already a wait for brunch/lunch. The Georgia Grits & Bits Waffle sounded unusual: classic Belgian waffles filled with grits, sharp cheddar, and bacon. They were unusual and amazing. The waffles had a light, crisp exterior and tender interior. Savory instead of sweet, they were delicious dipped into the thick, sweet syrup. The Roadhouse sausages were well seasoned and spicy but the breakfast potatoes were just average. Other good breakfast items here include: * Biscuits & Chocolate Bacon Gravy - large biscuits smothered in a thick (almost velvety) chocolate sauce and sprinkled with bacon. They are also awesome, although I prefer the gravy to be served on the side so that the biscuits don't get too soggy. * Doughnuts - dense doughnuts flavored with molasses and nutmeg and dusted with brown sugar. These are best enjoyed hot. Truly, these doughnuts are worth the drive and the wait. For dinner, I highly recommend: * Fried chicken - Crispy pieces of chicken in a well-seasoned buttermilk batter. While they come with mashed potatoes and gravy, I always ask for a substitute. * Spare ribs - A full rack of ribs in a yummy sauce. What makes Zingerman's memorable is the customer service. They even offer business training on customer service through ZingTrain; they live and breathe exactly what they preach. As a business fully entrenched in the Ann Arbor community, I find that Zingerman's interest in food is not limited to just serving it. They've sought to educate us on what we eat (and to be selective while doing so). At this restaurant specifically, they've educated us on the differences between grits and hominy, allowed us to sample cheeses and different desserts, and even created a meal composed of components of other meals. Some of these examples occurred several years ago, but because truly great customer service is rare, they are remembered, relished, and shared. Give them a try - you will truly enjoy this dining experience.
(4)Melissah L.
The food at Zingerman's is simple, fresh and prepared really well. Can't go wrong. I've been here for dinner (get the side of chili cheese fries) and brunch (get the country skillet). This place does everything well, and the Roadhouse is where you want to go for a warm, cozy brunch/lunch/dinner experience.
(5)Marisa S.
Ridiculously amazing comfort food. They're known for their barbecue, but all the food looked fabulous! We had Mac and cheese with fried chicken in it. The bread was fresh and delicious. The atmosphere was fun and very interesting, and the staff couldn't have been friendlier. Its more than worth the stop!
(5)Zachary F.
Cool as shit! Ambience 5: the exterior truly reminds me of a roadhouse. I almost expected to get carded by Patrick Swayze when I walked in. The interior was cool also. It was open and decorated well. Food/drinks 5: I had the buffalo mac n cheese. It was decadent. Extremely cheesy and delicious. They even bring you an extra side of Buffalo sauce, so you can add a little extra spice if you want. I ordered an old fashioned to drink. It tasted amazing. Service 5: Our waitress was really nice and accommodating. She was even nice enough to laugh at a couple of my brothers lame jokes. Overall 5: the entire experience was great. My only knock is it could be a tad overpriced but regardless, I will be back.
(5)Jason D.
The atmosphere is very nice and for that alone it may be worth is for someone who doesn't have to look at menu prices. Our server was really good, did a great job of explaining the menu, and was nice and energetic with a good attitude. The prices are absolutely unjustified and ridiculous, though. I work at a craft beer bar that is pricey itself, and under no circumstance should Brewery Vivant's Farmhand beer cost more than $6+ for an 8OZ pour. That is absolutely asinine and just plain greedy. I understand that you would pay more for a certain atmosphere that theoretically takes more to run, but in the case of this restaurant, while nice, I don't see anything that justifies the prices. I had the ribs, which were good, but were not worth the premium pricing. They were decent, but forgettable ribs. The restaurant was full and the food came out timely, but simply put the enjoyment did not meet the cash paid. This is a place you go just for the nice clean atmosphere alone. I can't help but think the place is fraudulent in that it acts as a high-price begets-placebo-quality situation. You know that experiment when a person is given cheap wine and is told that it is ultra expensive and rare, and they end up preferring it over an actually expensive wine that they're told is a value wine? That's what this place is to me. If you want to pay significantly more for half a pour of a draft beer than you would another place for a full pint of the same draft beer, this is your place. If you never question if premium prices buy you matching quality, dine here. This place to me feels and looks really nice, but reaks of fraudulent preying on people who spend more for the privilege of being able to spend more. The money put down does not match the taste, so this place is reserved for people to which price tags are meaningless, and to its employees who get significant discounts on its food.
(2)Stephen M.
What to say? It's best to watch what you eat, eat healthy, yada, yada, yada. So having graduated from THE school, having moved to Chicago and with family in SE Michigan we always stop in Ann Arbor for dinner on our trips to see the fam. So there I sat with only my wife. Adult kids were not there to castigate me. What can I say? The fried chicken seemed perfect. And it was! I'm sure a little known fact is that there was a restaurant which sat in the approximate location--we'd go there when family came in when I was enrolled. They had great fried chicken. Must be the spot or something. On our trip back to Chicago, we stopped in once again. Wife had scallops and was very, very positive. My recommendation is look at the menu, find your perfect guilt food and go for it. This place will serve you well.
(4)Tom A.
We went in for breakfast and by the time we ordered, they were out of half of the items on their menu. We opted for lunch instead and ordered their "world famous" mac and cheese and brisket. Meh. It was okay. There are certainly better options. However, I was impressed with their menu. There are a TON of options, many of which rotate on a daily basis. I would go back. If you enjoy a tiny parking lot, a jam packed restaurant, and enough options to satisfy any picky eater, make sure you go here. Otherwise, save your money :)
(4)Jim I.
Awesome, I get to write the 500th review. It's all true. The food is great, the price point is elevated, and this place is always busy. As far as the prices... I know this is Ann Arbor and it's to be expected, yet some say it's too much. I have enjoyed everything I've had here. From the Mac and Cheese and BBQ to the sweet potatoes fries. Good stuff. High prices or not. The proof is in the wait times.
(4)Anita B.
Have an oyster-versary approaching. Very eclectic menu and great food. Love the patio in the warmer weather. Just about anything on the menu is recommended. Friendly waitstaff and service is phenomenal. Lots of flavorful dishes and unique items on the menu.
(5)Kori Y.
This place never disappoints. The food is always fresh and well prepared. The place is busy, so plan on waiting.
(4)Vladimir K.
I have to preface this by saying I am a super-fan of the other Zingerman's businesses... but we found the Roadhouse to be kind of sucky. Ambiance-wise, the interior is not unlike a Chili's or some shit like that. The booze selection was OK, but nothing special. Everything on the menu was majorly expensive. Now, I like to splurge on expensive restaurants from time to time, so I'm not shocked by $30 entree prices. However, I do expect something in this price range to kick ass. Beer is served in weird glassware, something I didn't quite understand. You'd think a place like this would know what's up with beer glassware, but I guess not. The description of the creole cioppino sounded awesome, but it tasted like nothing but garlic and was really skimpy on the seafood. There was just one tiny scallop, one little shrimp, a couple mussels, and some fish chunks. Definitely not worth the high price tag around $30. Also, $20+ is a little much for a pile of risotto. We just didn't think the stuff was worth the money. Dinner for two with three beers plus tip was almost $100, and we were like "meh." I'd rather just hit up a classy steakhouse at this price.
(1)Naz M.
Zingermans, let me count the ways that I love you. I don't really think I can, but I can try by recounting the details of my newest foodie love affair. Imagine, up until the day before that I had plans to come here and almost totally forgot. Easter Sunday, of all days, is what my old boss, a few of her lovely friends and my hubs decided on. Don't worry though! We were smart about making reservations, because this is one of the most popular restaurants in the area. From the outside alone, you know you're in for an experience. There's a drive through, right there because maybe you want the brunch, lunch, without the waiting and debating. Maybe you're one of those people who always just knows what they want outta life. BUT if you're not lol, and you're like me, sitting down is necessary because internal conflicts, particularly those about food, are best to deal with INSIDE the restaurant around people who love you and can make your suggestions. I was lucky to have been seated and already had a mimosa waiting for me, first plus. THEN the bread came, amazing. They'd a wine list, cheese list, five other lists and menus all full of delectable things, albeit pricey, just waiting for you which seem to change on various occasions as our brunch menu was DATED. After fighting myself I settled on Pulled Pork, it's kinda my thing and I had a feeling it would be done right, and goodness it was. Succulent, juicy and they'd a slider version available, with sweet potato fries and applewood bacon, because why not?! 'Twas so good that next time I might be able to muster the courage to go out of my comfort zone. Normally, between the hubs and I, he's the one with leftovers, today that was NOT the case, which means his Roadhouse breakfast was too good to leave a scrap even for the furries at home. This place is an experience to be had, pricey but worth it. I mean, just look at the pictures I took! Uh huh, you're reading this while you should be halfway to Jackson Rd.
(5)Matthew K.
I almost want to give this place a 2-star (3-star = A-OK based on the yelp metric, which it wasn't, but 3-star = "Fair" in my ratings) based on the price vs quality of the food. But service was good, and it was clean and had an enjoyable atmosphere. I ordered the fried chicken macaroni and cheese. It was overly salty and didn't have any fried chicken in it, just a few pieces of chicken and then crumbles of the fried chicken crispies on top. The noodles were overcooked and the cheese sauce was starting to separate. Very disappointing. My wife ordered the pulled pork entree. The pulled pork was OK, but I smoke better pork at home. And there was too much fat left in the meat -- my wife didn't finish it. The mashed potatoes were OK, but because of the extra sauce they add to the pulled pork (in my opinion, to try covering up the dryness), the mash potatoes just started turning soggy. The braised greens was just a soggy mess. The sweet potato fries were delicious though -- large, nicely fried and wonderful. I don't plan on ever coming back to this place, but if I did I'd probably only order the sweet pototo fries, since everything else was disappointing. And the prices were ridiculous -- $19 for a bowl of mac & cheese? $16 for a small serving of pulled pork with some mashed pototoes and braised greens? Yuck. Is this really what Ann Arbor-ens eat? It was packed when we left, so I'll be happy to donate my seat from now on. One of those occassions when pictures of food are better than the food itself.
(3)S W.
I had lunch today here, Caesar Salad with Grilled Salmon. The salad was great and the service was even better.
(4)Alexandra K.
Ok this is not at all what I thought it would be. It's beautiful inside. The large wooden floors mesh wonderfully with the granite countertops, rugged tables and beautiful glass cases filled with the cutest salt and pepper shakers of all sorts. Apparently they used to have ones from the movie "Jaws" that would play the theme song when you shook them. My wonderful and pleasant waitress told me so. On to the food: -Complimentary bread: Rye: it's very thick and quite chalky in taste but fresh; Sourdough: mmmm I love it. Mushy and sour it leaves a perfect lemon taste in your mouth. Entrees -New Mexico Grilled Chicken Sandwich (Amish free-range chicken breast with Ig Vella soft jack cheese, applewood smoked bacon, lettuce, avocado salad, green chilies and spicy mayo on grilled sourdough bread): Incredible. The chicken is so tender and mixes so well with the cheese and avocado which have an indescribable zing. It's creamy, crunchy, buttery, spicy, crispy and soft all in one. -Sweet Potato Fries: let me tell you why these are so wonderful: simply because they are thickly cut. This causes them to still be mushy on the inside while crisp on the outside. One of the best sweet potato fries of my life. -Hand-Cut Fries: The regular fries are also delicious--fried in the best-tasting oil. Desserts -Donut Mondae (bacon sundae with a homemade Dutch donut, bacon chocolate gravy, apple-wood smoked bacon, vanilla gelato, bourbon-caramel sauce, whipped cream, Virginia peanuts and a cherry): hmmm it's very interesting. The caramel bourbon is syrupy sweet (not my favorite) but it seriously brings out the sweetness of the salty bacon bits. The vanilla gelato is bursting with vanilla bean flavor. The doughnut is of a cakey texture (my favorite kind) and tastes very much like a beignet--sugary but plain. That's why it mixes so well with the sauce, chocolate and bacon. It's an interesting combo. I'm glad I tried it but wouldn't need to order it again. FINAL VERDICT: For a strip mall restaurant, this has got it goin' on. The Zingerman Company in general only uses the finest ingredients (albeit this menu serving up some serious calorie-dense comfort food). That wait staff is wonderful and if you can get over the outrageous prices, stop on in. They also have a great oyster bar and throw away the beautiful pearl shells outside for everyone to see. And if you are looking for a quick bite, drive up to the Roadshow Drive-Up & To-Go, as they serve coffee, pastries, breakfast food, bread, sandwiches, and soups.
(5)Heather G.
The customer service here is incredible. Can we have a cup of water as we leave? Yes. Can you call us a cab? Our pleasure! I'm wearing new shoes - do you have band aids for my poor, blistered feet? abso-freaking-lutely. It's near-comical how hospitable the staff here is. Our server, upon noticing we weren't drinking our beers, insisted on taking them back and bringing us something else because he could tell we didn't like them. He made nice recommendations and insisted that life was too short to drink beer you're not into. That said, the beer list is OK. Not amazing, but not the run-of-the-mill stuff found in every pub, either. The bread basket they serve prior to your meal is insane. I ate two of them (baskets, not slices) myself, and thus had to take most of my dinner to-go due to fullness. WORTH IT. Their burger is solid, their fries (regular and sweet potato) are both excellent. Daily specials rotate, but we came on a day they were serving potlikker. The dish was very rich, salty, and fatty, and it warmed us up on such a cold winter night. My advice? Come for the bread basket, splurge on a daily special, and enjoy what makes Zingerman's so beloved. 5 stars on bread and service, 4 stars on food, 3 stars on beer.
(5)Kk W.
I would rate the coffee 5 stars!! Husband's corned beef hash was delish and a huge portion. My omelet was overcooked. No problem with having it redone. Still was a bit crispy but when chef checked with me I declined to have it remade as I was HUNGRY. Without extras, breakfast was over $30 plus tip and for that reason I gave it one less star. You learn that in Ann Arbor, the Zingerman's mystique means very high prices. Will not be our regular but we did enjoy it. Great wait staff. This establishment is not for anyone who is counting calories although can imagine you could work with the staff for modifications.
(4)Allison S.
Very disappointing! I'm a big fan of the original Zingermans and there was no resemblance between the two. The food was inedible. The salad was drowning in dressing, the chicken was tough, and the children's burger was bite size. We left most of our meals and just filled up on bread. I would never go back.
(1)Andrea D.
Great place to entertain. The involvement in the community and efforts to engage with their clientele is superb. Their menu is always changing so it is a fun place to visit again and again.
(5)Holly P.
Came here for brunch while trying to make sure an out of town guest had a solid end to his visit, and we were not disappointed. We showed up around 10:45 and the place was hopping, maybe a 20 minute wait? I'm not sure we would have been seated faster had we had reservations, but I would recommend making them on Open Table if you're planning on going, just in case. Brunch was hearty and the 3 of us raved about our food. The vegetarian got Huevos Rancheros and was very pleased (and he's had a lot of huevos rancheros in his life so I knew his thumbs up meant something!), the other guy got Eggs Benedict, and I got the Grits and Eggs. I was worried I was playing it too straight, but with some of their hot sauce and a biscuit on the side, I was in heaven. We will definitely be coming back here for brunch!
(5)Scott P.
I really want to like the Roadhouse, seriously I do. I regularly go to the deli and shell out obscene amounts of money for meats and cheeses ( I once spent 20 dollars on a jar of mustard that was so good I nearly cried) so I am not opposed to spending money or food snobbery- in fact those are my two best features! But the Roadhouse, dear god the Roadhouse is just a disaster. I went there 4 or 5 times in the last 5-6 years , after the first time almost exclusively because a large group of people wanted to go there and I didn't want to be the lone dissenter crapping in the punch bowl. My impression every time has been that it is overpriced for the quality, and generally disappointing. I was hesitant to even write a negative review because I do love the deli so much,and all the people who work at the roadhouse are very nice, the customer service is awesome and just in general Zingermans is the kind of business I like to promote- quality in the face of generic chain garbage. But last night I plopped down 70 dollars for an all you can eat "south American" themed BBQ dinner and it was extremely disappointing- which was the consensus among the 7 of us who went. I will give some quick bullet points -Cheese bread- if you have ever been to fogo you know what these are- they ran out after like 10 minutes of service- how do you run out of cheesy poofs?? -Meat- as a purist I was a little upset about some of the meat advertising/choices. The advertised menu said "bottom sirloin" but they actually served "flank steak" -which are not the same thing. They also advertised and even discussed serving "pincanha" but what was actually served was tri-tip. I understand to most people this is splitting hairs, but at 70$ a plate I think this is unacceptable. -While not as bad as above, the meat was cooked in a traditional smoker and did not resemble what you would get from a grill- when you go to something like a fogo or anywhere in Argentina what you want is a super burnt crispy outside, not just general medium rare meat. They also discussed the salting used in South America but the meat was noticeably bland, no the slap you in the face salt we were expecting. -Both the chicken wrapped in bacon and the Parmesan pork were incredibly dry and overcooked. I will say though- the desert (which the chef said was prepared by his Brazilian wife) was amazing. In terms of regular Roadhouse fare- I used to be a vegetarian and tried just about every mac and cheese they have ever had on their menu and give them a resounding meh. At 15 or more dollars a pop, definitely not worth it. So in closing, Zingermans Deli- Awesome. Zingermans Roadhouse- not so much.
(2)Tabitha M.
Full disclosure: I work for Zingerman's. Not the Roadhouse specifically, but still... The Roadhouse is THE place for a great breakfast. Today, I had sauteed spinach topped with Canadian bacon, two perfectly poached eggs and Hollandaise sauce. Paired with a well-crafted Americano, this is my favorite breakfast on the planet. Need more convincing? No crowds at breakfast. Plenty of great seating options for single diners or families. Grits and Bits waffles. Peppered bacon. Grilled Bakehouse cinnamon rolls. Mimosas. Man, I wish it was breakfast time again already.
(5)Jason G.
let me start by saying that i had heard zingerman's described as a combination of the greatest gourmet restaurant, bakery, dairy, roastery and overall eclectic food store in the midwest (for the past two years). my gf is a UofM alumn and all the locals seem to love the place. apparently, the owners travel the country (first class, all the way, i'm guessing) to find the best regional ingredients and recipes... i gotta say that everything i tasted was excellent. the menu was interesting and well prepared, with fresh, wholesome ingredients. and very tasty. with that said, every single item on the menu (from the $4 fresh-squeezed lemonade to the $14 burgers) was RIDICULOUSLY overpriced. almost to the point of absurdity. the food is good, the atmosphere is exactly what you'd expect, the staff is friendly and knowledgeable. but none of that could possibly justify the EXTREME price gouging. is there a zingerman family? or is this just another big corporation, masquerading as a local mom & pop operation (e.g., oberweis dairy in chicago). i have never written a negative yelp or tripadvisor review, but zingerman's is just begging for it! as a 20+ year veteran of the restaurant, wine, culinary & craft spirits industries, i've never come across a restaurant that was so blatantly and brashly overpriced. but it's almost as if their customers don't care. there is constantly a line to get a table! i'm simply at a loss for words... so, i'll give zingerman's four stars for food quality and service, but they definitely deserve an absolute ZERO for value... if zingerman's cut their prices in half, they would still be just an average value. in fact, the typical american restaurant needs to maintain an overall food cost of about 24-30%, in order to remain profitable. my guess is that zingerman's food cost is somewhere south of 10%... the owners should be ashamed and maybe even investigated for criminal price gouging. despite my passion for supporting local, "independent" restaurants, i would definitely rather eat a big mac at walmart than spend another cent of my hard-earned money on anything at zingerman's.
(1)Lily K.
Giving the Roadhouse five stars because of my recent experience with the life changing Grilled Carolina White Grits! Such a simple concept yet bursting with complex favors that I can't stop thinking about. I wouldn't have considered there Roadhouse a place to go for good vegetarian eats, but know I will! I love the atmosphere of the Roadhouse as well, and wish I owned the quirky collection of salt and pepper shakers! I miss the cheese curds, haven't seen them on the menu in a while, but they were phenomenal, get them if you can. If I were able, I would give 4.5 stars because the meat here can be inconsistent. My boyfriend had the pork shoulder last time and it was very dry and tasteless. Disappointing. Steaks also have been known to disappoint. I suggest choosing other excellent menu items!
(5)K V.
This was our first time here and it lived up to all our expectations. The Mac n Cheese was killer good as was the crispy fried chicken. Our server was so helpful with her recommendations. Can't wait to go back and try more on the menu.
(5)Liz W.
I like the Roadshow. Its a mere cute little trailer hanging out just outside the Roadhouse but it has a seperate menu and is great for a quick take out. They offer quick fare, leaning heavily to coffees, general bakery type breakfast, soups, sandwiches and baked goods. You are served either via walk-in or drive-through. I have used this option twice now. Once for breakfast, I was impressed because they got me some salmon for my to go sesame street bagel and cream cheese, which of course was delicious. My much healthier sister got some wild oats with milk and was very happy. Coffee here was very good and a nicely perked us up for shopping. They even carry coffee milk, not a common find, yay! We got a few doughnuts to go for the guys later on and they were very happy with them. Another night we dropped in and got some assorted stuff to take to my parents. Again, just in a hurry and not feeling the fast food. The mushroom soup and ancho beef chili were hits, just like at the big kid restaurant. I loved the egg salad with the applewood bacon (with a bread switch), James was happy with the ham, salami & cheddar, my dad was delighted with the meatloaf and my mom quite liked the smoked chicken salad. It worked. You can grab breads here, coffeecake, brownies and other assorted goods too. It's not glam but a very nice option indeed, tasty.
(4)Phillip W.
Pretty cool place, and a nice follow-on to Zingerman's Deli. But the prices are truly stunning. And the place was packed to the rafters, with a line going out the door. Are people in Ann Arbor really doing well enough to be able to eat here regularly? If so, I'm moving back to Michigan!
(3)Susan W.
Just can't beat it. Best deli food along with fab bakery. It's a must have where I am in Ann Arbor- or Michigan for that matter! Sandwiches piled high- always enough for 2 meals. Soups feat too. Comfort foods of all types that are delicious.
(5)Gary M.
not crazy about this place!
(2)Kelly A.
How could I forget the drinks? Rich coffee from their own beans with brunch, and amazing citrus iced tea for most other meals, and even sometimes with brunch. I asked my waitress for more info on the iced tea because I was crazy about it, and she brought be a sample of the blend to take home. After some research, I do believe it's Rishi. Mmm... They also have an awesome list of classic cocktails with $2.00 off on Sundays. I had a Corpse Reviver #2. Strong and complex! I was reminded that I don't care for the licorice leaning liquors though, so next time it's the Vesper.
(5)Trent N.
So far I've had ribs, pulled pork, and gelato from zingerman's, and I have yet to be let down. Also, make sure to get the sweet potato fries; they're MUCH better than the plain fries, and so good that I regularly stop by just to order them.
(4)Steven S.
Honestly, I think Zingerman's deli is pretty overrated, so when I came here, I didn't have the highest expectations. I was pleasantly surprised. There was a pretty long wait in spite of the fact that there was a snow storm that night and roads were terrible, but we sat at the bar while we were waiting, and the drink prices were very reasonable. We got bread when we got to the table which was fresh and yummy. I got a smoked barbeque beef sandwich which came with fries. The beef was delicious, although the bun got very soggy and fell apart as I was eating. The fries were good, although a bit on the salty side. All in all, it was a pretty good dinner, and I had a good time with my family. It's a bit on the pricey side, but if you're getting a sandwich, the prices are fairly reasonable.
(4)Natalie B.
Zingerman's Roadhouse is on the top of my list of foodie heaven spots. I am in love with & am in utter admiration of the passion to exceptional customer service, local/fresh/homegrown food & awesome flavor!! I'm from Ypsi/Ann Arbor, MI, but now living in Austin, TX: and on the recent trip home, my boyfriend & I /had to/ do the Tour De Zingerman's. We started the day off at the Bakery/Creamery/Coffee Co., went to the Deli/Next Door, and then ended the day at the Roadhouse. It could not have been a better meal to end a day of amazing food, and James Beard Award (AKA Beardy) winner Chef Alex Young never fails your taste buds. Our waiter was helpful and gracious to offer samples when choosing over menu items (as it reaLLy is hard to narrow it down when everything truly is delicious)! For a starter we began with my ~favorite~: Sea Island Sweet Potato Fries. They're twice cooked and served with spicy mayo: they are freaking AWesoMe! I dream of these fries with drool-faced joy whenever I think of Ann Arbor & home. They are a must for any sweet potato fan. In fact - I have personally never had better sweet potato fries in my life. For me, these blow all the others out of the water. To drink I ordered the Root Beer, & my boyfriend had the Ravin' Red Cranberry-Cherry Soda: both awesome and packed with refreshing flavors. For our meal, we wanted to share some soup and mac & cheese. It was a toss up between the Tortilla soup and the Ancho Chilli, then the Three Peppercorn Goat Cheese and the Smoked Chicken and Monterey Jack. After deliberating with some /amazing/ samples of all, we went for sharing the chilli, which had more of a spiciness we often go for, and the Smoked Chicken Mac & Cheese that had New Mexico green chillies (awesome flavor/spiciness!). The meal, with the Zingerman's bread basket of beautiful crusty, hearty bread made our taste buds and tummies OD on carb-awesomeness. It was wonderful! Also, during our Tour De Zingerman's earlier in the day we ran into one of the Zingerman's co-founders, author, and foodie extraordinaire, Ari Weinzweig. We Just wanted to say hello and nudge him to come down to Austin to teach a class again perhaps in the future (Both I & my boyfriend work at Central Market in Austin, and heard he taught a cooking class there some years ago). So, it was a surprise to run into him again at the Roadhouse, coming around to each table refilling water glasses and checking to make sure we had enough spicy mayo for my sweet potatoes. To have one of the owners of a company come around personally and wait on you, and make sure you're taken care of ... is huge. He really was gracious to let us get a picture with him too. Awesome flavorful food!, people, staff, cleanliness, and passion for all of it. If you haven't had dinner here: GO!! It is worth every moment & mouthful.
(5)Maureen M.
My coworker & I stopped here for lunch the other day. I was a little excited to finally try Zingerman's Roadhouse. We were trying to find a different place, which didn't pan out and I'm glad it worked out that way. It wasn't too crowded at 12:30pm, which made me even happier. Our waiter came over quickly to introduce himself. He asked if we'd eaten at the Roadhouse before. This was our 1st time, so he did his little speech about the menu, and accolades on some food show (I don't care). It was a little long winded, but I appreciate the effort. My coworker ordered the Roadhouse Reuben, and I ordered the New Mexico Grilled Chicken Sandwich. The Reuben is made with ham, not corned beef. She also ordered the sweet potato fries, and I opted for the twice baked fries. My coworker really enjoyed her greasy Reuben, and fries. I tried a fry and wish I'd chosen those instead of the regular fries. My fries were a little limpy and just okay. The sweet potato fries come with a delicious, slightly spicy dipping sauce that complimented them perfectly. My sandwich was really good. I could definitely taste the smokey flavor of the applewood smoked bacon with every bite. The spicy mayo & avocado salad added a lot of flavor and loved the combination. Our server was surprised we didn't order any macaroni & cheese, so he brought us a little sample. I'm confident that a bowl of this little piece of heaven will significantly contribute to clogging an artery. I am not a big fan of macaroni & cheese. I like it, but I can do without it. If it wasn't for the fact that I could gain 5 lbs from eating it, I'd order this every time. I was contemplating ordering it for my husband to take with me. The sample confirmed that thought was a good idea. He is definitely a fan of mac & cheese. Our server gave me some great tips on how to reheat it without losing substance. I followed his instructions last night, and it worked out great! The only bad part of the meal was my bill. Although, I knew it would be expensive because that's Zingerman's. $34 for my Diet Coke, sandwich, and a very small container of mac & cheese...for lunch. I'm definitely going to save my pennies for another trip to try more of their delicious offerings.
(4)Brian G.
4 stars the food was great, a bit expensive but great. My wife's burger was on te menu as having an onion bun but came out sans the onion bun but with poopy (yes I said poopy) seed buns
(4)Dante F.
The sweet potato appetizer with the skin on was horrible and left me bloated. For the main entree, I chose the turkey reuben which was absolutelly tasteless and came with yet more soggy fries.
(1)Natalie M.
LOVE THIS PLACE!! This place has the best....everything. =D So much good food on one menu makes it really hard to choose what to get. (not complaining one bit about that!). My favorite meal is their buttermilk fried chicken. OMG SO AMAZING. Tastes like southern chicken in a MI restaurant. Also, they have a bunch of interesting soda, besides your usual Coke or Pepsi. I love their Traverse City Tart cherry soda. It's out of this world... AND WITH FREE REFILLS. The service is always fantastic. I recommend this place to anyone =)
(5)Sarah M.
I recently moved here from San Francisco and was excited about this dinner because it's one of the few restaurants that from reading the menu, reminded me of something I might find back home. I came here last night for dinner. i made a reservation so I didn't wait long. The menu looked fantastic - great options for vegetarians and gluten-free, using high quality local ingrediants. The waitstaff were very helpful and friendly - they deserve 5 stars. My main problem with the restaurant is the kitchen. There's obviously something going wrong in there. The wine, bread and cheese plate we ordered were really good - a 5 star experience, and it probably was because they don't need to be "cooked". What really let the evening down were the main courses and the dessert. We ordered the black bean hominy burger, the Carolina White Grits and the Donut Sundae. The burger failed conceptually and in execution, it was a very, very mushy burger with the hominy being very tough in parts. The french fries the came alongside were soggy and not crisp. Not nailing french fries in a place like this is a big disappointment, because it's a barometer of the kitchen's level of skill and technique. It's shocking really, didn't the chef win a James Beard award? Last night I did not see James Beard level cooking. The first thing that came to mind when I tasted the Grits was "under-seasoned". The topping was supposed to be sauteed with cider vinegar, but I got none of the bite the dish really needed to sing. Also the grits were burnt, I mean really burnt with ash on my plate. I understand charring, grill-marks etc etc but serving a grit cake with a thick coating of black is inexcusable. Overall the main dishes were underwhelming and not worth the price. We wanted to see what the pastry chef had to offer so we ordered the Donut Sundae which is supposed to be what they're famous for. The elements were really good, good donut with a fluffy crumb and crisp exterior, the vanilla gelato was smooth and studded with vanilla seeds, , peanuts perfectly roasted, great butterscotch sauce, but together the components did not become more the sum of it's parts which is the real indicator of a great ice-cream sundae. There was none of the thrill and joy of eating a sundae,(Think about when you got a Sundae as a kid...) Honestly, I think calling it a donut ala mode would be a more accurate description. Overall, Zingerman's over-promises and under delivers. It is also outrageously priced. It reminds me of the Chow neighborhood restaurants in San Francisco, but is twice the price and half as good. BUT, I will probably be back. This place has great potential, and a really nice vibe, they just need to seriously get it together in the kitchen. When you think Zingerman's you think high-quality food prepared expertly and the Roadhouse does not live up to it's name.
(3)Deborah N.
This is a family favorite. When the kids are home on the holidays they will go and bring back an assortment of goodies. I have not had anything bad. I really enjoy the pulled pork and chicken. Very moist and smokey. Never seen so many Mac and cheeses and they all taste great. Not just for kids these macs appeal to all taste if you like cheese. The atmosphere is very casual. Most items are between $13 and $16. While there take a look at the salt and pepper collection. It is very large. It is located at a busy intersection so be careful leaving. On the weekends you will usually have a wait but not too long. Staff is very friendly. I love their fresh lemonade.
(5)Martha R.
I have to agree 100% with Jen H. and Cd S.'s comment about it being just too expensive for what you get. It's good food. Very good. But for the price, it kinda hurts me. I almost always go to Zingerman's Roadhouse every time I come back into town. This past visit, I had to avoid the place because I am on a more limited budget these days. Who isn't? But it also hurt me when I was working full time and making decent money. Why do I go? Because they have good beer on tap, decent wine, and they always have a great selection of food options. If you're in the mood for one thing, and the people you are going to dinner with are in the mood for something else - well, you're set. I also enjoy the atmosphere - it's open and inviting and we almost always get good service. I imagine that they are going to hurt during the recession... if they'd drop their prices and keep them there, then I just might come back the next time I hit the A2 area. Otherwise, it's going to have to fall off the list of places to go when I'm in town.
(3)Jim B.
A "must" if you're in the Ann Arbor area. The wait-staff was friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive. The pulled-pork was tremendous. I especially liked the ability to order side dishes that were not the usual run-of-the-mill stuff . That is to say, I did not have to settle for fries and coleslaw. For an appetizer try the fried green tomatoes. They're grown in the Road House's own garden and canned in a pickle brine. Very unique and quite flavorful.
(4)Denise R.
Four of us went for dinner. I will summarize to save time reading. My blackened red fish was awesome and cooked to perfection!!! I had the Swiss chard and it was garlicky but excellent. My family had the buttermilk chicken and said it was the best chicken they ever had. My daughter loved their mac and cheese. the chocolate pudding was delicious and made from very good chocolate. Everyone at my table raved about their food. It was our best meal while visiting Ann Arbor. I've read some of the other reviews and it appears that the dinners are the meal of the day here. I have always trusted and will always trust Zingerman's restaurants to deliver quality food and to back it up. I once had a specialty coffee drink I didn't like ..not their fault but a matter of taste.. and they replaced it with another for no charge. I'm a raving fan!
(5)Suzanne W.
I love this place and the bread!!!
(5)Natalie M.
I love this place. I love the attitude, the decor, the customer service, the crafty tone to everything Zingerman's does, and especially the food. The fried chicken and mashed potatoes tastes like they hijacked a grandma from North Carolina and employed her to do her magic at the Roadhouse. So freakin' good. Their Traverse City cherry pop is fizzy and marvelous, too. Love the clamshells lining the building's landscaping and love the Airstream drive-thru trailer even more. Gush. Zingerman's is the bomb. Flat out.
(5)matt p.
I have always had great food at all of Z-mans outlets, (the deli, the bakery outlet, here) but at the roadhouse the portions are smallish and overpriced, so i would give 5 stars for quality of the food and 2 for prices and the portion size. The atmosphere is great.
(3)Eileen S.
Overall impression: disappointing food, tiny portions, ridiculously expensive, noisy atmosphere, slow service. My boyfriend and I tried Zingerman's Roadhouse last night for the first time. We were underwhelmed. I had no idea that tiny portions of average food could be so expensive. I have no respect for a restaurant that charges as much as they possibly can whether the food is deserving of that price or not. Such as a $3 Arnold Palmer ice tea. Really Zingerman's? You feel good making probably a 500% profit on a glass of ice tea? Is that necessary? So I'll cut to the chase: my $14.50 BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwich was ok but very small for the price (the bun was maybe the size of a kid's meal burger) and it had a very small amount of chicken on the sandwich. There was more bread than chicken. The fries that came with the meal were really good, although oversalted. The waiter conned me into ordering a side of their mac & cheese. I didn't realize--until the bill came--that it was $9.50 for what amounted to about a 1/2 cup of penne pasta in cheese sauce. I was so shocked at the price I actually asked the waiter if he had made a mistake on the bill! My boyfriend ordered the Chicken Fried Steak which he said was ok but not the best he's had. The three sides he chose were the Mustard Cole Slaw and mashed potatoes which were very good, and rice...which looked like plain white rice to me. Then it was the usual wait for our bill, wait for him to pick up my card, wait for him to return with the final bill, etc. So for our two dinners the bill came to $48. I never mind spending that much on a good meal, but this one was so disappointing. We have no reason to go back. Oh, and I forgot to mention how loud it was in there. I absolutely hate having to shout out my dinner conversation. Ugh.
(1)Jessica R.
Saying Zingerman's Roadhouse is delicious is like saying that fire is hot. But, my goodness, is Zingerman's Roadhouse delicious. We both got the same thing--the super sampler of burgers, which gives you 5 sliders, each with different cheese, and a side of fries--and were both wowed. The meat is delicious, the cheesy melty and complementary, even the bun was tasty. The fries may have been the best I've had in my life; they're somehow more potatoey than other fries. We didn't try much else (drank water, and had only the bread-with-butter, which they automatically give you), but I get the feeling everything here would be delicious. Why 4 stars, and not the full 5? The ambiance is a little chain restauranty (think upscale Applebees or Friday's), and the prices are pretty steep.
(4)Bo D.
Somehow, it took me until my fifth year living in Ann Arbor to finally step inside one of the Zingerman's places. I had turned back a few times in the past due to the long waiting times, but this time I had a reservation. The food was very good, to the point that I will likely be back soon. But the service...well, let's just say that next time I'm bringing a pile of exams to grade while I wait.
(4)Andrea S.
1) Whether the restaurant, the deli, the bakery, staff is uber friendly and helpful. 2) I am a pimento cheese snob. There are few of us outside of the south, so I have to take on the burden of being the responsible one in the family. So freakin' good. 3) Brussels sprouts. How do I love thee? Let me count using the Zingerman's offering....you are just a hair short of my love for my husband 4) While everyone raves about their mac and cheese (too rich for me, but delicious) and all their meats (not a huge meat eater), their vegetarian offerings are top notch. Fish is fresh, fresh, fresh. And delicious. 5) Breads are amazing. Deli has meats and cheeses you won't see anywhere else. I could go on and on about Zingermans...worth every good thing said about them. The reason for four instead of five stars? EXPENSIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! People who would love to try the food, but have a very limited income, aren't going to be able to get more than an appetizer or salad. Wish there were some lower price, or maybe smaller portions and smaller price, items.
(4)Kristine N.
Really cute restaurant and everything is made in house which is amazing. Food was decent, drinks were decent, nothing stood out except how they make their food.
(3)Julia K.
Tie me up with Mac N Cheese & slather me with hot BBQ sauce, but only if it's from Zingerman's. I could die fat and happy if I ate here every day of the rest of my life. + Stars - The menu. It changes. Daily. What?! That's so LA! + Stars - Locals Rule! Love you team Z for caring that your produce and everything possible - that hot sauce of heavenly love included - is local, yokel and all. + Stars - The grilled cheese sammich. Oh Oh OH as the When Harry Met Sally lady would say. I am slamming my hands on the counter in the pleasure that is 7 year cheddar melted between crispy, buttery toasty good sourdough. + Stars - Decor Galore. Over 2000 salt n pepper shakers are displayed here. And the walls are painted here and there (like on the way to the loo) with fun, fanciful designs. Oh, and there's an Airstream-y trailer. I could literally live here. I would pitch my tent in the parking lot (Which they use to have a Farmer's Market once a week when it's not arctic out), get fresh in the adorable multi-stall bathroom, and eat eat eat til I explode. Zingermans, you make Michigan proud.
(5)Meggie S.
Zingerman's was fantastic! I made my way to the Roadhouse for only the second time last week, Friday around lunch. The smell of the barbecue outside is enough to make you drool, but I couldn't resist getting some of their famous macaroni and cheese. I chose the Smoked Chicken and Monterey Jack. It came out piping hot and delicious! Not bad paired with their ice tea, as well. Our service was top notch, which is usually the kicker for me. The host was friendly and our waitress was super on top of things. She saw me giving my boyfriend a gift and offered us an amazing dessert on the house for his birthday -- the doughnut sundae. Light with the perfect amount of crispy, sweet and creamy... Unbelievably delicious! It's pretty rare to find a place with great service AND food. Clearly you get what you pay for at Zingerman's. I'll definitely be back!
(5)Marie L.
Since I have family that lives blocks away from the Roadhouse, we eat there frequently. The ONLY con of this place is the wait you encounter. On a Tuesday night, at 7pm, the wait-time for a table is often over an hour. All of the dishes can be split if your goal is fiscal responsibility. If you're not concerned about cash, order different items and share. The menu changes frequently based on seasons and availability, so you never know when the item you're eying will be on the menu again. My favorites: Goat cheese enchiladas Goat cheese pasta New Mexico chicken sandwich Chili - cheese fries I have never had a bad meal here. Even when I don't feel like clogging my arteries - they have plenty of appealing (and delicious) healthy options. It's not all just for the fatties. I LOVE their emphasis on local; you'll notice, on the wall leading to the bathroom, a huge map of Michigan naming the cities and farms where their menu items come from. The waitstaff is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. They almost always can rattle off the menu items on request and give thoughtful, intelligent opinions on food and beverage options. Speaking of beverages....they have a great selection of wines and microbrews. I could go on all day about how much I love this place! Best time to avoid a wait is during the week, between lunch and dinner (2:30-5)...
(5)Pascal M.
The only thing that would make Zingerman's Roadhouse better was if Patrick Swayze, the baddest bouncer in the world, was there to greet you at the door. BAD ATTITUDE? POW! Roundhouse kick to the mouth, followed by a throat rip!!! OK, OK OK, that got out of hand. I've dined in once, had a pretty good time. Every other time I get my food to-go from their little cable car that's outside. I love getting food to go. The service is uber friendly and they do a great job of ensuring your orders complete. What's not to love? They have a damn Macaroni and Cheese section. I typically get their BBQ Ribs, Beef, or Pork. All are very good. For sides I get their Bacon Braised Greens and Side of Mac-n-Cheese. Both are very impressive. If you pay a little extra, you can get a side of mac from their mac section. I've also had their Buttermilk fried Chicken. Feels like a Sunday atcha Grammamma's. Zingerman's is an amazing company. The Roadhouse may not be their finest hour, but they still put out great product in a great environment.
(5)levramosis H.
I'm not going to rate the food. Everyone knows the food here is good. I love the sweet potato fries and their spicy dip so much I would like to swim in them Scrooge-McDuck-diving-in-his-gold style. And let's not mention the donut sundae (and it's many other days-of-the-week variations) Really, don't mention them because I will want one right now and will agonize over which to choose. What I go to the Roadhouse for (in addition to the two things mentioned above) is a great craft cocktail and the company of the fabulous bartenders, the most amazing of which is Cris. If he had a fan club, my BF and I would join.
(5)Joyce H.
I'll have to come back and review this again - 3 stars for now! I was really excited to come here because when I think of Ann Arbor, I think of Zingerman's. It's a little different from the deli (which I love!) My company and I walked in on a busy Sunday afternoon to a table that we had reserved ahead of time. This was very convenient. This is one of my friends' favorite every-day go-to restaurants in AA. I felt right at home with the decorations (lots of maize and blue - excellent) and our private booth. Besides the Michigan decorations and the nice open kitchen, there wasn't too much else that struck me. Food: Food-wise, we were served complimentary bread & butter (pretty good) and pimento cheese with celery. This was pretty delicious! I ordered a Memphis Mac-n-cheese after hearing that their mac-n-cheese is #1 in some ranking. I knew I should have gone with either the original or the pimento - the Memphis had bacon & pulled pork BBQ which was tasty (and looked beautiful/colorful), but I found the BBQ flavor to be a little on the salty and overwhelming side. I couldn't taste much of the cheese. My friend ordered a mac-n-cheese side and I was much happier after I tasted his dish. He ordered the hamburger and his wife ordered the scallops - both looked pretty delicious! I ordered a side of roasted veggies (potatoes, carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, etc.) and this was delicious!! I ate the whole thing almost right away. I could probably eat this all the time. Finally, we had dessert. It was fried cheesecake with chili syrup. My friend joked that it looked like a giant eggroll. It was a great end to the meal - chili was a great kick, but not too mind-blowing overall. I enjoyed my company, and the service was friendly & helpful. Great experience, but perhaps I'll have some better fare next time.
(3)Adam M.
Reasons why I give it 5 stars: Highest Quality in Michigan. 7 year Aged Cheddar that you can taste. Fantastic concept, with flawless execution. Oyster bar with sweet potato fries, oh yea. Great feel. A little quirky, but always comfortable. I really like Zingey's Burger with the 7 year Aged Cheddar. Simply phenomenal, and you will be able to taste the difference in the cheese. The oysters are also fabulous, along with the draft beer selection. My picky brother calls the beef brisket the best sandwich he's had, and I enjoy it as well. Simply put: You get what you pay for. The prices are high and Zingey's delivers every time.
(5)Kyle M.
Wish I was cool enough to bash this place but my nit picker is a little rusty. All i could find was delicious food, friendly service, and a comfortable atmosphere. Tip: Sit at the chefs counter to get the full experience.
(4)Bill S.
I love this place so much. Everytime I come to Ann Arbor, I try to get in here. The food is really, truly amazing. The service is fantastic. I love that everything is fresh and mostly local. If you're looking for a great place to eat, this is it.
(5)Nikki P.
The Sweet Potato Fry Appetizer is the best thing in the whole world. Their chipotle mayo is the best. It's fair priced but they're always super busy so you have to wait for a table. Everything tastes fresh and delicious.
(4)Robert F.
I have eaten here a number of times and typically have results that are from pleased to very pleased. The prices are high, even for the quality. However, the last time I ate there I ordered the lamb goulash for $26. The overall size of the serving was on the small side. I could have handled that, but what was unacceptable was that there were only two itty-bitty, and I mean miniscule pieces of lamb in the entire goulash. It was more a thick soup with so little meat. Since I was taking a number of guests out for the meal, I wasn't comfortable sending the dish back, as it wouldn't have been comfortable for some of my guests. Besides, I shouldn't have to be put in this position. Otherwise, service was the typical well done service. Others seemed to enjoy their food.
(3)Jenni H.
While in my mind nothing can compare with Zingerman's sandwiches (so unbelievably yummmmmm), the roadhouse is a fun place to get a taste (pun intended) of another style of Zingerman's creations. They have a huuuge menu, which I would rate as only somewhat vegetarian friendly (at least for main dishes), but I could easily just eat appetizers and desserts here and be more than stuffed. Definitely check out their cheese flights (and try the grapes that accompany them-delicious!). And of course, pretty much every dessert on the menu is super-decadent--I would have eaten two or three if there were room in my tummy. They even have a gelato flight. This place always seems to be busy (there was a 30 minute wait for 3 even on a Sunday night), so I would definitely recommend making reservations.
(4)Thor I.
Have eaten there twice, didn't impress me. Friendly staff, ok food, but a bit boring. Very salty and few vegetables.
(3)Opinionated B.
My Friday Night 12:00am: pre-game 1:00am: jimmy johns 2:00am: beer pong 3:00am: rock out to 80's music and lady gaga 4:00am: passed out 5:00am: passed out 6:00am: passed out 7:00am: wake up to pee, then pass out 8:00am: passed out 9:00am: passed out 10:00am: passed out 11:00am: passed out 12:00pm: awake, but barely 1:00pm: awake, but starving 2:00 pm: go to zingerman's and order the bacon cheddar waffle 2:30pm: devour the bacon cheddar waffle, and all is right with the world.
(4)Nico S.
I am not an uppity white lady.... but this is unacceptable... Zingermanns roadhouse is overpriced, mediocre waitstaff, and completely unprofessional billing!!! We had to return 2 burgers to the kitchen to be recooked after the "medium" was delivered completely raw on the inside.... not acceptable when you are paying up the ^%$ for it... If its an $8 meal ok... whatevs... but at $15+tax+tip for a burger it should come out right the first time...total bill for a party of 7 = $190... WORST OF ALL: I was charged an additional $80 to my credit card for a separate purchase that I didnt even make!!!! The charge is pending, and has not been posted yet, but it still seals off any chance of me visiting again. UPDATE: The $80+ charge did not post, and the staff was friendly over the phone, when I called... Something strange though: I was transferred to the person who handles payment issues and he said that he would have to call me back because had to check the payment logs on a computer in another room, which doesnt have a phone... If the office is actually set up like that, it makes me wonder...
(1)Pebbles And Bam Bam A.
Like their deli, I really want to like the Roadhouse, given that it's a local gem. But every time I eat here, I'm disappointed. During my last visit, I ordered their original mac 'n cheese. I'm a HUGE mac 'n cheese fan and was hoping my distant memory of theirs not being good was incorrect. Alas, my memory served me correctly. The cheese to noodle ratio is 3:1. The cheese itself is pretty good, but the overall sauce is oily and like glue. I brought leftovers home (don't know why....), and the dish and utensils I used now hate me - concrete, greasy sauce stuck to them that could be permanent. I'm all for cheesy, gooey goodness that provides more than the daily recommended grams of fat. But these grams of fat are not at all worth it. I also ordered a Bloody Mary (Sunday morning therapy :) Ok but not good. Their bloody mix is a bit bland, but they try to cover it with lots of ground pepper. My husband, who loves sausage and breakfast meats, was completely turned off by their sausage patties - very dry and without flavor. I don't eat oysters, but apparently their selection and quality is good. My only question is why a family-style restaurant in the Midwest is well known for their oysters-? More ironically, Zingerman's prides themselves on serving local foods, yet their oysters are flown thousands of miles (possibly every day, or at least very regularly). So the Roadhouse wouldn't be my first choice for oysters if I ate them. The upside is that the staff were great. We loved our server; very personable, friendly, and helpful. Sorry, Zingerman's. You're like the person who, on paper, should be perfect for me, yet our dates never live up to my expectations...
(2)Sean B.
GREAT service, great food.
(4)Seoung L.
My friends and Yelp people rave about this place and I finally got to see what the fuss is about. We ate outside (which is covered from the sun) and it was a great eating experience. The waiter (Matt) was on top of his game. Outstanding service and great at giving recommendations. Going against what my waiter (His name is Matt and he was an outstanding waiter) told me I tried the Fried Chicken because of the great reviews. I was pretty disappointed! The breading/skin was really tasty and crispy. However, the the chicken itself was nothing special. I would actually rather have KFC to be honest. Good thing I also got the Mac and Cheese because it was outstanding. Great mix of cheeses and the pasta was al dente. We got the sweet potato fries and onion rings for appetizer. The sweet potato fries was the best I ever had. The onion rings were terrible. We also got dessert. The Donut Sundae... wow. It was very very delicious. Get it! I think the price is little bit too high for the type of food it serves. It's a casual dining place and you do not have to dress up even though the prices of the food makes you think it's high class. You should make a reservation on weekends. I will come back here again to try some ribs and other types of Mac and Cheese. Good - Mac & Cheese, Sweet Potato fries, Donut sundae, Waitstaff Bad - Fried Chicken, onion rings, Price
(4)Kate B.
I'm sorry ZRH, but after years of mediocre, to downright-inedible food interspersed with a stellar meal once-in-a-blue-moon, I can no longer dine with you. Last night was the last straw: I ordered a dozen oysters, raw, on the 1/2 shell. Each oyster, while fresh, was the size of a dime, the brine enough to fill a mouses' thimble. $6 each. They were NOT freed from the shell, I had to scrape the sad little things up with a teaspoon. They were Malpeques, and should have made at least a mouthful apiece! My entree: leathery, overcooked, uninspired scallops, $28 for 6 of them. $28! You ruined beautiful shellfish by throwing them in a pan in a wad--I could tell, they came glued-together on the plate, almost raw in the cold center of the pile and bitter, leathery, and over-cooked on the edges. The spinach saute' that came with, was 1/2 cooked and gritty...gritty with sand. The igantic Krakatoa of mashed-potatoes did little to assuage my disgust (if it blunted my hunger) at the subpar cooking. Science help me, but I ate most of it - I was ravenous. Why did I do it? WHY? Every time I dine at ZRH I want to love the food, and with the prices - I feel I HAVE to love the food...it's the Emperor's New Clothes of restaurants! My husband ordered a burger and felt ill afterwards...was it the unseasoned meat or the cold, greasy, heavy fries that came with? Our other dinner guests couldn't even eat 1/3 of what they ordered it was so bad...the only edible item on the table was the fried chicken (actually, it was great hence the extra star). I've had better food at Red Lobster. It was insulting paying the bill (our server was very nice, if harried). The dining rooms were awful: full of smug, loud-mouth, ostentatious diners (lots of bratty/misbehaving children running amok without any notice from their snotty parents.) Zings: we LOVE your baked goods, retail items, and deli shop, but this restaurant has been consistently bad and is on our black list.
(1)Robyn T.
I've had Zingerman's bookmarked forever so I took the hubs for his birthday. To be expected it was packed, but i had made a reservation so we were seated right away. It's a very fun, all American atmosphere and I instantly felt comfortable. Our service was excellent but the real hero of the evening was the food. I don't think I can order fried chicken anywhere else as they will all suffer by comparison. Also, the mac and cheese is to die for! Other faves were the sweet potato fries, the ribs, and who can forget the mashed potatoes and gravy. Because it was a birthday, they brought out a piece of chocolate cake, which was fabulous! I ate so much I started getting dizzy and seeing stars, but I seriously could not stop. Although the prices aren't too outlandish, the restaurant is expensive. I'm sure we are paying for the Zingerman's name rather than the food. But this is an excellent place and I know I'll be back.
(4)Lou B.
Ordered bbq chicken sandwich from take out menu $6.85 and added sweet potato fries. She says $17.90 please. Gave her a $20 and when she returned with my change I wanted to confirm what I had ordered, she says "oh the chicken sandwich is bigger" I thought did I just order a whole chicken or something. I received my carry out, it was a bit of shredded ckicken on a round bun with a side of greasy fries. The worst chicken sandwich and side of fries I had and for $17.90. Are you kidding me? Do not give these crooks any business.
(1)Barnaby F.
Does Yelp need another review of the Roadhouse? Probably not. But for the benefit of my loyal followers, and in the interest of being a good patron, I will tell you a couple of things. Number One - get a seat either at the bar or in the bar area. The ghost of Bill Knapps still haunts this property, and the lighting mysteriously gets too bright and harsh in the other rooms. The bar is more fun and lively, and if you know the secret of Zingerman's (which I won't divulge here) the bar is the best place to take advantage of that. Number Two - the fried chicken really is all that. As far as I'm concerned, this is where the James Beard award came from and went to. Totally worth it. Number Three - there is no number three. Number Four - If you need a quick coffee and a little something in the morning, the drive through is awesome, but here's the trick - skip the line by actually *gasp* PARKING your car and WALKING up to the walk up window in the trailer. They will server you faster, and you will have the joy of interacting with humans and breathing air, while your engine isn't idylly idling. Number Five - they make some very good cocktails and have an excellent bar. have I mentioned the bar? Go to the bar. Number six - that scruffy lanky guy refilling your water glass probably owns the place. Tell him what you think. Number seven - the secret is out on the roadhouse - in fact it's gotten out, run around town, come home, had a nap on the sofa, and baked a pie. If you want to get in in a timely fashion, beware of things like football weekends, when everybody and his Uncle Fred is already in line. The roadhouse is one of the places I'll miss about not living in Michigan, and one of the places I'll frequently return to on short trips home.
(4)Laci S.
This is an Ann Arbor staple if you know what's good for you. We love their breakfast menu, but lunch and dinner are really good too. The eggs with grits that have melted vermont cheddar is divine. I also love that they have the drive through for pick up! Its a fabulous option when you want take out, but don't have to park and go in, wait and pay, etc. Just drive up, tell them your name, pay and your off! The chocolate cake is seriously the best I've ever had. I dont know if its the frosting they make or what.. but trust me on this one, its AWESOME!
(4)Jenn L.
I think this place is overrated and overpriced.However, I didn't get their famous sweet potato fries when I went. (I only learned afterwards that's what you're supposed to get there) Nonetheless, my parents and I got the BBQ platter, the mushroom mac n' cheese, and 6 oysters as well as some beers because they were on special. The BBQ platter was underwhelming. For it to be priced at 30$ was outrageous... it definitely wasn't worth that much in quality. The Shiitake Mushroom Macaroni was also not what I was expecting for a $20 dish. The taste was mostly white wine and a hint of mushroom. Otherwise, it was just pasta with clear sauce. Also, finally, the oysters were the tiniest oysters I have ever seen. Don't ever get oysters there. Each one was about $3 if I'm not mistaken. Definitely not worth it. So, all in all, overrated and overpriced.
(2)David K.
Over rated and overpriced
(2)Laura L.
Our family has been regulars since the Roadhouse opened in 2004, the year we got married. Who wouldn't like this place? People who are watching their diet. Look, it's not for everyone and that's okay. A place known for its barbecue, fries, enormous portions, bread, and a signature dessert that is a donut topped with ice cream and whipped cream isn't exactly courting weight watchers. I tried my first oyster here. Barbecued of course. But I'd have to say my favorites are the service, the friendliness of the staff, and did I mention the barbecue? My favorite time to eat here is actually their breakfast. Applewood smoked bacon, eggs with some melted cheddar and peppers, and some hash browns - ask for them a little well done. It's a place to indulge. Everything they do is big. Big flavor. Big enthusiasm. Big portions.
(5)Bob B.
Zingermann's is a local legend, of course. Of all their offerings (deli, bakehouse, creamery, etc.) the Roadhouse is my favorite. It's a bit on the pricey side and not all of the food is great, but when I find something I like, I usually REALLY REALLY like it. I'm a bit of a BBQ snob and I don't love Z's 'cue. I love their grits, I love their hamburgers, I love their huevos rancheros. More than anything, I love the whole experience. I've got a grade-school and a middle-school child. Along with my wife, we've been going to the Roadhouse for years and everytime --except for once--it's been a fun outing. Good service, good food (once you figure out what you like/don't like) and a fun atmosphere. What makes their food exceptional is the ingredients. They really choose their ingredients with care.
(4)Diana K.
Ah, just as good as I remembered. This is the only deli that I can justify the high costs and long wait time for... and I'm not even a deli kind of person. Heart.
(5)Friend of D.
This place has some very creative menu choices and the service / atmosphere is cool. We got some po boy sandwiches for lunch and all were good. The only bad thing for me was my BBQ platter, which had 4 types of BBQ meats. The food itself was fine, but man were the quantities of each meat TINY! Literally 2 ribs, a spoon-sized helping of shredded BBQ, and an equally small portion of the other two meats. For $28, I felt that I should at least get something more than this. The sandwiches & fries that the others in my party ordered were very generous sizes, so maybe BBQ is treated like a rarity?!?
(3)Erin B.
I got the BBQ plate and a side of mac-n-cheese. Their mac-n-cheese is famous (per the waitress) and delectable. Someone else at the table got the fried chicken and I definitely had plate envy--I had to try it. I will certainly be getting the fried chicken on my next visit.
(4)Shane M.
Hush puppies were delicious, as was the burger sampler. I just wished they were labeled so I could know which delicious cheese I was eating! Very fun atmosphere, prices are a little above average, but worth the quality.
(4)Robert J.
For my review of Zingerman's Roadhouse, I'm going to have to plagiarize myself, stealing from comments I made in a blog entry from November 23, 2008. That review can be found at the following URL :http://robjurado.wordpress.com/2008/11/ Just scroll down a bit to a blog entry entitled "Meat and Greet: Michael Symon, Roast, Detroit, MI." Zingerman's Roadhouse states that they serve "really good American food." I may have to disagree with that statement. I would probably have to say that they serve some really good American food, and they have some truly outstanding items as well. I have been to Zingerman's Roadhouse a number of times. One evening Ari Weinzweig himself was there pouring water for guests. Generally, it's just the same friendly staff knowingly and enthusiastically serving great food. Sure, it's a bit more expensive than the same dishes that you might find elsewhere, but it's on another level entirely. Not every restaurant has an executive chef who was nominated by the James Beard Foundation for Best Chef: Great Lakes as Alex Young was in 2009. My favorite items are generally classics that one would find elsewhere, but Alex Young and his crew elevate them to a rarefied level. I love the Chili and Cheddar Fries; their selection of oysters; the Buttermilk-Fried Free-Range Chicken; the Chicken-Fried Steak, Roadhouse Macaroni & Cheese; Macaroni, Smoked Chicken & Monterey Jack; The Peacemaker Po' Boy; Pit-Smoked Spare Ribs; the Zingerman's Creamery Gelato selections; the Bagel, Smoked Salmon & Artisan Cream Cheese (no joke, the best I've had in recent memory); the Eggs Benedict (again, no joke, the best I've had in recent memory); and the Roadhouse Corndogs--in no specific order. The two items that I can't seem to ever forget--two items I have eaten most often there--are the fried chicken and the ribs. I've even gone there and gotten a half-order of chicken and a half-rack of ribs. The chicken is made from Amish, free-range chicken. It is seasoned beautifully, but simply. It's crispy, and it's down-home. It's so tasty. Honestly, I can't stop ordering this chicken. The ribs are so tender that any attempt to pull them apart by the bone will result in the bone coming out cleanly, leaving the meat behind. The meat is succulent, tender, and beautifully flavored. They taste so good that the exemplary Alex's Red Rage BBQ sauce, which is served on the side, often goes forgotten by me. I have to make a conscious effort to remember to apportion some ribs for eating with the sauce. I think these are the best ribs I have had in the area. Another "best" that I've had at Zingerman's Roadhouse is the fantastic Chili and Cheddar Fries. These fries are topped with an ancho-beef chili, which is made with hand-cut Niman Ranch beef and black beans. The chili has this wonderful smoky flavor that sets it apart from the mediocre masses. The beef is likewise of such obvious quality that it's so hard to ignore. The fries themselves are twice-cooked, light, and just perfect. The 2-year-aged Vermont Cheddar is also the perfect compliment to the dish. I'm actually salivating as I write this. I wish Zingerman's Roadhouse had a branch closer to where I live. If it were anywhere within a twenty-minute drive, I would be there much more often. As it is, the 40- to 45-minute drive (in good conditions) from my place to Ann Arbor is a real turn-off for me. I can, however, rest assured that I'm going to be very satisfied with my meal at Zingerman's Roadhouse. When I go out there, I tend to make an afternoon of it by visiting other Zingerman's stores such as the deli, bakery, and creamery. There, I go shopping with the zeal of a shopaholic on Black Friday at an outlet mall! Addendum: You have got to try the burgers, especially the grass-fed one. Beefy nirvana.
(5)Michelle L.
This place is definitely as good as it gets, in every way possible. Amazing food, sourced locally (sometimes from their own farm), great servers, and really fun seating at the counter! I really wish that I lived closer to Ann Arbor, because I would be frequenting Zingerman's Roadhouse far more often! But I would probably get kinda fat...everything I like there is serious comfort food. So serious I need a nap immediately after eating at Zingerman's! So, let me explain this counter seating to you because I feel like I'm giving away a little secret...Make a reservation to sit at the counter (not the bar) which is right in front of where the food comes out. Your servers will tell you, if you see anything coming out of the kitchen that looks good and you want to try-just tell them and they will give you a sample! I love that! It is like having built in entertainment while eating. Plus if you can't decide between two things they will just give you a sample of the one you don't order! First off, you absolutely have to get the mac and cheese...it is unbelievable! The macaroni they use for it is so different than anything else, and the way they put it together allows the pasta to remain al dente which never happens with mac and cheese. I would also suggest the pimento cheese they make in house, either the appetizer with celery or the american fry bread (my favorite). The fry bread is a piece of their bread fried in bacon fat, spread with pimento cheese and then topped off with pepper bacon...yeah, its REALLY good! I've also tried their fried chicken and the mini burger sampler with 5 different cheeses (a really good way to try a bunch of the amazing cheese they have). I'd suggest upgrading any burger you get there to the cornman farms beef, which is their own beef that they raise naturally. It is delicious. Basically, just go to Zingermans and order anything-you will be happy! Just make sure to starve yourself before because you are about to do some serious eating!! Writing this makes me really want to go there right now...
(5)Ryanne O.
Go here rather than the bakehouse. Great food, locally grown, they even have their own farm in Dexter, Mi. Even though this is not the original it is much better and the wait isn't nearly as bad. During our visit the head chef even came up to us and gave us samples because we were on the fence on what to order.
(5)Caroline C.
I'm sorry to say, the honeymoon is over. Let's split the money, pack up our bags, ship the kids off every other weekend. After being transported to heaven and back during our first visit with the fried chicken, there simply isn't anything else on the menu that impressed us on subsequent visits. Not the burgers, not the BBQ beef, not even the plain-as-Jane mac-and-cheese. Yes, I am sure that the ingredients are just as local and just as fresh.... but Zingerman's, can't you make things taste better for what I just paid?? It's like finding out the guy you've been dating for 6 months is pretty to look at, saves puppies for a living, and gets along with your mother (super gold star!)... but has no other reedeming traits. That, unfortunately, is not enough for love. Sorry, Zingerman's, we did try to make it work, but it's not me, it's you.
(3)Beck E.
I'm not sure what the big deal is. The food is fine, not great... and not as good as I'd expect from the price. At least the waitstaff is friendly, and the ($9) mimosas are good.
(3)Mark E.
I will admit that this place is somewhat overpriced for what you get, but it is Zingerman's after all(!) Regardless, this is one of my regular places for both lunch and dinner (partly due to its proximity) and I would dearly miss it if it weren't here. Love seeing Ari there filling water glasses and giving out samples. I really like it as a place to enjoy a drink as well as they have quality versions of many classic cocktails and usually some great beers on tap. As I unfortunately say in many of these reviews, not a lot of great vegetarian options (entrees) My favorites include the New Mexico grilled chicken sandwich (which seems to disappear and reappear from the menu), burgers, smoked chicken macaroni and cheese, fried chicken, sardines (when they have as a special), the chili, meatball sandwich, sweet potato fries. As you may divine from the above list, hearty food!
(4)Benjamin M.
Automatic 5-star because you can't get iced tea this good anywhere in Ann Arbor. We go here a lot, usually for brunch because it's less expensive. The menu changes frequently, but there are a few regulars worth noting. The Grits & Bits waffle, a holy trinity of bacon, cheese and waffle, is the greatest innovation in food since, well, food. If you go here and it is on the menu, you should get it. The pulled pork sandwich is delicious, thanks to appropriate use of an actual smoker on the premises (the smell of which blankets half of west Ann Arbor). The grilled cheese is classic, but probably a touch over-priced. Given the above, I've never actually had cause to order the mac and cheese, but others swear by it. You can also order absolutely delicious hot tea, but it'll set you back $4. The associated drive-through, run out of a perma-trailer in the parking lot, adds a tasty, inexpensive and quick option and, as a bonus, offers the same delicious iced tea! Unbeatable! The best restaurant in town, then. It's a little out of the way and pricier than some of the competition, but worth the drive and cost. Unfortunately, it's not that vegetarian friendly. The omelette of the day is usually vegetarian (and tasty), as are the decent huevos rancheros. Don't get the salad. You're only hurting yourself.
(5)Jill S.
Staff is so knowledgeable about the food it will blow your mind. I was a little shy to try this place since I'm not a big meat eater, but I was pleasantly surprised by all the vegetarian options.
(5)Trevor M.
This place is awesome for a quick sandwich or pick up order. I recommend their buttermilk chicken if you want awesome moist fried chicken. Can't go wrong with any of their bread or cookies and brownies. Make sure to get in the bread club and earn yourself a free loaf after a few visits. Also their open faced meat loaf sandwich is remarkable
(4)Frances C.
To start with the good, the service and atmosphere at Roadhouse is always great. Very attentive and willing to bend over backwards to fulfill any special requests. The only problem I have is that the food underwhelms me almost everytime I go. There is not one dish (with the exception of the sweet potato fries) that I would crave. Of course, I still go now and then because I think Zingermans as a company is worth supporting and because it is convenient to my house.
(3)Matt M.
Great food! Many local and pasture raised food options. Its taken me years of hearing about this place to finally come in for a meal. Usually there is a wait to get a table so I pass this place up. We arrived at Zingermans for lunch on a Monday, were promptly seated, and had a Bells porter in front of me within 3 minutes. The decor is sort of an eclectic mix of farmhouse / BBQ joint / old lady's attic. Not very visually appealing to MY tastes, but the textured smell of smoldering hardwood and sweet cabbage was enough to make me forget about the thousands of ceramic salt and pepper shakers all over the walls. Prices are mid to high, but you get what you pay for. Every flavor of every ingredient seemed to be well thought out and married perfectly. I can't say enough about how good our food was. The few detractions are more distractions that real problems. Very often this place is too busy for me to deal with. It seems very loud when full of people. Too many different people came to our table. We were sat by the door host, drinks form another server, food order was taken by another waitress, then our 4 entrees were brought to us by two different people about 2 minutes apart. I was confused who I was supposed to ask for another drink for my mother-in-law. I'm glad that I've finally been to Zingermans Roadhouse, it really is a piece of what makes Ann Arbor what it is. I enjoy going to the Kerrytown location, but that's more for splitting a gelato and people-watching than for a meal. For those folks that are visiting the city I recommend you dropping in for lunch or dinner.
(4)Holly R.
Let's get this out of the way: You'll need to dig a little deeper in your pockets to eat at Zingerman's Roadhouse than you might at a similar eatery. But oh man, is it ever worth it. I'm a Southern Girl, from SC in fact, and I can tell you that the grits are bang on perfect. The greens are delectable, the pork bbq (regardless of sauce) is divine, and the pimento cheese may actually be some kind of spiritual revelation. The SC Mustard BBQ sauce is fantastic, even though it's a bit spicier than the versions I had growing up. I will definitely keep returning to the Roadhouse and trying more of their inspired dishes. The staff is welcoming, helpful, and usually fairly witty. My only complaint would be that inside the restaurant the noise levels can get a little too high. I prefer sitting on the patio where I can enjoy fresh air as well as the fantastic food.
(5)Tom W.
I always stop here whenever I'm in A^2. The ribs are fantastic, some of the best I have had anywhere. There is always a good selection of craft beer, and friendly service. Zingermans would be a stand out place in any city.
(5)Brian G.
I am truly amazed to see this place filled to the gunnels everyday. The service is great that is for sure, the staff is really well trained. However the food is so-so to good and the prices are OUTRAGEOUS for what you get. These are the prices you expect to pay when entertaining a business client or an intimaate romantic dinner - BUT it is NOISY, CRAMPED and full of kids and families chowing down on super-over-priced chilli or 100% overpriced burgers or barbeque pork sandwiches.
(3)Alex E.
I think that the reason people love the roadhouse is because a) we're in Michigan not near a coast so there's not great seafood and b), we're not in the south so people don't know what barbecue should taste like. Yes, the quality of the seafood is probably the best you can get in Ann Arbor since they fly it in so lickity split. It's okay. I've been three times, all three times at the expense of the College of Engineering (yay recruiting season!) - two times were full menu, the other time was just a part-menu. Last March when I went, they gave us a sweet potato soup which tasted like a dessert pudding - waaaay overboard on the marshmellow nonsense for an appetizer. I had the macaroni and cheese since I've never had it before and it's raved about and it was fine. I didn't think it was anything special until I compared it to Blue Tractor's the next day, and Zingerman's is far superior. Too heavy for my taste (and I do love cheese, so it's definitely not a question of that!) I've tried the pulled pork sandwich too, and this just kinda cemented my opinion that Michigan does not know barbecue. Still, decent for Ann Arbor. I rate on a global scale though, normalizing by price, hence the two stars.
(2)Dee C.
Went to the roadhouse even though we were really not that hungry after all the food and drinks we had today....but we are in a new town so why the hell not! We had already made reservations so that was really good because it was homecoming week and it was packed! We ordered: Roadhouse garden: organic baby greens, red onion, cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, croutons. Very good dressing. Salad was crisp and fresh. Had a cider vinaigrette dressing and that was spectacular. Warm spinach salad: fresh spinach, roasted red peppers, leeks and fennel in a brown butter vinaigrette. The dressing seemed almost nonexistent. It tasted like oil. Spinach tasted good. Onions did not have much of a flavor Spicy green tomato soup: onions, celery, tomatoes, chilies and garlic. Very good spicy soup. It was interesting. They even gave us the recipe for it! Desserts: Ari's donut sundae: a housemade Dutch donut smothered in bourbon-caramel sauce, vanilla gelato, whipped cream, Virginia peanuts with cherry on top. Great ending to the night. Warm donut with ice cream with a cherry on top. Tasted great. Service was ok. It was crowded because it was homecoming week and they were sold out of some entrees. Otherwise, I was not all that impressed so it was just 3 stars for me. Entrees were hit or miss for me.
(3)Janet L.
On a recent visit we hit the Roadhouse for what was expected to be great evening. However, we found service to be careless although the food was top notch. First, the bartender was stuck at the far end of the bar talking.....the bar wasn't packed. When served and paid, he shorted me by $10.00 in the change which was brought to his attention and responded to w a laugh. How many times in a night do people not check their change resulting in a built in tip? Second was the in attentive server who knocked a pint of water onto our table flooding 2 out of 3 guests and making our dinner a damp one. Pay attention..... Not asking a lot. Overall disappointing and stay on guard and keep and eye on the staff. Or go to one of the other great places in Ann Arbor.
(2)Mike C.
This piece of the zingerman's empire is mostly a good experience for diners. The bread is always top-notch (perhaps the best zingerman's product). If you order carefully, you can get some really tasty food. The pit-smoked meat, barbecued meat, oak-grilled meat, etc., is very good. Basically it's good cuts of meat cooked over a wood fire, which provides you with all kinds of wonderful smoky flavors. Desserts can be a bit disappointing at times. I've noticed that sometimes special items on the menu, including desserts, can be a bit of a bust. Prices are on the high side. Zingerman's spends a good deal of energy telling us all how great they are, how they have the best ingredients from all over the world, etc etc. Clearly, their business plan is working. I have to say that I find it a bit much, however. My petty gripes aside, I keep coming back to The Roadhouse because they serve up good food, really good wood-fired meat, and fantastic bread.
(4)Jen R.
This restaurant was hands down the best I've ever been to. The entire meal was delicious down to the iced tea. A friend who had been there before gave me recommendations and so I had some of their best items including oysters (covered in liquor and salt), a side of mac and cheese (the best mac and cheese I've ever had in my life), and an oyster po'boy with a garden salad. All were AMAZING. I also tried someone's sweet potato fries, and they were also incredible. Overall fantastic experience - exceptional service and food. I would encourage everyone to eat here.
(5)Ben G.
Food was all around decent. I would have given 3 stars if not fir the hype. The sweet potato fries are not good and the burger was less than impressive. What was good was the cheese, beer, and Mac.
(2)Amy Y.
They have great All American food. They have good prime ribs and snow crabs. Don't know if they still have the all you can eat on Mondays but I use to go then. The sweet potatoes are huge and yummy. Get that loaded up with butter and sugar. MMM! You definitely get a big portion served here.
(5)Mary Ann C.
This place is fabulous! We went today for breakfast, and what a treat! I love the decor-especially all of the antique salt and pepper shakers! Our server, Mandy, was so sweet and helpful. She actually took the time to explain where the jams were from, how the sausage was made, and brought different types of hot sauces for my husband to try. She brought us samples of the fresh orange juice to try. She was a delight! Now...on to the food! I had the eggs benedict-lovely ham on top of sourdough bread! Yumm! Between the three of us, we tried both types of sausage patties and the bacon-all were delicious! My husband loved the potatoes that came with the breakfasts. The prices are on the higher end, but the food is top notch and portions are large! This is a must try spot if you are in Ann Arbor!
(5)D M.
I have had nothing but good experiences, breakfast, lunch and dinner. In February we took a large party for a birthday and at least 50% of the entrees went back to the kitchen for being WAY to salty. The Chef 'agreed' with half of them (??), but they offered to replace all of them. Some said yes, some said no because it had been a busy night and we had already had to wait a while (we were informed of this ahead of time and it was not an issue). Ultimately ALL the entrees were comp'd along with a round of drinks AND we were given a gift card for another $50 after we had paid the bill. While this was not a 'good' experience, how it was handled made up for it in spades. The food is fantastic. It's local (produce) and generally organic. The beef (maybe all meat?) is grass fed on the farm a few miles away owned by the Chef. They source ingredients from all over the world, like their apple cider vinegar from Montreal, and then put their stories on the wall. Just a neat place. My wife and I were in for our first anniversary this past Saturday and Ari (co-founder of the Zing-Empire) was filling water glasses, running tickets, and cashing folks out. You gotta respect a rich owner who still goes to work, does real work with no fanfare or 'do you know who I am'.
(5)Dave W.
Consistently the best restaurant in town. Everything is good. The secret.... They don't use crap to make their food. Order what you're in the mood for. If you don't want to spend 15-30.00 for dinner go somewhere else.
(5)Becky L.
Decent food, if a little over priced. The macaroni and cheese is nice and filling, the collared greens are fairly perfect, and the bbq is passable. Overall, however, I feel that while Zingerman's makes a good attempt at classic soul food it falls just a little short of my expectations. I'm not sure I would have realized this before I moved to DC (where it is so easy to find great soul food) but there is definitely a little soul lacking in the execution. My vote: if you are hitting up a Zingerman's go to the deli downtown. The sandwiches there are much better than anything you will get at the RoadHouse.
(3)kim d.
Bad. Just plain bad. It's like they hired a writer to insert as many adjectives as possible into the menu descriptions to make their food sound worthy. It's just not. Below average food, above average prices. What not to like?-ALOT unfortunately. I feel like such a sucker for having wasted money in this restaurant yet again.
(1)Morgan D.
When I think about the old Roadhouse, that one blues riff comes into my head, so its like: I went down to the roadhouse (dunh dunh dunh dunh) to get some dinner to eat (dunh dunh dunh dunh) I ended up with some overpriced mac n cheese cause there's not much for a vegetarian to eat... So rhyming eat with eat is a crime, but I hope the blues jam part came through. Actually, I think the roadhouse is a nice place with some great people working there and pretty good food. But its overpriced and it has an interior that feels like a chain restaurant (TGI Zingerman's?) I don't know what a "Roadhouse" is- maybe something that only exists in a Patrick Swayze movie, but if there is a roadhouse on this planet somewhere, it probably doesn't look like this place inside. I'm just sayin... Still gonna give it 3 stars though.
(3)James B.
For anyone reading my first few posts, one may get the impression that I have a decidedly anti-American food bias. Quite the contrary, I LOVE it. I love Maryland blue crabs, Texas brisket, New Orleans mudbugs, Carolina BBQ, San Francisco cioppino, Virginia ham, New York anything, Wisconsin dairy (of course), Michigan cherries, and on and on. One could literally spend a lifetime sampling regional cuisines of the USA... what a delicious occupation that would be! What I don't like is when a restaurant uses an ethnic sounding name or theme, claims to be "Authentic", but then adjusts the cuisine in question to appeal to a mass audience, a trend I refer to as Americanizing, as it often applies to places here in the US. Think of any one of the chain restaurants - Brio, PF Changs, Kona Grill, Bahama Breeze, Benihana, et.al . - you'll know what I mean. This disturbing trend has found it's way to over-seas places that mainly cater to the American tourist... I am saddened every time I think of Playa del Carmen and how the restaurants doing well down there, with their "authentic Mexican cuisine", serve the same kind of over-cheesed, refried beaned, over-hot-sauced crap that's served here at places like Chi-Chi's or Don Pablo's. To find the real stuff, the good stuff, the authentic stuff... go where the locals go. But I digress. What does this have to do with a review of Zingerman's Roadhouse? Everything! The Roadhouse isn't trying to be anything else but a place to get good old American food representing the various regions of the US... ribs, fried chicken, mac & cheese, grits, oysters, peanut butter, fruit preserves, and more... in all their American glory. Nowhere on the menu will you find "Asian influenced", "Nouveau French inspired", or "Latin flavored" anything. The beauty of what they are doing here is that for the dishes, they source the ingredients locally and, whenever possible, from the very region the dish hails from. There is a reason the Southern style fried chicken tastes like the fried chicken from the south... authentic ingredients. "But James, you haven't said a thing about the actual food!" Well here ya go... Fried chicken - crispy, juicy, perfectly seasoned... 'nuf said. Ribs - the first time I had this dish, I was taking hold of the bone to cut off a rib, when the bone came out completely clean, now that's fall off the bone tender! No sauce is necessary as the ribs are succulent by themselves. For whatever reason, I am personally not a big fan of barbeque sauce (maybe a freak bbq sauce accident I have suppressed?!) but I like theirs so much that I actually use it. Mini corndogs - for someone like me, who grew up in rural Wisconsin, this brings tears to the eyes. These are a staple of any Wisconsin fair and Zingerman's does them right... served only with mustard, not that red abomination the heathens use. Shrimp and grits - tasty I could go on and on but we have that character limit. Yes, Zingerman's is pricey and yes, it's a 45minute drive to get there... it's all worth it.
(5)Nick F.
I appreciate the whole "locally grown organic" food movement but charging 15 dollars for a pulled pork sandwich is bad business anyway you cut it., i don't care if Jesus himself raised that pig I shouldn't need to pay 40% percent over normal restaurant prices. Especially when the food is only so-so.
(2)Kevin S.
Traverse City, Michigan and Cleve/Akron, Ohio are exactly one meal apart in driving time. Just type in the address for Zingerman's Roadhouse on Google Map, and the rest of the trip will magically flow along... Can you tell I'm in rapture? Here's how you make this a five star experience: Get there either early, or late. Dine during "shoulder" times, off-peak, and you'll experience the greatest meal within about five hunnert miles. I poop you not. Heading north for another graduation, meeting up with dozens of family, and car-pooling with five, two of whom had never been Zingermanned, we made it an early lunch. No crowd. Attentive service. I can't recall another dining experience recently in which every worker was smiling. It can border on cult-like, this place; they know and love this food. Every bite is a new experience. I'm not usually a fan of "here taste some of mine," but I do that here. I don't want to miss a morsel and love to read and learn about the foods, their origins, their preparation. My non-foodie sister was nearly weeping in joy. If you take a look at the negative reviews, most list "had to wait for a table" or some other nonsense. Nonsense, I say. I'd wait through breakfast and lunch if I could have a dinner this good. Hell, I'd SKIP both meals. (We'll stop there on the way BACK, too!)
(5)Erin Y.
Much like the deli, food quality is fairly close to excellent. However, much like their mail order business, the mark up is freakin' outrageous. Last I heard, the mac n chz was around 20 bucks. Seriously, considering the current economy in the state they are, you know, located? You could make three pans of premium mac n cheese at home and have enough left to splurge on the Z for dessert and coffee. If you want to blow some major cash on a dinner, why not go for something with more value, more ambiance, better service? And a tad more of a white linen vibe?
(1)Whitney S.
The food is delicious, like you would expect from zingerman's. My boyfriend and I stopped by on 1/8 around 6 pm, but didn't want to wait an hour for a table for two. We did end up returning on 1/16 with a reservation. The original time ended up not being good for us, so with a quick call earlier that day, we were able to change the reservation without any hassle. The sweet potato fries were delicious. The spare ribs were falling off the bone delicious. The misto frito was falling apart off. The mojito was the best I've had at a restaurant. It's hard to go wrong or hungry at Zingerman's. The staff was attentive and knowledgeable. The only drawbacks are the constant din from a full restaurant of happy people talking loudly, and the wait.
(4)Pauline S.
So not worth it. Started off with the Ari's Pimento Cheese plate which was presented with celery sticks. One or two was good enough and after that it just seemed like I was eating fat. I also had the Pimento Cheese & Peppered Bacon Macaroni for an entree. Paying nearly 20 dollars for mac n cheese, one would have high expectations. However, i was sorely disappointed. Way too oily and the amount you get is not worth the price. To top it off, the service was so very slow. While our waitress was nice and perky, it took her forever to bring out our food. She realized that it was a long wait since she apologized for it when she brought out the netrees. But where was she when we were waiting around for the food? She never once checked in with us to tell us when the food would come or that there were some delays.
(2)B. K.
Annoying night. Here's what happened. We showed up on a Saturday night at 6pm. We ordered a couple cheeseburgers, our go-to. The waitress (very nice) warned us that they were out of hamburger buns and that this typically happens on game weekends (mind you, it was only 6pm on a Saturday.... already out of buns?) We took a chance on the thick-cut sour dough alternative (the crust was rock-hard). Burgers arrive cooked incorrectly: I had ordered mine medium rare. It was medium. My wife told the waitress she was pregnant and ordered her's medium well. It was medium. Both were medium. We discovered this by cutting the burgers in half, which was nearly impossible because the crust was so hard. Then (forgive the play by play): I decided to live with mine. The waitress took my wife's back. At this point, we had cut the burgers in half and it was kind of a mess. My wife decided she did want the burger at all. The waitress was busy. By the time she got back, I was half done with my burger and my wife decided to order dessert instead. They were out of the cheesecake she wanted. Meanwhile the second beer I had ordered never showed up. On the bright side, they gave us a gift card for a burger and also gave us a free (overpriced) brownie. If it weren't for this, I would be writing a one star review. We won't be going back for a while. The waitress was fine -- a bit forgetful and overwhelmed. Everything else was a failure. Zingerman's needs to get back to basics. One more thing I'm just realizing. If you don't want to smell like you just spent three hours engulfed in BBQ smoke, don't sit in the enclosed patio area (this was November) Last point: I spent the night on the verge of sweating because of the heatlamp near our table. Another annoyance. Makes a dude want to head over to The Quarter Bistro (yeah, the place with the massive head of garlic hanging outside) and join the sad-eyed divorcees.
(2)Li C.
Overpriced and underwhelming. All the hype and for what? A $20 plate of soggy fries, greasy fennel and dry bbq? I agree with other reviewers: TOURIST TRAP!! My review based on 3 visits to see what the hype is about. Barbecue is just OK. Sweet potato fries are greasy and not crispy. Fennel confit tastes oily and unflavorful. Honestly for good mac n cheese, I'd travel to Royal Oak just for Vinsetta Garage's Mac n Cheese. Truly dynamite mac at Vinsetta. I live a mile from the Roadhouse and honestly not even worth my short drive. Keep in mind Chef Alex Young is more of a figure head. Don't expect him to cook your meal. Only redeeming facet is the service. Servers do try their best and I love talking to the staff. All really nice people.
(2)Michael T.
This place is pretty great, albeit expensive. The portions aren't really that large either. I went with the steak and three sides - Fries, Rice and Mushrooms, which were all pretty decent. I ordered the fried chicken mac n cheese as a side. It was okay. Maybe I had too high of expectations, but I've had better.
(4)Andrea T.
Yummy, home style cuisine.
(4)s m.
We went for a birthday brunch and I didn't want to complain so I didn't - the sauteed greens were cold, & my omelet didn't have any cheese - it was supposed to. However the iced tea was delicious as was my bacon. The Roadhouse charges a lot and the Coney down the street has much better breakfast food. This restaurant usually disappoints me.
(2)Katie M.
My indecisive brain cannot handle this menu! I mean this in the best way possible. Everything ( I mean EVERYTHING) sounds delicious. How does one possibly choose!?! I came here for lunch on a cold COLD day and was happy to have the waitress offer to bring a taste of each of their homemade soups. I tried the chili, clam chowder and the mushroom in little metal condiment cups. All were excellent but I opted for the chili as it was gluten free. Their side salad was fresh and crisp and homemade ranch dressing was different, but still tasty! I could not resist the bread that was brought to the table... dangit! I am in awe that they serve everything from Omlettes to Oysters. Can't wait to go back!
(4)Robert L.
Great place! Food was really tasty but the sides are much better than most BBQ places I've visited. The mac and cheese with lobster was particularly tasty. Above the food, our service was top notch. Our server Nicole was extremely attentive and helped us navigate the menu and offered solid guidance. I can't remember having better service anywhere - she rocks! Also special note for our hostess Alice she came by a bunch of times to make sure we were getting everything we needed.
(5)Jeanie S.
I'm contemplating a re-visit, as my dining companion had remarked that my meal was definitely off that night. Service: friendly without being over-the-top. Appetizer: Red Pepper and Goat Cheese Bruschetta was tasty if undistinguished. Salad: Roadhouse Garden with honey mustard vinaigrette. Fresh, tasty dressing. Mains: -Burger plate special with fries -- my companion ordered this and after taking a bite, I wished I'd ordered this too. Perfectly cooked burger with a little melted blue cheese on top. Yummy fries. My mouth is watering just thinking of it. -Pit-Smoked BBQ Beef plate -- disappointing. I understand the Roadhouse is known for their pit-smoked meats, but this was so....meh. Both the mashed potatoes and greens (which I both normally love) were incredibly salty and I left most of it on the plate. -Side of Sauteed Spinach was so salty that I (a salt lover) couldn't take more than a couple bites. Dessert: The were out of the Butterscotch Puddin' (sad face), so we shared the Donut Sundae. It was tasty and decadent, but I definitely would've preferred the butterscotch dessert. So, all in all, a disappointing visit. Will update my review if I re-visit.
(2)Geekar L.
I've been here a couple of times, sort of a must when visiting Michigan. It's the type of food that you'd eat every day if packing on the lbs. meant nothing to you. Everything about this place is just so welcoming, their menus, the service, as well as the decor. I mainly came here because I was craving their donut, yum! Their donut with vanilla gelato, even better! So yes, go for the donut sundae. As for the actual food, I haven't tried many things off their menu, but from my limited exploration of it, the food has been consistently good. You also can't go wrong with their oysters! I ordered the pit-smoked beef and it's served with a bbq sauce with just a little kick, perfect. Really good mashed potatoes too! My sister liked her oyster po'boy, which came with fries (get another round of fries for free). Overall, I'm always happy to grab a meal here!
(4)IsTacoBellBetter ?.
I measure by three different things in comparison to Taco Bell: DECOR: The restaurant is great from the inside and out. It's right at the corner of Jackson Rd. in front of the Staples. Very easy to spot! Going inside you feel very warm and welcomed right away. There's lots of seating. There are signs that feature the specials and fresh catch of the day. Everyone working there is super friendly. 1.5 stars. SERVICE: Zingerman's is known for customer service. In fact I used to work there and they have a whole CLASS just on customer service that is required when working. Never have I ever been disappointed with Zingerman's. The restaurant waitstaff is great as well as the hosts. If you step out to the trailer to order a coffee they are always very friendly as well. 1.5 stars here. FOOD: The food is absolutely amazing. The Caesar salad is the best here and could be comparable to the best steakhouses in the US. I have gotten the Macaroni and Cheese with Fried Chicken here and it's to die for! The menu is very unique as well as the beverage menu. As they say there is something for everyone here. 2 stars for food! FINAL VERDICT: Is Taco Bell better? NO!!!!!!!!!! Okay Zingerman's is an expensive restaurant, but it's definitely one of the best restaurants I have ever eaten at. The reason why they are expensive is because they use fresh high quality ingredients. All their bread comes from the bakehouse baked daily. The cheese, produce, and meat comes from a local farm. That alone makes it better than Taco Bell, who don't exactly use fresh ingredients. Beyond that all the food tastes amazing. If you never been to Zingerman's Roadhouse, definitely give it a shot! Between the customer service and food you won't leave disappointed!!
(5)George S.
This place was recommended by a cabbie on our trip to Ann Arbor... I'm so glad he did. Good food, a raucous atmosphere and more stuff on the walls than museum on steroids, this place is pleasing to the eye and palate. It is a bit loud there, but that's because it is one of the most beloved places in Ann Arbor, The barbecue comes in wide variety, and the sauces are quite good. Also, and this should tell you something, I'm not a greens fan (as in collard,) but the bacon and greens these folks make were so good, even I gobbled em down! Their mac and cheese was fine and complex, and I even got some nice parsnips in a pesto that...well, redefined parsnips for me! The service was really great, and we didn't even have to wait that long even though they told us, at the time, 30 minutes. There's lots of parking, and the drinks are vast and of great variety. My only beef...I couldn't stay longer to try more stuff. They have a full and impressive bar on premises. So when you're on the road in Ann Arbor, stop at the Roadhouse, you'll be glad you did!
(4)Clay C.
Five times this year I have forced myself to try something different. I have never left disappointed. Tonight my wife and I had the spare ribs and they were perfect. We have been fortunate to have the same server (Amy) she remembers my quirky preferences. I highly recommend the sweet potatoes fries. They are awesome with the spicy mayo. Top notch service, top notch food.
(5)Tara L.
Sadly, I'm updating with a Debbie Downer of a 2 star. We had been itching to try their brunch, and Husband hadn't been here yet, so we were looking forward to it. Considering we like Zingerman's products for the most part, we thought that things would taste great. Well, I'm not sure if we ordered the wrong things, but on our Saturday brunch visit with 2 other friends, our entrees were not good at all. I went with the "Famous Corned Beef Hash ($11.75)", and Husband went with their Bagel, Smoked Salmon, and Cream Cheese ($12.25). We didn't mind the price of each entree, but what came out was totally not what we expected. My corned beef hash was a mixture of corned beef, potatoes, red peppers, and celery. Served with two slices of toast (I chose wheat), fruit preserves (I went with blueberry), and poached eggs, the quantity was good. The hash was mediocre at best, with the flavors being very flat. I didn't even taste the fragrant celery, and what was the worst, poached eggs that were NOT poached. They were overcooked, and became hard-boiled eggs. Not to mention, the eggs were so puny, smaller than what I've ever been served at a restaurant. They looked like little dollops of cream. We were disappointed. Husband's bagel, smoked salmon, and cream cheese entree was depressing for the price. What baffles me the most is that for one bagel, 3 small slices of smoked salmon, some vegetables, and a little sample size of cream cheese, this entree was $12.25. The portion was much smaller than the corned beef, and the products used were definitely more inexpensive. Strange, I tell you. Though the smoked salmon was from the west coast and wild caught, I didn't think it justified that price. The only thing somewhat appetizing was the whipped cream cheese. When it comes down to it, Zingerman's has established a name for themselves to deliver high quality, hard-to-find products. What we were served at brunch did not exemplify that, and for that reason, I'm definitely not coming back. Just stick to their delicatessen.
(2)Jordan B.
Good Food! Waitstaff McDonald's Quality!! Like seriously the chubby redhead has to go. After going to high school next door to the original, I was a big Zinerman's fan... . So I decided to take my family here instead of The Whitney... HORRIBLE MISTAKE. First the lady tried to explain the consistency of Almond Milk, when I was was the requester.. Then kept making off beat comments to my family and myself. Then when I requested another cup of coffee because she never came to check in on us.. She remarked "I'll put it in a TOGO CUP!" Fact: I understand that living in New York City my standards may be higher than most... But being treated like an ASSHOLE and getting McDonalds service while spending $100 bucks for brunch... Really? And then after my girlfriend talked to a manager.. they did nothing.. Some serious changes will have to mad before I ever come here again...
(1)Joe W.
Had an amazing chef salad. Honey mustard was outstanding. Upgraded the blue cheese to the best they carry from thier creamery. The service was mediocre so my review is purely on good quality. If you are anywhere near 94 and this location stop in and have a great meal.
(5)Christie B.
We had a very attentive waitress. Good good as usual. You can always count on a good meal here. And it's CLEAN.
(5)Mo J.
BEST RESTAURANT, (perhaps best restaurant in Michigan)!! Steaks are awesome, appetizers are awesome, drinks are stellar, service is THE BEST IN MICHIGAN!!! (That's what you expect from Zingermans I guess). I am becoming a regular slowly but surly because of the consistent great food and consistent great service! Highly highly highly recommended.
(5)C Y.
Yummy and decadent comfort food, PLUS they can accommodate diners with severe allergies to tree nuts and peanuts on some items. They are knowledgeable on how to prevent cross contamination. Hurrah!
(5)Fritz A.
Zingerman's Roadhouse is where I go for great selection of fresh fish, selection changing daily based on availability, prepared exactly how I want. Pricing is competitive with other quality local restaurants, and service at Zingerman's is great. The overall menu offers several favorites for my other family members, while sweet potato fries are a concurrent fave. Out-of-town guests always enjoy the Zingerman's experience. Finish your meal with a cup of Roadhouse Joe coffee, or a yummy dessert, and you will likely be very happy. Just make sure that you phone ahead to reserve a table, to avoid waiting for your seating.
(4)Brad O.
Had a poor service experience today which detracts from the generally good food. I was driving through Ann Arbor from Chicago and planned my trip so I could get dinner here. Well, I had car trouble mid-trip that set me back 2 hours, but I drove pretty aggressively after that so that I could still get to Zingerman's and have a burger and a beer at the bar. I called at 9:45 to explain my situation and that I was going to arrive at 10:05 (5 minutes past closing time) but I had planned my trip around eating there and if they could just give me 5 minutes. While the manager was polite, she had no interest in accommodating me. So I ordered food through the carry out window and had to sit outside in the parking lot and eat. I generally think very highly of the Zingerman's operations, but I don't think keeping the door open for five minutes extra for a loyal customer is an unreasonable request.
(2)Gary V.
Excellent restaurant in AA. I 've been here several times and have never been disappointed. Favorites include the Mac n Cheese and Buttermilk-Fried Chicken. Try to get a seat at the counter facing the kitchen that is just past the hostess stand. Pretty awesome watching the fire and the cooks prepare food.
(4)Louai S.
I have no idea where the 4 and 5 star reviewers here ate at. Definitely not the same place I ate at. This place was a pure disappointment. This is a late review from last August, but should be mentioned. We sat outside and checked out the smoker and I got all GEEKED up and super hungry, even told waitress to keep my Margaritas coming. the smell was amazing, restaurant looked rustic with wood floors and only to be so so so let down by the food. From flavorless pork rinds with spots of hot sauce on it to the worst ever greasy calamari and greasy nasty un-fried a second time and unmelted cheddar poutine, that my kids were not willing to order anything after. I finally talked them into the order of the following: a flavorless dressed caesar salad, a flavorless, broken sauced mac and cheese and my plate "the worst BBQ combo plate ever with smokeless, reheated, old tasting "the only flavor" roast beef, grey looking cold and old tasting pulled pork and nasty looking pulled chicken". I do not remember the sides, I recall some greens and mustardy looking sauce. Wow, total amateurs, for that matter my 12 and 14 year olds would have put out better food. I must give my respect to the waitress. She kept offering me a free return with my decline to accept to the point, I had a $100 gift card that I tried to give her and told her to keep all the change, I didn't care. I am glad she wouldn't except the card, because somehow it escaped my mind "Zingerman's deli, breads, dairy". Went to deli and bought meats, cheese and Pecan Raisin Bread" I now drive from Troy to the deli for the Pecan Raisin Bread and St. Angel cheese all the way from Troy. Never to the roadhouse, the manager never had the courtesy to come to my table, even though I never made a big deal of it at table, waitress just noticed that we were not eating food.
(1)J H.
Paid $40 for two NASTY pulled chicken sandwiches.... The chicken looked like it had been sitting out all day. Bit into a huge chunk of nasty cartilage.... It's safe to say that we will NOT be returning!
(1)Adventurous Palate S.
We've been here several times. Loved all of their appetizers. Have loved most of everything we have ordered in the past. One day we stood in line for 45 minutes even though a table sat empty the whole time. Our food took a very long time to be served and it was not so good. Fortunately, a manager came by as we were putting on our coats and noticed barely eaten food left on our plates and asked us about our experience. They comped our whole meal. What service recovery! We were impressed and grateful.
(5)Sandie L.
Ok. I really love this place. There's not much to say except that the ribs are amazing (I get them every time....which is why I can't say much about the other things!), and that any dishes my friends have also taste great when I sample them. The portions are a good size (rather larger than not) and the atmosphere is casual-nice. It's not the cheapest place but I leave the roadhouse so full I could roll, so I feel like the price is justified.
(5)Jim M.
This is Roadhouse Review Part II - The Food. If "treating the customer like royalty" was the theme of my previous review of Zingermans, this review could be titled "Respecting the Food." Zingerman's respect for the food is actually an homage. Kudo's to Executive Chef Alex Young. The other thing about Zingerman's I love...it's fun. And so is the food! The Zingerman's Roadhouse menu could be a map of comfort foods all over the US, with a sprinkle of international locations. I have eaten here about 6 times, and my impression is: authentic flavor - gourmet comfort food and regional cuisine's, particularly the American south. Let's start with the Oysters. I know, there is no preparation other than shucking. But it's the PICKING that is important. There are a dozen different Oyster varieties all with a unique flavor. Then there are the appetizers -- the variety of which is like going to a county fair Any-Southern-County USA and seeing a midway full of home cooked dishes. Well, there is a dish from Quebec - a rich Poutine. Along with the entire menu section of Mac and Cheese, I though to myself "Cela peut me tuer, mais de quelle façon de mort !" (this will kill me, but what a way to die!" There's German Braaunschweiger (a ham-based pate), Cajun gulf shrimp, and something called "char-roasted, salted beef bone marrow" or something to that effect. It was a bone cut in half lengthwise to expose a rich, flavorful, salted and charbroiled bone marrow. It tasted like the salted, caramelized drippings at the bottom of a roasting pan, only better. I was given a spoon to carve out the salty, creamy marrow -- but when no one was looking I licked it clean. As for entrées, I've had the Buttermilk-Fried Chicken, the Smoked Double Cut Pork Chop, and Uncle Joe Burroughs' Southern Fried Whole Catfish Platter from Yazoo City, Mississippi. The fried chicken is my favorite, but all three are awesome. In addition to the American South, the state most represented on the menu is Michigan, not so much as a cuisine but in the form or dozens of local providers. There is no mention of local middlemen, not coincidentally. This is one reason for the freshness and flavor of every menu item. It also accounts for reasonable prices for food prepared with such high quality. I dare you to visit the roadhouse only once. And then I dare you to try something new on your second visit, and finally I dare you to pick a single favorite after your 5th visit. Check out the menu for yourself. It changes periodically: zingermansroadhouse.com/… Zingerman's Roadhouse has all the ingredients of a Great Restaurant. Great service, respect for the food, freshness, respect for authentic dishes and cuisines, buys local with no middlemen, and finally and most important....the place is fun as hell. Go there but caution: it's habit forming!
(5)Neal W.
If you're a fan of American food you can't go wrong with Zingerman's Roadhouse. The menu features several takes on classic American dishes. I had the Mac & Cheese (apparently voted best in the country) and was a big fan. I also sampled some of the North Carolina BBQ and was equally impressed. I'd definitely like to go back again to try out some of the other dishes. The restaurant is located in what used to be a Bill Knapp's. I think the addition of au gratin potatoes would be an excellent homage to the former tenant.
(4)John J.
Becki and were traveling through Ann Arbor, stopped at the Apple Store to have them fix Becki's iPhone 6+. Asked the tech for a local good choice restaurant. He brought over a couple of foodie/techs and the top choice was Zingerman's Roadhouse!!! So off we left with fixed fone in pocket for an anticipated marvelous meal! Let me say first.... Awesome!!! Becki had the Mac and Three Goat Cheese that was OTC! (Off The Chart) she generously shared a nibble or two, had to ask for the third. Chris, Our waitress was a gem. She explained the menu and all the great choices that change daily. They also have extensive beer and cheese menus! Since it will be a year before we get back through here and everything looked great, I narrowed it down to three things. Started with a corn dog jacketed in home made batter accompanied by the best sharp deli mustard I ever had. All left over mustard was generously applied to the home made dinner bread. Am I gushing to much? Hold on, for the rest of my meal! Next was the buttermilk batter fried chicken with mash potatoes and amazing gravy. I will allow you to mentally insert your own comments here. Thirdly was the pulled pork with their amazing BarBQ sauces. The mustard one was very different, sharp and good but the special smoky red sauce was OTC (see above) You know when someone says something is great and you try with your expectations to high and your disappointed? I don't think that will happen in this case! Ask for Chris and have a wonderful meal and tell'em Becki and John sent ya!
(5)Cheese C.
Heard all the hype about the Roadhouse, so we went. Our Chicago taste buds were ready! 1st experience in March: We both ordered the Bearded BBQ Plate, what a disappointment! The portions were very small! 2-3 ribs, one tablespoon of pork, one tablespoon of chicken, tasteless green beans and not much mashed potatoes. The ribs stunk (like the animal) so I could not eat them. That's not what we were expecting for $29.00 each. 2nd experience in Sept: Tried the Roadhouse again. Ordered the BBQ Chicken sandwich w/ fries. Nothing to write home about. Little BBQ sauce and it's just not a tasty sauce. So far, for the quantity of food and the high prices, we don't understand the hype. However, we have found that Ron's Roadside BBQ is outstanding! Meat piled high with awesome BBQ sauce. Very impressed! Too bad they don't have a sit down restaurant, as they would get much more business.
(2)Mel G.
New to the area. Been here twice already. My first regular spot in AA. The staff is super friendly, the food is awesome and the beer selection is excellent. I eat dessert here even though I shouldn't cuz it's just that damn good! Thanks all!
(5)Matthew S.
This was my first time eating at The Roadhouse, and I walked away with a wonderful first impression. I ordered the BBQ pulled-pork sandwich with the "Red Rage" sauce and it was the most delicious barbecue that I can remember having. I tried some of my sister's fried chicken and mac & cheese combo, which turned out to be amazing. The food came quickly and the staff was very friendly, especially our waitress Margret, who gave us a free dessert to congratulate us on the event that we went out to eat in order to celebrate it the first place! Everything about my experience at The Roadhouse was so perfect that I brought my Yelp account back to life in order to post my first review. If you're anywhere near Ann Arbor and you're looking for a unique place to eat, I couldn't recommend this place enough.
(5)Margaret V.
I don't know what is better about Zingerman's... the food or the service! I've been here a few times, and am just now "yelping" about it.... Zingermans Roadhouse serves breakfast/brunch, lunch and dinner and has something for everyone (vegetarians/meat lovers/sandwiches/salads, etc). Chef Alex has been nominated for several James Beard awards and the Food Network declared it had the best comfort food a few years ago. It is very pricey, but the food is of an extremely high quality and is often organic. The last time I visited, I had breakfast and ended up ordering a chai tea, two eggs, bacon, and sourdough toast. The chai was delicious. Not too spicy with cinnamon/cloves... I do recommend the coffee as well. I consider myself a coffee snob and it is excellent!The eggs were cooked per request of over medium. The sourdough test was home made, slighly buttered and excellent. I had my choice of either blueberry or sour cherry American Spoon (a Michigan comppany) preserves. The blueberry was great! The only downside was the baon... Zingermans LOVES their bacon (they host bacon themed meals and have written books about bacon), but this time it was over cooked. I like it crispy, but this was overdone. The smokey flavor was great, but way too done. I only ate two of the three pieces. Zingermans is an Ann Arbor tradition. Ari and Paul (the owners) do quite a bit for the Ann Arbor community. Great place to eat!
(4)Scott F.
I have been here twice in the past month. They have a rotation of Michigan craft beers. Foods eaten in my group includes the country fried steak, macaroni and cheese with buttermilk fried chicken, burger with aged cheddar, poutine, and pulled chicken sandwich. All items were great. I look forward to my next visit.
(5)Will M.
My kids and I were looking forward to a lunch out and though Zingerman's roadhouse would do the trick. Boy were we wrong. The 10 to 20 min wait tuned out to be more like 30min. The hostest seated her friend before us after a 5 min wait for a table with the same number of people. Then ordering also took forever, no kids menus we have to print more. After ordering again a long wait. Kids were complaining, no fun. When the food finally came, we couldn't believe how small the kids portions were! A teeny burger and a few fries, three tiny pancakes! And my fries were cold to boot! After an hour and a half my kids were still hungry and I took them somewhere else. Not going back again!
(2)Tracey H.
I LOVE this place, trendy, fun and yummy, a bit over priced for a Deli, but hey you get what you pay for! Great quality food!
(5)Chester C.
I honestly can't understand why this place is sooo loved. Portions are dinky and the food is really not all that special, especially for the price. I do have a couple things I get through the drive through on occasion ..pimento cheese and sweet potato fries..bread sometimes. Staff is always friendly, almost overly friendly..lol All in all I think it's overrated as Hell and so do most if not all people I know. I'll give it 2 stars for the pimento cheese alone cause it's basically like crack.
(2)Jenny K.
The name "Zingerman's" convinced me that this was a great, high quality restaurant. We made reservations to celebrate my mother's birthday with 4 of us attending. We got seated in the outdoor area in the middle of November, but you didn't feel too cold at first. The room had heaters running and had an occasional cold breeze come through. Our waitress was attentive and gave some recommendations on what to order. They brought out a sample plate of the pork with different sauces to try to help us pick which one we wanted. My husband ordered Chef Alex's BBQ Plate which consisted of pit-smoked Niman Ranch spare ribs, BBQ Beef with Alex's red rage tomato BBQ sauce, South Carolina pulled pork and pit-smoked chicken with green tomato BBQ. It is also served with bacon-braised greens and mashed local potatoes. It seemed liked it would be a lot of food, but it really wasn't for $29. The mashed potatoes that came out with his order were dry and old. When we asked for fresh ones, the server brought it out on a smaller plate with a fraction of the amount. That was disappointing, but at least they were fresh. I ordered the Cornman Farms' Cheeseburger with Pasture-raised beef, dry-aged, grilled over oak, served on a Bakehoue onion roll, American cheese with lettuce, onion, tomato and pickles for $15. I also paid $7 for a side of their famous mac and cheese. I ordered the burger medium-well and it came out closer to well done. The mac and cheese was fresh, but tasted a bit too salty for me. My mother and sister also ordered burgers, but with fries, which tasted fresh. Overall, I felt this place was overpriced for what they offered. We probably won't be back.
(3)Ivan J.
Overpriced & overrated. The food can be better for the price offered, service is really good though..
(2)Mari K.
Amazing! Though I'm a NorCal gal now, I'll go out of my way to stop into the Roadhouse. First time there for breakfast. Soooo yum. And the service, as always, was even better than the fantastic food.
(5)Saudia S.
Amazing food, all with a story. Everything BBQ is good, and definitely try the cheese sampler to start. A bit in the pricey side, but withy every penny.. Definitely try the freshly made donut sundae - yes, you read that right.... Try not to lick the plate!! Go with an appetite and enjoy the experience!
(4)Mathias B.
The roadhouse doesn't quite have the same effect that the deli does, but it's still a decent restaurant packing in flavor for each meal. There are far fewer vegetarian options than the deli too, limiting what we could eat. The wait is shorter, and the menu is still pretty diverse so both of those are a plus. The Mac and cheese was the best item we got and I would definitely recommend it. It was very grand in flavor, and was worth a trip to get. The prices are still Zingerman's level so be ready to spend some money on food. Overall, this Ann Arbor spot was good, but not amazing like some of their other places. If you haven't had the deli yet, go there first.
(3)Kate P.
I love Zingermans Roadhouse. I've lived in Michigan for 7 years come August. When we moved here everyone said you had to go to Zingermans and I now know why. The previous times I've been to Zingermans it has been for dinner. The last time was for my Dad's birthday. I ordered the country fried chicken and it was delicious! I went a few days ago with one of my best-friend for brunch. We were seated in the back room in a booth. For drinks we ordered the fresh squeezed orange juice and she ordered the chilled coffee. The orange juice was so fresh and very delicious! For food I ordered the Eggs Benedict and she ordered the Country Skillet. The Eggs Benedict was so good. It was served on sourdough bread, which is my favorite. The potatoes on the side, made my taste buds so happy! The service is always great and friendly. The restaurant is well kept and clean. We were going to sit outside that day but the smoke from the outside grill/smoker was a little over powering. And from just a few minutes sitting outside before we moved inside, you smelled the smoke. Be prepared to spend a little bit but for great quality food and drinks!
(5)Yaakov H.
The food wasn't good, definitely not for the pricing. The hamburger i got was over cooked and the ceviche was bland. The only good thing was the service. Never going back
(1)M S.
We have been here several times and the food is always good and the service friendly as well as very knowledgeable of the menu. Today I ordered eggs Benedict since we were there during brunch. I must say, it was outstandingly!! The eggs were cooked perfectly and the sourdough toast was the perfect toast for this as it held up and the flavor excellent. The star of the show was the hollandaise sauce which was done to perfection. Absolutely the perfect consistency and excellent flavor. Just the right amount was applied to the dish. The ham was also very nicely paired as well. Truly an excellent start to the day and worth it's price. On a side note..we always get an order of the sweet potato wedges. They are also excellent and the spice sauce served with them makes them even better.
(4)Jiah C.
My state of happiness for this place elevates little by little everytime I go to ZR. Thus, the star jump. My bizarre server interaction from my first visit was quite the first impression, but have noticed pretty great service from every single staff member since then. A few highlights: #1) I agree with fellow oyster fanatics-- solid everytime. Love their oyster menu & presentation, and also love how staff seems to be familiar enough with whats going on with these babies. #2) I didn't believe my friend when she raved about ZR's mac & cheese. I am now their bitch. I don't like super cheese saucy nor gritty chunky cheesey m&c, if that makes sense. The cheese consistency is perfect. Now add some lobster please. #3) RIBS. I live 1/4 mile from here and can smell when they are smoking their goods. It really is as good as it smells. My significant other and I have the opposite preference for types of ribs (he likes country style/st louis, I like baby back/spare, gimme that fatty fat fat) and we both absolutely loved the ZR ribs. Honorable mentions: SPIDER BREAD. You want to find out what this is. Trust me. Comes with their beefy chili. Fried green tomatoes. Perfect. As I am probably going to be ZR's neighbor for another 2 years, according to my lease, we are going to become best buddies.
(4)Meredith B.
Stop everything and get the wood-grilled trout with bearnaise sauce over mashed potatoes and spinach. It is one of the best things I have ever had the pleasure of eating. Sweet lord. My parents and boyfriend got barbecue and even THEY were excited to sneak bites of my dish - them with their ribs and pulled pork, were singing the praises of my fish! It sounded so simple that I worried I had made a dull choice, but then once I started eating it I realized I won dinner. Two glasses of Michigan riesling and some roasted tomatoes and olive oil with their warm bread basket capped off a perfect meal. You can order with confidence here, because nobody ever has a mediocre meal at Zingerman's.
(5)Alan G.
Not a good experience. Been going to the place since the day it opened. We had a large holiday party of around 15 so it was out of the norm but my burger was rare (ordered well done) service was slow and the billing (one check--new policy...) was a nightmare. Good luck on your customer service presentation biz but you might want to give a refresher to your management. Won't ever be back with a large group.
(2)Terese C.
Bases on all the great reviews, this was not a great first time dining experience. It took 30+ minutes for our salads. Then they served our entrees and we had to ask for our salad. They forgot to serve my husband his drink. And, they didn't serve our BBQ sauces until we asked! The salad may have been rushed as two of the Cesaer salads were very gritty. It was as if they hadn't washed the greens! They offered us desserts on the house. I'm not ready to go back here anytime soon.
(2)Aaron D.
As a diehard fan of Ari and the Zingerman's empire, the Roadhouse definitely lives up to its reputation. The sheer diversity of options (satisfying everyone from discerning baby to picky adult, clean/light to heavy/rich foods), attentive customer service and tastefulness of everything on the menu makes it my go-to place when people visit. I'm partial to the fish (especially salmon) with coffee rub, macaroni and cheese and Sazerac cocktail -- though honestly, you really can't go wrong with anything.
(5)Albert T.
This is one of the best dining experiences in all of Ann Arbor. The servers are always very well trained and provide excellent service. The secret here to is refrain from ordering large dishes and to instead order a variety of different options. Despite this, I nearly always end up ordering the Fried Chicken Mac & Cheese. I will also say that nearly everything on tap is great and somehow having it here at Zingerman's Roadhouse only makes it better. This is also where I believe they serve the best Tom Collins in Ann Arbor.
(5)Kelly C.
Wow! These guys have a good thing going! I wish I lived closer so I could try everything they have to offer! Went with a large party and we had everything from ribs and burgers, to the fried chicken and the whole fish! Everyone loved everything they had to eat and they even brought out a birthday dessert as a surprise for the birthday girl! Great service, drinks, and the options are overwhelming.
(5)Henry T.
For some reason, I wasn't too impressed with the food. I had such a great time here, but I guess one mistake really cost them. Flight of bourbon had 3 different samples of bourbon. We got the rare flight. Unfortunately for me, I don't remember any details of them other than 2 of them not being something I'd enjoy drinking. The other one was very smooth and would be excellent to have over a conversation. We had some sweet potato fries, and IMO these were the best part of the meal. I didn't have too much since I was anticipating a large delicious steak, but they were great. Dipped in the sauce it comes in....amazing. For my entree I had the London broil. I ordered it specifically medium rare, and asked her for confirmation if they typically make them as ordered. She reassured me and so I went with it. It comes out and mine was medium well. Blah. My friend's was medium rare when he ordered medium. The cook probably mixed it up. Now since mine wasn't as juicy cooked medium well, I didn't really enjoy it. The steak comes with 3 sides. The bacon braised greens were really disappointing. The texture was just ... off, and the taste, well, I guess wasn't up to my standard, or even my brother's homemade excellent bacon collard greens. The mashed potatoes and spiced potatoes were good and something I'd recommend. (Yes, I did choose two potato sides--I love potatoes with steak). I tried some of my friend's mac & cheese. They are very heavy and oily. Tastes good, but I wouldn't be able to eat much since it was so heavy. But then again, with the small portion they give you, you would still feel full anyway; so portion size doesn't really apply. Overall, the experience was nice, but the delivery seemed off. I think if my steak was cooked as ordered (medium rare), they may have received another star rating. Yes, I could've asked my server to send it back and cook it properly, but meh I didn't want to waste the steak they made.
(3)Sacha U.
We were headed out of town and had to turn around and come home due to bad road conditions. Though Zingerman's can be pricey, decided to try their breakfast and splurge a little and it was worth it! The coffee is obviously something special. The breakfast was absolutely delicious. We both had such a great meal we went back the next weekend. Compared with other breakfast options in Ann Arbor, definitely a great meal worth every penny.
(4)Charlotte C.
Fabulous, as always. Despite the Sunday morning crush, service was fast and friendly. We had a reservation -- but seating was proceeding smoothly for those without a reservation. Mimosas at 9am is such a nice start. They'll fill your coffee go-cup too.
(5)Erin Y.
This is our favorite place in Ann Arbor. Whenever we're in town we make sure to stop by! My personal favorite is the chicken fried steak. It's delicious, although they could give you more gravy on the side! Last time we came, they had a special whole cornmeal-fried catfish, which was amazing. Hot and crispy, just as it should be. We also had fried green tomatoes, which were good. Desserts here are also great. We recently had the donut sundae which didn't disappoint. Big portions, so good for sharing! The service and atmosphere are amazing here, and make up for the high prices. Overall, I love the Zingerman's establishments and can't wait to come back.
(4)Alex C.
Wow. We were visiting Ann Arbor for the weekend and this was the first place we came to. Oh my gosh! Incredible service! We had Casey and she was AMAZING! I have never had service as good as here. The BBQ was awesome and you can really tell that their ingredients are farm to table. Incredibly diverse menu that has comfort food for everyone! Cannot stress enough how great of an experience we had. The next time we can in was for breakfast and that was equally delicious with another great server. The host staff was super friendly and was floored by how they handled the "hungry" people who were on a wait! My Bloody Mary was bomb and my Eggs Benedict has some mighty good sourdough bread! Please check it out! Wow!
(5)Allison K.
Amazing place. Gets very busy and you need a reservation but it was delicious. You MUST get the sweet potato fries and try them in the dipping sauce they bring it's amazing. The pulled chicken sandwich is great too and their Mac and cheese is delicious! Definity go!
(4)Christina C.
Ah, so this is Pure Michigan... wait. I kid, I kid. Apparently hitting up a Zingerman's location is a must-do when in Ann Arbor. A relic. A tradition. A do-not-leave-without-trying kinda place - especially if you're looking for an outstanding Jewish deli! About half of that was embellished a bit... I walked in to Zingerman's for breakfast, only to be slapped silly by the smell of BBQ. I wasn't planning to get BBQ for breakfast, but the smell sure made me think twice. After perusing the menu a bit, I found it extremely difficult to narrow down my choice(s) -- there was no way I was getting just one thing! After some discussion, and suggestion from my Michigan-native counterpart, I excitedly settle on the Bagel & Smoked Salmon Scramble Sandwich and pastry basket. Now, the sandwich comes with sour cream, not cream cheese, so take note. To be honest I prefer the cream cheese, but the sour cream was a nice addition regardless. The pasty basket is a bargain if you're interested in noshing on some freshly fried donuts and moist, house-made coffee cake. You get a donut and your choice of three slices of coffee cake. Don't miss out! Our service was incredibly attentive and my coffee cup was never half-full (I know some people hate when servers mess up the coffee-to-creamer ratio, but it worked out nicely for me regardless.) I hear this is a great lunch/dinner place too! Next time...
(4)Ebenezer S.
I had the fried chicken last night and the food was so delicious that I came back for lunch. I love lightly fried fries (not crispy) so this is a new favorite place for me in Ann Arbor. The sauteed spinach was well-seasoned as was the fried chicken batter. For lunch today, I had the BBQ beef -- very good but the portion was small -- and since I was still hungry, I ordered a bowl of the beef chili which was really superb. I came at 2:30 p.m. and had no problem getting a table.
(5)Michelle D.
Hmmm... This place is a mixed bag- I have to rate it 3 stars, as i have been here for breakfast and it was a delight- from beginning to end, the service to the food to the atmosphere... Then i went back for dinner and thats where it all falls apart. The beet and goat cheese salad was excellent, the zingerman bakery bread and culver butter- top notch. The burger, which i ordered medium, came to the table well done and dry. This is not a matter of perception, since the server pulled out a handy dandy flip-chart to illustrate what their 'medium' doneness looks like, which had plenty of pink throughout- and the finished product had no pink whatsoever. The bun was hard and stale and the cheddar cheese they charged me $4 for, was a little lumpy ball that kind of rolled out as i was eating it. All in all my burger cost me $21 because I added bacon(2.50), cheddar(4) and a slice of heirloom tomato (.75 ). If i spend 21 bucks on a burger i really do expect more- and who wouldn't? My advice- and one I will heed to myself- go to the roadhouse for breakfast and go to the silver bus the rest of the time- their sandwiches are a LOT better and a LOT less $$$. And their coffee is excellent
(3)Jennifer V.
I'm re-rating the Roadhouse because I didn't think they could surprise me anymore and they absolutely did! Well played, Roadhouse. Well friggen' played. I hit up the Roadhouse (for the umpteenth time) for a late lunch today with my sister and brother-in-law. They apparently have po'boys on occasion as their lunch special, which was total news to me! I decided to order the Andouille sausage po'boy because, let's face it, I love me some sausage. I was absolutely BLOWN away by sandwich! It was completely amazing. The sausage was of phenomenal flavor and quality, with just the right amount of heat. It was also cooked to absolute perfection and served on a soft yet toasty baguette with some sort of tasty mayonnaise and shredded lettuce, with their yummy fries complete with Cajun seasoning. I can't recommend this po'boy enough!! Oh, and since I didn't mention it before... The Sprecher's on-tap Root Beer is to DIE for.
(5)Tracy W.
We were in Ann Arbor for a very short stay and were looking for some place local to eat. Zingerman's Road House was recommended and we had a very good meal. We were told ahead of time that there would probably be a wait (it popular) and it would not be cheap. When we arrived we were told it would be an hour wait. Indecision - wait or not. While we were deciding we asked about bar seating - it's first come first served. We saw that several people were getting ready to leave, so we hovered around them and scored 2 seats. Our seats looked into the kitchen area and we were entertained through the whole meal watching the cooks and servers (man they move fast!). Our waitress was there when we needed her and helpful with suggestions. The food was really good. I recommend this place - but do yourself a favor and call ahead for reservations.
(4)Bob M.
we ate there on a Sunday night. I had the Pit smoked beef, it was very tender and tasty but not traditional BBQ. they smoke it, then braise it. That came with mashed potatoes and collards. the collards were very good. the potatoes tasty too. I tried a side of mac and cheese as well. it was good, but seemed thrown together, not baked after wards like most of that type, Rigatoni with a bechemel sauce and cheese. The girlfriend had the smoked chicken mac and cheese i believe . She liked it and i tasted it as well and it was good. The prices were a bit on the high side for this type of food, but not outrageous. It was $65 for two dinners, one side and two drinks (not top shelf). I would return to try something else.
(3)Nissa N.
This review is for the Roadhouse and the Roadshow. We went to the Roadhouse last spring and our experience was great in terms of service. Our server was polite and answered all our questions. This sort of friendly service is what we've come to expect at Zingerman's businesses. I ordered the Cornman Farms' Burger medium to well. Taste wise the burger was not bad but nothing spectacular either. I got a terrible stomach after it, though, something that's never happened to me after a medium well burger before, but I suppose that's the risk you take ordering anything other than well done. Hubby ordered the fried chicken, which was pretty good. Nicely crisped up on the outside as good fried chicken should be. Overall, the Roadhouse experience was a 4/5. Where they lose the other star is on service at their connected Roadshow. I stopped through here this afternoon with the intention of getting a sandwich and pastry on this very cold day and ordered a sour cream coffee cake slice and a chili cheese dog. The server who came up to the window seemed unfriendly, impatient and not very accommodating. Not something I'm used to with any of the Zingerman's businesses I've been to. He raised an eyebrow when I asked him to make sure the hotdog I was ordering was cooked thoroughly because being pregnant I didn't want to take any chances. I figured Zingerman's would be the one place I could go to for my pregnancy hotdog craving because they're so accommodating that I could ask them to reheat the meat. This server unfortunately just seemed to want to get the transaction over with as soon as possible. Well, the chili cheese hotdog (after I finally got a chance to reheat the sausage myself) was not great, but the sour cream coffee cake was quite good. Because I've generally had good service encounters at most of the Zingerman's locations, I won't be writing off the Roadshow. I'll update as necessary.
(3)T T.
I went to Zingerman's for a banquet dinner, and I have to say that I was really disappointed with the food. The meal started with an asparagus soup, which had a really strange grainy and chunky texture and was not appetizing at all. I'm usually one to finish my food, even if I don't like it very much, but I could only eat a few spoonfuls of this soup. For the entree, I had the BBQ beef. The beef had a strong, unpleasantly sweet flavor and was a little on the dry side. The mashed potatoes and greens were not bad, but they also weren't distinctive. For dessert, I had vanilla gelato, which was ok, but again, nothing special. Luckily, I didn't have to pay for the food because I'm sure it was expensive. The service, though, was extremely friendly.
(2)Meg F.
I went here for a work lunch recently and did not enjoy the atmosphere or the food. The atmosphere is like any chain restaurant (Applebee's, Chili's) - generic and loud. The tables are too close together and you feel awkward and crowded. People behind me kept bumping into my chair, and wait-staff had to plaster themselves to the table to get out of the way. If I wanted T&A in my face while I ate, I'd go to Hooters. The food is nothing to write home about. I had a half sandwich and soup, neither of which were worth the price or the wait. I think they used most of a stick of butter to grill my sandwich - I had butter running down my fingers. It was, quite frankly, gross. In my opinion, Zingerman's Roadhouse doesn't live up to its reputation.
(2)Tony K.
I visited Zingerman's in mid-January 2012. The food quality is very good, although I tend to not necessarily value some things to the same extent that other diners seem to, and that Zingerman's is known for -- locally grown organic food, for example. Even though it has a casual feel, its prices are anything but, and it is largely for that reason that I am giving it only three stars. Our dinner for two (appetizers, no wine, one shared dessert) was $93. Also, start-to-finish took 90 minutes, which I thought was a bit excessive; we went for long stretches without seeing our server. Reservations are a must on weekend nights.
(3)Mike D.
Mediocre food at New York prices gets this place two stars. Ordered two different kinds of fish. If I'd ordered them from a chain place and they cost $12 apiece, they still would have been terrible. At double that, I was really taken aback. The Scottish Salmon was overcooked and robbed of any flavor other than the spice rub, which tasted like oil and salt. The haddock was so over-salted that it was inedible. The sautéed spinach was also over-salted to the point of being inedible. The Chow Chow tasted like a cheap hot dog relish. Utterly uninspired. Pleasant service and the offer to comp this disgusting food is the only thing that saves this from being a 1-star review. Instead of printing that everything is "really good" on the menu, they need to focus on consistent quality. All of the above said, if you just want a burger or mac and cheese, they do those well. But actual food, not so much.
(2)E G.
If you love Zingerman's Delicatessen, you will be disappointed in Zingerman's Roadhouse on Jackson Ave. It has NOTHING of the deli's menu -- not even corned beef! I was hugely disappointed, having come from East Lansing and thinking we'd avoid the Saturday afternoon crowds at the deli. BIG mistake. They make their reuben sandwich with ham! My friend and I were both less than satisfied with what we ordered. The only thing we liked was the bread!
(1)Clara J.
Good job Zan (spelling unsure, but he was our waiter)! You killed it! So, I went there last Saturday for my birthday dinner, because even though it was my day, my mother keeps buggin' me to go there everytime she gets to town! I ordered the sweet potato fries and that sauce was amazing! Ask for an extra, cuz you'll need it! I then had Cornman Farms Wild Spinach & Wild Mushroom salad which was fine. I felt kind of like an herbivore --not the vegetarian that I am---eating it, because the spinach is in huge pieces that you have to cut yourself whether you choose your teeth or knife. For dinner I had the Cal-Fiorentina Macaroni & Cheese which was hella good. And by hella, I meant the cheese from my home state of California. We ate on the patio and the only drawback is that if you don't want your hair stinking like BBQ, well don't sit there! I felt like I had been smoked out. Oh, and there were a bunch of people with their kids sitting in the patio, which was kind of odd for a college student like me, who sees kids infrequently around campus. Okay, well then to top it off I had creme brulée which had those little dots at the base of it, which kept me wondering why every creme brulée I have ever had has had those little dots. I am intrigued and it keeps me eating creme brulée. Zan wrote HAPPY BIRTHDAY on the rim of the plate! He also ran off to figure out where the World Cup was hosted last time. We had already forgotten! That's okay, because I can tell you that Clozapine can cause agranulocytosis. Go eat!
(5)Dan N.
This may be the first (and only) time that I ever give a restaurant 4-stars, based solely on the merits of a side dish. But the mac and cheese at Zingerman's is THAT good! I had the side of smoked chicken mac and cheese and it was, by FAR, the best mac and cheese I've ever eaten. It wasn't gooey, heavy, and sticky like most "gourmet" mac and cheese--which is what I expected and why I didn't order it as my entree. Basically, it was perfect and, if you come to Zingerman's, you gotta try the mac and cheese. For my entree, I had the meatloaf (because it was the daily special). Meatloaf was always me least favorite dinner as a kid, and, apparently, things haven't changed much. The meatloaf was super dense and filling, I was hoping more for a juicy, tender version. If you do happen to get the meatloaf, mix it with the spinach side that comes with it--it is MUCH better! To summarize, come to Zingerman's and get the Mac and Cheese and DON'T get the meatloaf!
(4)Moody A.
I do not know what heck the other reviewers are bragging about this place for. They must have been inebriated when wrote the reviews. This food is horrible. Its bland and poorly put together. I have had better ribs at McDonalds with their McRib sandwich. I will say that the waitress and service was great. If you want to waste $100 for 2 then go here.
(1)Jamie V.
Great food and absolutely fresh fresh fresh! Their warm spinach salad was delicious and satisfying on its own. I also got the fried green tomatoes which were tasty but the salad was the best, bar none. Service was excellent and my children and hubby loved it also. Fine selection of Michigan beers and even some wine!
(5)Danielle S.
I'm a Zingerman's groupie, but I have to say, I'm a way bigger fan of the deli than The Roadhouse. The Roadhouse just isn't that special. It's not bad. But given the price and the Zingerman's name, I was expecting more. I've tried it twice and both times, it was just sort of average. PRO's: The service is on par with the Zingerman's name. Just like the deli, catering, and all other Zingerman's services, the customer service is fantastic. The staff are responsive and friendly. The food is also pretty good. Nothing spectacular, but just fine. CON's: This place is unjustifiably expensive, especially when it comes to the macaroni and cheese, which is what I've had both times I've gone. $22 for macaroni and cheese? Really?!? I'm not sure what could possibly make macaroni and cheese that expensive, but if there is something then The Roadhouse doesn't have that factor, at least not for me. It's good macaroni and cheese, but not anything super special. And the serving sizes were not particularly generous. It's not like you could get 2 meals out of it; it's seriously one dinner-sized portion of macaroni and cheese for $22. For some reason I just can't get over that. Maybe it's just me. I don't really remember the atmosphere, which probably means it was fine but nothing special. At the end of the day, I'd go to the deli over the Roadhouse.
(3)Marshall W.
Just felt like treating ourselves to a special Holiday dinner. We've been here once, about a year ago. Glad we made reservations! The atmosphere is fun and foodie - they tout their locally grown veggies, small local, farm raised meats and home-baked breads. She wanted a yummy drink - debated between a couple - and the waiter suggested the Hot Toddy - went over real well. The waiter was great - joked a bit, was very interested in telling us about the various specials and where all the ingredients came from.Then he showed up with a small sample of the Chilled Mulled Red Wine! She was happy :) Most of the menu initially looks like simple, homey fare - but, if you look carefully, it is a carefully selected mix of rather unusual, mostly local ingredients. We split the Shrimp and Grits ("Gulf shrimp, sauteed with bacon, andouille sausage, green peppers, green onions and white wine over Anson Mills grits"). I loved the subtle corn flavor with the bacon and shrimp - we each got 3 large shrimp. The only drawback was it tasted rather greasy. Had a side of "Roadhouse Mac & Cheese" - rather small for $7.50, barely a spoonful - but very tasty "Housemade bechamel sauce & lots of Cabot clothbound cheddar caramelized with Martelli pasta." Minor drawback is the bill - $50, with tip. But, would definitely come back again - really wanted to try the other adventurous menu items.
(4)Lisa P.
A must do for any foodie in Ann Arbor area! The sandwiches are great for lunches and tailgating. The deli has an awesome selection of breads, cheeses and specialty items. It's definitely well worth stopping in to pick up something unique and wonderful! Sometimes there is a wait. But the line moves pretty quickly.
(5)Angela B.
Great service. Awesome root beer from the tap. Food very good.
(4)Sarah P.
This is just a great place to eat. Make a reservation, be patient when it is busy and you don't get your table right on the minute, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere. The wine, beer, mixed drink offerings are extensive (absinthe + champagne anyone?). The service is always top-notch. The food is too. The bbq is great any which way you order it. They will often offer samples if you can't make up your mind. The grilled carolina grits are the best vegetarian offering on the menu--the corn/cheese/green onion topping pairs really well with the texture and taste of the grits (these grits are grilled and are in a cake-like form, not mushy). For a once in awhile caloric splurge the goat cheese mac and cheese is absolutely amazing.
(5)John S.
Food is way over priced. Macaroni and cheese for $18, and you get a little bowl? $2 corn dogs that are the size of my pinky? I had the pork BBQ and it was a tiny portion for $18. The food is all way overpriced. It's good, but not worth the money charged. Our service was really off too. We ordered a donut sundae and it apparently takes 30 minutes for them to cook the donut. Our waiter failed to mention that, so we waited, and waited... Our booth was near a larger party and they had moved the tables so that every time someone wanted to walk past, they had to wait for anyone else walking past. Major congestion and a lot of butts aimed our way. Nice. I wouldn't go back to this place. I don't understand the hype.
(2)Reed N.
Dropped in for a burger and left with a smile. Amazing bar service from Jami (you should ask for her) and killer food. The frites (fries) were amazing. Double fried. Rustic. Seasoned. Oh. My. God. Neighboring diners let me try several of the sweet potato fries, and those large rustic chunky strips of goodness are among the best ever. Ever. Period. Then the amazing Jami brought me a sampling of the pimiento cheese, which she observed me drooling over on a neighbors burger. Delicious... and also used in a Mac and Cheese creation. God help me. Then there was my burger. Lean but tender. And Maytag blue cheese. Nothing else. Nothing needed. Delicious, but I was wishing for more fat in the meat. Yep. I said more fat. Finally, more blue cheese in the form of homemade dressing on a mixed green salad with julienne vegetables and dreamy sun dried tomatoes from their farm in Dexter MI. Run on sentence? Sorry... I am that impressed.
(5)David O.
I was surprised to find Zingermans to be mostly average overall. I kept hoping to find something about it that just blew me away but in the end it was just okay. The restaurant itself has quite a bit of charm, and the service and portions were both good. I certainly didn't regret my visit, but afterwards I couldn't think of anything that made me want to run back.
(3)George P.
Been here on more than one occasion and my biggest disappointment with this place is the cost of the food, I feel like I am paying more for the "Zingerman's" brand. Will that keep me from returning? Probably not, though it will not be at the top of the list. With that out of the way, the food is good, the service is some of the best I've experienced in the region and it has a great atmosphere for celebration, for getting together with friends and family. Zingerman's is innovative in their approach to ingredient selection, food preparation: they really go to great pains to prepare sauces and sides that compliment what you are being served (which is the point of a restaurant, I hope). The service is friendly, they know the menu well and joyfully accommodate special requests (menu related). The atmosphere is part of what one would expect from a "Zingermans" brand restaurant: open, cordial, tongue-in-cheek but everything about it tells you that Zingerman's is serious about their food.
(3)Peter C.
Food is pretty good especially if you like BBQ. It's definitely on the pricey side but if you're dining in Ann Arbor that pretty much is the norm. Excellent food with a trendy/casual atmosphere.
(4)Pam D.
I've been to the Roadhouse many times and usually get my favorite fried chicken and sweet potato fries. This time I tried the meatball mac and mushroom Mac. Both were recommended and both were not good. It was really disappointing and I think it will be awhile before we are back at the Roadhouse.
(3)Steve G.
One of my favorite meals in Ann Arbor. Smoked pulled pork was the best I've had. Even better than Slow's which is hard to beat. The flavor was absolutely perfect. The fried chicken was equally amazing. The service was friendly and efficient. It's not cheap, nothing from Zingerman's ever is, but definitely worth it. Can't wait to go back.
(5)Christina K.
This ain't Applebee's people! The food price is absolutely worth it and amazing! I come here once a month at least for the past three years and I haven't been disappointed yet! Some of the highlights on the menu would be the burgers (the meat is hand ground everyday!), the Macaroni with smoked chicken and Monterey jack cheese (good eats, yes it is $17 but the portions are huge so you can always eat the rest the next day!), the chili cheese fries (must have!) and so much more! Oh and make sure you save room for dessert! The Magic Brownie Sundae or the Donut Sundae are yummy!! The service is awesome as well. You can pretty much get a sample of anything on the menu but I wouldn't go as far as getting a sample of the steak but they'll do it if you ask! The servers are very well trained and know everything about everything on the menu, they even know the ingredients in the dressings that are homemade!
(5)David M.
Let's start with the bad news first - this place is pricey, especially for a student in A2 who is probably used to buying slices of pizza at $2 or less per. But you knew that going in; it's Zingerman's. And after traveling around the country this spring break, I have grown to appreciate the fact that what we call expensive here is what you pay for a grilled cheese sandwich in some other cities. My guests ordered the world famous Mac & Cheese (recommended by no one less than the czar of cuisine, Alton Brown), which I sampled, and of course it was just incredible. Don't think you aren't getting your money's worth; this isn't mac 'n cheese that you're going to pull off at home, even if you are good at this sort of thing. I ordered the Nashville Hot Fried Chicken since it was only available on Tuesdays, and who knows when you'll be back to Zings Roadhouse on a Tuesday. It was really hot, and really good. I might just recommend the fried chicken in general, since you will probably taste more of it and it's quite good and juicy, but if you're into spicy give the Nashville Hot a try. Don't drink the shot of buttermilk though, it might cool the tongue, but ew! It was all of our's first time there (grammar success!), and our waiter was amazingly helpful and knowledgeable about everything. He was great in helping us choose a wine despite our collective idiocy on such a topic, and brought out free samples of their BBQ and grits! The BBQ was quite good as well. My guess is that the grits were good too, but my palette is not totally receptive to the dish and never has been. I'm not sure when I'll be back, but I hope it's soon. I'm guessing it'll be sometime after April 15 when I have my tax refund check in hand.
(5)C M.
Stilling dreaming about our poutine appetizer. This is a great place to eat if you want to spend some bucks on some extremely fine fare done with thoughtfulness and social responsibility. An Ann Arbor treasure
(5)Honest R.
The people who complain about Zingerman's are often people who feel intimidated by class. Zingerman's Roadhouse is an expensive but amazing restaurant. The menu can a bit of a hit or miss, but most of it is a big hit. The quality of the cooking can be hit or miss too, but mostly hits. I highly recommend the five-course special dinners they do in the back room. We went for oyster day and were blown away by the quality and presentation. Of course the flavors were amazing too. The roadhouse is one of a number of Zingerman's stops worth making. Don't let the idiots on here fool you.... it's an experience! :) ps. Be sure to leave with a half-pound of their 7-year cheddar from the kitchen! It's really good and not too pricey for fancy cheese.
(5)Rhubarb K.
As I noted in my review of the Deli, the only complaint I have with the Zingermans family is that it forces this poor graduate student to spend his hard earned cash on their delicious food that he cannot afford. One month, I think I came to the Roadhouse more than twice a week to splurge on food, only to have barely enough money to pay my rent.
(5)Julie C.
Dropped by for dinner on a Wednesday evening and the place was packed. Luckily, we had made a reservation so we were seated quickly. The last time I tried to eat here, I didn't make a reservation and the wait was an hour, so I ended up eating somewhere else. The menu is printed daily, which I think is a pretty cool feature. Every visit to Zingerman's is a once in a lifetime moment! The bread was warm and delicious, as expected. I liked the casual atmosphere and decor. And the staff was very friendly. Two of us split the Chef Alex's Bearded BBQ Plate. The food came out split into two servings, two ribs each with BBQ beef, pulled pork, smoked chicken, mashed potatoes, and greens. Despite sharing, we both ended up stuffed and with leftovers. The ribs were my favorite, the meat fell off the bone and was tender. I also had a bite of the Arugula Pesto Macaroni, which was tasty, so I'll probably order this next time. If I wasn't so stuffed by the end of the meal, I definitely would have ordered some dessert too!
(4)Miriam S.
Why did it take me so long to acknowledge our favorite place to eat? Easy, it is part of the human condition to take for granted what it loves. From the moment we walk in, they call us by name. Now, that is classy and thoughtful. Servers and excellent food make this place. We happen to also think the world of unassuming part owner Ari, who is involved personally with the customers. They have many outstanding choices even for those of us that go easy on carbs.......The fruit salad is fresh and aromatic....of course, their coffee would make "el exigente" delighted and pleased....(for those of you that might remember the Columbian TV ad for coffee). Huevos rancheros..perfecto.....grits with cheese.....oo-la-la..they even made us enjoy spainach with bacon.....Bread is crusty and fresh....Above all, this place is human, alive, friendly.....oh.......forgot to tell....the price is right.....Really, our favorite place....
(5)Julie M.
My favourite place to eat. Sweet potato fries, corndogs, ancho beef chili fries, CORNED BEEF HASH OMG, the fresh bread, I could go on and on. The mac & cheese with the smoked chicken is a win. The fried chicken is a WIN - and get the large order, it is even better the next day. The service is OUTSTANDING. Every employee from the chef to the person clearing tables is friendly and thank us for coming in. It's a place that I'm proud to support. The focus on local ingredients means the money is staying in our community. Reservations and call ahead seating is available.
(5)Briza Y.
Okay, like I've said before I'm a fan of Zingerman's. And I'm easily wooed by free sweet potato fries! My parents and I came here while they were visiting for my internship graduation. My dad ordered a burger and of course he chose regular fries over sweet potato fries. My mom and I jokingly (sort of) protested and then ordered our food. A few minutes later, here comes a small plate of sweet potato fries. YUM and super sweet of the cute waiter! I ordered the Ig Vella Macaroni and it was really tasty. I only finished half and the leftovers were okay the next day. I would order it with a friend next time! :)
(5)Rachel L.
If I had to pick one place to eat every single meal for the rest of my life (assuming health and money were infinite), I think I would choose Zingerman's Roadhouse. I've eaten here a bunch, and have only had one or two things that aren't out-of-this-world amazing. The impetus for this review was a recent brunch. Though I've had a number of lunches and dinners, this was my first Roadhouse brunch. HOLY MOLY. My grits and eggs were super yummy, as were my dining companion's heuvos rancheros. Everything was just so good! And of course, being a Zingerman's operation, the service was impeccable. We almost couldn't resist brunch dessert (a brilliant concept to which I was introduced in New York), but would never have been able to fit it in our tummies. Yes, it's pricey, but you get a good meal! Make a reservation online (yes, even for brunch) and treat yourself. I insist.
(5)Evan H.
Every time I go to Ann Arbor, I pay a visit to the Roadhouse. Every single time I pay a visit to the roadhouse, we are paid a visit by Ari, one of the founders of the Zingerman's empire. He usually drops by to say hi, or provide some suggestions, or even a little taste of something new. I have tried all kinds of daily specials, so those wont exactly be easy to replicate nor will they be served again (maybe, who knows). I do know that the Pimento Cheese & Peppered Bacon Macaroni is the BOMB. SO freakin' good. Also the Pit Smoked Beef Brisket is spectacular. They always have great daily specials of fish, meats, veggies, often grown in their own garden or brought in from great local vendors, farmers, cattle ranches etc. The Grilled Carolina White Grits is a huge meal that I have tasted a few times. I'm not sure about the reviews who say the portions are small. Maybe they are used to a platter the size of the table of food, not too sure. The portions are always huge and always enough, with leftovers, usually. In addition to great menu choices, appetizers, the beer and wine list is always large and takes a while to digest. I always go for a local beer that doesn't make it to the east coast. The waiters we have had have always been friendly and at the top of their game. I will always come back as long as I am in A2.
(5)Kiersten K.
I think the fact that we eat here once a week should say it all. Really love this place. The fact that the meat is purchased from local farmers that humanely raise their meat, along with local produce.... I am sold. Favorites so far: Sweet potato fries, all their salads, all their pastas, coleslaw is the bomb. Try to go there on a Monday and have the Mondae Sundae: I wont spoil it by telling you what it is.... you just need to experience it.
(4)Andrew F.
[For the full review with pictures, see the link to my blog on my profile.] The buttermilk fried chicken is faultless, as is the espresso mousse. Though, despite giving them three chances, they seem incapable of cooking a burger medium rare.
(3)Joanna L.
I headed to this outpost of Zingerman's (not to be confused with the Zingerman's in downtown Ann Arbor). The Roadhouse looks run down, but that's the style. Headed in and my friends were waiting. First thing we decided on was to share a dish of their famous mac & cheese. Now, recently on Food Network, their mac & cheese was labeled as the best comfort food in America. I'm not so sure about that... I mean, don't get me wrong, it was tasty, but best? Meh. The dish was small. I'm not sure if their dinner order is larger, but this was a small plate covered in maybe a handful of noodles. Compared to what I ordered next, I'm really not sure why this mac & cheese is considered an entree. For the entree, I ordered the fried chicken. It came with 2 pieces, one GINORMOUS (I swear it was the size of a small cornish hen). The chicken was nicely breaded and had good crunch to it. The inside was juicy and how I always imagine fried chicken. The chicken also came with mashed potatoes and cole slaw (yum!). I'm not entirely sure how this is for one person (maybe it's not really for 1 person, but I ordered it as such... and no one warned me otherwise). My friends ordered the sliders and another friend ordered the New Mexico Sandwich. They all looked good and all the dishes had a lot of food. I was just shocked by how little mac & cheese there was compared to the other entrees. Anyway, I'd go back to try the other food. Very casual environment, and a lot of delicious food options!
(4)Brian T.
I've dined at the Roadhouse dozens of times and I have finally figured them out. 1. Don't let the superior "I'm making you think I'm your new best friend" and "service recovery with a smile" dazzle you. 80% of the time, a "customized" order comes out wrong and has to be sent back to the kitchen. 2. Different portions of the same order come out at different times. 3. Presentation on the plate is non-existent. I'm no fan of a generous sprig o' parsley but the plate often looks thrown together. 4. Their greatest sin is that I asked for extra, extra crispy bacon with my breakfast order today and of the three slices I ordered, one was barely extra crispy and the bacon arrived many minutes after they served me my waffle order. Some of you may not think this is important, but for all of us extra, extra crispy bacon aficionados out there, you know what I'm talking about, right? 5. I'm beginning to think the actual preparation of these high quality ingredients is only average. Famous quote from manufacturing quality world..."who is the best chef, French or Chinese chef? Answer, Chinese because he/she can take average ingredients and make something spectacular out of it. French chef uses quality ingredients and makes something spectacular out of it." The bread and butter is the best part of the meal. Considering the prices you pay and the affected hospitality you have to put up with, all of the above shouldn't be what a diner experiences. I think my Roadhouse days are numbered. But hats off to the Zing-crew for combining marketing prowess and "balls to the wall" pricing guts because the place is always packed.
(2)Jeff H.
This place will make you fat! Not because all the food is unhealthy (much is, some is not), but because you will not want to stop eating. Great bbq pork, amazing macaroni and cheese options. The greens are just "ok" and the service was average. Prices are a bit on the high side, but the portions are large. The best treat was the Tiny Tim Donut Sundae for dessert. Very, VERY good! Crispy doughnut, vanilla ice cream, nuts, and a yummy bourbon cream sauce. Was delicious!
(4)David C.
It's Zingerman's folks...yes the food is on the pricier side but you certainly get what you pay for and then some; and, well, I won't spend time telling you what most of you already know...the food is great! I would like to take a moment to focus on the staff of the road house, for it was the staff that made my dinning experience one of the best I've had in Ann Arbor! It was a busy Friday night and my girlfriend and I did not have a reservation but we were willing to wait since it was our first time at the Road House. During our wait we began to chat with the front-end manager "CC". If you start a conversation with CC you don't forget her! Her charming personality and knowledge of the menu kept us entertained for our 20min wait and before we were even seated we had entree' and appetizer suggestions with beer parings! Then, we met our waitress, "Beth" and the amazing service continued! Beth added to CC's suggestions and was extremely prompt and accommodating. She brought out different dipping sauces for our appetizers that we didn't even ask for and didn't hold back with the beer and wine samples! Overall it was the service that made this experience memorable and a wonderful night out. It is why we will be repeat customers at the road house and it is why I tell anyone who is having trouble deciding where to dine to give the Road House a try!
(5)Marquis T.
Visited this local establishment for the first time this past Friday. Heard mixed reviews about it throughout the years, but decided to give it a try on the strength of my brother's love for BBQ. Needless to say, I should have taken heed of the mixed reviews I have heard from people because this joint is overpriced and overrated. Ordered the Pulled Chicken Sandwich, while my bro ordered the BBQ platter. Both left a lot to be desired as my meat was dry and lacked flavor. The sauces they provided me with helped to add a little flavor, but the sandwich still felt it was missing something. I guess I would more or less disappointed in the size of the sandwich considering how much I paid for it. The BBQ platter seemed like it was decent. But again given the price, one would expect more. In short, if you are a diehard BBQ fanatic it would probably be in your best interest to look elsewhere. Overpriced and overrated...
(2)Sean M.
Very overrated. Dharma's description of Zingerman's Roadhouse as upscale comfort food is about right. There's a major problem with this model, though: the price tag combined with mediocre food does not leave me feeling very comfortable. It's a shame. I really want to like the Roadhouse, and I've been back a few times trying to like it. They use good quality ingredients and the service is always friendly (but not always competent - when visiting for a friend's birthday, they somehow managed to skip us in the list for a table and then, after that was sorted out, forget that they'd seated us). The food, though, doesn't justify the price, and shows that good, carefully selected ingredients put together in weird proportions, uncarefully, or with shocking amounts of salt or oil is just a waste of the ingredients. The food isn't bad (and is often pretty good), but it falls short of what it should be and what you pay for.
(2)Moose F.
Sure, I'll be review #92358 of this place. I've been to Zingerman's Roadhouse about 5 times now, and always for dinner. The food is pricey, but in this case I really think it's a "get what you pay for." They strive to use local ingredients, the quality is high, the service is awesome. I love this place, but the price keeps it from being a frequent dinner place. I finally had a chance to try their brunch. Despite all the tourists [I swear 90% of the parking lot had out-of-state plates] we risked it. We got there just before it became completely insane and were seated immediately. As we were starving we started off with some tasty bits. One friend likes sweet-potatoes so he got a small order of the sweet-potato fries. Looking into the basket he was astonished at how big it was. They were thick and crispy and he devoured about half before his main dish arrived. He was the only person at the table who liked sweet-potatoes, though, so I can't tell you how they were. He loved 'em. My other friend and I shared the biscuits with chocolate-bacon gravy. We were originally going to share it 3 ways but Sweet-potato didn't like it. The waitress told us that she found people either loved it or hated it. The gravy is very much like a mole' sauce, with that bitter chocolate taste, but wasn't spicy. The bacon chunks and the biscuits really made it amazing, but very, very rich. Sweet-potato got a "Grits 'n' Bits Waffle" -- a waffle made from grits, cheese and bacon bits. I made him give me a taste and it was awesome. The textures went impressively well together and the tastes were just incredible. I need to go back and get one of these for myself. The other two of us got the invent-your-own omelet. The potatoes with it were perfectly cooked. Mine was made with "wild mushrooms," "local greens," and 2-yr cheddar [as opposed to 4 yr cheddar which -- I asked -- is a bit sharper but dryer and doesn't melt as well or another one of the cheese choices], my friend got provolone, "wild mushrooms" and sausage. We both got sourdough bread for toast. She loved her sour cherry preserves. I got blueberry preserves which I actually ate -- I am not usually a preserves/jam person. I was extra piggy [ha! I amuse myself] and got some bacon slices. I wanted the peppered bacon but they were out. The applewood smoked bacon was tasty nonetheless. The waitress was great, helpful and attentive without being overbearing. With coffee, tax and tip it was not quite $20 for a slightly spendy brunch that was oh so very yummy, full of good and different tastes, and very filling. And now, I shall burp. Excuse me.
(5)Mark S.
Wow. This place has some seriously good chow. Bit on the pricey side for me, but I'd hazard a guess the food I didn't try is well worth the dough. Got a $7 dessert that looks small, but I can't really complain. Seem like a place to go for special occasions or if you're swimming in loot. Service was ace.
(4)brent b.
Everything I've had here is amazing. Zingerman's businesses do everything right, and the Roadhouse is no different. Awesome ambiance. Fantastic food. Knowledgeable wait staff. Expect to pay $30/person if you go, but you will not be disappointed. Only complaint: I haven't cared for their greens the last few times ive gone. I wish they'd stick to green beans.
(5)John T.
Zingerman's Roadhouse has a serious rep for good food. On my first visit, I had dinner there with a few friends. Based on my menu selections, though, this restaurant is over-hyped and way over-priced. I ordered fried okra and the corn dogs for appetizers. The okra was OK not great. The corn dogs were very good, but how can you go wrong with battered and deep-fried hot dogs and spicy mustard? That's a no-brainer so no big score for Zingerman's there. For the main entree I ordered the chicken bog. It was good, however it was very bland and soupier than I expected. I was expecting something a little drier in texture. Again, not bad, but not amazing either and amazing is what I was expecting based on reviews and word of mouth. While I am absolutely 100% on-board with supporting local farmers, I felt that $23.50 for what was essentially a big bowl of chicken rice soup was way overboard even if the chicken came from a local farm. I did not order dessert so I can't comment, though the Mississippi Mudd and the gelato sounded pretty good. The restaurant is decorated in a fun, boisterous and casual way. If you're old enough like me to have eaten at the Bill Knapp's restaurant that used to be there you'll be amazed at how different (and better) the building is now that the Z crew has moved in. Our waitperson was stellar. Actually, all of the employees were cheerful, knowledgeable and very helpful and accommodating. I get the Zingerman's "mystique" but I think the time has come for folks to just take a deep breath and step back a little. The Z crew has a good gig going and definitely serves some good food but their restaurants just aren't all they're cracked up to be IMHO. I think there are restaurants that serve food just as good or better at better prices. I know I'll be stoned in the public square for saying that but oh well. My review and rating might change based on future visits and future menu selections. All in all, it was a fun, relaxing dinner with friends. Will I go back? Sure, someday. Will I be a regular? No. To me the prices are way high and while some folks might be attracted to having 100 different choices to make for each ingredient in a given menu item, it just shouldn't require that much mental effort to order good food. If I do go back I will try either one of the mac-n-cheeses or a burger...I think those were the only menu items that seemed fair on price even if a burger does cost $15 or more and some of the mac-n-cheeses were close to $20.
(3)M M.
My favorite weekend brunch with friends/ weekday lunch with book/ brisket sandwich and tea drive through spot. When not in Ann Arbor, I crave their burgers, mac & cheese, sweet potato fries, and fried chicken. This is one of the reasons I'll really miss A2 when I move. The Roadhouse is actually not overrated. It's just comfort food done right. And, I love comfort food, especially in the form of a burger slathered in pimento cheese and an order of sweet potato fries.
(5)Dee W.
During my sister's graduation weekend, we celebrated Mother's Day brunch here. Staff here were super friendly and were able to accommodate our large group of 18 people without a problem. I was able to pre-order fruit plates and pastry baskets in advance which they had ready. Brunch was truly delicious and not a single person complained about your dish. In fact, there was quite some silence as we all dug into our meal and couldn't stop eating! My son and I shared the corned beef hash which is probably a terrific way to sneak in celery and red peppers into his meal without him noticing. We also snuck bites of that delicious chocolate bacon gravy over biscuits! YUM! Overall, fantastic service and delicious food that was able to handle some of the pickiest eaters, vegetarians, and a sister who is allergic to half the world!
(4)Wally N.
Fried chicken. Cheese plates. Worth it every time.
(5)Jim M.
Too many great things to express about dining here. Chef Alex and the team serve up a wonderful experience. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Hank's Dad R.
This really is one of those special places! The young hostess seated us, chatting very genuinely the whole time, finding out that the wife and I were here for the first time, welcoming us. A very nice start to the experience. Our server was slow once in getting refills, and slow about getting a desert menu to us, but was very knowledgeable and charming. The atmosphere is wonderful, bright beautiful decor. I have a hearing problem, and though they were extremely crowded, it wasn't so noisy as to make it hard for me to hear conversation at our table, which is a wonderful bonus for me. My meal was the chicken fried steak which wasn't very good, and the wife's mac & cheese wasn't outstanding, but everything else was fantastic food wise. The three sides I had were fries, grilled corn on the cob, and potato salad. All three were very good, especially the fries. The wife had the crab cake appetizer, and it was wonderful. I should mention the couple we went with both also had the chicken fried steak, and both liked theirs. The place is expensive, you pay for the organic food they serve. But it is worth it on an occasional basis. And I had my very first oyster! It was wonderful, I can't wait to have more.
(5)Rachel P.
Much like the deli, they let you try stuff at Zingerman's Roadhouse (why don't all restaurants do this? I would love it). When one of us were deciding what cheese to get on a burger, we just asked for samples to make the decision. I also had a sample of the pimento mac and cheese after I finished eating, just because I live so far away and I wanted to try it. Mondays at lunch at least there's a nice burger special of a burger with cheese and a side salad for $13. My boyfriend and his brother both got that (one getting a meat burger and one getting the veggie burger, which I tried and was good). I decided on the mac and cheese with salad lunch special, which was a good decision. The salad was simple but tasty and had really delicious housemade ranch. The mac and cheese seemed like a tiny portion, but it was so incredibly rich and filling that it was plenty. Again this is a bit expensive, but I think that it's worth it. The customer service here is just as wonderful as at their other locations, and the ability to try things is again fantastic.
(5)Dave T.
Another head of the Ann Arbor hydra that is Zingermans. When this place first opened, I was working at another high end restaurant up the road, and I remember that we used to make fun of their inexperience and misfortune ("They ran out of WHAT?!?!). Those days are long past. If you areof the Meatloaf, Fried Fish and BBQ school of cuisine, you will be happy with this place. As with the rest of the Zingermans line, the prices are more than most folk's walking around money. The quality, however, is typical Zingermans, which is to say, par excellance. Incredible breakfast, which is more affordable than the dinner menu. The eggs benedict, in particular, is extraordinary, if a little unusual in the use of southern country ham instead of Canadian bacon, and sourdough toast instead of english muffin. The bar is very full, especially of American whiskeys, of which I happen to be a bit of a fan. They have bourbon sampling flights (!), which you should definitely try if you're looking to expand your tastes.
(5)Keith G.
You can't live in SE Michigan and not heard of the magic of Zingerman's, especially with the exposure through Food TV and national magazines. Two years ago, I took a large group to the Deli. I came away disappointed in that everything I'd been promised: 1) the best service, 2) the largest portions, and 3) the best food EVER, failed. The service consisted of standing in a long line, sitting outside at a picnic table, then having the food dropped off. The portion wasn't something to write home about, and the sandwich written way better than it tasted. After paying for nine meals at Zingerman prices, the fail proved EPIC. I recently recovered from that debacle and made it to the Roadhouse. I ordered the BBQ because it smelled amazing. It was a warm Spring day and with the smoked air it felt like Summer in the South. The BBQ portion was on the small side. I even ended up hungry after having had some bread (good) and a bit of dessert. I wasn't amazed, and again paid out the wazoo. Because of the many positive reviews, I may one day return. The Mac n Cheese seems particularly intriguing. But I'll have to start an IRA (Individual Roadhouse Account) to prepare for that day. I will add that our waiter WAS very attentive here as well as friendly. He let me sample the brisket which ended up being better than the pulled pork I'd ordered.
(3)Christine F.
Everything I've had here has been super delicious. I've only been here for dinner. The standouts in the past have been the cream of mushroom soup (this shit ain't from a can), which is filled with a myriad of different types of mushrooms. It's perfectly seasoned and SO creamy. MMM. I've also had bomb-ass-dick grilled cheeses here. You choose the cheese within the sammich - and they have a list of amazing cheeses to choose from. I chose the aged cheddar, and with that mushroom soup? Perfect! It's definitely a place we swing by when we're in Ann Arbor.
(4)Dave C.
ROADHOUSE! I came here twice and both times was pleasantly surprised by the delicious food and superb service. First time I had the fried chicken and also sampled my friend's sweet potato fries, corn dog, bbq sampler and pesto mac n cheese. Second time I had the bbq sampler and tried some fish dish. So where to begin? The fried chicken was super crispy and delicious.. the sweet potato fries were humongous and served with some awesome dipping sauce. Nothing like the weaksauce sweet potato fries you get at bobby's burger place, or the wannabe fried chicken at popeye's. the bbq, oh the bbq. Such succulent fall of the bone ribs but at the same time having a bit of crisp on the outside, ahh... I feel the ribs and pulled pork are better than slows, heck i dare say they were better than the ones i tried in Texas from rudy's. They do their own smoking out back for 9hrs and raise their own animals, a recipe for win. The only thing mediocre stuff we had were the pesto mac and corn dogs. But who cares. Their shortcomings are overshadowed to the nth degree by the other awesome dishes. A bit pricey but hey, you pay for it in GREAT service and GREAT food. ~try it!
(5)Christine D.
stopped in on our way from Detroit to Chicago for a late lunch @ 3. Decided to go to take out counter to save time - no line and no other people waiting. Ordered 5 sandwiches and was told that it would be about 8 minutes, since a couple of them had to go on the grill. 15 mins later, guy asked if we wanted our coleslaw on the side or on sandwiches. 20 min later, guy came out and told us sandwiches were almost ready as we were clearly in a hurry to get going. Finally bag brought out and we zipped off in car and jumped on highway 100 yds away. Only to open bag then and find NO napkins and NO coleslaw at all. huh? Was I supposed to look before we left? maybe. Sandwiches were mostly good but some portions a little small for price and lost a star for leaving out the missing stuff. Clearly we were not turning the car around but it was a big pain to eat BBQ in car with no napkins.
(3)Ernest S.
The mac and cheese is really rich. Maybe overly rich. One order was more than enough for the four of us. The rest of the food - including a heaping order of ribs - was really good. Can't wait to go back next time I'm in the area.
(4)Kim C.
The place was packed when I arrived. I suggest that you make reservations ahead of time to get seated quickly and luckily I did that. Also, I didn't know the menu changed daily, which is a cool feature. I had dinner here on a Wednesday and got the Chef Alex's Bearded BBQ Plate. I was glad that I ended up splitting the platter because it was huge and I still had some leftovers. Great service, the waitress was very attentive and nice. I will definitely go back to Zingerman's Roadhouse again.
(4)Chris G.
Out-of-town guests always want to go here because it's famous. They're usually complimentary once the meal is over, but also disappointed. You have to admit the ingredients and cooking technique are impeccable, but the recipes are just not exceptional. As townies, we don't get very excited when we know we're going there. Examples from last night: The $18 grilled grits had the usual outstanding grilled corn flavor, but this time the balance of the dish tipped too much toward heat (peppers, green onions) and the corn flavor got lost. The sweet potato fries were fine; they are distinguished from those at other restaurants by being big wedges rather than strips. They're very salty and altogether tasty, but the size of the portion is overwhelming, even for five people, and would have been a main-course spoiler if we hadn't held back. I saw other tables being cleaned off with easily half of this dish left behind by the diners. The farro piccolo, a heritage grain served in a mushroom-cheese sauce, was rich and satisfying (read: unfinishable) but, jeez, it should at least have a garnish or something. It was basically a big flat plate of brown stuff. Presentation score 0. The burgers are good, but not amazing or memorable. The smoke from the grill smells incredible from the street, but the barbeque is just "pretty good." And so on. Last night, among five people and five dishes shared, nobody said "wow." The service is adequate but over-rated. They certainly train their people to be talkative, personal, quick, team-like, and fairly well-informed about the food, but there's an extra zing that's just not there (in my opinion). For one thing, I'd prefer to have servers who are more flexible, i.e. who don't get sniffy when you want to choose your own five cheeses for the 5-mini-burger sampler (that's why you have a cheese menu, guys!). Finally, don't go here if you want to have conversation. A couple of the rooms are incredibly loud due to the room surfaces. Luckily, the tables are spaced fairly well so you don't actually understand the shouted conversations at the next table, but you WILL be shouting on a busy night. There are a couple of corner booths where the noise level is workable and the grill bar isn't too bad. They have live music in the summers outside, but they need better control of the outdoor grill's smoke and, for some reason, the flies on calm nights. Sorry, Zingerman's, I wish I could be more euphoric. I'll take your deli any day.
(2)Dharma A.
I should start by saying that as far as going out to eat, this is not my favorite style of food to go out for. Upscale comfort food is how I think of it. It's hardy and tends to be meat and cheese-heavy. But it is really good. They have several different macaroni and cheese dishes, using only the best cheeses. I especially like their chili, which has a good smokey flavor and is made with shredded beef instead of ground. The service, like all Zingerman's establishments, is top-notch. I've met and talked with Chef Alex a few times and love his passion for heirloom tomatoes. They grow their own and dry them, make sauces, etc.! Impressive.
(4)Kate M.
After a year of living in A2, I finally made it to dinner at the Roadhouse. I was lucky enough to photograph an event for 826 earlier in the year here, but it was a special, Mediterranean one-time only menu (phenomenal, by the way), so I hadn't yet tasted any of Zingerman's signature dishes. Signature dishes we tried: the roasted chicken, corn, and pepper mac-n-cheese, spare ribs, mini burgers, and fried chicken. I tasted everything and everything was mmm-mmm good. A bit appalled at the mac-n-cheese price ($18?!), but considering I ordered it as my main dish, shared it multiple bites with everyone at the table, and still had enough for my lunch at work the next day, I suppose it's a fair deal. The fried chicken was so tasty: crispy, salty, but not dried out. All in all, very good American food. That said, for (largely) unhealthy American menu, it's not a cheap place! I understand they use very primo ingredients, etc, but it's still not a place I could afford to come to often (thanks for footing the bill this time, Dad!) I was also a little put off by the super rowdy MIchigan football fans sitting at the bar watching the game. $18 macaroni and busted eardrums don't mix well. Not that it's Zingerman's fault, but take your superfandom elsewhere, maybe? I'm tryin' to enjoy my high-class mac-n-cheese. =)
(4)Kristen M.
If I could give five 3.5 stars, I would. I always go in with very high expectations, but leave a little disappointed. During my most recent visit, I had the London broil. It was tasty, nothing spectacular and the meat was a little dry. Sweet potato fries are always solid and I had a very delicious drink called a Knickerbocker (although it was a little weak). My fiance had the chopped pork sandwich, which was decent but not memorable. The server was very nice and knowledgeable about the menu. For me, the Roadhouse is usually not worth the money or the wait.
(3)Jim C.
The food was excellent and the staff outstanding. In town for a workshop, I enjoyed my dinner the 1st night that I came back for another meal. These people care about food and have created a new approach to American food. Glad I followed another reviewer's recommendation and had sweet potato fries. You should try them. Macaroni & Cheese? Yes, it's on the menu and it's not what I'd expect. Several excellent combinations of cheeses and fresh ingredients to choose from. So much more to try. I'll be back when I'm in Ann Arbor.
(5)Christopher F.
Similar to Znigermans Deli, the Roadhouse has great food, great service nice atmosphere. The prices are expensive but not as atrocious as Zingerman's Deli. Virtually everything on the menu at Roadhouse is terrific, the pulled pork, brisket, Chicken all wonderful they have three BBQ sauces a NC Vinegar, SC mustard BBQ, or the memphis BBQ they will let you sample each with a bit of pork just ask. They brew their own beers too all of which are pretty good. Their Mac N cheese, the goat mac their applewood Bacon Mac and their regular Mac are the best combination of Mac N Cheese I have ever had. If you want the best bang for your buck eat during Lunch time can get a combination of Pork, chicken, Brisket, with two sides for 11.99; 15.99 if you sub for a Mac (highly recommendaded) the biggest dissapointment was the Texas Charbrito, the goat was excellant but the portions were ridculosly small. Other than that entree have been good with everything I have eaten there. A must try if in Ann Arbor!!!
(4)Aubrey W.
Two words: Worth it! My boyfriend and I stayed overnight with a friend in Ann Arbor. The next morning, with our stomachs rumbling, so we all headed for Zingerman's. Considering it was Sunday, we expected a wait, but after about 30 minutes we were seated with drink orders placed. Now, The average breakfast plate is somewhere around $12, which may seem a little steep for breakfast. However, Zingerman's uses locally grown ingredients and offers generous portions. You can get a cheaper breakfast elsewhere, but you won't have this kind of quality. First up, my mocha. Rich chocolate with earthy espresso was a "sweet, but not too sweet" start to the meal. Next we ordered a round of doughnuts. These were deep fried works of art: a warm, soft dough with a crumbly crust, topped with rich, dark brown sugar. There's nothing like this at Dunkin Donuts. When it comes to breakfast, I usually opt for the savory, but once I saw the Fasten on the menu, I had to have it. The crispy baguette with the subtle citrus flavor and perfectly topped with a brown sugar and banana sauce, was absolutely incredible. Thankfully, my boyfriend ordered the biscuits and gravy, so I was able to sample a bit of the savory breakfast options. The consistency of the gravy reminded me of clam chowder: thick, rich, and full of flavor. Topped with some scrambled (cage free) eggs, if I wasn't so pleased with my Fasten, I would have ordered this. Together we shared a side of applewood bacon, there really isn't much you can do wrong here. It's bacon! I will say though, it is more chewy than crispy. If you prefer crispy bacon, request it that way. At the end of our meal, our server Chris asked us if we enjoyed it. Our Ann Arbor friend, Anthony, said that he loves it and has been bringing out-of-town friends here for years. Chris then offered to buy us dessert! What a guy. Soon a blueberry shortcake and vanilla gelato were on their way. We just had a delightful experience and when we return to Ann Arbor, we will be sure to patronize Zingerman's Roadhouse again.
(5)Julie D.
Zingerman's is my place of choice for any special gathering or when I am in the mood for food that won't disappoint. Sure, you'll pay a pretty penny here, but they also use local fresh food. I have NEVER had a bad meal, side dish, drink, dessert or service (which is just as important as the food) at Zingerman's. I would say avoid during peak weekend dinner hours if you do not like to wait.
(5)Peter S.
Good food and very good service. It would be five stars if it weren't over-priced. The biggest difference between the food here and good southern cooking is the steep price. The chicken-fried steak is highly recommended.
(4)Matt G.
As one of the staples of Ann Arbor, Zingerman's Roadhouse must be a place visited, either by a visitor, or long time resident. For those die hard Zingerman followers, to the curious first timer, Zingerman's Roadhouse is sure to please those looking for a more upscale and unique environment and menu. No, this isn't some snooty sixty dollar per plate establishment that you may encounter going on Main St., rather a classy and sophisticated casual place, with a wide array of tasty comfort food on the menu. Go there on a fall evening and sit outside with someone near and dear to your heart, have a few drinks, enjoy a great meal; both of you will come away impressed and with a smile on your face, and you will take all the credit for being the mastermind behind a wonderful evening. 4.5/5
(4)Stuart D.
First, a note of clarification: I do not associate a rating with the simple expense of a meal. Perceived value should certainly come to play, but not just the dollar amount of the check. Second, a note about that note: this is not an inexpensive menu. Some of the prices are appropriately matched to the dish provided (the Prince Edward Island Mussels are really quite wonderful), while other dishes are an interesting miss (the Chopped Pork BBQ Sandwich is actually a bit skimpy). That being said, the level of service CAN really make up for any issues in value. Let's be clear... it's always amazing to have servers that are pleasant, on the ball, and willing to spend time with you to help make selections. It is an entirely different thing when the whole restaurant is built on a culture to please their guests. For instance, you can sample anything. I mean anything. That may include having the kitchen sacrifice a beautiful cut of fish just to let a guest sample a dish. Just think: the solution to the skimpy Chopped Pork BBQ Sandwich that I mention above is simply talking with the server and mentioning that it just seems a bit underwhelming. You should have a small additional plate of Chopped Pork BBQ delivered without any questions asked. I've seen it happen. In addition to what has been previously mentioned, the dishes we've tried have included the Pit Smoked Beef Brisket (which is unfortunately pulled instead of sliced), Pit Smoked Spare Ribs (which are tasty but I find the bones to be brittle), Roadhouse Macaroni & Cheese (amazing), Macaroni, Smoked Chicken & Monterey Jack (the fire-roasted New Mexico green chiles were a bit too hot and overpowering when we had it), Roadhouse Burger (lovely), and we've never gone wrong with any of the appetizers yet. When you get to dessert, don't forget that the Roadhouse is connected to the Roadshow trailer which often has some other Zingerman's bakery treats to fill your needs. This is a great destination that is always busy but reservations can save you some time. Explore the menu and try something different now and then. And if you think something is amiss, test out the service level and see how far it goes. Enjoy!
(5)Steve S.
Best sandwiches, period. The line/wait to order is beyond the point of annoyance but completely worth it. 100%
(5)Chelsea M.
We headed here to celebrate a birthday having heard this place has some excellent BBQ. Come to find out it is pretty tasty, however I feel it was kinda over priced. Chris really enjoyed his BBQ pork platter with a mixture of the mustard and tomato based BBQ sauces. He described it as "good, really good" but it seemed to be lacking something. Not to mention for nearly $20 there wasn't a whole lot of food on the plate. The burger I had was tasty. The beef was of the grass fed variety and had an excellent texture and flavor. Aside from that the rest of my meal was just alright. The side of sauteed spinach was decent and the sweet potato fries were crispy and flavorful. Unfortunately nothing during our meal really stood out as- "WOW! We've got to come back here and have this again!" To their credit the service was excellent! The waitress was friendly and attentive. She made good suggestions for drinks and entrees and was never pushy. It is unfortunate the food wasn't more memorable. We'll probably go back and give a a couple different entrees a try in the future.
(3)Crystal P.
Ladies night out with a few out of town friends. I have only been here once since I've been living in the area so came to re-visit to give my taste buds a reminder and it was good! To start I had the bacon potato soup, it was okay...I tried my friend's mushroom soup and that was much better (definitely going with that choice next time) For my main dish I had the bbq sampler(pork, beef, and chicken) with the mac n cheese (instead of mashed potatoes at of course an extra charge) and the greens. (Greens were good but not broken down enough; I felt like an animal basically putting whole leaves of collards in my mouth). All the meat on the sampler was very good and tender with good flavors. My friends and I split the donut sundae an extreme sugary indulgence for sure. I would come here again to try more of the mac n' cheese and some other items that looked tasty. The three stars are mostly due to the price of everything; my bill was over $50 for soup, a drink, and a main dish.
(3)Christine E.
How can plain old butter taste so good? This is the most significant thought that I took away from my experience with Zingerman's Roadhouse. Less horrendously expensive than the sandwich shop (only $11 for your breakfast instead of $15 - what a joke) and staffed with some of the nicest people ever. I will say that their Hollandaise sauce was less flavorful than I had hoped/expected. Waffle was very good but not necessarily memorable. Other than that, though, everything was top notch, from the tea to the cinnamon roll to the French toast to the side order of potatoes. But the butter is seriously the best thing - you have to try it for yourself to understand. I had the waitress package what I didn't use, 'cause it's that good. Would definitely visit more often if it were more affordable.
(4)Jeff W.
I can't say enough positive things about this place. Make sure to get a brownie to go or swing by the coffee shop on the way out too. Both are amazing!
(5)Chad C.
Z.R. runs into the same tendency as their deli - just because all the ingredients you use are all of the highest grade, it doesn't mean that what you put together will taste really good. That's why chefs/cooks make a big difference. Now, Z.R. has good ones and has many wonderful dishes, but when you're paying Zingerman's prices, you expect all of them to taste good. They, however, do aim to please! Service is a Zingerman's hallmark. The beer list is outstanding; this is where I ran into Dragonmead's "Final Absolution." And you'd be hard pressed to find a better bourbon list this side of Kentucky!
(3)Jess O.
I've dined at Zingerman's Roadhouse a few times and I still don't get what all the hype is about. The food is average and, while I can appreciate some of the unique creations on the menu, the cost just isn't worth it. The last time I ate there I enjoyed the first few bites of my entree - so much so that I thought Zingerman's just may have won me over. But as I ate on I found the dish to be overpoweringly salty and almost impossible to finish. I don't care for the atmosphere, either, as it's often so noisy and jam-packed full of people that I can barely hold a conversation with the person sitting next to me. Hopefully I've learned my lesson and will find a new place to try the next time I want upscale American food.
(2)Rebecca W.
I think my Zingerman's appreciation gene is recessive. Or maybe I'm missing it altogether. I like Zingerman's. I guess I just don't see what the big deal is. My food is never SO good that I don't feel a bit of a twinge when it comes time to pay. My feelings go for for both the deli and the roadhouse, but this review of course is focused on The Roadhouse. After we finished, I realized that the meal I had was basically identical to my meal at the Blue Tractor a month or so ago: pulled pork sandwich, sweet potato fries, cole slaw, and a stout. Notable differences: -Zingerman's mustard slaw was MUCH better than BT's creamy cole slaw -From the BT, I brought home a lunch's worth of leftovers. At Zingerman's I finished my plate. The portion was not skimpy--maybe I was just hungrier. -Zingerman's cost $5 more. Don't get me wrong--the pork was very tasty, and so were the fries--huge honkin' hunks of sweet potato, instead of little fried bits (I can get behind both styles). Just....not any tastier than pulled pork and sweet potato fries I've had elsewhere in town. For 2/3 the cost. Maybe to understand what all the hype is about, you have to commit to fish, or ribs, or something more extravagant (ahem, expensive?) to begin with. Maybe pulled pork and turkey sandwiches only get so good. Dunno. While I've always had good food at Zingerman's establishments (ok, extrapolating beyond the Roadhouse again here), I've never yet had something that I couldn't get just as good, for less, elsewhere.
(3)M D.
This place has been going downhill lately regarding the quality, portion size, and value of the food. For example, I went there on Monday of this week with my girlfriend. Our salad tasted funny and was small. Her fish (the trout, a special for that day) was overlooked, tough, and bland. And my surf and turf (crab stuffed tomato and a steak) dish had a well done steak (when I order medium rare). We both walked away hungry and disappointed -- and this wasn't the first time. This used to be one of my favorite places....but lately they have been putting out exceedingly small portions (especially of the protein) and not cooking the dishes up to expectations. This is tough to swallow when they charge very high prices. Also....don't bother sitting outside when the smoker is on....unless you want to smell like a campfire. C'mon - move the smoker guys! One more point: I order takeout breakfast here, but your staff frequently gets my order wrong. Please have attention to detail so I don't get all the way home to find out I'm missing the jam for my toast, an item in my omelette, and milk for my oatmeal! So frustrating when breakfast for two costs north of 50 bucks. The potential is there to make and serve excellent food. Just do better please. I am a foodie and have certain expectations - but you guys have a ways to go. So here's a summary: Pros: 1) very friendly staff - keep up the good work here. 2) good beer and wine selection 3) good cheese 4) ok tasting BBQ and steak (when not overcooked) 5) focus on American food 6) excellent coffee and tea Cons: 1) food is not prepared at a quality I would expect - it has been going downhill too. 2) portion size is VERY small 3) prices are too high for the amount and quality of the food you get in return 4) hard to sit outside when smoker is on 5) the takeout station consistently makes mistakes, they frequently don't know what's on the menu or the specials, and they are slow on the phone when taking your order Hope this helps and really hope this place gets back on track.
(2)Mick C.
My second time at the Roadhouse and I once again left underwhelmed. While the commitment to local, sustainable food is commendable, and the service outstanding, I found many dishes to be rather bland. However, my palate tends to favor dishes with spice or strong flavors, so admit a little bias. We had: Green Tomato Mussels - The spicy, sweet sauce completely overwhelmed the delicate, plump mussels. An indicator of a great sauce is my desire to dip lots of bread into it; in this case, I just left the sauce ot one side. Sweet Potato Fries - Generous portion, with a spicy kick - very good. Crab Cakes - Disappointing - Visually, the two small brown cakes on a large white plate did not appear appetizing and lacked any flavor or freshness. Scallops - Cooked perfectly, the best dish of the night Chef Alex's Bearded BBQ Plate - For $28, included 5 small portions of BBQ and foregettable mashed potatoes and greens. The chicken and the ribs were cooked beautifully, with other portions ok.
(3)Garrett G.
Ok so it is so interesrting to see so many reviews all over the place!! Here are my thoughts: If you truly thought the food was bad, something must of been off. The roadhouse serves lots of things, but one thing they don't serve is bad food. If you had a bad customer service experience that is the exception, and that person is probably no longer employed there. Offering samples of dishes is such a great idea, and it really helps people make a good food choice. The restaurant is great, the food is great, but it is just too expensive for me to be able to frequent here .
(4)Ajay S.
Went here for breakfast on the way back to Chicago. The breakfast was good and the orange juice was freshly squeezed. Would definately go again. On issue was sitting outside it was a little load with a crew cleaning the bbq grill. Will return.
(4)Alan W.
Good Food! Been here a few times; good service, good food, and decent decor. I like the place, but find some of the food too expensive. Depends on what you order.
(3)Andrew M.
The Roadhouse is easily one of the most overrated restaurants in Ann Arbor. The food was average at best, and somewhat dry. I'd rate the food a 3, but given the prices, it's not really worth it. Other Zingerman's establishments, however, are worth a try.
(2)F T.
Pretty disappointed with this visit to the Roadhouse. Our service was average at best, and the wine list was longer, but not really any better than a decent casual dining chain's. Of course, our food was delicious, albeit overpriced. When I go to a Zingerman's I expect the very best. This is what happens after years of receiving the best quality food with great service in a unique atmosphere. This trip did not meet any of those expectations. I also find it difficult to pay $20+ for an entree at a place with a view of their old Airstream in the parking lot that sells coffee and pastries as a drive-thru. Also disappointing were the chairs on the patio. They are too low for the tables and incredibly uncomfortable. I felt too short at 6'3".
(3)Josh R.
I have been to many restaurants in my time and this one by far threw me off. It seems to be very popular and the decor is nice inside. Its a clean looking restaurant, so my girlfriend and I decided to eat there on 7/26/13 for lunch. Well we get seated and our server hands us their lunch menu and everything is around $15 per plate. Which is fine if the food reflects the price. Then our server tries to push the mac n cheese dishes, for $15 a plate I sort of laughed. I have never seen mac n cheese so costly it was kind of ridiculous. So I decide on fried perch and she gets a salad with soup. Well the perch came out greasy and stuck together like it was out of a Gordons frozen fish box and ive had better fries at McDonald's. It came with 5 small pieces of perch and their homeade tartar sauce was terrible. Id rather use ketchup. For a $15.50 plate for lunch I was disappointed as was my girlfriend with the salad. We can say we wont be back to this place thats for sure. Hope your visit is better than ours was and this review gives you insight on the perch.
(1)Kensey W.
i've been here twice now, once for brunch and once for dinner. both times, i've found it to be meh. the price tag is the least of the problem (the brunch was actually pretty cheap) - i believe in the quality of ingredients at zingerman's but that doesn't change the fact that the food is just not that tasty. for brunch, i had a eggs benedict with crab. the hollandaise on it was incredibly bland. the potatoes served on the side were also bland and tasted like someone boiled and then baked them with no seasoning. (i used a lot of pepper and ketchup and it just tasted like peppered ketchup, which was okay i guess.) the portion was large though, so at least it was filling if not satisfying. as for dinner, i had fried chicken, after which, our server made sure to name drop mario batali as a frequent orderer of said dish. the fried chicken itself was decent and worth trying but not worth ordering again. there wasn't enough breading (i would believe if it were baked fried chicken) and the chicken was a little dry as chicken tends to be. my friend had a burger, which looked good, but the bun was overextending the meat, which is a personal pet peeve of mine when it comes to burgers. another friend got pulled pork sandwich which came with three sauces and was tasty, but in a way where i'm sure i've had better somewhere else. another friend got goat cheese mac and cheese, which was fantastic, flavorful, and right amount of gooeyness. i would get that next time if i liked eating large amounts of pasta. the best thing about this place is the service. they are very accommodating about switching out sides for other sides and giving you lots of options with your food. our server was friendly and knowledgeable and brought us some delicious cheese to sample while we waited for our food (yes, my opinion can be bought with delicious cheese). i wish i could give them five stars just for the services, but the food really was just a-ok.
(3)Tyler B.
The Roadhouse has two major barriers to me being gaga, five stars in love with it - it's expensive and it's not downtown. Now these may be trivial aspects for some, but this is my review, I'll criticize anything I want. I ended up here because the girlfriend wanted a bloody mary for brunch and claimed these were the best. Besides she was aghast that I'd never been. Offering to pick up the check was all the arm twisting she had to do. I can't vouch for the bloody mary (other than to say it looked like a delicious, professionally made cocktail) but they do have a fine selection of beers on tap. Regardless, the main selling points turned out to be that the service is quite incredible and the beef brisket is to die for. I'd note that you get what you pay for, except the portion size left me wanting more. Lots more. So anyone who wants to drive me out here and pay for my meal, I'm in. I'm already contemplating having the brisket again or trying my luck on something new. Ah the eternal conundrum...
(4)Holly M.
The service alone could make this place a 5 star all the way! Wow! While visiting MI for work this past week I was introduced to Zingermans Bakehouse and the Roadhouse, nice, eh? The Roadhouse had some awesome comfort food, exactly what I was looking for when I am away from Boston. I had the Turkey Hot Brown and it was delicious. I'm a little embarrassed to tell you that I ate every last bite on the plate. It was that good. Our server was super attentive to our needs and honestly made the dining experience. She totally rocked and was so honest and helpful, I was really impressed. My coworkers had a burger (outstanding) and a chicken special. Both were impressed. If I am ever back in MI again, I am going back to Roadhouse for sure!
(5)Erika K.
Ask about half-sized portions! I went to the Roadhouse for a quick breakfast this morning and was pleasantly surprised by my bill. The waiter asked if I wanted a half portion or full portion of the steel cut oatmeal I wanted. I ordered the half size and it was more than enough; besides being rich and delicious, it was only $2.50! With a cup of awesome coffee (which I had refilled a couple of times gratis), the bill was only $5 before tax. I would take $2.50 steel cut oatmeal over a cheap, greasy sandwich from other places any day of the week.
(5)Vanessa F.
Over priced for nasty mac n cheese. Nothing on the menu but ribs and mac. Never again. If you want the zingerman's experience go downtown, or to the bakehouse.
(1)Niki T.
Have eaten here a few times and it's always top notch. The breakfast/brunch is unique and always tasty. The lunch we had here was perfect. I'm not a huge BBQ fan but their BBQ lunch options are amazing and so mouth watering. The service is top notch and very informative. They even go as far as to provide samples of their best entrees if you haven't ordered them. Definitely makes you want to come back to order next time. Everything they serve is local and comes from the surrounding areas.
(5)Tim M.
I tasted why Food Network rated the Pimento & Bacon Mac 'n Cheese the best in the US - creamy, tender, delicious. But very rich. Barbecue was incredible, too. Pricy. Great service. We'll be back!
(5)mariah c.
I figured out the secret of catfish consumption here! So, I liked the taste of the catfish dinner, but picking it off the bone? Not so much. However, yesterday I dropped in for lunch. While the Roadhouse isn't usually in my lunch orbit (or budget), the lovely Colleen C was in town and I wanted to show her someplace a little special. So, the Roadhouse it was! I was eagerly eying all sorts of options -- though avoiding the mac and cheese knowing that would = instant food coma mid-afternoon. I came upon the catfish po-boy! Perhaps it's only on the lunch menu, but I'd never noticed it before. I was sold! It was divine. The perfect slight sweet-spiciness of the pepper with the breaded catfish, on a super hearty roll was one special lunch indeed. The fries were ok, but it was hard for them to measure up to that darn sammich. Loved it so much that I ate the second 1/2 for dinner. For those of you who have a hankering for catfish but don't want the work of bone-pickin', go fo' the po' boy!
(5)Diane T.
I'm usually a big fan of the zingerman's monopoly, but I found the roadhouse to be so so. I ordered the braised goat with sweet potato mash, which pretty much sounds amazing in theory. However, this was probably the chewiest, crunchest, toughest goat I've ever had. The atmosphere was also extremely loud. Even on a Friday night at 10pm, I still felt like I had to yell across the table. Maybe they were just having an off night, but next time I'm in Ann Arbor, I'm skipping the roadhouse and heading straight to the deli!
(3)A N.
I really enjoy the chef's use of product from his own gardens. Great sides and cocktails. Can be a bit heavy if you don't order carefully. One of a kind!
(4)missy a.
Great food to fit everyone's tastes. New selections each time yet same favorites. Love their drink and wine list. Cheese selections great & you an choose which type for a grilled cheese. Soups great. I will say fried chicken & mac/cheese weren't as wonderful as expected. Suggest reservations as they can get busy. This is a highlight when we visit family in the area.
(4)Measie J.
Every time I end up at the Roadhouse for a meal, I always leave telling myself I have to come back and order the... The food and beverages are wonderful! On my last visit I tried the pimento cheese burger with Ari's recommendation of peppered bacon on it, OMG it was the best burger ever. The Roadhouse is also great about letting you taste an item on the menu to be sure that you like it before ordering or just for a taste. Our table had a taste of the pimento cheese and peppered bacon macaroni and it was to die for. Therefore, I will be heading back over there soon for a meal of it. It is worth every bit of the price based on the ingredients used. Zingerman's Roadhouse is definitely a gem for Ann Arbor.
(5)PJ M.
My mom and I laughed about the last time we tried the Roadhouse for like, YEARS because it was just so comical the way the waiter built up every single dish. He was so enthusiastic about the food that it just really came off as ridiculous. The strawberry shortcake was made with, "local red berries plucked at the peak of freshness, the cake was made from scratch in small batches, the whip cream was from some special cow from some special pasture," etc etc . With fond memories of mom's bisquick shortcake and regular 'ol Michigan strawberries, and regular whipped cream, we felt we couldn't say no. When we were finally served the small but really expensive portions, we were overwhelmed with how completely ordinary, nay less than ordinary it tasted. It became our running joke for years to come....that strawberry shortcake whose berries were watered by the tears of viginal nuns- whose whip cream came from cows massaged daily...you get the idea---ie, Zingerman's Road house is a joke!
(1)Lauren S.
Great food - I have my annual meeting with a client from Southfield here every year. I just wish they had more than one dinner table with an electrical outlet. Come On, Zingerman's - get with the times!!!
(3)Allyson L.
In short: a little pricey, but I can't recommend Zing's Roadhouse enough for someone who wants some quality comfort food with great service. I just got back from a delicious lunch there with my mom. I got the fried catfish po' boy - the catfish was crunchy on the outside and moist on the inside, and the cabbage, mayo and pickles complimented the flavors perfectly. The sandwich was so huge that I could only eat half. (But now I have a delicious other half of my sammich to look forward to!) Instead of fries, I got sauteed local greens, which were perfectly cooked and had just enough mustard greens to add a nice earthy flavor. My mom got a meatball sub, which was way too big to pick up and eat but was also quite good. That came with some really great sweet potato fries - skin on, no sugar, and served with a spicy mayo that rivals Seva's (oh how it pains me to say that!). She also got some delicious fresh-squeezed lemonade that was just tart enough. Our bill came to $30; a little steep for a lunch, but absolutely worth it for the quality of ingredients and the great service. The service was fantastic, probably more fantastic because we came at off-peak hours (2:30 pm). The woman who served us was really friendly and even offered to walk us out to our car with an umbrella after our meal because it was raining. She offered us a refill on our sweet potato fries (didn't know you could do that!) and gave us a delicious sample of their "What the Fudge?" candy bar as a dessert since we didn't order any. The other great part of the Roadhouse is the Roadshow, their take-out service. The Roadshow is an old metal trailer stuck on the side of the building, connecting to the restaurant's kitchen. You can either call in your order or place it there - you just drive right up and get your food! I think they do coffee, breakfast, and quick lunches, too. Last time I picked up a take-out order, they included a free loaf of day-old raisin bread and some sort of dessert. Again, wonderful, friendly, helpful people. Now I just need to go back for brunch!
(5)Freedom M.
Conveniently located on the corner of Jackson and Stadium, this Smokehouse has a relaxed atmosphere but pricey menu. The waitstaff is good, amiable and attentive. The food is more than not, absolute heaven. My favorites being: the hamburgers, the sauteed spinach, the pimento mac and cheese, gumbo, the eggs benedict and any of the chili. Their coffee is INCREDIBLE. I feel this place is worth the money if you avoid the following: any fish (but their shellfish is good), bar b q goat, crabcake appetizer and the hueveros rancheros (too watery). The menu changes often but you can always ask for an old favorite. They have a drive through section where you can pick up stuff in a hurry and the occasional farmer's market selling fresh veggies and fruits in the parking lot. Free samples are another treat you might get on your visit here. A few spoonfuls of their newest soup or pudding or fresh donut bites are free samples I've received. If you are vegetarian, you are going to be alright here. They are a smokehouse, but you can talk them into making just about anything from the menu to your specifications. Dinner guests with me have raved about the beer, smoked chicken sandwich, fried chicken, appetizer salads, Applewood smoked bacon with eggs and the grits. Be prepared to shell out some bucks, as I said before. Not cheap and by some standards, not reasonable - but for me, worth every dime. Update 2011: We still come here regularly. Staff there are still extremely attentive and comfortable to deal with. A helpful detail for breakfast lovers: their small sides menu are very good sized portions, so you can get a nice meal for half the price of their set breakfast plates and it's a little less exotic if you just want a plain ol' no frills breakfast. The smoked sausage is SO extremely tasty. I found their grilled cinnamon rolls to be a new favorite but you have to really get there early and grab one because they sell out fast. Update 2012: Yep. we are still regulars. We love our Zingerman's roadhouse! Some improvements since my original 2009 post: The hueveros rancheros is really incredible now. A plate cleaner. The staff are UNBELIEVABLY accommodating. I would place this staff as the best in town. Some amazing menu items: THE FREAKING DUCK GUMBO!!!!! Fried Oyster po boy, Corned beef hash, warm spinach salad and Mary's wild oats. A recent yummy is something simple - big bowl of yogurt with fresh fruit. Some of the most ordinary sounding things have special flair here. Another golden touch is a great array of Sprecher's sodas - my favorite being orange. Also delectable and surprisingly filling: the cheese plate. It comes with an array of homeade crackers and fruit. I am also a fan of the oysters - but this is not filling and quite expensive. However - if you are ready to lay out some cash, a combo cheese plate and fresh oyster starter is an incredible time!! Summer update 2012: Now is the time to get down there and eat the heck out of the vegetable dishes. If you can imagine works of art for your tastebuds, then I would go for anything with local veggies. Recently I've had some awesome glazed carrots, heirloom tomatoes and the spinach never gets old. Would like to give props to the incredible sorbets - they have an amazing clean finish. Again, the staff is almost worth coming here alone - EVERYONE is unique and a star in their own right. Summertime is bright and shining at the Roadhouse!
(5)Peter S.
Most recent take was good, but not exceptional (really overcooked burger) - sweet potato fries were pretty good. Will certainly return & hope for another 4 star or better time.
(3)Kyle H.
I thought Zingermans was way over hyped. We called ahead on a monday night, an hour an a half early to be exact, and put our names in for a table. I thought the menu looked really good but way over priced and especially for what I was served. I got the coffee and coco rubbed short ribs. They were over cooked and the rub wasn't particularly tasty. The greens with braised bacon were 98% flavorless! The 2% flavor was pepper. I think they must have boiled them with that bacon for a day and half. We subbed out our mashed potatoes for what was supposed to be their specialty, the mac and cheese. They up-charged our meals $4 for 1/4 cup of mac and cheese. While that was the most tasty thing in the meal it made me long for my wife's version. They were featured on some show on food network or something and were praised for having the best comfort food around. Maybe that praise made them jack up the prices? I do a lot of traveling and there are a lot of local restaurants like Zingermans doing the same thing for less money and way better quallity. I think the people of Ann Arbor have the Zingerman wool pulled over their eyes if they are so in love with this place.
(2)Sarah S.
Oh, Zingerman's. I see your menu, with all its hearty yet sophisticated dishes, and I smell the tantalizing smoky aroma in your restaurant, and I want so badly to like you. But after three tries, I don't. Granted, I'm a vegetarian, so I'm probably not sampling the best you have to offer. But your macaroni was bland, your black bean burger dry and tasteless, your enchiladas decent but not worth $18. Furthermore, your service is some of the pushiest I've ever encountered. If I say I'm not interested in a drink or dessert, don't ask me three more times to make sure. Friends who have accompanied me here have been similarly disappointed. The bottom line is, your chef needs to focus on execution, and your overall approach needs to focus on quality, not quantity.
(2)Michael S.
Pros- good food in general, high quality ingredients Cons- outrageously priced, only the most devoted Zingermans fan or people for whom money is no object would eat here on a regular basis. Verdict- WAY OVERPRICED, good for an occasional casual dinner out when money is not an issue
(2)Cd S.
Just plain overpriced for what you're getting. We tried some of their comfort food stuff, and it was decent but not exceptional, and the meal for two cost $85 (no wine either). I gotta say, don't believe the hype on this one.
(2)Kenta Y.
Great food and atmosphere. I was an U of Michigan student when I first tried this place. Had the brisket with a recommendation from a friend and it turned out to be my favorite dish here. The server and workers are really nice and you can try most of the things on the menu before you order. The sweet potato fries with the chipotle dressing is great as well.
(4)Richard F.
As much as I love Zingerman's Deli, the Roadhouse, while very good, does not get my top grade. Like the deli, they serve Zingerman's own coffees and breads. And like the deli, they really have unique and wonderfully prepared foods. But I feel the prices are not justified here, as they are at the deli. And the service, while usually very personable and well executed has occasionally been slow and spotty. They do have nice daily specials and they have focused on true roadhouse food including some smokehouse specialties. But the execution and pricing have driven me to not go there very often even though they are fairly close to where I work. I am not a big meatloaf fan, but I ordered ti the other day because others seemed to be enjoying it and the portions looked huge. But when mine was delivered the portion was fractional and the meat was fairly dry. I should have sent it back, but I chalked it up to one small loss. I have had great sandwiches there at lunchtime and the fried chicken is great too. The oysters I had as an appetizer were first rate and the wine list is good as well. The servers are well trained to be able to explain the attributes of the wines on the list which is always a plus. If the prices were say ten to twenty percent less and if the food was more repeatable, they would be a five star choice.
(4)Kerry A.
I was recently in Ann Arbor for a long weekend. My mom and step-dad were really excited to take my boyfriend and I to Zingermans because apparently, its something you have to do in Ann Arbor. Luckily, they had made reservations (it was homecoming weekend and absolutely packed.) When we were seated, I was looking through the menu and while everything sounded great, the prices were outrageous. I ordered the short-rib, which they were out of so I switched to a cheeseburger. The cheese for the burger cost $4. I understand that it was a fancy cheese, but regular old cheddar (which wasn't offered) would have been fine. The bacon I wanted? About $3. It was advertised as apple-wood smoked bacon. What came out was comparable to something from Wendy's. Very thin, flavorless bacon. And it was only 2 strips. My boyfriend got a smoked chicken mac-and-cheese dish. It wasn't bad, but tasted as if the smoke flavor came from a bottle. The smokey flavor overwhelmed the flavor of the cheese, and just about everything else in it. The dish was about $23. For mac-and-cheese? Get real. The service was great and friendly, but the food didn't wow any of us.
(3)Michael D.
This place rocks. If the food weren't good enough, there are cocktails on the menu here that you can't find anywhere else (like the Papa Doble)...or prepared properly (some using a bit of egg white to produce the correct amount of drink foam...very old school, very cool).
(4)Samiya B.
nice place, good folks, really pretty good food. the final star is gone because it's outrageously overpriced for no good reason. the food is basic americana. that they offer it -- great. that you can pay $30 for some fried chicken? ridiculous. i'll do it ... but usually only based on someone else's desire -- or when i feel like something and don't care how much it is.
(4)Emily G.
Kitchsy and Delicious. I came here for my bday dinner and wasn't disappointed. You can smell the BBQ smoking from the outside and it's so good. On the inside it is comfy and eclectic; there are shadow boxes full of salt and pepper shakers. The menu is crazy, the drink/desser/cheese menu gets it's own binder! The dinner menu has season/daily changes on it as well. I got the pork BBQ with NC style sauce, greens and sweet potato fries. If you go you must get the sweet potato fries, really, you must. Also, they have a portion of the menu just devoted to mac 'n' cheese. I mean 'c'mon! Anyway, I highly recommend it, just maybe not around game time, it tends to fill up quickly.
(4)T. S.
take your wallet and just open it at the door. it will soon be empty anyway. If you don't care, food is good.
(1)Mike R.
Too bad I couldn't give this 6 stars ! Wowzer was this good or what !! This place now enters the pantheon of places that I would drive to JUST to eat here. Currently, only Momofuko in NYC is in that category. Oh where to begin. Well, it's very close to I-94, about two blocks from the worst hotel we ever stayed at. The Clarion. The menu changes daily. So in the two times we went there (both for brunch) it was like Xmas morning. Soooo what is on the menu today. I think I'll have the super smoked pulled pork with only the greatest mac & cheese I have EVER had ! The day before had some corn beef hash with poached egg... WOW.. My wife had some grits, egg thing.... she is still on cloud nine, and the coffee.... my god was that great !!! Portions are not big.... which is OK by me.... it's kind of like Per Se meets Bob Evans. Don't miss this place.
(5)Mary P.
Great food, great service, great evening!
(4)b b.
Expensive and the food was just ok! I wouldn't go back. Go to the deli, food is much better and worth what you pay.
(2)S H.
Basically they're using high quality ingredients and it comes out below mediocre. Please don't make the mistake of confusing Zingerman's original deli (awesome sandwiches, desserts, and other stuff) with the thoroughly mediocre but perhaps even more pricey Zingerman's Roadhouse. I've tried three times with groups after football games, and have now resolved never to return. Interestingly, virtually all my friends, who encompass a wide range of tastes/backgrounds, were in complete agreement. The menu is slight: there's only a handful of entree options, most of the Americana/pulled pork/smoked meat variety. The Mac & Cheese is WAY too rich, just normal pasta-from-a-box loaded with artery-clogging amounts of rich cheese. While the dish may be rich, you won't be after paying up for it - the prices are almost offensive. Service is slow and the atmosphere - mostly booths and unremarkable decor - make me think this space could operate as a Denny's with just a change of signs. Quite clearly the Zingerman's name has branded people to come here and wait long amounts of time to overpay for bad Macaroni & Cheese - pretty sweet business model if you can pull it off. For those considering, instead head downtown where there are plenty of better options where you might pay as much but actually get a better-than-diner meal served to you.
(2)Lily H.
First, if I could give The Roadhouse 10 stars, I would. Second, of all of the restaurants where I have dined, of all of the food I have eaten, The Roadhouse is my favorite, maybe one of my favorite places on earth. Honestly, if you are a foodie, you will probably enjoy anything off of the menu. Anything. If you are like me, you will get bogged down by one or two of your favorite things and order them over and over and over and over, each time trying to convince yourself to try something new and then caving in and ordering your favorite item off of the menu because you know it will never disappoint, ever. Even though anything you order will be that good too...it's a cycle, a wonderful and delicious cycle. In these hard economic times, and any time you're feeling that weird Ann Arbor "why is it so expensive here" feeling, check out Zingerman's specials. My sister and I used to look forward to burger night on Mondays, when one may order any burger off of the menu, Roadhouse salad included, for $12.95. I encourage you to swap the regular fries for sweet potato fries (add $1.00) because the sweet potato fries are fantastic but more importantly they serve as a vehicle for the spicy mayo sauce by which they are accompanied. I'm also a fan of the meatloaf special on Wednesdays, the warm spinach and mushroom salad (not a special but satisfying and divine), any of the fresh oysters, and nearly anything off of the brunch menu. If they have any brownies in the Airstream outside, get one to go. This past summer, my Chicago based coworkers and I indulged in several amazing happy hours at the bar inside of the salt&pepper shaker room; really good happy hour beer specials await! After dining at The Roadhouse for many happy years, I wonder what it would be like to stumble upon it again, differently, for the first time. It is my dream to live in an alternate universe and happen upon Zingerman's Roadhouse as a drive through the country. I would find myself hungry and on 94E/W. Maybe on my way to Chicago. I believe that to hungrily exit 94, to decide to try out Zingerman's instead of the Taco Bell or MacDonald's down the street, park and go inside would be like some kind of food experience heaven. Long live Zingerman's!
(5)Amanda Z.
It's kind of just a meh for me. Went to the Roadhouse with a few friends and it was pretty good but I guess I was just expecting a little more. Our waiter was fantastic, never rushed us, gave us great advice about the menu, and even brought out two small tastes of the different kinds of mac and cheese so my friend could decide between the two! That's service! We ordered the Maize & Blue Hush Puppies as an appetizer. The maize were the clear winner and tasted like a traditional hush puppy. The blue were really dry and even with the spicy mayo as a dipping sauce, they were hard to get down. As a main dish, I ordered the Grilled Carolina White Grits, which more closely resembles polenta cakes. As the name implies, they grill the cakes, but I don't remember asking for my cakes to be well done. They were like blackened on the bottom, making the top part the only edible part. The top part was pretty good though, and the corn, pepper, onion and cheese mixture on top was really flavorful and gave the cakes some moisture they definitely needed. Overall, I would give the food 2 stars, the service 4 stars and average it out to 3 stars. Maybe I just hit an off day?
(3)Erica R.
I know it might be sacrilegious to say this but I really don't think Zingerman's is anything to call home about. I've been to the road house 2 or 3 times and each time I find myself thinking really was that worth the 25 bucks? It's not that the food is bad its just not that great. Most recently I shared the hand cut sweet potato fries with the spicy mayo as an appetizer and got the Macaroni and 3 pepporcorn goat cheese. The sweet potatos were really good and I might even go so far as to say that they are some of the best sweet potato fries I've ever had, but the Macaroni and cheese was just OKAY. Maybe I was expecting too much but the description of a fresh goat cheese sauce, carmelized onions, fresh cracked peppers, and a topper of a crispy round of goat cheese made me think wow this is going to be really flavorful and perhaps worth the $17 dollars. But no not even close the pasta was a bit bland and it felt like something I could have made at home with the proper ingredients. If I was eating this at say an Applebees and I had paid $9.99 for it then perhaps I would have been okay and even slightly positive about it but since this is Zingerman's which is supposed to be oh so delicious and since they charged me $17 dollars for it, I was not so happy. Our bill for two people was $52 for one pretty good appetizer, two average entrees and a lemonade. If that sounds like a party to you then by all means head to Zingerman's Roadhouse if not head to Applebees and you will probably be equally satisfied and whole lot richer by the end of your meal.
(2)Will M.
This place is kind of expensive; however almost every restaurant in Ann Arbor is kind of expensive. The food is really good, and usually interesting. The mac and cheese is delightful AND the fried chicken is great. The more "adult" food is also good. The Zingerman's service difference is for real. The number of beers on tap is excellent and they have some interesting ones. They also have very interesting special events.
(4)Iris S.
We hosted a rehearsal dinner on July 3rd. It was fantastic and everything turned out perfectly. Joanie, the event coordinator, was great to work with, she made good suggestions, and put together cute menus with our picture on them. The outdoor patio setting along with the great food really impressed our guests. The two servers we had were super; they were attentive, patient, and flexible. We also very much appreciated a surprise gift the restaurant gave us. It was really a special touch. I live out of town, so I chose the restaurant based on a friend's suggestion. I'm so happy we did and I can't wait to visit again.
(5)Pete U.
seriously, not good at all, went with a group of 4, one enjoyed their meal(ribs), everything else greasy, to a point of grossness, double fried fries, fried sandwiches, i wont ever go back, and would not recomend it to anyone
(1)Nupur L.
I enjoyed my visit to Zingerman's Roadhouse but the experience just doesn't add up for the price. The entrees are certainly good and I appreciate small touches like an amuse bouche and samples of most items on the menu. The interior is little more than a glorified Denny's with dim lighting and better upholstery, though. The food, while quite tasty, does not measure up to what one would expect for $15 mac and cheese or $20 fried chicken. Also, something makes me cringe about $8 cocktails with nothing better than Jim Beam-in Ann Arbor! I've had comparably priced meals in other cities that were absolutely unforgettable and Zingerman's Roadhouse just doesn't deliver at that price range.
(3)Mike B.
Went here over the weekend and the food was awesome. My wife and I shared the fried chicken w/ mashed potatoes and the roadhouse mac and cheese. One of the best fried chicken I have ever had. It was as good as the last time. Mac and Cheese is fantastic. Since there were 8 people, we waited a little while for the food, which was ok especially since they gave us pimento cheese as a side in addition to sweet potato fries and bread on the house. Service was excellent. Recommend making a reservation b/c the wait can be a while.
(5)Beth J.
This place is delicious! I went there for brunch one day, so homemade and fresh, and good coffee! I will definately be back!
(5)Coco C.
I came for the mashed potatoes and gravy and stayed for the fried chicken. Much more satisfying than the Deli, and though it is overpriced - fuuuuck, it's Zingerman's, dudes. If you don't want to pay through the nose, you haven't been living in Ann Arbor very long.
(4)russ h.
Love the concept of elevating American food to an art form. I will say I have come across a few misses on the menu - the donut sundae was too much for me and that is saying a lot. On the whole a fantastic place to eat.
(5)Nirmit K.
This place rocks! Everyone told me this is a must visit for Ann Arbor. I agree ! Environment is great, service is great and food is great! The only reason. Starting with the warm breads through the entree it was awesome. Desserts were a little disappointing and the only reason I give them four stars. Real unique place and one of a kind
(4)Alan M.
The Roadhouse is totally hit or miss. The first time I went there, my meal was fantastic. The second time, lackluster. I've been here a half dozen times, and I'd say my food was really good twice. I know a lot of people who really love the place, but there are so many better options in Ann Arbor, including the fantastic Zingerman's Deli. I'm willing to pay a lot for good food, but why pay their prices when you can get something better for half the price somewhere else in town?
(2)Claire D.
After a four hour class on how to decorate cakes at the Zingerman Bakehouse, we felt the only option for dinner while in Ann Arbor last Friday would have to be Zingerman's Roadhouse. It's the kind of atmosphere you expect when you participate in any Zingerman's experience; friendly, upbeat, a commitment to service and good food. They have fresh oysters flown in so we had to sample those, while we waited for our food our waiter brought us delicious cheese to sample and our waiter (Will) was able to make great suggestions for our meal. If we hadn't been so full of cake, we would have sampled the ample bar menu as well as the excellent dessert menu. However we stuck to a really flavorful macaroni and cheese and I got the stuffed cabbage. The mac and cheese, I felt was better than my stuffed cabbage dish but I had never tried stuffed cabbage before so I may not like stuffed cabbage as much. However, the bacon with the stuffed cabbage was amazing!
(4)douglas R.
Ok this has to be one of the best roadhouse's I have ever been to. My family and I went for breakfast while in MI last week and were thoroughly impressed. Home runs all around. First off the hostess automatically asked us if we would like to sit outside, which we wanted to. The Patio was covered with plastic overhead and the tables were delightfully comfortable. Even my 2 year old loved the chairs and sat still to color with the crayons and paper they gave her. Plus one for that. We were seated near the outside grill, which when the breeze blew just right you could smell the heavanly aroma of smoking meat. Plus two because the aroma gave your pallet a chance to catch up to your senses. Our waitress was so delightful and helpful with the menu I almost didn't want to leave after our feast. I ordered a belgian waffle stuffed with bacon and grits. As I am not a fan of grits I was skeptical. I also ordered a side of sausage patties which our gracious waitress said she could make it a half and half order as I wanted to try both types of sausage. Which the Broadbent's Smoked Sausage ended up being the better of the two. The Roadhouse Breakfast Sausage was a bit dry but not bland. When the Bits and Grits waffle showed up it looked just like the wonderful sugar coated waffle's we had in Belgium. To make matters better it tasted just like those waffles. Now the grits in the waffle weren't crunchy or soggy but just right. And the bacon was divine. To top off the waffle was a beautiful "Maple" syrup that when mixed with the butter makes you stop and appreciate the world around you. (More places in MI should be ashamed with not getting great maple syrup when they are so close to Canada.) Like a shape-shifting chupacabra each bite of the waffle was a different tasty flavor. My wife ordered the "NEW" English Breakfast, which was great, except for the ham. The ham was good but not great like the bacon or sausage. It was a bit dry, but it still doesn't warrant a bad mark. The eggs were cooked to my wives liking and the veggies and beans were out of this world good. When I talked to the waitress about the restaurant she tried to get the Chef to come out and talk to me. Unfortunately for me he had some catering to do but I was able to talk to the co-owner Ari. After a lengthy conversation and a good meal I was convinced to buy his book on bacon. I have still to read it but I will by the end of the summer. So if you are in Ann Arbor for a visit or going to watch a Wolverines football game stop by Zingerman's you will not be disappointed. We will all be going back on our next trip to MI. Thank you Ari and staff for making us feel welcome and appreciated.
(5)Scott I.
This restaurant has everything you expect from Zingerman's: high quality food, good service, and high prices. Fantastic barbecue. Where else are you going to find good North Carolina pulled pork or authentic grits in Michigan? Also check out the cocktail menu -- they are reviving the art of fantastic old-fashioned cocktails. There are actually some good deals here. Monday through Thursday check out the Blue Plate special. Especially on Thursday, when you can have the Barbecue Sampler for $12.95. The burgers are also pricey for burgers, but moderate compared to many of the entrees, and they are outstanding. And for dessert, you have to try the doughnut Sundae. C'mon, you have to. Doughnut. Sundae. 'Nuff said.
(4)Mae S.
Another overrated Ann Arbor legend in its own mind.
(3)Erin G.
The Roadhouse has some standouts, but for me they're mostly in the appetizers, not the main meals. Their crabcakes are yummy, as are their sweet potato fries. Their chili cheese fries are really fantastic: "Our ancho beef chuck chili over hand-cut, twice cooked fries with our grated 2-year-raw-milk Vermont cheddar." If it weren't out of my way, I'd go just for those. Once, we got Alex's sampler, which includes said crab cakes, onion rings, ribs, quesadillas, and hush puppies. It was just too much greasiness to handle. Granted, many appetizers are, but I expected more from Zingermans. And I expected more for the price. For main meals, I've tried their ribs and fried chicken and mac n cheese. All of them were just ok, and not worthy of the price. If you've got some money and want to try it out, go for it, but it's not somewhere I'd be a repeat customer. I'll stick to the deli, which Zingerman's knows how to do great. Oh, p.s. I hear they have brunch, I've never made it out to that, is it good?
(3)Chris S.
Down home American cooking! The fried chicken rocks. Other items on the menu looked quite delectable. Best characterized as a better-than-average suburban restaurant.
(3)Carolyn S.
Zingerman's Roadhouse was almost too much fun. Great cocktails. The BBQ oysters were out of this world and could become addictive, a ham and cheese plate that was unlike anything I've ever tasted - domestic procuitto maybe - but not salty at all - it was amazing. Served with a beautiful, creamy cows milk cheese. A beet salad that I salivate trying to describe. Get the picture? The four of us split two entrees - coffee rubbed wild boar that was beautifully cooked and we had to have the fried (melt in your mouth) chicken - which was perfect. I'm going to stop here except to say that service was exceptionally friendly and professional. We wanted to go back the next day to have some of the roast suckling pig they were just starting to cook on the outdoor grill.
(5)Ashley D.
I wasn't too impressed. The real Zingerman's is much better. We waited for an extremely long time and the food was just OK. If you're trying to choose between this and the original, go with the latter.
(3)brandon h.
phenomenal service, food hit or miss
(3)Sara B.
Let me start off by saying that the three start rating is because it's in comparison to the other TWO Zingermann's places in town. Also, because you can get much of the menu cheaper and better at other places around town because you aren't paying for the name. That being said, I have eaten here several times. The best thing I had was the breakfast burrito. YUM. Their burgers are good, but everything costs extra. Also, the mac n cheese is good here, but not for $12 for a small take out container. Maybe I just haven't had the right things?
(3)Jenny Z.
I think Zingerman's in general is overrated, and their staff really drink the Kool-aide hard. But overall this is a pretty decent restaurant. Nothing amazing, but also a decent meal that you won't hate and comes in handy if you're hungry for American cuisine. I would recommend the Deli over the Roadhouse if you can get by with a sandwich though.
(3)Norman A.
The Zingerman Empire is impressive. It is vast and it has impressive depth. Yet when you go to a restaurant if not distracted by poor service or atmosphere the most important consideration is the food. The Roadhouse has ambiance, loud but not too loud, and lots of great eye candy; the service is excellent in fact the servers are some of the most thoughtful waiters I've encountered in the world. Those factors taken care of we have the food. An impressive menu with a very strong American rural feel with urban sophistication, yet not too sophisticated to be off putting for those who wanted to go to a roadhouse. Perfect? Not exactly. The BBQ is prepared in big smokers on the property. The aroma would lead one to think this will be great BBQ. Never has it been. It is always somewhat dry and often tasteless.How could that be? Gets me, I've had great BBQ in shacks on the side of the road in Alabama and Georgia. Great tasting BBQ, nothing real fancy just great BBQ. This goes for a lot of their dishes. Pretty good but not just not as good as the best I've had. Will I go there again? Probably. But i've scaled back my expectations over the years.
(3)Evan V.
Alright, this place is a must. The servers are nice and friendly, and best of all, the food is absolutely fantastic. We have gone out of our way to come here many times. If you do go, make sure you get the fried chicken (it's heaven).
(5)Mark Z.
About 5-6 weeks ago I was coming back from Chicago and I decided to stop at Knights Steahouse in Ann Arbor because there food is awesome, but they were closed on Sunday. So i decided to go ZIngermans to get a steak. I figured this is Zingermans and the steaks would be top notch. I was wrong. I ordered a Medium Sirloin and the steak came back Extra Extra Rare. I usually dont complain but I told my waitress about this, instead of making me a new steak they took the old one and it was charred on both sides and tasted like charcol. I emailed Zingermans about this and got a reply from Elsha Chapman who I belive is a manager: "Thank you for taking the time to write in. I'm very sorry we failed you on this visit. You are right. A medium steak should not have come out that way. I'm going to be giving this information to the Chefs so they can nail down the problem. I feel awful that we were not able to make up for our mistake while you were in. Would you be willing to come and give us another try? I would love for you to come back and have a proper dining experience on us! I look forward to hearing from you". So she sent me a giftcard for a free dinner and decided to try it again. I figured they would have nailed the problem like she said they would, and nope they didnt. Same thing again, I posted pictures of my steak take a look at them. I was disapointed when they didnt fix the issue after they promised me they would. $38 for a Ribeye outrageous, I expect it to be cooked perfectly not burnt on the outside and raw. I can get a bigger better steak for nearly half the price at Luckys, or go to Knights Steak House and get a better quality steak. Not sure who taught the Chef how to cook, I hope it wasn't bob's burgers.
(1)Barb M.
Their variations on Mac and Cheese are inspired. Their donuts at breakfast are to die for as well as having one for dessert with ice cream at dinner. Their food is delicious and flavorful and and as real as it gets. Probably my favorite place in A2.
(5)Samir N.
I love to hate on Michigan BBQ (ahem . . . Slow's), but this place holds a special place in this displaced Texan's heart. Everything here is spectacular. Which is why I went with the barbecue sampler. The ribs were good, but the laggard of the bunch. The brisket was AMAZEBALLS. It was not tender like I expect brisket, but more flame kissed like steak fajitas. I fully support this. The pulled pork was pulled pork. You cannot really mess that up. I cruised in on a Saturday afternoon by myself; in addition to the bar option, they also have the counter that looks into the kitchen. I love not having to wait for a seat. Tables looked like a 20 or so minute wait. They have tons of beer on tap and also do tasting flights. It is pricy, but if the quality of their food is this good and consistent I will happily pay the premium. I just wish I had space for dessert.
(5)Paul V.
A long time favorite of mine. From the Mac-n-cheese, to the BBQ, to the fish, to the desert. I have never left this place disappointed.
(5)William U.
Very gluten free friendly. Lots of options for GF in every menu section and clearly marked My wife is still talking about the Gluten free buttermilk fried chicken
(5)Matthew R.
had to wait 45 minutes for a table, which was fine...then, due to some sort of miscommunication, we waited 15-20 minutes for our server to appear. which seems like a weird way to start a review that will include a GLOWING discussion of the level of service. once we flagged down someone to send over our server, she was absolutely fantastic. she apologized profusely and repeatedly, taking full responsibility (as opposed to a half-baked "i'm sorry that other guy messed up" 'apology') and went the extra mile every single moment. rachel (i think that was the name - she appeared to be pregnant but if she was it didn't slow her down one single bit) was fantastic. food (mac and cheese for her, chicken-fried steak for me) was very good, if not earth-shattering, but the service took it to another level entirely. will absolutely return.
(5)Emily F.
This is my favorite place to go out to eat if we have the kids with us. I always feel well taken care of, food is excellent, service is outstanding! We also really like ordering fried chicken from their carryout menu, (fridge to fridge). You get more chicken for your money this way, actually can't beat it for the quality.
(5)Myke O.
This place describes itself as serving "comfort food" but I found it to be much more complex. I had the "Meat And Three" with a Beef Tenderloin, french fries, and sweet potato fries. The meat had a smokey / hickory taste to it with a charred crust. The sweet potato fries weren't thin and crispy as much as thick slices of potato. It was all very good but just less comfort food than I expected and more fancy. For dessert, I had the Blondie Brownie Sundae (the Blondie was not even on the menu but was recommended by our waitress). It was OK but not really as light and fluffy as I was expecting (for me, the definitive blondie is from Applebee's and this was nothing like that). One of the other members of our party had the donut sundae which I thought was better...full of sugar and crispy. Our waitress was extremely friendly and helpful.
(4)Annette J.
Finally got here for Sunday brunch yesterday and was just as pleased with that experience as lunch and dinner. My whole family went and everyone left pleased with their meals. My grandma, who eats like a bird, finished off her entire burger, half the table got the corn beef hash and joined the ranks of the clean plate club. The eggs benedict looked beautiful and I was told by the fam that their bloody mary's were delectable (I'm not big on them so I didn't sip but my family killed off more than one or two glasses each!). Me? I got the grits and bacon waffle. Ahh, the perfect marriage of sweet and salty--the eternal brunch struggle. Crispy yet fluffy inside waffles loaded with grits and bacon in the batter, topped with more bacon and cheddar cheese and a side of creamy butter and real maple syrup. Ohhhh heaven! Such a wonderfully tasty dish. I was sad when my tummy got full and I couldn't eat any more! Add my mimosa and it was a truly fabulous meal. The pastry basked we split was also delish---a hot fresh donut, 3 slices of coffee cake (hot chocolate, lemon poppy seed, and sour cream) with a side of real whipped cream. Oh so tasty! And our server even brought us a complimentary plate of piping hot donut holes. What a nice surprise! Coming back for brunch again and again! Will get the waffle again or the eggs Benedict next time, no question!
(4)Alex Z.
The food was amazing and the service couldnt be beat. We went on a wednesday night around 6:00 and it was fairly crowded. delcious BBQ with a great vibe to the place. Would go back again in a heartbeat.
(4)Nancy V.
I was in Ann Arbor on business and discovered this unique restaurant on Yelp. I was adamant about not not going to eat at a place that had the same food I could get anywhere else. Boy, was this a good choice! We made reservations - really glad we did - as there were 5 of us in the group. We arrived a little early, but the table was quickly made ready and we were seated after a very brief wait. The atmosphere is rustic and down-home. It is a bit noisy, but not to the point where you cannot carry on a conversation. The service was good and our waitress was very helpful in answering our questions. Our group ordered a variety of dishes and everyone came away satisfied with their choices. I had the Macaroni and cheese with chicken. This dish shares absolutely no resemblance to the packaged orange stuff that you make at home when you are on the PMS eating binge. This more closely resembled a very rich, very hearty pasta dish with a smooth bechamel sauce with cheese and tender chunks of roasted chicken and a sprinkling of herbs. It went very well with the light house Pinot Grigio that I had ordered to drink with it. One of my companions had the ribs and generously shared some with me. They were melt in your mouth tender with just the right hint of spicy smokiness that tells of meat smoked very slowly over real wood. We were brought a complimentary doughnut sundae as it was one of my colleague's birthday. One gooey yummy desert and 5 spoons. Since we were all stuffed from the delicious food, it was just right. I do not think the meal was overly expensive for the quality of food and service. While it is not a "high end" restaurant, the food is first class and the service was friendly and efficient. If I am in Ann Arbor again, I would definitely make this a required stop. Thanks Yelpers. You did not lead me astray on this one.
(4)Dan R.
If I lived closer and had a more lucrative budget for dining out I would eat breakfast/brunch here daily if possible. Had the Biscuits w/Crawfish gravy today; however, all things I've tried here are excellent. Always use high quality ingredients and preparation is in point. Had a dozen oysters today as well, yum. Only gig is that today's server meant well and was friendly but was either newer to the organization or was off his game. He was friendly and attempted to make up for the issues. I will not lower my rating though as the other dozen times I have been there were all great service.
(5)Caroline K.
Breakfast if Fabulous! Even the oatmeal is great! Served with several sides, including dried cherries, pecans and brown sugar, being good -still tastes good :) . Meet your friends for a good way, to start off any day!
(5)Sophia P.
Great food - bread basket is fresh. The apple cheddar salad portion is small - a few more leaves of arugula would've offset the price - but $10 is kinda steep for a few chunks of cheese & slices of Apple. The Reuben is great & the Russian dressing made Inhouse with the dark Russian rye grilled & decent fries. We both split everything for lunch but could've used a little more salad. Would've like to try the broccoli soup but they were out - maybe next time if I see the size of cup vs. bowl vs. price Hubby did not like the coffee, however. I wasn't fond of it either & for $2.75 there's a Biggby across the street.
(4)Jose N.
We are in the middle of our Holiday Luncheon for work, 25 of us. Servers are AWESOME!!! Food is sooo good! I'm half way through some fantastic ribs after devouring my Mac and Cheese. Everybody loved my choice for our party!
(5)John H.
ZR felt like going to a steakhouse (I think the building was a Bill Knapp's in days gone by). But, once inside, there was the Zingerman's touch, exhibited in things like an offer to sample the chili before actually ordering a bowl . My dining companion enjoyed said chili with a plate of gluten-free fries, while my fries came alongside a redfish poboy, and a glass of Short's Huma-Lupa-Licious IPA (silly name, good beer).
(4)Kimberly B.
First time eating here...I drive by it once a week and I'm so glad I gave it a shot. I love this place so much. Everything about it perfect. The food is great, the atmosphere is great, the waitstaff is great. I would eat here everyday if it was closer to me. I love the smoked meat salad. At first I was like "$16 for a salad?!" but I would pay $30 for it. Also it's huge and I took half of it home. The jams and bread in the beginning are great also. Our waitress entertained my out of control toddlers for half the time we were there and was so sweet. A+ - Can't wait to try the brunch next!
(5)William M.
It was OK, but not as good as I had hoped. My friend got the fried green tomatoes, and they were outstanding. Perfectly spiced, crispy, and hearty. However, my mac and cheese was quite poor. It had the consistency of cheese soup and it was incredibly heavy. Perhaps I should have gone with one of the different mac and cheeses instead of just the standard one? Next time.. The atmosphere is great, and everyone there was incredibly nice. I just wish I had enjoyed my meal more, since we were just passing through Ann Arbor on the way to Traverse City. Word to the wise: If you are just passing through Ann Arbor and looking to make a stop for food, go with Zingerman's Deli.
(3)Suki K.
we went to this restaurant today to check out because it's rated high on yelp (I'm new to the city). It was Friday night and was told that it will be 50 min. wait when we got there around 6pm, but we could get seated in 20 min. or so. We ordered Kale salad, chicken burger, and bacon burger with sweet potato fries(free refill!). Their caesar-style kale salad had good texture and flavor. Kale was very tender. Burger was good, but I got tired of the taste when i half-finished. I order sweet potato fries whenever I have an option. The sweet potato fries I had tonight was a bit different style from other restaurant and I liked a lot - good balance of savory and sweet.
(4)Ted C.
AMAZING The foodie trolls hate it of course... most of them I see are students and can't afford good food. Yo FOODIES.. they don't have Ramen here. So you'll have to go back to your dorms for that. This is for serious food people only. A lot of what you see at Zingermans Roadhouse is from local farm to table. Everything is top notch. I usually start out with the oysters or cheese platter or both -- this place aims to please. There is nothing else to compare it with .. and the service is over the top. Zingermans has a long history in Ann Arbor with quality. If you can't find it here you can't find it in Ann Arbor anywhere... that is just how it is. This is an experience so take the time to enjoy it. This is not a diner or any kind of restaurant that you may be used to. This isn't even the Zingermans Deli experience. It is better... and in some ways very different. I think of it as an expanded palate of choices that goes beyond the Deli. The BBQ is awesome here.... and the place can get crowded. You can usually grab a seat at the bar and get great service. They bend over backwards to please you. That is why I go back again and again. Ari, (the owner) is a freakin' genius and is the mastermind behind all of the goodness under this roof. This building used to be a Bill Knapps and that died... from the firey ashes comes a phoenix and that is.... Zingermans Roadhouse. i love the energy from the staff in this place. They really know how to cater to people.
(5)Patrick T.
The sweet potato fries are really, really tasty. They are hugely cut fries that you dip in spicy mayo. Yum. The mac and cheese is also fairly good. I tried the Bearded BBQ plate, but was not very impressed. I just didn't enjoy the seasoning/sauce, or the dryness of the meat.
(3)Masayoshi M.
Food of Zingerman's Roadhouse is really good.
(4)Brian B.
Well... the shops are really nice...especially the cheese and meat shop... but the deli... expensive and not that good... shop their but skip eating! Go to one of the breweries in town
(2)Katelyn B.
Adore the mac and cheese.
(4)John F.
Comfort food at its finest. Couldn't find a nicer place or staff. Food is great. Everything is made so well and served fresh, hot and tasty. This is a family favorite for my wife and kids.
(5)Jaye K.
Loud roadhouse with decadent offerings! I live a couple of blocks from the original deli and send my foodie family members Zingerman's for the holidays. Call me a fan of the company. The Roadhouse is not someplace I eat at often, but I always have fun when I go there. The Mac and cheese brings back fond memories of a carb coma and one excellent hangover.
(4)Meg K.
Returned to the Roadhouse for another Sunday brunch. The Huevos Rancheros - with the house hot sauce and eggs over easy - great flavors, textures, and gooey goodness. Breakfast Nachos were good - love the hearty tortilla chips. Had a bite of my son's Trout Po'Boy - the bread had perfect air and chew and the fish was cooked and seasoned perfectly. And of course those thick cut sweet potato fries are a favorite.The only problem was my daughter's Buttermilk Fried Chicken Salad had a hair in it. No problem, that happens. The staff replaced it promptly. However, with Zingerman's class and reputation I expected to not be charged for her entree. I'm sure they would have deducted it from the bill had we asked, but it should be standard procedure.
(4)Danny S.
I liked Zingerman's Roadhouse. Went there with my family for Parents' Weekend at U of M. My daughter wanted us to go to Zingerman's deli for sandwiches, but we had dinnertime open, so I chose ZR. Overall I give it a 4.5 Reservations were easy through OpenTable. It is a busy place, but not near campus so does not have as much of the college crowd. The atmosphere is funky. Roadhouse is a good description. Outside the restaurant you can see an antique Airstream trailer that is used as a take-out window, and several massive steel smokers. We were a bit late for our reservation so had to wait about 10 minutes for our table, but I'm fine with that (at least they seated us). They have a great selection of beers, and my wine-loving wife liked mine so much that she ordered one. Nice appetizer selection, but we only ordered sweet potato fries, which are more like sweet potatoes sliced longitudinally into 1-inch square pieces. They were delicious. They have a great salad selection, and they are large enough to share. Without my having to ask, they split the salad my wife and I were sharing. They have a number of mac and cheese selections, which my kids enjoyed. My wife had a lovely Scottish salmon with Zingerman's Coffee Spice Rub, which was delicious. And I had a delicious southwest style (local) lamb stew special. I was tempted by the barbeque, especially after seeing the smokers, but I'll have to save that for next time. Overall, it was a great experience and I would go there again.
(4)Amy D.
Zingermans Roadhouse is a nonnegotiable restaurant for us to visit on our annual trip to Ann Arbor. We alternate each year from visiting the Roadhouse for either breakfast or dinner, and this year we went for the latter. We came to Zing's on a Saturday night and we waited about 45 minutes, which is standard. I love this restaurant because they have so many differently styled rooms to eat in. We sat in a covered and heated patio, it was perfect. We started with a drink each. I have fallen in love with Pisco, so naturally i ordered the pisco sour. It was balanced, and the egg white atop was frothy and the whole drink went down smoothly. My sis had the Knickerbocker, it was the most beautiful red, it was slightly sweet but delicious. I must admit, that in the past it has been quite easy to find an item that i wanted to devour, but this particular night i had to really scour the menu. One tip would be to come during the week, because each night they have a special. I ordered the beef tenderloin and for my sides i chose the collard greens, cheese grits, and sweet potatoes. The steak was the highlight by far of the entire meal. It was beautifully charred, and cooked to the level of doneness that i specified, it was fabulous. For my sides, the greens had great flavour, but they were super gritty. The cheese grits were creamy, but the tiny amount of cheese on top was hardly enough to be deemed as cheese grits. The sweet potatoes were my favourite side. They were smashed, so there were different sizes and the textural contrast and sweetness was great. In the past we have ordered the mac and cheese which i think is the best dish that they serve, so my sis decided to order the baked pasta with roasted mushrooms. On the menu, it stated that this dish didn't contain bechamel sauce which is fine, however there was nothing to bind the dish. It arrived and it was simply mushrooms, pasta and a tiny amount of cheese. The dish arrived at the table and it was lukewarm. Our server was very apologetic and she rushed it to the back and heated it up for us. Overall, this has been our third visit to Zingermans roadhouse and we have loved it every time, but unfortunately we are verging on the point of been there done that. They are known for their service, and i cannot say anything bad about it. I think the Roadhouse would benefit from a menu shakeup, but for anyone who is visiting Ann Arbor, your trip is incomplete until you have dined at the Roadhouse.
(3)Kris O.
I always go to this place with such high expectations, but end up leaving disappointed. As usual, the food was good. I didn't find it to be stellar though. Our server, who was friendly, seemed out of sorts. He spilled a glass of water on me and forgot to bring bread until we asked. I though he might make a slight adjustment to our bill because of the water incidence, but all I got was an extra napkin. I just can't justify the price. If I am paying that much for Mac and cheese and BBQ, I expect the highest-quality of service and its just not there.
(2)Jill W.
Have heard many times about Zingerman's Roadhouse, and wanted to try it. Am in town for work, got lost trying to find the Mall, and found Zingerman's. Pretty happy I did, the mall can wait. I enjoyed a local craft beer (Belle's) after Shalama offered me samples, then had the buttermilk fried chicken with mashed potatos and gravy. So lifechanging - I blogged about it later in my hotel room as I enjoyed the chocolate pudding that I got to go. I have heard the wait would be long to dine there, but solo - I was able to eat at the bar and had great service. would easily come back for some bbq and maybe the gelato I have heard about.
(5)Peter L.
Hmmm...the Roadhouse is one of my brother's favorite restaurants, so I admit my expectations were high. But still I wasn't too impressed with the experience. Started off with some oysters which were decent but not great esp at $3/each. The poutine was very mixed - good gravy but the cheese curds were hard and not melted at all. I ended up having the bbq pulled pork dinner. The pulled pork was very good, very soft and flavorful. But the collard greens were too watery and the presentation looked more like a cafeteria or school lunch. At $19, it did not seem like a very good deal. Overall, the Roadhouse, while pretty good, is not a very good value. And with a number of misses, it's not consistent in execution of the food.
(3)Jessica C.
Sat at the bar and Bob served us. The cappuccino was delicious and was served up in a tall glass! I asked if I could sub the scrambled eggs in the biscuits and gravy for a small donut and Bob brought us complimentary donut holes. Did I mention he was top notch?? The donut holes were all that people rave they're about. Maxim voted them one of the top ten donuts in the US. I now know why..yum!! My hubby had the corned beef hash with poached eggs on top. He loved it!!! Portions were very generous. I would have liked a tad more crushed black pepper in my gravy but that's just me. This is an absolute must if you're in Ann Arbor!!!
(5)Lee A.
I would have to disagree with some of the posts about the service. The service we got was horrible. The food took over an hour to come. I remember looking around at one point and not seeing an entire room eating. It wasn't insanely busy either. Not only did the food take forever, but it took our waiter about a half hour to offer us more bread and I don't think he offered us drinks during that time. My wife got her fries and they were cold too. I had adobo pollo and that tasted really good, but my wife wasn't too impressed with the 5 cheeseburger selection and she's obsessed with cheese. You'll find something that you'll like, but you're going to overpay for it.
(3)Dale L.
Leave extra time ... Always busy Not impressed :( skip the roadhouse and go to the deli!
(2)Melissa M.
Zingermans ...ahh a little piece of heaven on earth. Well I Love Love LOVE Zingermans Deli and have literally spent hours there taste testing, talking with the workers, eating sandwhiches, new and old pickles, gelato and birch beer. I mean it is amazing. So I had to try Zingermans roadhouse. I came here with my parents and boyfriend, we had reservations but we were running late. We called and told them and they held our reservation and sat us immediatley when we got there. Our server was Marcus and he was a Zingerman's PRO. I learned so much about the resturant and the food from him and really enojyed his service. I ordered the Catfish with grits, greens and Carolina rice. And...we literally got the whole fish battered (see phot above). Wow it was surpising but cool. They showed us the best way to eat it to avoid the bones and it was so good! All of the food was perfectly seasoned. Overall great service and taste. I live in California so I only wish I could try more!!!! I wanted to get the Mac n cheese since everyone raves about it. I guess I will on my next MI trip. At least I got some Bells Oberon. YUM!!
(4)Rachel F.
People from Ann Arbor hype this spot way too much. The Sweet Potato Fries were nothing special. The Fried-Chicken on my Fried-Chicken salad was a hair shy of burned. Needless to say, the chicken was dry. For a Fried-Chicken enthusiast, this was a major let down. Also, I tried the collards, and they tasted like someone has run them along a ashy log before plating. They landed a little left of the "Smokey" flavor profile.
(2)Carole T.
Pretty good place to eat. Pulled pork sandwich was very good. Sweet potato fries are about 1/2-1 inch width--knife sliced--good if you like sweet potatoes--very hardy! Fried chicken was pretty good--massive breast piece. Came with mashed potatoes with gravy and a little cole slaw--neither were remarkable. Busy place with lots of choices and hard liquor bar. Service was very good. Decor was road house--ok. Nice bathroom. I would return, but may try another place if I were to return to Ann Arbor.
(4)Jacqui D.
While I gave a pretty bad review to the Deli, I love the Roadhouse. The food is amazing here, the sweet potato fries are a must. Have had their mac and cheese, fried chicken, and ribs and have really enjoyed all of it. The spicy mayo is to die for. This is a great place to eat in Ann Arbor. I don't remember the service I have received while dining here but I'm sure it was fine, as I would remember any really bad experiences.
(5)Caleb Y.
Went to the Chef's Mardi Gras dinner a little while ago - and it was a treat...!!! The Chef, Alex Young, won the James Beard award for Best Chef: Great Lakes in 2011! He definitely deserves it...I have been many times to the place and he constantly puts out very, very high quality, and tasty food! Durring the Chef's dinner he presented each course, which were each delectable and was the most humble and friendly man to listen to. He is clearly enamored with cooking and very educated about the regions and types of food he serves. His oysters Rockefeller were rad! Just a fun place...oh and the slow BBQ is not to be missed - solid solid place!
(4)Edwina S.
I confess the only meal I like here is breakfast/Brunch. Fresh squeezed orange juice, pretty good drinks (not a fan of the stupidly peppery bloody mary (but at least one of you just made plans to have brunch there soon with this simple over-peppered fact)). I am a huge fan of the huevos rancheros. No they are not traditional (get real here... it's a roadhouse... in Michigan... (not even in Mexican town) what did you expect?!). It's good. It has a pleasant kick (translation "hotter than hades" for those of you who order Thai mild from the local Chinese place). The bread pudding French toast is obscenely sweet and delivers a spectacular carb-coma in 30 to 45 min. It may seem weird, but the Bacon-braised greens are fabulous even for breakfast (slap some of that chili vinegar (bottle found on the table) on them and thank me later!) If all else fails... build your own omelette, if it sucks only you to blame! That being said, I know plenty of folks that like their smoked meat/BBQ offerings (sadly I cannot tell you of anyone that likes their fried chicken). I don't like doughnuts, but I swear theirs are made with crack. I can't just have one bite. Finest collection of salt n pepper shakers I have ever seen.
(4)Kate S.
Best mac-n-cheese in town. Not really anything to say about this place that hasn't already been said. If you haven't been, go. Now.
(5)Christian S.
When I drove up to Zingerman's Roadshow (the drive-through restaurant in a trailer adjacent to the Roadhouse), the person in the window asked me right off how my day was going. As it happened I was just winding up a truly terrible day. I'd say the worst day in several years. Horrible. I normally don't share this kind of thing with strangers, but I couldn't help myself. I told her, "Actually, it was terrible." She passed me a piece of chocolate cake without saying a word.
(5)Terry C.
This place is incredible! The meats are smoked to perfection, the sweet potato fries are amazing, sauces are good, mac n cheese is ok. I'll be back whenever visiting family in AA. Only disappointment was the mac, the hype about it is incredible but the dish is nothing special. You can't go wrong eating here.
(5)Maria G.
Loved this place. A little pricey by food is very good. Never thought mac and cheese can be so tasty. Online reservation worked. Server was very polite. She was kind of slow, but the place was packed at lunch time. It's a little loud but I guess it's not the restaurant's fault. We all like to chat!
(5)Robin P.
Everything about this place is fantastic. The service is phenomenal. Ingredients are always fresh. Drinks are delicious. Unique menu. The only reason I give four stars instead of five is that the food is a little heavy for my personal taste. It is executed extremely well. I'm just not a big meat-eater, and mac and cheese is a little too rich for me to want a whole meal of it. But I do enjoy it when I go. I often pair the corndog appetizer with a salad.
(4)Alex S.
After a long day on the road, Zingerman's Roadhouse appeared like an oasis in the desert. *forget water, BBQ is the true vision* I had been to Zingerman's in Ann Arbor before (their pecan blondies regularly appear in my dreams), but never to the Roadhouse. Speeding into the parking lot my mouth was already watering at the smell of smokey air..."BBQ is afoot!", grumbled my stomach. With the help of two traveling companions, I powered through a substantial part of the menu. Here goes the list: - corndogs with Anson Mills batter and Raye's yellow mustard - pulled pork plate - greens cooked with (note caps) BACON - mac and cheese - pulled chicken sandwich - (amazing) double-fried sweet potato fries with spicy sauce - donut ice cream sundae with a side of fresh summer berry compote - strong, flavourful bottomless cups of coffee The food - as other Yelpers will chorus to help me establish - is delicious. But also exceptional is the service. Sitting at the bar we chatted with staff, benefitted from recommendations, and would have loved to have stayed for some signature cocktails if we weren't, well, y'know...about to get behind the wheel of a car. Double aesthetic points for the extensive collection of salt and pepper shakers creatively displayed throughout the restaurant. Yelp note: thanks to an adorable trailer that serves as a drive-up food window, you can also purchase my much-loved blondies, and other Zingerman's offerings, post-meal. Trust me: this is almost more of a roadtrip necessity than fuel in the car.
(4)Mike U.
Good service. Just okay food. Very expensive for what you get. I am happy to pay for good food but that's not what you get here. Extremely busy for no apparent reason. It has a fun atmosphere but not worth the stop.
(2)Robert L.
Mmmm. Fried chicken.
(5)Mark L.
Went today for the first time (brunch) and will return. Had the corned beef hash breakfast and it was tasty but only warm, not hot, and consisted mainly of cubes of potatoes. Poached eggs that it came with were tiny and overdone, one slice of bread cut in half constituted the "toast". Coffee was great, server was very friendly although I had to wait awhile on coffee refills. Total price $16. Love the fact that it's a farm-to-table restaurant, that the chickens are free range and the beef is grass fed. For those complaining that it's too expensive, I do understand but you'll pay more for quality ingredients from animal friendly sources...because it costs more to do. Brunch was busy and probably always is. I don't mind waiting and don't mind higher prices but I do mind if the pressure to get everyone in affects the quality of my meal or the service. My sense is that it did but I'll definitely return.
(3)Taylor S.
Great take on American food - even for vegetarians. The Roadhouse isn't a substitute for the Deli - don't expect the same type of food or service. The Sweet potato fries are a must. The bread salad is also great, though a very small portion. I love the idea of their Classic Cocktail menu (cashing in on the whole prohibition era thang), but it doesn't live up. Most of the cocktails are overly sweet and remind me of college bar cocktails. Oh, and the Mac and cheese is really effing fantastic.
(4)Emily N.
I'm traveling from California and I always keep an eye out for notable restaurants and eateries in various cities and states. I read that Zingerman's serves amazing food so we decided to try it. We went into the restaurant and immediately got two seats at the bar area. The waiter was extremely friendly, quick, and attentive. The house bread we received (and we went for a couple rounds of it) was delicious and it even went well with the main courses. We ordered the BBQ Pork Entree: pulled pork with your own choice of sauce, a side of vegetables (spinach for me), and mashed potatoes. The pork was absolutely delicious and the sauce made it all the better. The veges tasted phenomenal and I loved the texture and the flavor of the mashed potatoes. I also had the Beef and Vegetable soup because I wasn't feeling so well. The soup had a burst of flavor in every spoon and it made me feel much better. The beef was cooked perfectly. Soup can easily be overly salty but this soup was just perfect. I can see why the chef has been given so many James Beard awards and nominations. Delicious food. Excellent service. I'll definitely be craving Zingerman's food once I'm back home.
(5)Mary C.
Zingerman's Roadhouse had a great balance of fun, aesthetics, super great service, extensive menu and was easy to find. The one thing I didn't find on recent reviews was dress code. I wondered how casual it would be, although given it is Ann Arbor, I figured jeans were OK. It turned out to be very casual, including short and tops, on a Friday evening. I had a friend in from Chicago who is has a culinary arts degree, so it is always a learning experience to dine with her. Our dinners included Fried Green Tomatoes - better than in Mississippi or Alabama; Pit smoked BBQ beef and it was definitely smoked and delicious; a special roasted chicken and bacon braised greens. The expert and I felt everything was especially delicious. It was a nice evening. She, as a southerner, was upset that the peach pie had been sold out. Would recommend this experience. We made reservations for 7 PM and were glad we did.
(5)Dean D.
Here's how I see it with BBQ ribs. If you leave that back membrane on, you're an amateur. Maybe I'm wrong and there's a school of underground Q'ing that is far too elite for me to know about. If that's the case I apologize for this review. I've eaten here a dozen or so times, and yet I cannot explain why. I have faith in the Zingermans way, and I live down the street so... Yet each time I'm disappointed to no end. With the one exception being the fried chicken (always great). Ribs mediocre, brisket tough, pulled pk you can't screw that up, Mac and cheese great but that's not why you go...I'm sure it's the smell that floods the entire area that brings me back. Rhouse suffers from the exact thing that the Zing deli does. Great ingredients and poor execution by the staff preparing your food. Sandwiches thrown together, meats burnt and sloppy. Yet I still go, hoping for a change or that I'll get the right guy on the right day. Quite honestly my friends from Chicago come to town and I avoid it like the plague. Hopefully one day they'll get it together, but that starts at management I guess.
(2)Lisa A.
I've been coming here for a few years now and try to go for lunch every time I come home to Michigan to visit family and friends. * Three words: Sweet Potato Fries. Or, more specifically, order the Sea Island Sweet Potato Fries. Just trust me. I mean, how can you go wrong with substantial wedges of fried, lightly salted sweet potato goodness with a side a spicy mayo? It's a perfect accompaniment to, say a salad or a bowl of soup or a half a sandwich. Speaking of soup, I had the roasted vegetable soup (rutabaga, turnips, carrots and potatoes in a vegetable broth) which is pureed, yet still chunky with bits of vegetables. It was spiced nicely and hit the spot on a cold December day. I usually order the fries with the Roadhouse salad, which isn't one of those "afterthought basic salads." It has heirloom tomatoes, organic greens, carrots, red onion and homemade croutons. Their menu offerings range from burgers (including two vegan burgers), fish, po' boys, BBQ pork, beef, & chicken sandwiches, salads, and a sizable selection of mac n cheese (including a goat cheese one that is blissful). Besides the food, I enjoy perusing the gigantic collection of novelty salt and pepper shakers--a bit of Americana--that are displayed throughout the restaurant. They can be a tad on the pricey end (more akin to NYC prices, which I'm used to), but I think it's highly worth it for the quality of food you get. Plus, they use local meats and vegetables and other ingredients (some from their creamery and bakehouse) as well as Michigan-based products and products from small companies around the U.S. I would love it if Zingerman's was in Brooklyn, NY...but I think that would take away from the specialness of it as an Ann Arbor institution. I grew up going to Zingerman's Deli and trips to their coffeehouse and I will always be a devotee. Also, they're just some really nice folks. Every waiter/waitress/bartender I've encountered has been super friendly. Oh, and they are usually packed, so I suggest making a reservation whenever you plan to go. And don't forget the sweet potato fries! If you share them with a friend the calories totally don't count. *I've only been for lunch. I need to go for dinner because the fried brussels sprouts and corn fritters are calling my name.
(5)Michael U.
Arriving early in the breakfast service to the front steps of Zingerman's Roadhouse we found ample parking and made our way into the restaurant after snapping a few pictures of the oyster shell garden and signature neon sign. Greeted by a friendly young lady we were led almost instantaneously to a large four-top in the main dining room and presented with menus, a cheese list, and even a list of the daily oyster selection. Standing up after the server had walked away to snap some pictures of the kitschy interior the name "Roadhouse" certainly fit - from the collection of hundreds of salt and pepper shakers to the unique posters and knick-knacks found throughout the interior. Settling back into my seat and ordering coffee - a thick, bold blend with heavy notes of cocoa and floral tones while my aunt opted for tea we perused the menu and discussed how best to sample a multitude of options amongst the three off us. Fielding questions was our pleasant server, Catherine, and after a few moments decisions were made and orders placed. I will note that Catherine was frequently present throughout the meal to check in on us and make sure beverages were filled - between her and the rest of the team there was never a moment where our glasses dropped below 1/3 empty. Beginning first with the daily pastry basket we were provided with four items for a bargain $6.95. Featuring a steaming hot and crispy cinnamon donut fresh from the fryer, a large chunk of spicy gingerbread, and two types of coffee cake - hot chocolate and sour cream with walnuts - I found each item to be a nearly perfect version of its respective type. While my aunt didn't fancy the donut as she felt it wasn't fluffy enough I loved the cakelike texture of the interior as it contrasted to the cinnamon crisp exterior. The favorite of all three of us, however, was the hot cocoa coffee cake - a textbook dense and flavorful cake with hefty notes of smooth chocolate and a thin frosting that tasted like perfect drinking cocoa. For our main courses my mother selected the "Grits & Eggs" - Stone ground grits topped with two fried eggs, Nueske's applewood smoked bacon and 2-year aged Vermont cheddar and was instantly overwhelmed by the portion the moment it was set before her. Requesting her eggs scrambled this was easily accomplished and although I didn't sample the eggs, the bacon was remarkable both in firmness (not too crispy, but well done - smoked as opposed to pan fried) and texture-on par with the agave bacon at Frontera Grill. The most remarkable aspect of the dish, however, was the grits-hearty and toothsome, creamy yet sharply accented by the cheese, and plethoric in proportion. For my aunt's main course she selected the "Pain Perdu Fasten" - A Bakehouse French baguette dipped in batter and fried then topped with fresh bananas mascerated in brown sugar and all I can say was that this could have easily doubled as dessert (as a matter of fact, with ice cream it did just that at NOLA in New Orleans.) Only mildly doughy on the interior and crispy with notes of cinnamon, vanilla, and brown sugar on the exterior my aunt loved her dish while I rather wished the bread had been a little more thoroughly soaked. Delicious for sure and substantial in portion the bananas were a liquor-less Foster's style and complimented the bread nicely. For my main course I decided on the "Roadhouse French Toast" a dish comprised of cinnamon raisin bread from the Bakehouse soaked through with vanilla bean batter and griddled. Served with a hefty portion of butter from the creamery and pure Michigan maple syrup this was invariably some of the best French Toast I've ever tasted - not too thick, not too heavy, toothsome yet delicate - and the combination of mildly grassy butter and thick maple syrup only acted to enhance the vanilla tones to a whole different level. As an addition to our feast I opted to take a chance on the Biscuits & Chocolate-Bacon Gravy featuring "Gravy" made with bacon, cocoa and milk, served alongside house made buttermilk biscuits and after a single bite I knew I'd made the right decision. Sweet yet savory, salty yet bitter, buttery but texturally complex this dish is an absolute must order for anyone visiting Zingerman's and currently ranks very high on my list of favorite dishes of 2010. While my aunt, an admitted "boring" eater, didn't fancy the amalgam and my mother felt it was too decadent to eat much of I personally didn't mind one bit as I gladly enjoyed both biscuits and every last drop of the wonderful topping. Settling the modest bill and finishing what was likely my 6th cup of coffee we made our way to the car after a short chat with the hostess about our meal, their other locations, and small talk such as the weather. From start to finish I really can't say enough about the food, service, or experience at Zingerman's-and there is no doubt I will be back on my next visit to Michigan for lunch, brunch, or dinner.
(5)Gary A.
High quality, unique and varied menu, extremely popular, wonderful wait staff, one of my favorite places in Ann Arbor. If you can't find something here, don't both going out, stay home and cook for your self. I used the Yelp reservation feature, setting the reservation the night before for a busy Friday night, and Zingerman's called me back the next day to confirm our reservation. So this feature works well. The only hitch was we arrived 5 minutes before our reservation, and it still took them 15 minutes for the restaurant to seat us. Go with the Fried Chicken or a BBQ selection.
(5)Eric B.
3.5 stars Tasty food, but awful value. It seems that every James Beard awarding chef's restaurant I've been to (well, this and the other two..) have the same qualities- delicious food but startlingly small portions. This is especiailly disappointing when you're going to a place serving American food. When someone is ordering bbq brisket or mac and cheese and is told they're getting the quintessential American experience, they do not expect a tiny portion. Even with the small portions, I do get a craving every now and then for their mac and cheese, their ribs (probably best in town, but expensive), and most of all, their sweet potato fries! I also think a lot of credit is due to their inventive bar tender. I was amazed when I saw an apple brandy from an orchard near my home-town in NJ on the menu which you have to really dig deep to find in the area where it's made, let alone the midwest. So go every now and then. Complain at how small the portions are, but eventually you'll think about a particular item and a craving will draw you back
(3)Nina S.
While in Ann Arbor visiting we had to try something from any of the famous Zingerman's in the area. We decided on this place and were not disappointed. The food is really good, the BBQ pulled pork was well flavored and their coleslaw was really good. The prices are a bit steep but I guess it comes with the name. Hands down though, the BEST most AMAZING thing on that menu is the deep fried brussel sprouts -- OH MY GOSH... SOOOOOO AMAZING!!! Get like 3 orders of them. Trust me. They are crispy and coated with a sweet and tangy balsamic reduction that just makes them to die for! Three stars for price and service though.
(3)Nater B.
Burger good $13 good? hmmmm...Could have almost been there. Crappy bun fell apart while trying to eat burger. Burger not as thick and juicy as I expected. Tapered patty like a UFO instead of a hockey puck. Dry on ends, and first bite. Cooked slightly over medium rare as ordered, but I didn't complain. Seasoned decently. Very friendly staff. Not the best burger I've ever had. Ann Arbor Brewing Company has a better one. I might go back, but I doubt I will.
(3)Chris P.
Boo! To sum this up its a BBQ joint that doesn't do BBQ very well and does it at a price that makes you annoyed. Again the food is mediocre at best. Food temps are cool to cold. Service is OK but certainly not great. For some reason anything zingermans touches turns to gold without any real reason. James beard award to the chef... I don't think so. To be fair I haven't eaten the whole menu just the BBQ (which supposedly they are known for). Won't be going back and will likely dissuade everyone I know who has any interest in bbq
(1)Bob M.
Zingerman's Roadshow, located next to the Roadhouse, it a GREAT drive-thru food option. I always get a cup of the Roadhouse Joe. It is an excellent blend crafted by Zingerman's Coffee Company. Also on offer are amazing bagels from the Bakehouse, outstanding sandwiches, and something truly wonderful: "Show-J." It is a blend of fresh squeezed orange juice and lemonade. Sounds simple, but you must try it to believe it. Check out the Road Show. You will not regret it.
(4)Jason C.
I wasn't really impressed by Roadhouse. With name like Zingerman's and pricey menu items, one would expect the food and taste to be above the standard, typical American food they advertised themselves as... indeed it was typical and over priced! I made a reservation for table for 8, got there, we got seated and the waitstaff asked what we wanted to drink, gave our drink orders, bread basket with butter was delivered. Ask for olive oil and they will bring a plate of olive oil for you; add some cracked blacked peppers and dip the warm bread - YUM! For starters, we went with Sweet Potato fries. Their fries were thick, so some were well cooked and some were undercooked, the dipping sauce make's the fries great, I think without it, it's an average, but the sauce takes it to next level. We ordered our food, I ordered the 1/2 rack of ribs with sweet potato fries and greens. While we waited for the food, the waitstaff brought us chili fries for free, so we were excited :) The chunks of the meat in the chili - OMG... the meat melts in your mouth, so tender! As for the taste of the chili, it was okay, had better chili. So, with the breads, sweet potato fries and chili fries, I was full. I wasn't sure if I could eat my main course... then it came :) All of our dishes were delivered. Great thing about dining out with friends?? You get to sample other dishes :) hahahaha I could tell the rib was smoked for a long time, based upon the color of the bone. I don't know if it was the dry rub or the sauce, but the rib did not taste that good... it was average. The green needed a lot of work... couldn't finish it... yeah... I did finish my fries :) The total price: $19. One of my buddies who ordered the Chicken Fried Steak was very disappointed with his dish. The meat was very chewy, so he told the waitstaff, the waitstaff apologized and asked if he wanted to order something else... he said no... like me, he was full... so instead of taking the plate back, the waitstaff left it on the table... and for some odd reason, the waitstaff never spoke to him the rest of the evening, as if he was blacklisted amongst us... So as we finished, the waitstaff came back and asked if we were done, the waitstaff took my empty plate, my buddies 1/3 eaten plate of chicken fried steak... again, nothing about what was being done. The waitstaff came back asking how we wanted our checks and at that time, my friend was informed that the dish would be taken off, but told him that the check for the sweet potato fries will be under him... a decision the waitstaff made without consulting my friend... Well, I went there once and gave it a try... will I go back? I don't know. I was taken back by the experience my friend went through. The manager should have came out, spoke to my friend and let my friend know what was being done! This is customer service and Zingerman is know for customer service - on this day, it was not displayed!
(3)Sara F.
We went there for my fiance's 30th birthday. He loves BBQ, so he wanted to go to Zingerman's roadhouse. First: Our waitress was wonderful. She made him feel special without silly birthday songs or anything that would embarrass him. She gave great recommendations for wine and things to eat. Second: Everything from the bread on the table to the fried chicken macaroni and cheese was delicious. My fiance was very happy with his BBQ sampler plate. I'm sure that there are people who really know good BBQ and might be able to speak more to the flavors and cooking styles, but we enjoyed every bite.
(5)Maya B.
Okay, so enough about the food. Anyone who's from Ann Arbor, or Michigan for that matter, or who even knows someone who knows someone from one of these locals knows that Zingerman's has great food. What I will mention is that I have eaten here a lot, and when I say a lot, I mean probably an average of once a month for 5 years prior to moving out to DC, so I can confirm that the food is consistently good (albeit expensive!). That said, most people would probably agree that the deli has a one-up on the roadhouse. What really sets Zingerman's apart from other restaurants is the service. The staff at Zingerman's are zingtacular (some more zingtacular than others, although I won't name names). The hostesses are always pleasant, the waitstaff is always considerate, and even the busboys and food runners want to ensure you have a great zingxperience. Meals typically begin with a small sample of something on the house just to wet your whistle (especially if for some reason it takes the waiter a bit longer than usual to get to your table--there's a rule that guests cannot wait longer than 5 minutes for their waiter). Waiters are always ready to help with food suggestions and make adjustments to plates according to your needs/wants. Moving along through the meal, if you are dissatisfied with something you have ordered, just politely tell your waiter and he or she will rush it back to the kitchen to bring you out a corrected dish or something entirely different, and remove the not-so-hot dish from you bill. They will probably also comp you something else to make up for it. All in all, Zingerman's offers a true restaurant experience with service as it should be--other restaurants should take a hint!
(4)Michael T.
Solid and diverse menu. Friendly staff. Started w some root beer from the tap...delicious. My girl had Cream Soda which was also great. I had the BBQ beef entree and the greens were tasty especially w the pepper oil at the table. The macaroni and cheese - Monterey w pulled chicken was our other selection. Very rich but one of the best Mac and cheese entrees I have had. Dessert looked great but we were too full, maybe next time if we r ever in town again...
(5)Erikalaw S.
If you have the time (and money), it is worth visiting this place more than once. Not everything is home run, but it is all very tasty. For a first visit, try one of their Michigan beers on tap with the chili cheese fries; add pimiento cheese on the side. You won't sink into a sea of fattening regret. Four instead of five stars since not every dish is worth the fairly high price. But even the overpriced dishes are delicious. Don't forget, they also serve breakfast.
(4)Kiery W.
Food was good, loved the poutine. Very expensive for the portions we received. We both tried the bbq and it was swimming in juices, which soaked everything else, I was okay with it but it is my husband's pet peeve to have random juices flowing all over the plate. I loved the kitschy salt and pepper shakers all over the room we were in, we even played I Spy while we waited for our food but it did seem like we waited quite a while for our food and people who ordered after us were served before us. Would try again but it would have to be for a celebration of some sort to justify the expense.
(3)Sarah L.
Fathers day. Sunday.June 19 2011. FOOD: 22oz homemade rootbeer. 5 mini burger entree w/ different cheeses for each. Came w/ steak cut sweet potato fries & dip: spicy mayo unlike any other, homemade pickle slices too. 2 huge filets of broiled trout seasoned w/ their coffee spices, along with a heaping amount of mashed potatoes with skin, and onion & garlic flavored spinach. Chocolate pudding was milky smooth with whip cream light & fluffy. Better than Reddi Whip sprinkled with tiny bits of chocolate on top with a blackberry too. SERVICE: Masha was the waitress. A man came around refilled beverages & even refilled the spicy mayo dip. Masha offered to replace sweet potato fries w/ fries if we didn't like it. EXTRA INFO 1.5hr wait, offered to sit at a bar & we did. RSVP highly recommended but we didn't. We've visited this place plenty of times during peak times & off - there's always a wait. It's one of those places that are worth it though. The place is a lot bigger than it appears on the outside. They do have a drive through thats located at their mobile trailer. Foods always top notch & never disappointing. Despite how busy it is the service is always impeccable. While you wait check out their collection of salt & pepper shakers. PRICE: $60.95 for 2 people.seems expensive, but our meals could have fed 2 other people as well as our drink.
(5)Scott L.
After being unsatisfied with the BBQ offerings in Los Angeles, I was SO READY to be back here ...and let me tell you it does not disappoint! I've been here 3 times in the past year or so and the food and service has been delightfully consistent. BBQ and comfort food at it's finest. THE FOOD The last time I was here, my friend and I shared the Ig Vella Monterey Jack mac+cheese and BBQ sampler plate- both were delish. You can certainly tell that they go to great lengths to select the finest meats and veggies for each entree. The freshness and quality is what I interpret as the hallmark of any Zingerman's product. If you're a BBQ person that's into food defined by the slathered-on sauces, (and I don't blame you, sometimes I love me some saucceeee) then be aware that you may not be completely impressed by the Roadhouse. Again, fresh+quality emphasis here (and it's reflected in the price as well so don't be surprised). THE SERVICE Number one rule to remember is to MAKE A RESERVATION. It says Zingerman's on the door--you know the drill. Seriously though, even on a weekday it can be quite busy. You'll want to have a reservation especially in the winter months so that you don't want to be sitting in the doorway area for half an hour getting slammed in the face with that lovely winter breeze every time someone opens the door. Other than that, service is generally fantastic, wait staff is very knowledgeable about everything on the menu and is very accommodating. No qualms here. THE (non-collegial) ATMOSPHERE I never really gave this much consideration until after I graduated, but should it be the case that you take offense to the thought of college students dining with you for whatever reason, you don't have to be concerned here. The Roadhouse has very little representation from the college community or so it seems and the atmosphere is very casual and laid back. Enjoy!
(4)Joanna B.
Had high expectations, but was greatly disappointed. Server was forgetful, no water or bread refills. Food was bland, portions tiny, fries seemed like they were from the bottom of the basket, rolls for sandwiches were stale, food appeared to be merely dropped on the plates. Very poor experience all around.
(1)John L.
Very happy with this place. Price- reasonable (like all zingerman locations). Lunch is about $15, but it's very good. Quantity- Decent sized. You don't get gyped so that is good. Quality- Very good. Ribs and BBQ braised was very moist. I had the mac and cheese too and it was good, but I probably wouldn't get it again- maybe I'll just get some velveetas mac and cheese (don't judge...I don't judge you and ....your face) Atmosphere- Busy and cozy like all Zingerman Staff- Our waitress was fantastic. She would constantly stop by our table to ask if everything was going well, made note of peanut and gluten allergies and pre-divided 2 entrees so we could split them. She also mentioned what to do next time we came here. I would highly recommend this place.
(4)Jim R.
Visited this spot after reading many positive reviews on Yelp. The restaurant was quite busy even on a Sunday night with lots of folks waiting- "good thing we made reservations I thought". Unfortunately, they started out committing my cardinal sin - making us wait more than a couple minutes to be seated past the reservation time- usually a sign of a poorly run front of the house. In this case it was around 15 minutes. The other thing that struck me was the large number of families with young kids at this place-more than a Gymboree class than a restaurant-so it must be very family-friendly. The restaurant offers a lot of locally sourced foods including raising there own hogs and cattle and running their own dairy. They offer a selection of cheeses and oysters for appetizers. 2-3 cheeses are a nice starter at about $3 per generous one oz. serving. We sampled two and they came with light and crispy bagel chips and sweet oven-dried balsamic grapes. The pulled pork we ordered was sweet, juicy and the overall quality of the food was very good and more than made up for the screaming toddler atmosphere and crazy small waiting area. Advice is to go early.
(4)Damon L.
Overrated. I heard positive comments about Zingerman's before and it simply underachieved in my book. I will denote that I only ate there once (during a work meeting) and it was breakfast - but how do you screw up breakfast? The menu listings appeared great and although I debated about eggs benedict and more traditional breakfast options - I in the end chose a basic egg, potatoes, toast based meal. The eggs were the most tasty item with a blend of veggie and cheese. But, the toast looked like it had been cooked on a grill and in consequence - burned. It was pretty charred and tasted terrible. Even with the home preserves. There might have been a tablespoon of potatoes at best on the plate. Which is particularly irritating as I like potatoes. I actually forgot what type of meat was served. I believe it was a sausage patty. Point being - when the bill came and I was charged over $12 for a breakfast that was sparse and frankly - not that appetizing. I can assure you I won't bother giving lunch a dinner or chance. Any restaurant that overcharges for the cheapest meal of the day (and subsequently can't provide a delicious meal for the easiest meal to cook in a day) doesn't deserve additional consideration. I am not surprised coming from Ann Arbor where similar restaurants (overpriced and overhyped) tend to be the norm.
(2)L W.
A place you have to visit if you are new to AA. Amazing food and great place to hang out, have coffee, or meet a friend.
(5)Abby L.
I was unimpressed enough with Zingerman's Roadhouse to be compelled to write my first Yelp review to warn others against making the same mistake I did. We stopped at Z.R. after a Sunday movie, and since I had stuffed myself full of food at the theater I decided to order a side salad (~$7) and a side dish of mac and cheese ($7.50). Maybe it's my mistake for not asking, but when a side dish of mac an cheese costs $7.50, I'm expecting a little more than a teeny tiny saucer - not the case. I estimate the dish consisted of 20 noodles. Z.R. was probably the most overpriced meal I have ever had. My fiancee had the burger which he thought was average, the salad average, the tiny plate of mac and cheese...average. But for the price not worth it, we won't be going back.
(2)Apu G.
The food is good but not magnificent, and is certainly NOT worth the money. I'd give four stars if the prices were halved. Example: Two measly crab cakes = $12.50 (or over $15 after tax and tip)
(1)Jay B.
This was my third time here. We were celebrating our daughter's graduation. Bragged on the place to my parents and drove out of our way to get here. I guess my expectations were too high. The service was lackluster at best (Sharon). She was just going through the motions, seemed cold and perturbed we were there. Service was slow. Brunch took a very long time to come. My husband wondered out loud what the bread plates were for, looked around and noticed every other table enjoying a bread basket. This solidified our bad experience. I spoke to the supervisor and she brought a bread basket. 30 seconds later, our food arrived. I almost cried in disappointment. My parents didn't get their bacon. Sharon took a long while to check back, then it was at least 5 minutes for 3 pieces of bacon to come out. I love their food, bit was so sadly disappointed by the service.
(3)Vee V.
Buttermilk fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy. Three women, three orders of the same thing, three smiling, happy women at the end of dinner. They also made me a lifetime fan for the following: I'd made a reservation on open table, and they asked if it was a special occasion; I said yes a going-away party of three long-time friends, one whom is moving to another country for a 3 year contract. I didn't ask for anything, just mentioned it in the comments. When we got there, the hostess mentioned the going-away party; Lauren our waitress was fully informed as well. After an excellent meal, she brought out a free brownie sundae with "Good luck in Japan" written in chocolate sauce on the plate! It was Saturday night, we lingered at the table (not unduly) and never felt rushed in the least. Another wonderful Zingerman's experience!
(5)Kevin N.
You know how there are people who would go ga-ga over Sutter Home wine if you slapped a "Chateau L'Obscure" label on it and told them it was special and expensive? These will likely be your dining companions at the Roadhouse. And by "companions", I'm not talking about people at your table... though it will seem like they're part of your table, given how they pack people in here like sardines. "Zingerman's-the-deli" has carried an unearned cachet in and around Ann Arbor for countless years, and the halo carries over to the Roadhouse. I was with a medium-sized group on my last visit, and we basically ordered every appetizer on the menu, with a broad array of entrees. One of the appetizers was literally "mini corndogs with fancy mustard", with the remaining selections similarly impressive. On the entree side, portions were expectedly small, with the waitstaff "selling" most of the people at our table on what they already ordered. It would have been less unusual had we been ordering off-menu, but it really resonated as though the staff was saying "You're not going to like this very much, but you should, because this sauce is quite special..." or "Even though this really doesn't taste good, you should feel justified in paying $25 for it, because..." If you take away the "quirky" staff and their belabored tales of how the chicken you're about to eat was named Fred, who lived a purposeful life just off of Dixboro Road until he made the personal decision to become food, you'll soon realize that you're paying through the roof for a mediocre meal. The staff seemed generally aloof when they weren't busy telling you how special things were. I'm not sure if "detached stoner" is a component of their branding. If so, it totally works. Otherwise, the experience is somewhere between "sleepy pizza guy who probably didn't spit in my food" and "legally dead". That is, unless you bring up how "awesome" their tattoo or piercing is, where they catapult closer to "insane TGI Friday's person who won't shut up about the chocolate martini special". You won't necessarily get better service that way, but you will discover how the "ironic" tattoo makes your choice of server a unique snowflake. Really, the only reason to go to the Roadhouse is if you're already indoctrinated in to the mindset that Zingerman's is actually special, and whatever they say (or charge) is justifiable. Or, if you want "Ann Arbor funky" that's so over the top it's a caricature of itself. Frankly, you're probably better off going just about anywhere downtown.
(2)Maria A.
All I could think was I have heard so many good things about Zingerman's so why not try the roadhouse for lunch? EH...NO. We sat down, I looked at the menu and got right back up. If you want a grilled cheese, don't go here. You end up paying 12 bucks just for a grilled cheese (no sides). Don't go here to watch a sporting event. The TVs are so small, people look like ants on the screens. I was so disappointed.
(1)Kim W.
Very good for breakfast/brunch or a casual lunch/dinner. Wouldn't recommend for a date as it can be very busy and loud. The southern grits with wisconsin cheddar are the best I've ever had!
(4)Victoria K.
I wrote a review for Gandy Dancer recently due to their oysters caused me stomach pain and diarreah, cost my NYE and New Year Day as well. Then I thought of the best place for oyster in Ann Arbor - Zingerman's Roadhouse. Every year, it hosts oyster dinner for the oyster fans. I am one of the them. Every single time that I go to this restaurant, I go for the fresh oysters as starter. The team actually go all over the places in America to look for the oyster sources. They get the best and freshest in town. I LOVE how they present the plate of fresh oysters to me each time they serve. The servers would point out each oyster and tell me the name. The oyster menu also comes with very accurate descriptions on each type of oysters. This is where I picked up a lot of knowledge about oysters and their habitat because the team respect the food and its source. They also respect customers who have very good taste buds to taste the differences in each different oyster. I honestly don't remember much about having other food here but oysters are truly their specialty. This restaurant should be called The Oysters Company or Zingerman's Oyster Shack. Just kidding.
(5)Gina D.
It had been quite a while since we had been to the Roadhouse so we wanted to try it again. I had a few questions about the soups and entrees for the waiter but he was very long winded with the answers. I just quickly ordered My husband and I both ordered the house salads, with the red wine vinagrette and he had the apple cider vinagrette, and they were both yummy. He ordered the John Dory fish, and I ordered the ham and cheese stuffed Cornish Hen. Unfortunately, his fish arrived undercooked (raw) and my hen arrived overcooked (dry) with even some slightly burned parsnips and rutabagas. I think the cooks might need lessons on timing. The actual flavors of the stuffing was good. What I could eat of the veggies was good also. I also found it odd when the fish was sent back, the waiter brought the same fish served recooked instead of bringing back a new fish. Seems kind of strange to me. But I don't know much about restaurant sanitation rules. For dessert we ordered Gelato, I ordered the trio of dark chocolate, dulce de leche, and vanilla which was excellent, except I found the dark chocolate to be bitter. My husband just had a scoop of dark chocolate gelato. I also had a large cappuccino which turned out to be the largest size I have ever had in my life, and was really good. Because the fish was undercooked the desserts were on the house, which was nice.
(2)Jackie K.
I thought the food was very good and I was pleased with the service. I got a burger which was juicy but not runny or messy - GREAT. However: the waiter asked me if I wanted cheese on my burger and I agreed not knowing cheese was an extra $4 (for one piece of cheese) that was 1/3 the original cost of my burger! Oh well - I really enjoyed the food so it was worth the extra $ I just wished they would have told me about the upcharge.
(4)Sarah D.
I have never left the roadhouse disappointed. The scallops are great, they have deals every day of the week and so many different wines and well... I just love it.
(5)Rob F.
Very overpriced. i got their chicken and it was served in a mini wooden crate thing....quaint I suppose but very unsanitary. I was initially handed a menu with food smashed all over the inside...really unappetizing. $15 for two pieces of chicken and one side... I'd go again but only if I wasn't paying the bill!
(2)Nicole M.
Love that they have gluten free options. Food is pretty tasty, the people are pretty friendly, and the atmosphere is pretty ok. It's not knock me out of this world great. But I do enjoy the food and happy about the gluten free brownie!
(4)Amber E.
Updating my review from 4 to 5 stars because of how consistent the Roadhouse is. We've been many times since our first visit back in April of 2010 and the service has *never* been poor and the food has always been delicious. I can't believe I've never had a server that wasn't trying their best to make our dining experience great in all of our visits - Zingerman's must train their staff very well! As for the food, I am a vegetarian and there are always options for me; however, I usually just order the Roadhouse Mac 'N Cheese - it's simple, filling and keeps me coming back. You can't go wrong ordering the Mac' N Cheese! Pro: Parking lot, great service, portions etc Cons: Always very busy on the weekends, definitely call ahead as they do take reservations! If you're on a budget (which I'm supposed to be....) Zingerman's won't do you any favours :(
(5)Colleen H.
Calling all vegetarians this is where you want to eat! I had been here once before for lunch and recall thinking I would rather eat lunch at the original Zingermans in Kerrytown. I mean if your eating a sandwich that is where to go, however, if you want a meal - Roadhouse all the way! The Cheeseboard and corn dogs (for my kids) were our appetizers. Delish! The warm spinach and mushroom salad was amazing! But by far I gotta say the mashed potatoes ROCK! I had the black bean burger because it is hard to find a good vegetarian burger and they hit the nail on the head with this black bean burger. I ordered way too much food but everything was amazing! I highly recommend this restaurant for vegetarians, you have many options! Way to go Zingermans!
(5)Gregg D.
Loved everything about our visit again. Drinks were great, food was awesome and derive was terrific. My wife had the sliders and they were all good. I had the spicy chicken and while very hot and spicy it was moist. I probably wouldn't order it again, but it was as advertised, just not my dish. We can't wait for our next visit.
(5)Francyn C.
Nice atmosphere and good fresh food. A little pricy but you do get what you pay for. Great location, no problem parking. Soups and bread very good. Chicken dinner was excellent. Fun place to go and a great local tradition.
(4)Josh R.
The review isn't so much a knock on the food, as it is the over-pricing, and Zingerman's trying to capitalize on their name. Look, the food at the Roadhouse is great, but it's WAY too pricy. The food is good, and it's not a bad atmosphere to take a date or buck-up to take some friends... but it's not necessarily the greatest place either. If you're going to pay lots of money, you can get more bang for your buck elsewhere. Also, the location isn't great either, as there's nothing within walking distance for a post-dinner stroll. To summarize: good food, over-priced.
(2)Jeff J.
Overrated. I think that because it's in Michigan (a place not exactly known for stellar food) it got hyped because it is admittedly better than the standard chain-restaurants that are ubiquitous around here. I had the Pork BBQ sandwich. Pork was a bit dry. Basically good diner food but 14 dollars for a sandwich? The atmosphere was nice and the staff are very nice. It's a good place to go, but hype aside, this is basically average-tasting/quality food that is very very expensive .
(3)Tony C.
If only you could give a place 3-1/2 stars, that'd be what Zingerman's Roadhouse deserves. So, let's break it down: The food quality and service is impeccable. The servers are all very attentive and knowledgeable about the food. The quality is on par with what you'd expect from a place bearing the Zingerman's name. It also cracks me up that every time I eat there, I see Ari working as a waiter. The guy is the founder of Zingerman's, buttloaded, but still waits tables. Gotta love that. But, I remove one star for the pure snobbery of the fact that this place is charging people $20 for fried chicken! Is the Zingerman's fried chicken really worth $15 more than what you can get at KFC for $5? It's definitely a lesson in the law of diminishing marginal returns. It's trained into us that at Zingerman's, you're going to pay a limb to eat there and here is no exception. I would also like to remove another 1/2 star for the fact that if you're going to charge people crazy food prices like they do, then this place should be paying downtown rent, not the rent of a place located in the Westgate shopping strip mall. I eat here about twice a year because that's about all I can afford. Try the fried chicken (if you can afford it), the many mac and cheeses, and any of the extremely fresh fish. You will not be disappointed, only your wallet will be.
(3)Claire S.
This is the ideal place to take your parents: very good food that you can't afford. Hammering in the "fresh, local ingredients" angle is a good idea, too, cuz it makes cheese seem almost healthy. I like the American food angle (no "fusion" here, folks!) and it appears that they focus on different parts of the country in a rotating menu--a good idea in a country known for food ranging from fried chicken to tofurkey. I had the waiter-recommended mac and cheese made unholy with chicken, cilantro, and spice and it was damn tasty (even better reheated the next day). Bf had the bleu cheese bacon burger--not my thing but he raved. Also extensive beer list, with a few good deals.
(4)Mind Melting F.
Fried buttermilk chicken was very bland. Should be given a choice of mashed potatoes with or without bacon(?). excellent bread and outstanding desert. Expensive. Excellent service. Make a reservation though,otherwise you will have a long wait. not sure why this place is so popular
(2)Erik B.
The Roadhouse has the most amazing sweet potato fries that I have had. This is a restaurant that goes the extra mile in everything that they do in order to satisfy the customer.
(5)Shayne D.
Food is heavy on fat, ambiance is loud and not cozy, prices are ridiculously high and you often have to wait quite awhile for a table. This place gets a lot of attention from out-of-town restaurant reviewers as being the quintessential A2 place to eat but it makes me kind of sad to think that people think this place represents Ann Arbor cuisine.
(2)missy a.
Great food to fit everyone's tastes. New selections each time yet same favorites. Love their drink and wine list. Cheese selections great & you an choose which type for a grilled cheese. Soups great. I will say fried chicken & mac/cheese weren't as wonderful as expected. Suggest reservations as they can get busy. This is a highlight when we visit family in the area.
(4)Alan M.
The Roadhouse is totally hit or miss. The first time I went there, my meal was fantastic. The second time, lackluster. I've been here a half dozen times, and I'd say my food was really good twice. I know a lot of people who really love the place, but there are so many better options in Ann Arbor, including the fantastic Zingerman's Deli. I'm willing to pay a lot for good food, but why pay their prices when you can get something better for half the price somewhere else in town?
(2)Jenny K.
The name "Zingerman's" convinced me that this was a great, high quality restaurant. We made reservations to celebrate my mother's birthday with 4 of us attending. We got seated in the outdoor area in the middle of November, but you didn't feel too cold at first. The room had heaters running and had an occasional cold breeze come through. Our waitress was attentive and gave some recommendations on what to order. They brought out a sample plate of the pork with different sauces to try to help us pick which one we wanted. My husband ordered Chef Alex's BBQ Plate which consisted of pit-smoked Niman Ranch spare ribs, BBQ Beef with Alex's red rage tomato BBQ sauce, South Carolina pulled pork and pit-smoked chicken with green tomato BBQ. It is also served with bacon-braised greens and mashed local potatoes. It seemed liked it would be a lot of food, but it really wasn't for $29. The mashed potatoes that came out with his order were dry and old. When we asked for fresh ones, the server brought it out on a smaller plate with a fraction of the amount. That was disappointing, but at least they were fresh. I ordered the Cornman Farms' Cheeseburger with Pasture-raised beef, dry-aged, grilled over oak, served on a Bakehoue onion roll, American cheese with lettuce, onion, tomato and pickles for $15. I also paid $7 for a side of their famous mac and cheese. I ordered the burger medium-well and it came out closer to well done. The mac and cheese was fresh, but tasted a bit too salty for me. My mother and sister also ordered burgers, but with fries, which tasted fresh. Overall, I felt this place was overpriced for what they offered. We probably won't be back.
(3)Ivan J.
Overpriced & overrated. The food can be better for the price offered, service is really good though..
(2)Mari K.
Amazing! Though I'm a NorCal gal now, I'll go out of my way to stop into the Roadhouse. First time there for breakfast. Soooo yum. And the service, as always, was even better than the fantastic food.
(5)Saudia S.
Amazing food, all with a story. Everything BBQ is good, and definitely try the cheese sampler to start. A bit in the pricey side, but withy every penny.. Definitely try the freshly made donut sundae - yes, you read that right.... Try not to lick the plate!! Go with an appetite and enjoy the experience!
(4)Mathias B.
The roadhouse doesn't quite have the same effect that the deli does, but it's still a decent restaurant packing in flavor for each meal. There are far fewer vegetarian options than the deli too, limiting what we could eat. The wait is shorter, and the menu is still pretty diverse so both of those are a plus. The Mac and cheese was the best item we got and I would definitely recommend it. It was very grand in flavor, and was worth a trip to get. The prices are still Zingerman's level so be ready to spend some money on food. Overall, this Ann Arbor spot was good, but not amazing like some of their other places. If you haven't had the deli yet, go there first.
(3)Kate P.
I love Zingermans Roadhouse. I've lived in Michigan for 7 years come August. When we moved here everyone said you had to go to Zingermans and I now know why. The previous times I've been to Zingermans it has been for dinner. The last time was for my Dad's birthday. I ordered the country fried chicken and it was delicious! I went a few days ago with one of my best-friend for brunch. We were seated in the back room in a booth. For drinks we ordered the fresh squeezed orange juice and she ordered the chilled coffee. The orange juice was so fresh and very delicious! For food I ordered the Eggs Benedict and she ordered the Country Skillet. The Eggs Benedict was so good. It was served on sourdough bread, which is my favorite. The potatoes on the side, made my taste buds so happy! The service is always great and friendly. The restaurant is well kept and clean. We were going to sit outside that day but the smoke from the outside grill/smoker was a little over powering. And from just a few minutes sitting outside before we moved inside, you smelled the smoke. Be prepared to spend a little bit but for great quality food and drinks!
(5)Yaakov H.
The food wasn't good, definitely not for the pricing. The hamburger i got was over cooked and the ceviche was bland. The only good thing was the service. Never going back
(1)M S.
We have been here several times and the food is always good and the service friendly as well as very knowledgeable of the menu. Today I ordered eggs Benedict since we were there during brunch. I must say, it was outstandingly!! The eggs were cooked perfectly and the sourdough toast was the perfect toast for this as it held up and the flavor excellent. The star of the show was the hollandaise sauce which was done to perfection. Absolutely the perfect consistency and excellent flavor. Just the right amount was applied to the dish. The ham was also very nicely paired as well. Truly an excellent start to the day and worth it's price. On a side note..we always get an order of the sweet potato wedges. They are also excellent and the spice sauce served with them makes them even better.
(4)Jiah C.
My state of happiness for this place elevates little by little everytime I go to ZR. Thus, the star jump. My bizarre server interaction from my first visit was quite the first impression, but have noticed pretty great service from every single staff member since then. A few highlights: #1) I agree with fellow oyster fanatics-- solid everytime. Love their oyster menu & presentation, and also love how staff seems to be familiar enough with whats going on with these babies. #2) I didn't believe my friend when she raved about ZR's mac & cheese. I am now their bitch. I don't like super cheese saucy nor gritty chunky cheesey m&c, if that makes sense. The cheese consistency is perfect. Now add some lobster please. #3) RIBS. I live 1/4 mile from here and can smell when they are smoking their goods. It really is as good as it smells. My significant other and I have the opposite preference for types of ribs (he likes country style/st louis, I like baby back/spare, gimme that fatty fat fat) and we both absolutely loved the ZR ribs. Honorable mentions: SPIDER BREAD. You want to find out what this is. Trust me. Comes with their beefy chili. Fried green tomatoes. Perfect. As I am probably going to be ZR's neighbor for another 2 years, according to my lease, we are going to become best buddies.
(4)Meredith B.
Stop everything and get the wood-grilled trout with bearnaise sauce over mashed potatoes and spinach. It is one of the best things I have ever had the pleasure of eating. Sweet lord. My parents and boyfriend got barbecue and even THEY were excited to sneak bites of my dish - them with their ribs and pulled pork, were singing the praises of my fish! It sounded so simple that I worried I had made a dull choice, but then once I started eating it I realized I won dinner. Two glasses of Michigan riesling and some roasted tomatoes and olive oil with their warm bread basket capped off a perfect meal. You can order with confidence here, because nobody ever has a mediocre meal at Zingerman's.
(5)Alan G.
Not a good experience. Been going to the place since the day it opened. We had a large holiday party of around 15 so it was out of the norm but my burger was rare (ordered well done) service was slow and the billing (one check--new policy...) was a nightmare. Good luck on your customer service presentation biz but you might want to give a refresher to your management. Won't ever be back with a large group.
(2)Terese C.
Bases on all the great reviews, this was not a great first time dining experience. It took 30+ minutes for our salads. Then they served our entrees and we had to ask for our salad. They forgot to serve my husband his drink. And, they didn't serve our BBQ sauces until we asked! The salad may have been rushed as two of the Cesaer salads were very gritty. It was as if they hadn't washed the greens! They offered us desserts on the house. I'm not ready to go back here anytime soon.
(2)Aaron D.
As a diehard fan of Ari and the Zingerman's empire, the Roadhouse definitely lives up to its reputation. The sheer diversity of options (satisfying everyone from discerning baby to picky adult, clean/light to heavy/rich foods), attentive customer service and tastefulness of everything on the menu makes it my go-to place when people visit. I'm partial to the fish (especially salmon) with coffee rub, macaroni and cheese and Sazerac cocktail -- though honestly, you really can't go wrong with anything.
(5)Chester C.
I honestly can't understand why this place is sooo loved. Portions are dinky and the food is really not all that special, especially for the price. I do have a couple things I get through the drive through on occasion ..pimento cheese and sweet potato fries..bread sometimes. Staff is always friendly, almost overly friendly..lol All in all I think it's overrated as Hell and so do most if not all people I know. I'll give it 2 stars for the pimento cheese alone cause it's basically like crack.
(2)Sandie L.
Ok. I really love this place. There's not much to say except that the ribs are amazing (I get them every time....which is why I can't say much about the other things!), and that any dishes my friends have also taste great when I sample them. The portions are a good size (rather larger than not) and the atmosphere is casual-nice. It's not the cheapest place but I leave the roadhouse so full I could roll, so I feel like the price is justified.
(5)Henry T.
For some reason, I wasn't too impressed with the food. I had such a great time here, but I guess one mistake really cost them. Flight of bourbon had 3 different samples of bourbon. We got the rare flight. Unfortunately for me, I don't remember any details of them other than 2 of them not being something I'd enjoy drinking. The other one was very smooth and would be excellent to have over a conversation. We had some sweet potato fries, and IMO these were the best part of the meal. I didn't have too much since I was anticipating a large delicious steak, but they were great. Dipped in the sauce it comes in....amazing. For my entree I had the London broil. I ordered it specifically medium rare, and asked her for confirmation if they typically make them as ordered. She reassured me and so I went with it. It comes out and mine was medium well. Blah. My friend's was medium rare when he ordered medium. The cook probably mixed it up. Now since mine wasn't as juicy cooked medium well, I didn't really enjoy it. The steak comes with 3 sides. The bacon braised greens were really disappointing. The texture was just ... off, and the taste, well, I guess wasn't up to my standard, or even my brother's homemade excellent bacon collard greens. The mashed potatoes and spiced potatoes were good and something I'd recommend. (Yes, I did choose two potato sides--I love potatoes with steak). I tried some of my friend's mac & cheese. They are very heavy and oily. Tastes good, but I wouldn't be able to eat much since it was so heavy. But then again, with the small portion they give you, you would still feel full anyway; so portion size doesn't really apply. Overall, the experience was nice, but the delivery seemed off. I think if my steak was cooked as ordered (medium rare), they may have received another star rating. Yes, I could've asked my server to send it back and cook it properly, but meh I didn't want to waste the steak they made.
(3)Sacha U.
We were headed out of town and had to turn around and come home due to bad road conditions. Though Zingerman's can be pricey, decided to try their breakfast and splurge a little and it was worth it! The coffee is obviously something special. The breakfast was absolutely delicious. We both had such a great meal we went back the next weekend. Compared with other breakfast options in Ann Arbor, definitely a great meal worth every penny.
(4)Charlotte C.
Fabulous, as always. Despite the Sunday morning crush, service was fast and friendly. We had a reservation -- but seating was proceeding smoothly for those without a reservation. Mimosas at 9am is such a nice start. They'll fill your coffee go-cup too.
(5)Erin Y.
This is our favorite place in Ann Arbor. Whenever we're in town we make sure to stop by! My personal favorite is the chicken fried steak. It's delicious, although they could give you more gravy on the side! Last time we came, they had a special whole cornmeal-fried catfish, which was amazing. Hot and crispy, just as it should be. We also had fried green tomatoes, which were good. Desserts here are also great. We recently had the donut sundae which didn't disappoint. Big portions, so good for sharing! The service and atmosphere are amazing here, and make up for the high prices. Overall, I love the Zingerman's establishments and can't wait to come back.
(4)Alex C.
Wow. We were visiting Ann Arbor for the weekend and this was the first place we came to. Oh my gosh! Incredible service! We had Casey and she was AMAZING! I have never had service as good as here. The BBQ was awesome and you can really tell that their ingredients are farm to table. Incredibly diverse menu that has comfort food for everyone! Cannot stress enough how great of an experience we had. The next time we can in was for breakfast and that was equally delicious with another great server. The host staff was super friendly and was floored by how they handled the "hungry" people who were on a wait! My Bloody Mary was bomb and my Eggs Benedict has some mighty good sourdough bread! Please check it out! Wow!
(5)Allison K.
Amazing place. Gets very busy and you need a reservation but it was delicious. You MUST get the sweet potato fries and try them in the dipping sauce they bring it's amazing. The pulled chicken sandwich is great too and their Mac and cheese is delicious! Definity go!
(4)Christina C.
Ah, so this is Pure Michigan... wait. I kid, I kid. Apparently hitting up a Zingerman's location is a must-do when in Ann Arbor. A relic. A tradition. A do-not-leave-without-trying kinda place - especially if you're looking for an outstanding Jewish deli! About half of that was embellished a bit... I walked in to Zingerman's for breakfast, only to be slapped silly by the smell of BBQ. I wasn't planning to get BBQ for breakfast, but the smell sure made me think twice. After perusing the menu a bit, I found it extremely difficult to narrow down my choice(s) -- there was no way I was getting just one thing! After some discussion, and suggestion from my Michigan-native counterpart, I excitedly settle on the Bagel & Smoked Salmon Scramble Sandwich and pastry basket. Now, the sandwich comes with sour cream, not cream cheese, so take note. To be honest I prefer the cream cheese, but the sour cream was a nice addition regardless. The pasty basket is a bargain if you're interested in noshing on some freshly fried donuts and moist, house-made coffee cake. You get a donut and your choice of three slices of coffee cake. Don't miss out! Our service was incredibly attentive and my coffee cup was never half-full (I know some people hate when servers mess up the coffee-to-creamer ratio, but it worked out nicely for me regardless.) I hear this is a great lunch/dinner place too! Next time...
(4)Kelly V.
I have been coming to Zingerman's Roadhouse once or twice a month for the last few years and it's one of my favorite restaurants. The food here is really good. I have never ordered something that I didn't like. They also have a large variety of options available on the kids menu. The customer service here is wonderful. The staff is great with kids and they go above and beyond to make sure everyone is happy. I highly recommend this restaurant to others.
(5)Libby S.
Extremely friendly staff and great local recipes and distributors. They are a little expensive, but not too bad. The quality of the food is fabulous.
(4)Michelle D.
Hmmm... This place is a mixed bag- I have to rate it 3 stars, as i have been here for breakfast and it was a delight- from beginning to end, the service to the food to the atmosphere... Then i went back for dinner and thats where it all falls apart. The beet and goat cheese salad was excellent, the zingerman bakery bread and culver butter- top notch. The burger, which i ordered medium, came to the table well done and dry. This is not a matter of perception, since the server pulled out a handy dandy flip-chart to illustrate what their 'medium' doneness looks like, which had plenty of pink throughout- and the finished product had no pink whatsoever. The bun was hard and stale and the cheddar cheese they charged me $4 for, was a little lumpy ball that kind of rolled out as i was eating it. All in all my burger cost me $21 because I added bacon(2.50), cheddar(4) and a slice of heirloom tomato (.75 ). If i spend 21 bucks on a burger i really do expect more- and who wouldn't? My advice- and one I will heed to myself- go to the roadhouse for breakfast and go to the silver bus the rest of the time- their sandwiches are a LOT better and a LOT less $$$. And their coffee is excellent
(3)Christie B.
We had a very attentive waitress. Good good as usual. You can always count on a good meal here. And it's CLEAN.
(5)K S.
I am new to Ann Arbor (and coming from a city that is known for its food/restaurant scene). Have to say the two times i've been (once for breakfast/once for dinner) I have not been disappointed! Will look forward to trying other items on their menu. Highly recommend!
(5)Krista V.
Great pulled pork! Melts in your mouth. Mac and cheese is also excellent. Definitely worth the wait.
(4)Mo J.
BEST RESTAURANT, (perhaps best restaurant in Michigan)!! Steaks are awesome, appetizers are awesome, drinks are stellar, service is THE BEST IN MICHIGAN!!! (That's what you expect from Zingermans I guess). I am becoming a regular slowly but surly because of the consistent great food and consistent great service! Highly highly highly recommended.
(5)C Y.
Yummy and decadent comfort food, PLUS they can accommodate diners with severe allergies to tree nuts and peanuts on some items. They are knowledgeable on how to prevent cross contamination. Hurrah!
(5)Fritz A.
Zingerman's Roadhouse is where I go for great selection of fresh fish, selection changing daily based on availability, prepared exactly how I want. Pricing is competitive with other quality local restaurants, and service at Zingerman's is great. The overall menu offers several favorites for my other family members, while sweet potato fries are a concurrent fave. Out-of-town guests always enjoy the Zingerman's experience. Finish your meal with a cup of Roadhouse Joe coffee, or a yummy dessert, and you will likely be very happy. Just make sure that you phone ahead to reserve a table, to avoid waiting for your seating.
(4)Brad O.
Had a poor service experience today which detracts from the generally good food. I was driving through Ann Arbor from Chicago and planned my trip so I could get dinner here. Well, I had car trouble mid-trip that set me back 2 hours, but I drove pretty aggressively after that so that I could still get to Zingerman's and have a burger and a beer at the bar. I called at 9:45 to explain my situation and that I was going to arrive at 10:05 (5 minutes past closing time) but I had planned my trip around eating there and if they could just give me 5 minutes. While the manager was polite, she had no interest in accommodating me. So I ordered food through the carry out window and had to sit outside in the parking lot and eat. I generally think very highly of the Zingerman's operations, but I don't think keeping the door open for five minutes extra for a loyal customer is an unreasonable request.
(2)Samantha S.
I think most of the wait-staff really make a point to satisfy your whims, which is nice. I only go to get the nashville fried chicken when I go on Tuesdays, and it was good. Good portions so you can eat again the next day. Can't go wrong with eating here, but for me it is quite a treat, easily $30 a person.
(4)Kunal R.
Great fresh food and a delicious brunch menu. The roadhouse has some good veggie options, surprisingly. Their veggie burger is one of the best I've had. Cool place with quality food. A little pricey but worth it. Making reservations on open table is really convenient and worked out well for me.
(5)S J.
Great Mac n Cheese! I tried the fried chicken mac n cheese and it was excellent! I love mac n cheese and this definitely lived up to my expectations! I wasn't really a fan of their bbq beef, but I think that might just be because I don't really like pulled/shredded meat-- more of a steak type of girl. Had the brownie sundae and it was decent-- nothing too out of the ordinary-- dense brownie with vanilla ice cream whipped cream and fudge on top with pecans on the side.
(4)Trish C.
I always order from the Zingerman's catalog but this is my first experience in the Ann Arbor restaurant. There were four of us at dinner and all of us left very happy. We shared the oysters harvested from a beach in MA that one of us knew by name, as well as the fried green tomatoes and veggie gazpacho. All were seasoned perfectly, fabulously fresh, and gone instantly. The entrees were just as good. The mac and cheese with the mushrooms was a big hit all around the table, but I loved the Cal Fiorentina mac and cheese the best. It was swimming in flavor, but not at all heavy. The burger and crab cake combo was as good as it gets. Burger cooked exactly the way my son asked and the crab cake could have come from my own kitchen in the DC region (it was billed as Baltimore crab). You could tell the crab patty was made that evening. The other entree we sampled was a local freshwater fish offering, the Walleye, which the experienced fishermen among us were impressed with as soon as they saw the size of the fish, since apparently the flavor of the fish can be impacted by its size- the size here was perfect. We were all full, so ended the meal by sharing the Hummingbird Cake. This was a solid dessert that tasted like carrot cake, but nothing special to write home about. Our server told us they change the menu three times A DAY, so it could be that a dish you were hoping to have is sold out when you get there, but that's the risk of going to a restaurant that only serves food they can prepare freshly for you that day-my kind of place! And, really,everything is so good here, you might as well close your eyes and point to the menu to just pick something else. You won't be disappointed. Lastly,the food comes out quickly (we were completely done in an hour) and service staff are fantastic. Intelligent, funny, warm but not hovering, and genuinely cheerful. They must be treated well by management to then treat the guests so well in return. Nice job all around Zingerman's Roadhouse!
(4)Daron D.
Another one of those typical places that I have always passed by but never tried until recently. The first thing I will say is that you should make reservations beforehand because it is packed when you do a walk up (we had about a 40 minute wait before we got seated). They have a full service bar with about 10 beers on tap (between $5-$6 for a pint). Now on this day I came in (it was a Tuesday), they serve the Nashville style hot chicken, which I never had and wanted to try. I did the 4 piece, which they serve with pickles and white bread and a shot of buttermilk (because it's suppose to be super hot like it is in Nashville). The chicken was excellent and hot, but not hot enough to where I needed the shot of buttermilk. For my sides I had their fries (very good) and their macaroni and cheese (also excellent but I like the Mac n cheese served at their deli way way better). Overall the food was very good (makes me want to go to Nashville to try the real thing) but very very expensive and that is always the story with zingerman and their food places.
(4)Hannah S.
This is a breakfast review. The first statement being that you must try breakfast here! I ordered a steamed vanilla milk, which was dreamy creamy to the max, the standard breakfast plate (eggs, potatoes, bacon, biscuit), and a homemade donut, which was so fresh and warm. Yum! The eggs, potatoes, and bacon were perfect. The biscuit tasted fresh, and the butter and honey additions made it magical. I'll definitely be coming here for breakfast again. Zingerman's just can't do wrong.
(5)Edward M.
A year later and this place is still just as good as last time. The Crab Cakes, still the best I've ever had The Calamari was yummy, it comes with some kind of sauce that is like tartar but not. It's creamy and has a little bit of spice to it. The fried chicken was so moist and much better than when it was in the Mac and Cheese, don't get the the chicken mac, get fried chicken and get a side of mac if you want. The service is still wonderful, only wish it was slightly less pricey. Previous review ___ What a wonderful place! I came here because on Best oF (Food Network) ALton Brown said they had the best Mac and Cheese. On their site I find out it is headed by a James Beard award winner. So I'm like let's check out this seasonal locally sourced place. It rocked! We ordered the crab cakes and fried vidalia onions, at 12.50 and 6 dollars they were pricey but I must say it's the best crab cakes I've ever had! The onions were great too! Though comparing it to a blooming, you get more for your buck with the blooming but the flavor of the vidalia and sauce is far superior. Then comes the smorgsaborg The Pulled Pork sandwich was good, sauce was nice but could be mixed better, the bottom was more tangy than the top and the pork could be pulled apart better, the not pulled parts were too dense. The Blue Plate of BBQ had the pulled pork, same issue with pulling. The BBQ beef and chicken were both excellent! Small chickens but they are amish cage free chickens. The Mac and Cheese with fried chicken (supposedly their fried chicken is good) was the best mac and cheese i'd ever had, but it's still mac and cheese, so not mind blowing you know? The chicken was good but not great. The Gelato flight had Peanut Butter, Burnt Sugar, Pistachio, and Hazelnut, all 4 are made locally by them and just amazing flavor profiles, the icing on the cake! The bathrooms are neat and the whole place is decorated with all sorts of collectibles like salt shakers and such. I will be back next time I am in town! Oh and on Thursdays (check calendar not sure if it's all year) they have a farmer's market outside! I got the best strawberries I've had in my life!
(4)Ted D.
This restaurant provides an excellent example of unhealthy food at its finest. The euphemism for high-fat, often high animal fat, food is "comfort food." This restaurant's fare provides a living demonstration of why our diet produces so much obesity, diabetes, coronary disease, and other vascular disease. If they offered discount coupons for a local cardiac catheterization laboratory, it would be fully consistent with their business model.
(1)Lise G.
The Salisbury Steak Dinner is soooo delicious and you get a ton of food! The meat is so tender and it comes with skin-on mashed potatoes, sautéed spinach along side a richly dark, mushroom gravy. The craft beers on draft are so good and varied. Make sure you save room for one of their hand crafted deserts, such as Ari's Donut Sundae...I'll be having dreams about that one..amazing! And, if you're lucky you just might get to meet Ari, like we did tonight!
(5)Al M.
A classic...a Winner...What more can one say about this casual offshoot of the original Zingerman's Deli? Tucked in a busy corner of a strip mall parking lot on the west side of the Deuce, the Roadhouse offers a menu full of various regional specialties with only the freshest of premium ingredients. I mean where in the Midwest can you get a legitimate choice among the Creole Pot Likker Fish Stew, the Cornmeal Fried Soft Shell Crab, the Cheesy Appalachian Red Grits or the Cape Cod Fried Clam Strips? As a caution, be prepared for a quite noisy experience when the restaurant is busy amplified by the closeness of the tables and the hardwood floors. We hit the Z-house about 6:00 pm on a Thursday night and were pleasantly surprised we had only a 15-20 minute wait to be seated. Two from our party chose the Anson Mills' Cornmeal Fried Perch served with mashed local potatoes and sautéed local greens. A pricey plate at $33 bills each but really, really good. I opted for a full rack of the Pit-Smoked Spare Ribs that are cooked for 9 hours and served with Alex's Rage Tomato BBQ Sauce and a side of yellow mustard coleslaw. The ribs were meaty and delicious. The extra cup of Alex's own sweet and spicy Rage Tomato BBQ Sauce was perfect to add a little zest to every bite. This would have been a solid 5 star experience but our server was having an off day. She was a bit short with us and failed to provide the complementary bread basket of Zingerman's well-respected baked goods. Zingerman's Deli, their flagship in the Kerrytown section of Ann Arbor has been long nationally recognized as one of Michigan's noteworthy stops for outstanding eats. Their Roadhouse reinforces that they know their business well.
(4)Anna T.
Had to try this place because of the "Zingerman" name! I ordered the 1/2 Po-Boy and salad lunch combo and it was wonderful.The po-boy was quite large with tons of shrimp! The salad was kinda meh next to the po-boy but I do give it kudos for the fresh ingredients! I ordered to-go and they quoted me 15-20 min for the food to be ready. I came 10 min later and the food was already in the bin waiting for me!
(4)Joanna L.
Had to come here before I left Ann Arbor. Good homey food, huge menu with lots of options, and friendly service. My group tried a variety of dishes- BBQ pork entry, chili, burger, sweet potato fries, mac and cheese, etc. What really stood out was the mac and cheese. YUM. We liked the good ol' regular one over the other varieties. It had a focused rich depth in flavor. They also serve complimentary quality bread and buttttta.
(3)Jill M.
I've only ever come for breakfast. Both times it was amazing! First time was the Huevos Rancheros and the second time was the Eggs Benedict. The Eggs Benedict (and breakfast potatoes that came with it) were the best I have ever had. The portion was so generous I had to take half home to eat later. The service was perfect; enough that we didn't feel neglected, but around when we needed her. She knew the menu and helped us make the best choice from the menu.
(5)Christy F.
Color me unimpressed. And I am one of Zingerman's #1 fans. I mail order their bread all the time in Arizona. Do yourself a favor and skip the Roadhouse and go straight to Kerrytown and hit the Deli. Things I liked: Zingerman's bread and butter are brought to the table prior to your meal. My dining patrons almost passed on the bread and I thought I was going to faint. Hello??? They are know for this. Luckily, I spoke up. The poutine did hit the spot. also was big into the thousands of salt and pepper shakers en-glassed around the restaurant- I dig kitsch. The little Shasta trailer used for carry out and drive through, again, cute. However, one cannot eat cute nor live on cute alone. The service was horrible. There was a long wait to be seated, painfully long wait for our food, the soup came out with the meal not prior even upon request. Sigh. The mac and cheese was literally just noodles with a roux based cheese sauce with no flair. The Sunday special really needs a better description. I thought I was getting a steak with a Cajun sauce and I was served something more like chili that was influenced more by Hormel then they flavors of New Orleans. Sigh.
(2)Jessica Y.
Overrated and overpriced brunch experience. Food was by no means spectacular: bland and one-dimensional. $12.50 for an omelet that was dry with scant "fillings", really?! Hubby's steak and potatoes skillet for $14 had MAYBE 5 bites of shredded meat in there. Will NOT be returning.
(2)Jenne E.
I've lived in the Ann Arbor area for over two years now and have heard rave reviews on zingermans. I finally adventures to try it myself and was very disappointed. I ordered fish and chips with sweet potato fries and what i got was very bland food. I've had better food at the local pub for $8, this meal costed a whopping $30 for bland, greasy fish and chips. My husband had a pulled pork sandwich which he said was mediocre but not worth the $20 price tag. To sum it up... Zingermans is ridiculously overpriced for mediocre food. Your basically buying into the hype if you try this place.
(2)Dia D.
We were a group of four and our experience was very mixed. We went on one of those bitterly cold days when school was canceled so they were very busy (too cold to go to school? Let's go out for lunch!) and service was slow. I had the shrimp and grits ($24) which was very delicious and based on that alone I would go back. Others in the group had the pork sandwich ($15) which was dry and boring (maybe the waiter forgot to bring out the BBQ sauce or they forgot it in the kitchen?) and the Roadhouse Reuben (14.50) which was greasy. When only 1 of 4 people liked their meals, that isn't a very good rating. One shrimp and grits, 3 sandwiches, 1 decaf, 1 diet coke, 1 iced tea, and 1 beer and our bill was $86 plus tip. If you are a seafood lover, there seafood is flown in fresh daily.
(3)Kevin R.
A stones throw from the Canadian border it's surprising to find a restaurant that rocks southern food. But rocks it does. A nice single malt at the bar while waiting for my table, I had time to look over the well rounded menu. Once seated, I opted for the Ari's pimento cheese spread to start. A generous portion of the best spread I've ever had. The presentation is unique in that the celery sticks out of the round spread ball like a porcupine. Next I had a Brooklyn style Ruben without bread (no carb thing) and a side of grilled asparagus. The smoked bbq like corned beef was served atop grilled sauerkraut with Russian dressing and Swiss cheese. The asparagus was perfectly grilled with plenty of salt. After several trips to Ann Arbor I've discovered that anything with the Zingerman name on it is amazing!
(4)Beth H.
Oh Ig Vella mac, how I missed you! Our visit was for lunch today, right at noon. We were seated right away, but the parking lot was packed. Thankfully the overflow lot is available. Lunch menu has two portion options for the pastas: small and large. Small doesn't look like much and is $4 cheaper but the small plate more than filled me up for how hungry I was today. Very rich monterray jack cheese, smoked chicken pieces, green chilies for heat, fresh cut corn, cilantro and I like to add red pepper flake for extra heat. I think they must pan fry this dish a bit, to get the wonderfully crispy pieces of melted cheese, tossed in this dish. Fantastic as always. My husband had the grilled cheese and chili - 2 yr cheddar. He didn't care for the cheese, it was too mild. He did really enjoy the chili. Great chunks of smoked meat, with the smoky ancho chili flavor. The restaurant was very loud, as usual. The waitress was excellent. Prices are high but the quality is there. Service was fast and we were able to keep to our lunch hour. Bonus!
(5)Megan K.
The dinner menu prices are way out of my range, but the brunch is delightful. Great, homey food and very knowledgeable staff. Plus, Ari's philosophy on his business is just so spot on sustainable that I feel good spending my money at Zingerman's. (It is more pleasant when my parents pay though.)
(4)Allison L.
I absolutely love everything about this place: the service, the food, the atmosphere with the salt and pepper shakers, the local farm that supplies many veggies, the candy they sell at the front, the way they seat you right away when you have a reservation from OpenTable, the Air Streamers...everything! Do not resist their bread basket. The Roadhouse bread is my favorite Zingerman's bread and it comes out warm with a big chunk of creamy butter. You have to get an appetizer. Their sweet potato fries are thick and crispy; I almost always get these. The pimento cheese is also stellar. I often make a meal out of a few apps, a couple of cheeses (their cheese boards are awesome) and a fresh salad. When I do go for an entree, I like their mac and cheese. The desserts are fantastic too, especially the butterscotch pudding! When my family visits from out of town, we always come here for dinner.
(5)Anne R.
What's there to say about a place that offers excellent service every single visit, top food quality sourced from known farms around the country, and a great atmosphere?! If you haven't been, you need to know what you've been missing. Zingermann's isn't just a restaurant, it's a foodie cult. Breakfast: I love the cold brew coffee with skim milk and some simple syrup, followed by a pastry basket of coffee cake samples, and then a savory omelette. Lunch: I keep it simple with a fresh soup & salad, and an Arnold Palmer, but occasionally I splurge into Mac & Cheese or BBQ sandwich territory. Dinner: I'm often looking at the smoked BBQ offerings for the evening- and the red rage sauce is my fave.
(5)Craig O.
Amazing food prepared in amazing ways. I was surprised by the knowledge of ingredients. You just don't see Carolina Gold Rice in many restaurants and the same goes for Anson Mills Grits. This restaurant was build by flavor. I will drive the 2 hour trip more often just to eat here.
(5)Lizbeth T.
Finally made it here, a few years after my first visit to Zingerman's Deli. In Ann Arbor for a conference, the Roadhouse was able to accommodate our group of 8 for dinner on short notice. The place is huge (in a good way), so there is plenty of space for groups, and they take reservations so we didn't have to wait. The menu is also huge, maybe a bit too big, but everyone in our group loved their food. We shared poutine as an appetizer - so, so good. I had the pimento mac n'cheese small portion, which was more than enough for dinner with a side of spinach. Others in the group ordered fried chicken, burgers and other mac n'cheese dishes, and everyone was happy. Service was just right. In fact, I spilled a beer on myself while grabbing for a piece of the amazing, fresh baked bread on the table and it was instantly replaced by our kind server. All in all, a really nice spot in the outskirts of Ann Arbor that works well for families, large groups, or those who just don't want to wait to get in at a downtown restaurant.
(5)Tsyria T.
After taking our seats at Zingerman's, I was very excited. We had waited for 30 minutes, and the atmosphere and decorations were wonderful, as noted in previous reviews. Unfortunately, my experience did not meet my expectations. We ordered oysters, Zingerman's corned beef hash, and fried bread pudding french toast. We told our waitress that we were sharing, so she had the plates split in half for us, which was nice. Unfortunately, I was extremely disappointed when I saw the plates. The portions were so small, and yet we were paying $14 per plate. That's absolutely ridiculous! It wasn't anything that really stood out to me where I would be willing to pay that much. My favorite thing we had was the oyster and that was $3.50 a piece. When my sister saw the plates, she asked if more was on the way. I don't get to see my sister often, so I was willing to spend more on a nice brunch with her, but we just left feeling a bit robbed.
(2)Joshua M.
Great food at an average BBQ restaurant. I was not disappointed but the app and regular fries could have been cooked a little longer. The flavor of them took em to a new level tho. Fries perfectly seasoned corn dogs well not your average carny dog that's for sure. The BBQ Beef sandwich was great the sauce had a kick which is always plus in my book and the beef very juicy.
(4)Mike W.
Not from Michigan so didn't realize it was such a well know Resturant. Had a long wait that was well worth it. Looks like a nice bar but while we were waiting we noticed the 5 James Beard awards in the lobby. Turns out the really now their stuff. Even though we are both gluten free they had some great items to choose from. The pulled pork was lightly smoked and seasoned well. Three of their sauces are GF with the vinegar and mustard bring my two favorite. The French fries were great and cooked in a GF fryer. So all good on the front. They make the gelato at there creamery so we had to try that. Wow, local and fresh does matter. I would recommend the berry but all three flavors were fantastic. The pricing is not cheap but the experience, both food and service, won't disappoint.
(5)Phee L.
One of my favorite restaurants in the A2 Area! Unfortunately, it is sometimes difficult to get a seat
(5)Karen B.
5 stars for the food on its own. Excellent service as well. Hubby and I both enjoyed the pit-beef BBQ sandwich, but agreed that the portion of beef could have been a bit larger. I also would've enjoyed more BBQ sauce. The mustard slaw was refreshingly good, but once again, the portion was small. Hubby said the fries were the best he's had in recent memory. The cost to portion ratio is what knocks it down to 4 stars. Portions were a bit in the small side for the cost, as I was expecting the portions to be on par with the famous zingerman's deli in downtown Ann Arbor, but they were not.
(4)Josh A.
Been going to this place for years. Always and experience and good food. Occasionally I've been disappointed by something that wasn't over the top good...they are a victim of their own good Reputation. Dishes can be on the pricy side and special dinners are very expensive. For breakfast I recommend omelets, French toast, and bagels. For lunch a BBQ sandwich is great and although I don't care for it the egg salad is much talked about. Dinner specials most nights too. Most of the time I skip the sit down experience for the side show in the Parking lot. It's faster and offers the best items: coffee, baked goods, and sandwiches.
(4)Zoe Y.
This place is average at best. I went here a few months ago when I was visiting U of M and we saw this place off the highway on the way back to the airport. I thought it would have been a lot better. The food was extremely salty and greasy - I guess it's a Midwest thing which makes a lot of sense to me (being from Southern CA). Or maybe someone used tablespoon instead of teaspoon when it came to measuring that day. Who knows. One thing I really did like about this place was that it was very quaint. It had a homestyle feel and everyone was really friendly here. I do not think I'll be back but if you're into Midwest homecooking, this is your place.
(3)Amy G.
With respect to entrees, I've eaten the turkey reuben (I think only available on the lunch menu) and the fried chicken dinner. They were decent, and only such because what I really remember from each meal are the: sweet potato fries. I am dedicating this review solely to them. The most notable thing about these fries are that they are thick, and the length of an entire sweet potato. It's like they cut a single sweet potato into just 4 or 5 pieces. The thickness yields a crispiness on the outside, but preserves the innards to be the consistency of a soft roasted sweet potato. Scattered with savory salt morsels, you don't even necessarily need the sauce that comes with it! Would it be weird if I only ordered a platter of these the next time I go? Don't let yourself come to Zingerman's Roadhouse without getting the sweet potato fries. To be honest I think Zingerman's Deli has more impressive entrees for what they are. Meaning, the Deli has proportionally better sandwiches than other delis in AA, whereas the Roadhouse's American fare is not far superior to comparable neighborhood restaurants, which is my way of saying that the only real draw to the Roadhouse are the sweet potato fries. Get them as an appetizer and/or upgrade to them with your sandwich or burger meal without hesitation. The only bad part about them is that they'll ruin all other sweet potato fries for you from then on.
(4)Jim E.
Back again after two years!! Typical Ann Arbor, great joint, great food, great vibe, great bbq!! I got the Buffalo Chicken Mack and Cheese special and enjoyed it!!! I usually like rich and creamy mac and cheese but this was unique in a good way. The Buffalo Chicken was tender, fresh and delicious. The mac and cheese had a the perfect blend of blue cheese, chicken, chives, and flavour for a kind of pasta I have never tasted before. It did not leave me feeling bloated. For dessert I had the fresh pumpkin spice cheesecake. Everyone needs to try Zingermans Roadhouse!!
(5)Anthony R.
I dream of zingermans. Deli. Everytime in Ann Arbor , I am very excited to go. I always want to go to zingermans roadhouse . Went for dinner a couple of years ago and not since. Finally we went for brunch. First our 1045 reservation didn't get seated until 11. The food looked good on the menu. When we received our orders, they were mostly small portions; very un zingermans. The food was good for the most part, but not great. The waitress was very nice, but they forgot things and we had to ask multiple times. Zingermans sets such a high standard, and for good reason. At least at this meal, it was not close to the standards.
(3)Lisa W.
Wow what a yummy time!! The service was great . Started off with a cheese sampler and it was delicious!! I ordered the pulled pork sliders they were wonderful 3 different sauces on each with some tasty mustard coleslaw and sweet potato fries that were melt in your mouth watering. My mate got a slab of ribs and I must say they were so juicy and flavorful.
(5)Vivian L.
Starters: Calamari - lightly battered and very peppery. I love that it was lightly battered!!! Soooo good. A bit too much pepper for my taste but I would definitely order it again and ask them to put slightly less pepper if possible Sweet potato fries as a side - hand cut to perfection! I love the sauce, whatever it is. Cooked ever so perfectly. Best part.... It is bottomless (only when ordered as a side. If ordered on its own then it is not bottomless). Entrees: Braised pork belly and pork tenderloin - delicious. Pork belly was not dry at all. Perfection when paired with the spinach And aromatic veggies. Not a huge fan of the pork tenderloin. It was a bit dry for me. Thank god for pork belly!!! Lake trout sautéed - this was my fiancés dish and my fiancé says, "simply decadent." Man of few words. Side note: the owner just came to fill our waters and check in on us.... Love him!!!
(5)Dulce A.
We went on a Sunday and it was pretty packed as expected. The wait time was 30minutes however, we were seated in 15minutes with prompt service. Our waitress was great and friendly. Every table was full and taken however the ambiance is still light and cozy. The strawberry blonde beer (forgot exact name) was very flavorful and recommended by our waitress. My boyfriend ordered a few oysters. These are said to be flown fresh. We ordered the Kumamoto oysters from Washington. At $3.25 a pop they were GREAT! I told him next time to order 12! I ordered the 3 pimento goat cheese Mac and cheese with a Lincoln log. It was so flavorful and rich and the Lincoln log was just perfect! I ordered the small which was perfect and at $15 the plate did not disappoint. The tomatoes were a delicious addition to the Mac and cheese. The service again was great and felt no rush. Next time I will definitely be ordering dessert. Make a stop here, you won't regret it!
(4)Joy M.
We loved the atmosphere and the food. This was the best part : I had told Laura I was from out of town and this would likely be my only opportunity to eat there and I was torn between two menu items. After I placed my order she brought me a small sample of the other thing I wanted to try so I wouldn't have to wonder for the rest of my life about how wonderful it might have been.
(5)Rhonda L.
Went to a graduation party. 19 people The large menu was perfect. Stuff for vegans, carnivores and everyone in between . Very affordable and everyone served together . Quite impressive
(5)Laurel B.
Delicious food, southern style approved by a southern gal! We had a huge mix of food. We started with oysters, nice selection, very fresh and tasty. For our main meals we had the BBQ plate and the fried chicken steak, huge portions! I'm not a big coleslaw fan but their mustard slaw is very good. We also had a side of pimento macaroni and cheese. It was delicious, a little spicy, and super creamy. We had no room for dessert but the menu looked to be equally as yummy.
(5)Crystal R.
Yum yum yum! We've been here twice recently and they never dissapoint! The service is ALWAYS amazing, the food is delicious, and they have lots of paleo/keto options to boot! They do mark their items as gluten free and vegan on their menu if that is helpful to anyone going there :)
(5)Andrew B.
Above average food bolstered by very, very good service. I like to joke that Zingerman's is an upscale Cracker Barrel, but it isn't really untrue. Overly huge menu's full of shockingly unhealthy comfort food that get delivered in massive portions. I have eaten here twice now, several month apart. First time I had the chicken fried steak and was underwhelmed. While it was well battered and cooked, it was criminally under seasoned and the gravy was lacking in quantity and flavor. The second time I ate there I opted for the fried chicken mac and cheese (are you kidding me? Why does this even exist). This was a much better experience, the mac was creamy and great and the fried chicken was in largish chunks and did not just disintegrate into the bowl. This time the server also gave us a complimentary serving of the pimento cheese spread which wasn't my bag but was pretty solid. Also, the place is damn expensive. That Mac n Cheese cost 20 bucks. C'mon guys, its half lb of pasta a bechamel and some cheddar augmented with a little bit of fried chicken. So yeah, it is a 3 star joint. However the service each time has been overly impressive. Extremely nice servers who seem to genuinely want you to enjoy the hell out of your food. So 4 stars, why not?
(4)Kristin M.
Excellent breakfast! Sat on the patio and really loved my summer skillet and biscuits. The eggs were perfectly poached and the veggies in the skillet were just delicious. Went with a group of friends and all the food looked incredible.
(4)Shane B.
Not worth the hype, small portions. Flavor seriously lacking. You would expect a huge plate of smoked meats for a bbq platter, but all we received was a spoon full of each meat with less then an oz of sauce. Staff was great, kitchen needs work, that's you chef...
(2)Anita B.
Have an oyster-versary approaching. Very eclectic menu and great food. Love the patio in the warmer weather. Just about anything on the menu is recommended. Friendly waitstaff and service is phenomenal. Lots of flavorful dishes and unique items on the menu.
(5)Mevei I.
Roadhouse was a disappointment for me and my family. It wasn't our first time but it may be our last. We came here with our out-of-town family for father's day brunch. We were all expecting to be blown away but instead, we left rather annoyed. Stay away from the po-boy sandwiches. The BBQ pork, corn beef hash, fish sandwich were all decent but nothing to pay $$$ over. They are able to charge so much bc of their name, but their quality does not stand behind it. Perhaps they were a great restaurant in the past, but they are no longer. I guess I should have sent it back, but we were in a rush to head out and I don't usually send food back. Maybe I should start. I can justify given them 2 stars bc the staff was amazing, friendly and super, duper patient with our little children. I think it it weren't for them, I would give them less stars. Or none.
(2)Sara M.
I seem to love all things ZIngerman. Though it is not the only reason to visit Ann Arbor, it sure is a good reason. Though I have been to the Delicatessen many times, I had never been to the Roadhouse before this trip. The two places are so different, except for the quality of the food and the service. The Roadhouse features southern and other homestyle cuisine and has waiter service and a bar. We started with some poutine at the bar while waiting for seats. The place was mobbed so I can excuse the one little slip up of the evening with the gravy being disappointingly cool. But lots of cheese curds and fresh fries. Fried chicken seems to be a very popular item and it was excellent. I can be pretty particular about the quality of chicken any style and often avoid fried. But this was first rate. They were out of the main ingredient of the tea drink I wanted, but an excellent bartender came up with a substitute plan that was excellent and refreshing. And I cannot forget the always appreciated yummy Zingerman bread. We got a basket of a mix of sourdough slices and the Roadhouse, a type of rye I had never had before but would absolutely get again. And served with wonderful fresh butter, apparently a popular local brand in Ann Arbor.There were a variety of other items across the table and all seemed well received by my dining companions, especially the cream of asparagus soup. I regretfully was too full to try the desserts I heard about, but maybe next time. The cutest thing ever was the Airstream near the front entrance of the restaurant where you pick up to-go orders via a drive thru lane. How typically Zingerman clever.
(4)Marc M.
Only 4 stars because the price is steep. This is a great BBQ location with a bourbon bar to match. Plenty of options
(4)Theresa U.
Been here several times, never fails to please! Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner - it's all good!
(5)Maggi I.
I come here for a couple very specific reasons. One of them is their burgers. They grind their Niman beef every day, which makes it possible for me to order my burger rare. It's cooked on an oak-fired grill, and heck if that doesn't produce a really wonderful flavor. They have a lot of other delicious dishes, including the cream of wild mushroom soup, the grown-up mac & cheese and the chocolate chess pie from their bakery. The very best thing I've eaten here (butterscotch pudding) unfortunately isn't on the regular menu. Long waits, moderate noise levels and high prices don't keep me from coming back, or from bringing guests.
(4)Hannah A.
The food was small in portion sizes, over priced, and really didn't have amazing flavor. We paid high for all of it and the best part of my meal was the coffee! The service was slow.... at best. We saw the food runner more than our server! The dessert- i could out bake them in my sleep!
(2)Tyra N.
People! I'm upset NO ONE mentioned this place directly to me before. This was unbelievable. I can't wait to return. The decor and feel was underwhelming. Everything on my tongue was total shock. I had the andouille mac and cheese. Oooo-wwwweeeee. I couldn't manage to fit it all in my stomach but of what I did was beyond what I could measure in greatness. Warm, spicy, creamy, and exciting. This was a good flavor combo. The portions were close to family size. Not four but more than enough for two fair appetites. I will be trying this at home very soon. My friend had the buttermilk fried chicken with the house mac n cheese and house slaw. This place amazed me. I don't like many slaws but the cider vinegar and seasonings made this worth imitating. The house mac was also surprisingly creamy and flavorful. His chicken tasted as good as my Mom's and Dad's. I feel like no place large or small can get a leg up on home fried chick. Every place gives it the old college try but fall short. This chicken was damn near home made. The skin was crispy and seasoned well. The meat was not dry. It wasn't southern Maw's but It was definitely running neck and neck with home made competition. The breading and meat were perfect. I can't wait to return to write another review. Oh and I didn't get to try ANY of the decadent desserts. I'm missing life here! I feel like this place is not for watching your waist but true indulgence. I just ended something and this is the perfect place to fill the holes in my emotions. The bad is the price point. They over do it but they can. The demographic is Ann Arbor (yuppie) and college town. They can get away with charging this for American classics because it's great and no one else is doing American food like this in this area. So I will pay to eat here again, on lunch with smaller portions or I'll go with a group to save on cash and share the varieties.
(4)Ken E.
In town for business and decided to check this place out based on the reviews. Could not be happier that I did. Had the pulled pork sandwich with the mustard BBQ sauce. Little bit of bite and was super tasty. Even better was the poutine. It was yummier than many of the poutines I've had in Canada. Well done. And the best part was the service. Ate at the bar and both of the bartenders were super friendly and helpful. I might have to find reasons to return to Ann Arbor just for this place.
(5)Stephanie S.
I was kind of skeptical of this place. At first blush, it appears to be a chain restaurant a la TGI Friday's. But once you step inside and are met with a display of heirloom tomatoes, you start to think this place is a little different. It was hard to choose a brunch entree because so many things sounded delicious, but I settled on the untraditional grits 'n bits waffle (a waffle stuffed with grits, cheese and bacon). It was unexpected and delightful, and unfortunately I probably won't be able to find it anywhere else. The coffee was great, and the staff was even better. Every person I interacted with was helpful, friendly and warm. The prices were very fair for the amount of food you get (and even in relation to their other eateries). Sidenote: Zingerman's colorful, kitschy branding is a miss because it's actually a thoughtful, locally focused, kind of indie company.
(4)Paul K.
Zingerman's Roadhouse keeps with the tradition of using the highest quality ingredients and providing exceptional service. Add to that a James Beard award winning chef, and you have one of the best restaurants in Ann Arbor. I love coming here anytime of the day, because every menu has different items that are incredible. For breakfast, my go to dish is the corned beef hash, with juicy chunks of corned beef mixed with roasted peppers, onions and potatoes. It's a hearty dish that blows away other restaurants ground up version of corned beef hash. For dinner, my favorite items are sweet potato fries (love the spicy mayo!), Chicken and Monterey Jack Mac and Cheese (rich, creamy béchamel sauce with the awesome pop of sweet corn or roasted peppers), as well as the BBQ sampler (which gives a mix of all of their BBQ items). The biggest downside to the place is the cost, and I've come here with friends/family who simultaneously love the mac and cheese and hate that it costs $19 dollars for the amount given. If you're wanting the best value meal, I wouldn't recommend Roadhouse. If you are willing to pay for a high quality American meal, there isn't any better place to go than this.
(5)Rachel R.
Any of their Mac and cheeses are amazing. The barbecue is also good, but nothing can top their Mac and cheese.
(5)Natasha P.
Fun ambience and good food. My first time at Zingerman's after hearing a lot about the place. The food was nice, but not fabulous. My husband ordered a BBQ platter, which was pretty small for the price, and the food was warm not hot. However, it was tasty, and I think it would have been better if it was hot. I ordered the chorizo Mac and cheese, which was excellent. I think it was the best dish at our table. It was extremely cheesy and had a perfect amount of spices and chorizo. The other people at our table ordered burgers, which they said was good, but the sweet potato fries I had from their plate were a little burnt and bitter. I would go back to Zingerman's roadhouse again... But it certainly won't be top priority.
(3)Yadi T.
Great place to take the family for a great meal. We highly enjoyed their poutine and calamari. We also enjoyed the fried chicken dinner (very crispy chicken) and the mac and cheese. My husband had the chicken fried steak. It was a very thick and generous portion with the calabasa and mashed potatoes. He was raving about the calabasa because it was a great vegetable compliment to his meal. I highly recommend a reservation if you are party larger than 4 people because this place gets busy especially on the weekends.
(5)ying l.
Not sure why folks keep on taking me back to this place- the food is modest and comparable to everything else you can get in Ann Arbor, but price is marked up at least 30%. Mac-and-cheese for the kids for instance, don't have the carmelized onion and is made of "american cheese" and is a whopping $11. I had a cup of tomato soup and a goatcheese-arugula-beet salad, very middle of the road, no exceptional creativity there, and they were well over $25. Hard to get a reservation for a party greater than 4 last minute, even on a week day. Loud and obnoxiously cold during summer and boiling hot in the winter. If this place tunes itself down a notch it may actually be better.
(3)Justin P.
I went here with my family for lunch and the food was great. We were served bread at the table, and as you would expect from the Zingerman franchise, even that was great. The bread had a somewhat sour aftertaste that hinted toward the use of a natural yeast. As for the drink, I am somewhat ashamed to admit that I let my choice be influenced by the sample bottle on the table. I was successfully marketed to. It was a bottle of Blenheim's spicy ginger ale. While the shame of being a consumer sheep still lingers, any regret was blown away when I took my first whiff of the seductive elixir. Once the bubbles hit my nose, I had to wheeze out a cough, splashing droplets of the HOT ginger ale all over my menu. I immediately bought two more bottles for the road. As for the main dish, my wife and I both went the Amish fried chicken route because we are visiting for just a few weeks from Japan, where the Colonel reigns supreme. If we want any real fried chicken, this is our chance. My wife got the fried chicken salad and I got the two piece. Now, 2 pieces doesn't sound like a lot, but amish chickens are huge. I know, right? You'd think they'd be svelte from not sitting around watching TV all day or using other electronic devices, but they are big and mean and juicy. And the breading was just all om nom nom. It took me a full extra 6 seconds to type that 'om nom nom' because I had to do the gestures of me eating it all over again as I typed/said that. Also, I got the sweet potato fries for a dollar extra and the guy who gave them to me said I could ask for more whenever I wanted. They were great and I did ask for more even when my stomach was telling me this was not an option. While my meal was good, I was most impressed with the kids menu. My daughter got the barbecue plate. There was no sauce on the meats, but the pulled pork had a very strong hickory taste without any of the sugar/corn syrup - just the taste of real meat and hickory. Also, she was given the choice of mashed potatoes, fries, or fruit. First, it's a small thing, but I appreciated the fact that the waiter asked if she wanted mashed potatoes first instead of considering fries the go-to option. My daughter went with fruit and I expected something like three grapes in a little plastic solo cup, but they brought out this full plate with raspberries, blueberries, melon, and some other fruit. The restaurant is great. If there is a problem, it is simply that they know they are great and charge as if they were great. They're not winning many points for cost efficiency, but they don't really need to. Great meal.
(4)Emma P.
Had breakfast here with my cousin when he came to UofM . Great service, our waitress was delightful. Food was solid. I loved their mini biscuits and in-house jam. Pur waitress always made sure we were never short on coffee. We loved her description of their house made donuts, so much we indulged.
(4)Tom A.
We went in for breakfast and by the time we ordered, they were out of half of the items on their menu. We opted for lunch instead and ordered their "world famous" mac and cheese and brisket. Meh. It was okay. There are certainly better options. However, I was impressed with their menu. There are a TON of options, many of which rotate on a daily basis. I would go back. If you enjoy a tiny parking lot, a jam packed restaurant, and enough options to satisfy any picky eater, make sure you go here. Otherwise, save your money :)
(4)Ann W.
Zingerman's is always a good choice for excellent food, exemplary service, in a casual, fun atmosphere. This visit was no different. Mid-morning on Saturday, there was already a wait for brunch/lunch. The Georgia Grits & Bits Waffle sounded unusual: classic Belgian waffles filled with grits, sharp cheddar, and bacon. They were unusual and amazing. The waffles had a light, crisp exterior and tender interior. Savory instead of sweet, they were delicious dipped into the thick, sweet syrup. The Roadhouse sausages were well seasoned and spicy but the breakfast potatoes were just average. Other good breakfast items here include: * Biscuits & Chocolate Bacon Gravy - large biscuits smothered in a thick (almost velvety) chocolate sauce and sprinkled with bacon. They are also awesome, although I prefer the gravy to be served on the side so that the biscuits don't get too soggy. * Doughnuts - dense doughnuts flavored with molasses and nutmeg and dusted with brown sugar. These are best enjoyed hot. Truly, these doughnuts are worth the drive and the wait. For dinner, I highly recommend: * Fried chicken - Crispy pieces of chicken in a well-seasoned buttermilk batter. While they come with mashed potatoes and gravy, I always ask for a substitute. * Spare ribs - A full rack of ribs in a yummy sauce. What makes Zingerman's memorable is the customer service. They even offer business training on customer service through ZingTrain; they live and breathe exactly what they preach. As a business fully entrenched in the Ann Arbor community, I find that Zingerman's interest in food is not limited to just serving it. They've sought to educate us on what we eat (and to be selective while doing so). At this restaurant specifically, they've educated us on the differences between grits and hominy, allowed us to sample cheeses and different desserts, and even created a meal composed of components of other meals. Some of these examples occurred several years ago, but because truly great customer service is rare, they are remembered, relished, and shared. Give them a try - you will truly enjoy this dining experience.
(4)Melissah L.
The food at Zingerman's is simple, fresh and prepared really well. Can't go wrong. I've been here for dinner (get the side of chili cheese fries) and brunch (get the country skillet). This place does everything well, and the Roadhouse is where you want to go for a warm, cozy brunch/lunch/dinner experience.
(5)Marisa S.
Ridiculously amazing comfort food. They're known for their barbecue, but all the food looked fabulous! We had Mac and cheese with fried chicken in it. The bread was fresh and delicious. The atmosphere was fun and very interesting, and the staff couldn't have been friendlier. Its more than worth the stop!
(5)Zachary F.
Cool as shit! Ambience 5: the exterior truly reminds me of a roadhouse. I almost expected to get carded by Patrick Swayze when I walked in. The interior was cool also. It was open and decorated well. Food/drinks 5: I had the buffalo mac n cheese. It was decadent. Extremely cheesy and delicious. They even bring you an extra side of Buffalo sauce, so you can add a little extra spice if you want. I ordered an old fashioned to drink. It tasted amazing. Service 5: Our waitress was really nice and accommodating. She was even nice enough to laugh at a couple of my brothers lame jokes. Overall 5: the entire experience was great. My only knock is it could be a tad overpriced but regardless, I will be back.
(5)Jason D.
The atmosphere is very nice and for that alone it may be worth is for someone who doesn't have to look at menu prices. Our server was really good, did a great job of explaining the menu, and was nice and energetic with a good attitude. The prices are absolutely unjustified and ridiculous, though. I work at a craft beer bar that is pricey itself, and under no circumstance should Brewery Vivant's Farmhand beer cost more than $6+ for an 8OZ pour. That is absolutely asinine and just plain greedy. I understand that you would pay more for a certain atmosphere that theoretically takes more to run, but in the case of this restaurant, while nice, I don't see anything that justifies the prices. I had the ribs, which were good, but were not worth the premium pricing. They were decent, but forgettable ribs. The restaurant was full and the food came out timely, but simply put the enjoyment did not meet the cash paid. This is a place you go just for the nice clean atmosphere alone. I can't help but think the place is fraudulent in that it acts as a high-price begets-placebo-quality situation. You know that experiment when a person is given cheap wine and is told that it is ultra expensive and rare, and they end up preferring it over an actually expensive wine that they're told is a value wine? That's what this place is to me. If you want to pay significantly more for half a pour of a draft beer than you would another place for a full pint of the same draft beer, this is your place. If you never question if premium prices buy you matching quality, dine here. This place to me feels and looks really nice, but reaks of fraudulent preying on people who spend more for the privilege of being able to spend more. The money put down does not match the taste, so this place is reserved for people to which price tags are meaningless, and to its employees who get significant discounts on its food.
(2)Stephen M.
What to say? It's best to watch what you eat, eat healthy, yada, yada, yada. So having graduated from THE school, having moved to Chicago and with family in SE Michigan we always stop in Ann Arbor for dinner on our trips to see the fam. So there I sat with only my wife. Adult kids were not there to castigate me. What can I say? The fried chicken seemed perfect. And it was! I'm sure a little known fact is that there was a restaurant which sat in the approximate location--we'd go there when family came in when I was enrolled. They had great fried chicken. Must be the spot or something. On our trip back to Chicago, we stopped in once again. Wife had scallops and was very, very positive. My recommendation is look at the menu, find your perfect guilt food and go for it. This place will serve you well.
(4)Katie K.
I wouldn't say this is quite as good as the deli, but it's still great - hence the 4 instead of 5 stars. I went here with some family I haven't seen in a few years and it was the perfect place for a delicious casual dinner. I had heard great things about the Mac'n'cheese and I was not disappointed. It was definitely one of the best I've ever had! One of my uncles, who is usually a pescatarian, had a cheat day because of how great the fried chicken is - he ate every last bite. This is definitely a great place to go in groups, especially because everything on the menu sounds so great: sharing is caring.
(4)Teri C.
The GOOD: Lunch and Dinner here is excellent! I have never been disappointed and each time we visit A2.....this is where we stop. Quality meats and veggies. Love their local connection for farm fresh. We have never left hungry. ==================================================Â= The BAD: Yesterday was a different story......decided to eat breakfast there. BIG mistake. It's like I was in a different restaurant! I wanted just a side of Corn Beef Hash and some toast......she brought me a small plate with about 2 scoops of hash......which contained a few potatoes, some meat and TONS of celery and red peppers! I was like WTF??? CELERY????? It tasted horrid. My toast had zero butter on it and only one slice was brought to me. Again I was like......????? The waitress wasn't very attentive and I had to flag her down to ask for ketchup, to choke down the hash. When she asked how everything was, I told her that it was not tasty.....her response was oh....sorry, and walked away. The cost: $8.00 Hubby ordered a skillet....which I must admit, he is used to the ones served at places like Cracker Barrel.....so when his came out in the tiny bowl, he looked at me and said, "Do you think they will bring the rest later?".......he said it lacked flavor and had it gone in about 6-7 bites. He did however get 2 pieces of bread. The cost: $14.00 Needless to say, our server wasn't the best (not what we are used to).......food was "meh".......and I will never return for breakfast again!!!!!!!
(3)Kori Y.
This place never disappoints. The food is always fresh and well prepared. The place is busy, so plan on waiting.
(4)Vladimir K.
I have to preface this by saying I am a super-fan of the other Zingerman's businesses... but we found the Roadhouse to be kind of sucky. Ambiance-wise, the interior is not unlike a Chili's or some shit like that. The booze selection was OK, but nothing special. Everything on the menu was majorly expensive. Now, I like to splurge on expensive restaurants from time to time, so I'm not shocked by $30 entree prices. However, I do expect something in this price range to kick ass. Beer is served in weird glassware, something I didn't quite understand. You'd think a place like this would know what's up with beer glassware, but I guess not. The description of the creole cioppino sounded awesome, but it tasted like nothing but garlic and was really skimpy on the seafood. There was just one tiny scallop, one little shrimp, a couple mussels, and some fish chunks. Definitely not worth the high price tag around $30. Also, $20+ is a little much for a pile of risotto. We just didn't think the stuff was worth the money. Dinner for two with three beers plus tip was almost $100, and we were like "meh." I'd rather just hit up a classy steakhouse at this price.
(1)Aileen A.
I SO wanted to love this place. I have been searching for a go to restaurant since recently moving to Ann Arbor. But my fried chicken was bitter since the skin was burnt but what sucked more was that it was a little bit uncooked in the middle. I told the waitress it was raw just so that they know (I wasn't expecting a replacement since I already lost my appetite) but she tried to explain to me it was just the bloodline that i was seeing. I am still giving this place two stars because the mac and cheese was good. Also, I made reservations and they actually had a table ready for us when we got there.
(2)Ashley M.
Service was very nice and quick. Food was delicious. My husband and I started with pimento cheese and celery (love their homemade pimento!) then went to two of the standard burgers, his with the brick cheese and mine with maytag blue. I got sweet potato fries because I saw the other reviews saying they were the bomb and he had the regular fries. Afterwards, we split the grapefruit tart. I will never leave the place without having the sweet potato fries and grapefruit tart! The sweet potato fries are incredibly thick. Soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. A perfect amount of salt sprinkled on top and served with their chipotle mayo. Large portion served with my burger. The grapefruit tart was beautifully balanced. A butter crust with vanilla cream and slices of ruby red grapefruit topped with powdered sugar and mint leaves. Wowza. Definitely a place to return to, hoping to do breakfast soon!
(4)Naz M.
Zingermans, let me count the ways that I love you. I don't really think I can, but I can try by recounting the details of my newest foodie love affair. Imagine, up until the day before that I had plans to come here and almost totally forgot. Easter Sunday, of all days, is what my old boss, a few of her lovely friends and my hubs decided on. Don't worry though! We were smart about making reservations, because this is one of the most popular restaurants in the area. From the outside alone, you know you're in for an experience. There's a drive through, right there because maybe you want the brunch, lunch, without the waiting and debating. Maybe you're one of those people who always just knows what they want outta life. BUT if you're not lol, and you're like me, sitting down is necessary because internal conflicts, particularly those about food, are best to deal with INSIDE the restaurant around people who love you and can make your suggestions. I was lucky to have been seated and already had a mimosa waiting for me, first plus. THEN the bread came, amazing. They'd a wine list, cheese list, five other lists and menus all full of delectable things, albeit pricey, just waiting for you which seem to change on various occasions as our brunch menu was DATED. After fighting myself I settled on Pulled Pork, it's kinda my thing and I had a feeling it would be done right, and goodness it was. Succulent, juicy and they'd a slider version available, with sweet potato fries and applewood bacon, because why not?! 'Twas so good that next time I might be able to muster the courage to go out of my comfort zone. Normally, between the hubs and I, he's the one with leftovers, today that was NOT the case, which means his Roadhouse breakfast was too good to leave a scrap even for the furries at home. This place is an experience to be had, pricey but worth it. I mean, just look at the pictures I took! Uh huh, you're reading this while you should be halfway to Jackson Rd.
(5)Nancy C.
Came here for brunch on a Sunday and got the Zingerman's Roadhouse Famous Corned beef hash and was completely underwhelmed. The hash itself wasn't all that seasoned or flavorful, the 2 poached eggs that accompanied it were, well, normal poached eggs, and the portion was pushing the smaller end of portion sizes. The cost, in true Zingerman's fashion was expensive, which I wouldn't have minded if I thought the food is worth it, which it usually is at Zingerman's. But in this particular instance, the corned beef hash just did not live up. On a positive note, the sweet potato fries here are great. As is the service. Burgers are pretty good as well, albeit pricey.
(3)Matthew K.
I almost want to give this place a 2-star (3-star = A-OK based on the yelp metric, which it wasn't, but 3-star = "Fair" in my ratings) based on the price vs quality of the food. But service was good, and it was clean and had an enjoyable atmosphere. I ordered the fried chicken macaroni and cheese. It was overly salty and didn't have any fried chicken in it, just a few pieces of chicken and then crumbles of the fried chicken crispies on top. The noodles were overcooked and the cheese sauce was starting to separate. Very disappointing. My wife ordered the pulled pork entree. The pulled pork was OK, but I smoke better pork at home. And there was too much fat left in the meat -- my wife didn't finish it. The mashed potatoes were OK, but because of the extra sauce they add to the pulled pork (in my opinion, to try covering up the dryness), the mash potatoes just started turning soggy. The braised greens was just a soggy mess. The sweet potato fries were delicious though -- large, nicely fried and wonderful. I don't plan on ever coming back to this place, but if I did I'd probably only order the sweet pototo fries, since everything else was disappointing. And the prices were ridiculous -- $19 for a bowl of mac & cheese? $16 for a small serving of pulled pork with some mashed pototoes and braised greens? Yuck. Is this really what Ann Arbor-ens eat? It was packed when we left, so I'll be happy to donate my seat from now on. One of those occassions when pictures of food are better than the food itself.
(3)S W.
I had lunch today here, Caesar Salad with Grilled Salmon. The salad was great and the service was even better.
(4)Shelly G.
All I can say is awesome. Friendly staff, checking in and helpful, food was the best I ever had.
(5)Logynn H.
What can be said about the Roadhouse's sublime awesomeness that hasn't already been said? All I can tell you is that my favorite thing is to sit at the bar, split a pork bbq plate and some sweet potato fries with a friend, and enjoy the lovely staff and surroundings. My other favorite thing is gluten free grits n bits waffles, which are so amazing that I know I will always come back here to have them even if I move away from Ann Arbor.
(5)Coco C.
I came for the mashed potatoes and gravy and stayed for the fried chicken. Much more satisfying than the Deli, and though it is overpriced - fuuuuck, it's Zingerman's, dudes. If you don't want to pay through the nose, you haven't been living in Ann Arbor very long.
(4)russ h.
Love the concept of elevating American food to an art form. I will say I have come across a few misses on the menu - the donut sundae was too much for me and that is saying a lot. On the whole a fantastic place to eat.
(5)Nirmit K.
This place rocks! Everyone told me this is a must visit for Ann Arbor. I agree ! Environment is great, service is great and food is great! The only reason. Starting with the warm breads through the entree it was awesome. Desserts were a little disappointing and the only reason I give them four stars. Real unique place and one of a kind
(4)Melissa L.
One of my favorite places to go to. I don't know if it is because I don't come here regularly or if my fond memories of this place is because of my overall AA trip, but I do make it as my dinner destination always. I agree that the prices are pretty steep, but if my food really comes fresh from the farms, I will be fine with that. I love the free warm and crunchy bread smeared with the butter. I then go ask for more bread. By the time I get my food, I am halfway full, but I am happy to have leftovers. The mac and cheese is really good. For those who complain about the price, it is pricey for what it is, but they use Martenelli pasta which I have seen for $10 a bag. They also use awesome cheese. It's the stuff of dreams. I also get the catfish platter (giant fried whole catfish) with some sides. Really good. I have gotten the bbq plate and it is pretty good, but favorite are the ribs. The service is also always top notch here. Also, whenever we split a plate, they actually bring us half plates each instead of separate plates to split ourselves. A small thing like this gives them an extra half a star. If you are in the AA area and would like to splurge for a dinner, come here! Also, free dessert for bday girl/boy!
(5)Rebekah M.
We stop at the Zingerman's Roadhouse drive-through every time we're on our way out of town on a road trip. I want to LOVE it. It's convenient and good quality. The bagels are the best in town - nice crust. Not doughy. The cakes and muffins are flavorful and delicious. The problem is that - almost every time we stop (say around 10am) - we're told, "we're out of .... bagels. We only have everything bagels." or "we only have salt bagels." How does a restaurant that has its own bakeshop, and which supplies bagels to grocery stores and businesses throughout Ann Arbor, run out of bagels in its own restaurant - at 10am!!! Make more bagels! The other problem is that the waiters at the drive-through try to impress by not writing down the order. There's four of us in the car and we all want something different. They listen to our order. Then they repeat it back to us and usually forget something. Then, when they bring the order, 8 times out of 10, something's missing or something's not as requested. Just write the order down on a piece of paper - we won't think less of you. In fact, it's reassuring to see you write it because there's a better chance you'll get it right.
(2)Alexandra K.
Ok this is not at all what I thought it would be. It's beautiful inside. The large wooden floors mesh wonderfully with the granite countertops, rugged tables and beautiful glass cases filled with the cutest salt and pepper shakers of all sorts. Apparently they used to have ones from the movie "Jaws" that would play the theme song when you shook them. My wonderful and pleasant waitress told me so. On to the food: -Complimentary bread: Rye: it's very thick and quite chalky in taste but fresh; Sourdough: mmmm I love it. Mushy and sour it leaves a perfect lemon taste in your mouth. Entrees -New Mexico Grilled Chicken Sandwich (Amish free-range chicken breast with Ig Vella soft jack cheese, applewood smoked bacon, lettuce, avocado salad, green chilies and spicy mayo on grilled sourdough bread): Incredible. The chicken is so tender and mixes so well with the cheese and avocado which have an indescribable zing. It's creamy, crunchy, buttery, spicy, crispy and soft all in one. -Sweet Potato Fries: let me tell you why these are so wonderful: simply because they are thickly cut. This causes them to still be mushy on the inside while crisp on the outside. One of the best sweet potato fries of my life. -Hand-Cut Fries: The regular fries are also delicious--fried in the best-tasting oil. Desserts -Donut Mondae (bacon sundae with a homemade Dutch donut, bacon chocolate gravy, apple-wood smoked bacon, vanilla gelato, bourbon-caramel sauce, whipped cream, Virginia peanuts and a cherry): hmmm it's very interesting. The caramel bourbon is syrupy sweet (not my favorite) but it seriously brings out the sweetness of the salty bacon bits. The vanilla gelato is bursting with vanilla bean flavor. The doughnut is of a cakey texture (my favorite kind) and tastes very much like a beignet--sugary but plain. That's why it mixes so well with the sauce, chocolate and bacon. It's an interesting combo. I'm glad I tried it but wouldn't need to order it again. FINAL VERDICT: For a strip mall restaurant, this has got it goin' on. The Zingerman Company in general only uses the finest ingredients (albeit this menu serving up some serious calorie-dense comfort food). That wait staff is wonderful and if you can get over the outrageous prices, stop on in. They also have a great oyster bar and throw away the beautiful pearl shells outside for everyone to see. And if you are looking for a quick bite, drive up to the Roadshow Drive-Up & To-Go, as they serve coffee, pastries, breakfast food, bread, sandwiches, and soups.
(5)Heather G.
The customer service here is incredible. Can we have a cup of water as we leave? Yes. Can you call us a cab? Our pleasure! I'm wearing new shoes - do you have band aids for my poor, blistered feet? abso-freaking-lutely. It's near-comical how hospitable the staff here is. Our server, upon noticing we weren't drinking our beers, insisted on taking them back and bringing us something else because he could tell we didn't like them. He made nice recommendations and insisted that life was too short to drink beer you're not into. That said, the beer list is OK. Not amazing, but not the run-of-the-mill stuff found in every pub, either. The bread basket they serve prior to your meal is insane. I ate two of them (baskets, not slices) myself, and thus had to take most of my dinner to-go due to fullness. WORTH IT. Their burger is solid, their fries (regular and sweet potato) are both excellent. Daily specials rotate, but we came on a day they were serving potlikker. The dish was very rich, salty, and fatty, and it warmed us up on such a cold winter night. My advice? Come for the bread basket, splurge on a daily special, and enjoy what makes Zingerman's so beloved. 5 stars on bread and service, 4 stars on food, 3 stars on beer.
(5)Kk W.
I would rate the coffee 5 stars!! Husband's corned beef hash was delish and a huge portion. My omelet was overcooked. No problem with having it redone. Still was a bit crispy but when chef checked with me I declined to have it remade as I was HUNGRY. Without extras, breakfast was over $30 plus tip and for that reason I gave it one less star. You learn that in Ann Arbor, the Zingerman's mystique means very high prices. Will not be our regular but we did enjoy it. Great wait staff. This establishment is not for anyone who is counting calories although can imagine you could work with the staff for modifications.
(4)Allison S.
Very disappointing! I'm a big fan of the original Zingermans and there was no resemblance between the two. The food was inedible. The salad was drowning in dressing, the chicken was tough, and the children's burger was bite size. We left most of our meals and just filled up on bread. I would never go back.
(1)Andrea D.
Great place to entertain. The involvement in the community and efforts to engage with their clientele is superb. Their menu is always changing so it is a fun place to visit again and again.
(5)Holly P.
Came here for brunch while trying to make sure an out of town guest had a solid end to his visit, and we were not disappointed. We showed up around 10:45 and the place was hopping, maybe a 20 minute wait? I'm not sure we would have been seated faster had we had reservations, but I would recommend making them on Open Table if you're planning on going, just in case. Brunch was hearty and the 3 of us raved about our food. The vegetarian got Huevos Rancheros and was very pleased (and he's had a lot of huevos rancheros in his life so I knew his thumbs up meant something!), the other guy got Eggs Benedict, and I got the Grits and Eggs. I was worried I was playing it too straight, but with some of their hot sauce and a biscuit on the side, I was in heaven. We will definitely be coming back here for brunch!
(5)Scott P.
I really want to like the Roadhouse, seriously I do. I regularly go to the deli and shell out obscene amounts of money for meats and cheeses ( I once spent 20 dollars on a jar of mustard that was so good I nearly cried) so I am not opposed to spending money or food snobbery- in fact those are my two best features! But the Roadhouse, dear god the Roadhouse is just a disaster. I went there 4 or 5 times in the last 5-6 years , after the first time almost exclusively because a large group of people wanted to go there and I didn't want to be the lone dissenter crapping in the punch bowl. My impression every time has been that it is overpriced for the quality, and generally disappointing. I was hesitant to even write a negative review because I do love the deli so much,and all the people who work at the roadhouse are very nice, the customer service is awesome and just in general Zingermans is the kind of business I like to promote- quality in the face of generic chain garbage. But last night I plopped down 70 dollars for an all you can eat "south American" themed BBQ dinner and it was extremely disappointing- which was the consensus among the 7 of us who went. I will give some quick bullet points -Cheese bread- if you have ever been to fogo you know what these are- they ran out after like 10 minutes of service- how do you run out of cheesy poofs?? -Meat- as a purist I was a little upset about some of the meat advertising/choices. The advertised menu said "bottom sirloin" but they actually served "flank steak" -which are not the same thing. They also advertised and even discussed serving "pincanha" but what was actually served was tri-tip. I understand to most people this is splitting hairs, but at 70$ a plate I think this is unacceptable. -While not as bad as above, the meat was cooked in a traditional smoker and did not resemble what you would get from a grill- when you go to something like a fogo or anywhere in Argentina what you want is a super burnt crispy outside, not just general medium rare meat. They also discussed the salting used in South America but the meat was noticeably bland, no the slap you in the face salt we were expecting. -Both the chicken wrapped in bacon and the Parmesan pork were incredibly dry and overcooked. I will say though- the desert (which the chef said was prepared by his Brazilian wife) was amazing. In terms of regular Roadhouse fare- I used to be a vegetarian and tried just about every mac and cheese they have ever had on their menu and give them a resounding meh. At 15 or more dollars a pop, definitely not worth it. So in closing, Zingermans Deli- Awesome. Zingermans Roadhouse- not so much.
(2)Tabitha M.
Full disclosure: I work for Zingerman's. Not the Roadhouse specifically, but still... The Roadhouse is THE place for a great breakfast. Today, I had sauteed spinach topped with Canadian bacon, two perfectly poached eggs and Hollandaise sauce. Paired with a well-crafted Americano, this is my favorite breakfast on the planet. Need more convincing? No crowds at breakfast. Plenty of great seating options for single diners or families. Grits and Bits waffles. Peppered bacon. Grilled Bakehouse cinnamon rolls. Mimosas. Man, I wish it was breakfast time again already.
(5)B. K.
Annoying night. Here's what happened. We showed up on a Saturday night at 6pm. We ordered a couple cheeseburgers, our go-to. The waitress (very nice) warned us that they were out of hamburger buns and that this typically happens on game weekends (mind you, it was only 6pm on a Saturday.... already out of buns?) We took a chance on the thick-cut sour dough alternative (the crust was rock-hard). Burgers arrive cooked incorrectly: I had ordered mine medium rare. It was medium. My wife told the waitress she was pregnant and ordered her's medium well. It was medium. Both were medium. We discovered this by cutting the burgers in half, which was nearly impossible because the crust was so hard. Then (forgive the play by play): I decided to live with mine. The waitress took my wife's back. At this point, we had cut the burgers in half and it was kind of a mess. My wife decided she did want the burger at all. The waitress was busy. By the time she got back, I was half done with my burger and my wife decided to order dessert instead. They were out of the cheesecake she wanted. Meanwhile the second beer I had ordered never showed up. On the bright side, they gave us a gift card for a burger and also gave us a free (overpriced) brownie. If it weren't for this, I would be writing a one star review. We won't be going back for a while. The waitress was fine -- a bit forgetful and overwhelmed. Everything else was a failure. Zingerman's needs to get back to basics. One more thing I'm just realizing. If you don't want to smell like you just spent three hours engulfed in BBQ smoke, don't sit in the enclosed patio area (this was November) Last point: I spent the night on the verge of sweating because of the heatlamp near our table. Another annoyance. Makes a dude want to head over to The Quarter Bistro (yeah, the place with the massive head of garlic hanging outside) and join the sad-eyed divorcees.
(2)Li C.
Overpriced and underwhelming. All the hype and for what? A $20 plate of soggy fries, greasy fennel and dry bbq? I agree with other reviewers: TOURIST TRAP!! My review based on 3 visits to see what the hype is about. Barbecue is just OK. Sweet potato fries are greasy and not crispy. Fennel confit tastes oily and unflavorful. Honestly for good mac n cheese, I'd travel to Royal Oak just for Vinsetta Garage's Mac n Cheese. Truly dynamite mac at Vinsetta. I live a mile from the Roadhouse and honestly not even worth my short drive. Keep in mind Chef Alex Young is more of a figure head. Don't expect him to cook your meal. Only redeeming facet is the service. Servers do try their best and I love talking to the staff. All really nice people.
(2)Michael T.
This place is pretty great, albeit expensive. The portions aren't really that large either. I went with the steak and three sides - Fries, Rice and Mushrooms, which were all pretty decent. I ordered the fried chicken mac n cheese as a side. It was okay. Maybe I had too high of expectations, but I've had better.
(4)Katie M.
My indecisive brain cannot handle this menu! I mean this in the best way possible. Everything ( I mean EVERYTHING) sounds delicious. How does one possibly choose!?! I came here for lunch on a cold COLD day and was happy to have the waitress offer to bring a taste of each of their homemade soups. I tried the chili, clam chowder and the mushroom in little metal condiment cups. All were excellent but I opted for the chili as it was gluten free. Their side salad was fresh and crisp and homemade ranch dressing was different, but still tasty! I could not resist the bread that was brought to the table... dangit! I am in awe that they serve everything from Omlettes to Oysters. Can't wait to go back!
(4)Robert L.
Great place! Food was really tasty but the sides are much better than most BBQ places I've visited. The mac and cheese with lobster was particularly tasty. Above the food, our service was top notch. Our server Nicole was extremely attentive and helped us navigate the menu and offered solid guidance. I can't remember having better service anywhere - she rocks! Also special note for our hostess Alice she came by a bunch of times to make sure we were getting everything we needed.
(5)Jeanie S.
I'm contemplating a re-visit, as my dining companion had remarked that my meal was definitely off that night. Service: friendly without being over-the-top. Appetizer: Red Pepper and Goat Cheese Bruschetta was tasty if undistinguished. Salad: Roadhouse Garden with honey mustard vinaigrette. Fresh, tasty dressing. Mains: -Burger plate special with fries -- my companion ordered this and after taking a bite, I wished I'd ordered this too. Perfectly cooked burger with a little melted blue cheese on top. Yummy fries. My mouth is watering just thinking of it. -Pit-Smoked BBQ Beef plate -- disappointing. I understand the Roadhouse is known for their pit-smoked meats, but this was so....meh. Both the mashed potatoes and greens (which I both normally love) were incredibly salty and I left most of it on the plate. -Side of Sauteed Spinach was so salty that I (a salt lover) couldn't take more than a couple bites. Dessert: The were out of the Butterscotch Puddin' (sad face), so we shared the Donut Sundae. It was tasty and decadent, but I definitely would've preferred the butterscotch dessert. So, all in all, a disappointing visit. Will update my review if I re-visit.
(2)Geekar L.
I've been here a couple of times, sort of a must when visiting Michigan. It's the type of food that you'd eat every day if packing on the lbs. meant nothing to you. Everything about this place is just so welcoming, their menus, the service, as well as the decor. I mainly came here because I was craving their donut, yum! Their donut with vanilla gelato, even better! So yes, go for the donut sundae. As for the actual food, I haven't tried many things off their menu, but from my limited exploration of it, the food has been consistently good. You also can't go wrong with their oysters! I ordered the pit-smoked beef and it's served with a bbq sauce with just a little kick, perfect. Really good mashed potatoes too! My sister liked her oyster po'boy, which came with fries (get another round of fries for free). Overall, I'm always happy to grab a meal here!
(4)IsTacoBellBetter ?.
I measure by three different things in comparison to Taco Bell: DECOR: The restaurant is great from the inside and out. It's right at the corner of Jackson Rd. in front of the Staples. Very easy to spot! Going inside you feel very warm and welcomed right away. There's lots of seating. There are signs that feature the specials and fresh catch of the day. Everyone working there is super friendly. 1.5 stars. SERVICE: Zingerman's is known for customer service. In fact I used to work there and they have a whole CLASS just on customer service that is required when working. Never have I ever been disappointed with Zingerman's. The restaurant waitstaff is great as well as the hosts. If you step out to the trailer to order a coffee they are always very friendly as well. 1.5 stars here. FOOD: The food is absolutely amazing. The Caesar salad is the best here and could be comparable to the best steakhouses in the US. I have gotten the Macaroni and Cheese with Fried Chicken here and it's to die for! The menu is very unique as well as the beverage menu. As they say there is something for everyone here. 2 stars for food! FINAL VERDICT: Is Taco Bell better? NO!!!!!!!!!! Okay Zingerman's is an expensive restaurant, but it's definitely one of the best restaurants I have ever eaten at. The reason why they are expensive is because they use fresh high quality ingredients. All their bread comes from the bakehouse baked daily. The cheese, produce, and meat comes from a local farm. That alone makes it better than Taco Bell, who don't exactly use fresh ingredients. Beyond that all the food tastes amazing. If you never been to Zingerman's Roadhouse, definitely give it a shot! Between the customer service and food you won't leave disappointed!!
(5)George S.
This place was recommended by a cabbie on our trip to Ann Arbor... I'm so glad he did. Good food, a raucous atmosphere and more stuff on the walls than museum on steroids, this place is pleasing to the eye and palate. It is a bit loud there, but that's because it is one of the most beloved places in Ann Arbor, The barbecue comes in wide variety, and the sauces are quite good. Also, and this should tell you something, I'm not a greens fan (as in collard,) but the bacon and greens these folks make were so good, even I gobbled em down! Their mac and cheese was fine and complex, and I even got some nice parsnips in a pesto that...well, redefined parsnips for me! The service was really great, and we didn't even have to wait that long even though they told us, at the time, 30 minutes. There's lots of parking, and the drinks are vast and of great variety. My only beef...I couldn't stay longer to try more stuff. They have a full and impressive bar on premises. So when you're on the road in Ann Arbor, stop at the Roadhouse, you'll be glad you did!
(4)Clay C.
Five times this year I have forced myself to try something different. I have never left disappointed. Tonight my wife and I had the spare ribs and they were perfect. We have been fortunate to have the same server (Amy) she remembers my quirky preferences. I highly recommend the sweet potatoes fries. They are awesome with the spicy mayo. Top notch service, top notch food.
(5)Tara L.
Sadly, I'm updating with a Debbie Downer of a 2 star. We had been itching to try their brunch, and Husband hadn't been here yet, so we were looking forward to it. Considering we like Zingerman's products for the most part, we thought that things would taste great. Well, I'm not sure if we ordered the wrong things, but on our Saturday brunch visit with 2 other friends, our entrees were not good at all. I went with the "Famous Corned Beef Hash ($11.75)", and Husband went with their Bagel, Smoked Salmon, and Cream Cheese ($12.25). We didn't mind the price of each entree, but what came out was totally not what we expected. My corned beef hash was a mixture of corned beef, potatoes, red peppers, and celery. Served with two slices of toast (I chose wheat), fruit preserves (I went with blueberry), and poached eggs, the quantity was good. The hash was mediocre at best, with the flavors being very flat. I didn't even taste the fragrant celery, and what was the worst, poached eggs that were NOT poached. They were overcooked, and became hard-boiled eggs. Not to mention, the eggs were so puny, smaller than what I've ever been served at a restaurant. They looked like little dollops of cream. We were disappointed. Husband's bagel, smoked salmon, and cream cheese entree was depressing for the price. What baffles me the most is that for one bagel, 3 small slices of smoked salmon, some vegetables, and a little sample size of cream cheese, this entree was $12.25. The portion was much smaller than the corned beef, and the products used were definitely more inexpensive. Strange, I tell you. Though the smoked salmon was from the west coast and wild caught, I didn't think it justified that price. The only thing somewhat appetizing was the whipped cream cheese. When it comes down to it, Zingerman's has established a name for themselves to deliver high quality, hard-to-find products. What we were served at brunch did not exemplify that, and for that reason, I'm definitely not coming back. Just stick to their delicatessen.
(2)Jordan B.
Good Food! Waitstaff McDonald's Quality!! Like seriously the chubby redhead has to go. After going to high school next door to the original, I was a big Zinerman's fan... . So I decided to take my family here instead of The Whitney... HORRIBLE MISTAKE. First the lady tried to explain the consistency of Almond Milk, when I was was the requester.. Then kept making off beat comments to my family and myself. Then when I requested another cup of coffee because she never came to check in on us.. She remarked "I'll put it in a TOGO CUP!" Fact: I understand that living in New York City my standards may be higher than most... But being treated like an ASSHOLE and getting McDonalds service while spending $100 bucks for brunch... Really? And then after my girlfriend talked to a manager.. they did nothing.. Some serious changes will have to mad before I ever come here again...
(1)Joe W.
Had an amazing chef salad. Honey mustard was outstanding. Upgraded the blue cheese to the best they carry from thier creamery. The service was mediocre so my review is purely on good quality. If you are anywhere near 94 and this location stop in and have a great meal.
(5)Salena H.
So let me just start by saying this - Don't listen to the negative reviews on here! Zingerman's has been my favorite place in Ann Arbor since 2010. I love this company for so many reasons. I hate it when people say they are overpriced. Yes, they DO cost a bit more than normal places, but here's why: They are sourcing the most quality, local ingredients they can. Organic, fresh, local. Their integrity as a company is amazing. And as a person who eats healthy, I can taste the difference! I have tried lots of things at Zingerman's and liked all of them. Here is a list of my favorites: 5 burger sampler Mac and Cheese In-house made hot sauce Gluten-free bread for both sandwiches and toast Gluten-free fried chicken Poutine Mashed Potatoes Donut Sundae Gelato COFFEE!! Bacon Diez y uno burrito (in the Road Show) Grits Pulled Pork But my absolute favorite meal there is the Roadhouse American breakfast, which has eggs with peppers and cabot cheddar, potatoes and sausage patties with toast and preserves. I always get the house hot sauce with it too because it is amazing on the potatoes. I have dreams about this breakfast and try to get my husband to take me there practically every weekend, sometimes it works :) Bottom line, you truly get what you pay for. People who write crappy reviews are not looking at the full picture. The only downfall to this place is that it can get really packed. My friends and I waited almost two hours one night at the bar, but if you want to beat the crowd, try to either go for breakfast on a week day or early enough on the weekend, or go on a Monday or Tuesday night. Don't go at 7 pm on a Friday and then whine about the wait - expect it!
(5)Robin L.
Zingerman's Roadhouse is the perfect place to take friends who love comfort food. I love that they seek out the best quality ingredients and locally whenever possible. In truth, I don't first consider comfort food. And yet, I still love the Roadhouse. I asked to be seated in an area that might be less noisy because it's challenging for me to hear. Considering they were packed, and in general it's a noisy place, they accommodated us beautifully. Our server was wonderful. We were all in a playful mood and she totally met us in that fun spirit. Food was delicious. Service was perfectly attentive. Prices were exactly what we expected. Five stars for a lovely experience.
(5)Rebecca B.
Service was good. Prompt. Efficient. Good at reading our body language. Menu was massive. I thought it was good. Not much more to say outside of that. Interesting menu that is worth a try.
(4)Karla M.
Went there for the first time tonight. The waitstaff was excellent and the food was excellent. Only visiting Ann Arbor for a few days but will definitely go back.
(5)Kelly J.
There's a lot to be said about the Roadhouse's charm. Pros: 1.) The menu is exciting and thoughtful 2.) The service is always spectacular 3.) The serving staff is always knowledgeable about the menu 4.) The donut sundae is out of this world. Think a fresh-fried donut on homemade gelato from the Creamery and a bourbon sauce that brings the whole dish together with the depth and smoky goodness of the whiskey. Cons: 1.) Sometimes things fall short. The pulled pork is only so-so, the mac and cheese is not nearly exciting enough or a big enough portion to justify the price, etc. 2.) Yes, I'm sorry to say this, it's overpriced. I've eaten in a lot of wonderful, exciting, proud-to-be-foodie establishments, and this one is overpriced. But it's still worth the occasional splurge, just don't think too hard about the quality-to-quantity-to-price ratio and you won't feel cheated. But you have to love the vibe in there, and sometimes Ari is buzzing around and is always excited to talk about the menu with customers--such a treat.
(4)Molly C.
So disappointed, especially after having the sandwich of a lifetime a year ago at Zingerman's Deli. Very, very slow service, with food that was disappointing overall. Calamari appetizer was amazing, perfectly cooked with crisp, light, flavorful dressing. I wish I'd stopped there. Bread was stale ends, mostly inedible. Husband ordered the barbecue platter, which came with two ounces of a couple of different kinds of meat and sauce. Sauces were great, but the pork and chicken both had bone shards. "Kid's steak" was maybe an ounce of meat--my son ate it in three small bites. $8 for that and a handful of fries. Daughter' s hot dog was supposed to be a corn dog, they took it back and disappeared for nearly a half-hour. My fried chicken mac and cheese was unseasoned, too rich, unbaked, and full of shreds of fatty chicken skin and tendons. $15 for a small plate, plus $4.50 for a "mini" house salad, which came on a saucer--mini indeed. We waited 40 minutes after our empty plates were cleared before our server came back to offer dessert. Uh, no thanks--just the check. $90 for two kids meals, two adult meals, and one cup of coffee--not even a drink! I get it--it's fresh, farm-to-table food. But the execution was off and the service was embarrassing, especially in Ann Arbor, with about two million restaurants to choose from. No to all of it.
(1)Chinmay S.
This was my first time here. So before going I read lot of yelp comments to make sure what is good and what is bad here. Service : 4/5 Food:3/5 Price: 2/5 Quantity of food for price: 1/5 My order: pulled pork sandwich with macaroni. Macaroni was excellent. Pulled pork sandwich was just rip off. For $15, they gave me very small quantity of pork on giant bread. pork was alright. My wife tried house salad. She did not like it at all. I doubt I will go to there again anytime.
(2)LaToya C.
I called Zingerman's on my way to the Detroit airport. The person that answers is unable to take your order you are then transferred to another number. Placing an order with the place I wanted to pull my hair out.....a pork sandwich can be ordered 2 ways.....the difference: one is a tad bigger and you get to choose your sauce. To change side items I was told some sides included an extra upcharge, Mac n cheese wasn't one of them. We finally arrive at the place, our charge $46 for 2 pulled pork sandwiches! This is Ann Arbor , MI not NYC. We were charged extra for the Mac n cheese! The lady at the window was unprofessional, she only wanted to insist she wasn't the one who took our order on the phone. Thankfully another cashier stepped in corrected the order. I haven't gotten to the food yet, one star for service.
(1)Alex N.
Zingerman's. It's an institution in the Ann Arbor area. It's also expensive and incredibly overrated in my book. I've been to the Kerrytown deli and the Roadhouse more times than I can count, and each time I walk away feeling underwhelmed. Sure, I've had some good meals at each. But never have I been blown away by the food and never have I felt that the quality justified the exorbitant prices. This past weekend's visit was no exception. My wife's family was in town and wanted to go to the Roadhouse for Father's Day brunch. My first thought was to stick with my usual - bagel and lox. Although Zingerman's bagels are hardly the best, this is usually a safe choice. Then I spotted the fried clam po'boy and decided to give it a try. HUGE mistake. The bread was stale and tasted like day-old (or maybe two-day-old) bread. Come on, Zingerman's! You guys pride yourselves on your baked goods and you give me stale bread? The clams were so overdone and dried that they tasted like fried rubber bands. The tomato chutney they serve on the sandwich was dumped on one end, all 2 teaspoons of it. The twice-fried french fries were soggy and gross and tasted like they had been barely fried once. All of this for $17. I seriously thought about sending it back, and in hindsight I probably should have. But we had a large group of hungry eaters, some of whom needed to hit the road for a long drive back home after, and I didn't want to be the one to hold-up the meal. But it was one of the most disappointing meals I've had in my entire life. Not a single thing on the plate was done right. I would have been pissed if it was a $10 sandwich, but for $17 I was downright furious. My wife had the fried shrimp po'boy and had similar complaints. On the way back home we decided that we will never again eat at the Roadhouse, given how many "meh" meals we've had. I'm giving them two stars because of the great service. That's one thing I'll say about the place - the staff are always friendly and attentive. But the food varies between one and three stars at most, and the prices are insane for the quality of food you get. I don't care if they are serving artisanal free-range organic grass-fed clams; if they overcook them and serve it to me on stale bread, what difference does the quality of the ingredients make? I'm convinced the only reasons Zingerman's has managed to stay in business so long - and to grow - are because a) too many Ann Arborites are morons when it comes to food, b) too many Ann Arborites equate expensive dining with good food, and c) Paul and Ari are masters of promotion and marketing. Good for them. Now, can you guys please direct your cooks not to murder the clams?
(2)Louai S.
I have no idea where the 4 and 5 star reviewers here ate at. Definitely not the same place I ate at. This place was a pure disappointment. This is a late review from last August, but should be mentioned. We sat outside and checked out the smoker and I got all GEEKED up and super hungry, even told waitress to keep my Margaritas coming. the smell was amazing, restaurant looked rustic with wood floors and only to be so so so let down by the food. From flavorless pork rinds with spots of hot sauce on it to the worst ever greasy calamari and greasy nasty un-fried a second time and unmelted cheddar poutine, that my kids were not willing to order anything after. I finally talked them into the order of the following: a flavorless dressed caesar salad, a flavorless, broken sauced mac and cheese and my plate "the worst BBQ combo plate ever with smokeless, reheated, old tasting "the only flavor" roast beef, grey looking cold and old tasting pulled pork and nasty looking pulled chicken". I do not remember the sides, I recall some greens and mustardy looking sauce. Wow, total amateurs, for that matter my 12 and 14 year olds would have put out better food. I must give my respect to the waitress. She kept offering me a free return with my decline to accept to the point, I had a $100 gift card that I tried to give her and told her to keep all the change, I didn't care. I am glad she wouldn't except the card, because somehow it escaped my mind "Zingerman's deli, breads, dairy". Went to deli and bought meats, cheese and Pecan Raisin Bread" I now drive from Troy to the deli for the Pecan Raisin Bread and St. Angel cheese all the way from Troy. Never to the roadhouse, the manager never had the courtesy to come to my table, even though I never made a big deal of it at table, waitress just noticed that we were not eating food.
(1)J H.
Paid $40 for two NASTY pulled chicken sandwiches.... The chicken looked like it had been sitting out all day. Bit into a huge chunk of nasty cartilage.... It's safe to say that we will NOT be returning!
(1)Andrea T.
Yummy, home style cuisine.
(4)s m.
We went for a birthday brunch and I didn't want to complain so I didn't - the sauteed greens were cold, & my omelet didn't have any cheese - it was supposed to. However the iced tea was delicious as was my bacon. The Roadhouse charges a lot and the Coney down the street has much better breakfast food. This restaurant usually disappoints me.
(2)Adventurous Palate S.
We've been here several times. Loved all of their appetizers. Have loved most of everything we have ordered in the past. One day we stood in line for 45 minutes even though a table sat empty the whole time. Our food took a very long time to be served and it was not so good. Fortunately, a manager came by as we were putting on our coats and noticed barely eaten food left on our plates and asked us about our experience. They comped our whole meal. What service recovery! We were impressed and grateful.
(5)Jim M.
This is Roadhouse Review Part II - The Food. If "treating the customer like royalty" was the theme of my previous review of Zingermans, this review could be titled "Respecting the Food." Zingerman's respect for the food is actually an homage. Kudo's to Executive Chef Alex Young. The other thing about Zingerman's I love...it's fun. And so is the food! The Zingerman's Roadhouse menu could be a map of comfort foods all over the US, with a sprinkle of international locations. I have eaten here about 6 times, and my impression is: authentic flavor - gourmet comfort food and regional cuisine's, particularly the American south. Let's start with the Oysters. I know, there is no preparation other than shucking. But it's the PICKING that is important. There are a dozen different Oyster varieties all with a unique flavor. Then there are the appetizers -- the variety of which is like going to a county fair Any-Southern-County USA and seeing a midway full of home cooked dishes. Well, there is a dish from Quebec - a rich Poutine. Along with the entire menu section of Mac and Cheese, I though to myself "Cela peut me tuer, mais de quelle façon de mort !" (this will kill me, but what a way to die!" There's German Braaunschweiger (a ham-based pate), Cajun gulf shrimp, and something called "char-roasted, salted beef bone marrow" or something to that effect. It was a bone cut in half lengthwise to expose a rich, flavorful, salted and charbroiled bone marrow. It tasted like the salted, caramelized drippings at the bottom of a roasting pan, only better. I was given a spoon to carve out the salty, creamy marrow -- but when no one was looking I licked it clean. As for entrées, I've had the Buttermilk-Fried Chicken, the Smoked Double Cut Pork Chop, and Uncle Joe Burroughs' Southern Fried Whole Catfish Platter from Yazoo City, Mississippi. The fried chicken is my favorite, but all three are awesome. In addition to the American South, the state most represented on the menu is Michigan, not so much as a cuisine but in the form or dozens of local providers. There is no mention of local middlemen, not coincidentally. This is one reason for the freshness and flavor of every menu item. It also accounts for reasonable prices for food prepared with such high quality. I dare you to visit the roadhouse only once. And then I dare you to try something new on your second visit, and finally I dare you to pick a single favorite after your 5th visit. Check out the menu for yourself. It changes periodically: zingermansroadhouse.com/… Zingerman's Roadhouse has all the ingredients of a Great Restaurant. Great service, respect for the food, freshness, respect for authentic dishes and cuisines, buys local with no middlemen, and finally and most important....the place is fun as hell. Go there but caution: it's habit forming!
(5)Mike B.
Went here over the weekend and the food was awesome. My wife and I shared the fried chicken w/ mashed potatoes and the roadhouse mac and cheese. One of the best fried chicken I have ever had. It was as good as the last time. Mac and Cheese is fantastic. Since there were 8 people, we waited a little while for the food, which was ok especially since they gave us pimento cheese as a side in addition to sweet potato fries and bread on the house. Service was excellent. Recommend making a reservation b/c the wait can be a while.
(5)Beth J.
This place is delicious! I went there for brunch one day, so homemade and fresh, and good coffee! I will definately be back!
(5)John J.
Becki and were traveling through Ann Arbor, stopped at the Apple Store to have them fix Becki's iPhone 6+. Asked the tech for a local good choice restaurant. He brought over a couple of foodie/techs and the top choice was Zingerman's Roadhouse!!! So off we left with fixed fone in pocket for an anticipated marvelous meal! Let me say first.... Awesome!!! Becki had the Mac and Three Goat Cheese that was OTC! (Off The Chart) she generously shared a nibble or two, had to ask for the third. Chris, Our waitress was a gem. She explained the menu and all the great choices that change daily. They also have extensive beer and cheese menus! Since it will be a year before we get back through here and everything looked great, I narrowed it down to three things. Started with a corn dog jacketed in home made batter accompanied by the best sharp deli mustard I ever had. All left over mustard was generously applied to the home made dinner bread. Am I gushing to much? Hold on, for the rest of my meal! Next was the buttermilk batter fried chicken with mash potatoes and amazing gravy. I will allow you to mentally insert your own comments here. Thirdly was the pulled pork with their amazing BarBQ sauces. The mustard one was very different, sharp and good but the special smoky red sauce was OTC (see above) You know when someone says something is great and you try with your expectations to high and your disappointed? I don't think that will happen in this case! Ask for Chris and have a wonderful meal and tell'em Becki and John sent ya!
(5)Cheese C.
Heard all the hype about the Roadhouse, so we went. Our Chicago taste buds were ready! 1st experience in March: We both ordered the Bearded BBQ Plate, what a disappointment! The portions were very small! 2-3 ribs, one tablespoon of pork, one tablespoon of chicken, tasteless green beans and not much mashed potatoes. The ribs stunk (like the animal) so I could not eat them. That's not what we were expecting for $29.00 each. 2nd experience in Sept: Tried the Roadhouse again. Ordered the BBQ Chicken sandwich w/ fries. Nothing to write home about. Little BBQ sauce and it's just not a tasty sauce. So far, for the quantity of food and the high prices, we don't understand the hype. However, we have found that Ron's Roadside BBQ is outstanding! Meat piled high with awesome BBQ sauce. Very impressed! Too bad they don't have a sit down restaurant, as they would get much more business.
(2)Mel G.
New to the area. Been here twice already. My first regular spot in AA. The staff is super friendly, the food is awesome and the beer selection is excellent. I eat dessert here even though I shouldn't cuz it's just that damn good! Thanks all!
(5)Kelly C.
Wow! These guys have a good thing going! I wish I lived closer so I could try everything they have to offer! Went with a large party and we had everything from ribs and burgers, to the fried chicken and the whole fish! Everyone loved everything they had to eat and they even brought out a birthday dessert as a surprise for the birthday girl! Great service, drinks, and the options are overwhelming.
(5)S B.
About as good as breakfast gets. The Corned Beef Hash is amazing as was everything else we ordered. And they have a curated list of local cheeses and oysters from around the country. Worth a long drive
(5)Lauren P.
I really enjoy Zingerman's Roadhouse. Honestly, this is probably close to a 5 star rating. I went to Zingerman's this past weekend in a group of 8. We all immensely enjoyed the complimentary donut holes and the large baskets of sweet potato fries. (FYI - there are FREE REFILLS, so we probably only should have ordered one basket for the table instead of 2.) I ordered the reuben sandwich with a side of ratatouille. Both were delicious but I couldn't finish the sandwich in one sitting. My boyfriend ordered the BBQ platter but was actually surprised by the smaller portion on his plate (even the omelet ordered by the person next to me seemed bigger than his portion of meat!). Everyone seemed to like their food and all leftovers were taken to go. I also ordered a slice of chocolate cake to eat later on my flight home, which was pretty marvelous. You could tell it was homemade and was super moist. I love the atmosphere of the roadhouse, and I think it's cool that there's a DRIVETHROUGH option to order almost anything off the menu. If this place was in Boston, I'd be here more often. :-)
(4)Nora K.
I have ordered multiple dishes and have gone multiple times, and it has never disappointed- not once! Recommendation? SWEET POTATO FRIES!
(5)Abbie L.
Zingerman's Roadhouse has been a favorite of mine for many years. The food is always excellent which is why I go back whenever I'm in Ann Arbor. The only thing keeping me from five stars is the service. The last few times I've been there our waitress has completely forgotten about us. The last time we were there, we waited for 15 minutes after we were done eating our food before the waitress even checked on us. Fortunately, everything there is so good, that it keeps us coming back. I love the ceasar salad, fried chicken salad, huevos rancheros, mac and cheese, etc... Their bread basket is always super fresh and tasty. I usually overdo it on the carbs when I'm there.
(4)Maya B.
Okay, so enough about the food. Anyone who's from Ann Arbor, or Michigan for that matter, or who even knows someone who knows someone from one of these locals knows that Zingerman's has great food. What I will mention is that I have eaten here a lot, and when I say a lot, I mean probably an average of once a month for 5 years prior to moving out to DC, so I can confirm that the food is consistently good (albeit expensive!). That said, most people would probably agree that the deli has a one-up on the roadhouse. What really sets Zingerman's apart from other restaurants is the service. The staff at Zingerman's are zingtacular (some more zingtacular than others, although I won't name names). The hostesses are always pleasant, the waitstaff is always considerate, and even the busboys and food runners want to ensure you have a great zingxperience. Meals typically begin with a small sample of something on the house just to wet your whistle (especially if for some reason it takes the waiter a bit longer than usual to get to your table--there's a rule that guests cannot wait longer than 5 minutes for their waiter). Waiters are always ready to help with food suggestions and make adjustments to plates according to your needs/wants. Moving along through the meal, if you are dissatisfied with something you have ordered, just politely tell your waiter and he or she will rush it back to the kitchen to bring you out a corrected dish or something entirely different, and remove the not-so-hot dish from you bill. They will probably also comp you something else to make up for it. All in all, Zingerman's offers a true restaurant experience with service as it should be--other restaurants should take a hint!
(4)Michael T.
Solid and diverse menu. Friendly staff. Started w some root beer from the tap...delicious. My girl had Cream Soda which was also great. I had the BBQ beef entree and the greens were tasty especially w the pepper oil at the table. The macaroni and cheese - Monterey w pulled chicken was our other selection. Very rich but one of the best Mac and cheese entrees I have had. Dessert looked great but we were too full, maybe next time if we r ever in town again...
(5)Erikalaw S.
If you have the time (and money), it is worth visiting this place more than once. Not everything is home run, but it is all very tasty. For a first visit, try one of their Michigan beers on tap with the chili cheese fries; add pimiento cheese on the side. You won't sink into a sea of fattening regret. Four instead of five stars since not every dish is worth the fairly high price. But even the overpriced dishes are delicious. Don't forget, they also serve breakfast.
(4)Friend of D.
This place has some very creative menu choices and the service / atmosphere is cool. We got some po boy sandwiches for lunch and all were good. The only bad thing for me was my BBQ platter, which had 4 types of BBQ meats. The food itself was fine, but man were the quantities of each meat TINY! Literally 2 ribs, a spoon-sized helping of shredded BBQ, and an equally small portion of the other two meats. For $28, I felt that I should at least get something more than this. The sandwiches & fries that the others in my party ordered were very generous sizes, so maybe BBQ is treated like a rarity?!?
(3)Sarah L.
Fathers day. Sunday.June 19 2011. FOOD: 22oz homemade rootbeer. 5 mini burger entree w/ different cheeses for each. Came w/ steak cut sweet potato fries & dip: spicy mayo unlike any other, homemade pickle slices too. 2 huge filets of broiled trout seasoned w/ their coffee spices, along with a heaping amount of mashed potatoes with skin, and onion & garlic flavored spinach. Chocolate pudding was milky smooth with whip cream light & fluffy. Better than Reddi Whip sprinkled with tiny bits of chocolate on top with a blackberry too. SERVICE: Masha was the waitress. A man came around refilled beverages & even refilled the spicy mayo dip. Masha offered to replace sweet potato fries w/ fries if we didn't like it. EXTRA INFO 1.5hr wait, offered to sit at a bar & we did. RSVP highly recommended but we didn't. We've visited this place plenty of times during peak times & off - there's always a wait. It's one of those places that are worth it though. The place is a lot bigger than it appears on the outside. They do have a drive through thats located at their mobile trailer. Foods always top notch & never disappointing. Despite how busy it is the service is always impeccable. While you wait check out their collection of salt & pepper shakers. PRICE: $60.95 for 2 people.seems expensive, but our meals could have fed 2 other people as well as our drink.
(5)Scott L.
After being unsatisfied with the BBQ offerings in Los Angeles, I was SO READY to be back here ...and let me tell you it does not disappoint! I've been here 3 times in the past year or so and the food and service has been delightfully consistent. BBQ and comfort food at it's finest. THE FOOD The last time I was here, my friend and I shared the Ig Vella Monterey Jack mac+cheese and BBQ sampler plate- both were delish. You can certainly tell that they go to great lengths to select the finest meats and veggies for each entree. The freshness and quality is what I interpret as the hallmark of any Zingerman's product. If you're a BBQ person that's into food defined by the slathered-on sauces, (and I don't blame you, sometimes I love me some saucceeee) then be aware that you may not be completely impressed by the Roadhouse. Again, fresh+quality emphasis here (and it's reflected in the price as well so don't be surprised). THE SERVICE Number one rule to remember is to MAKE A RESERVATION. It says Zingerman's on the door--you know the drill. Seriously though, even on a weekday it can be quite busy. You'll want to have a reservation especially in the winter months so that you don't want to be sitting in the doorway area for half an hour getting slammed in the face with that lovely winter breeze every time someone opens the door. Other than that, service is generally fantastic, wait staff is very knowledgeable about everything on the menu and is very accommodating. No qualms here. THE (non-collegial) ATMOSPHERE I never really gave this much consideration until after I graduated, but should it be the case that you take offense to the thought of college students dining with you for whatever reason, you don't have to be concerned here. The Roadhouse has very little representation from the college community or so it seems and the atmosphere is very casual and laid back. Enjoy!
(4)Joanna B.
Had high expectations, but was greatly disappointed. Server was forgetful, no water or bread refills. Food was bland, portions tiny, fries seemed like they were from the bottom of the basket, rolls for sandwiches were stale, food appeared to be merely dropped on the plates. Very poor experience all around.
(1)John L.
Very happy with this place. Price- reasonable (like all zingerman locations). Lunch is about $15, but it's very good. Quantity- Decent sized. You don't get gyped so that is good. Quality- Very good. Ribs and BBQ braised was very moist. I had the mac and cheese too and it was good, but I probably wouldn't get it again- maybe I'll just get some velveetas mac and cheese (don't judge...I don't judge you and ....your face) Atmosphere- Busy and cozy like all Zingerman Staff- Our waitress was fantastic. She would constantly stop by our table to ask if everything was going well, made note of peanut and gluten allergies and pre-divided 2 entrees so we could split them. She also mentioned what to do next time we came here. I would highly recommend this place.
(4)Jim R.
Visited this spot after reading many positive reviews on Yelp. The restaurant was quite busy even on a Sunday night with lots of folks waiting- "good thing we made reservations I thought". Unfortunately, they started out committing my cardinal sin - making us wait more than a couple minutes to be seated past the reservation time- usually a sign of a poorly run front of the house. In this case it was around 15 minutes. The other thing that struck me was the large number of families with young kids at this place-more than a Gymboree class than a restaurant-so it must be very family-friendly. The restaurant offers a lot of locally sourced foods including raising there own hogs and cattle and running their own dairy. They offer a selection of cheeses and oysters for appetizers. 2-3 cheeses are a nice starter at about $3 per generous one oz. serving. We sampled two and they came with light and crispy bagel chips and sweet oven-dried balsamic grapes. The pulled pork we ordered was sweet, juicy and the overall quality of the food was very good and more than made up for the screaming toddler atmosphere and crazy small waiting area. Advice is to go early.
(4)Damon L.
Overrated. I heard positive comments about Zingerman's before and it simply underachieved in my book. I will denote that I only ate there once (during a work meeting) and it was breakfast - but how do you screw up breakfast? The menu listings appeared great and although I debated about eggs benedict and more traditional breakfast options - I in the end chose a basic egg, potatoes, toast based meal. The eggs were the most tasty item with a blend of veggie and cheese. But, the toast looked like it had been cooked on a grill and in consequence - burned. It was pretty charred and tasted terrible. Even with the home preserves. There might have been a tablespoon of potatoes at best on the plate. Which is particularly irritating as I like potatoes. I actually forgot what type of meat was served. I believe it was a sausage patty. Point being - when the bill came and I was charged over $12 for a breakfast that was sparse and frankly - not that appetizing. I can assure you I won't bother giving lunch a dinner or chance. Any restaurant that overcharges for the cheapest meal of the day (and subsequently can't provide a delicious meal for the easiest meal to cook in a day) doesn't deserve additional consideration. I am not surprised coming from Ann Arbor where similar restaurants (overpriced and overhyped) tend to be the norm.
(2)L W.
A place you have to visit if you are new to AA. Amazing food and great place to hang out, have coffee, or meet a friend.
(5)Abby L.
I was unimpressed enough with Zingerman's Roadhouse to be compelled to write my first Yelp review to warn others against making the same mistake I did. We stopped at Z.R. after a Sunday movie, and since I had stuffed myself full of food at the theater I decided to order a side salad (~$7) and a side dish of mac and cheese ($7.50). Maybe it's my mistake for not asking, but when a side dish of mac an cheese costs $7.50, I'm expecting a little more than a teeny tiny saucer - not the case. I estimate the dish consisted of 20 noodles. Z.R. was probably the most overpriced meal I have ever had. My fiancee had the burger which he thought was average, the salad average, the tiny plate of mac and cheese...average. But for the price not worth it, we won't be going back.
(2)Apu G.
The food is good but not magnificent, and is certainly NOT worth the money. I'd give four stars if the prices were halved. Example: Two measly crab cakes = $12.50 (or over $15 after tax and tip)
(1)Jay B.
This was my third time here. We were celebrating our daughter's graduation. Bragged on the place to my parents and drove out of our way to get here. I guess my expectations were too high. The service was lackluster at best (Sharon). She was just going through the motions, seemed cold and perturbed we were there. Service was slow. Brunch took a very long time to come. My husband wondered out loud what the bread plates were for, looked around and noticed every other table enjoying a bread basket. This solidified our bad experience. I spoke to the supervisor and she brought a bread basket. 30 seconds later, our food arrived. I almost cried in disappointment. My parents didn't get their bacon. Sharon took a long while to check back, then it was at least 5 minutes for 3 pieces of bacon to come out. I love their food, bit was so sadly disappointed by the service.
(3)Vee V.
Buttermilk fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy. Three women, three orders of the same thing, three smiling, happy women at the end of dinner. They also made me a lifetime fan for the following: I'd made a reservation on open table, and they asked if it was a special occasion; I said yes a going-away party of three long-time friends, one whom is moving to another country for a 3 year contract. I didn't ask for anything, just mentioned it in the comments. When we got there, the hostess mentioned the going-away party; Lauren our waitress was fully informed as well. After an excellent meal, she brought out a free brownie sundae with "Good luck in Japan" written in chocolate sauce on the plate! It was Saturday night, we lingered at the table (not unduly) and never felt rushed in the least. Another wonderful Zingerman's experience!
(5)Kevin N.
You know how there are people who would go ga-ga over Sutter Home wine if you slapped a "Chateau L'Obscure" label on it and told them it was special and expensive? These will likely be your dining companions at the Roadhouse. And by "companions", I'm not talking about people at your table... though it will seem like they're part of your table, given how they pack people in here like sardines. "Zingerman's-the-deli" has carried an unearned cachet in and around Ann Arbor for countless years, and the halo carries over to the Roadhouse. I was with a medium-sized group on my last visit, and we basically ordered every appetizer on the menu, with a broad array of entrees. One of the appetizers was literally "mini corndogs with fancy mustard", with the remaining selections similarly impressive. On the entree side, portions were expectedly small, with the waitstaff "selling" most of the people at our table on what they already ordered. It would have been less unusual had we been ordering off-menu, but it really resonated as though the staff was saying "You're not going to like this very much, but you should, because this sauce is quite special..." or "Even though this really doesn't taste good, you should feel justified in paying $25 for it, because..." If you take away the "quirky" staff and their belabored tales of how the chicken you're about to eat was named Fred, who lived a purposeful life just off of Dixboro Road until he made the personal decision to become food, you'll soon realize that you're paying through the roof for a mediocre meal. The staff seemed generally aloof when they weren't busy telling you how special things were. I'm not sure if "detached stoner" is a component of their branding. If so, it totally works. Otherwise, the experience is somewhere between "sleepy pizza guy who probably didn't spit in my food" and "legally dead". That is, unless you bring up how "awesome" their tattoo or piercing is, where they catapult closer to "insane TGI Friday's person who won't shut up about the chocolate martini special". You won't necessarily get better service that way, but you will discover how the "ironic" tattoo makes your choice of server a unique snowflake. Really, the only reason to go to the Roadhouse is if you're already indoctrinated in to the mindset that Zingerman's is actually special, and whatever they say (or charge) is justifiable. Or, if you want "Ann Arbor funky" that's so over the top it's a caricature of itself. Frankly, you're probably better off going just about anywhere downtown.
(2)Maria A.
All I could think was I have heard so many good things about Zingerman's so why not try the roadhouse for lunch? EH...NO. We sat down, I looked at the menu and got right back up. If you want a grilled cheese, don't go here. You end up paying 12 bucks just for a grilled cheese (no sides). Don't go here to watch a sporting event. The TVs are so small, people look like ants on the screens. I was so disappointed.
(1)Kim W.
Very good for breakfast/brunch or a casual lunch/dinner. Wouldn't recommend for a date as it can be very busy and loud. The southern grits with wisconsin cheddar are the best I've ever had!
(4)Ted C.
AMAZING The foodie trolls hate it of course... most of them I see are students and can't afford good food. Yo FOODIES.. they don't have Ramen here. So you'll have to go back to your dorms for that. This is for serious food people only. A lot of what you see at Zingermans Roadhouse is from local farm to table. Everything is top notch. I usually start out with the oysters or cheese platter or both -- this place aims to please. There is nothing else to compare it with .. and the service is over the top. Zingermans has a long history in Ann Arbor with quality. If you can't find it here you can't find it in Ann Arbor anywhere... that is just how it is. This is an experience so take the time to enjoy it. This is not a diner or any kind of restaurant that you may be used to. This isn't even the Zingermans Deli experience. It is better... and in some ways very different. I think of it as an expanded palate of choices that goes beyond the Deli. The BBQ is awesome here.... and the place can get crowded. You can usually grab a seat at the bar and get great service. They bend over backwards to please you. That is why I go back again and again. Ari, (the owner) is a freakin' genius and is the mastermind behind all of the goodness under this roof. This building used to be a Bill Knapps and that died... from the firey ashes comes a phoenix and that is.... Zingermans Roadhouse. i love the energy from the staff in this place. They really know how to cater to people.
(5)Patrick T.
The sweet potato fries are really, really tasty. They are hugely cut fries that you dip in spicy mayo. Yum. The mac and cheese is also fairly good. I tried the Bearded BBQ plate, but was not very impressed. I just didn't enjoy the seasoning/sauce, or the dryness of the meat.
(3)Masayoshi M.
Food of Zingerman's Roadhouse is really good.
(4)Brian B.
Well... the shops are really nice...especially the cheese and meat shop... but the deli... expensive and not that good... shop their but skip eating! Go to one of the breweries in town
(2)Katelyn B.
Adore the mac and cheese.
(4)John F.
Comfort food at its finest. Couldn't find a nicer place or staff. Food is great. Everything is made so well and served fresh, hot and tasty. This is a family favorite for my wife and kids.
(5)Jaye K.
Loud roadhouse with decadent offerings! I live a couple of blocks from the original deli and send my foodie family members Zingerman's for the holidays. Call me a fan of the company. The Roadhouse is not someplace I eat at often, but I always have fun when I go there. The Mac and cheese brings back fond memories of a carb coma and one excellent hangover.
(4)Meg K.
Returned to the Roadhouse for another Sunday brunch. The Huevos Rancheros - with the house hot sauce and eggs over easy - great flavors, textures, and gooey goodness. Breakfast Nachos were good - love the hearty tortilla chips. Had a bite of my son's Trout Po'Boy - the bread had perfect air and chew and the fish was cooked and seasoned perfectly. And of course those thick cut sweet potato fries are a favorite.The only problem was my daughter's Buttermilk Fried Chicken Salad had a hair in it. No problem, that happens. The staff replaced it promptly. However, with Zingerman's class and reputation I expected to not be charged for her entree. I'm sure they would have deducted it from the bill had we asked, but it should be standard procedure.
(4)Danny S.
I liked Zingerman's Roadhouse. Went there with my family for Parents' Weekend at U of M. My daughter wanted us to go to Zingerman's deli for sandwiches, but we had dinnertime open, so I chose ZR. Overall I give it a 4.5 Reservations were easy through OpenTable. It is a busy place, but not near campus so does not have as much of the college crowd. The atmosphere is funky. Roadhouse is a good description. Outside the restaurant you can see an antique Airstream trailer that is used as a take-out window, and several massive steel smokers. We were a bit late for our reservation so had to wait about 10 minutes for our table, but I'm fine with that (at least they seated us). They have a great selection of beers, and my wine-loving wife liked mine so much that she ordered one. Nice appetizer selection, but we only ordered sweet potato fries, which are more like sweet potatoes sliced longitudinally into 1-inch square pieces. They were delicious. They have a great salad selection, and they are large enough to share. Without my having to ask, they split the salad my wife and I were sharing. They have a number of mac and cheese selections, which my kids enjoyed. My wife had a lovely Scottish salmon with Zingerman's Coffee Spice Rub, which was delicious. And I had a delicious southwest style (local) lamb stew special. I was tempted by the barbeque, especially after seeing the smokers, but I'll have to save that for next time. Overall, it was a great experience and I would go there again.
(4)Kassandra F.
I don't think I'll ever tire of this place. One of my biggest pet peeves anywhere is the poor customer service. Even before it earned the best service category in this years Current, I remember thinking they should create that category for this restaurant. What an expansive menu and the servers are well versed in it all. And it doesn't stop with the entree selection - the drink, the desserts, the appetizers......all of it is expansive and inventive. I admit I don't go there often because it is on the pricier side, but when I want a treat it's good to know that I'll get what I pay for at the Roadhouse.
(5)Amy D.
Zingermans Roadhouse is a nonnegotiable restaurant for us to visit on our annual trip to Ann Arbor. We alternate each year from visiting the Roadhouse for either breakfast or dinner, and this year we went for the latter. We came to Zing's on a Saturday night and we waited about 45 minutes, which is standard. I love this restaurant because they have so many differently styled rooms to eat in. We sat in a covered and heated patio, it was perfect. We started with a drink each. I have fallen in love with Pisco, so naturally i ordered the pisco sour. It was balanced, and the egg white atop was frothy and the whole drink went down smoothly. My sis had the Knickerbocker, it was the most beautiful red, it was slightly sweet but delicious. I must admit, that in the past it has been quite easy to find an item that i wanted to devour, but this particular night i had to really scour the menu. One tip would be to come during the week, because each night they have a special. I ordered the beef tenderloin and for my sides i chose the collard greens, cheese grits, and sweet potatoes. The steak was the highlight by far of the entire meal. It was beautifully charred, and cooked to the level of doneness that i specified, it was fabulous. For my sides, the greens had great flavour, but they were super gritty. The cheese grits were creamy, but the tiny amount of cheese on top was hardly enough to be deemed as cheese grits. The sweet potatoes were my favourite side. They were smashed, so there were different sizes and the textural contrast and sweetness was great. In the past we have ordered the mac and cheese which i think is the best dish that they serve, so my sis decided to order the baked pasta with roasted mushrooms. On the menu, it stated that this dish didn't contain bechamel sauce which is fine, however there was nothing to bind the dish. It arrived and it was simply mushrooms, pasta and a tiny amount of cheese. The dish arrived at the table and it was lukewarm. Our server was very apologetic and she rushed it to the back and heated it up for us. Overall, this has been our third visit to Zingermans roadhouse and we have loved it every time, but unfortunately we are verging on the point of been there done that. They are known for their service, and i cannot say anything bad about it. I think the Roadhouse would benefit from a menu shakeup, but for anyone who is visiting Ann Arbor, your trip is incomplete until you have dined at the Roadhouse.
(3)Rob F.
Very overpriced. i got their chicken and it was served in a mini wooden crate thing....quaint I suppose but very unsanitary. I was initially handed a menu with food smashed all over the inside...really unappetizing. $15 for two pieces of chicken and one side... I'd go again but only if I wasn't paying the bill!
(2)Nicole M.
Love that they have gluten free options. Food is pretty tasty, the people are pretty friendly, and the atmosphere is pretty ok. It's not knock me out of this world great. But I do enjoy the food and happy about the gluten free brownie!
(4)Amber E.
Updating my review from 4 to 5 stars because of how consistent the Roadhouse is. We've been many times since our first visit back in April of 2010 and the service has *never* been poor and the food has always been delicious. I can't believe I've never had a server that wasn't trying their best to make our dining experience great in all of our visits - Zingerman's must train their staff very well! As for the food, I am a vegetarian and there are always options for me; however, I usually just order the Roadhouse Mac 'N Cheese - it's simple, filling and keeps me coming back. You can't go wrong ordering the Mac' N Cheese! Pro: Parking lot, great service, portions etc Cons: Always very busy on the weekends, definitely call ahead as they do take reservations! If you're on a budget (which I'm supposed to be....) Zingerman's won't do you any favours :(
(5)Jason G.
let me start by saying that i had heard zingerman's described as a combination of the greatest gourmet restaurant, bakery, dairy, roastery and overall eclectic food store in the midwest (for the past two years). my gf is a UofM alumn and all the locals seem to love the place. apparently, the owners travel the country (first class, all the way, i'm guessing) to find the best regional ingredients and recipes... i gotta say that everything i tasted was excellent. the menu was interesting and well prepared, with fresh, wholesome ingredients. and very tasty. with that said, every single item on the menu (from the $4 fresh-squeezed lemonade to the $14 burgers) was RIDICULOUSLY overpriced. almost to the point of absurdity. the food is good, the atmosphere is exactly what you'd expect, the staff is friendly and knowledgeable. but none of that could possibly justify the EXTREME price gouging. is there a zingerman family? or is this just another big corporation, masquerading as a local mom & pop operation (e.g., oberweis dairy in chicago). i have never written a negative yelp or tripadvisor review, but zingerman's is just begging for it! as a 20+ year veteran of the restaurant, wine, culinary & craft spirits industries, i've never come across a restaurant that was so blatantly and brashly overpriced. but it's almost as if their customers don't care. there is constantly a line to get a table! i'm simply at a loss for words... so, i'll give zingerman's four stars for food quality and service, but they definitely deserve an absolute ZERO for value... if zingerman's cut their prices in half, they would still be just an average value. in fact, the typical american restaurant needs to maintain an overall food cost of about 24-30%, in order to remain profitable. my guess is that zingerman's food cost is somewhere south of 10%... the owners should be ashamed and maybe even investigated for criminal price gouging. despite my passion for supporting local, "independent" restaurants, i would definitely rather eat a big mac at walmart than spend another cent of my hard-earned money on anything at zingerman's.
(1)Lily K.
Giving the Roadhouse five stars because of my recent experience with the life changing Grilled Carolina White Grits! Such a simple concept yet bursting with complex favors that I can't stop thinking about. I wouldn't have considered there Roadhouse a place to go for good vegetarian eats, but know I will! I love the atmosphere of the Roadhouse as well, and wish I owned the quirky collection of salt and pepper shakers! I miss the cheese curds, haven't seen them on the menu in a while, but they were phenomenal, get them if you can. If I were able, I would give 4.5 stars because the meat here can be inconsistent. My boyfriend had the pork shoulder last time and it was very dry and tasteless. Disappointing. Steaks also have been known to disappoint. I suggest choosing other excellent menu items!
(5)K V.
This was our first time here and it lived up to all our expectations. The Mac n Cheese was killer good as was the crispy fried chicken. Our server was so helpful with her recommendations. Can't wait to go back and try more on the menu.
(5)Colleen H.
Calling all vegetarians this is where you want to eat! I had been here once before for lunch and recall thinking I would rather eat lunch at the original Zingermans in Kerrytown. I mean if your eating a sandwich that is where to go, however, if you want a meal - Roadhouse all the way! The Cheeseboard and corn dogs (for my kids) were our appetizers. Delish! The warm spinach and mushroom salad was amazing! But by far I gotta say the mashed potatoes ROCK! I had the black bean burger because it is hard to find a good vegetarian burger and they hit the nail on the head with this black bean burger. I ordered way too much food but everything was amazing! I highly recommend this restaurant for vegetarians, you have many options! Way to go Zingermans!
(5)Gregg D.
Loved everything about our visit again. Drinks were great, food was awesome and derive was terrific. My wife had the sliders and they were all good. I had the spicy chicken and while very hot and spicy it was moist. I probably wouldn't order it again, but it was as advertised, just not my dish. We can't wait for our next visit.
(5)Tony K.
I visited Zingerman's in mid-January 2012. The food quality is very good, although I tend to not necessarily value some things to the same extent that other diners seem to, and that Zingerman's is known for -- locally grown organic food, for example. Even though it has a casual feel, its prices are anything but, and it is largely for that reason that I am giving it only three stars. Our dinner for two (appetizers, no wine, one shared dessert) was $93. Also, start-to-finish took 90 minutes, which I thought was a bit excessive; we went for long stretches without seeing our server. Reservations are a must on weekend nights.
(3)Liz W.
I like the Roadshow. Its a mere cute little trailer hanging out just outside the Roadhouse but it has a seperate menu and is great for a quick take out. They offer quick fare, leaning heavily to coffees, general bakery type breakfast, soups, sandwiches and baked goods. You are served either via walk-in or drive-through. I have used this option twice now. Once for breakfast, I was impressed because they got me some salmon for my to go sesame street bagel and cream cheese, which of course was delicious. My much healthier sister got some wild oats with milk and was very happy. Coffee here was very good and a nicely perked us up for shopping. They even carry coffee milk, not a common find, yay! We got a few doughnuts to go for the guys later on and they were very happy with them. Another night we dropped in and got some assorted stuff to take to my parents. Again, just in a hurry and not feeling the fast food. The mushroom soup and ancho beef chili were hits, just like at the big kid restaurant. I loved the egg salad with the applewood bacon (with a bread switch), James was happy with the ham, salami & cheddar, my dad was delighted with the meatloaf and my mom quite liked the smoked chicken salad. It worked. You can grab breads here, coffeecake, brownies and other assorted goods too. It's not glam but a very nice option indeed, tasty.
(4)Phillip W.
Pretty cool place, and a nice follow-on to Zingerman's Deli. But the prices are truly stunning. And the place was packed to the rafters, with a line going out the door. Are people in Ann Arbor really doing well enough to be able to eat here regularly? If so, I'm moving back to Michigan!
(3)Susan W.
Just can't beat it. Best deli food along with fab bakery. It's a must have where I am in Ann Arbor- or Michigan for that matter! Sandwiches piled high- always enough for 2 meals. Soups feat too. Comfort foods of all types that are delicious.
(5)Gary M.
not crazy about this place!
(2)Kelly A.
How could I forget the drinks? Rich coffee from their own beans with brunch, and amazing citrus iced tea for most other meals, and even sometimes with brunch. I asked my waitress for more info on the iced tea because I was crazy about it, and she brought be a sample of the blend to take home. After some research, I do believe it's Rishi. Mmm... They also have an awesome list of classic cocktails with $2.00 off on Sundays. I had a Corpse Reviver #2. Strong and complex! I was reminded that I don't care for the licorice leaning liquors though, so next time it's the Vesper.
(5)Trent N.
So far I've had ribs, pulled pork, and gelato from zingerman's, and I have yet to be let down. Also, make sure to get the sweet potato fries; they're MUCH better than the plain fries, and so good that I regularly stop by just to order them.
(4)Steven S.
Honestly, I think Zingerman's deli is pretty overrated, so when I came here, I didn't have the highest expectations. I was pleasantly surprised. There was a pretty long wait in spite of the fact that there was a snow storm that night and roads were terrible, but we sat at the bar while we were waiting, and the drink prices were very reasonable. We got bread when we got to the table which was fresh and yummy. I got a smoked barbeque beef sandwich which came with fries. The beef was delicious, although the bun got very soggy and fell apart as I was eating. The fries were good, although a bit on the salty side. All in all, it was a pretty good dinner, and I had a good time with my family. It's a bit on the pricey side, but if you're getting a sandwich, the prices are fairly reasonable.
(4)Natalie B.
Zingerman's Roadhouse is on the top of my list of foodie heaven spots. I am in love with & am in utter admiration of the passion to exceptional customer service, local/fresh/homegrown food & awesome flavor!! I'm from Ypsi/Ann Arbor, MI, but now living in Austin, TX: and on the recent trip home, my boyfriend & I /had to/ do the Tour De Zingerman's. We started the day off at the Bakery/Creamery/Coffee Co., went to the Deli/Next Door, and then ended the day at the Roadhouse. It could not have been a better meal to end a day of amazing food, and James Beard Award (AKA Beardy) winner Chef Alex Young never fails your taste buds. Our waiter was helpful and gracious to offer samples when choosing over menu items (as it reaLLy is hard to narrow it down when everything truly is delicious)! For a starter we began with my ~favorite~: Sea Island Sweet Potato Fries. They're twice cooked and served with spicy mayo: they are freaking AWesoMe! I dream of these fries with drool-faced joy whenever I think of Ann Arbor & home. They are a must for any sweet potato fan. In fact - I have personally never had better sweet potato fries in my life. For me, these blow all the others out of the water. To drink I ordered the Root Beer, & my boyfriend had the Ravin' Red Cranberry-Cherry Soda: both awesome and packed with refreshing flavors. For our meal, we wanted to share some soup and mac & cheese. It was a toss up between the Tortilla soup and the Ancho Chilli, then the Three Peppercorn Goat Cheese and the Smoked Chicken and Monterey Jack. After deliberating with some /amazing/ samples of all, we went for sharing the chilli, which had more of a spiciness we often go for, and the Smoked Chicken Mac & Cheese that had New Mexico green chillies (awesome flavor/spiciness!). The meal, with the Zingerman's bread basket of beautiful crusty, hearty bread made our taste buds and tummies OD on carb-awesomeness. It was wonderful! Also, during our Tour De Zingerman's earlier in the day we ran into one of the Zingerman's co-founders, author, and foodie extraordinaire, Ari Weinzweig. We Just wanted to say hello and nudge him to come down to Austin to teach a class again perhaps in the future (Both I & my boyfriend work at Central Market in Austin, and heard he taught a cooking class there some years ago). So, it was a surprise to run into him again at the Roadhouse, coming around to each table refilling water glasses and checking to make sure we had enough spicy mayo for my sweet potatoes. To have one of the owners of a company come around personally and wait on you, and make sure you're taken care of ... is huge. He really was gracious to let us get a picture with him too. Awesome flavorful food!, people, staff, cleanliness, and passion for all of it. If you haven't had dinner here: GO!! It is worth every moment & mouthful.
(5)Maureen M.
My coworker & I stopped here for lunch the other day. I was a little excited to finally try Zingerman's Roadhouse. We were trying to find a different place, which didn't pan out and I'm glad it worked out that way. It wasn't too crowded at 12:30pm, which made me even happier. Our waiter came over quickly to introduce himself. He asked if we'd eaten at the Roadhouse before. This was our 1st time, so he did his little speech about the menu, and accolades on some food show (I don't care). It was a little long winded, but I appreciate the effort. My coworker ordered the Roadhouse Reuben, and I ordered the New Mexico Grilled Chicken Sandwich. The Reuben is made with ham, not corned beef. She also ordered the sweet potato fries, and I opted for the twice baked fries. My coworker really enjoyed her greasy Reuben, and fries. I tried a fry and wish I'd chosen those instead of the regular fries. My fries were a little limpy and just okay. The sweet potato fries come with a delicious, slightly spicy dipping sauce that complimented them perfectly. My sandwich was really good. I could definitely taste the smokey flavor of the applewood smoked bacon with every bite. The spicy mayo & avocado salad added a lot of flavor and loved the combination. Our server was surprised we didn't order any macaroni & cheese, so he brought us a little sample. I'm confident that a bowl of this little piece of heaven will significantly contribute to clogging an artery. I am not a big fan of macaroni & cheese. I like it, but I can do without it. If it wasn't for the fact that I could gain 5 lbs from eating it, I'd order this every time. I was contemplating ordering it for my husband to take with me. The sample confirmed that thought was a good idea. He is definitely a fan of mac & cheese. Our server gave me some great tips on how to reheat it without losing substance. I followed his instructions last night, and it worked out great! The only bad part of the meal was my bill. Although, I knew it would be expensive because that's Zingerman's. $34 for my Diet Coke, sandwich, and a very small container of mac & cheese...for lunch. I'm definitely going to save my pennies for another trip to try more of their delicious offerings.
(4)Brian G.
4 stars the food was great, a bit expensive but great. My wife's burger was on te menu as having an onion bun but came out sans the onion bun but with poopy (yes I said poopy) seed buns
(4)Laci S.
This is an Ann Arbor staple if you know what's good for you. We love their breakfast menu, but lunch and dinner are really good too. The eggs with grits that have melted vermont cheddar is divine. I also love that they have the drive through for pick up! Its a fabulous option when you want take out, but don't have to park and go in, wait and pay, etc. Just drive up, tell them your name, pay and your off! The chocolate cake is seriously the best I've ever had. I dont know if its the frosting they make or what.. but trust me on this one, its AWESOME!
(4)Sarah M.
I recently moved here from San Francisco and was excited about this dinner because it's one of the few restaurants that from reading the menu, reminded me of something I might find back home. I came here last night for dinner. i made a reservation so I didn't wait long. The menu looked fantastic - great options for vegetarians and gluten-free, using high quality local ingrediants. The waitstaff were very helpful and friendly - they deserve 5 stars. My main problem with the restaurant is the kitchen. There's obviously something going wrong in there. The wine, bread and cheese plate we ordered were really good - a 5 star experience, and it probably was because they don't need to be "cooked". What really let the evening down were the main courses and the dessert. We ordered the black bean hominy burger, the Carolina White Grits and the Donut Sundae. The burger failed conceptually and in execution, it was a very, very mushy burger with the hominy being very tough in parts. The french fries the came alongside were soggy and not crisp. Not nailing french fries in a place like this is a big disappointment, because it's a barometer of the kitchen's level of skill and technique. It's shocking really, didn't the chef win a James Beard award? Last night I did not see James Beard level cooking. The first thing that came to mind when I tasted the Grits was "under-seasoned". The topping was supposed to be sauteed with cider vinegar, but I got none of the bite the dish really needed to sing. Also the grits were burnt, I mean really burnt with ash on my plate. I understand charring, grill-marks etc etc but serving a grit cake with a thick coating of black is inexcusable. Overall the main dishes were underwhelming and not worth the price. We wanted to see what the pastry chef had to offer so we ordered the Donut Sundae which is supposed to be what they're famous for. The elements were really good, good donut with a fluffy crumb and crisp exterior, the vanilla gelato was smooth and studded with vanilla seeds, , peanuts perfectly roasted, great butterscotch sauce, but together the components did not become more the sum of it's parts which is the real indicator of a great ice-cream sundae. There was none of the thrill and joy of eating a sundae,(Think about when you got a Sundae as a kid...) Honestly, I think calling it a donut ala mode would be a more accurate description. Overall, Zingerman's over-promises and under delivers. It is also outrageously priced. It reminds me of the Chow neighborhood restaurants in San Francisco, but is twice the price and half as good. BUT, I will probably be back. This place has great potential, and a really nice vibe, they just need to seriously get it together in the kitchen. When you think Zingerman's you think high-quality food prepared expertly and the Roadhouse does not live up to it's name.
(3)Dante F.
The sweet potato appetizer with the skin on was horrible and left me bloated. For the main entree, I chose the turkey reuben which was absolutelly tasteless and came with yet more soggy fries.
(1)Martha R.
I have to agree 100% with Jen H. and Cd S.'s comment about it being just too expensive for what you get. It's good food. Very good. But for the price, it kinda hurts me. I almost always go to Zingerman's Roadhouse every time I come back into town. This past visit, I had to avoid the place because I am on a more limited budget these days. Who isn't? But it also hurt me when I was working full time and making decent money. Why do I go? Because they have good beer on tap, decent wine, and they always have a great selection of food options. If you're in the mood for one thing, and the people you are going to dinner with are in the mood for something else - well, you're set. I also enjoy the atmosphere - it's open and inviting and we almost always get good service. I imagine that they are going to hurt during the recession... if they'd drop their prices and keep them there, then I just might come back the next time I hit the A2 area. Otherwise, it's going to have to fall off the list of places to go when I'm in town.
(3)Jim B.
A "must" if you're in the Ann Arbor area. The wait-staff was friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive. The pulled-pork was tremendous. I especially liked the ability to order side dishes that were not the usual run-of-the-mill stuff . That is to say, I did not have to settle for fries and coleslaw. For an appetizer try the fried green tomatoes. They're grown in the Road House's own garden and canned in a pickle brine. Very unique and quite flavorful.
(4)Denise R.
Four of us went for dinner. I will summarize to save time reading. My blackened red fish was awesome and cooked to perfection!!! I had the Swiss chard and it was garlicky but excellent. My family had the buttermilk chicken and said it was the best chicken they ever had. My daughter loved their mac and cheese. the chocolate pudding was delicious and made from very good chocolate. Everyone at my table raved about their food. It was our best meal while visiting Ann Arbor. I've read some of the other reviews and it appears that the dinners are the meal of the day here. I have always trusted and will always trust Zingerman's restaurants to deliver quality food and to back it up. I once had a specialty coffee drink I didn't like ..not their fault but a matter of taste.. and they replaced it with another for no charge. I'm a raving fan!
(5)Suzanne W.
I love this place and the bread!!!
(5)NOYFB S.
Above average food but pricy, but the worst part about the Roadhouse is how the staff talks to you like you're a retard, or 4 years old! I don't understand why these people act like that. Unbelievably fake smiles on every face and insulting obsequious behavior. I wonder if you have to be dead in brain to work there?
(1)Eileen S.
Overall impression: disappointing food, tiny portions, ridiculously expensive, noisy atmosphere, slow service. My boyfriend and I tried Zingerman's Roadhouse last night for the first time. We were underwhelmed. I had no idea that tiny portions of average food could be so expensive. I have no respect for a restaurant that charges as much as they possibly can whether the food is deserving of that price or not. Such as a $3 Arnold Palmer ice tea. Really Zingerman's? You feel good making probably a 500% profit on a glass of ice tea? Is that necessary? So I'll cut to the chase: my $14.50 BBQ Pulled Chicken Sandwich was ok but very small for the price (the bun was maybe the size of a kid's meal burger) and it had a very small amount of chicken on the sandwich. There was more bread than chicken. The fries that came with the meal were really good, although oversalted. The waiter conned me into ordering a side of their mac & cheese. I didn't realize--until the bill came--that it was $9.50 for what amounted to about a 1/2 cup of penne pasta in cheese sauce. I was so shocked at the price I actually asked the waiter if he had made a mistake on the bill! My boyfriend ordered the Chicken Fried Steak which he said was ok but not the best he's had. The three sides he chose were the Mustard Cole Slaw and mashed potatoes which were very good, and rice...which looked like plain white rice to me. Then it was the usual wait for our bill, wait for him to pick up my card, wait for him to return with the final bill, etc. So for our two dinners the bill came to $48. I never mind spending that much on a good meal, but this one was so disappointing. We have no reason to go back. Oh, and I forgot to mention how loud it was in there. I absolutely hate having to shout out my dinner conversation. Ugh.
(1)Jessica R.
Saying Zingerman's Roadhouse is delicious is like saying that fire is hot. But, my goodness, is Zingerman's Roadhouse delicious. We both got the same thing--the super sampler of burgers, which gives you 5 sliders, each with different cheese, and a side of fries--and were both wowed. The meat is delicious, the cheesy melty and complementary, even the bun was tasty. The fries may have been the best I've had in my life; they're somehow more potatoey than other fries. We didn't try much else (drank water, and had only the bread-with-butter, which they automatically give you), but I get the feeling everything here would be delicious. Why 4 stars, and not the full 5? The ambiance is a little chain restauranty (think upscale Applebees or Friday's), and the prices are pretty steep.
(4)April J.
SO YUM. Everything here was truly delicious. A bit pricey but delicious. I didn't get anything fancy but the food was just plain good. Not sure if I'm willing to pay for it considering I can get delicious food elsewhere, but there were no complaints about the food itself.
(4)Andrea S.
1) Whether the restaurant, the deli, the bakery, staff is uber friendly and helpful. 2) I am a pimento cheese snob. There are few of us outside of the south, so I have to take on the burden of being the responsible one in the family. So freakin' good. 3) Brussels sprouts. How do I love thee? Let me count using the Zingerman's offering....you are just a hair short of my love for my husband 4) While everyone raves about their mac and cheese (too rich for me, but delicious) and all their meats (not a huge meat eater), their vegetarian offerings are top notch. Fish is fresh, fresh, fresh. And delicious. 5) Breads are amazing. Deli has meats and cheeses you won't see anywhere else. I could go on and on about Zingermans...worth every good thing said about them. The reason for four instead of five stars? EXPENSIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! People who would love to try the food, but have a very limited income, aren't going to be able to get more than an appetizer or salad. Wish there were some lower price, or maybe smaller portions and smaller price, items.
(4)Kristine N.
Really cute restaurant and everything is made in house which is amazing. Food was decent, drinks were decent, nothing stood out except how they make their food.
(3)Julia K.
Tie me up with Mac N Cheese & slather me with hot BBQ sauce, but only if it's from Zingerman's. I could die fat and happy if I ate here every day of the rest of my life. + Stars - The menu. It changes. Daily. What?! That's so LA! + Stars - Locals Rule! Love you team Z for caring that your produce and everything possible - that hot sauce of heavenly love included - is local, yokel and all. + Stars - The grilled cheese sammich. Oh Oh OH as the When Harry Met Sally lady would say. I am slamming my hands on the counter in the pleasure that is 7 year cheddar melted between crispy, buttery toasty good sourdough. + Stars - Decor Galore. Over 2000 salt n pepper shakers are displayed here. And the walls are painted here and there (like on the way to the loo) with fun, fanciful designs. Oh, and there's an Airstream-y trailer. I could literally live here. I would pitch my tent in the parking lot (Which they use to have a Farmer's Market once a week when it's not arctic out), get fresh in the adorable multi-stall bathroom, and eat eat eat til I explode. Zingermans, you make Michigan proud.
(5)Meggie S.
Zingerman's was fantastic! I made my way to the Roadhouse for only the second time last week, Friday around lunch. The smell of the barbecue outside is enough to make you drool, but I couldn't resist getting some of their famous macaroni and cheese. I chose the Smoked Chicken and Monterey Jack. It came out piping hot and delicious! Not bad paired with their ice tea, as well. Our service was top notch, which is usually the kicker for me. The host was friendly and our waitress was super on top of things. She saw me giving my boyfriend a gift and offered us an amazing dessert on the house for his birthday -- the doughnut sundae. Light with the perfect amount of crispy, sweet and creamy... Unbelievably delicious! It's pretty rare to find a place with great service AND food. Clearly you get what you pay for at Zingerman's. I'll definitely be back!
(5)Marie L.
Since I have family that lives blocks away from the Roadhouse, we eat there frequently. The ONLY con of this place is the wait you encounter. On a Tuesday night, at 7pm, the wait-time for a table is often over an hour. All of the dishes can be split if your goal is fiscal responsibility. If you're not concerned about cash, order different items and share. The menu changes frequently based on seasons and availability, so you never know when the item you're eying will be on the menu again. My favorites: Goat cheese enchiladas Goat cheese pasta New Mexico chicken sandwich Chili - cheese fries I have never had a bad meal here. Even when I don't feel like clogging my arteries - they have plenty of appealing (and delicious) healthy options. It's not all just for the fatties. I LOVE their emphasis on local; you'll notice, on the wall leading to the bathroom, a huge map of Michigan naming the cities and farms where their menu items come from. The waitstaff is incredibly friendly and knowledgeable. They almost always can rattle off the menu items on request and give thoughtful, intelligent opinions on food and beverage options. Speaking of beverages....they have a great selection of wines and microbrews. I could go on all day about how much I love this place! Best time to avoid a wait is during the week, between lunch and dinner (2:30-5)...
(5)Pascal M.
The only thing that would make Zingerman's Roadhouse better was if Patrick Swayze, the baddest bouncer in the world, was there to greet you at the door. BAD ATTITUDE? POW! Roundhouse kick to the mouth, followed by a throat rip!!! OK, OK OK, that got out of hand. I've dined in once, had a pretty good time. Every other time I get my food to-go from their little cable car that's outside. I love getting food to go. The service is uber friendly and they do a great job of ensuring your orders complete. What's not to love? They have a damn Macaroni and Cheese section. I typically get their BBQ Ribs, Beef, or Pork. All are very good. For sides I get their Bacon Braised Greens and Side of Mac-n-Cheese. Both are very impressive. If you pay a little extra, you can get a side of mac from their mac section. I've also had their Buttermilk fried Chicken. Feels like a Sunday atcha Grammamma's. Zingerman's is an amazing company. The Roadhouse may not be their finest hour, but they still put out great product in a great environment.
(5)levramosis H.
I'm not going to rate the food. Everyone knows the food here is good. I love the sweet potato fries and their spicy dip so much I would like to swim in them Scrooge-McDuck-diving-in-his-gold style. And let's not mention the donut sundae (and it's many other days-of-the-week variations) Really, don't mention them because I will want one right now and will agonize over which to choose. What I go to the Roadhouse for (in addition to the two things mentioned above) is a great craft cocktail and the company of the fabulous bartenders, the most amazing of which is Cris. If he had a fan club, my BF and I would join.
(5)Joyce H.
I'll have to come back and review this again - 3 stars for now! I was really excited to come here because when I think of Ann Arbor, I think of Zingerman's. It's a little different from the deli (which I love!) My company and I walked in on a busy Sunday afternoon to a table that we had reserved ahead of time. This was very convenient. This is one of my friends' favorite every-day go-to restaurants in AA. I felt right at home with the decorations (lots of maize and blue - excellent) and our private booth. Besides the Michigan decorations and the nice open kitchen, there wasn't too much else that struck me. Food: Food-wise, we were served complimentary bread & butter (pretty good) and pimento cheese with celery. This was pretty delicious! I ordered a Memphis Mac-n-cheese after hearing that their mac-n-cheese is #1 in some ranking. I knew I should have gone with either the original or the pimento - the Memphis had bacon & pulled pork BBQ which was tasty (and looked beautiful/colorful), but I found the BBQ flavor to be a little on the salty and overwhelming side. I couldn't taste much of the cheese. My friend ordered a mac-n-cheese side and I was much happier after I tasted his dish. He ordered the hamburger and his wife ordered the scallops - both looked pretty delicious! I ordered a side of roasted veggies (potatoes, carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, etc.) and this was delicious!! I ate the whole thing almost right away. I could probably eat this all the time. Finally, we had dessert. It was fried cheesecake with chili syrup. My friend joked that it looked like a giant eggroll. It was a great end to the meal - chili was a great kick, but not too mind-blowing overall. I enjoyed my company, and the service was friendly & helpful. Great experience, but perhaps I'll have some better fare next time.
(3)Adam M.
Reasons why I give it 5 stars: Highest Quality in Michigan. 7 year Aged Cheddar that you can taste. Fantastic concept, with flawless execution. Oyster bar with sweet potato fries, oh yea. Great feel. A little quirky, but always comfortable. I really like Zingey's Burger with the 7 year Aged Cheddar. Simply phenomenal, and you will be able to taste the difference in the cheese. The oysters are also fabulous, along with the draft beer selection. My picky brother calls the beef brisket the best sandwich he's had, and I enjoy it as well. Simply put: You get what you pay for. The prices are high and Zingey's delivers every time.
(5)Kyle M.
Wish I was cool enough to bash this place but my nit picker is a little rusty. All i could find was delicious food, friendly service, and a comfortable atmosphere. Tip: Sit at the chefs counter to get the full experience.
(4)Bill S.
I love this place so much. Everytime I come to Ann Arbor, I try to get in here. The food is really, truly amazing. The service is fantastic. I love that everything is fresh and mostly local. If you're looking for a great place to eat, this is it.
(5)Nikki P.
The Sweet Potato Fry Appetizer is the best thing in the whole world. Their chipotle mayo is the best. It's fair priced but they're always super busy so you have to wait for a table. Everything tastes fresh and delicious.
(4)Robert F.
I have eaten here a number of times and typically have results that are from pleased to very pleased. The prices are high, even for the quality. However, the last time I ate there I ordered the lamb goulash for $26. The overall size of the serving was on the small side. I could have handled that, but what was unacceptable was that there were only two itty-bitty, and I mean miniscule pieces of lamb in the entire goulash. It was more a thick soup with so little meat. Since I was taking a number of guests out for the meal, I wasn't comfortable sending the dish back, as it wouldn't have been comfortable for some of my guests. Besides, I shouldn't have to be put in this position. Otherwise, service was the typical well done service. Others seemed to enjoy their food.
(3)Kiery W.
Food was good, loved the poutine. Very expensive for the portions we received. We both tried the bbq and it was swimming in juices, which soaked everything else, I was okay with it but it is my husband's pet peeve to have random juices flowing all over the plate. I loved the kitschy salt and pepper shakers all over the room we were in, we even played I Spy while we waited for our food but it did seem like we waited quite a while for our food and people who ordered after us were served before us. Would try again but it would have to be for a celebration of some sort to justify the expense.
(3)Bob M.
Zingerman's Roadshow, located next to the Roadhouse, it a GREAT drive-thru food option. I always get a cup of the Roadhouse Joe. It is an excellent blend crafted by Zingerman's Coffee Company. Also on offer are amazing bagels from the Bakehouse, outstanding sandwiches, and something truly wonderful: "Show-J." It is a blend of fresh squeezed orange juice and lemonade. Sounds simple, but you must try it to believe it. Check out the Road Show. You will not regret it.
(4)Victoria K.
I wrote a review for Gandy Dancer recently due to their oysters caused me stomach pain and diarreah, cost my NYE and New Year Day as well. Then I thought of the best place for oyster in Ann Arbor - Zingerman's Roadhouse. Every year, it hosts oyster dinner for the oyster fans. I am one of the them. Every single time that I go to this restaurant, I go for the fresh oysters as starter. The team actually go all over the places in America to look for the oyster sources. They get the best and freshest in town. I LOVE how they present the plate of fresh oysters to me each time they serve. The servers would point out each oyster and tell me the name. The oyster menu also comes with very accurate descriptions on each type of oysters. This is where I picked up a lot of knowledge about oysters and their habitat because the team respect the food and its source. They also respect customers who have very good taste buds to taste the differences in each different oyster. I honestly don't remember much about having other food here but oysters are truly their specialty. This restaurant should be called The Oysters Company or Zingerman's Oyster Shack. Just kidding.
(5)Gina D.
It had been quite a while since we had been to the Roadhouse so we wanted to try it again. I had a few questions about the soups and entrees for the waiter but he was very long winded with the answers. I just quickly ordered My husband and I both ordered the house salads, with the red wine vinagrette and he had the apple cider vinagrette, and they were both yummy. He ordered the John Dory fish, and I ordered the ham and cheese stuffed Cornish Hen. Unfortunately, his fish arrived undercooked (raw) and my hen arrived overcooked (dry) with even some slightly burned parsnips and rutabagas. I think the cooks might need lessons on timing. The actual flavors of the stuffing was good. What I could eat of the veggies was good also. I also found it odd when the fish was sent back, the waiter brought the same fish served recooked instead of bringing back a new fish. Seems kind of strange to me. But I don't know much about restaurant sanitation rules. For dessert we ordered Gelato, I ordered the trio of dark chocolate, dulce de leche, and vanilla which was excellent, except I found the dark chocolate to be bitter. My husband just had a scoop of dark chocolate gelato. I also had a large cappuccino which turned out to be the largest size I have ever had in my life, and was really good. Because the fish was undercooked the desserts were on the house, which was nice.
(2)Jackie K.
I thought the food was very good and I was pleased with the service. I got a burger which was juicy but not runny or messy - GREAT. However: the waiter asked me if I wanted cheese on my burger and I agreed not knowing cheese was an extra $4 (for one piece of cheese) that was 1/3 the original cost of my burger! Oh well - I really enjoyed the food so it was worth the extra $ I just wished they would have told me about the upcharge.
(4)Sarah D.
I have never left the roadhouse disappointed. The scallops are great, they have deals every day of the week and so many different wines and well... I just love it.
(5)Sara F.
We went there for my fiance's 30th birthday. He loves BBQ, so he wanted to go to Zingerman's roadhouse. First: Our waitress was wonderful. She made him feel special without silly birthday songs or anything that would embarrass him. She gave great recommendations for wine and things to eat. Second: Everything from the bread on the table to the fried chicken macaroni and cheese was delicious. My fiance was very happy with his BBQ sampler plate. I'm sure that there are people who really know good BBQ and might be able to speak more to the flavors and cooking styles, but we enjoyed every bite.
(5)jim g.
The food IS great, but I'm writing to laud the bartenders. As with all Zingerman's employees they will do anything to be sure you are happy. Cris (I believe this is how he spells it) is a particularly skilled and knowledgeable mixologist - and a fun guy to talk to. They do have quite a selection of interesting and tasty cocktails. We're lucky to have this place in A2.
(5)Dave W.
Amazing comfort food and the best service I've ever received at a restaurant. Pricey but worth it.
(5)Jenni H.
While in my mind nothing can compare with Zingerman's sandwiches (so unbelievably yummmmmm), the roadhouse is a fun place to get a taste (pun intended) of another style of Zingerman's creations. They have a huuuge menu, which I would rate as only somewhat vegetarian friendly (at least for main dishes), but I could easily just eat appetizers and desserts here and be more than stuffed. Definitely check out their cheese flights (and try the grapes that accompany them-delicious!). And of course, pretty much every dessert on the menu is super-decadent--I would have eaten two or three if there were room in my tummy. They even have a gelato flight. This place always seems to be busy (there was a 30 minute wait for 3 even on a Sunday night), so I would definitely recommend making reservations.
(4)Thor I.
Have eaten there twice, didn't impress me. Friendly staff, ok food, but a bit boring. Very salty and few vegetables.
(3)Opinionated B.
My Friday Night 12:00am: pre-game 1:00am: jimmy johns 2:00am: beer pong 3:00am: rock out to 80's music and lady gaga 4:00am: passed out 5:00am: passed out 6:00am: passed out 7:00am: wake up to pee, then pass out 8:00am: passed out 9:00am: passed out 10:00am: passed out 11:00am: passed out 12:00pm: awake, but barely 1:00pm: awake, but starving 2:00 pm: go to zingerman's and order the bacon cheddar waffle 2:30pm: devour the bacon cheddar waffle, and all is right with the world.
(4)Nico S.
I am not an uppity white lady.... but this is unacceptable... Zingermanns roadhouse is overpriced, mediocre waitstaff, and completely unprofessional billing!!! We had to return 2 burgers to the kitchen to be recooked after the "medium" was delivered completely raw on the inside.... not acceptable when you are paying up the ^%$ for it... If its an $8 meal ok... whatevs... but at $15+tax+tip for a burger it should come out right the first time...total bill for a party of 7 = $190... WORST OF ALL: I was charged an additional $80 to my credit card for a separate purchase that I didnt even make!!!! The charge is pending, and has not been posted yet, but it still seals off any chance of me visiting again. UPDATE: The $80+ charge did not post, and the staff was friendly over the phone, when I called... Something strange though: I was transferred to the person who handles payment issues and he said that he would have to call me back because had to check the payment logs on a computer in another room, which doesnt have a phone... If the office is actually set up like that, it makes me wonder...
(1)Natalie M.
LOVE THIS PLACE!! This place has the best....everything. =D So much good food on one menu makes it really hard to choose what to get. (not complaining one bit about that!). My favorite meal is their buttermilk fried chicken. OMG SO AMAZING. Tastes like southern chicken in a MI restaurant. Also, they have a bunch of interesting soda, besides your usual Coke or Pepsi. I love their Traverse City Tart cherry soda. It's out of this world... AND WITH FREE REFILLS. The service is always fantastic. I recommend this place to anyone =)
(5)Pebbles And Bam Bam A.
Like their deli, I really want to like the Roadhouse, given that it's a local gem. But every time I eat here, I'm disappointed. During my last visit, I ordered their original mac 'n cheese. I'm a HUGE mac 'n cheese fan and was hoping my distant memory of theirs not being good was incorrect. Alas, my memory served me correctly. The cheese to noodle ratio is 3:1. The cheese itself is pretty good, but the overall sauce is oily and like glue. I brought leftovers home (don't know why....), and the dish and utensils I used now hate me - concrete, greasy sauce stuck to them that could be permanent. I'm all for cheesy, gooey goodness that provides more than the daily recommended grams of fat. But these grams of fat are not at all worth it. I also ordered a Bloody Mary (Sunday morning therapy :) Ok but not good. Their bloody mix is a bit bland, but they try to cover it with lots of ground pepper. My husband, who loves sausage and breakfast meats, was completely turned off by their sausage patties - very dry and without flavor. I don't eat oysters, but apparently their selection and quality is good. My only question is why a family-style restaurant in the Midwest is well known for their oysters-? More ironically, Zingerman's prides themselves on serving local foods, yet their oysters are flown thousands of miles (possibly every day, or at least very regularly). So the Roadhouse wouldn't be my first choice for oysters if I ate them. The upside is that the staff were great. We loved our server; very personable, friendly, and helpful. Sorry, Zingerman's. You're like the person who, on paper, should be perfect for me, yet our dates never live up to my expectations...
(2)Sean B.
GREAT service, great food.
(4)Kate B.
I'm sorry ZRH, but after years of mediocre, to downright-inedible food interspersed with a stellar meal once-in-a-blue-moon, I can no longer dine with you. Last night was the last straw: I ordered a dozen oysters, raw, on the 1/2 shell. Each oyster, while fresh, was the size of a dime, the brine enough to fill a mouses' thimble. $6 each. They were NOT freed from the shell, I had to scrape the sad little things up with a teaspoon. They were Malpeques, and should have made at least a mouthful apiece! My entree: leathery, overcooked, uninspired scallops, $28 for 6 of them. $28! You ruined beautiful shellfish by throwing them in a pan in a wad--I could tell, they came glued-together on the plate, almost raw in the cold center of the pile and bitter, leathery, and over-cooked on the edges. The spinach saute' that came with, was 1/2 cooked and gritty...gritty with sand. The igantic Krakatoa of mashed-potatoes did little to assuage my disgust (if it blunted my hunger) at the subpar cooking. Science help me, but I ate most of it - I was ravenous. Why did I do it? WHY? Every time I dine at ZRH I want to love the food, and with the prices - I feel I HAVE to love the food...it's the Emperor's New Clothes of restaurants! My husband ordered a burger and felt ill afterwards...was it the unseasoned meat or the cold, greasy, heavy fries that came with? Our other dinner guests couldn't even eat 1/3 of what they ordered it was so bad...the only edible item on the table was the fried chicken (actually, it was great hence the extra star). I've had better food at Red Lobster. It was insulting paying the bill (our server was very nice, if harried). The dining rooms were awful: full of smug, loud-mouth, ostentatious diners (lots of bratty/misbehaving children running amok without any notice from their snotty parents.) Zings: we LOVE your baked goods, retail items, and deli shop, but this restaurant has been consistently bad and is on our black list.
(1)Robyn T.
I've had Zingerman's bookmarked forever so I took the hubs for his birthday. To be expected it was packed, but i had made a reservation so we were seated right away. It's a very fun, all American atmosphere and I instantly felt comfortable. Our service was excellent but the real hero of the evening was the food. I don't think I can order fried chicken anywhere else as they will all suffer by comparison. Also, the mac and cheese is to die for! Other faves were the sweet potato fries, the ribs, and who can forget the mashed potatoes and gravy. Because it was a birthday, they brought out a piece of chocolate cake, which was fabulous! I ate so much I started getting dizzy and seeing stars, but I seriously could not stop. Although the prices aren't too outlandish, the restaurant is expensive. I'm sure we are paying for the Zingerman's name rather than the food. But this is an excellent place and I know I'll be back.
(4)Lou B.
Ordered bbq chicken sandwich from take out menu $6.85 and added sweet potato fries. She says $17.90 please. Gave her a $20 and when she returned with my change I wanted to confirm what I had ordered, she says "oh the chicken sandwich is bigger" I thought did I just order a whole chicken or something. I received my carry out, it was a bit of shredded ckicken on a round bun with a side of greasy fries. The worst chicken sandwich and side of fries I had and for $17.90. Are you kidding me? Do not give these crooks any business.
(1)Seoung L.
My friends and Yelp people rave about this place and I finally got to see what the fuss is about. We ate outside (which is covered from the sun) and it was a great eating experience. The waiter (Matt) was on top of his game. Outstanding service and great at giving recommendations. Going against what my waiter (His name is Matt and he was an outstanding waiter) told me I tried the Fried Chicken because of the great reviews. I was pretty disappointed! The breading/skin was really tasty and crispy. However, the the chicken itself was nothing special. I would actually rather have KFC to be honest. Good thing I also got the Mac and Cheese because it was outstanding. Great mix of cheeses and the pasta was al dente. We got the sweet potato fries and onion rings for appetizer. The sweet potato fries was the best I ever had. The onion rings were terrible. We also got dessert. The Donut Sundae... wow. It was very very delicious. Get it! I think the price is little bit too high for the type of food it serves. It's a casual dining place and you do not have to dress up even though the prices of the food makes you think it's high class. You should make a reservation on weekends. I will come back here again to try some ribs and other types of Mac and Cheese. Good - Mac & Cheese, Sweet Potato fries, Donut sundae, Waitstaff Bad - Fried Chicken, onion rings, Price
(4)Bo D.
Somehow, it took me until my fifth year living in Ann Arbor to finally step inside one of the Zingerman's places. I had turned back a few times in the past due to the long waiting times, but this time I had a reservation. The food was very good, to the point that I will likely be back soon. But the service...well, let's just say that next time I'm bringing a pile of exams to grade while I wait.
(4)Barnaby F.
Does Yelp need another review of the Roadhouse? Probably not. But for the benefit of my loyal followers, and in the interest of being a good patron, I will tell you a couple of things. Number One - get a seat either at the bar or in the bar area. The ghost of Bill Knapps still haunts this property, and the lighting mysteriously gets too bright and harsh in the other rooms. The bar is more fun and lively, and if you know the secret of Zingerman's (which I won't divulge here) the bar is the best place to take advantage of that. Number Two - the fried chicken really is all that. As far as I'm concerned, this is where the James Beard award came from and went to. Totally worth it. Number Three - there is no number three. Number Four - If you need a quick coffee and a little something in the morning, the drive through is awesome, but here's the trick - skip the line by actually *gasp* PARKING your car and WALKING up to the walk up window in the trailer. They will server you faster, and you will have the joy of interacting with humans and breathing air, while your engine isn't idylly idling. Number Five - they make some very good cocktails and have an excellent bar. have I mentioned the bar? Go to the bar. Number six - that scruffy lanky guy refilling your water glass probably owns the place. Tell him what you think. Number seven - the secret is out on the roadhouse - in fact it's gotten out, run around town, come home, had a nap on the sofa, and baked a pie. If you want to get in in a timely fashion, beware of things like football weekends, when everybody and his Uncle Fred is already in line. The roadhouse is one of the places I'll miss about not living in Michigan, and one of the places I'll frequently return to on short trips home.
(4)Jenn L.
I think this place is overrated and overpriced.However, I didn't get their famous sweet potato fries when I went. (I only learned afterwards that's what you're supposed to get there) Nonetheless, my parents and I got the BBQ platter, the mushroom mac n' cheese, and 6 oysters as well as some beers because they were on special. The BBQ platter was underwhelming. For it to be priced at 30$ was outrageous... it definitely wasn't worth that much in quality. The Shiitake Mushroom Macaroni was also not what I was expecting for a $20 dish. The taste was mostly white wine and a hint of mushroom. Otherwise, it was just pasta with clear sauce. Also, finally, the oysters were the tiniest oysters I have ever seen. Don't ever get oysters there. Each one was about $3 if I'm not mistaken. Definitely not worth it. So, all in all, overrated and overpriced.
(2)David K.
Over rated and overpriced
(2)Laura L.
Our family has been regulars since the Roadhouse opened in 2004, the year we got married. Who wouldn't like this place? People who are watching their diet. Look, it's not for everyone and that's okay. A place known for its barbecue, fries, enormous portions, bread, and a signature dessert that is a donut topped with ice cream and whipped cream isn't exactly courting weight watchers. I tried my first oyster here. Barbecued of course. But I'd have to say my favorites are the service, the friendliness of the staff, and did I mention the barbecue? My favorite time to eat here is actually their breakfast. Applewood smoked bacon, eggs with some melted cheddar and peppers, and some hash browns - ask for them a little well done. It's a place to indulge. Everything they do is big. Big flavor. Big enthusiasm. Big portions.
(5)Bob B.
Zingermann's is a local legend, of course. Of all their offerings (deli, bakehouse, creamery, etc.) the Roadhouse is my favorite. It's a bit on the pricey side and not all of the food is great, but when I find something I like, I usually REALLY REALLY like it. I'm a bit of a BBQ snob and I don't love Z's 'cue. I love their grits, I love their hamburgers, I love their huevos rancheros. More than anything, I love the whole experience. I've got a grade-school and a middle-school child. Along with my wife, we've been going to the Roadhouse for years and everytime --except for once--it's been a fun outing. Good service, good food (once you figure out what you like/don't like) and a fun atmosphere. What makes their food exceptional is the ingredients. They really choose their ingredients with care.
(4)Diana K.
Ah, just as good as I remembered. This is the only deli that I can justify the high costs and long wait time for... and I'm not even a deli kind of person. Heart.
(5)Robert J.
For my review of Zingerman's Roadhouse, I'm going to have to plagiarize myself, stealing from comments I made in a blog entry from November 23, 2008. That review can be found at the following URL :http://robjurado.wordpress.com/2008/11/ Just scroll down a bit to a blog entry entitled "Meat and Greet: Michael Symon, Roast, Detroit, MI." Zingerman's Roadhouse states that they serve "really good American food." I may have to disagree with that statement. I would probably have to say that they serve some really good American food, and they have some truly outstanding items as well. I have been to Zingerman's Roadhouse a number of times. One evening Ari Weinzweig himself was there pouring water for guests. Generally, it's just the same friendly staff knowingly and enthusiastically serving great food. Sure, it's a bit more expensive than the same dishes that you might find elsewhere, but it's on another level entirely. Not every restaurant has an executive chef who was nominated by the James Beard Foundation for Best Chef: Great Lakes as Alex Young was in 2009. My favorite items are generally classics that one would find elsewhere, but Alex Young and his crew elevate them to a rarefied level. I love the Chili and Cheddar Fries; their selection of oysters; the Buttermilk-Fried Free-Range Chicken; the Chicken-Fried Steak, Roadhouse Macaroni & Cheese; Macaroni, Smoked Chicken & Monterey Jack; The Peacemaker Po' Boy; Pit-Smoked Spare Ribs; the Zingerman's Creamery Gelato selections; the Bagel, Smoked Salmon & Artisan Cream Cheese (no joke, the best I've had in recent memory); the Eggs Benedict (again, no joke, the best I've had in recent memory); and the Roadhouse Corndogs--in no specific order. The two items that I can't seem to ever forget--two items I have eaten most often there--are the fried chicken and the ribs. I've even gone there and gotten a half-order of chicken and a half-rack of ribs. The chicken is made from Amish, free-range chicken. It is seasoned beautifully, but simply. It's crispy, and it's down-home. It's so tasty. Honestly, I can't stop ordering this chicken. The ribs are so tender that any attempt to pull them apart by the bone will result in the bone coming out cleanly, leaving the meat behind. The meat is succulent, tender, and beautifully flavored. They taste so good that the exemplary Alex's Red Rage BBQ sauce, which is served on the side, often goes forgotten by me. I have to make a conscious effort to remember to apportion some ribs for eating with the sauce. I think these are the best ribs I have had in the area. Another "best" that I've had at Zingerman's Roadhouse is the fantastic Chili and Cheddar Fries. These fries are topped with an ancho-beef chili, which is made with hand-cut Niman Ranch beef and black beans. The chili has this wonderful smoky flavor that sets it apart from the mediocre masses. The beef is likewise of such obvious quality that it's so hard to ignore. The fries themselves are twice-cooked, light, and just perfect. The 2-year-aged Vermont Cheddar is also the perfect compliment to the dish. I'm actually salivating as I write this. I wish Zingerman's Roadhouse had a branch closer to where I live. If it were anywhere within a twenty-minute drive, I would be there much more often. As it is, the 40- to 45-minute drive (in good conditions) from my place to Ann Arbor is a real turn-off for me. I can, however, rest assured that I'm going to be very satisfied with my meal at Zingerman's Roadhouse. When I go out there, I tend to make an afternoon of it by visiting other Zingerman's stores such as the deli, bakery, and creamery. There, I go shopping with the zeal of a shopaholic on Black Friday at an outlet mall! Addendum: You have got to try the burgers, especially the grass-fed one. Beefy nirvana.
(5)Michelle L.
This place is definitely as good as it gets, in every way possible. Amazing food, sourced locally (sometimes from their own farm), great servers, and really fun seating at the counter! I really wish that I lived closer to Ann Arbor, because I would be frequenting Zingerman's Roadhouse far more often! But I would probably get kinda fat...everything I like there is serious comfort food. So serious I need a nap immediately after eating at Zingerman's! So, let me explain this counter seating to you because I feel like I'm giving away a little secret...Make a reservation to sit at the counter (not the bar) which is right in front of where the food comes out. Your servers will tell you, if you see anything coming out of the kitchen that looks good and you want to try-just tell them and they will give you a sample! I love that! It is like having built in entertainment while eating. Plus if you can't decide between two things they will just give you a sample of the one you don't order! First off, you absolutely have to get the mac and cheese...it is unbelievable! The macaroni they use for it is so different than anything else, and the way they put it together allows the pasta to remain al dente which never happens with mac and cheese. I would also suggest the pimento cheese they make in house, either the appetizer with celery or the american fry bread (my favorite). The fry bread is a piece of their bread fried in bacon fat, spread with pimento cheese and then topped off with pepper bacon...yeah, its REALLY good! I've also tried their fried chicken and the mini burger sampler with 5 different cheeses (a really good way to try a bunch of the amazing cheese they have). I'd suggest upgrading any burger you get there to the cornman farms beef, which is their own beef that they raise naturally. It is delicious. Basically, just go to Zingermans and order anything-you will be happy! Just make sure to starve yourself before because you are about to do some serious eating!! Writing this makes me really want to go there right now...
(5)Ryanne O.
Go here rather than the bakehouse. Great food, locally grown, they even have their own farm in Dexter, Mi. Even though this is not the original it is much better and the wait isn't nearly as bad. During our visit the head chef even came up to us and gave us samples because we were on the fence on what to order.
(5)Caroline C.
I'm sorry to say, the honeymoon is over. Let's split the money, pack up our bags, ship the kids off every other weekend. After being transported to heaven and back during our first visit with the fried chicken, there simply isn't anything else on the menu that impressed us on subsequent visits. Not the burgers, not the BBQ beef, not even the plain-as-Jane mac-and-cheese. Yes, I am sure that the ingredients are just as local and just as fresh.... but Zingerman's, can't you make things taste better for what I just paid?? It's like finding out the guy you've been dating for 6 months is pretty to look at, saves puppies for a living, and gets along with your mother (super gold star!)... but has no other reedeming traits. That, unfortunately, is not enough for love. Sorry, Zingerman's, we did try to make it work, but it's not me, it's you.
(3)Beck E.
I'm not sure what the big deal is. The food is fine, not great... and not as good as I'd expect from the price. At least the waitstaff is friendly, and the ($9) mimosas are good.
(3)Mark E.
I will admit that this place is somewhat overpriced for what you get, but it is Zingerman's after all(!) Regardless, this is one of my regular places for both lunch and dinner (partly due to its proximity) and I would dearly miss it if it weren't here. Love seeing Ari there filling water glasses and giving out samples. I really like it as a place to enjoy a drink as well as they have quality versions of many classic cocktails and usually some great beers on tap. As I unfortunately say in many of these reviews, not a lot of great vegetarian options (entrees) My favorites include the New Mexico grilled chicken sandwich (which seems to disappear and reappear from the menu), burgers, smoked chicken macaroni and cheese, fried chicken, sardines (when they have as a special), the chili, meatball sandwich, sweet potato fries. As you may divine from the above list, hearty food!
(4)Benjamin M.
Automatic 5-star because you can't get iced tea this good anywhere in Ann Arbor. We go here a lot, usually for brunch because it's less expensive. The menu changes frequently, but there are a few regulars worth noting. The Grits & Bits waffle, a holy trinity of bacon, cheese and waffle, is the greatest innovation in food since, well, food. If you go here and it is on the menu, you should get it. The pulled pork sandwich is delicious, thanks to appropriate use of an actual smoker on the premises (the smell of which blankets half of west Ann Arbor). The grilled cheese is classic, but probably a touch over-priced. Given the above, I've never actually had cause to order the mac and cheese, but others swear by it. You can also order absolutely delicious hot tea, but it'll set you back $4. The associated drive-through, run out of a perma-trailer in the parking lot, adds a tasty, inexpensive and quick option and, as a bonus, offers the same delicious iced tea! Unbeatable! The best restaurant in town, then. It's a little out of the way and pricier than some of the competition, but worth the drive and cost. Unfortunately, it's not that vegetarian friendly. The omelette of the day is usually vegetarian (and tasty), as are the decent huevos rancheros. Don't get the salad. You're only hurting yourself.
(5)Jill S.
Staff is so knowledgeable about the food it will blow your mind. I was a little shy to try this place since I'm not a big meat eater, but I was pleasantly surprised by all the vegetarian options.
(5)Trevor M.
This place is awesome for a quick sandwich or pick up order. I recommend their buttermilk chicken if you want awesome moist fried chicken. Can't go wrong with any of their bread or cookies and brownies. Make sure to get in the bread club and earn yourself a free loaf after a few visits. Also their open faced meat loaf sandwich is remarkable
(4)Frances C.
To start with the good, the service and atmosphere at Roadhouse is always great. Very attentive and willing to bend over backwards to fulfill any special requests. The only problem I have is that the food underwhelms me almost everytime I go. There is not one dish (with the exception of the sweet potato fries) that I would crave. Of course, I still go now and then because I think Zingermans as a company is worth supporting and because it is convenient to my house.
(3)Matt M.
Great food! Many local and pasture raised food options. Its taken me years of hearing about this place to finally come in for a meal. Usually there is a wait to get a table so I pass this place up. We arrived at Zingermans for lunch on a Monday, were promptly seated, and had a Bells porter in front of me within 3 minutes. The decor is sort of an eclectic mix of farmhouse / BBQ joint / old lady's attic. Not very visually appealing to MY tastes, but the textured smell of smoldering hardwood and sweet cabbage was enough to make me forget about the thousands of ceramic salt and pepper shakers all over the walls. Prices are mid to high, but you get what you pay for. Every flavor of every ingredient seemed to be well thought out and married perfectly. I can't say enough about how good our food was. The few detractions are more distractions that real problems. Very often this place is too busy for me to deal with. It seems very loud when full of people. Too many different people came to our table. We were sat by the door host, drinks form another server, food order was taken by another waitress, then our 4 entrees were brought to us by two different people about 2 minutes apart. I was confused who I was supposed to ask for another drink for my mother-in-law. I'm glad that I've finally been to Zingermans Roadhouse, it really is a piece of what makes Ann Arbor what it is. I enjoy going to the Kerrytown location, but that's more for splitting a gelato and people-watching than for a meal. For those folks that are visiting the city I recommend you dropping in for lunch or dinner.
(4)Holly R.
Let's get this out of the way: You'll need to dig a little deeper in your pockets to eat at Zingerman's Roadhouse than you might at a similar eatery. But oh man, is it ever worth it. I'm a Southern Girl, from SC in fact, and I can tell you that the grits are bang on perfect. The greens are delectable, the pork bbq (regardless of sauce) is divine, and the pimento cheese may actually be some kind of spiritual revelation. The SC Mustard BBQ sauce is fantastic, even though it's a bit spicier than the versions I had growing up. I will definitely keep returning to the Roadhouse and trying more of their inspired dishes. The staff is welcoming, helpful, and usually fairly witty. My only complaint would be that inside the restaurant the noise levels can get a little too high. I prefer sitting on the patio where I can enjoy fresh air as well as the fantastic food.
(5)Tom W.
I always stop here whenever I'm in A^2. The ribs are fantastic, some of the best I have had anywhere. There is always a good selection of craft beer, and friendly service. Zingermans would be a stand out place in any city.
(5)Brian G.
I am truly amazed to see this place filled to the gunnels everyday. The service is great that is for sure, the staff is really well trained. However the food is so-so to good and the prices are OUTRAGEOUS for what you get. These are the prices you expect to pay when entertaining a business client or an intimaate romantic dinner - BUT it is NOISY, CRAMPED and full of kids and families chowing down on super-over-priced chilli or 100% overpriced burgers or barbeque pork sandwiches.
(3)Alex E.
I think that the reason people love the roadhouse is because a) we're in Michigan not near a coast so there's not great seafood and b), we're not in the south so people don't know what barbecue should taste like. Yes, the quality of the seafood is probably the best you can get in Ann Arbor since they fly it in so lickity split. It's okay. I've been three times, all three times at the expense of the College of Engineering (yay recruiting season!) - two times were full menu, the other time was just a part-menu. Last March when I went, they gave us a sweet potato soup which tasted like a dessert pudding - waaaay overboard on the marshmellow nonsense for an appetizer. I had the macaroni and cheese since I've never had it before and it's raved about and it was fine. I didn't think it was anything special until I compared it to Blue Tractor's the next day, and Zingerman's is far superior. Too heavy for my taste (and I do love cheese, so it's definitely not a question of that!) I've tried the pulled pork sandwich too, and this just kinda cemented my opinion that Michigan does not know barbecue. Still, decent for Ann Arbor. I rate on a global scale though, normalizing by price, hence the two stars.
(2)Dee C.
Went to the roadhouse even though we were really not that hungry after all the food and drinks we had today....but we are in a new town so why the hell not! We had already made reservations so that was really good because it was homecoming week and it was packed! We ordered: Roadhouse garden: organic baby greens, red onion, cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, croutons. Very good dressing. Salad was crisp and fresh. Had a cider vinaigrette dressing and that was spectacular. Warm spinach salad: fresh spinach, roasted red peppers, leeks and fennel in a brown butter vinaigrette. The dressing seemed almost nonexistent. It tasted like oil. Spinach tasted good. Onions did not have much of a flavor Spicy green tomato soup: onions, celery, tomatoes, chilies and garlic. Very good spicy soup. It was interesting. They even gave us the recipe for it! Desserts: Ari's donut sundae: a housemade Dutch donut smothered in bourbon-caramel sauce, vanilla gelato, whipped cream, Virginia peanuts with cherry on top. Great ending to the night. Warm donut with ice cream with a cherry on top. Tasted great. Service was ok. It was crowded because it was homecoming week and they were sold out of some entrees. Otherwise, I was not all that impressed so it was just 3 stars for me. Entrees were hit or miss for me.
(3)Janet L.
On a recent visit we hit the Roadhouse for what was expected to be great evening. However, we found service to be careless although the food was top notch. First, the bartender was stuck at the far end of the bar talking.....the bar wasn't packed. When served and paid, he shorted me by $10.00 in the change which was brought to his attention and responded to w a laugh. How many times in a night do people not check their change resulting in a built in tip? Second was the in attentive server who knocked a pint of water onto our table flooding 2 out of 3 guests and making our dinner a damp one. Pay attention..... Not asking a lot. Overall disappointing and stay on guard and keep and eye on the staff. Or go to one of the other great places in Ann Arbor.
(2)Nissa N.
This review is for the Roadhouse and the Roadshow. We went to the Roadhouse last spring and our experience was great in terms of service. Our server was polite and answered all our questions. This sort of friendly service is what we've come to expect at Zingerman's businesses. I ordered the Cornman Farms' Burger medium to well. Taste wise the burger was not bad but nothing spectacular either. I got a terrible stomach after it, though, something that's never happened to me after a medium well burger before, but I suppose that's the risk you take ordering anything other than well done. Hubby ordered the fried chicken, which was pretty good. Nicely crisped up on the outside as good fried chicken should be. Overall, the Roadhouse experience was a 4/5. Where they lose the other star is on service at their connected Roadshow. I stopped through here this afternoon with the intention of getting a sandwich and pastry on this very cold day and ordered a sour cream coffee cake slice and a chili cheese dog. The server who came up to the window seemed unfriendly, impatient and not very accommodating. Not something I'm used to with any of the Zingerman's businesses I've been to. He raised an eyebrow when I asked him to make sure the hotdog I was ordering was cooked thoroughly because being pregnant I didn't want to take any chances. I figured Zingerman's would be the one place I could go to for my pregnancy hotdog craving because they're so accommodating that I could ask them to reheat the meat. This server unfortunately just seemed to want to get the transaction over with as soon as possible. Well, the chili cheese hotdog (after I finally got a chance to reheat the sausage myself) was not great, but the sour cream coffee cake was quite good. Because I've generally had good service encounters at most of the Zingerman's locations, I won't be writing off the Roadshow. I'll update as necessary.
(3)T T.
I went to Zingerman's for a banquet dinner, and I have to say that I was really disappointed with the food. The meal started with an asparagus soup, which had a really strange grainy and chunky texture and was not appetizing at all. I'm usually one to finish my food, even if I don't like it very much, but I could only eat a few spoonfuls of this soup. For the entree, I had the BBQ beef. The beef had a strong, unpleasantly sweet flavor and was a little on the dry side. The mashed potatoes and greens were not bad, but they also weren't distinctive. For dessert, I had vanilla gelato, which was ok, but again, nothing special. Luckily, I didn't have to pay for the food because I'm sure it was expensive. The service, though, was extremely friendly.
(2)Meg F.
I went here for a work lunch recently and did not enjoy the atmosphere or the food. The atmosphere is like any chain restaurant (Applebee's, Chili's) - generic and loud. The tables are too close together and you feel awkward and crowded. People behind me kept bumping into my chair, and wait-staff had to plaster themselves to the table to get out of the way. If I wanted T&A in my face while I ate, I'd go to Hooters. The food is nothing to write home about. I had a half sandwich and soup, neither of which were worth the price or the wait. I think they used most of a stick of butter to grill my sandwich - I had butter running down my fingers. It was, quite frankly, gross. In my opinion, Zingerman's Roadhouse doesn't live up to its reputation.
(2)Mike D.
Mediocre food at New York prices gets this place two stars. Ordered two different kinds of fish. If I'd ordered them from a chain place and they cost $12 apiece, they still would have been terrible. At double that, I was really taken aback. The Scottish Salmon was overcooked and robbed of any flavor other than the spice rub, which tasted like oil and salt. The haddock was so over-salted that it was inedible. The sautéed spinach was also over-salted to the point of being inedible. The Chow Chow tasted like a cheap hot dog relish. Utterly uninspired. Pleasant service and the offer to comp this disgusting food is the only thing that saves this from being a 1-star review. Instead of printing that everything is "really good" on the menu, they need to focus on consistent quality. All of the above said, if you just want a burger or mac and cheese, they do those well. But actual food, not so much.
(2)E G.
If you love Zingerman's Delicatessen, you will be disappointed in Zingerman's Roadhouse on Jackson Ave. It has NOTHING of the deli's menu -- not even corned beef! I was hugely disappointed, having come from East Lansing and thinking we'd avoid the Saturday afternoon crowds at the deli. BIG mistake. They make their reuben sandwich with ham! My friend and I were both less than satisfied with what we ordered. The only thing we liked was the bread!
(1)Clara J.
Good job Zan (spelling unsure, but he was our waiter)! You killed it! So, I went there last Saturday for my birthday dinner, because even though it was my day, my mother keeps buggin' me to go there everytime she gets to town! I ordered the sweet potato fries and that sauce was amazing! Ask for an extra, cuz you'll need it! I then had Cornman Farms Wild Spinach & Wild Mushroom salad which was fine. I felt kind of like an herbivore --not the vegetarian that I am---eating it, because the spinach is in huge pieces that you have to cut yourself whether you choose your teeth or knife. For dinner I had the Cal-Fiorentina Macaroni & Cheese which was hella good. And by hella, I meant the cheese from my home state of California. We ate on the patio and the only drawback is that if you don't want your hair stinking like BBQ, well don't sit there! I felt like I had been smoked out. Oh, and there were a bunch of people with their kids sitting in the patio, which was kind of odd for a college student like me, who sees kids infrequently around campus. Okay, well then to top it off I had creme brulée which had those little dots at the base of it, which kept me wondering why every creme brulée I have ever had has had those little dots. I am intrigued and it keeps me eating creme brulée. Zan wrote HAPPY BIRTHDAY on the rim of the plate! He also ran off to figure out where the World Cup was hosted last time. We had already forgotten! That's okay, because I can tell you that Clozapine can cause agranulocytosis. Go eat!
(5)Dan N.
This may be the first (and only) time that I ever give a restaurant 4-stars, based solely on the merits of a side dish. But the mac and cheese at Zingerman's is THAT good! I had the side of smoked chicken mac and cheese and it was, by FAR, the best mac and cheese I've ever eaten. It wasn't gooey, heavy, and sticky like most "gourmet" mac and cheese--which is what I expected and why I didn't order it as my entree. Basically, it was perfect and, if you come to Zingerman's, you gotta try the mac and cheese. For my entree, I had the meatloaf (because it was the daily special). Meatloaf was always me least favorite dinner as a kid, and, apparently, things haven't changed much. The meatloaf was super dense and filling, I was hoping more for a juicy, tender version. If you do happen to get the meatloaf, mix it with the spinach side that comes with it--it is MUCH better! To summarize, come to Zingerman's and get the Mac and Cheese and DON'T get the meatloaf!
(4)Danielle S.
I'm a Zingerman's groupie, but I have to say, I'm a way bigger fan of the deli than The Roadhouse. The Roadhouse just isn't that special. It's not bad. But given the price and the Zingerman's name, I was expecting more. I've tried it twice and both times, it was just sort of average. PRO's: The service is on par with the Zingerman's name. Just like the deli, catering, and all other Zingerman's services, the customer service is fantastic. The staff are responsive and friendly. The food is also pretty good. Nothing spectacular, but just fine. CON's: This place is unjustifiably expensive, especially when it comes to the macaroni and cheese, which is what I've had both times I've gone. $22 for macaroni and cheese? Really?!? I'm not sure what could possibly make macaroni and cheese that expensive, but if there is something then The Roadhouse doesn't have that factor, at least not for me. It's good macaroni and cheese, but not anything super special. And the serving sizes were not particularly generous. It's not like you could get 2 meals out of it; it's seriously one dinner-sized portion of macaroni and cheese for $22. For some reason I just can't get over that. Maybe it's just me. I don't really remember the atmosphere, which probably means it was fine but nothing special. At the end of the day, I'd go to the deli over the Roadhouse.
(3)Marshall W.
Just felt like treating ourselves to a special Holiday dinner. We've been here once, about a year ago. Glad we made reservations! The atmosphere is fun and foodie - they tout their locally grown veggies, small local, farm raised meats and home-baked breads. She wanted a yummy drink - debated between a couple - and the waiter suggested the Hot Toddy - went over real well. The waiter was great - joked a bit, was very interested in telling us about the various specials and where all the ingredients came from.Then he showed up with a small sample of the Chilled Mulled Red Wine! She was happy :) Most of the menu initially looks like simple, homey fare - but, if you look carefully, it is a carefully selected mix of rather unusual, mostly local ingredients. We split the Shrimp and Grits ("Gulf shrimp, sauteed with bacon, andouille sausage, green peppers, green onions and white wine over Anson Mills grits"). I loved the subtle corn flavor with the bacon and shrimp - we each got 3 large shrimp. The only drawback was it tasted rather greasy. Had a side of "Roadhouse Mac & Cheese" - rather small for $7.50, barely a spoonful - but very tasty "Housemade bechamel sauce & lots of Cabot clothbound cheddar caramelized with Martelli pasta." Minor drawback is the bill - $50, with tip. But, would definitely come back again - really wanted to try the other adventurous menu items.
(4)Lisa P.
A must do for any foodie in Ann Arbor area! The sandwiches are great for lunches and tailgating. The deli has an awesome selection of breads, cheeses and specialty items. It's definitely well worth stopping in to pick up something unique and wonderful! Sometimes there is a wait. But the line moves pretty quickly.
(5)Angela B.
Great service. Awesome root beer from the tap. Food very good.
(4)Sarah P.
This is just a great place to eat. Make a reservation, be patient when it is busy and you don't get your table right on the minute, and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere. The wine, beer, mixed drink offerings are extensive (absinthe + champagne anyone?). The service is always top-notch. The food is too. The bbq is great any which way you order it. They will often offer samples if you can't make up your mind. The grilled carolina grits are the best vegetarian offering on the menu--the corn/cheese/green onion topping pairs really well with the texture and taste of the grits (these grits are grilled and are in a cake-like form, not mushy). For a once in awhile caloric splurge the goat cheese mac and cheese is absolutely amazing.
(5)John S.
Food is way over priced. Macaroni and cheese for $18, and you get a little bowl? $2 corn dogs that are the size of my pinky? I had the pork BBQ and it was a tiny portion for $18. The food is all way overpriced. It's good, but not worth the money charged. Our service was really off too. We ordered a donut sundae and it apparently takes 30 minutes for them to cook the donut. Our waiter failed to mention that, so we waited, and waited... Our booth was near a larger party and they had moved the tables so that every time someone wanted to walk past, they had to wait for anyone else walking past. Major congestion and a lot of butts aimed our way. Nice. I wouldn't go back to this place. I don't understand the hype.
(2)Reed N.
Dropped in for a burger and left with a smile. Amazing bar service from Jami (you should ask for her) and killer food. The frites (fries) were amazing. Double fried. Rustic. Seasoned. Oh. My. God. Neighboring diners let me try several of the sweet potato fries, and those large rustic chunky strips of goodness are among the best ever. Ever. Period. Then the amazing Jami brought me a sampling of the pimiento cheese, which she observed me drooling over on a neighbors burger. Delicious... and also used in a Mac and Cheese creation. God help me. Then there was my burger. Lean but tender. And Maytag blue cheese. Nothing else. Nothing needed. Delicious, but I was wishing for more fat in the meat. Yep. I said more fat. Finally, more blue cheese in the form of homemade dressing on a mixed green salad with julienne vegetables and dreamy sun dried tomatoes from their farm in Dexter MI. Run on sentence? Sorry... I am that impressed.
(5)David O.
I was surprised to find Zingermans to be mostly average overall. I kept hoping to find something about it that just blew me away but in the end it was just okay. The restaurant itself has quite a bit of charm, and the service and portions were both good. I certainly didn't regret my visit, but afterwards I couldn't think of anything that made me want to run back.
(3)Matthew S.
This was my first time eating at The Roadhouse, and I walked away with a wonderful first impression. I ordered the BBQ pulled-pork sandwich with the "Red Rage" sauce and it was the most delicious barbecue that I can remember having. I tried some of my sister's fried chicken and mac & cheese combo, which turned out to be amazing. The food came quickly and the staff was very friendly, especially our waitress Margret, who gave us a free dessert to congratulate us on the event that we went out to eat in order to celebrate it the first place! Everything about my experience at The Roadhouse was so perfect that I brought my Yelp account back to life in order to post my first review. If you're anywhere near Ann Arbor and you're looking for a unique place to eat, I couldn't recommend this place enough.
(5)Margaret V.
I don't know what is better about Zingerman's... the food or the service! I've been here a few times, and am just now "yelping" about it.... Zingermans Roadhouse serves breakfast/brunch, lunch and dinner and has something for everyone (vegetarians/meat lovers/sandwiches/salads, etc). Chef Alex has been nominated for several James Beard awards and the Food Network declared it had the best comfort food a few years ago. It is very pricey, but the food is of an extremely high quality and is often organic. The last time I visited, I had breakfast and ended up ordering a chai tea, two eggs, bacon, and sourdough toast. The chai was delicious. Not too spicy with cinnamon/cloves... I do recommend the coffee as well. I consider myself a coffee snob and it is excellent!The eggs were cooked per request of over medium. The sourdough test was home made, slighly buttered and excellent. I had my choice of either blueberry or sour cherry American Spoon (a Michigan comppany) preserves. The blueberry was great! The only downside was the baon... Zingermans LOVES their bacon (they host bacon themed meals and have written books about bacon), but this time it was over cooked. I like it crispy, but this was overdone. The smokey flavor was great, but way too done. I only ate two of the three pieces. Zingermans is an Ann Arbor tradition. Ari and Paul (the owners) do quite a bit for the Ann Arbor community. Great place to eat!
(4)Scott F.
I have been here twice in the past month. They have a rotation of Michigan craft beers. Foods eaten in my group includes the country fried steak, macaroni and cheese with buttermilk fried chicken, burger with aged cheddar, poutine, and pulled chicken sandwich. All items were great. I look forward to my next visit.
(5)Will M.
My kids and I were looking forward to a lunch out and though Zingerman's roadhouse would do the trick. Boy were we wrong. The 10 to 20 min wait tuned out to be more like 30min. The hostest seated her friend before us after a 5 min wait for a table with the same number of people. Then ordering also took forever, no kids menus we have to print more. After ordering again a long wait. Kids were complaining, no fun. When the food finally came, we couldn't believe how small the kids portions were! A teeny burger and a few fries, three tiny pancakes! And my fries were cold to boot! After an hour and a half my kids were still hungry and I took them somewhere else. Not going back again!
(2)Tracey H.
I LOVE this place, trendy, fun and yummy, a bit over priced for a Deli, but hey you get what you pay for! Great quality food!
(5)Celeste D.
My favorite restaurant in Ann Arbor. I go whenever I can. Maybe it's the nod to Carolina cooking, could be the atmosphere. Or the 30+ bourbons at the bar - that doesn't hurt. In any event, love this place.
(5)Tom G.
We were disappointed. Nothing we ordered was outstanding. The mac and cheese was actually bad- sort of a weird taste that we couldnt stand. Spare ribs were good but over-priced.
(2)Tom B.
Service was good. Pork BBQ was a bit fatty. Mac and cheese was good. I thought the prices were high compared to other restaurants. Make a reservation to avoid a 30-45 minute wait!
(3)Antony H.
Enjoyed the bar experience with an attentive barman who even gave a soda to my 4 year old daughter sitting next to me. Waited less than 5 minutes even though it was packed and the food selection provided light and heavy fare. Can't wait to return!
(5)AloisSchicklgruber H.
Ridiculously overrated and overpriced. But tourists don't know better and Affluent Ann Arborites don't mind. Not as ridiculously overpriced as their bakery place though. You won't see the regular customers of those establishments across the road (McDonald's, Taco Bell, etc.) come here very often.
(2)Andres M.
This place is very good. I had a bbq beef sandwich with the fries! It's very tender beef with some delicious fries. Born and raised in Texas and this is the most authentic bbq I've had in a different state. Nicole was great server and I'm satisfied with the wonderful service I've received from her! The only con is the food is a really small portion for the price but that's easy to overcome due to how delicious the food was! Will come here again when I come back to Michigan to visit!
(5)Gary V.
Excellent restaurant in AA. I 've been here several times and have never been disappointed. Favorites include the Mac n Cheese and Buttermilk-Fried Chicken. Try to get a seat at the counter facing the kitchen that is just past the hostess stand. Pretty awesome watching the fire and the cooks prepare food.
(4)Albert T.
This is one of the best dining experiences in all of Ann Arbor. The servers are always very well trained and provide excellent service. The secret here to is refrain from ordering large dishes and to instead order a variety of different options. Despite this, I nearly always end up ordering the Fried Chicken Mac & Cheese. I will also say that nearly everything on tap is great and somehow having it here at Zingerman's Roadhouse only makes it better. This is also where I believe they serve the best Tom Collins in Ann Arbor.
(5)Catie F.
This place has PLENTY of reviews, so I'll skip to the important parts: 1) You get free donut holes (warm, fresh) when you sit down. You also get a basket of free, fresh Zingerman's bread. 2) The portions of most of the sandwiches and meals are pretty big. The portions of the mac and cheese, however, are relatively small. I don't recommend subbing the mac and cheese as a side (or paying for a side of it at all) unless you want to pay $7 for about three bites' worth. It's good, but it's not THAT good. 3) As everyone has said, the sweet potato fries ARE amazing. Try really hard to pace yourself because the other food is good, too. I was particularly pleasantly surprised by the Dexter Reuben. So yummy and very different from any other reuben I've ever had. Definitely worth trying. 4) We didn't have room to try the desserts, but I can't wait to come back and have them. Fresh donut sundae? Yes, please. Overall the service was fantastic - they took care of our big party quickly and happily. They dealt with our grouchy, hungry, hungover party with a sense of humor and plenty of attention. They were great about refills, questions, condiments, and to-go containers. Everyone from the host staff to the bussers and waiters were great. It's definitely the Zingerman's Deli hospitality translated to a restaurant setting. Not the healthiest place on the planet, but a great go-to when you need to feed your hangover hunger or any time you want to enjoy just really good food. Comfortable and comforting.
(4)Matthee H.
Despite my loving of the regular zingermans deli, I have had an unpleasant experience at the roadhouse. The food is below average and the service is decent. Like all of the zingermans the food is extremely overpriced. Despite specifications made to my order while ordering there was still not any thing that I specified on the food. I ordered a side of bacon that didn't come until I finished and I asked the waitress multiple times. Despite ordering plain macronni and cheese there was some odd black substance inside of the dish. Considering I came from out of town and heard so many good things, this definitely did not live up to the hype AT ALL.
(3)Rye W.
Amazing experience for brunch!! We had the cinnamon roll (devoured in about 60 seconds), malted waffle, corned beef hash and biscuits. I am from the south and take my biscuits seriously and these were the best restaurant biscuits I have ever eaten. The hash was amazing and the customer service was impeccable. We lucked out with a seat at the bar so we didn't have to wait for a table. I would definitely try everything on the menu here and can't wait to go back!
(5)Candice G.
Patrick Swayze. moving on... I got the cold brew coffee as my beverage about 40 hours ago... still going strong. Now I just need to know how quickly I can get more delivered to my house. Zingerman's Roadhouse was our second option after our first vegan tamale venue turned out to be closed on Sundays. No bigs, as Zingerman's is just about the best 'second choice' anyone can have. I've had and been to Zingerman's deli over a dozen times but had yet to put the Roadhouse to the test. Unfortunately, I wasn't feeling super hungry, and knowing the normal monster sized portions that Zingerman's serves, I played it safe and got a small sampling of oysters from their 'flown in fresh' daily oyster menu. I ended up getting 4 different kinds, 3 straight raw and 1 BBQ... but to be honest, there was only one that liked, but still didn't love. My boo went with the caramel gelato milkshake and the black bean burger with fries... which are apparently unlimited... so it's not a bad deal if you're a fry-monger like myself. The gelato shake was unbelievable. My guy literally had to pry the straw out of mouth. I couldn't stop myself. And though my guy enjoyed the burger, he thought it was on the dryer side, but the 3 bites I had were super creamy from the avocado topping... I must've gotten all the good stuff on my side. It was hard to skip out on ordering the donut sundae for dessert, but we wanted to try and squish a few more sites into our Ann Arbor getaway before it was time to take the trek back to the Chi-Burbs. The service was perfect and on point and the patio setting on the most gorgeous 80-something degree day, after a series of 100+ ones, made it feel like heaven. For a late breakfast/early brunch, it was pricy for how I felt about the food overall, but I understand it's a brand thing and they don't want to cheapen it. Overall, the experience was really enjoyable and it's a place I'd try again for brunch (for real this time), but for lunch or dinner I'd prefer to drive a few miles over and stand in line for the regular Zingerman's faves. Either way, I hope they'll have a fresh glass of cold-brew coffee waiting for me.
(4)John H.
ZR felt like going to a steakhouse (I think the building was a Bill Knapp's in days gone by). But, once inside, there was the Zingerman's touch, exhibited in things like an offer to sample the chili before actually ordering a bowl . My dining companion enjoyed said chili with a plate of gluten-free fries, while my fries came alongside a redfish poboy, and a glass of Short's Huma-Lupa-Licious IPA (silly name, good beer).
(4)Kimberly B.
First time eating here...I drive by it once a week and I'm so glad I gave it a shot. I love this place so much. Everything about it perfect. The food is great, the atmosphere is great, the waitstaff is great. I would eat here everyday if it was closer to me. I love the smoked meat salad. At first I was like "$16 for a salad?!" but I would pay $30 for it. Also it's huge and I took half of it home. The jams and bread in the beginning are great also. Our waitress entertained my out of control toddlers for half the time we were there and was so sweet. A+ - Can't wait to try the brunch next!
(5)Jerry R.
Zingermans has an addictive, soul satisfying BBQ. Their BBQ is home cooked and one of the best in Ann Arbor/Detroit area. I enjoyed this place so much I had to stop by the next time I was in town. After eating there once your taste buds will be Zinged into coming back. Ribs are absolutely fall off the bone delicious. The BBQ sauce they use is sweet yet with a tangy twist. I substituted the mashed potatoes with the sweet potato fries. My oh my what a delight. A must try when you go. They are hand cut and very thick. You won't be disappointed. I also ordered the Nola BBQ Shrimp. I enjoyed it very much. To me it had the right amount of spice. My friend that ate with me thought it was too spicy. There is a lot on the menu to choose from. Several different varieties of Mac & Cheese which is also home made. I was told they were very good too. My friend was allowed to have two different types by splitting them on one order. Several types of steak and seafood as well. I was told the steak was average when compared to other places. Steak is on the pricy side for just being average. Very great atmosphere. Service was excellent both times I went. The beer selection is ok. They have only micro brews on tap. A nice selection, just wish they had more choices on tap. They also have a decent selection of wine. Nice place to eat with friends or take a client to dinner. Can be on the loud side at times. A very nice casual atmosphere overall where you can go dressed up or casual and not feel out of place. Call ahead to get reservations. If not plan on waiting. There was a 10 min wait on a Mon and 25 min wait on a Thurs. Definitely worth the wait though. A definite must visit if you are in town or traveling through. Right near I94 which is an added bonus. If going the Mac & Cheese, Ribs (half rack is plenty filling), and sweet potato fries are a must try.
(4)R. L.
I wouldn't come back for food because I'm a vegetarian (they do have a veggie burger! and delicious mac n' cheese) and the place smells pungently of meat... but I just had to finally experience zingerman's and see what all the hullabaloo was about..The atmosphere is really relaxing, especially in the partially outdoor seating. We went on a Saturday for lunch and had no wait. My boyfriend had a chicken sandwich that was dry, and our friend got the shrimp po'boy- yummy but too much bread. It was nice to just sit and not be rushed. Sweet potato fries are soo good. The only real bother was how our waitress was really mistaken when it came to the beer. The first order was correct, but for the second round she brought us two totally different beers and proceeded to tell us that they were right and that she brought us the wrong ones the first time. She was very defensive and clearly didn't know what she was talking about. The third round was all wrong too. I've never encountered a waitress who was so argumentative and actually kind of offensive with how she spoke to us. Off-putting. We were only asking for the same beers each time (how is that complicated?) but were obviously always brought something different.. Very annoying. The emergency feminine products in the ladies room is sucha' nice/smart idea.
(3)Carolina R.
really good food here. the bread is amazing. I had the kale, Parmesan salad with pine nuts and lemon dressing. excellent! and shared the mac and cheese with bacon. no rom for dessert. great service too! a bit pricy. that's my only complaint.
(4)Michael L.
I love Yelp because when I'm traveling, it enables me to find places like this! So, we flew to Detroit and drove into Indiana for my cousin's wedding and my wife and I were hungry. After eating dinner here at Zingerman's, we revised our travel plans so we could have breakfast here on the way back. What a great place! On the outside, it has faintly the "log cabin" feel of a ride in FrontierLand. Inside, you're greeted by friendly staff with great senses of humor and shown to a table that's sure to be underneath a display of multifarious salt and pepper shakers of every imaginable shape. Nat King Cole or June Christy or something of that ilk will be playing in the background. The huge menu (which is reprinted three times a day depending on what has just come in from local farms!) will have dozens of things to tantalize you. I can't begin to list them all. I only wish I lived in Ann Arbor so I could go back again and again and try them all. Good people of Ann Arbor, you have not excuse for not eating here often! If you come for breakfast, don't fail to try the Biscuits with Chocolate Bacon Gravy. OMG! Sinfully decadent, chocolaty salty savory goodness. Also, be sure to get a housemade, freshly fried doughnut: like no doughnut you've ever had, crispy on the outside, sprinkled with brown sugar instead of glazed, piping hot and soft inside. If you come for lunch or dinner: I had the Fried Green Tomatoes and they were rich with flavor. I also had a ham and pear salad. I'd love to have tried one of their creative mac and cheese dishes or some of their on-site-smoked barbecue. My wife had the Pulled BBQ Chicken Sandwich. Everything was delicious. As we left, my wife said, "You know, babe, when we were talking about good places to move to from the Bay Area, Ann Arbor was one of those places..."
(5)Claire L.
Okay, Zingerman's is basically where Jesus would pick to go for a meal. That's established. With that being said, my personal favorite is the fried chicken mac & cheese. It's exactly what it sounds like- their famous fried chicken, chopped up and mixed into their famous macaroni and cheese, to be enjoyed with a hearty dose of oh-God-how-did-I-eat-all-that. Outstanding. Their iced tea is also pretty freaking great- it's not just plain tea, it's got a hint of Earl Grey or something else delightful. My dining companions loved the mustard coleslaw, the pulled pork sliders, and the omelet (not sure if there's more than one). Even the free bread is fantastic- a delicious crusty rye. Good beer selection, a zillion cheeses, the environment of a deli meets diner meets quaint little organic eatery- Zingerman's is life. It's a symbol of Ann Arbor. Expect to see college students, Michigan pride, and possibly even Jesus. It's that good. (Edit: Wonderful service as well. Thanks to Amy R. for taking care of us!)
(5)James R.
My favorite place in ann arbor to eat. Bar none. The mac and cheese dishes are all amazing, specifically the fried chicken mac and cheese... The brunch dishes are the best I've ever had, and the bread they bring you when you sit down is the best plain bread I've ever eaten. It's more expensive than some other options, but that's the price you pay for competent waitstaff delivering quality food.
(5)Jadranka H.
Visited this Restaurant about a couple of months ago and it was absolutely wonderful all around. However, when I had dinner there a couple of nights ago, it was an absolute disappointment. We were seated in a corner booth which was away from all the Friday night crowd, the down side to it was there were flies zooming all over the window which then made their way to our table. It did take a while for our drinks to arrive, our food was delayed for whatever reason, tables that were seated after us got their food in a timely manner. Finally our entrees arrived and the fries were greasy and soggy, completely tasteless and my Mac & cheese was pan burn which left a burnt taste in the cheese sauce. I couldn't eat it so I sent it back to which I noticed a manager was the expediter, how can you even send burnt out food to the table. Well like I mentioned earlier about those flies, they started to visit our table. One fly was literally stuck to my beverage glass which I slowly killed it with a napkin and gave it to the server to pass this disgusting bug problem. Will I be back, probably not, the food and service was not up to my expectations, it's too bad because the other 4 people that I was with was hoping for a pleasant memorable experience. They were quite surprise with the big name as Zingerman's they have let their popularity get to their head.
(2)Marisa B.
Cutting right to the chase, we spent way too much on super small portions of food. My macaroni & cheese and salad combo was an especially bad deal at $12 with barely any food on the plate. Some of the food was alright, like the barbecue beef and the greens. Mostly it was very bland and poorly prepared though, especially my lukewarm macaroni and cheese. If I am going to pay this much for so little food, it all better taste great. The only reason I am giving this place 2 stars is because everyone was very hospitable, but good service can only make up for so much.
(2)Layne S.
The Roadhouse is one of my favorite places to have dinner, from birthdays to more relaxed evenings. Last night is a prime example, had the chance to sit out on the patio on a fine summer evening and had excellent service from entry to exit. Our server, Derrick, was kind, attentive (but not overly so), and made the dining experience quite lovely. And there's the food. The burger I had last night was top notch, evenly cooked medium rare. The bacon was perfectly crunchy and the blue cheese unctuous and delicious. Their iced tea has a touch of bergamot that is wonderful. We split a strawberry shortcake and while simple, each component was well cared for. I'll be moving away from Ann Arbor soon, and will look forward to my next chance to come home and dine here.
(5)Melissa W.
Hands down the best mac & cheese I've ever had. Order the Roadhouse Mac and add pit chicken with a side of red BBQ sauce. I've been to this place numerous times and can never order anything else because the mac & cheese is that good. However, their menu is quite extensive. Make a reservation as wait times are often super long.
(5)Cynthia C.
I want to like the Roadhouse, but the food there is just too uneven. Had lunch there yesterday. My goat cheese tart turned out to be a little hard cube of cheese--mixed with something and overly ripe--plopped on a pile of undressed greens surrounded by 4 mounds of (tasty) roasted tomatoes. It was pretty wretched, made palatable only by the tomatoes. My lunch companion had barbecued pork with a couple of sides. I don't know how it tasted--I didn't ask--but the portions were small (we're both small people so not looking for super-sizing, just reasonable) and also plopped down on the plate without any attempt at making it look good. It looked, in fact, like a plate of food at a sub-prime nursing home. I had Huevos Rancheros at ZR 2Xs in 2014. The first time, on a crowded Saturday morning, they were the best I've ever eaten. The second time, on a crowded Sunday at 1 PM, they were dreadful. As was some of the other food on that Sunday. I am a big fan of Zingermans and the founders and their care for their employees, etc. But the Roadhouse--based on my experiences, I just can't get behind it.
(2)Josh W.
This is a Zingerman's establishment, so many of you will know what to expect. Decent food that's a little pricey. The service staff were friendly and recommended the barbecue, as that's what they said the Roadhouse is known for. I came with my girlfriend on a Thursday night so we were in luck because they had a special bbq combo that came with chicken, pulled pork, and beef. It was okay, though nothing incredible. The pulled pork was served dry, which seemed a bit unusual considering that we didn't get any sauces at the table. The beef had the tomato bbq sauce on it which was decent, but a bit too sweet for my taste. Overall, it was decent barbecue, but nothing particularly special. I will say that we ordered one of their cocktails that was delicious. I would go back, but I'm not crazy about the place.
(3)Richard M.
Zingerman's Roadhouse features classic American cuisine, served with good old Midwestern charm. Service here is always super friendly, almost too friendly! Gastronomically, Zingerman's hits on a lot of great notes, especially, the way they celebrate primarily American produce and products. Most dishes featured on the menu are populist soul food numbers, from hamburgers with fries or onion rings (all you can eat, not that I've ever asked for more!), to mac and cheese, B.B.Q. ribs, grits, Cajun influences, and everything Americana in between. They have an outstanding wine list brilliantly sourced from every major wine region in the country. Beer list is also out-of-this-world, with not only many Michigan micro beers, but, micros from pretty much every major State. The all-American cheese selection is impressive, too. This is not your average roadhouse - it is one of the best and most refined in the country. Definitely worth getting off the I-94 for a gastro pit stop.
(4)Amy C.
"You're like a kid in a candy store." Salt and pepper shakers collection Long bar and list of blue plate specials Cute metal trailer for goodness to go Eye "Candy" Cakey Donut Toasted sugar crumbles Bottomless cup of Coffee Waffles with grits and cheddar cheese Undercooked Bacon bits sprinkles Cool Michigan maple syrup drizzles Carb "Candy" Bite from a hot, moist drumstick Crispy, greasy, peppery, Chicken skin Forkful of buttery potato chunks Dipped into rich brown gravy Taste of mustardy coleslaw Vicarious "Candy" Toasted Bagel Cream cheese, lox, capers, onion slivers Request for a non-seasonal tomato Graciously given sun dried ones D and E Up for Zingerman's Roadhouse brunch 9:30am on a Saturday Sweet "Candy" 3/12
(4)Brad C.
Had breakfast as a group of 8. The service was extremely slow and inattentive. Coffee was fantastic as well as the side orders of cheese. The meals were expensive and the serving size was too small. The actual food was good. After hearing such good things I had high expectations for Zingerman's and was unfortunately disappointed.
(2)Abi J.
Wow! Had a great meal here for a birthday celebration. This review is actually more of a 4.5 First things I liked was that they have joined the online reservation program, Opentable. Super convenient, was emailed a confirmation- love that- mainly because I hate calling and being put on hold for 20 minutes. Ordered the sweet potato fries as an appetizer- They were so good! Crunchy, with a really nice dipping sauce- spicy, which was a nice surprise. I ordered the pimento mac and cheese. I was basically in mac and cheese heaven. It was actually too rich to eat in one sitting but was SO good the next day. The bacon in the mac and cheese was delicious. Other people ordered the salisbury steak and the slider sampler. Both very good. Service was okay. Our server was friendly but we did have to ask a few times for more sauces and it look a really long time for her to return. Granted it was a Saturday night, but still. The fries were not as interesting without the sauce!! Anyway, I will be back! SOOOO GOOD! Sidenote: do not come here with tight pants or intentions for maintaining a diet. You will fail on both accounts.
(4)Steve X.
Open on Christmas Eve, my brother & I with our counterparts were happy to find a place with good beers on tap & even wound up getting some potato bacon soup. Everything was delicious & our bartender Amos was quick to offer more bread and another round. All together a great experience & would love to come back with a larger appetite.
(4)Al D.
I love this place. I'm a Zingerman's groupie to begin with so I was quite pleased with the change up that Zingerman's Roadhouse brought to the menu. I'm use to the deli which has great sandwiches and such but the Roadhouse has everything you're looking for in a great Dinner/nice Lunch menu. The food was wonderful and so was the service. Never waited long when we had to put our name on the list. I've also bought to go food from their air stream and service is quick and kind there as well.
(5)John M.
Service is impeccable. Quality is great. I've never had an issue at any of the Zingerman's locations. If you're traveling this place is a MUST visit!
(5)David K.
I went to Zingerman's Roadhouse a couple months ago and had a pretty good experience. I was torn between the fried chicken with a side of macaroni vs the macaroni with fried chicken in it. I went with the latter. Kinda wish I got the former, because it was pretty one note. However, it was pretty damn good. For desert, I ordered the donut with ice cream, which was bonkers awesome (is that a phrase?). The place isn't terribly cheap - I think I spent around $25 including tip. I ate with three other people, and everyone really enjoyed their meals. Service was good, atmosphere was good. I plan on going back to try other things on the menu. If you're in the Ann Arbor area and looking comfort food that's gonna cost you a handful of bucks, Zingerman's roadhouse is definitely worth checking out.
(4)Tina R.
My husband and I love Zingerman's and were going to be passing through, so we thought we would stop. So I called and asked if they had call ahead seating. The lady said they did not. However, when we pulled in to check the wait the sign said reservations call the number. What is the difference? I told the lady we were over an hour away and had plenty of time. The food is good, but not an hour wait good.
(3)Ryan B.
Yea, it's good. But is it as good as the price. Short answer: No. Yes, the Pimento Cheese Mac & Cheese (w/ Bacon) was delicious and filling, but it was served in a soup bowl sided dish for $18.50. If it was $10, I'd say it was 4 stars. At double the cost, I'd say not worth it. Also, the Deli has more options for tastings and things to sample for the $13 sandwich you're paying for. The roadhouse does not offer an equivalent. So no, I won't be returning. I'll stick to the Deli.
(3)Kevin P.
I get it, it's Zingerman's it's either the best place in the world or the most overrated and overhyped place in town. Sure, I don't think the deli is quite worth it's weight in gold but the sweet potato fries with chipotle mayo and the roadhouse definitely are. Other highlights include the pimiento cheese, the barbecue entrees, burgers, and mac & cheese. I'll admit to having a couple misses over the years (crab cakes were minuscule and the fish stew was just okay) but the number of times I've left feeling completely satisfied far outweighs these few instances. My understanding is that much of the food including the meat comes from the chef's locally owned and run farm and the menu changes based on the seasons. Service is usually pretty good and the atmosphere is uniquely casual (although the prices are not...). I prefer coming for lunch if I have the option and am the one buying as prices are lower but the quality is still there. Honestly, it's probably one of my favorite restaurants. I guess I fall on the fanboi side of the spectrum with this one.
(5)Carlito M.
It's very refreshing to eat fantastic fare and experience exceptional service. Definitely a must visit in Ann Arbor
(5)Rebecca C.
Delicious! Got there at 5pm and beat the rush. Got the poutine gravy was delicious. Carbonara Mac and cheese delicious real pieces of lardon. Donut sundae delicious scratch made donut vanilla bean gelato #yum
(5)Nijole T.
If it wasn't for the high prices I would have given Zingerman's 5 stars no doubt. Being a place one HAS to try in Ann Arbour seeing they own half the town from bakeries to delis, cheese and ice cream places, Zingermans is everywhere! Having been to all of their stores and knowing the prices I figured here I would get to try all they offer in one place. For starters the breead basket and their butter was excellent! Fresh, crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside and the butter slightly salty and just the right temperature. I would have liked more of a variety than just sourdough and a dark loaf, but both were top notch nonetheless. I got the New Mexico Black Bean and Hominey Burger, Spiced with roasted garlic, red peppers and onion. It's served with avocado salad, fire-roasted New Mexico green chilies, lettuce, onion and pickles, on a Bakehouse onion roll. and fresh spinach sauteed with 2 yr. Vermont cheddar, wild local mushrooms, roasted Cornman Farms' roasted red peppers, leeks and fennel in a brown butter vinaigrette. Well needless to say that tasted as good as it sounds! The roll could have been crunchy, it was pretty soft and mushy. I asked for the housemade spicy ketchup and honey mustard and both were the best condiments i have ever had! My husband got the Pimento Bacon Macaroni with Martelli pasta caramelized with applewood smoked bacon and our housemade Southern pimento cheese A tiny portion at $20, he liked it but it was overpriced. My son got the kids burger and fries and we couldn't help but laugh when we saw his face fall when he got it and exclaimed "ridiculous" They serve a mini burger sampler for $20 and for his $6 burger they gave him one of those. He was so hungry we had to make him something to eat at home, the meat was raw and I've never seen a burger that small in my life. For dessert we got the famous Ari's Donut Sundae A housemade Dutch donut smothered in bourbon-caramel sauce, vanilla gelato, whipped cream and a cherry in the chocolate version with roasted peanuts, chocolate bar slices, chocolate sauce and chocolate gelato. I was dissapointed again how small it was for $10, the donut was not sweet at all and hard, the chocolate and peanuts however very good and from having the ice cream at their creamery I knew that would be amazing and it was. In all a great dinner, but alot of money spent for 2 burger, mac n cheese salad and dessert. The products are all made in house from bread, cheese, really EVERYTHING so it is worth the try, just know you will be spending about $100 for dinner.
(4)Russell R.
I don't have much to add in words that others haven't said, so I'm just going to add my stars to pull the rating up. Actually, my girlfriend apparently liked my description of this place as "country chic", so do with that what you will.
(5)Gretchen B.
Zingerman's Roadhouse is over priced and mediocre! I had the Salmon cooked on the wood fire grill...the Salmon had no grill marks and tasted bland, the mashed potato were bland tasting, but the spinach was good! That's not good when spending $30 and the only thing you can say the spinach is good! Maybe I could show the chef how to cook salmon properly! My husband had the fish and chips...$27.00, the french fries were soggy and the fish was just okay, certainly not worth the high price tag! The Donut Sundae and Brownie Sundae....mediocre! Not impressed with this eatery and will not return!
(1)Nancy K.
When we moved to Ann Arbor anyone we met from anywhere else would say how jealous they were of Zingerman's. But they meant the place in Kerry Town with the best sandwiches on the planet. Unless they talk about mac 'n cheese. Then they mean this cute spot on the west side (Jackson/Maple/Stadium in Westgate Plaza). We were slow to try this spot but at some point our first summer in the house we got take out twice. I really like the takeout system here. It might be because I don't have to get out of my car. It might be because it's so swift and efficient. It might be because they sometimes hand you a free cookie. I think it's a mix of everything. K and I have also eaten inside twice. I've never been moved to write a review because I'm so conflicted about this place. It's known for the mac 'n cheese entrees but, to be honest, they aren't as great as everyone says. At least not in my opinion. And there's way too much. It's mac 'n cheese. You don't need a lot to fill you up. I've experimented with a few other dishes on the menu and I've found them to be okay. Last night, after about four days of everyone in our house saying we wanted BBQ, K suggested we get it from here because it's close, doesn't require the nonsense of getting it from downtown (parking, etc) and is supposed to be really, really good. N and I agreed. She got a half slab of spareribs and K and I split a BBQ plate that had chicken, brisket, ribs, mashed potatoes, and greens. We got a side of roasted veggies and two sides of mac 'n cheese because, you know, as a side it's great and it's even better leftover. The bbq was fantastic except that the ribs were super dry. And I found myself feeling the way I always do when it comes to this place. I want to love it but something is just always a little off. And then I realize why, despite being okay, I never suggest getting food from or going here: the price. I would pay $20 for a Zingerman's sandwich downtown. Willingly. Hell, for HALF of a Zingerman's sandwich. Because it's that good. This food? Not nearly as good. And Jesus, is it expensive. I actually thought, based on the prices for bbq, that each listing was supposed to serve multiple people. The food is a solid 3, some things (the sides, especially) venture into four star territory but it's not worth the price. Which is sad because I like supporting this local business. Just not at this particular venue.
(3)Matt D.
I love Zingerman's Deli--love. I was disappointed in the Roadhouse. I thought the barbecue was pedestrian, not something I would say about the offerings at the deli. The deserts, two different puddings, were the wrong consistency, gritty, as if the sugar or more likely gelatin hadn't fully and properly dissolved. The pimento cheese stuffed roasted heirloom tomato was outstanding. Perhaps worth the visit just for that.
(3)Clare F.
I had goat cheese, tomatoes with olive oil, and fried chicken mac and cheese. Everything was delicious. They use very good quality olive. The mac and cheese is rich and delicious.
(4)Diane C.
Zingerman's = Service. Some of the best service I have ever had. I also had the fried chicken...pretty damn tasty. The bread bowl was also excellent. Everyone seemed to love what they had. Recommend.
(4)Will B.
I want to give this place four stars, but it falls short. You really have to appreciate the artisan way of doing things to really appreciate their food. IMO the Zingerman's deli is good, but more-so because of what they do in-house and how much they do in-house than anything. Not all of it shows up in the taste of their food. In some ways I feel the Roadhouse falls short in the same manner. I ordered the Top Sirloin steak "Meat and Three" combo (three sides and your meat). I have to agree, the sides were super super small. My salad was tiny, and the potatoes were small and lacked quantity and taste. I figured with three sides I could go with a smaller steak, but I ended up leaving hungry. My steak was only 8 ozs, but it was $28, and it was way over cooked. I ordered it med-rare and it was cooked well, barely pink. I really thought about sending it back (I never send anything back), but it took over 20 min to get our food, and it was an hour wait. I was starving and didn't want my gf to have to eat alone. The calamari was just, eh... nothing special, and my gf got the mac and cheese, and she wasn't really impressed either. I really wish they would increase the quantity of their sides and veggies to give a better "value" and dining experience. It's tough to spend $100 on a meal for two people and a couple beers and leave hungry.
(3)Ryne D.
I'm out in East Lansing for work, and for our team dinner I'm informed we're headed to Ann Arbor. Not being a native Michigander (is that right?), I was pretty surprised to see that the guys wanted to drive almost an hour just to get food, but my general train of thought is that if I'm traveling for work I may as well spend my free time searching out good food. The first thing that surprised me was when my co-worker informed me you could ask for samples of anything except their steak. What? Has this always been a think at restaurants? When I hear sample, I think CostCo samples of frozen burgers or spinach dip, not a taste of Zingerman's awesome sweet potato fries or mac and cheese. Their mac and cheese is honestly some of the best I've ever had, and the fact that they use Cabot (which I understand to be lactose-free) makes it 1000x better. You know that scent when you open a bag of Cheez-Its? It smells like that, but with real cheese instead of "cheez". I ended up ordering a side of it with my fried chicken, which was very juicy and with good seasoning. Cutting off bits of it and eating it with my mac - bliss. I also tried their chili which had quite a kick of spice to it, though I'd order it again. Now I don't know how high prices get in these parts, but I was pretty surprised to see some of the prices here. It made me expect some giant plates of food. What I got was definitely appropriate for a meal, but I think most of that cost is sunk into the quality of the ingredients over quantity. Make it worth your while like I did: feast on samples, order your food, save some for lunch the next day. You're welcome.
(4)Blair R.
I've been to Zingerman's Roadhouse for brunch, lunch AND dinner! I'll happily return for dinner/lunch but would skip the brunch (unless I want a reservation -- pretty clutch that this place takes and honors brunch resies). Regardless of the food, this place is super cute and fun. It sells old-fashioned candy, uses cute little news-papery menus, etc.. But I know you are more concerned about the food, so I'll quickly debrief dinner and brunch. Dinner: I had the Mac and Three when I was there last time, which is a great option if you want to taste some mac and cheese but also eat some veggies. I've definitely have had mac and cheese, which I thought was better than this but you can't really dislike any mac and cheese, especially if it is Zingerman's. I'd order the dish again and be happy to dig into it. There's lots of beers, cocktails, etc to choose from. Brunch: For brunch I ordered the omelet of the day. I just thought it was greasy. And I couldn't figure out why it had to be so greasy, since it was egg whites, spinach, mushrooms and parmesan cheese. Also I didn't get the free donut holes that I see in my friend Catie S.'s review! BUMMER! The toast looked great but just tasted burnt. Potatoes were good but generally I don't choose brunch places for the potatoes because I am just not a tater girl.
(3)Dee D.
Went for lunch. I'm giving 3 stars because our waiter was excellent. The food, not so much. I had the buffalo chicken mac and cheese. The serving size was adequate yet on the small side. Unfortunately there were only 3 small chunks of chicken in the dish. There was what tasted like moist bbq chicken skin throughout it too. Weird, and not appetizing at all! The flavor was unremarkable, lacking that rich cheese taste of an old-fashion homemade mac and cheese. At $15 for a lunch-size serving, this was both disappointing and unfortunate. My friend had a cup of soup and salad. The salad was nothing but average, and her soup was bland. I understand fresh, organic, local food can be more costly to use, however the prepared dishes need to taste good to be worth it. Not going back. Didn't find it worthy of my spending.
(3)Heather R.
Amazing. Make reservations because this place stays busy. You can smell the barbecue pit from 1/2 mile away, seriously. Huge cheese selection and everything is locally grown. They have an amazing business structure. Worth checking out....one of a kind and the best in Ann Arbor if you ask me.
(5)Alex S.
The Roadhouse. One of the go-to restaurants for when the parents come to town. The food was fantastic. I had the county fried chicken and it was excellent. The chicken was fried enough to be tasty, but not enough to be overly filling. The mashed potatoes were excellent on their own right with very good gravy on top. And then dessert. You just try (preferably split) the donut sundae. The donut was absolute perfection. Very crisp on the outside and warm cakey goodness in the middle The only slightly bad part about the evening was the service. It was Zingerman's quality when we got our waitress's attention. She had a lot of tables so this was less frequent than desired.
(4)Julia M.
"I really wanted to love it!! Much of our food was overcooked but the cocktails were excellent." I don't know if it was just an 'off' night, but we were a little disappointed with the food. If you can imagine that at Zingermans!! We love the deli and the creamery, and have been looking forward to trying the Roadhouse ever since in opened. A few of my friends have been less than pleased with their experiences at the Roadhouse, but my husband and I really wanted to give it a try anyway. We decided that we'd go back for apps and drinks or desserts and drinks, but for the money try a different spot for a dinner. Overall, the atmosphere was pretty noisey and lots of kids, the service was friendly but less than excellent. I highly recommend the bourbon cream and coffee. It was heavenly!
(2)Art R.
Wow first time here and had tongue. For those of you that never had it, it might sound gross but definitely a specialty and these folks rate right up there with all the famous deli's in NYC as far as the meat is concerned. Don't miss this one.
(5)Vikash K.
Amazing! Went there for brunch, and it was worth the 30 min wait. The chili was on point with beef chunks. The ribs were fall off the bone good. YUMM!!
(5)Kate S.
I am a big fan of Zingerman's usually, so I was really disappointed by Zingerman's Roadhouse. I ordered the Mac n Cheese, since it was one of their award-winning foods, but I was not impressed. My mom ordered fried green tomatoes, but they almost had the taste of a pickle. I could only eat one or two before it became too overwhelming. Overall, there was nothing that I thought was amazing about this place, which is annoying because the Zingerman's chain is fairly expensive. Service was good, but if I didn't have a reservation, I would have had to wait a long time for a table. If you are in Ann Arbor, there are other restaurants out there that are better than this one.
(2)Friedrich S.
Top notch farm to table with a Zingerman's twist, great BBQ, great service, a little bit pricier, but you pay for the quality.
(5)John W.
In a word.... PERFECT!! Being in the service industry myself, I know how hard it is to obtain perfection. Their training truly sets them apart and propels them to a different category all their own. The food was simple yet delicious. I enjoyed sitting at the "cook line" bar and watching their staff work their magic. I am truly impressed. If I lived within 500 miles of Ann Arbor, I would move my family here and become a "Zingernaut" myself!!
(5)Mary Y.
I don't care if it's expensive. I have never, ever been disappointed here. Last night was no different. The new spring/summer menu has the mini sliders back, and we were tempted to throw some of those fantastic cheeses on the 5 of them, but I opted as healthy as I could. Kale salad w/pine nuts, lemon, dried cherries, and shaved stravecchio? Crack. Sooooo yummy. We opted to eat sweet potato fries and after we devoured our basket, our server came back to ask us if we wanted a refill because they were free. Say whaaaaat??? As usual service was stellar, we didn't look around once for water, bread, food, or our check. Our server even had them cook up just 2 sliders since we were feeling a need for Wisconsin Cheddar aged 30 years. My dinner companion opted for a PBR and Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese but forgot to say no blue cheese, so I had to eat that for him. I'm great that way. The spring/summer menu has some great Cornman Farms veggies, roasted up and sounding delicious! Now, if the weather would turn around we can move our Thirsty Thursdays to the patio.
(5)Alysha M.
Great food with great service! The french fries are so yummy and they are bottomless if you get a burger. We also got calamari bruschetta that was amazing! The martinis are super tasty too. Dinner was great, of corse it cost a lot more then a normal place, but it's worth it. The service was very helpful and the venue is super cute with lots of vintage salt and pepper shaker! If you want to celebrate something special I recommend the Roadhouse.
(5)Daniel W.
I enjoyed a bun-less pulled pork sandwich with a side of greens. The greens were great and the mustard sauce for the pork was a real treat. The size of the portion was disappointing.
(3)Sara B.
Let me start off by saying that the three start rating is because it's in comparison to the other TWO Zingermann's places in town. Also, because you can get much of the menu cheaper and better at other places around town because you aren't paying for the name. That being said, I have eaten here several times. The best thing I had was the breakfast burrito. YUM. Their burgers are good, but everything costs extra. Also, the mac n cheese is good here, but not for $12 for a small take out container. Maybe I just haven't had the right things?
(3)Jenny Z.
I think Zingerman's in general is overrated, and their staff really drink the Kool-aide hard. But overall this is a pretty decent restaurant. Nothing amazing, but also a decent meal that you won't hate and comes in handy if you're hungry for American cuisine. I would recommend the Deli over the Roadhouse if you can get by with a sandwich though.
(3)Norman A.
The Zingerman Empire is impressive. It is vast and it has impressive depth. Yet when you go to a restaurant if not distracted by poor service or atmosphere the most important consideration is the food. The Roadhouse has ambiance, loud but not too loud, and lots of great eye candy; the service is excellent in fact the servers are some of the most thoughtful waiters I've encountered in the world. Those factors taken care of we have the food. An impressive menu with a very strong American rural feel with urban sophistication, yet not too sophisticated to be off putting for those who wanted to go to a roadhouse. Perfect? Not exactly. The BBQ is prepared in big smokers on the property. The aroma would lead one to think this will be great BBQ. Never has it been. It is always somewhat dry and often tasteless.How could that be? Gets me, I've had great BBQ in shacks on the side of the road in Alabama and Georgia. Great tasting BBQ, nothing real fancy just great BBQ. This goes for a lot of their dishes. Pretty good but not just not as good as the best I've had. Will I go there again? Probably. But i've scaled back my expectations over the years.
(3)Evan V.
Alright, this place is a must. The servers are nice and friendly, and best of all, the food is absolutely fantastic. We have gone out of our way to come here many times. If you do go, make sure you get the fried chicken (it's heaven).
(5)Mark Z.
About 5-6 weeks ago I was coming back from Chicago and I decided to stop at Knights Steahouse in Ann Arbor because there food is awesome, but they were closed on Sunday. So i decided to go ZIngermans to get a steak. I figured this is Zingermans and the steaks would be top notch. I was wrong. I ordered a Medium Sirloin and the steak came back Extra Extra Rare. I usually dont complain but I told my waitress about this, instead of making me a new steak they took the old one and it was charred on both sides and tasted like charcol. I emailed Zingermans about this and got a reply from Elsha Chapman who I belive is a manager: "Thank you for taking the time to write in. I'm very sorry we failed you on this visit. You are right. A medium steak should not have come out that way. I'm going to be giving this information to the Chefs so they can nail down the problem. I feel awful that we were not able to make up for our mistake while you were in. Would you be willing to come and give us another try? I would love for you to come back and have a proper dining experience on us! I look forward to hearing from you". So she sent me a giftcard for a free dinner and decided to try it again. I figured they would have nailed the problem like she said they would, and nope they didnt. Same thing again, I posted pictures of my steak take a look at them. I was disapointed when they didnt fix the issue after they promised me they would. $38 for a Ribeye outrageous, I expect it to be cooked perfectly not burnt on the outside and raw. I can get a bigger better steak for nearly half the price at Luckys, or go to Knights Steak House and get a better quality steak. Not sure who taught the Chef how to cook, I hope it wasn't bob's burgers.
(1)Barb M.
Their variations on Mac and Cheese are inspired. Their donuts at breakfast are to die for as well as having one for dessert with ice cream at dinner. Their food is delicious and flavorful and and as real as it gets. Probably my favorite place in A2.
(5)Samir N.
I love to hate on Michigan BBQ (ahem . . . Slow's), but this place holds a special place in this displaced Texan's heart. Everything here is spectacular. Which is why I went with the barbecue sampler. The ribs were good, but the laggard of the bunch. The brisket was AMAZEBALLS. It was not tender like I expect brisket, but more flame kissed like steak fajitas. I fully support this. The pulled pork was pulled pork. You cannot really mess that up. I cruised in on a Saturday afternoon by myself; in addition to the bar option, they also have the counter that looks into the kitchen. I love not having to wait for a seat. Tables looked like a 20 or so minute wait. They have tons of beer on tap and also do tasting flights. It is pricy, but if the quality of their food is this good and consistent I will happily pay the premium. I just wish I had space for dessert.
(5)Jarrod F.
I have been coming to Ann Arbor Michigan for the last three years and I always eat at Zingerman's Delicatessen, and it wasn't until last year that someone told me about their Roadhouse. We must have eaten there three days in a row, and loved each time. I did think the dinner was better then the lunch, but it still was good. The BBQ is the bomb and everything seems and tastes so fresh, even my dessert tasted great. Give this place a chance like me and you won't be unsatisfied.
(4)Mary J.
Not worth the trip. Took the waitress' recommendation and ordered the pulled pork sandwich. Bun was dry and crumbly, pork was dry too, sauces mediocre. Does not live up to the Zingermans name.
(2)Jill W.
Have heard many times about Zingerman's Roadhouse, and wanted to try it. Am in town for work, got lost trying to find the Mall, and found Zingerman's. Pretty happy I did, the mall can wait. I enjoyed a local craft beer (Belle's) after Shalama offered me samples, then had the buttermilk fried chicken with mashed potatos and gravy. So lifechanging - I blogged about it later in my hotel room as I enjoyed the chocolate pudding that I got to go. I have heard the wait would be long to dine there, but solo - I was able to eat at the bar and had great service. would easily come back for some bbq and maybe the gelato I have heard about.
(5)matt p.
I have always had great food at all of Z-mans outlets, (the deli, the bakery outlet, here) but at the roadhouse the portions are smallish and overpriced, so i would give 5 stars for quality of the food and 2 for prices and the portion size. The atmosphere is great.
(3)Jim I.
Awesome, I get to write the 500th review. It's all true. The food is great, the price point is elevated, and this place is always busy. As far as the prices... I know this is Ann Arbor and it's to be expected, yet some say it's too much. I have enjoyed everything I've had here. From the Mac and Cheese and BBQ to the sweet potatoes fries. Good stuff. High prices or not. The proof is in the wait times.
(4)Paul V.
A long time favorite of mine. From the Mac-n-cheese, to the BBQ, to the fish, to the desert. I have never left this place disappointed.
(5)William U.
Very gluten free friendly. Lots of options for GF in every menu section and clearly marked My wife is still talking about the Gluten free buttermilk fried chicken
(5)Matthew R.
had to wait 45 minutes for a table, which was fine...then, due to some sort of miscommunication, we waited 15-20 minutes for our server to appear. which seems like a weird way to start a review that will include a GLOWING discussion of the level of service. once we flagged down someone to send over our server, she was absolutely fantastic. she apologized profusely and repeatedly, taking full responsibility (as opposed to a half-baked "i'm sorry that other guy messed up" 'apology') and went the extra mile every single moment. rachel (i think that was the name - she appeared to be pregnant but if she was it didn't slow her down one single bit) was fantastic. food (mac and cheese for her, chicken-fried steak for me) was very good, if not earth-shattering, but the service took it to another level entirely. will absolutely return.
(5)Emily F.
This is my favorite place to go out to eat if we have the kids with us. I always feel well taken care of, food is excellent, service is outstanding! We also really like ordering fried chicken from their carryout menu, (fridge to fridge). You get more chicken for your money this way, actually can't beat it for the quality.
(5)Myke O.
This place describes itself as serving "comfort food" but I found it to be much more complex. I had the "Meat And Three" with a Beef Tenderloin, french fries, and sweet potato fries. The meat had a smokey / hickory taste to it with a charred crust. The sweet potato fries weren't thin and crispy as much as thick slices of potato. It was all very good but just less comfort food than I expected and more fancy. For dessert, I had the Blondie Brownie Sundae (the Blondie was not even on the menu but was recommended by our waitress). It was OK but not really as light and fluffy as I was expecting (for me, the definitive blondie is from Applebee's and this was nothing like that). One of the other members of our party had the donut sundae which I thought was better...full of sugar and crispy. Our waitress was extremely friendly and helpful.
(4)Dee W.
Live in the neighborhood and frequent the establishment. The service is excellent. Love the wine list. Mac and cheese anything is worth a try. The burger is well above average. Love the oysters. Salads are worth your while. Donut Sundae is a fave. Sunday Brunch we love to take out of town visitors. The breakfast ham steak is simply divine. It's almost a smoked pork chop but better. I sent compliments to the chef and learned it was from Zingerman's own farm. That must be why it tasted as heavenly as my Uncle's ham does on his farm in Iowa. They are always experimenting. The menu changes often, usually based on the season. Don't be afraid to try something new. The wait staff can answer in detail any question you ask. One warning, count your calories and watch your fat intake, some dishes are very rich. If unsure, it's wise to split with a companion.
(5)Chad W.
On food, the pulled pork is fairly solid, perhaps a 4 out of 5. However, its difficult to leave ZR without paying $25 for a sandwich and drink.
(3)Annette J.
Finally got here for Sunday brunch yesterday and was just as pleased with that experience as lunch and dinner. My whole family went and everyone left pleased with their meals. My grandma, who eats like a bird, finished off her entire burger, half the table got the corn beef hash and joined the ranks of the clean plate club. The eggs benedict looked beautiful and I was told by the fam that their bloody mary's were delectable (I'm not big on them so I didn't sip but my family killed off more than one or two glasses each!). Me? I got the grits and bacon waffle. Ahh, the perfect marriage of sweet and salty--the eternal brunch struggle. Crispy yet fluffy inside waffles loaded with grits and bacon in the batter, topped with more bacon and cheddar cheese and a side of creamy butter and real maple syrup. Ohhhh heaven! Such a wonderfully tasty dish. I was sad when my tummy got full and I couldn't eat any more! Add my mimosa and it was a truly fabulous meal. The pastry basked we split was also delish---a hot fresh donut, 3 slices of coffee cake (hot chocolate, lemon poppy seed, and sour cream) with a side of real whipped cream. Oh so tasty! And our server even brought us a complimentary plate of piping hot donut holes. What a nice surprise! Coming back for brunch again and again! Will get the waffle again or the eggs Benedict next time, no question!
(4)Alex Z.
The food was amazing and the service couldnt be beat. We went on a wednesday night around 6:00 and it was fairly crowded. delcious BBQ with a great vibe to the place. Would go back again in a heartbeat.
(4)Jose N.
We are in the middle of our Holiday Luncheon for work, 25 of us. Servers are AWESOME!!! Food is sooo good! I'm half way through some fantastic ribs after devouring my Mac and Cheese. Everybody loved my choice for our party!
(5)Nancy V.
I was in Ann Arbor on business and discovered this unique restaurant on Yelp. I was adamant about not not going to eat at a place that had the same food I could get anywhere else. Boy, was this a good choice! We made reservations - really glad we did - as there were 5 of us in the group. We arrived a little early, but the table was quickly made ready and we were seated after a very brief wait. The atmosphere is rustic and down-home. It is a bit noisy, but not to the point where you cannot carry on a conversation. The service was good and our waitress was very helpful in answering our questions. Our group ordered a variety of dishes and everyone came away satisfied with their choices. I had the Macaroni and cheese with chicken. This dish shares absolutely no resemblance to the packaged orange stuff that you make at home when you are on the PMS eating binge. This more closely resembled a very rich, very hearty pasta dish with a smooth bechamel sauce with cheese and tender chunks of roasted chicken and a sprinkling of herbs. It went very well with the light house Pinot Grigio that I had ordered to drink with it. One of my companions had the ribs and generously shared some with me. They were melt in your mouth tender with just the right hint of spicy smokiness that tells of meat smoked very slowly over real wood. We were brought a complimentary doughnut sundae as it was one of my colleague's birthday. One gooey yummy desert and 5 spoons. Since we were all stuffed from the delicious food, it was just right. I do not think the meal was overly expensive for the quality of food and service. While it is not a "high end" restaurant, the food is first class and the service was friendly and efficient. If I am in Ann Arbor again, I would definitely make this a required stop. Thanks Yelpers. You did not lead me astray on this one.
(4)Dan R.
If I lived closer and had a more lucrative budget for dining out I would eat breakfast/brunch here daily if possible. Had the Biscuits w/Crawfish gravy today; however, all things I've tried here are excellent. Always use high quality ingredients and preparation is in point. Had a dozen oysters today as well, yum. Only gig is that today's server meant well and was friendly but was either newer to the organization or was off his game. He was friendly and attempted to make up for the issues. I will not lower my rating though as the other dozen times I have been there were all great service.
(5)Caroline K.
Breakfast if Fabulous! Even the oatmeal is great! Served with several sides, including dried cherries, pecans and brown sugar, being good -still tastes good :) . Meet your friends for a good way, to start off any day!
(5)Sophia P.
Great food - bread basket is fresh. The apple cheddar salad portion is small - a few more leaves of arugula would've offset the price - but $10 is kinda steep for a few chunks of cheese & slices of Apple. The Reuben is great & the Russian dressing made Inhouse with the dark Russian rye grilled & decent fries. We both split everything for lunch but could've used a little more salad. Would've like to try the broccoli soup but they were out - maybe next time if I see the size of cup vs. bowl vs. price Hubby did not like the coffee, however. I wasn't fond of it either & for $2.75 there's a Biggby across the street.
(4)William M.
It was OK, but not as good as I had hoped. My friend got the fried green tomatoes, and they were outstanding. Perfectly spiced, crispy, and hearty. However, my mac and cheese was quite poor. It had the consistency of cheese soup and it was incredibly heavy. Perhaps I should have gone with one of the different mac and cheeses instead of just the standard one? Next time.. The atmosphere is great, and everyone there was incredibly nice. I just wish I had enjoyed my meal more, since we were just passing through Ann Arbor on the way to Traverse City. Word to the wise: If you are just passing through Ann Arbor and looking to make a stop for food, go with Zingerman's Deli.
(3)Suki K.
we went to this restaurant today to check out because it's rated high on yelp (I'm new to the city). It was Friday night and was told that it will be 50 min. wait when we got there around 6pm, but we could get seated in 20 min. or so. We ordered Kale salad, chicken burger, and bacon burger with sweet potato fries(free refill!). Their caesar-style kale salad had good texture and flavor. Kale was very tender. Burger was good, but I got tired of the taste when i half-finished. I order sweet potato fries whenever I have an option. The sweet potato fries I had tonight was a bit different style from other restaurant and I liked a lot - good balance of savory and sweet.
(4)Ed K.
Took our son there for parents weekend. Great ribs. Really good bread. The fried chicken was delicious. Overall a solid meal and good service.
(4)Ian M.
I don't think I need to say much about this place that people don't already know. It's Zingerman's, they have a James Beard award winning chef, and the best macaroni and cheese I've ever had. Just go and you'll be very happy.
(5)Shy T.
Its just ok. Overrated. Can be expensive. I like their fried fish & fried chicken the best. The pulled chicken & pork sandwiches aren't bad either but like I said can be expensive.
(3)Kris O.
I always go to this place with such high expectations, but end up leaving disappointed. As usual, the food was good. I didn't find it to be stellar though. Our server, who was friendly, seemed out of sorts. He spilled a glass of water on me and forgot to bring bread until we asked. I though he might make a slight adjustment to our bill because of the water incidence, but all I got was an extra napkin. I just can't justify the price. If I am paying that much for Mac and cheese and BBQ, I expect the highest-quality of service and its just not there.
(2)Peter L.
Hmmm...the Roadhouse is one of my brother's favorite restaurants, so I admit my expectations were high. But still I wasn't too impressed with the experience. Started off with some oysters which were decent but not great esp at $3/each. The poutine was very mixed - good gravy but the cheese curds were hard and not melted at all. I ended up having the bbq pulled pork dinner. The pulled pork was very good, very soft and flavorful. But the collard greens were too watery and the presentation looked more like a cafeteria or school lunch. At $19, it did not seem like a very good deal. Overall, the Roadhouse, while pretty good, is not a very good value. And with a number of misses, it's not consistent in execution of the food.
(3)Jessica C.
Sat at the bar and Bob served us. The cappuccino was delicious and was served up in a tall glass! I asked if I could sub the scrambled eggs in the biscuits and gravy for a small donut and Bob brought us complimentary donut holes. Did I mention he was top notch?? The donut holes were all that people rave they're about. Maxim voted them one of the top ten donuts in the US. I now know why..yum!! My hubby had the corned beef hash with poached eggs on top. He loved it!!! Portions were very generous. I would have liked a tad more crushed black pepper in my gravy but that's just me. This is an absolute must if you're in Ann Arbor!!!
(5)Lee A.
I would have to disagree with some of the posts about the service. The service we got was horrible. The food took over an hour to come. I remember looking around at one point and not seeing an entire room eating. It wasn't insanely busy either. Not only did the food take forever, but it took our waiter about a half hour to offer us more bread and I don't think he offered us drinks during that time. My wife got her fries and they were cold too. I had adobo pollo and that tasted really good, but my wife wasn't too impressed with the 5 cheeseburger selection and she's obsessed with cheese. You'll find something that you'll like, but you're going to overpay for it.
(3)Dale L.
Leave extra time ... Always busy Not impressed :( skip the roadhouse and go to the deli!
(2)Melissa M.
Zingermans ...ahh a little piece of heaven on earth. Well I Love Love LOVE Zingermans Deli and have literally spent hours there taste testing, talking with the workers, eating sandwhiches, new and old pickles, gelato and birch beer. I mean it is amazing. So I had to try Zingermans roadhouse. I came here with my parents and boyfriend, we had reservations but we were running late. We called and told them and they held our reservation and sat us immediatley when we got there. Our server was Marcus and he was a Zingerman's PRO. I learned so much about the resturant and the food from him and really enojyed his service. I ordered the Catfish with grits, greens and Carolina rice. And...we literally got the whole fish battered (see phot above). Wow it was surpising but cool. They showed us the best way to eat it to avoid the bones and it was so good! All of the food was perfectly seasoned. Overall great service and taste. I live in California so I only wish I could try more!!!! I wanted to get the Mac n cheese since everyone raves about it. I guess I will on my next MI trip. At least I got some Bells Oberon. YUM!!
(4)Rachel F.
People from Ann Arbor hype this spot way too much. The Sweet Potato Fries were nothing special. The Fried-Chicken on my Fried-Chicken salad was a hair shy of burned. Needless to say, the chicken was dry. For a Fried-Chicken enthusiast, this was a major let down. Also, I tried the collards, and they tasted like someone has run them along a ashy log before plating. They landed a little left of the "Smokey" flavor profile.
(2)Carole T.
Pretty good place to eat. Pulled pork sandwich was very good. Sweet potato fries are about 1/2-1 inch width--knife sliced--good if you like sweet potatoes--very hardy! Fried chicken was pretty good--massive breast piece. Came with mashed potatoes with gravy and a little cole slaw--neither were remarkable. Busy place with lots of choices and hard liquor bar. Service was very good. Decor was road house--ok. Nice bathroom. I would return, but may try another place if I were to return to Ann Arbor.
(4)Jacqui D.
While I gave a pretty bad review to the Deli, I love the Roadhouse. The food is amazing here, the sweet potato fries are a must. Have had their mac and cheese, fried chicken, and ribs and have really enjoyed all of it. The spicy mayo is to die for. This is a great place to eat in Ann Arbor. I don't remember the service I have received while dining here but I'm sure it was fine, as I would remember any really bad experiences.
(5)Edwina S.
I confess the only meal I like here is breakfast/Brunch. Fresh squeezed orange juice, pretty good drinks (not a fan of the stupidly peppery bloody mary (but at least one of you just made plans to have brunch there soon with this simple over-peppered fact)). I am a huge fan of the huevos rancheros. No they are not traditional (get real here... it's a roadhouse... in Michigan... (not even in Mexican town) what did you expect?!). It's good. It has a pleasant kick (translation "hotter than hades" for those of you who order Thai mild from the local Chinese place). The bread pudding French toast is obscenely sweet and delivers a spectacular carb-coma in 30 to 45 min. It may seem weird, but the Bacon-braised greens are fabulous even for breakfast (slap some of that chili vinegar (bottle found on the table) on them and thank me later!) If all else fails... build your own omelette, if it sucks only you to blame! That being said, I know plenty of folks that like their smoked meat/BBQ offerings (sadly I cannot tell you of anyone that likes their fried chicken). I don't like doughnuts, but I swear theirs are made with crack. I can't just have one bite. Finest collection of salt n pepper shakers I have ever seen.
(4)Kate S.
Best mac-n-cheese in town. Not really anything to say about this place that hasn't already been said. If you haven't been, go. Now.
(5)Christian S.
When I drove up to Zingerman's Roadshow (the drive-through restaurant in a trailer adjacent to the Roadhouse), the person in the window asked me right off how my day was going. As it happened I was just winding up a truly terrible day. I'd say the worst day in several years. Horrible. I normally don't share this kind of thing with strangers, but I couldn't help myself. I told her, "Actually, it was terrible." She passed me a piece of chocolate cake without saying a word.
(5)Terry C.
This place is incredible! The meats are smoked to perfection, the sweet potato fries are amazing, sauces are good, mac n cheese is ok. I'll be back whenever visiting family in AA. Only disappointment was the mac, the hype about it is incredible but the dish is nothing special. You can't go wrong eating here.
(5)Maria G.
Loved this place. A little pricey by food is very good. Never thought mac and cheese can be so tasty. Online reservation worked. Server was very polite. She was kind of slow, but the place was packed at lunch time. It's a little loud but I guess it's not the restaurant's fault. We all like to chat!
(5)Alex S.
After a long day on the road, Zingerman's Roadhouse appeared like an oasis in the desert. *forget water, BBQ is the true vision* I had been to Zingerman's in Ann Arbor before (their pecan blondies regularly appear in my dreams), but never to the Roadhouse. Speeding into the parking lot my mouth was already watering at the smell of smokey air..."BBQ is afoot!", grumbled my stomach. With the help of two traveling companions, I powered through a substantial part of the menu. Here goes the list: - corndogs with Anson Mills batter and Raye's yellow mustard - pulled pork plate - greens cooked with (note caps) BACON - mac and cheese - pulled chicken sandwich - (amazing) double-fried sweet potato fries with spicy sauce - donut ice cream sundae with a side of fresh summer berry compote - strong, flavourful bottomless cups of coffee The food - as other Yelpers will chorus to help me establish - is delicious. But also exceptional is the service. Sitting at the bar we chatted with staff, benefitted from recommendations, and would have loved to have stayed for some signature cocktails if we weren't, well, y'know...about to get behind the wheel of a car. Double aesthetic points for the extensive collection of salt and pepper shakers creatively displayed throughout the restaurant. Yelp note: thanks to an adorable trailer that serves as a drive-up food window, you can also purchase my much-loved blondies, and other Zingerman's offerings, post-meal. Trust me: this is almost more of a roadtrip necessity than fuel in the car.
(4)Mike U.
Good service. Just okay food. Very expensive for what you get. I am happy to pay for good food but that's not what you get here. Extremely busy for no apparent reason. It has a fun atmosphere but not worth the stop.
(2)Robert L.
Mmmm. Fried chicken.
(5)Erin B.
I got the BBQ plate and a side of mac-n-cheese. Their mac-n-cheese is famous (per the waitress) and delectable. Someone else at the table got the fried chicken and I definitely had plate envy--I had to try it. I will certainly be getting the fried chicken on my next visit.
(4)Shane M.
Hush puppies were delicious, as was the burger sampler. I just wished they were labeled so I could know which delicious cheese I was eating! Very fun atmosphere, prices are a little above average, but worth the quality.
(4)Mark L.
Went today for the first time (brunch) and will return. Had the corned beef hash breakfast and it was tasty but only warm, not hot, and consisted mainly of cubes of potatoes. Poached eggs that it came with were tiny and overdone, one slice of bread cut in half constituted the "toast". Coffee was great, server was very friendly although I had to wait awhile on coffee refills. Total price $16. Love the fact that it's a farm-to-table restaurant, that the chickens are free range and the beef is grass fed. For those complaining that it's too expensive, I do understand but you'll pay more for quality ingredients from animal friendly sources...because it costs more to do. Brunch was busy and probably always is. I don't mind waiting and don't mind higher prices but I do mind if the pressure to get everyone in affects the quality of my meal or the service. My sense is that it did but I'll definitely return.
(3)Taylor S.
Great take on American food - even for vegetarians. The Roadhouse isn't a substitute for the Deli - don't expect the same type of food or service. The Sweet potato fries are a must. The bread salad is also great, though a very small portion. I love the idea of their Classic Cocktail menu (cashing in on the whole prohibition era thang), but it doesn't live up. Most of the cocktails are overly sweet and remind me of college bar cocktails. Oh, and the Mac and cheese is really effing fantastic.
(4)Emily N.
I'm traveling from California and I always keep an eye out for notable restaurants and eateries in various cities and states. I read that Zingerman's serves amazing food so we decided to try it. We went into the restaurant and immediately got two seats at the bar area. The waiter was extremely friendly, quick, and attentive. The house bread we received (and we went for a couple rounds of it) was delicious and it even went well with the main courses. We ordered the BBQ Pork Entree: pulled pork with your own choice of sauce, a side of vegetables (spinach for me), and mashed potatoes. The pork was absolutely delicious and the sauce made it all the better. The veges tasted phenomenal and I loved the texture and the flavor of the mashed potatoes. I also had the Beef and Vegetable soup because I wasn't feeling so well. The soup had a burst of flavor in every spoon and it made me feel much better. The beef was cooked perfectly. Soup can easily be overly salty but this soup was just perfect. I can see why the chef has been given so many James Beard awards and nominations. Delicious food. Excellent service. I'll definitely be craving Zingerman's food once I'm back home.
(5)Francyn C.
Nice atmosphere and good fresh food. A little pricy but you do get what you pay for. Great location, no problem parking. Soups and bread very good. Chicken dinner was excellent. Fun place to go and a great local tradition.
(4)Mary C.
Zingerman's Roadhouse had a great balance of fun, aesthetics, super great service, extensive menu and was easy to find. The one thing I didn't find on recent reviews was dress code. I wondered how casual it would be, although given it is Ann Arbor, I figured jeans were OK. It turned out to be very casual, including short and tops, on a Friday evening. I had a friend in from Chicago who is has a culinary arts degree, so it is always a learning experience to dine with her. Our dinners included Fried Green Tomatoes - better than in Mississippi or Alabama; Pit smoked BBQ beef and it was definitely smoked and delicious; a special roasted chicken and bacon braised greens. The expert and I felt everything was especially delicious. It was a nice evening. She, as a southerner, was upset that the peach pie had been sold out. Would recommend this experience. We made reservations for 7 PM and were glad we did.
(5)Dean D.
Here's how I see it with BBQ ribs. If you leave that back membrane on, you're an amateur. Maybe I'm wrong and there's a school of underground Q'ing that is far too elite for me to know about. If that's the case I apologize for this review. I've eaten here a dozen or so times, and yet I cannot explain why. I have faith in the Zingermans way, and I live down the street so... Yet each time I'm disappointed to no end. With the one exception being the fried chicken (always great). Ribs mediocre, brisket tough, pulled pk you can't screw that up, Mac and cheese great but that's not why you go...I'm sure it's the smell that floods the entire area that brings me back. Rhouse suffers from the exact thing that the Zing deli does. Great ingredients and poor execution by the staff preparing your food. Sandwiches thrown together, meats burnt and sloppy. Yet I still go, hoping for a change or that I'll get the right guy on the right day. Quite honestly my friends from Chicago come to town and I avoid it like the plague. Hopefully one day they'll get it together, but that starts at management I guess.
(2)Caleb Y.
Went to the Chef's Mardi Gras dinner a little while ago - and it was a treat...!!! The Chef, Alex Young, won the James Beard award for Best Chef: Great Lakes in 2011! He definitely deserves it...I have been many times to the place and he constantly puts out very, very high quality, and tasty food! Durring the Chef's dinner he presented each course, which were each delectable and was the most humble and friendly man to listen to. He is clearly enamored with cooking and very educated about the regions and types of food he serves. His oysters Rockefeller were rad! Just a fun place...oh and the slow BBQ is not to be missed - solid solid place!
(4)Robin P.
Everything about this place is fantastic. The service is phenomenal. Ingredients are always fresh. Drinks are delicious. Unique menu. The only reason I give four stars instead of five is that the food is a little heavy for my personal taste. It is executed extremely well. I'm just not a big meat-eater, and mac and cheese is a little too rich for me to want a whole meal of it. But I do enjoy it when I go. I often pair the corndog appetizer with a salad.
(4)Lisa A.
I've been coming here for a few years now and try to go for lunch every time I come home to Michigan to visit family and friends. * Three words: Sweet Potato Fries. Or, more specifically, order the Sea Island Sweet Potato Fries. Just trust me. I mean, how can you go wrong with substantial wedges of fried, lightly salted sweet potato goodness with a side a spicy mayo? It's a perfect accompaniment to, say a salad or a bowl of soup or a half a sandwich. Speaking of soup, I had the roasted vegetable soup (rutabaga, turnips, carrots and potatoes in a vegetable broth) which is pureed, yet still chunky with bits of vegetables. It was spiced nicely and hit the spot on a cold December day. I usually order the fries with the Roadhouse salad, which isn't one of those "afterthought basic salads." It has heirloom tomatoes, organic greens, carrots, red onion and homemade croutons. Their menu offerings range from burgers (including two vegan burgers), fish, po' boys, BBQ pork, beef, & chicken sandwiches, salads, and a sizable selection of mac n cheese (including a goat cheese one that is blissful). Besides the food, I enjoy perusing the gigantic collection of novelty salt and pepper shakers--a bit of Americana--that are displayed throughout the restaurant. They can be a tad on the pricey end (more akin to NYC prices, which I'm used to), but I think it's highly worth it for the quality of food you get. Plus, they use local meats and vegetables and other ingredients (some from their creamery and bakehouse) as well as Michigan-based products and products from small companies around the U.S. I would love it if Zingerman's was in Brooklyn, NY...but I think that would take away from the specialness of it as an Ann Arbor institution. I grew up going to Zingerman's Deli and trips to their coffeehouse and I will always be a devotee. Also, they're just some really nice folks. Every waiter/waitress/bartender I've encountered has been super friendly. Oh, and they are usually packed, so I suggest making a reservation whenever you plan to go. And don't forget the sweet potato fries! If you share them with a friend the calories totally don't count. *I've only been for lunch. I need to go for dinner because the fried brussels sprouts and corn fritters are calling my name.
(5)Michael U.
Arriving early in the breakfast service to the front steps of Zingerman's Roadhouse we found ample parking and made our way into the restaurant after snapping a few pictures of the oyster shell garden and signature neon sign. Greeted by a friendly young lady we were led almost instantaneously to a large four-top in the main dining room and presented with menus, a cheese list, and even a list of the daily oyster selection. Standing up after the server had walked away to snap some pictures of the kitschy interior the name "Roadhouse" certainly fit - from the collection of hundreds of salt and pepper shakers to the unique posters and knick-knacks found throughout the interior. Settling back into my seat and ordering coffee - a thick, bold blend with heavy notes of cocoa and floral tones while my aunt opted for tea we perused the menu and discussed how best to sample a multitude of options amongst the three off us. Fielding questions was our pleasant server, Catherine, and after a few moments decisions were made and orders placed. I will note that Catherine was frequently present throughout the meal to check in on us and make sure beverages were filled - between her and the rest of the team there was never a moment where our glasses dropped below 1/3 empty. Beginning first with the daily pastry basket we were provided with four items for a bargain $6.95. Featuring a steaming hot and crispy cinnamon donut fresh from the fryer, a large chunk of spicy gingerbread, and two types of coffee cake - hot chocolate and sour cream with walnuts - I found each item to be a nearly perfect version of its respective type. While my aunt didn't fancy the donut as she felt it wasn't fluffy enough I loved the cakelike texture of the interior as it contrasted to the cinnamon crisp exterior. The favorite of all three of us, however, was the hot cocoa coffee cake - a textbook dense and flavorful cake with hefty notes of smooth chocolate and a thin frosting that tasted like perfect drinking cocoa. For our main courses my mother selected the "Grits & Eggs" - Stone ground grits topped with two fried eggs, Nueske's applewood smoked bacon and 2-year aged Vermont cheddar and was instantly overwhelmed by the portion the moment it was set before her. Requesting her eggs scrambled this was easily accomplished and although I didn't sample the eggs, the bacon was remarkable both in firmness (not too crispy, but well done - smoked as opposed to pan fried) and texture-on par with the agave bacon at Frontera Grill. The most remarkable aspect of the dish, however, was the grits-hearty and toothsome, creamy yet sharply accented by the cheese, and plethoric in proportion. For my aunt's main course she selected the "Pain Perdu Fasten" - A Bakehouse French baguette dipped in batter and fried then topped with fresh bananas mascerated in brown sugar and all I can say was that this could have easily doubled as dessert (as a matter of fact, with ice cream it did just that at NOLA in New Orleans.) Only mildly doughy on the interior and crispy with notes of cinnamon, vanilla, and brown sugar on the exterior my aunt loved her dish while I rather wished the bread had been a little more thoroughly soaked. Delicious for sure and substantial in portion the bananas were a liquor-less Foster's style and complimented the bread nicely. For my main course I decided on the "Roadhouse French Toast" a dish comprised of cinnamon raisin bread from the Bakehouse soaked through with vanilla bean batter and griddled. Served with a hefty portion of butter from the creamery and pure Michigan maple syrup this was invariably some of the best French Toast I've ever tasted - not too thick, not too heavy, toothsome yet delicate - and the combination of mildly grassy butter and thick maple syrup only acted to enhance the vanilla tones to a whole different level. As an addition to our feast I opted to take a chance on the Biscuits & Chocolate-Bacon Gravy featuring "Gravy" made with bacon, cocoa and milk, served alongside house made buttermilk biscuits and after a single bite I knew I'd made the right decision. Sweet yet savory, salty yet bitter, buttery but texturally complex this dish is an absolute must order for anyone visiting Zingerman's and currently ranks very high on my list of favorite dishes of 2010. While my aunt, an admitted "boring" eater, didn't fancy the amalgam and my mother felt it was too decadent to eat much of I personally didn't mind one bit as I gladly enjoyed both biscuits and every last drop of the wonderful topping. Settling the modest bill and finishing what was likely my 6th cup of coffee we made our way to the car after a short chat with the hostess about our meal, their other locations, and small talk such as the weather. From start to finish I really can't say enough about the food, service, or experience at Zingerman's-and there is no doubt I will be back on my next visit to Michigan for lunch, brunch, or dinner.
(5)Gary A.
High quality, unique and varied menu, extremely popular, wonderful wait staff, one of my favorite places in Ann Arbor. If you can't find something here, don't both going out, stay home and cook for your self. I used the Yelp reservation feature, setting the reservation the night before for a busy Friday night, and Zingerman's called me back the next day to confirm our reservation. So this feature works well. The only hitch was we arrived 5 minutes before our reservation, and it still took them 15 minutes for the restaurant to seat us. Go with the Fried Chicken or a BBQ selection.
(5)Eric B.
3.5 stars Tasty food, but awful value. It seems that every James Beard awarding chef's restaurant I've been to (well, this and the other two..) have the same qualities- delicious food but startlingly small portions. This is especiailly disappointing when you're going to a place serving American food. When someone is ordering bbq brisket or mac and cheese and is told they're getting the quintessential American experience, they do not expect a tiny portion. Even with the small portions, I do get a craving every now and then for their mac and cheese, their ribs (probably best in town, but expensive), and most of all, their sweet potato fries! I also think a lot of credit is due to their inventive bar tender. I was amazed when I saw an apple brandy from an orchard near my home-town in NJ on the menu which you have to really dig deep to find in the area where it's made, let alone the midwest. So go every now and then. Complain at how small the portions are, but eventually you'll think about a particular item and a craving will draw you back
(3)Nina S.
While in Ann Arbor visiting we had to try something from any of the famous Zingerman's in the area. We decided on this place and were not disappointed. The food is really good, the BBQ pulled pork was well flavored and their coleslaw was really good. The prices are a bit steep but I guess it comes with the name. Hands down though, the BEST most AMAZING thing on that menu is the deep fried brussel sprouts -- OH MY GOSH... SOOOOOO AMAZING!!! Get like 3 orders of them. Trust me. They are crispy and coated with a sweet and tangy balsamic reduction that just makes them to die for! Three stars for price and service though.
(3)Nater B.
Burger good $13 good? hmmmm...Could have almost been there. Crappy bun fell apart while trying to eat burger. Burger not as thick and juicy as I expected. Tapered patty like a UFO instead of a hockey puck. Dry on ends, and first bite. Cooked slightly over medium rare as ordered, but I didn't complain. Seasoned decently. Very friendly staff. Not the best burger I've ever had. Ann Arbor Brewing Company has a better one. I might go back, but I doubt I will.
(3)Chris P.
Boo! To sum this up its a BBQ joint that doesn't do BBQ very well and does it at a price that makes you annoyed. Again the food is mediocre at best. Food temps are cool to cold. Service is OK but certainly not great. For some reason anything zingermans touches turns to gold without any real reason. James beard award to the chef... I don't think so. To be fair I haven't eaten the whole menu just the BBQ (which supposedly they are known for). Won't be going back and will likely dissuade everyone I know who has any interest in bbq
(1)Deborah N.
This is a family favorite. When the kids are home on the holidays they will go and bring back an assortment of goodies. I have not had anything bad. I really enjoy the pulled pork and chicken. Very moist and smokey. Never seen so many Mac and cheeses and they all taste great. Not just for kids these macs appeal to all taste if you like cheese. The atmosphere is very casual. Most items are between $13 and $16. While there take a look at the salt and pepper collection. It is very large. It is located at a busy intersection so be careful leaving. On the weekends you will usually have a wait but not too long. Staff is very friendly. I love their fresh lemonade.
(5)Jason C.
I wasn't really impressed by Roadhouse. With name like Zingerman's and pricey menu items, one would expect the food and taste to be above the standard, typical American food they advertised themselves as... indeed it was typical and over priced! I made a reservation for table for 8, got there, we got seated and the waitstaff asked what we wanted to drink, gave our drink orders, bread basket with butter was delivered. Ask for olive oil and they will bring a plate of olive oil for you; add some cracked blacked peppers and dip the warm bread - YUM! For starters, we went with Sweet Potato fries. Their fries were thick, so some were well cooked and some were undercooked, the dipping sauce make's the fries great, I think without it, it's an average, but the sauce takes it to next level. We ordered our food, I ordered the 1/2 rack of ribs with sweet potato fries and greens. While we waited for the food, the waitstaff brought us chili fries for free, so we were excited :) The chunks of the meat in the chili - OMG... the meat melts in your mouth, so tender! As for the taste of the chili, it was okay, had better chili. So, with the breads, sweet potato fries and chili fries, I was full. I wasn't sure if I could eat my main course... then it came :) All of our dishes were delivered. Great thing about dining out with friends?? You get to sample other dishes :) hahahaha I could tell the rib was smoked for a long time, based upon the color of the bone. I don't know if it was the dry rub or the sauce, but the rib did not taste that good... it was average. The green needed a lot of work... couldn't finish it... yeah... I did finish my fries :) The total price: $19. One of my buddies who ordered the Chicken Fried Steak was very disappointed with his dish. The meat was very chewy, so he told the waitstaff, the waitstaff apologized and asked if he wanted to order something else... he said no... like me, he was full... so instead of taking the plate back, the waitstaff left it on the table... and for some odd reason, the waitstaff never spoke to him the rest of the evening, as if he was blacklisted amongst us... So as we finished, the waitstaff came back and asked if we were done, the waitstaff took my empty plate, my buddies 1/3 eaten plate of chicken fried steak... again, nothing about what was being done. The waitstaff came back asking how we wanted our checks and at that time, my friend was informed that the dish would be taken off, but told him that the check for the sweet potato fries will be under him... a decision the waitstaff made without consulting my friend... Well, I went there once and gave it a try... will I go back? I don't know. I was taken back by the experience my friend went through. The manager should have came out, spoke to my friend and let my friend know what was being done! This is customer service and Zingerman is know for customer service - on this day, it was not displayed!
(3)George P.
Been here on more than one occasion and my biggest disappointment with this place is the cost of the food, I feel like I am paying more for the "Zingerman's" brand. Will that keep me from returning? Probably not, though it will not be at the top of the list. With that out of the way, the food is good, the service is some of the best I've experienced in the region and it has a great atmosphere for celebration, for getting together with friends and family. Zingerman's is innovative in their approach to ingredient selection, food preparation: they really go to great pains to prepare sauces and sides that compliment what you are being served (which is the point of a restaurant, I hope). The service is friendly, they know the menu well and joyfully accommodate special requests (menu related). The atmosphere is part of what one would expect from a "Zingermans" brand restaurant: open, cordial, tongue-in-cheek but everything about it tells you that Zingerman's is serious about their food.
(3)Peter C.
Food is pretty good especially if you like BBQ. It's definitely on the pricey side but if you're dining in Ann Arbor that pretty much is the norm. Excellent food with a trendy/casual atmosphere.
(4)Pam D.
I've been to the Roadhouse many times and usually get my favorite fried chicken and sweet potato fries. This time I tried the meatball mac and mushroom Mac. Both were recommended and both were not good. It was really disappointing and I think it will be awhile before we are back at the Roadhouse.
(3)Steve G.
One of my favorite meals in Ann Arbor. Smoked pulled pork was the best I've had. Even better than Slow's which is hard to beat. The flavor was absolutely perfect. The fried chicken was equally amazing. The service was friendly and efficient. It's not cheap, nothing from Zingerman's ever is, but definitely worth it. Can't wait to go back.
(5)Christina K.
This ain't Applebee's people! The food price is absolutely worth it and amazing! I come here once a month at least for the past three years and I haven't been disappointed yet! Some of the highlights on the menu would be the burgers (the meat is hand ground everyday!), the Macaroni with smoked chicken and Monterey jack cheese (good eats, yes it is $17 but the portions are huge so you can always eat the rest the next day!), the chili cheese fries (must have!) and so much more! Oh and make sure you save room for dessert! The Magic Brownie Sundae or the Donut Sundae are yummy!! The service is awesome as well. You can pretty much get a sample of anything on the menu but I wouldn't go as far as getting a sample of the steak but they'll do it if you ask! The servers are very well trained and know everything about everything on the menu, they even know the ingredients in the dressings that are homemade!
(5)David M.
Let's start with the bad news first - this place is pricey, especially for a student in A2 who is probably used to buying slices of pizza at $2 or less per. But you knew that going in; it's Zingerman's. And after traveling around the country this spring break, I have grown to appreciate the fact that what we call expensive here is what you pay for a grilled cheese sandwich in some other cities. My guests ordered the world famous Mac & Cheese (recommended by no one less than the czar of cuisine, Alton Brown), which I sampled, and of course it was just incredible. Don't think you aren't getting your money's worth; this isn't mac 'n cheese that you're going to pull off at home, even if you are good at this sort of thing. I ordered the Nashville Hot Fried Chicken since it was only available on Tuesdays, and who knows when you'll be back to Zings Roadhouse on a Tuesday. It was really hot, and really good. I might just recommend the fried chicken in general, since you will probably taste more of it and it's quite good and juicy, but if you're into spicy give the Nashville Hot a try. Don't drink the shot of buttermilk though, it might cool the tongue, but ew! It was all of our's first time there (grammar success!), and our waiter was amazingly helpful and knowledgeable about everything. He was great in helping us choose a wine despite our collective idiocy on such a topic, and brought out free samples of their BBQ and grits! The BBQ was quite good as well. My guess is that the grits were good too, but my palette is not totally receptive to the dish and never has been. I'm not sure when I'll be back, but I hope it's soon. I'm guessing it'll be sometime after April 15 when I have my tax refund check in hand.
(5)C M.
Stilling dreaming about our poutine appetizer. This is a great place to eat if you want to spend some bucks on some extremely fine fare done with thoughtfulness and social responsibility. An Ann Arbor treasure
(5)Honest R.
The people who complain about Zingerman's are often people who feel intimidated by class. Zingerman's Roadhouse is an expensive but amazing restaurant. The menu can a bit of a hit or miss, but most of it is a big hit. The quality of the cooking can be hit or miss too, but mostly hits. I highly recommend the five-course special dinners they do in the back room. We went for oyster day and were blown away by the quality and presentation. Of course the flavors were amazing too. The roadhouse is one of a number of Zingerman's stops worth making. Don't let the idiots on here fool you.... it's an experience! :) ps. Be sure to leave with a half-pound of their 7-year cheddar from the kitchen! It's really good and not too pricey for fancy cheese.
(5)Rhubarb K.
As I noted in my review of the Deli, the only complaint I have with the Zingermans family is that it forces this poor graduate student to spend his hard earned cash on their delicious food that he cannot afford. One month, I think I came to the Roadhouse more than twice a week to splurge on food, only to have barely enough money to pay my rent.
(5)Ebenezer S.
I had the fried chicken last night and the food was so delicious that I came back for lunch. I love lightly fried fries (not crispy) so this is a new favorite place for me in Ann Arbor. The sauteed spinach was well-seasoned as was the fried chicken batter. For lunch today, I had the BBQ beef -- very good but the portion was small -- and since I was still hungry, I ordered a bowl of the beef chili which was really superb. I came at 2:30 p.m. and had no problem getting a table.
(5)Julie C.
Dropped by for dinner on a Wednesday evening and the place was packed. Luckily, we had made a reservation so we were seated quickly. The last time I tried to eat here, I didn't make a reservation and the wait was an hour, so I ended up eating somewhere else. The menu is printed daily, which I think is a pretty cool feature. Every visit to Zingerman's is a once in a lifetime moment! The bread was warm and delicious, as expected. I liked the casual atmosphere and decor. And the staff was very friendly. Two of us split the Chef Alex's Bearded BBQ Plate. The food came out split into two servings, two ribs each with BBQ beef, pulled pork, smoked chicken, mashed potatoes, and greens. Despite sharing, we both ended up stuffed and with leftovers. The ribs were my favorite, the meat fell off the bone and was tender. I also had a bite of the Arugula Pesto Macaroni, which was tasty, so I'll probably order this next time. If I wasn't so stuffed by the end of the meal, I definitely would have ordered some dessert too!
(4)Kiersten K.
I think the fact that we eat here once a week should say it all. Really love this place. The fact that the meat is purchased from local farmers that humanely raise their meat, along with local produce.... I am sold. Favorites so far: Sweet potato fries, all their salads, all their pastas, coleslaw is the bomb. Try to go there on a Monday and have the Mondae Sundae: I wont spoil it by telling you what it is.... you just need to experience it.
(4)Miriam S.
Why did it take me so long to acknowledge our favorite place to eat? Easy, it is part of the human condition to take for granted what it loves. From the moment we walk in, they call us by name. Now, that is classy and thoughtful. Servers and excellent food make this place. We happen to also think the world of unassuming part owner Ari, who is involved personally with the customers. They have many outstanding choices even for those of us that go easy on carbs.......The fruit salad is fresh and aromatic....of course, their coffee would make "el exigente" delighted and pleased....(for those of you that might remember the Columbian TV ad for coffee). Huevos rancheros..perfecto.....grits with cheese.....oo-la-la..they even made us enjoy spainach with bacon.....Bread is crusty and fresh....Above all, this place is human, alive, friendly.....oh.......forgot to tell....the price is right.....Really, our favorite place....
(5)Julie M.
My favourite place to eat. Sweet potato fries, corndogs, ancho beef chili fries, CORNED BEEF HASH OMG, the fresh bread, I could go on and on. The mac & cheese with the smoked chicken is a win. The fried chicken is a WIN - and get the large order, it is even better the next day. The service is OUTSTANDING. Every employee from the chef to the person clearing tables is friendly and thank us for coming in. It's a place that I'm proud to support. The focus on local ingredients means the money is staying in our community. Reservations and call ahead seating is available.
(5)Briza Y.
Okay, like I've said before I'm a fan of Zingerman's. And I'm easily wooed by free sweet potato fries! My parents and I came here while they were visiting for my internship graduation. My dad ordered a burger and of course he chose regular fries over sweet potato fries. My mom and I jokingly (sort of) protested and then ordered our food. A few minutes later, here comes a small plate of sweet potato fries. YUM and super sweet of the cute waiter! I ordered the Ig Vella Macaroni and it was really tasty. I only finished half and the leftovers were okay the next day. I would order it with a friend next time! :)
(5)Rachel L.
If I had to pick one place to eat every single meal for the rest of my life (assuming health and money were infinite), I think I would choose Zingerman's Roadhouse. I've eaten here a bunch, and have only had one or two things that aren't out-of-this-world amazing. The impetus for this review was a recent brunch. Though I've had a number of lunches and dinners, this was my first Roadhouse brunch. HOLY MOLY. My grits and eggs were super yummy, as were my dining companion's heuvos rancheros. Everything was just so good! And of course, being a Zingerman's operation, the service was impeccable. We almost couldn't resist brunch dessert (a brilliant concept to which I was introduced in New York), but would never have been able to fit it in our tummies. Yes, it's pricey, but you get a good meal! Make a reservation online (yes, even for brunch) and treat yourself. I insist.
(5)Evan H.
Every time I go to Ann Arbor, I pay a visit to the Roadhouse. Every single time I pay a visit to the roadhouse, we are paid a visit by Ari, one of the founders of the Zingerman's empire. He usually drops by to say hi, or provide some suggestions, or even a little taste of something new. I have tried all kinds of daily specials, so those wont exactly be easy to replicate nor will they be served again (maybe, who knows). I do know that the Pimento Cheese & Peppered Bacon Macaroni is the BOMB. SO freakin' good. Also the Pit Smoked Beef Brisket is spectacular. They always have great daily specials of fish, meats, veggies, often grown in their own garden or brought in from great local vendors, farmers, cattle ranches etc. The Grilled Carolina White Grits is a huge meal that I have tasted a few times. I'm not sure about the reviews who say the portions are small. Maybe they are used to a platter the size of the table of food, not too sure. The portions are always huge and always enough, with leftovers, usually. In addition to great menu choices, appetizers, the beer and wine list is always large and takes a while to digest. I always go for a local beer that doesn't make it to the east coast. The waiters we have had have always been friendly and at the top of their game. I will always come back as long as I am in A2.
(5)Joanna L.
I headed to this outpost of Zingerman's (not to be confused with the Zingerman's in downtown Ann Arbor). The Roadhouse looks run down, but that's the style. Headed in and my friends were waiting. First thing we decided on was to share a dish of their famous mac & cheese. Now, recently on Food Network, their mac & cheese was labeled as the best comfort food in America. I'm not so sure about that... I mean, don't get me wrong, it was tasty, but best? Meh. The dish was small. I'm not sure if their dinner order is larger, but this was a small plate covered in maybe a handful of noodles. Compared to what I ordered next, I'm really not sure why this mac & cheese is considered an entree. For the entree, I ordered the fried chicken. It came with 2 pieces, one GINORMOUS (I swear it was the size of a small cornish hen). The chicken was nicely breaded and had good crunch to it. The inside was juicy and how I always imagine fried chicken. The chicken also came with mashed potatoes and cole slaw (yum!). I'm not entirely sure how this is for one person (maybe it's not really for 1 person, but I ordered it as such... and no one warned me otherwise). My friends ordered the sliders and another friend ordered the New Mexico Sandwich. They all looked good and all the dishes had a lot of food. I was just shocked by how little mac & cheese there was compared to the other entrees. Anyway, I'd go back to try the other food. Very casual environment, and a lot of delicious food options!
(4)Neal W.
If you're a fan of American food you can't go wrong with Zingerman's Roadhouse. The menu features several takes on classic American dishes. I had the Mac & Cheese (apparently voted best in the country) and was a big fan. I also sampled some of the North Carolina BBQ and was equally impressed. I'd definitely like to go back again to try out some of the other dishes. The restaurant is located in what used to be a Bill Knapp's. I think the addition of au gratin potatoes would be an excellent homage to the former tenant.
(4)Brian T.
I've dined at the Roadhouse dozens of times and I have finally figured them out. 1. Don't let the superior "I'm making you think I'm your new best friend" and "service recovery with a smile" dazzle you. 80% of the time, a "customized" order comes out wrong and has to be sent back to the kitchen. 2. Different portions of the same order come out at different times. 3. Presentation on the plate is non-existent. I'm no fan of a generous sprig o' parsley but the plate often looks thrown together. 4. Their greatest sin is that I asked for extra, extra crispy bacon with my breakfast order today and of the three slices I ordered, one was barely extra crispy and the bacon arrived many minutes after they served me my waffle order. Some of you may not think this is important, but for all of us extra, extra crispy bacon aficionados out there, you know what I'm talking about, right? 5. I'm beginning to think the actual preparation of these high quality ingredients is only average. Famous quote from manufacturing quality world..."who is the best chef, French or Chinese chef? Answer, Chinese because he/she can take average ingredients and make something spectacular out of it. French chef uses quality ingredients and makes something spectacular out of it." The bread and butter is the best part of the meal. Considering the prices you pay and the affected hospitality you have to put up with, all of the above shouldn't be what a diner experiences. I think my Roadhouse days are numbered. But hats off to the Zing-crew for combining marketing prowess and "balls to the wall" pricing guts because the place is always packed.
(2)Jeff H.
This place will make you fat! Not because all the food is unhealthy (much is, some is not), but because you will not want to stop eating. Great bbq pork, amazing macaroni and cheese options. The greens are just "ok" and the service was average. Prices are a bit on the high side, but the portions are large. The best treat was the Tiny Tim Donut Sundae for dessert. Very, VERY good! Crispy doughnut, vanilla ice cream, nuts, and a yummy bourbon cream sauce. Was delicious!
(4)David C.
It's Zingerman's folks...yes the food is on the pricier side but you certainly get what you pay for and then some; and, well, I won't spend time telling you what most of you already know...the food is great! I would like to take a moment to focus on the staff of the road house, for it was the staff that made my dinning experience one of the best I've had in Ann Arbor! It was a busy Friday night and my girlfriend and I did not have a reservation but we were willing to wait since it was our first time at the Road House. During our wait we began to chat with the front-end manager "CC". If you start a conversation with CC you don't forget her! Her charming personality and knowledge of the menu kept us entertained for our 20min wait and before we were even seated we had entree' and appetizer suggestions with beer parings! Then, we met our waitress, "Beth" and the amazing service continued! Beth added to CC's suggestions and was extremely prompt and accommodating. She brought out different dipping sauces for our appetizers that we didn't even ask for and didn't hold back with the beer and wine samples! Overall it was the service that made this experience memorable and a wonderful night out. It is why we will be repeat customers at the road house and it is why I tell anyone who is having trouble deciding where to dine to give the Road House a try!
(5)Marquis T.
Visited this local establishment for the first time this past Friday. Heard mixed reviews about it throughout the years, but decided to give it a try on the strength of my brother's love for BBQ. Needless to say, I should have taken heed of the mixed reviews I have heard from people because this joint is overpriced and overrated. Ordered the Pulled Chicken Sandwich, while my bro ordered the BBQ platter. Both left a lot to be desired as my meat was dry and lacked flavor. The sauces they provided me with helped to add a little flavor, but the sandwich still felt it was missing something. I guess I would more or less disappointed in the size of the sandwich considering how much I paid for it. The BBQ platter seemed like it was decent. But again given the price, one would expect more. In short, if you are a diehard BBQ fanatic it would probably be in your best interest to look elsewhere. Overpriced and overrated...
(2)Sean M.
Very overrated. Dharma's description of Zingerman's Roadhouse as upscale comfort food is about right. There's a major problem with this model, though: the price tag combined with mediocre food does not leave me feeling very comfortable. It's a shame. I really want to like the Roadhouse, and I've been back a few times trying to like it. They use good quality ingredients and the service is always friendly (but not always competent - when visiting for a friend's birthday, they somehow managed to skip us in the list for a table and then, after that was sorted out, forget that they'd seated us). The food, though, doesn't justify the price, and shows that good, carefully selected ingredients put together in weird proportions, uncarefully, or with shocking amounts of salt or oil is just a waste of the ingredients. The food isn't bad (and is often pretty good), but it falls short of what it should be and what you pay for.
(2)S And B D.
My husband said it's a good thing we don't live in Ann Arbor or he would have to eat at Zingermans all the time. We loved the menu choices. The Red Fish was sautéed to perfection and the sweet potato fries were some of the best I've ever had. We split an arugula salad with beets and goat cheese and the Red fish. The kitchen split it for us. We always appreciate that kind of service. We also shared the butterscotch pudding. Yummy !
(4)Ryan S.
This place can get nothing but five stars in my mind. The food is just insanely good. I highly recommend the pimento cheese as an appetizer. I love the pulled pork sandwich as well. Their draft beer selection can't be beat. This place is my wife and I's favorite restaurant. Period. That isn't a statement I would make lightly. Yes, the wait times are long, but make a reservation. Lots of people want to eat there because their food is good. Fairly simple. As far as complaints I saw from others about the prices- yes, the prices are higher than Applebee's, but you are getting absolutely outstanding food and drink. Much higher quality than uppity places charging 40 or 50 bucks for a main course.
(5)Louise K.
Delicious! The Roadhouse may be crowded, but the FOOD is worth the wait! Enjoyable dishes are as follows: Ribs Fried Chicken Cheesecake Fried Catfish The drinks are nice(root beer right out of the bottle!) Every time I go here I leave satisfied.
(5)Moose F.
Sure, I'll be review #92358 of this place. I've been to Zingerman's Roadhouse about 5 times now, and always for dinner. The food is pricey, but in this case I really think it's a "get what you pay for." They strive to use local ingredients, the quality is high, the service is awesome. I love this place, but the price keeps it from being a frequent dinner place. I finally had a chance to try their brunch. Despite all the tourists [I swear 90% of the parking lot had out-of-state plates] we risked it. We got there just before it became completely insane and were seated immediately. As we were starving we started off with some tasty bits. One friend likes sweet-potatoes so he got a small order of the sweet-potato fries. Looking into the basket he was astonished at how big it was. They were thick and crispy and he devoured about half before his main dish arrived. He was the only person at the table who liked sweet-potatoes, though, so I can't tell you how they were. He loved 'em. My other friend and I shared the biscuits with chocolate-bacon gravy. We were originally going to share it 3 ways but Sweet-potato didn't like it. The waitress told us that she found people either loved it or hated it. The gravy is very much like a mole' sauce, with that bitter chocolate taste, but wasn't spicy. The bacon chunks and the biscuits really made it amazing, but very, very rich. Sweet-potato got a "Grits 'n' Bits Waffle" -- a waffle made from grits, cheese and bacon bits. I made him give me a taste and it was awesome. The textures went impressively well together and the tastes were just incredible. I need to go back and get one of these for myself. The other two of us got the invent-your-own omelet. The potatoes with it were perfectly cooked. Mine was made with "wild mushrooms," "local greens," and 2-yr cheddar [as opposed to 4 yr cheddar which -- I asked -- is a bit sharper but dryer and doesn't melt as well or another one of the cheese choices], my friend got provolone, "wild mushrooms" and sausage. We both got sourdough bread for toast. She loved her sour cherry preserves. I got blueberry preserves which I actually ate -- I am not usually a preserves/jam person. I was extra piggy [ha! I amuse myself] and got some bacon slices. I wanted the peppered bacon but they were out. The applewood smoked bacon was tasty nonetheless. The waitress was great, helpful and attentive without being overbearing. With coffee, tax and tip it was not quite $20 for a slightly spendy brunch that was oh so very yummy, full of good and different tastes, and very filling. And now, I shall burp. Excuse me.
(5)Mark S.
Wow. This place has some seriously good chow. Bit on the pricey side for me, but I'd hazard a guess the food I didn't try is well worth the dough. Got a $7 dessert that looks small, but I can't really complain. Seem like a place to go for special occasions or if you're swimming in loot. Service was ace.
(4)Andrew F.
[For the full review with pictures, see the link to my blog on my profile.] The buttermilk fried chicken is faultless, as is the espresso mousse. Though, despite giving them three chances, they seem incapable of cooking a burger medium rare.
(3)John T.
Zingerman's Roadhouse has a serious rep for good food. On my first visit, I had dinner there with a few friends. Based on my menu selections, though, this restaurant is over-hyped and way over-priced. I ordered fried okra and the corn dogs for appetizers. The okra was OK not great. The corn dogs were very good, but how can you go wrong with battered and deep-fried hot dogs and spicy mustard? That's a no-brainer so no big score for Zingerman's there. For the main entree I ordered the chicken bog. It was good, however it was very bland and soupier than I expected. I was expecting something a little drier in texture. Again, not bad, but not amazing either and amazing is what I was expecting based on reviews and word of mouth. While I am absolutely 100% on-board with supporting local farmers, I felt that $23.50 for what was essentially a big bowl of chicken rice soup was way overboard even if the chicken came from a local farm. I did not order dessert so I can't comment, though the Mississippi Mudd and the gelato sounded pretty good. The restaurant is decorated in a fun, boisterous and casual way. If you're old enough like me to have eaten at the Bill Knapp's restaurant that used to be there you'll be amazed at how different (and better) the building is now that the Z crew has moved in. Our waitperson was stellar. Actually, all of the employees were cheerful, knowledgeable and very helpful and accommodating. I get the Zingerman's "mystique" but I think the time has come for folks to just take a deep breath and step back a little. The Z crew has a good gig going and definitely serves some good food but their restaurants just aren't all they're cracked up to be IMHO. I think there are restaurants that serve food just as good or better at better prices. I know I'll be stoned in the public square for saying that but oh well. My review and rating might change based on future visits and future menu selections. All in all, it was a fun, relaxing dinner with friends. Will I go back? Sure, someday. Will I be a regular? No. To me the prices are way high and while some folks might be attracted to having 100 different choices to make for each ingredient in a given menu item, it just shouldn't require that much mental effort to order good food. If I do go back I will try either one of the mac-n-cheeses or a burger...I think those were the only menu items that seemed fair on price even if a burger does cost $15 or more and some of the mac-n-cheeses were close to $20.
(3)M M.
My favorite weekend brunch with friends/ weekday lunch with book/ brisket sandwich and tea drive through spot. When not in Ann Arbor, I crave their burgers, mac & cheese, sweet potato fries, and fried chicken. This is one of the reasons I'll really miss A2 when I move. The Roadhouse is actually not overrated. It's just comfort food done right. And, I love comfort food, especially in the form of a burger slathered in pimento cheese and an order of sweet potato fries.
(5)Dee W.
During my sister's graduation weekend, we celebrated Mother's Day brunch here. Staff here were super friendly and were able to accommodate our large group of 18 people without a problem. I was able to pre-order fruit plates and pastry baskets in advance which they had ready. Brunch was truly delicious and not a single person complained about your dish. In fact, there was quite some silence as we all dug into our meal and couldn't stop eating! My son and I shared the corned beef hash which is probably a terrific way to sneak in celery and red peppers into his meal without him noticing. We also snuck bites of that delicious chocolate bacon gravy over biscuits! YUM! Overall, fantastic service and delicious food that was able to handle some of the pickiest eaters, vegetarians, and a sister who is allergic to half the world!
(4)Wally N.
Fried chicken. Cheese plates. Worth it every time.
(5)Jim M.
Too many great things to express about dining here. Chef Alex and the team serve up a wonderful experience. You won't be disappointed.
(5)Hank's Dad R.
This really is one of those special places! The young hostess seated us, chatting very genuinely the whole time, finding out that the wife and I were here for the first time, welcoming us. A very nice start to the experience. Our server was slow once in getting refills, and slow about getting a desert menu to us, but was very knowledgeable and charming. The atmosphere is wonderful, bright beautiful decor. I have a hearing problem, and though they were extremely crowded, it wasn't so noisy as to make it hard for me to hear conversation at our table, which is a wonderful bonus for me. My meal was the chicken fried steak which wasn't very good, and the wife's mac & cheese wasn't outstanding, but everything else was fantastic food wise. The three sides I had were fries, grilled corn on the cob, and potato salad. All three were very good, especially the fries. The wife had the crab cake appetizer, and it was wonderful. I should mention the couple we went with both also had the chicken fried steak, and both liked theirs. The place is expensive, you pay for the organic food they serve. But it is worth it on an occasional basis. And I had my very first oyster! It was wonderful, I can't wait to have more.
(5)Rachel P.
Much like the deli, they let you try stuff at Zingerman's Roadhouse (why don't all restaurants do this? I would love it). When one of us were deciding what cheese to get on a burger, we just asked for samples to make the decision. I also had a sample of the pimento mac and cheese after I finished eating, just because I live so far away and I wanted to try it. Mondays at lunch at least there's a nice burger special of a burger with cheese and a side salad for $13. My boyfriend and his brother both got that (one getting a meat burger and one getting the veggie burger, which I tried and was good). I decided on the mac and cheese with salad lunch special, which was a good decision. The salad was simple but tasty and had really delicious housemade ranch. The mac and cheese seemed like a tiny portion, but it was so incredibly rich and filling that it was plenty. Again this is a bit expensive, but I think that it's worth it. The customer service here is just as wonderful as at their other locations, and the ability to try things is again fantastic.
(5)Jennifer V.
I'm re-rating the Roadhouse because I didn't think they could surprise me anymore and they absolutely did! Well played, Roadhouse. Well friggen' played. I hit up the Roadhouse (for the umpteenth time) for a late lunch today with my sister and brother-in-law. They apparently have po'boys on occasion as their lunch special, which was total news to me! I decided to order the Andouille sausage po'boy because, let's face it, I love me some sausage. I was absolutely BLOWN away by sandwich! It was completely amazing. The sausage was of phenomenal flavor and quality, with just the right amount of heat. It was also cooked to absolute perfection and served on a soft yet toasty baguette with some sort of tasty mayonnaise and shredded lettuce, with their yummy fries complete with Cajun seasoning. I can't recommend this po'boy enough!! Oh, and since I didn't mention it before... The Sprecher's on-tap Root Beer is to DIE for.
(5)Tracy W.
We were in Ann Arbor for a very short stay and were looking for some place local to eat. Zingerman's Road House was recommended and we had a very good meal. We were told ahead of time that there would probably be a wait (it popular) and it would not be cheap. When we arrived we were told it would be an hour wait. Indecision - wait or not. While we were deciding we asked about bar seating - it's first come first served. We saw that several people were getting ready to leave, so we hovered around them and scored 2 seats. Our seats looked into the kitchen area and we were entertained through the whole meal watching the cooks and servers (man they move fast!). Our waitress was there when we needed her and helpful with suggestions. The food was really good. I recommend this place - but do yourself a favor and call ahead for reservations.
(4)Bob M.
we ate there on a Sunday night. I had the Pit smoked beef, it was very tender and tasty but not traditional BBQ. they smoke it, then braise it. That came with mashed potatoes and collards. the collards were very good. the potatoes tasty too. I tried a side of mac and cheese as well. it was good, but seemed thrown together, not baked after wards like most of that type, Rigatoni with a bechemel sauce and cheese. The girlfriend had the smoked chicken mac and cheese i believe . She liked it and i tasted it as well and it was good. The prices were a bit on the high side for this type of food, but not outrageous. It was $65 for two dinners, one side and two drinks (not top shelf). I would return to try something else.
(3)Kim C.
The place was packed when I arrived. I suggest that you make reservations ahead of time to get seated quickly and luckily I did that. Also, I didn't know the menu changed daily, which is a cool feature. I had dinner here on a Wednesday and got the Chef Alex's Bearded BBQ Plate. I was glad that I ended up splitting the platter because it was huge and I still had some leftovers. Great service, the waitress was very attentive and nice. I will definitely go back to Zingerman's Roadhouse again.
(4)Julie D.
Zingerman's is my place of choice for any special gathering or when I am in the mood for food that won't disappoint. Sure, you'll pay a pretty penny here, but they also use local fresh food. I have NEVER had a bad meal, side dish, drink, dessert or service (which is just as important as the food) at Zingerman's. I would say avoid during peak weekend dinner hours if you do not like to wait.
(5)Chris G.
Out-of-town guests always want to go here because it's famous. They're usually complimentary once the meal is over, but also disappointed. You have to admit the ingredients and cooking technique are impeccable, but the recipes are just not exceptional. As townies, we don't get very excited when we know we're going there. Examples from last night: The $18 grilled grits had the usual outstanding grilled corn flavor, but this time the balance of the dish tipped too much toward heat (peppers, green onions) and the corn flavor got lost. The sweet potato fries were fine; they are distinguished from those at other restaurants by being big wedges rather than strips. They're very salty and altogether tasty, but the size of the portion is overwhelming, even for five people, and would have been a main-course spoiler if we hadn't held back. I saw other tables being cleaned off with easily half of this dish left behind by the diners. The farro piccolo, a heritage grain served in a mushroom-cheese sauce, was rich and satisfying (read: unfinishable) but, jeez, it should at least have a garnish or something. It was basically a big flat plate of brown stuff. Presentation score 0. The burgers are good, but not amazing or memorable. The smoke from the grill smells incredible from the street, but the barbeque is just "pretty good." And so on. Last night, among five people and five dishes shared, nobody said "wow." The service is adequate but over-rated. They certainly train their people to be talkative, personal, quick, team-like, and fairly well-informed about the food, but there's an extra zing that's just not there (in my opinion). For one thing, I'd prefer to have servers who are more flexible, i.e. who don't get sniffy when you want to choose your own five cheeses for the 5-mini-burger sampler (that's why you have a cheese menu, guys!). Finally, don't go here if you want to have conversation. A couple of the rooms are incredibly loud due to the room surfaces. Luckily, the tables are spaced fairly well so you don't actually understand the shouted conversations at the next table, but you WILL be shouting on a busy night. There are a couple of corner booths where the noise level is workable and the grill bar isn't too bad. They have live music in the summers outside, but they need better control of the outdoor grill's smoke and, for some reason, the flies on calm nights. Sorry, Zingerman's, I wish I could be more euphoric. I'll take your deli any day.
(2)Missy C.
Growing up in the South and then living in Ann Arbor Area for 28 years it has always been hard to find good fried chicken. Not anymore, I just head over to Zingermans RoadHouse. It is authentic, dipped in egg and the coating is great. No, I don't eat fried chicken much but when I get hungery for it, this is where I go. Another favorite dish is the free range, mushroom salad.
(5)Natalie M.
I love this place. I love the attitude, the decor, the customer service, the crafty tone to everything Zingerman's does, and especially the food. The fried chicken and mashed potatoes tastes like they hijacked a grandma from North Carolina and employed her to do her magic at the Roadhouse. So freakin' good. Their Traverse City cherry pop is fizzy and marvelous, too. Love the clamshells lining the building's landscaping and love the Airstream drive-thru trailer even more. Gush. Zingerman's is the bomb. Flat out.
(5)Kate M.
After a year of living in A2, I finally made it to dinner at the Roadhouse. I was lucky enough to photograph an event for 826 earlier in the year here, but it was a special, Mediterranean one-time only menu (phenomenal, by the way), so I hadn't yet tasted any of Zingerman's signature dishes. Signature dishes we tried: the roasted chicken, corn, and pepper mac-n-cheese, spare ribs, mini burgers, and fried chicken. I tasted everything and everything was mmm-mmm good. A bit appalled at the mac-n-cheese price ($18?!), but considering I ordered it as my main dish, shared it multiple bites with everyone at the table, and still had enough for my lunch at work the next day, I suppose it's a fair deal. The fried chicken was so tasty: crispy, salty, but not dried out. All in all, very good American food. That said, for (largely) unhealthy American menu, it's not a cheap place! I understand they use very primo ingredients, etc, but it's still not a place I could afford to come to often (thanks for footing the bill this time, Dad!) I was also a little put off by the super rowdy MIchigan football fans sitting at the bar watching the game. $18 macaroni and busted eardrums don't mix well. Not that it's Zingerman's fault, but take your superfandom elsewhere, maybe? I'm tryin' to enjoy my high-class mac-n-cheese. =)
(4)Kristen M.
If I could give five 3.5 stars, I would. I always go in with very high expectations, but leave a little disappointed. During my most recent visit, I had the London broil. It was tasty, nothing spectacular and the meat was a little dry. Sweet potato fries are always solid and I had a very delicious drink called a Knickerbocker (although it was a little weak). My fiance had the chopped pork sandwich, which was decent but not memorable. The server was very nice and knowledgeable about the menu. For me, the Roadhouse is usually not worth the money or the wait.
(3)Aubrey W.
Two words: Worth it! My boyfriend and I stayed overnight with a friend in Ann Arbor. The next morning, with our stomachs rumbling, so we all headed for Zingerman's. Considering it was Sunday, we expected a wait, but after about 30 minutes we were seated with drink orders placed. Now, The average breakfast plate is somewhere around $12, which may seem a little steep for breakfast. However, Zingerman's uses locally grown ingredients and offers generous portions. You can get a cheaper breakfast elsewhere, but you won't have this kind of quality. First up, my mocha. Rich chocolate with earthy espresso was a "sweet, but not too sweet" start to the meal. Next we ordered a round of doughnuts. These were deep fried works of art: a warm, soft dough with a crumbly crust, topped with rich, dark brown sugar. There's nothing like this at Dunkin Donuts. When it comes to breakfast, I usually opt for the savory, but once I saw the Fasten on the menu, I had to have it. The crispy baguette with the subtle citrus flavor and perfectly topped with a brown sugar and banana sauce, was absolutely incredible. Thankfully, my boyfriend ordered the biscuits and gravy, so I was able to sample a bit of the savory breakfast options. The consistency of the gravy reminded me of clam chowder: thick, rich, and full of flavor. Topped with some scrambled (cage free) eggs, if I wasn't so pleased with my Fasten, I would have ordered this. Together we shared a side of applewood bacon, there really isn't much you can do wrong here. It's bacon! I will say though, it is more chewy than crispy. If you prefer crispy bacon, request it that way. At the end of our meal, our server Chris asked us if we enjoyed it. Our Ann Arbor friend, Anthony, said that he loves it and has been bringing out-of-town friends here for years. Chris then offered to buy us dessert! What a guy. Soon a blueberry shortcake and vanilla gelato were on their way. We just had a delightful experience and when we return to Ann Arbor, we will be sure to patronize Zingerman's Roadhouse again.
(5)Rala S.
I liked the actual restaurant's atmosphere, but the food isn't really all that great. I should have probably splurged for the mac and cheese but $20 just seemed like highway robbery for that dish - so I got a burger. The burger was good, but again wasn't the best I'd ever had. I expected more. The bread though, of course, was delicious.
(2)D T.
Have not been here for a long time, but went twice in last month. Wow, everything was really amazing. BBQ is great, loved the soups, salads and the steak with honey and rosemary was very good. Service was truly exceptional
(5)Rachel B.
YUM YUM YUM. Classy but comfortable, homemade cheeses and breads. Amazing and unique sweet potato fries. A MUST buy.
(5)Stuart D.
First, a note of clarification: I do not associate a rating with the simple expense of a meal. Perceived value should certainly come to play, but not just the dollar amount of the check. Second, a note about that note: this is not an inexpensive menu. Some of the prices are appropriately matched to the dish provided (the Prince Edward Island Mussels are really quite wonderful), while other dishes are an interesting miss (the Chopped Pork BBQ Sandwich is actually a bit skimpy). That being said, the level of service CAN really make up for any issues in value. Let's be clear... it's always amazing to have servers that are pleasant, on the ball, and willing to spend time with you to help make selections. It is an entirely different thing when the whole restaurant is built on a culture to please their guests. For instance, you can sample anything. I mean anything. That may include having the kitchen sacrifice a beautiful cut of fish just to let a guest sample a dish. Just think: the solution to the skimpy Chopped Pork BBQ Sandwich that I mention above is simply talking with the server and mentioning that it just seems a bit underwhelming. You should have a small additional plate of Chopped Pork BBQ delivered without any questions asked. I've seen it happen. In addition to what has been previously mentioned, the dishes we've tried have included the Pit Smoked Beef Brisket (which is unfortunately pulled instead of sliced), Pit Smoked Spare Ribs (which are tasty but I find the bones to be brittle), Roadhouse Macaroni & Cheese (amazing), Macaroni, Smoked Chicken & Monterey Jack (the fire-roasted New Mexico green chiles were a bit too hot and overpowering when we had it), Roadhouse Burger (lovely), and we've never gone wrong with any of the appetizers yet. When you get to dessert, don't forget that the Roadhouse is connected to the Roadshow trailer which often has some other Zingerman's bakery treats to fill your needs. This is a great destination that is always busy but reservations can save you some time. Explore the menu and try something different now and then. And if you think something is amiss, test out the service level and see how far it goes. Enjoy!
(5)Steve S.
Best sandwiches, period. The line/wait to order is beyond the point of annoyance but completely worth it. 100%
(5)Chelsea M.
We headed here to celebrate a birthday having heard this place has some excellent BBQ. Come to find out it is pretty tasty, however I feel it was kinda over priced. Chris really enjoyed his BBQ pork platter with a mixture of the mustard and tomato based BBQ sauces. He described it as "good, really good" but it seemed to be lacking something. Not to mention for nearly $20 there wasn't a whole lot of food on the plate. The burger I had was tasty. The beef was of the grass fed variety and had an excellent texture and flavor. Aside from that the rest of my meal was just alright. The side of sauteed spinach was decent and the sweet potato fries were crispy and flavorful. Unfortunately nothing during our meal really stood out as- "WOW! We've got to come back here and have this again!" To their credit the service was excellent! The waitress was friendly and attentive. She made good suggestions for drinks and entrees and was never pushy. It is unfortunate the food wasn't more memorable. We'll probably go back and give a a couple different entrees a try in the future.
(3)Crystal P.
Ladies night out with a few out of town friends. I have only been here once since I've been living in the area so came to re-visit to give my taste buds a reminder and it was good! To start I had the bacon potato soup, it was okay...I tried my friend's mushroom soup and that was much better (definitely going with that choice next time) For my main dish I had the bbq sampler(pork, beef, and chicken) with the mac n cheese (instead of mashed potatoes at of course an extra charge) and the greens. (Greens were good but not broken down enough; I felt like an animal basically putting whole leaves of collards in my mouth). All the meat on the sampler was very good and tender with good flavors. My friends and I split the donut sundae an extreme sugary indulgence for sure. I would come here again to try more of the mac n' cheese and some other items that looked tasty. The three stars are mostly due to the price of everything; my bill was over $50 for soup, a drink, and a main dish.
(3)Christine E.
How can plain old butter taste so good? This is the most significant thought that I took away from my experience with Zingerman's Roadhouse. Less horrendously expensive than the sandwich shop (only $11 for your breakfast instead of $15 - what a joke) and staffed with some of the nicest people ever. I will say that their Hollandaise sauce was less flavorful than I had hoped/expected. Waffle was very good but not necessarily memorable. Other than that, though, everything was top notch, from the tea to the cinnamon roll to the French toast to the side order of potatoes. But the butter is seriously the best thing - you have to try it for yourself to understand. I had the waitress package what I didn't use, 'cause it's that good. Would definitely visit more often if it were more affordable.
(4)Jeff W.
I can't say enough positive things about this place. Make sure to get a brownie to go or swing by the coffee shop on the way out too. Both are amazing!
(5)Chad C.
Z.R. runs into the same tendency as their deli - just because all the ingredients you use are all of the highest grade, it doesn't mean that what you put together will taste really good. That's why chefs/cooks make a big difference. Now, Z.R. has good ones and has many wonderful dishes, but when you're paying Zingerman's prices, you expect all of them to taste good. They, however, do aim to please! Service is a Zingerman's hallmark. The beer list is outstanding; this is where I ran into Dragonmead's "Final Absolution." And you'd be hard pressed to find a better bourbon list this side of Kentucky!
(3)Jess O.
I've dined at Zingerman's Roadhouse a few times and I still don't get what all the hype is about. The food is average and, while I can appreciate some of the unique creations on the menu, the cost just isn't worth it. The last time I ate there I enjoyed the first few bites of my entree - so much so that I thought Zingerman's just may have won me over. But as I ate on I found the dish to be overpoweringly salty and almost impossible to finish. I don't care for the atmosphere, either, as it's often so noisy and jam-packed full of people that I can barely hold a conversation with the person sitting next to me. Hopefully I've learned my lesson and will find a new place to try the next time I want upscale American food.
(2)Rebecca W.
I think my Zingerman's appreciation gene is recessive. Or maybe I'm missing it altogether. I like Zingerman's. I guess I just don't see what the big deal is. My food is never SO good that I don't feel a bit of a twinge when it comes time to pay. My feelings go for for both the deli and the roadhouse, but this review of course is focused on The Roadhouse. After we finished, I realized that the meal I had was basically identical to my meal at the Blue Tractor a month or so ago: pulled pork sandwich, sweet potato fries, cole slaw, and a stout. Notable differences: -Zingerman's mustard slaw was MUCH better than BT's creamy cole slaw -From the BT, I brought home a lunch's worth of leftovers. At Zingerman's I finished my plate. The portion was not skimpy--maybe I was just hungrier. -Zingerman's cost $5 more. Don't get me wrong--the pork was very tasty, and so were the fries--huge honkin' hunks of sweet potato, instead of little fried bits (I can get behind both styles). Just....not any tastier than pulled pork and sweet potato fries I've had elsewhere in town. For 2/3 the cost. Maybe to understand what all the hype is about, you have to commit to fish, or ribs, or something more extravagant (ahem, expensive?) to begin with. Maybe pulled pork and turkey sandwiches only get so good. Dunno. While I've always had good food at Zingerman's establishments (ok, extrapolating beyond the Roadhouse again here), I've never yet had something that I couldn't get just as good, for less, elsewhere.
(3)M D.
This place has been going downhill lately regarding the quality, portion size, and value of the food. For example, I went there on Monday of this week with my girlfriend. Our salad tasted funny and was small. Her fish (the trout, a special for that day) was overlooked, tough, and bland. And my surf and turf (crab stuffed tomato and a steak) dish had a well done steak (when I order medium rare). We both walked away hungry and disappointed -- and this wasn't the first time. This used to be one of my favorite places....but lately they have been putting out exceedingly small portions (especially of the protein) and not cooking the dishes up to expectations. This is tough to swallow when they charge very high prices. Also....don't bother sitting outside when the smoker is on....unless you want to smell like a campfire. C'mon - move the smoker guys! One more point: I order takeout breakfast here, but your staff frequently gets my order wrong. Please have attention to detail so I don't get all the way home to find out I'm missing the jam for my toast, an item in my omelette, and milk for my oatmeal! So frustrating when breakfast for two costs north of 50 bucks. The potential is there to make and serve excellent food. Just do better please. I am a foodie and have certain expectations - but you guys have a ways to go. So here's a summary: Pros: 1) very friendly staff - keep up the good work here. 2) good beer and wine selection 3) good cheese 4) ok tasting BBQ and steak (when not overcooked) 5) focus on American food 6) excellent coffee and tea Cons: 1) food is not prepared at a quality I would expect - it has been going downhill too. 2) portion size is VERY small 3) prices are too high for the amount and quality of the food you get in return 4) hard to sit outside when smoker is on 5) the takeout station consistently makes mistakes, they frequently don't know what's on the menu or the specials, and they are slow on the phone when taking your order Hope this helps and really hope this place gets back on track.
(2)Mick C.
My second time at the Roadhouse and I once again left underwhelmed. While the commitment to local, sustainable food is commendable, and the service outstanding, I found many dishes to be rather bland. However, my palate tends to favor dishes with spice or strong flavors, so admit a little bias. We had: Green Tomato Mussels - The spicy, sweet sauce completely overwhelmed the delicate, plump mussels. An indicator of a great sauce is my desire to dip lots of bread into it; in this case, I just left the sauce ot one side. Sweet Potato Fries - Generous portion, with a spicy kick - very good. Crab Cakes - Disappointing - Visually, the two small brown cakes on a large white plate did not appear appetizing and lacked any flavor or freshness. Scallops - Cooked perfectly, the best dish of the night Chef Alex's Bearded BBQ Plate - For $28, included 5 small portions of BBQ and foregettable mashed potatoes and greens. The chicken and the ribs were cooked beautifully, with other portions ok.
(3)Garrett G.
Ok so it is so interesrting to see so many reviews all over the place!! Here are my thoughts: If you truly thought the food was bad, something must of been off. The roadhouse serves lots of things, but one thing they don't serve is bad food. If you had a bad customer service experience that is the exception, and that person is probably no longer employed there. Offering samples of dishes is such a great idea, and it really helps people make a good food choice. The restaurant is great, the food is great, but it is just too expensive for me to be able to frequent here .
(4)Ajay S.
Went here for breakfast on the way back to Chicago. The breakfast was good and the orange juice was freshly squeezed. Would definately go again. On issue was sitting outside it was a little load with a crew cleaning the bbq grill. Will return.
(4)Alan W.
Good Food! Been here a few times; good service, good food, and decent decor. I like the place, but find some of the food too expensive. Depends on what you order.
(3)Andrew M.
The Roadhouse is easily one of the most overrated restaurants in Ann Arbor. The food was average at best, and somewhat dry. I'd rate the food a 3, but given the prices, it's not really worth it. Other Zingerman's establishments, however, are worth a try.
(2)F T.
Pretty disappointed with this visit to the Roadhouse. Our service was average at best, and the wine list was longer, but not really any better than a decent casual dining chain's. Of course, our food was delicious, albeit overpriced. When I go to a Zingerman's I expect the very best. This is what happens after years of receiving the best quality food with great service in a unique atmosphere. This trip did not meet any of those expectations. I also find it difficult to pay $20+ for an entree at a place with a view of their old Airstream in the parking lot that sells coffee and pastries as a drive-thru. Also disappointing were the chairs on the patio. They are too low for the tables and incredibly uncomfortable. I felt too short at 6'3".
(3)Josh R.
I have been to many restaurants in my time and this one by far threw me off. It seems to be very popular and the decor is nice inside. Its a clean looking restaurant, so my girlfriend and I decided to eat there on 7/26/13 for lunch. Well we get seated and our server hands us their lunch menu and everything is around $15 per plate. Which is fine if the food reflects the price. Then our server tries to push the mac n cheese dishes, for $15 a plate I sort of laughed. I have never seen mac n cheese so costly it was kind of ridiculous. So I decide on fried perch and she gets a salad with soup. Well the perch came out greasy and stuck together like it was out of a Gordons frozen fish box and ive had better fries at McDonald's. It came with 5 small pieces of perch and their homeade tartar sauce was terrible. Id rather use ketchup. For a $15.50 plate for lunch I was disappointed as was my girlfriend with the salad. We can say we wont be back to this place thats for sure. Hope your visit is better than ours was and this review gives you insight on the perch.
(1)Kensey W.
i've been here twice now, once for brunch and once for dinner. both times, i've found it to be meh. the price tag is the least of the problem (the brunch was actually pretty cheap) - i believe in the quality of ingredients at zingerman's but that doesn't change the fact that the food is just not that tasty. for brunch, i had a eggs benedict with crab. the hollandaise on it was incredibly bland. the potatoes served on the side were also bland and tasted like someone boiled and then baked them with no seasoning. (i used a lot of pepper and ketchup and it just tasted like peppered ketchup, which was okay i guess.) the portion was large though, so at least it was filling if not satisfying. as for dinner, i had fried chicken, after which, our server made sure to name drop mario batali as a frequent orderer of said dish. the fried chicken itself was decent and worth trying but not worth ordering again. there wasn't enough breading (i would believe if it were baked fried chicken) and the chicken was a little dry as chicken tends to be. my friend had a burger, which looked good, but the bun was overextending the meat, which is a personal pet peeve of mine when it comes to burgers. another friend got pulled pork sandwich which came with three sauces and was tasty, but in a way where i'm sure i've had better somewhere else. another friend got goat cheese mac and cheese, which was fantastic, flavorful, and right amount of gooeyness. i would get that next time if i liked eating large amounts of pasta. the best thing about this place is the service. they are very accommodating about switching out sides for other sides and giving you lots of options with your food. our server was friendly and knowledgeable and brought us some delicious cheese to sample while we waited for our food (yes, my opinion can be bought with delicious cheese). i wish i could give them five stars just for the services, but the food really was just a-ok.
(3)Tyler B.
The Roadhouse has two major barriers to me being gaga, five stars in love with it - it's expensive and it's not downtown. Now these may be trivial aspects for some, but this is my review, I'll criticize anything I want. I ended up here because the girlfriend wanted a bloody mary for brunch and claimed these were the best. Besides she was aghast that I'd never been. Offering to pick up the check was all the arm twisting she had to do. I can't vouch for the bloody mary (other than to say it looked like a delicious, professionally made cocktail) but they do have a fine selection of beers on tap. Regardless, the main selling points turned out to be that the service is quite incredible and the beef brisket is to die for. I'd note that you get what you pay for, except the portion size left me wanting more. Lots more. So anyone who wants to drive me out here and pay for my meal, I'm in. I'm already contemplating having the brisket again or trying my luck on something new. Ah the eternal conundrum...
(4)Holly M.
The service alone could make this place a 5 star all the way! Wow! While visiting MI for work this past week I was introduced to Zingermans Bakehouse and the Roadhouse, nice, eh? The Roadhouse had some awesome comfort food, exactly what I was looking for when I am away from Boston. I had the Turkey Hot Brown and it was delicious. I'm a little embarrassed to tell you that I ate every last bite on the plate. It was that good. Our server was super attentive to our needs and honestly made the dining experience. She totally rocked and was so honest and helpful, I was really impressed. My coworkers had a burger (outstanding) and a chicken special. Both were impressed. If I am ever back in MI again, I am going back to Roadhouse for sure!
(5)Erika K.
Ask about half-sized portions! I went to the Roadhouse for a quick breakfast this morning and was pleasantly surprised by my bill. The waiter asked if I wanted a half portion or full portion of the steel cut oatmeal I wanted. I ordered the half size and it was more than enough; besides being rich and delicious, it was only $2.50! With a cup of awesome coffee (which I had refilled a couple of times gratis), the bill was only $5 before tax. I would take $2.50 steel cut oatmeal over a cheap, greasy sandwich from other places any day of the week.
(5)Vanessa F.
Over priced for nasty mac n cheese. Nothing on the menu but ribs and mac. Never again. If you want the zingerman's experience go downtown, or to the bakehouse.
(1)Amy Y.
They have great All American food. They have good prime ribs and snow crabs. Don't know if they still have the all you can eat on Mondays but I use to go then. The sweet potatoes are huge and yummy. Get that loaded up with butter and sugar. MMM! You definitely get a big portion served here.
(5)mariah c.
I figured out the secret of catfish consumption here! So, I liked the taste of the catfish dinner, but picking it off the bone? Not so much. However, yesterday I dropped in for lunch. While the Roadhouse isn't usually in my lunch orbit (or budget), the lovely Colleen C was in town and I wanted to show her someplace a little special. So, the Roadhouse it was! I was eagerly eying all sorts of options -- though avoiding the mac and cheese knowing that would = instant food coma mid-afternoon. I came upon the catfish po-boy! Perhaps it's only on the lunch menu, but I'd never noticed it before. I was sold! It was divine. The perfect slight sweet-spiciness of the pepper with the breaded catfish, on a super hearty roll was one special lunch indeed. The fries were ok, but it was hard for them to measure up to that darn sammich. Loved it so much that I ate the second 1/2 for dinner. For those of you who have a hankering for catfish but don't want the work of bone-pickin', go fo' the po' boy!
(5)Diane T.
I'm usually a big fan of the zingerman's monopoly, but I found the roadhouse to be so so. I ordered the braised goat with sweet potato mash, which pretty much sounds amazing in theory. However, this was probably the chewiest, crunchest, toughest goat I've ever had. The atmosphere was also extremely loud. Even on a Friday night at 10pm, I still felt like I had to yell across the table. Maybe they were just having an off night, but next time I'm in Ann Arbor, I'm skipping the roadhouse and heading straight to the deli!
(3)Mike C.
This piece of the zingerman's empire is mostly a good experience for diners. The bread is always top-notch (perhaps the best zingerman's product). If you order carefully, you can get some really tasty food. The pit-smoked meat, barbecued meat, oak-grilled meat, etc., is very good. Basically it's good cuts of meat cooked over a wood fire, which provides you with all kinds of wonderful smoky flavors. Desserts can be a bit disappointing at times. I've noticed that sometimes special items on the menu, including desserts, can be a bit of a bust. Prices are on the high side. Zingerman's spends a good deal of energy telling us all how great they are, how they have the best ingredients from all over the world, etc etc. Clearly, their business plan is working. I have to say that I find it a bit much, however. My petty gripes aside, I keep coming back to The Roadhouse because they serve up good food, really good wood-fired meat, and fantastic bread.
(4)Jen R.
This restaurant was hands down the best I've ever been to. The entire meal was delicious down to the iced tea. A friend who had been there before gave me recommendations and so I had some of their best items including oysters (covered in liquor and salt), a side of mac and cheese (the best mac and cheese I've ever had in my life), and an oyster po'boy with a garden salad. All were AMAZING. I also tried someone's sweet potato fries, and they were also incredible. Overall fantastic experience - exceptional service and food. I would encourage everyone to eat here.
(5)Ben G.
Food was all around decent. I would have given 3 stars if not fir the hype. The sweet potato fries are not good and the burger was less than impressive. What was good was the cheese, beer, and Mac.
(2)Mary Ann C.
This place is fabulous! We went today for breakfast, and what a treat! I love the decor-especially all of the antique salt and pepper shakers! Our server, Mandy, was so sweet and helpful. She actually took the time to explain where the jams were from, how the sausage was made, and brought different types of hot sauces for my husband to try. She brought us samples of the fresh orange juice to try. She was a delight! Now...on to the food! I had the eggs benedict-lovely ham on top of sourdough bread! Yumm! Between the three of us, we tried both types of sausage patties and the bacon-all were delicious! My husband loved the potatoes that came with the breakfasts. The prices are on the higher end, but the food is top notch and portions are large! This is a must try spot if you are in Ann Arbor!
(5)D M.
I have had nothing but good experiences, breakfast, lunch and dinner. In February we took a large party for a birthday and at least 50% of the entrees went back to the kitchen for being WAY to salty. The Chef 'agreed' with half of them (??), but they offered to replace all of them. Some said yes, some said no because it had been a busy night and we had already had to wait a while (we were informed of this ahead of time and it was not an issue). Ultimately ALL the entrees were comp'd along with a round of drinks AND we were given a gift card for another $50 after we had paid the bill. While this was not a 'good' experience, how it was handled made up for it in spades. The food is fantastic. It's local (produce) and generally organic. The beef (maybe all meat?) is grass fed on the farm a few miles away owned by the Chef. They source ingredients from all over the world, like their apple cider vinegar from Montreal, and then put their stories on the wall. Just a neat place. My wife and I were in for our first anniversary this past Saturday and Ari (co-founder of the Zing-Empire) was filling water glasses, running tickets, and cashing folks out. You gotta respect a rich owner who still goes to work, does real work with no fanfare or 'do you know who I am'.
(5)Dave W.
Consistently the best restaurant in town. Everything is good. The secret.... They don't use crap to make their food. Order what you're in the mood for. If you don't want to spend 15-30.00 for dinner go somewhere else.
(5)Becky L.
Decent food, if a little over priced. The macaroni and cheese is nice and filling, the collared greens are fairly perfect, and the bbq is passable. Overall, however, I feel that while Zingerman's makes a good attempt at classic soul food it falls just a little short of my expectations. I'm not sure I would have realized this before I moved to DC (where it is so easy to find great soul food) but there is definitely a little soul lacking in the execution. My vote: if you are hitting up a Zingerman's go to the deli downtown. The sandwiches there are much better than anything you will get at the RoadHouse.
(3)kim d.
Bad. Just plain bad. It's like they hired a writer to insert as many adjectives as possible into the menu descriptions to make their food sound worthy. It's just not. Below average food, above average prices. What not to like?-ALOT unfortunately. I feel like such a sucker for having wasted money in this restaurant yet again.
(1)Morgan D.
When I think about the old Roadhouse, that one blues riff comes into my head, so its like: I went down to the roadhouse (dunh dunh dunh dunh) to get some dinner to eat (dunh dunh dunh dunh) I ended up with some overpriced mac n cheese cause there's not much for a vegetarian to eat... So rhyming eat with eat is a crime, but I hope the blues jam part came through. Actually, I think the roadhouse is a nice place with some great people working there and pretty good food. But its overpriced and it has an interior that feels like a chain restaurant (TGI Zingerman's?) I don't know what a "Roadhouse" is- maybe something that only exists in a Patrick Swayze movie, but if there is a roadhouse on this planet somewhere, it probably doesn't look like this place inside. I'm just sayin... Still gonna give it 3 stars though.
(3)Kevin S.
Traverse City, Michigan and Cleve/Akron, Ohio are exactly one meal apart in driving time. Just type in the address for Zingerman's Roadhouse on Google Map, and the rest of the trip will magically flow along... Can you tell I'm in rapture? Here's how you make this a five star experience: Get there either early, or late. Dine during "shoulder" times, off-peak, and you'll experience the greatest meal within about five hunnert miles. I poop you not. Heading north for another graduation, meeting up with dozens of family, and car-pooling with five, two of whom had never been Zingermanned, we made it an early lunch. No crowd. Attentive service. I can't recall another dining experience recently in which every worker was smiling. It can border on cult-like, this place; they know and love this food. Every bite is a new experience. I'm not usually a fan of "here taste some of mine," but I do that here. I don't want to miss a morsel and love to read and learn about the foods, their origins, their preparation. My non-foodie sister was nearly weeping in joy. If you take a look at the negative reviews, most list "had to wait for a table" or some other nonsense. Nonsense, I say. I'd wait through breakfast and lunch if I could have a dinner this good. Hell, I'd SKIP both meals. (We'll stop there on the way BACK, too!)
(5)Erin Y.
Much like the deli, food quality is fairly close to excellent. However, much like their mail order business, the mark up is freakin' outrageous. Last I heard, the mac n chz was around 20 bucks. Seriously, considering the current economy in the state they are, you know, located? You could make three pans of premium mac n cheese at home and have enough left to splurge on the Z for dessert and coffee. If you want to blow some major cash on a dinner, why not go for something with more value, more ambiance, better service? And a tad more of a white linen vibe?
(1)Whitney S.
The food is delicious, like you would expect from zingerman's. My boyfriend and I stopped by on 1/8 around 6 pm, but didn't want to wait an hour for a table for two. We did end up returning on 1/16 with a reservation. The original time ended up not being good for us, so with a quick call earlier that day, we were able to change the reservation without any hassle. The sweet potato fries were delicious. The spare ribs were falling off the bone delicious. The misto frito was falling apart off. The mojito was the best I've had at a restaurant. It's hard to go wrong or hungry at Zingerman's. The staff was attentive and knowledgeable. The only drawbacks are the constant din from a full restaurant of happy people talking loudly, and the wait.
(4)James B.
For anyone reading my first few posts, one may get the impression that I have a decidedly anti-American food bias. Quite the contrary, I LOVE it. I love Maryland blue crabs, Texas brisket, New Orleans mudbugs, Carolina BBQ, San Francisco cioppino, Virginia ham, New York anything, Wisconsin dairy (of course), Michigan cherries, and on and on. One could literally spend a lifetime sampling regional cuisines of the USA... what a delicious occupation that would be! What I don't like is when a restaurant uses an ethnic sounding name or theme, claims to be "Authentic", but then adjusts the cuisine in question to appeal to a mass audience, a trend I refer to as Americanizing, as it often applies to places here in the US. Think of any one of the chain restaurants - Brio, PF Changs, Kona Grill, Bahama Breeze, Benihana, et.al . - you'll know what I mean. This disturbing trend has found it's way to over-seas places that mainly cater to the American tourist... I am saddened every time I think of Playa del Carmen and how the restaurants doing well down there, with their "authentic Mexican cuisine", serve the same kind of over-cheesed, refried beaned, over-hot-sauced crap that's served here at places like Chi-Chi's or Don Pablo's. To find the real stuff, the good stuff, the authentic stuff... go where the locals go. But I digress. What does this have to do with a review of Zingerman's Roadhouse? Everything! The Roadhouse isn't trying to be anything else but a place to get good old American food representing the various regions of the US... ribs, fried chicken, mac & cheese, grits, oysters, peanut butter, fruit preserves, and more... in all their American glory. Nowhere on the menu will you find "Asian influenced", "Nouveau French inspired", or "Latin flavored" anything. The beauty of what they are doing here is that for the dishes, they source the ingredients locally and, whenever possible, from the very region the dish hails from. There is a reason the Southern style fried chicken tastes like the fried chicken from the south... authentic ingredients. "But James, you haven't said a thing about the actual food!" Well here ya go... Fried chicken - crispy, juicy, perfectly seasoned... 'nuf said. Ribs - the first time I had this dish, I was taking hold of the bone to cut off a rib, when the bone came out completely clean, now that's fall off the bone tender! No sauce is necessary as the ribs are succulent by themselves. For whatever reason, I am personally not a big fan of barbeque sauce (maybe a freak bbq sauce accident I have suppressed?!) but I like theirs so much that I actually use it. Mini corndogs - for someone like me, who grew up in rural Wisconsin, this brings tears to the eyes. These are a staple of any Wisconsin fair and Zingerman's does them right... served only with mustard, not that red abomination the heathens use. Shrimp and grits - tasty I could go on and on but we have that character limit. Yes, Zingerman's is pricey and yes, it's a 45minute drive to get there... it's all worth it.
(5)Karl H.
This place is aiight. It's definately overrated and like most Ann Arbor restaurants, overpriced. The food isn't bad at all, but it just isn't that great. Their southern style dishes are hit or miss and the fried chicken was worse than Popeye's. Plus they charge a lot for Mac N' Cheese (seriously?). However I did like their Texas Cabrito with some good collard greens, their tasty mussels, and their pulled pork was decent. The service is excellent and they have a lot of good beers on tap. I only go here when I've got cash to burn, which isn't often.
(3)Pauline S.
So not worth it. Started off with the Ari's Pimento Cheese plate which was presented with celery sticks. One or two was good enough and after that it just seemed like I was eating fat. I also had the Pimento Cheese & Peppered Bacon Macaroni for an entree. Paying nearly 20 dollars for mac n cheese, one would have high expectations. However, i was sorely disappointed. Way too oily and the amount you get is not worth the price. To top it off, the service was so very slow. While our waitress was nice and perky, it took her forever to bring out our food. She realized that it was a long wait since she apologized for it when she brought out the netrees. But where was she when we were waiting around for the food? She never once checked in with us to tell us when the food would come or that there were some delays.
(2)Nick F.
I appreciate the whole "locally grown organic" food movement but charging 15 dollars for a pulled pork sandwich is bad business anyway you cut it., i don't care if Jesus himself raised that pig I shouldn't need to pay 40% percent over normal restaurant prices. Especially when the food is only so-so.
(2)Mary K.
I'm going to say -- 5 stars for breakfast/brunch, 3 stars for dinner/lunch... so it evens out to 4. Love, love LOVE their breakfast and brunch... awesome eggs benedict (the Baltimore Benedict dish this summer was DIVINE), wonderful real corned beef hash and hash browns, great huevos rancheros, awesome "something I can't recall the name of" but it was like french toast, deep friend, with macerated bananas (yum), coffee, orange juice -- superb. Lunch and dinner I think are somewhat overrated and overpriced. Their burgers are very good, but the BBQ is just ok, and I had a Cobb salad once that was overly salty. One other thing I love about all of the meals, though, is that they often bring out little tasting portions of some of their menu items.. pimento cheese and doughnuts (not together), specifically, for free! Also the service there is always, always excellent. 4 stars.
(4)Ainsley E.
The S.O. and I have been to the Roadhouse three times now. That's three opportunities to wow us and make the price worthwhile. So far they're 1 for 3. The sweet potato fries are to-die-for, and once we had some gumbo on special that was amaaazing. We've had the mac n cheese(s) (kind of bland and overpriced), and the BBQ beef (was tender, but also lacked flavor and didn't have near as much sauce as it needed). Tonight the boyfriend had Jim's Pennsylvania Scrapple, which tasted distinctly of mutton and was otherwise regrettable. My Grillades and Grits? My mom has made better-tasting shit on a shingle. We ate part of our meals out of politeness and left ASAP, feeling very disappointed and gypped. I'm not sure we'll be returning again. Truth be told, I've had more enjoyable meals at McDonald's.
(2)Joe H.
If I could choose only one place to eat at for the rest of my life, Zingerman's would be the place (at least thus far in my life). Have eaten here a number of times and I'm always amazed at the food. Sure, I've had dishes that were less that stellar, but even those lackluster meals were still good. The main contention with Zingerman's is price. Yes, it is expensive. However, nearly everything on the menu is handmade. They source most of their produce locally & are very conscious of where their food comes from. When you pay for your meal at Zingerman's, you're paying for a lot more than just a plate of fried chicken. Additionally, many of cheeses, breads, and now beers are made there as well. Basically, you can rest assured that your meal is using some of the finest quality ingredients around and that everything is going to be pretty damn tasty. I'm going to focus on my last 2 visits to the Roadhouse because I had a couple really fantastic dishes & a couple not so incredible ones. Appetizers: Scallop ceviche (Georges bank scallops sliced thin and flash marinated in a citrus marinade. Served with spiced plantain crisps.) was a special one evening & I couldn't pass that up. Actually, once I placed the order, Ari (the owner) came over and talked to me for a minute about how wonderful the scallops were. Also, Ari was pouring water & waiting tables all night - pretty awesome, if you ask me. And yes, they were delicious. Perfect little morsels of sweetness swimming in the tart marinade. The crispy plantain chips were a sweet, texturally welcome addition. The Maize & Blue Hush Puppies are incredible. Crunchy on outside, sweet & creamy on inside - and they're served with a firey housemade hot sauce & spicy mayo that are both out of this world. Focusing on seasonal foods, heirloom tomatoes were a focus last time I visited. The Ceres Salad (Cherokee Purple, Striped German, Mortgage Lifters, fresh from the farm, served with handmade mozzarella cheese and drizzled with Pasolivo olive oil and sprinkled with salt and pepper) is absolutely delightful. The tomatoes are sweet, the olive oil fruity, the cheese so creamy - I literally sopped up everything last drop off this plate with the amazing warm, crusty bread that each table is given. This salad will ruin all other Caprese salads forever. The mac & cheese is tremendous. The french fries divine. Mashed potatoes awesome. Braised greens porky & delicious (add hot sauce!). The New Mexico Green Chile Burger with goat cheese is very good, but not $14 very good. The flavors are all spot on, but the burger itself was a touch overcooked and tough for me. Although, the creaminess of the goat cheese couple with the roasted, fiery goodness of the chiles was a welcome addition to the burger. A special one night was grass fed beef with roasted veggies - the steak was very tough. It was cooked well & the herb butter was delicious, but steak just wasn't doing it for me. The veggies were fine, but nothing out of this world. Dessert is awesome, too. The doughnut sundae is something that needs to be experienced at least once (if not more than that). The magic brownie sundae is...well...magical. The summer citrus chiffon cake is good, but was a little too dry for me, which is odd for a chiffon cake. Seriously, Zingerman's does everything well - I've tried their fried chicken, pulled pork, pulled goat, and a number of other dishes - all have been at least good. Their beer list is pretty decent & they have a full bar otherwise. Easily one of my favorite restaurants.
(5)Scott S.
Stumbled upon this place on a road trip through Ann Arbor thanks to yelp! It did not disappoint. The only thing better than the excellent service was the food. I had the BBQ beef. Very well smoked with a sauce that was tangy and not too sweet. Accompanied by some greens with bacon and honey (unusual but delicious) and lumpy mashed potatoes (just the way I like them.) The Mrs. Had the fried chicken and ate it all declaring it very good. One son had corn dogs. Said they were the best he's had. (somewhat of a corn dog connoisseur, if there is such a thing). Other son has food allergies to which our server was very accommodating, adding grilled chicken to a salad and even bringing him a complimentary dessert that he could eat while we chowed down on the awesome peach pie and gelato sampler. Highly recommend this place.
(5)Clare W.
OVER-RATED *clap clap clapclapclap* But srsly, it wasn't that good for all the hype. Just a lot of seasoning.
(2)Enrique B.
Awesome! Zingerman's Roadhouse doesn't have the cheapest menu in town, but the food is all of very high quality. I also like the fact that Zingerman's staff are trained to know the menu inside and out, and can tell you the origin of all the ingredients. For example, if you order something with bacon on it, they can tell you exactly where the pig lived, and the name of the farm. I believe that if you can't get it local, you should at least know the origin. Another awesome thing about Zingerman's Roadhouse is that there is ample free parking. When I went to the deli on Detroit St, finding a parking space was like hunting for unicorns. You should definitely try the Roadhouse sometime.
(4)Chiwei L.
Damn Zingerman. How can I love and hate you so much at the same time. This is one of my favorite mid/high level restaurants in Ann Arbor, and usually the goto place for the peeps from out of town for a quintessential A2 experience. I've had the pleasure of having some amazingly good, down home, real American food. So why the 3 (3.5 really) stars... Well it's the inconsistency. For a "James Beard" head chef nominated, service oriented, relatively high priced eatery, with the semi-legendary Zingerman name, one would expect heaven on a plate every time. Unfortunately, I've been served average food more often than not. Things like, BBQ and sauces that seem a little dry and under seasoned (Especially compared with slows in Detroit), fish that came out lukewarm, dishes that felt under seasoned, just too many things to be inexcusable... I still love this place, I will still come to this place, I will still spend way to much money on this place... I just hope that they don't take my love for granted... (Jolly Pumpkin might just steal my heart away.)
(3)Shon C.
I'm going to say it up front - downgraded a star because you have to spend a lot of money to eat here. That being said, as with other things in life, you pay for what you get. Like the deli, Zingerman's Roadhouse specializes in good "American Food," namely BBQ, meat, fresh seafood, great bread, and great cheese. Also a pretty good beer and wine selection. Most impressive is the selection of Mac n Cheese dishes, all priced between $10-$20. If you're the type of person that is interested in eating "real food" (in the Michael Pollan sense of the word), then you would really enjoy this restaurant. The beef taste like real beef, the chicken taste like real chicken. There's a great selection of cheeses (not quite as extensive as the deli, but great for before dinner or with drinks). My last visit was two nights ago with friends, my wife got a bowl of the chili (usually very hearty, big chunks of meat, but a little too beany this time around) and a hot spinach salad (yum!); I went with the corn-dog appetizer (served with 3 gourmet mustards) and the pulled chicken BBQ sandwich with hand cut fries. My meal was great. In fact, the only meal I had at this restaurant that I didn't love was a daily special a few months back -- their take on Cioppino -- suboptimal. Pros: great American food, great ingredients, Zingerman's quality, fancy Mac n Cheese Cons: long wait on weekend nights, expensive for what you get, location isn't really walking distance to other bars/restaurants
(4)Eric M.
This is another one of those places... drive by it almost everyday and have really never gone there. Ok, I went there to interview somebody at one point, but didn't really eat (or pay attention to) the food. However, the other day a very good friend of ours was in town, and we decided to grab lunch here because it was (surprise) close to our house. It was kind of a rainy day, one of the ones we've been having so many of lately this wet fall, and we decided to sit out on the heated, covered patio to take advantage of the "warmth." As it was a rainy day, I decided to try mac & cheese. Not usually something I'd attribute too much gastronomic creativity to, mac & cheese is the quintessential comfort food. Then I looked at the menu. ** WAIT A MINUTE... ** There were like, six different kinds of mac & cheese. Six kinds! That's a cheese-junkie's overdose. So, I went for the pimento cheese and applewood bacon version. YUM. Yes, it was very rich. No, it was not helping to unclog my arteries. However, it spread a big smile across my face and left me with the intent that THIS week, yes, THIS week I would amp up my workouts. Just not today. :) Wonderful flavor in the food, at least what I had. Just disregard the overpowering smell of butter as you walk in - you can survive just ONE dish, right? Definitely a place I'd go back to, but not if I'm on a diet. At least not that dish...
(4)Stever G.
I had never been here before but always wanted to ever since they opened. My SO has always met that suggestion with "Well...I don't think you'll like it...there's not much in the way of vegetarian fare, and it's really expensive." He knows my tastes well, so I figured he was right. We were on "staycation" recently and I finally convinced him to take me there. We went on a weeknight and was told the wait was 30 minutes, but it turned out to be more like an hour. While I waited, I stared at a huge banner advertising an everything-bacon-fest, with a cartoon piggie on it. Not really the most appetizing image in the world, and I was beginning to regret coercing my SO into coming here. Thankfully, we were seated outside. The inside dining area seemed way claustrophobic, which is one of my beefs with the deli. I'm not usually a fan of outdoor seating, but apart from some seriously uncomfortable chairs, the patio area is spacious and lovely. It was one of the most beautiful nights of the summer, so that added to the atmosphere. The service was, as expected, some of the best service you can get anywhere. Not only was our server amazingly attentive (despite a packed house with some way crabby and demanding patrons--did I mention this place is great for people watching?!), but one of the owners was helping out and making recommendations. Onto the meal. The cocktail menu features clever names and tantalizing descriptions. My guy opted for a very, very strong martini, while I went for a fairly priced Oberon the size of my head. As I looked over the menu, I was impressed that there were actually several vegetarian options. My guy kept insisting that we stick to the appetizers because he's never had a good entree there. Reading the descriptions of the veg dishes, I wasn't having any of that. He ordered sweet potato fries anyway, and I'm glad he did, because they were indeed scrumptious. For entree, I bypassed the veggie burger (cue regret #1) and went for the Mac & Cheese (cue regret number #2!) Can't remember what it was called, but it was the one without bacon. I gotta say, it needed some major doctoring. Anything would have been an improvement. It tasted like...nothing. If I'm indulging in a fattening comfort food, it's supposed to at least taste like it! My SO, while not vegetarian, cooks amazing meatless dishes. And his variations on mac & cheese put this overpriced slop to shame. That makes me feel annoyed that this place is getting away with charging such a high amount of money for such a below average entree. He tried some kind of pulled pork sandwich and nibbled on it throughout the dinner with a "told you we should have gotten another appetizer" look on his face. The price was probably the worst part of this experience. I did notice they had a section on the menu that was "lighter fare" and had more standard prices. If I go again, perhaps I'll try something off of there. Or maybe I'll get that veggie burger. Or maybe I'll listen for once and stick with splitting multiple appetizers! In a nutshell, exceptional service, great atmos if you sit outside, but one gross ridiculously priced dish really tainted my first experience here.
(2)Sarah W.
I have come here many times. And what I can say is that the food is only okay. If you really want to eat Zingerman sandwiches go to the deli downtown. It just tastes way better and the atmosphere is much more suitable for that kind of meal. But! At Zingerman's Roadhouse the dessert is really really good! The doughnut sundae is a genius idea. I love doughnuts, I love good vanilla gelato, the two should be combined! It's topped off with fresh whip cream and drizzled with caramel sauce and peanuts. It is really great, and I have never seen something like this anywhere else. I also love the apple pie a la mode. And the magic brownie sundae is perfect. If you have a sweet tooth come here and don't forget to order the coffee.
(3)Jen K.
Was in town for a ZingTrain seminar and decided to check out the Roadhouse with a friend for Sunday Brunch. I was stunned that they had gluten-free corn/bacon/cheddar waffles with maple syrup. Honestly, it didn't sound like it was going to be that great but bacon makes everything great so I decided to try it. They were amazing. LOVED IT! Super friendly staff, did feel that the server was a little slow at bringing us our check, but that might be an Ann Arbor thing because I experienced it at every restaurant we visited!
(5)Angela R.
Had a wonderful Sunday brunch - I had the huevos rancheros, a nice combination of spice in the pinto beans, green chilies, eggs and the crunchy tormilla. My husband had "New" English Breakfast which was two fried eggs with English pork and beans, Nueske's applewood ham steak and fried heirloom tomatoes and mushrooms with toast. We both really enjoyed our meal our waitress kept the coffee flowing and we enjoyed a mimosa at the end, very nice. Great service great food would go again and we highly recommend!
(4)Michelangelo S.
Unimaginably good. Inconceivably overhyped. The entire decor of the Roadhouse is invested in a single goal: to justify why you're paying $20 for macaroni and cheese. We get a $50 gift card to here every year and always end up with a $70 bill for two people. Somehow they pull it off, with every dish being outstanding. However, the unpretentious staff and verbose menus sometimes seem at odds; it's like they're unfazed about the fact that you're about to lay out a lot of green for mundane dishes- because they understand that these dishes are turned into something special by being prepared using only the highest quality ingredients. As I understand it, this uncompromising quality actually caused the Roadhouse to be the single unprofitable Zingerman's enterprise for its first year, but propped up by the Bakery, Deli, Mail-Order, and Creamery, along with generous patronship by Ann Arbor snobs and foodies, it's survived and it ready to become an institution.
(4)Jon T.
Was just there for the Sunday Brunch menu and had a great time. To me, it's one of the few restaurants in SE Michigan that 'get's it'. In fact, if I didn't know I was in Michigan, I would have guessed more like Portland or Seattle. Examples...it uses local ingredients, it brands where items on its menu come from, they have their own bakery, and creamery, its casual and upbeat and an extra friendly environment and so on and so on. Meaning, you can eat great food without spending an arm or a leg or having to put on a suit because you're in a white table cloth environment. Most places here, don't understand that. I had the waffles with grits, Vermont cheddar and Niman Ranch bacon....fricken exceptional! The only thing better was our server Sharon. Thanks for the great time.
(5)Sunny K.
Yum! I had the new mexico grilled chicken sandwich and it was delicious. The atmosphere and service was great. The only negative is the overpriced meal options, considering the size of the sandwiches. I'm not sure if this is the case for other entree options as well. But I will definitely go back to try some of them.
(4)Liane R.
Best. Sweet. Potato. Fries. Ever. . . . Ever.
(5)Jane D.
The Roadhouse has consistently excellent food. One of the things I like best is to sit at the bar and watch the cooks working and all the luscious food going by. It's a bustling place! The staff is well trained and attentive without being intrusive. The burgers are heaven and you can get a burger card. After 10 burgers, you get one free!
(5)A H.
I agree, the prices seem a little steep but the staff is very attentive and go out of their way to make sure everyone is taken care of. Their cheese plates are amazing, though I would prefer a cracker to the bagel crisps that they use, because it drowns out the flavor of the cheese. Their Smoked Chicken & Monterey Jack macaroni is amazing, very flavorful and creamy. Recently went back for brunch and their granola is wonderful. Oats, almonds, cranberries, and brown sugar. Enough said?!
(5)Nick L.
Ehh... I want to like Zingerman's, I really do. The service was great, our waitress was very nice and even took a chili bowl off of our tab that one of us didn't like. Plus they give back part of their bill to the town! On the other hand... wow is this expensive. Good luck finding anything under $10-15, I think your only option might be the salad (which I did not enjoy). Vegetarian options are almost non-existent, which I somewhat expected coming from a Roadhouse but still, this is generic American food for way more than its worth.
(3)Elizabeth L.
Good Northern Southern Barbecue, but what you're saving on the plane ticket south you're paying in the tab. Now that I've lived in Austin for five years (more Austin restaurant reviews to come) and my in-laws live in Charleston SC, I consider myself more versed in barbecue and Mexican food than all my years in the Midwest allowed. So when I heard that Zingerman's opened up a barbecue place that had won some accolades, I knew we had to go. The decor was definitely reminiscent of some of the Southern barbecue places we used to frequent (Threadgill's, Chuy's, County line, etc.) but they managed to merge it well with what seems to be the "Zingerman's style" (based on their deli). I had to order brisket, because I discovered a love of brisket when we moved to Austin back in 03' and it is hard to find on a menu in Chicago. Yum! I wasn't disappointed... very tender and flavorful. My husband ordered the pulled pork and also enjoyed his meat. The sides, however, were a little lackluster tasting and seemed a bit disjointed. Collard greens may be thematic, but I wasn't raised on them and can't imagine them being all that popular up North. I recommend making them an optional vegetable, not the default. Additionally, the Macaroni & Cheese seemed to be "gourmet-ed" up, but it wasn't clear why (other than the price) - why not just do the classic right and charge appropriately? I've given this restaurant three stars because the food and atmosphere are enjoyable, but they don't match the prices. Not that the South doesn't have expensive barbecue places, but if you walk into a barbecue place in the South and see prices like these, expectations are high. This has the feel and taste of a moderate to inexpensive neighborhood barbecue joint, but they are asking "bbq gourmet" prices. Additionally, while I'm all about portion control, it's not as if the portion sizes justify the price either... dishes are moderately sized.
(3)Alissa H.
I have been a fan of Zingerman's in general for a long time, especially their oils/vinegars/breads/cheeses from the deli, but I was disappointed with my first visit to the Roadhouse. The service started out great, our waitress was really helpful and attentive, but after we put our orders in we didn't see her as frequently and kept trying to have to waive her down to put in drink orders or ask about our appetizer (which didn't come out after we had finished our main course). The main courses were mosly successful. My macaroni and cheese was really, really tastey but a relatively small portion for the price. My husband did not like the fried chicken; the chicken pieces were large but the breading didn't have much flavor and fell off the chicken when he picked it up. Our other friend enjoyed the barbecue platter for the most part except the mole sauce, and the fourth in our party was pleased with her NY strip and raved over the spinach side dish. For the price, my friends had hoped for a little more but, in all fairness, we were at a Zingerman's establishment and it's no secret that its generally a little overpriced. Had the service been better it would have been a four-star review.
(3)Allison D.
Um, I recently moved to Ann Arbor & have asked several people for restaurant recommendations, and unanimously have heard the praises of Zingerman's, so we headed to the very cute Roadhouse for dinner. After sitting down, we were asked for drink orders, and clearly disappointed the server by not ordering cocktails. The service got worse as my mother (who wasn't hungry) ordered the crab cake appetizer, I ordered the macaroni & cheese with vegetables (an amazingly high $18.50), and my fiance ordered the New Mexico Black Bean Burger with sweet potato fries. My fiance & I have both lived in New Mexico and love spicy green chile, but neither of us could handle the truly ridiculous level of HOT of the green chile on that burger. The burger was obviously home-made, but it kept falling apart. I mentioned the spiciness to the waiter, but instead of concern, his response was literally a scoff with a smile, and no words. He just walked off. After my fiance admitted there was was no way to eat the atomically hot burger, we waited for a long while before the server reluctantly came back to check on us. He nodded, and curtly asked if he wanted a burger without green chile when it was reported that it was simply too hot to eat. The sweet potato fries in contrast were amazing chunks of crisp on the outside, soft on the inside goodness. The crab cakes were small, but good, served on a plate with absolutely no garnish. The macaroni and cheese was a huge disappointment. A large plate with a thin layer of excessively oily pasta with a few pieces of oil drenched spinach and remnants of a tomato mixed in. The highpoint was the fried goat cheese in the center which was perfectly done. After I was finished eating the second burger finally came out and my fiance could finally eat, but the server didn't bring silverware, which took a while and more bad attitude to get. Of course when we ordered dessert (the hummingbird cake - moist but bland) the server perked up a bit, but not nearly as much as he did when he presented the large bill. Overall, the experience was not good. I will not be going back to Zingermans Roadhouse to pay handsomely for under average food and unpleasant service.
(2)M B.
I have been visiting The Roadhouse since it first opened. It is my favorite restaurant in Ann Arbor. The food is amazing - yes, it's expensive, but no more expensive than other AA restaurants. The food is worth the price. The service is exceptional and I always feel like I've landed at a friend's house, having dinner.
(5)mike w.
Recommended Meal: Drink: - Zaisson (some strong wheat beer they have on tap) Appetizers: - Large order Sweet Potato fries (believe me get the larger otherwise you will spend more getting two regular orders, they are that good). - Oysters (mix up the types, delicious!) Meal: - Anything that catches your eye is probably delicious. I would lay off the beef brisket, because a deli by the same name has the best there is!
(5)Sara G.
I just have to give another shout out to Z's Roadhouse. The servers I've had have been nothing less than super friendly and helpful and the food continues to be marvelous and mouth-watering. Also, I have recently become positively addicted to their my-T-fine Caesar salad, topped with hanger steak. Why didn't this appear on the menu sooner? OY VEY.
(5)Alison T.
The main complaint I hear about the Roadhouse is that it's overpriced, but I disagree. Expensive? Yes. Overpriced? No. I think the problem is that people generally associate "American food" with chain restaurants like Applebee's and Bob Evans, so they're shocked when they see the prices on Zingerman's burgers and mac 'n cheese (which, frankly, are not THAT much higher than you'd pay at a chain restaurant anyway). But the food and service here are both exceptional, which is less than I can say about any of those chains. The ingredients are fresh and, when possible, locally grown, beginning with the basket of Zingerman's bread you're served when you sit down (probably a $10 value in itself, knowing their bakery prices). I've visited on three separate occasions and eaten the fried chicken, the pulled pork and the Roadhouse macaroni and cheese. Each time, when I hesitated upon ordering my meal, the server offered to bring me a taste of the item I was considering. How many chain restaurants do that? All three dishes were absolutely amazing, as was the donut sundae I split with several people on one particular visit. I've never heard anything negative about the food here; only the prices. But if you'd gladly spend $20 per meal at a nice steakhouse, I would urge you to try this place--it's no more expensive than a steakhouse and much more unique. PS: They also have a great beer selection!
(4)Adam P.
After weeks of reading reviews, seeing top ratings and another nomination the Chef has received for a James Beard award, how couldn't I go....? Upon my arrival from such easy directions, I pulled up to a novelty type looking place that was quite "Unique". I loved the old looking trailer attached to the building they had set up for pull up takeout orders... Entering on a Monday dinner rush, my wait was only 5 mins. My company and I perched up to the bar for a few delicious signature drinks. My first drink was a Sazerac bourbon/Absinthe type drink with an orange twist in it. It was pretty good. We started with Crab cakes and some oysters. The oysters were great. I loved how they select from both Coasts as most places I've been, only select from the east. Also the Bartender was Excellent. Seeing how it was our first time she offered us many samples of sauces, pork and Brisket. They do cook the brisket in house. Tasted good with the sauce but seemed a bit overcooked and more tasting of Roast Beef. I've had better. The Crab cake was unique and we both really enjoyed how flavorful it was. What I really admire is how the Chef uses all local ingredients including meat from his own cows from his farm. I couldn't pass up the steak. I ordered the Bone in Rib eye. If I would USDA rate this which I don't think it is seeing how it's so local. I would rate it a Select Cut. I wasn't impressed. I loved the Grits I ordered with it and the Chicken Macaroni and Cheese was quite Unique My Date ordered the burger and Salad Special. I loved the onion roll they served it on and it was really flavorful. Their fries are to die for and seem as fresh and real as it can get. Now my issue was with the Willamette Pinot Noir Wine. 13.50 A glass, it had no complexity AT ALL especially from its appellation, it should have tasted better than a table wine. I did think it paired great with the steak though. Other than that, I really appreciated the service and how welcoming the service was. We were also presented with a desert for it being our first time, Vanilla Gelato.. ABSOLUTLY DELICIOUS. Macaroons with it were too coconutty. Unless you like Coconuts, you will love em.. All and All my experience was good, my service was outstanding, but for all the accolades on the food and company.. I can understand for the fact you will not find a menu like theirs anywhere else. The place reminds of something that is about to turn into a chain for their uniqueness of menu selections and fresh ingredients. I was not "Wowed" by it as I was expecting from all/ the hype but did have a good time. I would rate it 7/10 or 4 outta 5 stars..
(4)Stephen B.
I was in town for a UM football game and made a reservation here after the game. I visited with my wife and two daughters (age 11 and 13). We were seated a bit early (about 5 minutes) for a 7:15 reservation. We had a very friendly waiter. My wife ordered crab cakes which were fantastic. One of the best she had eaten and after a taste I had to agree. My daughters split a sirloin steak dinner which they really liked. I took a taste and it was ok but the mashed potatoes were very good. I ordered what was listed as a duck breast, it was not, it was the leg/thigh section. Still very good. The sweet potato pancake that came with it really made the dish. The downside was the side of shitake mushrooms that also came with it. Shitake mushrooms have a very tough stem that needs to be removed prior to cooking. These were not, they just chopped up the mushrooms. End result, most of the mushroom side was inedible. What was edible was very good. The combo of duck (just the breast would have been better) mushrooms and sweet potato pancake was a great taste combo. I would definitely go again. I would have rated it higher except for the mushrooms and the non-duck breast. It is pricey.
(3)Suzy Q.
I'm so happy my husband and I picked Zingermans as the place to celebrate our anniversary. The staff truly made us feel special the whole night. As we walked in, the hostess and waiter wished us a happy anniversary, they had fresh flowers on our table that was in the back of the room, they made us our own printed menu that read 'Happy Anniversary" on it and even gave us a complimentary dessert! Our waiter, Jake was simply amazing. Because everything looked so good on the menu and we were being indecisive, he brought us several samples of the brisket, pulled pork, pimento and cheddar cheese. For dinner, we shared: 1. Roadhouse Mac & Cheese 2. Cornman Farms Burger w/sweet potatoe fries 3. Dessert - Southern Cake We will definitely be going back sooner than later! P.S. Don't forget to complete your visit with a trip to their food market rated one of the best in the world!
(5)Galen B.
The staff seemed unhappy, the sandwich was cold, and tasted like it has been sitting around all day. Other than that, it was a marvelous experience.
(1)Matthew M.
The food at Zingey's is outstanding. Order the Cornman Farms burger medium rare with 7 year cheddar and sweet potato fries and you'll be in heaven/broke. I'm looking forward to trying their ribs with Alex's red rage barbeque sauce.
(5)John D.
We moved to Ann Arbor three years ago from Philadelphia, and this is by far my favorite restaurant in Michigan. Prices are definitely high, but you get what you pay for. Servers are genuinely kind and usually knowledgeable. The Nashville Hot Chicken, while only available on Tuesday, is better than the original in Nashville -- yes, I've been to Prince's. I love Zingerman's Roadhouse. If I had the money, I would eat here every day.
(5)Cecilia P.
Totally worth it. The fried chicken is what keeps me coming back. Listen, I'm not gonna get fried chicken very often, and when I do I want it to be the best fried chicken available. I like how they ask what kind of chicken meat you prefer. I like the presentation (looks like a boxed meal you'd take on a long train ride, in say the late 1800's). And as far as the portions go- more than enough. Service - always awesome. It's a good sign when one of the titans of the Zingerman's empire is walking around filling water glasses. They have a Farmer's market on summer Thursdays - and taste samples of what you can make with some of the produce that's for sale! They have AMAZING cocktails. The cocktail menu is categorized by era, so not only are you having a cocktail, you're drinking history (that might be some massive rationalization on my part, but I'm totally comfortable with that). If you're into the story of your meal (knowing that many of the ingredients are produced by artisan farmers, that there is respect paid to each and every ordinary ingredient going into the recipe, and that there is a history behind the dish), if you value good service and a connection to the community - check out the Roadhouse. If you don't care about those things and aren't willing to pay for them, this isn't the place for you.
(4)Chris C.
I was excited to finally try this place. It didn't quite live up to my high expectations, but i wasn't totally disappointed. Initially, the mac & cheese was a little bland. But it turned out to be really good the next day, after all the flavors settled. On the other hand, the fried chicken was an oversized CRUNCH of nothingness...very unimpressive. The decor was cool with interesting figurines throughout, but this place can get awfully loud.
(3)John F.
Hands down in my top 10 favorite places. You won't find the frills and thrills associated with your $100 a plate restaurants here, but I would put this food up against any of those places and guarantee Zingerman's wins hands down. It's one of the few places that takes true pride in their food. They source their ingredients from only the best locations. For instance, if they determine the best Swiss cheese comes from a small farmer in Montana who has only four cows, that's where your Swiss cheese is coming from. It's truly an "institution" as one of my good friends says that introduced me to the place. Turning down multiple buyout offers in order to maintain the Zingerman's quality is what this place is all about. Be sure and visit their Bakehouse and Deli as well. If you're ever in or around Ann Arbor be sure to stop in, definitely a must visit. It doesn't look fancy from the outside, but trust me, it's AMAZING! For the actual food, they have a great list of microbrew beers. I highly recommend anything on their menu, but am in love with the Roadhouse Burger with sweet potato fries, followed by some Chocolate Puddin' or Vanilla bean Cheese Cake. ENJOY!
(5)Ted S.
I've been coming here off and on since they opened so I have tried quite a few staples and specialties over the years. *Most* of the time the Roadhouse nails it, but every once in a while things can go awry. Every single soup I have ever tried here has been hands-down delicious. The cheddar ale, split pea, cream of mushroom, the chili and many others. They put a lot of effort into the soups and it shows. All of the manifestations of potato here are superb. Regular fries, sweet potato fries, mashed potatoes.....they have taken the right page from classic American food and gotten these just right, which for me means hand-cut fries with just the right amount of grease and mashed potatoes using simple butter and cream with no unwelcome guests. Red meat dishes can be hit or miss as far as preparation; on a couple of occasions "medium" has ended up being pretty much still mooing. Also the size of the burger's bun is ridiculously large compared to the burger. And it is a sizable burger, for sure; just that the bun is of needlessly epic proportions. All that being said, when correctly prepared, the burger, salisbury steak (the burger without the bun, with a bordelasie reduction sauce), and regular ole steaks I have tried have been at least a solid A-. The famous fried chicken here I do find to be disappointing. The regular stuff they serve daily is nicely fried up but just not interesting enough in its flavor. The other side of the coin, the Nashville "Hot" chicken is oddly enough guilty of the same sin; it is ALL heat and no flavor, at least that I can detect. (It may just be a matter of me not coming with the requisite heat shield that allows me to penetrate into whatever flavor may lay beneath). The fish here is hands-down great. Many varieties of super fresh fish flown in daily and it can be cooked in pretty much any way imaginable. The Zingerman's Coffee Rub is fantastic. All manner of pork and BBQ I have had are quite delicious as well. Excellent list of wines by the glass (at least 20 different glasses to choose from and they are rotated with decent regularity). Amazing selection of alcohol in general. Service is always spot-on. I would give 4.5 stars if I could.
(4)emeril l.
A bit pricey for casual dining, but a nice place to celebrate a special occasion. Our bill was $80 (with tip) for the following items: 1) the roasted root vegetable salad, which was so tasty that I recreated it at home a few nights later! Can't get enough of it!!! 2) An order of sweet potato fries, our first choice was sold out, which turned out to be nothing short of AMAZING! 3) a pint of beer 4)BBQ pork platter - pork was so tender that it melted in your mouth 5) Catfish platter - very good- served southern style, you don't get fillets, you get an entire catfish, minus the head. I'm from the south, so I get how to eat it and enjoyed it very much. Less seasoned people might end up with a mouth full of bones, though, so beware. The sides were amazing. some sort of coleslaw, and some other stuff, very tasty! 6) The donut rum sundae. No room for this, we had to bring some of the above dishes home, since we were stuffed. I assembled the sundae at home later and was happy to find that they had packed it nicely in separate cups so that it didn't get mangled on the way home. Yay! 7) a free cupcake for the birthday boy All in all, we'll come back, but will probably go through the drive up (in the trailer) because the prices there are a bit more affordable for sandwiches and whatnot.
(4)Jarrod V.
Just plain fantastic, including both food and service!
(5)Mike P.
Went 1-11-2013. My wife and I went for dinner. We had the Cornman Farms' Ploughman's Board as an appetizer. I can only say that it is a bit odd.... the roasted red peppers and tomatoes are simply strange. Not a fan of this. The cheese and ham were fantastic however. For an entree I had Roasted Heirloom Pepper & Anchovy Mac. It was not edible. I was not expecting such a massive amount of anchovy or capers which made the dish so overwhelmingly fishy and salty I could only eat about a 1/4 of it. I should have just sent it back but I ate half of my wife's burger which was very good and was satisfied. The server although seeing I hardly ate the dish did not ask any questions regarding my meal. He did not even ask if I wanted it boxed up. Not the usual Zingerman's service or meal. This was a wasted meal and calories along with poor service. Well probably avoid for a few months. Fortunately my wife and I had nice conversation
(1)Bonnie L.
Many find this place overpriced and overrated, and that's a perfectly valid viewpoint. I am willing to shell out for a nice meal out, but the Roadhouse pushes my limits by charging me $7 for a piece of cake or $20 for fried chicken. And when it's simple American-style comfort foods you're eating, it's easy to understand why some wonder what all the fuss is about. My theory is that Zingerman's prices are high for two reasons: 1) as they state, they splurge on high quality foods; and 2) they give away so much free stuff to customers who purport to be dissatisfied. While it's annoying to subsidize the people who take advantage of #2, it's still worth it to me for the feeling of security I get at a Zingerman's establishment that I will be treated well during my stay there. Plus, it's really good food. Make a phone call before you head over. It's fairly easy to get a reservation, and can be highly difficult to walk in off the street.
(4)Kirsten T.
The food is undoubtedly great, but having become privy to information regarding higher-ups, I can't in good conscience recommend this restaurant to people. It's a shame because I REALLY miss their goat cheese mac.
(1)jim s.
I've been coming here for years and have never had a meal I didn't enjoy. This is one of my favorite go-to restaurants for most any occasion. Great selection on the often changing menu ensures there is thoughtfully prepared food for most any tastes. Plus their bourbon selection is good, and the house vodka is Tito's!
(5)Matt W.
Patrick Swayze would rip a person's throat out if they tried to sell him $25 catfish.
(1)Jane K.
Great service. Excellent food. Noisy. Fun atmosphere.
(4)Craig O.
Didn't have a great breakfast experience. We got there early and didn't have to wait in line. I don't think the staff had a chance to warm up yet. They forgot our coffee and didn't even remember us ordering it. Not a great way to start out a morning. The food came out and was lukewarm at best. The people sitting next to us also sent their food back. I had chorizo w/ eggs. The beans were bland and cold. The corn tortilla didn't have any flavor, and the chorizo was more like sausage. Very little flavor. My wife had the huevos rancheros. Much better. The verde sauce was flavorful and the fried tortilla added complexity to the dish. I want to go back to try dinner, but our first visit wasn't worth the price.
(3)Chen L.
I usually avoid Mac n Cheese, but I'm glad I tried it at Zingerman's. It's definitely the best I've had. The wife got a burger an it was fantastic too. Zingerman's lives up to the hype! Really good food that hits the spot. Keep in mind though, a burger, Mac n Cheese, two drinks will run you $80. The blue cheese on the burger was four bucks!!!
(4)Dick H.
Eggs and grits, perfect smoked bacon, and excellent coffee. One star subtract for rye bread sliced too thick and not crunchy enough, but that's being picky!
(4)k t.
This place is too expensive. That being said, it's not bad. The Mac and Cheese is great, especially the Cal Fiorentina which comes with a fried ball of brie on top. Also be sure to try many of the millions of different types of oysters they carry, as they are all subtly different and quite tasty. I was (gently) let down by my BBQ brisket sandwich; this was to be expected since I am from Texas and should have known better. It was oversauced and the meat lacked smoke flavor and wasn't tender enough (kind of rubbery). Perks: friendly and fast service, parking (almost worth another star when compared to downtown restaurants) Insignificant gripe: annoying faux-newspaper menu Hidden Gem: The wild rice entree looks like absolute crap when they bring it out (sloppy presentation) but it is quite tasty. I'd split it with a friend as a side dish. Conclusion: Come here on someone else's dime.
(3)Debbie C.
Some of the most amazing barbecue I have had ever had! The spare ribs were to die for! All the food and drink we've had at all of the Zingerman's stores (deli, creamery, coffee shop and bakery) have been top-notch. The staff is very knowledgeable and extremely friendly. We made a 50-mile detour on our vacation to visit Zingerman's and were not disappointed in the least. It'll be a trip we'll be making again and again, I'm sure.
(5)Kevin K.
I really enjoy eating at Zingerman's Roadhouse and prefer it to the original Deli. The food is consistently very good (I love the burgers and selection of cheeses) and of high quality, if a bit over-priced. The service has always been very good as well. It would probably warrant a fifth star if it wasn't a bit over-priced.
(4)Brad T.
Let me get this out of the way first: often when people complain about this place, it's related to the prices. Yes, there are cheaper places to get all of this food, that's clear. But since opening, Zingerman's Roadhouse has gone from being very shaky to downright awesome, and I would no longer consider that criticism very valid. After all, isn't quality what should drive the price of a meal in the first place? That being said, Zingerman's Roadhouse has grown into one of my few always-reliable local restaurants. This is probably because both a chef friend of mine and my dad (who has great taste) are both huge champions of this restaurant, leading my wife and I to eat here more than we ever expected to. I'm so glad we have, because my initial impressions of this place weren't that hot, but they've found their footing in a way I never expected. The barbecue here is excellent, the seafood is awesome, the oysters are some of the best in the city, the macaroni and cheese is fantastically decadent, and then there's the fried chicken. There are some good fried chicken places in the area, but they're often avoided because they tend to be in unexpected or rundown locations. So let me lay it out there for those of you who avoid joints like Mary's Chicken: Zingerman's Roadhouse has the very best fried chicken of any sitdown American restaurant in town. THE VERY BEST! The service is always good, the drinks are both strong and yummy, the revolving beer selection is a treat, and the deserts are a knockout. I've never even experienced the long table waits that most other good restaurants in town are guilty of. In short, this place is tops in my book, I can't recommend it enough.
(5)Darian R.
This place is pretty pricey. $13 for a basic burger and fries. And by basic, I mean basic. Fries are okay, but you get free refills. Their menus are all made of different quantities and sizes of paper. The place looks nice and smells great, but the prices of the food kept me away from a lot of the options. Didn't feel like shelling out $18-22 for some basic food. Maybe it's great and amazing. The salad was alright. Croutons weren't great. Also, the seating is really cramped. And the bread was not great. Overall, paid almost $40 for two sandwiches and a plate of fruit for my daughter. Overall concept of that is lost on me.
(2)Jason C.
Every cardiologist in your town will be glad for the extra business from eating at this place. A whole lot of fat and salt. Although the marketing hype says the food comes from the farm somehow by the time it gets to the plate the veggies are doused with grease and salt. I'm a local and find the food disappointing for the hype, best for the tourist and football crowd. Overpriced for the quality, service can be excellent to near miss,
(1)Tiffany M.
The food was perfectly edible. I would definitely eat here again if I was hungry and in the area.
(4)Alfred K.
This has got to be one of the best restaurants in Ann Arbor. A sit-down full-service version of its sister store, the Roadhouse serves up classic cuisine Americana with the best ingredients that Zingerman never fails to deliver. Some of the things I've had here and loved include the fried green tomatoes, fried chicken, and green bean casserole. All amazingly executed classics. The oyster hash (during brunch) is also a great twist on a classic breakfast dish - top notch. If you like Mac and Cheese they have about 5 varieties of them, and the pick-your-own cheese board is just as fun. The infamous barbecued oysters weren't quite what I had hoped, but they are very unique and smokey... chacun a son gout I suppose. The donuts are fan-freaking-tastic - don't ever miss the desserts! In terms of decor, it's really nice and that's about the only adjective I have. The outdoor patio is very charming, oh and if you're a member of OpenTable you of course want to make a reservation. I hear what other yelpers are saying... Zingerman will probably not knock your socks off when it comes to flavor, and frankly it's hard to feel like my expections are exceeded when the hype is miles high. But the truth is that I have never been to another restaurant like Zingerman's Roadhouse where I feel completely confident that every item is made from scratch with high quality, whole/unprocessed ingredients. In that sense Zingerman's approach is a genius twist on American cuisine and holds a very dear place in my heart. I strongly recommend Zingerman's to all.
(5)JJ P.
Excellent food. You pay for it, but it is worth it. Our waitress was an older woman, but clearly loved her job and loved the company. She was very knowledgeable and friendly. Come hungry and expect to feast!
(5)Monica S.
Boy was this place good! Despite a 90 minute wait, it was totally well worth it. Our server was a flamboyant man who was completely friendly and attentive. We ordered sweet potato fries as an appetizer, and were surprised to see they were the large cut kind. It was served with thousand island sauce, although I thought maple syrup would have been better, Mother in law ordered macaroni and cheese- which lacked a little flavor in my opinion, while the husband and I ordered pork ribs. Wow, the meat on the ribs were just falling off the bone. I've never seen a barbeque place accomplish that feat, ever. The meat must have been braising for hours on end before they were served. For dessert, try the donut sundae. It's a unique twist on a tried and true sweet.
(4)Kate S.
Waited at least 10 minutes for the table. Waited 20-25 minutes for our lunch. Lots of empty tables. Waitperson NEVER apologized for the wait. Refilled the drinks, asked if my husband wanted another iced coffee, then charged for the refill. Food was okay. Another server attended to table wearing a white apron that who knows what was wiped on the apron, but it looked nasty. Terrible service.
(2)Jonas L.
The Roadhouse extends the concept behind Zingerman's a step further: make American comfort food with better-than-average ingredients and charge a ridiculous amount of money for it. If you are happy paying $10 for a sandwich, then you'd be equally happy to pay $30 for mashed potatoes and chicken fried steak. Still, this place is better than most restaurants on Main Street of Ann Arbor, who charge equally high prices but do not even rise above mediocrity. I suppose that is a point in The Roadhouse's favor, that its $30 fried chicken does taste a little better than the $5 fried chicken you can find in Harlem. A little better, however, hardly justifies its price. Go only if it's a really special occasion (but then why would you want comfort food?) or if it's on someone else's dime.
(3)Eric K.
The food is excellent and everything I've tried here tastes so good. However, it's too expensive for what you get. Perhaps this place will become a five star when I start making more money and menu items appear more affordable.
(4)Dani A.
Zingerman's roadhouse is not bad, but I have never had anything there that I have felt was worth the price. They have pretty good burgers but expect to pay anywhere from $14-$20 for a burger. And there are definitely better burgers in the city for a much better price. I also highly recommend the sweet potato fries as they have been the hands down best thing I have ever had there. As I said before it is a fairly good place, but you are paying for the Zingerman's name and for the atmosphere. And while they use fancy names and maybe even some ingredients, they are a casual restaurant. They jack up prices by trying to promote the "anti-chain" style and saying they use local ingredients, but add in whenever possible which is a nice way of not committing to anything or actually having to.
(2)A. A.
The sandwich shop is much better. Not a bad brunch...but definitely not as good as the hype would have you believe. Kind of overpriced for the portion size. The corn beef has is ok...the eggs benedict kind of bland. I don't know. Don't feel like you have to go hear, cause you won't miss it. But you could do worse.
(3)Marisa S.
Amazing food and superior service. Love the outdoor tent and aroma of BBQ!!!
(5)Kelly B.
I like Zingerman's Deli so I was eager give this place a try. Sadly I was disappointed. Since veggie options are plentiful at the deli I assumed I would encounter the same here. The veggie options were mostly bread and cheese, not my idea of a balanced meal. Alas I settled on a mac and cheese variety. It wad great but completely lacked nutrients and any sort of complete meal feeling. I gave this three stars because I am sure my former non-veg self would have enjoyed this place more, though it was still primarily unbalanced comfort food, which I do not enjoy from a place that is usually local and farm fresh.
(3)Debra S.
I really don't understand the huge fuss over prices. Zingerman's is not any more expensive than Cafe Zola, Paesano's, The Chop house, The Earl, or many, many others, yet no one really complains about the costs at these establishments, and at Zingermans- you get MORE. It's simply understood at these upscale places that you pay, Yet with Zingerman's reviews, it's all complaints. Of course that plate will cost you $23.00! It's ALL organic, free range, produced in small batches, flown in special, processed from scratch, with all sides and additions also being from the same caliber of ingredients and processes. The staff power alone to produce this sort of culinary feat- plate after plate, would drive costs through the roof, and by any standards, Zingerman's should have gone out of business years ago. Consider too, that brunch items are $9.00-$13.00 a plate, and it's enough to fill you to the point of napping, and it all seems so silly. If you don't want the highest food quality in Michigan, don't eat here. Don't detract a star because good food costs more to prepare, that's really silly, and unfair. They can't simply GIVE you the food for free, or at cost of the cheap-o diner down the road, or they will have to shut their doors. With that said, Zingerman's has always strived to exceed all possible limits and expectations, and is the one and only culinary contender (for real and true) that stands the test of time in the Ann Arbor area. It is Ann Arbor's second claim to fame, behind the U of M. I have eaten at near every Ann Arbor establishment for 9 years, repeatedly- and none can hold a candle to Zingermans- there's just nothing like it. The brunch is to DIE for. After stuffing ourselves to the brim, with two sides and two full plates and one amazing coffee, it cost us $33. We won't have to eat for the rest of the day, and I can die happy. Go there, and ask the waiter/waitresses what's the best, and you'll win near every time. I LOVE that it's not downtown. Ann Arbor Parking is a nightmare. The fried chicken is by far and away- the best I've ever had. Maybe the best on the planet. The mashed potatoes and gravy, sweet potato fries, and the slow cooked pork are out of this world. And omg... the corned beef hash with poached eggs... Ugh! Mmmm....
(5)Amy M.
Really disappointed. Party of 6 -- 1 entree came 10 minutes after all the others; 1 entree was the wrong kind of fish; neither steak was not cooked as ordered -- sent 1 back, it came back wrong a second time, sent it back again, and it came back totally overcooked; grilled polenta was covered in ash; spinach and wild mushroom salad contained one small mushroom piece. The stuff that wasn't messed up was really good, but most of our food wasn't right.
(2)E S.
Lots of butter and grease even on the sandwiches. Kinda disappointed because I was expecting something gourmet but walked away feeling very bloated.
(2)Ariel W.
I've heard lots of great things about the Roadhouse and how their American comfort food is delicious, but after last night's meal, I've determined that while their food is good, it wasn't extraordinary and definitely not worth the price. I don't know about all the magic that happens in the kitchen (butcher cutting up an actual pig so it's fresh and getting their noodles shipped from Italy...) but the taste was ordinary. I had their Goat Cheese mac and cheese and it was bland. The waiter warned me about the black peppers, but I didn't even taste them. The description said it had roasted tomatoes, but they must have been tiny tomatoes because I only saw 2 small globs. The portion was small for $17. My husband had their pulled pork sandwich and I had a few bites. It was tasty, but I've had better (like at Blue Tractor). The only thing that was delicious and worth the price was the $5 sweet potato fries appetizer. Huge cuts of sweet potato and their zesty sauce was delicious. Overall, it was an okay experience, but I wouldn't choose to go back there.
(2)Lisa W.
I came here because I heard they had fried chicken -- there isn't really anyplace in Ann Arbor to get decent fried chicken except for Cafe Habana and once in a blue moon, Old Town. The friend chicken was pretty good. It is made with buttermilk. The greens were alright, the mac 'n cheese was intense, and the mashed potatos were good. But folk's ain't lyin' when they say this stuff is expensive. The problem is, it doesn't taste expensive. I might be willing to drop 12 bones on some fried chicken if one of the sides wasn't this weird tasting coleslaw. Dessert was good -- a sweet biscuit with fresh blueberries on top and fresh whipped cream (not Reddi Whip). I added gelato to it, but it didn't need it. Plus the vanilla gelato wasn't that great, I was disappointed. Nice little touches around the restaurant -- a pretty cute collection of salt 'n pepper shakers tucked safely behind glass cases, a couple of metal gliding benches outside that my boyfriend asked, "Are they bolted down?" The paper towels in the bathroom are actually paper towels, you can't tell because they're so thick. The outdoor seating is tented. The problem is consistency -- the stuff that's good isn't amazing, and a lot of it is just ok.
(3)Joel S.
Good service, nice brunch. I had the grits waffles brunch entree, and didn't much notice the grits but it WAS delicious in any case. Definitely a good brunch option.
(4)Mark L.
To give a rating of "5-Stars", I would think that EVERYTHING would have to be excellent... well, despite all of the 5-star ratings on here for this place, my experience was far from perfect. To start off, the restaurant has a nice look and feel to it. You could smell the BBQ cooking even as you were walking in from your car. But, after a 20 to 30 minute wait (which I can understand being a Friday evening and all), when I got a look at the menu, the prices were a bit of a shock. The bread that was brought out to the table was very good, and even the butter that accompanied it was excellent. I tried the wild mushroom soup and was quite underwhelmed. My friend ordered the BBQ ribs, and they were quite good. I went with an order of the Mac 'N Cheese (which was supposed to be a favorite, according to the menu)... (It was the Macaroni, Smoked Chicken & Monterey Jack) well, it was fairly tasteless and under-seasoned. After paying 18 dollars for an average bowl (and not even a very BIG bowl) of Mac 'N Cheese, well... wouldn't you be a bit upset? (If you've ever tried the Mac 'N Cheese over at "The Twisted Rooster", then you know just HOW GOOD Mac "N Cheese can actually taste... this place wasn't like that). Also, the "mustard" cole slaw that came with my friend's ribs was also bland, and lacking in flavor (even though some other reviewer on here loved it). Oh... and add to that the Polenta Dish that we also tried was very bland as well?? (Okay, I'm no "Polenta" expert, maybe it's supposed to be that way?) All of those things added together made for a very disappointing meal at a place that has gotten such good word-of-mouth. Perhaps we just didn't make the best choices of what was listed on the menu, but shouldn't EVERYTHING on the menu be quite good for a place with SO MANY 5-Star ratings? I don't expect to change anyone's "HIGH" opinion of this place (for all those that have gone here and love it), but for anybody who has NEVER been yet, just be prepared to spend a lot of money and don't necessarily expect the greatest tasting food that you have ever had (although the Quality of the food is excellent).
(3)Josh R.
The review isn't so much a knock on the food, as it is the over-pricing, and Zingerman's trying to capitalize on their name. Look, the food at the Roadhouse is great, but it's WAY too pricy. The food is good, and it's not a bad atmosphere to take a date or buck-up to take some friends... but it's not necessarily the greatest place either. If you're going to pay lots of money, you can get more bang for your buck elsewhere. Also, the location isn't great either, as there's nothing within walking distance for a post-dinner stroll. To summarize: good food, over-priced.
(2)Jeff J.
Overrated. I think that because it's in Michigan (a place not exactly known for stellar food) it got hyped because it is admittedly better than the standard chain-restaurants that are ubiquitous around here. I had the Pork BBQ sandwich. Pork was a bit dry. Basically good diner food but 14 dollars for a sandwich? The atmosphere was nice and the staff are very nice. It's a good place to go, but hype aside, this is basically average-tasting/quality food that is very very expensive .
(3)A N.
I really enjoy the chef's use of product from his own gardens. Great sides and cocktails. Can be a bit heavy if you don't order carefully. One of a kind!
(4)Tony C.
If only you could give a place 3-1/2 stars, that'd be what Zingerman's Roadhouse deserves. So, let's break it down: The food quality and service is impeccable. The servers are all very attentive and knowledgeable about the food. The quality is on par with what you'd expect from a place bearing the Zingerman's name. It also cracks me up that every time I eat there, I see Ari working as a waiter. The guy is the founder of Zingerman's, buttloaded, but still waits tables. Gotta love that. But, I remove one star for the pure snobbery of the fact that this place is charging people $20 for fried chicken! Is the Zingerman's fried chicken really worth $15 more than what you can get at KFC for $5? It's definitely a lesson in the law of diminishing marginal returns. It's trained into us that at Zingerman's, you're going to pay a limb to eat there and here is no exception. I would also like to remove another 1/2 star for the fact that if you're going to charge people crazy food prices like they do, then this place should be paying downtown rent, not the rent of a place located in the Westgate shopping strip mall. I eat here about twice a year because that's about all I can afford. Try the fried chicken (if you can afford it), the many mac and cheeses, and any of the extremely fresh fish. You will not be disappointed, only your wallet will be.
(3)Claire S.
This is the ideal place to take your parents: very good food that you can't afford. Hammering in the "fresh, local ingredients" angle is a good idea, too, cuz it makes cheese seem almost healthy. I like the American food angle (no "fusion" here, folks!) and it appears that they focus on different parts of the country in a rotating menu--a good idea in a country known for food ranging from fried chicken to tofurkey. I had the waiter-recommended mac and cheese made unholy with chicken, cilantro, and spice and it was damn tasty (even better reheated the next day). Bf had the bleu cheese bacon burger--not my thing but he raved. Also extensive beer list, with a few good deals.
(4)Mind Melting F.
Fried buttermilk chicken was very bland. Should be given a choice of mashed potatoes with or without bacon(?). excellent bread and outstanding desert. Expensive. Excellent service. Make a reservation though,otherwise you will have a long wait. not sure why this place is so popular
(2)Erik B.
The Roadhouse has the most amazing sweet potato fries that I have had. This is a restaurant that goes the extra mile in everything that they do in order to satisfy the customer.
(5)Shayne D.
Food is heavy on fat, ambiance is loud and not cozy, prices are ridiculously high and you often have to wait quite awhile for a table. This place gets a lot of attention from out-of-town restaurant reviewers as being the quintessential A2 place to eat but it makes me kind of sad to think that people think this place represents Ann Arbor cuisine.
(2)Measie J.
Every time I end up at the Roadhouse for a meal, I always leave telling myself I have to come back and order the... The food and beverages are wonderful! On my last visit I tried the pimento cheese burger with Ari's recommendation of peppered bacon on it, OMG it was the best burger ever. The Roadhouse is also great about letting you taste an item on the menu to be sure that you like it before ordering or just for a taste. Our table had a taste of the pimento cheese and peppered bacon macaroni and it was to die for. Therefore, I will be heading back over there soon for a meal of it. It is worth every bit of the price based on the ingredients used. Zingerman's Roadhouse is definitely a gem for Ann Arbor.
(5)PJ M.
My mom and I laughed about the last time we tried the Roadhouse for like, YEARS because it was just so comical the way the waiter built up every single dish. He was so enthusiastic about the food that it just really came off as ridiculous. The strawberry shortcake was made with, "local red berries plucked at the peak of freshness, the cake was made from scratch in small batches, the whip cream was from some special cow from some special pasture," etc etc . With fond memories of mom's bisquick shortcake and regular 'ol Michigan strawberries, and regular whipped cream, we felt we couldn't say no. When we were finally served the small but really expensive portions, we were overwhelmed with how completely ordinary, nay less than ordinary it tasted. It became our running joke for years to come....that strawberry shortcake whose berries were watered by the tears of viginal nuns- whose whip cream came from cows massaged daily...you get the idea---ie, Zingerman's Road house is a joke!
(1)Lauren S.
Great food - I have my annual meeting with a client from Southfield here every year. I just wish they had more than one dinner table with an electrical outlet. Come On, Zingerman's - get with the times!!!
(3)Jim C.
The food was excellent and the staff outstanding. In town for a workshop, I enjoyed my dinner the 1st night that I came back for another meal. These people care about food and have created a new approach to American food. Glad I followed another reviewer's recommendation and had sweet potato fries. You should try them. Macaroni & Cheese? Yes, it's on the menu and it's not what I'd expect. Several excellent combinations of cheeses and fresh ingredients to choose from. So much more to try. I'll be back when I'm in Ann Arbor.
(5)Cd S.
Just plain overpriced for what you're getting. We tried some of their comfort food stuff, and it was decent but not exceptional, and the meal for two cost $85 (no wine either). I gotta say, don't believe the hype on this one.
(2)Kenta Y.
Great food and atmosphere. I was an U of Michigan student when I first tried this place. Had the brisket with a recommendation from a friend and it turned out to be my favorite dish here. The server and workers are really nice and you can try most of the things on the menu before you order. The sweet potato fries with the chipotle dressing is great as well.
(4)Allyson L.
In short: a little pricey, but I can't recommend Zing's Roadhouse enough for someone who wants some quality comfort food with great service. I just got back from a delicious lunch there with my mom. I got the fried catfish po' boy - the catfish was crunchy on the outside and moist on the inside, and the cabbage, mayo and pickles complimented the flavors perfectly. The sandwich was so huge that I could only eat half. (But now I have a delicious other half of my sammich to look forward to!) Instead of fries, I got sauteed local greens, which were perfectly cooked and had just enough mustard greens to add a nice earthy flavor. My mom got a meatball sub, which was way too big to pick up and eat but was also quite good. That came with some really great sweet potato fries - skin on, no sugar, and served with a spicy mayo that rivals Seva's (oh how it pains me to say that!). She also got some delicious fresh-squeezed lemonade that was just tart enough. Our bill came to $30; a little steep for a lunch, but absolutely worth it for the quality of ingredients and the great service. The service was fantastic, probably more fantastic because we came at off-peak hours (2:30 pm). The woman who served us was really friendly and even offered to walk us out to our car with an umbrella after our meal because it was raining. She offered us a refill on our sweet potato fries (didn't know you could do that!) and gave us a delicious sample of their "What the Fudge?" candy bar as a dessert since we didn't order any. The other great part of the Roadhouse is the Roadshow, their take-out service. The Roadshow is an old metal trailer stuck on the side of the building, connecting to the restaurant's kitchen. You can either call in your order or place it there - you just drive right up and get your food! I think they do coffee, breakfast, and quick lunches, too. Last time I picked up a take-out order, they included a free loaf of day-old raisin bread and some sort of dessert. Again, wonderful, friendly, helpful people. Now I just need to go back for brunch!
(5)Peter S.
Good food and very good service. It would be five stars if it weren't over-priced. The biggest difference between the food here and good southern cooking is the steep price. The chicken-fried steak is highly recommended.
(4)Matt G.
As one of the staples of Ann Arbor, Zingerman's Roadhouse must be a place visited, either by a visitor, or long time resident. For those die hard Zingerman followers, to the curious first timer, Zingerman's Roadhouse is sure to please those looking for a more upscale and unique environment and menu. No, this isn't some snooty sixty dollar per plate establishment that you may encounter going on Main St., rather a classy and sophisticated casual place, with a wide array of tasty comfort food on the menu. Go there on a fall evening and sit outside with someone near and dear to your heart, have a few drinks, enjoy a great meal; both of you will come away impressed and with a smile on your face, and you will take all the credit for being the mastermind behind a wonderful evening. 4.5/5
(4)Freedom M.
Conveniently located on the corner of Jackson and Stadium, this Smokehouse has a relaxed atmosphere but pricey menu. The waitstaff is good, amiable and attentive. The food is more than not, absolute heaven. My favorites being: the hamburgers, the sauteed spinach, the pimento mac and cheese, gumbo, the eggs benedict and any of the chili. Their coffee is INCREDIBLE. I feel this place is worth the money if you avoid the following: any fish (but their shellfish is good), bar b q goat, crabcake appetizer and the hueveros rancheros (too watery). The menu changes often but you can always ask for an old favorite. They have a drive through section where you can pick up stuff in a hurry and the occasional farmer's market selling fresh veggies and fruits in the parking lot. Free samples are another treat you might get on your visit here. A few spoonfuls of their newest soup or pudding or fresh donut bites are free samples I've received. If you are vegetarian, you are going to be alright here. They are a smokehouse, but you can talk them into making just about anything from the menu to your specifications. Dinner guests with me have raved about the beer, smoked chicken sandwich, fried chicken, appetizer salads, Applewood smoked bacon with eggs and the grits. Be prepared to shell out some bucks, as I said before. Not cheap and by some standards, not reasonable - but for me, worth every dime. Update 2011: We still come here regularly. Staff there are still extremely attentive and comfortable to deal with. A helpful detail for breakfast lovers: their small sides menu are very good sized portions, so you can get a nice meal for half the price of their set breakfast plates and it's a little less exotic if you just want a plain ol' no frills breakfast. The smoked sausage is SO extremely tasty. I found their grilled cinnamon rolls to be a new favorite but you have to really get there early and grab one because they sell out fast. Update 2012: Yep. we are still regulars. We love our Zingerman's roadhouse! Some improvements since my original 2009 post: The hueveros rancheros is really incredible now. A plate cleaner. The staff are UNBELIEVABLY accommodating. I would place this staff as the best in town. Some amazing menu items: THE FREAKING DUCK GUMBO!!!!! Fried Oyster po boy, Corned beef hash, warm spinach salad and Mary's wild oats. A recent yummy is something simple - big bowl of yogurt with fresh fruit. Some of the most ordinary sounding things have special flair here. Another golden touch is a great array of Sprecher's sodas - my favorite being orange. Also delectable and surprisingly filling: the cheese plate. It comes with an array of homeade crackers and fruit. I am also a fan of the oysters - but this is not filling and quite expensive. However - if you are ready to lay out some cash, a combo cheese plate and fresh oyster starter is an incredible time!! Summer update 2012: Now is the time to get down there and eat the heck out of the vegetable dishes. If you can imagine works of art for your tastebuds, then I would go for anything with local veggies. Recently I've had some awesome glazed carrots, heirloom tomatoes and the spinach never gets old. Would like to give props to the incredible sorbets - they have an amazing clean finish. Again, the staff is almost worth coming here alone - EVERYONE is unique and a star in their own right. Summertime is bright and shining at the Roadhouse!
(5)Peter S.
Most recent take was good, but not exceptional (really overcooked burger) - sweet potato fries were pretty good. Will certainly return & hope for another 4 star or better time.
(3)Christopher F.
Similar to Znigermans Deli, the Roadhouse has great food, great service nice atmosphere. The prices are expensive but not as atrocious as Zingerman's Deli. Virtually everything on the menu at Roadhouse is terrific, the pulled pork, brisket, Chicken all wonderful they have three BBQ sauces a NC Vinegar, SC mustard BBQ, or the memphis BBQ they will let you sample each with a bit of pork just ask. They brew their own beers too all of which are pretty good. Their Mac N cheese, the goat mac their applewood Bacon Mac and their regular Mac are the best combination of Mac N Cheese I have ever had. If you want the best bang for your buck eat during Lunch time can get a combination of Pork, chicken, Brisket, with two sides for 11.99; 15.99 if you sub for a Mac (highly recommendaded) the biggest dissapointment was the Texas Charbrito, the goat was excellant but the portions were ridculosly small. Other than that entree have been good with everything I have eaten there. A must try if in Ann Arbor!!!
(4)Kyle H.
I thought Zingermans was way over hyped. We called ahead on a monday night, an hour an a half early to be exact, and put our names in for a table. I thought the menu looked really good but way over priced and especially for what I was served. I got the coffee and coco rubbed short ribs. They were over cooked and the rub wasn't particularly tasty. The greens with braised bacon were 98% flavorless! The 2% flavor was pepper. I think they must have boiled them with that bacon for a day and half. We subbed out our mashed potatoes for what was supposed to be their specialty, the mac and cheese. They up-charged our meals $4 for 1/4 cup of mac and cheese. While that was the most tasty thing in the meal it made me long for my wife's version. They were featured on some show on food network or something and were praised for having the best comfort food around. Maybe that praise made them jack up the prices? I do a lot of traveling and there are a lot of local restaurants like Zingermans doing the same thing for less money and way better quallity. I think the people of Ann Arbor have the Zingerman wool pulled over their eyes if they are so in love with this place.
(2)Sarah S.
Oh, Zingerman's. I see your menu, with all its hearty yet sophisticated dishes, and I smell the tantalizing smoky aroma in your restaurant, and I want so badly to like you. But after three tries, I don't. Granted, I'm a vegetarian, so I'm probably not sampling the best you have to offer. But your macaroni was bland, your black bean burger dry and tasteless, your enchiladas decent but not worth $18. Furthermore, your service is some of the pushiest I've ever encountered. If I say I'm not interested in a drink or dessert, don't ask me three more times to make sure. Friends who have accompanied me here have been similarly disappointed. The bottom line is, your chef needs to focus on execution, and your overall approach needs to focus on quality, not quantity.
(2)Michael S.
Pros- good food in general, high quality ingredients Cons- outrageously priced, only the most devoted Zingermans fan or people for whom money is no object would eat here on a regular basis. Verdict- WAY OVERPRICED, good for an occasional casual dinner out when money is not an issue
(2)Richard F.
As much as I love Zingerman's Deli, the Roadhouse, while very good, does not get my top grade. Like the deli, they serve Zingerman's own coffees and breads. And like the deli, they really have unique and wonderfully prepared foods. But I feel the prices are not justified here, as they are at the deli. And the service, while usually very personable and well executed has occasionally been slow and spotty. They do have nice daily specials and they have focused on true roadhouse food including some smokehouse specialties. But the execution and pricing have driven me to not go there very often even though they are fairly close to where I work. I am not a big meatloaf fan, but I ordered ti the other day because others seemed to be enjoying it and the portions looked huge. But when mine was delivered the portion was fractional and the meat was fairly dry. I should have sent it back, but I chalked it up to one small loss. I have had great sandwiches there at lunchtime and the fried chicken is great too. The oysters I had as an appetizer were first rate and the wine list is good as well. The servers are well trained to be able to explain the attributes of the wines on the list which is always a plus. If the prices were say ten to twenty percent less and if the food was more repeatable, they would be a five star choice.
(4)Kerry A.
I was recently in Ann Arbor for a long weekend. My mom and step-dad were really excited to take my boyfriend and I to Zingermans because apparently, its something you have to do in Ann Arbor. Luckily, they had made reservations (it was homecoming weekend and absolutely packed.) When we were seated, I was looking through the menu and while everything sounded great, the prices were outrageous. I ordered the short-rib, which they were out of so I switched to a cheeseburger. The cheese for the burger cost $4. I understand that it was a fancy cheese, but regular old cheddar (which wasn't offered) would have been fine. The bacon I wanted? About $3. It was advertised as apple-wood smoked bacon. What came out was comparable to something from Wendy's. Very thin, flavorless bacon. And it was only 2 strips. My boyfriend got a smoked chicken mac-and-cheese dish. It wasn't bad, but tasted as if the smoke flavor came from a bottle. The smokey flavor overwhelmed the flavor of the cheese, and just about everything else in it. The dish was about $23. For mac-and-cheese? Get real. The service was great and friendly, but the food didn't wow any of us.
(3)Michael D.
This place rocks. If the food weren't good enough, there are cocktails on the menu here that you can't find anywhere else (like the Papa Doble)...or prepared properly (some using a bit of egg white to produce the correct amount of drink foam...very old school, very cool).
(4)Samiya B.
nice place, good folks, really pretty good food. the final star is gone because it's outrageously overpriced for no good reason. the food is basic americana. that they offer it -- great. that you can pay $30 for some fried chicken? ridiculous. i'll do it ... but usually only based on someone else's desire -- or when i feel like something and don't care how much it is.
(4)Emily G.
Kitchsy and Delicious. I came here for my bday dinner and wasn't disappointed. You can smell the BBQ smoking from the outside and it's so good. On the inside it is comfy and eclectic; there are shadow boxes full of salt and pepper shakers. The menu is crazy, the drink/desser/cheese menu gets it's own binder! The dinner menu has season/daily changes on it as well. I got the pork BBQ with NC style sauce, greens and sweet potato fries. If you go you must get the sweet potato fries, really, you must. Also, they have a portion of the menu just devoted to mac 'n' cheese. I mean 'c'mon! Anyway, I highly recommend it, just maybe not around game time, it tends to fill up quickly.
(4)T. S.
take your wallet and just open it at the door. it will soon be empty anyway. If you don't care, food is good.
(1)Mike R.
Too bad I couldn't give this 6 stars ! Wowzer was this good or what !! This place now enters the pantheon of places that I would drive to JUST to eat here. Currently, only Momofuko in NYC is in that category. Oh where to begin. Well, it's very close to I-94, about two blocks from the worst hotel we ever stayed at. The Clarion. The menu changes daily. So in the two times we went there (both for brunch) it was like Xmas morning. Soooo what is on the menu today. I think I'll have the super smoked pulled pork with only the greatest mac & cheese I have EVER had ! The day before had some corn beef hash with poached egg... WOW.. My wife had some grits, egg thing.... she is still on cloud nine, and the coffee.... my god was that great !!! Portions are not big.... which is OK by me.... it's kind of like Per Se meets Bob Evans. Don't miss this place.
(5)Mary P.
Great food, great service, great evening!
(4)b b.
Expensive and the food was just ok! I wouldn't go back. Go to the deli, food is much better and worth what you pay.
(2)S J.
I travel for work, and whenever I come to Ann Arbor, I make sure to stop at Zingerman's. I was there on 4/18/2012 and the hostess asked me how I was. I said I was ok, and she asked what would make me better. I said that you can never go wrong with chocolate. I settled in and looked over the menu, and tried to decide what to get My waitress, Sharon, came over to greet me with a little ramekin in her hand with chocolate pudding. Now that's the way to get me to be happy! I savored the pudding while looking at the menu. Sharon was kind enough to help me decide on some options for dinner, and made sure that I was happy. I had fried chicken (YUM!) and a tomato pesto mac and cheese. The Mac and cheese was a bit salty, but that's fine. Dessert was chocolate and butterscotch pudding. Now I'm not a butterscotch person, but this had salt in it, and was delicious! All in all, a great dinner. Not expensive either, since I only ordered one chicken breast knowing that I was on my own and I didn't want to waste any food!
(5)Denise K.
Located in a refurbished Bill Knapp's restaurant (anyone of a "certain age" who lived in Michigan and surrounding states remembers that former chain), Zingerman's Roadhouse is where Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip would go, incognito, if they wanted the best diner food in America. This is the kind of comfort food you wish your mama knew how to make, and maybe she could if she had the fabulous ingredients that The Roadhouse always uses -- fresh, top quality and home-grown if available. From breakfast to a late night supper, the offerings are imaginative without being over the top, and while they often add new menu items they wisely retain the tried and true favorites. Ahhhhh, the bread, the butter, the super-duper cocktails from the bar ... and that's all before you ever look at a menu. They're also wonderful with substitutions (no eye-rolling by the server), sooooo good with little kids (sometimes I wanna eat off the kids' menu), and a great place for larger parties. Today, on an extremely busy day at The Roadhouse, we celebrated the 37th anniversary of our first date with our three adult daughters, two sons-in-law and a serious boyfriend, and two toddler grandchildren -- 10 in all. Our server made us feel like we were the only folks in the joint (but service is always excellent here). Between us, we had their Eggs Benedict, Waffles, Reuben, Buttermilk Fried Chicken, two kids' Mac-n-Cheese, Black Bean Burger with Jalapeño & Avocado sauce, and a Grilled Limburger Cheese Sandwich with Onions, Tomatoes and Bacon (guess who ordered that ... ). Just delicious. In addition, parking is plentiful. During peak hours, which is almost always, I would recommend reservations.
(5)Jason P.
I dont get to Ann Arbor often, but this place might change that! What a great meal!! I had heard of Zingermans from friends and various food network shows, but had never experienced the food. I am here to tell you it was fantastic. When you walk up it looks, well, like a roadhouse, but this aint the Double Deuce! The inside is very clean and comfortable with pictures of the various places they get their ingredients. Most is home grown around Michigan or from organic houses in Vermont, Cali, ect...I had the BBQ Pork Sandwich with Sweet Potatoe Fries. My server brought it out with five different sauces. All were good, but the green tomato and aielo sauce were the best. The meat was tender, and the fries were cooked just right. Our server was very knowledgable about the food and how it is prepared. Overall, a great meal and I have become a fan!
(5)Nupur L.
I enjoyed my visit to Zingerman's Roadhouse but the experience just doesn't add up for the price. The entrees are certainly good and I appreciate small touches like an amuse bouche and samples of most items on the menu. The interior is little more than a glorified Denny's with dim lighting and better upholstery, though. The food, while quite tasty, does not measure up to what one would expect for $15 mac and cheese or $20 fried chicken. Also, something makes me cringe about $8 cocktails with nothing better than Jim Beam-in Ann Arbor! I've had comparably priced meals in other cities that were absolutely unforgettable and Zingerman's Roadhouse just doesn't deliver at that price range.
(3)Claire D.
After a four hour class on how to decorate cakes at the Zingerman Bakehouse, we felt the only option for dinner while in Ann Arbor last Friday would have to be Zingerman's Roadhouse. It's the kind of atmosphere you expect when you participate in any Zingerman's experience; friendly, upbeat, a commitment to service and good food. They have fresh oysters flown in so we had to sample those, while we waited for our food our waiter brought us delicious cheese to sample and our waiter (Will) was able to make great suggestions for our meal. If we hadn't been so full of cake, we would have sampled the ample bar menu as well as the excellent dessert menu. However we stuck to a really flavorful macaroni and cheese and I got the stuffed cabbage. The mac and cheese, I felt was better than my stuffed cabbage dish but I had never tried stuffed cabbage before so I may not like stuffed cabbage as much. However, the bacon with the stuffed cabbage was amazing!
(4)douglas R.
Ok this has to be one of the best roadhouse's I have ever been to. My family and I went for breakfast while in MI last week and were thoroughly impressed. Home runs all around. First off the hostess automatically asked us if we would like to sit outside, which we wanted to. The Patio was covered with plastic overhead and the tables were delightfully comfortable. Even my 2 year old loved the chairs and sat still to color with the crayons and paper they gave her. Plus one for that. We were seated near the outside grill, which when the breeze blew just right you could smell the heavanly aroma of smoking meat. Plus two because the aroma gave your pallet a chance to catch up to your senses. Our waitress was so delightful and helpful with the menu I almost didn't want to leave after our feast. I ordered a belgian waffle stuffed with bacon and grits. As I am not a fan of grits I was skeptical. I also ordered a side of sausage patties which our gracious waitress said she could make it a half and half order as I wanted to try both types of sausage. Which the Broadbent's Smoked Sausage ended up being the better of the two. The Roadhouse Breakfast Sausage was a bit dry but not bland. When the Bits and Grits waffle showed up it looked just like the wonderful sugar coated waffle's we had in Belgium. To make matters better it tasted just like those waffles. Now the grits in the waffle weren't crunchy or soggy but just right. And the bacon was divine. To top off the waffle was a beautiful "Maple" syrup that when mixed with the butter makes you stop and appreciate the world around you. (More places in MI should be ashamed with not getting great maple syrup when they are so close to Canada.) Like a shape-shifting chupacabra each bite of the waffle was a different tasty flavor. My wife ordered the "NEW" English Breakfast, which was great, except for the ham. The ham was good but not great like the bacon or sausage. It was a bit dry, but it still doesn't warrant a bad mark. The eggs were cooked to my wives liking and the veggies and beans were out of this world good. When I talked to the waitress about the restaurant she tried to get the Chef to come out and talk to me. Unfortunately for me he had some catering to do but I was able to talk to the co-owner Ari. After a lengthy conversation and a good meal I was convinced to buy his book on bacon. I have still to read it but I will by the end of the summer. So if you are in Ann Arbor for a visit or going to watch a Wolverines football game stop by Zingerman's you will not be disappointed. We will all be going back on our next trip to MI. Thank you Ari and staff for making us feel welcome and appreciated.
(5)Scott I.
This restaurant has everything you expect from Zingerman's: high quality food, good service, and high prices. Fantastic barbecue. Where else are you going to find good North Carolina pulled pork or authentic grits in Michigan? Also check out the cocktail menu -- they are reviving the art of fantastic old-fashioned cocktails. There are actually some good deals here. Monday through Thursday check out the Blue Plate special. Especially on Thursday, when you can have the Barbecue Sampler for $12.95. The burgers are also pricey for burgers, but moderate compared to many of the entrees, and they are outstanding. And for dessert, you have to try the doughnut Sundae. C'mon, you have to. Doughnut. Sundae. 'Nuff said.
(4)Mae S.
Another overrated Ann Arbor legend in its own mind.
(3)Erin G.
The Roadhouse has some standouts, but for me they're mostly in the appetizers, not the main meals. Their crabcakes are yummy, as are their sweet potato fries. Their chili cheese fries are really fantastic: "Our ancho beef chuck chili over hand-cut, twice cooked fries with our grated 2-year-raw-milk Vermont cheddar." If it weren't out of my way, I'd go just for those. Once, we got Alex's sampler, which includes said crab cakes, onion rings, ribs, quesadillas, and hush puppies. It was just too much greasiness to handle. Granted, many appetizers are, but I expected more from Zingermans. And I expected more for the price. For main meals, I've tried their ribs and fried chicken and mac n cheese. All of them were just ok, and not worthy of the price. If you've got some money and want to try it out, go for it, but it's not somewhere I'd be a repeat customer. I'll stick to the deli, which Zingerman's knows how to do great. Oh, p.s. I hear they have brunch, I've never made it out to that, is it good?
(3)Chris S.
Down home American cooking! The fried chicken rocks. Other items on the menu looked quite delectable. Best characterized as a better-than-average suburban restaurant.
(3)Carolyn S.
Zingerman's Roadhouse was almost too much fun. Great cocktails. The BBQ oysters were out of this world and could become addictive, a ham and cheese plate that was unlike anything I've ever tasted - domestic procuitto maybe - but not salty at all - it was amazing. Served with a beautiful, creamy cows milk cheese. A beet salad that I salivate trying to describe. Get the picture? The four of us split two entrees - coffee rubbed wild boar that was beautifully cooked and we had to have the fried (melt in your mouth) chicken - which was perfect. I'm going to stop here except to say that service was exceptionally friendly and professional. We wanted to go back the next day to have some of the roast suckling pig they were just starting to cook on the outdoor grill.
(5)Ashley D.
I wasn't too impressed. The real Zingerman's is much better. We waited for an extremely long time and the food was just OK. If you're trying to choose between this and the original, go with the latter.
(3)brandon h.
phenomenal service, food hit or miss
(3)S H.
Basically they're using high quality ingredients and it comes out below mediocre. Please don't make the mistake of confusing Zingerman's original deli (awesome sandwiches, desserts, and other stuff) with the thoroughly mediocre but perhaps even more pricey Zingerman's Roadhouse. I've tried three times with groups after football games, and have now resolved never to return. Interestingly, virtually all my friends, who encompass a wide range of tastes/backgrounds, were in complete agreement. The menu is slight: there's only a handful of entree options, most of the Americana/pulled pork/smoked meat variety. The Mac & Cheese is WAY too rich, just normal pasta-from-a-box loaded with artery-clogging amounts of rich cheese. While the dish may be rich, you won't be after paying up for it - the prices are almost offensive. Service is slow and the atmosphere - mostly booths and unremarkable decor - make me think this space could operate as a Denny's with just a change of signs. Quite clearly the Zingerman's name has branded people to come here and wait long amounts of time to overpay for bad Macaroni & Cheese - pretty sweet business model if you can pull it off. For those considering, instead head downtown where there are plenty of better options where you might pay as much but actually get a better-than-diner meal served to you.
(2)Dharma A.
I should start by saying that as far as going out to eat, this is not my favorite style of food to go out for. Upscale comfort food is how I think of it. It's hardy and tends to be meat and cheese-heavy. But it is really good. They have several different macaroni and cheese dishes, using only the best cheeses. I especially like their chili, which has a good smokey flavor and is made with shredded beef instead of ground. The service, like all Zingerman's establishments, is top-notch. I've met and talked with Chef Alex a few times and love his passion for heirloom tomatoes. They grow their own and dry them, make sauces, etc.! Impressive.
(4)Niki T.
Have eaten here a few times and it's always top notch. The breakfast/brunch is unique and always tasty. The lunch we had here was perfect. I'm not a huge BBQ fan but their BBQ lunch options are amazing and so mouth watering. The service is top notch and very informative. They even go as far as to provide samples of their best entrees if you haven't ordered them. Definitely makes you want to come back to order next time. Everything they serve is local and comes from the surrounding areas.
(5)Tim M.
I tasted why Food Network rated the Pimento & Bacon Mac 'n Cheese the best in the US - creamy, tender, delicious. But very rich. Barbecue was incredible, too. Pricy. Great service. We'll be back!
(5)Jamie V.
Great food and absolutely fresh fresh fresh! Their warm spinach salad was delicious and satisfying on its own. I also got the fried green tomatoes which were tasty but the salad was the best, bar none. Service was excellent and my children and hubby loved it also. Fine selection of Michigan beers and even some wine!
(5)Lily H.
First, if I could give The Roadhouse 10 stars, I would. Second, of all of the restaurants where I have dined, of all of the food I have eaten, The Roadhouse is my favorite, maybe one of my favorite places on earth. Honestly, if you are a foodie, you will probably enjoy anything off of the menu. Anything. If you are like me, you will get bogged down by one or two of your favorite things and order them over and over and over and over, each time trying to convince yourself to try something new and then caving in and ordering your favorite item off of the menu because you know it will never disappoint, ever. Even though anything you order will be that good too...it's a cycle, a wonderful and delicious cycle. In these hard economic times, and any time you're feeling that weird Ann Arbor "why is it so expensive here" feeling, check out Zingerman's specials. My sister and I used to look forward to burger night on Mondays, when one may order any burger off of the menu, Roadhouse salad included, for $12.95. I encourage you to swap the regular fries for sweet potato fries (add $1.00) because the sweet potato fries are fantastic but more importantly they serve as a vehicle for the spicy mayo sauce by which they are accompanied. I'm also a fan of the meatloaf special on Wednesdays, the warm spinach and mushroom salad (not a special but satisfying and divine), any of the fresh oysters, and nearly anything off of the brunch menu. If they have any brownies in the Airstream outside, get one to go. This past summer, my Chicago based coworkers and I indulged in several amazing happy hours at the bar inside of the salt&pepper shaker room; really good happy hour beer specials await! After dining at The Roadhouse for many happy years, I wonder what it would be like to stumble upon it again, differently, for the first time. It is my dream to live in an alternate universe and happen upon Zingerman's Roadhouse as a drive through the country. I would find myself hungry and on 94E/W. Maybe on my way to Chicago. I believe that to hungrily exit 94, to decide to try out Zingerman's instead of the Taco Bell or MacDonald's down the street, park and go inside would be like some kind of food experience heaven. Long live Zingerman's!
(5)Amanda Z.
It's kind of just a meh for me. Went to the Roadhouse with a few friends and it was pretty good but I guess I was just expecting a little more. Our waiter was fantastic, never rushed us, gave us great advice about the menu, and even brought out two small tastes of the different kinds of mac and cheese so my friend could decide between the two! That's service! We ordered the Maize & Blue Hush Puppies as an appetizer. The maize were the clear winner and tasted like a traditional hush puppy. The blue were really dry and even with the spicy mayo as a dipping sauce, they were hard to get down. As a main dish, I ordered the Grilled Carolina White Grits, which more closely resembles polenta cakes. As the name implies, they grill the cakes, but I don't remember asking for my cakes to be well done. They were like blackened on the bottom, making the top part the only edible part. The top part was pretty good though, and the corn, pepper, onion and cheese mixture on top was really flavorful and gave the cakes some moisture they definitely needed. Overall, I would give the food 2 stars, the service 4 stars and average it out to 3 stars. Maybe I just hit an off day?
(3)Erica R.
I know it might be sacrilegious to say this but I really don't think Zingerman's is anything to call home about. I've been to the road house 2 or 3 times and each time I find myself thinking really was that worth the 25 bucks? It's not that the food is bad its just not that great. Most recently I shared the hand cut sweet potato fries with the spicy mayo as an appetizer and got the Macaroni and 3 pepporcorn goat cheese. The sweet potatos were really good and I might even go so far as to say that they are some of the best sweet potato fries I've ever had, but the Macaroni and cheese was just OKAY. Maybe I was expecting too much but the description of a fresh goat cheese sauce, carmelized onions, fresh cracked peppers, and a topper of a crispy round of goat cheese made me think wow this is going to be really flavorful and perhaps worth the $17 dollars. But no not even close the pasta was a bit bland and it felt like something I could have made at home with the proper ingredients. If I was eating this at say an Applebees and I had paid $9.99 for it then perhaps I would have been okay and even slightly positive about it but since this is Zingerman's which is supposed to be oh so delicious and since they charged me $17 dollars for it, I was not so happy. Our bill for two people was $52 for one pretty good appetizer, two average entrees and a lemonade. If that sounds like a party to you then by all means head to Zingerman's Roadhouse if not head to Applebees and you will probably be equally satisfied and whole lot richer by the end of your meal.
(2)Will M.
This place is kind of expensive; however almost every restaurant in Ann Arbor is kind of expensive. The food is really good, and usually interesting. The mac and cheese is delightful AND the fried chicken is great. The more "adult" food is also good. The Zingerman's service difference is for real. The number of beers on tap is excellent and they have some interesting ones. They also have very interesting special events.
(4)Iris S.
We hosted a rehearsal dinner on July 3rd. It was fantastic and everything turned out perfectly. Joanie, the event coordinator, was great to work with, she made good suggestions, and put together cute menus with our picture on them. The outdoor patio setting along with the great food really impressed our guests. The two servers we had were super; they were attentive, patient, and flexible. We also very much appreciated a surprise gift the restaurant gave us. It was really a special touch. I live out of town, so I chose the restaurant based on a friend's suggestion. I'm so happy we did and I can't wait to visit again.
(5)Pete U.
seriously, not good at all, went with a group of 4, one enjoyed their meal(ribs), everything else greasy, to a point of grossness, double fried fries, fried sandwiches, i wont ever go back, and would not recomend it to anyone
(1)Moody A.
I do not know what heck the other reviewers are bragging about this place for. They must have been inebriated when wrote the reviews. This food is horrible. Its bland and poorly put together. I have had better ribs at McDonalds with their McRib sandwich. I will say that the waitress and service was great. If you want to waste $100 for 2 then go here.
(1)Dave T.
Another head of the Ann Arbor hydra that is Zingermans. When this place first opened, I was working at another high end restaurant up the road, and I remember that we used to make fun of their inexperience and misfortune ("They ran out of WHAT?!?!). Those days are long past. If you areof the Meatloaf, Fried Fish and BBQ school of cuisine, you will be happy with this place. As with the rest of the Zingermans line, the prices are more than most folk's walking around money. The quality, however, is typical Zingermans, which is to say, par excellance. Incredible breakfast, which is more affordable than the dinner menu. The eggs benedict, in particular, is extraordinary, if a little unusual in the use of southern country ham instead of Canadian bacon, and sourdough toast instead of english muffin. The bar is very full, especially of American whiskeys, of which I happen to be a bit of a fan. They have bourbon sampling flights (!), which you should definitely try if you're looking to expand your tastes.
(5)Keith G.
You can't live in SE Michigan and not heard of the magic of Zingerman's, especially with the exposure through Food TV and national magazines. Two years ago, I took a large group to the Deli. I came away disappointed in that everything I'd been promised: 1) the best service, 2) the largest portions, and 3) the best food EVER, failed. The service consisted of standing in a long line, sitting outside at a picnic table, then having the food dropped off. The portion wasn't something to write home about, and the sandwich written way better than it tasted. After paying for nine meals at Zingerman prices, the fail proved EPIC. I recently recovered from that debacle and made it to the Roadhouse. I ordered the BBQ because it smelled amazing. It was a warm Spring day and with the smoked air it felt like Summer in the South. The BBQ portion was on the small side. I even ended up hungry after having had some bread (good) and a bit of dessert. I wasn't amazed, and again paid out the wazoo. Because of the many positive reviews, I may one day return. The Mac n Cheese seems particularly intriguing. But I'll have to start an IRA (Individual Roadhouse Account) to prepare for that day. I will add that our waiter WAS very attentive here as well as friendly. He let me sample the brisket which ended up being better than the pulled pork I'd ordered.
(3)Christine F.
Everything I've had here has been super delicious. I've only been here for dinner. The standouts in the past have been the cream of mushroom soup (this shit ain't from a can), which is filled with a myriad of different types of mushrooms. It's perfectly seasoned and SO creamy. MMM. I've also had bomb-ass-dick grilled cheeses here. You choose the cheese within the sammich - and they have a list of amazing cheeses to choose from. I chose the aged cheddar, and with that mushroom soup? Perfect! It's definitely a place we swing by when we're in Ann Arbor.
(4)Dave C.
ROADHOUSE! I came here twice and both times was pleasantly surprised by the delicious food and superb service. First time I had the fried chicken and also sampled my friend's sweet potato fries, corn dog, bbq sampler and pesto mac n cheese. Second time I had the bbq sampler and tried some fish dish. So where to begin? The fried chicken was super crispy and delicious.. the sweet potato fries were humongous and served with some awesome dipping sauce. Nothing like the weaksauce sweet potato fries you get at bobby's burger place, or the wannabe fried chicken at popeye's. the bbq, oh the bbq. Such succulent fall of the bone ribs but at the same time having a bit of crisp on the outside, ahh... I feel the ribs and pulled pork are better than slows, heck i dare say they were better than the ones i tried in Texas from rudy's. They do their own smoking out back for 9hrs and raise their own animals, a recipe for win. The only thing mediocre stuff we had were the pesto mac and corn dogs. But who cares. Their shortcomings are overshadowed to the nth degree by the other awesome dishes. A bit pricey but hey, you pay for it in GREAT service and GREAT food. ~try it!
(5)Andrea T.
Okay, my favorite things about Zingerman's roadhouse are Rhode Island Coffee milk, these amazing preserved tomatoes, and the excellent service. So on my first visit, I got one of my faves, sweet potatoe fries. They are hard to mess up so it's not that I give anyone extra credit for making them. What impressed me is that about 2 fries fell from the plate to the floor as the server set them before me, and no joke, he pretty much brought us an entire EXTRA plate of fries. My salad had these amazing preserved tomatoes, which because of the wonderful flavor I had mistaken for red peppers. I asked about the preparation of them, commented that I liked them, and five minutes later, I had a saucer full of them to ADD to my salad. Pretty much all of my visits to the Roadhouse involve stories like that. Sure, Zingerman's does charge a bit more for what is basically just American comfort food, but I like the dining experience and the attentiveness of the waitstaff. Clearly, you can get cheaper food or even just stay at home and make some of these things, but this is a fun, casual environment and it's interesting that they challenge themselves to keeping a 100% American menu. I'm kind of a food snob and largely turn my nose up at our "ordinary" cuisine, so it's a nice niche that they have filled to show some of the best of what American cuisine (and wine) has to offer. I like the themed dinners a lot too.
(4)Erik J.
To cut the chase - the food is delicious, the atmosphere is awesome and the service is spectacular. It just loses the one star because, though it is an excellent imitation, it's just not the same as true southern bbq. I had the BBQ Pork Entree, which is pulled pork served with your choice of sauce, greens and mashed potatoes. The pork itself and the greens are excellent. The potatoes are nothing particularly special, though certainly pleasing. The sauce here was my hang up. They have the holy trinity of tomato, vinegar and mustard based sauces, as well as the elusive Alabama mayo-based one. I had the mustard since I hadn't had it in four years since the last time I was in South Carolina. The sauce is certainly sweet and tangy, but the chef chose to head toward the spicier side of the sauce. He's a James Beard winner and by all means, the sauce is good. It just falls short of what I expected which is sweeter and relies more on the mustard's natural tang then on spice. By all means, however, this is both the first time I've seen it served outside of the Carolinas and it's definitely worth a try. Haven't had the others, though I would expect them to be delicious as well. My wife had the macaroni smoked chicken and monterrey jack. It kept the jack heat and added some green chilis. It's a hefty pool so come hungry if you're going after that or any of the pasta dishes.
(4)Ani B.
had high expectations coming for breakfast for my birthday. now know that the only guaranteed expectation was a large bill for common food. did like that they offered green chilies in the omelet offerings. got the grilled onions, chiles, and cheddar-they made a fairly good tasting omelet, but no extreme earth-shattering omelet no matter where the eggs came from. i was also disappointed with the one piece of zingerman toast, crusts too hard and the whole wheat was just that, common whole wheat, the worst was the "hash browns" which were boiled potatoes mashed/mixed with miniscule pieces of red peppers and slopped on a grill-just a mashed mess 2/3rds way to a potato cake. Nothing was seasoned; and we know nothing will season up after being cooked. i thought the food could have been presented on the plate better; i felt like i was at a mess hall with it being slopped on a plate, no garnish, no neat presentation. waitress didn't seem like she wanted to be there. mumbled something about what was popular. I didn't understand what she was saying. and i guess it didn't matter. not very attentive on refills or extras. Was hoping for a special high quality breakfast but did not get anything special. look forward to the Cheesecake Factory who makes fantastic breakfasts.
(3)Jose S.
Unique but pricey.
(2)Jennifer S.
So I came out to the arctic tundra to visit friends, and I kept hearing about Zingerman's. I finally came for brunch, and got the grits plate. You get chunky slightly cheesy grits, applewood bacon, eggs and toast. The sour cherry preserves are to die for, absolutely perfect. Now the server did mess up my over easy eggs, they ended up well done and medium. Plenty of spots at 10am on a Sunday, and a good price @ $10. I did see the mac/cheese for 15-20 on the dinner menu. Would love to come back sometime and try it out. Dinner had over an hour wait time though for two people =(
(4)Basak D.
I tried two of the famous Mac and Cheeses and wasn't to impressed. They were overrated and frankly a little greasy. On the other hand the service was great and I ordered a Caesar salad was one of the best I've had.
(3)Barbara W.
We were staying nearby, so I stopped by after dinner to get my dessert--a mini cherry pie. It was unbelievably good--crisp crust, not-too-sweet filling. The next morning we went for breakfast--yummy omelet, blueberry French toast, great coffee. We need one of these places in Austin!
(5)Steven L.
Although the food here is not very good, I still have to give this a 4 because it is a Zingerman's restaurant and I can eat here. This shows us that sometimes a restaurant is more than the food it serves. It is about getting the respect you deserve. Also, I feel not too many poor people eat here. I make a six-figure income and I am sure most of the patrons that eat here do as well. It is nice to dine with intelligent humans, not just regular trash. For this, Yay! I am a fan.
(4)Kay B.
I don't dislike Zingerman's, and I'm certainly no Z-hater. However, having been here twice I continue to be unimpressed by anything other than their extensive cocktail menu and the fact that on Sunday's ($2.00 off classic cocktails) the price of said cocktails becomes reasonable. I like that they have such a clearly marked GF menu, but my two entrees I've had from it were pretty blah (pulled pork) and kind of gross (white grits). Was not expecting giant triangles of polenta-like grit cakes, and while the toppings were interesting after about two bites I knew I had made a poor decision. We did get some good gluten free chili cheese fries, and it's nice that they have an option of GF fries. No one in my party had a bad meal but no one had much to say about their food either. Pretty blah all around.
(2)Sue D.
This is by far the best restaurant in Ann Arbor. We go as often as we can afford it. I can be confident that anything I get here is made with high quality ingredients and perfectly prepared. Cheap it ain't, but I would much rather pay a price for reliable perfection than pay less and end up with a mediocre meal. Dinner: As other reviewers have noted, the fried chicken is perfection - crispy, moist, flavorful. On Tuesdays they do a hot and spicy version that is smeared with a killer chili sauce. You get a special press-on tattoo if you dare to eat it. My favorite appetizer is the cheese platter. You and your tablemates choose from a long list of specialty cheeses from around the country, and your server is happy to help you put together a nice selection. Sampling these savory tidbits while nibbling on country bread and sipping a glass of wine makes me a very, very happy person. Little pickled grapes come with the cheese. Yum. My kids happily consume the mac'n'cheese and corn dogs. The wine and beer lists are carefully chosen, and there are great deals if you look. Same with the food: many of the prices are high but you can put together a moderately priced meal if you choose carefully - eg, split a whole order of fried chicken with your date (for $20 you get four pieces of chicken plus sides; they happily plate this up for two), or get a fabulous burger and fries. Breakfast: The dougnnuts. Oh, lord. They fry them when you order. These beauties arrive at your table hot and crispy, sprinkled with a thick layer of some fancy, crunchy brown sugar. They are $3 for 3. I can't think of a better start to a weekend morning. Coffee is strong and delicious; bottomless cup. As we were leaving they offered to fill up a cup to go (free!), but I was buzzing too much from sugar and caffeine to take up this generous offer. The bits waffle has bacon and cheese in it. My husband seemed pleased with his, sharing very little of it with his family. I usually have eggs, toast, bacon and hash-browns. This simple breakfast is only as good as the quality of its ingredients and preparation. In a greasy spoon it's salt and grease that you eat fast, washed down with coffee. This is enjoyable in its own way. Here it's an experience to be savored. The toast is thick slices of Z's bread (sourdough or white) slathered with butter from a local producer. Fruit preserves on the side; I chose cherry. Thick slices of peppery Neuske bacon. The over-easy eggs were perfectly prepared. The hash-browns were the only mediocre element; I wanted crispy, browned edges, and these were pretty soft and tasteless. After dinner, we often stop by the to-go dining car parked in the lot. Baked goods are half-price in the evening, which lets us extend our happy Z's experience into the next morning with lemon clouds and scones.
(5)C O.
This is a great place to get fresh, locally-sourced, home-cooked American fare in a comfortable, inviting, and enjoyable setting. The service is amazing. Not many places offer an unconditional guarantee of your happiness and satisfaction. If you aren't happy, they will make it so. If that means removing food from the bill, swapping a meal for another, or letting you sample everything they offer on the menu for absolutely no charge then that is what they will do. They are prompt, they are attentive, and they are friendly as hell. The food is largely great. I'd particularly recommend picking up a bowl of their Ancho Beef Chuck Chili. It's simply divine. The perfect balance of spice, flavor, color, and texture. If only I'd saved some bread to dip in it from the free bread basket. "Wait, you'll give me more bread for free just to dip in my chili?" "Can it be just the white sourdough bread?" "Yes?" "Awesome, will you have my lovechild?" "No? OK, it was worth asking..." The mac-and-cheese is the only other thing really worth noting on their menu. By that, I mean worth noting how terrible it is. Clumpy, tepid, bland, fatty, heart-cloggingly terrible. Skip it, save your self the disappointment, and order a regular dinner of their menu. It's an institution in Ann Arbor for a reason. It's good. Well, or myself and the bulk of Michigan have no taste.
(4)Ashley P.
Stop it. This was one of the best meals I've ever had. My colleague called ahead, so we skipped the 30 minute wait and were seated immediately. We ordered the margaritas ($2 off on Wednesday) and our entrees. My colleague couldn't decide what to order so Jacob, our server who was awesome, brought her a few samples of the dishes so she could decide...who does that?! He then brought us some tasty pimento cheese dip because he thought we would like it. He brought us ice cream we didn't order with the check, because he thought it would be a great way to end the meal. I had the fried chicken, crunchy on the outside and mouth-melty on the inside...with mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables. My colleague had the Green Tomatoes "Whole Hog"...the pulled pork was sweet at first and had some spice at the end...omg good. But wait, the Mac and Cheese. I'm glad I only got a side, because if I'd gotten the whole thing I surely would have eaten it all. The restaurant was lively and casual and clean and the people were friendly and kind. J$ would have LOVED this place, can't imagine why we'd come back to Ann Arbor but if I do, he's coming and we're eating here for sure! I was shocked to see the bad reviews on this site. I've been to some amazing restaurants all over the country, and will reference this as one of my favorite dining experiences.
(4)Andy N.
Great decor and ambiance. If I were you and I were going to visit Ann Arbor, I would definately make a stop at Zingerman's Roadhouse.
(4)Josh K.
Their food is really delicious made with premium ingredients that are locally sourced when possible. The wait staff puts customers first and will really get you anything that you want. I like their blue plate specials for dinners. I also like $2 off bourbon pours on Thursday nights.
(5)Marie H.
Wow overpriced! But then again, 'overpriced-for-what-you-get' and Zingerman's are synonyms. Look it up...Anyway, I paid $18 for a enchilada (but it was a crepe) with 5 or 6 mushrooms and a few onion slices in it with a little dollop of goat cheese and some absolutely bizarre tasting mole sauce. Rick Bayless would have shuddered. I guess I should have expected as much, since my first foray into roadhouses of the non-Patrick Swayze variety involved 'oyster hash browns' with 2 oysters in them. I tasted my boyfriend's pulled chicken sandwich, which tasted awesome, and I don't even like BBQ, so yay to that. If I ever go back, I will definitely get that! My dad had the brisket, which was meh. Since my would-be enchilada sated 1/8 of my appetite, I got a key lime pie slice, which was very tasty and came with a little lime guy with googly eyes made of frosting that amused the table for awhile. Also, the old fashioned I had was good and no hair was muddled into the orange, unlike the Old Town. So overall, good drinks, good BBQ (if it's chicken) and some good desserts. OK, but not worth the wait overall. I'd pick Patrick Swayze's Roadhouse any day, especially if Sam Elliot and Ben Gazarra are there.
(3)Casey C.
Love this place! Everything I have had had been great. Recommend the chili fries, sweet potato fries, and BBQ. Make reservations even for off times!
(5)Susan R.
So obviously I have to give 5 stars for the food. Zingermans always has innovative and delicious delicacies that make me and my boyfriend salivate. I did an online reservation ahead of time and they did a great job at reminding me that it was coming up. The reason I did not give it 5 stars was the actual service. The people at the hostess stand were fine but the waitress left much to be desired. She didn't try and sell up anything on the menu and barely talked to us. Heck the people who brought us bread and our food were friendlier. Now granted it was a busy Saturday night but with people willing to drop some serious money on some serious grub you think we could at least get some friendliness. That aside, run don't walk people to zinger mans and savor the food.
(4)K D.
Good food, but overpriced for what you get. Go to the deli instead!
(4)Kristina B.
I've been here twice now, both times in groups of 4+ diners, and both times nobody was really impressed. When ordering at the the last visit, we all hit the menu highlights (so we thought); mac and cheese, hamburgers, fried chicken. The most positive comment was that a dish was "OK." The mac and cheese eater probably had the most successful entree, but he said it wasn't good enough that he'd come back for it again. Our server was MIA when we needed napkins or refills, but as we were reaching the end of the meal he repeatedly tried to clear our plates as we were still eating. I understand fully the value of high-quality, local and sustainable food (that's why I visit the farmer's markets), but to charge an extra quarter on top of a $19.50 hamburger platter for a slice of heirloom tomato that was neither requested nor consumed just seems petty. Definitely not worth the $105 I spent that night, and I'd say not even worth half of that. I will stick to patronizing the Bakehouse and Creamery, as I clearly have no luck with the Zing restaurants.
(2)David S.
I've always said that without Zingerman's, Ann Arbor's coolness factor would drop by about 50%. While that may or may not be true, the comment was primarily made at the awesome Zingerman's Deli (downtown), I can now extend that sentiment to The Roadhouse. The Roadhouse has come a long ways - when we first visited the restaurant when it opened several years ago, they had some issues with their menu - some items didn't work so well. It took them a little while to tweak out the menu but each subsequent trip here has resulted in better & better food to a point where now, I consider it to be the best sit-down restaurant in Ann Arbor not named The Chop House. Zingerman's prides itself on it's customer service, which truly is second to none. But that is secondary to the incredible food that it serves, made with the highest quality meats and vegetables. This is my favorite place to get a burger (bacon & blue cheese!). Along with Casey's Tavern, their burgers are the best in town. The hand-cut fries (either regular or sweet potato) are so delicious! Splurge and get the chili cheese fries - black bean chili with chunks of ancho beef topped with fresh cheddar. Yum. The Buttermilk Fried Chicken is simply best fried chicken I've ever had. Another favorite is the mushroom soup (which may or may not be on the menu so you should ask for it) - using several kinds of fresh mushrooms, it is so soothing and comforting. Served with a large piece of crusty bread, an order of soup is more than enough for a satisfying lunch. I could go on & on about other items including their great breakfasts, beers & cocktails, and dessert items but for now I'll just say that Zingerman's Roadhouse should be on the top of anyone's list of local restaurant eats. The Roadhouse is a well-oiled machine. From the decor to the service of the greeters & wait staff to the quality of the food, you won't find a better place to dine. It's not cheap, but it's worth every penny and so much more. Plus, you may get a chance to have Zing's celeb owner, Ari, refill your water glass at your table. What could be better than that?
(5)Theresa F.
I have only eaten at the Roadhouse a couple of times (twice for lunch, once for dinner). One of my first impressions was sitting down to lunch and the server handing me a black napkin -- I was wearing black pants and he didn't want the white napkin to leave white fuzzies on my pants! Wow, talk about great service. I've had a couple of salads and the pulled pork sandwiches. Yum. A little on the pricey side, but worth it when you discover the taste and flavor of the food is over and above what you get at other places. And bottomless fries -- you gotta love that! The macaroni and cheese (Steve's order) was incredible -- REAL cheese! It's worth getting, and besides, makes a great lunch the next day! One of the owners is also the head chef -- you can tell there's a lot of thought and care that goes into the food and the menu. It's always great when an owner is also the brains behind the tasty food :-) You can also buy Zing's Zzang bars at the Roadhouse! (Think Snickers but a MILLION times better -- handrolled nougat and peanuts in dark, Ecuadorean chocolate). Dangerous when I drive past there everyday on my way home from work!
(4)Christine D.
stopped in on our way from Detroit to Chicago for a late lunch @ 3. Decided to go to take out counter to save time - no line and no other people waiting. Ordered 5 sandwiches and was told that it would be about 8 minutes, since a couple of them had to go on the grill. 15 mins later, guy asked if we wanted our coleslaw on the side or on sandwiches. 20 min later, guy came out and told us sandwiches were almost ready as we were clearly in a hurry to get going. Finally bag brought out and we zipped off in car and jumped on highway 100 yds away. Only to open bag then and find NO napkins and NO coleslaw at all. huh? Was I supposed to look before we left? maybe. Sandwiches were mostly good but some portions a little small for price and lost a star for leaving out the missing stuff. Clearly we were not turning the car around but it was a big pain to eat BBQ in car with no napkins.
(3)Mitch L.
My brother took me here on his/my way out of Detroit a couple weekends ago after spending the weekend in Detroit/Cedar Point. I would first recommend reservations no matter what day or time you plan on going here. We had them and got sat down quickly and watched other groups wait an hour. The place is warm and inviting upon walking in. Throughout the entire restaurant, they have framed information about all the farms the food comes from. Being from Iowa, I had to find the Maytag, Iowa (Maytag Blue Cheese) framed information. Just a fun little add-on for the guests. Our table ordered the sweet potato french fries and the fried green tomatoes. The fries themselves were baked than fried. They were amazing and had a nice flavored mayo dipping sauce. We all ate ourselves sick of them. The fried green tomatoes were fresh and tasty too. I had the fried chicken. The chicken was well seasoned and not greasy whatsoever. I think it could have been a bit more seasoned, but overall it was an excellent choice. The mashed potatoes and gravy were a nice addition to dip the chicken meat into. I really liked the gravy. My brother had the pulled pork. The pulled pork was tasty, but the collared greens left a lot to be desired. My brother's partner had the Mac and Smoked Chicken and Monterey Jack. The bite I had we good and had a nice flavor. The all-star of the meal was the ancho-beef chuck chili. It was just amazing and was probably the best chili I can say I have ever had. We all left stuffed with no room for desert. In hindsight I wish I would have ordered a doughnut sundae...
(4)brent b.
Everything I've had here is amazing. Zingerman's businesses do everything right, and the Roadhouse is no different. Awesome ambiance. Fantastic food. Knowledgeable wait staff. Expect to pay $30/person if you go, but you will not be disappointed. Only complaint: I haven't cared for their greens the last few times ive gone. I wish they'd stick to green beans.
(5)Ernest S.
The mac and cheese is really rich. Maybe overly rich. One order was more than enough for the four of us. The rest of the food - including a heaping order of ribs - was really good. Can't wait to go back next time I'm in the area.
(4)