My wife and I eat out quite a bit, and I usually don't feel strongly enough to review every single place we visit. Terry B's is an exception, because it was significantly better than our expectations. Almost hidden in a converted house outside of downtown Dexter, Terry B's is unassuming in both location and name, and thus doesn't get the attention that its Ann Arbor equals receive. The night we visited, we received excellent service, ranking with Logan and Paesano's as the best treatment we've received at a regional restaurant. From the hostess to the waitress to the water guy, the timing was perfect throughout the night. We both ordered seafood, and both dishes were cooked to perfection and truly unique. My triple-tail melted in my mouth, and was paired with buttery roasted vegetables and rice that complimented the meal. My wife's ahi tuna was a work of art on the plate, and the meal was cooked rare and delicious. Beyond that, the bread was good, the wine was good, and the beer selection was pretty great. I hesitate to go over 4 stars because we've only eaten there once, but you can bet we'll be back and we'll be preaching the Terry B's gospel to everyone we can. No complaints, our experience was outstanding.
(4)
A. G. U.
A great place for special occasions like birthdays. Good food and service, and a nice atmosphere. Not only the best restaurant in Dexter but one of the best in the entire Ann Arbor area.
We went to terry b's for an early dinner. Although it was happy hour, they would not give us happy hour prices in the dining room. We would have had a predinner drink at the bar, but there was no where to sit. I ordered a pricey entree, tuna, at almost $30. When they set it in front of me, I almost started laughing. There were 4 little sushi type slices of tuna, thats it! Couldn't have been more than 3 ounces on a plate filled with rice in the shape of a tuna can and some foo foo sauces swirled about in an effort to fill the plate. I didn't bother to send it back as we like to use our dollars to vote and we just won't be back. Don't bother.
(2)
Will M.
This place has a good beer list and interesting, tasty, and well prepared modern american meals. The outdoor patio is really nice, especially on the Friday summer nights when the music is playing at the Dexter Gazebo! Nice local ingredients used as well.
(5)
Garrett G.
What an amazing place, I took my wife here for her birthday and we both loved it. We are new to the area and it was such a pleasure finding such a fine restaurant near our home. Will definitely be back, and FYI it is on restaurant.com so you can save a little money when you go.
(5)
Laura J.
Great appetizers - and that's it. Very, very poor service, undercooked food, overpriced for what it is and did I mention the really poor serivce? We had undercooked poultry, steak and this was after wiating over 1.20 for dinner to even arrive. Do yourself a favor - skip it.
(1)
D H.
My favorite restaurant around!! Very romantic and awesome atmosphere! The food is always wonderful. We love to sit on the deck in the summer. The music on the weekends is great or you can hear the music from the park on the deck. So fun!!!!
(5)
Utha M.
Our first visit to Terry B's was overall very good. We had a nice table by the front window for our anniversary dinner. We selected the cheese and smoked fish platter as an appetizer. They were out of our first choice of wine...but we enjoyed a 2 Lads Pinot Grigos offered as a suggestion by the waitress. The cheese and fish were excellent! My wife ordered the mushroom soup and I chose the scallops for my meal. My scallops were perfectly cooked....but one had some grit. My wife's soup tasted great, but she thought it was too heavy. We ended with a Mexican coffee and a interesting dessert (tart with rhubarb...vanilla ice cream...chocolate) - the tart shell was a bit too thick...otherwise tasty. We would definitely come back. The highlight being the cheese & smoked fish appetizer and wine selections.
(4)
M F.
There's a new chef. We loved the old chef and were so sad to see him go. He had promised us the replacement they hired was great and we would still love the place. He was right!!! Haven't been a bit disappointed he's fantastic!!!
(5)
Betty S.
Another delicious meal of apps and beer at T Bs for happy hour. We always enjoy our "datenight" here. Betty Dexter resident
(5)
Gayle Halebian L.
What a hidden gem located in the town of Dexter. Who knew? Every course was prepared creatively with loads of love with thanks to the great talent of Chef Doug Hewitt. Each dish was played beautifully, picture worthy and exceeded all of our expectations (we are a pretty tough crowd). Highlights include the smoked fish platter the spicy shrimp crunch roll, sea scallops and charred brussel sprout salad. If you are looking for an unforgettable dining experience Terry Bs will not disappoint. One last thought ....leave room for dessert. Not your run of the mill dessert tray for sure!
(5)
Kelly V.
We love supporting local businesses and came here recently for a birthday dinner. Our spicy duck soup, charred brussel sprouts salad, crispy cod, and spicy fettuccine were all very good. The crispy cod comes with a large lentil cake, making it quite a protein heavy dish. I wish there had been more vegetables. We got the apple strudel for dessert, which reminded us of the fried apple pie you used to be able to get at McDonald's. I was also disappointed that there was no candle or mention of a birthday even though I mentioned it while making the reservation. Lastly, service was slow at times because our waiter was busy with a large table. The restaurant was half full. Still more positives than negatives, but our experience last night left a lot to be desired.
(3)
Adam O.
Went for their NYE prix fixe dinner for my first visit and enjoyed the expereince. Was looking for someplace a but outside of the usual destinations/locations and this great little homtown spot in Dexter really delivered. It was a 3 course menu for 70 dollars a pop, plus sparkling wine apertif which was pretty good value all around. Began with the butter poached lobster, which was delicious, if not miniscule. Followed that up with a wonderful brussles sprouts salad with bacon vinegrette. Irish cheese was excellent and it needed more of it. For an entree, went with the pork loin with sauerkraut, spiced pears, pierogi, and a carraway sour cream (which it could have used slightly more of). Great pairing of flavors and the kurobuta pork was intensely porky in a good way. One slight complaint in that my chop came with one bone while I watched as another went by with 2. That made me envious and peeved, in that order. Tried a bite or 4 of the fiancee's branzino with pickled red onions, arugula, and gnocchi and it was also fantastic. Ordered a dessert of key lime pie pot de creme which was basically key lime pie without the crust. Good, but not nearly as amazing as my better half's chestnut crepes. Spoon dropping good. Good cocktail and wine list. Service that was friendly but immensely slow. I'd blame it on the NYE dinner but in reading others, seems like it's a recurring theme. All told, really glad I tried a new place.
(4)
Howard C.
We met some friends for dinner there and had mixed reactions. The food was fabulous, but the service was far below par. We had no napkins or silverware. The bread was served, but with no bread plates or silverware we were disappointed. The salads took forever and when they arrived were incorrect. Once the error was corrected they were excellent salads. Dinner took an eternity and the waitress couldn't figure out who got what. Again, the food was prepared wonderfully, and tasted out of this world. Tremendous flavor and presentation, poor delivery and timing. We will return hoping the service was just a fluke, because the food was so great.
(3)
ima h.
Nothing special here. The food is good; however, it is not inventive, creative, or interesting. The skill level of the "chef" appears to be on par with my own, and that is not impressive. This is the kind if restaurant my parents would love. Nothing on the menu is too obscure and the food is prepared sans herbs and spices so the result is familiar, bland food that looks really pretty. Seafood Chowder ~ good, yet nothing special. The ingredients seemed to be of decent quality but the soup was missing something (herbs maybe?). It tasted like a soup my mom would make me, which is a good thing; however, my mom isn't a chef and she doesn't charge me :) Caesar Salad ~ definitely not bad, but lacked flavor. It was fresh but the dressing was so flavorless that I had to squeeze lemons on the salad in an attempt to bring out some trace of taste. I could not detect any garlic and the cheese was not Parmesan or even pecorino Romano. Cheese Plate ~ good. The variety of cheeses was well done; however, the types of cheeses were run of the mill and the accoutrements did not pair well. After sampling those items, the idea of spending $30 on an entree was no longer appealing.
(3)
Gregg D.
we have been going to Terry B's for years, after being turned onto it by friends when we moved to this area. At first we loved going for dinner -- food was always good to great, service was good, drinks were excellent and ambiance was nice. Over the last year or two, however, we started just going for drinks and sitting at the bar. Maybe we would have something to eat but always ordered from the bar. The reason -- the service had gotten really slow. It would take 20 minutes to get bread, no one would come back to refill water, you would wait 15 minutes between courses, etc. No kidding, four of us went for dinner one night that wasn't terribly busy and it took 3+ hours without dessert. Drinks were always reliable. They have had great bartenders who are creative and entertaining. The food has also always been good and sometimes great. We rooted for Terry B's but started to drift away due to service. My wife and I decided to give it a go for the New Years Eve prix fixe dinner. I'm glad we went because it was fantastic! One of the best experiences there in many years. I would give it a 5 star but am leery due to past experiences. Appetizers -- she had squab and I had vegetables. Both delicious and would order again instantly. 2nd course -- wife had carrots medley and I had grilled octopus salad. Again, both winners. Main -- she had veggie pot pie and I had branzini fish. Mine was a winner, hers not so much. Service was impeccable -- thank you Jennifer !!!! Because of this experience we will give it another try in the dining room. But please seat me in Jennifer's section!
(4)
Brian G.
Went there again last night with a party of 5, this is absolutely the best restaurant in the Ann Arbor region - hands down! We all picked different combinations from full entree's to appetizers or salads. Everything was excellent, sitting out on the deck with great smooth jazz played by a cool group of 4-5 guys (including Terry B himself) - so much fun! The executive chef (Doug - young - around 30) came out to chat with us - had to share my Yelp review with him. What a nice, humble guy - and an amazing chef. To cap it off - it was Wednesday so our two bottles of Cohn Merlot (wonderful) were half price. Will be back soon!!
(5)
Beth H.
Definite upgrade from our last visit. My husband and I have been wanting to try Terry B's again, just the two of us. We stopped in on a Thursday night, looking for a good meal. We definitely got it. I ordered the choose two: cheese and fish board. It was inventive and quite good. (though the cheeses are very strong; you need some crackers to defuse the acid assault on your tongue - keep that in mind if you order it) My husband has the amish chicken. The succotash on the side was the highlight of his plate. It was really tasty and we couldn't figure out what was the main flavor but it left us wanting more. He's not a grits fan but he liked what he had. The chicken plate had both smoked white and dark meat. Perfect flavor and not overcooked. The waiter was nice and attentive. The place was pretty slow for 7:30pm on a Thursday night, but Terry B's seems more like a weekend place or for special occasions. Our bill was a little more than we expected to spend at about $64 including tip: for two meals and two fountain sodas, but we had a better meal and experience than what we were expecting. We will go back again.
(4)
Rachel B.
One of my favorite restaurants!!! The environment is very pleasant and the food is stellar, to start, the bread basket offered many different types of breads and they all were so good that I found myself eating the leftover crumbs! The house salad was so fresh and the feta cheese melted in my mouth, the dressing (balsamic vinaigrette) was the best I've ever tasted!
(5)
Erica D.
Dexter's only gem in town! Terry B's never disappoints! The food is always creative and delicious. The service is outstanding. I swear I had the best oysters of my life here and my mouth waters just thinking about the roasted pheasant they used to have on the menu. Now I'm just looking for an excuse to go back and have the shrimp and grits!
(5)
Mary K.
I think Terry B's might be the best restaurant in Washtenaw County. I've only been there twice, but was completely blown away both times. The first time we went we had a gift certificate, so we went a little crazy on the ordering (it's pricy... but, oh, it's worth it if you have it). We did get to try a couple of small plates, which were special and delicious. I also had a salad with duck confit atop it.... amazing. We even got dessert - I still talk about it (and that visit was over a year ago). It was Key Lime Pots de Creme. Ohmigod. I ate it in teeeeeeeny tiny bites to make it last longer. We went back a month or so ago and wanted to sit on the (lovely, large) deck, but it was (understandably) full, so the wait was almost an hour. We waited for our table at the bar.... but we were so hungry that we ended up ordering there. It was a great experience. We were able to linger over our drinks and food, ordered two small plates and it was really enough. We got Banh Mi chorizo tacos. Both were flavorful and unique. I would choose the Banh Mi over the tacos (which surprised me), but it was refreshing to have dishes that I really haven't seen at any of the restaurants in Ann Arbor (in one place, anyway). The decor is colorful, but elegant. It's very festive from the outside and nicely decorated indoors - white tablecloths and all of that, but you never feel inferior. You are just in for a really good experience.
(5)
Jeanie S.
I'm torn as to whether to give Terry B's 3 or 4 stars. Ultimately chose 3 due to the weight of the negatives. Negatives: -Slow, slow, slow service. Pacing was just off & in desperate need of a dining room manager. Didn't order a second drink or a dessert because I couldn't stand the thought of sitting for another 30min waiting. Long, long pauses in between service. -My companion's main dish wasn't plated correctly. The pork shoulder was room temp (at best) while the polenta cake and roasted squash were perfectly hot. -Odd service. Dirty plates weren't cleared. Our main dishes were brought and I had to shuffle our appetizer plate so the server could drop our main dishes. Puzzlingly, he left without picking up the dirty dishes or empty glasses. These were all left on the table until we were ready to pay the check. -Our server described the Brussels sprouts on my dish as being "quartered" and easy to pick out (I hate Brussels sprouts). They weren't quartered, they were shredded and mixed in with the other items in my dish. Positives: -seafood chowder. It was delicious. -friendliness of our server. -pan roasted arctic char. very enjoyable. Nice flavors, though a bit heavy handed on the bacon. -specialty cocktail. order one, you won't regret it. ask them to go easy on the ice, though. So, all in all, I'd return for the seafood chowder and a cocktail. My companion thought the pork shoulder dish was "okay" but not something he'd order again. It was a big hunk of meat, so if you like pork, you're in luck. I'm a good cook, so the reason I eat out is 1) to enjoy complex or unusual dishes I can't or won't make at home and 2) to enjoy the sublime experience inherent in excellent service. I'm happy to pay good money for both. In this case, number 1 was halfway successful at Terry B's and number 2 was not.
(3)
Colleen Z.
Last Thursday night hubby and I went to Terry B's for their happy hour which includes 1/2 price appetizers and drink specials. We sat on the deck on a near perfect day and by the time we left we had several cocktails, two appetizers and entrees. We started with the calamari which is lightly breaded and fried then combined with a black bean relish and spicy sauce. We are never ever dissatisfied with the calamari as it is always perfect. Next we tried a new appetizer panko coated mozzarella cheese with avocado, onion, tomato and arugula. Very nicely executed. The cheese was sweet against the more tart argula making for a very nice appetizer. As we were thoroughly enjoying our drinks, the weather and the wonderful jazz combo which plays on Thursday nights, we decided to stick around for dinner. Hubby had his usual Thursday night favorite, oysters. At the suggestion of our knowledgeable and attentive server Jeff, hubby tried sriracha chili sauce on his oysters which sent hubby over the edge as it was, according to hubby, the perfect accompaniment. I had the chicken salad appetizer for my main meal. Presentation was pretty and the salad was OK. Salad was filled with small cubes of white meat chicken, cherries, cashews, celery and onion. The salad had a tad too much onion for my taste but onion is not one of my favorites. Dinner ended as usual with two scoops of the vanilla gelato drizzled with carmel sauce and sprinkled with cashews. Yum. Terry B's? Still one of our favorite spots!
(5)
Greg S.
This is our favorite restaurant hands down. The food is top notch and is complimented quite well by the atmosphere and staff. Terry B's is a great place for a romantic night on the town or even just a dinner out with colleagues, etc. I can't say enough about Terry B's - This place is FANTASTIC!
(5)
Aaron J H.
Tuesday Night, sat at the bar and grabbed a small bite and a few drinks. Very,Very nice place. Modern decor with a classic vintage charm. I will deffinately be back. The entire staff was friendly and pleasure to talk with. The reason for the 4 star and not a 5; Had one drink, and the ran out of Hennessy, with no other conac in the house.
(4)
A N.
My husband and I absolutely love this gem of a restaurant in Dexter. I should have written a review for this place over two years ago when we first tried it. We have been back about 5 times since, and each time seems to get better. The chef is very talented, and has a wonderful menu that changes with the seasons. We have tried so many delicious things here it's challenging to recall, but I will try to describe some of what I love about this place. Oysters: I had my first oyster experience here, and all I can say is yum! I have since had oysters at many other establishments, and Terry B's is still my favorite place for them. Their oysters Rockefeller have just the right amount of extras on them so you can still taste the oyster and they're not overwhelmed by bacon and cheese. I've had others where it could have been a smothered baked potato and I wouldn't have known the difference. Seafood Chowder: To die for. Our server brought us each a little tasting before we ordered to make sure we liked it, and I had to restrain myself from licking the little cup clean. Since that time I compare all other seafood chowder to theirs and I have yet to find one that even comes close in flavor and sheer deliciousness. We were told the chowder is made completely from scratch with several types of fish and seafood. Dexter Plate: An amazing foray into house made sausages, meats and sauces. We loved the traverse city cherry mustard so much we even purchased some to take home with us. This is a must try. Service: Our service has been extraordinary each and every time we have dined here. Imagine this: you ask your server to explain how a meal was prepared, if they've tried it, and what they can recommend and why, and they actually have answers for you! I cannot begin to tell you how much joy this brings me. We dine out so often at so called "high end" restaurants where servers have absolutely no idea what they're talking about or haven't even tasted everything on the menu. Several of the servers we have met are actually foodies, and have a passion for their work. Insane! We are so bored of the A2 restaurant scene, and come here often for a change of pace and beautiful, delicious meals served in a friendly and charming atmosphere. The ambiance is upscale, but comfortable. Their deck outside is just lovely for the spring and summer. It is beyond worth the drive from Ann Arbor so treat yourself to a wonderful dining experience at Terry B's. You will not regret it.
(5)
Stephanie R.
My hubby and I ventured out to Dexter for some dinner on a Friday night after reading some of the reviews here and seeing that restaurant.com had a gift certificate option. It was a great night to eat on the deck...perfect weather and live music from the festival going on right down the street! Our waiter seemed a bit nervous...maybe he was new or something, so it made it a bit awkward at times during the ordering process. He also seemed to be overwhelmed with tables, rushing from here to there...and he tended to forget several things that we asked for throughout our meal. We started with the Thai Dumplings and those were just okay. The presentation was a bit "blah" and they were hard on the inside. They could have used a bit of texture, too. It tasted like a hard lump of meat and vegetable compacted inside the dumpling. The Thai spicy coconut broth that surrounded the dumplings could have used a bit more seasoning as well. Next, hubby ordered the seafood chowder and I tried the grilled watermelon and arugula salad. Those two were pretty tasty. The soup was flavorful and had tons of seafood bits inside and my salad was refreshing and crunchy. It looked beautiful too! For our entrees, hubby got a filet mignon and I had the beef short ribs. Again, very flavorful and wonderful presentation. These meals tasted rich and comforting...something that would taste great on a cold wintry evening. Overall, dinner was pleasant, surprisingly good at times and the atmosphere was wonderful. We may go again with friends in the future.
(4)
Julie A.
I was starving and heading back to Chicago, sad that I passed up Ann Arbor and was wondering where I was going to find a decent meal. I would like to thank the other yelpers for their posts, or I would have never had such a delightful meal. Pleasent modern decor in older home, wonderful Menu! I had the corn and seafood chowder, whitefish with risotto, and flourless chocolate cake. Everything had a distinct flavor. I may make it a point to eat here on my long drives home from visiting family.
(4)
Marty S.
Food and atmosphere were fantastic. The service was knowledgable and friendly but quite slow.
(4)
David E.
My wife and I have been to Terry B's a few times now. Same as others have mentioned--we tire of the Ann Arbor scene and want a great meal and good service for an occasion. Terry B's is the perfect answer. Not only a great happy hour, but incredibly interesting and tasty dinners as well. Shawn (sp?) has been the bartender the last couple times we were there--and his knowledge of the wines is spectacular. He really is passionate and enthusiastic about the food and beverages available--and makes sure you get your money's worth out of the experience. We will be back very soon for our anniversary dinner!
(5)
Eve F.
Best restaurant in Ann Arbor area for sure. After living in Ann Arbor for five years, I look forward to going back to Terry B's every time I visit. I had my graduation party there and they were awesome in handling my large/crazy family (23 people). My boyfriend gets the steak and eggs appetizer almost everytime (duck fat friend egg over steak), and the one time he didn't he was depressed the whole week after. He also always orders the Angus filet and swears by it though I don't understand why you need bacon and steak on the same plate. Great beer list (usually lots of locals) and are really good at recommending wines in a certain price point. The servers are awesome - at times even too attentive. As far as veggie options go, they always have at least one entree that's vegetarian - usually a tartlet or ravioli. I've always loved what I order though I feel sometimes that I've gained 10 lbs. Since their menu is seasonal, definitely check it before you go. And if they're offering the smores dessert - get it!
(5)
Gretchen E.
While I like the imagination and atmosphere, I found the food a bit on the strange side....kind of standing on it's head to be different...too "special" made it bitter or lackluster. The cooking reminds me of a new chef trying his wings. While I like eating different and new, I'm tired of things that "just don't work". For instance, one tempura shrimp was served on a bed of herbed and sauced string greens that tasted bitter, contrived and slimy. I would rather have something new served well and simple rather than different and disappointing. On that note, I would like to keep going to see if there will be improvements. However, at their prices, I won't keep it up for long if I keep leaving with a bad taste in my mouth.
(3)
Rick L.
I have heard a lot about Terry B's after having just moved back to the Ann Arbor area and happened in a few nights ago and sat at the bar for some drinks and nosh with a few friends. The smile from the hostess was the last one we got from staff and that should have been our first clue. While the food was good (Not great) the bartender was cold and uninterested in having any interaction with us from the beginning and this poor service just went downhill from there, culminating in the most rude interaction I have experienced with a restaurant employee. The worst part is that the manager was right near when this unnecessary situation happened and never once showed any sign of concern for our experience or comfort - much less rectifying the situation. I lived in New York and managed a Michelin starred restaurant. I know good service and this place does not nor do they seem interested in it. I will never go back. I will tell any and every one I know never to go. Save your time and money and give it to a more deserving restaurant.
(1)
melanie j.
Terry B's is awesome. I've been here twice and the food is always great! I can't say enough about the service.
(5)
Tasha M.
A dressier place with a delicious menu and fine wine. My vegetarian dish was presented nicely and tasted wonderful. Excellent service. Easily drop over $100 for 2 people at dinner, but well worth it.
(5)
Julie P.
I wasn't going to tell y'all how great this place is, as we'd love to keep it to ourselves, but then, we want them to stay in business a good long time, so I will. We wish we could give it 4.5 stars, but yelp only operates in whole stars, so 4 it shall be. Yum-o-rama. Since we've lived in A2, I have to say this is one of my favorite restaurants. Everything (well almost everything) we have tried has been deeeeelicious. We paid our second visit last night, sat out on the patio and were serenaded by a guitar/ vibes combo- very relaxing. We were there pretty early as we had movie plans after, so the place wasn't very full and we had our waiter's full attention. We opted to "graze"- a selection of appetizers rather than entrees- as there were just too many things we wanted to try. Between the two of us we ordered the Duck Confit Salad, Beef Tenderloin Sliders, Sushi Blues, Calamari and the Charcuterie Plate. (yes, one of us is a major carnivore, if you couldn't tell) --The Sliders were OMG good- possibly the most tender and melt-in-your-mouth burger I have ever tasted. --The salad was a yummy combo of crispy duck confit, mango, blackberries, pickled peppers, and toasted almonds over greens. I would never have paired pickled peppers with mango and blackberries, but by golly, it worked! --The charcuterie - wow. I'm not a huge fan of terrine and sausage and the like, but dang some of these were tasty. They employ their own sausage maker, and you can tell. The lemon chicken sausage can actually be described with a word I had never before used to describe sausage: refreshing. --The Calamari wasn't as crisp as we would have liked and could have used a bit more breading. The sauce was very rich, spicy and tasty, with great presentation. --The Sushi was pretty good considering that we weren't at a sushi place AND that we were in the middle of Michigan, but we wouldn't order it again. It was just missing "something". Clearly, they excel at meats! They also have a fab wine list AND a list of Michigan beers on tap. The thing we love in addition to the food is one of those "they get it" details: when you order a glass of wine, they not only pour it for you at the table, but they let you have a taste before they pour the full glass. Most places pour the glass at the bar and deliver it, so you are never 100% sure you got exactly what you ordered. Yes, Dexter is a bit off the beaten path, but for us, Terry B's is well worth the trip, and definitely a place we'd take out of town friends when they visit.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Average Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Coat Check : Yes Outdoor Seating : Yes Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Brad T.
My wife and I eat out quite a bit, and I usually don't feel strongly enough to review every single place we visit. Terry B's is an exception, because it was significantly better than our expectations. Almost hidden in a converted house outside of downtown Dexter, Terry B's is unassuming in both location and name, and thus doesn't get the attention that its Ann Arbor equals receive. The night we visited, we received excellent service, ranking with Logan and Paesano's as the best treatment we've received at a regional restaurant. From the hostess to the waitress to the water guy, the timing was perfect throughout the night. We both ordered seafood, and both dishes were cooked to perfection and truly unique. My triple-tail melted in my mouth, and was paired with buttery roasted vegetables and rice that complimented the meal. My wife's ahi tuna was a work of art on the plate, and the meal was cooked rare and delicious. Beyond that, the bread was good, the wine was good, and the beer selection was pretty great. I hesitate to go over 4 stars because we've only eaten there once, but you can bet we'll be back and we'll be preaching the Terry B's gospel to everyone we can. No complaints, our experience was outstanding.
(4)A. G. U.
A great place for special occasions like birthdays. Good food and service, and a nice atmosphere. Not only the best restaurant in Dexter but one of the best in the entire Ann Arbor area.
(4)Cheryl H.
our absolute favorite restaurant. always exceptional!
(5)kim d.
We went to terry b's for an early dinner. Although it was happy hour, they would not give us happy hour prices in the dining room. We would have had a predinner drink at the bar, but there was no where to sit. I ordered a pricey entree, tuna, at almost $30. When they set it in front of me, I almost started laughing. There were 4 little sushi type slices of tuna, thats it! Couldn't have been more than 3 ounces on a plate filled with rice in the shape of a tuna can and some foo foo sauces swirled about in an effort to fill the plate. I didn't bother to send it back as we like to use our dollars to vote and we just won't be back. Don't bother.
(2)Will M.
This place has a good beer list and interesting, tasty, and well prepared modern american meals. The outdoor patio is really nice, especially on the Friday summer nights when the music is playing at the Dexter Gazebo! Nice local ingredients used as well.
(5)Garrett G.
What an amazing place, I took my wife here for her birthday and we both loved it. We are new to the area and it was such a pleasure finding such a fine restaurant near our home. Will definitely be back, and FYI it is on restaurant.com so you can save a little money when you go.
(5)Laura J.
Great appetizers - and that's it. Very, very poor service, undercooked food, overpriced for what it is and did I mention the really poor serivce? We had undercooked poultry, steak and this was after wiating over 1.20 for dinner to even arrive. Do yourself a favor - skip it.
(1)D H.
My favorite restaurant around!! Very romantic and awesome atmosphere! The food is always wonderful. We love to sit on the deck in the summer. The music on the weekends is great or you can hear the music from the park on the deck. So fun!!!!
(5)Utha M.
Our first visit to Terry B's was overall very good. We had a nice table by the front window for our anniversary dinner. We selected the cheese and smoked fish platter as an appetizer. They were out of our first choice of wine...but we enjoyed a 2 Lads Pinot Grigos offered as a suggestion by the waitress. The cheese and fish were excellent! My wife ordered the mushroom soup and I chose the scallops for my meal. My scallops were perfectly cooked....but one had some grit. My wife's soup tasted great, but she thought it was too heavy. We ended with a Mexican coffee and a interesting dessert (tart with rhubarb...vanilla ice cream...chocolate) - the tart shell was a bit too thick...otherwise tasty. We would definitely come back. The highlight being the cheese & smoked fish appetizer and wine selections.
(4)M F.
There's a new chef. We loved the old chef and were so sad to see him go. He had promised us the replacement they hired was great and we would still love the place. He was right!!! Haven't been a bit disappointed he's fantastic!!!
(5)Betty S.
Another delicious meal of apps and beer at T Bs for happy hour. We always enjoy our "datenight" here. Betty Dexter resident
(5)Gayle Halebian L.
What a hidden gem located in the town of Dexter. Who knew? Every course was prepared creatively with loads of love with thanks to the great talent of Chef Doug Hewitt. Each dish was played beautifully, picture worthy and exceeded all of our expectations (we are a pretty tough crowd). Highlights include the smoked fish platter the spicy shrimp crunch roll, sea scallops and charred brussel sprout salad. If you are looking for an unforgettable dining experience Terry Bs will not disappoint. One last thought ....leave room for dessert. Not your run of the mill dessert tray for sure!
(5)Kelly V.
We love supporting local businesses and came here recently for a birthday dinner. Our spicy duck soup, charred brussel sprouts salad, crispy cod, and spicy fettuccine were all very good. The crispy cod comes with a large lentil cake, making it quite a protein heavy dish. I wish there had been more vegetables. We got the apple strudel for dessert, which reminded us of the fried apple pie you used to be able to get at McDonald's. I was also disappointed that there was no candle or mention of a birthday even though I mentioned it while making the reservation. Lastly, service was slow at times because our waiter was busy with a large table. The restaurant was half full. Still more positives than negatives, but our experience last night left a lot to be desired.
(3)Adam O.
Went for their NYE prix fixe dinner for my first visit and enjoyed the expereince. Was looking for someplace a but outside of the usual destinations/locations and this great little homtown spot in Dexter really delivered. It was a 3 course menu for 70 dollars a pop, plus sparkling wine apertif which was pretty good value all around. Began with the butter poached lobster, which was delicious, if not miniscule. Followed that up with a wonderful brussles sprouts salad with bacon vinegrette. Irish cheese was excellent and it needed more of it. For an entree, went with the pork loin with sauerkraut, spiced pears, pierogi, and a carraway sour cream (which it could have used slightly more of). Great pairing of flavors and the kurobuta pork was intensely porky in a good way. One slight complaint in that my chop came with one bone while I watched as another went by with 2. That made me envious and peeved, in that order. Tried a bite or 4 of the fiancee's branzino with pickled red onions, arugula, and gnocchi and it was also fantastic. Ordered a dessert of key lime pie pot de creme which was basically key lime pie without the crust. Good, but not nearly as amazing as my better half's chestnut crepes. Spoon dropping good. Good cocktail and wine list. Service that was friendly but immensely slow. I'd blame it on the NYE dinner but in reading others, seems like it's a recurring theme. All told, really glad I tried a new place.
(4)Howard C.
We met some friends for dinner there and had mixed reactions. The food was fabulous, but the service was far below par. We had no napkins or silverware. The bread was served, but with no bread plates or silverware we were disappointed. The salads took forever and when they arrived were incorrect. Once the error was corrected they were excellent salads. Dinner took an eternity and the waitress couldn't figure out who got what. Again, the food was prepared wonderfully, and tasted out of this world. Tremendous flavor and presentation, poor delivery and timing. We will return hoping the service was just a fluke, because the food was so great.
(3)ima h.
Nothing special here. The food is good; however, it is not inventive, creative, or interesting. The skill level of the "chef" appears to be on par with my own, and that is not impressive. This is the kind if restaurant my parents would love. Nothing on the menu is too obscure and the food is prepared sans herbs and spices so the result is familiar, bland food that looks really pretty. Seafood Chowder ~ good, yet nothing special. The ingredients seemed to be of decent quality but the soup was missing something (herbs maybe?). It tasted like a soup my mom would make me, which is a good thing; however, my mom isn't a chef and she doesn't charge me :) Caesar Salad ~ definitely not bad, but lacked flavor. It was fresh but the dressing was so flavorless that I had to squeeze lemons on the salad in an attempt to bring out some trace of taste. I could not detect any garlic and the cheese was not Parmesan or even pecorino Romano. Cheese Plate ~ good. The variety of cheeses was well done; however, the types of cheeses were run of the mill and the accoutrements did not pair well. After sampling those items, the idea of spending $30 on an entree was no longer appealing.
(3)Gregg D.
we have been going to Terry B's for years, after being turned onto it by friends when we moved to this area. At first we loved going for dinner -- food was always good to great, service was good, drinks were excellent and ambiance was nice. Over the last year or two, however, we started just going for drinks and sitting at the bar. Maybe we would have something to eat but always ordered from the bar. The reason -- the service had gotten really slow. It would take 20 minutes to get bread, no one would come back to refill water, you would wait 15 minutes between courses, etc. No kidding, four of us went for dinner one night that wasn't terribly busy and it took 3+ hours without dessert. Drinks were always reliable. They have had great bartenders who are creative and entertaining. The food has also always been good and sometimes great. We rooted for Terry B's but started to drift away due to service. My wife and I decided to give it a go for the New Years Eve prix fixe dinner. I'm glad we went because it was fantastic! One of the best experiences there in many years. I would give it a 5 star but am leery due to past experiences. Appetizers -- she had squab and I had vegetables. Both delicious and would order again instantly. 2nd course -- wife had carrots medley and I had grilled octopus salad. Again, both winners. Main -- she had veggie pot pie and I had branzini fish. Mine was a winner, hers not so much. Service was impeccable -- thank you Jennifer !!!! Because of this experience we will give it another try in the dining room. But please seat me in Jennifer's section!
(4)Brian G.
Went there again last night with a party of 5, this is absolutely the best restaurant in the Ann Arbor region - hands down! We all picked different combinations from full entree's to appetizers or salads. Everything was excellent, sitting out on the deck with great smooth jazz played by a cool group of 4-5 guys (including Terry B himself) - so much fun! The executive chef (Doug - young - around 30) came out to chat with us - had to share my Yelp review with him. What a nice, humble guy - and an amazing chef. To cap it off - it was Wednesday so our two bottles of Cohn Merlot (wonderful) were half price. Will be back soon!!
(5)Beth H.
Definite upgrade from our last visit. My husband and I have been wanting to try Terry B's again, just the two of us. We stopped in on a Thursday night, looking for a good meal. We definitely got it. I ordered the choose two: cheese and fish board. It was inventive and quite good. (though the cheeses are very strong; you need some crackers to defuse the acid assault on your tongue - keep that in mind if you order it) My husband has the amish chicken. The succotash on the side was the highlight of his plate. It was really tasty and we couldn't figure out what was the main flavor but it left us wanting more. He's not a grits fan but he liked what he had. The chicken plate had both smoked white and dark meat. Perfect flavor and not overcooked. The waiter was nice and attentive. The place was pretty slow for 7:30pm on a Thursday night, but Terry B's seems more like a weekend place or for special occasions. Our bill was a little more than we expected to spend at about $64 including tip: for two meals and two fountain sodas, but we had a better meal and experience than what we were expecting. We will go back again.
(4)Rachel B.
One of my favorite restaurants!!! The environment is very pleasant and the food is stellar, to start, the bread basket offered many different types of breads and they all were so good that I found myself eating the leftover crumbs! The house salad was so fresh and the feta cheese melted in my mouth, the dressing (balsamic vinaigrette) was the best I've ever tasted!
(5)Erica D.
Dexter's only gem in town! Terry B's never disappoints! The food is always creative and delicious. The service is outstanding. I swear I had the best oysters of my life here and my mouth waters just thinking about the roasted pheasant they used to have on the menu. Now I'm just looking for an excuse to go back and have the shrimp and grits!
(5)Mary K.
I think Terry B's might be the best restaurant in Washtenaw County. I've only been there twice, but was completely blown away both times. The first time we went we had a gift certificate, so we went a little crazy on the ordering (it's pricy... but, oh, it's worth it if you have it). We did get to try a couple of small plates, which were special and delicious. I also had a salad with duck confit atop it.... amazing. We even got dessert - I still talk about it (and that visit was over a year ago). It was Key Lime Pots de Creme. Ohmigod. I ate it in teeeeeeeny tiny bites to make it last longer. We went back a month or so ago and wanted to sit on the (lovely, large) deck, but it was (understandably) full, so the wait was almost an hour. We waited for our table at the bar.... but we were so hungry that we ended up ordering there. It was a great experience. We were able to linger over our drinks and food, ordered two small plates and it was really enough. We got Banh Mi chorizo tacos. Both were flavorful and unique. I would choose the Banh Mi over the tacos (which surprised me), but it was refreshing to have dishes that I really haven't seen at any of the restaurants in Ann Arbor (in one place, anyway). The decor is colorful, but elegant. It's very festive from the outside and nicely decorated indoors - white tablecloths and all of that, but you never feel inferior. You are just in for a really good experience.
(5)Jeanie S.
I'm torn as to whether to give Terry B's 3 or 4 stars. Ultimately chose 3 due to the weight of the negatives. Negatives: -Slow, slow, slow service. Pacing was just off & in desperate need of a dining room manager. Didn't order a second drink or a dessert because I couldn't stand the thought of sitting for another 30min waiting. Long, long pauses in between service. -My companion's main dish wasn't plated correctly. The pork shoulder was room temp (at best) while the polenta cake and roasted squash were perfectly hot. -Odd service. Dirty plates weren't cleared. Our main dishes were brought and I had to shuffle our appetizer plate so the server could drop our main dishes. Puzzlingly, he left without picking up the dirty dishes or empty glasses. These were all left on the table until we were ready to pay the check. -Our server described the Brussels sprouts on my dish as being "quartered" and easy to pick out (I hate Brussels sprouts). They weren't quartered, they were shredded and mixed in with the other items in my dish. Positives: -seafood chowder. It was delicious. -friendliness of our server. -pan roasted arctic char. very enjoyable. Nice flavors, though a bit heavy handed on the bacon. -specialty cocktail. order one, you won't regret it. ask them to go easy on the ice, though. So, all in all, I'd return for the seafood chowder and a cocktail. My companion thought the pork shoulder dish was "okay" but not something he'd order again. It was a big hunk of meat, so if you like pork, you're in luck. I'm a good cook, so the reason I eat out is 1) to enjoy complex or unusual dishes I can't or won't make at home and 2) to enjoy the sublime experience inherent in excellent service. I'm happy to pay good money for both. In this case, number 1 was halfway successful at Terry B's and number 2 was not.
(3)Colleen Z.
Last Thursday night hubby and I went to Terry B's for their happy hour which includes 1/2 price appetizers and drink specials. We sat on the deck on a near perfect day and by the time we left we had several cocktails, two appetizers and entrees. We started with the calamari which is lightly breaded and fried then combined with a black bean relish and spicy sauce. We are never ever dissatisfied with the calamari as it is always perfect. Next we tried a new appetizer panko coated mozzarella cheese with avocado, onion, tomato and arugula. Very nicely executed. The cheese was sweet against the more tart argula making for a very nice appetizer. As we were thoroughly enjoying our drinks, the weather and the wonderful jazz combo which plays on Thursday nights, we decided to stick around for dinner. Hubby had his usual Thursday night favorite, oysters. At the suggestion of our knowledgeable and attentive server Jeff, hubby tried sriracha chili sauce on his oysters which sent hubby over the edge as it was, according to hubby, the perfect accompaniment. I had the chicken salad appetizer for my main meal. Presentation was pretty and the salad was OK. Salad was filled with small cubes of white meat chicken, cherries, cashews, celery and onion. The salad had a tad too much onion for my taste but onion is not one of my favorites. Dinner ended as usual with two scoops of the vanilla gelato drizzled with carmel sauce and sprinkled with cashews. Yum. Terry B's? Still one of our favorite spots!
(5)Greg S.
This is our favorite restaurant hands down. The food is top notch and is complimented quite well by the atmosphere and staff. Terry B's is a great place for a romantic night on the town or even just a dinner out with colleagues, etc. I can't say enough about Terry B's - This place is FANTASTIC!
(5)Aaron J H.
Tuesday Night, sat at the bar and grabbed a small bite and a few drinks. Very,Very nice place. Modern decor with a classic vintage charm. I will deffinately be back. The entire staff was friendly and pleasure to talk with. The reason for the 4 star and not a 5; Had one drink, and the ran out of Hennessy, with no other conac in the house.
(4)A N.
My husband and I absolutely love this gem of a restaurant in Dexter. I should have written a review for this place over two years ago when we first tried it. We have been back about 5 times since, and each time seems to get better. The chef is very talented, and has a wonderful menu that changes with the seasons. We have tried so many delicious things here it's challenging to recall, but I will try to describe some of what I love about this place. Oysters: I had my first oyster experience here, and all I can say is yum! I have since had oysters at many other establishments, and Terry B's is still my favorite place for them. Their oysters Rockefeller have just the right amount of extras on them so you can still taste the oyster and they're not overwhelmed by bacon and cheese. I've had others where it could have been a smothered baked potato and I wouldn't have known the difference. Seafood Chowder: To die for. Our server brought us each a little tasting before we ordered to make sure we liked it, and I had to restrain myself from licking the little cup clean. Since that time I compare all other seafood chowder to theirs and I have yet to find one that even comes close in flavor and sheer deliciousness. We were told the chowder is made completely from scratch with several types of fish and seafood. Dexter Plate: An amazing foray into house made sausages, meats and sauces. We loved the traverse city cherry mustard so much we even purchased some to take home with us. This is a must try. Service: Our service has been extraordinary each and every time we have dined here. Imagine this: you ask your server to explain how a meal was prepared, if they've tried it, and what they can recommend and why, and they actually have answers for you! I cannot begin to tell you how much joy this brings me. We dine out so often at so called "high end" restaurants where servers have absolutely no idea what they're talking about or haven't even tasted everything on the menu. Several of the servers we have met are actually foodies, and have a passion for their work. Insane! We are so bored of the A2 restaurant scene, and come here often for a change of pace and beautiful, delicious meals served in a friendly and charming atmosphere. The ambiance is upscale, but comfortable. Their deck outside is just lovely for the spring and summer. It is beyond worth the drive from Ann Arbor so treat yourself to a wonderful dining experience at Terry B's. You will not regret it.
(5)Stephanie R.
My hubby and I ventured out to Dexter for some dinner on a Friday night after reading some of the reviews here and seeing that restaurant.com had a gift certificate option. It was a great night to eat on the deck...perfect weather and live music from the festival going on right down the street! Our waiter seemed a bit nervous...maybe he was new or something, so it made it a bit awkward at times during the ordering process. He also seemed to be overwhelmed with tables, rushing from here to there...and he tended to forget several things that we asked for throughout our meal. We started with the Thai Dumplings and those were just okay. The presentation was a bit "blah" and they were hard on the inside. They could have used a bit of texture, too. It tasted like a hard lump of meat and vegetable compacted inside the dumpling. The Thai spicy coconut broth that surrounded the dumplings could have used a bit more seasoning as well. Next, hubby ordered the seafood chowder and I tried the grilled watermelon and arugula salad. Those two were pretty tasty. The soup was flavorful and had tons of seafood bits inside and my salad was refreshing and crunchy. It looked beautiful too! For our entrees, hubby got a filet mignon and I had the beef short ribs. Again, very flavorful and wonderful presentation. These meals tasted rich and comforting...something that would taste great on a cold wintry evening. Overall, dinner was pleasant, surprisingly good at times and the atmosphere was wonderful. We may go again with friends in the future.
(4)Julie A.
I was starving and heading back to Chicago, sad that I passed up Ann Arbor and was wondering where I was going to find a decent meal. I would like to thank the other yelpers for their posts, or I would have never had such a delightful meal. Pleasent modern decor in older home, wonderful Menu! I had the corn and seafood chowder, whitefish with risotto, and flourless chocolate cake. Everything had a distinct flavor. I may make it a point to eat here on my long drives home from visiting family.
(4)Marty S.
Food and atmosphere were fantastic. The service was knowledgable and friendly but quite slow.
(4)David E.
My wife and I have been to Terry B's a few times now. Same as others have mentioned--we tire of the Ann Arbor scene and want a great meal and good service for an occasion. Terry B's is the perfect answer. Not only a great happy hour, but incredibly interesting and tasty dinners as well. Shawn (sp?) has been the bartender the last couple times we were there--and his knowledge of the wines is spectacular. He really is passionate and enthusiastic about the food and beverages available--and makes sure you get your money's worth out of the experience. We will be back very soon for our anniversary dinner!
(5)Eve F.
Best restaurant in Ann Arbor area for sure. After living in Ann Arbor for five years, I look forward to going back to Terry B's every time I visit. I had my graduation party there and they were awesome in handling my large/crazy family (23 people). My boyfriend gets the steak and eggs appetizer almost everytime (duck fat friend egg over steak), and the one time he didn't he was depressed the whole week after. He also always orders the Angus filet and swears by it though I don't understand why you need bacon and steak on the same plate. Great beer list (usually lots of locals) and are really good at recommending wines in a certain price point. The servers are awesome - at times even too attentive. As far as veggie options go, they always have at least one entree that's vegetarian - usually a tartlet or ravioli. I've always loved what I order though I feel sometimes that I've gained 10 lbs. Since their menu is seasonal, definitely check it before you go. And if they're offering the smores dessert - get it!
(5)Gretchen E.
While I like the imagination and atmosphere, I found the food a bit on the strange side....kind of standing on it's head to be different...too "special" made it bitter or lackluster. The cooking reminds me of a new chef trying his wings. While I like eating different and new, I'm tired of things that "just don't work". For instance, one tempura shrimp was served on a bed of herbed and sauced string greens that tasted bitter, contrived and slimy. I would rather have something new served well and simple rather than different and disappointing. On that note, I would like to keep going to see if there will be improvements. However, at their prices, I won't keep it up for long if I keep leaving with a bad taste in my mouth.
(3)Rick L.
I have heard a lot about Terry B's after having just moved back to the Ann Arbor area and happened in a few nights ago and sat at the bar for some drinks and nosh with a few friends. The smile from the hostess was the last one we got from staff and that should have been our first clue. While the food was good (Not great) the bartender was cold and uninterested in having any interaction with us from the beginning and this poor service just went downhill from there, culminating in the most rude interaction I have experienced with a restaurant employee. The worst part is that the manager was right near when this unnecessary situation happened and never once showed any sign of concern for our experience or comfort - much less rectifying the situation. I lived in New York and managed a Michelin starred restaurant. I know good service and this place does not nor do they seem interested in it. I will never go back. I will tell any and every one I know never to go. Save your time and money and give it to a more deserving restaurant.
(1)melanie j.
Terry B's is awesome. I've been here twice and the food is always great! I can't say enough about the service.
(5)Tasha M.
A dressier place with a delicious menu and fine wine. My vegetarian dish was presented nicely and tasted wonderful. Excellent service. Easily drop over $100 for 2 people at dinner, but well worth it.
(5)Julie P.
I wasn't going to tell y'all how great this place is, as we'd love to keep it to ourselves, but then, we want them to stay in business a good long time, so I will. We wish we could give it 4.5 stars, but yelp only operates in whole stars, so 4 it shall be. Yum-o-rama. Since we've lived in A2, I have to say this is one of my favorite restaurants. Everything (well almost everything) we have tried has been deeeeelicious. We paid our second visit last night, sat out on the patio and were serenaded by a guitar/ vibes combo- very relaxing. We were there pretty early as we had movie plans after, so the place wasn't very full and we had our waiter's full attention. We opted to "graze"- a selection of appetizers rather than entrees- as there were just too many things we wanted to try. Between the two of us we ordered the Duck Confit Salad, Beef Tenderloin Sliders, Sushi Blues, Calamari and the Charcuterie Plate. (yes, one of us is a major carnivore, if you couldn't tell) --The Sliders were OMG good- possibly the most tender and melt-in-your-mouth burger I have ever tasted. --The salad was a yummy combo of crispy duck confit, mango, blackberries, pickled peppers, and toasted almonds over greens. I would never have paired pickled peppers with mango and blackberries, but by golly, it worked! --The charcuterie - wow. I'm not a huge fan of terrine and sausage and the like, but dang some of these were tasty. They employ their own sausage maker, and you can tell. The lemon chicken sausage can actually be described with a word I had never before used to describe sausage: refreshing. --The Calamari wasn't as crisp as we would have liked and could have used a bit more breading. The sauce was very rich, spicy and tasty, with great presentation. --The Sushi was pretty good considering that we weren't at a sushi place AND that we were in the middle of Michigan, but we wouldn't order it again. It was just missing "something". Clearly, they excel at meats! They also have a fab wine list AND a list of Michigan beers on tap. The thing we love in addition to the food is one of those "they get it" details: when you order a glass of wine, they not only pour it for you at the table, but they let you have a taste before they pour the full glass. Most places pour the glass at the bar and deliver it, so you are never 100% sure you got exactly what you ordered. Yes, Dexter is a bit off the beaten path, but for us, Terry B's is well worth the trip, and definitely a place we'd take out of town friends when they visit.
(4)