In this area, most people head to Ann Arbor for their dining choices. Some people like to stick around Ypsilanti and visit Sidetrack or Aubree’s. I can’t argue with any of these choices, but when it comes to really good local joints you just can’t beat a trip down Michigan Ave. Sure, you may feel like you’re in a bit of an odd(for some people, scary) area on your way there but once you reach Gabriel’s Hoagies, Roy’s Squeeze-Inn or Los Amigos you’ll feel like you’re in food heaven. These are some of the few businesses on this strip that remain from the 1950’s and before, and are offering not only great food, but an experience that you just can’t find many other places.
Bill's Drive-In - Ypsilanti, MI
Right across the street from Gabriel’s and Roy’s sits Bill’s Drive-In, which like both places, has fed locals for 50+ years(since 1935, to be exact). The building looks like a tiny mustard colored house surrounded by a parking lot, but two windows at the front and crooked signage indicating hot dogs and root beer let you know that this little house is actually a hot dog stand. Pull in, but don’t get out of your car. An attendant will be at your car within one minute and they do not serve customers at the front window.
There are no menus at Bill’s. If you’re not sure what you want, the attendant will quickly tell you what they offer. Hot dogs with or without chili, topped with your choice of onions, cheese, or mustard. Loose burgers are also offered. There is homemade root beer to drink, and potato chips if you need a side. If that’s not simple enough for you then I think you may have some sort of problem. If you need something else other than that, I just don’t think Bill’s isn’t for you. This isn’t Pink’s or any kind of fancy Hollywood hot dog stand. They don’t need any other items. Their menu is perfect.
Chili Dog from Bill's Drive-In - Ypsilanti, MI
Order a dog or two with chili and a large root beer. It will only cost you about $3.00. Open the paper wrap and you’ll find a steamed white bun that is shorter than the hot dog. The hot dog is cooked by boiling and kept warm by steam. The dogs are naturally cased and while they don’t have as much snap as I would normally like, the flavor makes it completely OK. The chili is very unique. Not quite Coney chili, but not like.. Well, it’s hard to explain. It’s definitely tomato rich and a little spicier than most Coney chili. They have gotten the chili to hot dog ratio perfect and the ratio is consistent on every order. The dog is topped with plenty of chili, but just not enough to spill all over your lap while eating it in your car.
Homemade Root Beer from Bill's Drive-In - Ypsilanti, MI
The hot dogs and chili are delicious, but the real star of Bill’s Drive-In is the root beer. Believe me when I tell you that this is the best root beer you will ever had. I have traveled thousands of miles on a quest to find the worlds’ best root beer. I haven’t really, but I’ve tried a lot of root beer in my life and this is by far the best. There’s not even a close second. The root beer is rich, creamy, a little syrupy, with a nice bite to the finish. It’s the definition of legit. You just can’t get root beet like this anywhere else, especially in a bottle or can. Next time you visit, ask to take a gallon home with you. It comes in a simple milk jug and will be gone in 24 hours. You’ll thank me later.
Bill’s is another example of the great good that exists in this area if you look for it. It’s not exactly a hidden gem, but most people would have to venture out farther than they usually go for a meal to find it. Do some research and you will find places, such as Bill’s, which offers so much more appeal and history than simply going to a chain restaurant and eating something that has little thought and process behind it.
Since I am currently in the middle of an intense boycott of Tios’ Mexican Cafe, there has never been a way for me to share with the readers who do not reside in Ann Arbor the absolute horror that is their food. That ends now. Some poor soul went and paid $10.00 for one of their world famous* wet burritos and snapped a picture of it. (thanks uchian)
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Tios’ Mexican Cafe’s world famous* wet burrito.
World Famously Terrible
Now all we need is for the Ann Arbor location to go under. Hmm, wonder if they’ll blame the new location going out of business on Ann Arbor’s economy like they did after the Ypsilanti one closed. It couldn’t possibly be that the food is awful. No way.
If you’re unfamiliar with my hatred for Tios Mexican Cafe, I urge you to review the battle archives.
* – denotes bullshit
Too often in this world we don’t get a chance to tell those we care about how we feel until it is too late. Well, I’m not going to let that happen to me! Trader Joe’s, you are awesome and I love you. From your delicious trail mixes, specialty beer, three buck Chuck, pre-cooked chicken sausage (amazing), sauces and desserts, to the way you rip off my iPod every time I shop there. The last two times I went there TJ’s was piping in Radiohead and Bob Marley. When was the last time you heard Radiohead at a grocery store?
TJ's never leaves me High and Dry.
As for delicious food, I would specifically like to speak about several different TJ’s specialties that have won my heart. For an appetizer, start with Trader Joe’s Horseradish Hummus and Trader Joe’s Pita Chips. Combine these two and life is grand. I had never found a horseradish hummus before I first spotted it at TJ’s and have seen it nowhere else since. Too bad? Not really, because no one could do it as well as TJ anyway.
Trader Joe's Horseradish Hummus
What better way to wash down horseradish hummus than beer? TJ’s has a wonderful beer selection, but I usually get Trader Joe’s Bavarian Hefeweizen.
TJ's Hefeweizen
Delicious and refreshing, I have yet to wear this out and move on to another of TJ’s beer offerings, but no doubt I eventually will. And that one will be great as well.
Finally, I have to say a word about the greatest sandwich cookie known to man or beast. The Joe-Joe. Joe-Joe’s would be best described as similar to an Oreo, but some of the greatest minds in cookie engineering have made a better cookie.
Joe-Joe's. Eat and squawk loudly.
The tops of the cookies easily peel away if, like my son, you enjoy removing the top of the cookie and eating the crème filling. Oreo has not mastered this trick and it is still possible to break your Oreo (especially if you are six) when you try to unscrew the lid. Unforgivable. Joe-Joe’s also have about as much crème as a Double Stuff Oreo, so they are more robust on top of their superior engineering. TJ’s offers them in three flavors: vanilla cookie with vanilla crème filling, chocolate cookie with vanilla crème filling, and my favorite, chocolate cookie with chocolate crème filling. They used to offer a chocolate cookie with a peanut butter filling that was incredible but it has been discontinued. I never received a satisfactory answer as to why they did this, but years ago I sent a dead fish wrapped in newspaper to TJ’s Corporate HQ and feel better about the whole thing now. Ain’t no time to hate. Amazing how the sending of a dead fish washes away the anger…
I plan to have a segment in the future called “Jeremy and Trader Joe’s Semi-Homemade is better than Sandra Lee’s.” In that feature I will show how you can make a healthy and delicious dinner for a family in 20 minutes (suck on it Rachael Ray) using products purchased at TJ’s (except for shallots, which I use a lot and TJ’s does not carry.) I often say that we here at Epic Portions have the most intelligent readership on the web, and most of you have brains and know how to combine pre-made ingredients. I don’t think I’m some kind of genius, but since cooking duties are mine every night I appreciate a simple, healthy meal that tastes good, the kids like, and saves me a little time and effort. Contrary to popular belief, making dinner every night with a six year old and a one year old roaming loose in the house is not the easiest thing in the world. If my time savers can help anyone with similar duties and keep them from watching Sandra Lee than I have done something positive. And I promise, no tablescape bullshit.
So there it is, TJ’s. It doesn’t matter if you feel the same about me, or that your cashier made my daughter cry, I still love you. Maybe next time I’m there you can dim the lights and play some Barry White. I can’t get enough of your horseradish hummus, babe.
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