Without question, one of my favorite places in the entire world is Sidetrack Bar & Grill. There has been a bar at this location since the mid- to late-1800s, with early incarnations catering to railroad workers. Frenchies is right next door, and is used as overflow for the Sidetrack crowd or private functions. The Sidetrack has high ceilings, a warm fireplace roaring in the winter months and an outside patio to enjoy in the summer time. Not only does this place have some of the best local beer on tap, the greatest happy hour in the world (half off liquor & $3.00 22 oz drafts 11pm-1am), it also has some of the best food in the area. Pretty much anything you order here is absolutely delicious. While I usually stick with the gorgonzola tenderloin and fried clams on the side or their incredible sweet potato fries, the Sidetrack is known for the world famous burger. When I say that their burger is world famous, I don’t mean it like Tio’s wet burrito. This world famous menu item is actually known outside of Ypsilanti, and is easily one of the best burgers I have ever had.
Sidetrack was listed in GQ Magazine for grilling up one of the best burgers in the nation. Included in the magazine’s listing of “The 20 Hamburgers You Must Eat Before You Die,” and also mentioned on Oprah. Who can argue with Oprah? Sidetrack keeps its to-die-for burger status by using only fresh ground beef that’s delivered daily and by cooking each mouth-watering burger fresh to order. You also get your burger the way you like it with options including 9 types of cheese (including goat cheese), grilled onions, portabella mushroom and grilled onions. My favorite is the goat cheese and grilled onions. Oh, did I mention this burger only runs you $5.50?
If you’re ever in the Ypsilanti/Ann Arbor, The Sidetrack Bar & Grill is a must stop. I’ve never met a single person with a negative thing to say about this place. It will be one of the things I miss most if I have ever had to move out of the area. There’s nothing better than sitting outside on the patio drinking a tall Bell’s Oberon and enjoying a burger in the summer. I’m getting a little emotional here.
