The Big House

When people hear UofM, one of the first things they undoubtedly think about is the school's very popular football team - the Michigan Wolverines. While students, faculty, and alumni acknowledge the school's prestigious undergraduate programs and superior graduate programs, we do take pride in our teams. If you are ever in Ann Arbor, you must attend a game in the nation's most well-known college stadium - The Big House.

The largest football stadium in the country, this joint seats about 110,000 fans, many of them sporting the school colors, maize and blue! Keep in mind that Ann Arbor's total population is about 110,000, so during a football game, the city can become a little bit crazy! Be sure to check out our previous posts to find a fun place to eat and drink after the game to wind down.

Watch as Coach Lloyd Carr and Quarterback Chad Henne lead the Wolverines in the season's home opener, this Saturday at Noon on ESPN against Vanderbilt.

Go Blue!

Pizza & Beer

Some say the way to a man's heart is through pizza and beer. I say the way to my heart is through pizza and coke (coca-cola that is) but since I'm probably in the minority, here are a few of our favorite places to grab some za and wash it down with a cold one...or three.

Pizza House
Church & South U

This place is so good we had to include it twice (see Sandwich Joints).

Favorite Menu Items

Personal Pizza w/ Onions
Deep Dish stuffed with Spinach and Cheese
Steak Fries

Good Time Charley's
South U & Church

After a filling dinner at Pizza House, mosey on over to Charley's for the biggest, most colorful drinks on campus. This is probably the most sought after bar to hold socials, parties, or any other events. You won't be able to come here without running into someone you know. Shoot some pool, play darts, or enjoy the refreshing outdoor seating! I promise you a Good Time!

Favorite Menu Items

Lusty Lizard
Styx Mix

Conor O'Neill's
S. Main St & Liberty
If you are in the mood to step off campus for a night, let us suggest this super fun traditional Irish pub. Offering pub trivia some nights and live entertainment others, this is a great place to kick it with friends.

Favorite Menu Items

Draft: Harp, Heineken, Boddington's
Bottle: Sam Adams Light, Budweiser, PBR

Backroom
Church & South U

If late night za is what you need to curb tomorrow's hangover, don't miss out on Ann Arbor's finest slice for a buck at Backroom. Literally a hole in the wall, this one stop shop does only one thing - and it does it really well - make pizza! Order yours by the slice, cheese or pepperoni, and feel free to toss on some garlic or parmesan at the fixings counter. Don't forget extra napkins as these huge slices can get a little messy.

Favorite Menu Item
Slice of Cheese Pizza

Ashley's
S. State St. & E. Williams

With 65 beers on draft (gotta love them Irish), this cozy hangout offers a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy good conversation with good friends.

Favorite Menu Items

Bell's Oberon
Bell's Two-Hearted IPA
Bell's Third Coast Beer
Theakston Old Peculiar
Spaten Optimator

Little Caesars
Packard & Rosedale and numerous other locales across the nation

Now I know what you're thinking - why go to a chain when there are so many original pizzerias on campus? All I can say is there is something different about Little Caesars. It has a Michigan feel to it. Just give it a try and soon enough you'll be dreaming about Pizza Pizza! Don't forget to check out the side orders. With a name like crazy bread, it has to be good!

Favorite Menu Items

Pizza w/ Onions, Mushrooms, and Green Peppers
Crazy Bread - made fresh with garlic, butter, and parmesan cheese!

Asian Invasion

While sandwiches are good for everyday consumption, once in a while you crave a little spice and wish to add some flavor to your life. Well look no further, below we offer our favorites in Asian cuisine.

China Gate
S. University and Church

This is the perfect sit-down place to get a tasty, flavorful lunch for under $6. I don't usually approve of Chinese restaurants that have menus in the form of pictures on their wall, but for Cgate I'll make an exception.

Favorite Menu Items

Kung Pao Chicken
Sweet and Sour Chicken
General Tso's Chicken

*Lunch items come with white or fried rice and an egg roll.

Kang's Korean aka Coffeebreak
Near the corner of South University and Washtenaw

This once humble business of selling coffee and dessert to students passing by on their way to class has become a favorite to many loyal consumers of Korean cuisine. A hole in the wall in its own right, don't let this restaurant's appearance deter you, as you will not only front a mere 8 bucks for a delicious authentic dish, but this will also be your ticket to enjoy a true Korean atmosphere - hands down well worth the cost for admission.

Favorite Menu Items

Kang's Spicy Chicken
Bul Go Ki
Bi Bim Bop

*Kang's is my favorite restaurant of all time, although I have to shamefully admit that I've ordered 1 item from the menu - Kang's Spicy Chicken. I cannot get myself to order any of the other delectable dishes as I have been more than satisfied time and time again with my spicy chicken. Don't fall victim to this behavior!

Champion House
Liberty and Main St.

While Cgate and Kang's are at the top of our list, they might not be the ideal place to take a hot date. Although Champion House may be a pricier option, it offers both Chinese and Japanese fare (unfortunately you can either do only Chinese or only Japanese). The atmosphere is just right for a fun-filled evening out with friends or for a cozy dinner with that special someone.

Favorite Menu Items

Teriyaki Chicken - Chinese
Chicken, Steak, Shrimp, or Veggies - Japanese

*The Japanese side chefs cook your food at your table right in front of you. With dazzling slight of hand tricks, these professionals will cut up your meat, veggies, and rice and cook it for you as you throw down some saki.

Happy Happy Day

Nitty in a Nutshell

Nutty
Innovative
Timely
Tactical
Young

Happy Birthday Nitty!!!

And a very special happy 4-months to Our Hatch! 4 months and 40+ posts later and still going strong! Who'd of thunk it?

Let's play

A great way to meet new people or hang with old friends is by joining an intramural sports team. If you're not into organized sports, don't worry, there are many places to kick it in your free time. And after eating at our favorite sandwich joints, a little exercise couldn't hurt.

Elbel Field
Hill Between Main and Packard (right near the Big House)

This is the place to be seen during spring and summer terms. It offers a variety of IM sports including 3-on-3 basketball, softball, and our personal favorite, sand volleball.

IM Building
Off of Packard and State

Of course you shouldn't hit up any IM sports without first dropping the big freshman 15 and what better place to do that than Michigan's own IM building - featuring state of the art workout facilities including weights, cardio machines and bball, volleyball and squash courts. If that isn't enough to tickle your fancy, walk over to Yost and enjoy the skating rink, indoor football field, lacrosse turf, and Olympic size track.

Burns Park
Smack dab in the middle of Washtenaw, Stadium, and State

If you desire a quiet, remote place away from the bustling campus, grab a partner or 3 and play a game of tennis in Burns Park. If tennis ain't your thing, let loose your inner child and play on the swings or play frisbee with your best friend, spot.

UofM Golf Course
Stadium and State

If golf is your game, don't miss out on Michigan's own championship course. This club is open to only students, faculty, alumni and their guests, and is constantly ranked as one of the finest university golf courses in the country. The challenging greens lie among rolling hills and fairway-lined trees that offer a breathtaking view of the University's main campus.

in the news

just a few tidbits i ran across today while surfing the web...

pluto loses planet status

pluto clipped? what the?! i can't say "my very enthusiastic mother just served us nine pizzas" ever again! hmmm....how about "my very enthusiastic mother just served us nachos"? i kinda like that!

and let's not forget mvemjsunp made famous by saved by the bell's very own screech. i guess now he'll just have to say 'me-vehn-se-nuh' , HUH?

survivor crosses lines by not crossing races

absolutely nothing good can come out of this. and that makes me want to watch it even more.

Sandwich Joints

After living in big cities for a few years now, we've come to really appreciate the simple things we had in college - for one, a good sandwich. Below are our top picks for Ann Arbor sandwich joints and what to order.

Jimmy John's aka 'JJs'
Hill & Packard (with various other locals around campus and the suburbs of Detroit)

The real sandwich artist famous for claiming that "your mom wants you to eat here". Your sandwich is ordered, made, and paid for under 60 seconds flat. Insider's tip - if you don't get your receipt, your grub is free!

Favorite Menu Items

#6, hold the sprouts
Turkey Tom, again hold the sprouts
Vito

*Every sandwich comes with a mouth-watering pickle. For a taste of the sweeter side, order the $1.50 and worth every penny chocolate chip cookie.

Pizza House aka 'House'
South U & Church

This hotspot dominates delivery around campus, but it also sports a very nice sit down area reserved for family or friends.

Favorite Menu Items

Veggie Italian sub
Chicken Parmesan (goes down real well with an order of pepperoni stix)
Italian Sausage sub w/ green peppers and onions, nix the banana peppers

*Add a side of the best steak fries you'll ever eat (ask for a side of ranch if you feel like taking a walk on the wild side...trust us!).

Olga's
Briarwood Mall

Go Greek with this "sandwich" chain that should be available on the East Coast!

Favorite Menu Items

Asian Vegetable Olga
Three Cheese Olga
Original Olga

*Add an olga side salad and curly fries to complete the perfect meal.

Back to school

With summer winding down, a new season is upon us - the back to school season. This is the time filled with back to school sales, replays of season finales, and football madness. We thought we'd join in the fun and write about the greatest school in the world - University of Michigan Ann Arbor. Go blue! Over the next few days, we plan on sharing with you our favorite spots to eat, play, and hang out!

• Sandwich Joints
• Let's play
• Asian Invasion
• Pizza & Beer
• The Big House
  

Hail! To the victors valiant!
Hail! To the conquering heroes!
Hail! Hail! To Michigan the leaders and best!

Hail! To the victors valiant!
Hail! To the conquering heroes!
Hail! Hail! To Michigan, the champions of the West!