Continuing the current theme of highlighting common, go-to foods, what’s better than pizza? I know of no other late night delight that exceeds a quick stop for a slice or two at the nearest pizza joint, or an easy call for delivery at 4 AM when we’re still studying away, needing a little refueling. 

So, I asked students where in town they recommend I find the best pizza. There were so many recommendations, it was difficult to see which three came out on top—but Pizza House on Church Street came most highly recommended. Next was NYPD on East Williams for a late night slice. Silvio’s Organic Pizza on North University was also recommended for a less greasy option. 

First stop was a quick study break at NYPD for a thin slice with chicken, bacon and mushrooms—my favorite combination. I love going to NYPD because it’s quick and filling. It’s just what one needs post-party, during a study break, or as a snack between classes. However, after paying closer attention to what I was eating, I noticed that it really didn’t taste that great in comparison to other pizzas. Not to say I didn’t enjoy it immensely, but I just started to view it on the same field as the others, and not in the context of how hungry I was. I couldn’t even think of how to describe it—there was just some funky flavor resulting in a rather unpleasant after taste that was not agreeing with me. Perhaps I just came on a bad day. I left hoping my next NYPD experience would be better.  

Ever since I had to have Thanksgiving dinner at Pizza House (because it was the only place open within walking distance from where I was), I haven’t been a fan purely on principle. Missing that Thanksgiving turkey, having to have food I could get any day of the week made me never want to return. But I must admit, even though I rarely eat at Pizza House, their pizza is absolutely delicious. Ordering from the UGLi for a little refueling, my usual chicken, bacon and mushroom individualized pizza arrived piping hot, magnificently dripping with cheese (this column isn’t named Cheves’ Cheese just for the alliteration), wonderfully greasy, and graciously sprinkled with crispy bits of bacon. It was cooked to perfection. Need I say more? It was fantastic, and my mind was revived for the rest of the night.     

I’m usually a bit wary of places geared specifically toward organic,—and by some people’s standards—healthier options for nutrition. As far as I’m concerned, the greasier the better. So, I headed to Silvio’s with slight trepidation, worried that I couldn’t keep with my usual combination of chicken, bacon, and mushrooms, as the majority of the menu is vegetarian. But I was relieved to find a little section mid-menu for meat lovers such as myself. So, another chicken, bacon, and mushroom pizza arrived in front of me. At first glance, it looked delicious, and my uncertainty slowly started to fade away. And it went away completely, along with my hunger, after the first bite. Not only did this delightful pizza have my three favorite toppings, it was also sprinkled with a variety of herbs that made each bite an absolute joy. It tasted so fresh and light, I couldn’t believe I was eating pizza. I left feeling contentedly satisfied, not disgustingly full, and very much looking forward to going back. 

Each place was excellent in its own right, depending on what you want at the time. NYPD is there for that slice of pizza when walking home from a good party or during a quick study break. As will Pizza House. But just by food standards, if you’re looking for one of the most scrumptious slices of pizza you’ve chewed in to, head to Silvio’s to have your taste buds blown away. 

If you have any suggestions for further foods for me to try around town and the best places at which to try them, send me an e-mail at bcheves@gmail.com. 

After eating and writing about the classic American dish—the burger—I thought, “Why not write about a classic Americanized Mexican dish—the burrito?” There’s nothing quite like a late night trip to grab a giant burrito to satisfy the hungers of studying or post-partying. Be it chicken, beef, veggie, or otherwise, the combinations of whatever you choose, wrapped in warm tortilla, are sure to bring cheer to any hungry character. 

So, I asked students where in town they recommend I find the best burrito. The majority said BTB on State Street. Next up was Chipotle on the other end of State Street. And then came Panchero’s on South University. 

Chipotle was my first stop. Walking in on a cold day, smelling the warm wonders of grilled chicken and veggies was a treat in itself. One of my favorite Animal Collective songs was playing—the whole scene set the stage for a prime dining experience. And sure enough, the burrito was fantastic. The nice thing about Chipotle, if you ask me, is that you get exactly what you want, and see it materialize right in front of you as you slide down the counter. So, with my rice, pinto beans, grilled chicken, bit of salsa, guacamole, and sour cream, I settled into devouring the enormous burrito in front of me. The ingredients were spread to give each bite a taste of each, however, the chicken was hard to find in the burrito at times. A bit of spice gave the burrito a zesty flavor, which presented a delightful surprise at first, but sadly evolved into a rather unpleasant aftertaste. The only other drawback was that at the end.  I could barely move I was so full. It was one of those instances where you don’t realize how full you are until it’s too late, and you’ve already eaten too much. Overall, however, I was quite pleased. 

Next up was a quick stop at Panchero’s between classes. Like at Chipotle, the burrito is made in front of you. With the same components, I expected it to be just as delightful as the Chipotle burrito. This, however, was not the case. All of the rice was at the top, and all the salsa had collected at the bottom. Perhaps if I had caught them on a better day, it would have been different, but I did not enjoy the mouthfuls of rather dry rice and then the mouth-watering salsa all at the end as I attempted to hide my grimaces during lecture. The tortilla, however, was far superior to that of Chipotle’s, but was not enough to overcome the unpleasant balance of ingredients. I was later informed, however, that they mix the ingredients upon request. 

I finally made my way to BTB down State Street. Walking into the cramped Ann Arbor staple, always crowded on a late night, you know you’re in for a treat. And I was, as always. The grilled chicken deluxe made its way from the tiny kitchen behind BTB’s counter, to my midterm study spot at the UGLi, and made studying far more bearable. Like Chipotle, the components were evenly distributed, making each taste an explosion of flavor. There’s nothing quite like a hint of guacamole—one of my favorite concoctions of all time—with every bite of a meal. However, unlike Chipotle, I could always find a piece of chicken. I polished off the burrito, ready to tackle all my studies for the night.   

Like the sushi recommendations, burrito recommendations come in order of excellence. The Ann Arbor staple, BTB, while my favorite for sentimental reasons of local business, also offers the best burrito. So, be it a late night study fix, or a fun stop after a weekend party, BTB is the place to go. Their location on South University—BTB Cantina—is also an excellent spot. If you have any suggestions for further foods for me to try around town and the best places at which to try them, send me an e-mail at bcheves@gmail.com. 

What American food is more classic than the burger? Not many come to mind. But where in Ann Arbor should one go to find this quintessential American meal? The burger is such a simple concept, yet can come in quite the variety of tastes and fashions. Is the burger served the fastest the best? What about a more refined burger? And most of all, with such a common food, how greatly does the venue impact the burger? Does the whole dining experience really have that much influence on the enjoyment of the food?

So, I asked students where around town they would recommend I find the best burger. The majority enthusiastically proclaimed the new Five Guys that recently took over Shaman Drum. Others said the staple Ann Arbor burger joint — Blimpy Burger. And in third place was Sava’s on State Street.

Walking into Sava’s on a cold, snowy evening was a treat. The restaurant was warm and welcoming with a friendly smile greeting you immediately upon entry, cheerful music playing in the background, and extremely comfortable seating arrangements. I settled in and started off the meal right with good company and conversation — a necessary ingredient to any truly wonderful meal. Then, I ordered the mushroom Swiss burger, which also comes with onions, lettuce, and tomato. The burger was absolutely delicious.  A heated bun contrasted well with the cool lettuce and tomato while the mushrooms and cheese meshed wonderfully with the warm, juicy hamburger patty. A splendid sauce lent a hint of sweetness to each bite. The burger was a bit heavy on the lettuce in some areas, but for the most part, it was a delightful meal.   

Five Guys was a whole other story. I did my best to go in with an open mind, but it was the first time I’d been there since the building had been full of wonderful books (I love books almost as much as I love food). But I objectively told myself I was here only for the burger. Besides, the majority of students recommended it for the best burger, so it had to be good, right? Not quite. Maybe the novelty of it made it good in the beginning, but it most certainly was no longer. I took one bite and could barely go on. It tasted like cardboard. I tried to find the taste of the hamburger patty, I tried to find the taste of the mushrooms - I even tried to taste the lettuce! The only flavor I could define out of the mush that encompassed the burger pathetically sitting in front of me was the pickle.  And it was not good. Rather old with an unpleasant musty tinge to it, it made the burger worse. The only redeeming quality of that particular dining experience was the music. Great oldies were playing. Food-wise the fries weren’t too awful at first, but after the first couple they became cold and limp. With enough ketchup, however, they were still palatable. I left feeling hungry and missing the books lining the walls of Shaman Drum.

Luckily, I still had Blimpy Burger to go. Otherwise, I may not have ever ordered another burger again out of fear it would taste like the one from Five Guys. I walked in and immediately knew that what I was about to order would be fantastic. The first thing audible beyond the lively music in the background was the crackle of the grease. Then, with a particular method of ordering, and a little sarcastic nettling if you mess it up, you slide down the counter with your tray, watching as your burger materializes. It is a magnificent experience. I bit into the burger. The patty was still sizzling and hot, the bacon was crispy and cooked to perfection, the lettuce was crispy but not overwhelming, the cheese was melted and delicious, and all of it came together to make one of the best burgers I’ve ever had. This is a place where you know you’re going to get, if not the best, one of the best burgers you’ll find.

On all levels, Blimpy Burger takes the cake - actual hamburger-wise, and in regards to the whole shebang of a dining experience. So, if you’re in the mood for that classic burger, head to Blimpy Burger — you won’t be disappointed. If you’re in the mood for something a little more gourmet but still a classic, head to Sava’s and order a burger. And, if you have any suggestions for further foods for me to try around town, and the best places at which to try them, send me an e-mail at bcheves@gmail.com.

Going out for sushi is one of my greatest joys in life. With a good group of friends, great conversation, and, of course, savory sushi, you can’t go wrong. Sushi is a Japanese dish usually made with fish or perhaps just veggies for those of you out there who don’t eat fish. Generally served in one of two ways, sushi comes with either the fish on top of rice, or is rolled up with rice and seaweed to hold the sushi together. Sushi makes for an absolutely delightful dining experience, especially with a touch of wasabi mixed with soy sauce for dipping. Wasabi cleanses the pallet, clears the sinuses — with enough wasabi, that is — and leaves the diners satisfied and ready for whatever’s next. 

So, I asked students where in town they recommend I find the best sushi. Sadako on South University came out on top with the most recommendations, then Totoro on State Street, and Sushi.com on North University came in third. 

I always love a trip to Sadako. The atmosphere is extremely welcoming — top 40s playing in the background, just audible enough over the hum of surrounding conversation, and the service is always good. The Dragon roll is always first on my list of things to order. The roll is made with eel and avocado over a roll of tempura shrimp and cucumber, drizzled with a superb cucumber sauce, which reminds me slightly of BBQ sauce but SO much better. It’s a feast for the eyes as well as the pallet. The eel, which is cooked, contrasts perfectly with the cooler avocado, and then the two of those contrast with the warm, crunchy shrimp and cool cucumber. The sauce tops it off to perfection, giving the bite a hint of sweetness. Each component comes together to form a fantastic taste, yet each flavor is still detectable within the confluence of them all. Then, of course, dipped in soy sauce mixed with just enough wasabi for it to take on a cloudy look, makes every piece the best you’ve ever had. A bit of pickled ginger at the end refreshes the taste buds for whichever roll is next. 

Moving on to Sushi.com after a lovely evening at Sadako was rather disappointing. While the restaurant still had a great atmosphere, the sushi just didn’t hold up in comparison. I had the Dragon roll again (to be able to compare tastes of the same dish) and almost couldn’t finish it. Made with the same general ingredients as Sadako’s roll, I was excited to try it. But the first bite tasted mushy and had a staleness to it that made me wish I hadn’t decided to go out for sushi that night. There was no crunch to the tempura shrimp, there was no contrast to the flavors of the eel and avocado, the sauce tasted like it had been sitting in the fridge for a few days too long, and the combination of it all did not make for a pleasant dining experience. Even the ginger tasted quite funky — like the sauce, it was as if it had been sitting around for a bit too long. The roll even looked unappetizing - instead of a nice, pink-tinged slice, it was pale and wilted. 

Going to Totoro reinstated my love of sushi. The Dragon roll rolled out, a beautiful sight for hungry eyes. Like at Sadako, the components coalesced to make each bite a burst of variety and flavor. However, the seaweed wrap was on the outside of the rice, which made it slightly less appealing to the eye, at least for me. And it might have been my imagination, but it was a bit chewier, which made for a slightly less enjoyable dining experience as compared to Sadako. 

Well, it looks as if recommendations came in order of excellence. Sadako was most definitely at the top of my list, then Totoro, then Sushi.com. So, if you’re in the mood for sushi, take a trip down South U and dig in. If you haven’t tried the Dragon roll, I highly recommend that, as well. If you have any suggestions for further foods for me to try around town and the best places at which to try them, send me an e-mail at bcheves@gmail.com.

I love falafel. It is a delicious Middle Eastern concoction made mainly from chickpeas. Falafel makes for the perfect lunchtime sandwich or afternoon wrap. It’s not too heavy a food, so it doesn’t leave you wondering what on earth you just shoved down your gullet to make you feel this way. But most importantly, it has a good, clean, healthy taste to leave you content and satisfied rather than unpleasantly full—which makes you ready to take on the remainder of the day. 

So, I asked students where in town—within walking distance from campus, of course—they would recommend I find the best falafel. The overwhelming majority said Jerusalem Garden on Fifth Avenue, by the public library, but a select few recommended Pita Kabob Grill on East William. 

Meeting my friend for lunch at Pita Kabob Grill turned out to be more difficult than one would think. The place was packed, but we managed to find a table and we settled in to tackle our giant falafel pita wraps. From the get-go, it was a treat for the eyes. Fresh lettuce and a slice of tomato peaked out of the pita wrap—promising a delicious bite. And sure enough, the flavors all came together, topped off with a spicy tinge from a delectable sauce, to make a fantastic falafel. I left looking forward to trying more on the menu. 

I expected Jerusalem Garden to have just as scrumptious a dish as Pita Kabob Grill, if not better, considering how many people suggested I go there. I was unfortunately disappointed. While still a delightful wrap, it didn’t quite have the zest or distinctive taste of the falafel pita from my lunch at Pita Kabob. Rather bland in comparison, too much lettuce overwhelmed the wrap, and too much food was jammed into it - masking what tastes would have otherwise been delightful. 

So if you’re on the move between classes and need a little refueling, I highly recommend you stop by Pita Kabob Grill and try out that falafel. And, if you have any suggestions for further foods for me to try around town and the best places at which to try them, send me an e-mail at bcheves@gmail.com.