5 Late-Night Pizza Places to Escape the Ann Arbor Cold

Our favorite pizza spots to prolong your night out 

—By Veronica Sorter and Alex Wang

There are many ways people like to finish a night out in Ann Arbor. For introverts, a quiet exit and then straight to bed provides the quickest solution to gracefully bow out of an awkward social interaction. For the big partiers, the drunken meandering of the cold, wintry streets of Ann Arbor before ending up hunched over their toilet, while not an ideal finale, has become a sight all too familiar. Our personal favorite, and likely fan-favorite, is grabbing a slice of pie from one of the many pizzerias lining the streets before heading home, savoring the perfect night. Navigating the night-time pizza scene in Ann Arbor can become increasingly difficult during the winter season as weather becomes an integral factor in all of our decision-making. Here are five central, late-night pizza places that offer the best prices and/or refuge from the snow. 

1. New York Pizza Depot (605 E William St) 10am-3am

Located on the west side of central campus and open until 3 am, New York Pizza Depot (NYPD) is the perfect place to stop for a slice after leaving popular clubs and bars, such as Skeeps or Necto. Although the line can be intimidating on weekend nights, once inside, the comforting smell of pizza will warm you right up. There is a generous amount of seating if you wish to sit and eat, but it can get pretty crowded at times. NYPD offers much more than just New York style pizza; they serve both Chicago and Detroit as well, with a plethora of flavors for each type. NYPD’s classic New York style is very thin and has the perfect ratio of sauce to cheese. They are also very generous in size: each slice costs about $4-$5. One student stated that NYPD was their favorite pizza place because, “they have the best options at the best price, and they have $2 Tuesdays!” He also recommended the Grandma Pizza for first-timers. The Grandma Pizza is similar to typical cheese pizza but uses NYPD’s specialty marinara sauce and extra spices on top. Along with pizza, NYPD offers a variety of other dishes including calzones, burgers, subs, and wings.

2. Joe’s Pizza NYC (1107 S University Ave Suite B) 11am-3am

Joe’s is not only a New York pizza staple, but also an integral part of the Ann Arbor community. Located in the heart of campus, it is almost impossible to walk central campus without coming across Joe’s. On weekend nights, the line for Joe’s goes crawling out the door—easily a 30-minute wait. The cramped interior is adorned with New York City’s iconic exposed red brick, and it doesn’t offer much protection from the cold either. Its cozy atmosphere can accommodate maybe 30 people max at one time, and the three standing tables and tiny bar-like seating area offer little room for diners. This perfectly mimics the expectations of a New York style pizzeria; space comes at a premium. On the pricier side, the most basic option (Cheese Slice) will run you $3.50, while the specialty slices (for example, Zingerman’s Fresh Mozz Slice) are a $4.50 minimum. However, Joe’s is not just limited to pizza by the slice. With a menu full of entire pies ranging from $24.00 to $32.00, Joe’s lets the customers eat to their satisfaction. The bottom line? If you’re ready to wait half an hour in freezing temperatures for the best slice of pizza you’ve ever had, Joe’s is the place for you.

3. Cottage Inn (546 Packard St) 10am-4am

Looking to feed a group of friends on a cold, snowy night? Cottage Inn has got you covered! With delivery services running until 4 am, you don’t even have to leave your house! This Ann Arbor-born pizzeria is a favorite among Ann Arbor natives. Cottage Inn offers a large variety of gourmet pizzas as well as your typical cheese and pepperoni. A large specialty pizza costs around $20 but they have flavors you will not want to miss, including a hot honey chicken pizza and a Philly steak supreme pizza. You can also pair your pizza with a delicious salad and finish off with some cinnamon sticks for dessert! If you have dietary restrictions, they offer vegan and gluten-free pizzas. And, if pizza delivery isn’t your thing, the Original Cottage Inn located on East William Street offers sit-down dining until 10 pm on weekends. All in all, if you want to try a local gem, Cottage Inn is the way to go!

4. Domino’s (716 Packard St) 10am-3am

Maybe you hate lines and prioritize speed and quantity over quality. Domino’s is the place for you. With everyone flocking toward the heavyweights of the Ann Arbor pizza scene (Joe’s and NYPD), Domino’s becomes a distant afterthought, to your advantage. A little off central campus, but certainly on the way home for many students, zero wait, ample space, and a warm atmosphere welcome you with open arms. The lonely staff may even give you a hug too. Prefer a less social and awkward interaction? Order online with the Domino’s app. You’ll be in and out in a jiffy. With an array of deals, specialty items, and customizable options, Domino’s is able to cater to every picky customer there is. Rohan Patel, a Junior at the University of Michigan, says “Domino’s is good quality, fast, and easy to order using the mobile app.” When asked about what made Domino’s one of the great (and underrated) late-night pizza spots, he said, “It’s gotta be the deals man!” For $7.99 you can get a large pizza or for $19.99, two medium pizzas, bread knots, bread bites, and a 2-liter soda. We can certainly understand his enthusiasm. While the interior is not particularly inviting, due to the limited seating (although ample space) coupled with the harsh lights beating down on the customer, Domino’s has shown time and time again that they are the king of fast and affordable late-night pizza.

5. The Back Room (605 Church St) 11am-3am

A little off the beaten path, The Back Room has the cheapest pizza at the most affordable prices – just $2.50 for a hot slice! The Back Room sits snuggled into a tight nook right around the corner from Brown Jug; it is operated by the same owner, hence the name, “The Back Room.” This hidden gem is not super well-known around campus, making it a great option for those looking for a more underground pizza experience. However, it is quite a small place with no seating, so it’s a grab-and-go situation. They offer a few types of pizza along with drinks, burritos, and spinach pie. You can also get combos to get an even better bang for your buck! The “Supreme Combo” comes with two slices of supreme pizza (any pizza other than cheese or pepperoni) and a drink for only $5. So even though they don’t have a lot of options, The Back Room is perfect for broke college students looking for a quick, budget-friendly bite before embarking on the journey back home. 

Staying warm and healthy during Ann Arbor’s annual four-month winter storm is a must, and within our college town, there are several central, late-night pizzerias that afford you that luxury without putting a dent in your wallet. Cold weather and sickness go hand in hand, but that won’t stop the deluge of students itching for a night out. These five pizzerias will warm you up with their cozy atmosphere and diverse, delectable array of pizzas, while also offering an escape from the cold. 

Feature Photo: Joe’s Pizza, Ann Arbor, MI, by Veronica Sorter