Choose Your Own Adventure: Post-Game-Day Restaurant Edition
Best affordable spots based on your favorite activities
—By Sara Bernardo, Divya Suresh, and Aaron Syi
Ever have a hard time finding what to eat after a game day? Want to find the perfect meal based on what your favorite Ann Arbor activities are? Well we have a fun game for you: here are some good, affordable Ann Arbor restaurants you can go to based on your favorite Ann Arbor activities during the year!
If you like to run around the Arb or workout: Go to Sweetgreen!
Health-enthusiast fans looking to refuel after the game with something wholesome and satisfying will find Sweetgreen (311 S State St) to be the perfect post-game spot. Known for its fresh, nutrient-dense bowls, Sweetgreen was started by “three college students who were simply looking for a healthier way to eat.” The welcoming atmosphere of Sweetgreen is the perfect place to not just satisfy your hunger, but also stay in line with your health and fitness goals.
The Harvest Bowl is a fan-favorite! With chicken, sweet potatoes, apples, kale and more, this nutrient-rich salad will easily fulfill your nutritional needs. Each bite you take offers you a delectable blend of flavors, and with several customizable options, you are sure to leave Sweetgreen satisfied and ready for your next challenge- whether it’s a run, weightlifting session, or a power nap (much needed after game day!!).
- Price Range: $12-$25
- Favorite Dish: Hummus Crunch Bowl
Prefer to share with friends? Try out Sadako!
Looking for the perfect post-game spot to enjoy with friends? Check out Sadako (1321 S University Ave), one of the most affordable sushi spots in Ann Arbor, offering a wide variety of delicious sushi rolls. Opened in 2005 by Missy Chang and her family, Sadako has grown into a beloved local classic and is perfect for sharing.
Watching hours of football can make anyone’s stomach grumble. Thankfully, Sadako’s rolls, from $5 to $15, have portion sizes that will fill you up in a matter of minutes. While their cozy indoor seating may not not have space for ALL of your friends, it is the perfect place to enjoy your meal.
Even if you have a larger group, Sadako also offers excellent takeout options to enjoy together!
- Price Range: $4-$20
- Favorite Dish: Paradise Roll with Spicy Mayo
If you like to adventure alone: Explore Rich JC!
If you enjoy exploring Ann Arbor solo and discovering hidden gems, Rich JC (1313 S University Ave) is the perfect restaurant for an authentic Korean diner experience. Rich JC offers a variety of home-style Korean meals, from sizzling hot, spicy entrees to non-spicy, savory meat entrees!
If you are looking to eat a savory meal alone after a chaotic game day, Rich JC has the perfect seating arrangement (a counter that wraps around the kitchen area) for solo meals. No need to feel embarrassed because most customers dine alone, making it a welcoming space for solo visitors.
Their best selling dishes are the Bibimbap, and the Kimchi Jjigae for spice lovers. The owner’s goal is “to give customers a ‘homey’ vibe,” so Rich JC is the perfect place to wind down with a homemade meal alone!
- Price Range: $10-$26
- Favorite Dish: Budae Jjigae (Army Stew)
If you like to have a late night hangout with friends: Try No Thai!
Are you someone who prefers a late, cozy night in as opposed to going out? We’ve got the perfect rec for you—takeout at No Thai! (1300 S University Ave). Refuel with the ultimate flavorful food, and enjoy it with great company! No Thai! is a beloved spot to so many students.
Open until 10pm, No Thai! is the convenient option for a late night in. “I love going to No Thai after a cold game day. In my personal experience, I’ve never had to wait more than 10 minutes for an order, and you always know it is going to hit the spot,” says Sameer Khed, a Junior at U-M studying Business. Next time you are shivering and waiting to get inside and hang with friends, try out No Thai!
- Price Range: $3-$20
- Favorite Dish: Drunken Fried Rice
If you like to go dancing or late night activities: Explore Joe’s Pizza!
Joe’s Pizza (1107 S University Ave) is a quintessential Ann Arbor classic, and if you haven’t tried it yet, now’s the time! Picture a hot, sizzling slice of cheese or crispy pepperoni coming to you right after the oven. Sounds amazing right? Located in the heart of campus (and a couple steps from a ton of nightlife spots), for only $3-5, and open from 11am to 3am, Joe’s pizza can fulfill all of your late-night food desires.
Their menu features a variety of popular flavors, including cheese, fresh mozz, white pizza, pepperoni, supreme, caprese, and more. Students rave about Joe’s pizza and refer to the establishment as its very own social hub. “With the amount of students that eat here every night it’s its very own community,” says Natalie Koster, a senior studying architecture at UofM. Safe to say after going to Joe’s Pizza after one night, you’ll be craving it every other late night after.
- Price Range: $3.50-$6
- Favorite Dish: White Pizza or Fresh Mozzarella
If you love to watch sports with your friends: Go to Buffalo Wild Wings!
Got an away game? No worries because Buffalo Wild Wings is the ultimate game-watching destination! Located on 205 S State Street, it offers one of the largest selections of wing flavors in the area including buffalo bacon, hot bbq, spicy garlic, etc. While you and your friends crowd around their large seating area watching the Wolverines win the National Championships again, you can share as many wings and cheer on the Wolverines as loud as you’d like!
The honey barbeque wings are a crowd favorite, and be sure to check out their amazing deals and promos that are perfect for college students!
- Price Range: $10-$30
- Favorite Dish: Spicy Garlic Traditional Wings
In a town as vibrant as Ann Arbor on game days, it can be difficult to decide which of the many incredible restaurants to go to after a spirited game day. No matter what your favorite activity usually is, hopefully this list has given you a few ideas as to where to go to celebrate a classic Wolverine victory. Go Blue!
Feature Photo: Hands Reaching into Food, by Dan Gold on Unsplash