SavoryBrown's Profile
Real BarBQ in Ann Arbor?
Does anyone know the deal with a place called Real BarBQ possibly setting up shop in Ann Arbor?
A friend told me about one of their other locations and a quick look at their website had me drooling, so I checked their other locations. It has an Ann Arbor location listed as ‘coming soon’ but the location that is listed, if I’m not mistaken, has recently been transformed into a 7Eleven (none too impressed). Given that Satchels seems to be the best place in town (and it is pretty decent), I was hoping a little competition might ratchet up the quality of all surrounding BBQ.
Also, I was wondering if Real BarBQ were the same guys who sold BBQ out of the same parking lot during UofM games in 2010. I checked for them this past Saturday but it was just a lonely 7Eleven parking lot. I had never gotten the parking lot BBQ, but it did smell good.
Any info is appreciated.
www.realbarbq.com/ann-arbor/
Rum that you can sip??
As others have suggested, I think Flor de Cana 7 year might fit the bill. I discovered it last year in Nicaragua and immediately emptied my luggage to accomodate bringing a couple gallons home. At $8 per liter it was tough to pass up. I've seen it for $22-25 per 750ml here in the states; still very worth it. I drink it same as a bourbon, usually neat, sometimes a cube of ice or two. In the summer it takes very well to a lime wedge and ice.
Best BBQ-- Ann Arbor, MI
I find Blue Tractor to be worse than ok (dry meat, oversauced with boring sauces, with no development of flavor through proper smoking). Zingerman's Roadhouse is much better but still only decent. I was glad to see an attempt at 'Carolina Gold' on the menu for the pulled pork, but there was still a lack of complex flavor in the meat itself. I'd still prefer to save up my BBQ calories for Slows... though I'm always on the lookout for something closer to AA that is even better.
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Blue Tractor
423 S Union St, Traverse City, MI 49684
Zingerman's Roadhouse
2501 Jackson Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Best Hamburger in Midwest
I strongly second Westport Flea Market. I've lived in Michigan most my life and always thought Millers (Dearborn, MI) to be the best. Moved to KC for a year and regularly ate at the Flea Market (as much as my arteries would permit). Came back and had a Miller's burger... it was a sad day. Miller's burger is very good, but the beef is not nearly as good as what the Flea Market serves up. Now that I'm in Ann Arbor again, I've found the places serving Knight's meat to be the best around (though I haven't actually been to Knight's restaurant). Surprisingly, the place that I find handles the meat with the most finesse and confidence is Cubs AC (attached to the bowling alley). I find it to be better than Casey's in Ann Arbor (overly packed and too many distractive flavors in the burger) and Sidetrack in Ypsilanti (too loosely packed and doesn't have the same beefy flavor), though these are both good burgers worth checking out. Keep in mind, my reviews are of hamburgers, not cheeseburgers with a dozen toppings. Similarly, if I want a good steak, I'll go to a steak house, if I want an interesting steak, I'll go to J Alexander's and get a marinated steak covered in garlic, mushrooms, and cheese. Not that there is anything wrong with Blimpy Burger (in fact it is really good... especially the sides) but it should be in a different category.
Getting cured meats from Italy to US
If you 'meat' with a producer of a good in that country, they are usually more than willing to ship goods to you. Get an email address and order what you want when you want it. Alternately if you speak the language it's not too difficult to find a producer on the internet. As far as inspection goes, it would appear that the cured sausage, lardo, and absinthe has gotten through with no problem.
