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S T N E T N O C F O E L B A T ers Up n n u R d n Winners a lord d n a L & p e Sho e f f o C t s e B Brunch y a d n u S Best cer y o r G & y t i Best Activ llege o C & d o ican Fo Best Mex inner D c i t n a m Best Ro ank B & t u c r i Best Ha e Stop z o o B & e stor Best Book

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tment Best Apar rewer y B & e f i l t 15 Best Nigh Bar & r e g r u Best B ream 17 Best Ice C ch i w d n a S arian & t e g e V / n Best Vega Food n a e n a r r it e 19 Best Med ian d n I & a z z Yoga Best Pi & i h s u S n Food, a i s A t s e B

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WINNER S & RUN NER-UPS Best Coffee

Best Landlord

Best Brunch

Best Activity

Best Mexican

RoosRoast

Oxford

Sava’s

Pinball Pete’s

Chela’s

Espresso Royale

J. Keller

Angelo’s

Revel & Roll Bowling

Isalita

Best College

Best Grocery

Best Romantic Dinner

Best Haircut

Best Bank

LSA

Trader Joe’s

Sava’s

Aveda’s

PNC

CoE

Meijer

Chop House

Arcade Barbers

Chase

Best Bookstore

Best Booze Stop

Best Mich Merch

Best Apartment

Best Nightlife

Literati

Campus Corner

MDen

Zaragon

Rick’s

The Dawn Treader

Strickland’s

Underground Printing

Landmark

Live

Best Ice Cream

Best Sandwich

Best Mediterranean

Best Brewery

Best Bar

Grizzly Peak

Charley’s

Blank Slate

Zingerman’s

Jerusalem Garden

HOMES

Brown Jug

Washtenaw Dairy

Belly Deli

Palm Palace, Baba Dari

Best Vegan/ Vegetarian

Best Burger

Best Pizza

Best Sushi

Best Indian

The Lunch Room

Frita Batidos

Mani

Sadako

Jerusalem Garden

Blimpy Burger

Cottage Inn

Totoro

Best Indian

Best Asian

Best Yoga

Cardamom

Tomukun

aUM Yoga

Madras Masala

Miss Kim

Tiny Buddha Yoga

Best Coffee: Roos It was the first week of college, and I felt funky. Ostracized to Baits II housing, I decided to hit the town as a fresh blood and search for a hipster coffee shop with the hopes of preventing alienation from creeping in at all corners. Trying to convince myself that at I was a maverick, I traveled off of central campus and down Liberty Street until I stumbled upon RoosRoast. Feeling fragile, I walked in, and I immediately noticed a man sitting at a Pacman machine, latté in hand: An absolute vibe. Having wrote my college app essay about Pacman as an outlet for feeling stress, I gasped while turning towards the coffee bar, scanning the space. This moment serves as an emblem of my entry into finally feeling like an actual college human — the quaint atmosphere precisely matched the funkiness I was feeling in the most attractive, comforting way. I sipped the smooth coffee, examining the enthralling RoosRoast merchandise and the skills of my fellow Pacman comrade. The rest is history. That’s the glory of RoosRoast: It’s funky and it’s welcoming. The eccentric artwork and the wacky coffee blends with names like “Lobster Butter Love” and “Bad Ass Women” make RoosRoast instinctually groovy, inviting honest moments of friendship, self-reflection, and grinding through tasks and thoughts. John Roos, the self-taught mastermind behind RoosRoast’s artwork, imports coffee beans from all over the world to make phenomenal coffee with The Loring Smart Roaster, which reduces energy consumption by 80 percent (compared to the average roaster). RoosRoast coffee is carried at local restaurants like Jerusalem Garden, all the way to bigger vendors like Plum Market and Whole Foods. RoosRoast ships across the country, sharing their kooky, loving vibes with every roast, and comforting coffee lovers everywhere. — Samantha Cantie, Daily Arts Writer MAX KUANG / DAILY

Best Landlord: Oxford For the Michigan student living in Ann Arbor, the place you call home is important — and that’s what you get with an Oxford property. Before you even move in, it’s clear that Oxford is a truly contemporary company: A map marks all their properties that can be filtered for your budget and needs; the inside of every home can be seen from your laptop, with a 3D tour at almost every property; and you can get approved for a lease and sign the papers electronically, all without having to walk out the door. The convenience doesn’t stop after you move in. You can set your rent to auto-bill your bank or card every month, so there’s no risk of a late fee and no need to take time out of your schedule to drop off a check. If checks are your thing, their office is right in the heart of downtown. Maintenance is always available, with regular hours, an emergency line, and even an online ticketing system. With a wide variety of properties, Oxford has a place to call home for anyone. Whether you’re a student leaving the dorms for the first time looking for a 6-bedroom house for you and all your friends or a modest young professional looking for a studio in a quiet neighborhood, there’s a property available. But most importantly, Oxford is one of the only major landlords in Ann Arbor that allows pets. At the end of the day, home is a little cozier with a furry friend. —Dylan Yono, Daily Arts Writer FILE PHOTO / DAILY

Best Sunday Brunch: Sava’s I’ve always been one to mock restaurants for being overpriced, and clown their customers for succumbing to their snappy, photo-ready meals. At the local joint down the street the food is almost always twice as hearty for half the price. And usually I’m right — “sometimes things that are expensive are worse.” Sava’s was one such restaurant that drew my ire. That was, until I went there. I have been to Sava’s a grand total of one time and it was for Sunday brunch. It was on a whim — a graduated former Managing Arts Editor was back in town but it was his last day visiting, and a current Managing Arts Editor invited me to get food with them before the weekly Sunday Daily Arts meeting. “Savas @ 1,” they texted. “Brunch bitchez,” I texted back. When we were finally seated we were still in the time period one can consider “brunch” (I say 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) so the Sava’s Sunday brunch buffet was an option to us. My wallet was a little scared, and my friends preferred to forgo the “petite” mimosa that comes with the buffet for a single meal and a bunch of big kid mimosas instead. God, I wish I had sprung for the buffet. I don’t

remember quite what I ordered (it leaned more towards the “unch” in brunch”) and it was still quite good, but seeing tables of boho 20- and 30-year-olds come back and forth with plates of roasted brussel sprouts, overflowing frittatas and fluffy waffles made me dream of having a five-thousand-follower Instagram account where all I did was have brunch everyday and post it an hour later. Throw in some sponsor money too? Bless. The Sava’s Sunday brunch buffet is ever-rotating with new sweet and savory options, so no trip to Sava’s for this weekly delight will be exactly the same. And, quite simply, everytime you dine at Sava’s, you feel like a million bucks. Sharing the same table at such a luxurious locale with two friends to whom I highly looked up was the closest I’ll ever come to sharing a meal with Anna Wintour at a Michelin-starred restaurant on the Upper East Side. And shhh, don’t tell anyone, I had a large sip of one of their mimosas to boot. You know it’s good when it makes you want to drop fifty bucks on a fake ID to try it again. —Cassandra Mansuetti, Senior Arts Editor

Best Activity: Pinball Pete’s It’s the summer between my freshman and sophomore years at the U-M, and I’m coming home from a birthday party with a friend. We had to walk down S. Forest to get back to his apartment, and like many times freshman year walking to Sadako or No Thai, we passed Pinball Pete’s. However this time, I’m slightly schlitzed — and we all know that’s when we make the best impulse decisions. Down the stairs and into the retro wonderland of Pinball Pete’s we go … Flash backward a decade earlier. One time my grandparents took my sister, my cousins and I on a Caribbean cruise, but for some reason, before we departed, my grandparents announced we would have to skip going to one of the planned island destinations. I don’t remember why — I was 11. All that mattered to me was the fact that to compensate for this setback, the cruise gave everyone like a hundred bucks in credit that could be used anywhere on the ship. There was an arcade on deck, and my tween ass blew through that Benjamin faster than a kid with access to their mom’s credit card buying “Fortnite” cosmetics. I bring this bougie anecdote up because I am a child of the wild and wacky 2000s, and arcades, the pop culture staple of the the ’80s and ’90s, were on their way out by then. They only time I could play “Galaga” or “Skee-Ball” was at pizza parlors and skating rinks (the latter of which are sadly on their way out as well). I thought the coinoperated gaming bliss I ascended to on that cruise ship would never again be matched. The acoustics of Pinball Pete’s are perfectly geared towards the sweet symphony of flippers, bumpers, bells, bleeps and bloops which plays ‘round the clock. There’s more neon than Nicolas Winding Refn could shake a stick at. My friend and I turned a couple of dollars into a cup of quarters, and in they rolled into the “Guitar Hero,” “Mario Kart” and “Mortal Kombat” machines. There’s a video of me stomping out of sync to Smile.dk’s “Butterfly” after triumphantly proclaiming how good I was at “Dance Dance Revolution.” Yet I’ll look as stupid as I please tapping, strumming and flicking away at Pinball Pete’s because it’s one of those rare places where you truly feel like a kid again. —Cassandra Mansuetti, Senior Arts Editor

Best Grocery: Trader Joe’s Oh, Trader Joe’s. You’re so weird, and I love you so much. Trader Joe’s is a haven for both the boring and the bangin’, and they’ve got the prices to boot. Plus, TJ’s caters to all kinds of dietary restrictions. Vegan? Try the soy chorizo. Don’t do dairy? They’ve got the perfect cream cheese for your morning bagel. Gluten free? Me too. You can sip on coffee as you shop and try weird cheese that you’ll end up wanting to buy. The patrons are hot, and the employees are just flirty enough to make you feel special. There are beet chips and vitamins and the Kombucha that Mandy Moore once posted a picture of. Oh my! You’ve got my heart, TJ’s, and you’ve got Ann Arbor’s heart, too. The sun is always shining on you, baby. —Arya Naidu, Managing Arts Editor

DARBY STIPE / DAILY

Best Mexican Food: Chela’s Chela’s is the only place to get a great taco in Ann Arbor. They’re double wrapped in corn tortillas, the second of which my roommate explained functions to catch everything that falls out of the first. These tacos duplicate, which is cool. The menu is the opposite of boring, boasting everything from rajas con crema to a sexy chorizo (the potato taco surprisingly slaps). And Chela, bless her heart, understands that I don’t have a real income: Tacos come in at $2.50, and the $7.85 daily special (two tacos/tamales, rice, beans and a drink) might be the smartest dinner in Ann Arbor. But beyond that, Chela’s, with its cozy hole-in-the-wall vibe and casually cheerful interior decor, somehow suits all your needs. You can crawl there on a rainy day to get a taco in between classes (they cost less than a coffee! You must change your life). You can write your thesis by the front window. You can buy furniture on Craigslist, alone, in the back room. You can talk about the future with a dude you haven’t seen in a year at 8 PM on the patio (in the nicer months). You can bring your roommate, your hookup, your childhood friend, your grumpy father. And if you go on your birthday, an attractive server named Slade will being you a free rice pudding (Slade, I’ll never forget u). Chela’s is, generously, whatever you need her to be, with a sexy taco on the side and all the sauces you could ever want in the fridge. — Verity Sturm, Daily Book Review Editor

ALICE LIU / DAILY

Best College: LSA It’s admittedly a bit strange to try to determine the “best” college the University of Michigan has to offer. An engineering student probably isn’t going to consider the Ross School of Business the best, just as an arts student at Stamps probably isn’t going to consider the School of Nursing the best. However, due to its sheer size and impact, U of M’s College of Literature, Science and the Arts is more than deserving of the title of Best College. You’d be hard-pressed to come across a U of M student who hasn’t taken at least one course within LSA. With over 85 majors and over 100 minors, the academic disciplines contained within LSA seem to span nearly all realms of human knowledge. The vast array of degree options available to students allows them to carefully tailor their educational plans to their individual interests and goals. Aside from its impressive academics, LSA is dedicated to shaping its students both intellectually and socially through specialized learning communities, research opportunities (most notably UROP), internships and study-abroad programs. Through programs like those just mentioned, along with the college’s distribution requirement, LSA understands the importance of developing and improving upon all facets of an individual, not just those related to their intended field of study. As someone who has taken advantage of both the learning communities and undergraduate research opportunities offered by the college, I’m more than pleased with my experience and am looking forward to my years ahead as an LSA student. — Elise Godfryd, Daily Arts Writer

ALEC COHEN / DAILY

Best Romantic Dinner: Sava’s If you’ve been desperately searching for the perfect date night dinner spot that resembles a restaurant from a fluffy rom-com, Sava’s is the place to go. No need to sacrifice good food for an intimate atmosphere with this one — Sava’s fills you up without fail so you and your date can skip the awkward conversation and bond over how far along your food babies are. Also, in case you’re that person that always gets a salad on dates, never fear. Sava’s was rated “Best Salad” in the “Best of Ann Arbor 2018” issue. But despite what you eat, Sava’s will always be the classiest and most impressive first date, fifth date or who-knows-what date. The cozy, dimly-lit atmosphere is always bustling with conversation, but never to the point where you can’t converse and gaze at your partner (or your food) in admiration. Sava’s is always busy, but luckily its location is right along State Street, where there’s plenty to do while you’re waiting. You can catch a movie, grab a coffee or go shopping at one of Ann Arbor’s many boutiques and eclectic vintage stores. But no matter what, Sava’s food and intimate atmosphere will always be worth the wait for you and your significant other’s well-deserved night on the town. FILE PHOTO / DAILY

— Sophia Yoon, Daily Arts Writer

Best Haircut: Aveda Imagine yourself in a misty jungle, the trees shrouded in warm clouds. It smells like flowers, you’re more relaxed than you’ve ever been before. You look hot, having gotten a fresh blowout and haircut. This, my friends, is what it is like to get styled at the Aveda Institute. You may have heard from your friends that Aveda is a great place to get a cheap chop on a student’s budget, but have you heard about the spa-like services that the salon offers as part of its classic Aveda hospitality? The business is a training salon for the Douglas J school, but you would never know it — the class and professionalism of the student hairstylists is fantastic, so you know you’re in good hands. Plus, there are always professional stylists milling around, just in case you want a second opinion about those post-breakup bangs. The salon’s relaxing and customer-oriented environment is the perfect spot to get a quick trim or lose a foot of your locks, whatever tickles your fancy enough to come in. If there was ever a place to change up your ‘do, whether on the heels of a big life change or not, it’s the Aveda Institute. — Clara Scott, Senior Arts Editor

FILE PHOTO / DAILY

Best Bank: PNC Banking doesn’t have to be a chore — PNC proves that. With over 10 ATMs and six branches spread throughout Ann Arbor, it’s easy to make a deposit or get some quick cash. The bank’s app streamlines services, allowing customers to transfer money and check balances on the go. This is the perfect first bank, since PNC’s Virtual Wallet Student helps Wolverines grow their savings and create a budget through calendar tools, online statements, no minimum balance, free wire transfers and no monthly service charge. Ann Arborites love PNC, too, for its convenience, benefits and customer service. PNC also makes it easy to access your account while traveling — there are 2,600 branch locations and 9,000 ATMs in 19 states. When it comes to something as important as money, you want a company you can rely on, and PNC is nothing if not dependable. Also, they’ve got a sense of humor: Since 1984, they’ve made the Christmas Price Index, which records the costs of the objects listed in “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” If your bank can’t tell you how much ten lords-a-leaping will cost, it’s time to switch. ALEC COHEN / DAILY

— Miriam Francisco, Daily Arts Writer

Best Bookstore: Literati It’s been a big year for Literati Bookstore. Last March, owners Mike and Hilary Gustafson published “Notes from a Public Typewriter,” a compilation of the anonymous messages left on a typewriter inside the store. They’ve welcomed some esteemed literary names to Ann Arbor — Kristen Roupenian, Susan Orlean and Jonathan Franzen, just to name a few. And this month, they were named the 2019 Bookstore of the Year by Publishers Weekly, which cited the store’s double-digit annual growth since opening in 2011. But among it all, some things haven’t changed— the familiar creak of the first floor, the aforementioned public typewriter’s station in a nook downstairs, the dozens of laminated handwritten recommendation cards tucked in among the shelves. It’s impressive that Literati has earned itself status as an Ann Arbor institution in eight short years, and more impressive yet that the store has embraced that role while continuing to innovate, forging new community partnerships and experimenting with niche book club and subscription service offerings. The indie bookstore renaissance is maybe the most pleasant surprise of the last few years. Whatever the reason, people are buying books, and they’re doing it at places like Literati, which see themselves not only as bookstores but also as community gathering spaces. Worried that print and brick-and-mortar retail are dead? On a bustling Friday night at Literati, you’ll never feel more alive. — Maitreyi Anantharaman, Daily Arts Writer

ALLISON ENGKVIST / DAILY

Best Booze Stop: Campus Corner A hole in the wall. Literally. An underground cavern with foam puzzle piece floors and a grand assortment of snacks, sprites, and soda. Campus Corner is the quintessential stop for students looking for something to quench their thirst or fill that tailgate need for a Natty Light. The prices aren’t fair, but not nearly as unfair as many of the other places around campus. In terms of quantity, Campus Corner basically has everything you would ever need. Countless nights have been saved by the ability to grab a few ping-pong balls from the Corner. Ice cream bars past midnight would not be an option without the Corner. A quick six pack for the weekend or a granola bar on your way to class? The Corner has you covered. I think it’s worth taking a minute to consider the aesthetic of such an enterprise as well. Most liquor stores feel about the same — they don’t smell great, they’re a little bit sticky and everyone looks like they want to get in and out as fast as possible. Not so at the Corner. The windowless interior could feel like a prison, but somehow contributes to the feel of a comforting neighborhood corner store instead. The cashiers are always extremely friendly and the game is always on. For all of your needs and a few of your vices, Campus Corner is only a block away. FILE PHOTO / DAILY

— Ian Harris, Daily Arts Writer

Best Apartment: Zaragon Of all the new lofts and apartment buildings that have sprung up in Ann Arbor in the past decade, Zaragon stands out among the rest. Zaragon Place, tucked just between the Ross School of Business and the Diag on East University, is a winning combination of luxury and practicality. The building even houses its own mini-grocery store — one of the only places in town you can pop into for fresh fruits, veggies and Zingerman’s bread. Also accessible from the ground floor is a small café, perfect for a lunch or a cup of coffee before heading off to class. The actual layout and furnishing of the apartments is also superb: All the lofts come furnished, so you don’t have to worry as much about supplying your own. The kitchen amenities are all new and topnotch, with enough counter space and cupboard space for any type of cooking or entertaining. The units in the building come in all shapes and sizes, set with anywhere from four to six bedrooms. All in all, Zaragon is a great choice for anyone looking for luxurious, convenient and close to the action. — Stephen Satarino, Daily Film Editor ALICE LIU / DAILY

Best Nightlife: Rick’s Rick’s American Cafe is the equivalent of a bumper sticker that says “I went out one night in Ann Arbor and all I got was this stupid hangover.” This is the place to get drunk, dance with some strangers and wake up the next morning to a flurry of texts asking how last night went. The unique thing about Rick’s is that it functions both as Ann Arbor’s premiere college bar and a test of character. If you manage to brave the line (arguably a club in its own right), fend off people you’d prefer not to acknowledge once inside and catch the bartender’s eye for a drink, know that you’ve completed a major feat. Rick’s encapsulates what a college bar is, really. It’s loud, dark and crowded, the logical next-step after frat parties run their course. It’s situated on South U — the seedier, more exciting area of nightlife in Ann Arbor — and boasts $1 well drinks on Thursdays. It shares a name with the locale where Rick and Ilsa come together in “Casablanca” (because Ann Arbor is a town of culture, damnit). Even if you hate going out, come to Rick’s to have one wild night before you graduate — just to say you did. Pregame at a friend’s, talk it out at Mash, then hit Rick’s and leave it all on the dance floor. ALICE LIU / DAILY

— Jack Brandon, Managing Arts Editor

Best Brewery: Grizzly Peak Grizzly Peak may be one of the friendliest places in Ann Arbor. It’s nestled on the corner of Washington and Ashley Streets, as if the brewery itself is welcoming you downtown. Grizzly Peak’s historic building space, casual atmosphere and top-notch menu land it in that sweet spot between super chill and quite nice (the burgers are adorned with chimichurri aioli on artisan rolls). Honestly, it’s the perfect place to take your parents. The most charming element of this place, though, is that they brew their own craft beer in-house (the Victor’s Gold lager is the perfect 2 p.m., outside on the sun, feet-on-the-table brew). They serve it in the restaurant but also in the basement, which just so happens to be The Old German, Grizzly Peak’s cozy cellar bar with an extensive beer menu and free popcorn. Whether you’re dining upstairs with your family or crawling downstairs to weather the night with some pals, the whole Grizzly Peak circuit is here for you. ALICE LIU / DAILY

— Verity Sturm, Daily Book Review Editor

Best Burger: Frita Batidos I’m not the obvious candidate to write a blurb about Ann Arbor’s “Best Burger.” I am, after all, a vegetarian, and have been for essentially the entire time I’ve lived in Ann Arbor. So maybe not the best qualified to judge the delectability of a beef sandwich. But I have something else to offer, something less orthodox that maybe someone without my background wouldn’t think to mention. The Black Bean Burger. Frita Batidos might be best known for their other menu items, but their Black Bean Burger has to be hands-down the most delicious vegetarian beef burger-alternative I’ve run into over my time in Michigan. Everything about it is done just right — the seasoning, the thickness, the texture. It obviously doesn’t hurt that, like all their burgers, it’s stuffed full with shoestring fries of just the right crispiness. Add a fried egg to top it off and it’s a sandwich unlike any other. It’s good enough that I’ve been inspired to try replicating it at home, always to disappointing effect. I don’t know what it is, but there’s something about theirs that I just can’t do myself. And I suppose that’s the charm of it. There’s only one place you can find that burger in the whole world, and that place is Frita Batidos. — Dayton Hare, Daily Arts Writer

EVAN AARON / DAILY

Best Bar: Charley’s Located at one of the busiest corners of South University — a hub for food, entertainment and nightlife — sits Good Time Charley’s, an energetic environment where food, friends, sports and drinks come together. Best known for its bar scene and drink menu, Good Time Charley’s is a student’s go to destination for the classic “fishbowl”. Ranging in flavors from the “California Beach Party” to “Purple Rain” these actual fishbowl-sized beverages are the focal point of at least half of students’ Instagram accounts. Besides this social media photo op, Charley’s caters to entertainment as much as its extensive menu pleases the largest of crowds. From Karaoke Night on Tuesdays to various trivia events, there is no shortage of activity to pair with your burger, fries or drink. Whether it’s to share a colorful fishbowl with friends or to sip it all yourself, Charley’s classic menu, indoor and outdoor seating and range of activities for any day of the week ultimately offers a space of gathering for students and Ann Arbor locals alike. — Margaret Sheridan, Daily Arts Writer SARAH KUNKEL / DAILY

Best Ice Cream: Blank Slate After having won Best Ice Cream in Ann Arbor two years in a row, Blank Slate Creamery needs little introduction. The family-owned shop uses only fresh ingredients from local vendors and farms to craft its superb ice cream, an effort which results in mind-blowing f lavor and creaminess. With creative f lavors to choose from like Lavender Lemon Honey and Blueberry Pancake, in addition to your favorite classics, it’s no wonder the line at Blank Slate often stretches out the door. A selection of vegan and gluten-free f lavors ranging from Cookies and Cream to Matcha are also available. Although the outstanding ice cream itself is enough to satisfy the most adept ice cream aficionados, Blank Slate goes the extra mile by making its own waff le cones on-site daily. There’s nothing like walking through the door and being surrounded by the heavenly smell of waff le cones being made. As a freshman coming to campus for the first time, Blank Slate made Michigan feel just like home. With unparalleled taste, welcoming employees, and an overall wonderful atmosphere, Blank Slate is definitively the go-to place for ice cream. CARTER FOX / DAILY

— Sophie Waslowski, Daily Arts Writer

Best Vegan/Vegetarian Food: The Lunch Room Between its adorable exposed-brick facade, twinkle-light terrace and overall vibrance (the food! the colors!), The Lunch Room’s Instagram notoriety is, quite frankly, deserved. The place is happy, full of natural light and smiling service. The servers will say stuff like “here’s your yung Pad Thai” and compliment your cigarette case. And there are free postcards! Aside from the service and aesthetics, though, the Lunch Room is actually delicious. It’s the sort of place that inspires loyalty to a specific order (I always get the Taco ‘Bout It Salad, MAE Arya Naidu always gets the Pad Thai), but it’s because each entree is simply good enough to recruit a fan base of its own. Each dish is crafted from scratch with organic ingredients sourced locally. And in response to requests, The Lunch Room began uploading their recipes online so that you too can learn to craft creative, tasty vegan cuisine. This place is so wholesome — The Lunch Room really just wants you to have an awesome meal made up of the food you can eat.

— Verity Sturm, Daily Book Review Editor

DARBY STRIPE / DAILY

Best Sandwich: Zingerman’s Recently voted one of America’s best delis and one of America’s best Jewish delis, it’s no surprise that Zingerman’s Deli in Kerrytown has the best sandwich in town. Zingerman’s is the type of place that you think might be overrated — it’s all anyone from Ann Arbor talks about, can it really be that good? Actually, it can, and it is, and in fact it’s even better than you could imagine. No matter what you get on your sandwich at Zingerman’s, it’s going to be the best you’ve ever had. Go classic with the Zingerman’s Reuben and eat like a president, as this sandwich is Obama’s meal of choice. Want to eat like a multibillion dollar celebrity instead? Check out Oprah’s favorite, a #97 Lisa C’s Boisterous Brisket packed with hand-pulled beef brisket and housemade BBQ sauce. Add bacon to a Thad’s ‘Yes I Can!’ (my personal favorite) for a sandwich you’ll see in your dreams and, if you’re feeling really bold, ask for some pastrami between two latkes instead of bread. Yes, Zingerman’s will do this for you and yes, it is life-changing. If your mouth is watering reading this, as mine is writing this, it may be time for a trip down to Zingerman’s, the best damn sandwich in town. — Samantha Della Fera, Senior Arts Editor FILE PHOTO / DAILY

Best Pizza: Mani Michigan has a lot of great things to offer: a good education, delicious donuts and a beautiful autumn season. Yes, Michigan is an expert in so many things — but pizza is not one of them. As a New Jersey Italian, I was hesitant to eat out in Ann Arbor, mourning the loss of my favorite cuisine. Then, during my visit to the University for Campus Day, I ventured into a promising-looking place called Mani Osteria — and was blown away. In Italy, an osteria is a place that serves wine and simple food. While Mani offers more than just wine (the Dolce Vita, a cocktail containing gin, limoncello, prosecco and blackberry/ginger syrup, is joy contained in a champagne flute), they’ve mastered the art of simple yet exceptional food, and the pizza is the star. The cipollini is a personal favorite — a beautiful symphony of mozzarella, bacon, roasted arugula and balsamic. For the less adventurous members of your group, the margherita and pepperoni pie are classics brought to a never-before found level. It may be hard to find a decent slice of pizza in Michigan, but at Mani Osteria, every bite makes you feel like you’re in Rome, eating with the locals. KATELYN MULCAHY / DAILY

— Samantha Della Fera, Senior Arts Editor

Best Mediterranean Food: Jerusalem Garden Packed with culinary destinations, it is easy to get lost in the ranging variety of options for food on Liberty Street. When wandering down this savvy part of town, many locations stick out, but when it comes to Ann Arbor’s best spot for Mediterranean food, look no further than Jerusalem Garden. With reasonable prices, cozy seating and the freshest tabouli, Jerusalem Garden simply cannot be beat when it comes to quality, companionship and all around authentic food. Founded upon family recipes, the hummus, falafel, sandwiches, and of course baklava are all classics on the menu, one that Ann Arbor locals and visitors alike continue to come back to. From the tabouli and hummus sandwich to the chicken shawarma, no matter how many times I stop into Jerusalem Garden, I know I can always try something new — and it will never fail to disappoint Jerusalem Garden’s food is always fresh, well prepared and served with a smile, so it’s no wonder it has become a place for gathering all in the name of quality company and culinary appreciation. And even if you can’t make it into the warm space on Liberty Street, Jerusalem Garden catering services make every event. No matter where you are, it’s always prime time for Jerusalem Garden — the extensive menu and commitment to quality is one that can satisfy the tongue of every culinary connoisseur. — Margaret Sheridan, Daily Style Editor

MAX KUANG / DAILY

Best Indian Food: Cardamom Always bustling on Plymouth Road, Cardamom houses the best Indian food within a fifty-mile radius of Ann Arbor. I’m of Bengali heritage and have tried almost every Indian restaurant in the metro-Detroit area. Not surprisingly, the vast majority of them fall into the same mold: oil. I can’t count the number of times I’ve ordered a dish and seen droplets of oil floating in the gravy, a part of the curry that’s traditionally filled with spices and minimal fat. Yes, it might taste good, but it’s not the real deal. Cardamom replaces this excess oil with something much better: flavor. Of the large selection at Cardamom, I always gravitate towards the same handful of dishes: the momos (steamed dumplings with a mouthwatering dipping sauce), bhindi masala (an okra curry with fine chopped tomatoes), and chicken tikka (marinated, spiced chicken breast). If you’re sharing with others, try the bread basket filled with different varieties of nans (stuffed, fluffy breads). An added plus: Cardamom is incredibly friendly for individuals with food restrictions (my nut allergies have never been a problem, and they usually are with Indian cuisine). Vegans, vegetarians, meateaters alike — try it! — Trina Pal, Senior Arts Editor

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Best Asian Food: Tomukun Nestled between a yoga studio and one of Ann Arbor’s many hipster coffee shops, there sits Tomukun, a cozy noodle bar and a bustling Korean barbeque restaurant. Ever busy, Tomukun’s noodle bar boasts a fiery energy that welcomes its diners into the tight space, servers swinging in and out with large bowls of ramen and steaming plates of pork buns. Speaking of the pork buns, these appetizers melt in your mouth and make you rethink what it means to be “tasty.” Contrasted against the sweet bun with the bite of a pickled vegetable, there really isn’t anything more comforting on a winter’s day, except maybe the butter corn ramen. On the other side of the room, the restaurant’s vibe sharpens as chopsticks fly and meat is seared. On any given night, you could walk by Tomukun and see hordes of people living it up and having some Korean barbeque. It’s a bonding experience – a shared stove, small side dishes and good conversation all make for a great evening out on the town. From rice dishes to an eccentric cook-you-own-meat experience, Tomukun offers a variety of options for everyone’s Asian food hankering all in its little corner on East Liberty. —Emma Chang, Senior Arts Editor

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Best Sushi: Sadako The great irony of being broke is that, generally, it puts you in the know of the finer things in life. Sure, others may have deep-flowing pockets lined with their parents’ money, but what those pockets are devoid of is desperation. This desperation, most often manifesting itself in the form a sub-$5 account balance, has led me to many great discoveries. My most recent desperation-driven discovery has been Sadako. Located on the final stretch of South University before Frat Country, Sadako is not only easy to find and travel to, but their fantastic prices are particularly noteworthy. Yes, I paid only four dollars and 64 cents for two sushi rolls. At other locations, the same order could cost someone upwards of $14. I was pleasantly surprised to find that I, a simple college student, had discovered the Holy Grail of dining: Cheap yet high-quality sushi that won’t tear up my insides! All jokes aside, Sadako does not rank amongst the Best of Ann Arbor solely for its pricing — its engaging staff, craveable food and ambiance work in conjunction to give customers a memorable experience.

— Ally Owens, Daily TV Editor

Best Yoga: aUM Yoga aUM yoga, founded in 2013 by University alum Jessie Lipkowitz, has been serving as a haven for busy and stressed out students at the University for 5 years, starting first in a basement studio off State Street before moving to its current studio on South University. The studio’s aesthetic yet simple space offers a beautiful place for University students and non-University students alike to harness and share their communal energy through yoga practice. aUM offers a wide variety of classes for students and drop-ins to choose from, in addition to community events and yoga teacher training. In any given week, students can choose to sweat it out in three levels of Vinyasa, slow it down with Yin or get in touch with their inner wild sides with a Primal Movement Class. aUM caters to the community, offering a semester-long scholarship that covers a premium class package to a select couple of students each term. The studio also offers specialty workshops, providing a space for people to practice inversions and other demanding poses with guidance from instructors. Some of the very unique things aUM yoga offers are community-wide events. Recently, aUM had a clothing swap, where all proceeds and extra clothes went to Safe House, a local organization which supports survivors of domestic violence and assault. aUM is a prominent force in the community, going beyond the yoga practice and studio to create a sense of a loving community outside of the studio and on the University campus. — Isabelle Hasslund, Daily Community Culture Editor

Voted n Best India u, Thank yo Daily Michigan readers!