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Roadhouse News
Father's Day Brunch Specials
Sunday, June 18th 9am-2pm
It’s that time of year again! Father’s Day is coming soon- a time where we celebrate the importance of the father figures in our lives. All the amazing fathers in your life deserve an extra special brunch this year. It is time to let them sit back and enjoy a day of delicious eating. Fathers are so important and what is a better way to show appreciation for all that they do, than with a hearty meal?
Chef Bob Bennett has prepared mouthwatering specials like pasture-raised BBQ beef, smoked over oak, folded into a spiced creamy hash with sweet potatoes and peppers. Or, Chicken Fried Steak and Eggs, a tenderized pasture-raised sirloin, lightly breaded and smothered with smoked sausage gravy will bring on the smiles of a memorable Father’s Day.
We know fathers out there are taking much needed breaks from mowing the lawn, however, enjoy a Thyme to Mow the Lawn cocktail to accompany brunch. We are looking forward to seeing you on Father’s Day, Sunday, June 18th, 2023. Make your reservation now, before we fill up!
One for the Road
A special poem from server Stephannie!
On the first Thursday of every month, the Roadhouse holds a specials tasting for our staff so that they can learn the stories behind the food and how to guide our guests through the experience of enjoying these specials. It is also a time for our team to come together to share news and appreciate each other. One of the customs we started several years ago is something we call "One for the Road", where a staff member volunteers to share a story or sentiment about why they enjoy working at the Roadhouse.
For our April tasting, one of our servers, Stephannie, took her One for the Road opportunity to a new level buy creating an acrostic poem using the word Zingermans! It so accurately captured our work culture, that we had to share it here for all of you to enjoy:
Zany, hard-working people
Individuality, always celebrated
No detail left to chance
Genuinely there for everyone
Energizing, thought-provoking people
Resolute in our strive for growth and positivity
Motivating colleagues
Adamant in our beliefs
Neoteric ideas ever present
Smiling faces abound
Thank you Stephannie!
Try Our New Free Spirits!
Enjoy our list of non-alcoholic sippers
The RoHo Bar puts alot of love into their drinks, including their fantastic lineup of seasonal zero-proof drinks, or as we like to call them, Free Spirits! Each one is crafted using artisanal ingredients, housemade syrups, and a great deal of attention to refreshing and evocative flavors. Come by the bar or our dining room to enjoy any of our delicious alcohol-free beverages, including the Watermelon Agua Fresca, Strawberry Italian Soda, Peachy Dreams, Blueberry Smash?, or Red Drink.
Zingerman’s Roadshow
‘Showcase Drinks
Matcha Latté
A tea-based beverage that combine Rishi’s matcha tea powder and milk of choice. This is the perfect blend of a umami richness and a tannin structure. Served hot or iced.
Short $6.00 | Tall $7.00
Matcha Lemonade
Sip into Spring with our freshly-squeezed lemonade and Rishi’s matcha.
$6.50
About
Zingerman’s Roadhouse
The seventh member of Zingerman’s Community of Businesses, located in Ann Arbor, Mich., the Roadhouse opened in 2003 with the vision of bringing really good American food to the community, using only the best available ingredients. The Roadhouse has worked hard to create its own truly unique food culture, transforming high-quality ingredients into traditional, full-flavored dishes. Even after years of studying American foodways, the Roadhouse is only beginning to fully understand and appreciate our country’s regional food microcultures and subcultures, and the professionals who preserve them.
about
Our food
With chef Bob Bennett at the helm of the kitchen, and our staff’s dedication to service, the Roadhouse draws in regulars from all over, whether they’re coming from right down the block or making sure to pop in during their annual visit to Ann Arbor. Our guests have their favorites on our menu, dishes they come back for, time and time again. Why are they favorites? Because we use the highest quality ingredients and traditional methods to make them delicious and authentic. By spending time with artisans, chefs, food experts and historians, we learn about the stories behind the food we make and the best way to serve them. We also listen to your stories and recommendations about the food you love best!
What menu offerings do we hear about the most Buttermilk Fried Chicken, award-winning Mac ‘n Cheese made with Martelli artisan pasta, NOLA Gumbo, Nashville Hot Chicken, Cornmeal Fried Catfish, full-flavored burgers, Grits n’ Bits Waffles, and Donut Sundaes are just a few Roadhouse specialties that people look forward to every time they dine with us. Beyond these tried-and-true dishes, the Roadhouse is also a destination for really good BBQ!
Whole-hog pit fire
Our BBQ
In 2004, we welcomed BBQ pitmaster Ed Mitchell from Raleigh, North Carolina to help us design and build our 13-foot BBQ pit, located just outside the restaurant. Ed taught us the secrets to really good whole-hog Eastern North Carolina BBQ. His invaluable training has been passed along to continue in the hands of our current pitmaster, who continues to smoke the tender, full-flavored pork and beef we proudly serve. Many of our guests say it’s the best BBQ they’ve ever had!
Our Pork
The quality of the pork we bring in at the Roadhouse takes the flavor of our BBQ to a much higher level, and matches the traditional style we prepare it with. The story of our pork begins with Niman Ranch. Bill Niman and Paul Willis started up the pork division of Niman Ranch in 1994 with a mission to raise livestock traditionally, humanely and sustainably to produce the finest tasting meat in the world. We purchase our spare ribs from Niman Ranch because we prioritize high-quality ingredients. According to Iowa hog farmer Rex Thompson, “[Niman Ranch is] helping the small farmer be able to compete and stay in business. That has a trickle-down effect that keeps kids in a community, and then it helps the community with schools and businesses.”
In an effort to reduce our carbon footprint, the Roadhouse collaborated with Bill and Paul to source their hogs from two farms in Michigan. One of the small farm’s owners, David Yoder, has been selling Niman Ranch hogs directly to the Roadhouse for over 12 years from Homer, MI. These pasture-raised Old English breeds are the animals we use exclusively for our whole- hog pit barbecue. Whether they are Brookshire, Duroc or Chester White breeds, the hogs are smoked slowly for 14 hours over oak, giving our pork intense flavor.
Dine with us
Reservations
Celebrating a special occasion with us? The Roadhouse can order a cake for you from Zingerman’s Bakehouse with 48 hours notice! Just give us a call at 734.663.3663. If you plan on bringing your own dessert, we do charge a dessert fee of $2.00 per person. For private parties, contact our Events Team.
Call Us
734-663-3663 (FOOD)
Visit Us
2501 Jackson Ave., Ann Arbor, MI 48103
Email Us
Events
Special Events
Special Dinner: Spaghetti Western
Special Dinner: Spaghetti Western
Recognition
Awards
James Beard Finalist, Outstanding Hospitality 2020
James Beard Finalist, Outstanding Service 2019
James Beard Award, Best Chef Great Lakes 2011
Roadie Spotlight
Zingerman’s Staff
Meet the Team
The Roadhouse team is dedicated to providing the best service possible! We are a family here, and we are grateful for the opportunity to include you as part of our family. Our staff loves to serve you really good food and tell you the stories behind the food. Ask us about our favorites on the menu!
Bob Bennett
HEAD CHEF
Bob Bennett has been with Zingerman’s since 2002, and with the Roadhouse since it opened in 2003. Check that, since before it opened–he painted the walls of the restaurant, and has been here ever since. His dedication to the success of the Roadhouse is unparalleled. You can taste it in his food!
Lisa Schultz
MANAGING PARTNER
Lisa began working at Zingerman’s Roadhouse in 2004 as a server. She worked her way up to become the Restaurant Manager in 2013, and as of 2022 is the official Managing Partner of the Roadhouse! Lisa has played an integral role in creating the service culture of the Roadhouse. She has a passion for providing excellent service and a focus for helping the managers and staff be the best they can be everyday.
If you can
Give
The Zingerman’s Community of Businesses is featuring Ann Arbor Summer Festival as our Nonprofit Spotlight throughout May! We love A2SF for the unique lineup of artists, activities, and fun that they bring to our community each summer. We’re thrilled to support them once again and hope to see you there! Learn what makes this incredible organization so special at zcob.me/spotlight!
