Vegan Week - Day 4

Squash soup with ciabatta toasts.

Well, it wasn't the most exciting start to the day's menu, but breakfast was a simple 'n' sweet pb&j (the "j" was raspberry jam) with a side of applesauce. Some protein, some fruit, something substantial to last the morning.

I had a lunch meeting today with my friend Carolyn, whom I've known practically since I arrived in town two years ago, and my new friend Whitney; we were discussing the upcoming Mobile Meals Chili Cook-Off, so I can write a preview story about the event. We'd originally picked a different place, but then I blundered into this little vegan adventure. So we switched to Grumpy's precisely so I could order a very specific menu item: the Homemade Sweet Potato Vegan Burger.

Homemade Sweet Potato Vegan Burger at Grumpy's in Toledo.

The burger was huge, and the avocado made it slippery, but it tasted good! And avocado, of course, contains the so-called "good" fats. This was fun food, rather than the sterile stereotype of vegan fare.

Personally, I'd have served regular ol' potato chips instead of the kale chips, since they'd be vegan if they only had potatoes, oil, and salt. (Or, even better, salt and freshly ground black pepper ... ooh!) Please note that this is not a criticism of Grumpy's, which I love; rather, it is an indictment of kale. I can eat it, though when it's made into chips it reminds me of little wisps of burnt paper floating away from a bonfire. Kale chips ... potato chips. Which would you choose???

Having had such a generous lunch (of course, I ate the garlicky dill pickle, too!), I only needed a light dinner. So I made a squash soup with a splash of hard apple cider, and I served it with a couple of lightly-toasted ciabatta toasts.

Dessert was one I'd anticipated all week, but had to wait for. Craig eats bananas when they've still got some green on them, when they're not even ripe. I eat them when they're just starting to speckle. I cook with them when they've got a few more spots, and I bake with them when they're close to mush.

Bourbon and Brown Sugar Bananas with Toasted Coconut.

So, to get a better caramelization, I couldn't make this dish until the bananas had reached the perfect point of ripeness ... and today was the day! (This dessert was going to be my reward, last night, for filing Tuesday's feature story for the Food page; but it was better to wait 'til today, to make dinner seem less sparse.)

A pat of butter substitute, a splash of bourbon, a sprinkle of brown sugar, and some crispy toasted coconut - such simple ingredients, but such fabulous flavors to pair with the fruit! And don't forget the chocolate syrup which, believe it or not, is vegan. Not a speck of milk or whey or any other dairy product to be found!

So, the lesson for today is this: you don't need to eat anything elaborate, sophisticated, or complicated to enjoy good food. And you can still eat hearty food and sweet treats while eating as a vegan.


Squash Soup with Ciabatta Toasts

1 12-ounce package frozen squash
1/2 cup vegetable stock
1/2 cup hard apple cider
1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
2 slices ciabatta bread
Earth Balance butter substitute

Place the squash, stock, cider, applesauce, salt, and pepper into a medium saucepan; bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Stir until squash is defrosted and soup is thoroughly heated.

Toast the bread, then spread with butter substitute.

Yield: 2 servings
Source: Mary Bilyeu


Bourbon and Brown Sugar Bananas with Toasted Coconut

2 tablespoons shredded coconut
1/2 tablespoon Earth Balance butter substitute
2 tablespoons bourbon
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 large banana
Chocolate syrup

Toast the coconut over low heat in a small skillet until just golden; set aside.

In the same skillet, melt the butter substitute, bourbon, and brown sugar together over medium-low heat. Slice the banana in half cross-wise, then slice each piece in half vertically. Place the banana pieces into the skillet and cook briefly on each side, just until golden.

Place the banana onto a serving plate, being sure to pour the caramelized syrup from the skillet over the fruit. Drizzle with syrup, then top with coconut.

Yield: 1 serving
Source: Mary Bilyeu

Frugal Floozie Friday - Uptown Coney Island

After a day of thrift shopping, Craig and I needed a bit of sustenance. We were near Uptown Coney Island, so decided to stop there for dinner; a bit of comfort food, and a menu with a great deal of variety, sounded ideal.

You don't go to a diner for healthy options, so I didn't even bother looking at the array of salads. I ordered the Grilled Ham and Cheese pictured above, which came with pickles and chips for $4.99. A plain grilled cheese - triple stacked with your choice of American. Swiss, or Cheddar - costs $3.99. Or you could indulge in the classic BLT for $4.99.

A small order of the Chili Cheese Fries costs $3.29; a large costs $3.99. These were really good, as the fries were nice and crispy and held up to the chili. Often the fries are neglected in this dish (yes, I've tried enough samples to be able to discuss this!), since they're just getting buried anyway. But it's infinitely better when the fries are sturdy instead of soggy.

Craig ordered the Coney Island because, of course, it's what these places do best! A single costs $1.99, and the Coney Special - topped with seasoned ground beef, chili, mustard, and onions - can be enjoyed for $2.99. Add fries, cole slaw, or soup for $1.59, or add cheese for 39 cents. The onion rings cost $3.49, ordered separately.

There are other options at Uptown Coney Island that qualify for our mandatory $5 per person Frugal Floozie Friday budget: a Cheese Quesadilla costs $4.99; soup is available for $1.99 (cup) or $2.99 (bowl); and chili for $2.29 (cup) or $3.09 (bowl). A cheeseburger costs $4.99.

Breakfast also offers many inexpensive choices: a cheese omelette for $4.79; a cinnamon roll for $2.39; a bagel with cream cheese for $2.29; or a short stack of pancakes with either blueberries or pecans for $4.49. The Bagel Breakfast - two eggs with bacon or ham or sausage, a choice of cheese, and hash browns - costs only $3.99. And Donna's Biscuits & Sausage Gravy with hash browns or two eggs is only $4.99.

And, of course, don't forget dessert; options range from baklava for $1.99 to slices of pie ($2.99-3.99), homemade Rice Pudding for $2.29 to the Brownie Delight (a sundae) for $3.59.

A very friendly, welcoming place with good food for good prices, Uptown Coney Island is definitely worth a visit!

Uptown Coney Island
3917 Jackson Road
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
734-665-5909
Monday - Saturday: 7 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Sunday: 7 a.m. - 4 p.m.



View Larger Map

Frugal Floozie Friday - Mary's Fabulous Chicken and Fish

As with so many restaurants around town, I'd driven past Mary's Fabulous Chicken and Fish dozens of times, always thinking, "I need to try that place!" Not only does it bear my name, but how many times do I use superlatives like "fabulous"? Just as there is undoubtedly a drinking game that encourages a swig every time Guy Fieri says "Winner, winner, chicken dinner" on "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives," when I get my own show on the Food Network there will be a drinking game - sips of coffee only, though; I can't condone anything stronger - associated with my effusive adjectives.

But I digress ....

Jeremy and I went out to lunch on our first really truly Spring-y day recently, with no coats, sunglasses on, windows open. And as we drove past Mary's, we decided the time had come to try it.

The menu is fairly extensive, with many family-friendly dinner packages available. There are also frugal options that meet our mandatory $5 per person budget.

Jeremy ordered the cheesesteak hoagie, asking for no peppers (which he loathes), for $4.99. A foot-long sandwich, it was generously filled with meat and was a hearty lunch.

I ordered the two-piece chicken luncheon special, also for $4.99, which offered chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy, cole slaw, and a roll. It was a good-sized lunch, with all the traditional fixin's.

Other options that come in under the $5 budget are a two-piece fish plate with fries for $4.99, a ten-piece order of chicken nuggets for $2.89, and a variety of chicken snacks - mix 'n' match wings, thighs, or breasts - ranging in price from $2.59-$3.95. You can even choose a large order of gizzards (which was selected for take-out as we ate) for $3.99.

There's a table to sit at; but the bulk of the business is clearly take-out, as four different orders were placed and filled as Jeremy and I sat and enjoyed our meal.

Mary's does make good chicken, and it's worth stopping by to get some.

Mary's Fabulous Chicken and Fish
3220 Packard
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
734-971-5703
CASH ONLY



View Larger Map

Frugal Floozie Friday - Satchel's BBQ

On a recent rainy, cold, dreary afternoon, Craig and I went in search of some good ol'-fashioned comfort food. And for frugal prices - within our mandatory budget of $5 per person - we found precisely what we sought at Satchel's BBQ.

I decided to try something a bit off the proverbial beaten path, so I ordered Satchel's Stew - "smoked chicken & pork, corn, okra in a tomato broth" - that comes with a large slice of cornbread for $5. I spooned the stew over the cornbread, which made for a very filling meal; I even brought half of the stew home with me, and it made an exceptional breakfast one morning. (Everyone else loves breakfast for dinner; I like that too, but I adore dinner leftovers for breakfast!) Accented with some of the vinegar sauce that's available at each table - there are four different varieties of barbecue sauce to choose from - it was rich and spicy and very good.

Craig went for the classic pulled pork sandwich for exactly $5; the photo doesn't do it justice in showing how generous the portion of meat is. Tender and smoky, the sandwich was so good that Craig - who can be a picky eater, so his favorites should really feel complimented! - commented on how exceptional it was.

There are several frugal options to enjoy, including a pulled chicken sandwich. Side dishes cost $1.25 each; you could easily choose four of the options - cole slaw, potato salad, macaroni and cheese, baked beans, greens, or beans and rice - and make a meal from them. Or you can order a pint of any side dish for only $4, if you want to focus solely on one item.

The service at Satchel's was very friendly, and we were welcomed not only by the staff but also by the amazing aroma when we walked in. So for hearty food at reasonable prices, try Satchel's BBQ soon.


Satchel's BBQ
3035 Washtenaw Ave.
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
734-971-5100
Monday - Sunday: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.



View Larger Map

Frugal Floozie Friday - Roy's Squeeze Inn

 

I had driven by Roy's Squeeze Inn so many times, but never managed to stop in. That's too bad, because it offers wonderfully friendly service, good food, and amazing prices. Thus, it is today's Frugal Floozie Friday feature!

Virtually every item - with the exception of a few of the burgers and the family-sized side orders - qualifies for our mandatory budget of $5 per person. So you could share the generous larger servings of fries, if you want to; but you can also get a meal for yourself within the price range.

I ordered the BBQ Pork Sandwich, pictured above, for $3.70. It was the size of a large burger, and - I was very pleased to find out - came topped with the cole slaw so that it wasn't necessary to place an extra order to put this together myself. I also wanted to see how generous the side dishes were, and found that the curly fries were a perfect single serving at $2.15. If you're just in the mood for a salty snack, they're ideal.

Craig chose the Quarter Cheese Squeeze burger that cost $3.70, and paired it with onion rings that also made for a nice-sized single serving, if you were to order them alone, for $2.20.

Roy's is quaint and old-fashioned with a semi-circular counter and cute tchotchkes; but Craig and I were the only ones who chose to eat in the restaurant on the evening that we visited. I was impressed to see at least a half-dozen customers come in for take-out orders, and found the service to be tremendously friendly as well as efficient.

Vegetarians will have to make do with the side dishes, from potato wedges to fried mushrooms, as well as the options listed above. Carnivores, however, will be able to eat very well for very little money. "Sandwiches," as the menu calls them, range from hot dogs to ham sandwiches (with or without cheese) and also a chicken sandwich; prices range from $1.30 to only $4.

And then there are the burgers, from Little Squeeze sliders costing a mere $1.15 each to the half-pound Big Squeeze for $4.95. You can also add toppings - extra cheese, crispy bacon, jalapeno peppers, grilled mushrooms, cole slaw, or chili - for as little as 40 cents and as much as $1.50.

So sort through the various permutations and eat very well at Roy's for less than $5!

Roy's Squeeze Inn
1315 E. Michigan Ave.
Ypsilanti, MI 48198
734-485-3999
Monday - Saturday: 10 a.m.- 10 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.



View Larger Map

Frugal Floozie Friday - Happy's Pizza

A reader named Ken Calcut wrote to me last week, noting that "Catholics who are observing Lent have to eat fish on Fridays." He asked if, perhaps, I might "want to do a Frugal Fish Friday?"

Well, as a girl who spent 13 years in Catholic schools, I spent much of my life eating fish on Fridays. And two years ago, before starting my frugal series, I offered weekly Lenten Friday posts of non-meat dishes.

So Craig and I ordered take-out from Happy's Pizza to honor Ken's request, finding the generous Filet of Fish sandwich pictured above and also a seafood pizza. Both can be enjoyed within our mandatory budget of $5 per person.

Craig is not usually a fan of fish sandwiches, so I had expected to eat this myself while he ate most of the pizza. I was wrong - he liked this so much that he split it with me. Crisp fish topped with cheese, with tartar sauce, and with lots of vegetables - so you can tell yourself that it's healthy! - was substantial and cost only $4.95.

The small seafood pizza, which measures 10" across, costs $8.95; its thick crust is topped with Black Tiger shrimp, onions, mushrooms, and banana peppers, in addition to lots of cheese. Even just half of it turned out to be very filling - Jeremy was very pleased to be the recipient of leftovers, and he specifically stated to me that those three slices were "more than enough" for a meal.

Happy's has numerous offerings to keep both carnivores and vegetarians satisfied within our budget. You can order a small cheese pizza, a cheeseburger or chicken burger, a large serving of macaroni and cheese, or a half-pound of boneless wings for $4.95. Or try the Spicy Polish Boy - "2 Spicy Hot Links with fries & slaw smothered in BBQ sauce" - which also costs $4.95. One piece of fish costs $2.50, and can be paired with a side dish of cole slaw or fries (plain, BBQ or Cajun) for prices ranging from 95 cents to $2.50. Desserts are all less than $4 each. And, of course, you can order larger pizzas and share them with family and friends.

So whether you're looking for an alternative to fish sticks on a Lenten Friday, or you don't feel like cooking and want good food and a good value, Happy's Pizza is the place to go.


Happy's Pizza
600 S. Main Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
734-302-0000


View Larger Map

Frugal Floozie Friday - Mark's Midtown Coney Island

Mark's Midtown Coney Island - a friendly neighborhood standby - is today's Frugal Floozie Friday feature. Sure the coney dogs are great, and Craig thoroughly enjoyed going for the classic. But there are lots of other foods to enjoy that also fit within our mandatory budget of $5 per person.

I branched out to the soup 'n' sandwich plate for $4.99, which brought a cup of the daily soup - a bright, creamy Lemon Rice that offered just enough tartness to make it seem light despite being so rich - along with a half Turkey and Swiss that was absolutely stuffed. This was far more substantial than I'd expected, and I enjoyed every bite.

Several of the sandwiches - from Grilled Ham and Cheese to Egg Salad to a B.L.T. to a Patty Melt - come in at under $5 each. The coneys, of course, are a great deal: a single costs only $2.09. Or get the Coney Island Special, adding loose ground beef to your dog, which costs only $3.19. All but one of the burgers (the Italian Burger) cost less then $5, and you can even embellish them with an onion roll for 50 cents or extra cheese for 45 cents. And if you just want a snack, some consummate comfort food like Chili-Cheese Fries costs a mere $3.29.

Breakfast Specials offer a tremendous value as well, from eggs to the Breakfast Sandwich to a Short Stack; even Pancakes and Eggs - "Two pancakes or two French toast, two eggs, choice of one: bacon, ham or sausage" - costs only $4.99, just squeaking under the limit. But the prices get even better if you come in between 6-11 a.m. Monday-Friday, which is when Mark's offers extra special deals on this portion of the menu.

Even as good as our entrees were, I would have to say that the rice pudding - for a mere $2.29 - was the star of the show; Craig said it was the best version he's ever eaten. Dense rather than overly creamy, subtly flavored rather than doused in cinnamon as many can be, this was a perfect serving to share as it was very generous.

So, if you're looking for friendly staff, good food, and great values, go visit Mark's Midtown Coney Island!


Mark's Midtown Coney Island
Ann Arbor North
3586 Plymouth Rd.
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105
734-998-0067



View Larger Map

Grilled Cheese Sloppy Joe Sandwiches

I hadn't eaten Sloppy Joes for ages, until very recently. Remarkably, there was a bit of the filling left over - how'd that happen? That never happens!

But this time, it did.

Sure, I could've made one more of the same ol' same ol' ... but why? Why not spiff it up a bit, make it extra ooey, gooey, messy, and delicious?

And thus, the Grilled Cheese Sloppy Joe Sandwich!


Grilled Cheese Sloppy Joe Sandwich

2 slices sourdough bread
schmear of brown mustard, to taste
very thin slices of red onion, to taste
2 slices Pepper Jack cheese
2/3 cup leftover Sloppy Joe beef

Schmear butter on outsides of bread; lay butter-side down onto a plate. Schmear insides of bread with mustard, and top with cheese and onion.

Spread beef onto one piece of bread, then carefully top with the other piece to make the sandwich.

Heat a skillet over medium heat and grill the sandwich for several minutes per side until the outside is golden and the cheese has melted.

Makes 1 large sandwich.

Frugal Floozie Friday - Quickie Burger Bar and Grill

I got out of work early one afternoon recently, so Craig and I went on a lunch date to the Quickie Burger Bar and Grill, today's Frugal Floozie Friday feature. Easy to find, in its signature maize 'n' blue, both the sun and the parking gods shone upon us as we found a spot for the car just across the street from the restaurant.

There are many options on the menu that qualify for our mandatory $5 per person budget. The 1/3-pound Minor Cheeseburger costs $5, and comes topped with lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions, the Secret Quickie Sauce, and a choice of cheese. Hot dogs, Italian sausage, and bratwurst range in price from $2.50-$4. Vegetarians can have homemade macaroni and cheese or a grilled cheese sandwich for $3 each; hummus with pita chips or spinach-artichoke dip cost $4 each.

There is also a wide variety of side dishes, if you're just in the mood for a quick snack: fries, battered mushrooms, jalapeno poppers, and mozzarella sticks all range from $2.50-$4. Shakes cost $3.50, malts cost $4, and each comes in a variety of flavors from the expected chocolate to the decadent Reese's Pieces or brownie or cookie dough (and many more).

Craig ordered the excellent grilled chicken sandwich which just exceeded our mandatory Frugal Floozie Friday budget, and we shared the crisp, freshly prepared beer-battered onion rings, which cost only $3.50. The restaurant's owner, who had greeted us very cheerfully and was patient as we sorted through our many dining options, recommended a special spicy sauce his wife prepares, which was a perfect complement to this treat.

I also chose the Double Egg, Sausage and Cheese Sandwich - two fried eggs, a sausage patty, and cheese all on a whole wheat bun that made me feel more virtuous than I should have. At $4, this was a very good value for a hearty lunch, which I was able to enjoy even in the afternoon because breakfast is served all day.

For fast, very friendly service, free wi-fi, t.v., and lots of comfort food at a reasonable price, be sure to stop by Quickie Burger!

Quickie Burger Bar and Grill
800 S. State Street
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
734-222-4555
Sunday and Monday: 11 a.m. - 12 a.m.
Tuesday and Wednesday: 11 a.m. - 3 a.m.
Thursday - Saturday: 11 a.m. - 4 a.m.



View Larger Map

Frugal Floozie Friday at Chef Restaurant Mediterranean Grill

Jeremy and I had a great dinner the other night, stopping by a new place I hadn't known of that we just serendipitously drove by: Chef Restaurant Mediterranean Grill. The bright, friendly restaurant is tucked into a strip mall across the street from Eastern Michigan University. Its convenient location, coupled with its excellent prices, make it today's Frugal Floozie Friday feature.

We were greeted by a very warm and friendly hostess/waitress, who let us pick whichever table we wanted. As we perused the menu, it was clear that there were many items which would qualify for our mandatory frugal budget of $5 per person: soups, sandwiches, salads, desserts ... an entire array.

Jeremy chose the Fried Kibbe sandwich for a mere $3.75. Longer than a dinner fork, it was tightly wrapped and fully stuffed with a generous quantity of lamb and vegetables. Jeremy loved it, and I think was even tempted to order a second one simply because it was so good!

He also ordered a side of fries for $2.95, which would make a nice snack with a soda or juice. The small order was still quite a good size, so I can't imagine how much you'd get for the large one!

I decided to start with a cup of the lovely lentil soup, which cost $2.50. It was rich, but not heavy, and subtly spiced. It was a perfect serving if you were going to help your son to eat the copious quantity of french fries he'd ordered.

But I also heard the sandwiches calling to me, as Jeremy had, and ordered the Chicken Shawarma variety which cost $3.75. It was tender and garlicky, with crisp, fresh vegetables to complement the other flavors and textures.

The chef, who is originally from Lebanon and has an impressive background of international travel and culinary experience, came out to the dining area briefly and smiled happily as Jeremy and I told him how wonderful his food was. Our waitress then brought over a laptop, after watching me take the necessary pictures of our dinner, and showed gorgeous photos of elaborate displays that the chef has prepared. Had we ordered more expensive meals - none very highly priced, but more than our $5 budget would allow - our plates would have been works of art.

There are many vegetarian options at the Chef Restaurant, and everything we ate was fabulous. The next time you're craving Middle Eastern food, be sure to stop by and indulge for very reasonable prices!

Chef Restaurant Mediterranean Grill
1098 N. Huron River Dr.
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
734-544-1161
Monday - Friday: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Saturday: 12 - 9 p.m.
Sunday: closed



View Larger Map

Frugal Floozie Friday - The Brown Jug

The annual battle for the little brown jug is tomorrow: Michigan vs. Minnesota. They compete for the oldest trophy in college football, which is literally a jug whose value is indescribable to those of us who watch the games each year. It might not seem like much to outsiders to gain possession of an ancient, scruffy container! But we take great pride in winning it.

And so, in honor of this annual event, it only seemed fitting that today's Frugal Floozie Friday post should honor the tradition. Today, we visit an Ann Arbor institution: The Brown Jug!

This restaurant has been in Ann Arbor since 1938, and its walls are lined with pictures and miscellany relating to the Wolverines. Many people who've been in town for as many decades as I have remember it as a dark but convenient place to grab a burger and a beer. But both the dining room and the menu have been updated, and many options are available for those of us who are looking for frugal finds that cost $5 or less.

My very dear friend The Other Mary (each of us is "The Other Mary," by the way) joined me for my adventure, as neither of us had been to the Jug for years and years. Mary used to work there, back in the 70s, as a waitress; oh, the stories she can tell! It was a different time ....

But I digress ....

Mary and I looked over the surprisingly extensive menu and found so many options that would qualify, whether for individual portions or as split dishes, for our mandatory $5 per person budget. Like me, she's happy to share: you can try more foods, and you can avoid over-eating due to abundance and generosity of servings.

We started with the Feisty Feta, pictured above: "A mix of feta cheese, tomato puree, green onions and Serrano chili. Served with pita bread." It was creamy, spicy, and really delicious! At $4.99, it falls within our mandatory budget for one serving. But it was also a lot of food, so splitting it was a nice option that would allow for drinks or dessert or other dishes in addition to the appetizer.

Red's Grilled Chicken Sandwich was our next course: "Grilled chicken breast topped with lettuce, tomato, and mayo. Served on Ciabatta bread." This very large sandwich - which comes with potato chips and a pickle and costs only $6.99 (a mere $3.50 per person when you share it with a friend) - is named in honor of legendary hockey coach Red Berenson.

The Brown Jug offers many, many items which qualify for our budget: pizzas are readily shared, as are appetizers. Many of the latter are priced so well that you could even order them individually: fries or chips and salsa cost $3.99; and hummus, olive pate, tzatziki, saganaki, and fried cheese sticks are all $4.99. There are lots of vegetarian dishes, as well.

The menu is fun to peruse, especially for those of us who are familiar with the folks for whom items have been named. A sampler basket of jalapeno poppers, chicken tenders, onion rings, and cheese sticks honors former UM football player Braylon Edwards; and a Mediterranean salad pays tribute to Dhani Jones, t.v. star and former Wolverine.

Current football coach Brady Hoke receives acknowledgement in the Meat Lovers' Omelet. New England Patriots' quarterback and former UM star Tom Brady gets his tribute with a gyro sandwich. And even long-time rival Woody Hayes - infamous late coach of Ohio State - has a hot 'n' spicy Cajun chicken sandwich to remember him by (as though all the stories we still tell here in Ann Arbor aren't sufficient!).

For very friendly service, good food, excellent prices, and lots of memories and hero worship, stop by The Brown Jug for your next frugal meal.

The Brown Jug
1204 South University
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
734-761-3355




View Larger Map

Frugal Floozie Friday - Beezy's Cafe

Jeremy and I had a lovely lunch recently at Beezy's, on a beautiful fall day. I hadn't been there in ages, so it was good to have a chance to eat there again.

We were given a tremendous greeting by Jesse, who was wonderfully welcoming and friendly. In just the few minutes it took to place our order, we exchanged names, discussed fashion and thrift shops, and had a grand time!

Jeremy chose the Roasted Chicken Club sandwich for $6.95: "Sliced Amish chicken breast with bacon, tomato, red onion and spring greens with blue cheese pesto mayo."

The sandwich is huge and can easily be split, even among two hungry people. Jeremy - a 21-year-old male, among the world's heartiest eaters - could only finish half of it. And if you buy two bags of Michigan-made Better Made products for 99-cents each, this lunch would, indeed, be "all that and a bag of chips" for two people while staying within our mandatory Frugal Floozie Friday budget of $5 per person.

The air was just crisp enough (for me, anyway, since I'm always cold) that it warranted soup. So I ordered a bowl of the Creamy Chicken and Garlic soup for $3.50. As you can see, it was thick and rich with huge chunks of meat and carrots. Warm and delicious, this was a perfect antidote to the slight chill.

I also ordered a small Washington Street salad for $4.95; this offered "greens tossed in maple vinaigrette and topped with sliced roasted Amish chicken breast, sliced apple, raisins, and spiced pecans." In other words, it offered sweet and savory, tenderness and crunch, a variety of tastes and textures all on one plate.

Beezy's offers a number of options for vegetarians, and each of the salads is available in a small portion for less than $5. They promote Michigan products like the chips mentioned above, as well as Faygo sodas. The Redpops Jeremy and I each ordered were bright and fruity, and just seemed the perfect choice to complement our lunches.

For friendly service, good ol'-fashioned wholesome food, and a genuine feel for community - both in terms of being a gathering place and a supporter of both Ypsilanti and Michigan - Beezy's is the place to go!

Beezy's
20 N. Washington St.
Ypsilanti, MI 48197
734-485-9625
Monday - Saturday: 7 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.



View Larger Map

Frugal Floozie Friday - Pita Pita

Jeremy and I ran several errands recently, and decided afterwards - frankly, even before we were done - that we were hungry. We decided to stop in at Pita Pita.

I hadn't gone in looking for a Frugal Floozie Friday feature; I was just looking for lunch. But as Jeremy and I perused the menu, it was clear we'd serendipitously found ourselves a place to post about!

Just as Jeremy will order a Reuben if he sees it on a menu (with one exception: he will never again order what he deems the worst Reuben he's ever eaten, which he'll readily rant about if you just ask him about it!), I will order fattoush if I find it. It's so simple - just vegetables, toasted pita bits, and a light dressing - but it's so, so good! The sumac that is integral to the vinaigrette is what makes it perfect, with just a hint of sourness. I ordered the small portion for $3.95, and you can see that it was an enormous plateful! That alone could have kept me happy, but this was just a portion of my meal.

For $4.95 - just under our mandatory $5 per person Frugal Floozie Friday budget - I also ordered the large Sujok sandwich, filled with spicy Lebanese sausage, tomatoes, garlic sauce, and pickles. There is another sandwich listed on the menu with this very same description, the Mecanik Sausage sandwich; but our waiter very nicely explained that the Sujok is less intense, so I thought I'd give it a try. Jeremy doesn't like very spicy food, and this would give him a chance to taste the dish, too.

Sandwiches are easily a foot long, and can readily be shared; if you split the fattoush and a sandwich with a dining companion, you've still come in under budget and feasted on a generous quantity of fabulous food for a stellar price. The sausage was very flavorful, not at all lost among all the other tastes. And while Jeremy raved about his own sandwich, he liked the sausage so much that he actually debated trading the remaining halves so that we could each have a portion of both delicious treats.

Jeremy had ordered the beef shawarma, filled with tender beef, tomatoes, onions, pickles, and Tahini sauce. It, too, was an ideal balance of tastes and textures, with no one flavor overpowering the others. It was exceptionally good.

I had to ask for a take-out box, as I couldn't finish both the fattoush and my sandwich. As a waitress brought this to me, she asked if we'd like any rice pudding. Oh, it sounded wonderful! But there was no more room at the inn for dessert. She explained, though, that there was simply a large quantity still left, and she was generously offering to give some to us.

Scented with rose water, sprinkled with cinnamon, and drizzled with honey, the rice pudding was creamy and fragrant and wonderful! I had brought it with my lunch the next day, and enjoyed it at my desk after just warming it up slightly in the microwave. At $2.50, this is another great option for a treat that costs very little while offering enormous satisfaction.

Pita Pita's menu features hummus and bana ghannuje that cost $3.95 for small servings; six different salads that come in at under $4 for small sizes; 20 different sandwiches that cost less than $5 for large portions; and an extensive vegetarian menu. There are many, many options that will allow you to eat well for very little money!


Pita Pita
2649 Washtenaw
Ypsilanti, Michigan 48197
734-528-3333



View Larger Map