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.



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Frugal Floozie Friday - Bell's Diner

Bell's Diner, today's Frugal Floozie Friday feature, is a place which - as it states on its menu - invites you to "Call it your home." Very friendly, it's a great place to go for breakfast, lunch, or just to find "good, homemade food in a casual and cheerful atmosphere." It's an Ann Arbor institution.

Many, many options qualify for our mandatory $5 per person budget, and it's really hard to choose among them! But since Craig and I were there in the early afternoon, I was feeling more inclined towards lunch than towards breakfast.

Thus, I ordered the Deluxe Cheeseburger, which offered a choice of American, Cheddar, Swiss, or Jack cheese and was served with either fries or onion rings. Most places charge extra for an option other than the potatoes, but this full plate of food fell perfectly within our limit at $4.99.

Craig ordered breakfast, as he's a traditional kinda guy when it comes to food and this was his first meal of the day. While his generously-filled plate snuck just above our limit to $5.29, you can order this entire meal without the hash browns - thus, "2 eggs with bacon, sausage, or ham and toast" - for a mere $4.59. It was so much food that Craig even shared some of the bacon to supplement my cheeseburger!

Some other choices include homemade sausage gravy with a biscuit for $3.59; two large pancakes with one egg for $4.29; or a three-egg cheese omelette served with toast for $4.59.

Regular sandwiches (served with potato chips, pickles, and cole slaw) that meet our budgetary limit include the grilled cheese, the egg salad, the BLT, the hot dog, and the Coney Island. Deluxe sandwiches (served with lettuce, fries or onion rings, cole slaw, and pickles) that qualify are the grilled cheese, the egg salad, and the hot dog.

All of the regular burgers (same terms as the sandwiches, above) are great frugal options; or you can order a deluxe hamburger or cheeseburger.

One of the many great aspects of Bell's is that it serves both diner food and also Korean classics. So you can even enjoy a six-piece plate of Mandoo - "seasoned vegetables wrapped in pasta and deep fried" - with sweet and sour sauce for only $3.99.

If you just want dessert and a cup of coffee, Bell's offers fresh pie for $2.49, or enjoy it a la mode for $3.49. A hot fudge sundae also costs $3.49.

Stop by Bell's for a warm welcome, a cozy atmosphere, and great food for very inexpensive prices!


Bell's Diner
2167 W. Stadium Blvd.
Ann Arbor, MI 48103
734-995-0226
Monday: 6:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Tuesday - Saturday: 6:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Sunday: 8 a.m. - 8:30 p.m.



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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.



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Frugal Floozie Friday - The Bread Basket Deli

Craig and I both grew up eating exceptional deli food - he in Southfield (a Detroit suburb with a large Jewish community, for those who don't know the area; it even has a kosher Dunkin' Donuts!) and me in New York City. We're kinda snobs about it.

Fortunately, Ann Arbor has a number of great delis, including today's Frugal Floozie Friday feature - The Bread Basket Deli.

There are so many sandwiches to choose from that easily come in under our $5 per person budget (and many of them are deli classics: pastrami, tongue, chopped liver). And yes, we're sharing today - the portions are so generous that a half sandwich is very filling and more than sufficient. Eat the entire thing, if you want to; but you'll certainly be satisfied with a more reasonable serving.

Craig and I split a regular corned beef on rye with a schmear of mustard, which cost $8.99. (A small sandwich is only $6.99.) Thinly sliced meat which was exceptionally tender, a good chewy bread with a crisp crust ... sigh. We both felt right at home, and happy.

We also split a small order of onion rings, which were nice and crunchy. A small order costs only $2.75, and could make a great snack or side dish.

Craig and I decided to enjoy some dessert, as well - a thick, dense slice of cheesecake for a mere $3.79. This is so rich that it could have been a single-serve lunch! It was definitely an ideal portion to share with a loved one. Dry, almost crumbly - as a proper New York cheesecake should be - and not too sweet, this was a fabulous indulgence.

All of the Bread Basket Deli's desserts - which are enormous - cost less than $5 each. Vegetarians can order vegetable or egg salad sandwiches. You can even find a knish, one of my favorite foods, for $4.25. The deli has something for everyone!

So, for good food and a great value, head over to The Bread Basket Deli.

The Bread Basket Deli
4003 Carpenter Rd.
Ypsilanti, Michigan 48197
734-677-7717



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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.



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Frugal Floozie Friday - Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger

"Two men bears and a truck box"

Da bears are back! The one - the only - good thing about snow is that today's Frugal Floozie Friday feature, Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger, builds snow bears in front of the restaurant each winter, taking the dreaded white stuff and turning it into something wonderful and fun. How could we not visit - and love - a place that's been featured on the Food Network's "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" and which bills itself as "cheaper than food"?

Craig, Jeremy, and I enjoyed a great, greasy meal at Blimpy Burger recently, reveling in fabulous comfort food. There are so many items on the menu that meet our $5 per person budget that it was hard to choose among them.

But then, choosing is always difficult at this place. You get to select how many patties you want (2-5), what kind of cheese and roll (4 and 6 options, respectively), whether you want any grilled items (9 choices), and then top it all off with condiments (an even dozen). Some mathematical wizard has determined that there are 2,147,483,648 possible combinations.

There is a very precise regimen for ordering at Blimpy Burger, to facilitate efficiency: pick up a tray, order the type of bun and number of patties when asked, order grilled items (fries, deep-fried vegetables, etc.), then move on down the line 'til you're asked about toppings. Heaven forbid if you violate the rule about not using your cell phone while proceeding along the assembly line. Nearly everyone who's eaten there in its 60 years has a story about being chastised for one misdeed or another!

We followed all of the protocols, received very friendly service, and then sat down to our dinner. For $4.90, Jeremy ordered a quad - 4 flattened patties - topped with blue cheese, ketchup, and mayonnaise, served on a regular bun. Cheese and the dozen aforementioned condiments are included in the price; but a kaiser, onion, or pumpernickel roll would have cost an extra 65 cents.

For $2.65, you can get a double with cheese, which includes the possibility of many, many extras. Craig devised an excellent creation with Feta, onions, mustard, ketchup, and pickles, all served on a regular bun. He then complemented it with an order of the famous onion rings for only $2.95.

I also ordered a double with cheese - Swiss - and I had debated adding blue, as well, which would not have cost anything extra. I added mayonnaise, pickles, lettuce, and tomatoes, deluding myself that I was eating my vegetables and thus ingesting at least a tidbit of nutrition. The regular order of french fries cost only $1.85, so my burger and side dish together came in at less than our mandatory $5 budget. (And if you're feeling particularly indulgent, you can satisfy your junk food cravings with a basket of chili cheese fries for $4.61, no burger needed.)

Vegetarians can even find a guilty pleasure at Blimpy Burger, where they can enjoy the regular-sized fried Mixed Veggie "Feast from the Deep" for $3.45 or the Ultimate Cheese Sandwich for $4.30 ("Five Cheeses & Grilled Egg With Onion and Peppers On An Onion Roll"); there are also salads, for those with noble intentions. Everyone will like the brownies, the cookies, and the assortment of specialty sodas.

A long-time institution, Blimpy Burger offers a great meal of ol'-fashioned "greasy spoon" delicacies for exceptional prices. And although I loathe the snow, I have to admit it's good to have the snow bears back where they belong!

Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger
551 South Division
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
734-663-4590
Monday - Saturday: 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Sunday: 12 - 8 p.m.



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Frugal Floozie Friday - Fat Philly's & Burgers

Jeremy and I recently ate at Fat Philly's & Burgers, which serves precisely what it promises, with some barbecue, salads, and side dishes offered on the menu as well. On a recent evening, good ol' comfort food just sounded like the perfect option, and Fat Philly's was a great place to go to satisfy the craving.

As soon as we walked in the door, we were greeted by a welcoming chorus of "hello" from the staff. It wasn't one of those orchestrated requirements (i.e.: an official greeter at a big box store or an embarrassing round of "Happy Birthday" meant to mortify both recipient and performers); rather, there were genuine smiles, and one waitress even recognized Jeremy from the spot where he regularly hangs out with his friends. We were greeted as though we were regulars.

Our waitress, Dora, was wonderfully cheerful, and she even tried to save us money by suggesting that I order a combo instead of piecing together a meal. Of course, I was considering photo ops and wanted to see what an appetizer's quantity of food would be, rather than merely a side order's worth; but I truly appreciated her thoughtfulness.

So while Jeremy ordered the Bacon Blue Burger combo (with fries and a drink) for $7.89, I ordered the Philly Steak sandwich pictured above for $6.89. It featured generous quantities of tender beef, and just the right amount of peppers and onions. I'm on record as not being a fan of green peppers, but I'm also on record as someone who vehemently disapproves of special orders, so I ate it "as is" with the thought that I could pick a few extra peppers off if they were too strong. But these were not overwhelming or pervasive, and the sandwich did not skimp on the meat; so the usually-offending item actually was perfectly portioned to enhance my meal.

Now, I know that there are some zealous purists who adamantly claim that serving the sandwich "wit Wiz" (with Cheez Wiz, that is) is a sign of authenticity, and there is no Wiz to be seen here. But mild white cheeses are also a favorite for cheesesteaks, and Fat Philly's melts Swiss into their beef-onion-pepper mix. So many aspects of this iconic sandwich are subject to debate - the roll, whether the meat is chopped or sliced, the type of cheese - that virtually everyone has his or her own opinion.

Suffice it to say that I have eaten and enjoyed many versions, regardless of which side of any argument the ingredients may fall on, and Fat Philly's sandwich is excellent. And taste is, of course, the primary concern. This was so good that while I'd had every intention of saving half of it for breakfast the next day, I couldn't resist finishing it. It's definitely large enough to split, so that it falls within our Frugal Floozie Friday budget of $5 or less per person.

Or you could stay within the mandatory limits if you order a basket of the crisp onion rings; they cost only $3.89 for a large quantity. While many places make great-tasting onion rings, these have a tendency to fall apart. At Fat Philly's the coating adheres beautifully, so that you're actually eating onion rings rather than onions and batter that have lost any contact with each other.

Other items which qualify for our frugal budget are the Fries Basket at $3.89, as well as side dishes of cole slaw or BBQ baked beans or chili or soup for $2.89. The House Salad and the House Caesar Salad cost only $4.89. And the hot dog, chili dog, and chili cheese dog all qualify for our mission, as well. You can eat at Fat Philly's or get a carry-out order, and calling ahead is welcomed.

So for great comfort food, hearty servings, and exceptionally friendly service, head over to Fat Philly's and welcome them to the neighborhood!


Fat Philly's & Burgers
2224 Washtenaw
Ypsilanti Township, MI 48197
734-544-8521
Monday - Saturday: 11 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Sunday: 12 - 9 p.m.



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The Best Burger in Metro Detroit

A few weeks ago, I was lucky to enjoy excellent food (The Red Coat Tavern's Gourmet Burger, plus side dishes), beautiful weather (sunny and spring-like), and lovely company (a very special friend I hadn't seen since Labor Day).  A good Saturday afternoon ... :)

Best of Metromix Detroit 2012, featured in The Detroit Free Press - Best Burger winner!

Red Coat Tavern

31542 Woodward Ave

Royal Oak, MI 48073

(248) 549-0300

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