Sidetrack Bar and Grill in Ypsilanti, Michigan is a medium sized pub that has been around in Depot town for over 100 years. While it only seats around 100 people, reservations are not needed to get a seat, but later in the evening there may be a little bit of wait for a table. At 2 o’clock in the afternoon on Sunday the 19th of October the historic pub was filled to about three quarters of its capacity with families, and groups of friends chatting, eating, and drinking. The pub is clean and decorated in various historic artifacts from throughout Ypsilanti history. There are many black and white photographs with captions explaining some of the history of the area. There are even a few moose antlers throughout the dining area. Even though Sidetrack has a TV in it, it is probably not the best place to enjoy a game, and it is definitely not considered a sports bar.
The menu itself has many options to choose from, but Sidetrack is probably best known for their burgers. The burger was featured in GQ’s “The 20 Hamburgers You Must Eat Before You Die” and also on the Oprah Winfrey show. Other than burgers, Sidetrack offers many different appetizers such as soup, chili, beer battered pickles, chicken wings, hummus, artichoke hearts, and several other items of similar nature. For a meal, one can order many different types of sandwiches ranging from grilled cheese sandwiches priced at $4.25 to a classic club sandwich priced at $7.95. There are a few non-sandwich items as well which include black bean tacos, quesadillas, and hand battered lake perch. Sidetrack also offers many different salads from the basic house salad to the “The Best” Linda’s Big Spring salad.
Before I even looked at the menu, I knew what I would order. A half pound cheeseburger with Swiss cheese and a side of French fries. When the burger arrived after a brief wait it looked inviting and delicious. The meat patty was thick, juicy, and cooked to perfection. The lettuce and tomatoes were also fresh , juicy, and flavorful. The fries were perfectly cooked, and seasoned with various herbs to enhance the taste of the fry. The service was there whenever you needed them, but not they were not overbearing and in your face. While the food and service were perfect, there was one problem. There were a few flies that constantly circled and pestered customers. This was the only trip to Sidetracks I had out of many where the flies were a problem, and if I had to guess, they had just flown in a few minutes before we arrived and would eventually be taken care of. The overall cost of the meal, which included a burger, fries, and a drink came out to be about ten dollars per person. The most expensive item on the menu is a “big” salad for $9.95. I would highly recommend Sidetrack to anyone looking to have a great time, and especially to anyone looking for a great burger at a great price.
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1. (?). Sidetrack Bar and Grill, Ypsilanti. 19 Oct. 2008
4. (?). Sidetrack Bar and Grill, Ypsilanti. 19 Oct. 2008
7. (?). Sidetrack Bar and Grill, Ypsilanti. 19 Oct. 2008
Sidetrack Bar and Grill. (?). Sidetrack Bar and Grill, Ypsilanti. 19 Oct. 2008
21 comments:
I have never heard of this pub before but it sounds like a nice place to eat lunch or dinner. I think you did a great job at using very descriptive details in describing the food served there. I like how you described the fly problem and offered an explanation to it. I think your review would have more impact on the reader overall if it was in paragraph form instead of all together. Despite the formatting, I think the review was good!
The fact that Sidetrack was mentioned in GQ is very impressive. I've never been there before but I bet if I lived near it I'd love eating there. One thing about your review you didn't mention is if you'd recommend it to anyone. Other than that it was entertaining.
One of the 20 burgers that you must eat before you die is something they should and probably do take massive respect in. I've heard of this pub many times and passed when on my way to my cottage but i've never been there. the description was very brief but also descriptive. Loved how you put some emphasis on the flies swirling when you went there but, you knew that it wasn't a problem there based on earlier trips. Deliscious sounding food but i think you had the same problem as me with the paragraphs. All you have to do where you want a paragraph is put < br > but no spaces.
Sidetrack looks very inviting and seems to be an interesting place to eat. The fact that they have city history facts all over is really different. I bet that the guests really enjoy that. Also, this little restaurant must be pretty good to have GQ and Oprah's attention. You were very in depth with your details and this ultimatley made me want to eat there some day. The next time I'm in the neighborhood, I am going to stop in and read up on some Ysilanti history.
The fact that it is old and historic really engages the reader because tradition and pride in the community can be rally important. You did a great job describing the food by saying what was on the hamburger and detailing every topping. I think if you spread out your pictures and don't clump them together it will improve you review because most people are unintelligent and will care more about how it looks than the content. Also seperate the reviw out into paragraphs to make it easier to read.
First of all, I loved your introduction into this restaurant review! It was very catchy and I wanted to hear more about it. Good job covering all aspects of a successful review. You gave great detail on the decoration in this pub, I could picture the place myself. You talked about the service and the menu as being very enjoyable. I think this could improve if the formatting was changed to please the viewer. Good job!
Overall I thought your review was good. However, I would have liked to hear a little bit more about the food on the menu. One other thing that I think could have improved your review was to spread out the pictures rather then putting them all together. Overall good review.
There really isn't much to say. You've written an excellent review, even going so far as to include the exact time and day that you had visited the restaurant and including the number of patrons at the time. The prices are extremely reasonable from what you've described and I would be more than willing to stop by at this bar and grill the next time I'm visiting friends at Eastern Michigan University.
This sounds like another good place to go for a good burger. I think you decribed the food very well. The fly part would almost make this place seem like it is unclean but sometimes flies just get in and there is nothing you can do. I think the overall the review was good.
I have never heard of this restaurant but the food sounds good. It sounds like a real community restaurant. I think that I have been to other restaurants like this but in North Carolina. They seem to share the style of this restaurant--good food, friendly atmosphere, and the murmur of locals dining around you.
I have been to Sidetrack and have to say that you did a very good job of describing it. It reminds me of an old train station and the fact that it is right on the edge of the train tracks helps out with this aspect of it. The restaurant is a very cute little place that offers, as you described, some very delicious burgers. Not going to lie, but I had to get a burger there once I saw that they had been praised by Oprah. Overall, great review with nice sensory details.
This place sounds very good. I have never been to this restaurant before but I would consider going. The food sounds really good and the prices are not bad at all. The decor of this place reminds me of back in the day restaurants and I would enjoy sitting in that kind of environment. The only thing that made me think twice was the fact that there were flies circling the table. I dont know if i want to be in a place like that. The review is well written and I wouldn't change anything about it. I like the detailing and the facts about it like how it was a part of 20 burgers you must eat before you die. That makes me want to try it even more.
Sidetrack must be a great place, especially if word of a little pub could make it to Oprah Winfrey. Including that fact was impressive. The only think I would change is the formatting, and making make it a little more opinionated. Way to be realistic by mentioning the fly. From your description, I would definitely take a trip out to Ypsilanti to eat at Sidetrack Bar and Grill.
Being around for 100 years and mentioned in GQ magazine as The 20 burgers you must eat before you die, makes me want to go here. The review was brief and straight to the point. I always love enjoying good tasting burgers. The images of the inside look like a lively atmosphere which also make it a plus to go and visit.
Wow, thi ssounds like it is right up my alley. You did a good job of describing how the restaurant ties to the community by mentioning how the items on the walls are srtifacts that were found around the city. Although you could have made your review longer, it was still very informative and I will most definatly head down to Sidetrack whenever I'm in Ypsi next.
This article was interesting and to the point. You answered all of the questions in a descriptive way without a lot of fluff. My only real problem with it was that you jumped from past to present tense. Other than that, I think that this article was very well written and concise. I hope to try this restaurant out soon!
Never heard of this place but for it to me mention on national tv, it must be good. So therefore, maybe someday before I die, I will visit. I think you should of describe other items from the menu, and the ambiance a little more. Other than that, I think you did a good job.
The description of the burger and fries made me hungry, you did an good job describing them. The description of the restaurant seemed to set it off from you average restaurant, which is good because this is clearly not average. However, the fact that there were flies in the restaurant makes me a little nervous that it is not quite as clean as it could be. No grammar mistakes that I noticed. Overall, well written; it covers the assignment nicely.
The name of this place sounds familiar but I have never eaten there. Your descriptions of the atmosphere and food were great! The prices seemed really reasonable, you cant go wrong with a burger, fries, and a drink for 10 bucks! I'm not too crazy about the idea of having flies buzz around my head while eating, but I am sure it was a one time problem and they took care of it. Great review :]
It suonds like they have amazing burgers, which would be a perfectly fitting situation for a bar. I would have liked to hear how they decorated the bar (besides that you did say it had historical Ypsi decor in it)--was it a sports bar, and I could go to watch a game? Or was it more of a local hangout for any given 100 people? My only suggestion would be to make it longer--you had me very interested in the pub and I wanted to learn more!
Even though Ypsilanti is pretty far, this restaurant sounds really good and should be checked out. The prices sound fair, and just knowing the history you gave in the review tells me that this place has good quality. Thanks for the information. I would like to know deeper detail on what kind of people go there, like families, friends?
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