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Roadhouse News
Special Book Event: An Evening with Artist, Social Entrepreneur, & UofM Professor Aaron Dworkin
Join us on April 2nd to welcome the Poetjournalist-in-Residence of Ann Arbor’s Bicentennial!
As we continue to celebrate the 200th year of our favorite city, the Roadhouse is thrilled to announce a treasured experience connecting you with poetjournalist, social entrepreneur, musician, filmmaker, and UofM professor Aaron Dworkin. Aaron is a sought-after global thought leader, and his advocacy for diversity and inclusion, excellence in arts education, entrepreneurship, and leadership has been incredibly impactful to not only the Ann Arbor community, but also on a global scale. We are honored to have this opportunity to invite you to a profound one-night-only evening listening to Aaron explore his latest book, The Poetjournalist, on Tuesday, April 2nd!
Named a 2005 MacArthur Fellow, President Obama’s first appointment to the National Council on the Arts and member of President Biden’s Arts Policy Committee, Aaron P. Dworkin is former dean and current Professor of Arts Leadership & Entrepreneurship at the University of Michigan’s School of Music, Theatre & Dance. While his critically-acclaimed writings are extensive, Aaron will be reading from his latest work, The Poetjournalist, a unique collection of poetry which captures the beautifully woven diversity of our community through his rhythmic word.
Join us for a Zingerman's Art
Exhibit!
The Art of Zingerman's: A Feast for Your Eyes
March 6–April 18, 2024
Free admission
Ann Arbor District Library - Downtown Branch
343 South Fifth Avenue
Lower-level multi-purpose room
Warning: this exhibit may increase your need for a nosh. Zingerman’s aesthetic is instantly recognizable and well-known here in Ann Arbor and across the country. An immeasurable contributor to the iconic brand for more than 33 years is artist Ian Nagy. His illustrations, hand-done in pencil, ink, and paint, capture the spirit of fun, food, and community that is Zingerman’s.
From zany characters like Grandpa Pickle and Bacon Detective to artful still lifes of artisan olive oil bottles and packages of coffee beans, Ian has created more than 6,000 images in his career—packed like a Zingerman’s gift box with beauty, whimsy, and the unexpected. Experience their delicious details and colors up close and in person... but please do not lick the art.
The Winterhome Drink Could Help Build a House
Help us support Habitat for Humanity with this delicious drink!
The Roadhouse is honored to help the Habitat for Humanity of Huron Valley by participating in their House That Beer Built program. In support, the Roadhouse created a very special craft cocktail, the Winterhome, made with Old Forester Bourbon, Amaro Nonino, orange bitters, and smoked cinnamon bitters. For each Winterhome we sell for the next few weeks, we will donate $2 to H4H! Join the craft beverage community as we unite to build a home and stability for one local homeowner!
We are thrilled to announce that this year Old Forester will match what we raise for H4H up to $1500!! Thank you so much for your generosity Old Forester!!
Come on by during the last of our chilly days to warm up with the Winterhome and glowing feelings of making a local difference.
Thank you!
Vanilla Cardamom Latté
Made with a housemade syrup that blends the warmth of cardamom with the sweetness of vanilla. Every sip will be a radiant promise of sunnier days ahead!
16 oz $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 $5.00 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
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
Our Nonprofit Spotlight for March is on a fantastic organization called NEW, also known as Nonprofit Enterprise at Work. This wonderful organization works to support the network of the thousands of nonprofits that do crucial work in our community by providing them with programs and services like consulting, bookkeeping, and other development support. You can support by learning more or donating online at zcob.me/spotlight.