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The Most Affordable Restaurants in Ann Arbor, Home of the University of Michigan

For those with Champagne taste, but a beer budget

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Finding a great meal is easy when money isn’t a concern, but doing so on a budget can be a challenge. But just because a meal is affordable, doesn’t mean one has to forgo taste and quality.

With Ann Arbor being the home to The University of Michigan, there are plenty of choices geared toward students’ nearly empty wallets and big appetites. Whether it’s part of a fun night out or refueling after long study sessions, diners can get their fill of delicious food for under $12.

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Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger

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Burgers with smashed patties have become wildly popular in the last few years and Blimpy Burger has been serving up that style since 1953. There’s a wide variety of buns and toppings from which to choose, but the Peppersteak Bullet with its three patties, grilled peppers, onions, cheese, and ranch dressing is a must-have. 

An extremely messy burger on wax paper. John Reyes

Zingerman's Bakehouse

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The appearance of Zingerman’s on a cheap eats map is sure to come as a surprise to many. However, the industrial park-based creamery and coffeeshop Zingerman's Bakehouse serves a rotation of hearty soup bowls along with a piece of their famous bread and wallet-friendly prices.

Ginger Deli

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Ginger Deli’s small downtown storefront serves sensational Vietnamese food for limited dine in or grab-and-go. Its banh mi is served on freshly-baked baguettes with flavorful herbs and vegetables and is among the best sandwiches in town. The fresh summer rolls are also a can’t-miss affordable option.

Jerusalem Garden

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This casual Middle Eastern restaurant has been a downtown fixture for almost 35 years. The menu features 15 different sandwiches — vegetarian and with meat — under $10, which leaves enough for a side of decadently sweet baklava.

Pizza Bob's

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Pizza Bob’s is well known for its Chipati — a gigantic freshly-baked pita stuffed with veggies, cheese, and special sauce. Additionally, the pizzas, calzones, and toasted sub sandwiches are a great way to fill up without breaking the bank. 

Biercamp Artisan Sausage & Jerky

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Meatlovers flock to this charming shop for its sausages, jerky, and bacon — all produced in-house. For lunch, grab one of Biercamp's pulled-pork sandwiches, smoked sloppy joes, or bratwursts. Beer is available to wash it down or, if work beckons, in growlers for later.

Joe's Pizza NYC

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The original Joe’s Pizza is a Greenwich Village landmark whose Brooklyn-style pizza is considered one of the best in New York City. Its South University location opened in late 2019 and is its first venture outside of the Big Apple. Diners on a budget can grab two slices of the legendary pizza for less than $10.

BTB Burrito

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BTB’s lineup of burritos and quesadillas has been a campus favorite for close to 20 years. Burritos are the quintessential antidote for late night munchies and BTB serves them up until 1 a.m. 

BTB

Lan City Noodle Bar

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At Lan City, diners can enjoy fresh noodles that are hand-pulled to order and served in a variety of stir fry dishes and over 15 different soups. The Chong Quing soup is a treat for spice seekers with minced pork, vegetables, and noodles in a sinus-clearing Sichuan peppercorn-infused broth.

John Reyes

No Thai! South U

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In a just few short years, No Thai! has expanded to multiple locations, including one in East Lansing perhaps in the hope of fostering unity between the two rival college towns. Updated noodle dishes, curries, and fried rice are available in spice levels ranging from mild to “Death Touch.”

Beyond Juicery + Eatery

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Eating healthy doesn’t have to be an expensive proposition. Beyond Juicery’s smoothies, wraps and salads are filled with fresh ingredients and are enough to satisfy the heartiest of appetites. 

Kang's Korean Restaurant

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There’s no shortage of great Korean restaurants in Ann Arbor, and Kang’s stands out for its bibimbap, the popular dish with a protein of choice, fried egg, vegetables, and rice served in a screaming hot stone bowl. The heat from the bowl creates a crispy layer of rice for texture and flavor.

Tmaz Taqueria

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Flavor and variety are represented well on the menu at this taqueria. The tacos and tortas come with a wide selection of meats — from the familiar grilled steak to cochinita pibil — a shredded, slow-roasted pork hailing from the Yucatan Peninsula. The pozole, a spicy pork and hominy-rich soup, is another must-have, especially on chilly Michigan days.

Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger

Burgers with smashed patties have become wildly popular in the last few years and Blimpy Burger has been serving up that style since 1953. There’s a wide variety of buns and toppings from which to choose, but the Peppersteak Bullet with its three patties, grilled peppers, onions, cheese, and ranch dressing is a must-have. 

An extremely messy burger on wax paper. John Reyes

Zingerman's Bakehouse

The appearance of Zingerman’s on a cheap eats map is sure to come as a surprise to many. However, the industrial park-based creamery and coffeeshop Zingerman's Bakehouse serves a rotation of hearty soup bowls along with a piece of their famous bread and wallet-friendly prices.

Ginger Deli

Ginger Deli’s small downtown storefront serves sensational Vietnamese food for limited dine in or grab-and-go. Its banh mi is served on freshly-baked baguettes with flavorful herbs and vegetables and is among the best sandwiches in town. The fresh summer rolls are also a can’t-miss affordable option.

Jerusalem Garden

This casual Middle Eastern restaurant has been a downtown fixture for almost 35 years. The menu features 15 different sandwiches — vegetarian and with meat — under $10, which leaves enough for a side of decadently sweet baklava.

Pizza Bob's

Pizza Bob’s is well known for its Chipati — a gigantic freshly-baked pita stuffed with veggies, cheese, and special sauce. Additionally, the pizzas, calzones, and toasted sub sandwiches are a great way to fill up without breaking the bank. 

Biercamp Artisan Sausage & Jerky

Meatlovers flock to this charming shop for its sausages, jerky, and bacon — all produced in-house. For lunch, grab one of Biercamp's pulled-pork sandwiches, smoked sloppy joes, or bratwursts. Beer is available to wash it down or, if work beckons, in growlers for later.

Joe's Pizza NYC

The original Joe’s Pizza is a Greenwich Village landmark whose Brooklyn-style pizza is considered one of the best in New York City. Its South University location opened in late 2019 and is its first venture outside of the Big Apple. Diners on a budget can grab two slices of the legendary pizza for less than $10.

BTB Burrito

BTB’s lineup of burritos and quesadillas has been a campus favorite for close to 20 years. Burritos are the quintessential antidote for late night munchies and BTB serves them up until 1 a.m. 

BTB

Lan City Noodle Bar

At Lan City, diners can enjoy fresh noodles that are hand-pulled to order and served in a variety of stir fry dishes and over 15 different soups. The Chong Quing soup is a treat for spice seekers with minced pork, vegetables, and noodles in a sinus-clearing Sichuan peppercorn-infused broth.

John Reyes

No Thai! South U

In a just few short years, No Thai! has expanded to multiple locations, including one in East Lansing perhaps in the hope of fostering unity between the two rival college towns. Updated noodle dishes, curries, and fried rice are available in spice levels ranging from mild to “Death Touch.”

Beyond Juicery + Eatery

Eating healthy doesn’t have to be an expensive proposition. Beyond Juicery’s smoothies, wraps and salads are filled with fresh ingredients and are enough to satisfy the heartiest of appetites. 

Kang's Korean Restaurant

There’s no shortage of great Korean restaurants in Ann Arbor, and Kang’s stands out for its bibimbap, the popular dish with a protein of choice, fried egg, vegetables, and rice served in a screaming hot stone bowl. The heat from the bowl creates a crispy layer of rice for texture and flavor.

Tmaz Taqueria

Flavor and variety are represented well on the menu at this taqueria. The tacos and tortas come with a wide selection of meats — from the familiar grilled steak to cochinita pibil — a shredded, slow-roasted pork hailing from the Yucatan Peninsula. The pozole, a spicy pork and hominy-rich soup, is another must-have, especially on chilly Michigan days.

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