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. 

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’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.

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. 

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.

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. 

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.

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.”

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.

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.