Eat Beet Box

Emily Kastl  

What do you get when you combine a group of mega-foodies and some business-minded students with a passion for empowerment? Why, you get a health and organic-focused food cart, of course!

The Beet Box--a food cart that debuted its local, organic fare Friday at Mark's Carts--was conceptualized by WolverineCuizine’s very own Kay Feker, as well as Dan Morse, Alex Perlman, and a few other UofM students who were unsatisfied by the inability of restaurants to recognize the central importance of food to life.

We all know food is fuel for the body, but we’re social creatures too, not just hungry animals constantly on the hunt for satiety. For the Beet Box, that’s where food comes in. Have you noticed communities tend to revolve around food? Birthday parties, weddings, festivals—you name it and food is probably first on the guest list.

Enter, The Beet Box 5-Strong concept: StrongFood, StrongSelf, StrongCommunity, StrongRelationships, and StrongFarmers. Combine these five elements and you have the groundwork for a food cart devoted to healthy, organic meals that not only empower you—the lucky recipient of The Beet Box’s delectable dishes—but your community too.

You might be thinking to yourself, “I’ve been to a healthy food cart—what’s the big deal?” Well, I’m here to tell you what the big deal is. First of all, there’s a good chance that food cart was in a big city, not in the little-big city of Ann Arbor. Since the food cart culture here is pretty new, The Beet Box—along with seven other carts—will serve as one of the founding fathers, forever stamping the scene with its healthy fast-food revolution.

Secondly, when’s the last time your food cart rewarded you? Never? Yeah, I didn’t think so. If you are willing to be a part of The Beet Box’s movement of empowerment through food (doing 25 crunches, jumping rope, etc.) they will show their gratitude by giving you five percent off your meal. Tight abs and a scrumptious meal on the cheap? Sounds like a win-win to me!

Not only does The Beet Box give back to you, the customer, but they’ll also spread the wealth to the surrounding community by donating a portion of the sales profits to a local health cause. So if you find yourself going back for seconds (or fifths—we won’t judge) at The Beet Box, just think: you’re helping yourself and the community!

Starting from the ground up, The Beet Box raised over $14,000 through Kickstarter, donations, and grants to start their “Strong-Health Empowerment” revolution. Such successful fundraising undoubtedly speaks to the desires of people across the country for fast-food options like The Beet Box. Kay and her cohorts are obviously not alone in their belief of the incredible healing power of healthy, local, and organic food.

Mark’s Carts is just the beginning for The Beet Box. Ultimately, the little-food-cart-that-could will make its way around the country, leaving healthier people and communities in its wake.

Monahan's Seafood Market

Courtney Chandler  

Having a never-ending desire to explore local cuisine, I set out to find something to satisfy my craving for seafood. Luckily for me, the first place I tried was Monahan’s, and I have been going back on an almost-monthly basis ever since. Located in Kerrytown, Monahan’s Seafood Market offers fresh fish and seafood to the Ann Arbor area. Present-day owner Mike Monahan, who can still be seen working behind the counter, opened Monahan’s over 30 years ago in order to share his passion for fresh seafood with local customers. Monahan’s offers a wide selection of high quality fish and seafood, ranging from crab and shrimp to freshly filleted salmon. The range of products they have is quite impressive, especially given the fact that Ann Arbor is by no means a ‘seafood town’.

In addition to the stunningly varied cases displaying the day’s product, they also feature a simple yet innovative menu. Having been there multiple times myself, I can personally guarantee their food is fresh and delicious. Take the mussels for example (my personal favorite), steamed in a white-wine shallot broth and piping hot. Or try the ever-changing chowder, which differs on a day-to-day basis. Before going to Monahan’s, I was a chowder skeptic, and the idea of fish chunks in a soup, well...it wasn’t really my cup of soup. But after I tried their chowder, which always offers a new twist on an old classic, I was turned into a chowder believer. Their soup is always full of complex flavors, and is also served with a hunk of bread, perfect for soaking up the last few bites of flavor. In addition to their menu, they will fillet and cook any item in their display case in the style of the customer’s request, which provides a nearly endless number of culinary creations.

The environment of Monahan’s is as equally appealing as their food. Positioned in a quaint corner of Kerrytown Market & Shops, there is always a hustle and bustle of people. This activity, plus the friendly and inviting staff, creates a feeling of comfort that allows the customer to truly enjoy and appreciate their food. Even better, the reasonable pricing won’t break your bank, and makes eating freshly prepared seafood accessible to those even on a college student budget. Overall, the delicious menu and unbeatably friendly atmosphere makes Monahan’s a hidden gem within Ann Arbor’s local food scene.

Birthday Deals in Ann Arbor

Courtney Chandler  

Ann Arbor’s unique and diverse food scene offers plenty of options for birthday celebration. As a huge fan of birthdays (and always indulging myself on my own birthday), I set out to find the best birthday deals Ann Arbor has to offer. For those who didn’t realize it, the amount of discounts and free desserts I found was surprisingly extensive. As a result of my local Ann Arbor travels, I have complied a list of the best deals (for all meals) on your birthday. Plan ahead to embrace all Ann Arbor has to offer, and most importantly, enjoy your birthday! (Also, don’t forget to bring some form of identification with your birth date on it!)

BREAKFAST:
Angelos: Buy two entrées and get the least expensive one free.
Zingerman’s: The Bakehouse offers 6 free bagels, the Coffee Company offers 50% off any coffee drink, the Creamery offers free 2oz gelato, and the deli offers a 15% discount on your purchases.
Northside Grill: Free breakfast or lunch entrée (with valid ID) until 3 pm

LUNCH:
Afternoon Delight: free dessert with additional purchase
Savas: a free crepe with valid ID

DINNER:
Arbor Brewing Company: free appetizer with additional purchase
Buffalo Wild Wings: free dessert
Chop House: 1/number of diners off your check. (minumum 2 people). For example, if you and one friend go to dinner, 50% will be deducted from the final check
Cottage Inn: Several options…buy one entrée get a second free or a free dessert with additional purchase or 15% off any pizza.
Good Time Charley’s: buy one entrée get a second free
Paesano’s: 50% of the birthday person’s entrée and a free dessert
Pizza House: free dessert with additional purchase
Seva: Free entrée for the birthday person
Silvio’s: Free Sweet Dream pizza (nutella pizza) with additional purchase of at least $10
Gratzi: 1/number of diners off the check and a free dessert
Vinology: free dessert
Zingerman’s Roadhouse: a free Donut Sundae

OTHER:
Ben and Jerry’s: a free scoop of ice cream
Bubble Island: free medium bubble tea or frozen yogurt
Momo Tea: 50% off any drink
Stucchis: Buy a single scoop of ice cream and get the second free

So, make your way around downtown Ann Arbor on your birthday for a free/discounted birthday celebration!

Suvai Sustenance

Rachel Ross  

With all the gloomy rain throughout this week, I decided to try one of my favorite comfort foods: Indian. I always pass by an Indian restaurant on State Street, right next to CVS, and decided to finally walk it. Armed with a camera and an appetite, the smell hit me first, as the warm cumin and curry pervaded the entire place, which was decorated with various Indian ornaments. I went in for the lunch buffet, and by no means did quantity outshine quality. The best part about Indian food is every flavor is complementary, so for those of us who have perfected the art of vertically stacking our food from buffets, Taste of India Suvai is for you. I filled my plate with everything: fried okra, butter chicken, Indian rice, spiced lentils, and veggie soup. This place had all the staples: naan, spiced rice, paneer, tandoori chicken, you name it.

The plate was barely large enough to hold the dizzying selection of foods

I was hesitant at first, but I spooned a mash of spinach and cooked chickpeas on my plate, wondering how this conglomerate of green and garbanzos was going to taste. It was food from heaven. Second to chocolate yet just as creamy and sweet. I wanted more. The only bad part about it was sharing it, as I dared my mother to take the first taste. After making a variety of “Mmmmm” sounds, she convinced me to try it, and it is now my favorite dish. It’s moments like that that make me wish I was from Dubai and could eat food like that all day. The complexity of flavors and intensity of colors continues to amaze me.

Spinach and cooked chickpea mash, and vegetable soup

The next item I tried was the soup, which I had to nurse for a while as it was so spicy. I probably ended up drinking more water than soup. I could actually see the individual peppercorns that were inflaming my mouth, but nothing was going to stop me from reaching the bottom of that bowl. Upon finishing, my sinuses were cleared and my stomach filled. I sat back and looked at my plate, wishing I hadn’t scarfed everything down in a flat five minutes. At around eight dollars per person, plus student discounts, this restaurant is perfect for either a quick lunch (it offers buffet take-out as well) or a formal dinner. For a hungry college kid hooked on ethnic food, it is the perfect meal deal.

Earthen Jar: Mostly Vegan, Always Tasty

Rachel Ross  

As a starving student on a college budget, it is my duty to seek out the best food for the best price. This week, I lunched at an old favorite: Earthen Jar. This vegan Indian buffet, located on S. Fifth Street, is conveniently nestled next to the well-known Jerusalem Garden. Unfortunately, it can be difficult to find due to the persistent construction happening next to the District Library, but it’s worth the search. Open for lunch and dinner, this quaint buffet offers everything from macaroni to spinach daal. When most people think of Indian food, platters like Tikka masala or butter chicken seem to spark a memory and tickle the tongue, but Earthen Jar takes a different route, serving vegetarian and vegan Indian food. I myself am a carnivore but the astonishing variety gave me no qualms about sacrificing one meatless meal. They offer classic Indian staples such as paneer (cheese), tofu with rice, and chickpeas in masala sauce. It is not difficult to find at least one course that will have you coming back for more. My personal favorite is the spinach lentils, which boasts the texture of split pea soup, but has a deeper, earthier flavor. Between the caramelized onions and the rich Indian seasoning that stains my plate yellow, it’s the perfect comfort food.

My meatless selections for the day

At a buffet, it can be difficult to manage portion sizes, yet at Earthen Jar, they charge by the pound. I find this more helpful, as I’m not looking to leave with a ten-pound food baby. While other Indian restaurants may charge eleven dollars per dish, Earthen Jar charges $5.99 per lb, which allows you to try as many dishes as you’d like. The staff is very nice as well. At first, I thought the only words the cashier could say were “thank you very much!”, but then I realized I had been complementing the food and the place the entire time, so that was all he needed to say. “We’re always looking for more fans,” he told me as he checked over the salads, while Bob Marley played in the background. I laughed. “And I’m always looking for excellent food!” Earthen Jar has certainly made my list of best eats for your money.

Buffet at Earthen Jar

Ann Arbor’s Twist On Cuban Cuisine

Jordan Korn  

Eve Aronoff’s latest creative culinary adventure, Frita Batidos, is a casual yet lively restaurant inspired by the spirit of Cuban culture. A drastic change from her previously more formal and expensive restaurant, Eve, this new endeavor offers a complete change of pace while still maintaining the highest standards for taste, quality, and creativity. The Latino inspired gourmet burger and shake restaurant, and a whole lot more, is quickly becoming an Ann Arbor hot spot. Located in the heart of downtown on West Washington Street, the 1,500 square-foot space decorated with white brick walls, white floors, and long white picnic tables creates the canvas upon which Aronoff’s bright vision comes alive.
As the “burger phenomenon” sweeps the nation and burger joints seem to pop up on every corner, Frita Batidos offers a refreshing new twist. The restaurant revolves around the combination of two traditional Cuban culinary elements; the frita, a Cuban burger made from spicy chorizo (beef, turkey, fish, or black bean are also available) served with shoestring fries on top, rests on a soft egg bun, and batidos, tropical milkshakes made with fresh fruit, crushed ice, and a drop of sweetened milk, with or without rum. “They just sounded so fun together!” exclaims Aronoff of the two dishes, which she had been daydreaming about for years before the menu was even created. Like burgers and shakes, the pairing just seemed to work flawlessly.
“Instead of putting a lot of things in, we focused on taking a lot of things out,” Aronoff says of the unique and modern restaurant design. “I wanted to create a backdrop so that when the people, music, spices, and food all come together it will make a whole composition,” she adds. Well, she has certainly succeeded -- the vibrant and convivial atmosphere of Frita Batidos is irresistibly fresh, modern, and inviting.

Image from Frita Batidos website

“I just wanted to create something delicious and then hoped that people would be happy with it,” Aronoff says excitedly of her vision for the restaurant. “I love that we have such a diverse group of customers – doctors, elderly couples, professors, little kids, fraternity boys and sorority girls, and even athletes – here, pretty much anything goes,” she adds as she hugs one of her sous chefs (the 4th or 5th time she has done so with an employee in the few minutes we have been sitting together). Aronoff was drawn to Ann Arbor because of its wildly diverse community, both in the people and the food. She has also always been very involved in the slow-food movement, which makes Ann Arbor the perfect location for her to work closely with local farmers and use fresh, seasonal, and local ingredients.
Cuban culture and cuisine have always had a strong influence on Chef Aronoff’s cooking ever since she spent time with her Grandmother in Miami learning about the history of Cuban food. The whole spirit and vibe of the Cuban culture inspired the style of the restaurant as well as many of the dishes and ingredients on the menu. However, Frita Batidos is more than just traditional Cuban cuisine. Aronoff has put her own spin on these classic dishes to create a unique and modern menu overflowing with flavor and savory ingredients.
One of her personal favorite items is the “best snack ever” – a layered dish in a cup comprised of coconut ginger rice, black beans, melted Muenster cheese, and cilantro-lime salsa. “It’s kind of a combination of all my favorite ingredients I ate in the kitchen all the time, so it’s super flavorful and you can whip it together in two seconds,” she claims of the pleasantly tangy dish. Another favorite is the frita, which offers a more delicate flavor profile and surprises your taste buds as you bite into the delectable layers of Cuban fries, muenster cheese, fried egg, tropical coleslaw, and juicy burger. Any and all of the dishes on the menu can also be served at the “Snack Bar Window” outside the front of the restaurant if you’re in a hurry! Some personal favorites of mine include the twice fried plantains tossed with cilantro-garlic butter and served with sweet chili mayo, and the tropical coleslaw. For dessert, the giant churros rolled in cinnamon and sugar and served with “chocolate espanol” for dunking are also amazing. A wide variety of specialty coffees round out the offerings including the café con leche, prepared with butter and a pinch of salt, which is especially tasty.
“I wanted to combine all the things I care about and create a fun space where we can take care of our customers and people can eat something that is creative and flavorful for a reasonable price,” says Aronoff of her goal to provide high quality food in a casual and inexpensive setting.
In a landscape overflowing with burger joints offering essentially the same fare, Frita Batidos stands out from the crowd. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite to eat, a late-night drink, or a full satisfying meal, Frita Batidos offers a fresh and inspired take on comfort food, with a Cuban flair.

Going Local in the Dorm: Is it Possible?

Charles Cohen  

It takes a lot to make any meal last in one’s memory, let alone a meal from a college dorm. But on Thursday, October 4th, the East Quad Cafeteria served up a meal that consisted of meats, fruits, and certain deserts, that all came from the state of Michigan. It was the best meal I have had since I have arrived on campus. A multiplicity of students sat down and enjoyed the food on that faithful Thursday.
Besides the vast amounts of options the café served, from a very sweet and spicy barbeque chicken to beef that was grilled to perfection for one heck of a burger, ending with some of Michigan’s apples that were topped off with caramel sauce (as a New Yorker, I understand the importance of supporting local apples) – these were some of the highlights of “Michigan Food Day.” And who could forget about the Vernor’s Ginger Soda or Faygo root beer floats with local vanilla ice cream-the Michigan cherry on top of the sundae.
In the few weeks I have lived here, I had never seen the café as crowded as it was that day. Every single seat at every table was filled with hungry students, enjoying the food of the Wolverine State. This clearly shows how the student body is supports eating local, which is better for both local economies and our health. Plus, it tasted better than what we usually get from some food-processing factory. I, for one, am both hopeful and excited that the University will do more local food events like this, as it brings awareness to the many great food products that the state can bring to the plate.