Washtenaw
15 articles
The Farm-to-Table Pipeline That Actually Works
Inside the ecosystem that connects Washtenaw County's farms to its best restaurant kitchens.
Washtenaw County's farm-to-table movement isn't a marketing phrase. It's actual infrastructure.
Summer Berries in Washtenaw County: July 2026 Update
Strawberries are ending, while raspberries and blueberries are beginning.
A sourced July 2026 guide to strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries in Washtenaw County.
Michigan Strawberry Season Is Short
The local crop generally arrives in June and early July, with timing set by weather.
Michigan strawberries generally arrive in June and early July. Check farms before traveling because U-pick supply can change by the hour.
The Best BBQ in Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County
Ann Arbor is not a BBQ town. But between Chelsea, South State Street, and Packard, there's more smoked meat worth knowing about than most people realize.
Best BBQ in Ann Arbor: from Smokehouse 52 in Chelsea to Zingerman's Roadhouse pit ribs to Biercamp's smoked meats and Ricewood's brisket bowls, Washtenaw County has a BBQ scene worth navigating.
Michigan Ramp Season Comes With a Public-Land Rule
Ramps are a spring crop, but Michigan prohibits harvesting them from public lands.
Ramps are a short spring crop in Michigan. Buy them from a farm or market, and do not harvest them from Michigan public lands.
Patio Season 2026: What's New and Where to Sit
The tables are going outside. Here's what opened since our last patio guide and where to spend a warm evening.
A companion to our best patios guide, updated for 2026 with established outdoor tables in Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, and Dexter.
Spring Eating in Washtenaw County
Morels, asparagus, and the farmers market shift. What to eat and where to find it.
A guide to eating seasonally in Washtenaw County this spring, from morel mushrooms and asparagus to the farmers market's outdoor expansion.
The Best Bakeries in Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County
Five places where the bread is real, the pastry case matters, and someone showed up before dawn to make it happen.
A guide to the best bakeries in Ann Arbor, Dexter, and Chelsea. Sourdough, croissants, bagels, and the ovens behind them.
Where to Eat with Kids in Washtenaw County
Twelve restaurants across Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, Dexter, and Chelsea where children are welcome and the food is still good.
Finding restaurants that work for kids without boring the adults is harder than it should be. Twelve spots across Washtenaw County that thread the needle.
Holiday Dining in Washtenaw County
Thanksgiving reservations, holiday parties, and New Year's Eve. Where to celebrate and what to book now.
A guide to holiday dining in Washtenaw County. Thanksgiving dinner, holiday party venues, New Year's Eve, and catering options from November through December.
Fall Eating in Washtenaw County
Cider mills, apple farms, and the restaurants that cook with what October gives them.
A guide to fall eating in Washtenaw County. Cider mills, apple farms, U-pick, and which restaurants build menus around Michigan's best harvest season.
Detroit Is 45 Minutes Away. That's Not an Excuse. It's an Invitation.
An Ann Arbor food writer on why Washtenaw County diners who ignore Detroit are cheating themselves out of the best meals in the region.
Washtenaw County has great restaurants. Detroit has a different kind of great. An argument for making the drive east.
Best Patios in Washtenaw County
Seven outdoor dining spots worth planning your summer around. The season is short. Use it well.
Seven patios across Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, and Dexter that are worth the wait for warm weather. The outdoor dining season in Michigan is short, so spend it in the right places.
The People Who Cook Your Food
Every story we tell is about chefs and owners. The kitchen runs on people we never name.
Every story we tell is about chefs and owners. The kitchen runs on people we never name.
Date Night Guide: Washtenaw County
Eight restaurants where the food, the room, and the company all work together.
The best date night restaurants in Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County: Echelon, Spencer, Bellflower, Mani Osteria, and more. Eight picks for a real dinner out, updated 2026.