While I've had bad service at this place from time to time and the food is definitely better on some days than others, I'm still giving this place four stars. Â They don't have the most extensive beer selection in the world (although it definitely holds its own) but they have some really unique and great stuff you wont find anywhere else. Â Also, the hamburgers are amazing. Â All of the food is great (especially the black bean tacos) but the burgers really stand out. Â If you like burgers and beer, this is your place. Â The salmon is also pretty good. Â Overall, great place. Â Unfortunately there are a few instances in my memory preventing me from giving this place 5 stars but no one is perfect. Â Still the best restaurant in Ypsilanti.
Review Source:The Mac Attack Burger I had last night was quite good, and so were the happy hour specials... but immediately upon arrival, we noticed that the hostess who seated us was visibly pissed off about something.
This may have led to our table being totally neglected for 25 minutes with the four of us getting explosively hangry (hungry + angry) and me eating half of the container of pickles at our table before I managed to flag a waitress down and ask who our server was. She responded gracefully with "Oh, I don't know, but I would be happy to help you guys!" She was wonderful. The tall skinny miserable-looking girl who we eventually determined was originally supposed to be our waitress (we didn't see a sign of her until an hour in...) was not.
Anyway, I ordered the giant deep-fried mushrooms, which were awesommmmmmme, but that could have been because I was starving. The Mac Attack on brioche was also good--I could tell that the meat & bun were what was awesome about it though, and next time I'll stick to a regular burger. I swapped out the Cajun fries for sweet potato fries, which tasted fine with the garlic mayo, but they looked burnt?
I definitely hope to return to try some of the other menu items, but hopefully we won't be neglected again.
Great spot for outdoor seating. Â They have a great beer selection and our waitress had awesome recommendations. Â The sliders are the real reason I wanted to write a review--both the regular and gourmet are something to write home about. Â The perfect size with tender juicy meat and melty gooey cheese. Â The carmelized onions topping the sliders are sweet and delicious. Â I cannot wait to go back.
Review Source:Great pub, always an amazing selection of draft beers. The burgers are way better than they should be. The rest of the menu is solid and has really good vegetarian options. Thank god no one told sidetracks that they are located in Ypsilanti otherwise they would likely shut down or start serving Costco food
Review Source:Great burger. Period. My friends and I went there for my first time and of course, I had the burger. Tasted really great--however as I was finishing up half of it, I realized the 2nd half was under cooked (like raw) so I had to send it back. They brought a whole new burger quickly and it was cooked to perfection! Tasted so good. Service wasn't fast, but we had a lot to talk about so it was fine. If we were in the rush, we would have gotten aggravated with the delay tho. Overall, best burger in town! Can't wait to return!!
Review Source:Sidetrack is hearty flavorful bar food. You can sit right by the railroad tracks and it is pretty sweet when a train goes by during dinner. Â The fish and chips are done right, and everything people say about how good the burgers are is correct. Plus you can get a fried pickle appetizer. I have had inconsistent service there more than once, so if your food doesn't show up bug the waiter in case they have forgotten about you.
Review Source:One of my very favorite restaurants in Ypsi. The tempeh burger is so good (my mouth is watering just thinking about it) and it's great for me because it's easily ordered vegan (without cheese and without the dipping sauce for the fries). It boggles my mind how the tempeh could even be so good, and I've tried to duplicate it at home but it can't come close to Sidetrack. The sweet potato fries are also to die for!
The only complaint I have is in regards to the restaurant setup. The restaurant is just so small for the amount of people they usually try to seat. On a packed night, I can barely squeeze into my chair (how do handicapped/disabled people even get through this restaurant?) and the noise level is so much that a lot of the time it's hard to hear any conversation.
The wait staff is overall very friendly, although there was one incident where we waited about an hour and a half for our food (not sure if this was the fault of the waiter or in the kitchen- but either way, we were not pleased).
I'd recommend Sidetrack to anyone, but if you're in a hurry, consider doing carry out.
Located in historic Depot Town this place really does make you feel like you have stepped back in time. The food here is always good and the beer selection is fantastic. My personal favorite is the white fish sandwich and a pint of Edmund Fitzgerald Porter. The custom burger option is always good too.
I've been to Sidetracks dozens of times and never had a disappointing experience with the food or staff. It can get really busy at times but that's to be expected in a place this good. Â During the warmer months you can sit outside and watch the train go roaring by while shaded under colorful umbrellas sipping on your favorite drink. Or sit out back under a huge canopy with fans to cool you off.
I love Sidetrack. I love that it is cheap, and has tempeh, and fun fried things, and a great beer list. I think we all can agree on this.
What I do not love is THE SMELL. It is like a combination of malt vinegar, feet, and dirty mops. Sometimes it is so bad that I want to leave. But then, oh hey! It's happy hour and beer is so cheap! I guess I'll put up with the smell, but I really wish it wasn't there.
Best bar in Ypsilanti and i will tell exactly why.
For one the happy hour: 1/2 off all alcohol drinks and 3.25 for big mugs of beer (probably have about 20 on tap).
For two the appetizers: All are at a good price (between 6 and 7). The spinach and artichoke dip is probably top 3 or 5 best spinach dips i done ever had, seriously its that good. The spicy wings are also super good (probably 3rd best in the area behind knights and french quarter and are also sauce less).
For three the burgers: The burgers are as good as advertised, and in my opinion probably best burger in the city of Ypsilanti. Also the garlic aioli on the burger takes it to another level.
For four the Fries: these fries are slap your momma good. Similar to five guys or bagger Dave fries, but on another level (especially if you add the garlic seasoning to them, then they go up two levels)
Overall i think that this is top of line when your talking Ypsilanti establishments and in the grand scheme of things, it is just a flat out good place.
This place came highly recommended, not sure why.
Went in about 1pm and it had a steady flow of traffic and I guess we got prime seating right in the front window, from what I was told. Not much to look at but a traffic light and cars, so no beautiful curb appeal. The place however had that rustic look and feel, I'd rather have had sit in the middle of the restaurant to appreciate that. Â They had an enormous menu options, so there is something there for everyone.
I got a sandwich which normally comes with chips, but upgraded to wedge French fries at a cost. They were soggy, greasy, non-wedge and tasteless. I just thought it was my fries but my friend complained that his sweet potato fries were just as bad. Not sure if they weren't busy in the frying department, but it tasted like they were sitting around and refried them to warm them up.
Either way that just turned me off, if there's an up charge make sure it's worth it, because I wish I stayed with the chips! I could of settled for McDonald fries right now!
I won't be back!
My wife and I used to go to Sidetrack once or twice a week, but have recently taken to avoiding it mostly. Sidetrack has been a Depot Town staple for years and years, and although they do have an extensive beer list, a menu large enough to get just about anything you're craving, and happy hour pricing (and timing: 10pm-Close) that's the best in the area, their service has become so comically terrible that it makes all the positives not quite enticing enough to make it part of your regular restaurant rotation.
Since having not been for about two months, we decided to go again last night because I was in the mood for their Black Bean Burger and a 25oz. Newcastle. We were pleasantly surprised by the attentive server and the quick service. I left thinking, "That actually wasn't that bad..." That being said, that's in comparison to being seated and then waiting 30 minutes to be brought waters on one occasion, having gotten beers quickly and then waiting for our food only to find out the server forgot to enter the food order on another occasion, etc.
Until management realizes that they're losing loyal customers due to their staff that is mostly terrible and indifferent, with the occasional gem hidden in there, they'll continue having customers who really want Sidetrack to be good, but decide to go elsewhere to a bar where management isn't oblivious to their mounting customer service issues.
I just don't get it, everybody loves this place but I am not a believer. It is loud and cramped, and not particularly clean. All of the seating is uncomfortable, you are either getting your chair bumped, or feel completely trapped, and if you are seated within 20ft. of the bathroom it stinks! Everyone raves about the extensive beer list, but they are overpriced and always out of the beer I would like to try. The food is ok, nothing I would ever crave.The service is ok if they feel like serving you, and recently the manager went out of his way to be rude to one of my friends for no good reason at all. The only good thing about this place are the bartenders, and the fact that it is so close to better bars. Unfortunately, I get dragged in to sidetrack all the time when we ypsi bar crawl, and always dread it. I hate wasting money and time here.
Review Source:Sidetrack is definitely an Ypsi staple. Â To say that they have an extensive menu is an understatement--my favorite item is the tempeh philly. Â Whatever they grill that tempeh with makes it delicious...and if you're feeling extra-indulgent, make sure you get the side of ranch for dipping--yum! Â If you want something a little healthier, the salads are usually fresh--my personal favorite is the Michigan Harvest Salad. And I know I'm probably in the minority here, but I don't actually like their "house specialty" beer battered pickles. Â They're just whole pickle spears that the fry. Â I must prefer places that slice them up like potato chips and serve 'em with a dipping sauce. Â
As for the atmosphere, this place can get loud and somewhat claustrophobic when it's full. Â There is an outdoor patio space that is really nice in the summer, and I feel a bit like a little kid when I get excited by a train going by. Â The service is hit or miss and they have a large beer selection, but not a lot of options for non-beer drinkers.
We've always been a big fan of Ypsilanti's Depot Town. Â Partially because it's the host of the Michigan Summer Beer Festival, which is a magical distinction in and of itself. Â But we also love it because of the enormous character of its bars and restaurants. Â The Sidetrack was the last remaining place for us to visit, so our trip here was highly anticipated.
Thankfully, Sidetrack didn't let us down. Â We arrived at 5:30 on a cold, snowy Friday evening in February and were greeted by a warm fire, friendly staff, and thankfully zero wait for a table (however by the time we left, folks were lined up to be seated). Â Any place that has a separate beer menu is always awesome, especially when loaded with local Michigan craft beer. Â Sidetrack met both these criteria, and we were lucky enough to visit when they still had Bell's Hopslam on tap.
The menu is chock full of "hand crafted" burger options, which is Sidetrack's specialty. Â We sampled a basic cheeseburger and it was delicious and cooked to perfection. Â We also opted for the Louisiana White Fish Sandwich and WOW was it great - the fish was flaky and delicious, and the "twangy" sauce and pepperjack cheese vaulted it over the top.
The server was very attentive and when we stayed a bit longer to finish our beers after the bill had already been paid, she never once made us feel like we needed to get a move on. Â This was a pleasant departure from many other restaurants whom shall remain nameless.
If you're looking for a restaurant with charm, great food, an eclectic beer selection, look no further than Sidetrack. Â We will definitely return and would 100% recommend this place to others.
My favorite restaurant of all time. Seriously. There's something here for everyone, which makes it a good place to take several people with a range of tastes. My favorites:
-Fish tacos
-Grilled chicken/peppers salad (can't think of the name of it right now)
-Hobo sandwich
-BBQ plate
They have an amazing craft beer selection. The atmosphere is historic and inviting, and we've always had great service. Wouldn't change a thing.
Sidetrack is my go-to in the 'hood. In the winter, it's warm and cozy - and in the summer, it's the perfect place to sit with drinks on the patio.
From grabbing dinner to late night happy hour (yes, LATE NIGHT HAPPY HOUR - HALF-OFF beverages!) drinks, you really can't go wrong. Always great beers on tap. Not a beer drinker? They've got fancy cocktails, too.
Food favorites:
-Fish tacos
-Portobello burger
-Pub chips
-Mozz sticks (seriously, what do they do to make them so good here?)
Be warned: it gets a little crazy on the weekends, so if that's not your thing, come during the week.
Sidetrack is totally overrated. Maybe people are just desperate for a decent beer list....I know I am.
Living in Ypsilanti, loving craft beer and good burgers, it would be logical for me to LOOOOVE Sidetrack...unfortunately the service of the staff is so laughably bad it's starting to reflect poorly on me for giving them so many chances.
I've been to ST 4 times now. The first 3 were among the most disappointing experiences I've ever had at a restaurant.
1. I went to the Short's Brewery TapTakeover, as it is my favourite brewery. Sidetrack's website indicated lots of ~fun~ and ~free beer swag~. I was hoping to get a shirt or at least a sticker! I asked my waitress and she said she had no idea what I was talking about, whatever. Â I ordered a beer and 20 minutes later it arrived. I then had the idea to get a sample paddle, as I was at the tap takeover, and wanted to taste as many as I could. After deciding and ordering my paddle, I waited another 20 minutes to be told they "didn't do those anymore"....only to see other diners with them. I paid for my first beer and left. I later spoke with management about the lies on their website and they had nothing but silly excuses...which makes sense, given the staff they employ.
2. I went back with a friend for a snacky lunch. On my previous visit, I had eyed the bavarian ham sandwich that in emboldened letters, also included honey mustard. I ordered a dish of french fries, asked for a side of honey mustard only to be told they "didn't carry that"...disregarding the sandwich with it as the main condiment, I guess.
3. Was unable to order as I sat on the patio for 30 minutes before getting water.
4. WOW! I can't believe I went back. But I guess 4th times a charm. I went with my mother on a Friday night and ordered a burger which was absolutely perfect.
blimpy does it better, cheaper, and with better service. never again, ST.
I've recently been introduced to the wonder that is Sidetrack. I'm only upset I never decided to come sooner.
I've been visiting with friends during Sidetrack's happy hours, where most drinks are half-off. They make a mean Long Island, let me tell you, and for $3.50, you're really getting your money's worth.
My husband especially loves Sidetrack's selection of beers on tap. His most recent discover is Bell's Captain Spontaneous. A huge 25-oz pour is only $3.xx when you come during happy hour!
In addition to their wonderful drinks (and prices), I've become quite enamored with their cheese sticks. We've all had cheese sticks before right? We should all know the difference between good ones and bad ones... Bad ones have thick, tasteless cheese and sticky, fish stick-like breading with no flavor. Good ones have delicious gooey cheese and crunchy, seasoned breading. Sidetrack has the best restaurant cheese sticks I've ever had... and I'm quite the cheese stick connoisseur.
We've tried a few of their other food offerings including their mini burgers, chicken gumbo, black bean tacos, onion rings and English chips. They've all been great. I recently tried their ham & Swiss sandwich on pretzel bun and I swore I went to heaven! The salty of the ham with the sweet of the bun was just incredible. I don't think this place can do any wrong, really.
Sidetrack is a bit loud and lively, so don't come here expecting a quiet drink. It's a college town, after all. But if you want a great atmosphere, beyond-reasonable happy hour specials, good eats and excellent beard-watching, give Sidetrack a visit!
I'm writing this review from my couch, right after dinner and drinks at Sidetracks. Â I'm not gonna lie... I had to change into my stretchy pants the second I got home and I don't think I'll be moving from my spot for the rest of the night-- I ate and drank that much.
Besides the fact that I now feel like a meatball... I had such a great time tonight! Sidetracks is a fantastic place for an outing with friends. Â They have great beers; delicious food; a casual, fun atmosphere and friendly service. Â Our waitress was a complete doll-- she handled our special requests cheerfully and even split the appetizers and dessert across all of our bills without us even having to ask. Â I was impressed.
My group and I indulged tonight. Â We ordered onion rings and beer battered pickles as appetizers and the ice cream brownie sundae for dessert. Â This was the first time I've ever had fried pickles... obviously anything deep fried is tasty but these were totally drool-worthy. Â (I might have burned the roof of my mouth trying to eat them too quickly...) The onion rings were humongous, and delicious too! Â Dessert was good.
For an entree, I ordered the Mac Attack burger with cajun fries. After so many beers and appetizers, I wasn't even hungry by the time my meal came, but how was I supposed to resist a freshly grilled burger topped with thick bacon and macaroni and cheese? Â Uh the answer is I didn't. Â I only managed to eat half of it, but I'm sure you can tell that I was delighted with my order . The cajun fries (and the sweet potato fries for that matter) weren't anything special though, I wish I could have replaced them with deep fried pickles!
In terms of beer, my friend was ecstatic to see her favorite Belgian beer, Delerium, on the menu (recommended, it's great). Â We split the sampler paddle, in which we chose a pineapple IPA, Woodchuck Cider, the Christmas Ale and Delerium. Â The Christmas Ale was really unique, be sure to try this one too!
By all means... you can see those 5 stars above my review... go to Sidetracks!!!!
The price is nice for a burger rumored to be the best in the area. Â I ordered it medium and got medium well, but I didn't mind. Â I ordered the Mac Attack burger with Cajun fries - Mac and cheese and bacon on the burger! Â The bacon was fantastic, crispy, thick, and generous. Â The Mac was a kind of ziti with multiple cheeses. Â I finished everything. Â The iced tea is clearly brewed, and they gave me a carafe, first thing.
As for atmosphere, it reminds me a little of an old saloon, with aged wood floors, tin square ceiling, and a classic bar. Â Today, the area above the bar is covered in cobwebs and orange lights for Halloween.
They have a ton of beer options, though I didn't try them today. Â I'm looking forward to saving room for their fried pickles and bread pudding next time!
I've recently gotten into the tradition of visiting good ol' Sidetrack on a weekly or near-weekly basis. After my eleven-hour workday each Thursday, I tend to pop in with a group of friends to unwind and relax over Happy Hour drinks and good quality pub grub.
The place is always quite busy and, therefore, loud, but the service remains consistently attentive nonetheless. How strong the drinks are varies week by week, depending probably on who is tending and who the server is, but I've never been disappointed in them (though I definitely prefer them on the stronger weeks). The prices at Happy Hour can't be beat, either way.
My group meet-ups are always quite the mixed bag - some people are ordering from the taps, others want mixed beverages; some are omnivores, others vegetarian and vegan - but Sidetrack successfully addresses the needs of the lot of us, regardless. I'm partial to the Long Islands and English Chips, though the Black Bean Burger is to die for, same as the Ichibad Pumpkin Ale, Sweet Potato Fries and Cajun Fries.
Come on through and see for yourself.
Sidetrack is LOUD LOUD LOUD, but so worth the damage to your eardrums. Their drinks own Aubree's/Sticks across the street (THEY HAVE A BLENDER!). The desserts are great. I love the patio spaces. I don't think I've had anything other than appetizers/drinks/desserts here, so I'm no help beyond that. Go forth, and enjoy!
Remember-
Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy! - Benjamin Franklin. ;)
My husband isn't a yelper so he told me to yelp this place. Â He would probably give Sidetracks a 5. This is his favorite burger joint.
He first heard about this place because it was raved about in the GQ magazine. Â I heard about it from oprah.
It's solid for their burgers. I've had the Mac&Cheese burger and the Veggie burger called Tempeh buger. The vegetarian burger was amazing! Its a soy burger. Even my husband thought it was amazing. Â The size of the burgers aren't large enough to split. I heard the mac and cheese dish was good too.
As far as salads, the big Michigan salad is always good. It has dried cherries slices of apples and pears. You also get a choice of grilled chicken, black bean burger or tempeh (soy burger).
The wings are solid. The hubby likes the fried pickles. I'm not a big fan of fried pickles.. so my opinion doesn't count on them.
The restaurant looks like a standard midwest bar. Its right next to a railroad track abd the train comes by every so often. It has a comfortable atmosphere. The service is friendly. They take kinda long in coming out with the meals. Â
Can't wait to try the other burgers
Saturday lunch before a wedding in Michigan.
Pub downtown by the rail road, little patio outside.
I ordered the pulled pork and BBQ sauce quesadilla. It was good, spicy BBQ sauce, moist pulled pork in 2 grilled flour tortillas. Served with a ranch a BBQ sauce. It could have used more cheese but it was good.
My husband for the double decker burger with cheddar cheese and home made fries. It really liked it and said it was a legit burger :)
I relied on my server's (solicited, yes) food suggestions all night. It worked out.
Service was timely, and the gourmet mini burgers were surprisingly dericious! Their blue cheese dressing is now in my top 5. My boyfriend got the club sandwich, and I have to say that they were delightfully stacked in heaps and just the right proportion of everything to make one bite explode with club sandwich-ness. I know I'm in a happy place when I'm impressed with a club sandwich and sliders. What is going on.
Next time I will try one of their massive special burgers. The one with the mac and cheese seems to be calling my name...
Talk about diversity...Sidetrack has a wonderfully crafted menu and ALL the food is AMAZING! Â This is yet another one of those places that I eat at far too regularly to admit...let's just be honest, Sidetrack makes me happy my fridge is never stocked.
This is a local favorite and you really can't go wrong; always packed, super busy, and always oh so GOOD! Â Best burger EVER and a great place to hang out, eat great food and have a good beer. Â The patio is the best place in Ypsi to hang out when weather permits!
Service can be hit or miss; I have had some of the best service here as well as some of the worst. Â I take it all with a grain of salt because the food is SO amazing and the atmosphere is so laid-back and carefree I can't hold it against them.
All in all I think Sidetrack is one of the best restaurants and coolest places to hang out in Ypsi; heck, this place is even a contender with some of the restaurants on Main St. in Ann Arbor...so if you're on the other side of town it is totally worth the drive!
One star for stellar beer list and fun drinks.
One star for fabu outside seating, location, and being the place to see and be seen in Ypsi.
One star for the excellent happy hour.
As for the food... no stars at all from this Vegan gal. The cross-contamination on the grill is at such a high level that your tempeh will arrive enrobed in a thick layer of meaty grease and studded with chunks of flesh. Such a shame, too, because they have ample veg-friendly selections, including a Philly, burger, and salads topped with tempeh. I've been eating here off and on since the lat 90s and this is a long-standing issue.
Other vegan notes: The black bean burger contains egg as a binder. Daiya cheese is now available but you'll need to get it on a plain salad. The grilled veggies on the pita pizza fall victim to the meat-palooza on the grill. I recommend the following: Guacamole (fairly sure this does not contain sour cream), side salad, maybe they'll do a pita pizza with Daiya and no grilled veggies?
Ah well. Get some great Michigan beer and you'll feel better.
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