Thompson's Bar & Grill

Even though this place is right on US-12 half way between Saline and Clinton, I love taking the way back dirt roads 10 miles to get here and back.  The same back roads I used to booze cruise as a teen back when Ronnie Reagan was scaring the crap out of terrorists.

Farmers, locals, even passers by frequent this establishment.  Good food and drink prices, Keno, Pool. When I order a mixed drink tall, the glass is TALL.  Taco specials are great as is the Philly Sandwich.

What else can I say?

When you first walk in, you get the impression that Thompson's is the kind of bar that only the locals and regulars would know about.
For good reason; it is in the middle of a long stretch of Michigan Avenue (US12) between Saline and Clinton. Who would go here?
Let me tell you! Locals, yokels and even a few from the city come out here to hang out and enjoy a real rural pub experience.
The food is GREAT with a few exceptions. Seriously, if you're going to eat Mexican style food, it really is best to eat it at a Mexican style restaurant (though it was survivable).
The hamburgers are the real star here. Delicious, cooked just right, perfect served with a side of chips or fries. DO GET THE FRIED PICKLES.
Fried pickles are localized, rural southern Washtenaw county pub MUST. If you see em on a menu, you just have to get them. You won't be sorry (what's a few more miles on the treadmill?!)!!
In the summer they proudly serve Bell's Oberon (a super big plus) and in the winter you can switch back to Sam Adams. What's not to love? Plus they will give you orange slices to put in your beer. Cool!
The way it's supposed to be. The waitresses are all cute, happy and friendly. They even wear tank tops in the winter. On Fridays they have a decidedly country-skewed karaoke. There is lots of seating and a couple of pool tables. Upstairs there's no windows but it's nonsmoking. But who cares? You are in the boonies, enjoy the locals hanging out at the bar. You may make a friend.
GREAT place to just come have a beer by yourself and just start talking to you stool neighbor at the bar. The booths need more padding but after a big beer or two or three you don't notice anymore. UPDATE 12/09: They renovated the padding in the booths! Hooray!
If you love the idea of 'True Blood's' Merlotte's Bar you have found the identical equivalent in Thompson's (sans vampires!).
Note: It used to be called the "Polar Bear" and it still bears the letters 'PB' on the windows. In the summer, you get an AWESOME sunset view over the farm fields across the road.
If you get too tipsy, you can take the back roads back to town. No, I did not just tell you that.

My only criticism about this bar & grill is that I did feel a little out of place the first time I went here. I've been here a few times now and I go with friends who are regulars. Your first visit may be a little intimidating, but it is worth it.

They have excellent food here. They basically offer typical bar food (burgers and fried things) as well as tasty salads. I always get one of their salads, ya can't go wrong with this one.

The waitstaff is friendly and it has a very homey feel to it. It's a dive of a place, but is one of my favorite places to hang out with friends.

It used to be called the Polar Bear and a lot of people still refer to it under this name. Just to let you know, it's the same thing:)