Looking for a cheap meal around campus? This list has got you covered with some of the tastiest and best value meals in Washtenaw county closest to Washtenaw’s universities.Â
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Eastern Michigan University Â
.2 miles from Boone Hall
$6-14
At the corner of Ballard and Cross street is a pick your own burrito and taco joint opened to serve the university crowd. Opened by an Eastern Michigan University graduate, Stufd is open from 11am-12am everyday for dine-in or take-out with a casual dining area featuring a foosball table for a friendly competition while waiting on your food. Street parking in front of the building is usually available. Â
.1 mile from Boone Hall
$5-11
Goras Grill serves flavorful vegan, vegetarian, gluten free and dairy free choices without breaking the bank. The grill is open from 11:30-9p.m. Tuesday through Saturday for burgers with vegan cheese, bowls and wraps and can be enjoyed in a unique metallic ambiance with striking red furniture. Don’t forget a ginger tonic or mango lassi to drink! Street parking on Cross Street is usually available.Â
.1 mile from Boone Hall
$3-18
Butter chicken, lamb biryani, aloo samosas and more are available at this Indian cuisine spot. Shrimp Flavors us open for lunch from 11-3p.m. and dinner from 5-10p.m. daily for dine in and take-out. Street parking in front of the building is usually available. Â
.4 miles from The Towers residential dormsÂ
$4-14
If you are looking for a full plate of tasty chinese food, check out Lucky Garden Monday through Friday from 11-9p.m. and Sunday from 12-9:00p.m for take-out only. They are known for their lunch special of an entree like almond chicken, beef and broccoli or kung pow shrimp with rice and free soup from 11-3 daily. The full menu includes fried rice, lo mein and egg foo young among many selections. Free parking is available.Â
U of M North CampusÂ
.3 miles from the North Campus Research ComplexÂ
$2-14
Located in the Plymouth Road Plaza with free parking, this breakfast and lunch cafe is well lit with windows lining the seating. Sandwiches with a pickle spear, tofu and avocado wraps, and many egg-based breakfasts are available for takeout or dining in during their open hours on Tuesday-Saturday from 8-3p.m. and Sunday 9-3p.m. For a quick morning boost, check out the many coffees, lattes and loose tea selections from the drink menu.
.5 miles from Stamps Faculty and Graduate Studio
$6-24
Open for lunch and dinner from 11-9p.m. Monday through Saturday, Zamaan Cafe is a Lebanese restaurant with a vast array of vegetarian options. Pita wraps, hummus specialties and rice entrees can be enjoyed in booth and table seating or for takeout. Free parking is available right outside the building.Â
El Limon
.3 miles from the North Campus Research ComplexÂ
$3-15
This Mediterranean and Mexican restaurant is the newest to Ann Arbor on this list, opening its doors in December 2022 for dine-in, take-out and delivery. The fusion collides to serve falafel tacos, chicken shawarma burritos and a cauliflower tahini bowl with Jarritos pop and juice to sip on. Located in the Plymouth Road Plaza, El Limon is open 11-9p.m. Monday through Saturday with free parking.Â
.4 miles from the North Campus Research Complex
$3-15
This American restaurant is a challenge for indecisive people with over 30 beers on tap and a wide array of cocktails and shots. Happy hour takes place daily from 3-6p.m. in a dimly lit ambiance with picnic tables lined with chairs. The kitchen offers sandwiches, burgers and shareable appetizers served on metal trays and stops taking orders an hour before closing time.
Rappourt has free parking and is open for take-out or dine-in from 3-10 Monday through Thursday and Saturday, 3-11p.m. on Friday and 3-9p.m. on Sunday.Â
U of M Central Campus
$9.99/pound
Sat next to the Library Lane Parking structure, Earthen Jar is a kosher, mostly vegan Indian buffet priced by the pound. It’s unmistakable awning and plants welcome guests to enjoy tofu or chickpea masala, sag dal and samosas. For a sweet treat, enjoy a rotating vegan and gluten-free dessert from Simple Pleasures. It is open 12-6p.m. Thursday through Saturday for indoor and outdoor dining or take-out.
.3 miles from the Diag
$4-14
At the corner of Division and Liberty stands a restaurant with tall ceilings and graffiti inspired art muraling the wall. It is open from 11-11p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11-12a.m on Friday and Saturday with weekday happy hours from 3-6p.m. This summer’s featured drink is a boozy sunrise slushie and the permanent menu includes a variety of margaritas, cocktails (and mocktails) and beer on draft. Indoor and outdoor dining or takeout is available to order stuffed build-your-own bowls, nachos and tacos or a few permanent menu items. Street parking or public parking structures surround Condados with free parking on Sundays.Â
.2 miles from the School of Social Work building
$8-15
Founded in the 1980’s, Kangs has a rich history with Ann Arbor and the University of Michigan. The entrees are separated by spicy and non-spicy dishes with vegetarian offerings for both. It is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11-8p.m. and Monday 11-2p.m. for dine-in or take-out, street parking and parking structures are available nearby.Â
Concordia University- Ann ArborÂ
1.9 miles from the Science BuildingÂ
$3-$13
Lunch Room Bakery prides itself on its locally-sourced vegan breakfast, lunch and rotating baked goods menu. The plant-based cafe is open Monday through Friday from 8-11a.m. for breakfast like a Hangover Cure Bagel Sandwich or a slice of Almond Butter toast with fruit and cinnamon and 11-3p.m. for lunch like a soy-based Banh Mi Hot Dog or a burrito bowl. Sip chai from Tea Haus or coffee from Hyperion with their daily offering of cookies, cakes, muffins and more. It is open for indoor and outdoor dining and take-out. Â
2.3 miles from North-East parking lot
$5-42
Palm Palace has been a staple Mediterranean restaurant in Ann Arbor since it opened in 2008. Past the vast appetizer menu, vegetarian, seafood and meat entrees served alongside soup or salad and rice or roasted vegetables, sandwiches, salads and tapas complete the menu. Many unique drinks are offered like lemonades and smoothies with fresh squeezed fruit, specialty coffee and potassium broth to name a few. It is open for delivery, take-out and dine-in Sunday through Thursday from 10-10p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10-11p.m with their own parking lot. Â
2 miles by car, 2.9 miles by foot from the Science Building
$6-20
Over the huron river and inside the Quality Inn Suites sits a Thai restaurant with a unique mango sticky rice dessert. Open Monday-Saturday from 11-10p.m.and Sunday from 12-9p.m. for booth seating to enjoy traditional appetizers like spring rolls and crab rangoons and a variety of curries, noodle soups and stir fries.Â
2.1 miles by car, 2.8 miles by foot from the Science Building
$2-$16
Found inside the strip mall Japanese restaurant are 4 delicious mochi flavors including tea and strawberry. For a more fulfilling meal, you can order tuna and tofu poke bowls, hibachi and ramen from the mobile ordering stand or with the front cashier mobile to enjoy at a table or to-go. It is open from 11-9p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11:00-9:30p.m. Friday and Saturday and 12-9p.m. on Sunday.Â
Washtenaw Community College
.6 miles from Lot 3Â
$1-24
Mo P’s is a popular, unassuming take-out lunch and dinner spot with a few indoor tables and free parking. Reading the chalkboard menu, any fish or chicken dinner comes with 2 sides from a massive list featuring mac and cheese, candied yams, coleslaw and more. For an easy lunch, check out the hot snack packs like sandwiches, wings and chicken breast with fries. The soul food restaurant is open Tuesday through Thursday from 12:30-7p.m., Friday and Saturday from 12:30-8p.m. and Sunday from 1-6p.m. for a meal or quick dessert. Â
1.4 miles from Lot 1
$4-30
Fit with a take-out counter and dine-in seating, Pita Pita Mediterranean Grill is a popular spot for classics like small and large shawarma sandwiches, fattoush salads and shareable hummus platters. It is open daily from 10-11p.m. with its own parking lot and delivery available. Â
1.2 miles from Lot 1
$2-18
Miny’s is open 11-8p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11-4p.m. on Sunday for indoor or outdoor dining and take out customers. Enjoy a Jarrito pop or Sangria with one of over 15 taco variations, a crunchy gordita, or a spicy chicken pambazo. Finish off the meal with a fried oreo or tres leches for the full Mexican restaurant experience. Located in the Fountain Square Shopping Center, free parking is available.Â
1.1 mile from Lot 1
$3-26
As one of the only Chinese buffets in Washtenaw county, it sets a high standard both in decor and food. Sushi, soups, simmered beef and more rotating meals are up for grabs during their open hours Wednesday through Monday from 11-9p.m. A menu for the kitchen is also available with highly praised dim sum among other items. Located on Washtenaw Road with its own parking lot, China palace is open for dine-in and take-out.