Anybody who has been in Ypsilanti long enough to miss Café Ollie can take heart with the opening of Plant Based Coneys, which began its soft opening in the same location, this June. And if the idea of something as traditionally American – and as meat and cheese based as a coney island – makes you skeptical, we can report that that there is little to fear.
Their vegan burger is generally solid and made even better with the mustard available at every table. Planet Based Coney’s salad is similarly very good, as is their pop.As for a side, the tater tots that they really steal the show.
That brings us to the thing that a traditionalist might take most issue with in a vegan coney island – the coney dog. Their coney dog is presented traditionally, with a vegan version of chili, diced onions and a Jackson Pollock-ish spray of yellow mustard.
And guess what? It is very good. It is not as heavy nor mouth-coating as a traditional, meat based coney dog perhaps, but it hits most of the same taste notes without making you feel all weighed down with calories as you finish it.
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The bones of Planet Based Coney’s predecessor remain – the exposed brick walls; the long, Gilded age vintage bar; the dark center by the restroom between the warm embraces of natural light afforded by the front windows facing Cross Street out front, and the deck out back, plus the deck itself.
The music is just loud enough to keep a lone dinner company without hindering a group conversation. The playlist should please anyone who listens to 107-one, frequents local Ann Arbor area concerts, or whose Spotify algorithm feeds them a lot of the 1975.
Anyone who has ever felt iffy about throwing way food scraps into the landfill after finishing a restaurant meal can leave methane woes behind, at least here. They provide a composting box alongside the expected garbage and recycling options.
As of now they are open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., every day but Monday, but that may change in the future. Prices range $2-$12, with sauces available $1 each.
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Drew Saunders is a freelance business and environmental journalist who grew up just outside of Ann Arbor. He covers local business developments, embraces his foodie side with reviews restaurants, obsesses over Michigan's environmental state, loves movies, and feels spoiled by the music he gets to review for Ann Arbor!
