Roadhouse

What’s New at the Roadhouse


Have you stopped into the Roadhouse lately?

If you have, you may have heard excited whispers from the Roadhouse team and our guests about our James Beard nomination for outstanding service. 

You may have also noticed some modest but significant upgrades in carpet and paint in addition to a new bar top. Other improvements, which you likely did not notice, include a new kitchen floor and plumbing updates. This renovation effort was a triumph in timing and coordination. The Roadhouse team stuck to a strict timeline and opened on time. The Roadshow’s crew helped our regulars get their Zingerman’s fix during the short sabbatical.

Between the Roadhouse’s short break in service and the humbling honor of being a James Beard Award finalist, we want to take a moment to reflect on what the Roadhouse means to so many people.

Welcome Back Dinner

At the Roadhouse’s “Welcome Back” dinner that followed the renovation, we had a chance to catch up with a few Zingerman’s regulars and some of the team over a stream of the Roadhouse’s greatest BBQ hits. It was an evening of connection. Guests shared their favorite memories of dining at the Roadhouse and the Zingerman’s team shared what working at Zingerman’s means to them. Chef Bob and Ari shared stories that brought the food to life, connecting us to the food on our plate and to the purveyors who crafted the ingredients.

Our tablemates were not surprised by the James Beard nomination and were excited to share memories attending special dinners and eating at the bar over the years. One of our new friends was in town for just a day, but managed to eat at the Roadhouse for breakfast and was back to grab dinner before driving home to the West side of the state.

Our table’s conversation also drifted to the restaurant that came before the Roadhouse – Bill Knapps – and how nice it is to have a special, relaxed place to gather no matter what the occasion is.

With gratitude, we’d like to honor everyone at the Roadhouse, and their exceptional service, who make it a third place to gather day in and day out.

As Ari said during the dinner, “It’s all about the people who work here and the food we serve. It’s about always improving, even 10-20 years later.”

We hope you stop in soon. Here are a few special events we have planned for May.

Special Roadhouse Events in May

Mother’s Day Brunch
Sunday, May 5, 2019

Our Mother’s Day Brunch menu features Crab Cake Benedict, Lemon Ricotta Pancakes and Shrimp and Grits. On top of a delicious menu and Mom-osas, you’ll have a chance to buy your mom flowers from a VW bus! The University Flower Shop bus will sell arrangements during our special Mother’s Day Brunch.

Special Event #237: Milled in Michigan with Love
Tuesday, May 14, 2019
7:00 p.m.

Stone milling local grains has enriched southeastern Michigan as far back as the early 19th century. Water-powered stone grist mills were at the heart of every town that settled along the Huron, Clinton, and Raisin Rivers. To continue this tradition, Zingerman’s Bakehouse recently began freshly milling their own flours using organic grains. At the dinner, managing partners Amy Emberling and Frank Carollo will talk about how their freshly ground flours are making everything they bake that much better.

The 10th Annual Bacon Ball
Thursday, May 30, 2019
7:00 p.m. 

The Roadhouse can’t wait to welcome Tony Fiasche, co-owner of Tempesta Market in Chicago for this year’s Bacon Ball. For our 10th Annual Bacon Ball, Tony put together a menu that will spread the love of his famed ‘nduja, and highlight the award-winning artisan meats he crafts from humanely-raised heritage pigs. Dubbed the “Sausage Kings of Chicago” by Foodable, Tony and his father Agostino continue a tradition of five generations of Calabrian salumi-making.