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The Sidetrack Bar
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56 E Cross Street, Ypsilanti, MI 48198 (734) 483-1035
The Sidetrack Bar and Grill is one of the most popular bars in Washtenaw County, located in Ypsilanti's historic Depot Town. There has been a bar at this location since the mid- to late-1800s, with early incarnations catering to railroad workers. Frenchies is right next door, and is used as overflow for the Sidetrack crowd or private functions.
Sidetrack takes its name from the tracks that run right by it; in 1929, an eastbound train carrying a load of lumber jumped the tracks and demolished the end of the building, now a patio. Famous for its burgers and "ridiculously cheap" happy hour (including "late night happy hour" starting at 10pm), it is a popular retreat for locals during and after U of M football games. While it's place on GQ Magazine's "best burgers" list is for the beef, the 'track additionally has good vegetarian / vegan fare, including black bean burgers and tacos, and tempeh burgers and sandwiches.
Like much of Depot Town, it is controlled by a member of the French Family; this one is Linda French, with the help of her daughter Jessica French.
Links:
- Sidetrack website: http://www.sidetrackbarandgrill.com/
- GQ Magazine: http://men.style.com/gq/features/full?id=content_2526
Much more history in the Summer 2006 Gleanings (pdf)
[edit] In the news
- 1929 crash reshaped Sidetrack Bar and Grill building, James Mann, Ann Arbor News, January 2009
- The Depot Town district building did not always have this angle, and for many years there was a small shop in the corner. This changed on the morning of Monday, Jan. 21, 1929, when a train car crashed into the side of the building.
