The annual Ann Abor Art Fair is happening this weekend, and if you’re looking to grab a bite in between shopping, how about trying a place that makes handmade pretzel sticks? Ashley’s on State Street in Downtown Ann Arbor has been a staple in the community for more than four decades.
“Whether it’s a time when they went to school here, they always come back, homecoming, football games,” Jeff Moore Co-Owner of Ashley’s said.
He said the restaurant he and his brother opened 41 years ago has been a staple for past and current students, and visitors to the University of Michigan campus. When you walk in you’ll see the history of the place on the walls, including how the restaurant’s main concept came to be, which is having a huge variety of craft beer.
“We have over 60 beers on tap,” Moore said. There are hundreds of empty beer bottles all over the restaurant. Moore said over the years, they were all drank by him, and each one has a story, many being from other countries where he learned about their style of beer.
Moore said, in his opinion, beer pairs better with food than wine, and they have plenty of delicious bites to choose from. He said during the school year they sell about a thousand pretzel sticks weekly, and they are all made in house with a special machine, so are the buns for their sandwiches. The also have Korean fried chicken, loaded potato fries and more.
To see the entire interview, click the video above.