Great service, food and selection. It wasn't what I expected but still surprisingly good. Oat bran pancakes with well done turkey bacon and real maple syrup was fantastic. Get a single cake. It's huge. The server - Jamaican (that's his name) - was excellent. Super attentive, great with the recommendations and fast. The place was packed for Friday lunch hour. Parking is hairy but if you can get a spot, it's worth a stop. read more

Okay Yelpers! You did a great job in steering me to a great place during a recent visit to Ann Arbor. I wanted breakfast with mom, and given I was unfamiliar with the area, I pulled out my handy yelp app and quickly discovered that Northside was basically within a stone's throw of where I was. So we jumped in the car and drove over. The cute little restaurant is just my kind of place! As we pulled open the door, we were given the choice of a table or a booth (booth please, mom's fav!) and handed a large menu with plenty of choices for mom and me. While she ordered pancakes (trust me, there are plenty of flavors and styles), i wanted an omelette with all the trimmings and was happy to hear that they could make it just the way I wanted. When the food showed up, mom's pancakes needed their own zip code they were so big, and I had enough food for a couple of meals. Our server, Jamaican (yep that was his name not his nationality, he said his mom had a sense of humor) was great! Accommodating, friendly and quick with the refills on their wonderful coffee. And he even was able to come up with sugar free syrup that my mom wanted. Yay! Breakfast was about $22 which was cheap for all the food we had. And parking is easy either on the street or in their private lot (more parking around back if you need it) Will I be back? You betcha! Cuz my only wish was that the Northside Grill was actually located closer to my "neck of the woods!" read more

It's really a 3.5 star- homey old time atmosphere, it's a classic American fare breakfast brunch place that has prospered as long as I can remember. This visit, I judged it solely based on taste, having my usual, and the most basic offering: 2 eggs, 4 sausage links, hash browns and rye toast. My companion had the Big Easy- a hash brown scramble with two sunny side eggs over top which I also had the pleasure of tasting. Sausage links and eggs paired nicely with the thick cut rye toast whose butter proportion didn't drown out the toast or make the plate overwhemingly oily. Hash browns were a bit mushy, oily and not the best on the crunch. Two types of hot sauce were a nice touch though. The Big Easy however was well done, it was very flavorful with its spicy sausage and medley of vegetables topped with lots of cheese. The over medium eggs ran down the sides of the hash making for a tasty bite. The quality of the hash browns were kept well disguised in this dish. Overall, a must try place for the experience, serving up local Ann Arbor offerings, such as lobster butter love coffee but a bit overpriced for the quality of food. I'd suggest $10 for the Big Easy and $8 for the basic offering? read more

The Northside Grill is a great spot to grab breakfast in Ann Arbor. Being in business for over 10 years, this diner really recognizes and represents the hospitality and support for local businesses in Ann Arbor. Be sure to get in earlier on weekends as there is usually a wait. My personal favorites are the omelettes as well as the Two Deuces (2 eggs, 2 strips of bacon, 2 sausage links, and a choice of 2 types of pancakes). Their Maiden Lane breakfast sandwich is also delicious and comes with a side of hashbrowns. The diner also has great club sandwiches that come with fries. Amongst all the popular breakfast spots in Ann Arbor, Northside Grill is definitely worth a try and is reasonably priced for delicious start to your day! read more

Northside Grill - 2 egg breakfast with sausage ($9). - Diners Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

First impressions: easy parking, friendly staff, comfortable atmosphere. The biscuits and gravy are good! The biscuits especially. Very fluffy. Large portion, very filling. read more

We were visiting our son on a weekend at UMich and this place was so good we went twice! The potato pancakes are a must try and everything else was good, too. Omelettes, rye toast and bacon. Pancakes are HUGE! Outdoor and indoor socially distant seating. read more

This is really a place in the middle of nowhere but it kind of fits. As you walk up you see the beautiful outdoor patio to the left and then the nice pot of flowers and greenery on the quaint little diner. For waiting there are quaint little benches outside. Walking in it certainly doesn't look like your typical Ann Arbor joint. It's more like a dive--but let's be clear, it's clean. But you will smell like diner when you leave so come in clothes you'll change out of. Even on a Friday at 10am I had to wait with my little pager for about 8 minutes (gasp!). I really didn't know what to get and because so many recommended the corned beef hash, I felt compelled to try it (and I've never had corned beef hash), although I was tempted to get their skillets or yummy-looking sandwiches. -Coffee: it's quite good. It has somewhat of a pretzel taste? -Corned Beef Hash with Poached Eggs & Raisin Toast: the poached eggs are wonderfully runny and cooked well. hmm, corned beef hash is interesting. It's VERY salty and makes the potatoes not as crisp as I would like. The raisin bread is fresh and has a great mix of raisins and cinnamon. I don't normally go for raisin toast but it is a nice sweet that mixes weirdly well with the hash and poached eggs. I couldn't finish the hash though--waaaay too salty. -Blueberry Oat Bran Pancakes: it has a mushy texture that isn't fully cooked (yum!) and the blueberries have a lot of flavor. It's a bit like blueberry porridge. It's nice. -Apple Oat Bran Pancakes: this has the same oaty texture but I like the blueberries more. The flavor seems to pop out more because the apples have the same mushy consistency as the pancake mix and get lost. I don't really like the syrup unfortunately. It tastes like Aunt Jemima's. Bleh. But both pancakes need something to make them a little less dry. -P-nut Butter Chocolate Cookie: uh oh. These are dangerous. Not only is it a PG/sugar cookie, but there is peanut butter inside that mixes with the chocolate. And it's so nice and mushy. AND HUGE. I mean I ate the whole thing which would make a normal person feel sick because it's rich. It was good. Once. Yum. FINAL VERDICT: what's great about the menu is that you really can make anything to order AND, you can easily get a little bit of everything with the side orders or orders of 1 of each instead of full pancake stacks. I like the options Northside Grill provides but nothing was absolutely amazing. The pancakes were good, the poached eggs were lovely but nothing made me say I have to come back. I don't really have any dish to recommend. read more

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Blueberry oat bran pancakes were out of this world! Didn't even need butter. The chai latte was also pretty bomb. My boyfriend was really excited that they served Roosroast coffee. Tip: try to go before or after peak hours, or else you'll be waiting forever (boyfriend and I tried to eat here last week around 1030am on a Sunday and were told that we'd have to wait 25 minutes). read more

Northside Grill - Four deuces! Two strips of turkey bacon, two eggs, two sausages, two blueberry oat bran pancakes. YUM. - Diners Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

Quaint. Cozy. Homely. No, I am not talking about your grandmother's cottage. I am referring to the lovely breakfast nook known as the Northside Grill in the fabulous city of Ann Arbor. Although I have had the pleasure to dine here on multiple occasions, my most recent visit was the most memorable. Nothing was done differently on this visit, and that is the exact reason I am leaving this review. The consistently courteous staff and savory dishes have rubbed me the right way, and no, I am still not talking about your grandmother's cottage. Upon entering the Northside Grill with two of my closest blood-relatives, I was shocked to see open tables on such a lovely Sunday afternoon. But there were no complaints, as I was able to be seated without the slightest hesitation. After a quick swig of perfectly prepared coffee, I found myself perusing the menu for suitable sustenance. My gaze quickly shifted towards the omelet section, and with no time to waste, I carefully curated an omelet order that was fit for any egg-loving monarch. While creating my order, I had realized one of the most impactful double-standards in the restaurant scheme. This realization was at no fault of the Northside Grill, as they had become a victim of the wealth-obsessed society that many of us choose to ignore. If I would like to add any topping or item to my omelet, there is a minor charge to my bill, which is understandable. But if I wish to remove an item from a pre-designed omelet order, such as the Western omelet, my bill is not reduced by any means. Why is the Western omelet without cheese allowed to be the same price as a Western omelet with cheese? Why are we subjected to such overt double-standards and excepted to be compliant with the greed of the bourgeoisie? These questions will never be answered, so I placed my order and decided to drown my thoughts in another cup of caffeine-infused bean water. After enjoying my tasty yet financially-oppressive omelet, I surveyed the area for the nearest latrine to relieve my aching bladder. I sighted the ever-so-familiar "Restroom" sign and made my way over. Upon my arrival, I was utterly baffled, as before my very eyes was a singular room with a lone toilet. My palms became clammy and my hands started to shake, as the pressure of using the only toilet in the restaurant is something I wouldn't wish upon my worst enemy. In any other situation I would have sprung back to my seat and held my bladder, but not at the Northside Grill. A place that is so cozy and quaint allows one to focus on deeper thoughts, and not succumb to primitive worries. My hands returned to a normal temperature, as I realized something so humbling about the bathroom situation, that no bodily reaction could overcome. I had realized that every single patron of the Northside grill, regardless of wealth, gender, race, or egg-preference, has used the exact same toilet. With a society so obsessed with differences, a porcelain beacon of commonality and unity was before me. I was so humbled, yet so proud, of what opportunity was presented before me. I relieved myself with plenty of gusto and promptly returned to my table to share my epiphany. With a splendid array of coffee choices, satisfying meals, and a vast array of subtle societal commentary, the Northside Grill has it all. I hope that everyone has the chance to visit this establishment at least once in their lifetime, although I know that the world is not nearly as gracious to allow such a thing. I will be back without a doubt, and if I don't return, consider me dead. read more

Northside Grill - Diners Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

Came here for a birthday breakfast with my mom--they offer a free breakfast on your birthday! The place was packed on a Sunday morning around 8:30AM, and we got the last available seats at the counter. Guests who arrived after us were given a buzzer and allowed to wait on the heated patio, where they could order coffee. Everything was great, from service to food. My waiter even gave me this dancing turkey hat to wear, haha. Adorable place with good food! read more

Recommended for good American breakfast diner. Legit, if a little pricey. Had a breakfast of short stack of buttermilk pancakes, single potato pancake, omelette, tea, orange juice, legit maple syrup. This came out to around 40 bones with tip and tax. 2.25 for a little bit of real maple syrup. It was busy and good vibes. Good food. Decent service. read more

Food was outstanding and Jonathan, our server was very attentive and efficient. Would recommend to anyone for breakfast.

Not as good as nostalgia, but still good. I used to come here quite a bit 15 years ago, before moving away. But today, it didn't quite live up to the memory. The coffee and bread are what I remember, but my breakfast was coney grade at premium prices. A $4 side of bacon should be better than soggy foodservice grade. At these prices, you need to get the details right. read more

A friendly and comfortable diner in the Ann Arbor area. Near the Kellogg Eye Center, this diner features a full fledged menu and is a wonderful places to grab a meal if you're feeling breakfast food. They give good portions and have great service. On your birthday you get a free entree as well :) I come here pretty often with friends but it can get busy in the weekends! read more

This place makes a solid breakfast, but I'm not sure what the big deal is? The service was friendly, but she got a friend's order wrong (she wanted the poached egg poached "medium-y," which got translated to "medium easy," i.e. not poached at all) and I ordered wheat toast but got some sort of oatmeal bread. I thought the hash browns were good but not amazing, and the waitress seemed confused that I ordered such a large breakfast (with a ham steak to boot) and gave it to one of the boys in the group instead. Overall, I thought the experience was A-OK, but I won't be going out of my way to return. Unless they add eggs benedict to the menu. Great selection of music, though. I was surprised to hear Madeleine Peyroux's "J'ai deux amours" playing! read more

This place was so cute and tasty! Definitely like a brunch/lunch coffee shop. The prices were great, and the people working there very friendly. It was my boyfriend's birthday, so they picked up the tab for his meal & drink! So cool! He got a black bean burger which he really liked, though it was weird that it didn't naturally come with fries. I got the breakfast plate (forget exactly what it was called). Came with hashbrowns (more on the soft side than crispy side), biscuit or toast (loved the biscuit) 2 eggs, and choice of meat (made my bacon perfect, nice and crispy!) There was plenty of parking in the back, so no need to park on street really. Also it closes at 3 pm every day, so don't forget! I'll definitely be coming back. read more

Food was fabulous. The potato pancakes were the best we've ever had! Dark roast coffee was yummy and I got a cup to go Great atmosphere and service read more

Absolutely, hands down, my favorite breakfast place in Ann Arbor, maybe anywhere! It's a destination for me! I had a performance this morning at a school about 15 minutes away from here... Close enough for me!!! Today, although it's raining, foggy and gloomy, there is such a comfortable and happy feeling in this place. Everyone seems so content. There are some awesome old school tunes playing overhead... Nothing like Mowtown on a gloomy morning to pep you up! There is usually a wait when I come, but not today. Today and every day I come here, the waitstaff is awesome! So cheery and efficient! And the food? Fantastic! Today, I had something they call 2 Deuces. I absolutely have to have the blueberry oat bran pancakes every time I come here but, trying to balance my foods, I also wanted some poached eggs and some meat. I was trying to order two different meals when my server kindly pointed out the two deuces, which came with two pancakes of any type, two eggs (as you can see from my photo, mine were perfectly poached slightly hard, exactly the way I requested them. I didn't eat them until well into my meal and they were still hot!), two sausage links and 2 hearty and perfectly cooked pieces of bacon! All I can say is, it's a good thing I don't live nearby because I would weigh a ton! PS. They had French vanilla roast coffee for $2.25 with free refills, if you don't want to spend the money on a fancy coffee drink. And for those of you who don't want to ingest high fructose corn syrup, they offer, for an up charge, real maple syrup. These pancakes are so awesome, you really don't need any syrup but I decided to use butter and honey today. read more

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Yum! What a fantastic menu. There were probably eight different breakfast items that I could not decide between. Our table got three different ones to share. The melted cheese on hashbrowns is to die for. My husband got the sandwich that was made with cinnamon French toast and ham and egg. What a great combo. Also, they kept socially distanced and the service was excellent read more

Among a sea of overrated breakfast spots in Ann Arbor, this spot is a rare underrated gem. It's homey, old-school, and embodies all the good associations you have when you hear the word "diner." They have an extensive menu for such an unassuming spot, and they're willing to customize too. I love that I can get something healthy (egg white omelette), unhealthy (the big easy, chocolate chip pancakes) or something in-between (blueberry oatcakes). I also like the variety of coffees including the daily special roast. The price is right, the service is quick and VERY attentive (you'll never have an empty coffee cup), and the food is great. This is definitely my go-to brunch spot any day of the week. read more

Northside Grill - The Big (Cheesy) Easy - comes heavy on the cheese which is great if you like that, or you can always ask for them to go lighter - Diners Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

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Left the room to go get breakfast. Looked up this place and seen it had good reviews. Got there and it was rude, I specifically told the host what my wife wanted to eat and that she was pregnant and repeated the order to go. Then I was asked to wait outside. She didn't order everything I asked for so I had to use my debit card 3 times. Then I got back to the room and the order was wrong. I had to drive back and get it replaced. Got back and the eggs were green and the order still wasn't right. read more

Unreliable - once again they are not open during posted opening hours. This has happened to me at least twice now. This time we were trying to do a special family breakfast before school. Arrived at 7:00am and the lights were still out. To be fair, the chef came out and apologized, blaming poor wait staff... but it doesn't change the fact that this has happened to me at least twice now. And I have eaten there before - the food is standard breakfast fare. The food quality does not excuse being unreliable. read more

Great food, amazing service, and follows covid guidelines. Great place for breakfast!!

After driving by to/from work on a daily basis, finally decided to stop by and with a buddy... thankfully it wasn't busy like it's on the weekends... got in and got a table and started off with the coffee... after reviewing the menu, I went with western omelet with sausage gravy on the side with wheat toast. Coffee - got the Colombian brew - unfortunately it was blah to me... maybe I have a higher taste bud for coffee's... but sorry Northside, won't be getting the coffee next time... I'll try the fresh squeezed OJ like other Yelpers have recommended. The western omelet came out and I dived right in... so they make their omelet different then most other places.... they cook the egg first and then place the items and the cheese in the middle and roll up the egg... I personally prefer where they place the items with the egg and cheese in the middle after it's been cooked and right before it's folded... but again, this is personal preference.... the egg was blend, but the saltiness of the ham helped to even the balance. The sausage gravy was okay... Bob Evan's is better :) The service was good... if you go there, don't sit at the far right corner of the room (when standing by the door, looking in), as this is there the bathroom is located... next time, I'll try the potato pancake and the fresh squeezed OJ. Three stars for now... read more

This is one of the better breakfast places in Ann Arbor. You can enjoy a solid meal without breaking the wallet. The food is great, and the servers are all friendly. You'll probably have to wait a bit on the weekend when they're quite busy, but it's worth it. Try the seasonal specials. Beats Angelo's breakfast any day of the week. read more

Ann Arbor seems to be full of bougie brunch spots, and Northside is definitely not one of those. It is a classic diner and greasy spoon, however. The menu covers all the bases: eggs, pancakes, sandwiches, etc. I ordered the Kitchen Sink skillet, which is hash browns, onions, green peppers, tomatoes, and mushrooms covered with cheese and two eggs any style. The cheese was a little excessive, but everything else was as expected! They cooked my eggs as I asked for, and though it was greasy, that's just the type of place this is. We also split a short stack (2) of blueberry pancakes. They were pretty fluffy, but for some reason just weren't doing it for me. They just seemed bland, and needed to be drenched in syrup to have any flavor. The restaurant was a lot smaller than I had expected, and it was packed! Luckily, we were able to sit at the counter (only two seats), and service was quick, though not super friendly -- but I get it, it was busy. Overall, I'd say this is probably some of the most classic brunch food you can get near campus! read more

What can I NOT say about this wonderful breakfast bliss?! I came in on a cold morning and despite it being kind of full, we only had to wait a few minutes and we waited on a comfortable, well-lit and warmed patio with free coffee. After a short wait, I was brought in by a friendly staffed member and sat in a vintage booth. I was greeted by a very enthusiastic waitress and beverages ordered. I settled on a coffee and a freshly squeezed orange juice. Coffee was what you'd expect at a diner and the orange juice was definitely fresh, but also seemed a smidge diluted. I ordered a few scrambled eggs and toast with potatoes. The eggs were fluffy and perfectly scrambled together. The toast was your average toast, although they did toast it to a perfect medium brown! All the while my coffee stayed hot and my waitress was attentive. A great place for groups or just getting a quick bite on your own - one of my go-to breakfast places in A2! read more

The Northside Grill was highly recommend by friends who are local to Ann Arbor. I came here on a Sunday afternoon with my girlfriend to celebrate my birthday. The restaurant gives you a free entree of your choice on your birthday. I got the skillet and my girlfriend ordered the country scramble. The food tasted better than some other breakfast diners in Ann Arbor, but the portions were quite small. The dishes are also way more expensive than how much I normally would be willing to pay for breakfast food. Since we only had to pay for the price of one meal, it was not as much of a problem. I would suggest coming here for your birthday for a free meal; it was quite delicious! read more

Northside Grill - Diners Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

Great diner breakfast. The coffee, the eggs, the break, the hashbrowns - all awesome. Portions are great and the coffee refills are quick. The service was good too. It's a busy place but the staff do a good job of moving people along but not making you feel rushed. read more

A local staple, just like Angelos a little down the street. You can pop in on a fall Saturday morning and find a long line of people waiting outside, sipping their free wait-in-line coffee. I don't live too far and so this is the diner I frequent the most. Their oat bran pancakes (esp. the apple one, because it's sweeter than blueberry) are something special, and I really like the andouille sausage here which you can get on a bunch of different dishes. I'll usually order the Four Deuces, corned beef hash, or an omelet. The staff is usually pretty chill. Ambience is kinda log-cabin-y, with some humorous decor. The only downside I'd mention is that I feel this place is on the pricier side. I can't tell if the prices have gone up or I've gotten cheaper... but perhaps it's justified by their gluten-free-nitrate-free-cage-free-yada-yada ingredients. read more

I brought my elderly parents here for lunch after taking dad to veterans hospital. Though he complained pretty much the whole time about prices (They are more a Leo's quality kind of couple) I explained to them that you get what you pay for and I wanted them to have an Ann Arbor experience. By the way, I've never heard anyone call Ann Arbor "the deuce." and I've lived here for almost 40 years. Anyway, breakfast is what this place is famous for and the oat pancakes with a side of bacon and hashbrowns, you really can't go wrong. You'll be full for almost the whole entire day. I had the Reuben with the parents and it was tasty and not messy. The sauerkraut and dressing on it were pretty conservative. I think from now on I'm just going to consider the Northside to be a strictly breakfast place. that is definitely where their strength lies. read more

This place ROCKS!!! I came here to for the breakfast...so, let me tell you. The service by their staff, and the food are on point. I loved EVERYTHING of this awesome restaurant. I'm not sure how to describe this restaurant but tell everyone to come here...and come here hungry since this place has BIG portions. Whenever I come back to Ann Arbor, Michigan...I'll be coming back for more. I highly recommend this restaurant!!! read more

It's just not good. This cat does not understand the hype. Since they didn't serve my go-to diner choice -- eggs benedict -- I had the western omelet and my tomcat had the kitchen sink skillet. The omelet was a soggy blobfish-like mess and the skillet was cold and flavorless (despite the plethora of kitchen sink ingredients). A good friend was shocked and insisted I must have ordered wrong. Since I trusted his taste, we returned a second time and ordered the big easy and two egg breakfast. We were overwhelmed once more by their sheer blandness. The portions are very large and the prices are very reasonable. But eating is not about saving money nor trading quality for quantity. Diner food is supposed to be classic and comforting and above all, chop-lickingly delicious. I could have done something else on my Saturday morning - chase a laser beam, destroy a recently-upholstered couch. Instead, I waited in line for a tasteless disappointment. read more

Classic. The meat lover breakfast is totally awesome for a carnivorous being like me. The place is cozy with a 60s scent. It is one of the best breakfast places in Ann Arbor. read more

Northside Grill - Meat lover breakfast - Diners Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

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Northside, you were my first taste of Ann Arbor and kicked it off great! I loved the Morning Crab (A Maryland crab cake with cheddar cheese, a fried egg and bacon; topped with lettuce, tomato and house orange-spiced mustard served on a grilled brioche roll. Served with hash browns.)! It was delicious, messy, and sizable. I probably looked gross eating it, but whatevs. It was worth it. Note: I had the tomato and lettuce left off 'cause gross. The hashbrowns were crispy and tender, so A+ there. I can't wait to return to try more off of the menu! read more

Stoped in today 4/25/2018 at Northside Grill while on a quick visit to the Kellogg Eye Center, and was once again a very satisfied customer. My son had the BLT sandwich which had a nice portion of bacon, lettuce, and tomato. He really enjoyed it. I tried the Arkansas Traveler for the first time with a side of onion rings. The smoked ham and Swiss cheese on an onion bun hit the spot. Once again, never had a meal At Northside Grill that wasn't great read more

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The food & service were both great. I will definitely be having breakfast there again.

I have heard people talk about this spot for years. People rave about how they love it and I agree. First, people are nice. That always makes a difference for me. They are attentive and fast. Also, the food is good. Good quality ingredients. There can be a wait. And that is not always fun. But they have coffee for you while you wait. And it is totally worth the wait. I have not really explored the menu much. Because I keep getting the same thing over and over. But everyone's food always looks yummy and the drinks!!!! So, lately have been just getting coffee. But my friend will always explore. She will try a seasonally drink or get something new. And it is always soooooo delish. Ambiance is comfy. Nothing fancy. Like a basic little diner. Always clean. Will be back soon. read more

Very cute diner! Finally tried it after years of living in Ann Arbor. We went for breakfast and there was a 20 min wait--there's coffee and water outside for those waiting. We ordered quite a lot of food. - breakfast burrito: this was okay, nothing to write home about. I liked the andouille and tortilla chips. - eggs/hash browns/toast: pretty standard fare, hash browns were well cooked. - biscuits and gravy: reaaaally good, had a different taste than others I've had...maybe more thyme? - potato pancake: SO good! Only ordered one, wish I'd ordered more. Cute ambiance, friendly service, and food is good. Solid breakfast option. I'll be back! read more

This place is a great no frills standard breakfast place. You can always count on good food but nothing that knocks your socks off. They have all of the usual standbys. Great service, friendly people. Parking and location slightly difficult but not too bad. Wait time isn't usually an issue. read more