Red Robin voted best place for happy hour; this week, vote for best bridal shop
What’s the best place for happy hour in Washtenaw County? The voters in AnnArbor.com’s BestOf contest say it’s Red Robin, which won with 172 votes, leading Sidetrack, in second place, which garnered 131 votes.
Best place for happy hour voting began last Sunday and ended at 11:59 p.m. Saturday.
This week’s contest is for best bridal shop.
If you're planning a wedding, the only thing more important than making sure your obnoxious Uncle Roger isn’t seated near your soon-to-be spouse’s prim Great Aunt Gertrude at the reception is picking the perfect wedding dress. The best bridal shops can match you with a dress that makes you feel like royalty on your special day.
So, what’s the best bridal shop?
Readers can suggest contenders for upcoming contests by going to http://www.annarbor.com/bestof/#bestof_schedule.
And don't forget, everyone who votes will be entered into a drawing each week to win a prize. This week's prize is for a $50 gift card to a local bridal shop.
Comments
Bear
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 8:27 a.m.
Another thing, the best happy hours in Ann Arbor are sometimes best kept a secret. Keeps the riff-raff out. j/k
Nacho
Tue, May 24, 2011 : 7:15 p.m.
The readers have spoken. Next week the voting will be for Best Happy Hour, Non-Chain Burger Joint, with less than 30 employees, more than 12 beers on tap, soft jazz music playing, all guests over the age of 43, with the color blue in their logo on the left side of the road heading south and has more than one Keri working there. Good lord people, yes it's a popularity contest, if you have a watering hole you like then stick with it. If you want to venture out and try something new now you have some ideas on what places have deals and you can check them out for yourselves! Bottoms up!
Bear
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 8:23 a.m.
If I want someplace to go that's different, there are a long list of places I can go. Red Robin isn't on that list.
treetowncartel
Tue, May 24, 2011 : 2:16 a.m.
The best happy hours are in my garage. The beer is at cost, no line for the rest room and my car is parked for the night.
Boo Radley
Mon, May 23, 2011 : 10:35 p.m.
My vote went to another establishment in the poll, and I have never been to happy hour at Red Robin. But, this poll has been very valuable because now that I know Red Robin is serving half priced appetizers and $1.50 well drinks, I will be going there.
Bear
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 8:22 a.m.
more power to you.
Alex Marie
Mon, May 23, 2011 : 10:17 p.m.
For the people complaining that a "burger joint" won happy hour, they should read up and gain information before they say anything. Happy hour is in fact Monday-Friday 3-6pm and 8-close, which includes $2 22oz, $5 pitchers, $1.50 well drinks, half off appetizers, and $3 off margaritas. Unlike other Red Robins, the Ann Arbor Red Robin (located on State St, not Carpenter) does play upbeat music and a variety as well. Trying to not only bring in families, but a variety of people. We have many, many regulars that come in JUST for the happy hour. Our GM worked for weeks researching before we opened to have the best happy hour around. And what's any different in the workers voting and asking their friends and families to vote as well, and sidetrack sending out emails to everyone? Both places worked hard to get votes, and at one point were neck and neck. Please respect that and keep your negative comments to yourself. As your mother always said, if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it at all.
Bear
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 8:21 a.m.
There are two red robins in town, lady & one of 'em's on Carpenter rd. Whether you list it as Ann Arbor, Pittsfield township or Ypsilanti I guess depends upon who you talk to. 3797 carpenter rd. And we'll keep our negative comments to ourselves as soon as you do the same. Tell it to the marines. Red Robin may be for the 'masses' but that is just the point that a lot of us are making. Like the Gatorade in Idiocracy, just because everyone drinks it, doesn't make it a good thing.
g
Sat, May 28, 2011 : 1:09 a.m.
Haha actually sidetrack tried to stuff the ballot box but got caught and rightfully didn't win. Red robin spread the word and got a positive response without having to cheat :) sorry sidetrack! Try playing fair next time.
Leanne
Tue, May 24, 2011 : 5:07 p.m.
Ladies and gentlemen, I think we now know who stuffed the ballot box.
CynicA2
Mon, May 23, 2011 : 10:03 p.m.
I hope they put a BIG banner sign up!! "Best Happy Hour in A2". This whole thing is hilarious.
ypsiypsi
Mon, May 23, 2011 : 9:03 p.m.
It's a battle of which restaurants employees can sway their facebook friends, email contacts, and phone contacts to vote...simple as that...
g
Mon, May 23, 2011 : 8:31 p.m.
Wow I am surprised at all the hate on this page and how seriously people take these polls. I've been to Red Robin for happy hour and it wasn't half bad. Not the best beer selections but 22 oz is 2 bucks and the appetizers and house liquor are dirt cheap. The staff was very friendly and the atmosphere is super low key, not uptight at all which I have found some of the other locations in the poll to be. There have never been any kids when I've been in, just make sure to go late and take advantage of the second happy hour which runs 8 to close or comething, the first is a bit early. I never heard the song "Rockin Robin" or whatever someone complained about, the music is just your average bar/late restaurant mix nothing impressive but enough variety where its not bothersome. They have a ton of tvs and the service is fast, especially late on a weekday or even Friday night when its less crowded. I don't know, all in all Im not here to defend Red Robin, I doubt its the true best happy hour in all of Washtenaw County, but I doubt most of these commenters have ever even been to this particular Red Robin. Its only been there a year so far and every chain restaurant is managed and run differently so to base your opinion off another experience somewhere else is ridiculous. Just as it is to say it can't be the best because its a chain or because of the location "by the mall". What if you live around that area on State or the near side streets and don't feel like going downtown... you Damons which is so much louder and the food isn't as good from my experience. If you have actually been to the State Street Red Robin and tried their happy hour, you can cut it all you want for legitimate reasons but all of these people sound bitter and I haven't read one good, contructive, factual negative review. Who cares if Red Robin won the poll/ Just carry on and go wherever you want to go, why come here and rant about chain restaurants? Some of them are better
Oscar Lavista
Mon, May 23, 2011 : 7:36 p.m.
These votes only make your web site look silly. None of the results reflect real local opinion; presumably only organized PR campaigns. Most all the commenters concur, so why keep it up?
Rusnak
Mon, May 23, 2011 : 6:33 p.m.
Why? With all the votes received someone should be able to tell why. I could tell you why not, it's full of kids, and the song, "Rockin' Robin" playing every few minutes is enough to make someone order a rope with their shot of whiskey. Sidetrack's on the other hand has two happy hours. 4-6 and I think it's 11-close. Half of liquor and $2.95 25oz beers and the cheapest thing on tap is Labbatt's.
Bear
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 8:12 a.m.
Another great option that beats this Red Robin place to bits. Sidetracks is an awesome place, with actual character, which places like RR, TGIF & others sorely lack.
bunnyabbot
Mon, May 23, 2011 : 3:56 p.m.
these best of things are a joke. The bulk of the votes are most likely coming from people that work at these places. Red Robin for a happy hour? I bet they have a heck of a lot larger staff than Sidetrack or Haabs. It is also easy enough to create user names from different email addresses to vote mulitple times. But from a2.coms perspective these "unique" email accounts are now "unique" users. This inflates their user numbers which they tell potential advertisers when trying to sell them ad space. This will ultimately backfire on them as it gives a2.com a false sense in user/readership. The quality of writing is down, the diversity of stories is down. There is too much opinion/blogging. There are more editing problems from staff written items than their are from the bloggers, they at least seem to be proofreading their material. as a reader I tend to not read very much on this site. I scan it more often. Actually read maybe 5 items a week. I don't click on advertisers at all. I do buy the sunday papers though, for the coupons. If you do skim the paper it is for the same exact stories you can find online and all the national news is all old by the time it hits the printing press.
glimmertwin
Mon, May 23, 2011 : 3:23 p.m.
Sorry, but I refuse to believe a chain burger restaurant should be taken seriously for a happy hour. I'll pass.
Rob Pollard
Mon, May 23, 2011 : 2:21 p.m.
Beyond the good 'ol chain/non-chain debate, I think what also is surfacing is a difference in what is understood by "happy hour." Certainly, happy hours are often longer than an hour, but usually what is meant is discounted drinks/food 2-3 hours after work on Monday thru Thursday - a time to drink & socialize, often with co-workers, and blow off some steam from the work day. Red Robin seems to have real expanded the concept (perhaps beyond recognition?) by making it also be on Friday night (a time when very few bars do it, as many people go out on that day, discount or no) and from 8pm-close (not just the "traditional" pre-dinner time frame). It certainly seems like a good deal, with these expanded hours, but it makes any comparison to other bars not really apples & oranges. Red Robin really seems to have won "Most discounts on drinks & apps" and good for them - everyone likes deals that last a long time. But I really wouldn't consider it a "happy hour."
Boo Radley
Mon, May 23, 2011 : 12:32 p.m.
I have never been to Red Robin for happy hour, but Mr. Martel's explanation and info makes it sound pretty good. Nothing wrong with 22 oz. beers for 2 bucks and well drinks for $1.50. It's a good thing that voting for these is anonymous so that everyone voting for a chain isn't run out of town by pretentious snobs and those who would rant against a business they admit they have never even been to.
Bear
Mon, May 30, 2011 : 8:09 a.m.
yeah, I never made it a point to go to TGIFriday's either, but when I went there with a girlfriend, it made me want to leave. The decor was a nightmare of cliche BS. The servers might as well have been stepford robots and the food was bland at best. Just driving by Red Robin told me what to expect inside. And the pictures on their website, well that shows that I wasn't wrong. Some folks actually have to walk into a trap to tell if it's a trap. I only have to walk by and look at it to tell it's a trap. So, your statement about 'admitting' that one has never been in there as being snobbish doesn't hold water. Imagine that! Oh, and I'd much rather have a rich, tasty beer from Arbor Brewing Company at their happy hour price ($3 a pint) than drink the cheap, swilly lagers that aren't really all that special of a price at all. Arbor also has 1/2 off appetizers during happy hour. Monday happy hour is all day long at Arbor. You want a good price for beer? Go to the 8-ball on Sunday, Monday & Tuesday, 3:30 pm til close for $1 Pabst & well drinks for $1.50, $1.75. So, at 12oz for a buck, that makes 24oz for $2. But they also have good beers for those with a taste for them.
snoopdog
Mon, May 23, 2011 : 12:22 p.m.
I know people will laugh but I love Damon's, all day Happy Hour in the bar, appetizer specials all day in the bar. 22 ounce Blue Light draft is $3.00 which is hard to beat. Lots of TV's, Keno and friendly staff. Good Day
David Martel
Mon, May 23, 2011 : 12:15 a.m.
The BestOf lists are compiled using a variety of research sources. Some of these include online review sites, researching contenders websites and Facebook pages, suggestions from AnnArbor.com site visitors as well as nominations in the 2010 AnnArbor.com Community Choice Awards. Red Robin specifically promotes: "Happy Hour is now Monday - Friday 3-6 AND 8-close! Half off appetizers, $2 domestic bottles, $2 22 oz Bud Light, Coors Light, Miller Lite, PBR or Labatts - or get a pitcher for $5, $3 off all margaritas, $2 house wine and $1.50 wells." Of course, AnnArbor.com publishes the BestOf list each week simply as a list of contenders. Ultimately the community decides the winner. 1BlockRadius - AnnArbor.com has an area of the site called "Restaurants." It can be found in the main navigation on the home page. The exact URL is: <a href="http://www.annarbor.com/restaurants">http://www.annarbor.com/restaurants</a> . There is functionality to be able to filter by those that have indicated that they have a happy hour. Many of the restaurants have submitted their happy hour specials within their listings. The more specific happy hour list can be found at: <a href="http://www.annarbor.com/restaurants/lists/happy-hour/">http://www.annarbor.com/restaurants/lists/happy-hour/</a>
Brian M.
Mon, May 23, 2011 : 12:07 a.m.
Ha! Ok. These are a joke.
Commoncents
Sun, May 22, 2011 : 11:33 p.m.
I just called the Red Robin on State Street. Happy hour is monday thru Friday from 3-6pm and 8pm-close. It includes half off all appetizers, $1.50 well drinks and I believe $2off margaritas. By the way, how about a list of all the restaurants around town and the detail of their happy hours ? THAT would be useful information.
g
Mon, May 23, 2011 : 8:37 p.m.
Its half off appetizers in the whole place, 2 dollar 22oz drafts, 1.50 all house liquor drinks, some margarita, martini, and wine discounts. Mon thru fri. Nothing spectacular. I don't know what sidetrack or haabs offers but im curious
A2comments
Mon, May 23, 2011 : 10:52 a.m.
Android phone owners can get Happy Hours by Gotime, a free app.
Bear
Sun, May 22, 2011 : 9:07 p.m.
Excuse me? A burger joint? Best happy hour? I don't know who's voting, but this whole thing is a joke. A chain is voted best happy hour? this is absolutely ridiculous.
loves_fall
Sun, May 22, 2011 : 8:56 p.m.
Red Robin has a happy hour?
CynicA2
Sun, May 22, 2011 : 8:50 p.m.
Hah!! This is great!! A national CHAIN restaurant is Best Happy Hour in frumpy old A2?! LOL!! Maybe they have a late night happy hour... those are about the only ones I ever go to... 5-7PM is way too early to get sloshed, or too late, depending. Uh Oh! The language police at this cheesy blog didn't like my LM-A, so I used LOL instead. What a loser operation this wretched thing is. Whatever happened to freedom of speech?! Guess it died around here.
MAS
Sun, May 22, 2011 : 8:19 p.m.
Why? Can this article explain the reasons behind the vote? What's the price of beer etc. during the Red Robin happy hour?
Alex Marie
Mon, May 23, 2011 : 11:05 p.m.
Mon- Fri 3-6pm and 8-close. $2 22oz, $5 pitchers, $1.50 well drinks, half off appetizers, and $3 off margaritas. Ann Arbor Red Robin's is different from any other Red Robins.
Bear
Sun, May 22, 2011 : 9:24 p.m.
I don't know if it is a nationwide policy, but I found a blog on their happy hour prices in St. Louis: 3-6 AND 8 until close is HAPPY HOUR! They had some good deals and good food! They have $3, $5 or $7 appetizers and drinks for draft beer 16oz. for $2.50 or 22oz. for $3.50. You can also choose a fruity margarita for $3.50. I REALLY don't see anything outstanding about this.
superhappyfunbrett
Sun, May 22, 2011 : 7:59 p.m.
At this rate, the best bridal shop will wind up being Kmart.
Alex Marie
Mon, May 23, 2011 : 11:03 p.m.
Stop in AA Red Robin and I bet you the attitude of the staff and the way your treated, the quickness and quality of your meal, etc will change. Just because it's a "chain" doesn't mean we all act like we don't care. We're different from any of RR, including the one 5 miles up the road. Ask some of our regulars, and I bet they'll easily tell you we care about our guests. We go above and beyond, its our job.
Caterina Marisol Deporres
Mon, May 23, 2011 : 8:03 p.m.
Location and whether or not its a chain has nothing to do with how good their happy hour is. I haven't been to a Red Robin in several years and have no knowledge of their "happy hour" specials, but I am extremely turned off by the snobbery in these comments insulting Red Robin because its a chain restaurant thats not in some posh downtown location. Get over yourselves people, atleast come up with some legitimate critiques. There's no way these polls could indicate the real "best" anywhere through a weeks worth of voting on this website, its just a fun gimick.
superhappyfunbrett
Mon, May 23, 2011 : 1:29 p.m.
Well, personally, my problem is: If it's really "best of Ann Arbor"... I just find some of these votes to be a little... non-reflective of reality, so to speak. I find it hard to believe, for example, that most of my fellow local citizens rush over to Red Robin for food and spirits after a long day. The area has a plethora of unique and truly fantastic restaurants/bars, each with a unique flavor and their own set of die hard regulars. (Apparently, not very many of these folks read a2.com, so I suppose the voting is what it is, and that's an oh well but...) Yes... I'd prefer seeing actual local businesses winning these things, not just chains. Not because I "hate chains", but because it says "BEST OF ANN ARBOR". I don't think a huge chain (no matter how good that chain may be) can ever truly capture what is special about Ann Arbor. ie When people visit from out of town, I'm not telling them "MAKE SURE YOU STOP BY RED ROBIN BY THE MALL!!!", you know what I mean? :-) Ha ha... SAD!
Bear
Sun, May 22, 2011 : 9:20 p.m.
What's wrong with Red Robin? One, location; Briarwood? Meijer's shopping center on Carpenter? Yeah, those are just the places to go for 'happy hour'. I've never felt the slightest compunction to go to Red Robin. I don't go to Denny's either. Why would I want to be treated to the mass marketed cheesy decor of a place that is like every other cheesy, overpriced burger place in America? Best? Hardly. I'll take Arbor Brewing Company's happy hour any day. They have bette beer, better atmosphere, better staff. Sidetracks has way better burgers and much more appealing ambiance than the horrid pictures I've seen of the interior of Red Robin. One look at images of what it looks like inside confirms why I've never (and never will) step inside a Red Robin restaurant.
MAS
Sun, May 22, 2011 : 8:21 p.m.
I get it Ann Arbor folks don't like chains which is why a bunch of people attacked "Five Guys" in the comments section whenever this site writes on the burger joint. A chain can be a good place to go. It takes more than being a chain to make a place bad. What's your problem with Red Robin?
Cash
Sun, May 22, 2011 : 8:18 p.m.
One step lower...Walmart.