Casey's Tavern — Restaurant in Ann Arbor

When I was little, my parents would go on 'dates' together every Friday night, and I would have a babysitter. All I can remember about those nights is the fact they went to Casey's Tavern EVERY SINGLE Friday. I mean, all the time, until I was a teenager and I think they overdid it a bit...lol. Now I'm 34 years old and I would have to say it's probably on my top 5 favorite restaurants. I can't even count how many times we have eaten here. First off, it's a fun Ann Arbor Icon, located right across from the train station with its "Cheer's-esque' sign welcoming you inside. It is a small little place which you walk up about 10-12 steps to get into. If you happen to be driving and parking instead of walking, there is a cute little parking lot in the back that you park in stalls from what the building used to be back in the day. But I must warn you, it's tight back there and there really is no way to turn around unless you find a spot, so you may have to Austin Powers it and go back and forth 1000 times before you've rotated your car, hahaha. You could also opt for parking on the street, which if you can parallel park is probably the best bet. Prepare to wait at least 15 minutes if you are going for dinner, and prepare to be in the way all the time while waiting. There really is no place to wait, they have these wooden bars to stand at and set a glass on while you wait, or you can go sit up at the bar. We've done it all, but lately, we just stand in the doorway and wait, along with everyone else. To me, just the price to pay for one of my faves. The atmosphere is very cozy, everything is wood, rustic and old. It has a great hometown bar feel. In fact, the owners have owned the bar for years and they are always there, working the bar, as the Host, they do everything. My parents knew them from going so much, and they are all so nice every time we go in. The menu is bar food, the burgers are amazing, that's what my Dad and husband always get, I think I got it once. My go-to, the item I crave and must get my fix of, is the Tuna Sandwich. Oh geez, my mouth is watering as I write this. I always order it the same, grilled, on pumpernickel bread, no cheese with fries. It's amazing tuna salad, every.single.time! The fries are thick cut, not wedges, ew. They are delicious with ketchup and they compliment the tuna or a burger wonderfully. Burgers and sandwiches always arrive in a basket, not a plate, just adding to the charm. And if you have leftovers, you take your food home in 'Chinese food boxes'. We've tried other appetizers, like the Fried Artichoke Hearts, and those are pretty good too. They come with a mustard/mayo type sauce for dipping and it had a bit of a kick to it. We don't drink much, so I'm afraid I'm not much help in the Bar department, but from what it looks like there is a large selection of beer options. I did have a drink once, and I think I remember it being very strong. My Dad has always enjoyed their selection of beer. They are not open at all on Sundays so prepare your visit around that. It's always been a bummer for me, because a Sunday afternoon sandwich sounds wonderful on a summer day. The staff is very friendly and have all been there for a while, they know the menu, the food, everything. Casey's Tavern is someplace I tell people to try if they want one of a kind, Ann Arbor spirit places. No one has ever told me they hated it. And now that I'm writing this review I'm going to have to make a visit up...

Efficient service and a very good hamburger. Their hamburger ordering system is good because they let you pick 3 items from a large selection of toppings without the price of the burger changing. They let you order it to your own doneness preference which is a big attraction to me because I like my burgers on the underdone side. I found my burger to be very very good. I'm significantly less impressed with their other items. In general I had been negative about the place for years, but consistently told I was wrong about it because it's a burger place and I should get the burger before judging it. The service ranges from excellent to impatient and a bit rude, but the place is often packed to the gills and they're always efficient so I can't knock them for the service. The hamburger there is indeed very very good. The atmosphere is pretty much just like a Midwest bar. In fact the whole restaurant is dominated by a bar that runs nearly the entire length of the restaurant. They also have TVs mounted in the corners of the room. Overall it's a pretty nice atmosphere, but it has often been uncomfortably crowded at peak times in the past.

If you want a great burger, go when they're not busy. It's still a fantastic burger when they're busy, but you may have to wait and you'll be eating it in a loud crowded place. If you don't want a hamburger, my advice is to skip it altogether. It's not bad. It's not in any way bad. But there is no reason to fight the crowds for the food unless you're really looking for a good...

If I could give it less than a 1 star, I would. Worst customer service I have ever experienced. My coworker placed a phone order for 4 of us at the office. I later find out that she didn't tell them they were split orders, and I completely understand where that is her fault and blame is on us. I asked the person handing me the order if we can possibly split the order, he looked annoyed and said that was never expressed when the order was placed. I apologized and told him unfortunately yes we need it split. He did the 2 cash transactions and walked away while an older women came and finished the credit card transactions. She seemed very irritated. I asked for receipts and she said no, I cant do that. I said theres no way to reprint? She looked at me and in the rudest tone she can muster and said "I'm not making this up. I can't do it, I have no way". She literally threw a stack of receipts from the bar towards me and told me to look through them. I dug through them and found the 2 cash transactions. She still said she wasn't able to give them to me! So what was the point of that? She went to talk to a manager who was the first guy who cashed me out. They finally gave me 2. I was amazed at how rude they were. I understand where its frustrating but to take it out on me and be as rude as possible....do you really think me or anyone in my office is going to come back here? ABSOLUTELY NOT! I will make sure everyone we know will not be ordering from Casey's...