Haab's Restaurant Inc — Restaurant in Ypsilanti

My brother and I decided to visit the newly reopened Haab's Barrel House. Our parents had their first date there in 1963. We used to visit from time to time as kids. It is a family tradition. Upon entering the establishment, you are greeted with the nostalgic axe hewn beams and the cool mechanical fans that rotate in unison on a uni-shaft. Unfortunately, you are also immediately met with too bright lights and a cashier station constructed of burnished recycled pallets. Behind the cashier station are piles of disorganized junk like to go cups and other restaurant and personal items. This is also visible from the street. The additional rooms are sparsely decorated. Nothing on the walls, no repainting, flooring is composed of carpet swatches hodge podge together with many trip hazard seams. The smell of rotting sewer infrastructure mingles with the smells of food and a century old establishment. I am certain whoever manages this place has minimal front of the house experience. Our server had only been on the job three days. She was polite, energetic, and friendly. We ordered and found that they were out of many menu items. We also found out that THE BARREL HOUSE does not have a liquor license! The mushroom and swiss burger was cooked very well to med/rare. The bun and trimmings were fresh and crisp. The highlight of the dish had to be the hand-made potato chips. Full russet potatos cut on a slicer and fried. Delicious. The server forgot to order our wedge salad as she was struggling to learn the hand held Toast pos device. Our water glasses were frequently empty and they need to be bigger glasses. All menu items were very reasonably priced and generous in portion.

Suggestions to management/owners. Train your servers. Correct the God awful sewer issue. Clean up the cashier station. Dim the lights in the main entry area. Decorate and paint the place, even if it is with thrift store art. The ypsi historical museum can share printable files that can be printed at a copy shop and framed cheaply in presized frame sets. Get a liquor license. Put the fried chicken back on the menu! This place seems like it opened before it was ready to open. I hope...

I would like to recommend to my fellow Ypsilantians: Haab's Restaurant | Ypsilanti! When a friend suggested we eat lunch there I didn't know quite what to expect. I WAS SO PLEASED TO DISCOVER that the service was impeccable, the prices were perfectly on the mark for my (low!) budget and the lunch menu was diverse and substantial. But it's the FOOD - the deliciously done FOOD - I want to declaim. THE FOOD WILL KEEP ME COMING BACK FOR MORE! I ordered a staple item turned amazing: Chicken Caesar Salad - with a generous portion of tender, moist, and healthy grilled chicken - mixed lettuces and crunchy romaine, house-baked croutons and dressing served on the side. My friend had the Salmon filet, which was cooked perfectly - flaky and juicy; seasoned crisp on the edges but carefully and simply done. The best part of all was the Butternut Squash Soup - such a seasonal treat! - that was, and I'm no foodie, but perfectly balanced. Not too sweet, not overpowered with chicken stock, and served with shavings of squash itself. I have gone back twice now JUST for a 4-person take-out helping of the squash soup.

So, fellow Ypsilantians: come enjoy the view from cozy Haab's - watching the leaves change and people starting to bundle up pass by, and be sure to hurry while the butternut squash soup is still in season!!! Special thanks to the gentleman who waited on our table (he lives in Ypsi), and the chef who was kind enough to describe the menu concept to me (another bold Ypsilanti gem!). Great flavor, tradition, atmosphere, and value - what more could...

The first time I patronized Haab's restaurant was on a cold winter's day in early 2005. It immediately became one of my favorite places to go. It isn't fancy, but a cozy, old fashioned, tavern-style eatery. When you enter, you first see the bar, with an interesting, old set-up of fans on the high ceiling driven by lots of belts and pulleys. Beyond that, are two dining rooms which are always decorated differently, depending on the season. The whole place has a certain patina (I mean that in a positive way) of age and character.

Over the years I have had almost everything on the menu. It is all wonderful, and well-presented. The service has been consistently cheerful and professional. My favorite part of the menu are the soups: they are all made in-house. Probably my only criticism concerns the bread that comes with the dinner. It is presented on a cutting board with a knife, but it is just O.K.; It isn't real flavorful, but I could do with eating less bread.

Overall, I consider this establishment a consistently great place to enjoy, and a reliable place to bring friends and family to. Mike, the owner, and his son, Dave work hard to keep Haab's running efficiently. We joined the email club, which sends out a monthly newsletter with coupons for the restaurant and other events in Ypsilanti. It is...