Travel Muse Magazine
Stories, tips, & joy.
Category: US Travel
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Zingerman’s Delicatessen: A Sandwich, A line, A Tradition
Handwritten menu boards crowd the walls, layered with descriptions that read more like short stories than sandwich labels. Shelves overflow with jams, olive oils, tins of fish, specialty mustards, and loaves of bread that look like they belong in a European market. There’s a line (there is always a line), and instead of feeling impatient,…
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A Slice of Spice and Everything Nice at Tomukun
When I think about a comfort restaurant in Ann Arbor, my mind dashes to the Tomukun Noodle Bar. It is a must-visit restaurant and a place I return to multiple times a semester. The warmth of this place begins before the food even arrives, it’s where conversations spark beneath the soft white fairy lights near…
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Ann Arbor’s Local Hot Spot of Charcuterie, Coffee & Cafe Culture
Charcuterie connoisseur heaven. That’s how Ann Arbor’s YORK Food and Drink could be succinctly described. Opened in the 1950s by Tommy York, a Michigander looking to buy from independent merchants while creating a space for locals to call their own, this welcoming space has stood the test of time. York was looking to open a…
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Amadeus, Where Time Forgets to Rush You
For those who have taken extended stays in Europe, particularly Americans, the churches, outdoor eateries, flaky pastries and winding staircases may have all begun to blur by the end of your trip. Pubs that look like artifacts and cafes with gilded mirrors and crisply pleated drapes become fixtures of daily life. There is something difficult…
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Soup, Sausage, and Staying Power: Le Dog on Main Street
In a college town where restaurants often come and go every four years, Le Dog has quietly stayed the same since 1979. Located inside the historic Pratt Block on Ann Arbor’s Main Street, the small counter-style shop has built its reputation not on reinvention, but on consistency. The entrance is easy to miss. A narrow…
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The Warmth of Community, Coffee, and Chocolate at Zingerman’s Next Door Café
I’m sitting at a patio table sipping a spicy hot drink, and the smell of meat wafting from the side door of the deli is mixing with the cool winter air that’s pretending to be spring today. Two ladies behind me are discussing their life stories as families distribute different sandwiches to each other from…
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Argus Farm Stop: A Taste of What’s Local
Local, local, local! That’s the word on my mind as I walk into Argus Farm Stop, a cheery chime on the door welcoming me, while notes of cinnamon find their way to my nose and a colorful display of seasonal, Michigan produce brightens my mood. I love Argus because you can do your grocery shopping…
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More than a Coffee Shop – Find Community and Yemeni Culture at Bun Chai
Are you tired of your usual spots around Ann Arbor and looking for a new place to enjoy? I’m constantly on the lookout for new cafes within walking distance of UMich’s campus, especially if coffee, tea, or sweet treat is involved. Enter, Bun Chai Yemeni Coffee and Tea, which opened this fall on State Street. …
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Sushi at Tabe: Where Tradition Meets the Table
Many dishes find their way around the world, but few have managed to balance their traditions and become global favorites as well as sushi. From its origins in Asia to the Tabe restaurant in Ann Arbor, this favorite has maintained its influence on culture, craftsmanship, and ritual. My first time visiting Tabe was a pleasant…
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Your Guide to the Best Matcha in Orange County
Living in Orange County, California means having access to an endless list of cafes, but finding a good matcha can still feel like a mission. After years of searching, I’ve developed a small rotation of places I always return to when I’m craving a smooth, creamy matcha. These three spots serve some of the best…