Washtenaw Dairy named best place for ice cream in Washtenaw County; this week, vote for best thrift or secondhand shop
What’s the best place for ice cream in Washtenaw County? The voters in AnnArbor.com’s BestOf contest say it’s Wasthenaw Dairy, which won 1st place, garnering five times the votes of any other competitor.
This week’s contest is for best thrift or secondhand shop.
You can dress like America’s Next Top Model without breaking the bank ... if you know where to shop. Thrift store shopping isn’t just about hipster chic. You can outfit yourself, your kids and your home in one of the Ann Arbor area’s many secondhand stores. What’s your favorite thrift or secondhand shop? Cast your vote.
Readers can suggest contenders for upcoming contests here.
And don't forget, everyone who votes will be entered into a drawing each week for a chance to win a prize. This week's prize is for a $50 gift card.
Comments
Doug
Tue, Aug 2, 2011 : 2:58 a.m.
I largely agree with Ty. In addition its residents' insufferable (and inexplicable) arrogance, Ann Arbor has more than its share of wildly overrated food joints. Angelo's, Wash. Dairy, Gratzi, Palio, and Tio's immediately leap to mind, and there are many others. But not Zingerman's. Overpriced? Maybe. But overrated? No. Its reputation is not only local but, indeed, national. It's been raved about in scores of national publications -- and for good reason. Great, fresh food. Good, friendly, knowledgeable staff (itself a rarity in Ann Arbor). Compare Z's to its knockoffs, such as Amer's and Katzinger's (Columbus). No comparison.
John A2
Sun, Jul 31, 2011 : 5:28 p.m.
I voted for them because they have been around for ever and a day. I went their when I was a kid and still do. Who care if they make their own ice cream or not. That was not the question. There portions for one can satisfy two. The other places want an arm and a leg for a few ounces, humbug, and I like going there because they have a lot more then just ice-cream. the only place in town you can get a six pack of beer at 7am, and I know because I worked the midnight shift and was there every morning for a couple of years.
ty
Sun, Jul 31, 2011 : 5:18 p.m.
really ann arbor? washtenaw dairy sells strohs ice cream, you can go get it at kroger, walmart, or meijer. i have lived here for 3 years and I cant believe how much the people here value "ann arbor institutions" like zingermans and angelos over quality places. your sense of local skews your sense of if a place is good or not. try telling anyone that zingermans or washtenaw dairy is overrated and the get angry at you, its crazy
buildergirl
Tue, Aug 2, 2011 : 7 p.m.
If it was about the ice cream and not the place then Kroger, Meijers or Walmart would have gotten votes. Despite being a 3rd generation Ann Arborite I agree that some of the beloved favorites are are overrated/overpriced. However it is all in the eye of the beholder (or tongue of the taster?). My parents were a bit old school. We didn't eat out much and going to get ice cream was a huge deal. We always went to the Dairy, the same place my father went with his family when he was young and living in Old Westside and the same my grandfather on his way home from Ann Arbor High School during the early years. Stucchis can't give you that.
carmen
Tue, Aug 2, 2011 : 2:54 p.m.
really ty? you should be ashamed implying washtenaw dairy does not have the very best ice cream. who cares that you can get it at krogers and walmart(personally i never shop at wamart) it's tha atmposphere that all of us lifers of ace duece go there for REALLY only 3 years as an ann arborite maybe keep your comments to your self
Doug
Tue, Aug 2, 2011 : 2:48 a.m.
I largely agree. In addition its residents' insufferable (and inexplicable) arrogance, Ann Arbor has more than its share of wildly overrated food joints. Angelo's, Wash. Dairy, Gratzi, Palio, and Tio's immediately leap to mind. And there are many others. But not Zingerman's. Overpriced? Maybe. But overrated? No. Its reputation is not only local but, indeed, national. It's been raved about in scores of national publications -- and for good reason. Great, fresh food. Good, friendly, knowledgeable staff (itself a rarity in Ann Arbor). Compare Z's to its knockoffs, such as Amer's and Katzinger's (Columbus). No comparison.
treetowncartel
Mon, Aug 1, 2011 : 7:11 p.m.
@ ty, Ann Arbor is the center of the universe, not the mecca of culture.
EyeHeartA2
Mon, Aug 1, 2011 : 12:33 p.m.
Ya know, TY, I agree with about 90% of your post. Angelo's is overpriced, marginal food that somebody unfortunately wrote a song about. Zingerman's I can't figure out for the life of me. I do think the arrogance plays into it as in: "Look, I can afford a $12 pastrami on rye". Don't get me started about the attitudes around here. But, you are dead wrong about Washtenaw Dairy. Unpretentious and a great value. The kid size cone is bigger than a single any place else. Gotta save that post a more appropriate time. There are only so many shots in a Roman Candle, you know.
eom
Mon, Aug 1, 2011 : 12:47 a.m.
* they
eom
Sun, Jul 31, 2011 : 9:01 p.m.
I'm sorry you have found our city to be such a horrific place to live. I've lived here most of my life and don't find it to be any of the things you described. You're right, The Dairy serves someone else's ice cream, but it's a great place to go and get a cone without being robbed for a small serving of "homemade" ice cream while hanging with friends. The don't charge more than they should and are a local business I will support any day of the week...
ty
Sun, Jul 31, 2011 : 7:12 p.m.
no, it isnt, why would anybody go to a restaurant where the food is sub par? it is all about what is in your mouth. Youre right, the adjustment isnt going well, the people here are insufferable, arrogant, conceited, and they truly believe that ann arbor is the mecca of culture. There is no humility in this city.
beeswing
Sun, Jul 31, 2011 : 5:53 p.m.
Sometimes it's more than just what's in your mouth. And why do I get a sense that you enjoy telling Ann Arbor folks that their beloved institutions are overrated? Perhaps the adjustment isn't going so well?
Sallyxyz
Sun, Jul 31, 2011 : 4:50 p.m.
They have always been more generous with the scoops and lower in prices than the competitors around town (B&J, Stucchi's, etc., which are over priced). Good ice cream, too, and lots of flavors. Congrats, WD!
eom
Sun, Jul 31, 2011 : 3:26 p.m.
The contest was for "best place for ice cream", not "best handmade ice cream." and, hands down, The Dairy is the best place to enjoy your ice cream. The Old West Side feel, the gaggles of t-ball players after a winning or losing game, the "gang" who meets daily in the morning to chat about everything and anything, they "kid size" scoops of ice cream that fills you up, even if you aren't 8, and of course, the doughnuts. If you haven't had one, you should.
Craig Lounsbury
Sun, Jul 31, 2011 : 6:08 p.m.
The contest was for "best place for ice cream", which loosely defined could easily take in the quality and source of the ice cream as well as the overall experience.
a2citizen
Sun, Jul 31, 2011 : 4:22 p.m.
We didn't get rewarded for losing.
cinnabar7071
Sun, Jul 31, 2011 : 3:47 p.m.
"after a winning or losing game" When I was a kid playing ball we"d only get icecream when we won, wasn't very often but that ice crean sure was good. Very good life lesson learned at a very early age, which is something I think our kids are missing out on.
pete
Sun, Jul 31, 2011 : 2:07 p.m.
My guess is they had the most employees voting.
michal poe
Sun, Jul 31, 2011 : 2:20 p.m.
They don't even have pistachio!
MAS
Sun, Jul 31, 2011 : 1:56 p.m.
They don't make their own ice cream? What do they serve then?
itsjustacouch
Mon, Aug 1, 2011 : 4:02 a.m.
I've seen Strohs in there.
L'chaim
Sun, Jul 31, 2011 : 3:24 p.m.
maybe it's Millers. I don't know. it's good, though.
Craig Lounsbury
Sun, Jul 31, 2011 : 1:50 p.m.
My guess is they won on a combination of longevity/iconic name and the generous size of their "scoop"...closer to a softball than a golf ball.
fjord
Sun, Jul 31, 2011 : 1:24 p.m.
What? Washtenaw Dairy doesn't even make their own ice cream!
L'chaim
Sun, Jul 31, 2011 : 3:24 p.m.
they won best PLACE to GET ice cream. not best ice cream. but they have great ice cream, too.