Finals week is almost here, and students may find themselves battling late-night hunger as they push through those evening study sessions. Fortunately, Eastern Michigan University students can find several late-night burger restaurants within walking distance of campus. These five Ypsilanti restaurants are open past 9 p.m., so students can fill out their study sheets and keep their bellies full. This list offers a little something for everyone, from weird burgers to on-a-budget options.
The Wurst Bar
Across the street from campus on Cross Street is the Wurst Bar.
Although the place is named after its bratwurst and is known for its tater tot appetizers, the Wurst Bar’s burgers are a stand-out option on the menu. Wurst uses a cooked-to-order, house-made brisket beef patty blend for its burgers.
Those feeling adventurous may want to try the Mr. Peanut Burger, which has bacon, cheddar and a house-made peanut butter schmear on one of the buns instead of the traditional mustard-mayo-ketchup combo. (Money-saving tip—it is less expensive to get the breakfast burger and add the peanut butter for free.)
Burgers at Wurst cost about $15. Sit-down service times vary widely, so students might enjoy Wurst meals best by taking them to-go. The bar is open until 2 a.m. with the kitchen closing at midnight.
Tap Room
The Tap Room is an Ypsilanti staple, located in the city's historic downtown area on Michigan Avenue.
The chefs at the Tap Room use a third of a pound of Knight’s Market beef patties for their burgers. Knight's is a specialty meat market and neighborhood grocery that has been operating in the same location in Ann Arbor since 1952.
The Tap Room has been serving up burgers and booze on Michigan Avenue since 1941.
The burgers and drinks are well priced, especially for the portions, although the restaurant does not have as wide a variety of choices on the base menu as other places might. The Tap Room often has a monthly burger served on a different bun or featuring specialty ingredients. The Sunny Side Up Burger is always cooked-to-order and features runny yolk on top.
Most of the burgers are $14 and come with a side. Patrons can also purchase a bourbon and soda for about $5.
The Tap Room’s kitchen closes at about midnight weekdays but is open until 2 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.
Got Burger
Located on Cross Street, Got Burger is a 10 to 15 minute walk from the center of EMU's campus.
This small burger joint advertises itself as halal and has a base menu of seven burger options. Got Burger also offers a build-your-own option with the price for a single starting at $5.99. Most of the toppings are free, but there are premium options (costing up to 99 cents extra) such as mushrooms, a fried egg, or an extra patty.
Got Burger has a counter and small table for indoor dining, so consider ordering to go. The restaurant is closed Sunday but operates 10 a.m. to 1 a.m. Monday through Wednesday and 10 a.m. to 3 a.m. Thursday through Saturday.
Ypsi Alehouse
Built inside a building formerly known as the historic Hotel Huron, now the Centennial Center Building, the Ypsi Alehouse is on Pearl Street in downtown Ypsilanti.
Opened in 2016, the Alehouse took over what used to be a Buffalo Wild Wings and has been serving locals ever since. The Alehouse brews a selection of its own microbrew beers in the building and frequently features live entertainment.
The burgers include a cooked-to-order 6-ounce angus patty. Alehouse burgers are mostly $15 and offer some unique options, including “The Dutch,” a burger that has bone marrow butter, smoked gouda and onion jam. Alehouse is closed Mondays, with at 10 p.m. closing time Sunday through Thursday, but they are open until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Arbor Brewing Company - Corner Brewery
Located on the corner of Norris Street and East Forest Avenue, Arbor Brewing is a local microbrew pub that first opened to the public in 2006.
All of the brewery's meat burgers use two house-blend quarter-pound beef patties. The menu also includes two kinds of house vegan patties on vegan pretzel buns.
The brewery features regular pretzel and kaiser bun options on its beef burgers as well. Each burger costs about $15 and comes with a beer-brined pickle.
The brewery does require customers to be at least 21-years-old or accompanied by someone above that age. It also offers a pickup option for its full menu. Closing time is at 10 p.m. daily, except Sunday, when it closes at 9 p.m., making the spot the earliest closer on the list.
Studying for finals can be stressful, but fortunately, EMU students have several late-night burger restaurants to help see them through. Hungry students can find a delicious and filling late-night meal at one of these five restaurants with options to suit all tastes.
