We had a graduation party in the private dining room. Allie took great care of us! Drink orders were promptly taken as guests arrived, orders for entrees were taken in a timely manner and entrées arrived quickly and almost simultaneously! Guests enjoyed the freshness of the food. The entire experience was top notch ! read more

Great service by bar tenders! Food came fast and they were very attentive. Love the atmosphere

Preston was phenomenal! Customer service was through the roof! The food was delicious! I got the Bandeja Bowl and fell in love! Strongly recommend. The atmosphere was very comfortable and welcoming. read more

I really enjoyed my first experience at Union Rec! Vibes were 5 stars and the food a 4.5. The space is huge and has such a hip, vibey, moody, and retro feel to it. It feels like a perfect spot for University of Michigan students or families looking for a bite. I honestly can't remember which two tacos I ordered, but they were incredibly flavorful and delicious. I also got a side of the Union mac & cheese, which was PHENOMENAL. I originally couldn't understand how a full order of the mac & cheese could be $22, but after trying it, I get it. Thankfully, the side was only $6, which satisifed my mac & cheese craving. The service was quick, and our server was very kind and attentive. There's a parking lot available. Overall, I loved my first experience here. The vibes and the food were great, what more could you ask for?! read more

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I really love the look of the bright and light wood interior. I can't believe this was a lumber yard! Quirky furnishings and interesting decor are on all walls and pillars. Tents over the booths lend to the campout feel. Bouncy server Janie came by to get drink orders and acted genuinely apologetic that there was no happy hour on Sunday afternoons. I tried the painkiller anyway ($14.50), it is a frozen cocktail already made in a so no customizing. It was strong and boozy, with a little coconut and it tasted just right! I failed to take its' picture before consuming most of it. Spouse order a Cherry bomb blonde ale, and newly graduated college boy stuck with water. Our server kept up with water refills, and we sampled a variety of things. We started with the sweet pea guacamole which was a large portion of avocado and peas with some chili lime pepitas on top. Aside from some really large strings of cilantro, we enjoyed the guacamole. The chips were plentiful. We did not order the large side of salsa just a small side cup which we managed to stretch for three dinners. I ordered two tacos and a side of sweet potato mash. One carne asada one pollo asada taco, both had tender tidbits of meat, and surprisingly I preferred the chicken. The beef had a green sauce on it that is just too tart for my liking, and I should have ordered it without the sauce. The chicken had a little bit of guacamole and I preferred the sauce. There were double corn tortillas, which were very thick and appeared to be stiff out of a package with little preparation. I was able to consume each of my tacos fully with only one tortilla wrapped around it and they didn't fall apart. The slightly jalapeno flavored, but very very rich with butter and cream, sugary sweet potatoes were so good I could not stop eating them. Highly recommend! Son who loves green sauce had three carne asada tacos which he piled with the remaining guacamole and consumed in nothing flat. Burp! Spouse had the double stack cheese burger with the Chipotle mayo on the side. He really enjoyed it and ate almost all of the French fries too. Although we did not have room for dessert, all three menu desserts sounded really interesting and I would like to try them at another time! read more

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My husband and I came here for dinner finally and had a really great visit and we're already talking about going back! We had only ever done carryout/delivery from here before and found the dining room delightful and spacious. It's clear it's meant for larger groups as most of the booths could easily fit around 5-6 people. Some of them have cute canopies over them like camping tents, which just adds to the ambiance and playfulness of the place. We also came during a trivia night but we didn't formally play, just kind of answered questions to ourselves as we went. But we decided next time we'd like to officially join in. The menu was a little confusing as my beloved go to, the nachos, wasn't on it. Neither were a few other dishes like the burrito and one other that is escaping me. But our waiter assured us that they're still available. WHEW! So I went with my usual delivery dish, the nachos, whereas my husband ordered a few tacos. The nachos were just as huge, if not bigger, than the delivery size! I easily get 2-3 meals out of them. I typically top mine with the pulled pork these days which I prefer to the brisket now. My husband enjoyed his tacos but after he tried my nachos he said that was the way to go and said next time we should just split an order between the two of us which I agreed. We also got the seasonal lemonade. Thumbs up to the strawberry butterfly pea, neutral thumbs to the mango sorrel (quite sour). Overall it's a great casual date night place, very family friendly, and perfect for a group. We'll absolutely be back to spit some nachos and a dessert, and maybe play a little trivia! read more

I have been coming here since they opened! I adore this place for ambiance, food, drinks and service. This place is top notch. The menu updates from time to time , and always stays full of delicious options. Preston is amazing and keeps me full on food as well as drinks. Ask for Preston! Try the Jobbie nooner. read more

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Food is okay, good presentation though. Servers were really nice and this place is very cute. Their drinks were also very yummy and they have good happy hour deals. read more

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Great casual restaurant over by U of M stadium. LOTS of seating, food usually comes up fast and definitely group friendly.

Had a decent time at Union Rec! I came here with a friend for dinner - I ordered the nachos with pulled pork and my friend ordered the chicken tinga taco and mac and cheese. The nachos were enormous. I had leftovers and made about 3 meals out of them. The sauce on the nachos was perfectly savory and zesty with a generous amount of cheese. My friend loved her taco and mac and cheese. The ambiance was cute inside with a backyard camping theme. There were tents, an "indoor fire," and couches if you prefer less formal seating. The staff were friendly and helpful with giving us recommendations from the menu. Will definitely be back! read more

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We are vegetarians and we could not find single dish of black beans or pinto beans, the only beans they had were Baracka beans cooked in beer!!! we ordered nachos but we were served just chips and other toppings on side. Their cilantro sauce was good. We had fries to add to our order. The restaurant is nice big and servers are very friendly. read more

Ambiance is hip! I have been here a number of times (4times) for trivia! I will say the first time I came I was not impressed with food (2 star) but I have tried something different each time and finally I will say chicken tortilla soup and the chicken Tinga taco are the best (5stars) ! I also enjoyed the coconut margarita. Trivia is always a good time. And the waitress' and hosts are very accommodating and helpful with selecting food and drinks! read more

Union Rec - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

we were seated quickly and received our food quickly as well! the ambiance was very cute and cozy. I ordered the pulled pork and it was pretty good. It seems like they have recently changed the portions and the menu, which is a con. read more

Union Rec - Pulled Pork by the 1/2 pound - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

This was our first meal after arriving in Ann Arbor. The portion size of the nachos was good and we liked that the margarita could be ordered in a pitcher and they brought out as many glasses as we wanted to share. There was a bit too much salt on the rim of the glasses though The cauliflower bites were pretty sad and the portion size was even sadder. The salad was definitely unique in what was in it. The poutine was a bit underwhelming. In general, the price was quite high for the quality and quantity and left much to be desired. read more

Union Rec - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

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Love the service we got from Joe! He was great and made our first experience the best. The food was wonderful! We had the beef tacos and the queso. I recommend them both. We enjoyed the vibe of the restaurant too! We will be back! read more

Came here on a gloomy Friday evening after work. Surprisingly not busy for what I've heard about the location. Ambiance was festive but not lively or overwhelming. Wasn't too pleased with the food to be completely honest... I am gluten-free and from looking online, the menu looked promising. However, we learned it is a shared fryer, so the majority of the items That are labeled gluten-free are not...if they are to be fried. This goes for tortilla chips! Thankfully, the pulled pork and beans within the bowl were tasty, but they were touching a fried item so I had to stay clear of what was on that part of the plate. Drinks were good though! Little too pricey for the experience read more

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This was a cute little pre football game spot during our recent visit in Ann Arbor! It's huge with a ton of seating. My husband and I both ordered burgers and they did not disappoint. I also tried one of their seasonal drinks and it was delicious! Our waitress was friendly and helpful. They were very busy but food still came out quick. My only complaint is that it did take a while to be seated even with a reservation. read more

Union Rec - Rec Burger - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

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Preston was a fantastic server! Food was great and beers were great as well. Super cute place!

Eclectic atmosphere with good service. The bandeja bowl with pulled pork was delicious. Drink selection was great. The kids were given crayons and activities. Overall a fun delicious dinner read more

Union Rec - Bandeja bowl - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

Our server, Preston, was absolutely amazing! He went above and beyond with his service - making sure our drinks were never empty, eager to share recommendations about dishes, and over all just a genuinely friendly and considerate person. The food was also delicious, especially the birria bowl and s'mores brownie! Although the parking lot was full, we were quick to get a table. The ambience was top-tier, and very cozy yet uplifting. Great music, too. I highly recommend it! read more

We came in for lunch around 11am, was seated promptly. As you walk in you see signs for 5 for $5 bites, however, this is only for happy hour from 2-5 disappointing but understand they really should post the time or happy hour only. We ordered the cauliflower bbq bites to start and they were pretty tasty flash fried for crispness. We decided to share a half pound of bbq brisket and try two of their tacos on soft corn. First the good the tacos were pretty solid pricey at $5.5 and $6 per taco but at least they are filling. The Korean pulled pork tacos where good however besides the vinegar based slaw which was good there was nothing in the pulled pork that identified it as Korean, no sesame, no gojuchang, so a bit confusing but overall a decent taco. I preferred the pollo asado taco, much more flavorful sauces. The soft corn tortilla was good and not as dry as some other places. Now the absolute worst part of the meal was the beef brisket really dry definitely did not come out fresh they probably took left over brisket and reheated it. Two things the presentation looks awful the ratio of meat to the size of the tray is visually off putting should definitely use a smaller tray. Second it's one thing to use reheated brisket in a sandwich or a ramen, but when serving it by the pound like a bbq establishment the brisket needs to be spot on and it was very lackluster. If rating by the brisket alone at best 2 out 5, something you would be ok with reheating at home, but coming to a place that offers bbq they should be embarrassed to serve that. Please check the video I posted will demonstrate what I am saying to be true. The cornbread served with it was really good. I would give this place another try but not for the bbq. Their bbq sauces were pretty good my favorite was the South Carolina. read more

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This was a good place to visit for lunch. The seating was a comfy booth and it was not crowded. The food was tasty. There were a couple of vegan items on the menu. I had the lunch bowl made vegan and it was delicious. There were also sauce items on the table which were nice to have. read more

Union Rec - Vegan bowl - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

Union Rec has a great vibe and the space itself is pretty fun - creative design, and a layout that works well for groups or casual hangouts. Unfortunately, my experience didn't quite live up to the hype. Food: I was excited to try the tacos, but one of the specials and the Korean BBQ were pretty underwhelming. There was plenty of filling, but not much flavor - just bland overall. For a place that puts so much effort into atmosphere, I was hoping for something a little more memorable on the plate. Service: We had a big group, and it was clear from the start that our server was in over her head. She was the only one assigned to our table, which just wasn't fair to her or to us. Service was slow, she wasn't very friendly, and she didn't seem prepared for the size of our party. A second server would have made a world of difference. Drinks: The margaritas were way too sweet for my taste. When I asked if there was a less-sugary option, our server didn't provide much in the way of suggestions. I did get something that worked, but it was not good the second time around. Seems like a pretty easy modification that was somehow not easy for the bartender? Price: $70 + tip for food and a couple of drinks just didn't feel worth it, especially when there are so many other places in town that deliver better value and flavor. Parking: Parking is a challenge. The lot is pretty big, but not clearly marked. So several of us weren't sure if we were even allowed to park where we parked. With Ann Arbor's notorious ticketing, that's not a risk I want to take. If the lot is full, finding a spot nearby is tough. Overall, Union Rec is good with the atmosphere but misses the mark on food, service, and value. With so many great options in Ann Arbor, I'm not in a hurry to return. read more

I've now been to Union Rec a few times and I'll say the food has progressively gotten better with each visit. The Bandeja Bowl is full of flavor and the tteokbokki on the happy hour menu is tasty too! The one time I sat at the bar the service was lacking, but table service has always been good. I will say the parking is never easy, especially if you go during peak dinner time. I have had to circle the lot a few times. read more

Union Rec - Cauliflower Bandeja Bowl - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

I've been going here for coffee on and off for a year, and I've been looking for an excuse to try their smoked meats because I always see and smell the smoker out front. I've tried 10+ different briskets around Michigan and sadly this came in dead last. It was insanely tough and dry, I totally understand you get a bad cut or bad batch once in a while but you DO NOT let it out of your kitchen. Also, the server, while super friendly, made TWO mistakes about ingredient allergies; mine are not life threatening, and he caught them before I actually ate the two sides, but take that as you will. It gets weirder... He offered to swap something else in (fries) and then when the bill came proceeded to volunteer that the manager wouldn't let him comp me the side. Just bizarre. I was in a business meeting when these things happened so I couldn't address them on the spot. Anyway, I love the ambiance of the place and the coffee is good -- free refills are a bonus. One star for that! read more

We had 1/2 salad, guacamole, a chicken sandwich and fries for over 50 dollars. So we thought it was high. The salad and guacamole were good and salad was big. Sandwich had greens that were odd. It is a lovely space. Service was ok. Not enthusiastic. read more

The tacos were very tasty. We also love the cauliflower. And Brandon was a very attentive and thoughtful server.

Came here after a college swim meet. Very cool place with a fun ambiance. The food was very good and reasonably priced. Service was pretty good. Had a bit of a wait before we saw someone but she was on top of us after that. The only negative is parking. There is not enough in their lot and you might be better parking a block or two away. Highly recommend the brisket tacos, Mac and cheese or any of the bowls! read more

Union Rec - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

Cool vibes at this place, the interior is large and spacious with a funky decor. The food is great, and they have some creative menu items. Seems to be mostly a Mexican menu with bbq threaded in. My only disappointment was the weak margaritas, which were heavy on the ice and I think they forgot the tequila. read more

Came here for the first time before heading to a show. First off- I highly recommend reservations. They were on a wait by 5:00 (on a Saturday). It is truly an eclectic place- food and the vibe. They do have large tables that could accommodate 6-8 people, so if you have a larger group this is definitely an option. I hear they have seating outside but it was cold, so we were in. Our server was amazing and the food delivery was timed well. The food is tacos meets bbq meets Korean. If you can't find something here, you are the problem! We had the guac (avocado and English peas... super good), mac & cheese with pulled pork, and the Korean rice bowl. It was all delicious. They also had some fun holiday drinks. We will definitely be back. read more

Union Rec - Grandmas Cookie Tin - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

Preston was an amazing server and the food was delicious. The atmosphere was so fun and cozy!

Preston hooked me up at the bar! They explained everything on the menu that I had questions about, were friendly and sweet, and were prompt with any request I had. this is an awesome local spot with great staff and good music read more

Stopped in for lunch with a friend around 12:30 in a Sunday. I was shocked how quiet and not busy they were. We were seated right away and immediately noticed the bright and playful decor. The ambiance is as if urban outfitters and anthropology opened a restaurant. It was cute, eclectic and quirky. The service was excellent, given, it wasn't too busy. We started off with the sweet pea guacamole, which was delicious! The mashed peas really made the texture extra creamy. The mcgregor declawed cocktail (mocktail) was refreshing and I am always a fan when there is a proper mocktail menu. It's just nice to order a drink without having to alter something off the alcoholic drink menu. I ordered the bandejo bowl and it was the perfect blend of flavors! There were a few menu options for vegan and/or dairy free and it was hard to decide, I want to go back to try more of the menu. I also appreciated this restaurant has its own parking lot so it is accessible for everyone and getting there is easy, no hassle of street parking or walking from a further lot. read more

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We live very close and I've been here 3 times in the past year. It's expensive and the food is so-so. It has a fun vibe on the inside but I won't be back. The service was always good. read more

Our server was great! He recommended the Korean Brisket Rice Bowl and it was absolutely phenomenal! The brisket was tender and the cucumber kimchi was delicious. If you're going to try one dish here this should be it! (Note--it does contain shellfish) The second best item was the tortilla soup, which wasn't too spicy. The chicken taquitos were honestly just okay. The portion size was large which was nice. The rec burger has all the typical toppings and is served with fries. My brother ordered it and thought it was pretty good. And who can forget the mac and cheese? It is a classic! I can never leave without ordering at least a side of it when I visit any of the union joints. The food took a little while to come out and one of our dishes was brought incorrectly. This was corrected quickly and the staff thanked us for our patience with the food taking a little bit long. Everyone working was very friendly and made sure we had everything we needed. The parking lot felt small compared to how much seating the restaurant had. We were there at dinner time, but I would recommend arriving early if meeting someone because we had to wait for a spot to open up. read more

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Had a great meal and experience at the Union Rec on South Main Street during Saturday's game day! (Go blue!) My friends and I were unsure how busy places would be, so we had made a reservation prior to arriving. However, there seemed to be plenty of open seats and space for people just walking in without a reservation. There were plenty of TV's to watch the game, and the atmosphere inside was very cozy and fun! Our server was attentive the entire time we were there watching the game. I tried out the seasonal, raspberry-lime margarita and the Korean Pulled Pork stack. So good! My margarita was sweet, but not too sweet. I think my tajin rim was a good addition to balance the flavors. And my sandwich was full of flavor, the meat was well-seasoned, and I felt extremely satisfied and full after a day of tailgating. Overall, not the busiest place to watch the football game but had a nice experience and a solid meal! read more

Union Rec - Frozen raspberry lime margaritas - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

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I met a friend for lunch, and this was my first time here. It wasn't very busy so the noise level was average. We were sat right away which was nice. I ordered the Korean brisket bowl which was a delicious. The brisket was tasty, and I was able to cut the fat off easily. The rice and kimchi in the dish were also delightful. My friend got the cauliflower appetizer and he said it was good and spicy. I didn't get a cocktail because it was a working meeting but I can't wait to come back to try their cocktails here. Also, a huge benefit of coming here is that there is plentiful parking. Can't wait to come back. read more

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Even with parking, on a Saturday night, still circled a few times. This place is so open. Good cocktail offerings and beer- The guacamole with peas so delish- unexpected. I had a bowl. Tasty bits. We also had some dessert - Loved the fact that our waiter wasn't pushy. Drinks, appetizer, and dessert my favorite bites. Would recommmed if in the Asquared area! read more

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Went in the middle of a UMich game and it was crowded and we were able to watch the game! The tacos were amazing and worth the price. The mac & cheese was runny at first which isn't my favorite type. it thickened up as it set but then got cold and wasn't flavorful. That's the only reason i docked a star. Everything else was amazing including the staff and funky interior. read more

Union Rec - Paloma, Mac & Cheese, and Back to Cauli Cauli tacos - Coffee & Tea Near Me - Ann Arbor, Michigan

We loved our Sunday lunch visit to Union Rec! Walking in, we were immediately struck with the unique design. It had retro diner vibes mixed with camp vibes. The table we were seated at felt like we were cozying up in a tent for lunch. I tried the Camp Marg with a salt rim, and it was delicious and boozy, and not overly sweet (which was great). The food menu was really interesting. Looked like BBQ x Mexican x Asian fusion. They had typical BBQ options as well as tacos and bowls, and things like Birria Ramen and Szechuan Spicy noodles. I'm definitely intrigued to try more of what they offer. We got the smoked chicken wings to share, the Bandeja Bowl (cilantro lime rice, boraccho beans, fried plantain, Peruvian chili sauce, pickled chiles, vegan chicharrones, and a fried egg) add Brisket and it was super tasty. They have table BBQ sauces and while I tried them all, I liked the Brazilian one best with this meal. It was a generous amount and I had leftovers to take home. My husband got the Rec Burger and it was large. The fries that came with it and the dipping sauce were really good! Very oily though if you're not into that. Overall, we had a nice meal and I look forward to coming back and trying some of the Asian fusion items to see how those are. There are also two bars in the space and TVs for sports. They have a dedicated parking lot as well which is nice. If the marked spots fill up, they said you could park parallel to the long shed as well. read more

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