What and Where:
Achilles Restaurant | 3075 Packard St | Ann Arbor, MI| (734) 971-2020
Ratings (1=terrible, 5=mind-blowingly great)
Comments
- An occasional feature of my unofficial blog was restaurant and coffee shop reviews, and while I haven’t been going out much lately and I am likely to be going out even less in the near future (as I get more serious about dieting, finally), I decided on a whim today to stop at the unlikely Achilles Restaurant, in part to start the reviews for the quasi-new blog.
- I was also motivated to eat here because of the signage at this place. I tried to take a picture with my cell phone, but it was no use (I am very much looking forward to the day when I can ditch this phone for a better one, but I’m afraid that’s at least two years off). The red awning around the front of the place says BREAKFAST LUNCH DINNER on one side of the front door and GREEK AMERICAN MEXICAN on the other (because someone just might be in the mood for any kind of Greek American Mexican meal at any time of the day). There’s also a sign out front with changeable letters intended to advertise specials that has said the same thing for at least six months:
NEW
MANAGEMENT
WELCOME
I believe what they are shooting for here is “Welcome the new management,” but it sounds to me more like a request, as in “New management would be welcome at this place.” - Sadly, Greek/American/Mexican food at Achilles turns out to be your typical coney island food, which is to day Southeast Michigan for “diner.” I think most of these places get their menus from the same warehouse someplace. When I asked about a favorite between the cheeseburger and the chicken gyro, the waitresses disagreed. I went with the chicken gyro. The sandwich was the definition of “okay.” It came with passable a salad, which, once I picked out some of the more questionable parts, was pretty good, and some also “okay” french fries.
- The inside of the place was neat and tidy, though there was a smoking section. I didn’t get too much of a whiff, but smoking sections are still always a downer for me, even in diners. The only person smoking in there while I was eating was this guy who looked to be about 104.
- The waitresses were very nice and the service was prompt. Perhaps this was because of the welcomed new management; perhaps they were aiming to please in order to encourage whatever new management were to happen to come in to feel welcomed.
- All in all, it was one of those experiences that I had so I can now say to people “hey, I’ve been in there.” I probably won’t be back, though I will also admit I am not really a connoisseur of diners/coney islands to begin with. Maybe I should have gotten the cheeseburger, or one of the hot dogs….