On an average school day, my lunch consists of something I can either bring with me from home or grab on the go, so it was a very rare occasion that I had a full, sit-down lunch on a Thursday afternoon. But on a blistery cold day when I had been studying and writing papers all morning, I deserved a nice break.
Red Hawk Bar & Grill is a hidden gem. And by hidden, I mean hidden in plain sight. Located right between 7-Eleven and Amers on State, I walk past Red Hawk practically every day and I never really noticed it was there.
I sat down, sipped some coffee and perused the menu while I waited for my friend to arrive. The menu was pretty diverse and had a huge selection of burgers, sandwiches, salads and even a make your own omelet option that was served all day. I am always looking for places where I can order breakfast food after breakfast hours so Red Hawk scored some bonus points there. I decided to go with the pot pie and my friend ordered a turkey club sandwich.
After about a fifteen our meals arrived, steaming hot and smelling fantastic. My pot pie had a flaky crust that complemented the herb filled contents of potatos, chicken, peas and carrots. I also appreciated that they didn’t go overboard on gravy. My friend said she really liked her club sandwich, especially because the bread was perfectly toasted.
Photo by Celeste Holben
We ordered a chocolate cake for dessert that was served with a generous portion of whipped cream, and a strawberry-orange sauce. The cake itself was perfectly hot and moist but I would have preferred it without the sauce. Still, a great afternoon bonus.
Photo by Celeste Holben
Overall, Red Hawk is definitely somewhere I plan to go again. The atmosphere was warm and inviting and the service was friendly and quick. The wooden chairs and bar area give it a cozy, tavern-ish feel. Though they have TV’s to watch the big game, they don’t have as aggressive of a crowd as a sport’s bar or pub. Sometimes you’re just craving a real sit down meal but don’t want to walk all the way to Main Street or go to Sava’s for the hundredth time. Red Hawk seems like a perfect, convenient option for a casual but hearty meal.
Location: 316 S State St, Ann Arbor, MI
Hours: Mon-Thurs: 11:30 am – 10:30 pm, Fri-Sat: 11:30 am – 11 pm, Sun: 11:30 am – 9:30 pm