If it lives up to its rep’ for amazing BBQ, Blue Tractor could lure almost anyone in (especially this foodie).
Unlike most who head to Blue Tractor for a hearty dinner, I decided to go the lunch route. With an equally large menu of lunch options, there were dozens to try.
Photo by Annie Madole
First up was the pretzel-appetizer; bite-sized, super soft, warm: yum. To make matters tastier, they came with a smoked cheddar dipping sauce, which I may or may not have eaten alone. With a spoon. Sans pretzels. Guilty.
Photo by Annie Madole
If you’re looking for something more substantial to dig your teeth into, meat lovers cannot go wrong with the BBQ plate — baby-back ribs, beef brisket, pulled pork, with balsamic baked beans and cheddar grits (which I ended up subbing for Mac n’ Cheese, easy call). Simply put, it rocked. Smokiness and meatiness all rolled together with four different barbecue sauces to accompany your meal, the highlight of which was definitely the zingy vinegar barbecue.
Photo by Annie Madole
For a main course, I decided to try the sliders — of which I’ve constantly heard great things. With a side of sweet potato fries and topped with a scallion mayo, the sliders were definitely on par with expectations. Only criticism? The bun is not as warm and fluffy as I could have hoped for, maybe even a little dry — but the sweet potato fries are thick-cut and extra crispy (AKA: the way they should be).
Photo by Annie Madole
The absolute star of the show, however, is the Triple Mac n’ Cheese, which is a combo of smoked cheddar, Gouda and Wisconsin aged cheddar cheeses, complete with a toasted breadcrumb crust and crispy onion straws. Hands down one of the best mac n’ cheeses I’ve had in my 21 years. If you’re even a casual fan of the gooey, cheesy, and creamy delicacy, it is crucial that you try this one.
After an extremely filling lunch, I’m confident stating Blue Tractor lives up to the hype (the cool farm-themed ambiance is just a bonus). As I exited, I already started finding excuses to come back and explore the tempting menu items I missed on this trip. I mean, how else is a girl gonna get herself a BBQ dinner in the November chill, right?
Address: 207 E. Washington Street, Ann Arbor
Hours: Mon-Sat 11:00 a.m.-2:00 a.m., Sun 12:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m.