Metro Detroit: Ann Arbor’s Blue Tractor BBQ & Brewery
This week we are back to Ann Arbor, visiting one of our all time favorites for not only BBQ but for great home brewed beers. Blue Tractor BBQ & Brewery. The beautiful thing about this local brewery is that they also have a full liquor license so they don’t just sell beer and wine. We have featured the Blue Tractor before, in 2019, as part of our Fun Food Friday posts . . . but a lot can happen in 5 years so we felt them worthy of another mention.
The Blue Tractor is part of the Mission Restaurant Group (formerly known as 2mission) based in Traverse City, which was founded by Greg Lobdell and Jon Carlson. They are referred to as “green-thinking, community minded developers” and have opened may places in Ann Arbor, Royal Oak, downtown Detroit and Traverse City.
Their flagship was Grizzly Peak Brewing Company in Ann Arbor in 2005 (which opened shortly after Michigan law was changed to allow brewpubs again) and The Blue Tractor was opened in 2008. Other restaurants that are part of the Mission Restaurant Group are all the Jolly Pumpkins, Smith & Co in Midtown Detroit, Avalon International Breads in Downtown Detroit and a number of places throughout the Traverse City area like Kilkenny’s Irish Pub, North Peak Brewing Co and The Shed Beer Garden.
Back to Blue Tractor. Like we said, they started in 2008, and became an immediate hit. Smokehouse BBQ restaurants were up and coming in our area at the time and combined with the home brewed beers they were always packed. In 2012 they doubled their space to what it is today with a restaurant that seats over 200. Its original space was a long dining area with dark wood and paneled walls.
The newer side was a little brighter and cheerier with lighter walls and a huge pig diagram showing all the cuts of meat you get off a pig.
There is also a Downstairs Speakeasy Bar called Mash, which also opened in 2012 as part of their expansion. They have that cool Speakeasy vibe and feature a good selection of bourbons, whiskeys and a variety of old fashioned cocktails, it’s a great place to start or finish your evening.
Our first trip to the Blue Tractor was what hooked us. We were in town for either the art fair or some other daytime festival. We wandered in, found a place at the bar (as we always like to do) and ordered a couple of drinks and some burnt end fries . . . game over! You had me at burnt ends. Since that day, we have been back plenty of times.
The loaded pork waffle fries and buffalo cauliflower are great starters or perfect at happy hour with a nice cold beer at the bar.
We have had nearly everything they offer when it comes to BBQ or smoked meats and it is never a bad meal, we love their ribs and brisket.
They do offer one of the better happy hours around with ½ off appetizers, ½ off home brews and $5 mixed drinks and bourbon pours. EVERYDAY from 3 – 6 PM. They also offer other daily specials and activities like trivia on Mondays, Pig and a Pint on Tuesdays (pulled pork sandwich with chips and pint of beer for $16) and $3 drafts on Wednesdays when you buy a burger or sandwich.
Here’s their menu. For the quality of the food and their portion sizes, the prices aren’t bad!
The Blue Tractor is located at 207 E Washington and is open Mon – Thurs from 3PM to 10PM, Fri – Sat from noon to 11PM and Sun noon to 10 PM. Happy Hours is daily from 3-6PM.
Until next time . . . live well, eat well and enjoy life!
-Keith & Teresa Becker