Game Day food vendors

Submitted by BlueMan80 on September 19th, 2021 at 10:14 PM

I live in Illinois, so I’m not sure about any rules the state of Michigan has in place, but….

Why aren’t the food vendors open for business along Hoover and the streets leading into the stadium?  I can’t get my favorite Michigan red hot or burger on the way to the game.  The Dominoes pizza tent is closed, too, not that I’d buy a pizza from them.  The stadium concessions seem thinner than usual making game day food options expensive as usual and crappier which does not help the value equation.

Are vendors having their licenses withheld due to COVID or is this the same restaurant worker shortage I’ve seen in many states?  Not operating under an abundance of caution?

I’m overjoyed we are back to seeing live football at Michigan stadium, but parts of the game day experience are still not there.  As someone who has done some traveling since the spring, I have to say that breakfast at just about every hotel is a major shit show these days.

Not asking to debate COVID, just asking to understand what’s going on, because I assume I’m not the only person scratching their head about being in a stadium with 100k people, but not being able to get some food outdoors on my way to the stadium.

blueheron

September 19th, 2021 at 10:34 PM ^

OP writes: "I have to say that breakfast at just about every hotel is a major shit show these days."

OP nailed that one!

Concession stand offerings at Michigan football games are an awful mix of boring, uninspired, and expensive.

Joined: 03/26/2009

MGoPoints: 31202

BlueinLansing

September 20th, 2021 at 1:22 AM ^

I can't speak for the vendors along Hoover, but a good guess would be local health rules are preventing them from operating.

Inside the stadium UM is experiencing a shortage of ushers and concessions staff.  My section had 1 usher the first two games, 2 this past weekend when there have been as many as 4.  The concessions stands behind me have been short staffed and one of those sort of temporary ones where you could get pizza, pop, pretzels was closed the last two games after giving it a go the first weekend.  Lines are a little longer but not bad.

 

Everything is cashless so keep that in mind.

Joined: 09/01/2009

MGoPoints: 23520

True Blue Grit

September 20th, 2021 at 4:41 PM ^

One huge problem inside the stadium is they don't have the roving vendors where you can just buy a bottle of water.  So if you don't need or want to buy the overpriced food and wait in the ridiculous lines, you can get a bottle of water quickly.  I'm sure it's because of the no cash policy.  It's bad enough you can't bring water in, but now you have to wait in long lines to get it at insane prices.

Joined: 01/21/2011

MGoPoints: 32373

CRISPed in the DIAG

September 20th, 2021 at 6:53 AM ^

Food trucks seem to be thriving in the current environment but every community has different rules for permitting and inspections. Elbel (sp) Field seems like a great spot to allow a little food truck court, vendor tents, etc.

Joined: 11/08/2010

MGoPoints: 47493

evenyoubrutus

September 20th, 2021 at 7:25 AM ^

A friend's brother has a theater degree from UM so naturally he worked at Zingerman's Roadhouse after college, and he tried to get a BBQ food truck operating. He said it was virtually impossible as Ann Arbor basically doesn't allow street vendors except for festivals, etc.

When I went to Iowa for the 2016 game, I was in awe at the environment right outside the stadium. They had street vendors set up all along the street, with all kinds of great food. It was such a great atmosphere. I don't understand why Ann Arbor doesn't allow this on Main St during gamedays. They could even keep one side of the street open before and after the gamd while the other side has food trucks set up, if they're worried about traffic concerns. I just think Ann Arbor wants so badly to be more than Just a College Town.

Joined: 11/04/2008

MGoPoints: 178368

Um1994

September 20th, 2021 at 10:49 AM ^

Not sure about Ann Arbor's situation, but in many cities the restaurants lobby hard with the city against allowing food trucks.  They obviously want people to visit their restaurants and not stop by a truck for a quick bite.  Their argument to the city is basically - "we invest in brick and mortar locations that add to the tax base, provide year round jobs, and make the city more attractive to other investors and residents. The trucks pay no property tax, provide only seasonal jobs or are owner operated, and leave with the crowds."  Not saying that I agree with the argument, but there it is.  However, Ann Arbor did have a downtown food truck court for a number of years - "Mark's Carts" but that has closed.  Traverse City also has a food truck court, "The Little Fleet," that does great.  Personally, I think it would be an excellent addition to the game day experience.

Joined: 11/18/2017

MGoPoints: 3777

michengin87

September 20th, 2021 at 9:01 AM ^

I have definitely been bummed to see this change as well.

I looked to see if there was anything new from city council and found this in the standard packet that is part of the Ann Arbor Peddler / Solicitor License.  This includes the area of Hoover that Nine Burger and many others were situated.

Has this been in place for decades but law enforcement looked the other way?  Would be interesting to hear from one of the many vendors (including reasonably priced water) unlike in the Stadium.

 

Joined: 07/14/2009

MGoPoints: 4139