Learn Where Michael Phelps Eats in Ann Arbor

For the last four years, a notable swimmer trained in and walked the streets of Ann Arbor, Michigan. He appeared in diners and restaurants to polish off half the menu in a single sitting, and brought the buzz to Ann Arbor with publicity campaigns (and a stroke or two) that catapulted him to fame. Michael Phelps not only attained international visibility- he took his favorite locales with him.

Downtown Ann Arbor - college town central- is bound to reap the rewards of Michael’s star status. Now that he’s a superstar, everyone wants a taste. After all, you are what you eat.

Prickly Pear Café
328 S Main St
Known for Mexican and Southwestern dishes like Black Bean Rellenos and Chicken Empanadas, Prickly Pear, whose entrees range from $10-$20 was frequently on Phelps’ schedule. Waiter Dave Lyon told the Detroit Free Press that Phelps’ bottomless gullet was always game for Buffalo Meat Enchilada with Beans and Rice.

Benny’s Family Dining
1952 S Industrial
This early riser would stock up on calories in one of Benny’s booths many a morning. His ‘Hungry Man’ breakfast – three eggs over easy, hash browns, five sausages and wheat toast – was always preceded by rice pudding.

Restaurant owner Benny Shehaj has noticed a spike in hungry visitors. “Within the last two or three days alone we’ve seen more people come in,” he says (the ‘Hungry Man’ breakfast was often the meal of choice). “But they can’t eat as much as him!”

The traditional American diner serves breakfast food all day. The $6-$12 you might spend per plate might make you overeager to beat Phelps’ calorie intake (a piece of advice: 10,000 calories per day probably won’t get you on the Olympic podium.)

Casey’s Tavern
304 Depot Street
Voted Michigan’s best neighborhood tavern by Gourmet, Casey’s serves “Lots of Good Cheap Food and Dozens of Beers.” Phelps can’t resist its half-pound hamburgers. Visitors won’t only swarm the place for its burgers and mouthwatering prices ($4-$11), but to see Phelps’ photo near the front door.

Maize and Blue Delicatessen
1329 South University
Maize N’ Blue was a common stop for Phelps, and the #29 Jennifer’s Dream with turkey, provolone, mayo, Dijon, mustard, lettuce tomato & pickle on grilled white kept him going. At $7.45, every fan or aspiring athlete will want to try it.

A chef at Maize N’ Blue says that since information that Michael ate there came out, orders for Jennifer’s Dream within the last week have doubled! “When Michael came in 2-3 years ago, he fell in love with it,” he says.

Amer’s Mediterranean Deli
312 S State
The coffee shop/deli was in a two-minute corporate video for Visa (V) featuring Phelps. In the February 2007 clip, Phelps walks his dog down State Street and gets a text from Amer’s. He enters the deli, places a gigantic order and pays through his cell. The ad was just picked up by YouTube (GOOG) and is being shown outside Visa’s corporate offices.

With menu prices that don’t exceed $9, this place is perfect for those on a college student budget. “Michael probably came in half a dozen times,” says general manager Sean Carter.