705 W Cross St., Ypsilanti // 734-485-6720 // www.wurstbarypsi.com
Back in January, Mark Maynard interviewed Wurst Bar owner Jesse Kranyak and had only positive things to say about Ypsi’s newest bar (other than that their “straws are too damned long”). So, we figured we needed to check out the place half of Ypsi is already raving about and headed over to taste some of the usual (and unusual) food at this self-proclaimed dive bar/gastropub.
Open from 11 a.m. – 2 a.m. in the space that used to be Theo’s Bar at 705 W. Cross Street, The Wurst Bar still has that divey dark bar feel – but that being said, you’ll hardly believe that it’s the old Theo’s, as the space has been entirely transformed.
Boasting an ambitious beer selection and a multiplicity of sausages and burgers made in-house, the Wurst Bar is one of a kind. In fact, when we walked in, we were greeted by a display case filled with sausages like Rabbit & Fig Viognier, Vegetarian Hot Italian (with seitan, and PBR poached bratwurst. We ended up ordering the Bison & Lamb Merguez, the Rattlesnake Chorizo and the Vegetarian Apple & Pecan. As for the tater tots, I must admit that at first I was skeptical, but the tasty vegetarian nacho tots (totchos?) won me over. We also really liked their Wurst Beer, a Scottish Ale made for them by the Arbor Brew Co. As for the brats, our top choice was the Bison & Lamb on pretzel bread – and we liked the Rattlesnake on Zingerman’s brioche (although we wished it was a little spicier). We’ll probably skip the veggie one next time, but whatever we do get will definitely be topped with that scrumptious kimchi-kraut and some horseradish mustard!