Opening his third location in Ann Arbor, owner Chris Fronimos has brought Stray Hen to the University of Michigan campus from its original location in Chicago. Stray Hen caters to college students as well as local Ann Arbor residents who are looking for a great brunch spot. Their extensive menu features various breakfast classics, such as pancakes, oatmeal, and avocado toast, as well as lunch staples like sandwiches, salads, and nourishing bowls. With clean, tasty ingredients used in each dish, Stray Hen aims to please its customers with each bite they take.
Background
Chris Fronimos opened his first two locations in Illinois, residing in Chicago and Elmhurst. He decided to open up his third location in Ann Arbor during the height of Covid-19, which made things more difficult for him. Supplies were harder to get and people were not as inclined to go out to eat. Once the college kids went back to school, however, Stray Hen's business was booming again. There is always a line out the door and a smile can be seen on everyone's faces. At Stray Hen, the staff are warm and friendly, and Chris is always there to wave hello to everyone. Now, onto my favorite part, keep reading to learn about some Stray Hen menu highlights!
Sample Tasting
Chris was kind enough to host a private event where our Spoon Michigan team was able to taste many of Stray Hen's classic dishes. Although it were just a little sample of all that the restaurant has to offer, we all left with a strong desire to return to try even more delicious food.
Avocado Toast
The first item we tasted was the aesthetically-pleasing and Instagrammable avocado toast. Whether you choose to top your toast off with a poached egg, cucumber, tomatoes, or all of the above, this delicious and creamy toast is a customer favorite. Personally, I enjoy the lox avocado toast to satisfy my savory brunch cravings.
Turkey Wraps
Besides Stray Hen's traditional breakfast items, their menu also features a variety of lunch specials such as the turkey wraps pictured above and other salads and sandwiches. This wrap is perfect if you are looking for something simple yet delicious for a middle of the day meal. The salads and bowls are also great and packed with lots of fresh ingredients. This place really does have it all!
Waffle Sampler & More
Next up is a meal that I continuously return to Stray Hen for: The Waffle Flight Combo. This dish features four mini waffles with various fruits and delicious toppings. My personal favorite waffle is topped with fresh apples and lathered in cookie butter! On the topic of breakfast treats, another favorite is a stack of buttermilk pancakes with fruit and dusted with powdered sugar. Stray Hen offers many variations of pancake flavors from simple chocolate chip to butterscotch s’mores. Who doesn’t love a little sweetness with their breakfast?
From classic eggs and bacon to unique sandwiches and toasts, Stray Hen should definitely be on your list of go-to restaurants in the Ann Arbor area. If you’re in the mood for good food, great coffee, and an even better atmosphere, this is the place to go!