Bagger Dave’s in the Colannade

My friend left a message—”We’re going to dinner at Bagger Dave’s in the Colonnade, we can pick you up.” Bagger What??!! The Colonnade is an inauspicious setting (I’ve heard some call it the worst architecture in Ann Arbor) but Bagger Dave’s classes up the neighborhood a little. Actually, it’s a fascinating business experiment—the beginning of a new eating franchise started in Berkley Michigan in 2006, soon with a new branch in Novi and hoping to send its tracks into Indiana, Ohio, Illinois. I say tracks to keep in the spirit of Bagger Dave’s, which has a railroad theme. The décor is a version of 19th century train depot with wood paneled walls, sepia-toned photos of ancient Ann Arbor trainy things, and a real live toy train on a track circling above the dining area. You can buy your bar drinks (beer and wine) at a half-door that imitates a train ticket-window. Booths are like seats in an old train station. Very cute and fun.

The menu is so simple it is almost fast food—burgers, fries, four grilled sandwiches, two salads—lots of sauces and cheese on everything. Burgers include your standard cheese, bacon, avocado loaded ones plus a fun build-your-own option. One friend calls their turkey burger the best in town. There are a couple of specialty items that catch my eye: turkey black bean chili and peanut butter, honey and banana grilled sandwich—have to try them someday but tonight it is burgers.

We ask the waitress—so who is Bagger Dave? She doesn’t know—something to do with the railroad—maybe a carpetbagger? We are thinking maybe he is a baggage handler. Apparently the story of Dave has not been developed yet.

Our food arrives. The fries are almost cool and the chipotle sauce on my friend’s burger is too much and too hot—but the burgers are delicious. We yum them down.

Verdict: Really good burgers, medium fries—fun atmosphere—ask for sauces on the side.

Clever Business Idea: Take ground meat, cheese, eggs, and many fixins such as guacamole, sauces, onion, tomatoes, lettuce—then build your entire menu of burgers, sandwiches, chili and salads from these basic ingredients. Food and preparation costs are cut drastically. Lubricate with beer and wine. Give each item a cute name and deliver it all in a fun, yet classy train-themed room. Looks like a franchise winner.