4893 Jackson Rd.

What is so classic about the Classic Cup Café? One answer would be the classic diner food from BLTs, to cheese omelettes to spaghetti and meatballs. Another would be the classic movie theme with vintage Hollywood posters on the walls—my favorite is a skinny-skinny Audrey Hepburn at Tiffany’s—and dishes named after classic stars—The Jack Klugman Club, Ceasar Romero Salad, Sammy Davis Salmon, Patty Duke Melt and—would you believe—the Jack Lemon Liver.

But the Classic Cup also has a classy side upgrading the standard diner menu with some newer uptown choices like crepes, eggs benedict, blintz’s and an array of coffee drinks—espresso, cappucino, mocha. Add these beverages to the Classic Cup’s free wifi and you have a very comfortable coffee shop for some computer lounging.

For our breakfast visit, (a whole menu of choices—almost anything you could ask for) I ordered oatmeal with raisins—what a stick in the mud—and Lorri order the Greek Village omelette. The oatmeal was instant, a disappointment, but Lorri’s omelette was—in her words—“ It has oregano which is unexpected. One of the tastiest omlettes I’ve ever had.”

The dinner and lunch menu includes the standard soups and salads, burgers, surf and turf choices and Italian specialties. How about some Sofia Parmegiano Loren? Beer and wine served.

The Cup has a long Ann Arbor pedigree. It didn’t start out on Jackson Rd. It’s original home was Main Street and the original name was Manikas—located where Shalimar is now. It was and is one of Ann Arbor’s classic Greek-owned restaurants. And the Greek influence is still there—some dishes on the menu plus Thursday night Greek night with authentic Greek food and wine served. You can have a classy night out without breaking the bank.

Verdict: Classic diner breakfasts couldn’t be better. Dinner and lunch—good eating at a reasonable price. Fun atmosphere.

By Maggie