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Backroom Pizza
Category: Restaurants Pizza Pizza [Edit]
605 Church StAnn Arbor, MI 48113
Neighborhood: South University Ann Arbor
(734) 741-8296
- Price Range:
-
$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- No
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Late Night, Lunch
- Alcohol:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
35 reviews for Backroom Pizza
Review Highlights
-
"Backroom is best for late night, un-sober pizza." In 6 reviews -
"It's still super cheap to get a slice of pizza here." In 3 reviews -
"Backroom and Brown Jug share a kitchen and are on cross..." In 4 reviews
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35 reviews in English
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Review from Puneet S.
Columbus, OH
1/19/2012
Pretty good pizza, especially if you are looking for something quick and cheap and/or want food after all the bars on South U close.
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Review from Becky H.
Ann Arbor, MI
4/27/2012
It is what it is--cheap, greasy pizza that you can get late at night. Nothing stellar, so just 3 stars. It doesn't reek as bad as South U's pizza, so I much prefer this location.
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Review from Bea G.
Ann Arbor Charter Township, MI
4/2/2012
Highlights:
* Cheapest pizza you can find at night
* Good drunk food
Lowlights:
* No seating -
Review from Derrick P.
Ann Arbor, MI
11/15/2011 1 Check-in Here
If you just want a fresh, hot, standard slice of cheese or pepperoni pizza that you can pick up in just a few minutes, then seek no further, this is the place for you.
Whether it's after the bars close down (beware of the long lines) or just for a late night study snack on my way back to my place, I've always appreciated that a warm slice of pizza seems always available no matter what time it is.
Don't expect the best pizza you ever had, but don't expect the worst either (this place still beats dominoes). But if you want a quick late night slice of warm pizza for a dollar and a quarter, it's Backroom pizza all the way. -
Review from Guillermo K.
Ann Arbor, MI
1/19/2012
Ridic cheap. Ridic bad. Ridic satisfying.
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Review from Justin G.
Fairfax, VA
3/6/2012
Super cheap, open late. Definitely what people get when drinking. Past that, go somewhere else. I preferred NYPD when in the area. They were twice the cost, but had much better ingredients.
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Review from Matt G.
8/3/2011
Backroom is like the taco bell of pizza; you've had it about a hundred times in college after the bar, but have never actually had it sober.
The sad thing for me is, even after a night of crazed dancing and drinking at Rick's and Charleys, as I'm stumbling to get home, thinking I'm half human, half garbage disposal, as I mow down a piece or two or ten of backroom pizza, it just never has hit the spot for me. Maybe its because I can't find the coordination to place the pizza in my mouth, or because I accidentally get crushed red peppers in my eyes and it feels like someone splashed liquid hot magma (Austin Powers reference) into my eyes, or simply because I think my slice of pizza is apparently a pillow and I wonder why there is pepperoni in my ear when I wake up the next morning. Either way, when I look at the pictures from the previous night to recall what I actually did, when I see that greasy and glistening piece of pizza in my hand, I don't really get feeling of joy and elation, rather feelings of, why did I do that again (I'm talking about the pizza here people, get your mind out of the gutter).
Until next time... -
Review from Amy N.
11/16/2007
I discovered this place one drunken night coming home from a party as well. All I did was follow where my nose was leading me. I don't know if it was the effects of alcohol that enhanced my tastebuds but Backroom Pizza is probably one of my top choices for tasty, cheap pizza. It's opened late and so if it's 3 am and you swear you will murder someone if you don't get food ASAP (always the case for me), then you can always count on Backroom.
There usually is a long line of drunk, hungry, rowdy college kids so it's quite an endeavor to get past the line but the reward is well worth it. Come right before they close and sometimes the nice staff there will even give you a whole pizza pie for a few bucks!
I reccomend sprinkling on a load of parmesan cheese and chili flakes to further enhance the flavor. I have to warn you, the grease literally drips from the pizza crust and will make your napkin transparent. I had it when I was sober and I felt quite sick after, but when you're drunk, who gives a damn. -
Review from Joseph W.
Chicago, IL
3/27/2010
What can you say about Backroom Pizza. It's probably the ultimate after drinking snack. The pizza always seems to taste awesome. I don't know if its the cheese or the fact you're only playing a dollar for a giant slice.
It's only downfall comes that sometimes there can be a huge line. Which can suck during the winter. But once you sink your teeth into that slice, you'll be in heaven. -
Review from Craig R.
12/24/2009 1 Check-in Here
My favorite pizza place in Ann Arbor by far.
You could stop by in between classes and grab a slice super quick, or you could join the line around the corner late night when everyone is walking home totally hammered. There is a picnic table sitting out front for the nice days as well since there's barely any room inside.
The pizza is delicious, but SUPER greasy. If you don't handle greasy food well, stay away from this place.
Cheese slices are a dollar, pepperoni are a $1.50. Dirt cheap, great for college students, but careful eating it too often cause you'll gain a ton of weight hahaha.... -
Review from Michael C.
Detroit, MI
5/31/2008
Backroom? Meh!
I was never impressed with Backroom once I sobered up. Honestly kids, if it only tastes good when you're wasted, then it's probably not good. In fact, aren't most things like this?
When the pizza dough is slimy, you know, when you go to bite into a piece and you notice that the bottom of the slice is as greasy as the top, then it's going to be rough the next morning after that goes through you. That I know for a fact.
Still, I too have fallen victim to the siren song of Backroom on a stumble from the bar. I can't knock them too bad when they're not charging an arm and a leg for their pizza, and at least for the moment I was content. -
Review from Tyler B.
6/25/2008
Backroom pizza is synonymous with being drunk and young in Ann Arbor. And while I am still a drunk, I am no longer young. This may be lamentable on several levels, but being able to only afford Backroom after the bar is not one of them.
Don't get me wrong, its not hyperbole to say that 2 well timed slices of Backroom saved my life more than once. Its cheap and available - the two most important things people look for at 2am. But as I get a little on in years and a little more cash in my pocket, I can spurn the Backroom for the much tastier (albeit more expensive) NYPD.
I'd be remiss not to give a nod to the pizza of the proletariat however. Thanks Backroom. Keep on soaking up the booze in the stomachs of undergrads. You're doing god's work. -
Review from Jonas L.
Ann Arbor, MI
11/13/2008
As many people have said, one reason for this place's existence is to dispense fat and carb that soak up alcohol. My reason for this place's existence, though, is for that time of the month when I run out of money and all I can afford are their $1 pizzas.
Probably shouldn't go here otherwise. -
Review from F J.
Berkeley, CA
1/8/2010
1. Go to Rick's.
2a. Get lucky.
2b. Not so lucky? Leave at closing time, subdue possible emotional pain and certain physical drunkenness with $1 slices here.
3. Repeat. -
Review from Sarah W.
Brooklyn, NY
4/18/2008 2 photos
Good, quick and cheap pizza! That's what we like to hear.
I first started coming here when pizza was $1 a slice. Affordable, yes. But even when you didn't have a dollar you could still scrounge around in your car and find that much change to get yourself some food. It's still super cheap to get a slice of pizza here.
This is the best place to come after your night out and you have drank almost all the cash out of your wallet. Grab a slice, sit on the table outside if there is room and prepare to watch all the spent people dragging themselves home or getting pizza. Usually lots of drama unfolding here. Excellent entertainment. -
Review from Justin Y.
Ann Arbor, MI
7/9/2011
It's good on a night when you are drunk or if you need a $1 dollar slice of pizza. But the quality of the pizza itself is hit and miss. You only have cheese or pepperoni to choose from so variety is low. During the day, when pizza doesn't go as fast, pizza tends to be on the miss side. I'd go with South U Pizza instead.
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Review from Eric C.
New York, NY
9/4/2008
Every town has it's absolutely scrumptuous cheap late night pizza place where most of the revenue is made between 1:30 and 3:00 AM. The gold standard of these is Backroom pizza. Every town in America that has ever served a beer deserves to have this quality of pizza. It's cheap, so the undergrads are happy. It's near Rick's so many of the grad students are happy too.
Also, if you can persuade your server in the Brown Jug you can get them to sneak you pizza through the kitchen. -
Review from Emily G.
9/7/2009
How many stars do you give to a place that you only eat with/after/right before/ alcohol?
Granted, the pizza IS really good when you are drunk, or desperately needing food so that you can drink... and thats because at those times we crave oily/greasy pizza that is (preferably) nice and warm.
I give it 3 stars because it is 5 minus the "needing alcohol to enjoy it" element and minus the drunk retarded dudes outside the place that kill its "overall environment".
If you are coming out of charley's and craving some nice junk food, i'd come here. -
Review from Andrew L.
Washington, DC
7/14/2007
Backroom Pizza is a little treasure that Freshmen will find as they drunkenly walk back to their dorms after a night of partying. Down the road, they will realize that it will become a staple of their post-partying adventures; and for this Senior, it most certainly has.
Everyone gets a bit hungry after trying to push through crowds of people at house parties, or making a trek to a hot spot, or even playing a tough game of beer pong. For those looking to get their munch on for less than $2 a slice, Backroom pizza is the place to be.
The pizza is surprisingly good for such a cheap price; and that's while tasting it sober! So you know it seems like a culinary oasis when there's nothing but carbonation and hops in your liver.
The employees are quick and there never seems to be a shortage of pizza. You might even tip them a little extra because their service, the pizza, and the satisfaction was spectacular.
The only downfall is that this place is tiny, which means the lines can become incredibly long. The good news is that the service is quick, and they always have pizza ready. So if you're patient, you'll get your pizza in no time.
Also, I'm not sure if they accept credit/debit cards. At a price so cheap though, I don't see who would offer. I've never tried to pay with anything else but cash. So just make sure to have cash handy.
Cheap, quick, and delicious. After a night of fun, no matter where home is, stumble on down to Backroom for some surprisingly good pizza. Just make sure it doesn't come back up before the night is over you inexperienced Freshmen! -
Review from Dave R.
Chicago, IL
12/2/2008
An institution. Pies based on the recipe from partner store The Brown Jug (they share a kitchen).
Dollar for a cheese slice made a great meal on the way to class or drunk off my a**.
Only complaint is for false advertising: they NEVER had the "bagel dogs" on their menu. I remember going back every day for a week, asking for bagel dogs, and being laughed at like I was on the outside of a big joke!
Great service and faster food than just about any place in town. -
Review from Parisa K.
Detroit, MI
7/26/2008
Backroom is best for late night, un-sober pizza. It's actually good anytime of the day, however. It's not anything special. But it's good and cheap. You get a slice of cheese or pepperoni, which you can top with a handful of things like Parmesan, lemon pepper, oregano, etc., but there isn't really much else. You cannot go there and expect much. If you do, you'll be disappointed as soon as you walk in the door and realize there is nothing to the place but a counter to order and pay at. But there is something about the greasy pizza that will draw you back to Backroom again and again.
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Review from John R.
Alexandria, VA
11/26/2007
I'm so glad to see this place is still here! I had heard that Backroom and the Brown Jug had closed down years ago - they're a cornerstone of my undergrad education. Backroom and Brown Jug share a kitchen and are on cross streets. If you're checking out Ann Arbor yelp reviews you already know all about Backroom, what else is there to add? It's cheap, it's HOT, it's basic, and it's ready when you need a slice in a hurry.
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Review from F A.
Washtenaw, MI
11/23/2009
Backroom is one of my favorite places in Ann Arbor, and I have been eating here since I was in high school and will continue to as long as I am this broke. The pizza is so cheap, and sometimes it is even tastier than pizza I would pay 5 bucks a slice for. It's definitely hit or miss on taste sometimes, but for $1 a slice (for cheese) you can only win!
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Review from Alan W.
Washington, DC
6/3/2010
Solid super Cheap Pizza
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Review from Erin G.
1/11/2009
$1 cheese slices, $1.50 pepperoni, and not much else. It's not the best quality pizza, nor is it the most well-seasoned, nor do you get many choices. You can't have meat-lovers, and no, they don't have supreme. But when you've been out drinking and could probably use some food in your stomach, it'll do you good. When you're running late and have 30 seconds to grab food, Backroom is there when you need it. When you have to count out your laundry quarters, wishing you had enough money for something to eat, it dawns on you that you can afford a slice of Backroom, and the greasy goodness saves the day.
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Review from Bryan B.
Ann Arbor, MI
9/3/2011
Cheap late-night food. Not high quality, but it hits the spot at 3 AM
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Review from David M.
Ann Arbor, MI
8/3/2009
Oh, backroom. I would never, ever eat at a place of a lower quality than this. But if you want the absolute cheapest slices in town that might not kill you, here's your place. Pretty much only appropriate after a night of heavy heavy drinking, probably a night that ended at Rick's. When you're so drunk that cardboard would taste good, this will be a nice treat.
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Review from Eric M.
10/5/2008
Whether you're walking around campus and looking for a bite, coming back from a (hopefully) big win and need some energy, or wandering home drunk after a crazy night Backroom is the best pizza you will find. The crust is salty enough to provide some flavor, the cheese is melted perfectly, and you can't beat the price.
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Review from Maria l.
Chicago, IL
7/30/2007
Backroom- I've loved you since the Jug was changed irrepably. Thank you for feeding me decent pizza by the slice when I was poor. Cheap, yes. Lower-quality, yes. But it is what it is and I like it!
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Review from gfiddy f.
Chicago, IL
9/1/2009
My personal favorite in Ann Arbor.
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Review from Richard L.
Mountain View, CA
9/18/2008
great if you are looking for a late night fix after rick's/the jug/charley's and don't have the budget to go to btb cantina or panchero's
just a warning: the crust is made of an 85% cardboard mix..but for $1 a slice ($1.25 pepperoni), i can see past that
and if i remember correctly, they also accept credit cards...even on $1 purchases. i felt like such a dbag when i whipped out the tcf card, but meh...what can you do -
Review from Josh B.
Ann Arbor, MI
9/16/2009
Among the 2-star restaurants, it's not bad. It's basically an extension of the back of the kitchen from the Brown Jug restaurant. Often the ordering space is very cramped. There is nowhere to sit down, but there is a bar-style table attached to the wall behind the ordering area as well as some dirty wooden tables outside.
Sodas are $1, but they are clearly watered down. I can tell because aside from the taste, soda usually feels abrasive to the back of my throat. It doesn't too much here.
The pizza is very cheap ($1 cheese, $1.50 pepperoni) but a bit hit-or-miss. My friend maintains that once he had pizza here of better quality than Pizza House. The pepperoni is terrible, but you can put parmesan cheese, a blend of herbs, and some spicy flakes (of something...) on your pizza for free. Although I've never tried anything except the pizza and soda, they actually do sell calzones and a few other items here; you just have to ask.
So why did I give it 2 stars instead of one star? My expectations are incredibly well-defined (and low) coming in here. I expect incredibly cheap, yet edible pizza and backroom pizza delivers.
Oh... Backroom pizza actually does deliver pizza if you call them. -
Review from Jeremy W.
Flushing, NY
2/17/2010
I am not kidding or trying to boast but I used to come here a decade ago when it looked like a dingy lil hole in the wall. The slices were a $1.00 and im glad they havent raised the prices. There was never a line and didnt seem to be a lot of traffic in there (I think it was because back then there were a few diff pizza spots around there). Anyway I thought I had found the oasis. I am happy to see that the secret is out, as for the pizza what can I say.... its a buck.
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Review from Foxy M.
Dallas, TX
6/13/2008
This is not your average after hours grab a bite pizza spot. Bar hoppers walk from all over the U of M campus to get a slice of this piece of heaven after a night out. This isn't a dine in place, you simply wait in line FOREVER smelling ooey goodness, grab a slice of whatever they just pulled out of the oven, and sit down on a picnic bench outside, or walk and eat. I not only love the pizza, but am FORCED to go here every time I visit by friends that need their fix! It might be the fact that most people grabbing a piece of backroom's pizza is because they had a night of drinking and are craving some sort of food. Still....its one of the only places open serving food at that hour. I recommend stopping by if you've just walked around the corner from a night out.
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Review from Nick H.
Kenosha, WI
9/30/2009
Best cheap pizza in Ann Arbor with one caveat, you need to get fresh out of the oven pizza. They often leave old pizza stagnating under the heat lamp for ages.. and if you don't hit the Backroom at the right time (read: near bar close) you will have a sub par experience.
