Pilar's on the Patio

Local legend Sylvia, founder of Pilar’s Tamales, has become an incredible friend and partner over the past few years working together. When we moved to Ann Arbor, we set out to explore the small shops and restaurants in town - some recommended by word-of-mouth, a few on best of lists, and a couple that we stumbled across on bike rides (when looking for a space for the meadery, we used to spend hours criss-crossing town on our bikes looking for available commercial real estate). We came across Pilar’s and that was the beginning of a fervent love between us and her tamales, her cozy cafe, and her ability to make you feel like family within just a few minutes. During a visit, we mentioned to Sylvia that we were opening a taproom and, right then and there, we made a plan to work together once we were open.

For nearly a year, Sylvia and her family served tamales in our taproom on Wednesdays during trivia night - different flavors of tamales with a side of curtido, fried plantains, and casamiento. Heaven. We took a break this spring as businesses stepped back to evaluate the effects of the shutdown and their paths forward. For Pilar’s that has meant take-out from their cafe on Liberty. And now, it also means serving up meals on our patio every Friday! Sylvia sets up shop on our doorway from 5-8pm with tamales, pupusas and assorted sides each week. She always brings a variety of meat, vegetarian and vegan options, and sources many of her ingredients locally.

Looking for a safe way to celebrate the start of the weekend? Come on by on a Friday, pick up a meal from Sylvia, and enjoy a mead or cider on our distanced patio. Cheers!