Zingerman's Deli - Ann Arbor, MI

Posted By Michael Stern on August 25, 2008 4:39 PM

Zingerman's began as a small deli and has become a culinary empire that includes a bustling mail order business, a creamery, a bake house, a coffee shop, and a full-service "roadhouse" (review of that last one is forthcoming). While not every such achievement proves the adage that they must be doing something right, I would say that Zingerman's deserves success for the unbelievable number of things it does not just right, but fantastically well.

There is no point to enumerate them all, but foremost on any short list of the deli's wonders are its sandwiches made with top-notch ingredients (Nueske's bacon, Amish free-range chicken, Niman Ranch pastrami, Michigan-grown vegetables, Italian salami, Arkansas ham, smoked salmon from Maine, et cetera). They are constructed on slices of what is in my opinion the best bread in the Midwest – world-class baguettes, ryes, rolls, sourdoughs, chile-cheddar, pecan raisin and challah. I won't even get into such peripheral (NOT) items as pickles, olive tapenade, smoked fish salads, and multiple cheese spreads, including the best pimiento cheese this side of Paducah.

It is a place I find immensely frustrating because a single visit or six visits will not even put a bite into all the good things there are to eat … and to see and to smell when you walk in to place an order. Getting food, in fact, can be a little confusing to a first timer. You enter the shockingly small deli, which is primarily a retail operation selling meats, breads, cheeses, etc., and browse the menu posted all over the wall. While you are figuring out what you want and probably getting hypnotized by the beautiful foodstuffs on display, a server will approach to take your order and your name. You are given a check that you take to a register and pay. Find a seat and in a while your food will be brought to you. Unlike the classic New York deli staff, people who work here are friendly, helpful, and patient; and they are full of recommendations if you can't decide between, say halloumi and muenster cheese.

Yes, Zingerman's is more expensive than an average sandwich shop. A BLT is $9.50 or $10.99 depending on size; grilled cheese is $6.50-$7.99. But what you get is far superior to, and considerably bigger than, an average sandwich.

Overall Rating

Reuben Sandwich (large)

Macaroni & Cheese

Bread

Cherry Pecan Bun

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Posted By Deirdre Clark on December 22, 2011 1:12 PM

I grew up in Ann Arbor and while I miss many things about the town Zingerman's Deli especially the bread is what I miss most! The bread is out of this world amazing. The workers here are enthusiastic about their jobs and about food which makes visiting a joy. Go eat and fall in love!

Overall Rating

Reuben Sandwich (large)

Bread

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Posted By Owen Medd on November 23, 2011 1:51 PM

Zingerman's Deli... how can one write a review of this place? Without question it is one of the finest delis in the universe! Really, having visited here over and over again, with friends, family, and random strangers met across the aisle while munching on excellent Zingerman's bread stuffed with any of the meat or veggie combinations they offer (an ever increasing list, by the way), I have never found anyone to be disappointed, except perhaps that the sandwiches are so large they could serve as two meals.

Overall Rating

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Posted By david on April 1, 2011 9:44 PM

This is good stuff. If they really do charge $15 for a sandwich as one reviewer claims, it would still be worth it. I'm still savoring my sandwich five years later.

Overall Rating

Reuben Sandwich (large)

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Posted By Marcus Wilde on March 30, 2011 5:51 AM

Terrible deli. They claim to use high quality ingredients so they can charge $15 for a sandwich. Very low quality is what you get. My sandwich had dry stale bread with flavorless meat and almost no cheese. $15 for a barely edible sandwich? Skip this place.

Overall Rating

Reuben Sandwich (large)

Bread

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