Zingerman's Deli

Ann Arbor’s most famous eatery would have to be the Zingerman’s Delicatessen. Located in the trendy cobblestoned streets of Kerrytown, Zingerman’s always seems to have lines of customers stretching out the door, and around the corner.

Our newly formed elite running group was hosting a potential new training partner, so Zingerman’s was a must stop to sell him on the idea of making A2 his new home.

Tuesday night at 7.45pm, the lines had died off, and we were able to freely roam the exquisitely stacked isles of fresh breads, cheese, deli meats, olives and jarred preservatives. We must have consumed at least a few dollars worth of free samples as the energetic and well-educated store assistants tempted our taste buds

with the highest quality of deli produce found this side of the Hudson. A few minutes scanning the mouth-watering menu turned into a quarter of an hour before the three of us could decide which sandwiches we would have to forgo. They all looked incredible.

I ended up choosing #00, "D-$’s Cuban Conundrum", with Cuban-style pulled pork, Arkansas peppered ham, Switzerland Swiss cheese, old-fashioned dill pickles, mayo & hot mustard on a grilled paesano roll. Each breath through my nose felt like fire was raging out, from the hot mustard, which would make you think I couldn’t take anymore, but it was a strangely addictive feeling. I couldn’t get enough.

Lisa. C’s Boisterous Beef brisket (#97) was the choice of two-time NCAA mile champion, Lee Emanuel (University of New Mexico). His sandwich was featured in Esquire magazine and on Oprah. It came with hand-pulled beef brisket simmered in Zingerman’s own BBQ sauce on a soft bun, served with a side of applewood-smoked baked beans.

I can’t even remember what our "recruit" ordered as I was so consumed with making sure I didn’t have any regrets over the other choices I was leaving behind.

After ordering in the main Deli, we walked out through the courtyard, and into Zingerman’s newer coffee house and café. The sandwiches were brought through to us within 10 minutes, and at the first sight of his meal, Lee blurted out “it’s lucky you haven’t shown me this place until now, otherwise I would have spent $500 here”. Half a sandwich down, and we were more than full, but they were too good to leave any remains on our plates.

The concert we planned to check out at the Blind Pig after didn’t start until 9.30pm, so we hung out in the café and ordered $7 slices of carrot cake and a few coffees to pass some time, and compete our Zingerman’s experience.

Ratings:

Location/Parking – 4/5

Value – 4/5

Food – 4.5/5

Service – 4.5/5

Ambiance – 4.5/5

Overall – 4.3/5

Note: We were there at 7.30pm on a Tuesday night. On weekends, and any day during lunch, you will find long lines, and near impossible to find a park close by.