Zingerman's Deli is so, so much more than just a deli.
"Zingerman’s Delicatessen opened in March 1982 in a historic building near the Ann Arbor Farmers Market. The Deli was founded by Paul Saginaw and Ari Weinzweig, two friends who dreamt of creating a traditional Jewish deli that would bring very special foods to Ann Arbor in a way that was unique to them. Over the years, Zingerman’s has expanded to become a family of independently-owned food and service-focused businesses, known as the Zingerman’s Community of Businesses, And, many decades later, the Deli remains a source of great food and great experiences for thousands of guests every year," reads the website.
"Zingerman’s Deli is known as the place to enjoy made-to-order sandwiches piled so high with premium ingredients you need two hands to hold them. We’re also so much more. Visiting us is a one-of-a-kind experience! We’re a place to find traditionally-made, full-flavored foods that taste great and are fun to eat. We create Jewish classics like knish and noodle kugel, seasonally-focused salads and sides, and even full catered meals. We’re also a place to find traditional foods from our fellow Zingerman’s businesses, like hearth-baked breads, small-batch gelato, and single-estate coffees. We’re a place to discover exceptional authentic products with heritage and history, from estate-bottled olive oil to well-aged wheels of farmhouse cheese and varietal bottles of vinegar to artisanal salami; and we’re an exciting place to learn about them in guided tastings and classes. It’s a place for community, where anyone and everyone can share an appreciation and love of good food in a comfortable and welcoming environment. It’s a place rooted in great service, where folks can expect a rewarding, memorable experience."
It's this wonderful little world where I could spend hours upon hours. There is the Next Door Cafe, which is next door to the deli.
There's the Zingerman's Bakehouse, which opened in 1992. It brings traditionally baked breads and pastries to Ann Arbor. They even have a teaching kitchen, BAKE!
Zingerman's Creamery makes cream cheese, cow's milk cheese, goat's milk cheese, sorbet, gelato and more.
Zingerman's Roadhouse opened in 2003 with a focus on American cuisine with high-quality ingredients. They offer dishes like Buttermilk Fried Chicken, award-winning Mac ‘n Cheese made with Martelli artisan pasta, NOLA Gumbo, Nashville Hot Chicken, Cornmeal Fried Catfish, Oyster Po’Boys, full-flavored burgers, Grits n’ Bits Waffles, and Donut Sundaes.
Zingerman's Coffee opened in 2003 to source and roast coffees of the world. The coffee is available at the Next Door Cafe, Roadhouse and Bakehouse.
Zingerman's Candy Manufactory creates sweets by hand. "Founder Charlie Frank spent 10 years dreaming up recipes for incredible tasting candy bars, nut brittles, sweet spiced nuts, marshmallows, seasonal specialties, and more! Fresh, scratch-made nougat, fudge, fondant, caramel, marshmallow, and more make our candy uniquely flavorful," reads the website.
And, there's even so much more than that. From event venues to third-party restaurants and everything in between.
I went to the deli and grocery to do some shopping and find a quick bite to eat.
I ordered the #26 Frank & Kathy's Half-Italian Sub - All-beef salami, Fra' Mani mortadella, Fra' Mani smoked ham, provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions, spicy fire-roasted New Mexico green chiles, olive oil & red wine vinegar grilled on a Paesano roll.
My main motivation for ordering this sub is that those are my parents' names. I thought - what a coincidence! It's not the correct spelling of my mother's name, but close enough.
An Italian sandwich on fresh baked bread just hits different. This was very tasty and not too spicy, which is what I was concerned about. It was just enough to really boost the flavor. Plus a giant pickle.
I also tried a celery soda: Cel-Ray. "Dr. Brown's sodas are kosher, are often sold in Jewish delicatessens and restaurants, and can also be found in specialty grocers and grocery stores that specialize in American food in Israel. The flavor, derived from celery seed extract, is reminiscent of ginger ale but with a pronounced celery flavor that is more pungent or peppery than ginger ale," according to Wikipedia.
I also tried their kugel. I had homemade kugel from a friend and fell in love with it, but haven't quite found one as good since. This version falls into that category.
"The only difference between our noodle kugel and the version made by Zingerman's co-founder Ari Weinzweig’s grandmother is we make ours with much better ingredients. Nostalgia aside, even Ari admits ours tastes far better than what his bubbe made for him when he was a kid. Noodle kugel is a Jewish classic: it's like a bread pudding made with pasta instead of bread. Our kugel is made with egg noodles from Al Dente in Whitmore Lake, handmade farm cheese from Zingerman’s Creamery, plenty of plump Red Flame raisins, and a generous dose of vanilla. Everything is blended together in a dense, noodle-y custard and baked to a golden brown. Great for breakfast, lunch, dessert or really any time you just want something good to eat."
It wasn't bad, but it didn't live up to the hype in my head.
Finally, I also purchased a number of candy bars:
Zzang! Original
Our candy-making crew start with honey nougat made with natural peanut butter. They roll it up in silky caramel made from organic muscovado brown sugar. Big Virginia peanuts come next, and the whole endeavor is finished off with a dip into a rich bath of 64 percent dark Colombian chocolate.
Peanut Butter Crush
Smooth peanut butter and crisped rice mixed with bits of peanut brittle and covered in dark chocolate. A crunchy twist on a classic combination.
Milk Chocolate Karamel Krunch
Muscovado brown sugar caramel mixed with crisped rice, enrobed in milk chocolate. Sweet and light.
Ca$hew Cow
Cashew butter, roasted cashews, our own cashew brittle and a bit of puffed rice, milk chocolate and just a smidge of sea salt. Dipped in dark chocolate. An appropriate bar for anyone with a career in finance.
Raspberry Wowza
Raspberry ganache covered with raspberry nougat. Raspberry jelly candies come next, then a bath in dark chocolate. It's fresh and fruity.
Overall, a theme park adventure for foodies.
Grade: A
