Mid-Michigan Dining

• 422 Detroit St.
• Ann Arbor, MI 48104
• (734) 663-3354
• Website
• Menu

Zingerman's Delicatessen in the Kerrytown District of Ann Arbor

Since we’ve been in Michigan, the one place I’ve been wanting to eat at is Zingerman’s Deli in Ann Arbor.  I can’t remember how I first heard about it, but it’s been on my short list for a long, long time.  I’ve passed the last two times I was in Ann Arbor because of time constraints.  Today, J and I took a shopping trip since U of M was on the road and the first thing we did was find Zingerman’s Deli.

Zingerman’s is in a unique area of Ann Arbor known as Kerrytown.  Very narrow streets  not far from downtown.  Across the street, sorta, sits the Kerrytown Shops.  There was a lot going on in the area on a Saturday morning.  Not only was the Farmer’s Market open, but there was a festival going on in the school lot near the Deli.  We drove around for almost twenty minutes before we finally found a spot to park on 5th Avenue.  It was raining pretty hard, but that wasn’t enough to keep me away from the biggest sandwich I’ve ever gotten at a Delicatessen.

When we opened the door to Zingerman’s, I was shocked to find a building full of people.  I had heard the lines got pretty long at times, but it was shoulder to shoulder inside.  We finally made our way past the meat and cheese counter to get to the line to order lunch.  There are close to 100 different sandwich combinations.  It was a little overwhelming at first, but we managed.  The wait was pretty short even though there were so many people.  The employees taking orders were very on top of things and knew what the sandwich combinations by the numbers.

I got #40 which is called Siegel’s Smokey Number.  The sandwich comes stacked, and when I say stacked, I mean stacked, with Smoked turkey breast, Arkansas peppered ham, Switzerland Swiss cheese, lettuce and sweet hot honeycup mustard on rye bread.  The order taker made sure I knew that their honeycup mustard had a strong horseradish flavor.  I didn’t believe him that it was gonna be strong, but it was and it made the sandwich delicious.  When it was set down in front of me, I couldn’t believe the size.  I couldn’t get the whole thing in my mouth.  I was taking small bites off the front whittling my way down to something I could handle.  All the turkey and ham was a carnivore’s dream.  The mustard added a little tang and the bread, which is home made, was delicious.  I have never had a sandwich that even compares to the one I had at Zingerman’s

J got #62 aka Jay’s BBQ Chicken.  Her sandwich was served in a sub bun and it was overflowing with pulled Amish chicken and covered in Zingerman’s own BBQ sauce.  The sandwich was topped off with a slice of Vermont cheddar cheese.  She loved her sandwich as well. There was so much chicken on her sandwich, I ended up getting a few bites of it as well.  I thought it had a strong onion taste, but J didn’t notice it.  Her sandwich came with a side of baked beans.  She said those were the best baked beans she ever had even beating Smoque’s in Chicago (review HERE). 

The order taker was able to talk us into getting a side.  We got a 1/2 lb of Mac ‘n Cheese.  Best Mac ‘n Cheese ever.  It didn’t look very cheesy, but it had a very distinct cheese flavor.  It was delicious.

Zingerman’s Delicatessen doesn’t have any seating itself, but there is another building next door called Zingerman’s Next Door that has tables so you can eat your sandwich comfortably.  If the downstairs is full, there is seating upstairs.  If that’s full, there’s a heated tent out back.  After you order, you’re given a slip that you take to the cashier’s.  They ring it up and you pay then got Next Door to wait for your food.  Servers bring the food over and call out name’s until someone answers.  Really funny system, but it works for them.

After we ate, we tried to go back into the Deli to check out the meat and cheese case, but we couldn’t get through.  There were more people in the store now than when we first went in.  In fact, there was a line forming at the front door.  I was able to get a quick peak of their olive oils and breads, but there was no way I was going to be able to get through to the meat case. 

Zingerman’swas fantastic.  Easily one of the best restaurants I’ve ever eaten at.  The food was great and the atmosphere was something rare and something that is hard to find.  With all that said, you better bring a lot of money.  Our meal was $35 for the two sandwiches, mac ‘n cheese, and one pop.  If you’re in Ann Arbor, this is one of those places you MUST go to at least once.  If we ever end up back in the city, it’s almost a sure bet we’ll try again.