Lines snake around the small brick building in the college town of Ann Arbor, Michigan. Is it a University of Michigan pre-game football party? Nope, it’s Zingerman’s Deli, a temple for the taste buds.
Even Oprah has lauded Zingerman’s sandwiches on national television. One taste of the Lisa C’s Boisterous Brisket sandwich — hand-pulled beef brisket in Zingerman’s own barbecue sauce — and she said, “Oooh that’s good. Lord have mercy.”
Known for locally sourced, “traditionally made foods with full flavor,” the possibilities at Zingerman’s are exhaustingly delicious. Tucked away in a quiet residential neighborhood, the deli is the cornerstone of the 28-year-old Zingerman dynasty, which now includes a bake house, a creamery, a roadhouse and a candy manufacturer.
Inside the tiny store, it’s sensory overload. Walls are crammed with breads, oils, jams and vinegars, and glass counters burst with salads, roasted meats and at least 20 different cheeses each day. For out-of-towners who fall in love with the food here, Zingerman’s offers a robust mail order service.
And for the little ones, the kid’s menu features sandwiches, kosher hot dogs, PB&Js made with local peanut butter and, of course, plenty of sweet treats like cupcakes and organic lollipops.
Still hungry? Visit Zingerman’s Bakehouse where you can see a 50-pound slab of butter, sample wedding cakes and try a bacon-flavored cookie. Though their empire has grown, the owners of Zingerman’s refuse to franchise or expand beyond the Ann Arbor area. Not bad for a couple of college kids who, in 1982, just wanted to sell some good local food.