Mammoth Mountain Bike Park To Open In Time For Memorial Day
Mammoth Mountain Good news for mountain bikers looking to hit a trail this ...
Zingerman's Deli: Is a $15 Sandwich Worth the Price?
Everyone told me that I had to eat at Zingerman's Deli in Ann Arbor, so I drove past Michigan Stadium and turned off Main Street, parked on Detroit Street and discovered that it's not just a sub shop but an overflowing gourmet market that happens to serve tasty, Dagwood-sized sandwiches.
After sampling some brownies, I put in an order for a Bill's 2 over Prime, a brisket-and-turkey-on-challah number, stacked with Vermont cheddar and slathered with yellow mustard. (I went with a crunchy "new" pickle instead of Zingerman's classic, garlic-cured "old" pickles.) Outside, at a picnic table, sitting under an umbrella to stave off the summer sun, I dug in, hoping for a sublime sandwich experience after dropping $14.50 on my sandwich and $3.50 on a lemonade. Delicious? Absolutely. But was my lunch really worth nearly $20? I'm still chewing it over.
More Articles You Might Like
A Traveler In The Foreign Service: What Impact Does Moving Have On Children?
If you're a parent who is interested in an international career, you've ...
New Legislation Would Allow Pets On Amtrak Trains
arbyreed, Flickr Would train travel be more appealing if you were allowed ...
Three Airport Travel Apps That Work, Save Time, Make Flying Fun
Jane Starz/Flickr Airport travel apps for smart phones and tablets are ...
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Midwestguest.com Jun 5th 2011 11:29AM
I live about an hour away from Ann Arbor, so I'm very familiar with Zingerman's. We most often shop online or pick up a few Zingerman's goodies from their booth in Detroit's Eastern Market.
While we've shopped at the gourmet market there, the price of the sandwiches means we've never really eaten at the deli there. If you're going to drop $20 to eat at Zingerman's, the better bet in my mind is to head on out to their Roadhouse restaurant on Jackson and enjoy their mac'n'cheese with a cold beer, or see what they're grilling out on the patio in the summer (we had a mixed dinner of pulled pork and pulled goat one afternoon there). Oh, and the pimento cheese appetizer is to die for (you can often score that at Eastern Market as well).
Al Schrader Jun 9th 2011 7:15PM
Nice but it's nothing like the Deli sandwhich I invented. First I start with twisted knot bread, then real rare roast beef, roasted turkey, Genoa salami, Muenster cheese, Swiss cheese, lettuce, tomato, pepperochinis, black & green olives,
house dressing, put the top on it, long picks, cut it fast. Served with tiny sweet pickles called Gherkins. Oh yeah....Alfie-
anni Jun 9th 2011 8:27PM
There is NOTHING in the State of Michigan worth $15.00. bah ha ha
Saranman Jun 10th 2011 2:59AM
I live a little farther - in southern California ! ! ! But, I get back to Detroit - about every other year, for two weeks of fun with both my "downstater" and "UPers." I always manage to find time to get to Ann Arbor - and always make it a point to stop by Zingerman's. The place is a little slice of heaven on earth - you notice it from the moment you walk in . . . . the sights, the smells, the "sighs?" LOL ! ! ! Without exception, I always buy some of their cured meats - and pack them to take back home. The only regret about the trip - occurs when I run out of the salami, etc., after returning home. In fact, there have been times that I've eaten everything before leaving Michigan ! ! ! Great place - don't forget to take something home with you . . . . it's worth the expense. Besides, Ann Arbor is a beautiful town - complete with a beautiful campus ! ! ! Well worth the effort - and whatever you do, don't forget to try some of their specialty side dishes ! ! ! They too are delicious ! ! !
Midwestguest.com Jun 5th 2011 3:29PM
I live about an hour away from Ann Arbor, so I'm very familiar with Zingerman's. We most often shop online or pick up a few Zingerman's goodies from their booth in Detroit's Eastern Market.
While we've shopped at the gourmet market there, the price of the sandwiches means we've never really eaten at the deli there. If you're going to drop $20 to eat at Zingerman's, the better bet in my mind is to head on out to their Roadhouse restaurant on Jackson and enjoy their mac'n'cheese with a cold beer, or see what they're grilling out on the patio in the summer (we had a mixed dinner of pulled pork and pulled goat one afternoon there). Oh, and the pimento cheese appetizer is to die for (you can often score that at Eastern Market as well).
Russell Jun 5th 2011 7:11PM
For $15, I usually expect a service experience to come with my food, or some sort of ambiance or environment to tell stories about. Base price for a sandwich like that, from what I have seen of it on google image search, should be $8. $10 tops. So isn't the question whether you got $5 - $7 worth of experience?
gred Jun 10th 2011 3:02AM
I just checked that (overpriced) sandwich out too... I agree! Not much for the money... hardly worth writing about.
Scotsw Jun 6th 2011 4:12AM
You can't price a Zingerman's sandwich against just any sub shop. They literally scour the earth for their cheeses, cold cuts, olives, etc. There's virtually nothing "off the shelf" there. You also can't overlook the sheer volume of the thing -- they're of the WHOA variety.
Zingerman's doesn't come cheap, but we have plenty of other deli-style options around town. There's a reason the place it always busy, folks. You can't get those ingredients just anywhere.
Chi Jun 5th 2011 11:10PM
We used to go to Zingerman's to split a sandwich because they're so massive. $20 divided by two doesn't sound as bad.
dickn2000b Jun 9th 2011 4:59PM
Well Mr. Brady...the only person that can answer the question, "Is it worth it?...is YOU! And you failed to do that, so what was the purpose of your mercifully brief fluff piece. Why go to the bother to write it and get it published without providing your readers with the answer. In doing so you have short changed those readers.
KF Jun 9th 2011 6:27PM
My thoughts exactly. This piece had no more substance or flavor than a Subway sandwich. Why bother other than to fill a quota or a deadline?
Sammy Jun 9th 2011 5:15PM
In Southfield , MI. the new " Bread Basket Deli " has no
equal . It puts Zingerman's to shame . At the BBD, you can order a HUMUNGOUS
corned beef sandwhich on an onion roll, ( great beef btw)... a large order of french fries , an order of cole slaw , matzoh ball soup & a drink
for around the price mentioned in the article. And you will roll out of the restaurant.
I was reared on corned beef & I say anyone who eats at a deli should
get more than their money's worth . Consistently. The Bread Basket Deli in Southfield & other locations is the premier deli in S.E. Michigan.
darla Jun 9th 2011 5:26PM
a $5 grand slam breakfast from denny's anywhere else in the u.s. i've ever been is $12+ in san francisco. huh???
Edward Kline Jun 9th 2011 5:33PM
Pretty pricey maybe the corn beef is kosher.
Sammy Jun 9th 2011 5:43PM
All of the corned beef we're talking about here is kosher .
The Bread Basket Deli of Southfield, MI. can trace its roots back to Samuel's Bros. Deli in the Eastern Market .
Emily Jun 9th 2011 7:50PM
I actually live in Ann Arbor and have my entire life. Zingerman's is definitely an experience all its own. Obviously, it is a place that one can't afford to go to everyday but when you do want to treat yourself, it is worth it. They literally travel all over the world to find the best quality products anywhere in the world. And although Zingermans has become known all over the United States, it is still a small buisness whose original owners still are involved in every day to day operation. The owners and their employees care about their customers and if you have even one onion on your sandwich that was wrong or that you didn't like, they will do anything that you want to make it up to you, just call their customer service and tell them about your negative experience. Not only do they care so much about their customers, but they really care about their employees. They take care of each and every employee and they also care about their community and the world. We really need more buisnesses like Zingerman's. So when you aren't sure if that $15 sandwich is worth it, try and remember that you are supporting the world for more buisnesses like Zingerman's!!
wllharrington Jun 9th 2011 7:42PM
You really don't get much good food do youj? As a bigot you lose out on a lot af things. For your information deli's were practically invented by the Jews primarily because this is where they could eat Kosher. I feel bad for telling you this because now you won't be able to eat at a deli since the food is jewish(kosher). What a shame.
sherry Jun 9th 2011 7:10PM
No sandwich is worth $14.50, guess I'm a cheapy.........
bill Jun 10th 2011 9:04AM
Obviously it is not worth that/the price. Equally obvious is the fact that dopes line up to pay THAT PRICE for that SHYTE and there is nothing the rest of us can do about those dopes. So in answer to the question - NO IT IS NOT WORTH IT.
Wally Jackson Jun 9th 2011 9:26PM
The remark above from the person about Jews, and calling them low life, really needs to grow up, The best meal I ever had as a child, back in the 1950's, was a road kill squirrel, that my mom and dads maid, MAIMIE had picked up off the road as she came to work at our house. she was my closest Mom when I was growing up, and gave me some great insite to black people. she showed me how to cook collards. and how to be around BIGOTS! who thank goodness are a dieing breed! open your mind your heart, your palet, and grow! Oh and my dad was a bigot, but do to my Mom-Maimie- being around the house with her family and kids, I was not as bad as others, and my kids less.