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Zingerman’s Delicatessen has won the best sandwich in Ann Arbor once again. The shop has won the category so many times that in 2002 a Michigan Daily author suggested an additional category: best “non-Zingerman’s Corp.” deli.
Zingerman’s sits at the corner of Detroit and Kingsley streets in Kerrytown. Through the front door, narrow walkways past the bread and cheese counters lead to the in-door ordering station, an open area with friendly employees and a sweet, bready smell.
The deli has been named the best in Michigan, and its Reuben is considered one of the best sandwiches in Washtenaw County.
Mike Varney, Zingerman’s head chef and kitchen manager, said the deli’s ingredients are what make their sandwiches special. The Reuben is made with local sauerkraut from The Brinery and corned beef from Sy Ginsberg’s in Detroit.
“You could go get turkey or Muenster cheese at the grocery store, but I guarantee you it’s not going to be the cheese that we have or the corned beef that we have,” Varney said.
Varney said the shop did years of research to find a turkey farm that fit their criteria.
“It’s really the best turkey that you can find,” Varney said.
The restaurant has enough indoor and outdoor seating for more than 150 people, but if you’re arriving on a Saturday afternoon, be prepared for a long line. While waiting in line, customers can visitThe Zingerman’s franchise’s coffee shop next door, the Next Door Cafe, for coffee and other food items.
Varney said his amazing team of 34 workers has a lot of hustle during those hours long wait times for customers.
“My team is truly amazing,” Varney said. “Every single person knows their role, and everyone’s willing to help each other out.”
Today, Zingerman’s is somewhat of an empire. The business has several autonomous parts managed by about 20 partners, according to co-founder Ari Weinzweig. Along with the deli, cafe and sit-down restaurant, the Zingerman’s brand produces and sells their own bread, cream cheese, coffee and candy bars.
Even after 42 years of sandwich greatness, Weinzweig said he appreciates knowing customers value their business.
“(The award is) a nice compliment because we depend on the community and the ecosystem that we’re in,” Weinzweig said. “We never take any customer for granted. We didn’t in 1982, and we don’t today. So whenever our customers appreciate it, it’s incredibly meaningful.”
Daily Staff Reporter Ava Chatlosh can be reached at chatlosh@umich.edu.
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