Zingerman's Deli is an Ann Arbor institution - they sell the most awesome cheese, olive oil, chocolate, bread, wonderful spices and brownies and sausage and it's just an all-around amazing place. Zingerman's Roadhouse joined the ZCoB (that's Zingerman's Community of Businesses) in 2003. It's located right off the freeway in a little shopping center, in a building that used to be a Bill Knapp's. I've eaten at the Roadhouse a few times, and it's good, but I just don't think it's all that it's cracked up to be. For one thing, it's incredibly expensive, even by Ann Arbor standards. You have to work hard to get out of there for less than $50 for two people. Second, the food crosses that line from down-home to high-brow. It's great that the food is made by local artisans, and doesn't have preservatives and is incredibly fresh, but I don't need the cheese on my burger imported from a tiny dairy in England to make me feel good about said burger. Finally, it's utter insanity in the restaurant if you go at a normal eating time. I've been there twice around 4 PM, and it's fine, but much later than that and it's loud and crowded and dark. Not my idea of a joyous dining experience. Yes, the food is really good, but in this case, it's just not good enough.
Zingerman's Roadhouse - B-
I looked at their online catalog for a gift basket to send my parents for thanksgiving... um, yeah. The $500 basket has a couple pounds of cheese and a bottle of olive oil. Eeek! I've always always wanted to try them because they're so famous (that means: featured on NPR more than once) but just can't afford it on my former Hall Counselor-now sandwich artist pay rate.
ReplyDeleteTell me about it - Nate's family is all foodies, and we've sent a couple of the less expensive baskets for birthdays. Ouch.
ReplyDeleteI'm one of the foodies and love trying new foods and restaurants. My blue cheese hamburger at Zingerman's was ,well... overpowered by the blue cheese. Fred agreed. If I recall, Amanda had a grilled cheese sandwich and the time before that it was mac and cheese. They were probably a step above Velvetta. I thought the place was more than a bit overpriced and I wasn't that impressed with the food. I mostly enjoyed the company and trying something new. I loved going to Zingerman's deli to look, smell, and chat. Just because I ohh and ahh at everything doesn't mean I need to possess it. And we had a great time with Fred's B-day present from Zing's. So, now you know the story- just let me loose in Trader Vic's or the bulk food place down the street.
ReplyDeleteIt's true - the deli is AMAZING. Everything they have is just delicious. The restaurant needs a little kick in the ass!
ReplyDeleteMichigan is the international capital of Overrated Everything. (See also: Zehnder's.)
ReplyDeleteI just remember how much I don't like Ann Arbor. I forgot for a little while. I mean, it is cool, but some peopel there act like it is the best thing in the world. And when somebody calls it The People's Republic of Ann Arbor I wanna tear my face off.
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