Zingerman's Deli

This post is less about food, and more about family. What a joyful weekend celebrating the marriage of Carmen and Jim! Friends and family reunited in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the city where Carmen and Jim met and fell in love. Carmen and Jim are beautiful, and their enthusiasm for life and sense of humor is contagious. The day was filled tears of joy, laughter, and of course, lots of dancing. (I had at least three people compliment me on my Papa's dance moves. He's good!) It sounds cliche, but the weekend was a strong reminder of what is most important in life. Through frolicking across the diag, rubbing Alicia's baby belly, invading the Michigan Daily newsroom for photographs, improvising when aisle runners break, slow dancing with Grandpa Johnson, and spending the next morning recounting the reception with in-laws, I was reminded that there is nothing better in life than family. I don't think it is possible to love a family more than I love mine.

“Ahh Zingerman’s… my temple of deliciousness…a national treasure. It is the center of my gastro-deli universe” – Mario Batali


On to the food. An Ann Arbor wedding weekend would not be complete without a visit to Zingerman's Deli, “The coolest small company in America,” according to Inc. Magazine. I was lucky to enjoy the foodie heaven as catered lunch on Saturday while we got our hair done and brunch on Sunday morning. Carmen was also generous to treat guests with magic brownies in our hotel gift bags! You'd think a deli market selling bread, meat, cheese, gelato, cakes, pies and truffles would be mediocre at best. They might seem scatterbrained, with no real focus, but they are able to perfect anything they create. You will not be disappointed with any food item from this deli.

I'll leave you with three closing words of advice.
1. You have not lived until you've eaten the classic reuben and a slice of pecan pie.
2. If you live in this hippy haven, hang out here late night. Zingerman's prides itself on the freshest ingredients, meaning you might leave with a dozen bagels that would have otherwise been tossed.
3. Bring your family along for the ride.

“One of the top 25 food markets in the world.”- Food & Wine Magazine