Food writers' quest for the best rye bread in America ends at Zingerman's

Posted on Mon, Apr 4, 2011 : 2:06 p.m.

Food writers' quest for the best rye bread in America ends at Zingerman's

By Cindy Heflin

File photo

Who has the best rye bread in America? You guessed it. Ann Arbor's own Zingerman's. At least that's according to well-known food writers Jane and Michael Stern. Writing in the April issue of Saveur magazine, the couple proclaims their love for the the product of Zingerman's Bakehouse ovens.

The Sterns praise Jewish rye bread from Orwasher's Bakery on the Upper East Side of New York, then compliment loaves from Shapiro's Delicatessen in Indianapolis and have good things to say about bread they found in Chicago and on the West Coast.

Finally, they come to Ann Arbor: "But America's very best deli rye? No contest. We found it in Ann Arbor, Michigan, when we noticed that the bread that Zingerman's Deli used to construct our Diana's Different Drummer sandwich (brisket, Russian dressing, coleslaw, and horseradish) was sensational."

Read the Saveur magazine article.

Comments

Dog Guy

Tue, Apr 5, 2011 : 2:25 p.m.

Neither Saveur nor A2.com thought to include the price of a loaf; they know their readers.

Harm

Tue, Apr 5, 2011 : 2:10 p.m.

If people stand out in the rain to buy it, maybe THEY don't think it's overpriced.... I do agree with the folks who say it is a bit hard to eat a sandwich with some of the Zingerman's breads, with the tough crust, but the taste I think might very well BE the best in the country.....and the crust does add character, LoL

OverTaxed

Tue, Apr 5, 2011 : 12:55 a.m.

Give me a break. I never heard of the online magazine. Send me a loaf of bread and $100 and I'll make it the best bread in America. If the rating comes from people who will stand out in the rain to overpay for bread, I'll pass.

Vickie

Mon, Apr 4, 2011 : 11:01 p.m.

Love Zingermans Onion Rye! All their bread I have tried have all been of great quality. They couldn't be more on the nose when they say they have some great bread. Very proud and happy for Zingerman's.

HENRYK

Mon, Apr 4, 2011 : 10:40 p.m.

Zingermans farm bread is the best loaf of bread on the planet. JMO.

DBH

Mon, Apr 4, 2011 : 10:02 p.m.

Jon Saalberg, you are correct about the review. I did not remember it myself. Here is the link: <a href="http://www.annarbor.com/entertainment/bread-basket-deli-review/">http://www.annarbor.com/entertainment/bread-basket-deli-review/</a>

Jon Saalberg

Mon, Apr 4, 2011 : 9:23 p.m.

I guess for anyone who complains about the bread having crust, you can always buy that stuff that, when rolled between your fingers, turns into a dough ball - pretty much any store-bought square loaf. I always thought teeth were for chewing food - I guess not for some people. Maybe Zingerman's could sell some of their breads to the "best sandwich" winner, which according to annarbor.com's very own review from last year, makes sandwiches on less-than-thrilling breads.

David Briegel

Mon, Apr 4, 2011 : 8:03 p.m.

Zingerman's bakes the best bread! The ONLY thing comparable is Jeff Renners baguettes. A good sandwich starts with good bread. We are fortunate to have their hearty crust and perfect texture bread. Sorry Ace. Zingermans uses the best ingredients, pays a living wage and gives back to the community. I doubt you will find many businesses in our community even close to their combinations of quality business practices. They are a credit to our community!

John B.

Mon, Apr 4, 2011 : 9:08 p.m.

Hear, hear!

Ace Ventura

Mon, Apr 4, 2011 : 6:32 p.m.

I don't like the thick hard crust or its overly heavy texture of zingermans bread.

a2cents

Mon, Apr 4, 2011 : 7:47 p.m.

there is always wonder"bread"...

Ignatz

Mon, Apr 4, 2011 : 6:53 p.m.

Hmmmmmmmmmm, that's my definition of real bread.

John B.

Mon, Apr 4, 2011 : 6:37 p.m.

That's nice.

Craig Lounsbury

Mon, Apr 4, 2011 : 6:20 p.m.

With over 53,000 retail bakeries in America how long did it take them to try every rye bread in every bakery? It must have been a daunting task. Or did they perhaps blow off 52,988 bakeries in their quest?

theodynus

Mon, Apr 4, 2011 : 7:41 p.m.

They've been reviewing food since the mid-70's. That's about 5 bakeries per day. Doable.

Cash

Mon, Apr 4, 2011 : 7:20 p.m.

No Rye Zone!!! That's great, Craig!

Craig Lounsbury

Mon, Apr 4, 2011 : 7:17 p.m.

Maybe the UN needs to enforce a No Rye zone around Saveur

sigdiamond

Mon, Apr 4, 2011 : 7:09 p.m.

This is an unmitigated outrage. I demand recompense from Saveur and a UN resolution to ensure something like this never happens again.