Word from Ann Arbor’s American Customer Satisfaction Index is that Americans are turning to sweets for comfort more than ever. While the overall index is down for the quarter, sweets manufacturers such as Nestle, Mars and Hershey have seen increases in customer satisfaction.

“The same thing happened in 2001 in the midst of the previous recession and also in 2004 when concern over the Iraq war and rising fuel prices appeared to be reflected in higher satisfaction with comfort foods,” explains Professor Claes Fornell, founder of the ACSI and author of “The Satisfied Customer.”

This isn’t the first time Ann Arbor and comfort food have been linked in the news this fall. Bon Appétit Magazine blessed us with the America’s Foodiest Town (first runner-up) title, but then qualified the honor by explaining that while we may not be a fine dining town, we sure do know our comfort food.

While the point that we don’t know fine dining has been the subject of many heated discussions, it is certainly true that you can find some seriously good comfort food in this town. I had the occasion to ponder this recently when seeking some comforting sweets for a friend in need.

“Deleted my Facebook profile. In enormous funk,” was the text message that came across my Blackberry. A funk? This is the kind of emergency that calls for chocolate, and the choices are nearly overwhelming.

My first stop is usually Zingerman’s Bakehouse. If you’re looking for a chocolate-intensive experience, you’ve got at least three very satisfying choices: a slice of Hunka Burnin’ Love Chocolate Cake - a dense buttermilk chocolate cake covered in Belgian buttercream; a small Hot Cocoa Coffeecake made with a custom Scharffen Berger cocoa; and Zingerman’s famous Magic Brownies.

If that doesn’t satisfy your sweet tooth, make a trip to Sweet Gem Confections inside Morgan & York on Packard Road. Chief Executive Chocolatier Nancy Biehn hand crafts some of the most delicious chocolate bites you will ever encounter. You can also learn how to make your own at her Chocolate Making 101 classes.

Chocolates and truffles are available all across the downtown Ann Arbor area. From Schakolad on Washington Street to Kilwins or Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory on East Liberty to Carillon Chocolates on South Main, you’re never more than a few steps away from a hand-made chocolate.

I ended up going with the Hot Cocoa Coffeecake, for the record. And by the end of the day, my despondent friend had reactivated her Facebook profile. Never underestimate the power of delicious local comfort food.

Jessica Webster is on the Community team at AnnArbor.com. She recruits contributors for the site and leads the Food & Drink and Books sections. You can reach her at JessicaWebster@AnnArbor.com or 734-623-2574