When Zingerman's customers walk in the door, they are greeted with the smell of fresh bread, many different cheeses, exotic oils, and smoked fish.
And they've been coming for 15 years.
Tomorrow, Zingerman's Deli will celebrate its 15th anniversary, with a day long party featuring prizes, balloons, and cake.
Ari Weinzweig and Paul Saginaw, the deli's owners, said they wanted to build a restaurant where one can experience the finer delicacies of the taste buds for a reasonable price.
Weinzweig said he hoped for an environment where customers could "walk in the door in jeans, have wonderful food for under 10 dollars and sit in a comfortable atmosphere."
Zingerman's Deli is rated the fourth best restaurant in the state of Michigan, in a survey taken by Tim Zagat, publisher of the Zagat Survey. Other restaurants mentioned in this rating were white tablecloth restaurants that offered food at $40 a plate, Weinzweig said.
"Good food isn't cheap. Life is short and our goal is to make it more enjoyable," Weinzweig said. "Going to Zingerman's is a much shorter trip than flying to Europe."
Much of the food is imported from regions throughout Europe. Weinzweig said Zingerman's uses "turn of the century bread recipes and most of the cheeses are farm house cheeses imported from Spain and Italy."
Another pride of the deli is the elaborate selection of European teas. A sign above the self-service coffee and tea station reads, "The only taste that counts is yours! Ask for a taste today!"
From smoked salmon to whitefish salad to several types of cheeses, samples are available to anyone who asks.
"Anyone can buy two ounces of anything in the store, no matter what it is," Weinzweig said. "We want to connect people with food."
Weinzweig and Saginaw opened the deli in 1982. An outline of the deli's goals include the desire to form "a one-of-a- kind delicatessen" that is "connected to its community," gives "enjoyable service" and is "a place that (is) fun to shop."
Employees said this statement has remained true since opening day.
Dan Kraepel, one of the deli's employees, said employees are treated very well at Zingerman's.
"Working here is great, awesome," Kraepel said. "The atmosphere is lively and energetic ... the people are great to work with."
Weinzweig's main philosophy is "what we can do for our clientele is a never-ending process."
Jennifer, an Ypsilanti resident who did not want her last name published, said no two visits to Zingerman's are the same.
"I have been here quite a few times and there are so many things to choose from, I never know what to get," she said. "Everything I have had so far is great. I also love the homey atmosphere."
LSA senior and Zingerman's regular Alexis Ramsey said eating at the deli can be as good as springing for a plane ticket to Europe.
"This is by far the best deli I have ever been to. I usually get parma-prosciutto, which is cured ham imported from Italy," Ramsey said. "I feel like I am walking the streets of Italy when I eat this meal."
Students make up part of Zingerman's clientele, along with permanent Ann Arbor residents. Weinzweig said the deli has become an integral part of the city and they are lucky to be here in this "special place."
Employees said the anniversary celebration will give the deli a chance to say thanks to customers.
"Since the success of the deli is based on the customers in the community, we are going to be thanking the community tomorrow," said Zingerman's employee Lynn Fiorentino. "We will be giving away 15 gifts to 15 people, 15 minutes after each hour from 7a.m.-9p.m."
JOSH BIGGS/Daily
Bryan Smith takes sandwich orders yesterday at Zingerman's Deli. Zingerman's is celebrating its 15th birthday on Saturday, March 15.