And the death of the New York deli continues. After some disappointing rye bread experiences in New York delis, the folks at Saveur went on a mission to find authentic, flavorful rye bread, wherever it may be. And though Orwasher's Bakery and Zabar's get nods for having the real thing in NYC, America's best rye bread can be found in...Michigan?
It's not like the water in New York makes our rye bread anything special, but there is something disheartening that the city can't master a staple ingredient of its signature sandwich. The crown goes to Zingerman's Deli in Ann Arbor, Michigan, who use traditional techniques like using leftover bread for the next day's mash and brushing finished loaves with water to make a crispy crust. The types of things that were "common among Jewish bakers in New York City during the 1960s," but are tough to find now. At least we'll always have pizza. (Right?)
