Zingerman's Roadhouse Mac 'n' Cheese can be a frugal treat
Mary Bilyeu, Contributor
Restaurants often offer smaller — and thus less expensive — menu options at lunchtime; and so, Jeremy and I took advantage of this opportunity this past Wednesday, when I had a day off mid-week.
At dinner, the mac 'n' cheese costs $14; at lunchtime, though, it's only $9.50 ... and that means it costs less than $5 a person — the Frugal Floozie Friday limit — if you share it.
Now, this isn't any ol' Kraft or Velveeta dish — it's been featured on the Food Network's "America's Best: Top 10 Comfort Foods." Here's how the menu describes it:
"Roadhouse Macaroni & Cheese
Housemade cream sauce and lots of 2-year raw-milk Vermont cheddar caramelized with the Martelli family's artisanal macaroni from Tuscany."
And so, Jeremy and I relished a small-ish but spectacular portion each of the luscious macaroni cheese at the restaurant recently granted the enormous honor of a 2011 James Beard Award for Alex Young, who was named Best Chef: Great Lakes.
I told the waitress that we'd be splitting the dish when I ordered, so it was very graciously presented to us on two plates. We were offered a gorgeous brown bread with a crispy crust that literally crackled when broken; this was accompanied by sweet, creamy (rather than refrigerated and rock-hard) butter.
And you know what? The food was so rich, not to mention so intensely flavorful, that Jeremy and I were both completely and utterly satisfied without feeling as though we either needed or wanted more. Half of the macaroni and cheese was actually the perfect serving size.
In all honesty, I have to tell you that the Roadhouse's macaroni and cheese tasted remarkably like my own; Jeremy and I nearly had to say "jinx" as we said it almost in unison!
So I promised to quote him directly after he said: "If you can't get my mom's macaroni and cheese, then you need to come to Zingerman's to get some that's just as good." I'm so proud!
The walls of the Roadhouse are decorated with shelf after shelf of salt-and-pepper shakers, ranging from the tasteful to the cute and kitschy. It's a bit noisy, but we were there right at lunchtime. And the service was impeccable and exceptionally friendly... everything about our meal was just lovely.
When we were shown to our table, we were also presented with a cheese menu from which we could have selected an assortment offering Parmesan or Cheddar or goat cheese or Maytag Blue... a wide range, each choice costing anywhere from $2.50 - $4.50.
So if we hadn't already had our hearts set on the macaroni and cheese, we could have had a Frugal Floozie Friday option of two-to-three lovely cheeses to try, still within our per-person price range.
And you know perfectly well that this is already on my "to do" list!
Zingerman's Roadhouse
2501 Jackson Ave.
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48103
734-663-3663
Mary Bilyeu has won or placed in more than 60 cooking contests and writes about her adventures in the kitchen. She was thrilled to have her post about Scottish Oatmeal Shortbread named as one of the daily "Best of the Blogs" by the prestigious Food News Journal.
Go visit Mary's blog — Food Floozie — on which she enthuses and effuses over all things food-related. Her newest feature is Frugal Floozie Friday, seeking fun and food for $5 or less... really! Feel free to email her with questions or comments or suggestions: yentamary@gmail.com.
The phrase "You Should Only Be Happy" (written in Hebrew on the stone pictured at the top of this post) comes from Deuteronomy 16:15 and is a wish for all her readers as they cook along with her ... may you always be happy here.
Comments
15crown00
Tue, Oct 4, 2011 : 3:32 p.m.
9.50 for mac&cheese?you have to be kidding?they'll charge high prices as long as they know the public will pay them.
Thor143
Tue, Jun 14, 2011 : 12:02 a.m.
Mary, I would be happy to join you a ZRH for dinner! I miss you guys. Dave, your former mail dude.
Mary Bilyeu
Tue, Jun 14, 2011 : 2:55 p.m.
Dave -- email me: yentamary@gmail.com. Gotta hear more of your new adventures!
zip the cat
Sat, Jun 11, 2011 : 2:29 p.m.
I must admit that being as frugal as I am I ate there mac/cheese once and while it was pretty good and worth another visit. I thought there service was just the pits. Rude slow Take it or leave it attitude Once the food was brought out I/we never saw the person again. Sorry I'll never set foot in your off the charts priced joint again
deb
Sat, Jun 11, 2011 : 2:20 p.m.
Wouldn't frugal mean preparing your own meals??
Mary Bilyeu
Sun, Jun 12, 2011 : 3:21 a.m.
Hi, Deb -- I usually do prepare my meals at home, but sometimes it's fun to go out; and so I'm on a mission to find frugal options, rather than $50 drinks and entrees and desserts ... it's just about trying to find an inexpensive way for folks with fewer financial resources to join the party. I'm also not a "food critic," though I'm flattered by the title! And I've never eaten anything other than the mac 'n' cheese at the Roadhouse, so I can't attest to the bbq. I'm truly just a fan of food -- cooking, baking, eating -- and anything food-related who just wants to share good experiences, whether recipes or restaurant meals, with others ... I run purely on enthusiasm, nothing more official. And although I'm often told I "should have a little more schmaltz on my bones" (my favorite reference to my weight), I can assure you I weigh more than 100 pounds! I've always been thin, but I'm still trying to regain some weight that was lost this past winter during a period of significant stress; I'm still a bit frazzled, but doing much better ... :)
West Side Mom
Sat, Jun 11, 2011 : 4:10 a.m.
My kids order the Mac 'n Cheese from time to time. Sometimes its sublime, other times its just good. I chalk it up to the use of fresh ingredients and small batch preparation, which is bound to lead to variation. I am a fan of the Roadhouse, though I generally do not order off the "regular" menu. The specials are the stars in IMHO, especially in the summertime when produce is at its peak. Good work, Chef Alex, keep it up!
treetowncartel
Sat, Jun 11, 2011 : 2:37 a.m.
I/ve never rea;lly been impressed with the entrees at this place. Got catfish one time and the pieces were huge, breading wasn't that good either. Knights blows them away on that side of town.
Goofus
Sat, Jun 11, 2011 : 2:24 a.m.
The best way to enjoy good mac and cheese and save a bundle? Download a good recipe off the internet, and then go buy the ingredients and make it at home. Much easier than going these great lengths to throw more money at overpriced overhyped Zingleberries.
CynicA2
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 10:19 p.m.
Yaaaaawwwnn..... ! Like everything else about A2, it's overpriced, and over-rated. For ten bucks I can make better mac 'n cheese at home and have enough for several meals.
whodat
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 10:18 p.m.
No disrespect to Zingerman's, but Slow's Mac 'n' Cheese is better, hands down. I hope the author will give it a try.
deb
Sat, Jun 11, 2011 : 2:22 p.m.
You cant be a food critic and rate a southeastern michigan bbq joint w/o going to the best one in the area. . . . If you really think Zingermans is an A, the second you eat a Slows' it turns to a B (at highest)
Mary Bilyeu
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 10:39 p.m.
I have surprisingly -- shockingly, actually! -- never eaten at Slow's despite it long having been on my agenda. Something always manages to impede my progress. I will absolutely move it higher on the list!
tim
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 8:24 p.m.
I love downtown because Zingerman's makes the best ruben sandwich I've ever eaten, but as far as the Road house is concerned it is way over priced for slightly above average food.
Bertha Venation
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 7:39 p.m.
Don't know if it's true or not, but somebody told me someone else bought it and kept the Zingerman's name. Not sure if I believe that or not. Howver, the food is excellent, but VERY pricy.
David Briegel
Sat, Jun 11, 2011 : 4:04 a.m.
The Z team partners with a managing partner in all their non-deli endeavors. They use the expertise and hands on site management of their partner.
Goofus
Sat, Jun 11, 2011 : 2:30 a.m.
Actually, The Roadhouse began as a partnership with Chef Alex Young pitching the idea to the Zingerman's posse, and then partnered up with them to open the concept. It wasn't opened by the same team that opened the original deli, if that's what you mean, so there's a kernel of truth when someone says its not 100% original.
DFSmith
Sat, Jun 11, 2011 : 1:12 a.m.
Bertha, someone gave you wrong info.
John B.
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 9:43 p.m.
Definitely NOT true.
seldon
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 9:40 p.m.
You're making that up. Or if you aren't, the person who told you was making it up. The Roadhouse is still part of Zingerman's.
catbehindthecouch
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 7:12 p.m.
The last time I tried Zing's Mac and Cheese was about 5 years ago, so perhaps it's gotten better, but the stuff I make at home is better than what I was served way back then (served rather poorly as well- I haven't been back).
Rob Pollard
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 7:08 p.m.
I have nothing for or against Zingerman's in terms of pricing - if you can charge people $15 for a sandwich or $9.50 for Mac and Cheese and enough people feel it is worth it, good for you. It is also nice they pay their employees well. I will say, though, I went with a large group of people to the Roadhouse last fall and was pretty unimpressed. A number of us ordered different types of Mac and Cheese (they have diff flavors) and it was underwhelming, for everyone involved, so it wasn't just one bad bowl or flavor. It was pretty shocking how bland it was considering the delectable flavors described on the menu. That said, they were packed, so I'm sure others liked it, but I've thought it overhyped ever since. I rarely agree with Tom Swift Jr, but I have to say I had the same experience (though I just think the prices are high, not WAY too high).
sun runner
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 7:04 p.m.
On occasion I have ordered a cup of ancho beef chili ($5.00) and a mini side salad ($4.75), which made a perfectly satisfying meal for less than $10.00. Personally, I have no qualms about paying $13.50 (lunch) or $19.00 (dinner) for the smoked chicken and monterey jack macaroni and cheese, because it is one of my favorite items on the menu and I can't get enough of it. And yes, I have also managed to spend $50 on dinner for just myself, but that doesn't happen very often. Everything in moderation, even splurging on solo dining at the Roadhouse.
Mary Bilyeu
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 10:41 p.m.
It's wonderful when the opportunity to splurge occurs! I just wanted to be sure that people who aren't in a position to do so knew that they didn't have to be left out. The chili and salad sounds like a really perfect lunch ... :)
Macabre Sunset
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 6:58 p.m.
Wouldn't a better definition of frugal in this case be mark-up over the preparation costs of the food? I think you're confusing value with budget, moving quickly back-and-forth between the two concepts. I guess I'm a Zingerman's basher. But I have been underwhelmed with both the quality of the meal and the service at the Roadhouse.
Tom Smith
Tue, Oct 4, 2011 : 12:51 p.m.
I, on the other hand, think they have the best barbecue in town. (I do have to get to the Blue Tractor, however.) Love their pulled pork, love their ribs.
Mary Bilyeu
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 10:43 p.m.
My only goal is to find opportunities for people to eat out that don't cost a fortune, thus the $5 limit. If it's a dessert, a salad, a shared order ... I'm looking for variety, so that every taste and every budget can find something to eat and enjoy.
crayzee
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 6:15 p.m.
I really like Zingerman's. I have no complaints about them. But come on, people, you know that AA.com is just baiting for page views by putting "frugal" , "Zingerman's", and "Macaroni and Cheese" in the same headline.
Jessica Webster
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 6:52 p.m.
No baiting here. Check back on subsequent Fridays for more of Mary's frugal suggestions. My favorite deal at the Roadhouse is the chili cheddar fries. $7.50 and more than I can eat at a sitting.
Mary Bilyeu
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 6:19 p.m.
I'm glad you enjoy Zingerman's! The title of the post is actually my own doing: I have a weekly feature on my blog called Frugal Floozie Friday, and this is cross-posted there. So identifying the famous dish I sampled, the restaurant I ate at, and the fact that it's my weekly article about frugal eating in the area was just all crammed into the title to let folks know exactly what they'd find when they clicked on it ....
fjord
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 5:50 p.m.
Zingerman's isn't cheap, but it's not ludicrously expensive, despite what the usual band of anti-Zingerman's commenters would have you believe. There are plenty of restaurants in downtown Ann Arbor that are more expensive, yet don't treat their employees as well, or act as a benevolent local force the way Zingerman's does. Why doesn't anyone here ever complain about the prices at Vinology or Logan? Or at Gratzi, the most overrated restaurant in town? I guess Zingerman's-bashing is just a sport for some people.
Tom Smith
Tue, Oct 4, 2011 : 12:49 p.m.
The thing is, Zingerman's is not merely a restaurant, or a family of businesses: It's a destination. People come here to go to Zing's, the same way they do for Art Fair or a football game. And the more people find out about it, the more they like it. They help define the community, and they give back to it every day. It's a local treasure we're lucky to have.
Sarah Rigg
Thu, Jun 23, 2011 : 8:35 p.m.
I think part of it is that Gratzi and Logan sell themselves as high-class, special occasiona dining, so you expect high prices. The Roadhouse sort of positions itself as elevated comfort food, so the prices seem out of line with the ambiance/flavor of the restaurant. That's my take on it, anyway.
Goofus
Sat, Jun 11, 2011 : 2:26 a.m.
I'd rip on Logan or Vinology or Gratzi too...if they got near the amount of free publicity and articles written about them on A2dotcom than Zingerman's does. Zingerman's gets almost as much press in this paper as UM football.
CynicA2
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 10:36 p.m.
Zingerman's bashing is great sport! Kind of like Hieftje bashing... Both are really big, easy targets!
John B.
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 9:39 p.m.
fjord: Totally agree regarding Gratzi, and the name is even mis-spelled! I'm not a fan of any Main Street Ventures restaurant that I've sampled.
Mary Bilyeu
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 5:56 p.m.
I've looked at some menus around town, seeking Frugal Floozie Friday options, and haven't been able to find anything whatsoever (appetizer, dessert, etc.) that qualifies within the per-person budget ....
John B.
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 5:16 p.m.
I know ZR isn't typically 'inexpensive' but I'd like to mention another item there that I feel is a great value - the pulled pork sandwich with coleslaw. It is $5.50, and you can get one 'to go' at the drive-up trailer out front. It's quite filling, high-quality, and delicious! For our three-person family, three of them can serve as a quick dinner as well. I eat almost no pork, but I make an occasional exception for this sandwich.
Mary Bilyeu
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 5:33 p.m.
That's 50 cents over the Frugal Floozie Friday limit, but still QUITE a deal! Adding it to my list ... :)
tom swift jr.
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 5:15 p.m.
Yep, I came here for the same thing.. the prices at the roadhouse are WAY too high given the noisy environment, slow service, long waits for tables, and, in all reality, only marginal food. If you can't make a single serving of Mac and Cheese at home that's better, faster, and cheaper than this dish, you're doing it wrong!
Mary Bilyeu
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 5:36 p.m.
Some items were admittedly expensive, but that can be found at any restaurant. I just wanted to show that there are reasonable options, so that anyone might be able to go to the Roadhouse and enjoy themselves. Jeremy and I were there in the midst of the lunch rush at 12:30, but we were seated right away and received attention from 3 different servers who were all wonderful. I was very impressed, and sorry to hear that others might not have the same experience ....
John B.
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 5:19 p.m.
Um, I think the top commenter was being sarcastic, and I also think that you missed the point.
David Briegel
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 5:13 p.m.
They also pay a living wage, offer benefits to their employees, use nothing but quality ingredients and, best of all, they give back to the community ( they founded Food Gatherers). Good article Mary.
Mary Bilyeu
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 5:33 p.m.
Thank you so much! Food Gatherers is one of my favorite organizations!
Hmm
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 4:51 p.m.
Yeah "only" $9.50 for mac n cheese. Just getting the griping about Zing's prices going for ya ;)
deb
Sat, Jun 11, 2011 : 2:17 p.m.
Mary you look to be somewhere near 100lbs . . .
Mary Bilyeu
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 5 p.m.
I've been waiting! That's precisely why I chose the Roadhouse -- to disprove the notion that it's overpriced. Value for quality ... and, truly, you can eat a lovely meal there for $5 per person, as I can personally attest to ... :)