All summer long, I'd been watching a new place on Washtenaw as it put up signs and promised to be open soon; but each day it didn't seem to be ready for customers. Finally, though, just 3 weeks ago, the Roma Bakery - an institution in Dearborn - was ready to offer its wonderful treats to Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti.
Roma Bakery is famous for its pepperoni rolls. But when Jeremy and I bee-lined for the shop - driving by on a sunny Saturday afternoon, seeing the "open" sign, veering into a neighborhood across the street to turn around, then aiming straight for the goodies - we had already eaten lunch. So we chatted a bit with the owner and the very friendly gentleman behind the counter, and we chose an assortment of sweets which readily fell into our $5 per person Frugal Floozie Friday budget.
For a mere $2.50, Jeremy chose a box of 10 miniature cream puffs. He couldn't wait until we got back to my place to eat them, so I rushed to take a picture in the car before they were devoured. The cream filling in these is just lovely, not as thick as it often is. And, as Jeremy put it: "You can taste the sweetness not just from sugar but from real cream." Absolutely!I had chosen an assortment of cookies for $3 (pictured above), to sample a variety of goodies. And just as I was paying, I noticed a bowl of mahmoul - beautiful Middle Eastern cookies made with special carved molds - and couldn't resist buying one for $1. Mahmoul often feature a date filling, but this one had ground nuts and just a hint of rose water; they were truly unique and wonderful.
The sprinkle-coated treats were decadent chocolate coconut truffles. There were also rich fudge-filled chocolate sandwich cookies, and some chocolate-dipped shortbread cookies with just a hint of cinnamon. The ladyfinger was sandwiched together with a schmear of apricot jam that shone in unison with the buttery cookie.
There are many potential Frugal Floozie Friday options at Roma Bakery, from 9" pizzas ($1.75-$3.50) to the $3 Pepperoni Rolls to traditional Middle Eastern spinach and meat pies ($1.25-$1.50). I will absolutely have to go back to sample more of the menu!Roma Bakery
4837 Washtenaw
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
734-879-0100
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