In New York City, a bagel shop seems to be on every corner, and every true New Yorker has a favorite spot for their lox and cream cheese bagel. For celebrity chef and TV host Andrew Zimmern, that spot is Russ & Daughters. “I order from there almost every month. I’m addicted,” Zimmern shared on TikTok.
Zimmern reminisced about his first visit to Russ & Daughters at the age of five and remarked that his life “changed forever.” He stated that his family has frequented this deli for five generations.
While often confused, lox is distinct from smoked salmon. It specifically refers to salmon belly that’s been cured in a salty brine. In contrast, gravlax is a traditional Nordic preparation of salmon cured with salt, sugar, and dill.
The rich history of the bagel originated in Eastern Europe and was brought to America through immigration, particularly within the Jewish community. Russ & Daughters has roots in New York dating back to 1901, when founder Joel Russ emigrated from present-day Poland and began selling schmaltz herring from a barrel on the Lower East Side. In 1935, he partnered with his three daughters and renamed the business Russ & Daughters. Today, the deli is celebrated for its variety of cured and smoked fish and bagels.
Andrew Zimmern ranks this Upper West Side bagel shop as his second favorite.
For his second favorite lox and bagel spot in NYC, Zimmern mentioned that Barney Greengrass comes in just below Russ & Daughters. He has been visiting this deli since childhood, as his grandmother lived just a few blocks away.
Zimmern highlighted that he prefers Barney Greengrass for its unique atmosphere. The deli offers limited seating and breakfast options, including eggs, coffee, and fresh-squeezed orange juice, as opposed to a typical walk-up counter. He also noted that celebrity sightings are common, with personalities like Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David often “huddling and giggling” in a corner of the deli.
Similar to Russ & Daughters, Barney Greengrass boasts over a century of history in New York City. The original owner opened his first store in Harlem in 1908, moving to its current location on Amsterdam Avenue in 1929. Since then, the deli has been serving its cherished smoked fish, liver, and bagels. They are particularly renowned for their sturgeon, a firm and delectable fish known for producing caviar, and their smoked sturgeon, which pairs excellently with housemade bagels.