Andrew Zimmern’s top place for lox and cream cheese bagels.
In New York City, where a bagel shop seems to exist on every corner, every genuine New Yorker has their go-to spot for a lox and cream cheese bagel. For celebrity chef and television personality Andrew Zimmern, that place is Russ & Daughters. “I order from there nearly every month. I’m hooked,” Zimmern shared on TikTok.
Zimmern reminisced about his first visit to Russ & Daughters at the age of five, claiming his life “was never the same.” He mentioned that his family has been frequenting the deli for five generations.
While the terms are often confused, lox is not the same as smoked salmon. It actually refers to salmon belly that has been cured in a salty brine. In contrast, gravlax is a traditional Nordic dish made with salmon cured using salt, sugar, and dill.
The rich history of the bagel can be traced back to Eastern Europe, with the tradition arriving in America through immigration, especially within the Jewish community. Russ & Daughters has its roots in New York dating back to 1901, when founder Joel Russ immigrated from what is now Poland and began selling schmaltz herring from a barrel on the Lower East Side. In 1935, he made all three of his daughters partners in the business, rebranding it as Russ & Daughters. Today, the deli is celebrated for its extensive range of cured and smoked fish along with bagels.
This Upper West Side bagel joint is Andrew Zimmern’s second favorite.
As for his second favorite lox and bagel destination in New York City, Zimmern mentioned that Barney Greengrass is a close contender to Russ & Daughters. He has been visiting this deli since childhood, as his grandmother lived just a few blocks away.
Zimmern indicated that he appreciates the slightly different ambiance at Barney Greengrass. The establishment offers limited seating along with breakfast services that include eggs, coffee, and freshly squeezed orange juice, in contrast to just a take-out deli setup. He also noted that celebrity sightings are a common occurrence, with familiar faces like Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David often spotted enjoying the atmosphere.
Similar to Russ & Daughters, Barney Greengrass has over a century of history in New York City. The founder opened his first shop in Harlem in 1908 and later relocated to the current site on Amsterdam Avenue in 1929. Since then, the deli has been serving beloved smoked fish, liver, and bagels. They are particularly known for their sturgeon, a firm and juicy fish that’s also the source of caviar, especially their smoked sturgeon which pairs perfectly with their housemade bagels.
