In New York City, where bagel shops are ubiquitous, every true New Yorker has their preferred spot for a lox and cream cheese bagel. For celebrity chef and TV figure Andrew Zimmern, that place is Russ & Daughters. “I order from there almost monthly. I’m hooked,” Zimmern mentioned on TikTok.
Zimmern recounted his initial visit to Russ & Daughters at age five, stating that his life “was never the same afterward.” He shared that his family has been patrons of the deli for five generations.
While the terms are occasionally confused, lox is not the same as smoked salmon. It specifically refers to salmon belly that has been cured in a salty brine. Similarly, gravlax is a Nordic method of curing salmon with salt, sugar, and dill.
The rich history of the bagel originates in Eastern Europe, with traditions brought to the United States primarily through Jewish immigrants. Russ & Daughters has deep 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 brought his three daughters into the business, renaming it to Russ & Daughters. Today, the deli is renowned for its extensive selection of cured and smoked fish along with bagels.
This Upper West Side bagel shop is Andrew Zimmern’s second favorite.
For his second favorite lox and bagel location in New York City, Zimmern places Barney Greengrass just behind Russ & Daughters. The chef has frequented this deli since childhood, as his grandmother lived only a few blocks away.
Zimmern explained that he prefers Barney Greengrass for its unique atmosphere. The establishment offers limited seating and breakfast service featuring eggs, coffee, and fresh-squeezed orange juice, in contrast to a simple walk-up deli counter. He noted that celebrity encounters are also common, mentioning sightings of figures like Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David “huddling and giggling” in a corner of the shop.
Similar to Russ & Daughters, Barney Greengrass boasts a legacy of over a century in New York City. The founder opened the first shop in Harlem in 1908 and relocated to the current site on Amsterdam Avenue in 1929. Since then, the deli has been serving beloved smoked fish, liver, and bagels, with a special reputation for their sturgeon—a firm, flavorful fish that provides caviar—particularly their smoked sturgeon, which pairs beautifully with their homemade bagels.