Russ & Daughters — Restaurant in New York

Russ & Daughters, a celebrated New York City institution since 1914, stands as a testament to the city’s rich culinary history, especially its Jewish deli and appetizing traditions. Located on the Lower East Side, Russ & Daughters is famed for its appetizing dishes, including bagels, lox, smoked fish, and caviar. This review delves into the experience of dining at this iconic establishment, exploring its history, ambiance, food offerings, and service.

History & Legacy Russ & Daughters has been serving generations of New Yorkers with exceptional smoked fish and traditional Jewish fare. Founded by Joel Russ, a Jewish immigrant from Poland, the business initially started as a small pushcart and grew into a renowned shop that has since expanded into an artisanal brand. Today, Russ & Daughters represents not just a place to eat, but a cultural institution, showcasing the timeless tastes of New York's Jewish immigrant community.

Ambiance & Location The shop's Lower East Side location is a blend of history and modernity. While the original storefront maintains its old-world charm, with tiled walls, a narrow counter, and vintage signage, the interior of the more recent café expansion next door provides a more contemporary setting with modern furnishings. The ambiance is warm and welcoming, ideal for those looking to savor an authentic New York culinary experience. The hustle and bustle of the area, combined with the friendly service, creates an atmosphere that feels both nostalgic and lively.

Food Quality & Offerings The star of the show at Russ & Daughters is undoubtedly its smoked fish. The menu offers a variety of options, with smoked salmon, sable, sturgeon, and trout standing out as some of the most popular selections. The lox is particularly noteworthy – silky, rich, and buttery, with a perfect balance of smoky flavor. The bagels, always fresh and perfectly chewy, serve as the ideal base for these toppings. Add a schmear of cream cheese or a dollop of caviar for a decadent touch.

In addition to bagels and lox, Russ & Daughters serves up a variety of traditional Jewish dishes, such as the classic matzo ball soup, knishes, and latkes. The knishes are crispy on the outside and filled with savory fillings, while the matzo ball soup is comforting, with tender dumplings swimming in a flavorful broth.

Their selection of spreads, including whitefish salad and herring, is equally impressive. The whitefish salad is creamy and flavorful, and the herring, served in a variety of marinades, is a hit among customers. For those looking for a more indulgent treat, Russ & Daughters also offers caviar, which elevates any meal with its delicate brininess.

Service & Experience Service at Russ & Daughters is efficient and friendly. The staff is knowledgeable about the menu and can guide diners through the various options, making recommendations based on personal preferences. While it can get busy, especially on weekends, the turnover is fast, and customers rarely feel rushed. Whether you're ordering at the counter or sitting down to enjoy a meal at the café, the experience is seamless and enjoyable.

Conclusion Russ & Daughters offers more than just food; it provides an immersive taste of New York’s cultural heritage. The combination of high-quality ingredients, time-honored recipes, and a welcoming atmosphere makes it an essential destination for locals and tourists alike. Whether you're looking for a quick bite of bagels and lox or a full meal of traditional Jewish fare, Russ & Daughters delivers an unforgettable experience that remains true to its roots while embracing modern sensibilities. It’s a must-visit spot for anyone seeking to understand and savor the rich culinary tapestry of...

Ah, Russ & Daughters: an institution, endorsed by Anthony Bourdain, Andrew Zimmern, and apparently every New Yorker who thinks smoked fish is a personality trait. Walking into the original Lower East Side location is less like grabbing a bagel and more like entering a DMV with better wallpaper. You grab a number, shuffle in, and hope your stomach doesn’t eat itself during the wait. I had seven people ahead of me and still managed to spend 25 minutes contemplating life choices.

But finally, salvation: I ordered The Classic: onion bagel, scallion cream cheese, tomatoes, capers, and of course, the lox. Let’s talk about that lox: silky, buttery, perfectly salty, the kind of thing that actually makes you go, “Oh, this is why people line up.” 9/10. If lox were currency, this would be solid gold.

And then there was the bagel. Look, I didn’t come here expecting Montreal, but I at least expected a chew that would leave my jaw sore like I’d just been through a CrossFit class. Instead, this bagel was… fine. Not bad, not great, just kind of existing. Soft where it should’ve been dense, thin where it should’ve been chewy. A 6.7/10, aka “the participation trophy of bagels.”

Would I go back? For the lox, yes. For the bagel, no. For the privilege of waiting 25 minutes in a sardine-packed bodega while possibly hallucinating a young Andrew Zimmern coaching tourists? …Maybe once every five years, if I’m in the neighborhood and feeling masochistic.

Final verdict: Russ & Daughters is like dating someone really hot but really boring. You stick around...

As a born and bred New Yorker, this place is an insult to bagels. As someone dairy-free, this place is an insult to vegans. As a human being, this place is an insult to the value of my time.

After taking a ticket and waiting for OVER AN HOUR in a packed sardine can of a line on a Saturday morning (we arrived at 11 and got our bagels after noon) and waiting for 37 orders to be filled, three New Yorkers spent $44 on three of the most mediocre bagels I’ve ever had:

I asked for toasted. Wasn’t toasted. Second New Yorker friend complained that the bagels had no taste and were small. Third New Yorker got a bagel with lox; lox was good. My vegan bagel was the worst bagel experience I’ve had anywhere.

I asked if they had scallion tofutti upfront; they said it was coconut based. Ok, I’ll try something new. This cream cheese? Was playdough incarnate. Awful. I spit out the first bite. And the “scallions”??? I got a scallion once every five bites. It was like a scavenger hunt for taste—one where you never find the treasure chest.

So after force-feeding myself mouthfuls of playdough on a mediocre, untoasted, puddly-sizes bagel, we all three vowed never to return to Russ and Daughters for anything but fish.

ETA: ALL THREE BAGELS WERE COLD. :(

And even then, an hour+ wait is absurd.

If I could give 0 stars I would except… You don’t have to wait to buy halwa though, and you shouldn’t. You should go buy halwa right now! Marble halwa was out of this world. 1 star redeemed...