Story and photos by Scott Kendall (unless otherwise indicated)
From Budapest to New York
In Uptown Houston near the famed Galleria area, you will find Kenny and Ziggy’s New York Delicatessen Restaurant, one of the (if not the) best delis in Houston and the United States.
The story of Kenny and Ziggy’s starts in Budapest, Hungary. In the early 1900’s, Ziggy’s grandfather, Max Gruber, pedaled a bicycle from Budapest west across Europe to the Atlantic Ocean. He then crossed the pond, arriving in New York City. In his new home, Max and other family members started The Rialto, the first Jewish Deli on Broadway.
Pastrami, Corned Beef, and all the Trimmings
Through hard work, imagination, and a passion for providing only the best food and service to its customers, The Rialto thrived as it served thousands of loyal customers. Ziggy spent his early years helping out at the deli.
As a young man, he left the deli business for a few years to attend the Cordon Bleu culinary school in London. After graduating, he worked at a three star Michelin restaurant. But, as they say, deli was in his blood. So after a few years, Ziggy returned to New York to help with the family business.
Houston, You Have a Deli
Ziggy’s next adventure took him from New York to the glitz and glamour of Hollywood, where he opened Ziggy G’s on Sunset Strip. In 1999, Houston was calling Ziggy. With the urging of a local Houston businessman and the former owner of the famed Carnegie Deli in New York, Ziggy moved to Houston. Searching for the perfect place for his new deli, he came to the Galleria area and opened Kenny & Ziggy’s Delicatessen at 2327 Post Oak Blvd. The deli soon became a favorite of local Houstonians. The rest, as they say, is history.
Kenny & Ziggy’s is on the Move in Houston
Now is an especially exciting time for Kenny and Ziggy’s. The popular institution is readying for a move to a new location nearby at the intersection of Post Oak and San Felipe.
This newer, bigger, improved location will enable Kenny & Ziggy’s to provide even better service and more memorable meals to its customers. The new space is where the old Luby’s stood for many years in the Galleria area at 1743 Post Oak, less than a mile from Ziggy’s current location.
Ziggy Goes Hollywood in the Documentary, “Deli Man”
In 2015, New York filmmakers made the fascinating documentary Deli Man. This niche classic highlights the food, traditions, people and places behind some of the best known Jewish Delicatessens in the United States. The movie includes many well-known personalities like Larry King, Jerry Stiller, and Alan Dershowitz, and explores the importance delis have played in their lives.
While it includes delis from all regions of the country, Ziggy is center stage at Kenny & Ziggy’s. In fact, the film’s producer calls Ziggy’s “arguably the finest delicatessen restaurant in the U.S.”
This intriguing film gives a great insightful look at the history and importance of Jewish Delicatessens, including Max Gruber’s first deli on New York’s Broadway.
The Zellagabetsky, the Ultimate 8-Decker Deli Sandwich
Any deli worth its salt has fantastic sandwiches, and Kenny & Ziggy’s is no exception. With choices of any combination of pastrami, corned beef, turkey, roast beef, tongue, and Swiss Cheese piled high on freshly baked rye bread, each sandwich is a masterpiece.
You can even get the famed Zellagabetsky, an 8-decker sandwich that includes each one of these tasty ingredients. Eat the whole thing by yourself, and Kenny & Ziggy’s will treat you to a free piece of their famous cheesecake. And, yes, we are told, it has been done – but certainly not by me!
Chopped Liver, Stuffed Cabbage, and More
For over two hours on this Friday evening, my wife and I had an incredible time at Kenny & Ziggy’s. In addition to being a culinary genius, Ziggy is the friendliest and most accommodating man you’ll ever meet. During all of his interactions with Crisley, our wonderful server, the staff, and us, Ziggy made every effort to make us feel welcome and satisfied as he kept the food and stories coming.
In addition to the fantastic sandwiches Kenny & Ziggy’s is famous for, there is so much more. The creamy chopped liver is extremely popular. I found my first encounter with the lox and bagels to my liking. The expertly paper thin salmon served with a smear on a toasted bagels could be my next go to.
I am a fan of stuffed cabbage, and the Hungarian Stuffed Cabbage at Kenny & Ziggy’s ranks right at the top. The tender cabbage, extremely tender and flavorful filling, and the slightly sweet sauce make the perfect combination. Another traditional favorite, Ziggy’s Hungarian Ghoulash, featured fork tender beef in a perfectly seasoned gravy.
Kenny & Ziggy’s is Dessert Heaven
With the enormous portions served at Kenny & Ziggy’s, you have to have a plan of attack so you have room for some dessert. I suggest eating a portion of your entree and then putting the rest in a take-out container so you can then focus on the dessert. And chances are, you will need another take-out container for the part of the dessert you can’t finish. Of course, this all means you have at least one more meal with dessert to look forward to after you return home!
My wife and I tried several desserts, and each one was a new favorite. As one might expect, the Cheesecake was out of this world, and may be the best cheesecake in Houston. Light, creamy, and smooth filling on a baked tender crust (NOT graham crackers!), the cheesecake was perfect. We also saw the ridiculously decadent OMG Cheesecake, made with Snickers cheesecake, brownies, chocolate mousse, fresh whip cream, and chocolate shavings.
The cheese blintzes were also fantastic, with light, flaky crepes filled with an egg and ricotta cheese mixture – oh, so good, especially with the fresh strawberry preserves! The seven layer cake was layer upon layer of baked goodness. I also discovered a new delicious treat -Rugglach, a flaky pastry made with sour cream, raisins and nuts.
Come to Kenny & Ziggy’s, the Best Deli in Houston
All this talk about the great food at Kenny & Ziggy’s has me craving for a return trip. And I haven’t even talked about the fantastic breakfast menu!
Next time you find yourself hungry, head to Kenny & Ziggy’s in the Uptown/Galleria area to experience the best Jewish Delicatessen in Houston.
Be sure to check out whether they have moved to their new location at 1743 Post Oak, scheduled for sometime during the Fall of 2021.
