TLDR
Historic New York institution celebrated for elite smoked fish and classic appetizing staples, offering an quintessential taste of the city's Jewish deli culture.
Reddit Sentiment for RUSS & DAUGHTERS 34TH ST.(based on 188 Reddit opinions)
Instagram Posts References
This establishment is recommended as part of the GoCity New York Mini Guide for its classic Jewish appetizing fare.
Details
This historic NYC institution is celebrated as a quintessential destination for high-quality smoked fish, including elite lox, sable, and sturgeon [18], [25], [41]. While recognized as a premier appetizing store, there is an ongoing debate among patrons regarding their bagels, which some consider mediocre compared to specialized shops [13], [20], [36], [41]. Beyond fish, visitors frequently praise their sweets, specifically the babka and jelly grahams, solidifying its status as a must-visit for classic Jewish deli fare [21], [31], [40].
Food Overview
The menu excels in traditional appetizing items like hand-sliced lox, pastrami-cured salmon, and smoked whitefish, which are widely considered top-tier [11], [21], [24], [41]. While recommended by many for its authentic Jewish deli experience, some customers advise pairing their fish with bagels sourced from dedicated local bakeries for the best possible result [15], [17], [36], [41]. Notable sweet treats include the babka and jelly grahams [21], [31].
Caveats
Many locals emphasize that this is primarily an appetizing store rather than a dedicated bagel bakery, which leads to mixed opinions on the bagel quality [16], [20], [36].
Reddit Opinions & Reviews
Top Reddit Posts About RUSS & DAUGHTERS 34TH ST.
Recent Reddit Mentions
From post: Bagels And Jewish Deli Bakery Food
"The original poster acknowledged missing this location and thanked the commenter."
PositiveFrom post: Bagels And Jewish Deli Bakery Food
"This commenter pointed out a Russ and Daughters location just south of Hell's Kitchen at the southwest side of 34th street and 10th Avenue."
PositiveFrom post: This Lox And Cream Cheese Sandwich Safe From Russ
"This commenter stated that the appearance of the lox is not out of the ordinary."
NeutralFrom post: This Lox And Cream Cheese Sandwich Safe From Russ
"A humorous observation about a caper resembling a baby."
NeutralFrom post: This Lox And Cream Cheese Sandwich Safe From Russ
"This commenter expressed enthusiasm for the food from Russ & Daughters."
PositiveFrom post: This Lox And Cream Cheese Sandwich Safe From Russ
"A regular customer stated they wouldn't worry about the appearance of the lox."
PositiveFrom post: This Lox And Cream Cheese Sandwich Safe From Russ
"This commenter stated that the appearance indicates smoked lox, not just cured."
NeutralFrom post: This Lox And Cream Cheese Sandwich Safe From Russ
"The commenter stated they thought the lox looked like bacon."
NeutralFrom post: This Lox And Cream Cheese Sandwich Safe From Russ
"This commenter explained that Russ & Daughters sources fish from Acme, like many other NYC establishments. They suggested R&D has good sable and sturgeon but their lox is not the best, recommending Barney Greengrass for better fish-to-bagel ratio and sturgeon. They also acknowledged that the 'cafe' might lean towards a tourist trap vibe."
NeutralFrom post: This Lox And Cream Cheese Sandwich Safe From Russ
"This commenter noted that while Russ & Daughters buys fish from the same companies as other appetizing stores, quality is still a factor."
NeutralFrom post: This Lox And Cream Cheese Sandwich Safe From Russ
"This user mentioned 'Sables' when asked about their preferred source for smoked salmon."
NeutralFrom post: This Lox And Cream Cheese Sandwich Safe From Russ
"This commenter believes the lox is old and dried out, not pastrami lox, and considers it a rip-off."
NegativeFrom post: This Lox And Cream Cheese Sandwich Safe From Russ
"This commenter asked where the previous user sources their smoked salmon."
NeutralFrom post: This Lox And Cream Cheese Sandwich Safe From Russ
"This user elaborated on their negative experience, stating that their pastrami and Gaspe salmon from Russ & Daughters were dried out and crispy over multiple visits, leading them to choose Sables instead."
NegativeFrom post: This Lox And Cream Cheese Sandwich Safe From Russ
"The original poster specified that the location was the 34th street branch."
NeutralFrom post: This Lox And Cream Cheese Sandwich Safe From Russ
"The commenter corrected the title, noting the item was pastrami lox and the color was fine."
PositiveFrom post: This Lox And Cream Cheese Sandwich Safe From Russ
"This commenter provided a link to the Russ & Daughters menu showing their pastrami cured salmon."
NeutralFrom post: This Lox And Cream Cheese Sandwich Safe From Russ
"This commenter simply responded with 'Q', likely an abbreviation for 'Question' or 'Query'."
NeutralFrom post: This Lox And Cream Cheese Sandwich Safe From Russ
"This commenter inquired about the specific location of the Russ & Daughters mentioned."
NeutralFrom post: This Lox And Cream Cheese Sandwich Safe From Russ
"The commenter expressed strong affection for the restaurant."
Positive