Eating NYC: Barney Greengrass
I cannot step foot in New York City and not go to my favorite place in the world, Barney Greengrass. To go to NYC and not visit Barney, it would be like flying to SF and not telling my family I was home. Barney Greengrass has been around since 1908- that is over 100 years, in case you can’t do the math- and moved to the current location, on Amsterdam Avenue and 86th Street, in 1929.
My family has been going since the mid ‘80’s when my parents moved to New York from Seattle and lived in the neighborhood. Ever since, we never went to New York without stopping for a bagel, some kippered salmon, and a big glass of borscht at Barney Greengrass.
This picture is from the early 2000’s from a family trip to New York. I am in the pink outfit with the very serious model pose, with my sister next to me and my mom in the background.
While there are tons of Delicatessens, Jewish eateries, etc, around NY, Barney Greengrass remains my favorite because it has a sort of old-world, New York charm. They serve the best food, their customers are like family and there are no frills. While I love a good meal at Russ & Daughters, Barney Greengrass makes me feel like I walked onto the set of Mrs. Maisel. Barney Greengrass has history- in New York, in the USA (Barney shipped smoked sturgeon to President Franklin D. Roosevelt for Thanksgiving in 1939) and in my family.
Going to Barney Greengrass for the first time and don’t know what to order? I have got you covered! Start your meal off with a cup of coffee and a big glass of borscht, you will not be disappointed.
If you are going and can only get one thing, order the kippered salmon and some bagels (pumpernickel, onion, salt or a bialy).
If you are with a group, get the kippered salmon, the lox, the sable and/or the white fish salad.
If you are with a group (aka two or more people) and you want more than a fish spread, get the latkes, chopped liver, and maybe a scramble with lox and onions.
If you are really feeling crazy, and perhaps it is a cold New York day, throw in a matzo ball soup, it could never hurt.
