Located on the Lower East Side, Russ & Daughters is more than just a bagel shop, it is a living symbol of Jewish immigrant resilience and New York City’s evolving food culture. Founded in 1914 by Joel Russ, a Jewish immigrant from Eastern Europe, the shop began as a herring stand before expanding into a full deli and bakery. With help from his daughters, who worked in the store from a young age, Russ made history by re-naming the store “Russ & Daughters,” notably the first American business to include “& Daughters” in its name.

Russ & Daughters is best known for its bagel and lox: a classic NYC bagel with a “shmear” of cream cheese and slices of silky smoked salmon. This classic sandwich has become a cultural icon in NYC, representing both Jewish culinary tradition and mainstream breakfast/brunch culture. The shop continues to attract long lines of locals and tourists alike and has been featured in dozens of food publications as one of the best bagel spots in the city.

In a neighborhood that has changed dramatically over the last century, Russ & Daughters remains a nostalgic anchor for generations of New Yorkers. It reflects the story of how a food created out of necessity and religious restriction in Eastern Europe became a beloved staple in the American urban landscape.