Deli Man 2015

The documentary narrates the rich history of the New York Delicatessen, a tradition that has its roots in Germany before making its way to the United States with German immigrants. As a large wave of Jewish immigration followed, these delicate establishments transformed to align with Jewish dietary laws, leading to the emergence of the Kosher Deli. At its zenith, New York City boasted over a thousand Kosher delis, a vibrant testament to the cultural melting pot. However, in contemporary times, this culinary heritage has tragically dwindled to less than a dozen surviving delis. The key differentiator for these remaining establishments is their ownership of the buildings they operate in, while many others fell victim to soaring rent costs as neighborhoods gentrified, leading to the closure of cherished places like Carnegie Deli and Katz’s, among countless others.

The film presents the journey of Ziggy Gruber, who was raised in a family-run deli in New York City. With aspirations to expand his culinary skills, he attended the prestigious Culinary Institute of America followed by Le Cordon Bleu in France, and eventually worked at a renowned 3-Star Michelin Restaurant. Despite his impressive credentials and experiences, Ziggy found himself nostalgic for the warmth of the deli environment and the comforting flavors of deli cuisine, prompting his return to the United States. He ultimately settled in Houston, where he launched Kenny & Ziggy’s.

In the current landscape, the classic New York deli experience is no longer predominantly rooted in New York City but has spread across the country: from Manny’s in Chicago, Canter’s in Los Angeles, to Wise & Sons in San Francisco and even as far as Caplansky’s in Toronto, Canada. At Kenny & Ziggy’s, Ziggy fosters a familial atmosphere for his employees, cultivating a sense of community that appeals to patrons. He cherishes the connection with his heritage, once expressing, > “When I cook, I feel my ancestors around me.” With personal ties tracing back to Hungary, the documentary beautifully culminates in Ziggy’s emotional wedding ceremony held in a cathedral in Hungary, encapsulating his journey and the legacy of the deli that remains close to his heart.