What Russ & Daughters is and where to find it
Russ & Daughters is a Jewish appetizing shop that has operated continuously since 1914 on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. It sits at 179 East Houston Street, between Allen and Orchard Streets, in a narrow storefront with a wooden facade and gold lettering. The shop sells cured fish, smoked salmon, herring, caviar, cream cheese, bagels, and the prepared foods that make up a traditional Jewish appetizing counter — the category of food that sits between a delicatessen and a fishmonger.
The shop is still family-owned and operated. It was founded by Joel Russ, a Belarusian immigrant, and is now run by his great-great-granddaughter Niki Russ Federman and her husband Josh Federman. The store has never moved and has remained in continuous operation through the Depression, two world wars, and the transformation of the Lower East Side from a Jewish immigrant neighborhood to a mixed residential and commercial area.
Key Takeaways
- Russ & Daughters has operated at the same Lower East Side location since 1914 and remains family-owned by descendants of the founder.
- The shop specializes in Jewish appetizing — cured and smoked fish, herring, caviar, and cream cheese — rather than the hot meats of a traditional deli.
- You can order online for shipping or visit the physical storefront; they also operate a sit-down restaurant called Russ & Daughters at Orchard Street nearby.
- The shop is open seven days a week, with hours typically 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., though hours vary seasonally and on holidays.
What appetizing means and how it differs from deli
Jewish appetizing is a specific category of food that developed in Eastern European Jewish communities and was brought to New York by immigrants in the late 1800s and early 1900s. An appetizing shop sells cured, smoked, and pickled fish; cream cheese; bagels; and other foods meant to be eaten as an appetizer or snack, or assembled into a meal at home. It does not sell hot meat — no pastrami, corned beef, or brisket.
This distinction matters because Jewish dietary law (kashrut) traditionally prohibits eating meat and dairy together. A deli sells hot meat sandwiches. An appetizing shop sells dairy and fish products that can be eaten with or without meat at different meals. Russ & Daughters built its reputation on smoked salmon, lox (cured salmon), herring in various preparations, sturgeon, sable, and caviar — foods that require skill to cure and slice properly and that were expensive and difficult to obtain outside of immigrant neighborhoods.
The shop also sells cream cheese, butter, and other dairy products; bagels and bread; and prepared items like herring salad and smoked fish spreads. Many customers buy components to assemble at home: a bagel, lox, cream cheese, capers, and onion, which is the classic New York breakfast or lunch.
The physical store and what to expect when you visit
The storefront is small and narrow, with a long counter running along one side and display cases holding the cured and smoked fish. The shop is crowded most days, especially on weekends and before Jewish holidays. There is no seating in the shop itself — it is a counter operation where you order and take your food away or have it shipped.
The counter staff will slice fish to order and can prepare platters for events. You can point to what you want or ask for recommendations. The staff are knowledgeable about the products and can explain the difference between types of herring, the origin of different caviars, and how to store and serve the items you buy. Prices are high — smoked salmon and caviar are luxury foods — but the quality and the history of the shop draw customers from across New York and from tourists visiting the Lower East Side.
The shop is open seven days a week. Hours are typically 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., but you should check their website or call ahead because hours change seasonally and around Jewish holidays. The shop closes for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur.
Online ordering and shipping
Russ & Daughters operates a website where you can order products for shipping anywhere in the United States. You can buy smoked salmon, herring, caviar, cream cheese, bagels, and prepared items like herring salad. Shipping costs vary by weight and destination. Orders are packed carefully to arrive cold and fresh, though shipping takes several days and is more expensive than buying in the store.
The website also lists gift boxes and platters assembled for holidays and special occasions. These are popular for Hanukkah, Passover, and other Jewish holidays, and also as general gourmet gifts. You can customize some orders or choose from pre-assembled options.
Russ & Daughters at Orchard Street restaurant
In addition to the original counter shop, Russ & Daughters operates a sit-down restaurant called Russ & Daughters at Orchard Street, located a few blocks away at 127 Orchard Street. This is a full restaurant with table service, a bar, and a menu that expands on the appetizing tradition with cooked dishes, cocktails, and wine. You can eat smoked fish and bagels at a table, along with other Jewish and New York-inspired foods.
The restaurant has a different atmosphere from the counter shop — it is more formal and slower-paced — but serves the same core products. Reservations are recommended, especially on weekends and evenings. The restaurant is also closed on major Jewish holidays.
History and why the shop matters
Russ & Daughters opened in 1914 when Joel Russ, who had immigrated from Belarus, began selling herring and other cured fish from a pushcart on the Lower East Side. He moved to a storefront and eventually his daughters joined the business — hence the name Russ & Daughters. The shop became known for the quality of its smoked salmon and herring and for the skill of its staff in slicing and preparing fish.
The Lower East Side was the center of Jewish immigrant life in New York in the early 1900s, and appetizing shops were common. Most have closed as the neighborhood changed and as the Jewish population moved to other parts of the city. Russ & Daughters is one of the few that survived, and it has become a landmark and a symbol of the neighborhood's Jewish history. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is considered an important part of New York food culture.
The shop has remained in the same family and at the same location for over a century, which is unusual for a retail business in New York. This continuity, combined with the quality of the products and the historical significance, makes it a destination for people interested in Jewish food, New York history, and traditional food craftsmanship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I visit Russ & Daughters if I am not Jewish?
Yes. The shop is open to anyone and serves customers of all backgrounds. Many visitors are tourists interested in New York history and food culture. The staff will help you understand the products and how to eat them, even if you are unfamiliar with Jewish appetizing traditions.
What is the difference between lox and smoked salmon?
Lox is salmon that has been cured in salt and sometimes sugar, but not smoked. Smoked salmon has been cured and then smoked over wood or other fuel. Lox is softer and more delicate; smoked salmon has a firmer texture and a smoky flavor. Both are sold at Russ & Daughters, and the staff can explain the differences and help you choose.
How much does it cost to buy smoked salmon at Russ & Daughters?
Prices vary depending on the type and quality of salmon and the amount you buy. Smoked salmon is sold by the pound and is expensive — typically in the range of $20 to $40 per pound or more for premium varieties. You can buy smaller amounts sliced to order. Prices are posted in the shop and on the website.
Do I need to make a reservation to visit the counter shop?
No. The counter shop is first-come, first-served. It is often crowded, especially on weekends, so you may have to wait. If you want to order a large platter or have a special request, you can call ahead to arrange it.
Is Russ & Daughters kosher?
The shop is not certified kosher by a rabbinical authority, though it sells many products that are kosher and follows Jewish food traditions. If you need certified kosher products, you should ask the staff which items meet that standard or call ahead to ask.