There are certain places in New York that transcend mere restaurants and become institutions. Russ & Daughters, operating since 1914, is exactly that kind of place.

The Order

I went with their classic: a fresh-baked everything bagel piled high with their house-cured Nova Scotia lox, a generous schmear of cream cheese, capers, thinly sliced red onion, and ripe tomato.

First Impressions

The moment I took my first bite, I understood why people wait in line for this. The bagel itself has that perfect New York chew – crispy on the outside with a dense, slightly sweet interior that can only come from being boiled before baking.

The Breakdown

The lox is silky and buttery, with just the right amount of saltiness that dances with the tangy cream cheese. Each bite delivers a symphony of textures: the crunch of the onion, the pop of the capers, the pillowy bagel.

"This is not just a bagel. This is a time machine to the Lower East Side of a hundred years ago."

The Verdict

Is it expensive? Yes. Is it worth it? Absolutely. This is the benchmark against which all other lox bagels should be measured.

The only knock is the price – at nearly $25 for a single bagel, it's not an everyday treat. But for a special occasion or to show an out-of-towner what NYC bagels are all about, there's no better choice.