Barney Greengrass

You want to know something kind of embarrassing? I’m a Jew who grew up just outside of the city and not once had I ever eaten at Barney Greengrass until last week. Alec Baldwin & Richard Blais would be so disappointed. Over the years, I’ve definitely gotten a taste of their infamous sturgeon and smoked fish at Yom Kippur breakfast, but it’s not in our regular rotation. What can I say, my family has always been a Zabar’s kind of family. I called my Grandma to get schooled on a little Greengrass back story.

Grandma: “Barney Greengrass was the exemplar of Jewish food on the UWS. He was the first to introduce such delicacies as Sturgeon and smoked fish and the Jewish community went crazy for it. For an important occasion, my Aunt Reggy would go to Barney’s and spend $20-30 on Sturgeon for the whole family (well over $100 now), and that was really the first time I can remember anyone in our family spending that kind of money of food. Barney never expanded the way Zabar’s did though. Barney was always quite elite and the association was part of the reason my Aunt loved it so much. It’s always been expensive. I always remember it as being a restaurant where celebrities dined, and it was famous for shipping an order of smoked fish to President Roosevelt.”

Thanks Grandma. Barney Greengrass is the definition of a Classic NYC Establishment. What’s not to love about a 100-year-old tradition of sturgeon scrambled eggs and a H&H; bagel with lox, cream cheese and tomato? Every New Yorker will appreciate this place. You can eat in or take out, but either way you should bring cash and prepare to wait during peak breakfast time.

Food Rundown

Bagel, Lox, Onion, Tomato

It’s beautiful. H&H; bagels aren’t as accessible as they used to be. Take full advantage at Barney’s. Toast one up and top it with cream cheese, tomato, onion, and lox. Heavenly.

Scrambled Eggs

Eggs scrambled with onions and one of their famous smoked fish is the house specialty at Barney’s. For the white fish lover, go with sturgeon. For those who’d like a saltier, brinier alternative, go with smoked nova salmon. Either way, it’s awesome.

Sturgeon

You’re not allowed to come to Barney’s and NOT order sturgeon. Just get a plate to share - it’s only $17 for four slices of smoked white fish. Bargain! Tastes even better on top of a bagel.

photo credit: Alex Staniloff

Potato Latkes

I’ll be honest, we’ve never had them. But people generally freak out over them, so if you come on a weekend, which is the only time they’re available, definitely order these.

Fresh Squeezed OJ

Usually orange juice wouldn’t get it’s own food rundown write-up, but this OJ is really good. Since I don’t drink coffee (crazy, I know), I’m a big time orange juice drinker and this glass of fresh squeezed was top notch.