Sometimes a restaurant surprises you so much that you find yourself planning a return trip before you even finish your meal. Kenny & Ziggy’s New York Delicatessen in Houston, Texas is exactly that kind of place.
Tucked along Post Oak Blvd, this beloved deli brings the bold flavors of New York City straight to the heart of Texas. Whether you are a first-timer or a longtime regular, there is always something on the massive menu that will have you coming back for more.
The Legendary Pastrami Sandwich
Some sandwiches are just food. The pastrami sandwich at Kenny & Ziggy’s is a full-on experience.
Reviewers have compared it to the best delis in New York City, like Katz’s, and many say it comes out on top.
The meat is fork-tender, loaded with just the right amount of smoky seasoning, and piled so high it almost seems impossible to eat. One reviewer even took a pastrami sandwich on a plane back to Phoenix and still raved about it after reheating it at home.
The rye bread is pillow-soft with a satisfying chew, making every bite a perfect balance of bread and meat. Sharing is always an option since the portions are enormous.
If you have never had a truly great pastrami sandwich, this one will set the standard for everything else you try afterward.
The Famous Torte Dessert
Half chocolate mousse, half cheesecake, and sitting on a crust that tastes like a crushed Oreo cookie — the famous torte at Kenny & Ziggy’s has earned its legendary status one slice at a time. Multiple reviewers call it the best dessert they have ever tasted, and it is easy to understand why.
The chocolate mousse layer is smooth and deeply rich, while the cheesecake underneath is dense and creamy without being overly sweet. Together, they create a combination that feels almost too good to be real.
Fair warning: the slice is enormous. Several guests have mentioned that a single piece could easily feed two or three people.
Whether you split it with the table or bravely tackle it solo, the torte is the kind of dessert that makes people plan entire meals around it. Do not skip this one.
The Corned Beef Sandwich
Corned beef done right is a rare and beautiful thing, and Kenny & Ziggy’s has been perfecting it for years. The sandwich stacks tender, flavorful slices of corned beef between thick cuts of rye bread in a way that feels both indulgent and deeply satisfying.
Several guests have visited specifically for the corned beef and left completely won over. One couple even ordered a combo corned beef and pastrami sandwich and reported having leftovers for two full meals afterward.
The rye bread plays a crucial supporting role here — it has that authentic bakery quality that store-bought bread simply cannot replicate. Pair the sandwich with a side of coleslaw or French fries, and you have a lunch that rivals anything you would find on a Manhattan street corner.
For deli lovers, this is the real deal right in the middle of Houston.
The Reuben on Rye
There is a reason the Reuben keeps showing up in reviews of Kenny & Ziggy’s — it is simply one of the best versions of this classic sandwich that Houston has to offer. The combination of corned beef, sauerkraut, melted Swiss cheese, and tangy dressing on toasted rye hits every flavor note perfectly.
One long-time fan described it as the best Reuben they had ever eaten, and they had been waiting over ten years to return. That kind of loyalty says everything about consistency and quality.
The bread toasts up with just enough crunch while staying soft in the middle.
Wash it down with a celery soda or a Dr. Brown’s cream soda for the full New York deli experience. The Reuben at Kenny & Ziggy’s is not just a sandwich — it is a tradition worth keeping, no matter how far you have to travel to get there.
Massive Menu with Something for Everyone
Walking into Kenny & Ziggy’s and opening the menu for the first time is a genuinely overwhelming experience — in the best possible way. All-day breakfast, towering sandwiches, classic entrees, burgers, soups, and an entire section of desserts await you across what feels like pages and pages of options.
One reviewer joked that it would take years to work through everything on the menu, and that might actually be true. Whether you are in the mood for a hearty scrambled eggs and onions breakfast or a full schnitzel dinner with mashed potatoes and gravy, the kitchen has you covered at any hour.
The variety means no two visits have to look the same. Families with picky eaters will especially appreciate how much is available.
First-timers are encouraged to ask the staff for recommendations — the servers here genuinely know the menu and love talking about it.
All-Day Breakfast Plates
Breakfast at Kenny & Ziggy’s is not just a morning meal — it is available all day long, which instantly makes this place a winner for anyone who has ever craved eggs and toast at 3 PM. The kitchen takes even the simplest breakfast dishes seriously.
One visitor ordered scrambled eggs with onions and was blown away by how perfectly cooked everything was. The eggs were fluffy and not overdone, the onions were slow-cooked to sweet, golden perfection, and the home fries were seasoned with real care.
Even the rye toast was described as spot-on.
Fresh-squeezed orange juice rounds out the morning spread in a way that packaged juice simply never could. When the waitress was asked if they had fresh-squeezed OJ, her answer was refreshingly direct: “We only have fresh-squeezed orange juice.” That kind of commitment to quality is exactly what sets this place apart.
The Oh My God Cheesecake
It takes a special kind of dessert to earn a name like “Oh My God,” and this cheesecake delivers on that promise every single time. Dense, creamy, and rich without crossing into cloying territory, it is the kind of cheesecake that makes you close your eyes after the first bite.
Guests consistently mention the dessert case at Kenny & Ziggy’s as one of the most impressive sights in the restaurant. The cheesecake sits alongside towering slices of layer cakes and other decadent options, all of which look like they belong in a fancy bakery window rather than a neighborhood deli counter.
Plan to share — portions here are famously enormous, and the cheesecake is no exception. One reviewer noted that a single slice could comfortably feed four to five people.
Ordering it after a big sandwich might sound ambitious, but regulars will tell you it is absolutely the right call.
The Matzo Ball Soup
Comfort food does not get much more classic than a bowl of matzo ball soup, and Kenny & Ziggy’s takes this deli staple seriously. The golden broth is warm and deeply flavorful, and the matzo ball itself is the kind of fluffy, satisfying dumpling that feels like a hug in food form.
One reviewer started their meal with the matzo ball soup before moving on to sandwiches and desserts, and described it as delicious from the very first spoonful. It sets the tone for the entire meal and signals immediately that this kitchen is not cutting corners anywhere.
For anyone who grew up eating Jewish deli food, this soup will feel like coming home. For first-timers, it is a perfect introduction to the traditions that make places like Kenny & Ziggy’s so special.
Pair it with a slice of rye bread and settle in for a meal worth remembering.
The Chicken in a Pot Soup
Not every dish at a deli needs to be stacked a foot high to make an impression. The Chicken in a Pot soup at Kenny & Ziggy’s is a quieter kind of greatness — a deeply satisfying bowl that warms you from the inside out.
One guest spotted her sister ordering it and immediately regretted not getting it herself, making a mental note to order it on the next visit. That kind of food envy is a reliable sign that something is worth trying.
The soup is loaded with tender chicken and vegetables swimming in a rich, savory broth that takes real time and care to develop.
On a cool evening or a rainy afternoon, few things hit the spot quite like a bowl of this soup paired with a thick slice of deli bread. It is the kind of dish that reminds you why home-style cooking will always have a place on a great menu.
The Vibrant Deli Atmosphere
Walking through the front door of Kenny & Ziggy’s feels like stepping into a classic New York deli, except you are firmly in the middle of Houston, Texas. The decor is vibrant and playful, full of color and personality, with a long deli counter stretching out like a showcase of everything delicious.
The space is large but manages to feel warm and welcoming rather than cold and cavernous. Light pours in generously, and the energy of a busy dining room adds to the sense that something special is happening here.
Free pickles arrive at the table while you wait for your food, which is a small touch that longtime deli fans will immediately recognize and appreciate.
Owner Ziggy himself has been spotted walking the floor, keeping a close eye on every detail. That kind of hands-on ownership translates directly into the experience every guest has when they sit down.
Exceptional and Attentive Service
Good food matters, but good service is what turns a meal into a memory. At Kenny & Ziggy’s, the staff has earned consistent praise across hundreds of reviews for being knowledgeable, warm, and genuinely enthusiastic about the food they serve.
Servers like Alfredo and Oseas have been called out by name in glowing reviews, which is the kind of recognition that speaks to real personal investment in the guest experience. One visitor noted that their waiter was not only attentive but funny, keeping the mood light throughout the entire meal.
The kitchen also moves quickly, which is impressive given how packed the restaurant can get, especially on weekends. Staff members know the menu inside and out and are happy to guide first-timers through the many options.
For a deli of this size and popularity, that level of personal attention is genuinely rare and worth celebrating.
The Monte Cristo Sandwich
Sweet, savory, and a little bit magical — the Monte Cristo sandwich is one of those menu items that sounds unusual until you actually try it, and then you wonder how you ever lived without it. Kenny & Ziggy’s version lives up to that promise in every way.
One reviewer called it “unbelievable” after ordering it as their main course, and the enthusiasm in that review is hard to fake. The combination of lightly fried eggy bread, layers of deli meat, and melted cheese creates something that sits perfectly between breakfast and lunch without fully belonging to either category.
If you are visiting for the first time and feeling adventurous, the Monte Cristo is an excellent choice that shows off the range of this kitchen. Pair it with sweet potato fries for a combination that feels both indulgent and surprisingly balanced.
It is the kind of dish that earns a permanent spot in your regular order rotation.
Generous Portions Worth Every Penny
Few things in life feel as satisfying as leaving a restaurant with a full stomach and a takeout box. At Kenny & Ziggy’s, that is practically a guarantee.
The portions here are famously enormous, and the topic comes up in nearly every single review the restaurant has received.
Sandwiches routinely feed two people comfortably, dessert slices can be shared among four or five, and even the soups arrive in generous portions that make a full meal on their own. One couple split a sandwich and fries and still had plenty to take home.
Another visitor came back the very next day because one visit simply was not enough to try everything they wanted.
Yes, the prices reflect the quality and the quantity — but the value becomes obvious the moment the food hits the table. At Kenny & Ziggy’s, you always get more than you pay for, and that is a rare thing worth appreciating.