If you think you have to fly to New York City for a truly legendary deli sandwich, think again. Kenny & Ziggy’s New York Delicatessen in Houston, Texas is bringing all the flavor, tradition, and massive portions of a classic Big Apple deli straight to the Lone Star State.
Sitting at 1743 Post Oak Blvd, this beloved spot has earned a 4.6-star rating from over 4,000 happy customers. Whether you are a Houston local or just passing through, this place is absolutely worth planning a trip around.
The Legendary Pastrami Sandwich
Some sandwiches are just meals. The pastrami sandwich at Kenny & Ziggy’s is an experience you will be talking about for weeks.
Reviewers have compared it favorably to iconic delis like Katz’s in New York City, which is about as high a compliment as a pastrami sandwich can get.
The meat is fork-tender, seasoned with just the right amount of spice, and piled so generously high that splitting it with someone is not just a suggestion — it is practically required. One customer even took theirs on a flight home to Phoenix and still raved about how incredible it was.
The rye bread is pillow-soft with great flavor, acting as the perfect base for all that smoky, savory meat. If there is one item on the menu that defines Kenny & Ziggy’s, this is it.
Order it once and you will understand why people drive hours just for a bite.
Classic Reuben on Rye
There is something almost magical about a perfectly made Reuben, and Kenny & Ziggy’s has clearly cracked the code. Customers consistently call it one of the best Reubens they have ever tasted, and once you see the size of it arriving at your table, you will understand all the excitement.
Loaded with tender corned beef, melted Swiss cheese, tangy sauerkraut, and creamy dressing, all pressed between slices of hearty rye bread, every bite delivers that satisfying combination of savory, tangy, and rich. Pair it with a celery soda for a full old-school deli moment that feels like a trip back in time.
Multiple reviewers mention that the Reuben disappears quickly despite its enormous size — that is the truest sign of a sandwich done right. Whether it is your first visit or your tenth, the Reuben at Kenny & Ziggy’s never disappoints.
The Famous Torte Dessert
Forget saving room for dessert — at Kenny & Ziggy’s, you make room no matter what. The famous torte is half velvety chocolate mousse and half creamy cheesecake, all sitting on a rich chocolate cookie crust that tastes like an Oreo dream come true.
Reviewers call it incomparable, amazing, and absolutely worth every calorie. One couple tried it on a whim and immediately agreed it was the highlight of their entire meal.
That kind of unanimous praise does not happen by accident — this dessert is genuinely outstanding.
The texture is smooth and luxurious, the sweetness is perfectly balanced, and the portion size means you will likely have leftovers to enjoy later. Whether you are a cheesecake person, a chocolate mousse fan, or both, this torte satisfies every craving at once.
Save space on your plate and in your heart for this one.
Corned Beef Sandwich
Corned beef lovers, consider this your personal invitation. Kenny & Ziggy’s serves a corned beef sandwich that has made more than a few first-time visitors instant regulars.
One customer wrote that her fiance absolutely loved it and that they will definitely be coming back — high praise from someone trying it for the very first time.
The corned beef is tender, well-seasoned, and stacked so generously that you almost need a game plan before you take your first bite. The rye bread adds just the right chewiness and flavor to complement all that savory meat without getting in the way.
For a combo upgrade, some customers order the corned beef and pastrami together, and the result is a sandwich so satisfying it easily feeds two people with leftovers to spare. If classic New York deli flavors are your thing, this sandwich belongs at the top of your must-try list.
Matzo Ball Soup
Comfort food does not get more classic than a bowl of matzo ball soup, and Kenny & Ziggy’s delivers a version that warms you right down to your soul. One reviewer started their entire meal with the matzo ball soup before moving on to their sandwich — and called it delicious without hesitation.
The broth is golden and flavorful, the matzo ball is soft and fluffy, and together they create the kind of bowl that instantly feels like a hug from someone who really knows how to cook. It is the sort of dish that grandmothers in New York have been making for generations, and you can taste that tradition in every spoonful.
Whether you order it as a starter or as a lighter main course, the matzo ball soup at Kenny & Ziggy’s is a menu staple worth trying on every visit. It is simple, soulful, and absolutely satisfying.
Massive Menu Selection
Walking into Kenny & Ziggy’s and opening the menu for the first time is a genuinely overwhelming experience — in the best possible way. Customers frequently describe the menu as huge, massive, and almost too much to process.
All-day breakfast, towering sandwiches, burgers, hearty entrees, soups, and an enormous dessert section all live on one glorious menu.
One regular visitor said it would take years to try everything, and she was not exaggerating. From sloppy Joes with sweet potato fries to chicken schnitzel with mashed potatoes and noodles, the variety here is almost unreal for a deli setting.
Even picky eaters tend to find something they love.
The sheer range of choices means every visit can feel like a brand-new dining experience. Bring a group with different tastes and everyone will walk away happy.
At Kenny & Ziggy’s, no one leaves hungry and no one leaves bored by the options.
Old-School New York Deli Atmosphere
The moment you walk through the door at Kenny & Ziggy’s, you feel like you have been transported straight to a classic Manhattan deli. The colors are bold and vibrant, the space is bright and lively, and a gorgeous deli counter stretches out seemingly forever, packed with beautiful baked goods and treats.
Reviewers rave about how clean and well-maintained the entire restaurant is, which says a lot about how seriously the ownership takes the customer experience. The space manages to feel both large and warm at the same time, which is a surprisingly rare and comfortable combination in a busy restaurant setting.
Owner Ziggy himself has been spotted keeping a watchful eye on every detail, making sure the experience matches the food in quality. That level of personal pride and care shows in everything from the decor to the spotless tables.
Eating here feels special every single time.
Enormous Portion Sizes
Fair warning: do not show up to Kenny & Ziggy’s planning to finish everything on your own. The portion sizes here are legendary, and that word is not used lightly.
Multiple reviewers mention splitting a single sandwich between two or even three people and still having food left over to take home.
One couple shared a smoked pastrami sandwich with French fries, washed it down with coconut cream pie, and still felt completely satisfied. That is the kind of value that keeps people coming back, even when the price per item might seem steep at first glance.
You are truly getting what you pay for in quantity and quality.
The cakes are reportedly large enough to feed four or five people from a single slice alone. Planning ahead by bringing a friend — or at least a very large appetite — is genuinely the best strategy for tackling a meal at this incredible Houston deli.
All-Day Breakfast Options
Not everyone wants a sandwich at 8 AM, and Kenny & Ziggy’s totally gets that. The all-day breakfast menu here is a serious offering, not just a few token items tossed in as an afterthought.
Scrambled eggs with caramelized onions, golden home fries, and crispy rye toast make for a breakfast plate that has customers raving.
One first-time visitor ordered the scrambled eggs with onions and was floored by how perfectly everything was cooked — eggs not overdone, onions caramelized just right, home fries well-seasoned and crispy. Even the fresh-squeezed orange juice impressed, with the waitress proudly confirming they only serve the real thing, never bottled.
Whether you are stopping in for an early morning meal or ordering breakfast at dinnertime, the kitchen handles it with the same care and quality. Kenny & Ziggy’s proves that a great deli breakfast is just as satisfying as anything else on the menu.
The Monte Cristo Sandwich
Every once in a while, a dish comes along that makes you stop mid-bite and just appreciate what is happening. The Monte Cristo sandwich at Kenny & Ziggy’s is exactly that kind of dish.
One reviewer ordered it during his first visit and called it unbelievable — his exact words were “my God, it was unbelievable.”
Sweet, savory, and impossibly satisfying, the Monte Cristo is a fried sandwich typically filled with ham, turkey, and Swiss cheese, dusted with powdered sugar and served with jam for dipping. At Kenny & Ziggy’s, it lives up to every expectation the name carries and then some.
It is the kind of menu item that sounds indulgent on paper and then completely delivers in real life. If you are someone who loves a sandwich that plays with sweet and savory flavors in unexpected ways, the Monte Cristo here deserves a permanent spot on your order every single visit.
Dessert Menu Extravaganza
Even if you came to Kenny & Ziggy’s purely for the sandwiches, the dessert counter will stop you in your tracks. The selection is described by reviewers as massive, extensive, and almost overwhelming — which in this case is a very good problem to have.
Rice pudding, coconut cream pie, cheesecakes, tortes, and giant cakes all compete for your attention.
The cakes in particular have developed something of a local legend status. A single slice is reportedly large enough to feed four or five people, which makes them a genuinely fun option for groups.
The Oh My God cheesecake alone has its own devoted fan base among regular customers.
Even the sugar sprinkle cookie shake has earned rave reviews from visitors who stumbled upon it by chance. At Kenny & Ziggy’s, dessert is not an afterthought — it is practically a main event.
Come hungry, and save room at all costs.
Exceptional Service and Staff
Great food deserves great service, and at Kenny & Ziggy’s, the staff consistently rises to the occasion. Reviewers repeatedly highlight servers by name, describing them as knowledgeable, attentive, friendly, and quick even during the busiest lunch and dinner rushes.
That personal touch makes a real difference in how a meal feels from start to finish.
One visitor praised his server Oseas for being extremely knowledgeable about the dishes and always smiling. Another called their waiter attentive, friendly, and funny — the kind of server who makes you feel like a regular even on your first visit.
That warmth and genuine care for the customer experience is woven into the culture of the restaurant.
Owner Ziggy himself has been spotted on the floor, keeping tabs on every detail with a hands-on approach that reflects deep pride in the place he built. That top-down commitment to hospitality is something customers notice and remember long after the meal is over.
A True New York Deli Experience in the Heart of Houston
You do not need a plane ticket to experience the magic of a real New York delicatessen. Kenny & Ziggy’s at 1743 Post Oak Blvd in Houston has been delivering that authentic experience for years, and a recent move to a new location has only made the spot even better.
Customers who have visited both the old and new locations agree the upgrade was absolutely worth it.
From the complimentary pickles that arrive while you wait to the Dr. Brown’s sodas chilling in the display case, every detail here is intentional and nostalgic. The restaurant is open seven days a week from 8 AM to 9 PM, making it easy to work into any travel itinerary no matter when you roll into Houston.
With over 4,000 reviews and a 4.6-star rating, Kenny & Ziggy’s has clearly earned its place as one of the best delis in the entire country. Road trip worthy does not even begin to cover it.