Ziggy Gruber

David Gruber, known as Ziggy Gruber (born 1969), is an American chef and restaurateur known for his role in preservation of Jewish deli traditions. He is a restaurant owner, deli maven of Kenny & Ziggy's New York Delicatessen Restaurant in Houston, Texas and featured in the documentary "Deli Man." Also, Ziggy has frequently appeared on food television programs like Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives

Early life and education Ziggy Gruber was born to Pam and Eugene Gruber. He is the older of two sons born to the couple, the younger son being Jonathan Mackye Gruber, a screenwriter known professionally as J. Mackye Gruber. Eugene Gruber was a deli owner in New York City as was his father, Max Gruber. which was the first deli to open its doors on Broadway.

At age 12, Ziggy’s father Eugene entered the deli business with his father Max. With help from his brother, Seymour, Eugene opened Genard’s on Madison Avenue. Genard's was opened for three decades.

By the time Ziggy was 8, the family had moved to Spring Valley, New York, where Seymour and Eugene owned a deli named Cresthill Kosher Deli. It was Ziggy's grandfather who decided it was time for him to learn more about the business. Ziggy's cousin Norman, also a deli owner, taught him about catering and marketing.

Ziggy enrolled at Le Cordon Bleu London at age 15. He graduated at the top of his class and spent the next two years working in London's three-star Michelin restaurants, Le Gavroche and The Waterside Inn. He cooked for the Queen Elizabeth II of England. Kenny & Ziggy's New York Delicatessen Restaurant & Bakery opened in 1999. In 2004, Kenny left the business. Lenny Friedman remains Ziggy's business partner.

Ziggy has appeared on several culinary television programs, including TV shows like "Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives", where his restaurant Kenny & Ziggy's, was highlighted. He was included in David Sax’s 2009 book "Save the Deli," and "Deli Man"

“Deli Man"

The story of the loss of the traditional deli was further chronicled in the national exhibit “I’ll Have What She’s Having” started by the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles and traveling throughout the county, displaying the history of the American deli. Ziggy loaned part of his vintage deli menu collection to the exhibit. He also participated in a Q&A session/lecture following a screening of "Deli Man" at the Skirball Museum during the exhibit in July 2022.

In Houston, Kenny & Ziggy's offers a three-course menu for National Deli Month, with a portion of the proceeds benefitting Holocaust Museum Houston. During the month, Ziggy also hosts a private Holocaust survivors Luncheon for all Holocaust survivors in the area and their descendants.

Recognition and awards

"Save the Deli". Kenny & Ziggy's and Ziggy Gruber are included in the book Save the Deli: In Search of Perfect Pastrami, Crusty Rye, and the Heart of Jewish Delicatessen, published by Canadian journalist David Sax in 2009 about the decline of the Jewish delicatessen. "1,000 Foods To Eat Before You Die". Book by noted food writer Mimi Sherton, published in 2015. Houston Chef of the Month for March: Ziggy Gruber

Media appearances

"Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives" on Food Network – season 7, episode 6 ("You Picked ‘Em") "Diners, Drive-Ins & Dives" on Food Network – season 33, episode 12 ("Takeout: Comin' from All Over the Map”) "Samantha Brown’s Places to Love" – Season 5, episode 1 (January 29, 2022) "Triple D Nation" on Food Network – November 12, 2021, "Creative Comfort" "Eat Like a Local" on KPRC Channel 2, 2024 "Texas Eats" – KSAT television show feature, 2023 "Good Taste with Tanji" – Texas’ Very Own NYC Style Deli: Kenny & Ziggy’s, February 19, 2018, Stacked to the Sky, November 7, 2020 "Food Paradise" on Travel Channel "All You Can Eat" on History Channel – season 1 Houston Chronicle video feature – 2024 Food Network – Top Places to Eat Wine Enthusiast – 14 Essential Bars in Houston, According to Industry Pros, December 20, 2024 New York Times – Couple lost at Sea Dine at Kenny & Ziggy's, July 30, 2024 AFAR magazine – restaurant listings, September 4, 2014 Texas Highways – Kenny & Ziggy's Serves Classics, April 2022 Conde Nast Traveler – Best Jewish Delis in America, April 22, 2016 Tasting Table & Yahoo.com – 15 Iconic Pastrami Sandwiches, March 13, 2024 AOL – Best Joints for Pastrami Sandwich in America – June 10, 2024 Bon Viveur – Pastrami: qué es, cuál es su origen y cómo se elabora, January 30, 2024

Voyage Houston – Meet Ziggy Gruber, July 18, 2018

Boston.com – Guy Fieri shares his Houston food faves for Super Bowl weekend, February 4, 2017 Chron.com – Shaquille O’Neal and Guy Fieri Visit Kenny & Ziggy's, February 3, 2017 The Nosher – Everything Is Bigger in Texas – Including This Jewish Deli, January 13, 2022 The New York Times – review of "Deli Man," March 5, 2015 The Times of Israel – Pastrami on wry with the Texan macher keeping deli culture alive, February 25, 2015 Bon Appetit – "Follow That Brisket", April 2016 Food & Wine – Best Delis in America, June 16, 2016 Eater – Essential 38 Restaurants in Houston, 2014 SYSCO Foodie – Kenny & Ziggy's New York Delicatessen: A Fresh, Fun Take on Dining that’s Rooted in Tradition FoodChallenges.com – Kenny & Ziggy's Zelegabetsky sandwich Los Angeles Times – Mind-Boggling Variety From Ziggy G's Deli, June 20, 1995

Current restaurants Kenny & Ziggy's New York Delicatessen Restaurant & Bakery (Houston)