Kenny & Ziggy's

I went to Kenny & Ziggy's on a Friday evening, even though it is located in the worst part of Houston to be on Friday evening: the Galleria.  The Galleria, best known for its horrific traffic, is also an extremely overpriced part of town (despite the recent opening of Gallery Furniture (saves you money! today!)).  Although the traffic was light when I ventured over, this restaurant kept it real, Galleria-style, by being ridiculously expensive.  To be fair, you get an enormous amount of food (more than a pound of meat) for your $15 sandwich, so it is probably decently-priced if you are willing to share.  

The ups: one of my dining companions couldn't decide between the corned beef and the pastrami, so the waitress brought him a few slices of both to try before ordering.  That's classy.   Other things I liked included the charming shit on the wall and the old/fat/rich clientele - good people-watching.  Also, I ordered a Brooklyn Lager, which I had never seen outside of New York (this made me pretty excited, but then I went to Cafe Boheme on Saturday and discovered they also serve Brooklyn Lager, so not that big of a deal, I guess, after all).  But I digress. Finally, and perhaps the most memorable part of this place was that a friend of a friend competed in a matzo-ball-eating-contest here some time back.  I like stories about eating contests, and also stories about milk-drinking contests.

I have some interest in returning for breakfast (or even breakfast for dinner).  I would put this food up against Katz's any day of the week, and it smells better inside.  In fact, I would say that unless it is very late at night and you are very drunk, you are better off at K&Z's for Jewish food in Houston, but bring your appetite and a friend.