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Deli Man

Where to Watch Deli Man

PG-13
2015

Deli Man, directed by Erik Greenberg Anjou, is an engaging, culture-rich documentary that dives into the world of Jewish delicatessens in the United States. Releasing in 2014, the film successfully combines a potpourri of humor, history, stories, and mouth-watering depiction of food. The 91-minute feature film resonates with nostalgia, tradition, and the importance of preserving cultural touchpoints, with significant highlights on the deli food which serves as a connection between generations.

The soul of the film, Ziggy Gruber, is a third-generation delicatessen man who owns and operates one of the country’s top delis, Kenny & Ziggy’s in Houston, Texas. Born into a family with a long line of deli owners, Ziggy’s life and persona form the fulcrum of the documentary. His charisma, warmth, humor, and undying passion for delis become the perfect spice for the narrative, offering the audience a delightful viewing experience.

As we follow Ziggy's everyday life at his deli, we also get a glimpse into the personal side of his endearing journey, his love for Yiddish theater, and anecdotes from his family history. A charming raconteur, Ziggy creates a tapestry of stories that serves both as an intimate biography and a beautiful homage to the delis he so dearly loves.

Interspersed with Ziggy's narrative are profiles of some other notable delis, a historical perspective of Jewish delis, their evolution and survival in the 21st century, and interviews with their passionate proprietors. Moreover, the viewers are treated to scenes showing how these delis create mouthwatering dishes from scratch including making knishes, corned beef, pastrami, and matzo ball soup. It’s impossible to come away from the film without craving a heaping deli sandwich or bowl of hot chicken soup.

The cast includes Steve Auerbach and Adam Caslow, co-owners of New York's Acme Smoked Fish, and famous lawyer and political commentator Alan Dershowitz, among others. Acme is a fourth-generation family business and is one of the biggest purveyor of smoked fish in the country. The inclusion of such traditionalists underscores the cultural relevance and historic importance of delis.

Through the commentary and insights of these participants, including Dershowitz, a self-proclaimed deli maven who adds an interesting intellectual flair to the film, Deli Man breeds a new appreciation for delis as integral components of Jewish-American culture. The film deftly bares and dissects the struggles and triumphs of retaining and reviving this traditional food craft in an age where fast food and inclination toward healthier eating have dwindled the number of such delis.

Interesting visuals tantalize the audience’s taste buds and evoke a longing for the delectable grandeur of deli cuisine. Through sumptuous close-ups of piled-high pastrami sandwiches, matzo balls bobbing in broth, smoky lox, fluffy knishes, and pickles, the film maintains an intimate, sensory-rich experience. Beyond the cuisine, archival material in the form of old photos and film clips are astutely used to create a much-needed historical context.

Deli Man is an earnest, heart-felt ode to the iconic Jewish delis in America that once proliferated in hundreds but have now dwindled to only a few. Culturally enlightening and emotionally resonant, it does more than merely pay lip service to a culinary heritage. It's an exploration into the multi-sensory experience that a deli provides, the ambiance, smell, taste, and feel, and the convivial warmth of sharing food stories and histories.

With its sheer charm and lightheartedness, the movie manages to convey the deep love and passion that goes into creating each culinary masterpiece at a deli counter. It's about tradition and a way of life as much as it is about a particular type of dining. It's the type of movie that feeds the soul just as much as it teases the appetite – a true love letter to the deli culture that has been savored and celebrated by generations. And while the movie may be about Jewish delis, it transcends religion and culture, appealing to anyone who recognizes food as community and heritage.

Deli Man is a Documentary movie released in 2015. Critics and viewers have rated it moderate reviews, with an IMDb score of 7.1. It also holds a MetaScore of 62.

How to Watch Deli Man

Where can I stream Deli Man movie online? Deli Man is available to watch and stream, buy on demand, download at Amazon Prime, Tubi TV, Apple TV, Amazon, Kanopy, Google Play. Some platforms allow you to rent Deli Man for a limited time or purchase the movie for downloading.

7.1/10
62/100
Director
Erik Anjou
Stars
Ziggy Gruber, Larry King, Jerry Stiller