Deli Man is a documentary directed by Erik Greenberg Anjou (A Cantor’s Tale). Continuing his trilogy about Jewish culture, Anjou travelled across North America to learn about the history of the deli. There’s even an appearance from Toronto’s deli king Zane Caplansky.

Jewish culture reflects the heart of a vital ethnic history. As that culture continues to shift and adapt alongside mainstream America, delicatessen food – as its name suggests – remains a beloved communal delicacy. In Houston, Texas, third-generation deli man Ziggy Gruber has built arguably the finest delicatessen restaurant in the U.S. His story – augmented by the stories of iconic delis such as Katz’s, 2nd Avenue Deli, Nate ‘n Al, Carnegie, and the Stage – embodies a tradition indelibly linked to its savory, nostalgic foods.

Gruber can fondly remember the moment he knew he had to get back into the deli business. “I’ll never forget. I looked around the room, it was all sixty and seventy-year old people. I said to myself: ‘Who is going to perpetuate our food if I don’t do it?’ That was my calling. The next day I went back to my dad and my uncle and I said, ‘I’ve had enough of this fancy-shmancy business, I’m going back into the delicatessen business.’”

Deli Man is rated PG.