Monday, February 10, 2025

A History of New York's "Pizza Kings"

 



LOMBARDI'S 

This is WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

AMERICA'S 1st EVER PIZZERIA





The Original: Lombardi’s
1905


Gennaro Lombardi applies to the city government for the first license to make and sell pizza in this country. His restaurant becomes the training ground for the city’s next generation of pizza-makers.

Totonno’s
Spun Off From: Lombardi’s

1924
Founded by Anthony “Totonno” Pero, former Lombardi’s pizza-maker.

1940s-1994 
Ownership changes hands three times, all within the family.

1994
Gennaro “Jerry” Pero, Anthony’s son and a former owner, dies.

2009
A fire burns the original Coney Island pizzeria. It gets rebuilt and reopens less than a year later and today is the only Totonno’s still open.

Total Pizzerias: 1

John’s Pizzeria
Spun Off From: Lombardi’s

1929
Opened by John Sasso, who was trained by Lombardi.

1947
Sasso’s nephews Augustine and Patrick Vesce take over the business.

1970s-1980s
Ownership changes hands two more times, all within the family.

1984-2008
John’s opens up two additional restaurants in Manhattan and one in Jersey City.

Total Pizzerias: 4


Patsy’s
Spun Off From: Lombardi’s

1933 
Pasquale “Patsy” Lancieri, who briefly worked at Lombardi’s, opens Patsy’s in East Harlem with wife Carmella.

1974
Lancieri passes away.

1991
Carmella sells the East Harlem pizzeria to longtime employees John Brecevich and Frank Brija.

1995
Brecevich and Brija license the Patsy’s name to Nick Tsoulos. Six other Patsy’s have opened in Manhattan since then.

Total Pizzerias: 7


Grimaldi’s
Spun Off From: Patsy’s

1941
A teenage Patsy Grimaldi starts making pies at his uncle Patsy Lancieri’s restaurant.

1990
Grimaldi opens his own coal-oven pizzeria in Brooklyn at 19 Old Fulton Street and calls it Patsy’s.

Mid-1990s
Brija takes Grimaldi to court over name licensing, resulting in Grimaldi’s rechristening his 
pizzeria after his last name.

1998
Grimaldi sells the restaurant to Frank Ciolli but stays on as a sometime consultant. Over time, Ciolli opens 32 out-of-state locations and four New York locations.

2011 
Landlord disputes and rent problems force Ciolli to relocate to One Front Street.

2011 
Patsy and Carol Grimaldi decide to open a new pizzeria called Juliana’s, named after Patsy’s late mother, in the original Fulton Street location, reuniting him with his coal oven. 

2011 
Patsy and Carol Grimaldi decide to open a new pizzeria called Juliana’s, named after Patsy’s late mother, in the original Fulton Street location, reuniting him with his coal oven.

2012 
Ciolli files a lawsuit seeking an injunction against Grimaldi, citing “unfair competition.”

Total Pizzerias: 36







SUNDAY SAUCE
WHEN ITALIAN-AMERICANS COOK
MEATBALSS BRACIOLE & PASTA





Thursday, February 6, 2025

Pasta Jersey Crab Sauce Recipe by Bellino







Pasta w/ CRAB SAUCE


JERSEY SHORE CRAB SAUCE









JERSEY SHORE CRAB SAUCE

AMERICA'S FAVORITE ITALIAN DISHES

And SECRET RECIPES







.

Saturday, February 1, 2025

Homemade Pizza Dough Recipe





MAKING PIZZA

BARTOLA & GIOCONDA

In ISCHIA

With VEGETABLES from Their GARDEN

TOMATO, EGGPLANT, GARLIC, BASIL, & ONIONS






GIOCONDA'S Homemade TOMATO PASSATA







BARTOLA & GIOCONDA Make PIZZA

On The ISLE of ISCHIA

ITALY









READY to GO !!!

Into The OVEN







MAKE PIZZA at HOME !!!



POSITANO The AMALFI COAST

TRAVEL GUIDE - COOKBOOK

PIZZA DOUGH RECIPE

PASTA - FISH - SOUPS

And More ....








HOMEMADE PIZZA

ISCHIA




Thursday, January 30, 2025

New York Best Burgers 2025

 



7th STREET BURGER

"OUR NEW FAVORITE"

JUST LOVE IT !!!



7th STREET BURGER

Original location - East 7th Street between 1 Avenue & Avenue A

7th Street Burger ? "Yes, My New Favorite Burger. I Just LOVE It" !!! Tasty & Juicy. A single is $6.50, and $10.50 for a double. The first two times I went, I got a single, but it's just not enough. Not for someone who weighs 200 pounds anyway. Gotta get the Double. So good, and always consistent. These Burgers taste the same, every time. Delicious !!! And that's not easy. You get to thin 2.5 oz. beef patties, "Smashed" with a good amount of Salt & Black Pepper, which is key. Sautéed Onions and Yellow American Cheese on a high quality potato burger bun. And nice and Greasy, the way ELVIS liked them. I'm sure it would be a favourite of "The KING of ROCK N ROLL" if he was still with us.  Anyway, if you want one of the undisputed Best Burgers in Town ? And for me, "it's my New # 1," go to 7th Street BURGER for a nice tasty Cheeseburger. You won't regret it.

Daniel Bellino Z







JG MELON

"BURGERS DONE RIFHT"


JG Melon, "Burgers don Right." Yes that's correct. The've been doing it a long time, and they know what they are doing. No Frills, just a Tasty Burger, just the right size, cooked on a Flat Top Grill, and "Done Right.

Go and get a tasty Burger, and stay for the nostalgia, as JG Melon has been a tavern on the corner of East 74th Street and Third Avenue since the 1920s. Jack O'Neil and George Mourges (J.G.) took it over in 1972 decorating the restaurant with green and white checkered tablecloths and watermelons, thus the name.

If you don't want a Quick in & Out, like 7th Street Burger, or Smacking Burger, and you want to sit down and relax. Maybe have a Beer or Cocktail, JG Melon is the place for you.






CHEESEBURGER

At JG MELON

UPPER EAST SIDE MANHATTAN

"WE LOVE IT" !!!







GOTHAM SOCIAL BURGER

On MANY FAVORITE LIST

"YES WE LIKE IT" !



Gotham Burger Social Club (GBSC) has a small-town-diner feel that blends seamlessly into the hustle and bustle of NYC, exemplified by their always-busy atmosphere. It's a good sign whenever you see a chef running the show in the front-of-house, and that’s exactly where you’ll find Mike Puma. There he is, ensuring that every burger (beef or Impossible) with grilled onions, American cheese, and housemade pickles is smashed to perfection, and that each order of “frickles” (fried pickles) comes with tasty homemade sauces. Don’t miss out on their vanilla or chocolate egg creams to maximize that nostalgic feel, and make sure to drink yours while sitting at the counter looking out on an iconic New York City corner.







The BROOME STREE BAR & GRILL

BROOME at WEST BROADWAY



The Broome Street Bar & Grill's Burger is a Sleeper. No-one really knows about it. Well not literally, yes there are some who know of it. Just not the masses. It's not a Big Hit on Instagram. I'm actually having reservations about writing this. Should I let the Cat Out of The Bag? Will I ruin it, by writing this ? Will it be inundated with Instagramers ? Hope not. Well, Write I must.

Yes, I believe their Burger is one of the City's Best. And when it comes to Price - Quality Ratio, it for sure is one of the City's Best. They use the best Burger Meat there is, in the Burger Blend from Pat LaFreida Black Angus Beef Brisket, Short Rib, & Shoulder Clod. And the Burger only cost $17, and with a choice of Potato Chips or Salad. "Nobody does that." Such high quality meat for under 20 Dollars a Burger ? That's unheard of ! Yes, but not at The Broome Street Bar & Grill, and in "High Priced" Soho, no less.

I've been going to The Broome Street Bar & Grill for Years, but mostly just for drinks. It was until, 5 years ago when I first started eating the Burger. My friend Peter told me about it, how good it was, and the price. Not a Rip-Off, which is what I call Burgers priced at over $20 a pop, as by the time you pay $24 or more for a Burger, plus tax, Plus Tip, and you usually would be getting a drink, it ends up costing you 450 or more. Not at Broome Street. That top quality Burger, a soda or beer, with tax & tip, and you can walk out the door for just about $30. Not bad. 

So take my advice, and get one. The best Price - Quality Ratio Burger in all of New York. How's that for a mouthful ? 


Note : little HistoryA 

Located in a landmarked building that might be the oldest structure in Soho, dating back to 1825, the Broome Street Bar opened in 1972.

There's been a bar here since the 1850s. According to The Historic Shops & Restaurants of New York, the stained glass windows and panels around the bar come from the time when it was a German beer hall in the 1880s. I don't know where the lion heads come from -- they're on the sign that hangs outside and they flank the bar, a pair of them above the brass rail, with signs that read, "Last Man's Chance."







CHEESEBURGER at The BROOME STREET BAR & GRILL

They Serve it on PITA BREAD - Hope You Don't Mind

But That's How They DO IT !

You also Get a CHOICE of SALAD or POTATO CHIPS

All for Just $17 - "A BARGAIN" !






WANT to Make BURGERS at HOME ?



AMERICA'S FAVORITE RECIPES

SECRET RECIPES

TACOS BURGERS BURRITOS

SOUP STEAKS MEATLOAF

And MORE ...














Tuesday, January 28, 2025

Mourning Cheap Eats New York

 

 "NOT THAT CHEAP ANYMORE" !!!




PORK DUMPLINGS

In CHINATOWN





Cheap Eats New York, 2025 Edition. Well Things Ain't What they used to Be !  I moved from Jersey to Manhattan in late 1982. I've been living downtown Manhattan for 42 years now, and let me tell you, "Things Have Changed," and Not for the better.

Back in 1983, I could get Roast Duck, or Roast Pork, Chicken or BBQ Pig over Rice for just $4.5o a plate. That price stayed the same for at least 15 years before going up to $6.50 a plate, where the price stayed for at least 20 years, before going up to about $8 where it is now. 

Back in 1983 there were all kinds of Polish & Ukrainian Diners in the East Village of New York, where you could get a cheap Breakfast of Eggs and Potatoes with Keilbasi for just a few bucks. You could get a whole plate of Pirogies for just Six Dollars, and a nice Bowl of Borsch or Beef Barley Soup for just $4.50 a bowl. Things were cheap. Back then, I could get a super tasty Cuban Sandwich for just #4.50 as well, or a plate of Pernil with Rice & Beans for just $6.60, and a Burger at The Corner Bistro was $4.50 as well.

Most sandwiches were about $4 then. And a succulent PASTRAMI SANDWICH at the Second Avenue Deli was just $6. Pastrami and other Jewish Deli Sandwiches in 2025 are through the Roof EXPENSIVE. Most cost about $27, as is the case with Katz's Deli, but the people keep lining up. "Not Me" !!!

Five years ago, other than a Pastrami Sandwich, I would not pay more than $12.95 for a Sandwich anywhere. And it was very rare that I would pay that much. What would I, when 5 years ago, I could get a Cuban for just $6.50, half the price of a $12.95 sandwich.

When Dumpling Shops started emerging 20 years ago, I'd get 5 tasty Pork Dumplings for just $1 on Allen Street on The Lower East Side. Vanessa Dumplings started back then too, with 5 Dumplings for just one dollar, and a Tasty Beef Scallion Pancake for $1.50 ... Things were good. Things were Cheap. Not Now ! Now Cubano Sandwiches are up to $10 a Pop, 4 Dumplings for $2 as opposed to 5 for $1, while a bowl of Vietnamese PHO has gone from $8 to twice that price in the past couple of years. "Not" !!! I ate a bowl of PHO at Nan Thrang Restaurant on Baxter Street for just $4.50 a bowl for a number of years, before it went up to $6.50, then $8, but at $15.95 a bowl, I'm not going to get a bowl every Sunday like I did with my girlfriend Dante for years. I t was her favourite place, and we ate lunch there every Sunday. We'd split an order of Summer Rolls, and I'd get a bowl of Pho with Beef Brisket, and Eye Round with Rice Noodles, while Dante always got Shrimp with Special Sauce over Rice for just $6.50. After lunch at Nan Thrang, we'd go get a couple Cannoli at Bella Ferrara Pastry Shop on Mott Street. They were just $1.50 a piece. Now they'll cost $6.50 or more.

For years I ate in Chinatown at least two times a week. Usually getting Roast Duck over Rice. Just $4.50 (later $6). I ate 2 times a week or more, all through the 1980s and 90s. I could afford to. It was almost Cheaper than Eating at Home. Now ? Not ! As a result of the high prices, I still eat out, but a lot less now. Even though I make substantially more money, I can afford to eat out, but I'm not going to throw my money away. I'm not going to pay $15.95 or more for a bowl of Pho. Not when I paid only $4.50 to $6.50 for 30 years ! And now? I'm not going to eat Sandwiches that cost $22 or more. Maybe once in a while, but not often. What are you gonna do? I'd rather make food at home, and save my money. Not that I won't eat out. I'll just do it a lot less, and eat at home more. That's it.

Sandwiches ? Don't get me started ! These things have really gone through the roof. A travesty. As I stated. A few years ago $12.95 was the most that I would pay for a Sandwich, which I'd usually get for a lot less, not including Pastrami Sandwiches at a good Jewish Deli, which always cost more than other sandwiches. Now Sandwiches are an average of $20 or more, at most places in Manhattan, unless you're way up in Harlem. Yes, I'll go for a $20 sandwich every now and then, but at those prices, I'm going to eat them with a lot less frequency and opt to make a Sandwich at home. Far Cheaper !

Note : Excuse me. I stand corrected. There are still 2 Blarney Stones left in New York. There's one at 410 8th Avenue, and one down on Trinity Place, near Wall Street. I do doubt if they are anything like they once were, with the steam tables filled with Corn Beef, Pastrami, Brisket, and Roast Fresh Ham. Well I don't know for sure, but I'm sure the prices are a lot higher. I will investigate one of these days, and report back.

And speaking of Sandwiches ? Who remembers The Blarney Stone ? Or McAnn's, two little chain operations that were Irish Bars, that along with selling Whiskey & Beer, provided food for those who wanted it. And most people did, because the joints sold the most tasty Sandwiches, at very fair prices. They made classic Jewish Style Pastrami, Brisket and Corned Beef Sandwiches for just $4.50 back in the 80s and 1990s New York. People loved these places, and why not, with such great sandwiches, with friendly prices to boot. These places have all disappeared, and we who knew and frequented them, we now mourn them. "Everything is getting too Damn Expensive" !

For years I used to say, rents in Manhattan might be expensive, but if you knew where top go, you could Eat Cheap. Not anymore ! Not in 2025 ! 



Daniel 








"ANTI CHEAP EATS" !!!



PASTRAMI SANDWICH

At KATZ'S DELI

$27 a POP !!!







BEAT The HIGH PRICE of EATING OUT

"EAT at HOME" !!!!




AMERICA'S FAVORITE EATS

And SECRET RECIPES

SAVE MONEY !!! EAT at HOME !!!

BURGERS TACOS BURRITOS

SOUPS - SANDWICHES & MORE !!!