Arthur Avenue in the Bronx…
As I arrived on Arthur Avenue in the Bronx, NY, also known as Little Italy in the Bronx or the Belmont section of the Bronx, I got that feeling that I was home. Dolores and I had arranged to visit with David Greco of Mike’s Deli for an upcoming holiday podcast episode and learn about this special neighborhood, which is still unknown by many Italian-Americans. The audio and video footage from our trip will be released on our Christmas Day episode this year, but please don’t wait until then to visit this gem of a neighborhood.
Dolores and I both recalled fond memories of visiting Arthur Avenue with our families when we were younger; Dolores probably more than me, but I do remember eating in a small restaurant there with my family and enjoying pork chops with peppers (Minghia! those peppers) and some of the best Italian sausage I have ever eaten.
If you’ve never been to Arthur Avenue, it really is in some ways a time capsule that contains a glimpse of the old Italian neighborhoods that were developed by our ancestors. The neighborhood is filled with establishments that offer fine Italian-American foods, dining, housewares and other goods.
The Arthur Avenue Bronx website lists some of the notables born and raised in the Bronx, which include actor Chazz Palminteri, author Don DiLillo and rock star Dion DiMucci, whose group, Dion and the Belmonts, is named after a local street (Belmont Avenue). Joe Pesci began his acting career after being discovered by Robert DeNiro at a local neighborhood restaurant, where Pesci worked as the maitre’d.
Yes, you should go and visit Arthur Avenue, especially during the holidays. Yes, you will be able to get any kind of specialty Italian food that you would like. But more importantly you will get to experience what many of our immigrants ancestors experienced as they tried to stick together with their fellow Italians and re-create the close-knit, small village experience that so many Italian-Americans have never gotten to experience.
Some parts of the experience that stood out for me include:
- David Greco of Mike’s Deli talking to every person that came to the deli counter like he had known them for years (even though it may have been the first time).
- The Boiano brothers interacting with all of the customers around their produce stand like they were family and handing people warm chestnuts pulled out of their jacket pockets.
- Several gentlemen from Peter’s Meat Market stopping to talk to Dolores and I about the history of their market in the midst of a mad rush of people trying to stock up for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday.
Our Christmas Day podcast episode will feature some amazing sights and sounds from Arthur Avenue, including a stint with me behind the counter at Mike’s Deli, but in the meantime, I urge you to experience it for yourself.
A visit can bring you back to your Italian roots, whether you have been there before or not. So load your family into the car early one day during this holiday season and take a ride into the rich past of Italian-American history that is the Belmont section of the Bronx.
And don’t forget to grab an espresso and a cannoli while you there….
Anthony Fasano
The Italian American Podcast
Georges Cazzoli Toniolo says
One day I would like to be with you there!!….to taste and enjoy all the marvellous products of my Italian American brothers!! I like very much to receive news about them, I’m very happy and proud of them, many thanks to you for making America a beautiful Country!!…I love you all..Thank you to Anthony and Dolores……..
Anthony Fasano says
Thanks George!