There is no question that if given all the time in the world, one could go on and on at infinitum about the wonders of Pizza. Though no one really knows the absolute origin of this yummy staple that dates back to antiquity, one thing is for sure - certain establishments create it better than others. Take for instance, Louie and Ernie's Pizza in the Pelham Bay section of The Bronx. A pizzeria that has not only created a consistently superior pizza, but one that is recognized for doing so. For the non-pizza connoisseur, it would appear that all that is required to make a tasty pie is dough, sauce, cheese and desired toppings. However, nothing could be further from the truth. High quality ingredients, the method in which they are combined and the ability to put it all together perfectly is how an exceptionally made pizza comes to be. And Louie and Ernie's Pizza has perfected the art of old school pizza making. You may be wondering what I mean by "Old School" pizza. I'm not going to lie, I was recently schooled on what this description meant by Bronx Historical Tours founder, Alexandra Maruri, who has been frequenting this independently owned eatery since she was a little girl. Simply put, "old school" refers to their dedication to making great pizza, which in a word, she describes as Dee-licious! While many other pizzerias have evolved through the years in offering a wide array of menu items, as well as specialty pizzas, Louie and Ernie's keep it simple, with variations on two basic items, which include pizza and calzones. No fancy dishes or extensive options. Just the basics, which they have perfected, gaining a loyal following for remaining consistent for the past six decades, with a formula that works! At its current location since 1959, when then-owners and founders, brothers Louie and Ernie's moved from Harlem, where they first opened twelve years earlier in 1947, this pizzeria has become a neighborhood staple. In 1987, two young entrepreneurial brothers, John and Cosimo Tiso took over the Pelham Bay pizza shop. At just 17 and 20 years old respectively, they bought the shop from Louie and Ernie by borrowing money from their mom. A wise investment for these two young siblings, as they have built their pizzeria into one of the most popular pizza shops in The Bronx. Celebrating its 60th Anniversary this year, Louie and Ernie's has served several generations of hungry pizza-loving patrons. I decided to catch up with co-owner, John Tiso, to ask him what he believes is the secret to their shop's success. "We've become a generational tradition because of our hospitality to all and quality ingredients." He went on to say, "We, as the owners are always here and through the years we have served children who become men and women and then bring their children, who then become new customers." My curiosity got the best of me during our conversation, as I was so taken with how John and his brother Cosimo had the spirit to buy and run a business at such young ages and asked about the inspiration to do so. John told me that they had been working at the shop when a great opportunity arose. He said between the help of his mother and money that the brothers had saved from cutting lawns, they managed to buy the business. After my brief chat with John, it is clear how passionate these two Bronx business owners are about what they do and their value to the community. It is also clear that their strict focus on an "old school" menu of pizza and calzones, they have maintained a formula for success. And by the way, they only take cash! -Till next time, Elisa For Your Reference: Louie and Ernie's Pizza 1300 Crosby Ave, Bronx, NY 10461 United States 718-829-6230 Hours Monday- Sunday: 11am - 9:00-9:30pm
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If you are lucky enough to have a mother, a step-mother, grandmother, aunt or any other beloved mother figure, this Sunday is the national holiday for which we honor these special ladies in our lives. Whether you are celebrating the mom of young children, or just young at heart, The Bronx is plentiful with local destinations to tailor your day to her unique likes and preferences. Here are a few suggestions for spending time with mom, whether it be tomorrow or any day of the year! 1. MOTHER’S DAY WEEKEND GARDEN PARTY As you follow my blog, you will become well aware of how passionate I am about flowers!! During my days at Fordham, I would relish in the close proximity of all the gorgeous flora at the New York Botanical Garden, which is within walking distance of the campus! This Mother’s Day, say it with flowers - a whole lot of them - at the Botanical Garden's Mother’s Day Weekend Garden Party. All weekend long, enjoy outdoor activities, which include face painting, chalk drawing, a DJ dance party and a card making station to create unique and personal expressions of love for mom. Bring a blanket to enjoy a leisurely picnic lunch. Yummy food trucks will be on hand with tasty options, beer and wine with which to celebrate the day. May 11-12, 2019 2. THE BRONX ZOO - MORE THAN ANIMALS I challenge you to find a local who has never heard of the iconic and world-renowned Bronx Zoo! As one of the largest zoos in the United States by area, it comprises 265 acres of park lands and naturalistic habitats, which certainly makes for a lovely day outdoors. However, for the mama who is up for more than just a nice dinner out, The Bronx Zoo is home to a variety of activities and experiences, beyond its appeal for getting up close and personal with the plethora of residential species. The zoo’s Butterfly Garden, open seasonally from April through October, is home to over a dozen different butterfly species that flutter throughout the meadow and greenhouse at any one time. For action and excitement, the adventurous moms will delight in the zoo’s Treetop Adventure Climb and Zipline. Filled with outdoor fun and challenges, the brand new treetop ropes course allows visitors to navigate treetop rope courses, swinging from platform to platform! Not for the faint of heart, the swaying bridges and wires for skateboarding is sure to get the adrenaline pumping. Not to mention, the 400-foot zipline across the Bronx River, providing a great view and heart pounding fun! Sometimes the greatest joy for a mom is to share an experience and watch her children’s excitement - even if her kid are teens, as is the case with your author here! The all-new Dinosaur Safari, which is running through November 3rd, has been billed as “the biggest, most realistic dinosaur ride in America.” Imagine strolling through the roughly two acres for approximately 20 minutes in a motorized safari through a wooded area of the zoo, where you will encounter an array of dinosaurs including Tyrannosaurus rex and triceratops, as well as other obscure creatures like the long-necked plant-eating Omeisaurus and the Spinosaurus, a massive carnivore which was featured in Jurassic Park. Purchase a memento for mom to remember the day - spend $30 or more at the Bronx Zoo Store and have the opportunity to purchase an exclusive Bronx Zoo blanket for $30. A $45 retail value. Last entry into the zoo is one hour prior to closing. Animal exhibits close 30 minutes prior to park closing. The Bronx Zoo Hours: Spring/Summer/Fall (March 30 – Nov 3): Weekdays – 10:00am-5:00pm; weekends & holidays – 10:00am-5:30pm 3. DINNER & DESSERT ON ARTHUR AVENUE Did you know that Mother’s Day is the busiest dining day of the year? According to Reserve.com, on Mother’s Day 2017, restaurants were up in total covers 63% on average from the average total covers seated on a Sunday. Further, the dining website goes on to say, “Diners are looking for a cuisine that’ll please the whole family! The most highly sought after food in 2017 was American (30%), with Italian (10%), Bar/Lounge (10%), and Seafood (9%) competing for the number two spot. Where can you get better Italian food than in the best borough in the world, which also happens to be home to the real Little Italy and Arthur Avenue. Named one of "America's Greatest Streets" by the American Planning Association in 2016, Arthur Avenue is recognized for its authentic and delicious Italian food and old world charm so you cannot go wrong with any restaurant choice! The difficulty is selecting just one to celebrate Mom! 4. BIRDING AT WAVE HILL Now, this is my idea of the perfect Mother’s Day! As a nature lover and new to birding, Wave Hill offers a lovely morning this Mother’s Day, with naturalist Gabriel Willow, to spot both resident and rare birds, making their way back north for the Spring/Summer season. Beginning at 9:30 AM, this lovely exploration throughout the grounds and wooded areas of this 28-acre public garden and cultural center, is free with admission and open to individuals 10 and up.. May 12, 2019 Perkins Visitor Center 5. OUTDOOR MUSIC AND ART CELEBRATION AT CONCRETE PLANT PARK
For a more artsy day, enjoy the day at Concrete Plant Park for a special afternoon of music and art dedicated to the mothers of The Bronx community. Special musical performance from Horace Mann Music Outreach Club. Attendees are welcome to participate in a healing drum circle, enjoy arts and crafts, and more! Concrete Plant Park Along the Bronx River between Westchester Ave. and Bruckner Blvd. For more information email Nathan at Foodway@bronxriver.org or by calling 718-430-4636. www.bronxriver.org -Till next time, Elisa Do you know what I believe the heart of The Bronx is? The people. Specifically, those individuals who have become part of the fabric of the neighborhood because of their consistent presence and profound impact on the community. To anyone who knows Thomas Glacken, they will enthusiastically attest to the blessing, he and his family-owned business, Glacken's Bar has continually been to the residents of the South Bronx. Glacken's Bar and Grill has been well publicized as the oldest bar in The Bronx, established in 1940 at its current location on 149th Street in Mott Haven. Serving generations of patrons throughout the past seven decades, to a changing demographic of ethnicities, it has and continues to provide a safe and dependable refuge for belonging and kinship to those of whom frequent regularly. At the heart of this establishment, the individual who imbues the strong sense of dependability and home is second generation owner, Tom "Pops" Glacken. A fixture in the bar since 1951, when he began working part time for his father, Pops is part of the an older generation who cares not what people look like or where they originate, but rather, their sense of respect, in a no nonsense, quintessential Bronx manner and attitude. Take it straight from the mouth of Alexandra Maruri, owner of Bronx Historical Tours, who knows Pops well and holds the bar owner in the highest regard as being part of the old Bronx guard, "Pops is old school, no nonsense and embodies the classic Bronx attitude. He has seen the changes in the neighborhood through the years and he welcomes everyone as long as they are well behaved and respectful." Pops himself was born and raised in Mott Haven, the neighborhood within which he has worked for the past sixty-eight years, on 134th Street and Willis Avenue. According to Ms. Maruri and a recent between her and Pops, he is quoted as saying, "I run a tight ship - the house rules are, if you misbehave at the bar, for any reason, you will receive a 30-day suspension, a year or a lifetime ban if necessary." He goes on to say, "Overall, everyone is well behaved and respectful, everyone is welcomed at our bar and we treat everyone like family." And if you are looking for a wide selection of beer, you've come to the wrong place! Pops has limited his beer offerings to only two - Bud and Bud Lite. Clearly, an indiction that this bar is built on good company and years of insuring a safe, close-knit and warm environment, where people embrace as home. Interestingly, and quite characteristically, the bar wall of Glackens' is very much a time capsule that spans three-quarters of a century, as Pops has managed to collect news clippings, ads and memorabilia that he proudly displays for all to see. A virtual history book of both yesteryear, straight through to today, which includes buttons, World War II-era items, homage to both NYPD, FDNY, and so much more through the years. It is where Alexandra Maruri was honored a special place to have her tours prominently displayed by Pops' son, Tommy Glacken, who makes Glackens a third generation family-owned business. Glackens is clearly a home away from home for so many who have patronized this bar since 1940, and with the legacy that Pops, so deliberately built, it is sure to continue outshining all the rest for many years to come! Until next time, -Elisa A big, warm hello to you from the greatest borough in the world - the fun, fresh and fabulous Bronx! It is truly an honor - and an exciting one at that - to bring you an all new blog featured right here on the Heart of the Bronx website. As a world traveler and travel blogger myself, The Bronx has been a major focus of my personal, educational and professional life for decades. Whether I’m dining on Arthur Avenue, visiting the latest exhibit at the Bronx Museum of the Arts, exploring one of the many historical sites or taking an adventurous tour with my good friend and Bronx Historical Tours founder, Alexandra Maruri, The Bronx is my all-time favorite travel destination, and boy, will I be shedding light and illumination on all the excitement The Bronx has to offer! Alexandra Maruri has led the way in putting The Bronx on the map, with her dedication to creating and offering tours to locals and visitors alike since 2011. Read more about Bronx Historical Tours in the latest article featured in ThisIsTheBronx.info, Bronx Latina Puts Touring The Bronx on the Map. Did you know? In 1997, The Bronx was designated an "All American City" by the National Civic League? This extraordinary note of distinction signified an enormous comeback from the terrible state of decline The Bronx experienced in the '70's and '80's, invigorating its status as part of the city of New York, as well as its place within the national and international scene. There is no doubt that The Bronx is in for some HUGE things to come and we invite you to be a part of the excitement as this borough’s popularity continues to expand as a hotspot for tourism, culture, the arts and worldwide historic recognition. You can count on The Bronx Traveler to bring you all the fun, fresh and fabulous adventures every Tuesday and Saturday. In addition to today being the launch of The Bronx Traveler Blog, it also happens to be the 103th Anniversary of the birth of Jane Jacobs, the urban activist, author and journalist, and we couldn’t have imagined a better day to commence! The American-Canadian, Jacobs, influenced urban studies, sociology, and economics and is best known for her belief that urban renewal did not respect the needs of city-dwellers, thus fighting for the rights of local neighborhoods. Organizing grassroots efforts to protect neighborhoods, this pioneer is celebrated worldwide in what has come to be known as Jane’s Walks, a series of free neighborhood walking tours held annually during the first weekend in May, to coincide with her birthday. The popularity and worldwide commemoration of this influential urban champion began in 2007 with Jane’s Walks around the globe, led by individuals with a passion for their neighborhoods, the place within which they live, work and spend leisure time. According to the official website JanesWalk.com, “Jane’s Walks encourage people to share stories about their neighbourhoods, discover unseen aspects of their communities, and use walking as a way to connect with their neighbours.” As of 2014, over 40,000 people have taken part in a Jane's Walk, led by volunteers in 134 cities across 6 continents - and the Bronx is no exception! In fact, this Sunday, May 5th, you can enjoy a free guided walking tour of Mott Haven, a 2017 Six to Celebrate Award recipient, and traverse through three Historic districts - Mott Haven, Mott Haven East and the Bertine Block. Led by our own Bronxite, Alexandra Maruri, this walking excursion will focus on Art and Architecture. According to Alexandra, “I am thrilled to be celebrating this day in The Bronx. This is an important day to honor Jane Jacob’s legacy. Jane was a true pioneer who fought to protect local neighborhoods and we will be celebrating the beauty of Historic Mott Haven, along with our special “guest walker,” Mr. Sam Brooks, my colleague and Mott Haven Historic Districts President. "
Walk Details: Sunday, May 5th Time: 11:00 AM Duration: 1-2 Hours Meet: 138th Street & Alexander Ave Please be sure to subscribe to The Bronx Traveler Blog to keep up with the latest for the best of The Bronx! Until next time, - Elisa |
Elisa ValentinoElisa is a travel blogger and freelance writer. She is co-founder of TravelinCousins.com travel blog and writes a weekly column for ThisIsTheBronx.info. Archives
January 2020
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