I'm surprised no one from the 'old neighborhood' (University Ave, between Tremont and 174th) hasn't mentioned Ronai's Deli. Joe Ronai started the business, and then took on Morty Zeltzer as his partner. Morty was formerly a partner at Curtis' Supermarket, next door to the Deli. Both of them worked seven days a week. Not only providing the the sandwiches, knishes, specials (remember them) and full Hungarian style meals, but also catering an unbelievable number of bar mitzvahs, weddings, graduation parties, etc. Never had anything less than a great meal from that place, no matter what the venue. I also remember one of the cooks who had a giant mustache and such a heavy Hungarian accent that took me a few years to understand what he was saying. Anyone have any fond memories about Ronai's?
Other places I remember were Crown Pizza, which was the first place I ate pizza that wasn't sold from a truck, Steve's and the square pizza places. Luhr's, which was originally Rushmeyers had great homemade ice cream. Used to go there after playing basketball at the PS 109 evening center on Friday nights. Also the pickles at Olinsky's. Picked up a few before being let off at the Park Plaza for a day's worth of B movies, cartoons, and shorts. Haven't thought about those places in years.

Your making me hungry! I think I'm going out now for a black and white malted and some salted pretzel sticks.

Jeff, grew up on Popham Ave. bet. 174th & 175th. Thanks for the great memories, Joe Ronai catered my Bar Mitzvah. You left out Eddie & Shirley Charnin's candy store.

I knew Eddie and Shirley, ha, Eddie was afraid of his wife, he was a nice guy, but she was a pain in the butt.

I was at a wedding once and Joe Ranai catered it he caught one look at me and said, "Feed this guy, he's one of my kids".

To this day I can't find the large potato knish that I got at Ronai's....

Jeff-I grew up in this area-I loved Ronais-25 cent hot dog and french fries-I always stopped there on my way home from the Hebrew Institute-Had pickles-and spent lots of money at Eddies Candy Store- Got my haircut at the local place-Can't remember its name-There was a great bakery there too-
I remeber Steves Pizza-15 cents a slice-Luhrs-Park Plaza Theater and a small little deli around the corner-I had two franks and fries every Friday.
There was no greater place to grow up-The Bronx-Great Memories

The haircut place was Phil and Sam's. I remember my mother telling me to always get the haircut from the 'boss' so I didn't have to tip him. Steve's pizza came in a few years after Crown on Tremont. He used to cut the cheese in chunks rather than shred it. There was also a square pizza place between 176th and Tremont. The guys who owned it were always joking around. Had some great hot hero sandwiches there. The deli on Tremont near 82 used to have 25 cent salami or bologna sandwiches on club for lunch. They put hot sauerkraut on them. It's amazing how some of those memories keep coming back.

I don't want to date myself but I remember when Luhrs was Ruschmeyer's before the Luhr family bought it.

Let's not forget Olinsky's on University Ave. with the pickle barrels out on the sidewalk.

quote:

Originally posted by jeff in pai:
The haircut place was Phil and Sam's. I remember my mother telling me to always get the haircut from the 'boss' so I didn't have to tip him. Steve's pizza came in a few years after Crown on Tremont. He used to cut the cheese in chunks rather than shred it. There was also a square pizza place between 176th and Tremont. The guys who owned it were always joking around. Had some great hot hero sandwiches there. The deli on Tremont near 82 used to have 25 cent salami or bologna sandwiches on club for lunch. They put hot sauerkraut on them. It's amazing how some of those memories keep coming back.

Jeff, don't you remember buying french fries in that deli. They would serve them to you in a brown paper bag that immediately got greasy.

quote:

Originally posted by SANDY G:
Let's not forget Olinsky's on University Ave. with the pickle barrels out on the sidewalk.

Wasn't Olinsky's on Featherbed Lane?

quote:

Originally posted by Lloyd F:

quote:

Originally posted by SANDY G:
Let's not forget Olinsky's on University Ave. with the pickle barrels out on the sidewalk.

Wasn't Olinsky's on Featherbed Lane?

Olinsky's was at 1611 University Ave. Mortie ran the place and later partnered up with Renee to run Ronai's Deli.

Lloyd, you are correct. There was another Olinsky's on Featherbed Lane.

quote:

Originally posted by SANDY G:
Lloyd, you are correct. There was another Olinsky's on Featherbed Lane.

I believe the last Olinsky's was on Lydid Ave.

Have been traveling for past few months and this is the first time I've had a chance to reply.
Actually the supermarket that Morty ran, with a man named Al, was Curtis, not Olinsky's. Curtis' was between 174th and 175th Streets.
Olinsky's was between 175th and Tremont. There was also Daitch's which was closer to Tremont.

My dad has a Kosher butcher shop, Nathan's, just around the corner in the same building (175th Street). Do you remember Ronai's daughter? She was a beautiful girl. The first thing I did when I got out of the army in 68 was to go to Ronai's - ordered a corn beef on club, kasha knish and a Dr. Brown's Celray Tonic (burp)
Bill Ferstenfeld

The Ronai's and the Zeltzers lived in my building, 1495 Popham Ave. Joe's daughter's name was Amy. I last saw her about 30 years ago. She lives in Westchester and the last I heard she was a principal somewhere in NYC, perhaps Queens. I miss those corned beef sandwiches. I believe that at the time I lived in the neighborhood you could get a sandwich, Dr. Brown's and Fries (the large hand cut ones) for about $1.25, maybe less.

Jeff, I lived at 1500 Popham Ave. across the street. Left there in 1958.

Hi Jeff,
I lived in 1495 Popham too. Were you on the first floor? I lived there from 50 to 69. I just saw a pic of an Amy Ronai who was an educator and is now an antique dealer. Melanie

I think I remember you. A few years younger than me. There seemed to be a number of cohorts in our building. We mostly hung around with kids our own age and there had to be six or seven groups. Not too many kids who lived across the street in 1500. They usually played with us. However, the buildings on either side had their own group.