Pages

▼

Thursday, October 07, 2010

1945: DO YOU REMEMBER TONYS' TOMATO PIES?

Back during the 1940's, I, and most of my Hamilton neighbors took a seat at DeLorenzo's Tomato Pie restaurant further to the east on Hamilton and Ardmore Avenues. I still remember seeing the photos of countless celebrities who stopped in to enjoy a tomato pie made using the DeLorenzo
family's incredible recipe. Personally,  I find no better TOMATO PIE than "Rickie D's!" Rick's son, also known as  Rick, has picked up the torch and continues to serve what I consider the very best tomato pie, bar none. As to the photo above, 15 Anderson Street is pointed to as being the building. However, the little building to the immediate right seems more logical. Perhaps an old timer from the Burg can enlighten us.
Blogger Michael said...
Tom: I am confused by the comment that back in the 40's you ate at Ricky DiLorenzo's Tomatoe Pie on Hamilton and Ardmore. During that time DeLorenzo's was located on So. Broad and Ferry Sts. across from the Hamilton Hotel, now the site of the Area parking lot. The "tony's referred too appears to be "Tony Goes" Italian Hot dogs. Now run by my old Jr. Four buddy, Gino Maccaroni's family. Mike Kuzma
Thursday, October 07, 2010
Hi Mike:
Unless someone come by to agree that DeLorenzo's was not on Hamilton Avenue in the 1940's, I'm going to stay with my 1940's recollections, Perhaps John from DeLorenzo's can check as to the date. As I age, I find that eras and times can get fuzzy,. However, I distinctly remember seeing those 1940's photos of Perry Como, Frank Sinatra and others. I can also remember that "Pat" was one of the staff. Let's see if my memory is off base, It won't be the first time. Thanks for the comment, and I am delighted that you found your sister on my blog.
Tom Glover
Tom,  The  building  to  the  right looks  like TONY GOES Italian Hot Dogs, which I think you may  have  the  wrong  address. The  building to the  right would  be Tony's Tomato Pies next  to  the  alley.
John Krzywulak, ( Buddy's brother)
Thanks for verifying my suspicion, John, I got the address from a map site by entering the address. The arrow pointed to that big house but I was sure it was that little building. Great to hear from you. Is Buddy still with us? If he is, send my best. If not, let me know and I will remember him in my prayers,
Tom Glover
Tom: I am confused by the comment that back in the 40's you ate at Ricky DiLorenzo's Tomatoe Pie on Hamilton and Ardmore. During that time DeLorenzo's was located on So. Broad and Ferry Sts. across from the Hamilton Hotel, now the site of the Area parking lot. The "tony's referred too appears to be "Tony Goes" Italian Hot dogs. Now run by my old Jr. Four buddy, Gino Maccaroni's family. Mike Kuzma
Thursday, October 07, 2010
Delete
Blogger Mack said...
Yes this is referring to the ole Casino AKA Tony Goes..15 Anderson Street, which has been closed and gone for years now.
Thursday, October 07, 2010
Delete
Blogger Ralph Lucarella said...
HI TOM.... I SPENT 6 YEARS IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD ATTENDING HAMILTON SCHOOL FROM 1926 TO 1931. I LIVED IN THAT AREA UNTIL I WAS INDUCTED INTO THE NAVY IN 1945. THE TONY'S REFERRED TO IN THE PHOTO SEEMS TO BE THE CASINO. THE SCHOOL HAS BEEN REPLACED BY ROMA SAVINGS AND EVERTHING ELSE IN THAT PHOTO SEEMS DIFFERENT.
Thursday, October 07, 2010
Delete
Anonymous omad said...
Definitely Tony Goes (The Casino). Went there a few years ago after coming out of John Henry's and sat at the counter with the daughter. They were having a special day with all prices what they were back in the 50s. I lived around the corner on Hamilton where my family had their restaurant when I was a kid. The daughter actually remembered me. My friends and I used to pick up Italian hot dogs with the BEST potatoes on them and take them in the Park Theater across the street. They had to be there in the 40s cause I moved from there 1945.
Thursday, October 07, 2010
Delete
Anonymous omad said...
Now about DeLorenzo's on Hamilton Ave. They were there in the 50s but I don't think in the 40s because I lived around the corner on So Olden near the corner of Hamilton and they opened when I was in about 8th grade (1948). My recollection puts them closer to Hamilton as we used to walk around the alley around Cook Y field and out to Hamilton and go right there. Bob Harrison lived on the corner of the alley that went off Hamilton to Cook Y. I think DeLorenzo's was closer to Cuyler than Ardmore.
Thursday, October 07, 2010
From Tom Glover:
Thanks, folks for correcting me on the date. I was apparently incorrect in dating DeLorenzo's as being a place I visited in the 1940's. Sorry about that, but happy to see there are those who keep me honest in historical dates. Speaking of the 40's, I do remember my very first tomato pie. My brother and father and other guys had a weekly bowling night and one night I recall them bringing back a large tomato pie. It was love at first sight. Once again, I call on my aging, and as proven above, sometimes erroneous memory to observe that the bowled at the Bromley Inn. Anybody out there to let me know if this is another of my "fantasies?"

Anonymous omad said...
Loved this one. So many old memories. Tom, is there really a place in Trenton to get a REAL "tomato pie". If I remember correctly, Pappa's on Chambers used to dust the bottom of the crust with corn meal. Yummie!!!
Friday, October 08, 2010
HEY OMAD: I can't speak for Pappa's. I am perfectly content with Rickie D's real tomato pie. In fact, I'm picking one up this afternoon.
Tom
Anonymous Sally Logan Gilman said...
Oh come on guys, you are making me hungry for a real "tomato pie.'' The last time we were in Trenton, our friend took my husband and me to DeLorenzo's and we parked across the street on the corner of Ardmore Ave. It was the best pie I have had since the last time I was in NJ. The pizza in NE is awful, but we eat it because we can't get anything else. So consider yourselves lucky. And enjoy.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Delete
Blogger Jerry said...
On the 8th Day, God created Rick DeLorenzo.
Monday, October 11, 2010
at

12 comments:

  1. MichaelThursday, October 07, 2010

    Tom:

    I am confused by the comment that back in the 40's you ate at Ricky DiLorenzo's Tomatoe Pie on Hamilton and Ardmore.
    During that time DeLorenzo's was located on So. Broad and Ferry Sts. across from the Hamilton Hotel, now the site of the Area parking lot.
    The "tony's referred too appears to be "Tony Goes" Italian Hot dogs.
    Now run by my old Jr. Four buddy, Gino Maccaroni's family.

    Mike Kuzma

    ReplyDelete
  2. MackThursday, October 07, 2010

    Yes this is referring to the ole Casino AKA Tony Goes..15 Anderson Street, which has been closed and gone for years now.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Ralph LucarellaThursday, October 07, 2010

    HI TOM.... I SPENT 6 YEARS IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD ATTENDING HAMILTON SCHOOL FROM 1926 TO 1931. I LIVED IN THAT AREA UNTIL I WAS INDUCTED INTO THE NAVY IN 1945. THE TONY'S REFERRED TO IN THE PHOTO SEEMS TO BE THE CASINO. THE SCHOOL HAS BEEN REPLACED BY ROMA SAVINGS AND EVERTHING ELSE IN THAT PHOTO SEEMS DIFFERENT.

    ReplyDelete
  4. omadThursday, October 07, 2010

    Definitely Tony Goes (The Casino). Went there a few years ago after coming out of John Henry's and sat at the counter with the daughter. They were having a special day with all prices what they were back in the 50s. I lived around the corner on Hamilton where my family had their restaurant when I was a kid. The daughter actually remembered me. My friends and I used to pick up Italian hot dogs with the BEST potatoes on them and take them in the Park Theater across the street. They had to be there in the 40s cause I moved from there 1945.

    ReplyDelete
  5. omadThursday, October 07, 2010

    Now about DeLorenzo's on Hamilton Ave. They were there in the 50s but I don't think in the 40s because I lived around the corner on So Olden near the corner of Hamilton and they opened when I was in about 8th grade (1948). My recollection puts them closer to Hamilton as we used to walk around the alley around Cook Y field and out to Hamilton and go right there. Bob Harrison lived on the corner of the alley that went off Hamilton to Cook Y. I think DeLorenzo's was closer to Cuyler than Ardmore.

    ReplyDelete
  6. omadFriday, October 08, 2010

    Loved this one. So many old memories. Tom, is there really a place in Trenton to get a REAL "tomato pie". If I remember correctly, Pappa's on Chambers used to dust the bottom of the crust with corn meal. Yummie!!!

    ReplyDelete
  7. omadFriday, October 08, 2010

    What's the address of Ricky D's? May be in Trenton later this month and will swing by.

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousFriday, October 08, 2010

    After Trenton Catholic Social Club on Saturday nights we would walk over to Pappa's for our "fix". Then I would have to walk all the way back to Hamilton to catch my bus to Olden. Never thought about any danger in those days.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Tom GloverSaturday, October 09, 2010

    OMAD:
    I COINED THE NICKNAME "RICKY D'S" WHICH IS DELORENZO'S PIZZA RESTAURANT ON THE CORNER OF HAMILTON AND ARDMORE AVENUES IN TRENTON. I HAVE ALSO LEARNED THAT I WAS WAY OFF BASE WITH MY RECOLLECTION OF BEING THERE IN THE 1940'S.

    TOM GLOVER

    ReplyDelete
  10. Sally Logan GilmanMonday, October 11, 2010

    Oh come on guys, you are making me hungry for a real "tomato pie.'' The last time we were in Trenton, our friend took my husband and me to DeLorenzo's and we parked across the street on the corner of Ardmore Ave. It was the best pie I have had since the last time I was in NJ. The pizza in NE is awful, but we eat it because we can't get anything else. So consider yourselves lucky. And enjoy.

    ReplyDelete
  11. UnknownMonday, October 11, 2010

    On the 8th Day, God created Rick DeLorenzo.

    ReplyDelete
  12. rayfromvillaparkTuesday, October 12, 2010

    Tom, I believe that the contributor, by the name of OMAD is correct in his placing the location and date of DeLorenzos on Hamilton Ave. Their first location was across from the short deadend street leading to the Cook Y field. I went there with my parents in the late 1940s and obtained Vic Damone's autograph. He was in the Army with Jimmie DeLorenzo and he happened to be in town visiting the night we were there. They probably did open at that location in 1948. I think you are right in your recollection, but you have the wrong address on Hamilton Ave. They moved opposite Ardmore Ave. later. rayfromvillapark

    ReplyDelete