Small Bites

Joan Jennings, who lived in Yonkers for many years, saw my request for nominations for great butchers and sent me this photo of her Dad, Frank Poroski. He was a butcher at Mike’s Meat Market on New Main Street in Getty Square, Yonkers. She guesses these photos were taken in the mid-1920s. “He was born in 1906 so this would make him about 20 which looks right,” she writes. That’s him in the back row:

Joan says:

I know this is why I so appreciate food – Pop brought home the best meat and my mother was raised on a farm in northern NJ so I had the best in fruits and vegetables.
I think this photo of the guys outside the shop is a riot – and especially timely as it was most likely taken around President’s Day. Note the photos of GW and Abe in the window and, especially funny, is the American flag made out of chopped meat and sausage. Also, love those prices!

Fantastic. So, any more nominations for great butchers? Here’s what we’ve got so far:

Larchmont Meateria

Max Braun still exists as a working old-fashioned butcher shop in Yonkers. They’re located on the corner of Ashburton Avenue and Woodruff (?), a block west of Warburton.

Frank Stancato at Rooster’s Market in White Plains. (Apparently he used to be at Turco’s and was recruited? Is that true?)

Ed’s Meat Market, Pearl River

Steve’s, 27 Lake Road, Congers.

Meateria, 141 N Main St. Port Chester. 914-939-3110.

Cole’s Market in Montrose. It’s a great old-fashioned butcher shop/little market. Terrific steaks.

Martino’s in West Haverstraw.

There used to be a Halal butcher on Main Street in Spring Valley, north of 59 a couple blocks, next to the Kennedy Fried Chicken — I believe it’s still there. There was a certain amount of drugginess in that area but I parked in front of the store and walked in and always felt safe (I went there for the Pakistani groceries, they had a tandoori paste that was wicked hot and tasty).

We used to go to Manero’s restaurant in Greenwich, CT, and then head next door to the butcher. The shop was definitely old-fashioned butcher, down to the sawdust on the floor. It’s exit 3 off I-95 if I recall.

Real good guy in sleepy hollow – so old timey…will get you contact info. I’m pretty sure his name is John Ragusa

Vito the butcher – Pilone’s, Gainsborg Avenue, West Harrison (Silver Lake area) – very popular in the area.

Mario at A&S Pork Store on Hill Street in Jefferson Valley 914-243-9608

Sgaglio’s Marketplace is Katonah is great for meats and for other italian specialities. A&S Pork Store on Central Ave in Yonkers if you are looking for some good italian sausage, veal chops, or braciole.Karl Elmer’s in Montvale NJ and in Yorktown Heights NY is good for bratwust and knockwurst. Make sure you get the mustard and sauerkraut. Last but not least is Whole Foods for ground lamb or veal as well as boneless short ribs.

I don’t know whether they are still with us because its been many years since I left Westchester, but Wright & Irish in Scarsdale was absolutely unequaled for the quality and workmanship in the meats, poultry and other products they purveyed. Most of their best customers never came in but telephoned their orders which were delivered on time satisfaction guaranteed. Their clientele knew quality and were willing to pay for it.

Nominate away!

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