Bridge Views: Arthur Avenue A Short Trip Away

Directly across the street from Fordham University is Arthur Avenue--the Little Italy of the Bronx. For generations, Fort Lee residents have frequented Arthur Avenue to get the best meats, fish and poultry sold just like in the old country--from people whose families have been plying the exact same goods and services from the same counters for over a century. 

Little shops where freshly slaughtered animals hang in the window; bakeries whose baskets can barely stay filled with freshly baked bread and delicate Italian pastries; a fruit and vegetable market that can rival any farmers' market. 

Aside from shopping for fresh meats, breads and pastries, Arthur Avenue is also a favorite Fort Lee lunch spot on days off and dinner spot on weekends. And why not? Not only is it so close to home, but because it’s remained authentically Italian, it’s like taking a mini-trip to Naples. 

Dominick’s Restaurant caters to the Sunday dinner red-sauce-gravy crowd. If you like stuffed artichokes, nobody makes them like Dominick’s. You’ll float in on the smell of garlic, but don’t ask for a menu because that’s not how Dominick’s rolls. Just tell the waiter what you feel like, and let them make suggestions for you. They’ll never steer you wrong. 

Dominick’s is located at 2335 Arthur Avenue (directions from Fort Lee)

Madonia Brothers Bakery offers the widest selection of freshly baked breads. From their legendary olive bread, to their slightly spicy jalapeno-cheddar loaf, Madonia Brothers Bakery has been providing New Yorkers (and its across-the-river neighbors) with fresh-baked crusty Italian loafs and breads since 1918.

Madonia Brothers is located at 2348 Arthur Avenue (directions from Fort Lee)

The Arthur Avenue Market is home to the famous Mike’s Delicatessen. In 1948 Michele “Mike” Greco came to Arthur Avenue from Calabria, where he worked in a butcher's shop owned and operated by the Cappiello family since 1919. There Mike fell in love with and married Antionette Cappiello and began to work the deli in 1955. By 1969 he took ownership of it and Mike’s Deli was born. 

You can’t miss Mike. He’s always behind the counter belting out a beautiful aria and sipping on a glass of red wine while taking your order or directing one of his four children, who work behind the counter, with him. 

Mike’s is famous for fresh cut meats such as prosciutto, sopressata and mortadella, as well as house-smoked mozzarella and imported cheeses. And nobody can make you a sangweech like Mike’s Deli. Bronx firefighters line up for his Yankee Stadium Big Boy. It's one of his most requested sangweeches. Here's how he makes it: 

Yankee Stadium Big Boy

(from The Arthur Avenue Cookbook by Ann Volkwein)

• a Madonia Brothers ciabatta loaf, or any hero-size loaf
• 3 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto
• 3 ounces thinly sliced Delusso salami
• 3 ounces thinly sliced San Danieli cappicola
• 3 ounces thinly sliced San Danieli sopressata 
• 3 ounces thinly sliced mortadella
• 3 ounces sliced, fresh mozzarella
• 1-2 cups chopped romaine frise, and red leaf lettuce
• 1/2 roasted red pepper, sliced
• extra virgin olive oil to drizzle
• reduced balsamic vinegar to drizzle

Split the ciabatta and layer all the ingredients, drizzling with olive oil and vinegar, before serving. 

Mike’s Deli is located at 2344 Arthur Avenue (directions from Fort Lee)

For a taste of old Italy and a chance to shop and hand-pick your meats, breads and vegetables just like Nonna did, take a trip to Arthur Avenue. All you have to do is cross the river, get off at Jerome Avenue, make a left at the bottom of the ramp, go to Fordham Road and turn right and look for Arthur Avenue. It only takes about 12 minutes, depending of course on traffic on the GWB.

A trip to Arthur Avenue is like a trip to Italy.