for display only
Big Blue Interactive The Corner Forum  
Back to the Corner

Archived Thread

NFT: Landi’s Deli and Wedges in Yonkers

richynyc : 3/29/2020 9:14 pm
I was just reminiscing with some friends from Yonkers, where I grew up and my family has lived since the 1890’s. We were remembering a legendary Italian deli and sandwich store called Landi’s, on Willow Street right down the block from Yonkers High School. I know it was there in the ‘50’s and lasted I think until ‘86 when Frank Landi died. It was a small, none-too-clean place but they had the best “wedges” I have ever eaten in my life, and I’m now 65.

Part of it was the bread from the Willow Sunny Italian bakery across the street, and the other part was the dirt under Frank’s fingernails. Or so my older cousin who first took me there claimed. He went to Yonkers High in the late 50’s/early 60’s and went there every day for lunch. Then he turned me and my other younger cousins onto it around 1970. And this tiny, nondescript store had lines of people waiting for their wedges every day for 30 or more years.

Anyone else from Yonkers, da Bronx or lower Westchester old enough to remember Landi’s?
They have a Landi's Pork Store  
montanagiant : 3/29/2020 9:19 pm : link
In Brooklyn
montanta  
CRinCA : 3/29/2020 9:33 pm : link
As noted in a recent thread of mine, I've been getting stuff shipped to me from Landi's in Brooklyn for years. No idea if it's the same family the OP is asking about.
I wonder if it’s the same family  
richynyc : 3/29/2020 9:34 pm : link
Montana since it’s the same somewhat unusual spelling of Landi with an “I” instead of the more common “Y”?
And what the hell is a "wedge"?  
CRinCA : 3/29/2020 9:35 pm : link
.
Legendary!!!  
GA5 : 3/29/2020 9:50 pm : link
I grew up in the Park Hill section of Yonkers 50's-70's. Graduated from Yonkers High in 1969. We lived at Landi's. The best wedges ever anywhere. First of all, the word "wedge" originated at Landi's. Mrs. Landi couldn't pronounce the word sandwich, and in her Italian/ American way called it a sangwedge, later shortened to wedge. So there is that. Also, right across the street from Landi's was the Willow Sunny Bakery. They would walk the freshly baked bread across the street directly to the deli. That bread made those wedges extra special. Then, there was the ambiance of the deli itself. Dusty, moldy, with cereal boxes and soup cans on the shelf that dated from WW2. Frank Landi would make the wedges on the counter on which his cat was walking. In the summer, the mayo jar was left open on the counter, unrefridgerated, for most of the day. Frank never wore gloves, and would use his sleeve to wipe his nose if it was running. The deli would never have passed a health inspection. I assume some funds must have changed hands. Yet, no one ever got sick. We returned over and over again for many years. There is a Landi's fan Facebook page in its memory.
All Hail, Landi's!!! See... look what you started!
Check this out...  
GA5 : 3/29/2020 9:56 pm : link
Here is the Facebook page.
Landi's Deli Facebbok page - ( New Window )
Hey GA5...  
richynyc : 3/29/2020 10:08 pm : link
So nice to know I’m not over-hyping something from my memory, as can so often happen. I grew up originally in Greystone in NE Yonkers across from Untermeyer Park, which incidentally has been beautifully restored. Then moved to Lincoln Park in SE Yonkers in the same house where my mom still lives dating from 1935. And my father’s fsmily lived near Professional Hospital on SW Yonkers for 100 years. Park Hill where you grew up was so beautiful. Amazing houses.

Anyone I Kinect who ever went to Landi’s immediately became devotees.
RE: And what the hell is a  
sb from NYT Forum : 3/29/2020 10:22 pm : link
In comment 14853681 CRinCA said:
Quote:
.


It's what people is Westchester County call a hero or sub.

Or at least they used to. I don't hear to so much anymore with all the transplants in the past 25 years.
And thanks for the Facebook reference GA5!  
richynyc : 3/29/2020 10:23 pm : link
I’ve already circulated it to many on my Yonkers Landi peeps!
Thanks sb  
CRinCA : 3/29/2020 10:31 pm : link
I wondered if that was the case, but thought I knew the regional nomenclature after all these years. That's a new one on me.
The first time I ordered a wedge while I was  
aimrocky : 3/29/2020 10:42 pm : link
Away at college, the guy taking my order asked what I was asking for. I had no idea wedge was a Westchester thing. I still call it a wedge but people in Northern Fairfield County understand the term.
CRinCA...  
richynyc : 3/29/2020 10:50 pm : link
As GA5 and the link to the Facebook site explains, what most of the country know in various regional terms as a hero or hoagie or grinder in this little part of Yonkers became a “wedge”‘ because of the owner’s wife having difficulty pronouncing the word sandwich. Hence her abbreviation of sandwich to “wedge”. But regardless of the derivation of the etymology, the real and only meaning was in the eating of the sandwich, or wedge. Either half or whole wedge. And if you wanted extra meat you ordered it “heavy”. My crew always wanted it heavy with oil, vinegar, spices, lettuce and tomatoes.
richynyc  
CRinCA : 3/29/2020 10:58 pm : link
Thanks for info. Nice for me to have learned something- and I'm always supportive of a good sandwich of whatever it's called in your area.
And now I want a "heavy" wedge.  
CRinCA : 3/29/2020 11:02 pm : link
Dammit (grin)
RE: montanta  
montanagiant : 3/29/2020 11:05 pm : link
In comment 14853673 CRinCA said:
Quote:
As noted in a recent thread of mine, I've been getting stuff shipped to me from Landi's in Brooklyn for years. No idea if it's the same family the OP is asking about.

Good stuff from them!
Fresh ham (roast pork), tomato, mayo ...  
GA5 : 3/29/2020 11:38 pm : link
and "the works." On that great, fresh bread. Always my favorite. They would also remove some of the bread from the inside of loaf, to make room for the good stuff.
Good to connect richy!  
GA5 : 3/29/2020 11:50 pm : link
I spent many hours at Untermeyer Park in the late 60's and early 70's. It was known as "Hippie Park" in those days. I played with my band at concerts there back in the day. A bit later, it became the infamous site of the Son Of Sam cult's ritual animal killings. You are right, the park has been beautifully restored. Since I still live in Westchester, I do occasionally return to visit Yonkers. Lots of great memories.
RE: Legendary!!!  
rnargi : 3/30/2020 7:58 am : link
In comment 14853697 GA5 said:
Quote:
I grew up in the Park Hill section of Yonkers 50's-70's. Graduated from Yonkers High in 1969. We lived at Landi's. The best wedges ever anywhere. First of all, the word "wedge" originated at Landi's. Mrs. Landi couldn't pronounce the word sandwich, and in her Italian/ American way called it a sangwedge, later shortened to wedge. So there is that. Also, right across the street from Landi's was the Willow Sunny Bakery. They would walk the freshly baked bread across the street directly to the deli. That bread made those wedges extra special. Then, there was the ambiance of the deli itself. Dusty, moldy, with cereal boxes and soup cans on the shelf that dated from WW2. Frank Landi would make the wedges on the counter on which his cat was walking. In the summer, the mayo jar was left open on the counter, unrefridgerated, for most of the day. Frank never wore gloves, and would use his sleeve to wipe his nose if it was running. The deli would never have passed a health inspection. I assume some funds must have changed hands. Yet, no one ever got sick. We returned over and over again for many years. There is a Landi's fan Facebook page in its memory.
All Hail, Landi's!!! See... look what you started!



Lol...my 91 year old mother in law still pronounces sandwich as "sang-wedge"...can't correct her, either!
That’s an interesting coincidence, GA5  
richynyc : 3/30/2020 8:55 am : link
I’ve been playing in piano/organ bands since I was 15 in Lincoln Park. Throughout the 80’s and 90’s I’d play once or twice a week in rehearsal studios in the city with two different sets of friends. We just did an electric session again at Smash on W 36th for the first time in a while. And we still play out once or twice a year for a real estate biz benefit and at 55 Bar on Christopher. We’re just a mediocre cover band but we have as much if not more fun than accomplished musicians.

What do you play GA5? And do you go to shows at the Cap in Portchester?
I grew up in East Yonkers  
RobCrossRiver56 : 3/30/2020 9:05 am : link
The deli with the best sandwiches in my neighborhood was Louie's Deli on Yonkers ave a block off Kimball. Lou made the best fresh Roast Beef and if you got there early, you got it warm..

We were in Landis a few times, good stuff
RE: CRinCA...  
sb from NYT Forum : 3/30/2020 9:15 am : link
In comment 14853746 richynyc said:
Quote:
As GA5 and the link to the Facebook site explains, what most of the country know in various regional terms as a hero or hoagie or grinder in this little part of Yonkers became a “wedge”‘ because of the owner’s wife having difficulty pronouncing the word sandwich. Hence her abbreviation of sandwich to “wedge”. But regardless of the derivation of the etymology, the real and only meaning was in the eating of the sandwich, or wedge. Either half or whole wedge. And if you wanted extra meat you ordered it “heavy”. My crew always wanted it heavy with oil, vinegar, spices, lettuce and tomatoes.


I always wondered where the name started, great story!

I moved to Brooklyn in 1994 and ordered a "wedge" in the neighborhood deli, the guy literally yelled "A what?!?"

So I was like "ummm a hero?"

"Coming right up!"

Didn't make that mistake again.
My wife grew  
Pete in MD : 3/30/2020 10:22 am : link
up in the area too. It took her many years to stop saying "wedge."
Why should she stop?  
GA5 : 3/30/2020 11:30 am : link
??
Grew  
mitch300 : 3/30/2020 11:37 am : link
Up in Yonkers. Down the street from Untermeyer park. Yes we all called sandwiches wedges. In fact I use to live in the apartment building that son of Sam use to live. We moved out of there before he moved in. After he was caught they changed the address of the apartment building. Graduated from Gorton, class of 77.
Hey Mitch..  
richynyc : 3/30/2020 12:34 pm : link
I grew up in Greystone on North Broadway until 1964 whenI was 10 when we moved to Lincoln Park in SE Yonkers. My mom still lives in that same house down the block from Lincoln HS which her family bought in 1935.

I went to PS 16, then PS 21.
Wedges and Taylor Ham  
Darth Paul : 3/30/2020 12:46 pm : link
still get me. Taylor is a brand of Pork roll, and Wedge came from not pronouncing Sand "wich" correctly. North Jersey has it all wrong. My Ex is from Yonkers she still say wedge sometimes.

Pizza, on the other hand, is all right up there.
Darth Paul...funny you mention pizza  
richynyc : 3/30/2020 1:13 pm : link
I drove up to Yonkers from the city with my girlfriend yesterday to store some winter coats and sweaters at my mom's house. My girlfriend LOVES pizza so I took her to my favorite Yonkers pizza in my SW Yonkers neighborhood called Dunwoodie Pizza and she loved it. We each had aregular slice and shared a Sicilian. So good! They opened in 1970 so are celebrating their 50th anniversay so I bought 50th Anniversary T-shirts for some other childhood friends who also still love the place.
RobinCrossRiver  
richynyc : 3/30/2020 1:21 pm : link
Hey Rob, do you remember a pizza place on Kimball Ave south of Yonkers Ave on the east side of the street?
RE: The first time I ordered a wedge while I was  
ColHowPepper : 3/30/2020 1:21 pm : link
In comment 14853742 aimrocky said:
Quote:
Away at college, the guy taking my order asked what I was asking for. I had no idea wedge was a Westchester thing. I still call it a wedge but people in Northern Fairfield County understand the term.
So. Fairfield too, rocky, bet UConn hears/uses the term

I had no idea, growing up in W Co., that its use was so limited. It was always just a wedge.
RE: Why should she stop?  
Pete in MD : 3/30/2020 1:51 pm : link
In comment 14854012 GA5 said:
Quote:
??

Because if you ask for a "heavy wedge" in Maryland, the deli guy won't have any idea what you are trying to order.
So...  
GA5 : 3/30/2020 3:00 pm : link
she needs to do some heavy educating, Yonkers style! LOL!
richy...  
GA5 : 3/30/2020 3:02 pm : link
I am a singer/ songwriter. I am also the leader of the Woodstock tribute band BACK TO THE GARDEN 1969.
RE: Wedges and Taylor Ham  
jestersdead : 3/30/2020 3:13 pm : link
In comment 14854106 Darth Paul said:
Quote:
still get me. Taylor is a brand of Pork roll, and Wedge came from not pronouncing Sand "wich" correctly. North Jersey has it all wrong. My Ex is from Yonkers she still say wedge sometimes.

Pizza, on the other hand, is all right up there.

What does North Jersey have to do with "wedge" when its an NY thing? Correct, Taylor is the brand name of pork roll
I cringe  
Bingo : 3/30/2020 3:16 pm : link
At any other name than a Hero.
Hey GA5  
richynyc : 3/30/2020 3:58 pm : link
I just checked out your BTTG website. Very cool! And I see that you're playing UntermeyerPark on 8/22. Talk about coming full circle! Maybe I'll try to catch one of your gigs sometime. That's my music too.
RE: RobinCrossRiver  
RobCrossRiver56 : 3/30/2020 4:49 pm : link
In comment 14854147 richynyc said:
Quote:
Hey Rob, do you remember a pizza place on Kimball Ave south of Yonkers Ave on the east side of the street?


Scotties?
Thanks richy...  
GA5 : 3/30/2020 5:12 pm : link
Hopefully our summer concert season will happen. Fingers crossed!
RE: I cringe  
Prude : 3/30/2020 6:02 pm : link
In comment 14854312 Bingo said:
Quote:
At any other name than a Hero.


I grew up in jersey, it was sub. Moved to philly and it's hoagie or grinder. Then moved to staten island and hero is preffered but sub is fine. Now I am in rockland county and it's only hero.

It's very very annoying.
Oh btw  
Prude : 3/30/2020 6:06 pm : link
Best sub is at Fran's in Hoboken.
not a Yonkers guy myself but  
Del Shofner : 3/30/2020 9:53 pm : link
great thread!
I appreciated  
Tim in Capital City : 3/31/2020 10:40 am : link
All of the wedge history on here! I grew up ordering wedges at Zuccarelli’s in Eastchester and had no idea where the name came from.
Hey Tim! Long Time!  
richynyc : 3/31/2020 12:35 pm : link
How is my book friend doing? It's odd to be hearing from you after so long because I just saw your name in my Amazon address list from when I sent you a book a while maybe 10 or so years ago. Maybe I'll start a "what are you reading" thread for fiction fans.

I don't think that I knew you grew up in Eastchester. I have some very good friends from Union College who grew up in Eastchester, HS Class of '72. What year were you?
Hey richy -  
Tim in Capital City : 4/1/2020 2:27 pm : link
Great seeing your name pop up! How’s everything with you? You should definitely start a reading thread...I don’t read as much as I used to - I have a 7.5 year old, and almost 4 year old twins, so things are busy, but I’ve been trying to read more. The book you sent was The Book of Ebenezer Le Page, correct? It’s right here on my book shelf...I recall liking it a great deal..

I didn’t grow up in Eastchester...I grew up in Bronxville right next door, but I played soccer in Eachester, and we had to head up To Eastchester to get a decent wedge! I’m a bit younger - class of ‘97.

Hope you’re hanging in there with all of this craziness!
Back to the Corner