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Saturday, January 23, 2010
I know, I know. Enough with the Rascal House already. It’s done, dead, finished. Toyt Fahrtik Gishtorbin.
But what can I do? This was THE deli of south Florida, and its death is pure tragedy. It’s been closed for three days, but I was sent this story in the New York Times from my publisher, and there was something inside that just ground my gears.
The red counter stools were empty. Wide plastic menus sold for $25 each. Platters once full of food cost $5.
The restaurant’s more famous items were priced like antiques. That large photo of Jackie Gleason, young, arms wide, smiling on Miami Beach; it cost $2,500, according to the tag. The restaurant’s interior signs with the Rascal logo ran too high for Mrs. Rothman’s budget at $5,000 each. She said she had hoped to pay $500.
Ken Joyce, 70, a law professor in Buffalo who always ordered the corned beef, said he was deciding whether to buy a board with a Damon Runyon quotation: “As I see it, there are two kinds of people in this world; people who love delis, and people you shouldn’t associate with.” It was $250, even though the “it” had fallen off.
So here we have this great institution, shut down by the extremely wealthy Starkman family of Jerry’s Famous Deli fame, because it was:a) not profitableb) not in line with their corporate visionc) in a prime spot of land where they wanted a condo
Some sixty five or so staff are now out of work, but the Starkman’s have the nerve to auction off chunks of the restaurant for ridiculous prices. These are the same people who charge $10 for a glass of orange juice down in South Beach. Now, they’re selling off menus for $25!!!! Photos for $2500???
LIke the sign said “As I see it, there are two types of people in this world: people who love delis, and those you shouldn’t associate with.”
The Starkman’s bought Miami’s great delis and slowly bled them to death, selling off the real estate to developers or replacing them with Jerry’s Famous Deli (a deli in name only). So guess which type they are.
A shonda!Source; http://www.savethedeli.com/2008/04/02/rascal-house-the-final-indignity/
But what can I do? This was THE deli of south Florida, and its death is pure tragedy. It’s been closed for three days, but I was sent this story in the New York Times from my publisher, and there was something inside that just ground my gears.
The red counter stools were empty. Wide plastic menus sold for $25 each. Platters once full of food cost $5.
The restaurant’s more famous items were priced like antiques. That large photo of Jackie Gleason, young, arms wide, smiling on Miami Beach; it cost $2,500, according to the tag. The restaurant’s interior signs with the Rascal logo ran too high for Mrs. Rothman’s budget at $5,000 each. She said she had hoped to pay $500.
Ken Joyce, 70, a law professor in Buffalo who always ordered the corned beef, said he was deciding whether to buy a board with a Damon Runyon quotation: “As I see it, there are two kinds of people in this world; people who love delis, and people you shouldn’t associate with.” It was $250, even though the “it” had fallen off.
So here we have this great institution, shut down by the extremely wealthy Starkman family of Jerry’s Famous Deli fame, because it was:a) not profitableb) not in line with their corporate visionc) in a prime spot of land where they wanted a condo
Some sixty five or so staff are now out of work, but the Starkman’s have the nerve to auction off chunks of the restaurant for ridiculous prices. These are the same people who charge $10 for a glass of orange juice down in South Beach. Now, they’re selling off menus for $25!!!! Photos for $2500???
LIke the sign said “As I see it, there are two types of people in this world: people who love delis, and those you shouldn’t associate with.”
The Starkman’s bought Miami’s great delis and slowly bled them to death, selling off the real estate to developers or replacing them with Jerry’s Famous Deli (a deli in name only). So guess which type they are.
A shonda!Source; http://www.savethedeli.com/2008/04/02/rascal-house-the-final-indignity/
"For a cast of Rascal House regulars, the end will come Sunday night, when the hallowed deli in Sunny Isles Beach closes its doors for good. Gone will be the red vinyl booths, the fabled corned beef sandwiches and stuffed cabbage, the cartoonish devil smiling impishly above the tattered green awning. "--The Miami Herald, March 29, 2008.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Rascal House closed permanently in March 2008. This review is left online to preserve the memory of this Miami Beach institution. Frank Sinatra and his buddies used to dine here after performing in Miami Beach – and the kitschy, hip vibe still permeates Wolfie Cohen’s Rascal House today. This authentic delicatessen is a throwback to the old Miami, but the food is still incredible. Upon sliding into the leather-lined booths, you will notice pots of pickles and pickled cabbage on the table. Indulge freely. The restaurant-deli is located at 17190 Collins Ave., Sunny Isles Beach. It is far – very far – from the tourist hub of South Beach. However, it is well worth the drive. If you are on South Beach, take Collins Avenue north; it will take about a half-hour with traffic. If you are in the city, take either Biscayne Boulevard of I-95 to 163d Street, then head east toward the beach. Turn left on Collins and the restaurant will be eight blocks on your left. The restaurant does not take reservations; if you are lucky, there won’t be a line snaking out the front door. If you have room after eating the giant pastrami and cheese (or for the traditionalists, throw a slice of tounge on the sandwich), try the cheesecake; it’s made fresh, in house every day. The desserts alone are worth a visit – just imagine stacks of blueberry-filled blintzes, apple crumb cakes and key lime pies and you’re in Rascal House heaven. Take home a batch of rugelah and a half-dozen cherry danishes and savor the Rascal experience at home. Do you agree with our review? Think we're way off base? You can submit your own review of this or any other Miami restaurant for inclusion on the About Miami site. You can also read reviews of Rascal House submitted by other readers.
Oy vey (Yiddish: אױ װײ), or just oy,[1] is an exclamation of dismay or exasperation [1] meaning "oh woe." Its sound is very similar to Ach weh, and Au weh (with which it is a cognate), a common expression used in Bavaria and Austria in similar situations, combining the German exclamation Au! meaning "Ouch/Oh" and the German word Weh meaning pain. It is however also theorized that the first part of it (oy) is originally from Biblical Hebrew, with cognates in other Semitic languages.[citation needed] Vey and the similar contemporary German Weh are derived from Middle High German, and are cognate with the English "woe." The term in its present form is borrowed from Yiddish,[2] "Au Gewalt" (Yiddish: אױ גװאַלד oy gvald) – which can have a similar meaning, or also express shock or amazement. Gevald! is often just used by itself to express this feeling.
It is also similar in meaning and pronunciation to the Russian term "uvy" (Rus, увы), which is used to express grief or sorrow.
It is also similar in meaning and pronunciation to the Russian term "uvy" (Rus, увы), which is used to express grief or sorrow.
OY VEY ALLRIGHT! I HAVE NOT BEEN TO MIAMI BEACH IN YEARS AND I WAS JUST THINKING ABOUT THE CHICKEN IN THE POT I SHARED WITH MY SISTER AT THE RASCAL HOUSE! A TRULY GREAT AMERICAN INSTITUTION. ANOTHER GREAT PLACE TO EAT, IS, THE GOLDEN OX IN KANSAS CITY, MO.. I HAVE ADDED IT TO MY LINK LIST. I AM BUMMED OUT.
Wolfie Cohen A Legend in Miami Beach
In 1932 a borscht circuit busboy, Wolfie Cohen, came to Miami Beach and opened one successful Miami Beach restaurant after another, including his original “Wolfie’s” on the corner of Collins Avenue and Lincoln Road. He also came up with an innovative approach to local dining that revolutionized the restaurant industry and established his popular sandwich shop type of operation, and earning him the title of ”Million Dollar Rascal.”
In May, 1954, Wolfie Cohen erected another restaurant, The Rascal House, at a cost of over $750,000 in the heart of the fast-growing, glamorous motel area around 172nd Street.
Two big factors guided Wolfie Cohen. He believed his customers had a “Show Me!” attitude, so he always displayed tremendous desserts, salads, meats for carving and the sandwich-making operation up front where the passersby and in-coming patrons could see it all in a single glance.
His other principle he called the “margin for error.” For example, at the Rascal House all baking was done on the premises in their fully equipped modern Hot Point bakery. A basic recipe for something never made before—onion rye bread—was decided upon by the owner himself, Wolfie Cohen.
Each baker was given the recipe and each man competed to produce the best sample. Next came the discussions and tests and with it the birth of an onion rye bread distinctive in flavor.
Wolfie Cohen become a legend and his fame spread far and wide as Miami Beach tourists returned home and told their friends about his restaurants.
Adjoining Wolfie’s well-known Rascal House, was his Bull Pen Lounge.
In May, 1954, Wolfie Cohen erected another restaurant, The Rascal House, at a cost of over $750,000 in the heart of the fast-growing, glamorous motel area around 172nd Street.
Two big factors guided Wolfie Cohen. He believed his customers had a “Show Me!” attitude, so he always displayed tremendous desserts, salads, meats for carving and the sandwich-making operation up front where the passersby and in-coming patrons could see it all in a single glance.
His other principle he called the “margin for error.” For example, at the Rascal House all baking was done on the premises in their fully equipped modern Hot Point bakery. A basic recipe for something never made before—onion rye bread—was decided upon by the owner himself, Wolfie Cohen.
Each baker was given the recipe and each man competed to produce the best sample. Next came the discussions and tests and with it the birth of an onion rye bread distinctive in flavor.
Wolfie Cohen become a legend and his fame spread far and wide as Miami Beach tourists returned home and told their friends about his restaurants.
Adjoining Wolfie’s well-known Rascal House, was his Bull Pen Lounge.
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