Newark's North Ward

Cooks at the annual St. Gerard's festival in the North Ward, Newark.

Every year, many from Newark's old First Ward, which was predominantly Italian, come here to reminisce the old neighbohrood.

Newark's North Ward

This is a blog devoted to Saint Gerard and my testimony on having Asperger's but before I talk about that, let me talk about the neighborhood in Newark that got me talking about it all---North Ward, also known as Newark's North Ward.

Today the North Ward is a diverse neighborhood with a Latino majority.

Newark's North Ward is perhaps best known for once being Newark’s Little Italy. Joe DiMaggio would once bring his buddies from the Yankees here and show them what "real Italian food" tastes like. Giordano’s was once an Italian bakery (that is now closed), where Frank Sinatra got his bread, no matter where he was in the world. Luckily, I still got to experience that myself at Luigi’s, one of the last remaining Italian restaurants in the North Ward. Today there are Puerto Rican, Dominican, Mexican, and Ecuadorian restaurants in the North Ward, as well.

However this neighborhood of over 60,000 residents offers more than just a past reputation.

The northernmost part of Newark boasts one of most marvelous parks in the country, Branch Brook Park. The park was created by Frederick Law Olmsted, the same architect who designed Central Park in New York.

The North Ward has a proud immigrant past and also boasts great dining at a cheap cost due to its great ethnic diversity.

Bloomfield Avenue light rail station, near Branch Brook Park. The Newark light rail makes four stops here, including Park Avenue, Bloomfield Avenue, Davenport Avenue, and Branch Brook Park.

Branch Brook Park

Forest Hill, one of Newark's most desirable neighborhoods, is located in the North Ward

Later

Broadway, one of the main commercial streets in the North Ward.

Sacred Heart of the Basilica is the seat of the Archdiocese of Newark and the fifth largest cathedral in North America.

Its Italian past

Italian immigrants migrated to urban New Jersey cities like Elizabeth, Paterson, Jersey City,

Hoboken, and Union City.

Now kid when you mention all these cities you’re losing the attention of the reader!

However Newark undoubtedly had the largest population of Italians in the

state at one point. Newark was in fact the fifth largest Italian city in the country and many of Italians

settled in the North Ward. There were about 80,000 Italians in Newark,

Is this number significant?

enough to create a somewhat

distinct "Italian Newark" culture.

Famous Italian American entertainers such as Joe Pesci as well as Frankie Valli from the Four Seasons hail from Newark's once Italian North Ward.
The Four Seasons created hits such as "Oh what a night!"and "Walk like a Man."

"Jersey Boys", a Broadway show, was a show about them. The city even came up with

its own "Newark Italian Hot Dog" and later I will mention where to get the best Newark.

Saint Francis Xavier Church.

This is a statue of Christopher Colombus with the American flag as well as the flag of Italy to the side.

Italian style hot dogs.A few Italians remain in the North Ward, as many relocated

to the surrounding suburbs like Belleville, Bloomfield, and Nutley (creating what has often

been known as the "pasta triangle") as well as other suburban towns. However,

the Italian presence still remains in Newark, and it is reflected in its establishments and eateries.

In this blog, I will take you to some stores and restaurants.

Seventh Avenue was the center of Italian life in Newark. In fact, many Italian immigrants
would settle here first before moving out to other parts of Newark, as well as Nutley or Bloomfield.
However during the 1950's, Seventh Avenue was destroyed by the construction of housing projects.
The Christopher Columbus Homes, a high rise housing project was built in its place to make way
for urban renewal.

If you ask many of the Italians that grew up here, the projects only made this neighborhood worse
and is responsible for making the once in-tact Italian neighborhood disappear.

Not to mention the apartment building was razed in 2000 due to its high crime activity.

The last remaining Italian vestige of the Seventh Avenue area is St. Lucy's Church.

St. Lucy's was the cornerstone of the Italian community in the North Ward. The church held festivals and helped immigrants feel more at home in the "new country."

There is something about St. Lucy's that retains a rather Italian character. In fact, when I was here I felt like I was in Italy. The courtyard almost felt like a piazza or a town square and the church resembles a typical church found in Italy.

Mother Mary is always protecting us!

Today, most of the remaining Italian establishments are on Bloomfield Avenue, west of Branch Brook Park.

Calandra's Italian and French Bakery

This is by far one of the best bakeries in New Jersey! Their coffees are a must! The pastries are very good too! Calandra's is also very well known for their bread.

The best Italian knots known to man are in Calandra’s bakery in Newark!

I tried their Italian cookies and Italian knots. They were the best! They tasted as if someone’s old Italian grandma made them!

Dickie Dee's This place makes the best Italian hot dogs! They come with potatoes, fried bell peppers, and onions. I know many will be reluctant about entering this neighborhood just for a hot dog but trust me it is definitely worth the trip!

Interior of an old school Italian joint, Dickie Dee's.

Gencarelli's is an Italian restaurant here. I personally have never eaten here.

Caffe Intermezzo - an Italian coffee shop here. This place has good reviews so this is a place I would definitely want to check out in the future.

Luigi's Italian Tradition Restaurant

A bench painted with the Italian flag in front of the restaurant. A painting of a scene in the Italian countryside. I wonder if this is the Campania region.

As I was waiting for a meal, the waitress gave me great bread with a unique type of garlic sauce. I asked her if she was Italian or Latina, ( because she looked like either one to be honest).

She told me she was 100 percent Italian American and, of course, proud of it!

I tried the Lasagna Bolognese. This was great food. I had tried cannelloni in San Diego, at Cafe Zuccherio, and thought to myself that as the best pasta dish I have ever eaten.

However, Lasagna Bolognese here at Luigi's really comes in a close second.

RIgatoni vodka sauce with chicken.

A view of the tables with the beautiful paintings in the background.

The drawing in front of where the restrooms were interesting.

Signore means gentleman and signorina stands for lady in Italian.

THe Italian prsence left on Bloomfield Avenue.

This is right in front of Caffe Intermezzo.

Caffe Intermezzo- an "old-world" Italian coffee shop.

Pic from the inside.

I got the espresso. It was great!

An announcment for an Italian show. nearby.

Birardi Imports

I felt I was in an Italian store in Staten Island here.

Gionotto's Pharmacy

Also newark north ward.

Vitrorio Castle the first lavish Italian restaurant in the First Ward.

Also in the North Ward,

To the left is the Newark Schools Stadium, to the right is a campaign for Newark mayor Ras Baraka.

North Ward Today: The Latino Ward

Today the North Ward is predominately Latino, mainly Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, and Ecuadorians. There are Peruvian, and West Indian, African American, and Italian communities here as well.

Even though at one point, Newark’s North Ward was 90% Italian, the North Ward is now predominantly Latino with Puerto Ricans being the largest group in the neighborhood.

I like the anodth wars because certain parts just feel like an old school Puerto Rican enclave. You can feel this in certain places like Taino’s Kitchen and Borinquen bakery and even Cuba bakery, where many people that go there are still Puerto Rican.

Forest Hill

A coco ice vendor near Branch Brook Park. This is one of the first photos I have ever taken in the North Ward.

Latinos in some ways are similar to the Italian immigrants who preceded them. Many are religious and committed to family and are hardworking people. This is reflected in the many businesses Latinos now own and Italians once owned in this neighborhood. Many Latino owned businesses are centered on Bloomfield Avenue and Broadway whereas many Italian bakeries, butchers, and other establishments one hundred years ago were found on Seventh Avenue.

In the past, Italians would assist each other, especially when new immigrants were pouring in. The Catholic Church was very pivotal in addressing the concerns of these immigrants.

Today, the Hispanic community in Newark's North Ward does the same. Along with the help of the Archdiocese of Newark under Cardinal Tobin, there are also two non profits that assist with the Hispanic community, Aspira Inc of New Jersey and Casa de Don Pedro. Aspira helps Latino youths to strive for more, and go on to college. La Casa de Don Pedro helps with the needs of the community, such as housing, employment, and offers preschool as well.

Cuban flag, with a tire shop to the left, on Bloomfield Avenue.

A very popular Puerto Rican and Latino bank on the western section of Bloomfield Avenue. To the right is a Puerto Rican restaurant.

A statue of Roberto Clemente, near Branch Brook Park.

An influx of Puerto Ricans came into Newark and particularly, the North Ward, in the 1950s, Puerto Ricans and Italians, at first did not get along with each other. Puerto Ricans also faced an obstacle that earlier European immigrants did not face--the departure of many industrial plants that attracted them to Newark in the first place. Thus, unemployment became rampant among the Puerto Rican community. Discrimination, although was common against Italians, was also a hurdle to the Puerto Ricans, because many Puerto Ricans were racially not white As such, even though Puerto Ricans are technically U.S. citizens, they were seen as even being more foreign than even European immigrants. In 1974, a riot broke out between the police and the Puerto Rican community in Branch Brook Park over what appeared to be an illegal dice game. Puerto Ricans constantly felt victimized by the police.

Most Puerto Ricans in Newark have remained. Some have left for the suburbs but many also moved to better neighborhoods in the city like Forest Hills, in the North Ward, which features large suburban style living in Newark with large Victorians and Tudor houses.

Still, about half of all the remaining Puerto Ricans in the city are living below the poverty level. Many Puerto Ricans due to deindustrialization, and racial discrimination have unfortunately become part of the urban underclass.

A lot of Puerto Ricans in Newark are well represented in both politics and law enforcement, on the other hand. The neighborhood is represented by a Puerto Rican councilman, Anibal Ramos. Luis Quitana, who was once acting mayor of Newark, is also of Puerto Rican descent. He was mayor after Cory Booker became senator for the state of New Jersey.

Dominicans

Although, Dominicans are a more recent ethnic group, they have brought a lot of small businesses to this neighborhood.

One hundred years ago, we would have been talking about Italian barber shops. Today, Dominican barber shops have replaced them.

Domincan barber shops are neat places to be in. Everybody that has ever been to a Dominican barber shop knows it is just a different type of barber shop than other barber shops. It’s a place for friends and other men to talk about a lot of topics including sports, "the old country", politics, and entertainment. You will often hear bachata and merengue in the background. Barbers are very talkative and when you are there you almost feel like you are family.

La Cachapa Loka. I believe this is a Dominican chain restaurant. I saw one in Paterson too.

Mommy's Dominican Cakes- although I have never tried a cake here, I hear they make great Dominican cakes.

There is one place that is a famous Dominican spot called El Merengue. I would love to have it featured on my blog one day.

South Americans

Along with Puerto Ricans and Dominicans, South Americans (particularly Ecuadorians) are a large presence in the North Ward. There are many Ecuadorian eateries along Bloomfield Avenue.

A view of Broadway, in the middle is El Criollo, a Peruvian restaurant.

Ecuador Express, to the left.

Mi Lindo Ecuador

To the left is a menu and the right is Ecuadorian artwork.

You could see a bit of the Ecuadorian flag to the right.

Although the wait for the food was long, I do not regret coming here. The food is very delicious and it was a great experience because I have never tried Ecuadorian food ever.

They start you off with plaintain strips and what appears to be a unique and very good picante sauce with lime on the side as well.

I tried the chaufa, which is Chinese-Ecuadorian plate of fried rice with shrimp, chicken, and plaintains. I tried it with the hot sauce and it tasted very good. I believe this is one of the best cuisines I have ever tasted! I have eaten other chaufas and it is not as greasy as theirs.

Ecuadorian chaufa is different from the one made by Peruvians because it has more of an Andean taste. I can’t explain it in words.

Ecuadorian bakery, Pan de Casa, to the left.

Mexican presence

Newark Cheese Steak House. This is a Mexican owned restaurant and even though they serve cheese steaks, they also serve tacos. The food is great, filling, and inexpensive.

To the right is Omar's Cuban Cuisine Restaurant on Mount Prospect Avenue

Soul Food

Even though the North Ward is a primarily Latino neighborhood, it does offer a soul food restaurant. This restaurant is definitely on my "to do list."

Taste of Flava

El Pueblo Supermarket

El Pueblo, this supermarket carries products from all over the Latin World. I saw shelves that offer Colombian, Dominican, Mexican, Peruvian, Argentinian, and Central American products.

Housing

Once home to Mona and Maries, it is now closed.

New construction being built near Broadway.

Dominican pride in Newark!

Houses off of Bloomfield Ave.

Street Art

Here are various pictures of a mural representing all the Latino cultures found in Newark

A street mural off of Broadway

Ethnic festivals

A poster for the St. Gerard Festival has been an Italian American tradition since 1899 during the commencement of the large influx of Italian immigrants. I should have photos of this festival when I attend one day.

However the biggest parade in the neighborhood is quite possibly the Newark Puerto Rican Parade held every September. It used to held in Branch Brook Park but they moved the parade to Broadway.

Puerto Rican Day Parade x

Newark has the largest population of Puerto Ricans in the state and as such a hosts the state's annual Puerto Rican Day Parade

Pictures of the 2023 Puerto Rican festival in Branch Brook Park!

Poster for an Ecuadorian Independence Day event

The Feast of St. Gerard.

I love this feast in the North Ward of Newark. When I am here I feel like the North Ward is 90 percent Italian, the way it used to be. I know that the North Ward and I appreciate the diverse cultures that are here. But I really like how the North Ward feels like "Little Italy", even if it is only for about a week.

Even though, Italian Americans have left this neighborhood, they are still a proud people and retain their heritage in what was once the largest Italian enclave in the state. Other white ethnics don't do this, at least not to the extent the Italians do!

Here are some videos of how the festival looks like.

Giordano’s was once an Italian bakery where Frank Sinatra got his bread, no matter where he was in the world. Unfortunately, the bakery is now closed.

The parking lot in front of St. Lucy's Church.

As mentioned before, the church was once the cornerstone of the Italian community in the North Ward. There is a museum in church basement that showcases the city's old Italian roots.

Stand selling Italian CD's.

Italian nuts and chocolates with hats displaying the Italian flag.

-The End-

Sunday, March 29, 2020

St. Gerard Feast of the North Ward in Newark.

Growing up with Aspergers, I had really interesting hobbies, like going to cities, writing papers on them, taking pictures of them.

And then blogging them.

On one of my trips, I decided to go to Newark's North Ward for the annual Saint Gerard feast.

Even though I am a practicing Catholic, my faith was honestly not what brought me to this feast, rather my interest for cities.

One of the reasons why I found the neighborhood of the North Ward in Newark was of its past and present ethnic makeup.

100 years ago, this was a very Italian neighborhood. Today, however, it is mostly Hispanic.

When Italians were arriving to the country, they were viewed with fear and resentment. Many found comfort in ethnic enclaves like the North Ward.

Keep in mind, Newark once had one of the largest Italian communities in the nation.

Today, Hispanics constitute the majority in areas like the North Ward but also entire cities like Elizabeth, Union City, and Perth Amboy. And I am only talking about New Jersey. There are more places in the country that have a majority Latino population.

The reason why I am interested in cities is because they often attract those who are considered the "outcasts' of society.

Whether that was the Germans and the Irish in the 1850s

The Italians and Jews in the late 1800's and early 1900s

Or the Hispanics and Asians of today.

Cities are often safe refuges for those who are considered "too distinct" whether by tongue, by skin color, disability, or any other barrier that doesn't allow them to integrate into society.

We could also include the poor.

However that is another topic.

However what God is telling me is to "Let go, and let God"

In the same way I was stuck in these areas because I felt limited----limited as a man of color, limited because of my heritage, my disability, because I had no girlfriend ( and still don't), I feel now God is providing a better life for me.

We just have to open to God and be patient.

And this is why I want to touch on Saint Gerard.

Every year in Newark around the fall time, St. Lucy's in Newark devotes a feast for Saint Gerard Majella. He was an Italian saint and is the patron saint for expectant mothers.

He also hears the prayers for the unborn.

He has performed miracles including the healing of a sick boy.

Saint Gerard was open to God's will.

One time, he was ill and once told others that if it was God's will for him to sick that he should be allowed sick. But if not, that God should allow for him to be cured.

He got healed but then got sick again. Even though, some of us may be dismayed as to why Saint Gerard got healed but ended up becoming sick again.

However Saint Gerard trusted in God so much that he allowed God to work in Him, even if illness was God's will all along.

I remember watching Mother Angelica on EWTN talking about how God either ordains illness in our lives or allows it. However it is for the greater good.

God never gives us what we can't handle. He also allows misfortunes in our lives but only when there is a greater good coming out of it.

And I take this time to reflect on my own life.

If I had not had Asperger's, where would I be>

Would I have had a kid by now?

Would I have been more idle?

All I know is there is a very good chance that if I had been born without Aspergers or Bipolar, I would have refused God's will and may never have been on the path to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

A man singing to Dean Martin during the feast. It was a really great event!

Italian pride at the festival.

Scala's Bakery. Unfortunately, there are no Italian bakeries left in the Seventh Avenue area, (Giordano's left in 2004).

However there was a nice bakery stand at the Feast in 20222. I tired one of their lobster's tails . It was delicious.

This is the Museum of The Old First Ward. The First Ward is another name of the North Ward. In it, you can look at many photos of what the Italian First Ward used to look like.

It is free although donations are recommended. Where else can you find great photos like these. that take you back to Newark prior to 1970?