Look what I scored on my recent trip down to Miami!
We had one growing up, but my mom wasn't parting with hers. Turns out my aunt Beth has several of them, so she passed one on to me...
I also got some great stories from my great aunt Ruthie and my cousins Joe and Steven...but it'll take me a little while to get them up here. I just got back from our annual Passover trip late late last night.
6 comments:
Eve,
I hope you and you family are having a good Pesach. The tray is very interesting. You know, I found it unusual that when I moved to Texas about 25 years ago, that cafeterias were flourishing. They still do well. There are at least two cafeteria chains, Luby's and Furr's, that have locations throughout the state. Maybe your mispucha would be interesting in recreating Dubrow's here. In Southern California, Clifton's is a cafeteria from the golden age and it's still does well.
I don't know what caused the demise of the great cafeterias in NY, and why cafeterias continue to do well in Texas. I think it may have something to do with the slower pace of life in Texas. Also, I believe that the old school cafeterias may have rushed diners out the door too fast, in an effort to keep people from taking up space while not spending enough money. If this is true, it may have turned into a false economy. When neighborhood McDonalds opened, it gave the locals an opportunity to sit and drink coffee for hours. As a matter of fact, with the advent of Wi-Fi, I was very surprised to see fast food restaurants, coffee shops, donut shops, bookstores and others promote the free access. I would think this would be today's equivalent of sitting for hours at Dubrow's with a nickel cup of coffee. My guess is that the consultants came to the conclusion that the longer people sat in their establishments, the more they would be likely to spend money, even though this policy might be abused by a few people who just want to sit and do nothing.
Thank you!
I also don't fully understand what happened to the cafeterias in the northeast. I would think they would have lower overhead costs than other restaurants, since they require less table service.
In the case of the Manhattan Dubrow's, its success was deeply tied to the garment industry, which disappeared in NYC as the work was sent elsewhere. I wonder if the Dubrow's cafeterias in Brooklyn were simply a victim of corporate takeover - it seems that what moved into its place in Brooklyn were chain stores and chain restaurants.
I was lucky enough to get a tray when the Manhattan store was closing. I treasure it and the fond memories of the best vegetable cutlet in the world. Do you have the family recipes?
I can ask around if anyone knows about a recipe for vegetable cutlet...that's not one I'm familiar with.
Eve-
I practically grew up in the Bklyn Dubrows. I remember having the noodles and cheese with the cherry sauce and then having the best chocolate pudding I ever had in my life. would you know the recipe for the noodles and cheese and the cherry sauce?
Is this the same person who asked about the recipe for Dubrow's vegetable cutlet?
I wish I had some of Dubrow's recipes. I'll have to ask around. If I come up with some, I'll definitely post them here.
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