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| Mananaro's Hero Boy, est. 1956 |
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| Manganaro Grosseria Italiana, est. 1920's |
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| Manganaro's Hero Boy, Italian Hero |
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| The damage for the aforementioned Hero; |
I love to write about interesting places, particularly those with a lot of history, but it can be a daunting task when the story is woven over 117 years, as this is right about where "interesting" becomes "complicated".
Welcome my friends to to the long and complicated story of the Manganaro Family of 9th Avenue, Hell's Kitchen style.
There have been countless articles written about the Manganaro Brothers, their feud, and of course their two legendary Italian Deli's (I'm sure some putz is gonna whine, email and correct me and say that they aren't "Deli's" - so, right before you do, kiss my a**....), which includes several articles in the New York Times over the last decade, so I will try not to bore you to tears and just give you the basics and then get on the important stuff, or at least what I deem to be important, which is pretty much what this whole blog is about now, isn't it? Half kidding.
On to it now; according to the New York Times (Read the article HERE), Manganaro Grosseria Italiana began in 1893 as Petrucci's Wines & Brandies, which is interesting in itself as both the Manganaro Grosseria and Manganaro's Hero Boy websites both give lengthy history of their families and shop histories, and neither reference this fact, while Manganaro Grosseria references 1893 as the opening of the store under its current name, yet the New York Times claims that it was not changed to Manganaro Grosseria until sometime in the 1920's, but no other news source ever mentions that fact; SCOOP for HKL! In addition, the article states that the Manganaro family bought the building that houses the original shop at 488 9th Avenue, in 1927, which in hindsight I am sure is looking like a wise move as they probably paid the same amount as what I just paid for my rent this month. Hope we didn't just start another feud, as after you read this you'll see that its the last thing that the Italian Hatfield's verses themselves need.
According to a New York Times article from May, 2000, (Read the article HERE) the family opened the Hero Boy shop together in 1956, and the business was passed on to family heirs in 1961, to four brothers named Dell'Orto. This is apparently where all the trouble began, as well as where the "Hero Boy is NOT affiliated with us!" signs inside and outside of Manganaro Grosseria emanate from. Wow, these people sure know how to hold a grudge for a half a century or so, right?
All of the hostility and hard feelings apparently led to court in 1969 with a lawsuit over the trademark for the Manganaro Hero Boy name, then came a a lawsuit from Hero Boy in the 80's over a "Manganaro's Hero Party Hotline" phone number which was owned by Manganaro Grosseria, as well as other lawsuits that apparently lasted into the early 2000's, thus the flurry of New York Times articles.
Bad blood and ugly details aside (and there is more, but it just gets boring), the places are both still there, and both still hate each other and are a mere 10 feet away from each other.
First up is the original, Mananaro Grosseria Italiana (apparently known formally as Manganaro Foods, Inc.). I'm not gonna be popular for what I'm gonna say here, so let me preface it (NO, I am not trying to soften it) by saying that there is nothing more that I love about this city than its historic places, of which there are few left as they are sadly vanishing at a rate beyond comprehension, however, history is just not enough.
The original Manganaro Grosseria is dark and dank, and I think I am being polite here. The lights are often not on, at least most of them, and the place is generally (make that "usually") empty. While I have not had a sandwich there in a few months, I have been there many a time over the last 25 years, and I know the place well, as well as the fact that I walk past (and I always look inside) several times a week during the peak lunch hours. I very badly want to find charm in the hostile disposition of the older women who are usually working the counter, one of whom I understand is a Dell'Orto (and the proprietor and offspring of the Manganaro family), however, it just doesn't work for me. In order to be that unpleasant and off-putting, you need to have some serious humor or some serious talent beyond any other earthly being, whereas, the anger then becomes charm and you become an eccentric genius. While there is no doubt that the sandwiches are great, they aren't beyond this earth, so for me, nobody here is a genius and the charm of the century plus old shop and its angry proprietor just become annoying and obnoxious. Prices are steep, VERY steep, and once again, I will gladly pay it if its THAT good and/or I am being thoroughly entertained, but I am getting neither here and I just don't need to feel uncomfortable or as if I am bothering something and they are doing me a favor when I am paying nearly $20 for a Hero and a soda. Let the bitching begin!
Anyway, onto Hero Boy, which coincidentally and inconveniently for the rest of the family is directly next door to the original Manganaro Grosseria, literally.
I am sure this is going to be even more unpopular than saying I don't love the original, but the fact is, this is where I get what I consider to be an equal Hero to that from Grosseria, yet in a much better atmosphere. Sorry my friends, them's the facts as I see 'em.
The Italian Hero I had here the other day is easily one of the best in the city, and the place, which was remodeled somewhere in the late 90's or so, is clean, bright (maybe a little too bright), and the guys working there aren't nearly as miserable as they are next door. They also work a
Granted $13.61 for a Hero and soda (at Hero Boy, see photo above) ain't cheap, but I absolutely think it's worth it, which is why it's my spot once a week for lunch. However, the same thing next door at the original spot is even more expensive, with no discount for the aggravation and attitude.
So, here comes the complicated report card, so pay attention my little nightmares; The orgiinal Manganaro Grosseria Italiano gets an A for the Hero, an A- for historic importance, a D for being dark and dank, and a D- for attitude with no humor and last but not least, a C- for being slower than my dead dog (may she rest in peace) AND for making me feel like I am bothering you for asking to make me a very expensive Italian Hero (Sorry, that sh*t doesn't fly in a recession).
Manganaro's Hero Boy gets an A for its Italian Hero, an A for cleanliness and overall appearance, a B+ for service, and an A+ for dealing with all the sh*t they have had shoveled at them since 1956.
And for this, we award Hero Boy our esteemed Best of HKL award for their Italian Hero.
The unanimous winner is; Hero Boy. Deal with it people.
Manganaro's Hero Boy
492 9th Avenue (between 37th & 38th Streets)
NY, NY 10018
212.947.7325
www.manganarosheroboy.net
Manganaro Grosseria Italiana
488 9th Avenue (between 37th & 38th Streets)
NY, NY 10018
212.563.5331
www.manganarofoods.com
