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Rick_Jack | all galleries >> Galleries >> Black & White > Sloppy Louies
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1968

Sloppy Louies

South St. NYC

Minolta SRT-101 ,35mm f4 W. Rokkor QE,Kodak Plus-X 125

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Paul King 23-Aug-2019 22:34
Wow, this takes me back – over five decades. Mid-60s our family took summer vacation to visit New York City – camping at Bear Mtn State Park, and we commuted (subway) into attractions: Empire state building (100th fl), Statue of liberty (stairs to the top), Radio City Music Hall (Rockettes), Greenwich Village, Hayden Planetarium, Queen Mary. And also in the same league: lunch at Sloppy Louie’s across from the Fulton Fish Market: the only meal I remember – made quite an impression on a young lad from small-town, NY (Webster). It was noisy, almost overwhelming with the slam of dishes and clatter of utensils. Really didn’t look a good prospect for much of a meal. What? Swordfish steak? Well, okay, I guess, if you say it’s good. Oh – my – word: tender, juicy, flavorful comes to mind. I’ve had swordfish a few times since, but that was beyond the best. Only went there once, but Sloppy Louie’s is burned into memory hard. I am sure the world if full of fond memories from there.
Kathy ODonnell 21-Mar-2014 18:26
Who was "the Guest" above? My father also worked there and the Fulton Fish Market in that time frame. All memories are the same!
Francis E Di bacco 01-Feb-2014 22:38
To Edward Moresco,

My name is Francis Di Bacco I live in west Deptford NJ just across the river from
Philly. I own a national consulting Service and as hobby/avocation I'ev amassed over 100,000 weekly news magazines dating back to 1900.

In one the weekly periodcals, Colliers, there was a three page story on Sloppy Louie's
and even a photo of your great uncle.

please email me at fdibacco@fedibacco.com if this interests you.
Francis E Di bacco 01-Feb-2014 22:38
To Edward Moresco,

My name is Francis Di Bacco I live in west Deptford NJ just across the river from
Philly. I own a national consulting Service and as hobby/avocation I'ev amassed over 100,000 weekly news magazines dating back to 1900.

In one the weekly periodcals, Colliers, there was a three page story on Sloppy Louie's
and even a photo of your great uncle.

please email me at fdibacco@fedibacco.com if this interests you.
Kevin Daley 26-Nov-2013 03:50
My Dad, Captain Tom, kept a tug boat and worked on boats at American Boat and Cartage, Pier 11, East River, NYC and when I was a child and would be down there working on the boats or visiting, he would ofter buy my brother and I a meal at Sloppy Louie's! To say the food was great is an extreme understatement. It was a real gem in what was then a working neighborhood. Th best desert I ever had was from there! I'm sorry to hear it is no more! Louie and all who worked there were genuine and masters in the fine food field. I'll never forget the great food and the great treatment from some sincere, genuine and wonderful people!
CS9 MD 03-Oct-2013 02:02
Bouillabaisse. Sloppy Louie's was the special place where my father first took me as an 8 or 9 year old to eat at one of his favorite restaurants. He worked at 401 B 'way and we walked over for lunch. He knew the waiters and recommended Bouillabaisse and I do think he was amazed that I ate every drop. I loved it of course and we went there several times over the next few years, the last few with me taking the train from White Plains to meet him there for lunch. Great memories
Guest 22-Sep-2013 23:44
I am Louie's nephew(great great). Thank you for all your fond comments about my Uncle. I last remember him when I was around 5, and we used to visit, he and Aunt Dee. The house was always filled with love, and great food. Unfortunately jet jet their dog was not fond of us kids. He would bite our ankles from under the couch in the living room. Uncle Lou also had some of the most amazing lobster claws on his wall
Well sorry about reminiscing. Thank you again for your comments. Sincerely Edward Moresco
Ollie Woodard 18-Sep-2013 00:01
I came to NY in 1958 to work after graduating from NC State U. My wife and I bought the book "NY on $5 a Day". The book listed Sloppy Louie's, Tad's steak house and many others. We had many inexpensive and enjoyable visits to NYC.
Mark Brown 20-Feb-2013 04:42
The brain of a blue whale is large enough for a man to lie down inside of and go to sleep. I used to eat whale in my childhood, before it was considered an Eco-Barbarian sin. We would dine at Sloppy Louie’s several times annually for many years in my NYC childhood in the 1950’s and early 60’s, down by the Fulton Fish Market in NYC, where I exclusively and always ordered whale steak. Whale is very Paleo, especially now to the Eco-Barbarian Japanese, Norwegians and Native Americans. It was tough and delectably fatty, and far better than the fish my parents were ordering. I was really into the illustrated Whaling narrative “Seabird” of Holling Clancey Holling, and the taste of whale brought my 11 year old taste buds back to the 19th century, where I wished I could have lived, instead of being a pale white kid without defense means and methods going to Mean Streets public school in Harlem at the intersection of 123rd and Amsterdam @ PS 125, 2 blocks away from the Appollo Theater. I wish I could have seen James Brown there back in the day. I don’t think James Brown ever threw a harpoon at any whale, anywhere.
Kevin 07-May-2012 18:38
Have you read Joseph Mitchell's 'Up In The Old Hotel'? Sloppy Louie's is immortalised in a great story in the book. Thanks for posting this photo. I always wanted to know what the place looked like since reading that book.
LW Cook 20-Sep-2011 23:40
I remember Sloppy Louie's! I grew up in Hastings-on-Hudson (Westchester County) and my mother, one early morning around 4 AM in the early 1960's, woke my siblings and me up, loaded us into the station wagon and took us to see the Fulton Fish Market in action. She didn't want us to miss a piece of history in action. After touring all the counters and booths and learning about all the fish at the market, we went across the street for an early breakfast at Sloppy Louie's. I had Manhattan Clam Chowder. I will never forget this adventure and am forever grateful to a mother's love and instinct to make sure her children be witness to these kinds of historic landmarks. The picture brought back wonderful memories! Thank you.
Mort 11-May-2011 01:25
My father owned the store right next door....P. Sobel Fisherman's supplies. I have fond memories of eating at Sloppy Louie's as a young boy. The one dish that I remember was Shark Steak which was chewier than Tad's $1.09 steak. I also remember Sweets Restaurant around the corner but I never ate there because it was much expensive than Sloppy Louie's. One of the waiters would bring my dad lunch every day because he didn't want to close the store door to take time out for lunch. The Fulton Fish Market was quite a place in the 1950's and 60's. The characters who worked in the market including the Longshoremen could fill a John Steinbeck's novel. In fact, when I read Cannery Row I was reminded of the Fulton Fish Market. I have hanging in our home an original Lithograph of the Fulton Fish market showing the corner of Fulton and South.
Guest 25-Jun-2010 02:42
I remember Sloppy Louie's well. My father worked there in the 50's-60's as well as the Fulton Fish Market. My father said that the food tasted best when they had their old coal stove because it could get so hot. After the restaurant burned down and everything was new, the food was still great but not quite the same. Originally too, there were huge old oak tables, sawdust on the floor, and cats. The board of health put an end to the sawdust and cats. I have very fond memories of growing up and going to dinner there.
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