What was the best Italian restaurant on Orange Street? Discounting the clear winner in the Luncheonette category (Lucy's), that leaves Rallo's and the one pictured above, Vulcania's, at Orange and Fourth. (Courtesy of the NPL's Berg Collection)

To be honest, we rarely went to Rallo's, as Vulcania's was just on the corner, and my old man seemed to prefer their pizza, anyway. Looking back, it certainly was the best pie I ever had -- not to mention the take-home box, with its impressive ocean-liner artwork -- and getting it was almost as much fun as eating it. When you went in to order your pie you got to wait at a huge round table right by the kitchen door, which gave you a good glimpse of the animated kitchen crew as well as the first color television set in the neighborhood. I remember sitting there watching Flipper and learning Italian cuss words from the kitchen. You almost didn't want your pie to be brought out too fast.

Strong before our birth are the Sons of the Garden State.

You could get an awesome pie for $1.00, or a pasta diner for the same price. They had the first color televeison I ever saw. Son Luke kept telling me that when Judge Castellano became mayor, Newark would be back on top. Forty years later, Bennie Abruzzo still recollects the waitress Delores. A great memory. Thank you, John!!Remember that great mural? I always mispronounced the name "Volcanos", but I mispronounce a lot of things.

Yeah, I called it Volcano's a few times myself.

(Frank, I got your message Friday a little too late to head out to your Jersey City bacchanalia. Usually I never pass up a free beer.)

We had three other gentlemen, and four young ladies. Maybe November 12th, as the 5th is First Friday at Cryan's. Happy halloween!

I recall waiting at that round table for a pizza and watching that Color TV. At that time (1964), very few people had a color TV. I remember being there on a Friday Night in the spring of 1964 and watching a Mets game from Shea Stadium. At that time, Shea had just opened and I was awed by the beautiful green of the Baseball Field on Television. John, you are correct! When we waited for a pizza there, we never wanted it to be ready too fast!