The Sopranos may be finito, but more fans than ever are beating a path to NJ, making a pilgrimage to their favorite Sopranos locations.
One week after the grand finale, Baristanet went back to Holsten's, now arguably the most famous ice cream parlor in America.
Owners Chris Carley and Ron Stark are definitely feeling a Sopranos after-shock.
The door's not ringing (that was a prop) but they answer the phone 60-80 times a day. People are calling from all over the country, asking to reserve "Tony's Table" (sorry, not possible), and one guy even wanted directions from California, Chris says. They had a run on onion rings (and ran out of them one day), and every day customers come in asking about the shoot. Every day it seems to get busier - I don't know how long this will last, but we're enjoying it," says Carley.
He added, "in retrospect, Mayor McCarthy's opposition to the filming in Bloomfield was the best thing that could have happened - it put Holsten's - and Bloomfield - on the map.
So...we wanted to know, did these two ice cream makers get an inside scoop on the controversial ending?
For the answer, watch the video clip
-- Video: Galloping Hill Media.
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Comments (29)
Please let it die.
Please let it die.
Please let it die.
It wouldn't have been the best thing if they had succeeded. Instead of fighting it they should have played it up right from the beginning.
Khannnn! LOL.
Yeah, it kinda cracks me up when I read that someone from Israel is willing to pay hundreds of dollars to come over here just so they can visit Pizzaland in North Arlington, NJ. Or that someone living the Pacific Northwest actually has pizza delivered to them from New Jersey! But based on the times I spent with my family in Oregon, the pizza out there IS pretty damn bad so I can sympathize.
From your keyboard to God's wishes!
"...and one guy even wanted directions from California, Chris says."
Simple. Go to I-80 and take a right. Three days later, take another right on the Garden State Parkway. Get off at exit 151 toward Montclair.
Conan,
Towards Montclair? Don't you mean Bloomfield? After all Holsten's isn't in Montclair and has nothing to do with Montclair.
Both Holsten's and Rita's are in Bloomfield and we're proud of it!
Hey, I don't make the signs, I just follow them. :) If you get off at 151, you got two cherces: Nutley or Montclair. Go figure!
Unfortunately, that exit sign on the GSP only mentions Montclair & Nutley. Maybe we can lobby Trenton to put up a Holsteins' Historic Landmark sign.
"Both Holsten's and Rita's are in Bloomfield and we're proud of it!"
Bloomfield is rightfully proud of Holsten's. It is a special place. Rita's however is just another chain, like Starbuck's or Popeye's, and is everywhere.
Go away and leave those of us who have been going to Holstens for the past 45 years alone. Geez
Come on, s2007, don't begrudge Holsten's its chance to make a few extra bucks. The fad will pass soon enough.
BitPusher
I'm happy for them that they are making some extra bucks, but I just think the whole thing is soooo silly. I just don't understand what motivates people when it comes to "celebrity"
Chris and Ron are two of the nicest guys around. Mazel tov!
Those onion rings are looking rather gelatinous after all this time. Tony's not going to like them.
Pizzaland Pizza rocks! I used to live in Kearny and grew up with it. I haven't had it in a couple of years.
"Unfortunately, that exit sign on the GSP only mentions Montclair & Nutley. Maybe we can lobby Trenton to put up a Holsteins' Historic Landmark sign.
Posted by Geoff | June 21, 2007 4:36 PM "
Geoff, what a great idea. We'll have to make sure that they spell it correctly.
"Pizzaland Pizza rocks! I used to live in Kearny and grew up with it. I haven't had it in a couple of years"
Did you go there when Fred was there? He was a character who would have fit in well on the Sopranos. I don't think he was actually "connected" but was a serious mafia wannabe. I wonder if the pictures of him decked out in his finest still adorn the walls. If it got busy, he would throw the phone receiver in the flour bin and all you would get is a busy signal. He also had his favorite and not-so-favorite customers. I could walk in that cramped space without ever ordering and get the next pizza out of the oven. My brother-in-law could call, wait half an hour and then go only to wait another half an hour at the store.
I miss the pizzas. Nothing in Montclair comes close.
Holsten's makes really good cheeseburgers and their milk shakes are top notch.
I first ate there 37 years ago and make it back every year or so for those tasty cheeseburgers.
Do they still put the giant bunny in the window for Easter. I think I remember seeing the Easter Bunny out front, waving at passer's by recently.
David Chase picked a great location to 'off' the viewers..
i think soprano visitors are going to most shocked/disappointed by the fact that a booth at holsten doesn't have mini-jukeboxes, like the one tony used to select that final song.
Too bad the place is filthy
have you ever seen the grill area
all the trash on the floor
i guess they had a hvac company come in
before the shoot
Too bad the place is filthy
have you ever seen the grill area
all the trash on the floor
i guess they had a hvac company come in
before the shoot
Too bad the place is filthy
have you ever seen the grill area
all the trash on the floor
i guess they had a hvac company come in
before the shoot
Too bad the place is filthy
have you ever seen the grill area
all the trash on the floor
i guess they had a hvac company come in
before the shoot
Too bad the place is filthy
have you ever seen the grill area
all the trash on the floor
i guess they had a hvac company come in
before the shoot
I take it gillian must be a competitor of Holsten's?
Check out www.holstensdiner.com
Don't know about that 4score. Looks like someone trying to rip Holsten's off.