Memories of Miami Beach

Talk about those old familiar places... Does anyone remember the great old spots in Miami Beach in the 50's and 60's? I'm talking about Wolfies and Darby's in the vicinity of Lincoln Road. They were great for breakfast. Wolfies also had the best deli sandwiches, pickles on the tables, and New York cheesecake to die for. Then there was Pickin Chicken and Pumperniks. As a kid, I loved these places. For Italian my family always selected Piccolo's which was south on Washington Ave. Then for dress up nights we went to Embers which had outstanding steaks, chops, and twice baked potatoes. Of course for a change of pace there was Juniors, the 12l7 Steak House, and the coffee shop in the Fountainblue. I also loved the uniqueness of the Famous restaurant which had the seltzer bottles on the tables. and you knew you were in for a real treat.

I think that all of these spots are long gone but have great memories of going to the movies on hot summer nights in the ubiquitous theatres up and down Lincoln Road then stopping for cheesecake at Wolfie's or ice cream at Whalen's soda fountain. Anyone remember these spots or any other from that time period? How about suggestions for places even remotely like the Famous???

Rascal House is still there and going VERY strong. I was there twice in December, and to me if seemed, if anything, better than ever.

The original Wolfie's, on 24th (that's right I think) closed only a few years ago.

There's still a few other deli's in Miami Beach, including Arnie's and Al's or something like that around Alton Road and 41st.

Rascal House is actually owned these days, by a company from LA. They also own a Pumpernick's in Pembroke Pines--I tried a few years ago, but it was not that good.

I am huge devotee of Bagel Bar in North Miami Beach.

Rob

I remember most of those places from family trips to Miami in the late '60's. Mmmmm.

I also think Lums was originally from that area. I absolutely loved their Ollie Burger -- with cheese. It had a great mix of spices on it and I think the cheese was mozzarella. Are there any Lums still around?

I'm hoping to take my kids down to Florida in the next year on vacation. Glad to know that Rascal House is still there -- I'll be sure to take them!

omg i have been searching all over the web looking for memories of Piccolo's

we would go to miami every summer for about 3-4 weeks and eat dinner there every night
we got close to the family and I as a child was responsiable for them putting veal parm on the childrens menu

I cant tell you how it broke my heart as an adult to see a film called band on the hand (dreadfull film) but there was good old piccolos all run down and boarded up i cried like a family member had passed away

Does anyone here recall Parhams that was another fave for breakfast and for lunch

lumms was from that area too they made the hot dogs with the beer if im not mistaken and wolfies was still there last time i was

Oh, man, I'd forgotten the name of Pumpernik's, thanks!
My late grandparents used to live just a few blocks from Pumpernik's, and it was a standard for early-bird dinner when we'd visit over winter break. Great chocolate phosphates.

Others from the same area: Rocky Grazziani's (sp?), known for its veal parmesan... was Tony Roma's originally a Florida chain? I'd only seen them down there when I was a kid.

But the place we always went to was Rustic Inn for all-you-can-eat garlic blue crab. I believe they still exist, but they stopped doing AYCE, so far as I know.

Sadly, Wolfies is now gone. They fell victim to another condo development. I believe they clsoed in 2004. Lumm's was actually a state wide chain. I remember eating those hot dogs in beer while visiting my cousin who's father was stationed in Panama Beach in the late 60s.

YourPalWill wrote:Sadly, Wolfies is now gone. They fell victim to another condo development. I believe they clsoed in 2004. Lumm's was actually a state wide chain. I remember eating those hot dogs in beer while visiting my cousin who's father was stationed in Panama Beach in the late 60s.

Of course, Wolfie's is still open in spirit under the Jerry's Deli name in South Beach as well as the location in North Miami. Also, Lum's was a national chain. There used to be one on the corner of North and Wells here in Chicago where the Boston Chicken now resides.

Jerry's Famous Deli
1450 Collins Ave
Miami Beach,FL
305-532-8030

Wolfie's Restaurant
11900 Biscayne Blvd
Aventura, FL
305-538-6626

omg wolfies must have closed right after the last time we were there



Jerrys is ok but doesnt have that same type of charm as eatting in a room with dancing pickles


So i guess im the only one old enough to recall parhamms
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YourPalWill wrote:Sadly, Wolfies is now gone. They fell victim to another condo development. I believe they clsoed in 2004. Lumm's was actually a state wide chain. I remember eating those hot dogs in beer while visiting my cousin who's father was stationed in Panama Beach in the late 60s.

Wolfie's, the original, closed more than a few years ago as I found out when I was there last year. I think it was killed mostly by demographics, the alter-kockers who once dominated that part of Miami Beach have been pushed out by too many hipsters.

Wolfie Cohen's Rascal House, a/k/a Rascal House, still thrives on Collins in North Miami Beach. What DID close is the Rascal House in Boca. I was only there once, and it was not up to its namesakes. Others I talked to tended to agree with this assessment.

As to Lumm's, there's some interesting history with this company. For one thing, you may know it better these days as Ceasar's Palace. For another given its Miami Beach ties, you might not be surprised to know that a Lansky or two had their fingers involved.

jimiphil wrote:Jerrys is ok but doesnt have that same type of charm as eatting in a room with dancing pickles
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jerry's is as tourist trappy as anything... wasn't that impressed... we went in to grab a bagel and locks... a donut.. and 2 coffees... after about 20 minutes of waiting, we were charged $25 (actually, i think it was somewhere around $28 )... and were on our way... yes, over $25!!! insanity reigns. we checked the receipt and everything was right, it was just insanely overpriced... what a trap!!

There was a Lum's in Glenwood until the early '80's. I worked there as a waitress in the mid 70's. They probably went out of business because I would comp my friends every other pitcher of beer. I can still remember my horrible navy polyester uniform with the red and white apron. While that went into the garbage many years ago, I still have my official Lum's nametag somewhere in my drawer of nostalgic crap.

Suzy

I will be in Miami Beach at the Fontainebleau Hotel for a conference next week. From this thread it looks like I should check out the Bagel Bar and Rascal House, but does anyone have any suggestions for other restaurants in that area to try?

KT,

The Bagel Bar is not very close to the Fontainebleau Hotel, and depending if you mean Miami close or normal close, the Rascal House is not that close either. Will you have a car?

There's a deli in that part of Miami Beach called, I believe Arnies, around 40th and Alton that gets good reviews, but I've never been. As you go North of the hotel, there's a lot of interesting stuff, that I have mostly never tried, Russian and Argentian, although see this post for some Argentinian discussion. If you go South from the hotel, you are smack in Miami Beach. Lotsa glamour spots, but me, I head straight to Joe's all the way at the tip. It's better (and way less crowded) at lunch.

I hope that's a good start.

Wow! Memories. Miami Beach High (21st street and Dade Blvd) 1969.... new school year after Woodstock....bailing class for a cheescake groove at Wolfies ( I was sooo thin then..)... Lunchtime standing in the mega-line at Ollies on 21st street.... I think they modeled the Seinfeld soup nazi after Ollie... You'd get to the counter.Ollie behind cooking... He'd yell out "Next...Come on" If you hesitated for a second, Ollie would yell out " Let's go let's go quickly.... Allright next person, then" Worth every bit of abuse... best hamburger ever made! We'd goof on Ollie, telling him, "Ollie I love you, hurt me Ollie..Hurt my feelings..." Ollie would just say "Shut up... next...next..." There'll never be another Ollie... OUTSTANDING... Embers..definitely big in those days...Here's a culinary landmark.. Does anyone remember Fun Fair on 79th street Treasure Island North Bay Village? AWESOME Pizza burgers...killer fries...plus fun games mini golf cool teenage hang...

WOW, my wife and I frequent the miami beach area to get some "away time" and rejuvenate ourselves. And we just got back, but i was so nostalgic after this latest trip. I was talking about piccolo's and wolfies, the rascal house, the desert inn. thats where my family went for summer vacations and it's all going by the wayside....damn shame, don't get me wrong, south beach is great and fun too, but nothing beats going to piccolos and getting veal cutlet parm served by waiters with white gloves!!! GOOD MEMORIES, THANKS!

I was in Miami Beach over X-mas and Wolfie's was still there- it's on Collins and 19th or 20th- not too far from Lincoln Rd Mall.

A good spot to hit up for breakfast, hell anytime- they are open 24hrs a day is News Cafe on 8th and Ocean Drive- good potatoes and the best place to people watch- which if you are in Miami Beach- you'll have a blast doing- quite some characters there.

Growing up in 50's and 60's Miami Beach I remember Piccollos well...south of 5th street....the outdoor and indoor dining areas...the lobster tank in the front....those were the days.

Does anyone remember a little restaurant called the 'Shrimp place' in Miami? Tiny place in the poorest neighborhood with $1.00 Shrimp dinners (in the beginning) which were great.

good old days indeed