When did Italian harlem cease to exist? (living, restaurant)

[NJ Chutzpah]

When did italian harlem cease to exist?

I did some research on this, but I wanna hear what some regular folk have to say so I can compare.

[Hustla718]

The Italians left for bigger and better things. Those that could...

There was a holdout for a lot of Italians that could not leave. Pleasant Ave (gotta love the name), way on the east side. A lot of Mafia people. Not exactly "pleasant" but the Italians held on to it well into the 1990's.

These days though pretty much all of them are gone. East Harlem today is being taken over by Mexicans. They may have passed the Puerto Rican population in the area by now.

[straightshooter]

i'll tell you what, though....no matter who moved in, italians kept that block around the original patsy's (is it 115 and 1st?) cleaned up. even in the 80's it was an oasis in a desert of savagery.

[Moth]

Around 1985 or so, a friend of mine was living there and described it as a nice one or two block enclave. I never visited though.

[Concept]

Pleasant ave (all the way out by the river) was their last stronghold. they had that stretch even into the late 90's. that was all mafia turf back in the day. the last 5 yrs it seems most are out, though. theres one hangout/restaurant where they still might gather (RAO's).

and patsy's is on 117th and first. still make great pizza.

[straightshooter]

i haven't been to the patsy's on 117 since vietnam. are the italians still keeping that part decent? the surrounding area is like darfur.

[Concept]

nah, no italians live anywhere around there anymore. my friend lived in a nice brownstone on pleasant. his family left, and he told me basically everyone on the block is out of there. and the few blocks on first around patsy's is shot totally. im actually suprised they havent closed down too.

back in the day, i used to visit that area weekly cuz my bookie was located there. lol

[CIMMINO270]

Just Wanted To Fish Around And See If Anybody Here Might Of Known My Dads Family? They Have All Passed Away! My Great Grandfather: Don Mario/ My Grandfather: Willie Main/ My Uncle: Philip "philly Rags" ? Thanks For Your Time!

[baylovers]

There is a bar on East 119 St called Rags which is down the block from the 25 Pct. As you can guess it is often frequented by the local cops.

Don't know if there is a relationship to "Philly Rags" or not.

[thefourthcircle44]

Does Anyone Remember 116st In The 1980's????