Table Hopping with Morris Gut

SUMMER BITES

Leno’s Clam Bar in New Rochelle: Road foodies may remember Leno’s Clam Bar, also known as ‘Greasy Nick’s’, along Pelham Road in New Rochelle, just minutes from the Bronx line and Orchard Beach. It’s just down the road from lovely Glen Island Park. I started going to Leno’s generations ago for their burgers, steamers, fried clams, grilled hotdogs, and corn on the cob swimming in butter. It’s a wonderful no-frills experience.  It has not changed much, now in its 3rd generation. 

We loaded up the metal table: their famous cheeseburgers with sautéed onions (a must!) and fries; dripping corn on the cob; fried clams with tartar sauce, hot dogs, and cheese dogs. Thank goodness for all those napkins. You get your own beverages inside, and it’s still on the honor system, believe it or not. Table service is very friendly and laid back. 

Leno’s Clam Bar is at 755 Pelham Road, New Rochelle. Open daily during the season. Indoor and outdoor seating. Phone: 914-636-9869.

Share a Pizza at Pelham Pizzeria: You can debate about your favorite pizza joints: Louie & Ernie’s, Bronx; Sal’s, Mamaroneck; Johnny’s, Mt. Vernon; Cole’s, Bronxville; even Frank Pepe’s in New Haven. I submit, Pelham Pizzeria is right up the with the best of them! One of the most popular pizza shops in the area, Pelham Pizzeria & Ristorante, has been operating over 40 years in bustling Pelham with a classic Italian-American menu and first-rate pizza specialties. The display case beckons with its fresh baked pizzas by the slice: Sausage Pie with the house signature lumps of tasty sausage; Spicy Crush Slice; Spinach Pie, White Pizza, and Chicken Cutlet Pie. Many of the classic Italian-American red-sauce favorites are here: Homemade Lasagna; Baked Manicotti; Shrimp Scampi; and hearty Grilled Chicken with Broccoli Rabe and Potatoes. Portions are very generous. 

Pelham Pizzeria, 113 Fifth Ave., Pelham. 914-738-7554 www.pelhampizzeria.com 

Wings Fly at Tuck’d Away: Michael Cuozzo operates a friendly tavern on Yonkers Ave that offers delightful comfort foods and reasonably priced Happy Hours. Specialties include: Pretzel Bites with choice of dipping sauce; Fried Pickles with horseradish remoulade; Pork Wontons served with soy sauce or Thai chili; a Slider Trio; and Baked Macaroni and Cheese, with Asiago, Cheddar, Gruyere, Fontina, panko bread crumbs. Tuck’d Away Wings fly out of the kitchen here in a variety of styles: Buffalo-style, BBQ, spicy peanut, Thai chili, Tequila lime, teriayaki, honey chipotle, sweet jerk, garlic parmesan, or plain fried. Happy hours: Monday – Friday, 3-6 p.m. Saturdays to 5 p.m.  

Tuck’d Away Bar and Grill, 90 Yonkers Ave., Tuckahoe. Phone: 914-222-9162. www.tuckedaway90.com  

(Morris Gut is a restaurant marketing consultant and former restaurant trade magazine editor. He has been tracking and writing about the food and dining scene in greater Westchester for 30 years. He may be reached at: 914-235-6591. E-mail: gutreactions@optonline.net)