{Flatbush on Food

A look into the changing culinary culture of Brooklyn

John Cleary & Christian Dibari

We underestimate the power of food. It serves as an accurate taste to the hundreds of cultures which exist in the boundaries of the Boroughs. So why Brooklyn? The strength of culture, despite its changing populous, makes it an ideal lens to visualize the food that is eaten within it. That, and the Pizza’s great.

Brooklyn, as a Borough

Circa 1900-1975 Defined as the area between Avenue H to

the South, Prospect Park South to the North, Coney Island Avenue to the West, and New York Avenue to the East

Main Cultural Presence: -Italian -Orthodox Jewish

Flatbush Avenue Then:

In the late 1970’s and early 1980’s the demographic make up of Flatbush changed drastically.

While still remaining mainly working class, the ethnic backgrounds of Flatbush residents switched from Jewish and Italian American, to mainly Caribbean.

The culture imprint of prior inhabitants remains.

A Changing Community

Defined as the area between Avenue H to the South, Prospect Park South to the North, Coney Island Avenue to the West, and New York Avenue to the East

Main Cultural Presence: -Haitian -Caribbean -Jewish -Poor College Student

Flatbush Avenue Now:

Pizza: - Luigi’s Pizza, Uncle Vic’s, Rocco’s Caribbean: - Faye & Kings, Maggie’s Chinese Take-Out: - Wong’s, Peking, City Restaurant Miscellaneous: - Ovi’s Place, Rockin Robin’s

Restaurants of Flatbush

Hot Dogs Halal Sausage Knishes Waffles Coffee

The Food Cart

*Although not classified as restaurants,these establishments are visited by Sanitation inspectors often, and follow strict religious standards to keep Halal or Kosher

Chris and John’s Edible Adventure Through Flatbush

Pizza

Pizza Cont.

Uncle Vic’s Pizza, opened in 2011, is Latin American owned.Latin American immigration to Brooklyn and New York hasIncreased since the second half of the 20th Century. This fact Makes the pizza of a completely different style thantraditional Italian Brooklyn.

Caribbean

Creole, Haitian, and Jamaican cuisine, culture, and religion are very present in Midwood Brooklyn

Chinese Take-Out

In the words of Conan: “The best thing about New York is that you can make a phone call and haveHot Chinese food at you door in 20.” Asian-American Immigrants have Americanized Chinese food, and Reinvented take-out and have been very successful.

Miscellaneous

These Misc. restaurants appeal to the various Demographics of Brooklyn, and offer cheapFood for Students of the nearby Brooklyn College

The Food Cart

Impact of Cultural Movement/Migrationon Brooklyn’s Cultureand Food

• Williamsburg• Pizza/Italian

Food

Questions?

The Beauty of Brooklyn, Flatbush especially, is that everything is available within its borders. Food serves as a cultural fingerprint of Brooklyn’s past. As you indulge in the food of Flatbush, you’re indulging in its history as well.

In Conclusion…