Friday, January 8, 2010

History of the Sturgeon Craze

Some time in the early 60s Manhattan's Upper West Side went sturgeon crazy. Joints sprang up from 72nd to 106th on street corners, in abandoned diners, penthouse apartments and even mobile DJ units (Kool Herc was a master sturgeon chef and knish connoisseur). The people couldn't get enough of that creamy sturgeon goodness. But then, like so much in modern New York, the big bucks eventually moved in and took over. Barney Greengrass and Murray (last name withheld) injected millions of dollars into the sturgeon trade, monopolized the business, worked the docks with a fist, and garnered all the customers. 2010 and these two establishments are all that remain to fulfill your sturgeon needs. And it is good.

18 comments:

Chuck Pefley said...

Interesting story. I had no idea sturgeon was a big deal, and now I want to try some.

Julie said...

What does one eat, the meat or the eggs?

Love the story and the two photos. Think I prefer the style of the Murray's (name withheld) shop more.

Julie said...

Forgot ... what is knish?

James said...

Very interesting. Have you done a taste test?

Eleonora Baldwin said...

Didn't know of sturgeon's importance, very interesting. Now I'm hungry for some...

Ciao,
Eleonora

Kitty said...

Is this Murray the same as Murray's Cheese Shop?

If so, he must be loaded.

Daryl said...

AND to the left of Barney Greengrass is the amazing but sturgeon free Popover Cafe another UWS staple...OR you can always wander down B'way to Zabars ...

EV Grieve said...

I love these signs.

alex said...

an entire business made on selling sturgeon. only in NYC:)

GreensboroDailyPhoto said...

I think I'll eat some sturgeon and head on over to the rubber stamp shop. Those little proprietor-on-site shops are the best. Hate to see them go!

Melanie said...

These signs are great. Sturgeon is fabulous albeit a bit expensive. When I was a little girl my Dad would go out on Sunday mornings and buy bagels and lox and sturgeon. I never ate sturgeon as a child nor did I eat lobster. My Dad said "when you grown up I bet you will eat it." He was right as usual.

dianasfaria.com said...

never heard of Sturgeon, but I do like Murray's sign.

Three Rivers, Michigan said...

Eeew, I hope those trash bags aren't full of left-over sturgeon...

Murray's has a great old-timey looking sign!
Three Rivers Daily Photo

James Taylor said...

Isn't there still a Sturgeon place on Irving Place around 15th/16th? And there used to also be one on Amsterdam & 86thish... Haven't been up there for a while though.

Marie said...

That makes me so sad not to be there now :-))))

Rune Eide said...

That is a fad that has not reached us yet, and with this history it might be as well?

Anonymous said...

Most species of sturgeons are currently considered either vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered.

Virginia said...

Does sturgeon taste anything like catfish?? Just wonderin'.
V