Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

When you ask Somerville’s social network a question they really come through. You didn’t think I remembered all that stuff from the old days by myself? Actually, I do remember quite a lot, some I can’t print, but I need some help occasionally.

Since the response to my list of old Somerville nicknames went over so well, I figure what the hell, let’s do old restaurants. So here they are, ladies and gentlemen, some more places we cannot go to anymore. Some were actually in surrounding cities but very much frequented by Somerville folks. Again, these are from readers, and I admit I hadn’t heard of some of them.

BoBo’s,Ming Toy, Frascatis, La Haciaenda, The Paddock, The Railside, Speedy Pizza, Bella Meo Sub Shop,DiTucci’s Sub Shop, Deli-Liscious, The Fellsway East Restaurant, Lambro’s Roast Beef, White Tower, Harold’s Luncheonette, and Ross’s Subs at McKInnons.

The Venice, Pine Tree Diner, Kemp’s Hamburgers, Jack in the Box, Dragon Villa, Yee’s Village, Bickford’s, Candolino’s /Continental, Kerry’s, Kay and Chip’s, Dolly’s, Ocean Reef, Virgie’s, Lil Vinny’s, Frenchie’s, Victor’s, Lucy’s, and The Woodbridge.

The Averof, Brigham’s, Friendly’s, Steve’s Ice Cream, Louie’s, Memory Lane, Dapper Dan’s, Igo’s, Stephen James House, The Homestead, The Highland, J and S Food Store, Carrolls Diner, The Golden Egg, HoJo’s, Arthur Treachers, Pescatores, Napoli Pizza, The Genoa, and Primo’s.

Sunny’s Deli, The Waldorf, Nate’s, Sir Franco, Fantasia, Aku Aku, Gia’s, Cuckoo’s Nest, The Broken Yoke, The Coronet, Golden Light, The Egg and I, Sal’s, Villa Capri, Peppe Becca, The Fryers, Worldly Wings, KFC, Kevin’s Korner, Nan’s Sub Shop, Someday Cafe, The Supreme Deli, La Piñata, The Bull Pen, Gia’s, Amelia’s Kitchen, East Star Cafe, Johnny D’s, F &T Diner, Christo’s, Ball Square Fish Market (Frankie’s) and The Gas Light.

I loved Todi’s in Ball Square, which featured his mother’s meatballs and spaghetti sauce. The Todi’s sign is still there. I’m sure there are a few more old restaurants that we couldn’t remember.

The most mentioned restaurants were The Venice, Virgies, The Continental, The Paddock, Dapper Dans, La Hacienda and Kay and Chips.

If you wanted to skip lunch and have candy, you could go to Loud’s Candy Shop across from Powder House Park. They made the candy right there. White and dark chocolate, and barley pops and molasses candy … yum!

Just for fun, Paul H remembered this: Golden Light, 666-9822, # 18.

If you’re anything like me, you will be filled with memories as you read through the lost restaurants list. I had a few real good laughs as some crazy flashbacks dawned on me. Be safe.