Say what? Italian style
"In 1902, Italian immigrant Giovanni Amato started selling fresh baked rolls to his fellow countrymen working on the docks of Portland, Maine. At the workers' request, Giovanni added a little meat, cheese and fresh vegetables and the 'Real Italian' was born….."
Such is the humble beginning of Amato's, the beloved Italian eatery of southern Maine and New Hampshire. Giovanni's work would grow into the modern chain of moderately quick and prepared Italian meals, popular enough to draw car after car into the Brunswick, Maine, location on a rainy Sunday afternoon. The pizza is delicious, and I hear the same about the Real Italian.
But neither the history nor the food explain how, in the land of Poland Springs and other spring things, where good-hearted landowners let rock-born chill spouts flow free at the roadside, Amato's could make their own bottled water and somehow put this label on the side….
"Some place way uppa high inna da mountains, ees thisa spring. Da water ees a clear anna cool anna we put it inna da bottle so you canna quencha you thirst when you eata da pizza. Amato's Pure Mountain Spring Water wasa created by da Bigga Boss to go great witha da pizza."
September 13th, 2007 at 6:55 AM
Veggie version – No oil, extra pickles. So amazing. It's all in the bread. A true Maine tradition.
Great story:
http://travel.mainetoday.com/fromaway/060405.shtml
September 13th, 2007 at 9:35 AM
The powerful poutine lobby! That sounds like the best group ever.
September 13th, 2007 at 1:51 PM
that post could be a script for the food network…i'm thinking giada's show… :)
September 13th, 2007 at 5:27 PM
Blargh. "Here I am in Brunswick, just outside of Maine…."
September 14th, 2007 at 5:27 AM
Oh God, that is hilarious. I can see it now — me, screaming and pointing at the screen –"We don't call them lobster buoys, you idiot!"
"No, no paprika on the rolls. No paprika!!"
"If she says 'Cant' get there from here' one more time…"
September 14th, 2007 at 6:27 AM
And stop stealing from the farmers market! Not everyone gets free samples!