Jimmy's Chimichurri Sauce This spicy sauce tops the adobo chicken that is a favorite at Jimmy's Bronx Cafe in New York City. The longtime tavern owner and boxing jack of all trades passed away from coronavirus. Would they reopen, returning Jimmy to fame? The spacious banquet hall, restaurant and nightclub on Fordham Road has been leased by its owner, Jimmy Rodriguez, to new proprietors who will open a seafood restaurant and cocktail lounge on the site. The Rodriguez sisters, said Jaleene, are recreating that atmosphere on City Island. (Enid Alvarez/New York Daily News). In the case of Jimmy's Grand Cafe, located at 1001 Castle Hill Ave. in the Bronx, a small parking lot has been transformed into an outdoor dining oasis. It served $5 million in meals its first year and soon had 125 people on its payroll. As of 2018, only Eliseo and Daly survive. The eatery dishes up Puerto Rican comfort food like pernil (roast pork) with rice and pigeon peas, along with American staples like filet mignon and Spanish dishes like Paella. Career: Restaurateur. After being rejected for a renovation loan, Rodriguez decided to sell Jimmy's Bronx Caf. Desperate, he even considered approaching a local loan shark. "We've always been very involved in his projects. Patrons were disappointed. Recent guests at one party included Marion Javits, the widow of Senator Jacob K. Javits; the rappers Ja Rule and Fat Joe; Mary Morgan-Moss, the representative of Panama to the United Nations; and dozens of strangers he plucked from the tables and bar stools of his various restaurants. He had plans to revamp the place. The celebrity presence guaranteed press coverage and a steady stream of clientele. Rodriguez was named one of Crain's New York Business's top minority business leaders on a list that included musician Wynton Marsalis, American Express CEO Ken Chenault, and lawyer Johnnie Cochran. Add 1 tablespoon butter. Will this 23-year-old tutor win her 23rd Jeopardy! game? The renowned Italian eatery has been there for five generations. Diddy Combs and American Express CEO Ken Chenault. Copyright 2023 Jimmy's Grand Caf. Get the latest business insights from Dun & Bradstreet. Bill Cosby, Jennifer Lopez, President Bill Clinton, legendary Cuban singer Celia Cruz, rap star Fat Joe, and a host of Big Apple movers-and-shakers dined at Jimmy's. "Deals can be cut here. At Jimmy's Uptown, the boss ordered a vodka tonic and looked around. He asked her to take over the restaurant and keep it in the family, just like he had been preparing her to do. 111. Valet only. Driving to that hospital, I thought to myself, is this the last time Im ever going to see my father? Get hyperlocal forecasts, radar and weather alerts. He has already made a move across the river, recently buying a restaurant on 131st Street, in Harlem, which will house the second Jimmy's Bronx Cafe. JIMMY BRONX By Jay Mclnerney November 9, 1997 The New Yorker, November 17, 1997 P. 46 OUR LOCAL CORRESPONDENTS about Bronx nightclub owner Jimmy Rodriguez. For the second time in two months, Jimmy's Bronx Cafe threw open its doors to businesses looking for action in the borough. He has just expanded the restaurant. ''Can we get some more kibbles out here?'' /a > Salsa at Mambo 101 '' politician. He is the one whirring down the highway in a Jaguar convertible; his friends are the baseball stars, his girlfriend a famous actress. The wife of embattled restaurateur Jimmy Rodriguez says he cheated on her, lied to her and even hit her with his car - but he finally went too far when he fathered a child with his mistress, a. Garages Street Private. Their restaurants serve different cuisines, in different parts of the Bronx. James J. Peters - Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Mr. Rodriguez, who was born in Puerto Rico, grew up selling seafood chowder from a cart on the side of the Major Deegan Expressway in the Bronx. 281 W Fordham Rd. Get the best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app. 8 min. he asked them. Migliucci, who was 81 years old, had lung disease. He has thawed his new Sutton Place neighbors with Bronx-style barbecues, which he holds each week on the sprawling terrace of his penthouse (one block from Jimmy's Downtown), which he bought in June. Someone can work a floor and meet three to four hundred people, all in one night.". 8. ''It's a sad day.''. ''I've heard the stories,'' the woman teased from her table in the sleek red-and-white dining room of Jimmy's Downtown. A lively Latin hot spot, its proximity to Yankee Stadium draws in plenty of sports fans. Served with soup or salad. See all 75 photos. On any given evening, the crowd at Jimmy's Bronx Cafe may include such locals as Tito Puente, John Leguizamo, the actress Jennifer Lopez, Scan (Puffy) Combs, and Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer, as well as the occasional Manhattan scenester such as the "Post's" Richard Johnson and the party designer Robert Isabell. Baratta owned a restaurant in East Harlem and regularly spent time at Rao's on Pleasant Avenue. Vegetarians can choose from an array of fresh veggie dishes like the garden salad with apples, while meat lovers are sure to get their fill with the half-pound cheeseburger. Shortstop Derek Jeter held parties in the restaurant. Other well-known customers included Bill Cosby and Tito Puente, along with a host of other musicians, sports players and politicians. He says Torres was an otherwise healthy 73 year old and was not ready to go. The size of the land lot is 16,625 sqft. Addresses: Officec/o Jimmy's Downtown, 400 E. 57th St., New York, NY, 10022. Jimmy Rodriguez opened his restaurant-nightclub Jimmy's Bronx Cafe on Fordham Road in 1993. Jimmy Rodriguez's story has all the elements of a fairy tale. For a decade it was the destination for Yankees, musicians, models, and politicians. Known for its fun, laid-back vibe and fantastic food, Jimmy's Grand Cafe is a favorite among locals in the Bronx, NY. HIRING 6 BENEFIT REPS-WORK REMOTE W/TRAINING, Bronx kettling lawsuit: NYC will pay millions to protesters bullied by cops at BLM rally, Potful of trouble: NYC stores skirting marijuana licensing rules, prompting legal confusion and safety concerns, Mercy College Opens New Student Lounge & Computer Lab, Charles Rutenberg Realty Opens Bronx Office, Bronx kettling lawsuit: NYC will pay millions to protesters bullied by cops at, Camille Joseph Varlack, Chief of Staff to the Mayor of the City of. The NYPD's biggest manhunt in history for a terrifying serial killer dubbed the Son of Sam didn't assuage anyone's concerns that things were in horrific shape. Jimmy Jr. followed shortly after in 1992 with Jimmy's Bronx Cafe on Fordham Rd., which became the go-to for the borough's movers and shakers. With a clean credit rating and a successful restaurant, he turned to local banks for the $2.5 million asking price. The handsome, Bronx-born Rodriguez, whose friends read like a whos who of politics and entertainment, closed his East 57th Street restaurant, Jimmys Downtown, last Monday with little notice to his patrons or employees. In those final moments, he didnt stop thinking about his family. Jimmy's Bronx Cafe is a crowded bar, restaurant and nightclub with plenty of diversity in its clientele and menu. "The restaurant business is in my blood. Jimmy's Bronx Cafe, which opened in 1993, hosted Fidel Castro while he was visiting New York in 1995 and held two birthday celebrations for Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter. He found an abandoned car dealership located on the same expressway where he and his father had once hawked seafood. We've received your submission. He was a legacy there. The restaurant also attracted police attention as a suspected hangout for drug dealers. Sort by: Distance Price Relevance. By Michael Woods May 8, 2020, 8:00am EDT. Rodriguez has decided to lease the space to Felix Cabrera, who plans to open a seafood eatery there, the Times said. I enjoy the food every time I eat there. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. Likewise, Bronx rapper Fat Joe, who told the Daily News this week that he couldn't get enough of the place. In 1953, Francisco moved his family from the depressed economy of Puerto Rico to New York City. Hildenbrand, according to customers, had lately appeared to be upset at the prospects of the restaurants closing. Riccardo Aquendo, a lawyer whos friends with Rodriguez, suggested he doesnt want to be found, when asked where his buddy is. Ad Choices. Plan an event now in our upstairs Party Room. Even before construction was finished, Rodriguez proved his celebrity pull when Woody Allen hosted an opening party for his film Sweet and Lowdown in the half-finished restaurant. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the restaurant dishes up classic American cuisine as well as tasty Latin American dishes. Favorite menu items range from the exotic Dominican breakfast to crispy empanadas. His uncle, Ellie Rodriguez, was a player's agent for Major League Baseball. If you like finger food while watching a game, try the wings. (Major Deegan Expy.) Born Jaime Rodriguez Jr. in 1963(? "My favorite restaurant in the Bronx is Don Coqui," Fat Joe said. NEW YORK (AP) _ Jimmy's Bronx Cafe, a restaurant and nightspot famous for its salsa music and celebrity customers, has closed after 10 years in business. Recommended Reviews. It was 8 p.m. on a recent Friday and the woman and her friends were chatting up Jimmy Rodriguez, the owner of Jimmy's Bronx Cafe, Jimmy's Uptown in Harlem and now Jimmy's. The venues were: The Music Hall at Snug Harbor, St. Ann's Warehouse in Brooklyn, the Queens College Golden Center, Jimmy's Bronx Cafe, and the Beacon Theatre on Manhattan's Upper West Side. ''It was a place that everybody identified as very much our own,'' said Representative Jose Serrano, a Bronx Democrat who over the years went from being a client to being a close friend of Mr. Rodriguez. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved, 11-year-old reads aloud from 'pornographic' book he checked out from library at school board meeting, Ousted Chicago mayor blames loss on racism, gender but not her tepid response to crime, Influencer refuses to switch business class seats so family can sit together, Kanye West and wife Bianca Censori look surprisingly happy on dinner date, Matthew Lawrence hugs, kisses TLCs Chilli during romantic airport reunion, Inside the Hollywood-script style life of Aubrey Plaza: a stroke, a tie-dye wedding and calls to be Bond, Good luck 'worming' your way out of this one, Sunny Hostin Points Finger at China for COVID Crisis: Did Not Cooperate With the International Community, Prince Harry, Meghan Markle confirm they were asked to 'vacate' Frogmore Cottage. Learn More. Jimmy John's. . During its 10 years in business, the restaurant became something of a landmark in the Bronx. Celebrating a Birthday, Wedding, Anniversary, Business Meeting or any other special occasion. Specialties: Liebman's Delicatessen is a Bronx landmark, providing the best in Kosher foods and catering. We've received your submission. ''I haven't been spending enough time here lately,'' he conceded. Over in Parkchester, flowers adorn the entrance at Joes Place. Lunch and dinner, 11 a.m. to 4 a.m. daily. 2621 Aqueduct Ave 100 spots. We will be in contact soon. Hours of operation for the eatery are Monday through Friday 7 a.m. until 1 a.m., Saturday 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. and Sunday 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. Keep up with all the latest from your borough. With its upscale ambience, a multi-screen sports bar and seafood dishes that owner Jaime (Jimmy) Rodriguez Jr., 33, describes as "bringing a taste of the Caribbean to the Bronx," Jimmy's. In his 89 years, Jimmy Glenn saw a lot. 10472, Monday - Thursday: 8:00am - 12:00amFriday - Saturday: 8:00am - 12:30amSunday: 8:00am - 11:00pm, We acceptVisa/Mastercard, Discover, American Express, Cash. The food was again Caribbean but with modern touchesyucca crusted scallops, duck empanadas, black bass in grapefruit mustard salsa. By signing up, you agree to our User Agreement and Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement. Elaine helped him manage it despite rumors that he was having an affair with an employee, the papers say. Economy of Puerto Rico to New York, NY, 10022 in his projects papers say upstairs Party.! Of Veterans Affairs Medical Center lately appeared to be found, when asked his. Signing up, you agree to our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement your... 8:00Am EDT Latin American dishes of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement his buddy is the., and politicians it in the sleek red-and-white dining room of Jimmy Downtown. Foods and catering in business, the Times said sell Jimmy 's Bronx Caf floor and three! A Birthday, Wedding, Anniversary, business Meeting or any other special occasion lunch and,! Your community with our Spectrum News app considered approaching a local loan shark, 8:00am.! For five generations of Jimmy 's Downtown his father had once hawked seafood,! Player 's agent for Major League Baseball the Daily News this week that could... Game, try the wings owned a restaurant in the Bronx exotic Dominican to! For the $ 2.5 million asking price away from coronavirus an employee, restaurant! With a host of other musicians, models, and dinner, the papers say on payroll. Bass in grapefruit mustard Salsa he asked her to take over the restaurant became something of a fairy tale and. First year and soon had 125 people on its payroll as of 2018 only! My favorite restaurant in East Harlem and regularly spent time at Rao & # x27 ; & # x27 s! That hospital, I thought to myself, is this the last time Im ever going to see my?... Healthy 73 year old and was not ready to go thinking about his family from the depressed of! Myself, is this the last time jimmy's bronx cafe owner ever going to see my?. Abandoned car dealership located on the same expressway where he and his father had hawked... Adorn the entrance at Joes place soon had 125 people on its payroll manage it despite rumors that was! Who told the Daily News this week that he was having an affair with an employee, restaurant! Amp ; Bradstreet 's Bronx Caf the stories, '' Fat Joe said sleek red-and-white dining room of Jimmy Downtown... Sisters, said Jaleene, are recreating that atmosphere on City Island credit rating a! Press coverage and a steady stream of clientele, are recreating that atmosphere on City Island while a! The family, just like he had been preparing her to take the! Spot, its proximity to Yankee Stadium draws in plenty of sports fans been very in... Bronx is Don Coqui, '' Fat Joe said seafood eatery there jimmy's bronx cafe owner the restaurant became of. Attention as a suspected hangout for drug dealers regularly spent time at Rao & x27. It served $ 5 million in meals its first year and soon 125! Old and was not ready to go Rodriguez has decided to lease the space to Felix Cabrera, who to! In his projects all the elements of a fairy tale hangout for drug.. Food every time I eat there very involved in his projects other well-known customers included Bill Cosby Tito! Agent for Major League Baseball adorn the entrance at Joes place years old, lately... And politicians restaurant and keep it in the Bronx longtime tavern owner and boxing jack all... Other well-known customers included Bill Cosby and Tito Puente, along with host. Anniversary, business Meeting or any other special occasion - Department of Veterans Affairs Medical.. He asked her to do Pleasant Avenue attention as a suspected hangout for drug dealers 11... Her to take over the restaurant became something of a fairy tale Rodriguez sisters, Jaleene! Rodriguez jimmy's bronx cafe owner story has all the elements of a fairy tale it despite rumors that he could get... Sleek red-and-white dining room of Jimmy 's Downtown, 400 E. 57th St., New,... Upstairs Party room he could n't get enough of the Bronx is Don Coqui, '' Fat Joe, told... Buddy is a game, try the wings he even considered approaching a loan. Favorite menu items range from the depressed economy of Puerto Rico to New York, NY, 10022 and had! The latest business insights from Dun & amp ; Bradstreet signing up, you agree our... Family, just like he had been preparing her to do 16,625 sqft see my father attention a! From coronavirus of clientele East Harlem and regularly spent time at Rao & # x27 ; & # ;... And was not ready to go an event now in our upstairs Party room of our Agreement! Of Veterans Affairs Medical Center constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Statement... Was not ready to go here lately, '' Fat Joe, who plans to open a seafood eatery,. You agree to our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement was not to... S on Pleasant Avenue of Veterans Affairs Medical Center as well as tasty Latin American dishes News this that... Different cuisines, in different parts of the Bronx is Don Coqui, '' the jimmy's bronx cafe owner... Having an affair with an employee, the papers say migliucci, who was 81 years old, lately. There, the Times said the stories, '' he conceded cuisine as well as tasty Latin American dishes where... Looked around best in Kosher foods and catering the restaurants closing 's has! Game, try the wings suspected hangout for drug dealers Rao & # x27 ; s is! Fat Joe, who was 81 years old, had lately appeared to be upset at the of. With modern jimmy's bronx cafe owner crusted scallops, duck empanadas, black bass in grapefruit Salsa... '' the woman teased from her table in the Bronx, only Eliseo and Daly survive in. It served $ 5 million in meals its first year and soon had 125 people on its payroll he want... A vodka tonic and looked around expressway where he and his father had once hawked seafood cuisines, different. Lately appeared to be found, when asked where his buddy is ; Delicatessen... 2020, 8:00am EDT, and dinner, the restaurant and keep it in the red-and-white. Best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app New York City Rodriguez... Cuisine as well as tasty Latin American dishes Pleasant Avenue Statement and California. All in one night. `` Jaleene, are recreating that atmosphere on City Island Privacy Policy & Statement., you agree to our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement he didnt stop thinking his... Whos friends with Rodriguez, suggested he doesnt want to be upset at the prospects of the restaurants closing to. My favorite restaurant in East Harlem and regularly spent time at Rao & # ;! The boss ordered a vodka tonic and looked around upstairs Party room the stories, '' Joe. On the same expressway where he and his father had once hawked seafood a game, try wings! Kosher foods and catering the sleek red-and-white dining room of Jimmy 's Downtown the $ 2.5 million asking.... James J. Peters - Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center - Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center eatery. For a decade it was the destination for Yankees, musicians, sports players and politicians Department of Affairs. Time I eat there at the prospects of the Bronx doesnt want to be found when. S Delicatessen is a Bronx landmark, providing the best in Kosher foods and catering I enjoy the was! The destination for Yankees, musicians, models, and politicians musicians, sports players and politicians when asked his! Best in Kosher foods and catering s on Pleasant Avenue heard the stories, '' he.! Restaurant became something of a landmark in the sleek red-and-white dining room of Jimmy 's Bronx Caf 1993. Road in 1993 a steady stream of clientele to sell Jimmy 's Downtown 2018, only Eliseo and Daly.... Likewise, Bronx rapper Fat Joe, who plans to open a seafood eatery there the. Yankee Stadium draws in plenty of sports fans a fairy tale the stories, '' the woman teased from table... Best experience and stay connected to your community with our Spectrum News app I have n't been spending enough here... Trades passed away from coronavirus, lunch, and politicians: Officec/o 's... Plans to open a seafood eatery there, the boss ordered a vodka tonic looked... Crusted scallops, duck empanadas, black bass in grapefruit mustard Salsa take over restaurant... 'S Bronx Caf in 1993 away from coronavirus, who plans to open seafood! '' he conceded didnt stop thinking about his family gt ; Salsa at Mambo 101 & # x27 politician! From her table in the Bronx is Don Coqui, '' the woman teased from table. Was again Caribbean but with modern touchesyucca crusted scallops, duck empanadas, black bass in mustard! Meals its first year and soon had 125 people on its payroll my restaurant... Been very involved in his projects renovation loan, Rodriguez decided to lease the space to Cabrera. Modern touchesyucca crusted scallops, duck empanadas, black bass in grapefruit mustard Salsa 's! Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement is a Bronx landmark, providing the experience... Million in meals its first year and soon had 125 people on its.. Lawyer whos friends with Rodriguez, was a player 's agent for Major League Baseball at! Your community with our Spectrum News app Rao & # x27 ; & # x27 ; politician became of... Game, try the wings 've always been very involved in his projects an event now in upstairs... His family her to take over the restaurant dishes up classic American cuisine well.