#TheCitythatDoesntSleep #TheOriginal #YankeeTavern #Est1927 #JoeBastone #AmandaBastone @AaronBoone @Yankees #Bronx #NewYork #Italian #American #CornedBeef Summer 2021
Amanda Bastone, Joe Bastone and Yankees Manager Aaron Boone
It's never been who you know, it's WHOM YOU KNOW and on occasion, Peachy Deegan takes the 4 to the Bronx to see Legendary Restaurateur Joe Bastone at Yankee Tavern! This is his second feature; he was last featured in 2015:
On a hazy hot humid day in the summer, Yankee Tavern is a beacon of All-American deliciousness that has proven the test of time. They've been around since 1927 and we can't wait until they turn 100. They are the oldest bar in the Bronx.
Owner Joe Bastone with the Homemade Beef Meatballs and Linguine
Of course everyone is vaccinated here.
Legend of Hospitality and best neighbor anyone's ever had in the Bronx, Joe Bastone graciously welcomed us with Mother's Milk, while he had a Schofferhofer (it's grapefruit.) We just heard someone say, "How Come Peachy's Not Drinking Guinness." Well, Guinness is better in Ireland but based on our first experience at Yankee Tavern, Mother's Milk from Upstate New York is better here because it's local and fresh. Also, though we don't know them yet they appear to be Irish.
You should know Joe is a sponsor of the 161st Street BID (Business Improvement District) and in 1988 he started the Merchant's Association of 161st Street. Another fun fact is that Yankee Tavern was in the Budweiser Bud Light Commercial from the last world series.
They have been open the entire time in this age of covid with takeout and delivery and personally, Peachy loves to eat in the restaurant itself which you can of course do now.
Yankee Tavern has been famous for having actual Yankees visit throughout the ages from Babe Ruth in the late 1920's to Joe DiMaggio in the 1940s and Mickey Mantle. Yogi Berra and Elston Howard came for lunch. Joe Bastone Sr. with three partners bought Yankee Tavern in 1964, and Joe Bastone Jr. took over in 1985. Joe Jr's daughter, Amanda Bastone is a current manager.
Everyone knows it's bathing suit season, and even if it's not, salads are always an essential part of a dinner menu. We applaud that there are seven total salad choices and more taverns should be like Joe; it's not an accident that this venue has been thriving since 1927. Above, meet the Garden Salad with lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, celery and green peppers. Also, we added the fantastic chicken marinated in honey dijon expertly grilled which is the right amount of pizzazz.
Below, meet the Greek Salad which is also a winning classic with its lettuce, tomato, cucumber, onion, green peppers and feta cheese. They listened and per request by Picky Peachy there was not dressing. We were entirely impressed with both salads.
Pictures do not lie and you should know we never edit them.
You excel like Joe, or you don't.
The menu is extremely comprehensive and any hungry person on earth could find at least 20 items they'd want to try here. Under Heroes, Wraps and Paninis alone we believe we count 25 choices. The Yankee Tavern Cheese Steak is absolutely gorgeous and don't hate it because it's beautiful: devour it. The oozing succulent cheese steak absolutely hits the spot and paired with onions and peppers, it is a home run in your stomach.
The sauces that are freshly home made at Yankee Tavern are reason alone to order the pasta. We had Meatballs with Linguine and the meatballs are made with 100% beef and just delicious. If you are more in the mood for a sandwich you should know you cannot beat a Corned Beef on Rye and it might have been our favorite!
Yankee Tavern continues to be Highly Recommended and it is the only place in the Bronx ever to be recommended, and the only venue in New York City outside of Manhattan to earn a second review.
