A Bronx Tale

Alberto came to the Bronx from San Juan.

“I saved to buy a pizza parlor,” he says. “It’s a good business because that’s what everyone in New York eats, right?”

The neon still says Hot Pizza & Italian Specialties, but now they also serve, “burritos, tacos, gyros, quesadillas, flautas, Chinese vegetables, Cuban sandwiches, tostones and pretty much anything you can dunk in a fryer.”

Some beliefs die harder. “This Super Bowl Sunday has been fooling me more and more,” Alberto explains. “I figure busy, but it doesn’t happen. All the (delivery) guys eat more than the customers.”

Six workers huddle around a small television on the counter. Venezuela has a big lead on Mexico in the opener of a Caribbean World Series doubleheader.

“Tonight is the big game,” Alberto says. “Jonathan Albaladejo is starting against the Dominican. Puerto Rico is going to win the championship.”

Albaladejo didn’t make it through the second inning and the Dominican Republic trounced Puerto Rico 12-0.

“We’re only halfway through this Series,” Alberto shrugs. “We’ll get another shot at the Dominicans, but what am I going to do with all this food?”