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New York real estate: Canarsie, Brooklyn

By Craig Raphael | Special to amNewYork

July 3, 2008

Armando's Pizza, a neighborhood staple is located right next to the subway station in Canarsie, Brooklyn. (Katya Pronin / July 3, 2008)

Having overcome some recent socioeconomic troubles, Canarsie is now a thriving, multicultural community that merits a trip to the end of the L subway line.

"It's quiet and nice area," said Fiona McGregor, who works on Rockaway Parkway.

Named after the Canarsee Indians, Canarsie was a sparsely populated fishing village for much of its history. In the 19th century, pirates and smugglers took advantage of this rural setting to smuggle booty onto the mainland.

By the turn of the 20th century, the population reached 3,000 people and the community flourished alongside its oyster beds. In 1907, the opening of the Golden City Amusement Park drew crowds from all over New York to the Canarsie Pier. Its attractions featured a roller coaster, a boxing ring, and oceans of seafood and beer.

While the amusement park didn't survive, Canarsie developed into a close-knit suburban-style enclave after World War II, consisting mostly of Italian and Jewish residents. Racial tensions, however, plagued the area in the 1980s and 1990s. Crime rates skyrocketed and many residents fled to the suburbs.

During the past few years the neighborhood has experienced a revival, with shops and restaurants opening on Rockaway Parkway and Avenue L. Violence has abated, too.

The neighborhood is mostly populated by residents of West Indian descent, though other ethnicities remain in smaller numbers.

Canarsie still has hurdles to climb -- many houses are being foreclosed and its two high schools are undergoing serious restructuring. But there is ample evidence of new life in the area.

"There's a lot of business coming in, and you can get almost anything you want," said resident Aaron Clark.

FIND IT

Canarsie is bordered on the east by Fresh Creek Basin, East 108th Street and the L subway line; on the north by Linden Boulevard; on the west by Remsen Avenue, Ralph Avenue and the Paerdegat Basin; and on the south by Jamaica Bay.

TO EAT

Great food in Canarsie is within steps of the L train, with an assortment of restaurants and take-out joints lining Rockaway Parkway. Walk a few blocks to Avenue L, where the Italian and Jamaican offerings are also worth checking out.

Armando's Restaurant The pizza is super-cheesy and provides much-needed sustenance after the trip out on the L train (or before the long-haul back.) Lining the walls are framed historical photographs of streetcars, subways and Brooklyn landmarks that offer a slice of local history. 1413 Rockaway Parkway, 718-257-9723

Tastee Patty The patties, in four varieties -- beef, chicken, wild salmon and veggie -- all live up to their namesake at this tiny take-out restaurant. There's also excellent Jamaican fare including brown stew fish and plump chicken in a barbeque mango sauce. 1431 Rockaway Parkway, 718-257-5400

Taste Buds This is a hole in the wall with melt-in-your-mouth oxtail, curry goat, fish and other authentic Jamaican specialties. If in doubt, the friendly staff will point you in the right direction. 1397 Rockaway Parkway, 718-272-7544

Sonny's Heroes A mainstay of the neighborhood, Sonny has survived because of its heroes, which are piled with what must be a pound of meat and fresh toppings. It's hard to go wrong with any combination, but the Italian meats are especially good. 1031 E. 92nd St., 718-485-9810

Original Pizza The traditional New York slice is in fine form at Original Pizza, an expansive space lined with neon purple lights. The Sicilian slices are also thick and flavorful, and the toppings are generous. 9514 Avenue L, 718-531-3559

Dougie's Jamaican Restaurant Dougie's earns its keep with spicy jerk and fried chicken. For the more adventurous, try the cow foot soup or the tripe and bean. 9604 Avenue L, 718-251-4444

TO PARTY