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Little Hungary in New York

The Hungarian Girl | July 18, 2011 | 0 Comments

From 79th Street north to 83rd Street, spanning approximately four blocks east-west, is colloquially known as "Little Hungary."

New York’s population has been diverse since the city’s founding by the Dutch. Successive waves of immigrants from virtually every nation in the world have settled in this city.

This is perhaps most evident in the range of neighborhoods, many of which include ethnic enclaves. There is Little Italy, Chinatown, and “Spanish,” or East Harlem, with its large Puerto Rican concentration as well as countless other cultural enriched neighborhoods. But is there a neighborhood that has a distinct Hungarian influence in New York City? It would seem likely especially since so many Hungarians came here in the wake of the 1956 uprising.

Andre’s Café, a family-owned Hungarian restaurant located between 84th & 85th Street.

Located in the Upper East Side of Manhattan is the district of Yorkville, a neighborhood that once was inhabited by many people of Hungarian and Central European descent. During the 1940′s, the Hungarian population in New York exceeded 100,000 with many of them residing in Yorkville. Family-owned restaurants, food stores, and shops specializing in goods from Hungary were conspicuous throughout the neighborhood, especially along Second Avenue between 79th and 86th street.

However, with the departure of the Hungarian population over the years, many of these businesses followed suit. Today, there are only a few visible reminders of Hungary’s ethnic heritage in Yorkville. The most noticeable of these are the six original churches which are still in use by the Hungarian community. The Hungarian Meat Market and Delicatessen on the corner of 83rd Street and Second Avenue continues to provide an assortment of Hungarian goods including fresh sausages and meats. Andre’s Café, which recently opened in 2005, is now a popular social gathering for local Hungarians as well as for those looking to sample some authentic Hungarian fare. There is also the St. Stephen of Hungary School, a Hungarian Catholic school for elementary students that is part of the St. Stephen of Hungary Parish on 82nd Street.

Perhaps, what’s most endearing about the neighborhood is that many older Hungarian residents can still be seen congregating at these establishments while sharing memories of their past with each other.

So it seems, despite that “Little Hungary” in Yorkville has almost disappeared, there is still an influence of Hungarian culture that will forever resonate here.