Yesterday we returned to Holsten's, a week after it starred in the much analyzed Sopranos finale. Holsten's, of course, is the now famous soda and candy shop here in New Jersey that was the setting for the final moments of HBO's saga.
I have been taking my kids there for years: Good prices, good ice cream, great fries. Now that they are older, they take me, on special occasions. It is a kind of family thing, as for the Soprano family.
When we went there in March, for my birthday, the place was closed for the filming of The Sopranos.
On Father's Day (Godfather's Day?) I demanded a return.
The line was not too long.
Not everyone knows that the crew redesigned the interior of Holsten's for the show.
Now, the changes that we recognized had been made for filming had been undone. The shelves with Beanie babies had been replaced on the wooden walls. The phony mini juke boxes were gone.
The fake mural of a local high school removed in favor of the original corny, pastoral view out a trompe l'oueil window into a pasture full of cows.
A lot of people were ordering the onion rings, previously a minor item on the menu. But now the rings stand for something: for closing the circle or some family bonding in the style of "Will the circle be unbroken?"
We sat at the counter as always. We could see the sign over the grille visible to us patrons "Do not use regular rags or aprons to clean grill."
From my stool, as always, I appreciated a view of the Multimixer, a machine that can make five shakes or sodas at one time. Its ancestors, ancient machines, are preserved above the counter on high shelves to illustrate the evolution of mechanical milkshake technology through the 20th century.
"Could I have a small vanilla shake?" I asked.
"We only have one size," said the counterman.
"Yeah," I said, "That's the size I want."
There has been no change to the sign outside, with its 1940s-looking script and I still hold out hope that Holsten's won't be ruined by fame the way Umberto's Clam House in Little Italy was by the fame of being the site of the hit on Joey Gallo, back around 1971.
Support HuffPost
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.
Whether you come to HuffPost for updates on the 2024 presidential race, hard-hitting investigations into critical issues facing our country today, or trending stories that make you laugh, we appreciate you. The truth is, news costs money to produce, and we are proud that we have never put our stories behind an expensive paywall.
Would you join us to help keep our stories free for all? Your contribution of as little as $2 will go a long way.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you’ll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.