This Bread Has Been Made in the Bronx for Over 100 Years - The Experts

Madonia Brothers Bakery is an old-school, family-run Italian bakery on Arthur Avenue in the Bronx, known for fresh breads, cannolis, cookies, and other pastries. Third generation baker Jason Lalima shows us how he makes olive bread - his father’s legacy, and the shop’s most famous item - from scratch.
Eater would like to assure viewers that all videos were shot before restaurants were asked to close. Check the CDC for the most updated guidance on dining out at restaurants.
Credits:
Director/Producer: Pelin Keskin
Camera: Francesca Manto, Murilo Ferreira, Pelin Keskin
Editor: Francesca Mant
Executive Producer: Stephen Pelletteri
Development Producer: McGraw Wolfman
Coordinating Producer: Stefania Orrù
Audience Engagement: Daniel Geneen, Terri Ciccone
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[@miguel_valero]

So much respect for people who are THAT passionate about their craft and what they do for a living.

[@ghostbehind9450]

Miguel Valero If you’re going to do something for life might as well be passionate about it

[@recoil53]

Let's face it, in modern life we don't always give respect to people for what they do - which makes it harder to love what they do.

[@keep7smiling]

If you listen closely he actually never wanted to do this and rather be in his own restaurant instead.

[@BentLeey]

It's the love for the craft, the grind is the glory!

[@BigDaddy-vr2ut]

I wish the would set up shop in western North Carolina

[@charlieleohart]

Jason is such a likeable character. I love family run businesses where you can see they love their customers and their craft. Total respect to them

[@rosebud4467]

Right!? Someone get this man his own show.

[@yruafredo2990]

This man's words were he said breads a filler and everyone should be able to afford it made my eyes water. In Syria bread is what's keeping people alive.

[@ahboaz]

We feel the pain for Syria. So many years and it is despairing.

[@ThePhyze]

I like him, his thought on bread for everyone really makes me respect him.

[@ThePhyze]

@Hiro Takasugi yes, it should be part of curriculum in school. Many kids will learn how to make it as well as how to appreciate good food which made from scratch.

[@almuslim2346]

The guy in green t-shirt, baking the olive bread, you get such a nice positive vibe from him, that comes from making bread, from God, from his humility.. Also his brother Mr madonia, taking care, that his bread sits on your dinner table therfore its personal.. Top respect, May God bless you my brothers

[@mikesorensen1981]

Bread is the staff of Life! These bakeries are old school and when their gone an era has been lost. I remember all the German bakeries when I was growing up, now they are gone. I make my own bread now!

[@georgeowens2539]

I was blessed to have been born on Arthur Avenue and lived there until I got married. I kept shopping THERE until I retired and left NYC but still miss the food especially the bread.

[@Dave_CDN_IrishDAB]

Love this guys attitude. Hope they are around for another 100 years.

[@christopherw2520]

Please don't ever stop. do what ever you have to do to get the next two generations to understand how important this is.

[@Brooklyncv]

Blessings to this family owned business. May this Bakery stay open another 100 years; and be kept family owned to pass over for generations to come. What a true heartfelt video. I will definitely be driving to the Bronx (Arthur Ave). I absolutely love a great Bakery like this one.

[@teresasmith8946]

Man does not live by bread alone but it will keep you alive its the food of the ages.

[@advanceromance2656]

"I'm not going to ruin the integrity of the bread because I gotta rush it." That's passion right there. Arthur Avenue is heaven on earth. If you've never been, go.

[@Jun_Jina]

I wonder how its like to have such a burning passion. So much respect for this man.

[@kataysmith9581]

I want to cry when I think that some day the art and dedication of these Italian bakeries will be lost in coming generations. There is absolutely nothing like Bronx bread. Thank you for your craft.

[@jimnico8686]

This is absolutely the BEST olive bread I have ever had!

[@BentLeey]

These are the kinds of places that last forever, the care and consistency they put into their craft is rare!

[@donkeydan5996]

I’m coming here for the 4th time tomorrow morning, im lucky to drive for a limo company where I wait for clients on arthur avenue 😊😊😊 this place has THE best bread around !

[@WeLoveitOutWest]

I delivered some nursery stock over in Long Island in the mid nineties, it was about 9:00 a.m. or so when the guys took a break and they said to me " fresh bread just came in from The Bronx. Me being from Montana that was quite an experience and the bread was amazing the taste the texture the freshness. It was an experience I will never forget.

[@aydaindeguzman3444]

4:02 probably the most respectable thing I've heard a long time..... I appreciate you.

[@Gigachad_69_420]

The olive bread really is the best. I live on Long Island and make Arthur Ave. runs all the time and we always get a ton of loaves of olive bread.

[@jspinosa50]

I loved your bread since I was a kid from 182nd st. Now I'm 73 and still love it.

[@icantcook9998]

I can see why you're bread so good you put your soul into it that's what makes the difference

[@achiffoncake]

this is much wholesome, i repeat THIS IS MUCH WHOLESOME

[@GOTSTUUUFFED]

Bread is deeply personal and I don't want to hear otherwise.

[@nadtz]

Yet one more thing I miss about NY. When I was in High School we used to go out of our way to stop by when we had money, they have some awesome breads in addition to the olive bread but yeah, the olive bread is divine.

[@yumyumboy]

Bread that has not changed for over 100 years in an era that changes quickly I want to try it

[@jokerproduction]

Been here a few times. My fiance always wants to go into the Bronx just for this olive bread!

[@gamingmusicandjokesandabit1240]

You wish *Quarantine/lockdown rules have left the chat?*

[@josephhoward4499]

Ive been here and theres something special abt it and the food

[@sundae6969]

This place is The Truth. I love their olive bread and thier prosciutto bread. Definitely a stable in The Bronx. Recommend anyone to go. You won't be disappointed

[@flippfilmz]

Been coming here for over 30 years for just the olive bread and I live 40 miles away. Love it

[@wolf-man-bear-pig-torque]

There is a lot of flexibility to do many different things with mom-and-pop shops vs the franchise places. Really hope all these places last long after the pandemic settles.

[@randywright7627]

Love this guys attitude and pride in his product.

[@jdgonzo1982]

a lot of love in this video - thank you x

[@hernanbojacav.8396]

Certainly that is a true family tradition priceless!

[@Kelly-to7ls]

Omg the olive bread looks so good!!

[@aaronmattis]

This bakery is insanely good.

[@3000gtwelder]

0:04 That is the best analogy for baking compared to cooking I've heard yet haha!

[@biggigunz43]

This really is the best olive bread in the city

[@nazarboghosian]

biggigunz43 how much do they charge for the bread?

[@Bisepx]

@@nazarboghosian Last time we had it, it was $6.

[@larrycj4382]

Worth every penny and would cost so much more in Manhattan!

[@michaelcoviello5567]

Just Beautiful

[@ElComentarioIrreverente]

The part when the baker talk about how bread was a filler for poor people, back in the day, it really went deep; food, more than important is essential: if your business model is to rip off customers, they won’t come back; this is a repeat business, not an opening weekend bonanza👍

[@recoil53]

In Victorian England, bread was more than a filler, it was the main part of their diets. Imagine being a farm laborer and living on 4 pounds of bread a day, with only a little bit of anything else.

[@recoil53]

@@BloodInTheStrawberries That's true, but that was during the industrialized part of the Victorian age. And it was still the main part of the diet.

[@suzannevega2289]

It's been way too long since I've enjoyed anything from this bakery, I miss it!

[@bachershire3693]

Divorerei volentieri quel pane con le olive semplicemente spettacolare 😍 ! É bello vedere come abbiano mantenuto anche l'aspetto di una panetteria tipica italiana nell'arredamento, nell'allestimento e nella presentazione dei prodotti.

[@bravo_the_broken4003]

That my favorite bakery, I live about half a mile away and always make my there.

[@EndoDevastator]

What a passionate humble human

[@guomondur9248]

The Olive bread is to die for, it’s $7 and bought 3 that was hot out of the oven 😋 😋

[@armandoboensel593]

Love freshly baked bread

[@kousakasan7882]

I grew up in a house, close by a very old bakery in the Netherlands. The smell... and carrying home the hot loaf of fresh bread wrapped in brown paper.... I bake my own bread now, but it's not the same.

[@mnunezhk]

i love his passion

[@andreasoares9402]

Oooohhhhh 😋😋😋😋😋😋 I’m ITALIAN and watching this made me so hungry and happy 🥰🥰🥰😊😊😊

[@jarid114]

Their white chocolate bread is addictive and the fact that you can get so much bread that’s really high quality for such an affordable price makes it even better.

[@federicosalinas4960]

“People don’t work the way they used too”. He’s being nice and I know exactly what he’s talking about

[@Ishonem]

I love that baker.

[@Yeraus]

Thanks for sharing, really nice.

[@lissyniña]

I so miss NY bakeries !

[@Yanksnroses99]

Best olive bread in the world!

[@nicknikolakopoulos3487]

What a wonderful guy

[@thechroniclesofblove3189]

I go here often really great macaroons and peanut brittle 😩😩

[@virgiawanbagas4915]

Wholesome video. That guy must be fun at party. Haha

[@itsteddy6816]

Great and fun personality, hard working, very passionate, big respect for you sir 👉 and i'm craving olive bread now, man

[@jesussalvador8495]

I actually know the place it’s one of only 3 bakeries in my neighborhood that bake the best bread and by far they are the best in the neighborhood I personally love their sesame seed Italian bread the crust is very crunchy and the inside is very light and fluffy

[@jacquir8331]

Sesame seed bread is the best!

[@jesussalvador8495]

Jacqui R it really is and from that shop the bread is amazing even better with hot chocolate from Mexico

[@biggdaddy202003]

When the guy says "It is bread, it is filler and everyone should be able to afford it"! There is my issue with the whole 7+ buck toast BS that people try to do these days. I have no interests in paying for a slice of bread with a buck worth of avocado. Make a great product, charge fair prices, and treat people well. Simple business model that never goes out of style.

[@nicktune1219]

But it's organic, artisanal, vegan, cruelty free, trendy, instagrammy, low fat, no added sugars, healthy, promotes positive qi and energy in the body, spiritual, and is also a life saver and magic medicine superfood. That's why it costs $20.

[@biggdaddy202003]

@@nicktune1219 They can shove that tasteless BS up their you know what. I went to culinary school to learn to make quality breads and baked goods. Do I want to be paid fairly for my efforts? Of course but, some guy slicing bread, toasting it, and adding on a few veggies is crap. No skill needed and just plain wrong

[@luxmberg5434]

I will say though, restaurant margins are so ludicrous that it's hard to blame them most of the time. Also kind of the customers fault for ordering an avocado toast (which I often do, by the way)

[@biggdaddy202003]

@@luxmberg5434 Customers order what the place offers. They build it up by saying fresh, tasty, and a whole bunch of buzz words that amount to nothing more than a high price tag. I mean if the toast is not on your menu from day one what were you offering in the first place? Subpar veggies and wonder bread? The buzz word loving did it for the gram. apple phone buying crowd buy these things because they want to be seen as in the know. It is all about appearance with these things. Honest shops can make a ton of money if they had the right exposure. Yes margins are slim but simple quality ingredients, helpful staff, and affordable price wins each time in my book.

[@notimeremains]

there a difference in a baker and a restaurant/lunch place right? A baker makes bread, a restaurant makes dishes of food. They have a different overhead. I can go to a cheap baker a get cheap bread, but I can also go to a specialty baker that uses special ingredients and Illpay for that. Is it better? Depends.

[@Comrade_Tokoloshe]

My mouth is watering.

[@nas9038]

Love this man! so sweet and easy to trust

[@VanillaGorilla7]

Mom and pop shops are the best .

[@edwinkirkland8856]

I live in the bronx..i have to wake up about 3am take bus to fordham road/Arthur Avenue..get to mardonia brother to get at least TWO FRESH BREAD LOAFS..WORTH IT 100%

[@sundae6969]

The best bread I've ever had

[@9words40]

i wanna be just like him, happy, working on his craft everyday

[@sethkang4410]

1:56 man of culture

[@drogo_baggins9513]

Breadfu

[@verucasalt2391]

I wish I lived near the Bronx and could buy that beautiful bread.

[@kamalrasheed2656]

His mentality and outlook on things is something more people should attune to that

[@esoxlucius7145]

Magnifique!

[@evan937]

Oh man I love olives on pizza so Know I would probably really enjoy this!

[@tlahuicolexiii2844]

Never tried that bread but looks so soft, crunchy and chewy at the same time!🤤

[@adamzindani2019]

Only 7 minutes away from my house ill try it today

[@rajibdeyz]

I'm gonna go to Bronx just for these breads 🍞

[@lindaparker6102]

Looks sooo delicious !

[@AlbertusVanSchalkwyk]

Honest hard work, much better result. Shame the terrible factory bread has killed so many independent bakers.

[@r3gaming545]

Albertus Van Schalkwyk and you also have to give industrial bread some credit also. Cheap factory bread has saved millions from starvation. Regardless, both ways of making bread is amazing .

[@anothertarnishedone5960]

@Potato And very low quality and healthyness

[@anothertarnishedone5960]

@Potato The point is, healthy food shouldn´t be a luxury

[@anothertarnishedone5960]

@Potato That´s what the industrial food factories tells you, but it´s not true. It´s possible to make heatlhy cheap food. In EU we do.

[@lqfr8813]

factory bread in here are usually awful, they add too many yeast to the point the not sweet bread slices taste bitter. they want the bread to rise faster to push production

[@TuckerSP2011]

I am craving lard bread right now.

[@marian.9026]

Best cannolis! Live 3 blocks away get a fresh loaf and an occasional cannoli every other day.

[@Blackmark52]

That bread looks sooooooo good. And you gotta love the baker too, eh.

[@frsantariga]

Best bread in the world.

[@lina1392]

I don't like olive,but this.make me want to try one..

[@edhern619]

Imagine this is your dad and you tell him you’re on the keto diet

[@blayasblay3941]

He might be sensible enough to know that times change. All the protein and fat that are thrown in the garbage every day is a big waste. In the western world we dont have to eat bread all the time. I think it is more about the craft not the nutrient intake.

[@nitishkulkarni929]

@@blayasblay3941you're a gem.

[@thedeeprot]

*LOVE THE LOVE!!!*

[@zachsimon9475]

My mom grew up around the corner still drives from Scarsdale to the Bronx for bread every week

[@time_blatch]

These guys in here talking about craft and family. Why am I crying at a bread video?!?! 😭😭😂😂

[@BigDaddy-vr2ut]

He’s dedicated to his craft. You gotta love the affection ✌🏼 I need to try this bread!

[@teonggoh9710]

Wonderful story. Id love to working for guys like that.

[@sallybottz187th9]

I’m Original from Arthur Ave My cousin worked As a young counter girl back in the days Olive and onion bread is the best but I prefer Terranova oven bread

[@debradowling800]

They do amazing cannoli also.

[@xikathvis.2099]

I want to eat bread now😩

[@FPV_TOMMY]

Real heroes

[@iRReligious]

Love how says OLIVES😄😄😄

[@RUFU58]

I’m still so convinced that dough is a alien.

[@lostspider343]

amazing video

[@johndefelice9365]

Wish I had tried there breads at least once

[@HeavyMetalMike]

Olive bread looks good. I don't care what anyone says, it looks good.

[@steveyobs551]

I’m going to this place when I can safely get on a plane

[@jesussalvador8495]

SteveYobs it’s worth the trip I known the place since I was 7 they were always nice to us I remember every Halloween they give us little raisin walnut bread as a treat and there are other bakeries her in my neighborhood and also amazing restaurants and market places

[@beastmodejelly8654]

Death😈: "hehehe choose your next step carefully"

[@jeffnc]

This was too short! Loved it

[@663marv]

Just curious to know if this was filmed prior to or post the coronavirus outbreak?