A Taste of Arthur Avenue

Audio By Carbonatix

Travel Tuesday leaves the studio behind as Kevin McCullough and Linda Perillo broadcast live from Mario’s on Arthur Avenue, joined by Cristyne Nicholas and a packed dining room. Peter Madonia and Mario’s owner Regina Migliucci help introduce the history and community behind the Bronx’s Little Italy, where generations-old businesses continue to preserve their Italian-American heritage.

The trip is especially personal for Linda, who shares her family’s deep Bronx roots and the story behind Perillo Tours. What began with her father and grandfather helping Italian immigrants build lives in America eventually evolved into sending their descendants back to Italy to discover their heritage—laying the foundation for the family travel business.

Then it’s time to eat. Arthur Avenue Food Tours founder Danielle Oteri joins the table to talk mozzarella, bread, cannoli, and the neighborhood’s century-old recipes. The group explores how local businesses have preserved traditions while adapting through generations—and even floats the idea of an Arthur Avenue food museum to preserve treasured handwritten recipes and culinary history.

Actor and musician Dominic Chianese joins with his son, Dominic Jr., to celebrate the launch of their new podcast, Dominic and Junior. Chianese reminisces about growing up near Arthur Avenue in the 1930s, recalls the neighborhood’s pushcart vendors and shares why returning still means so much to him. The evening reaches an emotional high when he performs an Italian song connected to his grandfather’s journey from Naples to America.

As the show winds down, Linda reflects on childhood visits to Arthur Avenue with her grandmother and the memories that come rushing back. Her takeaway captures the spirit of the entire evening: the neighborhood has evolved over the years, yet somehow the traditions, flavors, and sense of community that make it special remain beautifully unchanged.