A Lovely Video Tribute To Leo Coladonato, Carroll Gardens' Much Loved And Missed Deli Man

Joe's Superette at 349 Smith Street the way it was until the summer 2011

"This is not the story of a famous man, a figurehead or even a powerful man. It is just a simple tale of a man who worked hard and cared about others more than himself"  begins this lovely tribute to Leo Coladonato, Carroll Gardens' most famous deli man.

Leo was the owner of Joe's Superette at 349 Smith Street. He had taken over the Italian deli from Joe, his former boss, in 1985. Though Leo was known for his amazing hero sandwiches, which he prepared with a big smile,  it was his deep-fried rice balls and prosciutto balls that made him famous. At lunch time, customers would wait patiently in a long line to place their order. If they came in for a sandwich, they would invariably add: "And give me some prosciutto balls with that."

(My kids used to call them yum-yum balls and my favorite Leo sandwich is still the Italian tuna with mayo, tomato and shredded lettuce on a hero.)

Sadly, Leo passed away in May 2011, his store closed shortly afterwards and the wonderful old store sign that even predated him is long gone. Many in the neighborhood still miss him. I know I do.

That's why I was so delighted to find out that his niece Christina made a short film about her uncle. It not only tells of his move from Italy to this country at age 15, and his time as a Brooklyn deli man, but includes wonderful interviews with Joe Alameda,  Joanne Rizzuto,  Peter Demetrio, and Charlie Benevento, who knew Leo for most of his life.

Thanks for sharing this, Christina. What a  beautiful tribute to Leo.

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New Greek Eatery On Smith Street To Be Called "Avlee'

The new Greek/Mediterranean restaurant, which is slated to open at 349 Smith Street later this fall, will be called 'Avlee'. A web site is in the works, but does not yet provide menu information. According to owners Andrew Poulos and Peter Rogakos, the eatery will have counter service and seating both inside and outside in the back yard.

The storefront was once occupied by Joe's Superette, an Italian deli owned by Leo Coladonato. Many in the neighborhood still miss Leo's sandwiches and prosciutto balls.

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New Mediterranean Restaurant On Smith Street Planning a Mid-August Opening

Anthony DeBella, Peter Omlor,  Peter Rogakos, Andrew Poulos, Lucy de Carlo, Triada Samaras

As reported earlier, the space at 349 Smith Street between Carroll Street and Second Street once occupied by Joe's Superette, will become a Mediterranean/ Greek restaurant.  

According to owners Andrew Poulos and Peter Rogakos,  construction is progressing nicely and if everything goes well, they hope to be open by mid-August.  A wine and beer license is in the works.  The new eatery will have counter service with seating both inside and outside in the backyard. 

On Wednesday morning,  Poulos and Rogakos met with residents from both Carroll Street and Second Street to address concern about the outdoor space.  Both owners reassured those who attended the meeting that they will be respectful of their neighbors and will close the backyard space at 11 PM.

They also promised to keep the line of communication open, which was greatly appreciated.   

"We would like to see you thrive here, " said resident Triada Samaras. "We need a Greek restaurant on Smith Street."

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Former Joe's Superette On Smith Street Becoming A Greek Eatery?

I must admit that every time I walk past the former Joe's Superette at 349 Smith Street,  I think of Leo Coladonato and of his incredible sandwiches. When the deli man passed away in May of this year, the door to his Carroll Gardens institution was closed forever.  Gone were Leo's famed deep-fried prosciutto and rice balls.  Gone were those delicious hero sandwiches. (My personal favorite was the Italian tuna in olive oil with shredded lettuce and sliced tomato. To die for.)
As long as the iconic 1960's blue sign with the yellow lettering is still up above the storefront, I have been able to pretend that Leo's place is not really gone from the neighborhood.  But, as we all know, time always marches on.
Behind the old metal roll-down gate, the former deli has been gutted (without permits and at night, I may add) and a new door now leads to the back yard. The old store sign will probably come down soon. 
Word on the street is that a Greek eatery will be taking over the place.  A worker in the place told me that the place will be opening in the next two or three weeks.
May the new eatery be a worthy successor to Joe's.

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Sad News! Carroll Gardens Deli Man, Leo Coladonato, Passed Away This Morning

Leo Coladonato

Very sad news to report. The owner of Joe's Superette at 349 Smith Street, passed away this morning. It was just this past Monday that the doors to his beloved deli were closed for good.

Leo will be much missed by many here in the neighborhood. My own kids have never known a Carroll Gardens without Leo, the Superette and the delicious sandwiches and prosciutto ball.

***Update***

Funeral arrangements have been made at Aievoli Funeral Home, 1275 65th Street (and 13th Avenue), Phone Number: (718) 331-2100

You can pay your last respects to Leo on Saturday and Sunday from 2-5 PM and from 7-9 PM

In front of Joe's Superette:

Thanks to Manny Simone for sending me the photos above.

Related Reading:

The End Of An Era: Joe's Superette Closes After More Than 50 Years In Carroll Gardens

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The End Of An Era: Joe's Superette Closes After More Than 50 Years In Carroll Gardens

An older photo of Leo Coladonato, which hangs in the store.

Louie has helped Leo run Joe's Superette for years.

The last Prosciutto balls ready to be fried

The kitchen where magic happened

Leo making an order of prosciutto balls

Here goes another Carroll Gardens institution, another piece of neighborhood history. Say good bye to Joe's Superette. Sad, I know...

The old fashioned deli at 349 Smith Street between Carroll and 2nd Street is closing its doors after more than 50 years. The original owner, Joe, for whom the deli was named, ran the place with his wife and daughter for decades. They did all the cooking out of the relatively small kitchen in the back. When Joe was ready to retire, he sold the business to one of his employees, Leo Coladonato. Leo knew the store and its customers well. One could say that he had grown up there. He had started working for Joe when he was just a kid, delivering orders. As he became older, he made his way behind the counter, slicing cold-cuts and making sandwiches.

When he took over the business in 1985, Leo kept the name and the old "Joe's Superette" sign, so everyone continued calling it Joe's. All through the 1980's and 90's, there were long lines in front of Joe's at lunchtime. Though customers loved the overstuffed sandwiches, they really came for those famous prosciutto balls that Leo made in the small kitchen. Deep-fried to golden perfection, the gooey, cheesy bites of breaded ricotta, mozzarella and ham, they were the reason why people came to this place from all over Brooklyn. They were simply heavenly. Sadly, Leo has had health issues in reason months. Louie, who has worked for Leo for a few years, has kept things going in the store. However, the decision has been made to close Joe's Superette. The store is being emptied right now.

How sad. It is, indeed, the end of an era.

****UPDATE****

Sadly, Leo passed away on Thursday, May 19th, just days after his store closed.

Read more here:

Sad News! Carroll Gardens Deli Man, Leo Coladonato, Passed Away This Morning

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