RESTAURANT
Hometown Proud Streets of New York has feet planted in Arizona By Eric Newman
W
hen Streets of New York President and CEO Lorrie Glaeser walks into any of her 25 restaurants, she gives several hugs and calls her staff by name. After all, she wants her Paradise Valleybased restaurants to have that family atmosphere. Streets of New York at 2805 W. Carefree Highway in North Phoenix is no different. Streets of New York has strong family ties. Hailing from New Jersey, the Glaesers followed relatives to Arizona, where they were ultimately dissatisfied with the Italian food options in Phoenix. They just weren’t like home. Her husband, Bernd, owned German bakeries and was familiar with the restaurant business. In 1976, they bought an Italian spot at 32nd Street and Cactus Road. “We had to create a whole new menu, new ingredients,” Glaeser says. “It was a lot of work
at first, but we have loved all of it.” Menu items include standard appetizers like baked New York chicken wings ($13.50) and Italian sausage with mozzarella and marinara ($9.50). But, Streets of New York is best known for its variety of pizza options. “Create-yourown” New York pizzas start at 10 inches and range in price from $11.30 to $21.25 depending on size, with options for additional toppings for an extra price. There are also specialty pizzas like the New York combo with pepperoni, sausage, meatballs, mixed bell peppers, mushrooms, onions and black olives (starting at $14) or the Mediterranean pizza with spinach, tomatoes, red onions, sun-dried tomatoes, artichokes, olives and feta (starting at $14).
Streets of New York has spread into venues like Chase Field and Talking Stick Resort and Gila River arenas as the official pizza of several of Arizona’s biggest sports teams. She has also partnered with Grand Canyon University. She’s hoping to work with ASU to offer pizza to college students. Glaeser, though, appreciates the smaller, brick-and-mortar restaurants, especially the 85085 location, because of the loyal customer base. “When I went out there the first time, I saw how much room there was that can grow,” she says. “We have regular group of consistent diners out there, and we’re hoping when the expansion does eventually happen, we can be a big part of it, kind of a go-to staple of the area.” For over 40 years, the Glaeser family has run the successful chain, and even though “New York” is in the title, they have ingratiated themselves into Arizona. By hosting blood drives and fundraisers, The Streets of New York has become an undeniable part of the Valley. Though several the restaurants have been renovated, including the Carefree Highway location, in the last year, the mission has stayed the same. Glaeser and her family, many of whom work in the corporate office, are not going anywhere. “All this time, I’m still going out to the restaurants, and I’m still wearing my high heels,” Glaeser says. “And I am not going to stop any time soon.”
Streets of New York Lorrie Glaeser is the president and CEO of Streets of New York. (Photo by Eric Newman)
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85085 | MAY 2019
2805 W. Carefree Highway, Phoenix 623-587-0177, streetsofnewyork.com