Syosset Then and Now Answer: Surviving the Klan, Depression, and WWII

Patch reader correctly guessed -- with the help of A Syosset Scrapbook -- that this restaurant was called Romaine's Bonnie Brook Lodge on Jericho Turnpike.

Tom Montalbano gave us an in depth account of the history of this spot.

"Romaine's took over a restaurant named Langon's, which was built by an Italian immigrant named Tom Langione in the 1920's, when the Ku Klux Clan was actively trying to keep Italians out of our area.

"To avoid any problems with the Klan, Langione dropped a few letters from his name and became 'Langon,' which most locals assumed was [an Irish name].  Mr. Langione also built a house for himself, which is now the headquarters of Patto Realtors at the corner of Jackson Avenue and Jericho Turnpike.

"During the Great Depression of the 1930s, he decided to downsize and build a small delicatessen, which he called 'Lang's Deli,' next to his house.  Somewhere in this period of time, he sold Langon's to a gentleman named 'Romaine.'

"…based on information provided by Randy Langione, Tom's grandson, Romaine's was located in the general area of the building that formerly housed Jewel of India, at the corner of Florence Avenue and Jericho Turnpike."

Great job Randy and many thanks to Tom and Syosset Scrapbook!

Did you ever go to Romaine's? Did you know the Romaines or the Langiones?Give us your stories in the comments section below!