It was the summer of 1966. I was 16 years old and had my first job working at Isaly’s on East Ohio Street in the north side of Pittsburgh. My wage was eighty-five cents an hour less fifteen cents an hour for the uniform. I hoped to be making milkshakes and scooping out skyscraper ice cream cones, but I only cleaned the coolers and mopped the floors. However, I was proud to say “I worked at Isaly’s.” – Joseph DeRiso Jr.
I grew up in Blairsville, PA. In the 1950s when I was in my early teens my mother had a job at Isaly’s. After school we would gather at Isaly’s and enjoy the Klondike bars we always would get (there were no freebies from my mother, either). They were always so cool on a Summer’s day. Even though I’m a modified vegetarian today, I still remember the chipped ham my mother would bring home or have us go down and buy to make those tasty sandwiches. I always enjoyed the lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise sandwiches with the chipped ham. Those are times long gone but not forgotten. – Alex H.
When I was a kid, after shopping in Jeannette, Pa., and before boarding the bus, mother & I would stop in Isaly’s to buy an ice cream cone with a big long scoop of lime ice cream and a pack of black licorice, those were my favorite. And of coarse a pound of that out of this world chipped chopped ham to take home.
Here out west no deli ever heard of chipped ham, you have to stand there and explain how thin to cut it–rarely you can find chopped ham.
Thanks Isaly’s for the wonderful and unforgettable memories. – Shirley H in Roseburg, Oregon
The year was 1965. I’ve just served my four year tour in the US Navy on board a Destroyer Escort
(DE-1021) the USS COURTNEY. My Uncle got me a job delivering furniture for Stearns in Monesson. Every lunchtime I would get two pounds of that delicious Isalys Chipped Ham and an eight pack of
sesame seed buns and hungrily devour it all in one sitting. Seems kind of weird now but that’s a fact.
Was used to eating good in the Navy and continued that routine for quite a while after that.
Nobody, and I mean NOBODY, has the fresh, delicious tasting chipped ham like Isalys and can’t wait for my next delivery. Thanks Isalys for still being around.
Hi, I am 64 years old now and remember going to Charleroi, Pa to visit grandma and grandpa and always got a trip to Isaly’s Ice Cream parlor. Loved your ice cream. I was born in Pittsburgh, Pa. but my parents moved to Michigan in 1963. I look every time we go back and visit but can’t find any near Vandergrift where relatives live now. Just wanted to tell you loved your ice cream and chipped ham sandwiches, No one in Michigan knew what chipped ham was when we moved here. thank you for the memory Debi Devine
Isaly’s: A Story”Isaly’s” ((( A Story )))It was a family made store With the skyscraper cone And surely the Klondike With a name of its ownAnd the Chipped Chopped Ham Was the ultimate king And the sit-down-tables Was a wonderful thingAnd the checkered made floor In its green & white classic Is what really and truly Made it fantasticAnd last but not least Was the outside sign With the trademark Isaly’s In their black & white design
Mary’s MemoryOh! Isaly’s has been a part of my life, for the past 79 years. I’m 85 and in my day, once you were 6 years old, especially being #10 of 11 children, you were helping with shopping, and so many other things. Of course, i remember the “Sky Scraper Ice Cream Cones, the Klondikes that if you bit into the ice cream and saw a stripe of Strawberry (Pink) Ice cream, you got a free one! We grew-up on Isaly’s Chipped Ham Sandwiches, especially with the Bar-B-Q sauce. We also made what we called: “Hot Sandwiches”, where in you prepared the Chipped ham, a piece of Cheese and some condiments; wrapped them in foil and heated them in the oven for few minutes and served them hot! wow, what a treat! My dear mom and her friends had a “Card Club” in their day and when it was my mom’s turn to have the game at our house, she always served the ladies sandwiches of Isaly’s Chipped Ham at our Christmas Party, my son made a crock pot of Isaly’s Bar-B-Q Chipped ham for all of us to enjoy! Isaly’s holds many wonderful memories for me! i still love Klondikes and now, I’m so hungry for some Isaly’s Bar-B-Q Chipped ham!
This is my Isaly Dairy on our Community Train Display-Our annual new years eve tradition is a crock pot full of Isaly’s BBQ Chip Chopped Ham & Sauce. We introduced all of our friends to it!
I remember as a kid digging through the sofa cushions and everywhere else to find that last 1 cent to buy the 15 cent skyscraper ice cream cone at Isaly’s in the Glannon’s shopping center. We could walk there as kids so it was a special treat on those hot summer days to eat one of those great cones. My favorite of all time was chocolate chip! Mmmmm, I still remember how good it was. Long live Isaly’s!!
I worked at the Islay’s in Clairton, Pa in the 80’s. What I wouldn’t give for a Rainbow Ice cream cone. Was my favorite flavor! Any chance of bringing that back? Also, if anyone has the ham salad recipe they could share that would be great!
