Rao's
Summary
Jon and Marisa discuss their childhood food memories and picky eating habits before diving into the history of Ragu. They trace the brand’s origins to a 1896 saloon in Italian Harlem run by the Rau brothers. The episode covers the neighborhood’s demographic shifts, Prohibition, and how Vincent Rau’s signature lemon chicken helped pivot the business toward food.
Topics discussed
Sponsors: Progressive, Comfort Next, and Ragu
Intro: Dog bites, Huntington Gardens, and missed jokes
Podcast guest analysis and childhood nostalgia
Free-range childhoods and family dinner traditions
Ragu sauce preferences and brand loyalty
History of Ragu: From East Harlem saloon to restaurant
The Ragu restaurant's unique table reservation system
Ragu's transition to jarred sauce and Campbell's acquisition
Ragu in pop culture: Law & Order and Wall Street
Cooking hacks, croutons, and garden pests
Outro: Shoutouts, Patreon, and listener engagement
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