(okay, and the odd milkshake….)
There was once a well known song called Ramona, it was sung by Louis Armstrong and Jim Reeves… It was sweetly sentimental, lamenting the loss of a girl by the same name… For me, Ramona does not conjure images of a dark haired Mediterranean woman, with a big dark eyes and hairy legs, but instead that of the smells of heavenly pastries, greek shortbread and french eclairs…
Years and years ago there was a well known bakery in Uitenhage called Ramona. It was owned by a Greek family who had opened it in the early 50′s and ran it for the next fifty years. Over this period the shop became something of an institution. I was introduced to the bakery as a baby, not so much to be fed pies or pastries, as much as to be introduced to anyone who happened to be there sipping tea or having a slice of cream cake. My grandmother would wheel my identical twin and myself into the shop, push the elaborate double perambulator past the gleaming counters and talk to anyone who would take note of the two of us or the commotion she was creating with her unusual push-pram.
As a young boy my parents would go to town, often splitting up to go to the bank or buy necessities and would meet up afterwards at Ramona for a cup of tea and a scone or pastry.
By the time I was at high school, I would stop by for a chocolate eclair or a sausage roll before spending languid afternoons at the municipal library during holidays.
The shop had the fifties written all over it. Green and Red Formica tables and chairs in shiny chrome frames decked the checkerboard floor, and large wooden framed posters of different sights around Greece adorned the shiny white walls. In the center of the restaurant, a section of the ceiling was raised to double volume in white painted wood and glass, creating a distinct feel you were in a menagerie or Edwardian greenhouse.
Over the years very little changed in the shop. It became a sort of 1950′s time capsule. The bakery made every conceivable pastry and cake, but to me, their most extraordinary accomplishment was their pies. Sausage rolls, chicken pies, steak and kidney pies, all baked to a kind of perfection I have never been able to find again. Not even during the 6 months traveling in Greece.
But alas, by the mid nineties the traditional clientele had dwindled, as the town center had become dirty and unsafe. Middle class whites who usually frequented the bakery, started avoiding inner town and limited their visits to the absolute essential. Ramona had become a fading jewel in a sea of slow decay. People only dashed in and out to make quick purchases and what used to be a charming restaurant from a bygone time, had become a fast food joint where nobody bothered to sit down for a chat or take in the now-faded surroundings.
The shop closed in the late nineties. But before it did, I went there with my father and we shared a pot of tea and scones, at the same table we had over the decades. The huge wooden framed posters were gone, but despite the absence of decoration, there was, as usual, an abundance of things to discuss. What we spoke about, I cannot recall, but I do recall two birds fluttering above in the white space beneath the glass roof and I could not decide whether they were nesting or had become trapped or both. But apart from the two birds, and us, the restaurant was mostly deserted.
As we were about to leave, the owner passed by our table and stopped by to say hello. She remembered my grandmother and my twin and the double pram. I was rather shocked that she was still alive, as I remembered how old she was when I was a boy – 35 years on she was now so old, she had become something of a relic. She spoke about how many people had asked her for the recipes for her pies and pastries, but sadly, she was not ready to part with them. I would not dream of asking for them anyway, as its just not something I would have the audacity to do.
But, perhaps responding to her own feelings of lament, or perhaps realizing just how much I loved her bakery, she said she had something she wanted to give me. She took me to the back, and there, covered in dust, she pointed to some frames, and told me I could choose any two of the framed pictures which had hung on the walls of her bakery for so many years.
I was quite taken by her gesture. I chose the large photo of the talking fishermen, set against the background of an ancient Greek fishing village, and another one which showed details of the columns of the temple of Delphi, basking in glorious bright sunlight. Both of them had ‘Griechenland’ in large times new roman typeface written at the bottom, and had the distinct feel that they were from a bygone era. And of course, they were.
I hung these pictures in my eclectic lounge in my Johannesburg apartment, and would often think about them as objects, which over the years, had become permanently permeated in the warm scent of baking pastries, the buzzing sounds of customers talking about their day and the sights grandmothers showing off the latest addition to their family.
These were not just pictures. They were a part of my own recollections and memories growing up in apartheid South Africa. They were a part of me, a part of the town and its people, and a part of our family.
Ramona would forever define my idea of extraordinary pastries and baked treats. It had defined the many hours I would spend in town, and it defined a huge slice of my childhood. What was left on my wall was the collective memories of people who had over the years passed through its doors, and the collective memory of the pictures themselves, which together with the warm smell of baking pastries, were part of an extraordinary fifties relic called Ramona.
The pictures echoed, albeit in a very different context, the sentimental lyrics of that Armstrong song :
I dread the dawn
When I awake to find you gone
Ramona,
I made you my own.
Yes, I too had a love affair with Ramona, the smell of her pies on my hands, the taste of her puff pastries on my lips… and even though she is long gone, I am privileged to say, I had a chance to make her my own…
Nou roer jy memories soos jy nie sal glo nie. Dit is baie pragtig geskryf Pierre.
Ramona die song sal my altyd aan my Pa laat dink. Hy het gesing. “Ramona, my hele maand se pay is joune”
ja John toe ek my eerste salaris kry toe sing ek ook Ramona my hele maand se pay is joune! Nooit weer het ek ‘n “sausage Roll” geproe soos hulle sn nie! Ons het 1970 uit die dorp getrek maar een keer ‘n jaar by familie kom kuier – en ek het ons kinders sommer die volgende dag Ramona toe geneem! Ai dit is lekker herinneringe! En ek verstaan die eienaar is oorlede sonder om die resep met iemand te deel. Joey Olckers
…after reading your article, the memories came back…must say, Pierre, you surely have an eye, mouth, taste…oh what the hech…fot fine cuisine…
Ramona het baie fond memories ook by my.Was ook altyd die laaste stop voor ons terug is huis toe na oggend of middag van shopping op die “dorp”!As ek aan ramona dink is dit nie noodwendig die pies nie maar die yummie sweet pastries!!Ons familie het elke Saterdag groot verskeidenheid gekoop vir die familie byeenkoms elke Saterdag by my ouma .Ek was nog op laerskool maar ja dis iets wat my altyd sal bybly!Wanneer ons spul ex – Uitenhagers bymekaar is is dit altyd conversation topic…en dan natuurlik ook die Beefeeter…vir die beste steaks ooit!
My twee kinders was klein en ouma en ons drietjies het die Ramona gedurende die laat sestigs, vroeë sewentigs gereeld besoek.
Daardie jare was daar nog ‘n busdiens. Ons was van Van Riebeeckhoogte en het met die bus dorptoe gery – kamma vir inkopies. Die eintlike rede vir die uittog was egter die kuiertjies by Ramona.
“Scones” en tee vir die twee grootmense en rooi koeldrank en “cupcakes” vir die kleintjies. Hmmmm! “Sausage rolls”, roomkoekies en “doughnuts” – lippeklaplekker! Veral laasgenoemde – nie te vetterig, nie te soet – net reg!!!
Destyds kon ‘n mens nog saans “window shopping” doen, gaan fliek en Uitenhage was bekend as die tuindorp. Vandag lê die strate vol vullis, die geboue is vervalle en vuil en straatsmouse het die dorp oorgeneem. Saam met die Ramona, het alles wat mooi en lekker was, tot niet gegaan.
Anna Strydom
Yes die Ramona op CCN was menige werkende huisvrou se redding om gou n dosyn sausage rolls vir die kinders se lunch te gaan koop. Alles was lekker daar. Die fyngebak ook. Ek was bevriend met hulle en het talle kere die potte mince gesien kook in die kombuis.Hulle was al daar in die 1930s want my ouers se huweliksonthaal was in die kafee en hulle het ook die troukoek gebak.(1939) Ek dink die geheime bestandeel van die sausage rolls was komyn wat die lekker smaak gegee het. Wat sal ek nie gee om daardie resep in die hande te kry nie.
OMG what I wouldn’t do for one of those Ramona sausage rolls again . . . . *** sigh ***
Thanks for bringing this back to me
Fellow ex-Uitenhager
What a great walk down memory lane. I am still obsessed with Ramona Sausage rolls. I live in the USA now and have been working on my own sausage roll recipe but it is never anything like the Ramona’s. One of the son’s has a bakery in Rink Street in PE but his mom clearly didn’t give him the recipe either.
Just for an update, the old lady “Mrs Michaelides” is still alive and living in PE with her son Greg.
Steve Partington
A well written piece of our history! Boy does that bring back memories with a touch of sadness. Good one!
I am still here in Uitenhage, also long for the Ramona sausage rolls, and there toasted cheese and tomatoe sandwiches, and thier raisin scones were the best. Very convenient for us as bank staff to pop across the street. those are the days gone by never to return….. so sad…
Oh yeah, how I still salivate over the mere thought of all those sausage rolls at the Ramona. Like so many others recently out from England in the late 60s and early 70s Ramona’s sausage rolls actually saved my sanity as there were so many goodies that we missed. Depending on what part of England you hailed from. For me along with the sausage roll was the pork pie and black pudding and faggots and peas. But without any doubt Ramona’s sausage rolls went a long way to bridgeing that gap. Not only was it the sausage rolls but all those half size cream horns, chocolate eclairs and jam puffs etc that graced the glass cabinets on the left as you went in. Often during my more corpulant days I would pop into the Ramona on my way home from work and and select several of these goodies for an after supper treat. Something we did not have in abundance of in the UK during the 60s was the samoosa. It did not take me long to get a taste for these and even now after 42 years in South Africa there is rarely a day that goes by without I don’t have a samoosa snack while out shopping. One day whilst purchasing a few samoosas at “Gibbs the Samoosa King”. Remember him, on the corner of Huegh Road and 6th Avenue Walmer I happened to bump into Greg who was working there at the time. It wasn’t long after Gibbs closed and was demolished, that Greg turned up at a tabacco cum gift shop in Walmer Park where I use to see him quite often and we’d have a chat about the old Uitenhage before the streets became so filthy and at times often dangerous to walk down. Spot the white face nowadays and you get a prize.
Fortunately PE has been recently blessed by “The Two Fat Butchers.” at 6th Avenue Walmer where for many of us that gap has been bridged even further with an array of pork pies, black pudding, haslett faggots and a large selection of bangers. Yes, bangers that actually have meat in them and taste like a banger should taste. A complement to the old mash potatos and mushy peas with a fried egg on top.
I certainly hope that Greg and his mother have seen the complements that you fans of the Ramona have heaped upon them.
Jerry Allen.
It took me instantly back to a childhood of my mum picking me up from school (Riebeek College) after collecting my brother from College Hill and us going to Ramona for sausage rolls and cokes before shopping and the library……………
I am so pleased to see so many people sharing so many precious memories. Thank you so much for keeping my own fond memories alive !
I am sure that someone, somewhere MUST have the odd recipe for at least one of the countless delicious baked goods. If anyone has any of the recipes, please share. Not only will we be able to celebrate the life and times of a unique culinary establishment, but we will be able to do some justice to all the wonderful memories we have come to cherish over the years.
Its sad enough that the iconic Ramona is gone, it would be a true tragedy if all knowledge of her culinary delights were also lost to the world of beautiful food…
My Uncle Harry had the Bambi just down the road from the Ramona and was a good friend of the Michaelides family. This certainly does bring back many memories!!
Gregs sister Florine still lives in Uitenhage. I was surprised no one mentioned the exotic beauty behind the counter.
In the late 50s all the way through to the 60s, my Dad and I regularly went to Ramona on a Saturday morning for cake and/or sausage rolls or pies. We would often buy their cream pastry cones or many of the other wonderful cakes and treats they had on offer.
Ramona was a gem in ‘the good old days’ and definitely one of the more memorable shops in ‘town’. I can still conjure up the smell of the bakery and see many of the old regulars who would stop in for a cup of tea or coffee. The Michaelides family were definitely responsible for adding an extra few kilograms to our bodies in those days!! Thankfully, the walk up the hill to go home probably got rid of a few of the calories we consumed there.
I miss those days of our uncomplicated lifestyles, carefree and safe, in the best town for children to grow up. Thanks for the memories Pierre.
Thank you sooo much for sharing this – yes I too have fond memories of the Ramona. Milkshakes and cakes!!! mmmmmmmmmmmmmmjust thinking about it!!!
Oh Whow! – I too remember the sausage rolls and chocolate eclairs I have never managed to find any anywhere else that tasted even remotely similar. . Mrs Michelaides was the owner I remember and my grandmother played cards with her. My grandmother used to take me there as a small child and – besides the tea and cakes – buying aniseed sweets by the pound kept in the large glass jars along the top of the counter. What a blast from the past – those were the days!
From: Pam (Pieters) de Villiers
Wow – Yes ! Our Saturday family lunches just were’nt the same without our regular Ramona sausage-roll treat. Us kids would squirm in the car going home from shopping, anxious to get home for lunch, lovingly holding on to our pie packets with the unforgettable, delicious aroma of freshly baked pastries permeating the car !!!
Memories are made of this – for sure ! Thanks Pierre for evacuating them !
Pierre – are you from the Verwey family that lived in Graaff Reinet Road? …if so, we lived behind you in Szendrei Street !
I have a twin brother called Hein.. My mom was Lena and my dad Bert, both of them worked for Volkswagen. My uncle, Andrew had the stationary shop next to the old Pick n Pay in Levyvale… named Verwey’s
Not sure if there are any bells ringing in your ears or not !
Dear Pierre
What memories you brought us with your well written article! You may recall that we were your neighbours in Settlers Crescent for many years. My husband and I were marries 49 years ago
and our wedding cake was made and decorated by Flora Ambadjis. I am also glad to say that she is alive and well! Our first dance at our wedding was also to the song Ramona.
Regards to you and Hein
Tokkie and Susan Botha (64 Settlers Crescent, Levyvale, Uitenhage)
WOW!
I am just speechless, Susan – you finding me on this blog, through an article on what seems to be everyone’s favorite bakery! Its WONDERFUL to hear from you… and to read how Ramona intersected in such a significant way in your life…
How did you find this article ? And more importantly how are you, Tokkie and Peter doing?
Regards
How lovely to read this. Ramona Bakery was opened and run by my grandparents. My grandfather (Sava Michaelides), was the baker. My grandmother is still alive and turning 100 in the not too distant future.
Thalia (nee Michaelides)
The memories of Ramona Cafe were wonderful to read. I grew up in Uitenhage and in the fifties I can remember sitting at the tables and having tea and a fairy cake with the two little wings popping up and icing sugar sprinkled over the top. The jam and real cream underneath completed the treat. I was fascinated by the pictures of Greece and yes, the sausage rolls were the very best that one could buy. The glass roof and the squared tiled floor gave a really special atmosphere and I think those Greek pictures must have started a desire in me to travel to foreign places. After completing school, I went to Grahamnstown to the training college there and that was where I met Dorothea Michaelides and guess what, her father owned the Ramona Cafe in Grahamstown. Because I was a friend of hers, I’d be invited to the cafe for lunch over weekends and her father would make us platters of steak eggs and chips! He had a bakery and took us to see the loaves of bread coming out of the oven. The Michaelides in Grahamstown were cousins or relations of those in Uitenhage and in both towns they established a Ramona Cafe.
How wonderful to read about so many people who knew my grandparents, aunt and uncle of Ramona Cafe. Diana, Dorothea lives in PE, she is married to Savvas Loutsias. We are all related. My memories were of my grandmother making us waffles on a Sunday morning and feeling quite ill after the chocolate milkshake and being sent off back to PE with a bag full of sweets. We still talk about our grandfather’s pies as though they were the only real pies ever made. No-one could bake a cream horn quite like he could!
My father, Basil Michaelides has asked that I write the following on his behalf:
“I was very touched and proud of the reviews by Pierre and others, of the legacy my father, Savvas Michaelides, created in Ramona Bakery. He came to South Africa as an 18yr old immigrant from Cyprus in 1926, and joined his uncle’s business in King Williamstown, where he taught himself the bakery and confectionery trade.
He married my mother, Doris in 1932. Doris’s parents were the first couple to be married in the Greek Orthodox church in Woodstock, Cape Town in 1905.
Savvas and Doris took over Ramona from his brother in 1939, and there the thousands of hours of perfection started to bear fruit. I remember him studying baking and confectionery magazines to hone his skills.
I enjoy a sausage roll every Saturday morning, but am still searching for one that can match my father’s”.
Wow! What a trip down memory lane. I doubt anyone living in Uitenhage during the 50′s and 60′s can forget the Ramona. I played bridge with Doris Michaleides for a number of years until she became too frail and met up with all her family at her wonderful birthday parties where she always told of how her parents came to South Africa and met and married – she will be 100 next year.
Gill Penrith
What a wonderful read!!! I was friends (and still am) with Mrs Michaelides’ granddaughter, Condelia. We used to spend many happy hours in the bakery at the back of the shop, watching the wonderful baking process and pinching the odd bit of raw dough!! There were always milkshakes for us after school and yummy things to eat. The pies and sausage rolls were phenomenal. Those were definitely the “good old days”. No one takes that sort of time and care anymore. For those of you who lived in Settlers Crescent – so did I. My parents built No. 20 back in 1969 and we lived there for just under 10 years. UItenhage was a great place to grow up in, and those of us who were fortunate enough to do so, have some wonderful memories!!
Verena Rousseau (Voigt)
How wonderful to walk down memory lane with you. Ramona pies were our regularly Saturday treat for lunch. Let’s not forget the shoe-soles and chocolate eclairs. It really was a privilege growing up in Uitenhage. Bev Loenen (nee Gouws)
Hi Bev!
Yes, Oumie Zita always used to buy pies there on her way from the farm to visit us in Uitenhage – what memories! Love to all you Uitenhagers.
Carine Parks (nee Barrd, previously from Uitengae)
My better half stumbled on your blog… guess where I met the good lady? Good old Uitenhage! I even lived there for a few months after we got married…
We’re going to enjoy reading all your experiences and recipies
PS – I hope you don’t mind but I’d like to place your link on my blogroll…
Oh wowee!!!
What a surprise to read about Ramona Bakery – this was the shop that my family owned for as long as I can remember. My mother was the “exotic” beauty behind the counter and the old lady who gave you your picture, is my dear old grandmother – or “yiayia” which is the greek version of granny!
My sister, Danae & my brother, Nicolas and I (Condelia) grew up in the shop, where my parents worked hard and we were kept occupied by our wonderful bakery staff in the back. They used to put us on the arms of the massive mixers and lift us up and then down, and then up and then down again. Oh what beautiful memories you have stirred in my heart.
This article brought tears to my eyes and such a warm feeling – thank you.
I will be posting & sharing & printing this with my family and all my Uitenhage friends, who are scattered all over the globe.
And just to keep you updated – my gran is still alive and will be 100 years old on 28 February 2012. My mother, Florene is still living in good old Uitenhage and is well and still very glam for her age (!) – sorry mom!!
My dear father, Costa and grandfather, Savva passed away about 17 years ago and that is about when dear Ramona lost her sparkle.
My uncle Greg lives and works in Port Elizabeth.
Once again, thank you for your beautiful words to you all. My heart is bursting with pride with all your lovely comments and compliments.
PS::: I have yet to eat a pie that matches my grandfather, Savva’s recipes, which he had copyrighted as they were his personal recipes! … and that is why in the whole of Greece you could never find a pie like the Ramona pies.
Regards, Condelia
How lucky am I? I have met and become Facebook friends with Condelia and Danae. The two little girls have grown into two lovely friendly young women. Their Mother, Florine is still gracious and exotic and trumps me regularly at Bridge every Friday.
That Lady from ‘Ramona” lives on, my Dear MRS AMBADJIS, is a client of mine !
Who am I,? I’m her Hairstylist.
Oh yes Ramona in Uitenhage … remember it so well!!! As a child I can remember standing in front of the glass looking longingly at the cakes and pastries … it was such an idylic time because we were all so young and unaware! I remember Condelia’s parents – the most glamorous mother in the world and the dad wasn’t too bad either!!! Funnily all those memories came back to me when we were in Greece just a few months ago .. seeing the baklava’s and other sweet pastries so reminiscent of Ramona!
Ramona, who could forget? I remember going to Sunday School and church at St Katherine’s and instead of putting all our money into the collection plate, we saved some for a Ramona sausage roll to eat on the way up the hill to home! Saturday was always Ramona Pie day. Best day of the week for the family!
I moved to Johannesburg in 1980 and every time my mother came to visit she brought us 2 dozen Ramona sausage rolls.
There will never be a pie as good as theirs. The flaky pastry on the sausage rolls was to die for. The cakes were outstanding and never tasted like today’s ‘shop’ cakes. Hmmmmm I can almost taste them again.
Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
Gee, I don’t really know what to say, I’m overwhelmed! Not a good way to start my Friday morning with tears streaming down my face sitting at my desk, reading all the lovely compliments about good old Ramona. As my sister, Condelia said, yes we spent most of our days in Ramona, and our granny and mom even insisted we had our birthday parties on a Saturday afternoon in Ramona, much to our horror. Sadly so, as we are all aware times have changed so much that none of our children or grandchildren would know what life was about in the good old days, now poor old Ramona is a shop which sells cheap plactic containers. Thank you Pierre, for rekindling such wonderful memories!
I spent many happy afternoons or days in the Ramona. I remember that a trip to town was not complete without a Ramona pie. They were the best ever and I just don’t like pies in PE as they are not the same quality. I can remember the colour and feel of those formica tables and the sound of the dough being mixed, and that little bit of flour in the air. Good old memories of really amazing times.
What a blast from the past it’s been reading this page! My parents had a standing order for a delicious chocolate cake for tea with my gran, great-aunt and great-uncle every Saturday morning. If we were especially good, we would be allowed sausage rolls or cream horns or the delicious cupcakes. I’m drooling now as I remember those flavours. It’s sad to realise that the memories are all that remain.
Robyn (Dovey) Gouws
As my sister Robyn says Ramona was a part of our life too growing up in Uitenhage, the famous Black Forrest Cake for tea on Saturdays and the too die for sauage rolls! Fantastic memorys and food. My grandfather owned the building and Colnicks was the shop next door, even when my grandfather was senile he still insisted on going to Ramona’s for a treat. A treasure of a place, thanks for the memories! When we were married all four girls had their cakes made by my mom, but they were iced by Ramona
I still live in Uitenhage and it’s sad to see how the town has changed. My mom used to work at Trust Bank in Calendon Street for many years so i often use to meet her for luch which was always at Ramona and as everybody says,those sausage rolls were the best. I still see Condelias mom on a regular basis but now it’s only at Spar.
My Mom- Doreen Stevenson- who was well known for her dancing lessons and chocolate cake – passed away at the age of 80 in June this year. She was born and brought up in Uitenhage and lived there for her first 70 years. My fondest memories was Saturdays at Ramona. – not so fond memories of Riebeck College though. As I grow older I realize that you can never really let go of your past. My past was Uitenhage and driving past Muir College Hostel on a Sunday Afternoon and Shuffellng at the disco. According to my Uncle, Frank Botha I relieved my bladder in the middle of Ramona at the age of 2 – I deny that…… but the rest I embrace… Donna Stevenson
My family arrived in Uitenhage in 1947. My dad Vic having been transfered to Barclays Bank from Uniondale. My mom Anne used to play cards with Greg’s mom and Nellie Steyn. I went to the Mater Admirabilis Convent from 1950 and matriculated at Muir in 62
The Ramona steak & kidney pies were to die for
Have just written a book ‘Fun in he Sun ———– a celebration of a good life’ ——’FITS’ ——– 22 tear about short stories of Uitenhage [and Swartkops] ———— my time at the Rose & Shamrock —– living it up with Neville Ross & Neale Meiring
Our Class of 62 celebrate our 50th Founders at the Muir in March 2012
Warwick [Dog] Owen
Isn’t the internet wonderful… All these comments about the Ramona Cafe and we all had one thing in common and that was that the pies and sasage rolls were to die for… Had our wedding cake baked at Ramona!!
Gail Ehbel (neé Gillmer)
I haven’t checked, but I remember that there was definitely a cafè where Ramona was in the late 1930′s. I am sure it was also named Ramona, but not sure who owned it. What I can remember is that you could get an ice cream in a cone for 1d (one penny)and my mom would buy me one when we went to town, providing I didn’t ask for one! I stayed that price until well into the forties. In later years we always bought Steak and Kidney pies for lunch on a Saturday. The first thing that my ex-husband asked for when he came out in 2008 from America, was a Ramona’s pie! No one has ever achieved the standard of the Ramona pies and cakes. Thanks for jogging the memories, Of going to town on a Saturday morning in summer,meeting all your friends. (Winter was hockey matches – no times for town!)
Our Class of 52 will celebrate our 60th Founders Day in May 2012! I sincerely hope that we can find as many as we can to celebrate with us. Verna (le Roux) Barlow.
Such a lovely trip down memory lane indeed. A wonderful cafe, and as kids we always saved up some pocket money and our parents would actually allow us to go to town alone and order a sausage roll and milkshake!
We also lived in Settlers Crescent, and remember the stationery shop next to Pick ‘n Pay from when it first opened! We are attending a wedding in Uitenhage next weekend, it was such a great town to grow up in!
I remember vividly the wedding cakes my aunt used to make and display in the shopfront window. I would stare at all the detail what seemed like ages before being allowed to help myself to bags of sweets (nearly every Sunday). My sister, Alexia, and I would try demolish our respective bags of sweets before we got home in Port Elizabeth.
As grandchildren, we were allowed to sit at the “Reserved” table behind the display cabinet in the restaurant section and could order what we liked. The staff fussed over us and entertained our every whim – although we were mindful that our grandfather was watching, so were always on our best behaviour.
My grandfather would always make sure that we took home a box of pies. We looked forward to every Thursday when my grandmother would visit and bring a replacement box of pies and slip us grandkids banknotes. We were careful to leave my father somes pies by the time he got home from work.
Such great memories in an innocent time.
Thank you. I couldn’t have described it better. What an icon -Ramona Cafe. Best sausage rolls and chocolate ecclairs ever. But most of all the atmosphere. I too fell in love with Ramona.
Wow Kim! It’s amazing how a blog like this can bring people together all around the world, who share a common past and history (and love of good food!) How are you all? Would love to get in touch again and share stories.
Love to you all
Love Carine
Kim, do you remember the time that you bought a whole box of chocolate eclairs from the Ramona Cafe and took them all the way back to the USA for your friends to sample? Yes, it certainly was a treat to be taken to the Ramona Cafe. We all have such fond memories.
What glorious days!!!! Cotton socks, hand knitted, cotton flares skirt dresses, ribbon bows and innocence – Cotton Queen Contest in the Moth Hall, Christmas windows decorated with moving dolls at Cherringtons, the strong smell of tobacco from Coates Tobacconist and sixpence Squares from the little shop “the matchbox”, as one did window shopping on a saturday night, waiting for the Evening Post to arrive, a movie at the Plaza, hamburgers from Van’s caravan at the square, the Muir Cadet band marching and playing up a storm in Caledon street, with the cherry on top – a sausage roll with a cream soda float from Ramona’s!!! Yes, we were fortunate to grow up in Uitenhage!!!
Oh! Yes I remember those coke floats and the pies and pastries and the Michaelides as well! Gosh what memories come flooding back now but the aroma lingers on! Those were wonderful days back in Uitenhage – I think anyone who grew up there grew up on the Ramona cafe’s delights!
Christmas was not Christmas without the lights and the Salvation Army band singing carols on the Corner of the street. Cherrington’s and Coates and don’t forget the hot dogs stand on the square – month end shopping was not month end shopping without going to Ramona’s though…. Thank you for the memories.
Technology is marvelous, that we can call back the past like this about good Old Ramona. Heaven what memories. I wish yiayia well for her 100th birthday and thank her for the wonderful sausage rolls we all enjoyed over the years. Thank you to the family from another old Uitenhage family “the Slacks”.
How incredible is this – lots of memories from the old Uitenhage! How about those who remember the Monte Carlo? Saturday mornings waiting for all your friends – playing the jukebox and making more memories?
The Monte Carlo rings a bell. Opposite the Protea is I remember correctly. A bag of Wilsons toffees and off to the flick.
I remember the meringues….all colours, but especially the two white ones sandwiched together with cream, for 1 or 2 cents….heaven! It was a treat to go with my Grandpa and have a sausage roll with worcesthershire sauce….
Great and good memories.
Oh what memories we all have of Uitenhage..Yes Ramona saturday morning shopping with my sister in law Doreen Preston and our kids Nigel,Dawn,Paul,Steven.. All troup in for our saturday mourning fix of sausage rolls..tea.milkshakes I play bowls with Greg at walmer 8th we often talk about the old times Good old Uitenhage in those days
I remember it well!!!!!!!!!!!!
My Ma het twee keer per week gaan vleis koop in Uitenhage. Ons het met ‘n bus gery vanaf Despatch en terwyl die bus gedraai het om weer die pad terug te neem, het ons tweetjies gou (ek was toe 2 jaar oud – 1950) vinnig by die slaghuis in en gou by Ramona ‘n draai gemaak. Vinnig ‘n melkskommel geniet en cream horns gekoop wat ons saam geneem het huis toe. Ek onthou die swart en wit marmer vloer en die waaier in die dak wat al die heeeerlike geure aangewaai het terwyl jy by ‘n tafel gesit en wag het.
Sowat 18 jaar later het ek by die Biblioteek gewerk en gereeld van Ramona se jam doughnuts bestel – wat ‘n heerlikheid was dit nie om in die laat 60′s hierdie herinneringe mee te maak.
In my gedagtes hoor ek die klokkie by die deur en sien weer die yslike roomkoeke agter glas. Watter heerlike herinneringe……. Dankie hiervoor!
Elize (Olckers) Lizamore
Stellenbosch
Wie kan dit ooit vergeet?
My ouma hulle het op Uitenhage gewoon en as ons so 1 keer n maand van die platteland gegaan het vir inkopies en n kuiertjie het my Ma nooit n besoekie aan Ramona laat verbygaan nie. Ons het ook weer teruggetrek daarheen en toe ek daar gewerk het was dit verpligtend om met jou verjaarsdag vir elkeen 2 sausage rolls van Ramona te koop, ongeag die hoeveelheid koek wat jy geneem het.Die plek was altyd gepak van die mense! Ek onthou eintlik net Florene en Costa en vir my het dit gelyk of Ramona se mense nooit ouer word nie.
Dankie, wonderlikke herinerringe!Sent from Samsung Mobile
Hi Pierre! Wow! The Ramona pies were responsible for weight gain in 1958 when I worked at Dolley and Wink, lawyers, opposite. In the month of Jan 1958 I went to the movies in PE with Bert Verwey, your Dad. We watched ‘April Love’ with Pat Boone and Shirley Jones! Ciao -
Elise (Andrich/Duthie) Schaberg
I remember the milkshakes and sausage rolls, please make me some!!!!
Callie Viljoen
What beautiful memories you have woken up in my heart. I see Greg almost every week, sometimes we just wave —othertimes we chat and relive the past. Uitenhage was a very special place to grow up in. I make fairy cakes—–but they aren’t Ramona fairy cakes.
Good gracious! Such an unexpected stirring up of the most wonderful childhood memories…..of the absolute treat it was to go to the Ramona for a milkshake with my granny, or a pie and gravy…yum yum yum…..and yes, as with everyone else, the gorgeous box of pies that came home for Saturday lunch, etc. And I, too, can now remember peering into the window at their most beautifully decorated cakes. What a trip down memory lane! Thank you all for that, most refreshing. We won’t mention what the town is like in present day….long live all our most cherished memories of a bygone era. That, at least, can never be taken away from us.
Ramona has given such wonderful memories to so many people. in the 70′s I remember my mom + I would walk from Fairbridge Heights (in scourging heat) to pay the monthly bills and the treat would be to sit in Ramona’s for tea + cake.My best memory is my wedding cake from Ramona .it was just wonderful. Once I had my own children, I still used to pop into this lovely shop for special treats.A big thanks to the Michaelides family, you were a very important part of the Hage!
Joan nee Hickson
Oh my word, how my mind was cast back in time as I read your memories of the Ramona Cafe. I lived in Uitenhage and went to Riebeek College from Sub A to Matric which I wrote in 1966. I also remember the Bambi Cafe in Market Street. Do you still remember the Monte Carlo Cafe in John Street, which was opposite the 20th Century Bioscope? They used to make the most delicious milk shakes and we would listen to the music playing from the juke box!!!!! How about the Plaza Bioscope in Caledon Street? We had such fun in those days. However, things are sadly not the same anymore. I think that we were among those who experienced the best years in Uitenhage.
Ethel Lawson nee Gouws
My Mom Ethel worked for at Romona cafe before she married my Dad Bennie in 1944 They made her wedding cake, mine in 1970 & my sister Jenny”s in 1973
The pies with gravy were the best! I live in Milnerton Cape Town now
Lots of memories of Ramona sausage rolls and cream soda floats…my mom used to take us there often and it was always such a treat. It’s really wonderful how in a world today where things come and go without much notice, so many folks can still remember the sights, sounds and smells coming form Ramona. Living in USA now makes us long for so much about home…Uitenhage will always be home. I am proudly from ” The Hage” and I enjoyed my share of ramona pies. Thanks for the memories…
My grandmother, Doris Michaelides, passed away 16 March 2012, aged 100. She would have been so proud of the comments on this blog. I wonder how many waffles and milkshakes she made in her day at Ramona!?!
Hi Alexia
I am so sorry to hear about Doris. I was privilaged enough to be her bridge partner for several years and was at her 100th birthday tea. She was a grand oldlady and will be missed by all who knew her.
love
Gill Penrith
Sincere condolences to you and your family from all at the Uitenhage Bridge Club, BurleighTunbridge
To you and all your family my heartfelt condolences. Your grandmother was an amazing woman and will be very very missed.
Much love from Brian and Verena Rousseau (nee Voigt)
I was saddened to read the news of your grandmother’s passing. She will be remembered by a generation who, like me, had the privilege of experiencing her, and indeed your family’s culinary legacy.
We live to make a difference in others’ lives and to be remembered. How blessed she has been, touching generations of peoples lives and giving them something so special. It is clear just reading the comments on my blog, that she achieved far more than merely making great food for others to enjoy. She gave people culinary experiences that are now being remembered by generations of people who passed through her Bakery over the years. Yes, she was indeed a grand old dame, and for me, nearly fifty years after I first set perambulator wheel in the bakery as a baby, I will always think of Ramona as the first stop in truly understanding that the boundaries of outstanding food goes so much further than the immediate pleasures of its consumption. Like so many have commented so beautifully on the kitchenbabble blog, food can define an entire era, pool beautiful shared memories, and draw the kind of experience that are remembered thousands many decades after it was enjoyed.
How many of us can only dream of one day leaving behind such a legacy!
She left a million beautiful memories behind for generations of people who passed through her shop,so yes the least we can call her is a Grand old Dame and something of a legend!
Not said lightly, condolences to you and your family, may you be consoled in the thought that she truly made a difference to so many peoples lives, allowing to considerably cheer up their rather drab meat-and-potato culinary existence! However, I realise she was a mom, grandmother and great grand mother, friend and ace bridge player, and that she also must be leaving lasting personal memories for so many in her immediate circle.
Sadly, with her gone, so disappears the last remnant of a bygone era of opulent elegance which graced Uitenhage’s not so recent past,
I salute a local icon, an urban celebrity and my personal queenmother of unforgettable culinary delights!
With Best wishes
Pierre Verwey
Sent from my iPad
I think you have said it all there Pierre!! The end of a beautiful and amazing life and era for the family and for Uitenhage. How I miss those days……
Verena Rousseau (nee Voigt)
One could not live in Uitenhage and not remember the Ramona Cafe. Only Good memories, good friends, good food.
One could not live in Uitenhage and not remember the Ramona Cafe. Only Good memories, good friends, good food.
My sincere condolences to the Michaelides family on the loss of Doris, beloved Mother and Grand mother, who passed away on 16 March 2012 at the age of 100.
Hallo my liefie,
Bietjie baie later maar dit was ‘n fantatiese loop in die verlede. Dit het gevoel of ek en Mike weer as jong verliefdes in Ramona sit, tee en scones bestel en dan uitvind nie een van ons het geld nie. Te skaam om te kanselleer “sneak” ons al giggelend daar uit. Ons is gelukkig om hierdie mooi herinneringe te he van “n familie so vol lefde en omgee. Jy het my dag, met ‘n traan, gemaak.
LIEF VIR JOU PIERRE..
Leon Strydm,
In 1971 I was in the army and for the first time in my life I was in Transvaal. On pass weekends the guys paid me to bring back cakes, shoe soles , chocalate ecclairs, strawberry creams back to the army base.
Have travelled extensively in Europe and Britain and have never came accross a Ramona.
I agree – also travelled extensively, and still have not found pastries which match those of Ramona. I remember returning from an extensive stay in Greece, in 1990 and commented something to this effect to the owner.
More than twenty years later, that opinion still holds!
MARTIN SLABBERT
My fond memories of Ramona were those jam tarts and chocalate eclairs my old man brought home on a Saturday after a day at the races. Sitting in the back drinking milkshakes with our mates on a Saturday morning before movies.
I keep on coming back to this link to re-read the comments and take another trip down memory lane! You’ve mentioned so many shops I had forgotten and when I read Coates Tobacconist I could almost smell the aroma one got when you passed by! Those were certainly the days!
Please supply the rest of the words for “Ramona my hele maand se pay is joune” Thanks
Please supply the rest of the words for “Ramona my hele maand se pay is joune” Thanks
I too was one of the fortunates who grew up in the 60′s and 70′s. We lived for a while in a flat above the cafe that Flo and Costa owned in top end of Church street. You three Ambadjis chidren used to come there every day and the “exotic beautiful lady” drove you there in her Peaugot car. My father and i went to Ramona regularly on Saturdays for sausage rolls and bread. I now live in East London and some of the Michaelides family are here. Reno whose family owned the Louis Cafe down in Bay road have a video shop here and a large BandB doing very well. Its good to see familiar names on the Internet and I am sorry that so much of our good memories are going down the drain as the years go by. Uitenhage was a great place to grow up in and at a recent Muir matric reunion we recalled so many good things about the town. How we used to wait for the bus on the Market sqare in the afternoon after having had a coldrink at the Ramona since at the time some of us lived at Despatch It was so safe those days we sometimes spent our bus money there and walked home to despatch past volkswagen , Manor Heights and right to the Town hall in Despatch. these days kids will not even attempt that[Not safe anyway]
In the late 70′s i was priviliged to get to know Costa as an adult and what a gentleman.
Regards
Bryan Erasmus
Yes age dims the mind ! The family who owned Louis cafe were Ionides NOT Michaelides. Any way both are great bunch of people!
FANTASTIES. KAN TOT VANDAG NIE N` SAUSAGE ROLL EET SONDER DAT DIE NAAM RAMONA BY MY OPKOM NIE !