Local Legend: Gastor Almonte Says Great Comedy Starts In East NY

EAST NEW YORK, BROOKLYN — Gastor Almonte wouldn't have made it in comedy without East New York. And it's not because reverse drive-bys, $390 quests for Applebee's blondies and stores that sell both raw chickens and used air conditioners make for killer material.

According to Almonte, it's because East New York is the perfect place for an artist to foster his or her creativity.

The proof of East New York's power to nurture and launch talent can be found in Almonte's burgeoning career as a stand-up comic.

The newly dubbed "Prince of East New York" has appeared on Comedy Central's This Is Not Happening, Vice Live, and PBS's Stories from the Stage.

Almonte's debut album Immigrant Made, released in April, received rave reviews. And the monthly show he co-hosts with Jess Salomon, SANDWICH at Union Hall, regularly draws quite the crowd.

The East New York comedian spoke with Patch as part of our Local Legends series, where we'll be talking to people who make New York City great about the neighborhoods they call home.

Here's what Almonte had to say about East New York:

Describe East New York in three words.

Real. Warm. Welcoming.

Why is East New York so present in your comedy?

There's nothing more funny than the humble moments of life. Especially when you can look back at it from hopefully a place of success.

And East New York has that because it's got people on all those stages. You have people who are just getting started. You have people working. You've had people that had made it. You have people who are genuinely happy to tell you that you're doing it wrong and why.

What’s a humbling moment of yours?

I was starting my day with a bacon, egg and cheese at the corner deli like I always do. The guy in front of me orders and he says, “Double the bacon.” Then he tells him, “But put the extra bacon on the first layer of bread and the second over the eggs.” Everyone's mind was blown straight away. We were all asking, “Why did you do that?”

It ensures the structure of the sandwich — he had a scientific reason why. He had just moved here like a year ago, his family was Dominican, and this outsider brought this new perspective to ten people. He's revolutionized the way we order sandwiches on our block.

We all high-fived that guy.

So you do this great sketch about going on a $390 quest to get your wife (who was pregnant) an Applebee’s Butter Pecan Blondie. What’s the East New York food you’ll do ridiculous things to get?

There is a pizzeria, Caterina Pizza on Fulton and Essex. I have done several things for a slice of Caterina Pizza. It's such an East New York staple. The owner, Vito, he's more East New York than all of us. He was here when it was Italian. He's become a father figure to all of us. He's so jaded to the fact that his pizza his famous here. Vito will like give a high five to Naz not knowing it's Naz.

I have paid them obscene amounts of money to stay open to cook pizza for me. If I have a rough set in the city I'll have them make a late pie for me. It's far more complicated than pizza should be.

What's your order?

A slice for me, a slice for my wife. Two beef patties, one with cheese, one with cheese, coco bread and pepperoni. Has to be on coco bread. That's the deal breaker there.

Where is your East New York pride coming from?

Brooklyn obviously has gone through a big shift with gentrification. East New York is one of the few neighborhoods that has maintained what it was. There’s still a lot of the same cultures that have set roots. There's a lot of little mom-and-pop shops and local restaurants.

It's always inspired me because it's a place were you can start from nothing.

I just think it's beautiful, it's held on to its culture and its one of the affordable places. There needs to be a place where people can start, kinda like home base. There needs to be a place where you can afford to pay bills and master your craft.

Who is an East New York artist you’re excited about?

Rae Sanni. She's a brilliant comedian who moved out to L.A. she doesn't get nearly enough credit.

And what's coming next for you?

Two web series: “Gastories,” which is my stories in three minute formats, and a man-on-the-street called “Live at the Fried.” It’s interviews at various fried chicken places.

This interview was lightly edited for style