gleaned from web search:
"I grew up on imported paprika, somehow ferreted into the USA despite draconian bans on all Hungarian products after 1956, and sold in two stores in the Hungarian neighborhood in NYC (Yorkville) whose sole reason for being, more or less, was paprika: Paprikas Weriss [sic](my family's favorite) and H Roth (also known as Paprika By The Barrel)."
"Both stores have since passed on to The great Hungarian Neighborhood In The Sky..."
I recall dining at the restaurant back in mid 70's but that was north of 86th street. So the Paprika by the barrel, H.Roth (bit of mobster sounding name, ;>) was the store I was thinking off maybe E79th or so.
Interesting and thanks for looking this up and posting!
Paprika Weiss started his business as a peddler, who went from door to door selling mostly paprika to new Hungarian immigrants as well as those who had lived in America a longer time. My family ALWAYS bought from him and also, once the store was opened, from the store and I have very fond memories of going to that store.
I've never heard of the other one ( the one you frequented ), so this is quite the revelation to me, since I thought that I knew that neighborhood extremely well.
There were many really good Hungarian restaurants in the neighborhood, once upon a time, which I grew up eating in; however, NOTHING beats an authentic home cooked meal, which I've had more than my fair share of. And yes, I have passed the recipes, that haven't been lost to time, sadly, down the line.
Szeged makes a full line ( regular, sweet, hot, and smoked ) of paprika which is available all over the USA; thank goodness, as I don't know what I'd do without it.