Touring With Tony Soprano

The second stop on the tour -- near a diner under the Pulaski Skyway -- is a bit more gruesome: it's where Tony's nephew, Christopher Moltisanti, gets shot. (Christopher recovers, of course. His beautiful fiancée, Adriana, however, is not as lucky later on.)

As we traveled along the highways -- and under the skyways -- of northern New Jersey, our guide pointed out that most of the indoor shots from "The Sopranos" are taken at the Silvercup Studios in Queens. That suits the show, however, because, according to the guide, only actors of Italian descent who have lived in New York or New Jersey are eligible to appear (or disappear unexpectedly) from the show.

Roast Pork and Cannoli

The third stop on the tour is Satriale's Pork Store, outside of which Tony and his gang sip espresso and conduct their mob-related business. Don't expect to buy any cold cuts there as a souvenir, though. The store is no longer a butcher shop, it's just used as a setting for the show.

The tour concludes -- where else -- at the Bada Bing. On the show, the Bada Bing is a strip club run by Tony's consigliere, Silvio Dante, who is played by real-life Jersey legend E Street band member Little Steven Van Zandt. Sil may run the Bing, but Tony keeps his office upstairs to manage the various enterprises that bring in the money.

That's also why the family's most sacred commandment is "Don't disrespect the Bing!" even if they have little respect for the law.

In real life, though, the Bada Bing is an adult club called Satin Dolls, located in the quiet town of Lodi, N.J. The fact that it is a strip club did not stop the tour members from going inside to check out Tony's base of operations. Real dancers performed on real poles for the tour members, just like in the show.

But unlike on TV, the dancers did not show their "not-so real" wares, as according to New Jersey law nudity is not permitted where drinks are sold. However, souvenirs are available in abundance for those looking to remember their trip to the world's most famous strip club. Hats, T-shirts and other clothing can be purchased if memory won't serve.

	Satriale's Pork Store

At this point, you might be thinking that a four-hour tour would make you pretty hungry, especially since you can't get a pork sandwich at Satriale's.

Have no fear. The tour serves not only a huge helping of Sopranos trivia, but also provides a cannoli for the road, which -- like the tour -- is more than satisfying.

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