FOOD
BEST CALAMARI
PICCOLO SOGNO
195-14 47th Ave, Flushing
(718) 224-1717–www.piccolosognony.com
There’s truly no better way to enjoy squid
than having it fried. The best fried calamari
in Queens is served at Piccolo Sogno where
executive chef and owner Maurizio has
carefully reconstructed the best of what Italian
cuisine has to offer. The first bite is the most
pivotal one, as you simultaneously experience
the crunchiness of the outside and the softness
and nuttiness on the inside. Every plate of
Piccolo Sogno’s fried calamari is served with
a helping of homemade marinara sauce. Its
delicious calamari is even incorporated into
a linguine pasta dish with clams, mussels,
shrimp tossed in garlic and oil. Whether eating
it as an appetizer or making it a dinner course,
locals cannot resist the best calamari in the
borough.
BEST CANDY STORE
EDDIE’S SWEET SHOP
105-29 Metropolitan Ave, Forest Hills
(718) 520-8514
“If you’ve got a sweet tooth, look no further
than Eddie’s Sweet Shop in Forest Hills.
When it comes to candy, Eddie’s Sweet Shop
is the place to go for that quick sweet treat.
The store is stocked with the best candy that
will surely satisfy your tastebuds and satiate
that sweet tooth, regardless of what time of
day you decide to stop by. It has tons of sweet
options that you can use to top one of Eddie’s
Sweet Shop’s iconic menu items, including its
delicious milkshakes and ice cream sundaes.
Eddie’s truly is the best in the biz when it
comes to sweet things, so be sure to swing
by whenever you get the crave for something
sweet.
BEST CANNOLI
JOE’S SICILIAN BAKERY
212-16 48th Ave, Bayside
(718) 225-2272
Holy cannoli! There’s no better cannoli in
Queens than the ones produced at Joe’s
Sicilian Bakery. The family-owned and
operated business began in 1975 and offers a
wide variety of breads, cookies, pastries and
other treats, but one item reigns supreme: the
cannoli. This staple of Sicilian cuisine is sure
to amaze anyone who has just a taste. With
fried dough wrapped around a sweet, creamy
filling, Joe’s cannolis are the best in Queens.
Joe’s is a staple of the community, drawing the
hungry patrons from near and far to try their
sweets. Joe’s treats are irresistible even for
those just passing by.
BEST CATERER
CARA MIA
22020 Hillside Avenue, Queens Village
(718) 740-9118–www.caramiarestaurant.com
Looking for a top notch caterer that will leave
your guests clamoring for more delicious
food? You’ve got to order from Cara Mia in
Queens Village. Cara Mia offers trays of its
Italian specialties — including favorites like
Shrimp Scampi, stuffed shells, meatballs,
and more — that are perfect for any occasion.
Cara Mia prides itself on the authenticity
and the flavors of its food, so chances are you
may not have leftovers at the end of the night
because everyone will be going back for more.
The customer always comes first at Cara Mia,
so you are guaranteed to have an incredible
catering experience every time.
BEST CHEESECAKE
CASCON CHEESECAKE
704 149th St, Whitestone
(718) 767-5700–www.casconcheesecakes.com
Forget the Cheesecake Factory — if you’re
looking for a delicious cheesecake that’s going
to wow your friends and family, you have to
head out to Cascon Cheesecake in Whitestone.
For over 31 years, Cascon Cheesecake has
been specializing in traditional and creative
baked goods for the New York City area. Its
cheesecakes are a force to be reckoned with.
Cascone Cheesecakes uses the finest ingredients
to make even the simplest flavors go so much
further, sending your sweet tooth on an
incredible journey. All of their cheesecakes
come in a small or large, but if you get a small
this time, you’ll love your cheesecake so much
that next time you’ll definitely order a large!
BEST CHOCOLATIER
AIGNER CHOCOLATES
103-02 Metropolitan Ave, Forest Hills
(718) 544-1850–www.aignerchocolates.com
There’s no such thing as the wrong occasion
for chocolate, it just makes any day sweeter.
And while there are so many shops around
that sell chocolate products, none prepare
cacao-based delights quite like Aegner
chocolates. Founded in 1930, Aigner
Chocolates is one of the oldest chocolate and
confectionery shops in NYC. This veteran
chocolatier brings old-world chocolate
making into the 21st century, sticking by
the same ingredients it used when the shop
was founded. The store offers treats for any
occasion you can think of, from birthday
parties to corporate events. Aegener Chocolate
makes holiday gift-giving exciting, with
turkeys for Thanksgiving, chocolate bats for
Halloween, heart-shaped candy for Valentines
day and so much more. Whatever you’re
looking for, Aegner makes the mold!
BEST COOKIES*
JOE’S SICILIAN BAKERY
212-16 48th Ave, Bayside
(718) 225-2272
Few pastries are as satisfying as the first bite
of a warm, freshly baked cookie, and no one
is better at baking cookies than Joe’s Sicilian
Bakery in Bayside. The family-owned bakery
has been in operation since 1975 and offers a
wide variety of mouth-watering cookies that
Cookie Monster couldn’t resist. Not a fan of
chocolate chip cookies? Joe’s Sicilian Bakery
carries butter cookies, rainbow cookies and
old-school Italian cookies with a decadent
raspberry filling that’s out of this world.
Queens residents with sweet and savory tooths
alike have welcomed these treats into their
lives with open arms and have selected it as
the best in the borough.
BEST CUPCAKES
MARTHA’S COUNTRY BAKERY
70-28 Austin St, Forest Hills
(718) 544-0088–www.marthascountrybakery.
com
Cupcakes are great treats for any occasion. If
you want to cater a party or just have a snack,
these fresh, homemade delights are the exact
ones you want, and what better place to pick
up a dozen or more than at Martha’s Country
Bakery? From a mouthwatering selection of
red velvet cupcakes to chocolate cupcakes,
there’s something even for those looking to
scale back on dessert. Its treats are meant
to bring you back to a time when a bite of
something sweet could make the world a little
brighter and evoke a warm feeling. Choose
from inside the glass display or call your order
in to make your day a little sweeter!
BEST DESSERT
PICCOLO SOGNO
195-14 47th Ave, Flushing
(718) 224-1717–www.piccolosognony.com
Restaurants and foodies alike know that no
meal is complete without dessert. In fact,
the sweeter and decadent, the better! Piccolo
Sogno in Flushing offers traditional Italian
dessert staples with a slight twist. In addition
to cannolis, custards, chocolate souffles and
a chocolate moose, executive chef and owner
Maurizio whips up a refreshing concoction of
a limoncello and hazelnut gelatos, both served
on a champagne flute. Who says desserts
can only be served on a plate? And of course,
no dessert can be served without a side of
coffee, espresso or cappuccino that’ll wake
you up and enhance your taste buds. Piccolo
Sogno is committed to providing the best
dessert experience in Queens, and locals agree
wholeheartedly.
BEST DONUT
DUNKIN DONUTS
219-20 Northern Blvd, Bayside
(718) 224-7112–www.dunkindonuts.com
There’s a reason why Queens residents are
enamored with the aroma and taste of a
Dunkin Donuts ‘donut.’ Since 1950, Dunkin
has been satisfying its loyal customers with a
wide variety of donut flavors that are perfect
for a quick breakfast, classroom lectures,
conferences and an after-dinner dessert.
From a classic jelly donut and donut with
sprinkles to the more intricate Boston creme
and blueberry flavored donuts to the cute
and creative munchkins that pack a punch,
Dunkin’s donuts truly have something for
everyone. It’s no surprise that its the go-to
donut place in the borough!
BEST DUMPLINGS
LITTLE DUMPLING
252-20 Northern Blvd Little Neck
(718) 225-1178–www.littledumplingny.com
Hot dumplings or cold? Pan fried or steamed?
At Little Dumpling in Little Neck, it’s all
about choice. Since 2014, Little Dumpling
has provided locals with the best Shanghai
and Taiwanese cuisine in the borough. If you
like a little meat in your dumpling, its pork
and beef dumplings are tender on the inside
and packed with flavor. If you’re looking for
a meatless option or something to warm you
up, its vegetable and soup dumplings are solid
picks. People who try the dumplings at Little
Dumpling leave with a satisfied stomach and a
smile on their face. It’s truly no surprise then
that it’s been selected as the best dumpling
joint in Queens for the second year in a row!
BEST FALAFEL
AEGEA WEST MEDITERRANEAN
KITCHEN
242-05 Northern Blvd, Douglaston
(718) 423-4329–www.aegeagyros.com
Searching for the best falafel in the borough?
There are lots of Queens eateries that prepare
this Middle Eastern classic well, but no one
makes it quite like Aegea West Mediterranean
Kitchen. Aegea’s take on this chickpea-filled
favorite is exactly what you want and more.
You can get it as a sandwich (served with
lettuce, tomato, onion and tzatziki) or a
platter, complete with a Greek salad, pita,
tzatziki and a side of your choice, and it can
be added onto any salad or wrap on the menu.
Agea West also offers a falafel burger for
falafel lovers, vegans and vegetarians alike,
plus you have the option to add a side of falafel
onto your meal. There is something for anyone
whose go-to is falafel.
22 BETHPAGE BEST OF THE BORO 2021 • WINNERS GUIDE • BESTOF.QNS.COM
BEST FOOD TRUCK
KING SOUVLAKI - ASTORIA
Corner of 31st St and 31 Ave, Astoria
(917) 416-1189–www.kingsouvlakinyc.com
Food trucks go above and beyond being a
quick go-to spot when you’re in a bind or
returning from a night of partying. They’re a
beloved community staple, and King Souvlaki
is proof of winning the hearts of loyal, hungry
Queens customers. Since 1979, King Souvlaki
has been serving authentic Greek street food
at the corner of 31st street and 31st avenue
in Astoria. It’s impossible to avoid the savory
aromas of the grilling meat and the billowing
smoke and not stop by. Whether you’re in the
mood for its famous hand skewered souvlaki,
hand stacked gyros, or delicious hand-cut fries
cooked in extra virgin olive oil, you’ll leave
with a sense of satisfaction and plan your next
outing to the neighborhood.
BEST FOOD VENDOR
BUTCHER BAR
37-10 30th Ave, Astoria
(718) 606-8140–www.butcherbar.com
When it comes to getting delicious readymade
food for any occasion, the options can
be overwhelming. If you’re looking for the
best around, you need to check out Astoria’s
Butcher Bar. Butcher Bar sells some of the
finest smokehouse barbeque food that you
can find in New York City. In the shop, it sells
all organic meats without any hormones,
antibiotics or by-products, ensuring that you
are getting the absolute best quality meat.
Butcher Bar also has a selection of artisan
meats and products that will elevate anyone’s
dinner table. Butcher Bar will cater any event
with selections of their favorites, and you
can also swing by its Smokehouse restaurant
located right next to the store!
BEST FRENCH TOAST*
MOM’S KITCHEN & BAR
33-01 31st Ave, Astoria
(718) 267-0142–www.momsastoria.com
“Who doesn’t love a plate of french toast to
start the day? At Mom’s Kitchen & Bar, you
are in for a truly amazing dining experience.
Mom’s Kitchen & Bar doesn’t play around
when it comes to brunch. When you come
by for a bite, your mouth will begin to water
before your plate of french toast hits the table.
The eatery offers a variety of sides that can be
served alongside your mouthwatering french
toast. The best part is they offer their brunch
eats all day long, so you can have french toast
for lunch or dinner as well. Be sure to grab one
of their signature shakes for an unforgettable
sugar rush.
BEST FRIED CHICKEN
MAD FOR CHICKEN
157-18 Northern Blvd, Flushing
(718) 321-3818–www.madforchicken.com
If you’re looking for chicken that is both
delicious and locally sourced, fly into Mad
for Chicken! The health-conscious eatery
first opened its doors in 2006 and has been
flapping their wings ever since. Its farm-raised
chicken is 100 percent all natural: organically
grass fed and free of GMO’s, hormones and
antibiotics. Mad for Chicken pride itself on
its unforgettable fried chicken, which packs
a crunch like no other. Mad for Chicken’s
signature sauce — a mouthwatering mix of
garlic, soy sauce and fresh fruits — is hand
brushed, so you can dig in without making a
mess. Visit the eatery today for a sustainable
and satisfying meal you’ll never forget!
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