Slice of Queens: Visit Jamaica for Really Good Pizza?

A ‘SLICE’ OF QUEENS Visit Jamaica for Really Good Pizza?

By Robert Intellisano

When you think of Jamaica, Queens and food, you usually think about excellent soul food, Caribbean jerk chicken and tasty Asian and Indian food. After all, Jamaica consists of primarily African Americans, Caribbean/West Indians, Hispanics, Asians, and Southeast Indians. There are also pockets of South and Central Americans, Bangladeshis, and Sri Lankans. Pizza is an afterthought at best.

The word “Jamaica” was derived from the “Jemeco” or “Yamecah” Indians who first lived there. Jamaica has a long-storied history since it was settled under Dutch rule in 1656. It was originally called “Rustdorp” (meaning rest town) before it took its current name.

As per Wikipedia, Jamaica Village was the first incorporated village on what was then Long Island in 1814, with its boundaries being the present-day Van Wyck Expressway (on the west) and Jamaica Avenue (now Hillside Avenue) on the north, to Farmer’s Boulevard (on the east) and Linden Boulevard (on the south) which is now St. Albans.

Jamaica is in Queens Community Board District 12 and home to the John F. Kennedy International airport and several important government buildings, such as the Queens Supreme, Civil and Family courts as well as the New York Racing Association. The Jamaica train station is also a critical hub for the subway, Long Island Railroad and the Air Train to JFK airport.

Famous people hailing from Jamaica, Queens include but are not limited to, writer Jimmy Breslin, rappers Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson and Trinidadian Nicki Minaj, former NBA player and coach, Mark Iavaroni, Fred Trump Jr. (older brother of Donald Trump) and American Founding Father and U.S. Constitution framer and signer Rufus King!

The King Manor, also known as the Rufus King House, is a historic house at 150th street and Jamaica Avenue, where it still stands today and is being refurbished. It was an honor to be invited to visit the “King Manor Museum” this summer courtesy of Board President Walter Sanchez!

One of the cool things about writing the “A SLICE of Queens” monthly column is that I run into people that feel like they must tell me about their favorite local slice spot! This month is no different.

Two years ago, I was referred to Jonathan Karten, Court Officer, who was in the market for life insurance by his BFF, Brendan Leavy, the Queens Chamber of Commerce Business Development Manager. Most conversations with me will eventually evolve to pizza, so I invited Jonathan and to meet at Nick’s Pizza in Forest Hills.

Jonathan, now a friend and fellow foodie, had been touting “Margherita Pizzeria” as the go-to favorite local slice spot for him and his fellow court officers. Since 1966, Margherita has been located at 163-04 Jamaica Avenue and Guy Brewer Boulevard. It is a short walk from the Queens Family Court building.

Margherita is a hidden gem that you would drive or walk right past (which I did), that features a mid-level chewy crust (not thin and not thick) with a gooey cheese. If you are the type that likes a chewy instead of crunchy crust, this spot is for you! We ordered a well-done pie (see picture).

Margherita is a tiny location that is cash only and has no restroom or parking. There are 5 small tables in the back, along with an old-school 1960’s countertop, as most customers buy slices to grab and go. Pies can be ordered in advance. Jonathan, Brendan and I had a grand time there, even on a rainy Monday afternoon. Sitting Just 2.7 miles from Margherita is Gaby’s Pizza, so it had to be tried! Gaby’s Pizza (technically in Hollis) Is located in the Fran Hill strip mall that sits less than 2 miles from the St. John’s University campus at 204-23 Hillside Avenue and Francis Lewis boulevard. Gaby’s is less than 3 miles from the new UBS Arena, so it is a great place to stop before an Islander game or a show.

Gaby’s is a family-owned restaurant operated since 1964 by owners Guerrino and Andre LoGuidice, Orlando Correale and Gerome Seidita. Brothers Guerrino and John LoGuidice founded the pizzeria in 1964 after migrating from Rome, Italy. The original location was in the same strip mall just 4 storefronts down. It was a small place with booths, a few tables and a jukebox that played tunes for 10 cents.

It was in December of 2021, one month before I started the first pizza column when I asked the Queens Chamber of Commerce’s Chief Operating Officer Joanne Persad her favorite Queens slice spot and she immediately said Gaby’s! Gaby’s still uses their original ingredients, and their cheese is aged in their on-site refrigerators. The dough is stretched out in olive oil and topped with sauce made from imported tomatoes from Italy before being baked on a specially made screen. I found their thin crust version of the grandma slice to be very good!

The current location seats about 80 customers and there is plenty of parking available. In 2007, Gaby’s was selected by the Rachael Rae show to compete against Chicago pizza, and Gaby’s won! As per their website www.Gabyspizza.com they have been invited to Good Day New York on Fox 5 to deliver pizza to veterans on Memorial Day and in 2017 they were ranked in the top 3 of ALL pizzerias in the tri-state area by ABC News.

Other than delicious pizza, another thing I like about Gaby’s is their commitment to the local community. They sponsor Little League baseball and fund raisers in their local Jamaica, St. Albans and Hollis communities.

The bottom line is, there is fantastic pizza across this great diverse borough of Queens no matter where you go!

Try pizza in Jamaica, Queens and let me know what you think at Rob@ InsuranceDoctor.us.

Since 1966, “Margherita Pizza” has been serving N.Y. style slices and pies on Jamaica Avenue. Robert Intelisano with Brendan Leavy from the Queens Chamber and Jonathan Karten, Court Officer