Gloria's Pizza

Does anyone remember Gloria's on Main St. in Flushing? Where can I get great thin crust pizza with a sweet sauce like Gloria's?

[FoodGuy125]

Gloria Pizza is coming back to Queens!!! .....see link

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/q...

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Gloria Pizza
108-22 Queens Blvd, Queens, NY 11375

[sagebobk]

Lucio Zaremba
Hello all, just wanted to let you all you "Gloria Pizza Fans" be aware that my father (Tom Zaremba) one of the owners of Gloria and Lucia Pizza of Flushing from the 70's 80's and 90's will be reopening "Gloria Pizza" on Queens Boulevard in Forrest Hills within the next two month.
from https://www.facebook.com/groups/81336...

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Lucia Pizza
136-55 Roosevelt Ave, Queens, NY 11354

[captainspacefood]

Great news! Is it open yet? What is their "signature" pie?

[wriskit]

Gloria's is soon going to reopen next to the Midway Theater at Queens Blvd & 71st/Continental Ave in the heart of Forest Hills. Here's a hearty good luck wish. If the pizza is as good as the posts here state, the people will come. The previous two or three pizza ventures at this site were dismal failures. The only nearby competition is AJ pizza around the corner on Austin St. It makes a good slice in many toppings. The class pizza act in FH is Nick's super fresh product 3 blocks away on Ascan Ave at Austin but no slices, just a small or a large pie in the $11-$13 range + $2/extra topping. Good Luck, Gloria.

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Nick's Pizza
108-26 Ascan Ave, Queens, NY 11375

A&J Pizza
71-37 Austin St, Queens, NY 11375

[Polecat]

Dismal failures is actually an understatement. The space seems cursed. If The new Gloria's delivers anything approaching their old rep, then I will be one of those people who will come.
Here's hoping.
P

[avk2]

After 11 years finally the mystery is solved.
Flushing born & raised (now 52) I can vouch that:

a) Amore is pretty damn close to Gloria's - just had it 2 wks ago. Have been going there snce it opened sporadically since @ 1988 (as I moved away in 1991) but never made the (re-)connection until about 3 years ago

b) LaVera as nice as they seem in there taste *nothing* like Gloria's/Amore - what's the connection?

c) PM/Lucia (across from Gertz and as they were next to my buses home (Q15/Q16's) they were my preferred stop) was almost exactly like Gloria's but if we wanted a perfect pie(s) we had to come back to the mothership by car IIRC whole pies were a special request at PM! PM's soda cups listed all 3 Gloria' sorelli & addresses- Gloria's PM, Marguerita on Jamaica Ave. Don't remember where Marguerita's was exactly, (across from the RKO Alden/Martin Paint?) I may have gone there once.

d) I believe Hurdy Gurdy predated Lucia but the only thing HG ever had over them was more seating. I usually had to stand at the "shelf" facing the wall in PM and eat due to SRO Sat afternoon crowds.

Making the rounds of old Main St,/Roosevelt Ave. then stopping in for a few fresh hot slices and a Coke - precious memories!

In the Main St area there were a few other parlors - the one I can't remember the name of (just 25c hot slice neon sign) on Northern near Sportsworld was OK and before my time somewhere in the vicinity of Gloria the Triple Nickel (up Kissena near the library?). For my family & friends Gloria's was #1 and its demise may have marked the exact moment when downtown Flushing "jumped the shark"

PS I also wanted to mention that back in the day up Northern I liked the bar pie at the Gable Inn and the Greek pizza at Fontana. The latter is still going AFAIK and I heard the Gable Inn was reopening after
being shuttered for years. Pizza Garden was another standby,

[razeup]

Margherita Pizza
16304 Jamaica Avenue
Jamaica, NY 11432

Not far from the subway at Jamaica Center, good slice but I've had issues with the cheese sliding off in the (not distant) past...I'd just like to thank Tommy (see above) for shedding some light on this mini pizza dynasty. Really looking forward to trying Gloria's when it reopens!

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Margherita Pizza
16304 Jamaica Ave, Queens, NY 11432

[galeott2000]

I too enjoyed Gloria Pizza in days gone by. I grew up close enouth to Nuti's Pizza, where they had brick oven and wood fire...

[NicknGlendale]

Ok so I am looking for a pizza that taste like Gloria's. Im sorry but Amore just didnt taste like it at all for me. Suprema across from Penn Station is close but no cigar. If anyone can tell me a place that tastes just like Glorias I would really appreciate it !!

[tom923]

Just thought that I would let you that Gloria Pizza is going to open up in Queens some time this year maybe in Forest hills will keep you posted.

Tommy of glorias & lucia pizza flushing

[NicknGlendale]

Oh wow!! that is exciting news !! Keep me posted!!

[cdsweetie]

PLEASE give Lucia's a shot. I don't think you'll be disappointed. - a tiny place in the middle of the block - dishing out some really excellent pizza. - It's across from Macy's (where the old Stern's was)....... YUMMMMYYYYYY

136-55 Roosevelt Ave, Flushing, NY

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Lucia Pizza
136-55 Roosevelt Ave, Queens, NY 11354

[tom923]

Just thought that I would let you that Gloria Pizza is going to open up in Queens some time this year maybe in Forest hills will keep you posted.

Tommy of glorias & lucia pizza flushing

[stuartlafonda]

So, tom923, are you Tommy of Gloria's? I see this is your only Chowhound post , and you seem very interested in letting us now about this new venture. Does Manny have any connection to the place?

[tom923]

Yes I am Tommy of Gloria & PM Pizza aka Lucia. Partners in both stores until 1980 then 2 of the 4 partners retired and my cousin Phil purchased my intrest in Gloria's.

I took over lucia 100% & Phil had 100% in Gloria's he sold it around 1991 to 2 chinese doctors who did not last to long I sold Lucia in 1994 .

If you have any other questions feel free to ask

Tommy

[stuartlafonda]

What is the connection between Amore and Gloria's?

[tom923]

Sal of Amore's worked at Gloria's, when Gloria inc opened Margherita pizza on Jamica ave Sal worked the store and had a small % of the profits at that location but was not an owner ,partner .

Gloria sold Margherita's pizza shop to an outside party and Sal went on his own

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Amore Cafe
8434 164th St, Queens, NY 11432

[Jeffsayyes]

so glorias pre-dates margherita?
And margherita is the same family as Gaby's, right?

[tom923]

Yes Gloria pre dates Margherita .Ask Steve at Gaby's if his family is connected their but I doubt it. A little triva Gloria started on bway on the upper west side 50 years ago.

[Jeffsayyes]

At Gaby's, they say that Margherita is the cousin, or brother.

[tom923]

Talk to Steve if that info is important to you.

[ajs42548]

This is both great news and bad news. Why? Because now I'm going to have to trek out to the new Gloria Pizza and I live in Manhattan. I'm probably going to have to take my brother there too when he visits NY. I have just one request... try to open at a location with plenty of parking. I know the lines will be long as anyone who ever ate Gloria Pizza will be there with there with their kids.

[ClareTrap]

Hi Tom -The NY Daily News is trying to reach you about a Forest Hills store. Please give Lisa a call at [phone].

[NYJewboy]

Even though Gloria's saved my life on multiple occasions (i.e. after 2 day acid trips) it wasn't THAT good! Come on. It was good, but not DiFara good.

[stuartlafonda]

Don't be mess'in with Amore. Of course it is not as good as DiFara, noboby is. Some of us eat pizza at places other then DiFara. It is a great local slice joint and that is a hard thing to find these days.

[mshpook]

The thing about Amore...which is absolutely a great slice joint, is that the pizza tastes like it did when I was a kid. Back in the day, no one was slicing/shredding fresh basil over the pizzas, etc., etc.
I love the crust and the sauce and the cheese. IMHO, fresh out of the oven, it is hard to beat! I am a big fan.

[captainspacefood]

I just had my first Difara the other day. Got the Difara Special. It was good! But not transcendently so. I was sad that it was not as good as all the online commenters say. It was just pizza, oh well. But definitely the best pizza! But still, just cheese and tomatoes on bread with some toppings.

[mosbuler]

Hi, I still live in Flushing. Lucia's Pizza (which was there during the Gloria days). It is on Roosevelt Avenue, north side across the streets from Macy's (the old Sterns).
I go there on my travels back from NYC.
Maureen

[cdsweetie]

Gloria's was excellent, Amore's is excellent, too, but in my book: LUCIA'S takes the cake. This is the absolute best pizza as far as I'm concerned. A tiny little place that dishes out the most delicious pizza you'll ever taste!!! Still love it to this day!!!

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Lucia Pizza
136-55 Roosevelt Ave, Queens, NY 11354

[fcara]

This would be Amore's M.O. to a Tee. The old man in Amore and Glorias is one in the same. Can any oldtimer really explain the difference between a slice from Amores and Glorias. They sound exactly alike! Could nostalgia be playing a factor here in Glorias is glorified to Difara proportions.

[addictedtolunch]

I'm told that when Gloria's closed they literally transferred the "recipe" to Amore. Sold it or something, but it's the same recipe/method.

[fcbs]

Well I'm a little older than most the others on this board. I used to go to Gloria when I was at Flushing HS class of '66!!!! The Pathmark shopping center did not go up until the 70's when I was living in Mitchell Gardens after I got married. You could buy a slice and a coke (the real thing) for 25 cents!! An extra slice cost you 15 cents more.

Fast forward 40+ years and I'm at my grandson's baseball game in Piscataway, NJ and we order pizza at the nearby Dominic's Pizzeria. My husband (also Flushing raised) thought we made the Quantum Leap to Main St & Roosevelt Ave. The closest thing we've found since leaving Flushing. Can't wait though to go to Whitestone on our way out to Long Island one day to stop and see if this is the real deal!

[budinado]

Every time I come back to the neighborhood (Main st.) I think of Gloria's. They were one of the only pizza places in the city that ALWAYS had a fresh, pip hot slice available due to their popularity. Must try Amore now to see if it brings back the same sweet memories.

[Cheese Boy]

Amore has sweet sauce for sure. I know because I made a mental note to never return there. Sweet pizza sauce is just not my thing. Seems very un-Italian.

[Afikoman]

Sweet red sauce is un-Italian? Who are you...the sauce police??

I despise smoky, meaty red sauce marina. My Italian brother-in-law makes awesome SWEET red sauce.

I grew up in Howard Beach so I know from what I speak Cheese Boy!!

[Cheese Boy]

Afikoman, I'm not sure what you're yelling about, but if you read my reply all I really am stating is that it's ... 'not my thing.' If you want to spend your money on pizza that tastes like it came out of your grocer's freezer, then that's your prerogative. As much as YOU despise smoky, meaty red sauce, I doubly despise the sweet stuff you crave. Howard Beach doesn't hold a candle to the pizzas of Rome, Naples or Tuscany AND that's where I grew up son.

[stuartlafonda]

Slow down "cheese boy", I always enjoy reading your posts and appreciate your contributions to the OBB but Amore pizza is nothing like what comes out of the grocey store freezer. It is one of my favorite local slice joints. I pass it on my way home every day and stop at least once a week and have done so for years. My appreciation for the joint is not based on nostalgia as I ate more pizza from Hurdy Gurdy then Glorias when I was waiting for the Q16 in the 70's, it is based on the fact that is is a good slice. As others have written, it is almost always right out of the oven and relatively thin with a good sauce. I also happen to love Patsy's East Harlem another place that many desrcibe as useing a sweet sauce so maybe that is my preference although I have been unaware of that and do not have a "sweet tooth". As for "un -Italian"(you brought up the subject), despite a couple of trips to Italy I would not even begin to debate that and will leave the issue of authenticity to the Marcella Hazens of the world.All I care about is if it tastes good. Another day another pizza war, I love Chowhound.

[Polecat]

I've enjoyed my few trips to Amore as well. It's a slice that definitely emphasizes the sauce, and is, yes, on the sweeter side, without forcing the issue. Nice thin, crisp crust as well. I found the slice somewhat similar to Dani's in Kew Gardens, only without the oregano.
P.

[Cheese Boy]

Stuartlafonda, it is undoubtedly a 'pizza war' as you stated, and Amore certainly has its fans. Who am I to come between that? Surprisingly though, I really like East Harlem Patsy's pizza. Hey, at least we don't have to debate that subject. Whew.

[Val55]

Definitely try it. It's not exactly like Gloria's but it is pretty darn close. And, its slices are fresh. If they reheat at all, it's from the one they are serving now, not ten different pies all made earlier in the day. The pie that just came out is usually still warm when I've been.

[ajs42548]

I have to agree with Val. As many of you did, I had Gloria pizza while waiting for the 25/34 bus. I lived in Pomonok at the time. Anyway about 2 years ago or so, my brother who was visiting me from Florida (and a big Gloria fan) and I decided to take a trip from my home in Manhattan to Amore pizza in Whitestone to see if it was like Gloria. Now remember it had to be at least 30 years since I had Gloria pizza, maybe more. My conclusion was that Amore pizza was pretty darn close to Gloria.

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Amore Cafe
8434 164th St, Queens, NY 11432

[ldysmth]

I live in South Brunswick, NJ and wouldn't mind taking a drive to Piscataway, NJ for a trip down memory lane. Is the restaurant Domini'c Pizza still around? If so, can you tell me the town where it is located?

[cdsweetie]

Oh, Amore's is the real deal for sure. One bite, and you'll be transported right to Gloria's!!!!

the gloria's of old is the Amore of today. Pathmark Shopping center off Linden Place. Same family. Same thin crust and great sauce.

But Amore was always there in the shopping center at the same time Gloria's was in business less than a mile away on Main St.

Are they really the same family?

Amore's Pizza is by far the best in NYC that I've seen yet, and I've been on a search for the best, but I always go back to Amore!!!
-Max

There will never be another Gloria. I dream about that place. I used to take the 25/34 bus right outside the place. Couldn't wait without a slice or pie in my hands. It was crowded until it closed at 1:30-2:00 in the morning.
While it's still the best there is a place that is close to it. Called Carlo's in Port Washington on Main Street.
I travel 30-45 mins to get there but it's worth it.
If you're in the area or can get to it give it a try. It's the closet you'll get.
Enjoy
Lets not also forget Lums Chinese Rest on Northern Blvd

The family that owned Gloria's operates Amore Pizza in the Pathmark Shopping Center which is just off the Whitestone Expressway off of Farrington. Their other food is OK as well. In the words of Homer Simpson, "MMMMmmmm Gloria's."

The Gloria's guys now have Amore Pizza in Flushing, Linden Place and the Whitestone Expressway in the Pathmark shopping center. One bite of their sauce took me back decades.

[cdsweetie]

Amore Pizzeria
3027 Stratton Street, Flushing, NY 11354-1907
[phone] ‎

the original owners of Glorias are now in
New Hyde Park, the name of the new place
is La Verra. Its on Hillside Ave in a
small row of strip stores just before
Marcus Ave. Their pies are still good & they
even make one with low calorie cheese!

[cdsweetie]

This is the name and address of the pizzeria that houses the former owners of mouth watering, delicious Gloria's Pizza.

Amore Pizzeria
3027 Stratton Street, Flushing, NY 11354-1907
[phone] ‎

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Amore Pizzeria
30-27 Stratton St, Queens, NY 11354

I am not familiar with Gloria's but it sound good. Try New Park Pizzza on Cross Bay Blvd in Howard Beach.

I still dream of Gloria's Pizza. My childhood was spent in there waiting for the Q 25/34 bus. Still the best I've ever had. So glad the family re-opened in Whitestone. I live in Rockland County, but I'm heading down with my kids.

[sandydavidson14564]

There is never a time that goes by that when my family has pizza that I don't think of Gloria's Pizza in Flushing NY. My grandmother lived in the BLAND houseing projects and it was a short walk. When we would visit her from Rochester NY a slice was the first thing I always wanted. Best pizza I have ever had. Would LOVE to have a slice once more