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I've been coming here since I was a kid and can say it's just as good as I've always remembered it. I'm 40 now and can't wait to share this gem with my children.
TIP: bring your own napkins.
Although they don't mix they do have some of the best Ice's I've ever had.
They have so many different flavors and if you can't decide then get small ones and try out a couple different ones until you find your favorites....
It is worth the drive just go try it out...
IT'S PEANUT BUTTER (jelly) TIME!
..And that's what I come here for. I consider myself a pretty open-minded lady who doesn't mind trying new things. But I'll give five stars just for the peanut butter flavor, just because it's something odd that I love. I always start off my summer by coming to the Lemon Ice King with my girlfriends, ordering different flavors. We can't mix them before purchase, so once we get our orders, we mix away...
I don't know why I force myself into something new. I don't really like italian ices or maybe, I'm really picky or I'm still looking for the best taste. I made myself go here because everybody is raving about it. I asked which flavor is the better between (I picked) orange/vanilla or cantouple. I listened and had the orange/vanilla. I had a little sip. I did not feel it was inviting and I never finished it. Sadly, I trashed it. So, I doubt myself that maybe, if I had the cantouple I would like it and would agreed that this is the best italian ices in Queens or because it's been in business for a long time that people only know this place? I could not draw a conclusion but I am betting that this is the place that I could survive without it. I will not stop by again.
After trying this place twice, I've come to the conclusion that people who enjoy this stuff have never been to Uncle Louie G's.
Thank you and good day.
How many flavors don't they have? Seriously! So many colors, so many flavors, so little time! Its summer so its time to go visit the lemon ice king already! You can see how this place is still in business! You can't go wrong here!
And ladies as an added bonus, firefighters tend to hang out here, so bat your lashes and look for the big red shiny truck!
I hope this place stays here forever.
Try the peanut butter and pistachio ices. Those two are my favorites. I have yet to have a better ice anywhere.
Today is the 2nd anniversary of my father's passing. I thought about writing some sort of review or a series of stories to underscore what my father meant to me, my family and his patients, but quite honestly, it all kind of sounds a bit hollow to me right now.
The only thing I can think of that resonates is the Lemon Ice King of Corona, it was such an integral part of my childhood and family related memories, that my initial review will suffice.....
So, if you're anywhere in or around Queens, NY, or if you go to a Mets game, the US Open, a great ethnic dinner somewhere in Queens and/or just want a wonderful cool treat on a hot day in the City, just make your way to the Lemon Ice King of Corona. Please order the oddest combination of ices as a tribute to my dad, I know he'd get a kick out of that.
I want to dedicate my 150th review to my father. I felt it important to write about a place that… Read more »
The BEST Italian Ice in NYC. I love the Peanut butter and the coconut flavored ices. So yummy. It's in a questionable part of Queens, better to drive there if you have a car. But, definitely worth experiencing this place on a hot summer afternoon.
I went here after baking in the sun at a mets game, and let me tell you...my pina colada ice reallllly hit the spot. And for only $1.50, it was perfection. There are tons of flavors and they are all amazing. I want to go back every day
Who doesn't love a nice refreshing icee on a hot summer day? When the dog days of August set in The Ice King goes into the speed dial and your mind longs for a brain freeze. The Lemon Ice King of Corona is the coolest thing since...wait this icee is awesome is there anything else "cooler"????.
The Lemon Ice King of Corona is a family place full of delectable goodness, and is sure to please the inner-child in all of us. Check this place out!
On a New York scorcher of a day that may make you frown (or even wince) it is sure to be your umbrella! Straight outta' Queens it's the KING not the prince!
as far as ice goes this is truly the KING of ices. They have lots of flavors but I always get the lemon, so delicious and it even has lemon seeds in it. simply the best!!!
Urban Summers are filled with all sorts of slang and wonderful memories that are unique to the urban child. From "kick the can" (Tap tap tap I see Karen behind the blue car....) to skelzies, a game played in the middle of the street with bottle tops filled with clay, cars and traffic be damed.
But there was only one thing that could send Mister Softee and his melody into wack land faster than a triple fat goose jacket...an ICEEEEEEE (pronounced ICEY in many neighborhoods, just like Houston Street is pronounced HOWSTON). The fact that we can fight about it is uniquely New York Urban.
And so the Lemon Ice King is the Disney Land that people describe having been to and that many a group of children trek to, without parental permission, fully aware of the punishment that may await at home...from time outs, to grounding, to the unimaginable. But many children will tell you, its worth every minute as there is nothing on a hot day like flavored ice. Nothing. Its fast, affordable and necessary.
I'm a huge fan of family-run local places and NYC history and had heard about the Lemon Ice King for years, so I was pretty disappointed when I finally made it there last week.
The corner stand definitely looks the part, down to the "we do not mix" sign on the wall, but unfortunately the ices we tried didn't live up to the hype. Stopping by with my wife and son after a day at the beach, I ordered vanilla chocolate chip, my wife got mango and my son had rainbow. The vanilla did have a few chips in it, but overall the cloying sweetness overwhelmed any vanilla flavor. My wife's mango tasted totally artificial, like bad mango margarita mix and my son's bright red, white and blue rainbow was also too sweet and artificial tasting.
We strolled over to the nearby bocce court, which was much more authentic than the ices. Walking back to the car, I thought "maybe we just picked the wrong flavors" so I stopped at the counter and got a small lemon. It too was mediocre - very sweet and not enough lemon flavor for me. I did however find a lemon pit at the bottom of the cup.
I really wanted to like the Lemon Ice King, but alas, it didn't do it for me.
I absolutely love this place and have loved it for years... it never disappoints.
Definitely try the Lemon and the Mango!! The peanut butter too!
So sad that the original owner passed, it takes away from the experience when you don't see the large old Italian man sitting in the back of the store.
Additionally they now offer spoons and napkins!! I kid you not that this is a new thing! A few years ago they would not have provided either.
Get some Italian ices at this corner shack to melt away the heat during the hot summers!
There's nothing fancy about this place but the italian ices are cheap and very tasty.
Why do I love this place?
Is it because I live 2 seconds away from it? *Maybe*
Is it because its friggin cheap? *Maybe* *FYI, a medium cup is only 1.50!*
Is it because they have over 10 different flavors? *Maybe*
Is it because they are open until midnight on a hott summers day? *Maybe*
Is it because they have young but hot guys behind the counter? *YES! YES! YES!* Ha!
I am here *almost* every day in the summer because its cheap, delicious and its just what I need to cool off from the schwetty hott summer's day.
These are not your typical Mario's italian ices, they have actual fruits in them. You order a cherry, BAM! you get pieces of cherry in it. You order a strawberry, BAM! you get pieces of strawberries in it. You order a peanut butter , BAM! pieces of peanut.. *Though I don't really recommend the peanut butter one, its an acquired taste* But I do recomment the mango and fruit cocktail ones.
Everybody loves the Lemon Ice King!
I'm not even a fan of ices, but on a hot day, nothing tops it. My favorite flavor is cantaloupe, followed by pistachio and fruit cocktail. You can order them by the pint of quart as well. In the summer, there's always a line. Grab yourself one and cross the street to Spaghetti Park (that's what we used to call it in junior high lol) and enjoy!
Don't even think of asking them to mix flavors. Seriously. Just don't ask.
It's summer and you know what that means??? Heading over to Lemon Ice King!!! I seriously cannot drive past here without stopping. Their ices are sooo refreshing during those especially brutally hot days of August. There are so many flavors to choose from that you just have to make multiple trips to try them all. As if you really needed an excuse to go though...
So my earliest memories are being really young and holding my aunt's hand while she got me the smallest sized chocolate ice and i tried to make it last as long as possible before the little paper cup disintegrated in my mouth. It was no use begging for a larger size, but now that I'm older, I get the biggest cup available! Chocolate is still dear to my heart, but my favorite is vanilla chocolate chip. It's really sweet and I'm not so sure it tastes like vanilla...it's just the best ice I've had there and I love it for what it is. Whenever I see people comapare it Louie G's I just shake my head. If that's what you like, go for it! But for those of us who grew up on the King, nothing else is going to suffice and transport us back to childhood as quickly as this sweet treat. Vanilla chocolate chip tastes exactly the same as it did 25 years ago!! And I depend on that! Next in line I love the pina colada, rainbow, cherry and the fruit cocktail, in that order. The only flavor I tried and didn't like was bubble gum. The ice was good, but as with everything, there are real pieces of the flavor inside, and real chunks of bubble gum were just too much for me! Yes, I miss seeing the heavy old man on the stool, silently watching and approving the boys running around behind the counter. I'm glad to hear they started giving out spoons and napkins but that was unheard of a few years ago. There is nowhere to sit unless you grab a seat across the street in Spaghetti Park, and most locals just walk by and eat it on the go, or drive by and eat in the car double parked. The lines are long but move quickly. And I think they even sell "freezer" containers in case you are taking the quart or pint sized ones on a longer trip than just back to your neighborhood. I've purchased quart sized ones many times and they hold up expecially well for over a month, especially teh Lemon flavor! The Q58 and the Q29 stop right on the corner.
This is the place to go after a Mets win. So cheap, so good. Lemon is my thing here, I like to keep it simple, but everything here is a sure deal. If you've got your cooler take home a quart, it goes for a cool 5 dollars. Want to stick around? Well you're in for a treat, during the summer you'll get to watch semi-professional teamster bocci ball way into the night. Enjoy.
Lemon Ice King: Wub
This place is addictive! Spring, Summer, Fall, or Winter I crave the great tasting Ice's made here. Obviously summer is the best time of year to ultimately enjoy Italian Ice, but it's a good thing they are open all year round.
I'd recommend flavors peanut butter, licorice, blueberry, rainbow, lemon, raspberry, grape, apple, cotton candy... a few I order regularly. Peanut butter has to be my favorite of them all. What is a great option is buying a quart, half gallon, or a 2.5 gallon for all the serious Italian Ice eaters.
This Icee is very artificial tasting AND overpriced. I rather get it from the Icee ladies that walk through the streets in the summer. They taste waaaaayyyy better, only about $1 AND they MIX!!!...lol
I would give this place a 5 star review except they don't like you mix flavors! However, still worth a trip, nice to see that places like this are still alive and well.
(but it's 2008 and mixing is what the world is all about!)
Dessert.
It's ice and it is the Lemon Ice King. I've passed through this place so many times when visiting my cousin but had never stopped by to try their ices. Last year while heading over, I finally went and tried their grape ice (i love grape everything). That was one of the most pleasant and enjoyable experiences ever eating that ice on the way to his place. Pieces of grape inside the ice made it very special.
Go once, go twice, go very often!
Recently my boyfriend and I found ourselves biking through Corona to get back to Sunnyside, where we currently reside. He read about the Lemon Ice King some time ago and wanted me to try it out. I've actually been in the area and seen the place, curious to taste their version of cool, refreshing, Italian ice.
There were a variety of flavors from which to choose, and it was tempting to try many of them - cherry, grape, lime! I decided to stick with what Benfaremo is king for - lemon ice.
Well, imagine my disappointment when I took my first taste. It was one of the most terrible types of flavored ice I've ever tasted! Sure, it did have real bits of lemon zest in it, but the amount of sugar made it so sickly sweet, you could barely taste any flavor. I would hardly call it refreshing since the sweetness really stuck in my throat. Between the two of us, we couldn't even finish half of a small cup without being disgusted with every lick.
As for being worth the trip, if you experienced this place when you were young and need a walk down memory lane, who am I to say no. However, Corona isn't exactly a destination just to try Italian ice, unless you happen to be visiting nearby. Even then, I'd say stay away!
When the hottest days of summer comes around and ice cream just can't get the job done to cool you off, thats when Lemon Ice King come in. Nothing else can bring your body's thermal core down like an icy, and for a bonus LIKoC just happens to make the best.
I've tried almost all the flavors, but be warned they WILL NOT MIX THE FLAVORS , which is why it took me 2 summers to try it all. On a good note. it amazes me how every flavor tastes soo natural with little bits of real fruits or nuts. Now the only thing thats debatable is which is the best flavor? Personally, I'm a big fan of the peant butter! Its soo good, pistachio a close 2nd...hey, I like my nuts. To each's own i guess.
See ya next summer!
ICE KINGGGG! ITALIANNN ICE!
If you are lactose intolerant and need more fruity flavors in your life...
ditch the mr. softy truck and get the lemon icy!
That's what I had to do as a kid.
Mm mango and for red stained lips.. get the cherry!
You'll probably be a mess at the end with the paper cups
but who cares!
All ages.
Easy access.
Unless you live in Queens, just drive over ..
eat a couple... and then drive away.. quick.
We used to come from the East Village to this NYC landmark to get Italian Ices. This was in the 70's. It was almost as fun as going to an amusement park from the perspective of a little kid.
Their rum raisin is phenomenal.
3 stars only because they aren't as good as they once were.
The best italian ice in NY! But don't order the sugar free. They give you the runs! lol I will not attest to any personal experience lol
One of the best things about global warming is that it means more days like last Saturday, when I can enjoy Lemon Ice King of Corona in January. I rode my bike there from Brooklyn in a t-shirt and shorts and stopped for some much-needed lemon ice while sitting on a bench in the park across the street. 70-degree January days and Lemon Ice King of Corona: a perfect combination.
The lemon ice is great, of course, but my personal favorite is the peanut butter ice. It takes some getting used to (yes, it has actual chunks of peanut butter in an Italian ice), but if you're into slightly weird flavors, you'll love it. There are dozens of more conventional flavors, too, of course.
I love all things that are sweet so this place is perfect. I have tried the lemon and the mint-chocolate chip. That's right -- you heard me correctly, MINT-CHOCOLATE CHIP. It's a bit funny at first because there are actual chocolate chips in the mint flavored ice, but afterwards it's the best.
Park Side restaurant is also close by so you could grab dinner first then head over to this place.
People are crazy about this place, especially in the summer time. Long lines.....Old...., Not so old.... young,..... not so young......I guess I am not a sucker for Italian ices...but it is really a very refreshing treat., especially after having dinner at the nearby Park Side restaurant.
Went here after having empanadas at Empanadas del Parque, it was a perfect refreshing treat after a delicious meal. Would be nice if they had a place to sit down inside, but it is what it is. Yummy.
When ever I fly back to NY for a visit, I head directly over to the Lemon Ice King, right from the airport. Do not pass go, do not collect $200. Even my mother gives me guilt for not heading directly to see her. Oy. BUT I MUST HAVE MY LEMON ICE! They have some icy fruit stuff out here in Sacramento, but it's NOTHING like this place. Da best! UUUmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.
The other day, my new boss (and possibly future business partner) were out looking for office space in Queens. We're exploring the possibilty of finding a place near where we live (he's in Forest Hills, and I'm in Jackson Heights). There's so much going on in Queens, and it's so central to our clientele in Manhattan and Long Island, that it just makes sense... besides, where else can we get the best Italian food in the world, AND get Lemon Ice that is sent down directly from God?
Jerry recommended we try the Lemon Ice King of Corona... since I'm new to the area, and he knows so much about it. I walked up street-side, and ordered a pineapple/cherry combo, in a large push-cup for Jerry, and I decided to get the same thing for myself. Unfortunately the guy serving me must have recently had a lobotomy, because he ignored my request and handed me a plain cherry. When I reminded him that I wanted both flavors in one, he shrugged it off and said they come in one flavor only. I asked him why he didn't say that to begin with, and he non-chalantly said I should have known.
Fortunately their tastey ice-treats made up for the severe lack of service. We drove around for a little while, looking for office space on a hot day, and were cooled down by that nice little snack. I'm looking forward to getting more of these things over the rest of the summer.
I love Italian lemon ice. This location is the original. It's recommended NOT to mix flavors as the taste is odd. Lemon ice is refreshing during the hot and humid summer months.
cheap, refreshing, delicious!
try the peanut butter and the vanilla chip. you wont be sorry! go sit in the park across the street with your ice and watch the bocci action.
nothing beats the nyc summer heat like heading to the lemon ice king! some of THE BEST italian ices i've ever had. spent many days in the summer trekking out to corona for some peanut butter or cherry ices, then people watching across the street in the park. i can guarantee this will be one of the first places i hit when i get back home.
I was first introduced to this place about 4 years ago by my boyfriend. It's definitely refreshing and yummy with bits of real fruit. We like to grab our ices and sit at a bench in the park across the street. I recommend the rainbow, cherry, and fruit cocktail. The bf likes the peanut butter flavor but I'm just not a PB kind of gal. I just went today and had the grape...not so great. I'll stick to my trifecta.
Neighborhood: Flatiron
Category: Landmarks & Historical Buildings
New York, NY
Category: Landmarks & Historical Buildings
New York, NY
Category: Local Flavor
Neighborhood: Elm Park
Category: Ice Cream & Frozen Yogurt
Neighborhood: Fashion District
Category: Community Service/Non-Profit
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