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Ditmars Blvd (N, W)
"Awesome real New York pizza at an oh-so-affordable price that you can partake of late into the night. Your typical hole in the wall…" read more »
GET THE CANNOLI.
And that, my friends, is the shortest and most to the point Yelp entry I will ever post.
Sometimes, pictures speak louder than words (see: the cherry pie series).
Enough said.
I just love the atomosphere of this bakery.
Kinda like a old-school bakery I would stereotype if I was asked to image one of NYC.
Bread is pretty decent, but the Sicilian pizza is literally to die for. Especially if you get it fresh out of the oven.
If you want to go the cookie route, I would suggest La Guli or Martha's Country Bakery.
To paraphrase a line from the Godfather ..... Leave the pizza, take the cannolis.
I don't pretend to know much about desserts so when I was looking to bring cannolis to a friend's apt., I wanted to try something other than Veniero's. Another friend who lives in Astoria suggested this place knowing that I also love a good pizza. A quick check on yelp confirmed he was right.
It some ways, it's actually more convenient for me to come out to Astoria from the UWS than to the east village since Rose & Joe's is right outside the subway stop (N/W - Ditmas Blvd.). You can actually smell the baked goods from the elevated subway platform when exiting the train.
It's a narrow bakery with a separate pizza counter in the rear. I grabbed a sicilian slice that was fresh out of the oven. I ate it in the store off a paper plate while browsing at the cookies. There is no place to sit as it's basically a carry out spot. For beverages, it's self serve coffee and tea on the counter only.
The bread was fresh, hot and chewy with just enough of a crunch on the bottom to be crispy. A good cheese to sauce ratio. What I didn't like was the acidity of the sauce. To me, the sauce needed to be cooked down a liitle longer with some olive oil.
After finishing my pizza, I inquired about the cannolis. Yes, they have them in the back and fill the shells to order so they won't get soggy. There are 2 sizes. Large and small. The large are approximately 5 inches x 2 inches x 2 inches and cost a measley $1.70 apiece. I'll take a dozen please. I didn't bother getting details for the minis.
It's a CASH ONLY establishment by the way for those thinking about loading up on the cannolis and cookies.
It took about 5 minutes for the friendly staff to bring out my box of goodies. A quick sprinkle of powdered sugar on top and I was good to go.
Since I was on the train, there is a little bit of shifting but overall the precious cargo was safe and sound when I brought them home.
Even though I chilled them in the fridge for an hour, the cannoli shells remained crisp and the light and airy ricotta was nice and cold. Not overly sweet so it was right up my alley. While I'm sure these don't quite match up to those of Veniero's or any place on Arthur Avenue in the Bronx, there were no complaints from my host and other guests who scarfed them up immediately.
So the 4 star rating and my benchmark for a special trip outside of your immediate neighborhood? Massive cannolis that won't break your budget? You betcha. The pizza not so much but it's an okay neighborhood slice.
Open until 8:45 PM.
Cheers!
N.
Had a few more items here:
black and white cookie: monstrous, buttery, and quite a perfect indulgence. the frosting is pretty thick and does not break off in an entire chunk from your cookie like others i've had. this one actually stays on the "bready" part of the cookie.
pound cake: i've had the chocolate and marble. thick, vanilla-y, and buttery. use a napkin bc your fingers will be sticky afterwards! very home-made and satisfying.
the pizza was pretty good, too-- best i've found in the ditmars area. sicilian style, and a great afternoon snack!
I came here expressly for the cannoli, and was not disappointed. Crispy fried shell encasing just… Read more »
2 words. HAM BREAD.
They're all so nice here. We're big fans. :)
I can't believe I forgot to review this place. We went there last year while in NY to see the Cubs play the Mets.
Shhhh. Don't tell anyone back in Chicago. This is the best Sicilian pizza I've ever had, hands down. A knockout. Perfection. I bow to Rose and Joe, true pizza artisans.
I am an ex-Astoriaite, who still frequents Rose and Joe's on a regular basis. I eat one slice immediately and take ten to go. However, this past weekend, I was disappointed for the first time. The cheese and crust lacked the usual richness. In fact, it was a bit tasteless. I was disappointed to say the least. Has anyone else noticed this?
The only problem I had with this place when I first moved out here was I bought a Sicilian slice every time I would pass by. Did I mention it is right by the train station. That came out to like 5 to 7 slices a week. I got fatter by the week. That Sicilian slice was just perfection. I love the canolis because the are filled right on the spot, meaning fresh canoli cream not refrigerator stale cream. The cream was so good I used those canolis like they were straws. Sucking out all the goodness. That didn't help my waist line after two slices, either. The price has gone up from $1.65 a slice, from when I first moved around Ditmars but definitely worth it.
You are a Scrooge if you do not appreciate small, locally owned Italian bakeries. They have good bakes, excellent pizza, and all the sweets and treats to fill this small space with the savory smells of warm bread and pastries.
Super stuff here. So perfect just off the N/W line.
Just got the ciabatta, croissants, and a pound cake. Can't wait to try the pizza and cannoli.
Living around the corner from this place is killing me. Oyyee baaagels. If I keep eating them I'm going to resemble their shape!
Anyway, that said. everything.bagel. it's fantastic. They always look at me strange when I ask for it toasted- sorry! It's breakfast, I'm not bringing it back home, I need my fix before work Sheesh. That being said, I can't say I can consider the staff "friendly".
Iced coffee is also awesome- do it yourself and add as much ice as you want, which is key. Also, only $1.60 for a good sized cup. I have yet to try their pizza, but it is on my list!
I wish they had seating!
Wow.. that's a great slice. Crispy crust, delicious sauce, and not too much (fresh mozz) cheese. They even sell whole wheat slices. I haven't tried the grandma slices yet, but I plan to.
There isn't any seating, but it's great for grabbing a slice while you are out running errands.
I can't say much about the cookies and such, because I'm not an Italian cookie fan. But... their Canolis are out of this world. Very crunchy shell delicious creamy filling. This is one of the best canolis I've ever had.
*sniffle sniffle* I wish my grandma was still alive so I could bring here here. I do, I do, I really really do.
This quiet hero of a bakery is authentic Italian and puts a warm and fuzzy place in my heart. Here you will find authentic sfogliatelles, cannoli, biscotti, cartellate, fiadone, panforte, tartufo, torrones, panattone, and rum baba. All of their pastries remind me of my childhood and Easter Sundays with grandma Millie. Mmmm yes, I am feeling extra Sicilian this morning.
This bakery is not snazzy, and it has no seating (if it did, gavones like me would never leave!), but all of their pastries taste like a little piece of heaven.
Prices are low, so don't be afraid to experiment with new pastries you've never tried. The staff is extremely helpful, and friendly. They are also open lateish for an authentic bakery. If you are going out for a big meal (say at Trattoria L'incontro), buy a box of pastries before you go out to dinner, roll yourself back home, and dive into the pastries after you have some room!
**Cash Only**
I love this place. I moved to Astoria from Italy and really misssed the bread and pizza. The Kalamata olive bread is delicious and the pizza is amazing. If you are Italian it is in the style of pizza you would find in 'panificio' or 'panetteria,' thick with lots of cheese on top. It is nice to go there in the morning so you can exchange few words in Italian with the owners. The cookies are good and the cannoli are excellent. The pizza is the most fantastic thing !
Pretty decent Sicilian. Probably best pizza in Astoria. Unfortunately, that isn't saying too much.
This is an Astoria staple. The pizza in the back is incredible. The pastries and cookies and bread are all exceptionally good. If they ever get your order wrong in here, don't say a word (you'll probably like whatever you get instead) because they'll yell at you in Italian. I've been coming here for my entire life, and so did my mother who was born and raised in Astoria. Anyone from, or currently living in Astoria absolutely has to stop by here. Even if for just a coffee and biscotti,
Amazing, wonderful bakery that's so nondescript I walked right by by it for months without even noticing, sort of the way Muggles walk right by the Leaky Caludron...
Homemade pizza is so good. It's different than any other pizza I've ever had. Not your typical New York slice, plus it's square. I've heard people refer to it as "Grandma pizza." I don't know what that means, but it doesn't make it any less tasty. You have to go to the counter in the back to get it.
I've also tried a few of their breads. Proscuitto bread is awesome, but alas I can't eat it anymore. Every time I go upstate to visit the boyfriend's parents I ALWAYS stop by Rose and Joe's to get some bread (I don't like going to other people's houses without bringing something in. I feel like they should get treats for putting up with me for a couple of days!). They love it too.
Next time you get off the N-train at Ditmars, make a quick stop in. You won't regret it.
My favorite thing at 2 am coming off the N or W train is the smell of Rose & Joe's bakery. They start baking in the wee hours of the morning and have amazing biscotti.
Being a Jew and all I can't say much for the rugelah but the bread is awesome and the service is great!
There is NY pizza, and sicilian pizza, and then there is grandma pizza or bakery pizza. It's like sicilian but the sauce is on top, but a very close cousin.
Let's not mince words here people. I have no idea what their bread tastes like. I do however know what their pizza tastes like. The culinary equivalent to 72 virgins. The gastronomical equal to Elvis at his prime. This is good shit.
You seriously need to stop in to this place and grab a slice or three. I prefer the middle, but that's a personal thing. Corners are fine too. God I gained some serious weight thanks to Rose and Joe. I thank you. My tastebuds thank you. My gut thanks you.
Great bakery, delicious Italian breads, but the cannoli here a hidden gem. The cannoli alone is worth the trip.
As far as New York pizza goes, Rose and Joe's Italian Bakery is the end-of-the-Earth outpost you've always dreamed of. With its location under the end of the RW line, R&J's is perfectly sheltered from the incessant barrage it would receive if more convenient for the central NYC pizza traveler.
This spot does the bulk of its business as a standard Italian bakery, with beautiful breads and sweets that nearly derailed me from my day's mission of exploring Astoria's pizza offerings. Just past the main counter lies a perpendicular counter with a couple tantalizing pizzas just waiting for homes. The three pies weren't labeled when I visited so I thought they were all the same until the less-than-friendly employee let me know that the center pie had a WHOLE WHEAT CRUST! I'm not totally into that whole wheat business but I know some people are so make a note if you please.
I had a straight-up cheese slice. The sauce was tangy and sweet with lovely slices of melted fresh mozzarella that came right up to the almost non-existent ridge (cornicione). While I don't care much for strict classifications, this pie is a prime example of "bakery pizza," so-called for a) its bakery location and b) its relatively thick bread content.
Between the quality of their product and their all-around level of authenticity, Rose and Joe's Italian Bakery is a must for the pizza enthusiast.
Rose & Joe's is a bakery with commitment. They are open 365 days a year; only closed for funerals, so lets hope you never see their doors shuttered. It's a great place to stop in for breakfast. The muffins and croissants are on par with those at any of the other bakeries around, for a fraction of the price. Buttered rolls for $0.80 can't be beat!
If you're on the Atkins diet, just walk by late at night and take deep breaths of the wonderful baking-bread filled air. Not quite the same. But still a delicious late night surprise.
Astoria is the land of 1000 bakeries. Every where you go you can smell the sweet scent of rising dough. Every single one of these bakeries is unique, and delicious, but if you are looking for fresh baked bread, Rose and Joe's leads the pack.
The bread here is always fresh baked, has deliciously thick crusts and soft sweet interiors. To top it all off, they make easily the best Bran Muffin in the city(a perfect breakfast treat to pick up on your walk to the train).
Where to get some of freshest bread in all of Astoria? Look no further than Rose & Joe's, quite possibly the cutest little shop in one of the busiest areas of Ditmars. The staff is very polite and the good looking ladies that keep this place going are extremely friendly.
The bread is heavenly and its a shame for all Atkins followers to ignore bread this well baked. It reminds me of an egg when breaking the bread and smelling the sweet steam of an aroma of such sweet dough. The prices are super cheap and their pizzas taste light yet delicious. I am not a fan of some of their treats, since some of it was rock hard during my last visit. I'd stick with the fresh baked bread and pizza slices. Truly neighborhood gem amongst Astoria's finest local businesses.
such a cute bakery/pizzeria. I can jump off the train and grab a fresh baked bread for dinner. LOVE IT
oh I dream of Rose & Joe's ........
hmmm.... best eggplant parm ever ......
and rice balls,oh let me tell you about the rice balls.....
I think rice balls are little things that could easily be over looked and maybe in other places they should be over looked but not here not at Rose & Joe's.
At Rose & Joe's the rice balls are little works of art, tasty little globes of rice and tomato sauce and cheese coated in a generous covering of crispy breadcrumbs fried into delicate, delicious orbs of heaven .
The bread is amazing, inexpensive and never tastes anything but beautifully fresh. Crusty & crisp out on the outside, while airy, chewy on the inside. The pizza dough costs the same amount as Trader Joe's, yet has a depth of flavor the former can't hope to reach. The young women who work there are tarts too, not the cake kind either. It's a place I won't forget.
they get 5 stars from me for their homemade pizza !!!!!!!!
you can taste the olive oil in this one.
good quality ingredients.
fresh cheese :-)
My mom moved from Brooklyn to Arizona and on a visit here, she requested we get her some real bread, cuz there ain't none in AZ. I took her to Rose & Joe's and the woman stood outside the store, pawing at the breads behind the glass like an orphan. She got a regular italian and a bunch of the soft olive bread sticks and proceeded to eat them out of the bag as I showed her around Astoria. Last visit out to AZ, my suitcase was stuffed with bread. Really the best out of anywhere in Brooklyn or Astoria that I know of.
They offer an excellent "bakery" slice. I won't comment on the baked goods, but their pizza is quite good for what it is.
First off let me start off by saying that I echo everyone's positive comments about Rose & Joe's bakery. The croissants, the rolls, cookies, pastries and the coffee are GREAT! However I think that the stupidest people gravitate to this fine establishment. How hard is it for you as a young or old person to walk to the back of the FRAKIN" line you dumb asses!!!? While you hover by the front door all you idiots do is cause confusion and get the decent people waiting on the line to get pissed off! Or even better is the stay at home mom who comes in, takes up all the space in the packed bakery with the gigantic stroller with all the things to entertain young Todd and Allision, FRAKIN' thing looks like a double decker bus from London, while shes on her cellphone and cant concentrate because her friend Megan is telling her what she ate for lunch on the phone and all the while the poor young girl behind the counter is asking her repeatedly, "How can I help you"?! FRAKIN" pinheads. Wake up! SIGH!! Well I had to get this rant out, but again, if you like good fresh pizza, bread and the like, Rose & Joe's is the place to go.
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