Rose & Joe's Italian Bakery

 

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3

Melissa C.

Astoria, NY

The boyfriend and I decided to split a grandma slice (since we just finished eating lunch) from this lovely little bakery. I had to insist that the bakery did indeed sell  pizza from a tiny counter the entire time we walked along Ditmars to get it.....he didn't believe me until I led him to the counter o'delicious pizza.  I made him pay because he doubted me.
$2.25 for a grandma slice that was heavenly.  I noted the olive oil and fresh mozz that other yelpers had raved about.  The sauce was perfect.  We stood outside sharing the slice, immediately wishing we each had our own.  I contemplated running full force away or maybe pushing him in the street to have it all to myself.  It was that good.

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1

14

Taryn K.

Long Island City, NY

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.

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3

9

Scott W.

Hoboken, NJ

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.

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Elite '08

32

103

Graham C.

Somerville, MA

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.

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13

Snezan C.

Brooklyn, NY

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.

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310

TL C.

Emeryville, CA

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 .

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Elite '08

96

1157

Alex S.

New York, NY

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.

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Elite '08

5

74

Sam K.

Astoria, NY

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.

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Pia D.

Long Island City, NY

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.

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Elite '08

19

112

Ian R.

Long Island City, NY

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).

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Elite '08

32

96

Amy S.

Long Island City, NY

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!

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5

11

Billy K.

NY

they get 5 stars from me for their homemade pizza !!!!!!!!
you can taste the olive oil in this one.
good  quality ingredients.
fresh cheese :-)

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