August 18, 2006
Camera in the Kitchen: Singas Famous Pizza
Though New York pizza purists may scorn the chewy crust, the franchising, and that the flavors include "Hawaiian," "Greek," and "Bar-B-Cue Chicken," Singas Pizza, a 40-year old New York pizza chain with Greek origins in Elmhurst, Queens, offers a tasty product at wallet-friendly prices. Pizzas are cooked in shallow cast-iron pans, creating an oddly nostalgic Pizza Hut-like aroma, and depending on the Singas you visit, it's either take-out, sit-down, or table-service.
Gothamist stopped by one of the newest spots on 2nd Avenue to see how this locally franchised pizza fared in comparison to some of our favorites. Honestly, it's simply a different product and not the place if you're looking for classic New York thin crust. Or, even for a sicilian pie. However, with a thicker, chewy crust, hearty offerings of flavors and toppings (including bacon, cauliflower, potato, hamburger, and also offering wings, flatbread sandwiches griddled in the oven, Singas is a convenient place for a quick, casual dinner. Catering to the neighborhood, the 2nd Avenue location plans to add table-service and secure a liquor license in upcoming months. Until then, stop in, and grab a bite.
Singas Famous Pizza is located at 176 Second Avenue between 10th & 11th Streets. (212) 253-7300.
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That pizza looks horrible.
I don't love to Singha.
Ugh.
theres one in forest hills, that i think is pretty good, also one in flushing that was pretty awesome.
Excuse my ignorance about these things...when a reviewer reviews a restaurant,Do they:
(a)go in sit down like a normal person, eat, pay their bill, and then go write their review without revealing who they are.
OR (b)do they announce who they are, eat for free, and then write their review
OR (c)sit down, eat, then announce who they are and do not pay, then write their review.
^ yea the one in F.Hills is on 108st, its actually fairly new. The one in Flushing has been there for a while and is pretty popular. Whenever I pass by there, you always see families taking out at least 4 pies at a time. There are a bunch of imitation Singas around Queens too. Like that place on Queens blvd by 67DR.
I actually went to Singas a couple of days ago and loved it. The Pizza definately hit the spot. I went with a couple of friends who really liked the pizzas as well and it was a good cheap night.
I think that the pizzas here are amazing. I went to the one in Forest Hills and to the one in the city with my friends and they loved it too. The pizzas are freshly made and very good.
Is the Queens Singas related to the Manhattan version: http://www.menutopia.com/GetMenu.m?vendorId=3891&RestaurantName=Singas%20Pizza&Market=Manhattan ?
Is the Manhattan Singas related to the Queens locations?
Yes the manhattan Singas is the another location of the famous Singas in Queens (Forest Hills, Kew Gardens, Elmhurst, etc.)
Ace:
Never (c).
95% of the time it is (a)--go eat, pay, and review like a normal person.
Very occasionally restaurants invite us to come eat at the restaurant. (option b).
With all the great pizza within a few blocks of here, why anyone would waste their time with this is beyond me. It looks like high school cafeteria pizza.
HELP!!!!
I've visited all of the old school (i.e. coal fired) pizzarias except for Totonno's. My friends who have been there say it's too far to walk to from Astroland. I say it isn't (and mapquest backs me up). Are they just pussies? My sister is coming to visit and we're going to Coney and I's love to take her to Totonno's but I don't want to listen to her whine about walking.
hey OTC I recently moved to the neighborhood and am wondering what great pizza you speak of...UPN,Gruupo, Lil frakies are good but small and expensive(date pizza). what if I want a good NY style (not super thin crust) large pie to feed me and 2 others with some beer and football?
thaNKS
I have been to the Singas on 2 nd ave a few times and I love their pizza. Their fresh 10 inch pies are the best pizza I have ever had.
Vinny Vincez on 1st Ave, all the pizzas are great, but I get the sicilian by far the best I've ever had.
Not cheap, but worth it and you can chat with Vinny.
Pastoralia- I just went to Totonnos on Monday and walked from the stillwell ave subway stop. It was a fine neighborhood and a quick walk. It's a few short blocks from the station. You should go. It's excellent!
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I'm glad this reviewer recognizes that this shit is not fucking pizza. It's a different product. It's a fucking embarassment to all the pizza establishments that are trying to perfect their craft. Why not just spray some cunt juice on this and be done? No self-respecting New Yorker would ever eat at this establishment. Fuck you Gothamist--you know shit about pizza, and consequently, shit about New York. Fuck you.
it's singas pizza, not ny-style, chicago-style, or any other style. it's just singas, and a classic if you were a kid growin' up in qb. so don't hate.
i think apt knows shit about pizza, SINGAS IS THE BEST PIZZA!!!!!!!!!!! qb u r correct
Yeah, so it's not typical New York pizza. But for those of us who grew up in Jackson Heights, it's the treat of our childhood. My family would go once a week and god how my brother and I loved it.
To the person who ranted (with obsecenities) about how it's not real NY pizza - YES it is, because it represents a section of Queens. You're telling me Queens isn't part of NYC? You're telling me that the kids of immigrants in Queens aren't NYers? Probably, because you seem like an angry uneducated person who is very likely racist. Lame.
Where is everyone else who grew up eating this stuff? Where is the love for Singa's?!?!?
I live in the East Village now and was THRILLED when I saw the branch on 2nd ave. I love a standard NYC slice, but this is a certain food that, while not traditional pizza, is damn good, and, most importantly, evokes warm fuzzy memories of childhood. Isn't that what food is also about, tradition and memories? Any foodie worth her salt knows that. It's a multisensory experience.
I can't believe I'm getting so worked up over PIZZA!
I like the location in Jersey City, you order 2 pies, you get the 3rd one free.
It is not "New York Style" pizza, but it is Pizza from New York.
Much the same that while chicago may be famous for it's Deep Dish "Chicago Style Pizza", Chicagoans love a special type of thin crust pizza, only made in Chicago.