Hours: Monday-Saturday, 11:30 a.m.- 9:30 p.m.; Sunday 4-9:30 p.m.

Parking: street, lot in back after 5:30 p.m.

Credit Cards: All major

When someone whispers in your ear that something is “the best kept secret in Queens,” you have to wonder how, after a lifetime in the borough, there could be any secrets left.

We apologize for wondering    . . . our source was correct. Go to Nelson’s and you’ll agree, there is a dining secret here that it’s time to set free.

Past the cute half-window curtains and through the storefront entrance, you’ll step into the cozy dining room that is small – fitting about 35-40 people – but complete with the comfort touches of white table clothes, subtle wall lighting and colorful watercolor paintings. Manager Linda Kwong explained that her brother – Nelson Sham — is the chef that produces the wonderful smell of chicken cooking that fill the dining room area. Sham was a Sous Chef at La Cote Basque on 5th Avenue for 13 years before opening his own place in Little Neck five years ago and bringing the family in on the project.

His concept for Little Neck seems to be serve good, wholesome, delicious food and you’ll build customers . . . oh, and the secret part is the price.

My dining companion and I tried the Pineapple Chicken and for the $9.99 dinner price were served a well-filled plate of deliciously prepared and moist chicken breast cutlet, cooked to perfection and covered in sweet and tender chunks of pineapple, with just a touch of broccoli and cauliflower on the plate to complete the presentation. The chicken was served with a separate heaping plate of steamed white rice.

For a second entrée, we went to one of the Chef’s specials list and tried the Shrimp Scampi  with pasta ($14.50), which Kwong warned is not prepared with flowing rivers of butter and garlic. The manager’s warned turned to our delight in an ample serving of shrimp on a bed of linguine that was flavored to let you actually taste the shrimp and the pasta as well as the garlic.

It’s not just the right food at the right price, it’s exceptionally good food and a warm, inviting atmosphere at a price that out-sells some take-out. Share the secret.