Queens Tribune

132-04 Cross Bay Blvd., Ozone Park
(718) 641-2775
CUISINE: Italian
HOURS: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Mon-Sat; Noon to 9 p.m., Sun
PARKING: Cross Bay Boulevard and side streets
CREDIT CARDS: Visa & MC

You can’t miss Josephine’s Pizza.

Maybe it’s the irresistible sweet scent of her traditional Italian cooking that floats along Cross Bay Boulevard. Maybe it’s the large American and Italian flags that wave proudly in the warm summer breeze. Maybe it’s the rustic wooden fence that stands out on the block and hugs the cozy outdoor dining area.

It’s all of the above and then some.

Josephine’s combines the charming quirks of a friendly neighborhood pizzeria with the comfortable, no-hassle atmosphere of your favorite Italian ristorante. It’s a place where you can grab a slice and a soda for a quick lunch, or sit down for grilled salmon piccata with pasta or salad for a delectable – and affordable – dining experience.

At the counter you’ll be greeted by a wide array of pizza, calzones and rolls. Specialty pizza at Josephine’s include Buffalo chicken, stuffed meat or grilled chicken lover and Josephine’s Special, which is topped with peppers, onions, mushrooms, black olives, sausage, pepperoni and meatballs.

Owned and operated by Josephine Iavarone and her son, Richard, one of New York’s Bravest, Josephine’s Pizza offers an excellent entrée experience featuring lunch and dinner plates that will leave you stuffed and satisfied. Rich recommended the chicken Milanese for lunch — a perfect choice to accompany the summer afternoon sun shining on Ozone Park. It is two thin, breaded chicken cutlets hidden beneath bruschette tomato and basil with olive oil lightly drizzled on top. Add garlic knots for a starter and the pasta that comes with the dish and you have yourself a bounteous meal.

One of the more popular features at Josephine’s is the fixed-price dinner for two that is offered Monday through Thursday. For $16.95 you get a choice of chicken Parmigiana, eggplant Parmigiana, sausage and peppers, grilled chicken with broccoli or spinach, or spaghetti with meatballs or sausage. Included in the price are salad or pasta and a pitcher of soda.

Pasta lovers line up for Josephine’s “Pasta Night” on Wednesday. For $9.95, including salad and a cannoli for dessert, you can pick from a diverse array of penne, rigatoni and fettuccini on which to feast.

For the diet-conscious, Josephine’s offers whole wheat pasta and pizza, and an extensive variety of wraps, salads and soups as well.

It seems as if Josephine’s has everything, from the traditional to the special. With the options and affordable pricing, you can’t go wrong. It really is an Italian oasis in the heart of Ozone Park.

You can’t miss Josephine’s Pizza.