Gaudio’s Pizzeria Is Astoria Tradition

Few restaurants can say that they’ve been a part of their community for 46 years, but Gaudio’s Pizzeria and Restaurant certainly has bragging rights to this claim. Gaudio’s was opened in 1958 by Luigi Gaudio, who, sadly, passed away this past April. When they were old enough, sons Dominic (Nick) and Sal expanded the business and continued to serve the neighborhood as their father had done for many years. The more formal Gaudio’s Restaurant has closed to make way for expansion, but don’t let the scaffolding fool you. The original Gaudio’s Pizzeria and Restaurant is open for business, doing double duty as a pizzeria for people on the go and as a full service restaurant with hot entrees to eat in or take out.

Though the more formal dining room is closed, many of the loyal staff remain. You’ll be warmly greeted by Nick, the owner, and Marie Savino who will serve you tableside with a friendly smile and a funny anecdote. Master Chefs Raul and Homero have also stayed on to prepare the best of Gaudio’s dishes that have made this eatery a neighborhood favorite.

The front area houses the pizzeria, where people stop in day and night from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. for crisp pizza with all favorite toppings. My favorite is grandma’s pizza, which contains fresh mozzarella and a smattering of fresh tomatoes on a thin, crisp, square crust. Enjoy a slice of grandma’s on the go, or order one or more pies to be delivered to home or office. Neapolitan and Sicilian pies are also available as are pizza Bianca (white pizza), calzones stuffed with creamy ricotta and sausage rolls.

Hot heros come stuffed with juicy sausage and peppers, meatballs parmigiana, eggplant parmigiana and chicken cutlets. Steak and onions, shrimp and fried fillet of sole also make for delicious, satisfying sandwiches for lunch or dinner.

At dinnertime, visit Gaudio’s and dine at one of the 14 clean and comfortable tables just behind the pizza kitchen. We enjoyed some house red wine while we sampled some of the tempting appetizers on the menu. We ordered clams casino topped with crisp bacon ($6.95), and soaked up the garlicky juices with Nick’s steaming hot bread flats, served straight from the oven. Mussels are prepared in a delicious sauce soaked up with warm bread. Golden mozzarella sticks, stuffed mushrooms and crisp calamari rings are also popular appetizers.

Gaudio’s special salad could be a meal in itself, so share one with your dining companion. Crunchy lettuce, tomato and cucumber are tossed with fresh cuts of prosciutto, salami, roasted red peppers, green olives and delicate mozzarella balls called “bocconcini” that just melt in your mouth ($5.95).

Gaudio’s hot entrees are available for lunch or dinner to eat in or delivered. Of course, there are plenty of pasta dishes such as linguini with broccoli, garlic and oil, spaghetti carbonara with a touch of bacon and onion, and spaghetti with meatballs, sausage or clam sauce. Baked pasta dishes such as manicotti, ziti and lasagna will save hours of cooking time and taste as good as homemade. For an average $7.95, a meal at Gaudio’s Pizzeria and Restaurant won’t break the budget, so entire families can afford to dine out together.

One of my favorite dishes at Gaudio’s is the chicken francese. These chicken cutlets were so tender, I didn’t even use my knife and the lemon sauce was just right. Veal scaloppini, marsala or piccata with lemon and capers are all prepared on the spot for maximum flavor and tenderness. My companion devoured a platter of veal chunks with peppers, a favorite in many Italian households. Gaudio’s also offers broiled boneless club steak, shell steak or steak pizzaola with mushrooms, as well as juicy burgers and chopped steak.

Fresh shrimp can be ordered in a spicy tomato sauce, francese, oreganata, or scampi in butter and lemon sauce, all at reasonable prices. All meat, chicken and seafood entrees are served with a choice side order of pasta, salad or French fries. The fries are fresh, hand-cut potatoes, not frozen. Gaudio’s gets provisions from local suppliers such as K&T Meat Market and Marino’s Fish Store; Island Bakery supplies the bread. Purchasing supplies locally means the highest quality ingredients are at their peak of freshness.

Gaudio’s Pizzeria and Restaurant also has a complete catering menu with full and half trays of all their specialties. Order trays of appetizers, pasta or any of their hot entrees and salad and leave the rest to the staff at Gaudio’s. Your next affair will be a success without any of the fuss. Keep Gaudio’s in mind when planning a holiday party at home or work. Everything will be delivered hot and fresh.

Visit Gaudio’s Pizzeria and Restaurant, located on 30th Avenue just off Steinway Street. While there is some scaffolding on the building because of the construction and renovation, Gaudio’s is open for business seven days a week, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and 11 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights. If you can’t stop in, call in your order for fast, free delivery in the area. Gaudio’s is proud to have been part of the Astoria community for the past 46 years and looks forward to serving their neighbors for a long time to come.

…your next affair

will be a success

without any of

the fuss!