Star Pizza is a great place to escape the bustle of Steinway Street. Stop in for lunch, dinner or any time you feel like sampling delicious, fresh pizza, sandwiches and hot dishes. Friendly proprietors Pasquale and Sal, with the help of Maria, do all the cooking and preparation early each day in anticipation of huge lunchtime crowds.

People line up in front of the steam tables to view homemade dishes like chicken or veal marsala, chicken cutlet parmigiana and chicken cacciatore with light tomato sauce and onions. There are plenty of pasta dishes to choose among, including baked ziti, delicious lasagna with zesty meat sauce and homemade manicotti filled with fluffy ricotta cheese. Penne alla vodka is a popular choice, as is the rigatoni with fresh broccoli, garlic and oil. Beefy meatballs are made fresh every day, so good atop a mound of al dente spaghetti.

Of course, the pizza is the star of the show, with tender, crisp crust and a variety of toppings, some rather unusual, such as their popular taco pizza, with ground beef, tomato and melted cheese. My favorite is Grandma’s homestyle pizza, a square pie with a smattering of fresh tomato and fresh mozzarella cheese. We also sampled a Sicilian favorite that was topped with garlicky breadcrumbs, onions and cheese. Pizza primavera is loaded with cuts of fresh veggies and the Hawaiian pizza combines ham and pineapple for a unique taste treat.

The pizza oven also produces tasty garlic knots and stromboli, rolled and filled with chicken or ham and pepperoni. Star’s calzones are generously sized and filled with a choice of creamy ricotta, mozzarella and sausage. At $3.75, they make a satisfying and economical lunch. Also, try Star’s broccoli rolls, spinach rolls and yummy rice balls.

Entrees such as tender veal and peppers can be ordered as a plate or on a crisp, warm hero to eat in or to go. Peppers and eggs on a hero is an old Italian favorite and Star Pizza makes it just right. Entrees including shrimp parmigiana, shrimp marinara or fried calamari come with a choice of pasta or crunchy salad. In addition, daily specials accommodate the many steady customers. Star Pizza will also deliver lunch or dinner to home or office free, with a $7 minimum purchase.

After a meal, try a cup of steaming espresso or cappuccino and a few traditional zeppoles, dusted with powdered sugar.

Let Star Pizza cater your next party. Small or large trays of tender, lemony chicken francese, eggplant parmigiana and ravioli will satisfy any hungry crowd, and the prices are very reasonable. Call Sal to arrange for catering.

Next time you’re shopping on Steinway Street, or whenever you feel like trying delicious pizza and hot dishes, stop in at Star Pizza, just across from the municipal lot between 31st Avenue and Broadway.

Star Pizza

31-51 Steinway St.

Astoria

274-4250