Nonnas 1977 on Astoria Boulevard (Queens Post)
Aug. 27, 2019 By Shane O’Brien
A new pizzeria serving the classic pizza dish in a rock n roll environment has opened on Astoria Boulevard.
Nonnas 1977 opened at 41-02 Astoria Blvd South on Wednesday, Aug. 21 and is open from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. from Sunday thru Thursday, and from 11 a.m. until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
The restaurant blends the classic Italian dish with rock music. Seats are decorated with stickers from famous rock bands and there are plans to install a projector which will play music videos.
Nonnas 1977 is home of the self-proclaimed ‘magic slice,’ which puts a twist on the conventional pizza slice.
Leon Leandrou, Nonna’s owner, said that the restaurant’s pizzas are thin crust and cooked in squares in a pan using homemade mozzarella.
The eatery makes its own mozzarella onsite daily, according to Leandrou.
Slices at Nonnas 1977 range from $3.25 to $5.50, with whole pies costing between $18.99 and $29.99. Choices range from simple mozzarella with homemade tomato sauce and basil, to the more complex “Sheena,” which consists of apple, smoked bacon, gorgonzola, walnuts and mozzarella.
There is also a wide selection of salads and pastas available at the restaurant, along with a build your own parm option which allows guests to choose from chicken, meatballs, eggplant, meat sauce and sausage and peppers to create their own sandwich for $9.99.
The restaurant had been a fixture of the Lower East Side for over a decade, but closed down last year when its lease expired.
Leandrou decided to set up shop in Astoria 18 months after the closure because of his Astoria roots, he said.
“It was devastating not to have our lease renewed,” Leandrou said. “But I am originally from Astoria, so what better place then here. I am excited to bring our pizza, referred to Magic Slice to my old neighborhood.”
Leandrou said that he plans to implement a delivery service very soon. He also said that the restaurant also currently provides a catering service.
Pizzas at Nonnas1977 (Queens Post)
Pizza selection at Nonnas 1977 ( Queens Post)
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35 Comments
Any truth to the rumor that Polito’s is closing due to a rent hike?
Passed by Politos this evening on the way home from the Steinway train. The signage is down, the windows are covered over. The A from the Dept. Of Health was still there on the door as were the hours but no other signs to indicate whether it was a closure or a renovation.
It moved to Steinway. Across from Sslvation Army store
Virtually no foot traffic over there. The food will have to be real good if they hope to have any retail walk-in business.
I agree, used to live right across the street. That storefront is cursed.
I do wish them all the best though. I don’t live in Astoria anymore but travel through daily. I’ll be by to try a slice or two this week and see how it goes.
Yup, cursed is right. Going back 30 years everything that was ever opened at that location didn’t last.
I’m gonna walk up there and give it a try. It’s a good idea to support the guy since he’s from the old neighborhood.
This is great! Such a nice addition to Astoria Blvd South near Steinway. It’s really a hell hole around there so hoping this place helps to improve the surrounding area.
What street is it located?
41st and astoria blvd. Right by triboro bev.
41-02 Astoria Blvd.
right off of Steinway Street
Thanks for the interest.
Congratulations on your revived business! I also am a born and raised Astorian and would actually highly recommend a cauliflower plantbased pizza added to your menu not only on the catering menu but on the main menu as one of your options. I think it can actually help your business because I know for sureeee if there was a place where you get can delicious HEALTHY Pizza, I would rave a recommend to everyone!!! It is great to be diverse and also embrace the healthier side but still be able to indulge in a delicious slice of pizza. Something to think about! Definitely will be stopping in to say hello to our new business in the neighborhood. Congrats again and wish you many successful years to come!
Why would so many people give this a thumbs down? It’s a great suggestion. SMH.
My guess as to why she got thumbs downed?
20% – tl;dr
60% – looks like a fake endorsement written by owner’s mom
20% – GET OFF MY LAWN
Yes thats a great idea ,healthy too
Best non-Neapolitan pie in Astoria that I’ve tried.
Go-to for us used to be Astoria Pizza Factory, with their grandma margarita pie, however the flavor combo’s makes eating from this place an absolutely delight.
Wish them much success and will be my go-to going forward.
Went in with a few friends after wk, great place, clean and cool but the pizza slices were even more appealing. Definitely a great surprise. So happy to have a good pizzeria back in Astoria, in a town w/ so many pizzerias but nothing like this, welcome to the neighborhood.
Did astoria really needed another pizzeria? Or another restaurant? Soon only the hipsters will be living in astoria, watching from a far still hurts, astorians make some noise!
All communities need new businesses. I dont understand people like you, why are you so bitter about a family restaurant? would you rather another hookah lounge?
“all my problems are millennials fault” is the updated boomer whine.
I used to hate the gentrification too. Until I started seeing 25, 50, 75, 100+ ATV’s terrorizing people thru red lights and on sidewalks like every. single. day. And all the security videos coming out daily of sex fiends, people shooting at each other, etc. Now I’m like, “Come to NYC! Come push ’em all out!”
Instead of blasting the place about Vegan pizza.. act like a F@&@ing human, call them and ask.. and you’ll see they have it.. or open up your own vegan pizzeria.. see how long that lasts.. smh , Hypocrites!!
Good luck to you guys.. hope the Vegans go elsewhere…
Is this an advertisement?
Slices at Nonnas 1977 range from $3.25 to $5.50. At that location? LMAO Good luck. Out of business in 6 months with their rock and roll stickers
How FRUGAL & BITTER you must be !! People are paying $2000 /monthly for a studio in that neighborhood !! Quality = $$
So glad many people are not like you !!
Think you could consider making VEGAN PIZZA for all the Vegans ??
Hi, thanks for asking, we do have a Vegan Slice. Chucks of grilled zucchini, mushrooms, broccoli, red and green peppers, olives, onions on our sauce.
Had A slice first day they opened , really enjoyed it . Nice to have a legit pizza place in the neighborhood. Love the rock and roll theme, I will be back , highly recommend!
Deliciously different and super fresh ingredients…can’t wait to go back for more!
It’s 2019, make a @!*$#!% vegan pizza!
Owner said they have a vegan pizza, and also a gluten free pizza, not on the menu yet but you could ask for it and they have it on the catering menu
It’s 2019 and still no one gives a shit about veganism and the idiots who practice it. Please eat your tofu and shut up already.
You seem triggered.
You sound intelligent.
Who cares about damn vegans?!
Don’t eat… ever