Benfaremo- The Lemon Ice King Of Corona — Restaurant in New York

Benfaremos was and is, for the most part, the Italian tradition in Corona. If you grew up here, you'll remember the king just as you remember this part of Corona. You know the red striped Q23s, the blue striped B58s, the Redbirds in the distance on Roosevelt. The lumberyard, the window dealer, the Italian markets, the Precision calipers factory on 47th. You have Meet the Mets by heart, and the PS14 school song. You know where Corona pizza used to be before the move, Parkside is a wiseguy joint, and that the 4th of July fireworks in the triangle park was sponsored by them. Knowing that, you don't ever litter in that park, ever, since who knows who the guys playing Bocce are, they could be respectable men keeping an eye on things, capiche. Benfaremos has the best Lemon ice, period. Cold, tart, sweet, natural tasting and scooped by youths from a window in all seasons and all weather. You want to know what it means to have a perfect New York City summer's day? Old Muscle car with the radio turned up, hydrant splashing water on the corner, and that ice - in a paper cup.

Well, that was old school. Most of the goombahs moved onwards, and this part of Corona is nowadays Colombian/Ecuadorean/Mexican. however, if you look carefully, there are still a few Italian places left - Parkside is still quite good (and we are not questioning that claim, capiche?!), Leo's Mama Latticini on 104th makes a delectable sandwich, Corona pizza has a mean local Vinnie pie, and despite the fact that there are Empanada and Lechon joints all over, Benfaremos still scoop their ice the same way. Still taste cold sweet tart light and refreshing, and still a pride of Corona and our fair city. That 7-Eleven across the street selling squishees? Fugedaboutit, you want the lemon ice from Benfaremos. The only hometown ice sold in Local Vinnie joints in the five boroughs and in Citi Field.

This is the real deal, this is our slice of New York. Manhattan might have the money, the Bronx the street creds, Brooklyn might have the hipsters and the stroller mafia and Staten island might be the home of our bravest, but Queens? We have the World's Fair, the 7 train, and Benafaremos. The Mets might not be good all the time, but the ice sure is, and that's...

Located at 52-02 108th Street in Corona, Queens, The Lemon Ice King of Corona has been a beloved institution since 1944. Founded by Nicola Benfaremo and later run by his son Peter, this iconic Italian ice shop has become synonymous with summer in New York City. Its fame even extended to television, featuring in the opening credits of the sitcom The King of Queens.

Authentic Italian Ices

What sets The Lemon Ice King apart is its commitment to traditional, dairy-free Italian ices. Crafted in-house using small-batch churning, these ices achieve a creamy, semi-solid texture without any dairy ingredients. This method results in a smooth, refreshing treat that captures the essence of real fruit flavors.

Flavorful Selections

With over 40 flavors available, there's something for every palate. The classic lemon remains a favorite, offering a balance of tartness and sweetness that refreshes on hot days. Other popular choices include cherry, rainbow, and the uniquely rich peanut butter, which contains chunks of peanuts throughout. It's important to note that mixing flavors isn't permitted, encouraging patrons to savor each flavor individually.

Community and Tradition

Beyond the delightful ices, The Lemon Ice King is a cornerstone of the Corona community. The shop operates from a walk-up window, maintaining a nostalgic charm that harks back to its early days. Across the street, Flushing Meadows-Corona Park offers a perfect spot to enjoy your treat while watching local bocce games, adding to the authentic neighborhood experience.

Final Thoughts

The Lemon Ice King of Corona isn't just a place to grab a frozen treat; it's a slice of New York history. Its dedication to quality, tradition, and community has solidified its status as a must-visit destination for both locals and tourists seeking an authentic...

Great place to come to if you’re ever in need for lemon ices. They have about 20 different flavors and a couple other options as well like candy apples etc. the sauces range from small to large which are anywhere from $3-$6 per cup and they have storage sizes in case you want to take it home and enjoy like quarts, pints, and gallon cups ranging $8-$20. This is the type of place you enjoy outside not indoors as I’m pretty sure they don’t let customers inside. There is usually 1 guy working the stand and he is pretty nice since he allowed me to sample some of the flavors to see which I would like most. This place is pretty lowkey and easy to miss since it sits in the corner of 108st in a no name town called corona so unless your from queens you won’t realize that this place is actually pretty famous for having on scene cameos from sitcom tv shows like “King of queens” or “Everybody loves Raymond”! The ices are pretty smooth and easy to melt on your tongue and they can last quite a bit if you’re enjoying them on a...