Astoria's Best Pizza Shop Closes Permanently, Citing Rent Increase

ASTORIA, QUEENS — After a three-year run, Best Pizza Shop has closed permanently amid financial hardships, according to social media posts by the restaurant.

In an April 16 Instagram post, Best Pizza said it had slung its final slices at its small storefront on 34th Avenue between 32nd and 33rd streets. Responding to one user's question, the shop added that "Costs are high but a landlord that raises rent during Covid was [too] much."

The shop had opened in April 2019 as the brainchild of chef-owner John Parlatore, who also runs the bistro Astoria Provisions and the since-closed Italian eatery Gastroteca Astoria. Its focus from the start was Detroit-style pies, with thick, crispy crusts and square-shaped slices.

Inflation also appears to be a factor: in a subsequent Instagram comment, Best Pizza's management wrote that "now the products cost so much more it was gonna force us to serve pizza for a price that we just weren’t comfortable with.

"A slice of pizza shouldn’t cost more than a ride on the Subway," they added.

Best Pizza may not die with its storefront's closure, however: the Instagram post added that a "ghost location" will open shortly, offering deliveries around Astoria and "pop up nights" at Astoria provisions.