Pizza War, LaGuardia Subway, H Mart: Top Astoria, LIC Stories Of 2022

ASTORIA, QUEENS — Western Queens have been through a lot in 2022, and Patch was there to write about it.

From a fantasized subway line to the cooling of a pizza war to the thrilling arrival of H Mart, here are the top Astoria-Long Island City Patch stories of 2022 — ranked by the number of minutes people spent reading them.

1. Subway To LaGuardia, Through Astoria? State Wants Your Input

Newly released options for a transit link to LaGuardia Airport include extensions of the N train from Astoria, reviving a years-old idea.

2. Peace Of Pizza: Astoria Bellucci War Ends With Name Change, Settlement

The two almost-identically-named Astoria pizzerias have made peace, after a name change helped resolve their bitter legal battle.

3. Astoria's King Of Falafel Prepares To Surrender His Crown

King of Falafel's owner is selling his beloved restaurant and three food trucks, saying he wants to "get on with the rest of my life."

4. Dueling Bellucci's: New Astoria Pizzeria Set To Open After Split

Andrew Bellucci's new Astoria joint will serve its first slices this weekend. But to his dismay, the pizzeria he quit still bears his name.

5. H Mart To Replace Long Island City Stop & Shop, Company Confirms

The popular Asian grocery chain will replace the soon-to-close Stop & Shop supermarket near Northern Boulevard, the company said.

6. 5 Astoria, LIC 'Dark Stores' Shut Down As Companies Implode

Fridge No More and Buyk have shut down their Queens warehouses after both delivery companies imploded — possibly due to the war in Ukraine.

7. Queensboro Plaza Getting Revamp With 3 New Elevators, Nicer Platforms

The busy Long Island City station will also get roomier, brighter and safer, the MTA says — but construction work will snarl subway service.

8. New Astoria Bakery, Cafe Combines Food And Fables

Elevenses, a new bakery by lifelong Astorian Georgia Koutsoupakis, focuses on sustainable and affordable pastries — with fantastical themes.

9. Astoria Restaurant Has Some Of America's Best Fried Chicken: Ranking

It may not be one of Astoria's marquee foods, but one neighborhood spot has been ranked one of the best fried chicken eateries in America.

10. Big Asian Supermarket, Apartment Complex Coming To Astoria Block

It isn't just H Mart: another big Asian supermarket will be built on a mostly empty Astoria block, as part of a new eight-story building.

Thanks for reading Patch this year — stay tuned for lots more neighborhood news in 2023!