Terrizzi Pastry Shop

I used to work here and cannot be happier that this place is closed. Not just because they treated their employees like trash (and paid them just the same), but because they were overpriced, rude, and truly a health hazard.
Cookies and pastries in the display cases were kept there basically until someone complained they were old. I cannot tell you how many times I was on the receiving end of a customer’s wrath over a rock-​hard cookie, still-​frozen cake («baked fresh daily!») or spoiled pastry. As an 18 year old at the time, I knew this was wrong, but god forbid you tried to advise them how to run their business. Instead, I just quit shortly after because I really couldn’t deal with being treated like crap to make THEM money off their stale food.
The owner made spinach pie once, put salt in it (a big no-​no, as the feta cheese is salty enough), tasted it and cringed… then continued to sell it at their typically ridiculous prices.
My grandmother got a cannoli from them once (after I had long since quit) and had to bring it back because the filling was spoiled.
How the same owners of D’Aquila in Bayside, an amazing and extremely popular bakery, can run such a crappy business here in Astoria is beyond me. Good riddance, Terrizzi!

This is based on their gelato.
I was not impressed. I thought it was icy and not all that flavorful. The girl serving the gelato at the counter seemed annoyed that we were giving the place our business.
I wouldn’t go back.

Though most items seemed «home-​made», many of the ones in the display case also seemed a bit old.
The people running the place are generally fairly nice, but it is a VERY POOR business decision to have an inflexible $ 10 credit card minimum (which is not advertised or mentioned until time of payment) at a bakery in which most items are just a few dollars.
Can’t see this lasting in the area much longer with the likes of New York Bakery open just a few blocks away.

First I’d like to say I’ve been coming to Terrizzi’s since 1993 and their pastries are excellent. I recommend the canolli, red velvet cupcakes and the cheese cake… all delicious.
I’m responding to some of the feedback below but I just can’t stand by and watch all these spoiled young adult give such low ratings. I’m not quite sure what’s going on with this generations of 20 year old’s but I usually just tell the manager if the quality of the food is not what I expect (it’s cowardly bash this way). Just because your blueberry muffin wasn’t what you wanted does not mean you give 1 star.
Chandy S. shame on you… FYI pending grade just means the health department is printing up the card… implying there may be something wrong with their sanitary conditions is a little mean spirited and irresponsible. I’m not sure about what this had to do with fact your pastry was «meh» (your words) baffles me. The only thing I can think of is you wanted to bring up your son who is learning how to be self entitled and opinionated at an early age and is a source of pride for you.

Growing up, one of my favorite memories was eating at my best friend’s house. His Italian grandmother would start cooking and baking early, and the smell would carry through the entire neighborhood. I’d always find an excuse to be in the vicinity around dinner time. Did I leave a pencil at your house? No? Are you sure? Back then I had to wait for an invitation. Now I unabashedly abuse the option to visit Terrizzi. Authentic, incredibly delicious and fresh pastries and coffees prepared with love by REAL Italians. How do you know? 1) They speak the language and 2) The woman behind the counter remembers exactly what I like to eat. Since moving to Astoria a few months ago, we’ve been searching for the best fare in every category. Having tried the majority of the bakeries in the area, I can say that Terrizzi wins it, hands down. When you get tired of dispassionate service, stale black and white cookies and limited selection, go to Terrizzi. I’m thinking about asking the woman who runs the place to adopt me as a surrogate grandson. Selfish? Yes.

So… my 6 year old son thinks that they should be shut down because when we went, they had a «pending» grade on their front door. Being the 6 year old that he is, he said this very loudly as soon as we walked in. With a look of horror on her face, the salesgirl asked him how old he was. Ha! Scaring people with his words @ an early age… that’s my boy!
Pending grade or not, their pastries are just meh. My red velvet cupcake was dry and my marzipan treat was way too dense and cloying. I also had a multi-​layered Italian pastry, but can’t remember the name. It was sort of like a small napoleon. Anyways, whatever the name, it was decent. I wouldn’t make any effort to revisit Terrizzi… my son will be relieved.

At $ 24 something or other per pound I expected the marzipan to be at the very least, fresh and/​or edible. I bought some to take to Thanksgiving dinner, which I would do except I’d rather not be disowned.
The marzipan were stale and way too sweet. I took a bite from a fig and was filled with equal parts fear and regret at not having splurged on dental insurance.
Not to mention the woman serving me had some kind of persistent cough.
I would never come here again. Pastry and sweets must be cycled out every once in a while. It felt like taking a bite out of the display bento boxes at a Japanese restaurant. You know, the ones they shellac?
According to them they’ve been in business since 1964. So that’s when these were made…

Great cakes!

You do not go to Terrizzi’s, or any other Italian bakery, for American baked goods. Do not get cupcakes or red velvet cake or American style cookies. You will be disappointed.
However, if you get cannoli, mini pasteries, Italian cookies with jam and sprinkles, pinoli cookies, rainbow cookies, rum cake, Italian ice or gelato, you will be very pleased. It may not be the absolute best Italian bakery in Queens, but it’s real solid.
Do not miss their Italian ices, they are AMAZING. I live in Brooklyn now and I dream about the spumoni ice (which does not resemble spumoni ice cream, it is an almond flavored ice that is more like cremolata but they call it spumoni). It is divine.

The last time I walked by they were closed due to some failed inspection. Otherwise I’ve had a few good pastries here.

REALLY?! I am AMAZED this place has more than 1 star. WORST PLACE EVER.
What kind of cupcake is this?
” I don’t know, I think blueberry“
When was it made?
«Looks around… I don’t know»
Do you make them here at least?
«No.»
WOW. Don’t call yourself a bakery. The lemon cookie I got, was so hard to bite into and it crumbled all over my lap when I did bite into it. Old. Dry. Stale. Cheap extract lemon flavor.
The staff has no idea whats going on and doesn’t seem to care. It reminds me of things you get at a kroger or wal-​mart bakery. Someone told me Astoria has NO good bakeries, no I see why.
Also– this «blueberry cupcake» took the worst cupcake I’ve ever had title. Who puts blueberry cream cheese frosting on chocolate cake? On top of it, the single worst chocolate cake I’ve ever ever ever had. And i’ve had alot, I bake, and try alot of places sweets. This place is terrible.

I was walking home today from a hectic work day that my restaurant did close to 300 cover for lunch so I felt like eating something sweet so I stop by here. I was looking at all of the dessert they have and alot of them look ok to me and nothing seem really impressive but i didn’t want to leave emptry handled so I pick a raspberry cake with nuts inside and this mini chocolate square with 3 different color (pink, green and white).
I came home and took one bite of the color cake and it was pretty decent but i just love looking at the color it has. The raspberry cake was better and I almost finish the whole thing until I stop myself. Overall this is one of the better bakery in the area so far and I proably come back to see what else is good.

Came to Terrizzi after a workout. With King of Falafel right down the road I figured it would be a great place to duck out of the cold weather.
I was right, place is small but inviting and the owner DEFINITELY knows her cookies. The Canoli was quite delicious, but the cappucino was pretty average.
On the whole if I lived in the area, I’d hit this spot somewhat often. Coming from Manhattan or elsewhere, a more diligent search might find you a better gem.

Of all the bakeries on 30^th ave Terrizzi is definitely the best overall. They’ve got great gelato in the summer, yummy red velvet cake/​cupcakes, good canolis, and italian cookies. There’s so much variety I have yet to try everything yet I’ve never been disappointed. It’s also nice to know that the owners (at least I’m assuming) are almost always on site and service is good.

This place is okay for that last minute «omg I need to get a cake for the house warming party but everything else is closed» moment.
Their cookies are okay but I think their mini pastries are amazing! Their cupcakes are okay but really, that is the only thing to this place. The mini pastries. Artopolis has spoiled me and for the amount that they charge for normal bakery cakes, you can add another four bucks and just go get a cake from Artopolis.
Sorry Terrizzi but you are not what you used to be and your customer service isn’t tolerable. Learn how to smile and not stare in disappointment.

The meringue dissolved as soon as it hit my tongue. That has to be the softest, most ephemeral meringue I have ever had in cookie form, *ever*. Color me impressed.
The cannoli? Spot on!
The checkerboard cake square? Like the tasty version of something from the The Swiss Colony.
The gelato? Didn’t try it, so now I have a better excuse than ever to go back!

I’ve tried the cakes, macaroons, tri-​color cookies and other delicacies from Terrizzi and they were all delicious.
I highly recommend the pastry that’s soaked in some sort of sweet syrup.
Also liked that the people behind the counter are very nice and patient as I struggled to make up my mind as to which pastry to indulge in.

I can has gelato here!
Sometimes I feel like getting a little ice cream, but I don’t feel like Italian ice, I don’t want to do a chain (no no to Baskin Robbins and Stone Cold Creamery), and I don’t feel like going all the way to Ditmars for Side Door Café. What to do? Yesterday, I discovered that Terrizzi sells gelato in the summer.
For $ 4, you get a very generous scoop (about two servings) of gelato. For you Red Velvet freaks out there, you may want to come here and try their Red Velvet gelato.
Good gelato here. Just another reason why I’m very happy living in my little corner of Astoria.

The pastry shop has been closed by DOHMH on April 6, 2011.
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[my previous review]
Terrizzi is great, I find it better on many other places in Soho/​West Village. I tried a lot there, and have to say that nothing has disappointed me so far: cannolis, babas, almost all dry cookies, chiacchere (they called it mardi gras cake), berry-​pies… a success also if you want to bring good Italian desserts to visit friends.
Only need to try their tiramisu, espresso and croissants. So far, really really really good, affordable, fresh. and homey :)

The red velvet cupcakes are indeed amazing. I even ate one two days later and it was STILL good (though not recommended).
I was also majorly impressed with the cannoli. No more trekking all the way to an overpriced bakery in Little Italy, no sirreee.