Russo Bakery

The bread is good and the donuts too. Pastries and cookies are eh. The older woman behind the counter is just plain rude and the owners would do well to get rid of her. As others have said, she looks bothered anytime she has to serve customers. She’s also rude to children. Never a smile and rather than hand you your change, she lays the bills on the counter even if you have your hand out. Who does that?

Good pastries. The ‘Nutella tart’ (like a linzer with Nutella instead is the raspberry) was a bit too sweet. Could have used a better quality cookie. I did like their selection of prepackaged Italian cookies, candies and breadsticks. Also lots of breads! Loved the semolina bread. My only complaint is the lady behind the counter was not very friendly.

All the pastries we purchased were stale and dry. NEVER GOING BACK. plus the selection was very few.

This place has been around for a really long time and I always make it a point to stop in when I am luck enough to be back in ‘the neighborhood’. Most recently, my family had to stay behind as I made a quick trip to NYC so they asked that I bring cannoli back with me.
One thing that has remained constant is the service. Everyone I have ever encountered in the bakery is in a permanent bad mood that will last for decades to come. If you can get a little friendly banter or just the slightest sense that your business is welcome and actually wanted they might get better ratings.
That said, everyone in my family has always liked the end product so that is really the most important thing.

First of all, the fact that they have a tip jar by the cash register is shocking. Not just because it’s not a usual type of establishment one would tip at, but because the women working weren’t pleasant whatsoever. It seems like unless you’re gossiping with the employees about your neighborhood you are a huge inconvenience. I ordered a cookie and a pastry and both were clearly not fresh. I’m new to New York but I’ve had some wonderful food here. I’m going to assume these people have a large enough group of regulars to survive without new business. Otherwise I’m not sure how they stay open.

First time there when I walked in the door I heard a voice, can I help you… I wanted to look around first, isnt that normal? Place is beautiful as well as the italian decorum, Italian bread was very good, lady with hat, augh, augh, pow ! not friendly at all and thats not good for a business. I would put her in the back to bake something… perhaps its the sugar in the air. Will go back but the prices are really high. two cookies, two Sfogliatella and a large loaf twist italian was eight dollars and fifty cents about 20%-25% higher then equal or better bakery.

Let me start by saying that Russo Bakery only got one star because there isn’t a zero star. This bakery sucks! Their prices are high and the staff is awful! Not a friendly one in the whole lot. I agree with the reviewer that thinks they don’t like non-​Italians. I was never greeted upon entrance, have had money snatched from me, my purchase and change practically thrown on the counter and God forbid I ask for a bag.
I have gotten cookies there which were costly and not that good. I frequented the bakery because my boyfriend loves Semolina bread. Sometimes those were like bricks and if I complained that was a problem. The last time I was there I vowed never to go int there again and haven’t. If you want my money you need to act like it. I have found a better place near me in Valley Stream, NY. that has a much better product, friendly staff and offers more convenience because they are open 24 hours a day.

I am a rainbow cookie fanatic and Russo Bakery’s are to die for! So moist and dense-​worth the price! I have tried their cookies and pastries as well and can vouch that they are amazing!
I agree with some of the reviews-​the service is lacking. I sometimes don’t even get acknowledged when I walk in the store and feel like I need to get the associate’s attention just so I can buy something. But to me, I am not going to the bakery for the service, nor am I tipping these people so it doesn’t deter me from popping in whenever I’m craving a cookie!
It is also cash only. I don’t recall if they have an ATM in there, but they do have one across the street.

I’ve been going to Russo’s since I was a little girl. All of the pastries and deserts are delicious. I would recommend the rainbow cookies or the canoles. This place is perfect if you’re looking for good Italian deserts. The people who work there are always friendly!

Great place, people very friendly, like the cheese cake, price are perfect, quality is great, cool environment. That basically it,

I work nearby so sometimes for office parties we pick up a cake or some treats from here if we didn’t plan enough ahead. I’ve had the tiramisu from here too many times to count and every time I’m left disappointed. I don’t know why it keeps surprising me that I don’t like it because I LOVE tiramisu! The lady fingers are not soaked in enough espresso and very little mascapone cheese is used. It also taste like something thats been sitting in the refrigerator for too long.
The cookies are good like others have mentioned, and the coffee is ok. I do enjoy there gelatto.
Service is terrible. I’ve never been treated kindly here by any of the employees, and neither have any of my coworkers.

Dear Russo’s,
Thank you for the lovely bread, ricotta cheesecake, and your super delicious cannoli. Also, the convenience of having you up the block is the best part. Now, on to the reason why two stars; service, manners, and general kindness. There’s a heavyset woman with glasses who looks at you like if you just insulted her by even being present in the shop. It’s a chore for her to hand me a loaf and take money I guess! I have a feeling she’s not a fan non Italians, just a hunch. The young staff I’m ok with, we all had jobs like these in the neighborhood. It’s the grouchy lady and her ever so aloof daughter. They look miserable and give miserable service. Be kind to your community, these are the folks that are going to keep you in business.
Sincerely,
The bread lover.

Love this bakery. Best place for italian pastries! The girls at night are very friendly and helpful. Love coming here to satisfy my sweet tooth. The bread is perfecto for a nice sunday supper! LOVE the Oreo Cheese cake. yummm !

I don’t go anywhere else (and NEVER WILL) to get savoiardis, crumb cake (you have to ask them to have a fresh one ready for you or else by the next day it just won’t be the same) or chocolate covered cheesecake. Anytime my family and I are getting together to celebrate a holiday we run to Russo’s. The prices are reasonable too.
I just wish that the people that work there were nicer, they seem to hate their jobs or something because they are just not friendly people. They just never crack a smile and I’m the type to go out of my way to be super polite and friendly with people at work to try to make them have a good day at work. But when I do that here I end up feeling like I should be the one behind the counter since I’m the one saying thank you and have a nice day while they just look at me all grumpy.
If it wasn’t for that I would definitely give this place 5 stars though because this bakery is my numbero uno always and forever when it comes down to the taste of their food and the prices.

The bakery is ok but the family that owns it is rude and has no idea about customer service. Surprised its still in business.

The frosting on their two varieties of donuts looks super tidy, immaculate and restrained. Don’t judge a book by its cover. Or, to make a more accurate analogy, don’t even judge a book’s cover by how it looks. Because objects on donut could be way sloppier than they appear.
The frosting looks hella restrained, but somehow there’s enough lurking on one of their relatively small donuts to smear itself all the way from my left cheek to my right armpit. Literally, my armpit. Never had frosting there before. Might try it again.

Panetteria Grande per pane e dolci!
Delicious Italian cookies for $ 11.50 a pound.
Their mini pastries are also $ 11.50 a pound.
They have small tables and chairs for relaxing with a cup of coffee and pastries.
This place been at the location for a long times (over 20-​yrs that I know of) and is a favorite of the neighborhood.

The coffee and cookies might be good, but the ladies behind the counter are rude.
Early 2008: back when I used to take the Q39 to work, I would sometimes get coffee at Russo’s. First time I ever entered this place… as soon as I ordered my coffee, the nasty fat lady informed me that I was not to drink coffee inside the bakery. When sipping the coffee outside of the shop, I caught the ladies watching me like a hawk through the windows. Thanks for making me feel welcome.
F-​ing Maspeth.

I love Russo’s! When I lived in Middle Village, this was the only place I would go to get canoli’s and pignoli cookies.
All of their butter cookies are sooo good, and their rainbow cookies are great as well. Some pastry shops do some things well and others not so well. I have always enjoyed everything I have had at Russo’s.
They always have friendly staff there, and I always go back when I am in Queens or LI.

I date an Italian and Russo’s was a staple stop when I was in the neighborhood. Their cookies are really good, especially the pignole cookies. Their breads are fresh and the staff is eager to help. There are two locations, I’ve only been to the Glendale branch, but I’ve always been impressed at the quality and freshness. If you’re in the neighborhood or just want to visit a relatively unexplored and still authentically ethnic neighborhood of New York, head on down to Maspeth/​Glendale and take in the Italian and Eastern European flavor, and be sure to leave with a nice box of cookies.