Queens’ “name-it and they make-it” pizza place has new features. Pizza Professor in Kew Gardens Hills has slices of pizzas for the first time, not just pies, and “buy one and get one pie free” on Fridays. Customers get a free pizza on their birthday as long as they show their ID and follow Pizza Professor on social media.
Customers spin a wheel to see which gifts they win after buying a family special. Gifts can include cash, free ice cream at Max & Mina’s Ice Cream store, free sodas, fries, pizzas, desserts, and gift certificates.
“Would you rather have someone else’s pizza or a pie specifically made for you?” asks the majority owner of the store, Aharon Epstein. Customers watch as their individualized meals are made in five minutes.
More than 40 toppings on pizzas are offered. Kosher toppings such as imitations of schnitzel, Philly cheese steak, hot honey pepperoni, kosher maple bacon, alredo pizza, and buffalo bacon ranch are offered or will be soon. Onion rings, mac & cheese, and pineapple toppings are also offered. Some customers have put more than ten toppings on their pizzas. People cannot bring in their toppings. Customers give a taste test of possible new flavors at the store about every two months. “We’re very experimental,” said Aharon Epstein.
Customers can choose the type of crust and dough that they want: whole wheat, garlic, cheese, sweet dough, and thin. Gluten-free and truffle oil will soon be available. The store is under the supervision of the Vaad Harabonim, and is Chalav Yisrael and Kemach Yashan.
Desserts include cinnamon sticks and a sweet-dough pizza dough with honey and/or brown sugar (with Cookies & Cream, Oreos, S’mores, and Fruity Pebbles cereal). They can use chocolate instead of cheese as a base, cookie crumbs, and marshmallow. “We’ve basically reinvented the pizza in terms of turning it into a dessert.”
More chairs are inside the store and more tables are outside during the summer. A new store awning is planned.
The first Pizza Professor opened in Kew Gardens Hills in 1999. It went through various owners before closing from 2012-15. Aharon Epstein became majority owner and re-opened the store in 2016. He does not own the franchise name, so they are not affiliated with the Pizza Professor stores in Flatbush and Hewlett (both now closed) and in Manhattan.
Aharon worked for more than 10 kosher restaurants in Kew Gardens Hills starting in high school and for more than 15 years. He attended the Yeshiva of Central Queens and the Hebrew Academy of Nassau County for high school. He loves the work because it has brought him “closer to my community.” Aharon gets to listen to people and network, and he has gotten closer to his brother Eliezer.
Eliezer helps behind the counter and behind the scenes. Eliezer also went to the Yeshiva of Central Queens and to Ezra Academy for high school.
Both brothers credit learning hachnasas orchim (welcoming guests and preparing food) from their parents, Marshall and Rachel Epstein.
Marshall was an architect whose passion was cooking. He barbecued and cooked for many shul events in Forest Hills. Aharon said that his father “was the best cook I ever knew, and my mom had the best people skills, so I took after both of them.”
Eliezer said his father “always wanted to open a restaurant.” Unfortunately, Marshall passed away in 2015 and wasn’t able to, but his son Aharon did in 2016 by becoming an owner of Pizza Professor.
Eliezer said, “I am just a guy trying to continue what my parents did.” “It’s whatever I can do to make customers happy and treat the restaurant like it’s my own home.”
Their mother Rachel offers Shabbos and/or holiday meals to anyone in need every week through the Young Israel of Forest Hills in memory of her husband Marshall.
Pizza Professor wants to connect more with schools and shuls, and to donate more food to needy families, Masbia, and to Chickens for Shabbos.
Aharon said, “Pizza is a universally loved food – by every age, gender, you know, everyone.” “We deliver anywhere…Long Island, Manhattan, everywhere,” he said.
First Responders like Hatzalah, fire department, and police department members get 15% off. Pizza Professor has partnered with the Hillel at Queens College for eight years and Chazaq for the past five years.
They cater for yeshivos, schools, bris milahs, and bar and bas mitzvahs with Italian food like baked ziti, penne alla vodka, eggplant parmesan, mac & cheese, and all kinds of salads.
The store is located at 41-25 Jewel Avenue, around the corner from Main Street, in Kew Gardens Hills. They are open from 11 a.m. until midnight each weeknight, and until 2 a.m. after Shabbos. People can order online at www.orderthenewpizzaprofessor.com or by calling 718-261-3336.
By David Schneier
