Nick’s Pizza in Forest Hills proves that great food does not need a flashy setting. This cozy Queens restaurant is known for thin-crust pies, warm service, and a neighborhood feel that keeps people coming back.
With a brick oven, simple menu, and loyal fans, it has become a true local favorite. If you love pizza that is crisp, light, and full of flavor, this spot is worth knowing.
1. A Thin Crust That Makes The Trip Worth It
One bite at Nick’s can remind you why thin-crust pizza has such a loyal following in New York.
The crust is light enough to fold, crisp enough to snap near the edge, and still soft where sauce and cheese meet.
That balance is the big draw at 108-26 Ascan Avenue.
Many pizza places make thin crust feel dry or cracker-like, but Nick’s keeps it lively with a chewy center and a lightly charred rim from the brick oven.
The best way to enjoy it is fresh from the table, not rushed in a box.
Takeout still has fans, even from people who order all the way from Long Island, but dining in gives the crust its best chance to shine.
If you like extra toppings, choose them with care.
A thin base can carry sausage, peppers, onions, ricotta, or fresh mozzarella, but too much weight can hide the simple magic of the dough.
First-timers may want to start with a plain pie or Margherita.
That lets you taste the sauce, cheese, basil, and crust without distraction.
It is a simple test, and Nick’s usually passes it with the kind of quiet confidence that makes people say it is among the best pizza in Queens.
2. Brick Oven Flavor Without The Fancy Attitude
The brick oven at Nick’s is not just a background detail.
It is a major reason the pizza tastes the way it does, with spots of char, a warm, toasty smell, and a crust that feels crisp but not stiff.
There is something fun about watching a pie come out of a hot oven in a small, busy restaurant.
The place does not need loud design tricks, because the oven, the tables, and the steady flow of regulars do the talking.
Brick oven pizza cooks quickly, so few choices matter.
Sauce must be bright, cheese must melt cleanly, and the dough has to be ready for serious heat.
When it works, each slice tastes fresh and direct.
Some customers mention that the crust can vary from visit to visit.
That can happen at small pizza restaurants where dough, timing, and oven heat all have to line up.
If you prefer a darker bake, it is smart to ask politely when ordering.
The no-frills setting makes the experience feel honest.
You are not paying for a stage show or a giant menu.
You are sitting in Forest Hills with a hot pie, a cold drink if you want one, and the smell of baked dough in the air.
That is the kind of New York meal people remember.
3. Margherita Pie Keeps Things Bright And Simple
Margherita pizza can seem plain until it is done well.
At Nick’s, it is one of the smartest orders because it shows off the restaurant’s strongest parts without covering them under a pile of extras.
The red sauce brings the first punch of flavor.
Some longtime fans remember it as sweeter, while a few recent diners have found it more acidic, so tastes may differ.
Still, the sauce remains a key part of the pie’s character.
Fresh mozzarella adds soft, milky richness without turning the pizza heavy.
A few basil leaves bring a clean smell and a little garden flavor, which helps each slice feel balanced.
The thin crust keeps everything moving.
If you are sharing with friends, a Margherita is a good anchor pie.
Add a second pie with toppings if your group wants more variety, but let this one stay simple.
It gives everyone a clear read on what Nick’s does best.
A helpful tip is to eat the first slice while it is still hot.
The cheese stretches better, the basil smells brighter, and the crust has its sharpest texture.
That first hot bite is often the moment people understand why regulars speak about this Queens spot with real affection.
4. A Cozy Forest Hills Room With Real Neighborhood Energy
There is a reason people talk about the room almost as much as the pizza.
Nick’s feels like the kind of Queens restaurant where families, couples, kids, and longtime regulars can all relax without needing to dress up.
The vintage surroundings give the place character, but nothing feels staged.
It is cozy, busy, and simple.
One reviewer even loved eating there while seeing the subway pass nearby, calling it a classic New York moment.
That setting matters because pizza is social food.
A pie lands in the center of the table, people reach for slices, someone pours a drink, and conversation starts without much effort.
Nick’s understands that rhythm.
Parents may also appreciate that the staff has been described as quick and accommodating with little kids.
The menu is not huge, which can actually help when children are hungry and nobody wants to study pages of choices.
Weekends can get crowded, so plan with a little patience.
The restaurant is usually manageable, but it is still a neighborhood staple with plenty of fans.
For the smoothest visit, arrive early for dinner or consider lunch on Friday, Saturday, or Sunday, when it opens at noon.
The reward is a seat in a warm, unfussy room where the food feels connected to the block around it.
5. Calzones, Salads, And Desserts Add Extra Reasons To Stay
Pizza gets the spotlight at Nick’s, but the supporting cast is not just filler.
Calzones, Caesar salad, cannoli, tiramisu, beer, wine, and espresso give the meal more shape, especially if you want to linger.
The calzones are often mentioned by guests who enjoy the same doughy comfort in a different form.
They are a good pick for someone who wants something warmer, fuller, and easier to make their own with cheese or fillings.
A Caesar salad can also be a smart move.
It cuts through the richness of the pizza and adds crunch to the table.
If two people are splitting a large pie, a salad can make the meal feel complete.
Dessert has its own little fan club here.
Cannoli gets frequent praise, and tiramisu is another favorite for people who like ending with something creamy and sweet.
Add espresso, and the meal suddenly feels more old-school Italian-American.
For a simple night out, try this plan: share a Margherita or regular pie, order a Caesar salad, then split a cannoli.
If you are with a bigger group, add a calzone or a second pie.
Nick’s menu may be small, but it gives enough variety to build a satisfying dinner without turning the table into a guessing game.
6. Good Service Helps The Small Space Run Smoothly
A small restaurant can feel stressful when service is slow, but many Nick’s visitors praise the staff for keeping things moving.
Guests describe servers as friendly, quick, welcoming, and helpful with recommendations.
That matters because Nick’s can draw a crowd, especially on weekends and before local events.
A team that knows the room can make a busy dinner feel easy instead of rushed or confusing.
Several customers say they did not wait long for food, even when the restaurant was active.
Others mention staff members being kind to families with young children.
Those details may seem small, but they can shape the whole meal.
If you are new, do not be shy about asking what to order.
Staff recommendations can help you choose between a regular pie, a grandma pie, a half white pizza, or toppings like sausage, peppers, onions, ricotta, and fresh mozzarella.
One practical thing to know is that Nick’s is known for whole pies, not slices.
A customer once came in asking for slices and was told they do not serve them, with a confident nudge that nearby options were not as good.
That story says a lot about the place.
Come ready to order a pie, bring someone to share with, and let the staff guide you if the choices feel tricky.
7. Plan Your Visit Before The Pie Sells You On The Place
Nick’s Pizza sits at 108-26 Ascan Avenue in Forest Hills, making it a strong dinner stop for locals and a worthwhile Queens trip for pizza fans.
The restaurant has a 4.4-star rating from more than 1,000 Google reviews.
Hours are easy to remember once you notice the pattern.
It opens from 4 to 9 PM Monday through Thursday, and from 12 to 9 PM Friday through Sunday.
Calling ahead at 718-263-1126 can help if you have timing questions.
The restaurant also works well before a show or neighborhood outing.
One reviewer called it a perfect spot to grab dinner before an event in Forest Hills, helped by cold beer, good service, and an excellent Pizza Margherita.
Prices can feel higher than a corner slice shop, especially with several toppings.
Some guests still feel the quality makes sense, while others think recent prices are steep.
Checking the menu before you go is a smart way to avoid surprises.
For the best first visit, keep the plan simple.
Go with one or two people, order a classic pie, add one salad or dessert, and give yourself time to enjoy the room.
Nick’s is not trying to be the loudest pizza name in New York.
It wins people over with thin crust, cozy energy, and the kind of neighborhood confidence that cannot be faked.