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5 Towns / Far Rockaway Master Wiki
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Restaurants & Eateries – FOR THE MOST UP-TO-DATE LIST SEE: https://vaadhakashrus.org/establishments/
  • 550 Restaurant / FiveFifty – Upscale meat chop-house with creative plating (Central Ave.).
  • Adams Glatt – Butcher counter plus hot Israeli grill (Peninsula Blvd., Hewlett).
  • Ahuva’s Grill Express – Shawarma, laffas and salads to-go (Rockaway Tpke.).
  • Anju – Street-food–style Asian-fusion; small-plate focus (Cedarhurst Ave.).
  • Apron Masters Kitchen – Cooking-school storefront now selling prepared Shabbos meals.
  • Bagel Boys On Central – Classic NY bagel & dairy café; early-bird breakfast specials.
  • Barbacoa Burger House – Craft smash-burgers and smoked meats (Spruce St.).
  • Bean & Berry / That Pizza Joint – Dairy café with Detroit-style pies and açai bowls.
  • Berrylicious – Frozen-yogurt & crêpe bar (590 Central Ave.).
  • Blissful Events – Boutique caterer; seasonal boutique pop-ups (Far Rockaway).
  • Bogo Pizza – Buy-one-get-one pies & family combos (Rockaway Tpke.).
  • Bravo Kosher Pizza – Slice joint in Broadway Commons, Hewlett.
  • Burnside Pizza – Neighborhood pizza and salads (Inwood).
  • Café Chocolat – Dairy crêperie & chocolate café (Central Ave.).
  • Capri – Contemporary dairy Italian (Woodmere).
  • Carlos & Gabby’s – Long-running Tex-Mex grill (Washington Ave.).
  • Carving Block – Smokehouse meats, deli platters and pastrami on rye (Cedarhurst Ave.).
  • Central Perk Café – Breakfast & brunch spot with greenhouse seating (Cedarhurst Ave.).
  • Central Pizza Co. – Thin-crust & grandma pies plus pasta (Central Ave.).
  • Chap-A-Nosh – NY deli subs, burgers & the famous sesame chicken (Central Ave.).
  • Chefah Catering – Upscale off-premises caterer; lavish Shabbos packages.
  • Chickies – Crispy chicken sandwiches, fingers and salads (opened 2021).
  • Chimichurri Charcoal Chicken – Latin rotisserie & homestyle sides.
  • Doma – Upscale meat; rave steaks but some find portions small.
  • Hibana Hibachi – Tableside teppanyaki show; mains get mixed reviews.
  • Holy Schnitzel – Long-time chicken-sandwich staple; quality noted as uneven of late.
  • Off The Diet (“Famous Pita / Tanami”) – Israeli grill & shawarma on Broadway, Hewlett.
  • Sandwich Bar – Build-your-own panini & salad bowls (Rockaway Tpke.).
  • Smash House – Smash-burgers; faux-cheese Philly hailed as best value combo.

Groceries / Supermarkets / Meat Stores
  • Bingo Wholesale – Rockaway Tpke. Opened Feb 2024; huge kosher selection, liquor outlet next door.
  • Gourmet Glatt – Flagship kosher super-store; famous but pricey and challenging parking.
  • Stop & Shop – Lawrence – New, spacious branch in former K-Mart site.
  • Seasons – Central Ave. branch; solid prepared-food counter.
  • Kol Save – Budget meats and close-dated grocery deals.
  • Keneret Fresh Market – Butcher/take-out (Mehadrin 5T).

Shuls & Minyanim
  • White Shul (Kehillas Bais Yosef, FR) – Large Ashkenazi; multiple daily minyanim & learning programs.
  • Red Shul (KBYT) – Late-night Selichos & popular shiurim.
  • Shaare Emunah – Sephardic on Peninsula Blvd.; daily minyanim.
  • Hachaim V’Hashalom – 24-hour Beis HaMidrash-style minyan factory.
  • Other busy shuls: Aish Kodesh • The Shteeble • Yeshiva Darchei Torah • YFR Beis Medrash.

Hotels & Lodging
  • Five Towns Inn – Lawrence – Basic but walkable to many shuls.
  • Rockaway Hotel & Spa – Boutique option near beach; confirm eruv routes.
  • Hyatt Place Long Island/East End – About 1-hour east; bundles Aquarium tickets.
  • Standard JFK airport hotels (Hilton, Courtyard, TWA, etc.) are 10–15 min drive if you have post-Shabbos transport.

Things To Do / Attractions
  • Atlantic Beach Boardwalk – Closest ocean access; bridge toll $2 (Long Beach bridge free).
  • Long Island Aquarium – Riverhead – Full-day family outing; Hyatt guest discount available.
  • Woodmere / Hewlett Shopping Stroll – Boutiques & cafés; Target mini-store at Bay Harbour Mall.
  • Seasonal: Kapparos drive-through (Caffrey Ave.), Purim carnivals, local food festivals, etc.

Trip Reports (“TR”)

Restaurant Reviews / Ratings (from forum members)
  • Smash House – “Best value in the bunch… fake cheese outshines every other” – shiframeir
  • Hibana Hibachi – Fun show but mains “too salty” for some diners – Agoldsc1
  • Crave – Good food yet concept “made no sense”; closed Jan 2025 – Dan
  • Ondas – “Some of the best steaks I’ve ever had” – mochjas
  • Capri (Woodmere) – “Amazing and always empty – hope they stay open!” – Bookish
  • Early takes on Crave vs. Smash vs. Graze burgers – multiple mini-reviews in the main thread.



Services & Misc.
  • Precision Auto Body – Inwood – Frequently recommended for honest, quality work.
  • Cedar Plumbing – Reliable local plumber for small leak & boiler jobs.
  • Gas deals – Conoco (Peninsula & Rockaway) often cheapest with app discounts.


Help keep this wiki current! Edit this wiki in addition to replying below.


« Last edited by mevinyavin on Today at 01:30:26 AM »

Author Topic: 5 Towns/Rockaway Master Thread  (Read 1004521 times)

Offline Tuna Baygel

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Re: 5 Towns/Rockaway Master Thread
« Reply #1900 on: August 25, 2018, 11:46:28 PM »
its not so pashut they’re done. Possibly Lakewood and/or Baltimore is but not necessarily 5towns or queens. Supposedly these stores are making profits just working things out now with debt etc so they’re not on their game right now
Not on their game when referring to Lakewood is an understatement. Management consistently changing and a meat department which was the only reason I stepped in there now empty

Offline shiframeir

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Re: 5 Towns/Rockaway Master Thread
« Reply #1901 on: August 27, 2018, 02:52:22 AM »
Yup, it's called Five Fifty. I haven't been there yet, but it's always packed if that says anything (although most new restuarants have a succesful initial period). I did look at their menu, and it was limited but looked interesting. That was one of their first days open so it may have changed since then.
I just moved in and this place (five fifty) was walking distance so we went with the family. seems like its not busy anymore since DOMA took over five towns. was told the old chef from chagall is there (i didnt like chagall, but liked this place). high class with prices comparable to the Loft (i.e. one notch below reserve cut/mike's but higher than abigaels). we got like 7 apps and loved em all (except the salmon carpaccio wasnt amazing/reminded me of a lox restaurant flavor though the mrs liked it and the seared sesame tuna was a bit boring). lamb belly was ridic, and the duck with figs was special but a small portion for $22. tuna tartare was good but its always good everywhere.
i got the veal chop for $58 which was perfect (though that was really a mike's bistro price). kids got huge burgers with fries for $24. they also had chicken fingers. too stuffed for desert.
If u have money to burn :) and want a really nice quiet dinner in the five towns, this place is pretty good and definitely better than the Loft imho, though not sure how long it will last not full on a sunday night...
menu is here without prices. http://www.greatkosherrestaurants.com/kosher_images/uploads/1784236095menu_550.pdf

Offline ushdadude

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Re: 5 Towns/Rockaway Master Thread
« Reply #1902 on: August 27, 2018, 08:26:44 AM »
I just moved in and this place (five fifty) was walking distance so we went with the family. seems like its not busy anymore since DOMA took over five towns. was told the old chef from chagall is there (i didnt like chagall, but liked this place). high class with prices comparable to the Loft (i.e. one notch below reserve cut/mike's but higher than abigaels). we got like 7 apps and loved em all (except the salmon carpaccio wasnt amazing/reminded me of a lox restaurant flavor though the mrs liked it and the seared sesame tuna was a bit boring). lamb belly was ridic, and the duck with figs was special but a small portion for $22. tuna tartare was good but its always good everywhere.
i got the veal chop for $58 which was perfect (though that was really a mike's bistro price). kids got huge burgers with fries for $24. they also had chicken fingers. too stuffed for desert.
If u have money to burn :) and want a really nice quiet dinner in the five towns, this place is pretty good and definitely better than the Loft imho, though not sure how long it will last not full on a sunday night...
menu is here without prices. http://www.greatkosherrestaurants.com/kosher_images/uploads/1784236095menu_550.pdf
Welcome to the neighborhood
Nice review. We liked it as well . Their takeout is supposed to be really good as well although I never tried it

Offline Yankee123

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Re: 5 Towns/Rockaway Master Thread
« Reply #1903 on: August 27, 2018, 04:06:06 PM »
I stopped reading at "nitch"
Correction:
We have been contacted by Heller, Horowitz & Feit, P.C. who are counsel to Kissena Glatt Farms, LLC and its owner, Mr. Aron Hirtz. They have stated that “contrary to the factual assertion in the article, our clients (i) did not “put in a bid” for the store; and (ii) are not “desperate to buy it.” They demand that we immediately remove the reference to their clients in the article and publish a statement  acknowledging that the initial reference to their clients in the article and publish a statement acknowledging that the initial reference was in error and that we regret the mistake.  ;D ;D

Offline E R K

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Re: 5 Towns/Rockaway Master Thread
« Reply #1904 on: August 27, 2018, 04:56:52 PM »
There’s a store in Great Neck called Best Market that just opened kosher meat/fish Dept. inside a regular grocery store. All the Seasons meat guys from Queens are there.

Offline springles

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Re: 5 Towns/Rockaway Master Thread
« Reply #1905 on: August 27, 2018, 06:56:46 PM »
Welcome to the neighborhood
Nice review. We liked it as well . Their takeout is supposed to be really good as well although I never tried it
their takeout is very good. I haven't been impressed by the dine in though.

Offline shiframeir

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Re: 5 Towns/Rockaway Master Thread
« Reply #1906 on: August 27, 2018, 06:59:00 PM »
their takeout is very good. I haven't been impressed by the dine in though.
i didnt notice a takeout section or a menu, is it at the same entrance you just ask for takeout? do they have a shabbos/yom tov menu?

Also, anyone know of like a shwarma place in five towns open late (like midnight)? whats my best bet for after 11?

Offline Sammy82

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Re: 5 Towns/Rockaway Master Thread
« Reply #1907 on: August 27, 2018, 07:03:55 PM »
i didnt notice a takeout section or a menu, is it at the same entrance you just ask for takeout? do they have a shabbos/yom tov menu?

Also, anyone know of like a shwarma place in five towns open late (like midnight)? whats my best bet for after 11?

Ahuva's express

Offline ushdadude

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Re: 5 Towns/Rockaway Master Thread
« Reply #1908 on: August 27, 2018, 07:35:01 PM »
i didnt notice a takeout section or a menu, is it at the same entrance you just ask for takeout? do they have a shabbos/yom tov menu?

Also, anyone know of like a shwarma place in five towns open late (like midnight)? whats my best bet for after 11?
I think it's the entrance next door. The only thing I had from there was a smoked fish platter which was really good if you like that kind of thing .

Offline am7734

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Re: 5 Towns/Rockaway Master Thread
« Reply #1909 on: August 27, 2018, 11:38:20 PM »

Also, anyone know of like a shwarma place in five towns open late (like midnight)? whats my best bet for after 11?
Sushi Tokyo, Holy Schnitzel on Thursdays(?)....

Offline shiframeir

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Re: 5 Towns/Rockaway Master Thread
« Reply #1910 on: August 28, 2018, 12:06:09 AM »
Sushi Tokyo, Holy Schnitzel on Thursdays(?)....
Ahuva's express
i made it to ahuvas express (closes at 11 sun-wednesday then 2am thurs), holy shnitzel is also 11. thx

Offline sammyp

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Re: 5 Towns/Rockaway Master Thread
« Reply #1911 on: August 29, 2018, 07:44:54 PM »
Just got pulled over by a Nassau County anti-semitic police offer and received seat belt ticket.

But I was wearing a seat belt!

I was wearing the seat belt, with the strap behind my back. He said since there is no code for wearing a seat belt improperly, he just has to write "no seat belt". And that's what I was ticketed for.

Does anybody know if there is a law how I need to wear my seat-belt? And if he is allowed to write "no seat-belt" if I really was?

The cops name is M. Witter

Offline sams

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Re: 5 Towns/Rockaway Master Thread
« Reply #1912 on: August 29, 2018, 07:58:40 PM »
Just got pulled over by a Nassau County anti-semitic police offer and received seat belt ticket.

But I was wearing a seat belt!

I was wearing the seat belt, with the strap behind my back. He said since there is no code for wearing a seat belt improperly, he just has to write "no seat belt". And that's what I was ticketed for.

Does anybody know if there is a law how I need to wear my seat-belt? And if he is allowed to write "no seat-belt" if I really was?

The cops name is M. Witter
How do you know he was antisemite?

Offline sammyp

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Re: 5 Towns/Rockaway Master Thread
« Reply #1913 on: August 29, 2018, 08:01:54 PM »
How do you know he was antisemite?

Attitude. Was obvious.

Offline am7734

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Re: 5 Towns/Rockaway Master Thread
« Reply #1914 on: August 29, 2018, 08:14:01 PM »
Attitude. Was obvious.

maybe he really really dislikes people who wear their seatbelt in that manner.....?

Offline am7734

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Re: 5 Towns/Rockaway Master Thread
« Reply #1915 on: August 29, 2018, 08:20:37 PM »
In all seriousness, I once got pulled for "not wearing my seatbelt" when I was wearing it, so I feel your pain. This was in Brooklyn on coney island ave and got it off after hiring a lawyer.

Offline mochjas

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Re: 5 Towns/Rockaway Master Thread
« Reply #1916 on: August 29, 2018, 08:24:11 PM »
In all seriousness, I once got pulled for "not wearing my seatbelt" when I was wearing it, so I feel your pain. This was in Brooklyn on coney island ave and got it off after hiring a lawyer.
how is it worth it to hire a lawyer it'll cost more than the $150 ticket

Offline am7734

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Re: 5 Towns/Rockaway Master Thread
« Reply #1917 on: August 29, 2018, 08:25:34 PM »
how is it worth it to hire a lawyer it'll cost more than the $150 ticket
great question.

Offline ushdadude

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Re: 5 Towns/Rockaway Master Thread
« Reply #1918 on: August 29, 2018, 08:51:11 PM »
as an aside, you should never wear your seat belt like that (sorry for preaching)

Offline Sport

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Re: 5 Towns/Rockaway Master Thread
« Reply #1919 on: August 29, 2018, 09:19:23 PM »
how is it worth it to hire a lawyer it'll cost more than the $150 ticket
Points?