Storefront of Elements Pizzeria in Jackson Heights. Photo by Shane O’Brien
Aug. 16, 2024 By Shane O’Brien
A new pizzeria offering a range of classic New York-style pizza slices served with specialty dough is adding to the growing diversity of food options in Jackson Heights.
Elements Pizzeria, which opened at 83-01 Northern Blvd. at the end of June, is a joint venture by brothers Sami and David Velasquez and their friend Juan Tamayo.
The Velasquez brothers are no strangers to Jackson Heights, growing up in the neighborhood and opening the popular Parva Bakeshop & Café at 82-01 Northern Blvd. five years ago.
After the success of Parva, the Velasquez brothers wanted to expand their business and take on a new challenge.
“After working here for four and a half years, we found this corner,” Sami Velasquez said. “We said, ‘hey, what can we do around here that might be a little different than what we already have’.”
They settled on a pizzeria, opting to use their baking experience in the pizza business. They made pizza dough using sourdough and long fermentation—techniques already employed at Parva.
David and Sami acquired the space that would become Elements Pizzeria in December 2022, with Tamayo coming on board as a partner.
Juan Tamayo, David Velasquez, and Sami Velasquez at Elements Pizzeria. Photo by Shane O’Brien
Sami Velasquez, the mastermind behind the pizzeria’s food offerings, spent the last two years experimenting with pizza recipes and attending pizza conventions in Las Vegas, Atlantic City, and Chicago to perfect the menu at Elements.
“I’m always trying to learn, trying to innovate, and trying to get into a new rabbit hole,” Sami said. “It’s exciting to learn a new passion and a new trade.”
The trio also set about converting the space into a bright and airy pizzeria—complete with murals, vegetation, and one of David’s old motorcycles—an arduous process that took over 16 months to complete.
Interior mural at Elements Pizzeria. Photo by Shane O’Brien
The pizzeria offers a wide range of New York-style slices and pies, with slices starting at $3.50 and whole pies at $25. Alongside these, it features classic New York pizzeria staples like meatballs, garlic knots, and Caesar salads. The menu also includes a selection of milkshakes and craft beers, highlighting brews from New York and the Northeast coast.
The pizzeria’s Hawaiian slice – featuring fresh pineapples and a drizzle of hot honey – has been the most popular slice in the first six weeks of business, Sami said, attributing the slice’s popularity to the large Colombian community that lives near the restaurant.
Tamayo, who moved to New York from Colombia four years ago, said Hawaiian pizza is among the most popular types of pizza in Colombia.
Elements’ Margherita pizza, featuring stretched mozzarella and chunky tomato sauce, has also proved popular among guests, Sami said.
The pizzeria is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m. and can seat up to 24 guests. It employs seven staff members, excluding the three owners.
Elements is still developing products in its opening weeks, testing the market among its growing customer base. Sami said he is using the current period to develop new products for the restaurant, adding that wings and calzone will soon be on the menu.
“We don’t have any fryers or planchas (Spanish term for cooking plate),” Sami said. “Everything comes from the oven, so anything that we make has to be designed around that.”
The trio additionally hopes that its range of craft beers will tempt customers to come in for a pint and a slice in the evenings.
“We’re not necessarily trying to turn this into a bar, but we do want somebody to enjoy a really nice sourdough pizza with a craft beer,” Sami said, adding that the pizzeria will rotate its beer offerings on a seasonal basis.
David Velasquez said the restaurant adds to the growing culinary scene in Jackson Heights, noting that an Irish bar is also set to open across the street in the next two months.
David and Sami, who describe themselves as “foodies,” are happy to add something different to the neighborhood. They point out that there are a comparatively small number of pizzerias compared to other neighborhoods in the city.
From the outside, the pizzeria immediately draws the eye, thanks, in no small part, to a large, colorful mural depicting the 82nd St. subway station designed by Australian artist Sally Rumble.
Mural by Sally Rumble at Elements Pizzeria. Photo by Shane O’Brien
“We wanted to stand out,” Sami said. “That’s why we have the 7 train (painted) outside. We wanted to do something that’s very Jackson Heights, not just Queens, but Jackson Heights.”
Elements Pizza is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. You can order online for pickup or delivery by visiting elementspizzeriajacksonheights.com or through your favorite delivery apps.
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