The Lemon Ice King of Corona

My husband grew up going here whenever he came to visit family and he has been raving about it constantly since we moved to New Jersey from California. We finally made our way up here this weekend. It took us forever to get here after leaving a Mets game (it took us nearly an hour due to closed roads and traffic). I had the pineapple ice and my husband had the chocolate. It was pretty good but not as flavorful as I had expected. It’s a good place to stop in for the experience of eating ice from a paper cup that is slowly soaking through.

The ice king of Corona. RULZj. It’s conveniently located a few blocks away from my apartment. I go there all the time.
Pleasant, efficient staff. Amazing ices. So many different flavors try the bubble gum!
They also have other sweet treats like candy apples.
This place is a MUST if you are in Corona

Vast selection of flavored ices! Half of which I never knew existed. I came with my girlfriend cause we watch kings of queens and this was a place we’ve wanted to try since the episode Doug dropped his ice and we finally got the chance to try it. I ordered the lemon ice which was their most popular and it tasted really for a lack of better work lemony. My girlfriend for the mango ice which wasn’t my favorite. Both the ices in my opinion were a little too sweet but the flavors were on point. Also they are open 365 a year so you can get ices anytime.

A visit back home isn’t complete without a stop at the Lemon Ice King. You can’t go wrong with any flavor here, but the classics are definitely delicious.

This place has been a family staple since my Dad was a kid. These are by far the best Italian ices I’ve ever had. I don’t live near by so I only get to stop here on random occasional trips out to Long Island, but it’s always worth it!
Peanut butter, vanilla choc chip and pistachio are our favorites.

Came here around 10pm on a fairly chilly day and there was no line all. Located on the corner, it’s bright white lights really stood out to me on a dark night and I love the old fashioned vintage feel. There were many many many different floors and I chose mango, which was disappointing. It tasted too artificial to me and not as tart as I would like it to be. The consistency of the icy was perfect though. So I gave it another try and got the pistachio flavor. And it was even worst. I didn’t even finish it. Given all the flavors, I would definitely love to try a different flavor and hopefully it’ll be better.

Cannot decide which is better between lemon and pineapple so I’m not gonna choose and will always walk off with both in my hands. I’m a fatty at heart and in person. Don’t you judge me!

Benfaremos was and is, for the most part, the Italian tradition in Corona. If you grew up here, you’ll remember the king just as you remember this part of Corona. You know the red striped Q23s, the blue striped B58s, the Redbirds in the distance on Roosevelt. The lumberyard, the window dealer, the Italian markets, the Precision calipers factory on 47^th. You have Meet the Mets by heart, and the PS14 school song. You know where Corona pizza used to be before the move, Parkside is a wiseguy joint, and that the 4^th of July fireworks in the triangle park was sponsored by them. Knowing that, you don’t ever litter in that park, ever, since who knows who the guys playing Bocce are, they could be respectable men keeping an eye on things, capiche. Benfaremos has the best Lemon ice, period. Cold, tart, sweet, natural tasting and scooped by youths from a window in all seasons and all weather. You want to know what it means to have a perfect New York City summer’s day? Old Muscle car with the radio turned up, hydrant splashing water on the corner, and that ice — in a paper cup.
Well, that was old school. Most of the goombahs moved onwards, and this part of Corona is nowadays Colombian/​Ecuadorean/​Mexican. however, if you look carefully, there are still a few Italian places left — Parkside is still quite good (and we are not questioning that claim, capiche?!), Leo’s Mama Latticini on 104^th makes a delectable sandwich, Corona pizza has a mean local Vinnie pie, and despite the fact that there are Empanada and Lechon joints all over, Benfaremos still scoop their ice the same way. Still taste cold sweet tart light and refreshing, and still a pride of Corona and our fair city. That 7-​Eleven across the street selling squishees? Fugedaboutit, you want the lemon ice from Benfaremos. The only hometown ice sold in Local Vinnie joints in the five boroughs and in Citi Field.
This is the real deal, this is our slice of New York. Manhattan might have the money, the Bronx the street creds, Brooklyn might have the hipsters and the stroller mafia and Staten island might be the home of our bravest, but Queens? We have the World’s Fair, the 7 train, and Benafaremos. The Mets might not be good all the time, but the ice sure is, and that’s all we need.

Grew up in this neighborhood have been getting ices in here since the 60’s, it never seems to change… the quality is excellent and they got 30 or more flavors all natural and all fresh. i highly recommend you stop here.

It’s so damn Corona! The shop has been open for over 60 years and it’s such a staple in the neighborhood, I think Lemon Ice King of Corona and Park Side are the two places that identify Corona. The shop is tiny, it’s just a counter, and literally across the street from Park Side and the park with the Bocce Ball. When it comes to Italian Ice in New York, this is the place you visit. This place gets crazy packed in the Summer time and parking can be a pain but it’s all worth it for NYC history.
The food:
Rainbow Ice– To me this is quintessential flavor, when I think Italian Ice, this is what I think of. The one here is great, it really takes me back to when I was a kid growing up in Queens and it’s worth getting based on pure nostalgia alone. Also, the prices are cheap, if I am not mistaken, a single scoop was like $ 1.50.

Had the pleasure of growing up right down the block from the King Of Ice, 52ave. Needless to say it was the only Italian Ice I new and of course LOVED. It’s FAMILY tradition alone, makes it stand alone… Not one bad flavor in the place… HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!

Been going here over 50 years. I don’t feel bad that I didn’t write a Unilocal!review until now because there was no Unilocal!until 2004. Bottom Line: This is the Holy Grail of Italian Ices.
The flavors are fantastic and authentic. All the «standard» flavors (Lemon, Chocolate, Rainbow, Cherry) are delicious. But, the real treat (treats) is enjoying their specialty flavors: Peanut Butter is off-​the-​charts. Pistachio is fantastic. Rum Raisin is amazing. Tangerine tastes VERY different from Orange. Fruit Cocktail is loaded with mixed fruit. If you haven’t been here… here’s a suggestion: Order a smaller size. Enjoy it. Then go back to the window and order a second flavor. It’s a real NYC /​Queens landmark. Go. You won’t be disappointed.

Have been visiting this location for years now, and I can say that I am planning to return here, maybe one day with my children ;) I loved one of the reviewer here, who wrote that this is not a hipster over rated cool place, this place was here before the hipsters, and will be here long after. The tasted here takes you back to days when everything was simpler, and when you could just enjoy some taste in a cup. You don’t see many places like this anymore, which makes this one uniqe.

Lemon Ice King is a jewel located in Queens. My grandfather took my father here and now my father took me here. It’s that old school vintage Lemon ices. Freshly made and it has that home made taste to it. Cannot think of a negative thing to say about this place except for the fact that the lines in the summer time get pretty long but hey that’s a sign that they’re doing something right.

Great lemon Ice! Worth the drive. I love that you can walk right up to the window.

Ignore all the reviews about «kids having attitude» or «lack of mixing sucks» or Ralph’s has better ices. Anyone who is writing those reviews just doesn’t get it.
This isn’t cream ices (which is a lame way of saying «crap ice cream»), this isn’t a fancy hipster ices place (no tarragon or Durian here).
The Lemon Ice King is a straightforward ices place. A flavor (generally fruit) in a cup.
They use the best ingredients, for the best flavor. If you don’t like ices then don’t go.
Stand back, look at the menu, select the flavor and size you want, step to the window and order. Keep it simple.
For those of you foodies.
Excellent mouth feel. The ice crystals are tiny, so each lick you get it all over your tongue.
You can tell the ingredients are not fake.
My favorites are
Peanut Butter (amazing)
Vanilla Chip (this is excellent but can get a little much if you get the large)
Lemon
I have been coming here since I was a kid. 30 + years. A place like this can’t exist unless it is excellent.
Parking is a bit of a pain in the butt, but if you have two people have one jump out and order.
Cash only (it isn’t expensive. You have $ 3 in your pocket)

Probably Corona’s best kept jewel… Rita’s Italian Ice and Ralph’s Italian Ices are just a notch below the true king of lemon ice! It’s on the corner of the block with a large «The Lemon Ice King of Corona» sign in white and blue.
There are no seats, just a couple of counters where you can order, admire the lemon ice in all its glory and goodness, and then eat ‘em! Service is quick and efficient and prices are quite cheap too ($ 1.50 for a small, meaning five bucks can get you 3 awesome flavors). During the summertime they open till quite late, about 11ish. You might see a queue, but it’s usually only a couple minutes and you will probably need that time anyways to pick out your flavors!
Out of the handful of flavors I have tried (lemon, cherry, oreo, blueberry, mango, peach, pineapple, and probably a few more), none of them have disappointed. The places I mentioned earlier might have certain flavors that are overly sweet, too watery, or just weird-​tasting. Here at Lemon Ice King though, you will see actual bits of fruit in your smooth ices. And when I say smooth, I mean there is not a single grain of ice — be careful of the brainfreeze though!

I would have given this place a better rating but a few of the kids here have the most disgusting nastiest attitudes. We will not return!!! I’d prefer to go to Ralph’s in college point or Whitestone or bayside at least their staff always has a smile and talks to you!
No thanks lemon ice king teach your shitty spoiled kids some manners

This rap song is brought to you by «Lemonem», a Corona-​based rapper who loves the ice here more than he loves his own mother. Actually he can’t stand his mother but that’s beside the point.
May I have your attention please?
Will the real Lemon Ice King please stand up?
Y’all act like you never seen a Lemon Ice King before
Jaws all on the floor like Kevin James just broke the frame of the door
And started over-​eating even worse than before
It’s the return of the… «Ah, wait, no way, you’re kidding,
He didn’t just say they have the flavour I think he said, did he?»
And Dr. Dre said… nothing, you idiots!
Dr. Dre’s got his mouth full of Lemon Ice in my basement!
Yeah, I probably got a couple cups of Lemon Ice melting in my back seat
But no worse than the Watermelon Ice in your parents’ bedroom
Sometimes, I wanna get on TV and just eat Lemon Ice but can’t
But it’s cool for Peyton Manning to hump the Papa John’s guy
«My Pizza is on your lips, my Pizza is on your lips»
And if I’m lucky, you might just give the driver a little tip
And that’s the pizza that we deliver to little kids
And expect them to grow up knowing what real food is
Of course they gonna know what Lemon Ice is
By the time they hit fourth grade
They saw the credits for «King Of Queens» didn’t they?
But if we can eat dead animals and antelopes
Then there’s no reason a man and another man can’t put Lemon Ice down their throats
But if you feel like I feel, I got the Italian vote
Women wave your pantyhose, hit me up and down I go!
‘Cause I’m Unilocal’s Fox E, yes I’m the real Fox E
All you other Lemon Ice stands don’t taste this good to me
So won’t the real Lemon Ice King please stand up,
Please stand up, please stand up?
A few words while we wait for «Lemonem» to begin his verbal diatribe again. We’re talking about some of the best Lemon Ice you’ll ever taste in your life. There’s a reason this place is famous and wildly popular. It’s not only dirt cheap, it’s refreshing and amazing. The traditional Lemon Ice is my fave flavor, but everything I’ve tasted here is magnificent.
If you like spending nights with Lemurs, then you’ll prefer the «Lemur Nights King Of Corona», and if you have some awfully lame Reeboks, then I assure you, I have some «Lamer Nikes King Of Corona.»
There’s a good reason why this was saved to be one of my «final 10 reviews of NYC» and that’s because it’s one of my fave places to get dessert in the whole country. It’s second only to Mario’s in Chicago as the best Lemon Ice I’ve ever had.
Oh, funny story. The first time I showed up here, I asked for Lemon Ice and they looked at me like I was crazy. They were all dressed up like the Amish and a buggy with horses was outside the store. I then realized I was in the wrong place. I’d gone to the «Mennonites King Of Corona» instead.
Service is nice sometimes, but it depends who you get. Don’t expect to be treated like a Queen (even if you’re a Queen, or a fan of Queen, or Brian May himself). Also they often close at random times, depending on how busy it is, so my advice is to get here wayyyy before closing, and to call them ahead of time to find out when closing is.
Now without further ado, it’s back to «Lemonem.»
Will Smith don’t gotta eat Lemon Ice to write reviews;
Well I do, so f*ck him and f*ck you too!
You think I give a damn about a Ham Sammy?
Half of food critics can’t even stomach my reviews, let alone stand me
«But Fox E, what if you get bubble gum flavor, wouldn’t it be weird?»
Why? So you guys could just give them their worst review in years?
So you can laugh about it while you listen to Britney Spears?
Yo, Christina Aguilera better switch me chairs
So I can sit next to Carson Daly and Fred Durst
And hear ‘em argue over who gets to eat Lemon Ice first
Little Unilocalers, put me on blast on Unilocal Talk NYC
«Yeah, he’s cute, but I think he’s married to Starlight, hee-​hee!»
I should show the whole world how you gave Fox E «FUC“s
And there’s a million Unilocalers just like me
Who cuss like me; who just don’t give a f**k like me
Who write like me; taste, chew and eat like me
It just might be the next best thing but not Fox E!
‘Cause I’m Unilocal’s Fox E, yes I’m the real Fox E
All you other Lemon Ice stands don’t taste this good to me
So won’t the real Lemon Ice King please stand up,
Please stand up, please stand up?

Move over Rita’s, Ralph’s and all the other wannabe vendors, this place is legit. Perfectly refreshing Italian ices are just what you need to survive this heat. There are no seats, just order at the window counter.
–Cherry — You can’t mess up a classic cherry flavored ice and this place does it right. I’m trying to order other flavors, but I falling back onto this one.
–Piña Colada — Closest thing you can get to the actual drink minus the alcohol.
–Lemon Lime — not sure why the sister chose this out of all the other ones offered. Not bad but just a bit too tart and overpowering for an ice.
–Watermelon — Hell it tastes like an iced Jolly Rancher, a bit artificial but I oddly still loved it.
–Coffee — Was expecting a bold flavor but I don’t think it translates well as an ice flavor.
Every ice is so incredibly smooth, minus the annoying frozen water ice crystals from chain establishments. The prices are super cheap and wallet friendly. Parking around this area may be annoying, but the end result is worth the struggle.

Stopped by here the other night after about 3 or 4 years of going to Ralph’s instead. I remember why I stopped coming here. The flavors at Ralph’s is so much better, and they don’t give you a headache about mixing flavors.
The kids that were serving us seemed more interested in joking with each other and their friends who were ordering ices as well.
Definitely NOT worth the hype, head to Ralph’s in New Hyde Park or Bayside instead

Excellent flavor in the fruit cocktail flavor! Loved it but the price and portions leave much to de desired.
The flavors available pale in comparison to Ralphs.

I love coming here in the summer. I’ve been coming here for years, since I was a child. Every flavor is so good ! A small ice is $ 2 and it’s just the right amount to refresh you.
Highly recommended.

I get that this place is a staple of the neighborhood and even of New York in the eyes of some. That is precisely the reason I have given this place so many chances. The service is stellar, they are super quick and very nice. The prices are also great for what you are getting. The overall flavor is what i have to take issue with.
It’s just way too sweet and that is to be said of all of them. The mint chip tasted like mint extract, the cherry is wicked sweet with no tang, and the only one I was semi happy with was the cookies and cream. The paper cups also have got to go, they don’t hold up against the icey at all.

A Queens institution is as good as ever! I’ve been going to Lemon Ice King for 35+ years, so when I was back in NY, I had to stop by.
I recommend the following: Lemon (of course), Cantelope, Fruit Cocktail, Watermelon, Pistachio, Peanut Butter and Rum Raisin! You will find chunks of «real» fruit and/​or chips, raisins, PB pieces in their ices.
I was pleasantly surprised that the quality hasn’t changed and the experience is how I remembered it. Note: if you get some to go, grab the insulated bags and the ½ gallon tubs are great for parties. Bring cash, no cards and don’t ask to mix… they won’t do it!
Enjoy and have fun!

Just had Orange/​vanilla. Basically a creamsickle. Wow. Awesome.
Wish they would allow you to mix flavored. Haven’t met a flavoring didn’t like yet.

So simple, yet so perfect for a hot summer day. As my friend puts it, «the flavors are so infused with the ice that you can’t suck the flavor out of it.» I tried the lemon, it was a perfect mix of lemon hint and sweetness. $ 1.50 a cup. Yes.

Peanut Butter icy was delicious! Don’t go for the sugar free option, really doesn’t have much flavor to it.
Huge variety of ices so whatever you are craving I’m sure they have the flavor!

My BF lives in Corona so he’s been trying to take me here for a long time.
We had a very filling dinner prior to this so I may need to do a redo of this spot to give a better recommendation.
The place had a line at 9pm on a Tuesday evening which is saying a lot. There wasn’t anything going on in the area so I was a little confused.
I got the Orange vanilla & it was good, I wasn’t floored & it was cold. I have no complaints but I wasn’t awfully shocked at how incredibly icy & mouthwatering or refreshing.

Ralph’s ices who??? If your in the corona area stop by The lemon ice kings and cool off with a yummy icy. Prices are decent but the only thing that sucks is that you cant mix flavors =(
So I recommend u buy 2 smalls for a $ 1.50 since a medium is $ 3 lol. My favorite flavors are Lemon and cherry. With every lick you taste a piece of fruit or even find a seed in your lemon ice mmmmmm. So refreshing and a perfect summer treat. Many flavors to choose from.