Benfaremo- The Lemon Ice King Of Corona

An absolute NYC classic. Every flavor here hits, but the lemon-lime takes the cake—it’s the perfect balance of tart and sweet. Pro tip: it’s cash only, so come prepared. Whether it’s a hot summer day, a casual first date, or you just need something to turn a frown upside down, this spot always delivers. There’s a reason it’s been around forever—it’s simple, iconic, and unbeatable.

Located at 52-02 108th Street in Corona, Queens, The Lemon Ice King of Corona has been a beloved institution since 1944. Founded by Nicola Benfaremo and later run by his son Peter, this iconic Italian ice shop has become synonymous with summer in New York City. Its fame even extended to television, featuring in the opening credits of the sitcom The King of Queens. Authentic Italian Ices What sets The Lemon Ice King apart is its commitment to traditional, dairy-free Italian ices. Crafted in-house using small-batch churning, these ices achieve a creamy, semi-solid texture without any dairy ingredients. This method results in a smooth, refreshing treat that captures the essence of real fruit flavors. Flavorful Selections With over 40 flavors available, there's something for every palate. The classic lemon remains a favorite, offering a balance of tartness and sweetness that refreshes on hot days. Other popular choices include cherry, rainbow, and the uniquely rich peanut butter, which contains chunks of peanuts throughout. It's important to note that mixing flavors isn't permitted, encouraging patrons to savor each flavor individually. Community and Tradition Beyond the delightful ices, The Lemon Ice King is a cornerstone of the Corona community. The shop operates from a walk-up window, maintaining a nostalgic charm that harks back to its early days. Across the street, Flushing Meadows-Corona Park offers a perfect spot to enjoy your treat while watching local bocce games, adding to the authentic neighborhood experience. Final Thoughts The Lemon Ice King of Corona isn't just a place to grab a frozen treat; it's a slice of New York history. Its dedication to quality, tradition, and community has solidified its status as a must-visit destination for both locals and tourists seeking an authentic taste of Queens.

Historic place with homemade Italian Style Ices. Many Flavors to choose from. If you ask for a spoon they'll give you one! Young kids serve you and they are respectful and helpful.

The Lemon Ice King of Corona is a true neighborhood institution! This iconic spot has been serving the most incredible Italian ices for decades, and it never disappoints. Whether you’re a local or visiting, this place is an absolute must-visit. The flavors are as authentic and refreshing as ever, with each bite bursting with the perfect balance of sweetness and ice-cold satisfaction. You can taste the tradition in every scoop. It’s no wonder this spot has been a staple in the area for so long. Consistent, nostalgic, and always delicious, The Lemon Ice King of Corona is a timeless gem that deserves all the praise it gets. Do yourself a favor and stop by—you’ll be hooked for life!

The Lemon Ice King of Corona is a hidden gem in New York that serves up some of the best ice cream I've ever had. The shop has a fun and inviting atmosphere, and the staff are friendly and welcoming. But what truly sets The Lemon Ice King of Corona apart is their almond sorbet. It was rich and delicious, with the perfect balance of almond flavor and creaminess. Every spoonful was a delightful treat and left me wanting more. In addition to the delicious sorbet, the service at The Lemon Ice King of Corona was outstanding. The staff were friendly and made the experience even more enjoyable. I highly recommend The Lemon Ice King of Corona to anyone looking for a delicious and memorable ice cream experience in New York. Whether you're in the mood for sorbet, ice cream, or something in between, this shop has something for everyone. Overall, The Lemon Ice King of Corona is a must-visit for anyone looking for an exceptional dessert experience.

Came here on a nice warm day and I definitely need to go back to try more flavors. I got the peanut butter one and really enjoyed it. I also got it medium size for $4 and it was enough for me, so expect a good serving and great-tasting ice!

Incredible. Hard to describe how good this is on a hot NYC day. The best flavors. Cherry 🍒 is the best! Tangerine 🍊 is perfectly balanced. Really helps beat the heat. Good prices too. Bring cash, tip well.

Should have gone with cherry flavor. The spumoni is okay only. Wish we could sample more, there's so many flavors but only allowed one, maybe two if lucky. Also you can't combine flavors so if you get a bigger cup, it all has to be one flavor. This is a big disadvantage versus a Ralph's where you can have say up to 4 for a pint. The parking is hard, expect to walk ten minutes unless you're lucky.

Once a year my local running club runs from Woodside to Corona on the 4th of July. While it's only about a 3-ish mile journey, it's in the heat of summer with often full sun so the promise of refreshing lemon ice at the end is what pushes us there. I've done this run four out of the last five years and every time have gotten the "rainbow" flavor which consists of cherry, lemon, blue raspberry - it's patriotic in it's red, white, and blue coloring and tastes amazing - like a bomb pop of sorts. There are 50+ flavors, including sugar free options, but I have only tried the rainbow. My fellow runners have tried many of the other flavors though. Single serve sizes range from small ($3.00) to super ($6.00). Typically I order at least a super but have been know to get a super and another smaller size. It's just so refreshing! Also I appreciate how they scoop the ice into the cups with it overflowing at the top - you get your money's worth for sure. Takeaway containers are also available including pints ($8), quarts ($12), 1/2 gallon ($16), and party tub ($55). The last three years I have also brought home a 1/2 gallon of the rainbow. This year I saw that they also sell insulated bags for $1 so you can get your takeaway ice home in its frozen state. Note, they don't accept bills over $20, and they are cash only. Their hours are extensive - Monday-Saturday 11am-10pm and Sunday 12pm-10pm, and they're open year round. I definitely need to start making the trek here more than once a year.

What's summer without Lemon Ice King? Disappointing. After attending US Open free day, we walked over for a refreshing treat on a hot summer day! That day I had pineapple. So good!

A staple in Corona! This ice place has a huge variety of flavors and I have a difficult time choosing everytime. Luckily, they do offer samples and the variety of cup sizes are nice if you don't want too much. I asked for a sample of the lemon which is the most popular flavor and it was very good. Then, I ordered a small cup of orange vanilla for $3. The orange vanilla is icey but also has a creamy flavor to it. However, I think I prefer when it's vanilla ice cream with a orange icey better. I will definitely be back for more of the fruitier flavors! The place has a huge walk up window and is located in a popular area of Corona so it will be difficult to find parking. Staff are very nice and line moves quick. Highly recommend this place for icey!

I was in the neighborhood and wanted to get icy on a hot day. I was looking intently at the menu when someone said "get the peanut butter. It's my favorite." So I got the peanut butter, and omg it was so good. Little chunks of peanut butter chips in every bite. Turns out that man was a staff. What a great recommendation.

Still old school Italian ice even though the neighborhood isn't Italian. Great to see people come from far. The fresh fruit makes it 10/10 good

The original ice king. You can't beat it. Quick service. Local small spot on the corner walk up counter. You can't beat the rainbow

Wonderful place! Great selection and always refreshing! Enjoy this place every time I'm in the neighborhood! Service is also solid!

I love this place! Always a line but ices are so refreshing! Lots of flavors so check the selections before you get on line . It goes fast!

Simply the best. Lemon Ice King is one of the most famous spots in Queens. An icy brings back so much nostalgia about childhood that I think you should visit if you are in the area. The icy aren't too sweet and you can taste the quality of the dessert. You get that 'WoW' factor. It makes me want to order one just writing the review. Service is quick. This is a no frill place. The lines are long in the summer. Folks usually loitering a bit on the sideway. It has the old new york summer time feel to it. If you haven't been here, you should. It becomes a core memory in your life.

Cash only! Every time we visit NYC, we always make time for the Ice King! It's worth the trek, staff are nice, they have any flavor you can dream of, and the taste is something you can't find anywhere else. Trust me, it's unassuming, but soooooo delicious.

Why did I wait so long to go?!? It was my first time and I had double-checked on Yelp to make sure it was open. I stood in front like a kid in front of a candy store - only to realize it was CLOSED. It was supposed to be open - I double-checked and everything! So, I called the number, asking me to leave a message - I hung up. As I am walking back to my car, saddened by the long journey and returning empty-handed, my phone rings. It's Mike, the Lemon Ice King himself - returning my call!! He was running late for a family errand and saw someone walking away from the front; he checked and saw a number called but no message. The Universe was smiling on me!! I returned quickly and tried several samples as we talked about how the neighborhood had changed over the years. Peanut butter was the Sleeper - I was surprised at how much I liked it!! Mike was generous with the samples and even better at the conversation - He is a Kind Soul doling out Happiness, one scoop at a time... It took me decades to get here - don't make that same mistake and go as soon as you can!!

You have to support a decades old family run business...it's lasted this long for a reason! Delicious flavors, great texture, and efficient (note: not the most friendly) service makes this a true NY gem.

Hit the spot. My sons been wanting to come here for months. We finally came today. The owners were so nice and friendly.

I can't say much about this spot that hasn't already been said. It's f'n good. We did two rounds of flavors each (smalls) because we really just wanna try it out. There's something a bit magical about the smooth, icy-ness of it all. I had no idea Italian ice could or should be this good. The young cashier that served us was super sweet and prompt; he also didn't make us feel weird about getting two rounds =) Grab a cup or two and just chill outside of this place and enjoy while the world passes by.

Corona queens classic. What's better than a neighborhood Italian ice on a hot summer day? Great family service, this place is a community stable. Parking is hard to come by but don't be an afraid to do like the locals and double it up! Many flavors and a couple sugar free ones too . Had the lemon lime and strawberry banana. Both absolutely delicious.

The OG of ices! Love coming here in the summer and trying out different flavors with my little cousins they have so many flavors to choose from great place to go to for dessert or if it's a hot summer day highly recommend this spot

A little gem in the heart of Corona. This place offers a variety of icee. They are freshly homemade and reasonable pricing. They offer several sizes. I can tell you I tried the peanut butter icee. This is one that I was hesitant on trying because well the sound of it was not appetizing. I decided to try it and I can say this is my favorite! It has peanut butter chunks in it. Pineapple and mango are also good.

The flavors burst in your month. Absolutely flavorful! You will not be disappointed! When I travel to Queens this is a must stop.

I have been coming here since I was a child and now I able to bring my own child to enjoy an italian ice here. There is usually a long line but I got lucky and only had to wait a couple of minutes. Be aware that they only take cash (not convenient). The prices have obviously risen since I have been coming here; a small ice will run you for $4 and a super size $6. Despite that, the flavors are just amazing. My go to favorite has always been coconut. The taste is not overpowering and it is very refreshing on a hot summer day. I also really enjoy their lemon flavor. This spot is definitely worth trying.

Heard about this place many years ago as a kid and always wanted to go. Well we finally went. It was nice to see a line outside because it increased my anticipation. Guy behind counter was nice. Ices were flavorful. For $10 we got sm. Lemon, sm. Blueberry and med. Pistachio. Worth the trip to this famous little spot.

many flavors of lemon ices. The staff are jerks. Queens level of customer service. But it's fun and featured in the opening credits of King of Queens. located in a used-to-be Italian neighborhood now Mexican.

Great when I was a kid, and still the champ! The ices are available in pizzerias, but nothing beats going there

It took me three whole summers to try every single flavor here (other than mint, which is still on the flavor board but no longer being offered.) The verdict: -Best fruit flavors: strawberry banana, orange vanilla -Best non-fruit flavors: mint chip, peanut butter -Worst flavors: licorice, apple, rum raisin -Underrated: coffee, vanilla chip, peanut butter -Scary amount of food coloring but still delicious: pistachio -Get it even if you have no idea what it is: spumoni -Not worth getting unless it's in a combo: vanilla With over 40 flavors, you are bound to find a flavor you enjoy. They are cash only, starting at $3 for a small.

Good icee in Queens and super famous! We came on Sunday evening and there was a short line growing. I am not a fan of fruit flavored icees so I tried the PB medium flavor. It was $4. I thought the cup looked small at first but it lasts a while. The PB was tasty and had pieces of peanuts inside. My husband got the cherry flavor. He liked it but it tasted too much like medicine for me.

If you want the best ices in Queens go to the Lemon Ice King of Corona they are delicious Have been going there for years My favorite is vanilla chocolate chip, my autistic disabled son loves this flavor too My husband likes Lemon, Cherry, Pina Colada, etc.

WHY IS IT SO FAR AWAY? We ate at Park Side and left room for dessert. I do not like lemon ice BUT look at the sign. I felt I cheated myself if I didn't get a lemon ice. MY GOD, I was blown away! I didn't expect to by crème' goodness! Once I got done demolishing it I went back for the fruit cocktail which had real fruit in it! We are from Long Island and there is nothing like this out here!

Perfect place to cool off after Queens zoo visit ( 2 min drive). Friendly staff. Quality ice. Plenty of flavor to choose from. Street parking/ meter parking. Why not 5 stars? No seating available. Price is little high to my opinion. Will I return? May be. Good quality. Smooth ice with rich flavor, unlike cheap ice chunks that just pour syrup on top.

If you are in the area this is always a must stop. It's a Corona institution. They have the best lemon ice around. They have a wide array of flavors. Every time I go there I try a different flavor. Yesterday I tried the cookies and cream. It was pretty solid, I definitely enjoy the mint chip better. Regardless I'll eventually make it through the list, it's that good there. If your remotely close make sure you drop in with the entire family and grab a ice, you won't regret it!

This is my favorite place for Italian ice! I love coming here for a refreshing treat in the summer! The service is quick and straightforward - just pick the flavor you want from the list and choose your cup size. They have so many flavors, but I think the lemon flavor is best. I got a pint of raspberry ice which was good, too. There is no seating at all, so plan to stand or eat your ice on the go.

Legendary and also the best! It speaks summer. I constantly crave the peanut butter and recommend to anyone.

Walk-up, takeaway only. Refreshing homemade Italian ices, the Mango didn't really have a mango taste. The other three flavors were good, the Lemon is their classic flavor. Service was friendly. Location for walking to is great, parking not so. The interior of the shop looked quaint the old signage.

The Lemon Ice King of Corona isn't just one of the oldest establishments in NYC, it's also among the most famous in Queens. Their storied history began over 80 years ago and has become a fixture in the neighborhood. Italian ices are their forté; which is something to look forward to practically time of the year. (#1) For many New Yorkers, this place is all things nostalgia. This business represents a time when Corona was an Italian enclave, before many of those families moved out east. Ownership has remained within the same circle as the original family who opened it, with current owner Michael Zampino leading the charge after working here for many years since his youth. This is strictly a take-out business with windows to the street. There is no seating that I can recall and during the warmer months, this place can be packed with lines. It's popular with the youngins of course, but adults are also in the mix feening for a taste of a frozen treat. While the lemon flavor is classic, they've got a whole line up of different flavors to offer. I've found their ices to be creamier without being overly icy, and sweet depending on the flavor. Lemon lime is my go-to, but I like to switch it up and try different ones every single time. Peanut butter is strangely addicting and I have a soft spot for the rainbow, pistacchio, orange vanilla, and pineapple. I don't think one can go wrong with the flavors frankly. It's all personal preference at the end of the day. I could be wrong, but I don't recall them ever accepting credit cards. It's been cash only for me and prices range from $3-7 a cup. It's the perfect destination for folks visiting the Queens Zoo and a must-visit destination when in Corona, Queens. __________ (#1) Whenever they're open, of course. Beware of the lines during summer.

My Dad would take me here when I was a kid, and I loved it. He would also come home on a hot summer day with containers of lemon and fruit salad ice, it was delicious!

Came here on a nice warm day and I definitely need to go back to try more flavors. I got the peanut butter one and really enjoyed it. I also got it medium size for $4 and it was enough for me, so expect a good serving and great-tasting ice!

This is the spot! Super affordable prices, go big or go home! They have so many flavors to choose from, they do not offer mix unfortunately but that's okay order two supers instead! Great for after brunch, post zoo, or walk through the park! Truly the ice kings of queens! I always get so sad when I finish just 3 blocks away and am tempted to turn back and order another.

My hunny surprised me and took me here in the pouring rain. There's so many yummy flavors at The Lemon Ice King, but we ultimately went with a pint of Rainbow and a sample of the Pistachio. Lawddddd when I tell y'all I've never tasted something so friggen good. I felt like I was transported to a Caribbean island surrounded by sun and fun. It was instantaneous how amazing their icee made me feel. I could eat their icees all day. The pistachio icee had a bright green hue with nice chunks of pistachio throughout. My hunny and I devoured it in five minutes as we drove home. The rainbow icee was a nostalgic throwback to our childhood. I remember ordering two slices of pizza with a medium rainbow icee to match. Those were the good old days.

Holy shit so many flavors, even with a long line it moves quick. Great service and delicous and reasonably priced Icees. I tried my friends Lemon, good and refreshing not too sweet or crazy tart and my other friends cantaloupe. I ultimately made the tough decision to go with cantaloupe, satisfied.

Honestly, it's good but nothing out of the ordinary. Came here with the kids and everyone was satisfied but I would've liked the option to mix flavors on a bigger size.

What do you say about a place that has probably had it all said before? I am originally from Brooklyn and I grew up on eating the Geno's ices from the local pizza places. Those are real ices to me, not all of this Rita's and water ice and whatever other stuff is out there. Popped in here after a Mets game and got the Rainbow flavor (thanks to Genos) and it tasted identical to that taste I knew and loved as a kid. I figured I had to find out if it was identical all around so I then got a lemon ice. This place is the real deal. We tried a bunch of flavors but the fact that this place is cheap and can bring me a nostalgic feeling of my youth is enough reason to come again and again. Thank you Lemon Ice King.

I have never had such weak flavored Italian ices in my life. This is coming from a Brooklynite who basically grew up on the stuff. The 1960s when we called it lemon ice even if we were going to get cherry or chocolate. The chocolate is so light in color it's a wonder they just don't call it frozen taupe water. It was so sweet that I could literally not finish it. Two tries and it went in the trash. The lemon? Ditto. I have had "real" Italian ices in Queens. Unfortunately, The Little Sweet Shoppe in Middle Village is no longer in business. There Pat's chocolate ices were as dark cocoa. The lemon ice had tiny bits of pith. Not enough to make it bitter but added just a touch of natural lemon flavor. Lemon Ice King, as far as I'm concerned, is for those who are illiterate on the subject of Italian Ices. It's a tourist destination. It's a shameful example of a business cutting corners to make a product that can only satisfy those who do not know better. I am hoping to find another Italian Ice vendor who has the same supplier that The Little Sweet Shoppe did. In my quest thus far I have visited two stores. I asked the owners immediately, "You got this from the guy in Corona right?". The expected answer, "yes." Stay away from LIKC. Unless you don't care about paying through the nose for something your mouth won't appreciate. But, in that case put a few tablespoons of your favorite sugar substitute in a container of water add some food coloring and freeze it. Voila! Lemon Ice King Of Corona ices for a fraction of the cost.

Best icees in Queens! I've gone here since I was a little kid and I still get excited when I buy a fruit cocktail icee! Nice staff, great location, gotta love Queens!

The ices!! Huge assortment of flavors and great choice of sizes. If there's a line be sure to wait, it's worth it!! YUM

The Lemon Ice King of Corona is one of the signature dessert spots in Queens. It is super popular and there is always a line by the windows. The staff served everyone quickly so the wait wasn't too bad. We had their lemon and pistachio, both in small size. Their ice was so delicious, refreshing and smooth with creamy texture. We were so surprised that they made the ice without any dairy products. The options on the menu are in a great variety and there are lots of flavors we would like to try like peanut butter, pina colada ... Luckily, we are in the neighborhood and already plan our next visit.

If you grew up in Queens, you've probably at least heard of this place. I'm pretty sure they are open all year but definitely in the summertime and when it starts to get warm. I've been coming here since I was a kid and I try to pass it along to the next generation as well. They have tons of flavors and Ive tried almost everyone at some point. You can get four different sizes to eat on the spot or you can get pints and larger to take home for later as well. Apple is one of my favorites as it as apple chunks in it which is delicious. Most of the other fruit flavors are covered too, Mango, Cherry, Peach, Lemon etc. It's window service only and there isn't any place to sit. It's right on the corner and the intersection can get busy because alot of folks double park to grab their stuff. Definitely a staple in this neighborhood and in Queens in general.

Simply the best iceses in queens the lemon ice King has been in the same spot since 1930 they did something right

Family has been coming here since they opened. I've been coming here my whole life. Ice was fine, but for the first time EVER we got rotten jelly apples! Both plain and coconut. Coconut was very sparse and different than usual (worse quality and yellowish and large shred; looked like chocolate shavings!) and the apples were rotten near the core and skin.They were also slightly mushy and jelly was already sliding off a bit. Typical of jelly apples that are old (in our experience). Jelly wasn't as thick as usual either (but that is ok I guess). These are the only jelly apples we ever eat and judge all others to them. No more! We had to throw all 8 apples in the trash. Shocked. Wonder if someone else in charge now. Inedible. Waste of $.

So after watching an episode of "Raising Kanan" it was a must that I find this spot during my visit to NYC! It definitely did not disappoint. My fiancé and I both ordered two smalls so we could try several flavors. They do not mix flavors! The smalls were $2. With so many flavors to choose from, it was definitely a hard decision. We ended up getting blue raspberry, strawberry, fruit cocktail and strawberry banana. They are cash only, which I didn't know so be prepared for that. They were all really tasty, but that fruit cocktail tho...absolutely amazing and so refreshing. I think it ended up being the favorite for us both. I honestly wanted to go back and try so many more flavors and get some more of that fruit cocktail lol! I will definitely visit again!

Ba-da-boom, ba-da-bing! I feel like I should say that wearing a wife-beater and a gold St. Christopher medal around my neck. Gee, am I stereotyping what a goombah from Queens would be like as he orders an Italian ice at the counter here? Yeah, I know I am because you also can see random Asian tourists here or lost hipsters who stayed on the 7-line a little too long. Love the name of this place, and the customers here don't all look like Kevin James. OK, some of them do. The Benfaremo family has owned this spot for over 60 years, and they serve nothing but their handmade Italian ices in paper cups. No spoon puh-leeze. Just an aggressive tongue is needed, especially when it's hot out and the sticky ice melts into your hands. There were at least four dozen flavors available including sugar-free options which appealed to Jamie W. and me. He went for the $3 Medium Orange and I had the $2 Small Coffee (photo: http://bit.ly/2ZHuLgQ). Ba-da-boom, ba-da-bing! ITALIAN ICE - 4 stars..the sugar-free options were just right for us AMBIANCE -3 stars...Yo! It's Queens! SERVICE - 3 stars...deese-dem-&-dose TOTAL - 4 stars...if I want to be the Banana King of South of Market, let there be the Lemon Ice King of Corona RELATED - Hey, you hungry in the Big A? Here's a collection of places I've tried and reviewed: http://bit.ly/2YS9ELs

Lemon Ice King has been a community cornerstone for sweet ice treats for years! They have so many flavors that I still haven't tried them all, and I've lived here for twenty years! My go to favorites are the lemon and orange mango flavor. Can never go wrong with those, especially in the hot weather. The staff is always friendly and really put the customer on the 'king' treatment. They really make you feel like you're part of the family. The location is also conveniently in the corner of the block so it's hard to miss. If you're ever looking for somewhere to eat the ice cream after purchasing, you can always go to the park across the street or even eat by the store. It has a long metal rest along the side of the store. If you're adventurous and looking to try a new flavor, definitely give the Lemon Ice King a try. You heard it from me, the peanut butter flavored icee is where it's at