Homestead Gourmet Shop

This place is unique. I have been going to with my Father since I was a little girl. Sorry to hear it is closing next week because the landlord is upping their rent. It's sad because in a time where the owner is struggling with personal health issues and the family is supporting her and running the shop, the landlord has no heart!! They had to endure all the noise and no air conditioning during the very hot summers. I know, because I shopped there. We in the community will miss this gem of a store. Great food, great people who ran it and part of the history of Kew Gardens.

Hands down the best deal. $8.50 for egg salad sandwich on whole wheat that could feed two! Simple egg salad for a great price.

Sorry to see this great deli is closing after all these years. I am from the Regents Row crowd and my dad was a bartender there. My dad and I would always buy food from the Homestead and bring it to the Giants games. My dad would always buy us sandwiches and bring them home for us.

DO Support Your Local Small Family-Owned Businesses! Here is a 4th of July holiday dinner for (2) for under $25: Baked Macaroni & Cheese, All Beef Swedish Meatballs, German Potato Salad topped with Bacon, Fresh Chopped Garden Salad, with samples of Pierogi & Polish Mayo. Nice to walk into a business where you’re warmly greeted and given good service. Parking is good on Saturdays.

It’s shame they’re closing. I don’t usually venture to Lefferts for food as it’s subpar but this place never disappoints. Was trying to get cold cuts for sandwiches at the other local favorite but they were closed at 3pm on a Tuesday, C Town is horrible and doesn’t have anything fresh so went a little further into Homestead. I wasn’t too sure since it looks bare and dusty (they’re selling the store) but tried a sample of their homemade turkey and oh my word, it was delicious! Fresh and full of flavor. Decided to get a few more things, including fresh sliced rye bread, made my sandwich and it’s hands down one of the best sandwiches I’ve had in a while. It’s a shame our neighborhood couldn’t support them more to stay open. Also, the lady who took care of me was extremely sweet and thanked me for every purchase I made. They will be missed, unless a new Eastern European family takes over.

Great staff and good looking food. Fresh baked goods and quite a meat selection.

The best organic homemade polish food in the area. Everyone should stop in and grab some lunch or dinner.

Bloody sausages and hot dogs were spoiled the next day after purchase . You can see the empty shelves and other items covered with dust. Not fresh. Not recommended

Sadly has permanently closed. Will missed the friendly service and authentic German delicacies. It's a Teutonic experience that's hard to replicate.

Tradition, It's great. I'm looking at these pics and they bring back many memories, I worked in the Forest Hills store from '80-'82. I used to pick up fresh food at the Kew Gardens Store, everything looks the same. It was the best Gourmet Shop in the area, the food was always great, we got a free meal per shift. I'll get back there one day for a Tuna Salad on Polish Rye with LTMSP. All the best to the new owner, that aren't that new anymore. If you've never been, give them a try.

This place is fantastic , the staff are lovely welcoming people. The food was amazing. They were a dog friendly place, they even gave my dog some turkey! The food is also very affordable and is very traditional. I don't really write reviews but this place deserves one. If you're walking by it's a great place to come for a quick bite!!

Great food, old time delicatessen service and products. Like stepping into New York of old.

After sitting for lunch while reading through eighty percent of the reviews, I tend to believe that .. pause.. Outside of the quality of food -- in comparison to the food price continuum that few seem to have any concept of, the opinions fall short on content. BTW: Ya get what you pay for folks, you want cheap? Move to Compton or Camden Other reviewers hung on to one item or two at most and said very little about their purchased items nor any of the Homestead experience. Happily boasting their prideful beauty within the adorable Easter window dressing (prior to this review date) - the pies, cakes and chocolates would have FAO Schwartz doing a double take. Classic Eastern European. Two huge display cases bare little atop for a clear and direct angle of communication with the staffers. The clean and pressed staffers in their brightest white uniforms, executing the lunch orders from the peeps and chirps from the customers who have been enjoying this fine Polish and German food mecca -- handled the busy lunch croud happily as coukd be. "Just whistle while you work." "Just humm a merry tune." Getting a third of the way into the store, the display cases contents would not cease in their aromatic and visual assault upon my senses as I slowly creeped in a half bent peeking pose. Pate, herring, knockwursts were almost pouring out from their trays and platters and when the fresh cold cutt section was reached, - it was an epiphany of sorts of other deli's I've come through - the fresh homemade hits just on coming. The sliced meats all looked as perfect as if they were ready to be filmed in a T.V. commercial. Decision making time took on a while new definition -- and the world is 'Difficult'. I quickly thought to order a few smaller portions of their options. Four salads later and I was ready too eat. Shrimp Salad: amazingly plump with the most minimal of mayo dressing, thin and tiny cuts of celery. Delicious. Tuna Salad: one quick glimpse and it was clear the quality was next level quality- and it was and it was. Far and away the best I've ever had anywhere. Nothing but full bore tuna & homemade mayonnaise coming atcha top speed. German Potato Salad: Just like grandma Johanna made it. Fresh bacon bits, little oil, little vinegar. Scrumptious. Herring Salad: A personal favorite of mine and not to beat a dead horse with my "the best" editorials, but it really was. Beautiful hunks of the beloved fish. So much more to say.

This is the last of the best German delis left in New York. I have been coming here for years and it's just terrific high-quality food never got stuck here terrific selection, a bit higher on the prices, but to be expected in this day and age. I am giving it one star less because you cannot find any prices you have to depend on the counter help to ring it up! other than that check it out you won't be sorry if you want real quality food and selection!

For the second time in a few years I found myself on the street and, having grown up not far from here, I knew to seek out the homestead deli. The most delicious fresh rare roast beef, on fresh rye bread lettuce and some homemade Russian dressing. Are you kidding me? Five stars does not do this justice; not even the memory of it. Now the young lady making the sandwiches, and I was here at 3:30 when they weren't any other customers mind you, is so slow making them you would think she works in cahoots with the parking people giving out tickets in the area. But I would never let that take away from the deliciousness. Anything German deli you can't go wrong with this place.

Sorry no pictures but my uncle is here visiting from GA and we stopped here he absolutely loved this place

For 2018 thanksgiving we ordered their full Turkey meal: 25lb turkey, peas and carrots, gravy, sweet potatoes, cranberry sauce, stuffing - the works! All for $100. Now mind you my husband is a chef by trade. EVERYTHING WAS AMAZING!!!! We ate it all! It was ready on time if not early. A call and a text were sent to let us know. We added potatoe salad and dessert! EVERYTHING WAS SOOOOO GOOD! It's homemade and taste as if made w love! We will be back for holidays!! Thank you!

Damn good deli! It never changes.. in a good way. Home made Russian dressing goes great on sandwiches.

Great service, great variety, great location. Amazing staff, very friendly and helpful

I jumped the gun and asked the Community if anyone had ordered bread and received only 9 slices. I should have called Homestead first and I apologize to them. When I did call them they explained that ordering on Seamless is by the pound and I had not noticed that. Will never assume that bread is by the loaf again. The only solution to my dilemma is to overstuff the sandwiches a la New York old-style.

Pastrami to die for! The barbecued chicken is delicious, too. We also love the smoked whitefish, herring, Pierogies and health salad. In addition, a lovely selection of international groceries, cheeses and beverages. A huge case of delectable baked goods as well: freshly baked pies, cheese strudel, black-and-white cookies and more. It's New York City, so why cook? Scrumptious prepared food right around the corner.

There's a MasterCard commercial that talks about the good things in life being priceless. My sandwich from the Homestead made me think of the word "pricey." I know that it's a gourmet shop, I used to live in Kew Gardens years ago, but $14 for a PLAIN tuna sandwich on a PLAIN roll, half a pound of macaroni salad and a Coke!!!??? To take out! C'mon! I didn't even order a Snapple, an item that every place overcharges for!!! Yes, the girl behind the counter was sweet. No, she didn't ask if I wanted lettuce and tomato, just served the sandwich plain. The tuna was fresh and tasty but was just tuna and mayo, not a shred of celery or anything special. The macaroni salad was fresh and had many veggies in it. Yes, a good, fresh sandwich and side salad but, at that price, a total rip-off.

First off, the service was terrible. I had to go find the guy to get service. My boyfriend and I ordered 3 things: the cheesecake, the rice pudding and a slice of blueberry crumb cake. The rice pudding was DISGUSTING. It was basically hard, not cooked rice in heavy cream. Not to mention that it tasted like vegetables because it was in the same display case as savory food. We took one bite and threw it away. We tried the cheesecake next. This was a little better, but it was basically a block of cream cheese. This morning I tried the coffee cake, took one bite and threw it away. It literally tasted like onions and garlic. Worst $11 we've spent in a long time. 0/10 would not recommend.

I used to go to Homestead in Forest Hills, this one was started by the same beloved owners, Ed and Martha, RIP, who left the store in excellent hands. We applaud The only good thing to come out of this crisis is that we rediscovered the wonderful food of our children's childhood, and come to think of it, ours. The cold cuts were amazing, they kept fresh for a week. We ordered the turkey, Black Forest Shaller and Weber ham, and Genoa salami. The pumpernickel and rye were real and outstanding. The herring was delicious, large pieces, not broken "tidbits." We had it for serving after serving. We plan on ordering again, and again, and again. What a wonderful find! We applaud Theresa Wianecks for improving on perfection. But then, she learned from the best.

It's really nice to have the Homestead in Kew Gardens. I love having a place to get my eastern European deli fix. Everything is homemade, fresh and delicious. My favorites are the apple strudel, stuffed pepper, beef goulash, potato salad (there are 3 different types.) The only thing missing is the Swedish berries I once asked about but they never got. The lovely ladies with their white aprons and hats are what makes the Homestead so authentic. I believe it may have been here for 60 years and has only had 2 owners. It's also in one the lovely remaining tudor-style buildings on Lefferts Blvd. There are 2 little tables smack in the middle of the deli. They are a bit awkwardly located but it's nice that they have them. If Homestead delivered then they would get 5 stars.

I really like their strudels. Sells mostly Eastern European items. Love their sausages too.

The shop window proudly displays rows and rows of fresh strudel. Apple strudel. Cherry strudel. Plain. All delicious. The plain is sweet with a smidge of tartness from the sour cream coming through. Homestead also has cold cuts and homemade breads for sale, but I've never bought anything other than the strudel -- not because I don't like deli ham or sausage sold in a two dozen different ways (like lots of sausage? they've got it). It's because I never had a good feeling browsing there. The staff stand behind the counter watching the customers, but not in a "have a look and ask if you've got any questions" sort of way. I've never experienced downright rudeness, just gotten the feeling that my presence was getting in the way of their conversations. I'd have loved to have asked about and tried the glorious foods on display (cabbage rolls, cutlets, tons of Eastern European specialties) but was too put off by the staff.

They have the BEST CHERRY STRUDEL, ever! No really it's delectable, 10 bucks and you're on your way to strudel heaven...moist and flakey and delish cherries inside. They make apple strudel as well if that's your thing..also very good. They have a good assortment of imported cheeses and cold cuts (the pastrami is damn good) and they have a nice variety of different mustards and honeys...also they sell Felix brand lingonberry preserves which are hard to come by around here. They have prepared foods as well which I've never tried. Prices vary...but go for the strudel and see if anything else catches your eye.

My wife and I had a decent cup of coffee and an Apple Turnover.I also got a few bags of mints and a German Stollen .

Cute, quaint bakery. Lots of yummy desserts and other foods. Staff always very pleasant.

Love, love, love this place. It's like stepping into the past when you walk through the doors. Food is high quality and delicious. i know it is a little more expensive than other places but in this case you definitely get what you pay for. Homestead is a treasure that I hope Kew Gardens never loses.

Came in while only 1 other customer was there. Waited at counter for service and and got none. Another customer comes in and is immediately helped. This overpriced shop wont last long with service like this.

Best deli in Queens, but not in the convenience store- breakfast stop sense. The Homestead is old school, with home made foods and pastries. The German / Polish influence is strong. Don't miss the Bavarian potato salad, or the strudel.

This place has been here FOREVER (or at least since the mid 1980's when I first started hanging out in the neighborhood). Old style German deli with high prices. Had the roast pork sandwich on rye with mustard and Swiss cheese (it came with a whole pickle), with a small side of German Potato Salad (with bacon) and a Snapple Iced Tea the other day. Total: $14. Steep prices. Good food.

Roast Beef Sandwich, Fresh Homemade Rye Bread, Homemade Russian Dressing with Homeade Roast Beef! Damn Good Sandwich!

Perfect Polish deli with home cooked goodies. My personal favorite is the liverwurst sandwich with mustard and onions on pumpernickel bread. Everything is fresh. Today I tried the homemade polish egg custard which they make with only fresh ingredients no powdered shortcuts, and it is baked to perfection . Pastries and super good and you can always find imported specialty items to take home. Lastly I must mention The homemade pickles! To die for if you're a pickle head like me. The staff is nice and friendly really enjoy having my sandwich at the shop instead of taking it to go .

Nice big Fresh sandwich made by a helpful staff. I also go wanting to try something different but I end up with chicken salad on pumpernickel. Big chunks of chicken not swimming in mayo. No Parking, meter maids on you in a second

I used to really like this place until I saw the showcase fill with roaches

Cute place but way overpriced for what I got. I looked into the deli counter and asked for the pasta salad that had some shredded deli meat (salami?) mixed in. Only asked for a little and they charged me about $5.75 for, oh around, 6 ounces! Didn't taste like it cost. Those strudels at the window display do lure you in.

I love this hidden Jem. Homestead has been open for decades and they have so many delicious delicacies. I go there every month for Rainbow Cookies and Hungarian sausage. The best. The ladies that work there are so sweet and helpful.

On our quest for the best apple strudel in new York City we were very pleasantly surprised to come across this place. The apples were sliced just the right size to allow for the full flavor of the apples. The crust was light and flaky, in fact, it was pretty perfect. It had a good overall taste. If you are going to order apple studel for a pary or special occassion, I would recommend ordering from this place. It is all made right on the premises and freshly made. The cheese strudel and the cherry were really good too. This is the winner for this years apple strudel quest. Best spple strudel in the big apple. According to the cashier, they will make no sugar added, if you order ahead. New Yorker's love their apples, so we take this stuff really serious. Good job.

The place smells like heaven with fresh baked goods lined up everywhere. Opted for the Apple Strudel. Staff in paper hats are pleasant and efficient. Small seating area for express type eating is a practical consideration. Store is full of unfamiliar delicacies and worth a longer visit.

Sometimes I forget how much I love the homemade chicken pot pies here. It's also the best potato salads around. There are three kinds! Deli heaven!

Awesome European deli in Kew Gardens! Lots of German, Polish, and other ethnic pastries, cold cuts, salads, and groceries. Love this place. Located in the half-timbered tudor style corner building. Love their smoked sausages and meats.

Pricey but truly a gourmet one stop shop for desert lovers. Their cherry strudel is worth every penny and is always fresh.

The food is fantastic, but the service is what earns this place 5 stars. I've been coming here sporadically for around six months, and the service and food is consistently good. The selection is vast, and not everything may be to everyone's taste, so don't be too proud to ask for advice. I think their best food is the polish vegetable salad, which is like the best potato salad you can imagine, but better. They have a very wide selection of sweets, packaged and fresh. The packaged sweets are well curated, but unless you're buying a gift or looking particularly for chocolate, I'd opt for the fresh pastries instead, they've always been good for me.

Shop here for cheese because the Ctown down the block carries almost nothing, not even feta.

Its the BEST! The Food, The People, and their baked goods are totally out of this world! Parking can be a bit of problem so call the order in before going. The staff are more then happy to meet you at the door with the order. Try It, You will Like It!

Why, oh why, did you close your Forest Hills store. Don't even know how/where to find Lefferts Boulevard. In Forest Hills recently and stunned on Austin Street when your store was GONE!

60 years ago my father took me here and I always went behind the counter and got a free slice of bologna. I got a free slice again when I returned yesterday. The food is wonderful; fantastic apple strudel, 4 kinds of potato salad, beautiful lox herring and whitefish. This store is a wonderful small gem in Kew Gardens.

The Napoleon pastries here were heavenly, but my partner and I stopped going in here a long time ago--the workers behind the counter used to turn around and walk away when we would come in! Now we go to another bakery down on Metropolitan Avenue (turn left, and it's on the right-hand side of the Avenue). Their pastries are very delicious, and their customer service is MUCH better!

My husband and I found The Homestead because we were in the Kew Gardens to see a movie at our favorite art house theater. Actually its the only one near us. After the movie we walked around a bit and found The Homestead. The cherry strudels in the window were screaming "Eat Me!!!" So we had to go in. The Homestead is a neat little German bakery/deli/grocery store. I highly highly recommend their cherry strudel. Well worth the $10.00 for the medium and only size. The dough is flaky, the cherry is the perfect amount of sweet and they sprinkle brown sugar on top. Mmmm heaven. They also have a nice variety of European grocery to discover.

This place is so charming. You really feel transported to Eastern Europe right when you enter. Everything I have tried here has been delicious. Items are a bit pricier then other delis but the quality is exceptional so they are excused. The only thing I would like to see are labels in the deli cases so that I know which cheese/meat is which as I like to see exactely what I am ordering. Highly recommend the cheese strudel and the roast beef!

I fondly remember the Homestead on Austin Street. And I keep driving by this one on Lefferts and always say I'm going to stop in. So without giving it much thought I bought a few things just to satisfy my curiosity. It was mostly desserts. The custard was pretty good but not great. Seven layer chocolate cake pretty good. But I can't believe how utterly bad the rice pudding was. Let me just say that I took one taste, spit it out and threw the whole thing away. Let me also tell you that it's not cheap so I was very, very disappointed. Three stars are because I have to believe that this was a fluke. The reputation of this deli has always been quite good. But this was the worse rice pudding I have ever ever had. The rice was hard, clumpy, and didn't even taste sweet. I could tell that it wasn't spoiled or anything like that. It was just poorly prepared. Let's see what happens the second time around. I think based on its reputation, this place deserves a second chance. But I really hope that it's not one of those places that is surviving solely on reputation.

Wonderful food, if somewhat pricey on some items. Strudel is great, roast pork terrific, homemade pot pies and German potato salad are great. Good homemade Polish food (I'm Polish and I cook, so I know what I'm talking about). Don't be put off by the girls behind the counter - they are friendly but often face disgruntled Russian customers (the Russians ALWAYS seem disgruntled!). This is a good, old fashioned European style deli like they used to be - no pre-made crap. Give it a try, you won't regret it.

A trusted, reliable "old" staple...great authentic olde world German deli and specialties.

The pastries are delicious, just wish they had more variety. The food is fresh and ready to go, especially when coming home late from work. The staff is always friendly and helpful. Glad I'm in this neighborhood.