Window display of Elements Pizzeria in Jackson Heights. Photo by Shane O’Brien

16 August 2024 By Shane O’Brien

A new pizzeria offering a selection of classic New York-style pizza slices made with special dough is adding to the growing variety of food options in Jackson Heights.

Elements Pizzeria, which opened in late June at 83-01 Northern Blvd., is a joint venture between brothers Sami and David Velasquez and their friend Juan Tamayo.

The Velasquez brothers are no strangers to Jackson Heights. They grew up in the neighborhood and opened 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,” said Sami Velasquez. “We said, ‘Hey, what can we do here that might be a little different than what we already have?'”

They decided to open a pizzeria and wanted to apply their experience as bakers to the pizza industry. They made pizza dough with sourdough and long fermentation – techniques that were already used at Parva.

David and Sami purchased the space that would become Elements Pizzeria in December 2022, and Tamayo came 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 menu, has spent the past two years experimenting with pizza recipes and attending pizza conventions in Las Vegas, Atlantic City and Chicago to perfect Element’s menu.

“I’m always trying to learn, innovate and expand into new areas,” Sami said. “It’s exciting to learn a new passion and a new craft.”

The trio also set about transforming the space into a bright and airy pizzeria – complete with murals, plants and one of David’s old motorbikes – a painstaking process that took over 16 months.

Interior mural at Elements Pizzeria. Photo by Shane O’Brien

The pizzeria offers a wide selection of New York-style slices and pies, with slices starting at $3.50 and whole pies for $25. There are also classic New York pizzeria favorites like meatballs, garlic knots, and Caesar salads. The menu also includes a selection of milkshakes and craft beers, with a focus on New York and Northeast Coast beers.

The pizzeria’s Hawaiian slice – with fresh pineapple and a drizzle of hot honey – has been the most popular slice during its 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 one of the most popular pizza flavors in Colombia.

Elements’ Pizza Margherita with pourable mozzarella and chunky tomato sauce is also popular with guests, said Sami.

The pizzeria is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. and has space for up to 24 guests. In addition to the three owners, it employs seven people.

Elements is still developing products and testing the market with its growing customer base in the first few weeks. Sami said he is using the current time to develop new products for the restaurant, adding that chicken wings and calzones will soon be on the menu.

“We don’t have any fryers or planchas (Spanish term for hotplates),” said Sami. “Everything comes out of the oven, so everything we make has to be tailored to that.”

The trio also hope that their range of craft beers will entice customers to come in for a pint or a slice in the evening.

“We don’t necessarily want to make a bar here, but we want someone to enjoy a really good sourdough pizza with a craft beer,” Sami said, adding that the pizzeria will change its beer offerings seasonally.

David Velasquez said the restaurant contributes to the growing culinary scene in Jackson Heights and noted that an Irish bar is also scheduled to open across the street in the next two months.

David and Sami, who describe themselves as “foodies,” are happy to bring some variety to the neighborhood, pointing out that there are a relatively small number of pizzerias compared to other areas of the city.

From the outside, the pizzeria immediately catches the eye, not least because of a large, colorful mural by Australian artist Sally Rumble depicting the 82nd Street subway station.

Mural by Sally Rumble at Elements Pizzeria. Photo by Shane O’Brien

“We wanted to stand out,” Sami said. “That’s why we painted the 7 train on the outside. We wanted to do something that was 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 using your favorite delivery apps.

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