If you’re standing on the corner of 108th Street and 52nd Avenue in Queens, you aren't just looking for dessert. You’re basically participating in a New York rite of passage. Most people call it "the King." It’s a tiny storefront with blue and white signs that haven't really changed since the mid-20th century. The Lemon Ice King of Corona menu is a marvel of stubbornness. In a world where every shop tries to go viral with "stuffed" or "extreme" concoctions, this place just serves Italian ice in a paper cup. No spoons. That’s the big rule. You squeeze the cup, you lick the ice, and you move along.
Honestly, the first time you see the menu, it’s overwhelming. It’s not a fancy digital screen. It’s a series of white boards with red and blue lettering listing dozens of flavors that range from the absolute classics to things that sound like they shouldn't work as an ice flavor. But they do.
What’s Actually on the Lemon Ice King of Corona Menu?
The centerpiece is the Lemon. Obviously. It’s in the name. But the Lemon Ice King of Corona menu is actually a massive list of about 40 different flavors, depending on the day and the season. They don't do soft serve. They don't do toppings. You get the ice, and that’s it.
The lemon ice is legendary because it’s not that neon-yellow syrup stuff you find at a carnival. It’s tart. It’s got bits of real lemon zest in it. It’s the kind of cold that makes your teeth ache in the best way possible. Beyond the lemon, the "Big Three" usually include Chocolate and Cherry. The chocolate is surprisingly deep—not milky, but a dark, icy cocoa that feels more like a frozen fudge bar than a slushie.
Then you get into the fruit territory. You’ve got Orange, Pineapple, Grape, and Lime. But then things get interesting with the "Specialty" flavors. We’re talking about Peanut Butter, Licorice, Coffee, and even Rum and Raisin. Most newcomers stare at the Peanut Butter option with total skepticism. It looks like frozen tan sand. But then you taste it, and it’s weirdly creamy for something that contains zero dairy. It’s a feat of engineering, really.
The Flavors People Usually Ignore (But Shouldn't)
While everyone crowds around the Lemon and Watermelon, the veterans know where the real gold is. Cantaloupe is one of those sleeper hits. It sounds boring, right? Wrong. It tastes exactly like a perfectly ripe melon harvested at the peak of July. It’s refreshing without being cloyingly sweet.
Then there’s the Black Cherry. If the regular Cherry is the pop-culture version, Black Cherry is the sophisticated older sibling. It’s got those deep, dark fruit notes. If you're feeling adventurous, the Rainbow ice is the go-to for kids—and adults who can’t make up their minds. It’s a swirl of the classics, usually featuring a mix of cherry, lemon, and maybe lime or orange. It’s a chaotic mess of sugar and ice that somehow defines a New York summer.
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The Secret of the Texture
The thing about the Lemon Ice King of Corona menu that keeps it at the top of the food chain is the consistency. This isn't shaved ice. It’s not a "snow cone" where the syrup just sinks to the bottom and leaves you with a pile of flavorless crunch.
The Benfaremo family, who started this whole thing back in the 1940s, perfected a freezing process that keeps the flavor suspended. Peter Benfaremo, the original "King," was notoriously protective of the technique. Even after the shop was sold to the current owners (the Silva family) in the 90s, they kept the recipes exactly the same. They use real fruit. They use real sugar. No corn syrup shortcuts.
You’ll notice the texture varies by flavor. The Lemon and Lime are sharp and crystalline. The Peanut Butter and Chocolate are smoother, almost velvety. That's because different ingredients freeze at different rates, and they don't try to force them all into one uniform "goop."
Navigating the Crowd and the Rules
Don't show up expecting a sit-down experience. There are no tables inside. It’s a walk-up window situation. There are some benches across the street by the park (William F. Moore Park, known locally as "Spaghetti Park" because of the older Italian men who used to play bocce there), but that’s about it.
The line moves fast. Or it should, if people know what they want. Here is a pro tip: look at the windows before you get to the front. The flavors are usually taped up or written on the boards. If you get to the window and start asking "What’s good?", you might get a few groans from the people behind you who have been waiting in 90-degree heat.
- Cash Only: This is a big one. They don't take cards. They don't take Apple Pay. If you don't have a few bucks in your pocket, you’re out of luck.
- The "No Spoon" Policy: They used to be very strict about this. The idea is that a spoon ruins the aeration of the ice. You’re supposed to squeeze the bottom of the cup to push the ice up. However, these days, you might see a stray spoon if you beg, but why ruin the tradition?
- Sizing: It comes in various sizes, from a small cup that fits in the palm of your hand to large tubs you can take home. Most people go for the medium. It’s the perfect amount of cold before your hand starts to freeze off.
Why Corona Matters
Location is everything. The shop sits right near the Flushing Meadows-Corona Park. You’ve got the Unisphere nearby, the Hall of Science, and Citi Field. It’s the heart of a neighborhood that has shifted from predominantly Italian-American to a vibrant mix of cultures, yet the Ice King remains a constant.
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It’s one of the few places in New York where you see everyone. You’ll see guys in suits who double-parked their Mercedes, kids on bikes, and families who have been coming there for four generations. The Lemon Ice King of Corona menu acts as a sort of universal language. It doesn't matter where you're from; a cold cup of Watermelon ice on a humid Tuesday is a universal good.
Misconceptions About the Menu
One thing people get wrong is thinking they can get "mixes" easily. While the Rainbow is a staple, asking for a custom mix of, say, Licorice and Pineapple might get you a weird look. The staff is there to move the line. They aren't mixologists.
Another misconception? That it’s only a summer thing. Nope. They stay open. There is something uniquely "New York" about eating a lemon ice while wearing a heavy puffer jacket in November. Is it cold? Yes. Is it still delicious? Absolutely.
The "Sugar-Free" question comes up a lot too. Honestly, if you're looking for a diet-friendly, keto-approved snack, you're in the wrong place. This is old-school. It’s sugar, water, and fruit. They do occasionally have a couple of sugar-free options, usually Lemon or Black Cherry, but the selection is tiny compared to the main list.
Beyond the Ice: The Iconic Signage
You can't talk about the menu without mentioning the aesthetic. The storefront is a landmark in its own right. It has appeared in the opening credits of The King of Queens. It’s been in movies. The neon signs and the hand-painted flavor lists are part of the "flavor" of the place.
It feels authentic because it is authentic. In an era where "retro" is a brand identity designed by marketing agencies, the Lemon Ice King is just... old. And that’s its superpower. They haven't updated the logo to something sleek. They haven't added "fusion" flavors like Sriracha-Ginger. They know what they are.
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Making the Most of Your Visit
If you're planning a trip, don't just grab an ice and leave. Walk across the street to the park. Watch the bocce games. It’s one of the last places where you can feel the old-world soul of the neighborhood.
If you're overwhelmed by the Lemon Ice King of Corona menu, here is the "Beginner’s Flight" strategy:
- The Purist: Get the Lemon. It’s the benchmark.
- The Sweet Tooth: Go for the Blue Raspberry or the Bubble Gum.
- The Foodie: Try the Cantaloupe or the Peanut Butter.
- The Traditionalist: Cherry or Chocolate.
The Take-Home Option
If you live nearby (or have a really good cooler), they sell pints and quarts. Many people grab a few quarts of Lemon and Chocolate for backyard BBQs. It’s the ultimate "I brought the good stuff" move. Just keep in mind that without the commercial-grade freezers they use in the shop, the texture will eventually harden into a block if it sits in your home freezer too long. It’s best eaten fresh.
Final Practical Insights
When you finally stand in front of that window, remember that you’re looking at a piece of culinary history. The Lemon Ice King of Corona menu isn't trying to be the next big thing. It’s already been the big thing for eighty years.
To ensure you have the best experience, keep these steps in mind:
- Check the weather: If it's a weekend and it’s over 80 degrees, expect a line. It moves, but bring patience.
- Bring Small Bills: They appreciate not having to break a hundred-dollar bill for a $4 ice.
- Park Legally: The 108th Street area is notorious for ticketing. Don't double-park just to save two minutes; the traffic cops in Corona do not care how much you love lemon ice.
- Skip the Spoon: Seriously. Try it the traditional way. Squeeze the cup from the bottom and let the ice soften slightly against your tongue. It changes the flavor profile entirely.
- Explore the Neighborhood: While you're there, grab some food at the nearby Park Side Restaurant or a sandwich at Leo's Latticini (Mama's of Corona). Use the ice as the palate cleanser after a heavy Italian meal.
The menu is a testament to the idea that if you do one thing perfectly, you don't need to do anything else. No espresso bar, no pastries, no fluff. Just ice. Just flavor. Just the King.