George Mirmigos has been in the food business for the last ten years, including a Greek and Italian restaurant in Pennsylvania and concession stands in Rockaway Beach. He purchased “Mama Bell’s” nineteen months ago, but decided half a year ago to change the menu drastically, making it an Italian, Greek and American restaurant.
“I’m not trying to compete with anybody,” George said about his niche in the food world. “I’m just doing things different. You can go to any place and get a gyro or pasta; I can satisfy a whole family. If one person wants pizza, they get it. If another wants falafel, they can get that too.”
Being on Bell Boulevard means you can either sink or swim, pretty quickly. The yellow-bannered Roma Pizza is sandwiched between a bakery and a Chinese food restaurant, which are surrounded by even more eateries. When I asked George what he thinks his secret to success will be, he responded confidently, “I believe in my crust and my burgers.”
We started with a traditional Horiatiki Salad, a bowl of chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, Kalamata olives, a brick of feta cheese, topped with oregano and a drizzle of olive oil.
A taste from Italy was next with George’s buff garlic knots. These oversized twists were chewy with a golden crust and topped with minced garlic. Finally, a taste from the U.S., Buffalo wings made with a homemade sauce. These meaty wings came doused in a crimson sauce, spiced to taste, but still packed a lingering punch with every bite.
George proudly brought out two boulder-like meatballs, soaked in a thin sweet marinara sauce. As we cut into the tender flavorful meat, He jokingly said it was his Grandma’s recipe, but the menu truly comes from Mirmigos himself. His meatballs were a prime example of this, something anyone can make but only a master of their craft can turn into something special.
Next was “George’s Burger.” I do not need to tell you who it is named after. This mighty burger was a 1/2 lb. of pure unadulterated Angus beef, with grill marks that you can only get from charbroiling the meat. Accompanied by specially coated fries, this massive patty was topped with caramelized onions, mushrooms, bacon and American cheese.
Among the Greek entrees, which include Gyros, Falafel and Spinach Pie, we sampled Chicken Souvlaki, which George makes in-house alongside a butcher who works in the restaurant. Marinated in lemon juice, oregano and other spices, then charbroiled, this satisfying skewer of meat was served with pita, sliced tomato and “top-notch” tzatziki as George liked to call it.
Making us an offer we could not refuse, George cooked a fresh pie for us to indulge in, topped with mushrooms, peppers and sausage. “We have customized screens that are not sold on the market made directly for us to give it a crispy unique crust.”
Stop by Roma Pizza & Burger for a little taste of everything!
ROMA PIZZA & BURGER
47-40 Bell Boulevard
Bayside, NY 11361
Tel: 718-281-0808 or 718-281-0806
Open 7-days-a-week from 11 a.m. - 10 p.m.
Catering Available
