The renowned Dani's House of Pizza was founded by Ramiz Dani
in 1959 on Lefferts Blvd. in Kew Gardens, Queens and continues to
do business at the same location to this day.
In 1963, Ramiz's friend, Andre Cupi started working there as a cook
and he is still there today. He reminisced that in the 1960s, it cost 25
cents for a slice and a soda.
During the1970s, a spate of pizzerias sprung up in the neighborhood
to compete with Dani's, but not a single one of them endured.
During the 1980s, there were five bars in the neighborhood,
including Regents Row, directly across the street. Business was
booming for everyone.
The 1990s saw a general decline in business for everyone, except
Dani's. Regents Row is now gone and only one bar remains in the
neighborhood, yet Dani's continues to flourish.
In the new millennium, Ramiz passed away and the outpouring of
sympathy was enormous.You can read the comments below for
yourself. His son Sabri now continues the tradition of excellence that
is Dani's House of Pizza. And Andre is still cooking there over 40
years later, because as he says, "They are like family to me."
Founded in 1959
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Andre with the ladies
Andre strikes a pensive pose
The following quotes were taken from the guestbook of A Picture History of Kew Gardens, NY
July 24, 2003
Editor's Note: Sad to report the passing of Ramiz Dani of Dani's Pizzeria, a long time Kew
Gardens landmark. His funeral is today at Schwartz Brothers Memorial Chapel at 114-03
Queens Boulevard in Forest Hills, NY. Our condolences to his family.
July 24, 2003
I am very sorry to hear of the death of Ramiz Dani, founder of Dani's House of Pizza. From
the day it opened, sometime in the late 50's or early 60's, Dani's was not only a great place for
food, it was also a place where, if business wasn't too brisk, one was welcome to linger. It
became a great afternoon and late night hangout in the mid to late 60's. Dani never seemed to
mind if we weren't spending money. He never seemed to care if our hair was long. He
welcomed us all. I can still recall the way in which he would ask us to leave, when things were
busy. Dani would say "Fresh air," and we knew it was time to go outside.
Franklin J. Goldberg
July 24, 2003
Editor's Note: I'm told by someone who was there that Ramiz Dani's funeral was "massive"
with "hundreds of cars and hundreds of people". He was buried at Maple Grove Cemetery and
a giant pizza like wreath was laid at his grave.
July 24, 2003
I can remember 25 cents for a slice and a small coke at the best Pizza place in the world. You
could either come inside and eat or stand at the window. Dani was friends with all the kids in
the neighborhood in the 60s and he knew all of them by name. If you didn't have a quarter for
the slice and soda, he gave you credit. He trusted all of us that would hang there. Could never
understand why the pizza dough was yellow but it was really good. Dani will be missed by all
he touched with his warm smile and friendly personality. Thanks for the memories and God
Bless You.
Linda Widder Wiesner
LindaJ42@aol.com
July 25, 2003
I once heard that Dani was a prince -- a member of the royal family of Albania. In July of
2002, there was a celebration of the return of the royal family. Here is the web page that
describes it in French (note that it says that Dani was unable to be there and sent his regards).
http://www.french-market.com/albania/Presse/Le retour/28062002 le retour/28072002.htm
Josh
jslevine@hotmail.com
July 26, 2003
I also remember 25cents for a slice and a small coke at Danis. I was also there when Randy
(the bully), was standing outside the window where they kept the pies, and took a whole pie
and folded it in half and put it under his shirt. THOSE WERE THE DAYS!!!!!!
July 30, 2003
I was very sad to hear that Dani died. Dani's was as much a part of my life as any place in
Kew Gardens. When I moved back to live in Kew Gardens in 1977, we had a dog. My
husband used to walk "Flash" who was a Newfoundland puppy then, but didn't look like one.
At night my husband used to walk to Dani's have one or two slices and then walk back home.
We'd always have pizza from Dani's and also dinners. It was more like a home to us than a
restaurant. Dani would always be hanging around and greeting all who came in to eat. I
really think that Dani's was the heart of Kew Gardens then. Recently we went back and there
was Dani's exactly the same. I hope that Dani's will remain the same now that Dani is gone.
It's a neighborhood institution.
Dani will be missed. I wonder how many people he integrated into the US? There were
always boys who came from Albania, Dani's home country, who were trained to work in the
restaurant. I think Dani helped a lot of young boys from Eastern Europe.
My condolences to Dani's family. I'll never forget him and Dani's.
Barbara
http://www.viatouch.com/learn/storystation/stories/troublefollowleader.jsp
http://www.poetsagainstthewar.org/displaypoem.asp?AuthorID=10280
http://www.muse-apprentice-guild.com/october_2002/barbaraehrentreu/home.html
http://www.moondance.org/2002/fall02/fiction/out.html
We are looking for old photos of Dani's. Come in person or Email us if you have any old photos of our restaurant.
Ramiz Dani