Exceptional Food Since 1963
I was a toddler when I was first taken to this restaurant. Being in love with horses, I loved to go there and see all the famous jockeys from Aqueduct race track eating there (how do they stay so thin??) - Angel Cordero used to come in, and on a recent visit in September 2003 José Prado walked in. No one bothers anyone - we just enjoy the food. About 10 years ago we saw Diane Keaton a few tables away. Food is consistently excellent, and even since moving out of Howard Beach years and years ago, we still drive to this place from NJ or NYC on a Sunday to eat. I love telling the owners that I've been eating there since I'm four, but they never seem impressed (maybe I'm not old enough yet??) and I never get a free dessert :-( but the place is great.    [05 Oct 2003 22:43:58]

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Recommended Dishes: Shrimp in a red butter and onion sauce, baked clams, salad

     ­HorseGal, NYC   

The Best Italian Food
We were visiting from California, and our friends from Merrick took us to Don Pepe's Italian Restaurant. I liked the wine a lot, not to mention the best Italian food I've had in all my life. I'm considering traveling again to NY just for Don Pepe's.    [05 Aug 2005 00:40:56]

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Recommended Dishes: Baked Clams

     ­Arcadio Chacon   junojuno at yahoo dot com

AWESOME
All I have to say is two simple words for this awesome restaurant

Shrimp Luciano!!!    [06 Aug 2005 01:17:04]

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     ­Anonymous   

Just like home only better
What can I say, I’ve been coming here for years and nothing comes close. Did I mention that I am a Chef in NYC?    [04 Dec 2005 02:01:26]

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Recommended Dishes: Baked Clams, shrimp luciano

     ­Anonymous   

Been a patron since '78
My favorite Italian restaurant. A great place to go after a day at Belmont. It is always fun to take a rookie there and order the zuppa di clams y mussels. "What's are these white things in the sauce?" "Oh, those are scallops. Try one you'll love it" when they are actually whole garlic cloves. The wait staff are a bunch of smart asses which adds to their charm.    [21 May 2006 12:39:47]

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Recommended Dishes: Zuppa di clams/mussels, linguini with white clam sauce, Shrimp Luciano, Chicken Chinese

     ­Dinver   

Truly Impeccable Italian
The looks of this place are simple. If you want glitz forgetaboutit! If you want a truly memorable meal take some friends and go as the portions are enormous. There hasn't been a single individual I have taken there through the years that doesnt RAVE. Garlicky, succulent you just can't stop, truly. But to wash down all the insanely delicious food you have to get a canoli, even if you don't like them. I never did but theirs is sinful. Its like they lace them with something. Addicting!    [07 Jun 2006 16:24:01]

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Recommended Dishes: Chicken Don Pep

     ­Anonymous   

THE BEST!
Outageous Italian food! The salad is tops! Great house wine. The Shrimp Luciano, over linguini, is like nothing you've ever tasted. Wish I could get the recipe for it! Oh, they don't take credit cards...cash only. Get there early, before 6 or the wait will be very long.    [15 Dec 2006 20:56:59]

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Recommended Dishes: Shrimp Luciano, Don Pepe Salad, Stuffed Mushrooms

     ­Anonymous   

Unbelievable!!!
I must say I have never been disappointed in the 5 years I have been going to Don Pepe's, the food, the wine, the atmosphere is just great! When my husband and I want to make a good impression on a friend or family member, Don Pepe's is the only restaurant we will recommend.    [12 Feb 2007 12:44:26]

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Recommended Dishes: mussels, baked clams, veal don pepe, salad don pepe

     ­Lesly K. , East Meadow, NY   rlkaj at optonline dot net

Scapparella
I have been to Don Peppe's three time and each time we ordered the Scapariello, chicken on the bone with sausage, onions, bell peppers and whole garlic cloves. I must say that the firt time,it was good but the chicken was so dry and overcooked that I could not eat it. The second visit, it was amazing!!! Cooked to perfection. On my last visit, I was disappointed again!! Dry chicken. Hey Guys...don't burn the chicken, eh!    [01 Mar 2007 18:34:34]

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Recommended Dishes: Linguine Clams, salad

     ­Anonymous   

don pepe Italian food at its best.
My wife and myself as well as my brother-in-law and sister- in-law went to Don Pepe's on 3-3-07 to celebrate our twenty plus years of marriage. As always the best Italian food around, period.    [08 Mar 2007 17:08:19]

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Recommended Dishes: chicken scarapelli and veal don pepe

     ­philly