You are reading

Westville’s first Queens restaurant opens in LIC’s Court Square neighborhood Monday

Westville will open at 43-12 Hunter St. in Long Island City. Photo by Michael Dorgan

Jan. 17, 2025 By Shane O’Brien

Fast-casual favorite Westville is set to debut its first Queens location in Long Island City on Monday, Jan. 20.

The new restaurant will open at The Cove, a modern 18-story building at 43-12 Hunter St. in Court Square. This will expand the chain’s presence beyond its eight existing locations across the city.

Founded in 2003, Westville offers a variety of brunch, lunch and dinner choices and is renowned for its weekly specials and dishes made with fresh market vegetables, including yuca fries, asparagus with parmesan, honey Dijon Brussels sprouts and garlic mashed potatoes.

The LIC location will feature the same menu as the existing Westville restaurants, including popular specials like BBQ pulled chicken sandwiches, jerk chicken thigh rice bowls, Mediterranean winter salads, and three-cheese empanadas.

Photo via Westville

Westville founder Jay Strauss told the Queens Post in October that he hopes the new LIC location becomes a staple for local residents in search of healthy lunch and dinner choices.

“This is a neighborhood restaurant. There is such a variety of food that it allows people to eat here every day if they choose to. Just look at the menu; you’ll see that there is something for every meal that can be vastly different from your last meal,” Strauss told the Queens Post in October. 

The LIC location will open from 11:30 a.m. until 10 p.m. Monday through Friday and will open for brunch from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. before reopening for dinner from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

The location can seat around 60 customers at a time, while Strauss hopes to add outdoor seating when the weather improves later in the year.

The new location will additionally offer pick-up and delivery services as well as dine-in options.

Strauss said each of the eight Westville locations emphasizes involvement in their local communities by working with schools or arts organizations or donating food to local events. Westville’s Williamsburg location, for example, runs a regular puppet show for younger members of the local community.

Strauss plans to replicate that community involvement at the new LIC location.

“If we have 100 of these one day, I hope we can retain the sense that they are neighborhood restaurants, and we really try to replicate that feeling from one location to the next.”

email the author: news@queenspost.com
No comments yet

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

May races in Queens: JFK Airport 5K, Forest Park trail classic and a Queensborough 5K

May. 16, 2025 By Paulina Albarracin

The energy of May is on full display across Queens, with a lineup of local races that invite runners of all levels to hit the pavement and the trails. With mild temperatures and sunny skies setting the stage, it’s the perfect time to take advantage of the spring weather before the summer heat sets in. From the Forest Park 4 Mile Road and Trail Classic to the festive Great Hawaiian Luau 5K at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, these events offer more than just a workout—they foster community spirit and personal growth. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen before lacing up and heading out. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or new to the sport, these May races offer a chance to challenge yourself and connect with others in motion.

Mayor Adams marks one year of ‘Padlock to Protect’ with pizza and progress in Queens

Mayor Eric Adams marked the one-year anniversary of the launch of the city’s “Operation Padlock to Protect” initiative at a pizzeria on the Rego Park and Middle Village border on Wednesday and touted the significant progress in shutting down more than 1,400 illegal smoke shops across the five boroughs and seizing more than $95 million in illegal product since last May.

“The city was fed up. We heard it at every town hall. This time last year, there were thousands of illegal smoke shops plaguing our city with unlicensed cannabis endangering our children,” Adams said. “One year later, we are proud to announce that we have turned the tide. Thanks to the tireless efforts by our city’s law enforcement officers, we’ve padlocked thousands of illegal shops and created safer streets for children and families. But we’re not stopping there.”