07/22/08

Had a most lovely experience, and have recommended to friends since.

by joynyc

Went for the first time this June with two friends who have been raving about Telly's. We sat in the lovely garden in the back that has a winding grape vine and grape leaves for a ceiling. Next to us was a large party of a Greek family laughing and enjoying their food. I did hear the trains initially, but after a few minutes the infectious laughter and atmosphere made me forget I was even in New York.

We ordered a carafe of the "green" or young wine, a perfect refreshing drink for summer.

Now the food, we ordered sardines, and lots of appetizers like bean salad, greek salad, beet salad, humus, and greens. The food was incredibly fresh and delicious...and those sardines...MMmm mmm.

Like mentioned in the other posts we were given a dessert on the house, a lightly sweetened fried dough that was delicious.

Our server was very sweet and nice, and so was the owner who greeted us when we arrived and when we left. It was definately a great experience, and one that I will repeat again, even though it means I will make the trek from Manhattan to Queens.

• Pros: ambience, fresh food, lovely owner
• Cons: Queens

04/23/08

Can Get Crowded, But Food is Worth the Wait. And Easy on the Wallet

by MrAntiaris

Been to Telly's a couple of times and always satisfied with the place. Dont go in expecting anything fancy, since taverna is in the name, tight, family style seating is what you get. Everything is always fresh and it is definetely a place if you like/love seafood, but all their chops are top notch also.

Most recently went with a bunch of friends after the Greek Independence Day parade, so you could imagine it was packed(being in Astoria and all). Had the grilled swordfish which was eyes rolling into the back of the head good. We also did heavy appetizers which I would recommend. Fried calamari, grilled octopus, greek style fried potatoes, cheeses, Spreads(tsatsiki, taramasalata etc) and salads were great. Go here with an appetite. And go crazy when you order. We all walked away stuffed and with the overkill of our order only came to 35 per person with tip. I'll be going back soon.

• Pros: great, fresh food. Affordable
• Cons: can get crowded

Editorial Review

by Contributor

Astoria taverna fans pack Telly's back patio for classic Greek fare like grilled whole fish, baked lima beans and lamb chops.

01/23/08

BAD Service, extremely rude waitresses!

by cg212

Horrible experience before even looking at the menu!! Usually my bf and I go out for dinner on the weekend, but we really felt like seafood, so we thought of returning to Telly's one Monday night at around 9:30pm. My boyfriend and I walked in on a chilly night and were seated at the front of the restaurant where the facade doors were open. Bf walked to the waitress to ask if we could move further in and pointed to a table for four. As he turned around to walk back to me, the waitress was fixing up a two-top right in the same vicinity as the four-top. We moved to the four-top and I told my bf that I think they miscommunicated and that the waitress probably wants us to sit at the two-top. He said, it's ok, we're already sitting and the restaurant is pretty empty, it shouldn't be a problem.

The waitress came over and literally dropped the menus on our table. Bf wanted to leave but I insisted we stay. As I was sitting facing the waitresses, I see the waitress looking over at us, talking to another waitress who also looked over at our table. They both made nasty faces. I told my bf that maybe we should have moved to the other table. But we had already settled and I realized it was ridiculous since the restaurant was only 1/4 full if that and it was a Monday night past peak time.

The other waitress walked over and instead of taking our order, she asked us, "Did someone tell you to sit here?" That was it, we walked out after that and vowed never to return. It is a shame because the owner whom we met during our last visit was very nice. This is totally unacceptable. If you want good Greek seafood AND excellent service I would highly recommend Taverna Kyclades......................NOT Telly's.

• Pros: Good food, nice owner
• Cons: Nasty waitresses, unacceptably rude behavior

07/29/07

2nd best seafood in queens

by astoriapark

Have enjoyed eating at Telly's a few times. Exquisitely prepared fish, particularly their red snapper... although their wait staff cannot handle their weekend volume. Show up early!

• Pros: fish
• Cons: service

06/09/07

Great Greek without being a hole in the wall

by st3

I live across the street from this place and it always looks packed, especially on Friday and Saturday nights, so I figured the crowd has to be there for a reason.

Let me first off start by saying that I don't eat seafood. If it comes out of a body of water I won't eat no matter what it is. Having said that their seafood selection is very large and judging what everyone else was eating it is very popular. The tzaziki and greek salad are excellent. I had the lamb chops which were excellent too. The house red for $4 a glass is a bargain.

04/12/07

Best Greek

by cfgeo

I've been to all the local Greek restaurants and even compared to manhattan.. Telly's is the best yet! They have an amazing Green salad , tender Grilled octopus, Fresh whole fish, and very tasty lamb chops.The staff was friendly and the atmosphere was like we were part of the family. Dessert is onthe house and Ive been there twice a month since the first time and now i'm addicted .. Telly's is like being in Greece for a couple of hours!! They have valet on the weekends so dont worry about parking!

• Pros: great food good service friendly atmosphere
• Cons: none

11/10/06

BEST FRESH FISH, GRILLED OCTOPUS,& SAGANAKI

by josta

I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS PLACE!!! Telly's is a great restaurant/Greek Taverna. The Fish is fresh and perfectly grilled (or fried). The prices are unbeatable and the portions are huge! The Green Salad is a must if you love feta cheese. We always share appetizers and a fish. A liter of wine is $15 and the desert is on the house, have a "Frape" Greek iced coffee with your "loukoumades" fried honey dough. I would definatley recomend Telly's and I personaly think that They are the leaders of Greek food in Astoria and even Greece. The food at Telly's was better at Telly's than in Greece.

• Pros: Fresh fish, great salads, desert on the house, great service, clean!
• Cons: street parking

05/26/06

Just like greece!

by koukla4u

We had the most excellent night. The food was marvalous, I recomend the octopus its delicious, and the chillian seabas made to the perfection. The service was outstanding. Over all the night was wonderrful.

05/04/06

TELLY'S IS BETTER THAN EVER!!!!

by diannawk

Telly's Taverna is and always has been an Astoria favorite. The grilled octupus, green salad and the spicey feta dip are better than I've had anywhere else...(even Greece). I go to Telly's often and the fish is always so fresh!! On the weekend there might be alot of noise but the Garden in the summer will make you think your in Greece! Amazing place to eat. The service is always very good. They also give you loukoumades on the house after every meal... except for Saturdays unfortunately.. I would highly recomend Tellys... I love this place.

• Pros: fresh fish, Green salad, service
• Cons: parking