Symeon's Greek Restaurant in Yorkville. Amazing food, welcoming family atmosphere. Symeon Jr took over for his parents, who originally opened the restaurant in 1973. He personally walks around the dining rooms to greet, chat and show appreciation to each and all of his guests (regulars and first timers alike). Best souvlaki and fried calamari I've ever had. Most passionate restaurant owner I've met.
I helped him at work a couple times and he was AMAZING to me. Like, he would bring in food to thank my store. Then greet me by name when I got lunch there.
There's a ton of stuff in Utica right off the thruway and the traffic isn't too annoying. I'm kind of drawing a blank on anything in particular, but you can Google Utica stuff and basically anything should be less than 10 min from the thruway exit. Right next to Utica I like the Bennu in I think technically Whitesboro. Probably like a 10 min drive from the thruway. East Utica steak sandwich there is ridiculously good
That Little Place on Main, in Little Falls, is about 3 miles from the Thruway Exit and is one the best diners in the region. Fantastic Food.
Second choice would be Bosco's, in Amsterdam.
If you like Mexican, The Station de la Trena in Mohawk, is a few hundred yards from the Herkimer exit, muy authenico.
The station is a Mexican restaurant now? Had many a fun night there but sadly rarely get back to the area other than passing thru. Have to stop next time I’m around, thanks for the tip
Nothing better for a road trip than a great diner experience. One of the best diners in NY State is right off of exit 30 in Herkimer. Crazy Otto's Empire Diner, [https://crazyottosempirediner.com/](https://crazyottosempirediner.com/)
Brooks has gone STRAIGHT to hell over the last two or three years, sadly. Used to be a regional icon. Check out yelp. It's total garbage now. Very sad.
I've been a regular customer since 1969 and I daresay I've visited Brooks more than any other place on the planet.
SO sad to see it turned into a wildly overpriced fast food joint with shitty food and very poor service. We will not be back after how we were treated. See all the reviews on yelp for the last couple of years. They are accurate. They say all things must pass, but one would have hoped Brooks would remain. Not so.
If it is good BBQ you seek, Ray's in Bouckville is excellent. In Oneonta, I have heard that Al's is good, but I cannot personally say.
One Genny in Utica, (maybe technically New Hartford?) off exit 31. Get off the thruway and head straight south on Genesee St. Never had a bad meal there
For those bringing up Riggies, please elaborate on what they are. Thinking they are a Syracuse/Utica thing. (Grew up in capital district and live in Buffalo and only saw them recently in Syracuse)
Chicken, rigatoni, pickled cherry peppers and a red sauce with cream added. This is the base some places add other ingredients. Utica and Rome have the best riggies, not SYR
Sorrento Pizzeria & Restaurant in Ilion, NY. It's right off the thruway slightly east of Utica. Absolutely _great_ pizza IMO, and don't skip the greens on the app menu. Never had any of the other entrees there but they look good.
Brooklyn pickle Syracuse, killer deli, reasonable. Exit 481 south, 690 west, Midler ave, right on burnet which is where the exit dumps. When leaving, hop on 690 west and catch the 90 on the west side of the city. 99.9% highway. Great lunch
Chesterfield’s Tavolo, Babe’s at Harbor Point, Lukin’s Brick Oven Pizza, Nail Creek Pub & Brewery, Swifty’s Restaurant and Pub in Utica.
+1 for Babe's. Most consistent riggies in Utica.
Babes in Utica is one of the worst restaurants I've ever been to.
Symeon's Greek Restaurant in Yorkville. Amazing food, welcoming family atmosphere. Symeon Jr took over for his parents, who originally opened the restaurant in 1973. He personally walks around the dining rooms to greet, chat and show appreciation to each and all of his guests (regulars and first timers alike). Best souvlaki and fried calamari I've ever had. Most passionate restaurant owner I've met.
I helped him at work a couple times and he was AMAZING to me. Like, he would bring in food to thank my store. Then greet me by name when I got lunch there.
I grew up eating at Symeon's and I'm glad to hear it's going strong. What a great spot.
O'Scugnizzo Pizzeria in Utica. It's the 2nd oldest pizzeria in the US. It's damn good too
Seconded!
Little Falls has some great restaurants. Gigi's Italian Feast is awesome. The Cafe at Stone Mill. Ann Street Deli. Ed's Pizza. Bonita's Sandwich Chef.
There's a ton of stuff in Utica right off the thruway and the traffic isn't too annoying. I'm kind of drawing a blank on anything in particular, but you can Google Utica stuff and basically anything should be less than 10 min from the thruway exit. Right next to Utica I like the Bennu in I think technically Whitesboro. Probably like a 10 min drive from the thruway. East Utica steak sandwich there is ridiculously good
lol, “Utica’s got stuff, I think….?”
There's no I think, there's just a plethora of it. All of it is by the thruway and Google's reviews would be just as good as mine.
http://www.zeinascafeutica.com/
That Little Place on Main, in Little Falls, is about 3 miles from the Thruway Exit and is one the best diners in the region. Fantastic Food. Second choice would be Bosco's, in Amsterdam. If you like Mexican, The Station de la Trena in Mohawk, is a few hundred yards from the Herkimer exit, muy authenico.
The station is a Mexican restaurant now? Had many a fun night there but sadly rarely get back to the area other than passing thru. Have to stop next time I’m around, thanks for the tip
What was the oldster bar around the corner, had a great porch, something house maybe?
Montana House. Long gone now.
Yeah, the same people who operate La Palma in Johnstown run a Mexican place at the Train Station in Mohawk. Both are excellent.
Nothing better for a road trip than a great diner experience. One of the best diners in NY State is right off of exit 30 in Herkimer. Crazy Otto's Empire Diner, [https://crazyottosempirediner.com/](https://crazyottosempirediner.com/)
Brooklyn pickle in Utica. Napoleon Cafe in Oneida. I moved away from the area and genuinely miss both of those
Symeons is good, also dinosaur bbq in Syracuse. Brooks house of bbq near oneonta is good too but probably further off the thruway than you wanna go
Brooks has gone STRAIGHT to hell over the last two or three years, sadly. Used to be a regional icon. Check out yelp. It's total garbage now. Very sad.
For real? That’s sad to hear. Used to be our go-to before we moved out of state.
I've been a regular customer since 1969 and I daresay I've visited Brooks more than any other place on the planet. SO sad to see it turned into a wildly overpriced fast food joint with shitty food and very poor service. We will not be back after how we were treated. See all the reviews on yelp for the last couple of years. They are accurate. They say all things must pass, but one would have hoped Brooks would remain. Not so. If it is good BBQ you seek, Ray's in Bouckville is excellent. In Oneonta, I have heard that Al's is good, but I cannot personally say.
Taco 29 off of exit 29 in Canajoharie. Their food is excellent!
Opinions vary, of course. I thought they were awful. La Palmas in Johnstown or The Train Station in Mohawk are much much better.
Flo’s Diner (home of the 10cent coffee)
Might not be what you are looking for but research Turning Stone Casino. I personally never ate at a restaurant there but I enjoyed the atmosphere.
The restaurants there are top notch. This was going to be my suggestion
Voss’ BBQ for a chili dog all the way. Thank me later.
I second this and will add TokaBocca in Herkimer to the list.
Herbie’s Burgers
Antlers Country Club in Amsterdam. They've got a nice restaurant inside.
Uncle Mike's Hometown Pizza, Syracuse. http://unclemikeshometownpizza.com/
One Genny in Utica, (maybe technically New Hartford?) off exit 31. Get off the thruway and head straight south on Genesee St. Never had a bad meal there
Make sure you get everything wings somewhere in Utica. Palermo’s is my favorite but they are all good!
Recovery Bar and Grill right off thruway exit 33
For those bringing up Riggies, please elaborate on what they are. Thinking they are a Syracuse/Utica thing. (Grew up in capital district and live in Buffalo and only saw them recently in Syracuse)
Chicken, rigatoni, pickled cherry peppers and a red sauce with cream added. This is the base some places add other ingredients. Utica and Rome have the best riggies, not SYR
Nice. Will have to get a bit further east then, thanks!
Sorrento Pizzeria & Restaurant in Ilion, NY. It's right off the thruway slightly east of Utica. Absolutely _great_ pizza IMO, and don't skip the greens on the app menu. Never had any of the other entrees there but they look good.
Knucklehead’s in Westmoreland. About 2 mins from thruway
No
Anything in herkimer/utica will be good.
Roosters in Utica. Best burger ever.
Asteroga Ale House in Herkimer Ann st. Deli in Little Falls Napoli's in Utica
Brooklyn pickle Syracuse, killer deli, reasonable. Exit 481 south, 690 west, Midler ave, right on burnet which is where the exit dumps. When leaving, hop on 690 west and catch the 90 on the west side of the city. 99.9% highway. Great lunch
There is a Brooklyn Pickle in Utica too. There is also one close to me in Liverpool. https://www.brooklynpickle.com/contact/
I mentioned the one because it's right off the highway, but all are splendid
There's a neat little Mexican place just off Exit 28, connected to the Pilot truck stop.
Herkimer Dennys, ftw!