After a long day in the Carrier Dome, you’ve probably had your fill of wine slushies and hot dogs. Wash off your face paint, put away your foam finger and head down the Hill to the Syracuse restaurant scene. There’s a lot to choose from, so The Daily Orange staff has duked it out between our personal favorites. All of these restaurants will leave you satisfied, but every tournament must have a champion. Here’s how our eateries of choice fared.

1. Pastabilities
Location: 311 S. Franklin St.
Hours: Fri.–Sat.: 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., 4 – 10 p.m.; Sun.: 4 – 10 p.m.
Type: Italian
Description: Pastabilities has been serving up authentic Italian fare for more 30 years, and in 2001, opened Pasta’s Daily Bread, a fresh Italian bakery, across the street. Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives” visited in 2012, and Guy Fieri called the pizza “baller.”
Why it won: Pastabilities is known regionally for its pasta sauce, which adds a slight kick to traditional marinara. It comes with all dinners as an appetizer, served with bread that is baked fresh daily, making just the first course worth the trip. Pasta dishes are made from scratch and served in hearty portions.
We recommend: The fettuccine alfredo or the wicky-wicky chicken riggies

2. Dinosaur Bar-B-Que
Location: 246 W. Willow St.
Hours: Fri.–Sat.: 11 a.m. – 1 a.m.; Sun.: Noon – 10 p.m.
Type: Southern barbeque
Description: This rough-around-the-edges barbeque joint will serve you the best ribs you’ve ever eaten. Known as much for its biker bar atmosphere as its spicy southern comfort food, Dinosaur is a local landmark. We have yet to find a bad item on this menu — from its fried green tomatoes to its macaroni and cheese to its pulled pork sandwiches, every item is good. Just make sure you go with a dinosaur of an appetite.

3. Stella’s Diner
Location: 10 Wolf St.
Hours: Fri.–Sun.: 5 a.m. – 9p.m.
Type: American diner
Description: A go-to hangover cure and lunch spot, Stella’s serves up the best diner food in the Syracuse area. The wait is long, but the service is quick (and definitely worth it). Whether you’re looking for breakfast, lunch or dinner, Stella’s has a deliciously greasy option for you. The pancakes are as big as your head and the milkshakes are thick and creamy. What more could you want?

4. Funk ‘n Waffles
Location: 727 S. Crouse Ave.
Hours: Fri.–Sat.: 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Sun.: 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Type: Coffee lounge
Description: Funk ‘n Waffles was opened by Syracuse University students in 2007. This quirky campus eatery features sweet and savory waffles for the traditionalist and the more adventurous eater. Food Network’s Guy Fieri called the waffles “far out,” and we don’t disagree. The Jive Turkey consists of a waffle made out of bread stuffing, topped with turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy and cranberry sauce.
We recommend: The falafel waffle (a falafel base topped with Israeli salad) for a savory choice, or the James Brownie (a brownie waffle with ice cream) for sweet.

5. Varsity Pizza
Location: 802 S. Crouse Ave., Syracuse, NY 13210
Hours: Fri.–Sun.: 11 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Type: Pizza and American

6. The Mission
Location: 304 E. Onondaga St.
Hours: Fri.: 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.; Sat. 5 – 10 p.m., Sun.: 5 – 9 p.m.
Type: Mexican and Southwestern
We recommend: Fish tacos or the carne burrito

7. Tully’s Good Times
Location: 2943 Erie Blvd East Syracuse, New York
Hours: Fri.–Sat: 11 – 12:30 a.m., Bar closes 1:30 a.m.; Sun.: Noon – 11:30 p.m., Bar closes midnight
Type: Sports bar with American cuisine
We recommend: If you don’t get the chicken fingers, you’re doing it wrong

8. Alto Cinco
Location: 526 Westcott St.
Hours: Fri.–Sat.: 8 – 2 a.m.; Sun.: 10 – 2 a.m.
Type: Traditional Mexican
We recommend: Steak quesadilla or bean and cheese enchiladas

 

Honorable Mentions

1. Small Plates
Location: 16 Walton St.
Type: American tapas
Hours: Fri.–Sat.: 11:30 a.m. – Midnight; Sun.: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.

2. Empire Brewing Company
Location: 120 Walton St.
Type: Bar
Hours: Fri.–Sat.: 11:30 a.m. – 11 p.m.; Sun.: 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m.

3. Lemon Grass
Location: 238 W. Jefferson St.
Type: Thai
Hours: Fri.–Sat.: 11:30 a.m. – 2:30, p.m. 5 – 10:30 p.m.; Sun.: 4:30 – 7 p.m.

4. Mother’s Cupboard Fish & Fry
Location: 3709 James St.
Type: American diner
Hours: Fri.–Sat.: 6 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

5. Modern Malt
Location: 325 S. Clinton St.
Type: American
Hours: Fri.: 7 a.m. – 4 a.m.; Sat.: 8 a.m. – 4 a.m.; Sun.: 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Published on March 27, 2015 at 12:46 am