#SYRACUISINE

Welcome to the definitive list of finger-licking foods in Syracuse, NY. Whether you're into burgers and brews, vegan delights or international fusion fare, we've got you covered. This list will be your cheat-sheet for many of the tasty treats in the Salt City. Want to learn more about #syracuisine ? Visit NOexcuses Tours, Inc.to book one of our food on foot tours of Syracuse, covering historic Mom & Pop specialty food shops, village charm and of course delicious local bites - all within walking distance in Syracuse! CLICK HERE FOR THE #SYRACUISINE MAP

Roast Beef Sandwich at Clark's Ale House

Photos provided by (left)EatlocalorBust , (right) 125Beers / Via 125beers.wordpress.com

Plump Onion rolls, juicy meat carved fresh and piled high, creamy horseradish mayo and a slice of cheese = the now legendary Roast Beef Sandwich! 32 taps and 1 sandwich = Clark's Ale House! When the newly renovated pub finally opens its doors for the first time in nearly six years and we guarantee there will be long lines waiting for these delicious sandwiches.

Book the Food on foot tour - Keys to the City to sample downtown bites from Clark's Ale House, Darwins on Clinton, Flame and Otro Cinco.

Tacos at Boom Boom Mex Mex

photo courtesy of Edges photography / Via edges.zenfolio.com

Straightforward BYOB little restaurant specializing in cafeteria-style Mexican meals. Boom Boom Mex Mex is so authentic that the owners leave in the Fall and spend the Winter in Mexico! Choose from meats: chicken en chipotle, seasoned beef, herb-marinated grilled chicken and pork al pastor. Then add all the fix-ins you can fit in your tortilla! Pineapples on the pork! Guacamole and tomatoes on the beef! Sour cream and salsa on the chicken! Pro Tip - Bring your own cervezas or try the pineapple juice behind the counter! and save room for the homemade flan.

Sweet Praxis Macs at Café Kubal

Photos courtesy of James Bass Photography / Via jbassphoto.com

Oprah recently came to town to dedicate the Newhouse II building and had the pleasure of sampling some Sweet Praxis macs at a luncheon. These sweet treats are hand-crafted with a conscious effort to source locally + organically and contribute to a conversation about sustainable food systems. So, of course they are a perfect match for an organic fair trade cup of java from local roasters Café Kubal.

Book the Food on foot tour - Just Desserts to sample baked goods from local bakers like Sweet Praxis, Zimmer's Bakes, Better Brittle and Strong Hearts!

Blarney Burger at The Blarney Stone

photo courtesy of Amelia Beamish / Via ameliabeamish.com

In Ireland you kiss the Blarney Stone, In Tipp Hill you wrap your lips around a Blarney Burger. Grilled to order with fresh fix-ins galore - there are literally a million ways to eat one! Try the daily burger special or mix and match. Can't get there during the week? No worries, the kitchen is open 7 days a week! One thing is certain, when they call your name over the intercom your mouth will water for one some of the best pub fare this city offers. Pro Tip - Ask for jalapeno cheese sauce on the side and opt for the O-rings.

Book the Food on foot tour - Battle of the Burgers to sample some ground in the round from Blarney Stone, Ale N' Angus and the Burger Joint to name a few.

Flame Pizza at FLAME

Photos courtesy of Anthony Christiano / Via domino81.wix.com

Flame offers a simple yet eclectic menu that originates from the familiar, the foreign, and the ever-evolving tastes from around the world. At the forefront of their #syracuisine is brick oven flatbread pizza like their name-sake pizza featuring ground lamb-beef, parsley, onion and tomatoes. Share one by the indoor fire pit hand crafted the talented and always welcoming owner Tash.

Book the Food on foot tour - Keys to the City to sample downtown bites from Clark's Ale House, Darwins on Clinton, Flame and Otro Cinco.

6lb. Frittata at Mother's Cupboard

photo courtesy of Tamaralee Shutt

Adam Richman took on the Frittata Challenge on his Syracuse episode of Man vs. Food, a 6-lb. scramble of eggs, sausage, peppers and hash browns smothered in cheese and served with grilled rolls. Thousands have attempted to try Mother's massive frittata and pancake challenges, 90% have failed. Do you have what it takes?

Book the Food on foot tour - Rise and Shine to sample diner delicacies from Mother's Cupboard, Stella's and Niki's Quick Cup.

Fresh Made Cookies at Recess Coffee

photo courtesy of Amelia Beamish / Via ameliabeamish.com

Located in the heart of the Westcott Neighborhood, Recess has been a hub for students, scholars, artists, musicians, families, and everyone in between. They source all of their fairly traded beans direct from farms with missions of sustainability and ethical practices and make a mean hot cocoa too. All the cookies are made by co-owner Adam Williams!

Book the Food on foot tour - Just Desserts to sample baked goods from local bakers like Sweet Praxis, Zimmer's Bakes, Better Brittle and Strong Hearts!

Fish Fry from Doug's Fish Fry

photo courtesy of Edges photography / Via edges.zenfolio.com

I know what you're thinking...Doug's is in Skaneateles and Cortland. You know what we're thinking?...Either way it's worth the drive! Crispy fries, a side of slaw and fish fried in peanut oil under golden brown. This little business was founded in 1982 as part of our great free enterprise system. Since then they have been serving up seafood and smiles and sticking to their simple motto - GOOD FOOD.

Perogies at Eva's European Sweets

Photo courtesy of Matt James / Via blurredculture.com

From pierogi to bigos to a Hungarian take on traditional placki, each meal is made individually with careful attention to the flavors and traditions of Polonia. In fact, Eva's European Sweetshas been the home for Authentic Polish cuisine for 17 years in Solvay. We recommend the Ruskie Perogies, topped with sautéed onions & butter, served with sauerkraut. Add an Eastern European Beer for the true pallet pleaser!

Book the Food on foot tour - Euro Trip to sample traditional foods from Europe here in Syracuse, from Eva's to Danzer's to Francescas.

The Best Tenders on Earth at Tully's

photo courtesy of Edges photography / Via edges.zenfolio.com

Tully's is famous for three things - plenty of TV's to watch sports on, huge portions and chicken tenders with their homemade honey mustard for dipping! Tully's has it all - Drafts and soft drinks the size of footballs, an arcade, table-tops with vintage baseball cards under glass, free popcorn, TV's everywhere you look with all the sports channels you could dream of, memorabilia filled walls and the best gosh darn Tenders on EARTH!

Bacon Cheddar Meatloaf at Kelley's

Michael J. Henry

Sharp Vermont Cheddar, Red Wine Demi-Glaze, Butter whipped Yukon Gold Spuds, crispy bacon meatloaf that melts in your mouth. Are you hungry yet? Founded in 1983 and located on Onondaga Hill, Kelley's is a renewal of the classic American tavern, offering the best elements of the charmed watering hole, unique cuisine and affordable prices.

Sweet Sassy Molassy Sandwich at Strong Hearts Café

Photo courtesy of Samantha Spadafore

The Sass is back! The return of the Sweet Sassy Molassey Sandwich that is. Baked maple chipotle tofu, caramelized onions, avocado, tomato, chipotle mayo and green leaf lettuce on warm stretch bread. Good gracious, this sass is bodacious! Open since May of 2008 Strong Hearts, is a fully vegan restaurant with delicious sandwiches, soup, breakfast, desserts, snacks and MILKSHAKES for all!

Book the Food on foot tour - Vegan Power! to sample Vegan and Gluten Free eats across town

Half Moon Cookies at Harrison Bakery

Photo courtesy of Tamaralee Shutt

Harrison Bakery is proud to be a family owned business operating in Syracuse since 1949. Their mission is to strive to provide quality bakery products at fair prices by a committed team of individuals. Half-moons originated in Utica, New York at Hemstrought's Bakery, but Harrison is the home of these soft, sponge-cake-like shortbreads that are iced on one half with vanilla fondant, and on the other half by chocolate fondant.

Everything at PB&J's Lunchbox Food Truck

Photos courtesy of Anthony Christiano / Via domino81.wix.com

Pat at PB&J's Lunchbox is one of the hardest working people we know and it shows in her delicious daily treats. Famous for turkey melts, burgers and chili she knows how to handle the grill! She's all about friendly service and quick tasty treats for lunch - you can even tweet your orders in to eliminate waiting in line!

Twitter: @pbandjslunchbox

The Power Play Burger at Ale 'N' Angus Pub

photo courtesy of Matt James / Via blurredculture.com

Ale 'N' Angus Pub is The Best Burger in New York State (according to the NY beef council.) Ale 'N' Angus Pub's Syracuse Crunch-inspired Power Play Burger is an 8-ounce angus patty topped with strips of slow-cooked prime rib and American cheese. The only crunch you'll hear is your mandible jaw bone chomping on this beefy goodness. #meatonmeat

Book the Food on foot tour - Battle of the Burgers to sample some ground in the round from Blarney Stone, Ale N' Angus and the Burger Joint to name a few.

Bonzai Beef at The Blue Tusk

Photo courtesy of Babbette Puzey

Speaking of Beef, The Tusk only serves this special sand on Fridays & Saturdays. It has banana peppers rings, red onions, gooey cheese, wasabi mayo and of course chopped beef. If young internet sensation Noah Ritter came to town he would say something like, "Apparently people in Syracuse like beef" and he would be right! The Bonzai Beef makes your taste buds do a delicious nose dive that can only end with one of the 69+ beers on tap!

The Knickerbocker Sandwich at Riley's

Photo courtesy of Matt James / Via blurredculture.com

Riley's opened in March of 1979 and has been delivering up daily specials and sandwiches like the massive open-faced knickerbocker to droves of fans ever since. Ham, Turkey, Slaw, Cheese, Tomato, Russian on Rye served with a heaping portion of their house cut chips and a pickle spear! It might be messy, but it is definitely delicious.

Pizza at Twin Trees Too!

photo by Michael J. Henry

Culinary history was made in 1830 when the first restaurant dedicated solely to pizza – the world’s first pizzeria – was opened in Naples, Italy. Years Later the Twin Trees empire began on an un-assuming corner in Solvay. Soon, from Syracusa, Italy to Syracuse, NY pizza lovers rejoiced! Finally a pizza so delicious that it must be cut in long strips to enjoy! Manja!

Wings at Shifty's

Michael J. Henry

What goes better with pizza then wings!? Shifty's is known for cold beer, HOT WINGS and live music! The wings can be smoked or fried and have flavors like Flaming mango, F-Bomb and Frankenstein! Shifty's opened in 1969 as a small corner bar and not much has changed since then. Live music 5 nights a week and wings that will keep you coming back for more!

Hoffman Coney at Heid's of Liverpool

photo courtesy of Samantha Spadafore

Heid’s is a Central New York food landmark. It’s been around since 1917, but the Heid's were making dogs as far back as 1886…and it's one of the oldest drive-ins, anywhere. Upstaters know that there is nothing quite like a Hoffman coney with spicy yellow mustard. The white-hot grilled coney on a bun is a favorite of travelers from all over. Their tag says it all - Food you'll like!