New York City may be the first place most people think of in terms of culinary hotspots, but upstate New York has a long and distinguished history when it comes to food. In fact, some of our favorite eateries might not even be here if it weren’t for the machinations of upstate New Yorkers. Legend has it that the first potato chips were created through a kitchen accident almost two centuries ago in Saratoga Springs. Although the exact details of the story may be somewhat hazy, kettle-cooked Saratoga chips remain a regional tradition. Other popular upstate delicacies include garbage plates, comfort food mash from Rochester, and tomato pie, a favorite of locals from Utica to Schenectady.
Pecca in Schenectady
“The Electric City is home to many Italian establishments, but Perecca’s holds a special place in the hearts of many Schenectady residents. Located in the center of Schenectady’s Little Italy, the family-owned shop has been baking its signature Italian bread since 1914. For many years, owner Maria Perecca’s family made slices of juicy tomato pie and giant loaves of floured bread straight from the store’s bakery. In 2009, however, Perecca’s founded More Perecca’s, an Italian restaurant located just next door.
Heidelberg Inn in Queensbury
The Heidelberg Inn, located in Queensbury, a picturesque town surrounded by the Adirondack Mountains and Lake George, has been serving German-American cuisine since 1972. Its kitschy interior is a throwback to simpler times with wooden walls, oak barrel signs, and steins lined up behind the bar.
Umana Jana in Albany
Combining vibrant flavors from Guyana, Haiti, and Ethiopia, to name a few, Umana Yana is the brainchild of Dale Davidson, a well-known capital region activist and businesswoman originally from Guyana. Umana Yana’s main restaurant is located on Washington Avenue in Albany, although a second location in the Empire State Plaza recently opened for diners.
Local 111 in Philmont
Chef Josephine Proulx, better known as Joe, has created a stunning culinary attraction for upstate New York residents and travelers on Philmont’s Main Street. Proulx began her career at Local 111 as chef de cuisine and general manager before taking over from previous owners Linda Gutter and Max Dennis in 2014. The restaurant itself was once the site of an abandoned garage, though it’s hard to imagine that today.
Nothing in Troy
For all its advantages, upstate New York has one sore spot compared to its downstate counterparts: finding truly incredible nighttime dining can be something of a challenge. Fortunately, midnight car rides to low-quality chain restaurants are a thing of the past for residents of the Capital Region thanks to the arrival of Naughter’s Night Eatery in Troy.