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Originally posted by Woo

Going to Saratoga Springs for a few days in August for the races and relax on a lake. Anyone live or been in the Lake Luzerne/Saratoga Springs area and have any good suggestions for places to eat? One good thing I do know – one of the last Howard Johnson’s is up in Lake George, that’s a meal or two for sure!

My in-laws are in the Glens Falls area, and they’ve taken us to Chez Pierre in Wilton. I still dream about the Steak Diane that I had there a couple years back.

John
Norwood, MA

We just got back from our trip to the Sagamore in Bolton Landing, just north of Saratoga, and on Lake George. We stayed in Colonie on the way up at exit 2W on the Northway, (just north of Albany). Well, we had the best meal at a place called Delmonico’s. They have a steak, delmonico, of course, that is 15.99 and is 24 oz. We shared, along with several appetizers. No extra charge. [:)] One of our appetizers was fried mozzarella. It wasn’t a few sticks, but slabs that looked like 2 pieces of bread cut diagonally and fried. We couldn’t eat it all. It was the best meal of our entire trip. There are several good and inexpensive motels nearby. Also many places to eat, but this is the best. It is right next to Smokey Bones. Our motel gave us a coupon for a free drink, too. [:D]

I live in Saratoga Springs and also avoid restaurant dining out during track season, however here are some more recommendations and support of some previous ones.

For pizza, I like the Village Pizzeria in East Galway, on rte 29 west of Saratoga. Both the regular red sauce pizza and pesto pizza are very good.

For ice cream, a little bit of a drive, but great homemade hard ice cream, try The Ice Cream Man, rte 29 east, near the Washington County Fairgrounds (between Schuylerville and Greenwich). This is also near The Hand Melon farm stand if you want some good sweet corn and melons.

For a homemade turkey dinner, try White Holland House, rte 29 west of Saratoga, not far from the intersection of rtes 29 and 30. This is also a bit of a drive from Saratoga. It is also known locally as The Turkey Farm.

To second some previous recommendations, I also heartily recommend Country Corner Cafe-delicious pancakes with fruit in the batter, real maple syrup, homemade jams. The location on High Rock Ave is very nice. This is near the Saratoga Springs Farmers market site which is a great place to hit on Saturday morning.

I also like Mexican Connection. A little pricey for Mexican, but the "conquistador" combination platter is my favorite, and I also like their margaritas!

Ryefield’s is in Bolton Landing. It is a good steak place, with home made blue cheese salad dressing to die for. It is a dumpy bar looking place. [:)]

I would hit The Parting Glass and Putnum’s Market. my 2 cents.

Yes they still serve breakfast at the track. Right along the rail at the main grandstand.
You can watch the horses train and they give you a crash course on handicapping and take you on a tram to the stables if you wish.

Do they still serve breakfast at the track? I’ve never been to the breakfast buffet but have been told it’s damn decient. Chow Jim

Lived there for four years and there really is some great roadfood in Saratoga. I know the places that are truly the best at a bargain ( I know this because i was in college and on a tight budget when I likved there. Okay here is a list of some great places:

Spring Street Deli (tons of options)
The Country Corner (best breakfast in town no contest)
Peabody’s (great wings)
Great italian deli but I caonnot remember the name (sorry)
Putnam Market (expensive sandwich, but soooo good)
Esperontos (Sp. when downtown and drinking)

So many more places it is ridiculous.

Ps. Hatties is really damn good, but it is hard to get into. (I worked in there kitchen for a summer)

PJ’s is the name of the BBQ place on rt 9 heading north off exit 13.
It is not really bbq, but they do an OK Cornell style chicken. The owner is from Buffalo and has Beef on Wick and hots from Rochester (Zweigles.)
The aforementiond Saratoga Brewpub on Phila St. is no longer with us nor is Big Bobby Browns BBQ on Saratoga Lake.
Ther eis plenty of very good food in Saratoga and very few chains (unless you head out to the interstate(87.)
For an excellent breakfast or lunch after ther track dropoff try Comptons on Broadway across from Caroline St.
They oprn at 4 AM and clos at 2 PM.
Sarges Triangle diner is also good for breakfast or lunch.
The Horseshoe at the intersection of Gridley and Nelson (very near the West side of the track) has a decent breakfast (it is near the Mexican Connection.)
The best deal for Hatties is Tuesday (the track is dark on tuesdays) nights during track season when they put out a lot of there menu for an all you can eat buffet for abou $20 (a little pricey but the quality is there.)
Ther are many other good places in the area but those ara all good for breakfast (except Hatties for dinner.)
Also earlier someone mentioned Ryefields? Did you mean Wheatfields?
Also on Broadway (don’t know of any Ryefields)

Lotsa good roadfood in the Saratoga area, including a pretty good bbq spot on the way into town, but the name escapes me now. If you’re looking for a decent burger and brew, try the Original Saratoga Springs Brewery, on Phila street. Usually has a couple of decent microbrews of their own, and a good selection of other drafts.

ok…on the southern edge of Saratoga Lake…..go to Big Bobby Brown’s Rocking BBQ…excellent q…I prefer it to PJ’s…sorry pbanjo…also…Mexican Connection and Leon’s both close to the track serve very good mexican style food….if you have never had Saratog Chips…then go to the Stadium…2 locations now…Joe Shea is the chef in charge of both (so you won’t know which location he would be at) but his Saratoga chips are my favorite in the area…you will need reservations for Hattie’s…especially during racing season…for Irish Pub style…go to the Parting Glass…

Thanks, Mike. We have never been to Lake Placid. Now we know where to go. Hope the rain stops by then. Our grass will be a foot tall when we get back if we can’t get it mowed before we leave! [:)]

If you happen to go a little further north, Saranac Sourdough in Lake Placid is great for artisan bread, breakfast and lunch. They also carry Oscar’s smoked meats (from down in Warrensburg. If you have a cooler, you have to take some home.) Smith’s Restaurant in North Creek had good breakfast but they hadn’t been open much the last couple times I was up. In Saranac Lake, Blue Moon is my favorite breakfast stop. Tail of the Pup in Ray Brook is considered a must by some but quality and value seems to be hit or miss. Lake Placid Brewpub has some very nice beers, good pubfood and outdoor seating. I’ve had good meals at the Adirondack Hotel in Long Lake and good breakfast at the Long Lake Diner. If you’ve never been, you absolutely have to go to the Adirondack Museum in Blue Mountain Lake. I think it is one of the best museums of any kind in the country. So… I’m suggesting you get a map and do a big loop around the High Peaks. It’ll be a nice daylong outing.