Inspired by the fascinating AMA thread about Russia...but obviously a little more tongue-in-cheek. :-P
What questions would you ask someone from New York if you've never been here (or before you'd traveled as much as you have now)? It might be interesting–if perhaps a little risky–to examine a few of own closer-to-home stereotypes.
Would I need to carry my physical vaccination card with me, or does a smartphone screenshot count? Also, does this apply upstate?
Where do people live in Manhattan? People can't live in businesses.
Here's a question: are you talking about the city, or the state? :D
Where is the best pizza in NYC and why is it in Staten Island?
Chris
Quote from: 1 on October 27, 2021, 11:05:54 AM
Would I need to carry my physical vaccination card with me, or does a smartphone screenshot count? Also, does this apply upstate?
A screenshot of your CDC card may not be accepted everywhere, since it can be faked. But you can link your vaccination data to the Excelsior Pass and display that from your smartphone wallet. That's what I do and it has always been accepted (even once out of state, in Connecticut).
EDIT: Yes, the same methods (CDC card or Excelsior Pass) would be valid statewide, although most areas don't have vaccination requirements as broad as NYC's.
QuoteWhere do people live in Manhattan? People can't live in businesses.
They live upstairs from businesses. :-)
In fact, while the major core areas (Midtown and the Financial District) are primarily commercial or office space, there are residential units all over the borough. While detached single-family homes are basically unheard of, the most common type of residential building consists of several floors of apartments above a row of storefronts, and that could be a 5- or 6-story walk-up, or a huge high-rise.
In wealthier areas you'll find rows of brownstones (town houses, some even single-family); elsewhere, there are numerous campus-style public housing complexes. And you may even find a few legit houses, such as in Marble Hill.
Quote from: jayhawkco on October 27, 2021, 11:14:55 AM
Where is the best pizza in NYC and why is it in Staten Island?
Chris
Because all of the small business in Manhattan are closing down, and all of the pizza there is tourist-grade.
Quote from: webny99 on October 27, 2021, 11:07:28 AM
Here's a question: are you talking about the city, or the state? :D
Exactly. ;-)
Which mile of former NY 178 was SH 185?
More of a NY State question: Which do you use more when you travel to western New York: the Turnpike or I-86?
Quote from: NE2 on October 27, 2021, 12:58:53 PM
Which mile of former NY 178 was SH 185?
Probably one not all that far from SH 183.
Quote from: jlam on October 27, 2021, 01:44:56 PM
More of a NY State question: Which do you use more when you travel to western New York: the Turnpike or I-86?
Depends where you're traveling from, but from where I live I would use I-86 (by way of I-84 and NY 17). From the capital district, on the other hand, you might be inclined to use the Cherry Valley Turnpike as a fun "blue highway" route. But for the fastest route, you'd probably just take the Thruway. ;-)
Are there any beaches nicer than the ones in Orleans County?
Chris
Admit it: NY-style pizza sold by the slice, and not from a fresh pie, is actually kind of gross.
Quote from: empirestate on October 27, 2021, 02:03:24 PM
Quote from: jlam on October 27, 2021, 01:44:56 PM
More of a NY State question: Which do you use more when you travel to western New York: the Turnpike or I-86?
Depends where you're traveling from, but from where I live I would use I-86 (by way of I-84 and NY 17). From the capital district, on the other hand, you might be inclined to use the Cherry Valley Turnpike as a fun "blue highway" route. But for the fastest route, you'd probably just take the Thruway. ;-)
NY 17/I-86 or I-80>I-380>I-81 are generally the preferred routes from downstate to any destination west of I-81. The Thruway between Albany and Syracuse is obviously the best route from Albany to points west, but it doesn't have much utility for traffic between upstate and downstate.
The answer could also be "both", as it is in my case: if I was heading downstate I would use I-90 to Syracuse, then I-81 to NY 17/I-86.
Quote from: jayhawkco on October 27, 2021, 02:06:31 PM
Are there any beaches nicer than the ones in Orleans County?
Certainly, on Long Island :-P
(
Elsewhere (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Southwich+Beach/@43.7636773,-76.2160389,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sAF1QipPgcgo83kP1gQuINPH3qDjh4Ef27Eitli3WkQ7N!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipPgcgo83kP1gQuINPH3qDjh4Ef27Eitli3WkQ7N%3Dw114-h86-k-no!7i4032!8i3024!4m5!3m4!1s0x89d83ba4f602ca11:0xaec997e1908c7289!8m2!3d43.7636772!4d-76.2160387!5m1!1e1)
upstate too (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Sandy+Pond+Beach/@43.6467549,-76.1950373,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sAF1QipM-vmdnpFvlUtueGRJR34l4cxXI8YyDH6kyU6-D!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipM-vmdnpFvlUtueGRJR34l4cxXI8YyDH6kyU6-D%3Dw203-h270-k-no!7i3024!8i4032!4m7!3m6!1s0x89d83144c6bd0145:0x2e8567d903fd60f2!8m2!3d43.6467548!4d-76.195035!14m1!1BCgwKCC9tLzBiM3lyMAE!5m1!1e1),
of course (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Fair+Haven+Beach/@43.3441985,-76.6979837,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sAF1QipNZgKjp2wc15LMCUv3Xwnlkj0pjv17ThnkoNde-!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipNZgKjp2wc15LMCUv3Xwnlkj0pjv17ThnkoNde-%3Dw203-h152-k-no!7i4032!8i3024!4m7!3m6!1s0x89d769ba52babd1f:0x9b1927bd084a4799!8m2!3d43.3441992!4d-76.697984!14m1!1BCgIgAQ!5m1!1e1))
Have people from upstate NY accepted that people tend to associate "New York" with one of the most famous cities in the world, as opposed to the largely rural and nondescript area that is upstate by comparison? (I know that there is a lot to like about upstate but IMO upstate residents should not be offended by "New York" and "New York City" being synonymous.)
What is you guy's view on Massachusetts and New England?
Quote from: thspfc on October 27, 2021, 03:29:40 PM
Have people from upstate NY accepted that people tend to associate "New York" with one of the most famous cities in the world, as opposed to the largely rural and nondescript area that is upstate by comparison? (I know that there is a lot to like about upstate but IMO upstate residents should not be offended by "New York" and "New York City" being synonymous.)
For the most part, yes. I mean, it's certainly not a dynamic that anyone upstate loves, but it's also accepted as a part of living here, and isn't something that's going to change anytime soon.
And anyone who has visited Upstate NY probably realizes that it's actually
not nondescript and arguably one of the most interesting states east of the Mississippi (at least in terms of overall diversity; a state like Vermont is obviously much more interesting/scenic on a per-square mile basis), so I tend to think of "NY=NYC" as simply uninformed, not necessarily an upstate snub.
One thing that bothers me, though... why is Josh Allen pictured here? It's clearly about New York City sports:
https://twitter.com/sportscenter/status/1446192773074456577
And for a certain segment of the population "New York" only means Manhattan, not just the city as a whole.
Also this kind of thing, lol :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-PfHZi9MJnI
Why does Ithaca (Cornell) lack a 4 lane connection to the interstate system?
Why does Orleans County exist?
Quote from: triplemultiplex on October 27, 2021, 04:33:51 PM
Also this kind of thing, lol :
[video]
Well, true... at the end of the day the one thing a real New Yorker wouldn't do is stop to answer that question! :-D
Quote from: Flint1979 on October 27, 2021, 04:52:06 PM
Why does Orleans County exist?
So we can debate about "when is a beach not a beach?"
Quote from: SkyPesos on October 27, 2021, 04:50:35 PM
Why does Ithaca (Cornell) lack a 4 lane connection to the interstate system?
It certainly should, but traffic to Ithaca approaches from so many different directions that no single approach has gotten bad enough for it to happen. The NY 13 corridor heading northeast to Cortland/I-81 is actually the busiest route to/from Ithaca, but at least that corridor has a reasonable alternate, at least for car traffic, through Freeville/McLean.
Quote from: jayhawkco on October 27, 2021, 02:06:31 PM
Are there any beaches nicer than the ones in Orleans County?
No, all the rest are spoiled by allowing the public to swim from them, so they are much less pristine.
Quote from: abefroman329 on October 27, 2021, 03:10:20 PM
Admit it: NY-style pizza sold by the slice, and not from a fresh pie, is actually kind of gross.
I'm sorry, that's not a question. :-P
Quote from: webny99 on October 27, 2021, 03:17:00 PM
The Thruway between Albany and Syracuse is obviously the best route from Albany to points west, but it doesn't have much utility for traffic between upstate and downstate.
That being said, I actually live far enough north that the Thruway comes out almost even time-wise to I-86 for going to western New York. (I know, I was a little surprised myself.)
Quote from: thspfc on October 27, 2021, 03:29:40 PM
Have people from upstate NY accepted that people tend to associate "New York" with one of the most famous cities in the world, as opposed to the largely rural and nondescript area that is upstate by comparison? (I know that there is a lot to like about upstate but IMO upstate residents should not be offended by "New York" and "New York City" being synonymous.)
Absolutely not. Heck, people upstate haven't even accepted the city itself, let alone other people's perceptions of it! :-D
Quote from: webny99 on October 27, 2021, 03:54:17 PM
Quote from: thspfc on October 27, 2021, 03:29:40 PM
Have people from upstate NY accepted that people tend to associate "New York" with one of the most famous cities in the world, as opposed to the largely rural and nondescript area that is upstate by comparison? (I know that there is a lot to like about upstate but IMO upstate residents should not be offended by "New York" and "New York City" being synonymous.)
For the most part, yes. I mean, it's certainly not a dynamic that anyone upstate loves, but it's also accepted as a part of living here, and isn't something that's going to change anytime soon.
And anyone who has visited Upstate NY probably realizes that it's actually not nondescript and arguably one of the most interesting states east of the Mississippi (at least in terms of overall diversity; a state like Vermont is obviously much more interesting/scenic on a per-square mile basis), so I tend to think of "NY=NYC" as simply uninformed, not necessarily an upstate snub.
One thing that bothers me, though... why is Josh Allen pictured here? It's clearly about New York City sports:
https://twitter.com/sportscenter/status/1446192773074456577
Should the Giants and Jets count? They're in New Jersey - if thy do, why not the New Jersey Devils?
Quote from: SSOWorld on October 27, 2021, 07:34:21 PM
Quote from: webny99 on October 27, 2021, 03:54:17 PM
One thing that bothers me, though... why is Josh Allen pictured here? It's clearly about New York City sports:
[tweet snipped]
Should the Giants and Jets count? They're in New Jersey - if thy do, why not the New Jersey Devils?
Exactly... in no world should all 3 NFL teams count but not the Devils.
If it's referring to the city, then the Bills make no sense. But if it's referring to the state then no NJ teams count, and that would be even weirder.
Quote from: empirestate on October 27, 2021, 07:22:17 PM
Quote from: thspfc on October 27, 2021, 03:29:40 PM
Have people from upstate NY accepted that people tend to associate "New York" with one of the most famous cities in the world, as opposed to the largely rural and nondescript area that is upstate by comparison? (I know that there is a lot to like about upstate but IMO upstate residents should not be offended by "New York" and "New York City" being synonymous.)
Absolutely not. Heck, people upstate haven't even accepted the city itself, let alone other people's perceptions of it! :-D
Now I'm curious if this is serious to some degree, or completely tongue-in-cheek. It's almost the opposite of my answer, although I decided to give what I thought was an honest answer while carefully avoiding "taking the bait".
(And I hope you don't mind me answering some of the questions here - Feel free to let me know if you do :D)
Suppose we're taking a road trip upstate, kind of following back roads along I-90. Aside from the obvious (steamed hams), what local foods and brews are not to be missed?
We've had a thread about this, but where do New Yorkers consider the line between upstate and downstate to be drawn?
Quote from: webny99 on October 27, 2021, 05:04:42 PM
Quote from: Flint1979 on October 27, 2021, 04:52:06 PM
Why does Orleans County exist?
So we can debate about "when is a beach not a beach?"
Is Orleans County the Alanland of NY?
Quote from: Roadgeekteen on October 27, 2021, 03:29:43 PM
What is you guy's view on Massachusetts and New England?
Well, there's the obvious sports rivalry between New York and Boston (which some people extend beyond sports to the cities/states themselves, but that's honestly a bit silly as they aren't directly comparable). And some people in one like to complain about the roads/drivers of the other.
But when you come right down to it, New York and New England have a shared history going back to the earliest days, and they really have much more in common that not. (By contrast, compare New York or New England with California or the deep South.) As states and regions go, we're really pretty close family.
Quote from: SkyPesos on October 27, 2021, 04:50:35 PM
Why does Ithaca (Cornell) lack a 4 lane connection to the interstate system?
It befits its status as an island of blue in a sea of red.
Quote from: Flint1979 on October 27, 2021, 04:52:06 PM
Why does Orleans County exist?
To prevent Genesee County from having a beach.
Quote from: webny99 on October 27, 2021, 07:51:39 PM
Quote from: empirestate on October 27, 2021, 07:22:17 PM
Absolutely not. Heck, people upstate haven't even accepted the city itself, let alone other people's perceptions of it! :-D
Now I'm curious if this is serious to some degree, or completely tongue-in-cheek. It's almost the opposite of my answer, although I decided to give what I thought was an honest answer while carefully avoid "taking the bait".
(And I hope you don't mind me answering some of the questions here - Feel free to let me know if you do :D)
Of course! The idea here is absolutely to be tongue-in-cheek. On the other hand, there might be some earnest questions that warrant earnest answers. (And since you've covered some of the earnest answers, it leaves me free to handle the cheek-tonguing!)
Quote from: SkyPesos on October 27, 2021, 08:16:25 PM
Quote from: webny99 on October 27, 2021, 05:04:42 PM
Quote from: Flint1979 on October 27, 2021, 04:52:06 PM
Why does Orleans County exist?
So we can debate about "when is a beach not a beach?"
Is Orleans County the Alanland of NY?
That's a terrible insult to Alanland, and you'd better apologize quickly before any punishment is handed out! :-D
Quote from: kurumi on October 27, 2021, 08:06:20 PM
Suppose we're taking a road trip upstate, kind of following back roads along I-90. Aside from the obvious (steamed hams), what local foods and brews are not to be missed?
Those from the Albany area and/or central NY might be able to answer this better, but once you get west of Syracuse, certainly pizza and buffalo chicken wings from a local shop (Pudgie's or Guida's if you're in the Rochester area), and
trash plates (https://rocwiki.org/Garbage_Plates), another Rochester specialty. And once you get to Buffalo, there's
beef on weck (https://uncoveringnewyork.com/beef-on-weck-schwabls/) (never tried it myself, but heard it's good).
Can't speak much for brews personally, but the Genesee Brew House right on the Genesee River in Rochester is highly rated and always busy, with
views of High Falls (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Genesee+Brew+House/@43.163626,-77.6146588,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sAF1QipPBTBuh7tKbLlGOuk9m2K3xIR1BkkiVZh-0vpNa!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipPBTBuh7tKbLlGOuk9m2K3xIR1BkkiVZh-0vpNa%3Dw114-h86-k-no!7i4032!8i3024!4m7!3m6!1s0x89d6b451f5595eb1:0x497a617064cf707b!8m2!3d43.163626!4d-77.6146588!14m1!1BCgIgAQ). Further south, Binghamton is known for their own variation of meat sandwiches, called
spiedies (https://uncoveringnewyork.com/spiedies-in-binghamton/). I tried them once several years ago and they were good, but nothing I'd drive there just to try.
And then there's Dinosaur BBQ... debate will rage about where it ranks among BBQ's, certainly not top in the nation or anything, but it's
good (and most items, including their meats and cold salads, have a unique blend of seasonings that I enjoy, personally). But it's not so much about the food as it is about the
experience, especially at the downtown
Syracuse (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.0523952,-76.154671,3a,75y,0.97h,87.62t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sDF_YAZyDrht8zpKmc98SVg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192) (the original) and
Rochester (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.1536255,-77.6082021,3a,75y,205.96h,83.88t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sYe2QBeqd8GOg6Y3gHyGtUQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192) locations. It's got some serious vibes on weekend evenings... you won't experience anything quite like it elsewhere.
All told, there's a lot of great food if you know where to find it, just don't count your calories! :D
Quote from: empirestate on October 27, 2021, 08:24:26 PM
Quote from: Flint1979 on October 27, 2021, 04:52:06 PM
Why does Orleans County exist?
To prevent Genesee County from having a beach on Lake Ontario
FTFY (https://www.google.com/maps/@42.9050818,-78.4331942,3a,15y,97.54h,88.33t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1scyr_wt7_O4CaBamqP9Mr1A!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!5m1!1e1). An A+ answer other than that though! :-P
Is the Lake Ontario State Parkway worth driving to? To experience the condition of the road, haha
Quote from: andrepoiy on October 27, 2021, 09:27:58 PM
Is the Lake Ontario State Parkway worth driving to? To experience the condition of the road, haha
I actually haven't been on the section west of Hamlin Beach in several years. But
the Street View car has (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.3679055,-78.043124,3a,75y,268.31h,86.65t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sDiXeXF2ztYnRZf0TrUREBg!2e0!5s20210801T000000!7i16384!8i8192!5m1!1e1), and it looks like the section west of Hamlin has now been completely repaved as of this past August (you can see in the link where the new pavement ends; this is westbound just past NY 237). That leaves just 10 miles to the end of the parkway; I'm not sure if/when that will be repaved, but I'm pretty sure what's left isn't as bad as the NY 237 to NY 19 segment was at its worst.
It's a very nice road from Hamlin Beach to Rochester though; despite a 10-mile stretch with at-grade intersections, none of them are busy enough to cause any issues for the foreseeable future.
Quote from: webny99 on October 27, 2021, 09:11:20 PM
Quote from: kurumi on October 27, 2021, 08:06:20 PM
Suppose we're taking a road trip upstate, kind of following back roads along I-90. Aside from the obvious (steamed hams), what local foods and brews are not to be missed?
Those from the Albany area and/or central NY might be able to answer this better, but once you get west of Syracuse, certainly pizza and buffalo chicken wings from a local shop (Pudgie's or Guida's if you're in the Rochester area), and trash plates (https://rocwiki.org/Garbage_Plates), another Rochester specialty. And once you get to Buffalo, there's beef on weck (https://uncoveringnewyork.com/beef-on-weck-schwabls/) (never tried it myself, but heard it's good).
Can't speak much for brews personally, but the Genesee Brew House right on the Genesee River in Rochester is highly rated and always busy, with views of High Falls (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Genesee+Brew+House/@43.163626,-77.6146588,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sAF1QipPBTBuh7tKbLlGOuk9m2K3xIR1BkkiVZh-0vpNa!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipPBTBuh7tKbLlGOuk9m2K3xIR1BkkiVZh-0vpNa%3Dw114-h86-k-no!7i4032!8i3024!4m7!3m6!1s0x89d6b451f5595eb1:0x497a617064cf707b!8m2!3d43.163626!4d-77.6146588!14m1!1BCgIgAQ). Further south, Binghamton is known for their own variation of meat sandwiches, called spiedies (https://uncoveringnewyork.com/spiedies-in-binghamton/). I tried them once several years ago and they were good, but nothing I'd drive there just to try.
And then there's Dinosaur BBQ... debate will rage about where it ranks among BBQ's, certainly not top in the nation or anything, but it's good (and most items, including their meats and cold salads, have a unique blend of seasonings that I enjoy, personally). But it's not so much about the food as it is about the experience, especially at the downtown Syracuse (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.0523952,-76.154671,3a,75y,0.97h,87.62t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sDF_YAZyDrht8zpKmc98SVg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192) (the original) and Rochester (https://www.google.com/maps/@43.1536255,-77.6082021,3a,75y,205.96h,83.88t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sYe2QBeqd8GOg6Y3gHyGtUQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192) locations. It's got some serious vibes on weekend evenings... you won't experience anything quite like it elsewhere.
All told, there's a lot of great food if you know where to find it, just don't count your calories! :D
People from the eastern part of the state would argue with you about pizza and the western part of the state (and Italian food in general).
Utica has tomato pie and chicken riggies.
Dinosaur BBQ has gone downhill. Totally overhyped and probably the blandest BBQ in the country now.
Quote from: Rothman on October 27, 2021, 10:48:38 PM
Dinosaur BBQ has gone downhill. Totally overhyped and probably the blandest BBQ in the country now.
It can't be worse than Famous Dave's.
Quote from: Rothman on October 27, 2021, 10:48:38 PM
Dinosaur BBQ has gone downhill. Totally overhyped and probably the blandest BBQ in the country now.
Haven't had it super recently (probably been a year or so?) but bland is the last word I would use to describe it. Maybe the Syracuse one has gone downhill, but the Rochester one hasn't, at least to my knowledge.
Quote from: webny99 on October 27, 2021, 10:55:47 PM
Quote from: Rothman on October 27, 2021, 10:48:38 PM
Dinosaur BBQ has gone downhill. Totally overhyped and probably the blandest BBQ in the country now.
Haven't had it super recently (probably been a year or so?) but bland is the last word I would use to describe it. Maybe the Syracuse one has gone downhill, but the Rochester one hasn't, at least to my knowledge.
I'd take Sticky Lips in Rochester over Dinosaur.
Had Dinosaur somewhat recently. Within the last couple of years.
Quote from: vdeane on October 27, 2021, 10:11:49 PM
Quote from: webny99 on October 27, 2021, 09:11:20 PM
Quote from: kurumi on October 27, 2021, 08:06:20 PM
Suppose we're taking a road trip upstate, kind of following back roads along I-90. Aside from the obvious (steamed hams), what local foods and brews are not to be missed?
Those from the Albany area and/or central NY might be able to answer this better, but once you get west of Syracuse, certainly pizza and buffalo chicken wings from a local shop (Pudgie's or Guida's if you're in the Rochester area), and trash plates (https://rocwiki.org/Garbage_Plates), another Rochester specialty. And once you get to Buffalo, there's beef on weck (https://uncoveringnewyork.com/beef-on-weck-schwabls/) (never tried it myself, but heard it's good).
...
People from the eastern part of the state would argue with you about pizza and the western part of the state (and Italian food in general).
Not sure I've had much pizza east of Syracuse, at least from local chains. What is your experience, is it really much different or any better in that direction?
I always thought pizza was sort of a Western New York "thing"... maybe partly by association with chicken wings. But it could also be that I just really like a good pizza and I'm overrating it as a local specialty.
Quote from: kurumi on October 27, 2021, 08:06:20 PM
Suppose we're taking a road trip upstate, kind of following back roads along I-90. Aside from the obvious (steamed hams), what local foods and brews are not to be missed?
Just make a stop at Beers of the World, and I won't have to suggest any brews because you can try them all!
As for foods, I'll tackle that separately...
Quote from: hbelkins on October 27, 2021, 08:16:06 PM
We've had a thread about this, but where do New Yorkers consider the line between upstate and downstate to be drawn?
In the wrong place.
Quote from: SkyPesos on October 27, 2021, 08:16:25 PM
Is Orleans County the Alanland of NY?
Eh, it is and it isn't.
Quote from: andrepoiy on October 27, 2021, 09:27:58 PM
Is the Lake Ontario State Parkway worth driving to? To experience the condition of the road, haha
No.
Quote from: webny99 on October 27, 2021, 09:11:20 PM
Those from the Albany area and/or central NY might be able to answer this better, but once you get west of Syracuse, certainly pizza and buffalo chicken wings from a local shop (Pudgie's or Guida's if you're in the Rochester area), and trash plates (https://rocwiki.org/Garbage_Plates), another Rochester specialty.
Pudgie's is more of Southern Tier chain, in my estimation. I haven't tried Guida's, but for pizza in the Rochester area, Mark's, Pontillo's and Salvatore's are pretty much go-to names.
Quote from: webny99 on October 27, 2021, 11:00:48 PM
I always thought pizza was sort of a Western New York "thing"... maybe partly by association with chicken wings. But it could also be that I just really like a good pizza and I'm overrating it as a local specialty.
Pizza is a downstate thing, for sure. There are well-loved local favorites in the Upstate cities, to be sure, but the regional culinary identity lies elsewhere.
In western New York it's really about the wings, and the best I've had anywhere (and that includes the Anchor Bar) are at Jeremiah's. But you can find wings of comparable quality throughout the region, and even a few downstate places have at least the right basic ideas. (Pro tip: if it's not orange, it's not a Buffalo wing.) There are also Country Sweet wings, which are a highly prized alternative. They basically use Boss Sauce instead of Buffalo sauce.
"Trash plates" are really called "garbage plates", but most restaurants don't own that trademark so they call them "trash plates", "mess plates", "heartburn special", etc. I've had maybe one, ever, and it was...it was fine.
QuoteCan't speak much for brews personally, but the Genesee Brew House right on the Genesee River in Rochester is highly rated and always busy, with views of High Falls (https://www.google.com/maps/place/Genesee+Brew+House/@43.163626,-77.6146588,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sAF1QipPBTBuh7tKbLlGOuk9m2K3xIR1BkkiVZh-0vpNa!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipPBTBuh7tKbLlGOuk9m2K3xIR1BkkiVZh-0vpNa%3Dw114-h86-k-no!7i4032!8i3024!4m7!3m6!1s0x89d6b451f5595eb1:0x497a617064cf707b!8m2!3d43.163626!4d-77.6146588!14m1!1BCgIgAQ).
The brewing scene in Rochester has really kicked in lately, with Three Heads having really opened things up on the craft beer line. (I believe both they and Genesee do a lot of contract brewing, so you'll see Rochester, NY on the labels of beers around the country.) Rohrbach is also a reliable local staple; they opened back in the first wave of craft brewing during the '90s.
Quote from: webny99 on October 27, 2021, 10:55:47 PM
Quote from: Rothman on October 27, 2021, 10:48:38 PM
Dinosaur BBQ has gone downhill. Totally overhyped and probably the blandest BBQ in the country now.
Haven't had it super recently (probably been a year or so?) but bland is the last word I would use to describe it. Maybe the Syracuse one has gone downhill, but the Rochester one hasn't, at least to my knowledge.
Definitely not bland, and by far not the blandest even within the state. I think what's really happened is that BBQ elitism has grown, rather than any one place gotten better or worse. It used to be that you could mention Dinosaur as a favorite without much fear of reprisal, but nowadays you'd better be prepared to hear about how worthless it is compared to Kansas City or Memphis or Texas, or...well, you can just read this thread to see what I mean. :pan:
Quote from: Rothman on October 27, 2021, 10:58:43 PM
I'd take Sticky Lips in Rochester over Dinosaur.
I've got friends with the same opinion.
Perhaps it's safest just to say that Dinosaur is the Orleans County of BBQ.
Yes, pizza is definitely more associated with downstate (and northern NJ). It's actually interesting... I think Rochester pizza is fine, but a coworker from Schenectady think's it's bad. Then I have another coworker from Fishkill who doesn't like Capital District pizza because she's used to NYC style. It seems like the closer to NYC one is, they more they're going to be influenced by pizza elitism.
Speaking of Rohrbach's, I enjoy their buffalo chicken plate, though it's very filling (and feels like it's larger every time I have one).
Quote from: empirestate on October 28, 2021, 12:00:32 AM
Quote from: webny99 on October 27, 2021, 09:11:20 PM
... once you get west of Syracuse, certainly pizza and buffalo chicken wings from a local shop (Pudgie's or Guida's if you're in the Rochester area), and trash plates (https://rocwiki.org/Garbage_Plates), another Rochester specialty.
Pudgie's is more of Southern Tier chain, in my estimation.
Interesting. Before I looked it up earlier today, the only locations I knew about were Rochester (Goodman St.) and Canandaigua (NY 332).
Quote from: empirestate on October 28, 2021, 12:00:32 AM
I haven't tried Guida's, but for pizza in the Rochester area, Mark's, Pontillo's and Salvatore's are pretty much go-to names.
You're missing out! Guida's pizza and wings are the best, especially their cajun wings. In my experience Mark's and Salvatore's are OK, but they're not as good as Guida's. If you're going to get Pontillo's, it's got to be from the Bushnell's Basin location. That one makes a way better pizza than all their other locations, and it's not just imagination - the top chef there basically said as much to a friend of ours. Not sure how he does it, but the end result is fantastic.
Quote from: empirestate on October 28, 2021, 12:00:32 AM
In western New York it's really about the wings, and the best I've had anywhere (and that includes the Anchor Bar) are at Jeremiah's. But you can find wings of comparable quality throughout the region, and even a few downstate places have at least the right basic ideas. (Pro tip: if it's not orange, it's not a Buffalo wing.) There are also Country Sweet wings, which are a highly prized alternative. They basically use Boss Sauce instead of Buffalo sauce.
Yeah, the pizza is often secondary to the wings around here. Most places have just about any flavor of wing sauce you could ask for... Garlic parm is another good one. Guida's wings are among the best. Windjammers up by Charlotte has great wings too, especially if you prefer a dry rub. There was a place downtown with great wings as well... sadly it's no longer around.
Quote from: empirestate on October 28, 2021, 12:00:32 AM
"Trash plates" are really called "garbage plates", but most restaurants don't own that trademark so they call them "trash plates", "mess plates", "heartburn special", etc. I've had maybe one, ever, and it was...it was fine.
Right... they're more commonly known as trash plates now even though "garbage" is the original name. The best trash plates aren't from a restaurant, though, they're homemade. I'm fortunate to have some friends and family that know how to do it right - including homemade meat sauce - and there's no comparison with what you can get in a restaurant. Much better on every level! :biggrin:
Quote from: empirestate on October 28, 2021, 12:00:32 AM
Perhaps it's safest just to say that Dinosaur is the Orleans County of BBQ.
Safest!? I think you know that's probably the
least safe thing to say around here! :-P
Quote from: empirestate on October 27, 2021, 07:22:17 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on October 27, 2021, 03:10:20 PM
Admit it: NY-style pizza sold by the slice, and not from a fresh pie, is actually kind of gross.
I'm sorry, that's not a question.
Sorry, Alex Trebek. :-D
Is NY-style pizza sold by the slice, and not from a fresh pie, actually kind of gross?
Quote from: abefroman329 on October 28, 2021, 01:35:23 PM
Is NY-style pizza sold by the slice, and not from a fresh pie, actually kind of gross?
Well, the logical answer to that would be that if you're going to buy it by the slice, make sure you buy a
fresh slice! There aren't many pizzas that aren't best fresh!
Plattsburgh NY or Burlington VT
Quote from: empirestate on October 28, 2021, 12:00:32 AM
Quote from: webny99 on October 27, 2021, 10:55:47 PM
Quote from: Rothman on October 27, 2021, 10:48:38 PM
Dinosaur BBQ has gone downhill. Totally overhyped and probably the blandest BBQ in the country now.
Haven't had it super recently (probably been a year or so?) but bland is the last word I would use to describe it. Maybe the Syracuse one has gone downhill, but the Rochester one hasn't, at least to my knowledge.
Definitely not bland, and by far not the blandest even within the state. I think what's really happened is that BBQ elitism has grown, rather than any one place gotten better or worse. It used to be that you could mention Dinosaur as a favorite without much fear of reprisal, but nowadays you'd better be prepared to hear about how worthless it is compared to Kansas City or Memphis or Texas, or...well, you can just read this thread to see what I mean. :pan:
I'm not comparing it to Kansas City or Memphis or Texas. I'm comparing it to itself, actually. It was good, once upon a time, whether you ate in Troy or in Syracuse. But, it wasn't only my last time there, but the time before that where I was shocked at their decline in quality. And it was bland. Like grandma's oatmeal.
Sticky Lips is better.
(And, Luling City Market in Luling, TX for the best ever. :) )
If this thread was made sooner then I would have put the 270 Park Avenue question in here!
https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=30342.0
Quote from: webny99 on October 28, 2021, 01:33:48 PM
Quote from: empirestate on October 28, 2021, 12:00:32 AM
Pudgie's is more of Southern Tier chain, in my estimation.
Interesting. Before I looked it up earlier today, the only locations I knew about were Rochester (Goodman St.) and Canandaigua (NY 332).
Yeah, I spent some time in the Southern Tier during the 90s and recall Pudgie's there at the time, before there were any locations near Rochester.
QuoteYou're missing out! Guida's pizza and wings are the best, especially their cajun wings. In my experience Mark's and Salvatore's are OK, but they're not as good as Guida's.
I wouldn't be in the market for cajun wings–what interests me is the actual Buffalo sauce. (I developed a taste for it while working at Mark's, as it happens. We used to get to fry up and eat any supernumerary wings after packing our dozens.)
That does point up a hazard in trying to identify the best wings, however. Many people are considering fried wings of any flavor, while others are only comparing Buffalo wings. Some would even define a "Buffalo" wing by the cooking method rather than by the sauce. Like so many controversies, it could be that people aren't disagreeing on the answer, but on the question.
QuoteThere was a place downtown with great wings as well... sadly it's no longer around.
Richmond's?
QuoteRight... they're more commonly known as trash plates now even though "garbage" is the original name.
How the times have changed... "In my day" one would never hear "trash plate"! :-D
Quote from: Rothman on October 28, 2021, 02:54:31 PM
I'm not comparing it to Kansas City or Memphis or Texas. I'm comparing it to itself, actually. It was good, once upon a time, whether you ate in Troy or in Syracuse. But, it wasn't only my last time there, but the time before that where I was shocked at their decline in quality. And it was bland. Like grandma's oatmeal.
Right, I wasn't meaning to describe your specific experience, because of course it didn't happen to me. But rather, just to point out what others are most likely to experience.
Quote from: abefroman329 on October 28, 2021, 01:35:23 PM
Is NY-style pizza sold by the slice, and not from a fresh pie, actually kind of gross?
Maybe a bit, probably? But that's a guess, as most NY-style slices are served from a relatively fresh pie. (I mean, pizza does reheat quite well in the correct sort of oven, and that means even a day or two after!)
Quote from: andrepoiy on October 28, 2021, 01:39:45 PM
Plattsburgh NY or Burlington VT
trueQuote from: tolbs17 on October 28, 2021, 09:46:53 PM
If this thread was made sooner then I would have put the 270 Park Avenue question in here!
QuoteWhy did they demolish that huge building that looks modern and fine? I feel like it seems a waste to just demolish it instead of finding an open area to build another building.
false
Quote from: empirestate on October 28, 2021, 10:04:51 PM
Quote from: webny99 on October 28, 2021, 01:33:48 PM
You're missing out! Guida's pizza and wings are the best, especially their cajun wings. In my experience Mark's and Salvatore's are OK, but they're not as good as Guida's.
I wouldn't be in the market for cajun wings–what interests me is the actual Buffalo sauce. (I developed a taste for it while working at Mark's, as it happens. We used to get to fry up and eat any supernumerary wings after packing our dozens.)
Oh, well you should be if you're not now - cajun are the best! (Just my opinion, of course! :biggrin:) Guida's also has breaded cajun wings - basically a heart attack on a plate, but really good all the same.
That's not to say I don't like buffalo wing sauce - it's great too. Unlike some people, I don't even mind medium or hot buffalo wing sauce. There are limits, of course, but generally the hotter the better in my book!
Quote from: empirestate on October 28, 2021, 10:04:51 PM
Quote from: webny99 on October 28, 2021, 01:33:48 PM
There was a place downtown with great wings as well... sadly it's no longer around.
Richmond's?
No, it was called Chicken Moms. It was in a pretty rough part of town to say the least, and it closed ages ago, but I did find
some (https://rocwiki.org/Chicken_Moms)
evidence (http://rochesternypizza.blogspot.com/2010/06/chicken-moms-north-goodman-st.html) that it existed!
Quote from: vdeane on October 27, 2021, 10:11:49 PM
Utica has tomato pie and chicken riggies.
Don't forget we've got Utica Greens too.
Quote from: webny99 on October 28, 2021, 10:41:46 PM
Quote from: webny99 on October 28, 2021, 01:33:48 PM
There was a place downtown with great wings as well... sadly it's no longer around.
Richmond's?
No, it was called Chicken Moms. It was in a pretty rough part of town to say the least, and it closed ages ago, but I did find
some (https://rocwiki.org/Chicken_Moms)
evidence (http://rochesternypizza.blogspot.com/2010/06/chicken-moms-north-goodman-st.html) that it existed!
[/quote]
Oh, that's well north of downtown!
Incidentally, when I worked at Mark's (in Irondequoit), Clifford Ave. was the southern border of our delivery area–partially because it represented the margins of the roughest part of town. Clifford/Goodman would be right at the corner; things didn't get really bad until you're closer in to Scio/North/Upper Falls.
(I once had to deliver to a place on the corner of Conkey and D, which was exactly as you'd expect it to be. Though in all fairness, I quit after the shop itself was robbed twice–so in that instance, the roughest part of town was Irondequoit!)
Quote from: empirestate on October 29, 2021, 11:18:09 AM
Quote from: webny99 on October 28, 2021, 10:41:46 PM
Quote from: empirestate on October 28, 2021, 10:04:51 PM
Quote from: webny99 on October 28, 2021, 01:33:48 PM
There was a place downtown with great wings as well... sadly it's no longer around.
Richmond's?
No, it was called Chicken Moms. It was in a pretty rough part of town to say the least, and it closed ages ago, but I did find some (https://rocwiki.org/Chicken_Moms) evidence (http://rochesternypizza.blogspot.com/2010/06/chicken-moms-north-goodman-st.html) that it existed!
Oh, that's well north of downtown!
Incidentally, when I worked at Mark's (in Irondequoit), Clifford Ave. was the southern border of our delivery area–partially because it represented the margins of the roughest part of town. Clifford/Goodman would be right at the corner; things didn't get really bad until you're closer in to Scio/North/Upper Falls.
(I once had to deliver to a place on the corner of Conkey and D, which was exactly as you'd expect it to be. Though in all fairness, I quit after the shop itself was robbed twice–so in that instance, the roughest part of town was Irondequoit!)
I guess I should have said "in the city" instead of downtown. But yes, not a nice part of town! I remember going there with a family friend from the NYC area when I was much younger and him being taken aback by how rough the area was, which I thought was something for someone that grew up in NYC!
Irondequoit is not exactly thriving these days either... parts are still nice, but Webster has essentially replaced Irondequoit as the go-to for shopping for the eastern/northeastern suburbs, and as such the entire Ridge Rd corridor in Irondequoit has definitely seen better days.
Where can I get a good steamed ham?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jXEuIHY9ic
:bigass:
Quote from: empirestate on October 28, 2021, 10:04:51 PM
QuoteRight... they're more commonly known as trash plates now even though "garbage" is the original name.
How the times have changed... "In my day" one would never hear "trash plate"! :-D
Indeed... I don't recall anyone in school or in my family referring to "trash plates" instead of garbage plates. There must have been some big shift with gen Z. Or maybe a regionalism in just Penfield/Webster?
Quote from: webny99 on October 29, 2021, 12:00:39 PM
Quote from: empirestate on October 29, 2021, 11:18:09 AM
Quote from: webny99 on October 28, 2021, 10:41:46 PM
Quote from: empirestate on October 28, 2021, 10:04:51 PM
Quote from: webny99 on October 28, 2021, 01:33:48 PM
There was a place downtown with great wings as well... sadly it's no longer around.
Richmond's?
No, it was called Chicken Moms. It was in a pretty rough part of town to say the least, and it closed ages ago, but I did find some (https://rocwiki.org/Chicken_Moms) evidence (http://rochesternypizza.blogspot.com/2010/06/chicken-moms-north-goodman-st.html) that it existed!
Oh, that's well north of downtown!
Incidentally, when I worked at Mark's (in Irondequoit), Clifford Ave. was the southern border of our delivery area–partially because it represented the margins of the roughest part of town. Clifford/Goodman would be right at the corner; things didn't get really bad until you're closer in to Scio/North/Upper Falls.
(I once had to deliver to a place on the corner of Conkey and D, which was exactly as you'd expect it to be. Though in all fairness, I quit after the shop itself was robbed twice–so in that instance, the roughest part of town was Irondequoit!)
I guess I should have said "in the city" instead of downtown. But yes, not a nice part of town! I remember going there with a family friend from the NYC area when I was much younger and him being taken aback by how rough the area was, which I thought was something for someone that grew up in NYC!
Irondequoit is not exactly thriving these days either... parts are still nice, but Webster has essentially replaced Irondequoit as the go-to for shopping for the eastern/northeastern suburbs, and as such the entire Ridge Rd corridor in Irondequoit has definitely seen better days.
It does seem like Rochester's first-ring suburbs are in decline. Irondequoit's been declining for years (hence why the mall is no more), and now it's affecting other places like Brighton. I don't recall anything worse than rummaging through unlocked cars when I was young, but just this past year there have been at least two home robberies (one was through a window left open, but the other was a smashed window) and a stolen car (it's rumored that the keys were in the car, but Mom did see a suspicious car driving through the neighborhood very slowly around when the car was stolen).
Quote from: webny99 on October 29, 2021, 12:00:39 PM
I guess I should have said "in the city" instead of downtown. But yes, not a nice part of town! I remember going there with a family friend from the NYC area when I was much younger and him being taken aback by how rough the area was, which I thought was something for someone that grew up in NYC!
Ah, yes–if you're from NYC, particularly during the crime lull of the last couple of decades, you may not be familiar with what a typical American city is really like. This was actually an issue when I worked at a place where lots of folks from the 5 boros were brought in. They'd assume they had good street smarts being from the big city, not realizing that it was actually much safer down there. (And a few of them did run into some trouble while in Rochester.)
QuoteIrondequoit is not exactly thriving these days either... parts are still nice, but Webster has essentially replaced Irondequoit as the go-to for shopping for the eastern/northeastern suburbs, and as such the entire Ridge Rd corridor in Irondequoit has definitely seen better days.
Yes, and parts of Gates and Greece have been heading that way for years. It happens to inner-ring suburbs most everywhere.
Quote from: triplemultiplex on October 29, 2021, 03:54:57 PM
Where can I get a good steamed ham?
Albany. Not at Utica.
Quote from: vdeane on October 29, 2021, 10:57:33 PM
Quote from: empirestate on October 28, 2021, 10:04:51 PM
QuoteRight... they're more commonly known as trash plates now even though "garbage" is the original name.
How the times have changed... "In my day" one would never hear "trash plate"! :-D
Indeed... I don't recall anyone in school or in my family referring to "trash plates" instead of garbage plates. There must have been some big shift with gen Z. Or maybe a regionalism in just Penfield/Webster?
No, I don't think it's specific to Penfield/Webster... more likely just a side effect of the fact that everybody that sells them except for Nick Tahou's calls them trash plates.
Quote from: Rothman on October 27, 2021, 10:48:38 PM
Dinosaur BBQ has gone downhill. Totally overhyped and probably the blandest BBQ in the country now.
How dare you diss my Dinosaur?! 🐱🐉 :ded: :rolleyes: