July 14, 2005

Road Food

by psu

For your edification, a few food places you should try if you find yourself on the road in upstate New York or Vermont.

Shwabl's: Buffalo NY

This is the original "beef on weck" place. Beef on weck is carved roast beef served on a bun that has caraway seeds and salt in it. The top half of the roll is dipped in the beef juice. The sandwich is given to you on a plate with slaw or potatoes or potato salad. The beef was really good. The sign says the place has been open since 1897. You should go.

The Beef and Barrel: Olean NY

This a "beef on weck" place (presumably inspired by Shwabl's) which started out as a single room over 20 years ago and is now most of a city block. They serve big roast beef sandwiches on salty rolls with various sides and various other American dishes which are nowhere near as good. Don't bother, just get a sandwich. I think Schwabl's is better.

Oasis Diner: Burlington VT

Here is an old style diner with a New England accent. Great eggs (they make their scrambled from scratch, no mix), good pancakes, good muffins, good coffee, nice coffee mugs. Home fries were only OK. They have an interesting single queue with an exclusive lock order processing system. Yummy. A bit expensive.

Penny Cluse Café: Burlington VT

Here is a breakfast place where you can observe the Burlington Liberal in their native habitat. Great omlettes, potatoes, pancakes and biscuits. Their famous gravy, however, is not made with sausage and so is sort of morally wrong, although it is peppery and tasty. It's a dilemma, but I'm not one to let such things get in the way of enjoying some biscuits.

The fruit plate was also wondrous.

Posted by psu at July 14, 2005 05:59 PM | Bookmark This
Comments

One of these days I am going to make another road trip up north to collect poker chips from the new poker rooms open across the border. I have a couple of places I might plan on hitting way.

The birthplace of the Buffalo wing, Frank & Teressa's Original Anchor Bar, 1047 Main Street. http://www.buffalowings.com/anchorbar.html

On Sky One, they recently did a 5 part "Greatest Dishes in the World". One of the poultry entries was the Indian dish, chicken xacutti, pronounced "Sha-ku-tee". The nearest place that I can find that serves this Goan dish is Thali of India in Rochester at 3259 South Winton Rd. http://www.thaliofindia.com/

Posted by Amos the Poker Cat at July 20, 2005 11:35 PM

It is actually the Penny Cluse Cafe in Burlington, VT

Posted by Becky at July 21, 2005 04:23 PM

oops. i will fix that typo...

Posted by psu at July 21, 2005 05:27 PM

I ate at the Penny Cluse Cafe this past month and felt the prices reflected the freshness and portion sizes well. It isn't a diner by any means but was very surprised by how amazing their Chili Relleno plate was. I felt like i was back in Mexico! The staff was courteous and though it was warm in the dining area, it was a pleasant atmosphere with great local art adorning the walls. I wouldn't exclude a visit here by any means. OH! The fruit they served was out of this world! I also wonder why someone would order the biscuits and gravy when their gravy doesn't sell as having any meat at it at all? hmm

Posted by cynthia at August 13, 2005 08:10 PM

What can I say. I had to try the biscuits.

Posted by psu at August 13, 2005 09:41 PM

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