Cheap Eats

The Albany Pump Station 19 Quackenbush Square, Albany, 447-9000. This downtown Albany brew pub offers a vast array of American fare. The menu features a large offering of soups, salads and sandwiches. Full bar, including their award winning beer.

BEFF’s Tavern 95 Everett Road, Albany, 482-2333. Known for its pizza, BEFF’s (Big Ed Fat Field’s) also serves half-pound burgers, homemade soups made fresh daily, salads and other bar fare. Try the chicken toes. Daily specials. Full bar.

Blue Ribbon Diner 1801 State St., Schenectady, 393-2600. A “dineraunt” setting with a capacious menu. Save room for the award-winning cheesecake. Reservations suggested for parties of six or more.

Bombers Burrito Bar 258 Lark St., Albany, 463-9636; 447 State St., Schenectady, 374-3548. Menu includes vegetarian-friendly options, a creative selection of sizable burritos and more than a half-dozen varieties of chicken wings. Also boasting 20 draft beers and a dozen types of frozen margaritas. Takeout available. Lunch delivery.

Bread Basket 65 Spring St., Saratoga Springs, 587-4233. Homemade breads, quiche, scones, pastries, specialty cakes and other luscious treats are available at this small eatery. Also open for lunch.

Brown’s Brewing Company 417-419 River St., Troy, 273-BEER. A microbrewery selling its own beer and that of many other small breweries, as well as pub-style food, steaks and salads. A new menu places an emphasis on creative sandwiches, flavorful appetizers and dinner entrées.

Café 217 12 1/2 Delaware Ave., Albany, 462-0050. An all-night café serving breakfast and lunch items, and kitty-corner to the Center Square neighborhood.

Cardona’s Market 340 Delaware Ave., Albany, 434-4838. Your one-stop, recently remodeled, Italian market, family-owned-and-operated for three generations. Homemade breads, pastas, salads, desserts and pizzas made daily. Fresh soup, produce, and meat available daily.

The Country Corner Café 25 Church St., Saratoga Springs, 583-7889; 165 High Rock Ave., Saratoga Springs, 584-8300. Cozy home-style eatery with loads of breakfast options to choose from, as well as sandwiches, homemade soups, jams and more.

Davidson Brothers Restaurant & Brewery 184 Glen St., Glens Falls, 743-9026. Offering a wide variety of appetizers, salads, burgers, wraps, vegetarian dishes and pub fare—including fish and chips and bangers and mash. Full bar including 12 beers hand-crafted on site; seasonal outdoor dining.

Duncan’s Dairy Bar 890 Hoosick Road, Brunswick, 279-9985. Homemade bread and muffins, eggs any way you wish, fresh soup, Reubens, open-faced turkey sandwiches with gravy, roast beef and baked ham. Great homemade pies, too. No alcohol.

Farmer Boy Restaurant Diner 1975 Central Ave., Colonie, 456-2243, fax: 869-5480. Breakfast available all day, every day. Serving steaks, chops, seafood, Italian and Greek dishes just like mom used to make. Offering weekend dinner specials. Full bar. Senior menu and children’s menu.

The Fountain 283 New Scotland Ave., Albany, 482-9898. Pizza, finger foods, burgers and other light fare. Also, a selection of Italian dinners. Specials available all week. Full bar.

Four Corners Luncheonette 2 Grove St., Delmar, 439-0172. An old-fashioned eatery with counter seating, booths and tables. The menu features a blend of diner fare and fancier stuff; dinner offerings explore more ambitious dishes with a contemporary American touch. Live music every night. Beer and wine.

Gateway Diner 899 Central Ave., Albany, 482-7557. This traditional, newly renovated diner offers breakfast all day, along with fresh seafood, steaks, Italian dishes and excellent deli-style sandwiches. Full bakery on premises, and all desserts homemade. Full bar. Reservations suggested for parties of eight or more.

Grandma’s Pies and Restaurant 1273 Central Ave., Colonie, 459-4585. A comfortable family restaurant with a cozy country interior. Come hungry and enjoy generous helpings of tasty, home-cooked foods from lasagna to roast chicken to huge chef salads. Daily specials, light menu available. Also, legendary pie. Beer and wine.

Hattie’s 45 Phila St., Saratoga Springs, 584-4790. Serving authentic Southern cuisine since 1938. Come for the famous fried chicken and biscuits, or try the delicious New Orleans specials, grilled seafood and vegetarian entrées. Specials include crab cakes, seafood gumbo and homemade desserts such as sweet-potato pie and pecan pie. Heated garden patio through October. Full bar.

Hill Street Café 180 Madison Ave., Albany, 462-3544. Serving good pub food every day and every night. Menu includes chicken wings and grilled chicken sandwiches, wraps, salads and burgers. Full bar.

Holmes & Watson 450 Broadway, Troy, 273-8526. The menu boasts lots of homemade soups and salads, chili, wings, unusual sandwiches, charbroiled burgers, homestyle meatloaf, mash potatoes, chicken and biscuts. Homemade desserts. Daily lunch specials and dinner specials Wed-Sat. More than 70 selections of beer, ale and stout—24 on tap. Full bar.

Horseshoe Inn Bar & Grill 9 Gridley St., Saratoga Springs, 587-4909. Menu features steak, smoked ribs, seafood, pasta and Italian-American specialties. Also offers a pub menu and daily specials. Full bar. Reservations recommended.

Hungry Spot Café Collamer Building, 480 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, 584-9060. Boasting great homemade soups, fresh rotisserie turkey and daily lunch specials, as well as a vegetarian menu.

Indian Ladder Farms 342 Altamont Road, Altamont, 765-2956. An apple orchard with a country store, featuring a café and bakery. Cider, apples and apple products are the specialty. Lunch fare includes hearty gourmet sandwiches, soups, fresh salads and desserts from the bakery.

Jillian’s 59 N. Pearl St., Albany, 432-1997. American casual dining is available in the Capital Region’s “eatertainment” establishment. The menu features everything from finger food to full meals with a gourmet flair. Lots of big-screen TVs, a dance club, plenty of pool tables, and a hyperactive video arcade. Full bar.

Johnny B’s Glenmont Diner 21 Frontage Road, Glenmont, 434-3761. Charming authentic ’50s diner; homemade specials daily, extended weekend breakfast menu. Takeout available.

Latham ’76 Restaurant 722 New Loudon Road (Route 9), Latham, 785-3793. Look for the fife ’n’ drum sign. It’s hard to miss this spacious eatery, which offers traditional and contemporary dineraunt fare and homemade pastries. Full bar.

Metro 20 Diner 1709 Western Ave., Guilderland, 456-3876. Old-fashioned and new-fangled offerings are featured on the menu at this silver diner edged in green, with beautiful art-deco stylings. Look for old-time diner favorites served as daily specials, plus the popular sauté menu. On-premises full-time baking, featuring Bill Holden’s famous cheesecake. Breakfast is always available. Full bar.

Mild Wally’s 189A Quail St., Albany, 433-1898. A wide array of appetizers, hot and cold subs, wings, pizza, pasta dinners and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. Wally’s has party food for pickup or delivery into the wee hours.

Miss Albany Diner 893 Broadway, Albany, 465-9148. Pre-war diner offers a one-of-a-kind brunch menu, and they’ll cook your fries to your specific request. Menu lists, creative lunch sandwiches, and homemade soups.

O’Toole’s Restaurant Pub Capital Plaza, 1814 Central Ave., Colonie, 464-1200; Quaker Plaza, Queensbury, 793-3389. The menus at both locations feature lots of American classics—like ribs, steak and chicken—as well as Mexican dishes. Full bar. Reservations accepted.

The Parting Glass 40-42 Lake Ave., Saratoga Springs, 583-1916. This popular Irish pub serves up more than typical pub fare. The menu features homemade specials like lamb stew and corned beef and cabbage, as well as Italian-American and Irish dishes. Full bar with nearly 100 beers available, including Harp and Guinness on tap.

Peaches Café Stuyvesant Plaza, Guilderland, 482-3677. Full breakfast and lunch menu with dinner specials, including new appetizers and pastas. Breakfast all day every day, with fare ranging from Belgian waffles to special omelettes, as well as fabulous desserts.

Pepper Jack’s Quail and Western, Albany. 426-5505. Sandwiches available for take out or eat in. Free delivery after 11 AM. Breakfast all day and open late night.

Pinto and Hobbs State and Dove streets, Albany, 426-4900. Classic pub food featuring burgers, wraps, wings, sandwiches; dinner entrees available after 5 PM. Patio seating. Full bar and banquet facilities. Takeout available.

Professor M. Barley’s Western Avenue and Quail Street, Albany, 436-7740. Upscale pub with working stone fireplace, where the menu features black angus burgers, flatiron steak, steamed clams, pasta purses, wings and more. Full bar, more than 60 imported bottled beers. On-premises catering. Takeout availiable.

Putnam Market 435 Broadway, Saratoga Springs, 587-FOOD. A gourmet marketplace with a gourmet deli serving sandwiches, prepared foods, soups, salads and such to eat in or take out. The mouth-watering sandwich specials include the High Rock (roasted turkey with cheddar and cranberry mayo) and the Karista (fresh mozzarella with roasted red peppers and pesto mayo).

Ravenous 21 Phila St., Saratoga Springs, 581-0560. European-style café serving savory and sweet French crêpes, espresso and pommes frites (french fries).

Recovery Room Sports Grill 67 New Scotland Ave. at Hilton Garden, Albany, 396-3800. Full menu featuring lunch and dinner, salads, burgers and weekly specials. Try Dave’s world-famous baby back ribs. Fifty flat screens offer every sports package available. Full bar, outside deck and plenty of free parking. Reservations recommended. Takeout available.

Sutter’s Mill & Mining Co. 1200 Western Ave., Albany, 489-4910. Back-to-basics bar food is always on tap, and daily dinner specials are served in the back room. Home of Albany’s biggest and best burgers for over 20 years. Full bar. Takeout available.

Sutton’s Marketplace Café 1066 Route 9, Queensbury, 798-1188. A casual eatery in a country store that sells everything from baked goods to gifts to toys. Menu offers a wide variety of breakfast and lunch options, prepared with fresh ingredients.

TGI Friday’s Stuyvesant Plaza, Guilderland, 489-1661; 1 Southside Drive, Clifton Park, 383-7148. Old posters and found art decorate the walls; the glossy menu boasts Chinese potstickers, cajun shrimp and chicken pasta, and pecan-crusted chicken salad. Good finger food, too. Full bar.

Washington Tavern 250 Western Ave., Albany, 427-0091. Although this spot is best-known for its traditional tavern fare, the facility has recently been upgraded and also offers a special dinner menu (available evenings from 5 to 9). Full bar. Takeout available.

Asian

A Dragon 858 Madison Ave., Albany, 459-8558. Chinese food. Free delivery, student discount.

Amazing Wok 267 Lark St., Albany. 434-3947. Now under the same ownership as Emperor’s. With a full menu and extensive Chinese cuisine, it’s known as the “most original” of its kind. Specializing in take-out.

China House 8 New Scotland Ave., Albany, 432-1015. Eat-in, takeout, free delivery (with a minimum order).

Ichiban 338 Central Ave., Albany, 432-0358. 1652 Western Ave., Albany 869-9585. Japanese and Chinese dishes including donburi, noodle soups and sushi lunch specials. Takeout and delivery available.

Saso’s Japanese Noodle House 218 Central Ave., Albany, 436-7789. Serving traditional Japanese foods, including more than 20 kinds of sushi and a variety of noodle dishes. Takeout available.

Sukhothai 254 Lark St., Albany, 463-0223; 62 Central Ave., Albany, 433-7203. A modest eatery where you’re welcome to enjoy your meal at one of the handful of tables or order to go. The exotic menu includes such customer favorites as ginger chicken, vegetable curry and lemongrass shrimp soup, all cooked without MSG.

Sushi House 6 New Scotland Ave., Albany, 935-2270. Fresh sushi, along with a menu of other Japanese fare (tempura, yakitori, noodles) presented in a handsome teahouse setting.

Tai Pan 1519 Route 9, Halfmoon, 383-8581. All Asian cuisine, concentrating on Thai and Chinese foods. Takeout available.

Barbecue

Applewood BBQ 19 Central Square, Chatham, 392-6060. Columbia County’s apple-themed barbeque has all the traditional offerings: spare ribs, chicken, pork, and brisket, all smoked in local applewood. Featuring homemade soups, barbeque sauces and side orders.

Capital Q Smokehouse 329 Ontario St., Albany, 438-7675, eatmypork.com. Pulled pork, ribs, wings, smoked chicken and other tasty items. Cooked slow and served fast, seven days a week. Take out, delivery and catering available.

Cajun/Caribbean

Bayou Café 507 Saratoga Road (Route 50), Glenville, 384-7226; 79 N. Pearl St., Albany, 426-8550. The menu boasts a wide selection of Mexican, Southwestern and Cajun goodies. Among the favorites are the jambalaya, a Cajun gumbo and the sizzling fajitas. Full bar with a full line of microbrews, 32 beers on tap and at least 30 types of bottled brew.

Roy’s Restaurant and Groceries 185 Henry Johnson Blvd., Albany, 433-1343. Specializing in Jamaican food. American menus available. 10-percent discount with student ID.

Indian

Bombay Grill 517 Watervliet Shaker Road, Latham, 783-7838. Fine Indian, Pakistani and Afgani cuisine offered in traditional and creative recipes. Featuring kabobs, Halal meats and a fresh juice bar. On- and off-premises catering avialble. BYOB.

Curry House 1112 Madison Ave., Albany, 438-2265. This Northern Indian restaurant features a large selection of appetizers, curries, shish kebabs, tandoori entrées and Indian breads. Lunch buffet daily. Off-premises catering and takeout available.

Gandhi Indian Restaurant 1 Central Ave., Albany, 449-5577. It’s the epicenter of Albany’s Indian-restaurant neighborhood, serving Northern Indian food and offering a weekday lunch buffet.

Karavalli 9B Johnson Road, Latham, 785-7600; 47 Caroline Street, Saratoga Springs, 580-1144. Specializing in regional dishes from all over India. Daily lunch buffet, weekend brunch. Full bar, off-premise catering, takeout available, reservations accepted.

Little India 60 Court St., Saratoga Springs, 583-4151. Menu features vegetarian dishes, as well as chicken curry, chicken and lamb biryani, seafood shim bhuna. Beer and wine. Takeout available. Reservations suggested.

Shalimar Restaurant 35 Central Ave., Albany, 434-0890; 180 Delaware Ave., Delmar, 439-4200; 15 Park Ave., Shopper’s World, Route 146 Clifton Park, 348-1494. Inexpensive, spicy Indian fare to eat-in or takeout. No alcohol, BYOB; catering available. No reservations. Albany location has 85-person banquet hall available.

Taj Mahal 118-120 Jay St., Schenectady, 370-3664. The name refers to either a bird’s nest or a sense of home, and the proprietors offer an assortment of Pakistani-Indian cuisine, with both meat and vegetarian dishes available.

Tandoor Palace 423 Madison Ave. (at Lark Street), Albany, 463-4123. Traditional northern Indian fare, served in a lunch buffet daily and from a full menu for dinner. Tandoor dishes and lots of vegetarian fare, with low prices an added attraction. Also features a hookah patio.

Italian

Bongiorno’s 23 Dove St., Albany, 462-9176. Specializing in veal and seafood dishes, including clams marinara, seafood fra diavolo and veal Francese. Full bar. Takeout available. Reservations accepted.

Lombardo’s 121 Madison Ave., Albany, 462-9180. An Albany favorite, with many different pasta dishes and a menu featuring 15 different veal dishes, among many other offerings. Nightly specials, too. Full bar. Takeout available.

Mangia 1562 New Scotland Ave. (Route 85), Slingerlands, 439-5555. The pizzas come hot out of the wood-fired oven and include such exotic combos as chicken pesto, barbecued chicken and a healthy vegetarian pizza pie. All pastas are fresh. Beer and extensive wine list. Takeout available. Reservations suggested.

Mercato’s Pizzeria & Restaurant 155 Delaware Ave., Delmar, 475-7777. Featuring veal, chicken, seafood, pasta, pizza and baked dishes. Banquet facilities available.

The Olive Garden 178 Wolf Road, Colonie, 458-8676. An extensive, Americanized Italian menu includes lots of pastas, appetizers and salads. Full bar.

Testo’s 124th Street and Fourth Avenue, Troy, 235-0444. Family-run Italian restaurant with a family ambience, specializing in pasta dishes, veal and seafood. Home of Testo’s Gourmet Pasta Sauce. Beer and wine.

Via Fresca 1666 Western Ave., Albany, 452-1179. Bowls of roasted peppers, baby artichokes, olives and any number of pastas, salads, and seafood delicacies. In addition there’s a generous selection of cold and hot sandwiches, panini, lasagna, parmigianas, Italian sodas, pastries and cheeses.

Mediterranean

Al-Baraki 184 River St., Troy, 270-9490; 185 1/2 Lark St., Albany, 445-0445. Award-winning homemade Lebanese cuisine. Daily specials, hummus, falafel, shawarma and more. Call to order-in or take out.

Anton’s—A Greek/American Eatery 577 New Scotland Ave., Albany, 12208, 453-9191, antonsgreek restaurant.com. Specializing in fresh Greek-American fare, including authentic gyros souvlaki, moussaka, homemade spreads and Greek pastries. Anton’s also offers killer breakfast sandwiches, mini hot dogs, vegetarian fare and gluten-free pitas. Off-premises catering. Takeout and delivery available.

BFS Restaurant 1736 Western Ave., Guilderland. 452-6342. Falafel, spanakopita, kebabs, baba ghanouj, tabbouleh, veggie platters and many other Lebanese, Moroccan, Egyptian, Greek and Italian dishes. Beer and wine. Eat in or take out.

Mamoun’s Mideast Café 206 Washington Ave., Albany, 434-3901. Serving such Mediterranean dishes as shish kebab, tabbouleh, falafel, hummus and stuffed grape leaves. Special vegetarian menu. Takeout available. No alcohol.

A Taste of Greece 193 Lark St., Albany, 426-9000. Authentic homemade Greek cuisine. Greek buffet every Sun at 5 PM. Takeout, delivery and catering available.

Mexican

El Loco Mexican Café 465 Madison Ave., Albany, 436-1855. An eccentric bistro where the specialties include quesadillas, chili rellenos, Tex-Mex fare and many vegetarian items. Watch for unusual daily specials. Full bar. Takeout available. Reservations suggested for large parties Tue-Thu and Sun.

El Mariachi 144 Washington Ave., Albany, 465-2568. This Mexican restaurant moved closer to downtown, but the food is still of the authentic variety. Try the cochinita pibil, a popular pork roast made with orange juice and red onions.

El Mariachi II 289 Hamilton St., Albany, 432-7580. Authentic Mexican and Spanish dishes, including paella and pollo San Marco. Full bar—featuring over 45 top tequilas.

El Mariachi III 2955 Route 9, Saratoga Springs, 581-5901. Authentic cuisine from Mexico and Spain, including paella and pollo San Marco. Full bar, takeout available. Reservations recommended.

Esperanto 6 1/2 Caroline St., Saratoga Springs, 587-4236. The eclectic menu boasts specialties from around the world. Look for the burritos, Thai chicken, Israeli falafel and Cajun-style jambalaya.

Leon’s 135 Crescent St., Saratoga Springs, 587-2346. A Mexican restaurant owned by jockey Filiberto Leon. Full Bar.

Mexican Connection 41 Nelson Ave., Saratoga Springs, 584-4466. Try the burro grande or a California tostada; also fajitas and daily specials. Full bar, including 30 fine tequilas and many Mexican beers. Reservations suggested.

Pizza

D’Andrea’s 33 Caroline St., Saratoga Springs, 584-3632. Pizza, focaccia sandwiches, fried foods, “grubs” (grinder-subs), stuffed breads. Takeout only; free delivery.

DeFazio’s Pizzeria 266 4th St., Troy, 271-1111. Twenty-one gourmet wood-fired pizzas, plus homemade pasta—21 varieties—antipasta, salads. Organic pasta and pizza, all made on premises. Homemade Italian sauces available in DeFazio’s retail store next door. No alcohol. Cash only.

Fireside Pizzeria 1631 Eastern Parkway, Schenectady, 382-1616. An Electric City mainstay. Serving pizza, of course, along with burgers, salads and traditional Italian-American dishes. Takeout and delivery available. Full bar. Reservations suggested.

I Love Pizza of Troy 125 4th St., Troy, 274-0071. Twenty-four varieties of pizza with unique toppings, and high-quality fresh ingredients. Inventive pies include baked lasagna, chicken marsala, chicken parm, and antipasto. Formerly “I Love New York Pizza”; same management, same taste, same recipe, different name.

Inferno Pizza 496 Albany Shaker Road, Loudonville, 459-2121; 79 Campbell Ave., Troy, 272-2121; 222 Guideboard Road, Clifton Park, 383-8080; 198 Lisha Kill Road, Colonie, 456-4111; 187 Old Loudon Road, Latham, 782-7111; 1810 Western Ave., Albany, 862-2030; 72 Henry Street, Saratoga Springs, 580-8888. Enjoy all of Inferno’s Italian culinary delights with the same outstanding quality served for generations.

The New Madison Grille 331 Madison Ave., Albany, 434-1938. Pizza is the specialty—the New Madison Grille has revived the famous 50-year-old pizza recipe from the former establishment. Also serving a high-quality but reasonably priced menu of salads, sandwiches, burgers and other entrées. Full bar.

Pizzeria Uno Crossgates Mall, Guilderland, 869-3100; 601 Troy Schenectady Road, Latham, 782-7166. Chicago-style deep-dish pizza, as well as salads, ribs, chicken, sandwiches, burgers and express lunch daily. Full bar. Daily appetizer and beer specials. Takeout available. Advanced seating requests accepted.

Smith’s Tavern 112 Maple Ave. (Route 85A), Voorheesville, 765-4163. Famous landmark tavern open since 1945. Serving sandwiches, salads, homemade soups and, best of all, award-winning pizza with fresh homemade dough and sauce made daily. With more than 40 types of beer and microbrews.

Sovrana 63 N. Lake Ave., Albany, 465-0961. Family-owned and -run Italian deli serving some of the best pizza around.

Vegetarian

Four Seasons 33 Phila St., Saratoga Springs, 584-4670. Natural-food restaurant and store with a vegetarian buffet featuring healthful, flavorful whole foods, soups, desserts and breads. No alcohol.

Honest Weight Deli Honest Weight Food Co-op, 484 Central Ave., Albany, 482-2667. Fresh, healthful soups, salads, sandwiches, hot lunches, baked goods and ethnic specialties made daily. Gluten-free, vegan options available. Fresh organic vegetable juices availble daily.

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