362. Varsity

It’s game day in Syracuse and we’re also celebrating a Bowl Game victory last night!

Something that is a tradition on the hill when there’s a home game is to stop by Varsity Pizza and grab a slice of the best pizza in town.

Varsity has been around for a long time.  The facade says it all. Inside, it looks like history frozen in time. And on game days, the line will stretch out the door with people waiting to get a slice of this famous pie.

Not only that, but they’ve got a menu of mouth watering fare, including my favorite rueben and fries….FOR $5.99. Can’t be beat people.

Tip: If the line looks long, don’t worry. It moves fast, those guys behind the counter know what they’re doing!

location: 802 S Crouse Ave

361. King David’s

I’m frequently around Marshall Street…being a grad student at SU has me near and on the campus basically every day of the week, which means that I’ve had Chiptole and Pita Pit and Jimmy Johns more times than I can count…

However, now I have added King David’s into the rotation and I’ve never been happier.

King David’s is as authentic as it can get…with specializing in middle eastern food, they’ve got a menu full of falafel and gyros and dinner plates that make your head spin.

Literally everything I’ve had from there is delicious! If you’re ever on Marshall Street, or Fayetteville (they’ve got a 2nd restaurant in the Fayetteville Town Square) stop in…forgo the loaded burrito at Chipotle or the lightening fast speed at Jimmy Johns.

Tip: The humous is the best in Syracuse…in my opinion

locations

356. Beer Tasting at Beer Belly Deli

Guys…I just wanted to point out…we’re officially in single digits until the end of the year. Wow, time sure does fly…

Back during the summertime, I was introduced to Beer Belly Deli as a place I HAD to try out!

Well, this weekend you have to go…man, you’re really going to get some good use out of your ugly christmas sweater this weekend…

Why? Because there is a winter beer takeover on the taps AND you get $1 off if you’re wearing your ugly christmas sweater! Today until 3pm…Again…adults hanging out in hideous sweaters…it’s so funny!

Alongside the christmas tap takeover…BBD has some fantastic food…their sandwiches are SO GOOD!! Make sure you try it out!

Tip: Like them on facebook for more information!

location: 510 Westcott Street

353. World of Beer

Has anyone been to DestiNY lately? A) Parking is not as bad as I thought (kudos to you, parking lot people…) B) There’s a whole bunch of fun happening there.

Just this week, World of Beer had their grand opening…and I’ve already been there twice!

Who woulda thought… But this is why…

They’ve got Fort Collins Brewery there…and there’s live music..and really great pub fare…it’s quickly going to become the #1 hot spot in Syracuse…so that’s cool.

While I love my traditional bars, like Kitty Hoynes, Als, Colemans, Blue Tusk and the like, WOB sure has a lot to offer! Like…there’s A LOT of beer there… on tap, in bottles…there’s just beer everywhere.

My friends have been participating in the “Mall Beer Crawl” …I think that’s the unofficial name. It’s where you go taste drinks from each bar/restaurant in the mall… and as the mall expands, the Mall Beer Crawl keeps getting longer and longer… and World of Beer is somewhere that will quickly be added to the official list, because it’s awesome.

Tip: It’s general seating, just gotta look out for an open table and grab it before someone else does! The place will always be busy.

location: Destiny

350. Danzers

Only 15 days left in 2013… time really has flown by.

I feel a little guilty for counting down until 2014. You never really want to wish time away.

I work over by Danzers…it’s sort of hidden off Brighton Ave…have you ever been there? It’s pretty good German food…and in this area, where are the people saying “I wish i could have some spaetzle!” I don’t hear it often..but when I do I tell them to go to Danzers.

Their menu is chalk full of authentic German/American food, including what I’ve heard is quite possibly the best Reuben in all of CNY…if you don’t believe me, try it for yourself!

Danzers is open daily at 11am, just in time for the lunch crowd…and don’t worry about it’s location. It’s squeezed between some factory buildings and there’s always a semi-truck or two in the parking lot…2 very important factors in determining whether something is a must-go-to gem or not.

Tip: If you’re not a fan of the Reuben, try the hot turkey sandwich!

Location: 153 Ainsley Dr, Syracuse, NY 13210

328. Picasso’s Pastries

It’s sunday morning…and all you want is something sweet. Something from a cute little bakery…something…..pastry. Picasso’s Pastries

They’ve got breads, muffins, cookies, cream puffs, cheese rolls, cinnamon buns, donuts and more! Oh my!!!

With it being right before the holidays, this is your 1 stop shop for something to bring over to your relatives house for Thanksgiving or Christmas.

Check out their facebook page for daily specials, hours, and more!

Tip: Try their lemon basil cookies…they’re delicious!

location: 466 Westcott Street, Syracuse NY

326. Cuisine for the Cure

Susan G Komen has some great events that go on in this community.  The proceeds go to benefit the CNY Susan G Komen affiliates.

This month & next month there is a program hosted by the CNY Susan G Komen called Cuisine for a cure.

It’s a bit expensive, but I truly believe it’s worth it.

It goes something like this;

There will be 4 participating restaurants in and around Syracuse. They’ll offer exclusive dinners to the participants.

The first dinner was November 3rd at The Brewster Inn

and the remaining dinners are November 24th at Rosalie’s in Skaneateles, December 1st at Kyoto in Fayetteville and Joelle’s French Bistro in Skaneateles on December 15th.

The tickets are $125 each, and all proceeds go towards the CNY Susan G Komen.

Tip: Buy tickets as early as you can, these events fill up fast! Call Jessica Bell at 315-472-6162

 

325. Bleu Monkey Cafe

On a recent trip to Marshall Street, a friend and I decided that we were going to try Bleu Monkey Cafe.

I had no idea what the restaurant was about, for some reason I thought it only served paninis?

Well, I was wrong.

I walked out stuffed to the brim in the best sushi I’ve had in a long time.

My typical go-to sushi restaurant is Namu. But Bleu Monkey serves the freshest sushi I’ve ever eaten here in Syracuse.  There’s a wide variety of choices, the menu is easy to read, it’s #1 in my book!

Also, they’ve got these really interesting noodle bowls that everyone around us was ordering.  I think it might be their claim to fame. If we had room we were going to order one, but we were stuffed with the two rolls we both ordered.

My favorite kind of restaurant is the no-frills kind, and that’s exactly what Bleu Monkey is!

Tip: They deliver & you can order online!

location

321. Julie’s Diner

Sunday. Brunch.

Yes, please!

I recently saw Julie’s Diner out in North Syracuse and knew that it was somewhere I needed to try.

This is definitely one of those places that you’ve got to try on a sunday morning with friends and family.

It’s quaint and has a lot of options on the menu.

Tip: Check out their facebook page for more information

Location: 3800 Brewerton Road North Syracuse

320. Sammy Malone’s

For all you people who wonder what the heck Baldwinsville is all about, you should know the the nightlife is not so bad!

There are a bunch of bars and restaurants that are always jam packed on the weekend evenings.  With Thanksgiving coming up and friends and family returning to town the one stop I know I need to make is to Sammy Malone’s. (I even think I’m the DJ on the Touch Tunes app there…)

My family loves Sammy’s.  Im not kidding.

Sammy’s has a wide selection of beer, great views of the river, and plenty of seating for game nights…but the one thing that they’ve got that I have not found anywhere else in Syracuse is the best salad.

The salads at Sammy’s are amazing. Not only are they huge but you can legitimately add the entire kitchen sink…from chicken to strawberries they’ve got options galore. I dream about those salads! Also, their cheeseburger soup is the best I’ve had in all of CNY!

Tip: Check out their list of draught beers, they’ve got tons!

location: 2 Oswego St, Baldwinsville, NY 13027