DINERS
Alexis
Diner
294 N. Greenbush Road, Troy, 286-2603. Cross the river and
discover the ultimate diner. Monday is Texas night, Tuesday
is pasta night and Wednesday is Greek night. Over 300 menu
items: burgers, salads, sandwiches, steak and seafood specialties
and, of course, our specialty desserts. Full bar. Takeout,
delivery and off-premises catering available. Special events
include car and bike shows. Serving 7 AM-9 PM Sun, 7 AM-10
PM Mon-Thu, 7 AM-11 PM Fri-Sat. AE, D, MC, V. $
Blue Ribbon Diner
1801 State St., Schenectady, 393-2600. A “dineraunt” setting
with a capacious menu. Save room for the award-winning cheesecake.
Serving 6 AM-11 PM Sun-Thu, 6 AM-midnight Fri-Sat. Reservations
suggested for parties of six or more. AE, CB, DC, MC, V.
$$
The Buttery Restaurant
111 Washington Ave., Albany, 445-9431. Breakfast is big
at this downtown diner, but there are plenty of other selections
available as well: The grilled-chicken Caesar salad is a
favorite and there are burgers, homemade soups, deli sandwiches,
fish fries and more. 6 AM-2 PM Mon-Fri. AE, CB, D, MC, V.
$
Carmen’s Cafe
198 1st St., Troy, 272-3011. A neighborhood cafe with a
scratch kitchen (try the oatmeal) and some excellent Cuban
items such as the sandwich Cubano, Picadillo, homemade Empanadas
and Cuban eggs; as well as gourmet salads and traditional
burgers and sandwiches. New on the menu: Huevos Flamenco
offered on weekends. Serving breakfast and lunch 8 AM-3
PM Wed-Sat, closed Mon-Tues. Open for dinner Fri-Sat 5-10
starting Oct. 13. V, MC. $
Circle Diner
Latham Circle (Routes 2 and 9), Latham, 785-3324. A glistening
edifice of chrome and art-deco appointments, with an appropriately
large bill of fare. Specialties include soups, bison burgers,
sandwich wraps and a vast sauté menu. 7 AM-11 PM daily.
AE, D, MC, V. $
Colonie Diner
1890 Central Ave., Colonie, 456-1550. This mainstay eatery
offers a prix-fixe menu of mainly continental fare. Meals
include soup or salad, vegetable, entrée and beverage for
one low price. Meals for seniors include dessert too. Beer,
liquor and wine available. Reservations suggested for larger
parties. Serving 6 AM-10 PM Sun-Thu, 6 AM-11 PM Fri-Sat.
AE, D, DC, MC, V. $
Farmer Boy Restaurant Diner
1975 Central Ave., Colonie, 456-2243; fax 869-5480; www.farmer-boy.com.
Breakfast is available anytime, as are steaks, chops, seafood,
Italian and authentic Greek dishes. Full bar. Takeout available.
Serving 6 AM-11 PM Mon-Wed, Thu-Sat 6 AM-11 PM, Sun 7 AM-
10 PM. AE, D, MC, V. $$
Gateway Diner
899 Central Ave., Albany, 482-7557, www.gatewaydiner.com.
This traditional 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.
Don’t miss the cheesecake. Full bar, banquet facilities
for up to 60. Serving 6 AM-1 AM Mon-Thu, 6 AM-midnight Sun,
open 24 hours Fri-Sat. Reservations suggested for parties
of eight or more. AE, CB, D, DC, MC, V. $
Gibby’s Restaurant
Route 7, Quaker Street, Duanesburg, 895-2063. In business
now for 54 years, the original railroad-car diner has had
a couple of additions, but there’s still a sense of small-town
hospitality. No alcohol. Banquet facilities, on-premises
catering. Serving 7:30-7:30 Wed-Sun. Closed Mon-Tue. Cash
only. $
Johnny B’s Glenmont Diner
Route 9W, Glenmont, 434-3761. The charm of an authentic
’50s diner. Daily specials, homemade soups and breakfast
served all day. Specialties include omelettes, salads, burgers
and hot and cold deli sandwiches. Outdoor dining on deck
as weather permits. Takeout available. Serving 7 AM-2 PM
Tue-Sun. Closed Mon. AE, D, MC, V. $
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 with traditional and contemporary “dineraunt” fare
and homemade pastries. Full bar. Takeout available. Serving
24 hours daily. AE, D, DC, MC, V. $
Menands Diner
563 Broadway, Menands, 465-1869. Full menu including American
and Italian specialties. Seats 220. Early-bird specials
are served every day except holidays. Full bar. Takeout
available. Serving 7 AM-11 PM daily. AE, D, DC, MC, V. $
Metro 20 Diner
1709 Western Ave., Guilderland, 45-METRO (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 (beef stew, meat loaf)
served as daily specials, plus the popular sauté menu specials.
On-premises baking by Bill Holden, and breakfast is always
available. Handicapped accessible. Full bar. Takeout available.
Serving 6 AM-midnight Sun-Thu, 6 AM-1 AM Fri-Sat. AE, CB,
D, DC, MC, V. $
Mike’s Diner
3767 Carman Road, Schenectady, 355-9868. Serving breakfast
all day with such pancake specials as cranberry-orange and
oatmeal, along with omelette selections. For lunch, enjoy
homemade soups, hot and cold deli sandwiches and homemade
desserts, all prepared to order. Takeout available. Serving
7 AM-3 PM daily. Cash or check only. $
Miss Albany Diner
893 Broadway, Albany, 465-9148. Prewar diner, now on New
York state historic register, offers a one-of-a-kind brunch
menu, and they cook your fries to your specific request.
Menu lists creative lunch sandwiches, and soups are homemade.
Unique sauces available to go. Delivery, takeout and catering
available (by the Brownstone Caterers). Reservations not
accepted. Serving 7 AM-2:15 PM Mon-Fri, 9 AM-2:15 PM Sat-Sun.
Cash, personal checks. $
Oliver’s
181 Freeman’s Bridge Road, Glenville, 393-3060. Practically
everything is made from scratch at this popular breakfast
and lunch eatery across from the Schenectady County Airport.
Homemade soups, burger specials and fresh-baked pies are
among the attractions. Make sure you try the fries. Rated
Best Diner 2006 in Metroland. Serving 6 AM-2:30 PM
Mon, Wed-Fri; 6 AM-2 PM Sat; 7 AM-2 PM Sun. Closed Tue.
Cash only. $
Ramona’s Café
290 Lark St., Albany, 449-2012. A quiet, friendly café atmosphere
in the heart of Lark Street. Breakfast is the highlight,
though sandwiches, burgers, and daily specials round out
the menu. Takeout and delivery available. Serving Wed-Sun
9 AM-3 PM. Closed Mon and Tue. Cash only. $
Saratoga Diner
153
S. Broadway (Route 9), Saratoga Springs, 584-4044. A big,
busy diner-restaurant with about as extensive a menu as
you’re going to find in the area. Good for dinner, snacks
or that meal you forgot to have earlier. Breakfast served
anytime. 6 AM-midnight Sun-Thu, 24 hours Fri-Sat. AE, D,
MC, V. $
Steve’s Place
194 Broad St., Glens Falls, 793-5855. This American-style
diner offers a full menu, breakfast anytime and homemade
soups, salads and desserts. Lunch and dinner specials daily.
6 AM-9:30 PM Sun-Thu, Fri-Sat 24 hours. MC, V. $
Tops Diner
351
Duanesburg Road, Rotterdam. 356-0697. Located at the five
corners in Rotterdam, this traditional diner offers breakfast
all day, along with steaks, fresh seafood, Italian dishes
and deli-style sandwiches. All desserts homemade. Don’t
miss the American Beauty chocolate cake. Beer and wine available.
Serving 5 AM-11 PM Mon-Thu, 5 AM-midnight Fri-Sat, 6 AM-10
PM Sun. AE, D, MC, V. $
Wolf Road Diner
219 Wolf Road, Colonie, 459-5214. A little bit of everything
for everyone in this recently renovated diner near the Albany
International Airport. Nearly 400 different food items,
including Greek and Italian specials. Full bar. Serving
6 AM-1 AM Sun-Thu, 6 AM-2 AM Fri-Sat. AE, D, DC, MC, V.
$
Columns
& Opinions
