more Iconic Syracuse foods to try now

And Where To Find Them

While the Upstate Eats Trail showcases the best of the Syracuse food scene with our world-famous BBQ, salt potatoes, hot dogs and more, there’s even more honorable foodie mentions to sample! Whether you’re looking to take on the ultimate gastro challenge or you’re reminiscing about the Half Moons from back home, check out these other signature Syracuse dishes and where to find them.

Half-moon cookies

. A fluffy vanilla (or chocolate) cookie, flipped over and topped with half vanilla frosting and half chocolate — if you know it, you love it. Different from Downstate’s “black & whites,” which are flat and typically topped with fondant or royal icing, the half-moon is a Central New York treasure. Hailing from Utica originally, this sweet treat can be found all over bakeries in Syracuse. WHAT TO ORDER + WHERE : the classic Half-Moon Cookie at Harrison Bakery or Lyncourt Bakery, a “Full Moon” (all white frosting) at Green Hills Farms grocery store in Nedrow.

Mac + cheese.

Okay, we can’t take credit for what is likely the entire world’s favorite food combo, but Syracuse does it right when it comes to mac and cheese. Whether you prefer it plain, über cheesy and gooey, or with some lobster mixed in there, several establishments throughout the area have taken the classic recipe and made it even more mouth-watering.

WHAT TO ORDER + WHERE : Cool Dorito Mac or Chipotle French Toast Chicken Bacon Waffle Mac at Loded , a Double Mac side at Dinosaur BarB-Que or everyone’s favorite lunch side of Buffalo Mac & Cheese at Darwin downtown.

the frittata @ mother’s cupboard

Frittata . Though it’s not just a Syracuse thing, we’ve earned the right to brag about our famous frittatas. This scrambled concoction of eggs, potatoes, pepperoni, peppers, sausage, hash browns, onions and broccoli was made even more famous when Travel Channel’s Man v. Food host Adam Richman took on the 6-pound frittata challenge at Mother’s Cupboard during his Syracusecentric episode. WHAT TO ORDER + WHERE : “The Whole” Frittata at Mother’s Cupboard , the Meat Frittata at Finally Ours Diner on Onondaga Hill.

Chicken riggies

. An ItalianAmerican tradition that was cooked up in nearby Utica, NY, chicken riggies are a staple throughout kitchens in the greater Syracuse area. A perfect blend of rigatoni pasta, chicken, peppers and a spicy tomato and cream sauce, there are dozens of places to sample this savory specialty, many with their own take (and varying levels of heat) on the original recipe. WHAT TO ORDER + WHERE : Chicken Riggies at Pastabilties, Francesca’s Cucina or The Preserve

But wait! There’s more!

Voted ‘Best Burger in New York State’ by the state’s Beef Council for over five years, Ale ‘N’ Angus Pub is conveniently located within the city’s Convention District and is right next door to The Oncenter & The Oncenter War Memorial (where the Syracuse Crunch hockey team call home). This long-standing establishment is home to the best burgers. In. The. State. Try out the Hot & Smokey Candied Bacon Burger (voted Best Burger in New York State in 2021), the Power Play burger (Best Burger winner for three years) and it’s def worth it to give their Ultimate Pretzel Melt sandwich a sample — two salted pretzels jam-packed with bacon, ham, cheddar and provolone cheese, pressed and seared. And don’t forget about the Beef On A Weck burger topped with roast beef, cheddar & horsey mayo, yet another Best Burger winner in 2019.