Diner Week Critique: Niki’s Quick Cup (Syracuse, N.Y.)

Review | Written and photographed by Nathan Mattise

Directions | Web site | Overall Rating: 4

The old adage is that you can’t judge a book by its cover. However, in diner culture, you can totally… just not with the results you’d expect.  The traditional “greasy spoon” terminology combined with my travels leads me to believe the rougher the cover the better the book.  You see it all the time locally – Mother’s Cupboard or Mama Nancy’s for instance – so don’t let Niki’s Quick Cup fool you.  You’ll drive by the first time thinking it’s some type of shed for the nearby car dealer, but after entering just once, you won’t forget it again. 

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Diner Week Critique: Funk N’ Waffles (Syracuse, N.Y.)

Review | Written and photographed by Nathan Mattise

Directions | Web site | Overall Rating: 5

What is a diner? In the past I’ve found folks who define it based on cuisine and the smartest man in CNY diners has his own six-point checklist.  Can a diner double as a locale for the best local (and eventually national) bands to perform while in town? Can it sell vinyl and local art on the side? Can you place it in a space below one of the Top 50 college bars in America?

Funk N’ Waffles answers yes to all those. A self-proclaimed cafe started near Syracuse University by two grads has become a go-to hangout for students and community members alike.  Folks come for the music, the atmosphere or perhaps the Gimme! Coffee, but no matter the reason FnW seems to have something everyone can like.

Remember the forgotten diners of day’s past

Food Links | Compiled by Nathan Mattise

Wonder what Doc’s Little Gem looks like as of late?

The Dead Diner Project is here.

Anyone who drives from ‘Cuse to NYC via the famous NY-17 knows the sad sights of abandoned diners lining the side of the road. Diners Without Frosted Tips decided to head out to capture these landmarks before they no longer existed. The ones where information could be found have been included in the photo slideshow above. More could be on the way the next time we travel NY-17 (or when we can find info on a diner, calling all Fishs Eddy Diner experts).

Diner Critique: Barbieri’s Italian Diner (Syracuse, N.Y.)

Review | Written and photographed by Nathan Mattise

Directions | Web site | Overall Rating: 3

I was under the impression Barbieri’s in Syracuse was a recently deceased diner (going the way of my beloved Doc’s and the Sugarpearl and I never did make it to).  It was going to be my first stop on the Dead Diner project until I went and found a perfectly good diner hidden away in Syracuse’s Little Italy. It wasn’t exactly bustling on my Sunday morning visit, but after trying it out I’m not exactly sure why that’s the case.

SyracuseDiners.com praise, Best of ‘Cuse 2010, Saranac Fall Offerings and National Coffee Day

Food Links | Compiled by Nathan Mattise

• One more round of praise to share for SyracuseDiners.com: Syracuse.com was a big fan, Syracuse University too. Today we received the biggest bit of journalist praise as the Online News Association nominated the site for a 2010 Online Journalism Award.

• The Syracuse New Times announced the winners of their “Best of Syracuse 2010” poll (their most participated poll ever). In the “best diner” category… Stella’s? Didn’t see that coming (and I don’t necessarily agree).

• Yesterday was “National Drink A Beer” day.  In honor, here are the tasting videos Saranac produced so you’re familiar with their seasonal offerings.

• Finally, today is National Coffee Day. Many places are having specials and online coffee banter is high (for instance, five pros and cons to the drink). In Syracuse and looking to celebrate? I’ll still take a People’s Place Austin Powers for my money.

Diner Critique: Mama Nancy’s (Syracuse, N.Y.)

Review | Written and photographed by Nathan Mattise

Directions | Web site | Overall Rating: 4

Courtesy of MamaNancys.com

I know economically it’s not the case, but we could be in an awareness renaissance for diners in Syracuse. Nationally Mr. Richman and co. helped put it on the map with a trip to Mother’s Cupboard. Locally the Post-Standard highlighted our recent project on the CNY diner scene and the response has been robust.

Despite all the new diner recommendations and buzz around the scene, there’s still one really lacking area for CNY diner culture… 24hr locales.  Hello, Mama Nancy’s.

Live coverage: Man V. Food in Syracuse

Review | Compiled by Nathan Mattise

Man V. Food in town is such an epic event, I had to resort to CoverItLive for instantaneous commentary. Check out my moment by moment thoughts (watch it again on your DVR with my written commentary, like a DVD extra) simply by clicking below.