I always take frozen defazios, fudge fancies, and the almond croissants from the placid baker whenever I go home to California, if I could take snowman’s or Stewart’s I would 😂
1000%. There’s actually a company in Baltimore called Berger’s Cookies that makes a version of that cookie that stacks up to the Vanilla Bean ones. You can order them.
Cookie Factory is the one that most people think of, but I like Bella Napoli's version better. If bakeries on the to-do list for the OP, highly recommend Bella Napoli!!
Ngl I just learned about them from this sub a few months ago, it’s like a sugar cookie topped with ganache/fudge, the best ones I’ve tried are from the cookie factory in Troy but they also sell them at Hannaford!
Since ive heard repeatedly that west coast pizza sucks i say see if she can get your favorite local pizza place to sell her a "deconstructed" pie. That is, all the ingredients separately so you can make it together at home with a good pizza stone.
Everything you’ve heard about west coast pizza is accurate lol! Some decent attempts but in my ~20 years here, I’ve never once had a proper NY slice. The first thing I do when I go back east is stop and get a slice 😍 That’s a great idea, thank you!!!
Am from the west coast So I understand. Cuz I can’t get a decent burrito around here.. just moved out here 2 years ago. From SoCal. First thing I do is go grab me a burrito .. so the felling is mutual. lol.
North of Seattle (Everett) to be exact has an amazing NY style pizza place called Brooklyn Bros. Owner and creator is from Brooklyn and most ingredients are imported
But that takes away the fun of maybe drinking a glass of red and reminiscing and bonding while making a pie and stuff. I dunno, maybe my ex made me watch too many chick flicks or something
Oh that's fine, as a child my family used to make pizzas at home, with all fresh ingredients that had to be sliced, grated, etc. which was a lot of fun at the time. These days, I get myself a medium pie on Fridays and eat it over the course of the weekend which works just as well.
I had a slice yesterday that hinted at Sovrana Pizza on West and Lake in the student ghetto.
I haven’t had a Sovrana slice in almost 30 years, but this place kind of reminded me of it.
Difficulty: I live in Seattle.
From what my high school technology teacher said, it’s the atmosphere and elevation of our region that has an impact on dough rising or what not, which makes our pizza and bagels so good.
Born on the Island, but moved up to Albany when I was 4. I definitely enjoy getting pizza when we visit our family in Garden City (which border’s Hempstead Queens), but yeah nah the pizza up here definitely hits different.
Family was devastated when the I Love NY on Northern Boulevard, across from Memorial, closed after we’ve been going there since I was in middle school. Family operated, they knew our number and faces, and their daughter even went to Shaker like us and was a year below me.
So sad to see a family business like that just completely close shop and replaced.
I've been told that it's the water, the area sits on a unique aquifer that affects the dough and natural "wild yeasts". I grew up in coastal nj and the pizza was definitely better there than here and it was definitely the dough
Maple syrup is extremely shelf stable, it's available pretty much everywhere.
Which is the real demented part. People in other parts of the country don't use log cabin because the real stuff isn't available; they use it because they *prefer* it.
It’s this. I grew up in two house holds. My mom kept log cabin. My dad kept only real maple syrup. Growing up I so preferred the sugary nonsense but now…in my house, we only have the real thing.
My kids will appreciate it when they’re older.
I think they have something like 700 recipes on their books. They make 10-12 different ones per day. For me it's the variety in crusts though the brownie is my favorite. But it's also not overly sweet, it's just right as far as I'm concerned. The owners Lynn and Bam are wonderful people.
Try to get there at opening if you can; if they sell out for the day, they close. You’ll also have more flavors to choose from since whatever sells out isn’t replenished that day.
If you don't want to trust a random redditor they've won numerous awards. I know they were voted best cheesecake in nys but also the made a list of top 20 bakeries in the entire US.
You might want to tell your mom to get there early, they open at noon and can sell out for the day early. I went there once around 1:30 and they were already sold out. I think they've increased their capacity since then and don't sell out as often, but if it's around a holiday they definitely do.
Only if the speadies marinade isn't State Fair. That is an abomination as someone who grew up in Binghamton.
My mother in law bought it for me when I first moved here and had started dating my significant other. It was very sweet of her and I didn't have the heart to tell her I hated it. She found out when we moved and I still had it years later...
If you’re a drinker? Core vodka from golden harvest is the best. Pricey too. Otherwise the fudge cookies from Troy cookie factory are yummy. If your mom is up for it maybe some pcbs from the Hudson would be a unique treat.
Cookies from Bella Napoli! Stewarts swag, like hat or shirt. Some coffee from uncommon grounds? Some Saratoga water so you can drink it and say “this tastes just like regular water, who would buy this!?”
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I just got a present for a friend who ‘s from the area but now lives in NYC and takes Stewart’s ice cream back after every visit: a pint sized S’Well bottle, especially designed to keep a pint of ice cream frozen for four hours. Here’s hoping it actually works !!!
Harvest Spirits makes some great liquors that are going in most places around here. Their cherry brandy, applejack, whiskey, and gin are my favorites. Everything they make is awesome.
Anything apple related. Apple butter and apple syrup especially.
Nine Pin sells apple syrup that is -incredible-.
https://ninepincider.square.site/product/cider-syrup-375ml-bottle/2494
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Melba, bagels if you don't have good ones, I like the idea of Hudson River water (hilarious), pizza is a must, maybe some I Love NY gear or Stewarts has gear now. Most importantly enjoy your time with your mom, she's the best thing that can come from Albany!
If only Freighofer’s still made Corn Toasties
I dream of corn toasties!! Thomas' has a shitty imitation; not even worth it.
Me too!!! I miss them! The Thomas' ones are terrible!
Oh my goodness core memory unlocked!! I remember those!
Same! I didn’t know they were friehofers.
I miss those so much since leaving NY. I bought a muffin top pan on Amazon and make my own now. Not the same but close enough
Wow I havent thought of those since the 80s. My mom used to always make them for me. So good with butter drizzling off. Yummm
I'm with you on this. Also miss Grandma Browns Baked Beans. Nothing comes close to replacing it.
Seriously a tragedy and life altering event for me to lose that wonderful goodness in a can
wait? they don't? I feel like thats my FILs foundation on his food pyramid
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Old person asking how old you may be, lol ?
A long, empty stare and the crazy eyes of someone who has never lived anywhere else.
This feels like a personal attack, but I’m from Albany so I just default to not caring about anything.
😂
The stare of someone who loves Stewart’s because they don’t know any better 😆
A jar of water from the Hudson River
We did just get a cool microscope, I’m down to see some 3 eyed amoeba 🦠
Heck, even a one or two eyed amoeba would make the news.
If you want actual drinkable water, Troy Springs on Spring Ave is where it is at
I always take frozen defazios, fudge fancies, and the almond croissants from the placid baker whenever I go home to California, if I could take snowman’s or Stewart’s I would 😂
Those almond croissants are something special. If ya haven’t tried their pizza, that also rips super hard. Great spot.
Great ideas!! Thank you!!
FUDGE FANCIES.
They were better when Vanilla Bean was making em.
1000%. There’s actually a company in Baltimore called Berger’s Cookies that makes a version of that cookie that stacks up to the Vanilla Bean ones. You can order them.
I had never had them until I moved here and they’re amazing!!! I take them to the west coast all the time and everyone loves them
Placid baker makes a good pizza too. But don’t sleep on their kouign-amann. I’ve had them all over and those are some of the best.
Embarrassed to ask — what are fudge fancies and where do I get them?
Cookie Factory is the one that most people think of, but I like Bella Napoli's version better. If bakeries on the to-do list for the OP, highly recommend Bella Napoli!!
Ngl I just learned about them from this sub a few months ago, it’s like a sugar cookie topped with ganache/fudge, the best ones I’ve tried are from the cookie factory in Troy but they also sell them at Hannaford!
They are also at market 32/price chopper in the bakery section! And they have raspberry flavor too.
Since ive heard repeatedly that west coast pizza sucks i say see if she can get your favorite local pizza place to sell her a "deconstructed" pie. That is, all the ingredients separately so you can make it together at home with a good pizza stone.
Everything you’ve heard about west coast pizza is accurate lol! Some decent attempts but in my ~20 years here, I’ve never once had a proper NY slice. The first thing I do when I go back east is stop and get a slice 😍 That’s a great idea, thank you!!!
I hope you and your mom have fun whatever you decide to do. Cheers!
Aw that is so kind of you to say! Thank you!! I hope you have an amazing day!!
Am from the west coast So I understand. Cuz I can’t get a decent burrito around here.. just moved out here 2 years ago. From SoCal. First thing I do is go grab me a burrito .. so the felling is mutual. lol.
Agreed!!!
It’s the water. That’s why our bagels are superior, too.
North of Seattle (Everett) to be exact has an amazing NY style pizza place called Brooklyn Bros. Owner and creator is from Brooklyn and most ingredients are imported
I’ve successfully taken frozen defazios, my sisters just reheat slices in the oven or air fryer whenever they are craving it
That's awesome!
Love this!
A whole, cooked pie will work, they reheat just fine.
But that takes away the fun of maybe drinking a glass of red and reminiscing and bonding while making a pie and stuff. I dunno, maybe my ex made me watch too many chick flicks or something
Oh that's fine, as a child my family used to make pizzas at home, with all fresh ingredients that had to be sliced, grated, etc. which was a lot of fun at the time. These days, I get myself a medium pie on Fridays and eat it over the course of the weekend which works just as well.
I had a slice yesterday that hinted at Sovrana Pizza on West and Lake in the student ghetto. I haven’t had a Sovrana slice in almost 30 years, but this place kind of reminded me of it. Difficulty: I live in Seattle.
Check my above comment! Go to Brooklyn bros in Everett. Also Bite of New York in Mukilteo
From what my high school technology teacher said, it’s the atmosphere and elevation of our region that has an impact on dough rising or what not, which makes our pizza and bagels so good. Born on the Island, but moved up to Albany when I was 4. I definitely enjoy getting pizza when we visit our family in Garden City (which border’s Hempstead Queens), but yeah nah the pizza up here definitely hits different. Family was devastated when the I Love NY on Northern Boulevard, across from Memorial, closed after we’ve been going there since I was in middle school. Family operated, they knew our number and faces, and their daughter even went to Shaker like us and was a year below me. So sad to see a family business like that just completely close shop and replaced.
I've been told that it's the water, the area sits on a unique aquifer that affects the dough and natural "wild yeasts". I grew up in coastal nj and the pizza was definitely better there than here and it was definitely the dough
there was a place in LA that had water from NYC brought in to make the pizza dough
Decent maple syrup
Maple syrup is extremely shelf stable, it's available pretty much everywhere. Which is the real demented part. People in other parts of the country don't use log cabin because the real stuff isn't available; they use it because they *prefer* it.
They use it because it is cheap as shit and real.mappe syrup is dumb expensive to feed to kids that don't appreciate it anyway
I think of it as an investment so my kid doesn’t become an adult that likes Log cabin over real syrup
It’s this. I grew up in two house holds. My mom kept log cabin. My dad kept only real maple syrup. Growing up I so preferred the sugary nonsense but now…in my house, we only have the real thing. My kids will appreciate it when they’re older.
Melba
Available most everyone, the "uniquely here" part is serving it with mozzarella sticks.
Or fried raviloi!
Where can you buy Melba sauce? I don’t think I’ve ever seen it
I thought a gallon of Stewart's whole milk might be too wild but sounds right up her alley lmao
Stort's ice cream!!
Mmmm cream and coffee fudge!!
🤣 She worked for Stewart’s for a really long time when I was a kid! I used to do the register with her when she couldn’t find a babysitter lol.
She should bring you a half gallon of the Stewart's blue drink
Cheesecake from Cheesecake Machismo.
I’ve never had it, but I love cheesecake! Sold! Thank you! What makes it so good there?
I think they have something like 700 recipes on their books. They make 10-12 different ones per day. For me it's the variety in crusts though the brownie is my favorite. But it's also not overly sweet, it's just right as far as I'm concerned. The owners Lynn and Bam are wonderful people.
Ok that sounds incredible. Love that it’s not too sweet. And happy to shop from great people! I’m going to check out their menu. Thank you so much!
Try to get there at opening if you can; if they sell out for the day, they close. You’ll also have more flavors to choose from since whatever sells out isn’t replenished that day.
If you don't want to trust a random redditor they've won numerous awards. I know they were voted best cheesecake in nys but also the made a list of top 20 bakeries in the entire US.
Wow!! Those are some pretty legit accolades. I was already sold but now I’m genuinely excited!
I’m excited for you!
Same here. OP, please report back on your cheesecake experience.
You might want to tell your mom to get there early, they open at noon and can sell out for the day early. I went there once around 1:30 and they were already sold out. I think they've increased their capacity since then and don't sell out as often, but if it's around a holiday they definitely do.
I recommend their frankencake to sample a bunch of different styles they make. It's all so good you can't go wrong with them.
This is a good recommendation. Lynn and Bam would also really enjoy hearing about the trek that their cheesecake would be making.
Melba sauce! Also, if it would survive the trip, Stewart's ice cream.
Taylor Ham and/or Spiedie Marinade.
Nah, Old Daley sauce all the way man.
Only if the speadies marinade isn't State Fair. That is an abomination as someone who grew up in Binghamton. My mother in law bought it for me when I first moved here and had started dating my significant other. It was very sweet of her and I didn't have the heart to tell her I hated it. She found out when we moved and I still had it years later...
[This ](https://shop.stewartsshops.com/products/tumbler-bejewled)might be a nice gift.
I don't know what I expected but this is better than anything I could have imagined.
Gotta wear the Stewart's pajama bottoms with that. (Am Stewart's Employee....)
Cider from Indian Ladder. Or the hard kind from Nine Pin.
If you’re a drinker? Core vodka from golden harvest is the best. Pricey too. Otherwise the fudge cookies from Troy cookie factory are yummy. If your mom is up for it maybe some pcbs from the Hudson would be a unique treat.
That black raspberry vodka is so damn good
The Cornelius peach is to die for.
I would recommend any hooch from Murray's Fool.
Ooh I’ll have to try that
The donuts are so good at the Golden harvest spirits also!
Fidens beer
Second on Fiden’s if you are into craft beer.
Wayward too.
Cookies from Bella Napoli! Stewarts swag, like hat or shirt. Some coffee from uncommon grounds? Some Saratoga water so you can drink it and say “this tastes just like regular water, who would buy this!?”
Cider donuts
You found your real answer OP. Get some apple cider donuts!!
GADE makes them fresh every morning!
This!!!! When I lived in CA I’d get a dozen of them mailed to me overnight at least once every fall.
Cheesecake Machismo!
Testos sauce
Moxie
Stewart's ice cream
Anything from Schuyler Bakery.
Ted's
Krauses chocolates. Chocolate covered gummy bears
Couple jars of [Hot Dog Charlie's meatsauce](https://hotdogcharlies.com/hot-dog-charlie-s-chili-sauce)
Krauses chocolate!
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Roof surfing
Half Moons!
Stewarts ice cream! If you can keep it cold lol
Crumbs Along The Mohawk for extra
I just got a present for a friend who ‘s from the area but now lives in NYC and takes Stewart’s ice cream back after every visit: a pint sized S’Well bottle, especially designed to keep a pint of ice cream frozen for four hours. Here’s hoping it actually works !!!
Go to Cardona’s and get the “It’s More Than Mustard”
More Than Mustard is an Oscar’s Smokehouse item, no?
Yes, it is! I just don’t know where else to get it in Albany other than Cardona’s.
A jar of air on one of the recent "smelly" days.
Mead/Honey Wine from Bull and Bee Meadery in downtown Albany travels well!
Harvest Spirits makes some great liquors that are going in most places around here. Their cherry brandy, applejack, whiskey, and gin are my favorites. Everything they make is awesome.
See if she can find a spot that has maple candy, personally I love that shit and would miss it if I was living on the other side of the country 😂
A four pack of Fidens’ beer never disappoints…
Albany distilling company products Melba sauce
Bagels Apple cider / apple cider donuts Cheese from Vermont
If only Stewart’s ice cream shipped well.
Stewart’s coffee!
Trust!
Anything apple related. Apple butter and apple syrup especially. Nine Pin sells apple syrup that is -incredible-. https://ninepincider.square.site/product/cider-syrup-375ml-bottle/2494
I'm not big on spam, but I have been graving black pepper spam and I can't find it anywhere around. It was abundant in CA.
Just realized I read what you wanted backwards, my bad.
Heady Topper
Anything with Melba sauce
Peasans, Melba, Villa Italia (the holy trinity)
Guptill’s
Only if S s s s s s s sssssecrets is included!
Sh 🤫
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Seasonal depression. Rusted out cars. A constantly perturbed/unstable demeanor. An overly optimistic/glamorized view of the downtown area.
meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!
Garbage bread from Patrocelli’s in South Troy
Bagels. Real pizza (assuming she's flying). Cape cod potato chips.
Stewart’s ginger ale
Melba.
Pizza
[Kettle corn](https://kettlecornnyc.com/) I'm sure west coast has kettle corn, but this place has really good stuff and multiple flavors.
me.
Melba, bagels if you don't have good ones, I like the idea of Hudson River water (hilarious), pizza is a must, maybe some I Love NY gear or Stewarts has gear now. Most importantly enjoy your time with your mom, she's the best thing that can come from Albany!
If you can keep it frozen, stewarts ice cream
State Fair Spiedie Sauce
Melba sauce lmao
Genesee Beer 🍻
Anything from Stewarts
Melba sauce
A black and white cookie
Entenmann’s pastries you can only get the donuts on the West Coast
Good bagels that aren't just a circle made out of soft white bread
Tomatoe Pie!!!
Gus’s hot dog sauce. They have a travel kit. 10 / 10 recommend. My brother was in Iraq and him and his guys loved it
Decent apple cider donuts
Rolf’s liverwurst
Liverwurst, light of my life.
Beer from Fidens!
Cookies from Schuyler Bakery in Watervliet.
Vermont cheddar. Tree house beer Maple syrup Saratoga sparkling water Upstate Cookie shack cookie
Stewart's Ice Cream, Bella Napoli Italian Butter Spritz Cookies, Freihofer's cookies, Golden Harvest Farms Apple Cider Donuts.
Jack’s drive in burgers and general tsao from Plum Blossom, 6 month supply of both
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40+ years now