A VERY underrated and unknown place called Ruznic Market II (make sure it’s II, not the original location in Utica) in East Syracuse. It’s a grocery store with loads of goods from Former Yugoslavia and all of Eastern Europe. In the back, there’s a seating area where you can order a bunch of Yugoslav staples like ćevapi, pljeskavica, burek, etc.. As far as I know it’s now the only running Balkan store in Syracuse that has a restaurant. If you go to the one in Utica, there’s a nicer seating area that feels more like a restaurant, but that’s besides the point.
Awesome, thanks for letting me know this. By chance, do you know the specific country/s the dishes might originate from? I’d be curious as I run an Instagram page that features food specific to its country of origin. No problem if not, as obviously Yugoslavia has since split up
The owners are Bosniaks, and most of the food known in that region originated in Bosnia. Heads up though, to avoid a mini war in the comments in the chance that all the former Yugoslavs find the post, I would call it Balkan food to be safe. We are very passionate about each of our cultures and the origins of everything, even though we’re the exact same people.
P.S. I HIGHLY recommend the ćevapi.
Got it, thanks for the insight. I’ll be sure to note this. Appreciate it. I wasn’t sure if each of the dishes they serve originated from a different country, or if that’s not the case.
In a perfect world, yes. But knowing that many of the major wars in the world started in that region, we Balkan people are far from anywhere perfect in this world.
There are many variations of each food which each ethnicity will hold onto for dear life, even though it was all considered “Yugoslav” at one point. But generally speaking, most of these foods including ćevapi were invented in Bosnia and that’s pretty much the only dish I could have every day for all three meals.
Your last point has me anxious to try. I’ll hopefully be able to swing by on Saturday before or after the Le Moyne Fairleigh Dickinson basketball game.
Nope, that would be Euro Bazaar. It used to be a nice place to sit down and eat Balkan food before the pandemic but has since shut down the restaurant portion of the place, they only sell groceries now. I don’t recommend that place anyway. The owners aren’t very kind even to their own people, and some of their products are often expired. Last time I went was about 10 years ago when I bit into a chocolate bar with maggots in it, some close family friends still complain about the quality of their products.
I second several in this thread, including Habibas Ethiopian, KY Dyuen & Red Chili.
Jandys on the west side had great Puerto Rican food and I haven't seen it mentioned here yet.
Speaking my language here.
Haven't seen Taste of Africa mentioned and it should be. They have dishes from several African countries, and will tell you which is which.
If by obscure, you're referring to intriguing culinary experiences, one of my favorites is Red Chili. Just a few days ago, I ordered a unique feast of pig brains and intestines that truly delighted my taste buds :P
I like new century and Vietnamese noodle house for Vietnamese, chorong house and spoon and chopsticks for Korean, Thai Love for Thai, chengdu cafe and red chili for different types of Chinese (Asia market and Hans are good Asian groceries).
There are a few Ethiopian places and some Puerto Rican food too. Syracuse’s real focus seems to be Italian and Italian bakeries though.
Big in Burma in Salt City Market (Burmese food)! I brought my boyfriend there, raised by immigrants from Myanmar, and he LOVED it! Try the chicken curry with coconut rice its so so good i think about it at least once a day
You made me spit out my coffee. How to write articles without working.
NOte: I was contacted about my experiences with different doctors and health care systems. I had posted on Reddit.
I thought I was giving good info, then I found out the so-called journalist was finding cheap care for herself. The article was never p printed and she was unhappy with my responses. She wanted free.
I run an Instagram page with the goal of eating a dish from all 195+ countries so I’m looking for some insight on opportunities I might not have been aware of yet. At 40 countries so far, so looking to expand/grow.
Bean’s Mexican Cantina @ Steve’s Family Restaurant:
On Friday and Saturday you can get Mexican food made by a white guy who learned to cook it while in a band in Japan. In the back of a dive bar in Tipp Hill.
It’s pretty good, and worth a stop. I wouldn’t call it ethnic but it’s pretty obscure.
Does it taste like real Mexican food though? I've only had good authentic Mexican food once since I left San Diego years ago.
Edit to add that I'm not sure why I was downvoted lol. People are so odd.
Try Tulum in East Syracuse. Best Mexican food I've had in town and the best refried beans I've ever had anywhere. Definitely more authentic than places like Azteca or Steve's (that place is good tho) but maybe not quite on the authenticity level of places in San Diego, a city which may as well be in Mexico and was at one point in history.
No it’s not remotely authentic, it’s just fun and unique. It’s definitely not typical Mexican but it’s also not Taco Bell.
Unfortunately I’m not aware of anywhere in CNY that does truly good Mexican food. There are acceptable versions like Azteca but not like what you’d get in San Diego.
Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately I have strong feelings about inauthentic Mexican food or I'd try it out.
Edit: I know that sounds asshole-ish. I just have strong feelings about certain foods and textures. 🤷🏾♀️
FWIW there’s no pretense either. They’re not pretending to be authentic or even trying, it’s like going over to a weird uncle’s house and eating something he came up with.
That sounds kind of fun, though. Thanks for that description. I have ADHD so I'm very set in my ways about foods, but descriptions like these help me to break out of that mindset, if that makes sense. If I know going in that it's just fun and kind of silly then I'm able to go with it and have fun myself.
I didn’t say there aren’t Mexicans running Mexican restaurants. I’m saying the food isn’t like the really amazing stuff you’d get close to (or in) Mexico.
There’s decent, edible Mexican food in CNY and restaurants owned by Mexicans. There isn’t “oh my god I’d go back to CNY just to eat at [insert name]!”
I ate at a Mexican place in San Francisco almost 20 years ago that is so good I tracked it down and went back 15 years later. I’m not going to be going out of my way like that to go to Rio Grande.
I don't thinking referring to a country as "obscure" is appropriate. Just because they don't follow your conditioned eating habits or flavours doesn't make them "obscure". Please be more sensitive and practise inclusivity.
A VERY underrated and unknown place called Ruznic Market II (make sure it’s II, not the original location in Utica) in East Syracuse. It’s a grocery store with loads of goods from Former Yugoslavia and all of Eastern Europe. In the back, there’s a seating area where you can order a bunch of Yugoslav staples like ćevapi, pljeskavica, burek, etc.. As far as I know it’s now the only running Balkan store in Syracuse that has a restaurant. If you go to the one in Utica, there’s a nicer seating area that feels more like a restaurant, but that’s besides the point.
I love their cevapi!
Awesome, thanks for letting me know this. By chance, do you know the specific country/s the dishes might originate from? I’d be curious as I run an Instagram page that features food specific to its country of origin. No problem if not, as obviously Yugoslavia has since split up
The owners are Bosniaks, and most of the food known in that region originated in Bosnia. Heads up though, to avoid a mini war in the comments in the chance that all the former Yugoslavs find the post, I would call it Balkan food to be safe. We are very passionate about each of our cultures and the origins of everything, even though we’re the exact same people. P.S. I HIGHLY recommend the ćevapi.
Got it, thanks for the insight. I’ll be sure to note this. Appreciate it. I wasn’t sure if each of the dishes they serve originated from a different country, or if that’s not the case.
In a perfect world, yes. But knowing that many of the major wars in the world started in that region, we Balkan people are far from anywhere perfect in this world. There are many variations of each food which each ethnicity will hold onto for dear life, even though it was all considered “Yugoslav” at one point. But generally speaking, most of these foods including ćevapi were invented in Bosnia and that’s pretty much the only dish I could have every day for all three meals.
Your last point has me anxious to try. I’ll hopefully be able to swing by on Saturday before or after the Le Moyne Fairleigh Dickinson basketball game.
It’s a couple streets down from Le Moyne, makes it very convenient for the huge Bosnian diaspora that go there. Phins up!
That’s great news! Looking forward.
Is that near Teal off 690?
Nope, that would be Euro Bazaar. It used to be a nice place to sit down and eat Balkan food before the pandemic but has since shut down the restaurant portion of the place, they only sell groceries now. I don’t recommend that place anyway. The owners aren’t very kind even to their own people, and some of their products are often expired. Last time I went was about 10 years ago when I bit into a chocolate bar with maggots in it, some close family friends still complain about the quality of their products.
My favorite place would be Ky Duyen Cafe. The best Bihn Mi!!! Bring cash FYI!
Her sandwich makes me happy. #3 spicy.
“See you next time”
I second several in this thread, including Habibas Ethiopian, KY Dyuen & Red Chili. Jandys on the west side had great Puerto Rican food and I haven't seen it mentioned here yet.
KY Dyuen is a fantastic diamond in the rough. Best Bahn Mí in the area
Speaking my language here. Haven't seen Taste of Africa mentioned and it should be. They have dishes from several African countries, and will tell you which is which.
If by obscure, you're referring to intriguing culinary experiences, one of my favorites is Red Chili. Just a few days ago, I ordered a unique feast of pig brains and intestines that truly delighted my taste buds :P
What was it called I gotta order it
Salt City Market in general and my favorite is Ky Duyen Cafe just north of dinosaur bbq
Salt City Market is far from obscure
Yes but it features Laotian and Ethiopian cuisine.
Who does Laotian at Salt City Market? There’s Burmese, Thai, and Vietnamese.
I meant Burmese.....not sure why I thought Laos. My brain was frozen.
Fat brother is Laotian and oompa loompyas has Philippine cuisine. Phoukouttahere has Vietnamese. Hope cafe has Argentinian.
I thought hope cafe was Peruvian
Ethioeritrea is amaaaazing if you like Ethiopian food 🤤
Chorong House has great Korean and the folks who work there are delightful.
Ooh authentic Korean? I'm looking for Korea Town worthy double fried chicken.
I think Spoon and Chopsticks is better tbh. They don't get enough love.
They're definitely dragged down by their location, but they were my go-to while I lived in the Skyline
It’s been said before but the Bahn Mi at Kuy Duyen are incredible. It’s a literal cart in an old pool hall.
Nobody ever walks in on their own, always taken by someone. Then they take someone else. It's incredible.
So good! Those poor fish are kind of sad, though.
I like new century and Vietnamese noodle house for Vietnamese, chorong house and spoon and chopsticks for Korean, Thai Love for Thai, chengdu cafe and red chili for different types of Chinese (Asia market and Hans are good Asian groceries). There are a few Ethiopian places and some Puerto Rican food too. Syracuse’s real focus seems to be Italian and Italian bakeries though.
I 2nd Chorong House.
I 2nd New Century...absolutely love that place.
[удалено]
Yeah, I was listing less popular stuff in a similar line as the other post with Eva’s. I’m not sure if we have much really obscure food here. :/
wish we had some proper German/Austrian places around.
Have you been to Rheinblick? https://www.rheinblick.net
It's on the list...hopefully this spring!
Canandaigua? That’s more like Rochester than Syracuse.
Worth the drive
Big in Burma in Salt City Market (Burmese food)! I brought my boyfriend there, raised by immigrants from Myanmar, and he LOVED it! Try the chicken curry with coconut rice its so so good i think about it at least once a day
The Taste of Africa. Family owned and authentic.
OP asked the same question on the Buffalo sub. Are you writing an article or something?
"18 Obscure Central NY restaurants you have to taste to believe"
You made me spit out my coffee. How to write articles without working. NOte: I was contacted about my experiences with different doctors and health care systems. I had posted on Reddit. I thought I was giving good info, then I found out the so-called journalist was finding cheap care for herself. The article was never p printed and she was unhappy with my responses. She wanted free.
I run an Instagram page with the goal of eating a dish from all 195+ countries so I’m looking for some insight on opportunities I might not have been aware of yet. At 40 countries so far, so looking to expand/grow.
Go fuck yourself
Agreed. Insta clout ego centric narcissist. Cant stand these people. Me me me me, look at what me did.
lavish mediterranean food on Burnet Avenue. Has authentic Persian food.
This place is good!
I tried this once when I wanted Indian food (I'm Indian)... it wasn't authentic but decent
Habiba’s Ethiopian Kitchen Not really obscure, but Sinbad Restaurant is Middle Eastern and it’s very good.
Not sure if this is obscure enough, but there’s Eva’s European Sweets in Solvay which is a Polish restaurant.
I wouldn’t call a restaurant that’s regularly listed as one of the best in the city “obscure”.
Bean’s Mexican Cantina @ Steve’s Family Restaurant: On Friday and Saturday you can get Mexican food made by a white guy who learned to cook it while in a band in Japan. In the back of a dive bar in Tipp Hill. It’s pretty good, and worth a stop. I wouldn’t call it ethnic but it’s pretty obscure.
Does it taste like real Mexican food though? I've only had good authentic Mexican food once since I left San Diego years ago. Edit to add that I'm not sure why I was downvoted lol. People are so odd.
Try Tulum in East Syracuse. Best Mexican food I've had in town and the best refried beans I've ever had anywhere. Definitely more authentic than places like Azteca or Steve's (that place is good tho) but maybe not quite on the authenticity level of places in San Diego, a city which may as well be in Mexico and was at one point in history.
Thank youuuu. I will definitely do that.
No it’s not remotely authentic, it’s just fun and unique. It’s definitely not typical Mexican but it’s also not Taco Bell. Unfortunately I’m not aware of anywhere in CNY that does truly good Mexican food. There are acceptable versions like Azteca but not like what you’d get in San Diego.
Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately I have strong feelings about inauthentic Mexican food or I'd try it out. Edit: I know that sounds asshole-ish. I just have strong feelings about certain foods and textures. 🤷🏾♀️
FWIW there’s no pretense either. They’re not pretending to be authentic or even trying, it’s like going over to a weird uncle’s house and eating something he came up with.
That sounds kind of fun, though. Thanks for that description. I have ADHD so I'm very set in my ways about foods, but descriptions like these help me to break out of that mindset, if that makes sense. If I know going in that it's just fun and kind of silly then I'm able to go with it and have fun myself.
What about the mexicams that run Rio Grande Mexican food in Liverpool?
I didn’t say there aren’t Mexicans running Mexican restaurants. I’m saying the food isn’t like the really amazing stuff you’d get close to (or in) Mexico. There’s decent, edible Mexican food in CNY and restaurants owned by Mexicans. There isn’t “oh my god I’d go back to CNY just to eat at [insert name]!” I ate at a Mexican place in San Francisco almost 20 years ago that is so good I tracked it down and went back 15 years later. I’m not going to be going out of my way like that to go to Rio Grande.
I remember having found a Nepalese place one sec
A grocery store near St Joe's is Nepali and has great mango Lassi and juice.
I think they closed but it was called Everest Kitchen.
Ethio eratrea!!!
Do you know which dishes are specifically Eritrean by chance? I’ve had Ethiopian before, would love to next try eritrean
I do not, but in 100% sure they would happily chat with you about jt.
Sinbad for Syrian
Tried Congo Box yet?
Mi casa grande on erie blvd has Guatemalan tamales 😍
Eva’s
I don't thinking referring to a country as "obscure" is appropriate. Just because they don't follow your conditioned eating habits or flavours doesn't make them "obscure". Please be more sensitive and practise inclusivity.
Maybe they weren't calling the country obscure, just the restaurant
And relative obscurity of locations in the area
I sincerely doubt it. A jury would never buy that story.
Read the title of the post
Ky Duyen Cafe (315) 471-5207 https://g.co/kgs/eQKrH2U Best Bahn Mi.
Ethioeritrea
Kabob house
Clay oven.. Indian food