August 31, 2010
Cookie Monster tells us cookies are a sometimes food, and this week 14850 Dining is looking at some places in Ithaca that aren't really restaurants… but serve sometimes food.
Macro Mama's peanut lime noodles and kale saladThe Ithaca Farmers Market has lots of local produce, but also prepared food, both downtown on Tuesdays and Thursdays and even more so, lakeside at Steamboat Landing on Saturdays and Sundays. Try the peanut lime noodles from Macro Mama, a plate of Cuban chicken and vegetables, one of the breakfast burritos from Solas, or Finger Lakes Flatbread pizzas or a pastry from Just Desserts.
Lou's hot dog stand is downtown on the Commons at lunchtime when the weather's good, and he's been joined by a couple of other vendors lately, offering Greek food such as gyros, and even sushi. Cornell Dining has their own hot dog carts they roll out during the summer, though they vanish when students return to campus, and a new late-night hot dog cart called Bru Dogs is now up and running Tuesday night through Saturday night in Collegetown starting at 9 and into the wee hours.
Ralph's Ribs at CastawaysBars are a good place to find sometimes food. Castaways on the Cayuga Lake Inlet has always had food off and on, but stop in soon… Ralph and Robert from Ralph's Ribs have been serving up their famous ribs and BBQ chicken on Wednesdays this summer, with southern-style sides and a hunk of corn bread. Find Ralph's Ribs on Facebook for this Wednesday's menu. No more Wednesdays until October, but Ralph's Ribs will be at Castaways on September 11th for the Rhiner Festival, with food starting at noon.
Mussels at the WestyThe Westy is a new bar in Ithaca's west end, opened by the former owners of Korova on State Street near Felicia's. While the weather's good, visit for Stan and Dave's backyard grill in the courtyard, with such gourmet bar fare as sauteed mussels, fish tacos, baked brie, Thai noodle salad, and thick burgers. Find them during happy hour, 6-10pm, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.
And speaking of Felicia's Atomic Lounge, they've often got flatbreads, paninis, or beer-dipped hot dogs and not dogs. Enjoy one with a handmade cocktail.
Once in a while a sometimes food turns into full-time food. That's the case at the Haunt, which a couple of years ago started serving Razorback BBQ instead of having their kitchen open one or two nights a week. Stop in for lunch or dinner, and check out wings, fried chicken, ribs, pulled pork, and more. Visit thehaunt.com for a look at the menu and the hours and pay them a visit off Dey Street by the waterfront.
We're sure there are lots of other places to find "sometimes food" around town. Let us know your favorite, and check out a few of these and tell them you heard about them here.
