Hungry at the women's hockey tournament? Here are some options you might want to explore

Where should you go to eat while in Utica?

Oneida County Tourism president Sarah Foster Calero always finds herself answering that question with a question.

“I just love asking people what they’re in the mood for,” Calero said. “It's almost like when people say, ‘What can I do in Oneida County?’ I'm always like, ‘Well, what are you interested in?’” 

The region has dining options for every budget and every taste, from hip new spots to staples that trace their history for more than a century.

All are on display as crowds ascend upon Adirondack Bank Center in Utica for the IIHF Women's World Championship.

Hockey and food

The Subaru World Championship Village, a family-friendly fan zone for ticket holders, will feature a biergarten and typical festival fare like hot dogs, hamburgers and nachos.

The Adirondack Bank Center offers classic concessions like pizza, popcorn and ice cream to satisfy your appetite while you watch the games.

And of course, if you’re looking for something quick and simple, you can find a multitude of fast-food options from McDonald’s to Chipotle, many of them located along Seneca Turnpike and Commercial Drive in New Hartford.

There also are fast food options, along with other regional staple restaurants, along North Genesee Street in Utica, not to far from the Aud.

Utica is also known as a city that has historically welcomed refugees and immigrants from all over the world who have brought their cuisine along with them. 

Italian immigrants in the first decades of the 20th century established a strong presence; today, there’s practically an Italian restaurant on every block, and even two Italian restaurants (Delmonico’s Italian Steakhouse and Chesterfield’s Tavolo) next door to one another on Genesee Street not far from the arena.

Thanks to the influence of those immigrants, Utica is the birthplace of original dishes like chicken riggies and tomato pie. 

In more recent years, immigrants from different corners of the world, from Bosnia to Jamaica, have made their mark on the local dining scene.

“I think one of the major feathers in the cap of Utica’s dining scene is all the food of the immigrant populations,” said Tim Hardiman, founder of farm-to-table restaurant the Tailor and the Cook. “Some of them might be a little out of the way or off the beaten path, but the mom and pop places around the city serving, whether it’s Dominican or Bosnian or Salvadoran or the different types of Asian food, I think that those are just the most exciting places to eat around here.” 

One could fill a novella with all the recommendations of places to grab a delicious meal in the Mohawk Valley. What follows is just a selection of the establishments that help make Utica a foodie’s dream.

Casual fare, American classics

Nosh on the all-American burger in all its glory, plus plenty of other favorites.

Babe’s at Harbor Point – 80 N. Genesee St. in Utica: Sample classics like cheeseburgers and barbecue ribs from Babe’s extensive menu. If you couldn’t snag tickets to a game, don’t worry – Babe’s, as well as many other local restaurants, will be streaming the games on TV.

“Babe’s, I think, kind of has that something for everyone,” Calero said. “It’s super casual, and you can feel comfortable bringing your family there for burgers, sandwiches, salads, soups, that kind of thing.”

You can also visit Babe’s on the weekends for “Boozy Brunch” as an excuse to day-drink between games. Try the bangin’ shrimp Benedict, a twist on eggs Benedict which includes delectable chili mayo along with Hollandaise sauce – you won’t regret it.

Swifty’s Restaurant & Pub – 257 Genesee St. in Utica: A pub with Irish influences that show up in dishes like hearty shepherd’s pie and Irish nachos – housemade chips smothered in cheddar cheese and bacon. The restaurant also has some of the wildest, most decadent takes on burgers around, including “The Hangover,” which is topped with tater tots and a fried egg, and the “Swifty’s Buffalo,” which is deep-fried and finished with Buffalo wing sauce.

Rooster’s – 814 Charlotte St. in Utica: Calero said that this wallet-friendly spot has the best chicken nuggets and fries, as well as yet more delicious burgers. Its no-fuss menu provides a taste of all-American comfort food.

Rick’s Famous Juicy Burgers – 421 Broad St. in Utica: This nostalgic burger spot is owned by Francis Pezzolanella, a local restaurateur who also owns the more upscale establishments Nostro Restobar & Lounge and Ocean Blue Restaurant and Oyster Bar. Rick’s keeps it simple with design meant to evoke the 1970s and a short and sweet menu focused on diner staples like burgers and fries.

In a February conversation about dining and tourism, Pezzolanella noted the correlation between hockey and burgers. He has noticed the impact of the opening of the Utica University Nexus Center on business at Rick’s.

“At Rick’s, we absolutely have seen a big jump because of the Nexus Center,” Pezzolanella said. 

Pizza, wings and sports

How many pizzerias are in the Mohawk Valley? The limit does not exist. 

O’Scugnizzo Pizzeria – 614 Bleecker St. in Utica: This institution was founded in 1914 by Italian immigrant Eugene Burline. Back then, he used to sell tomato pie, which is pizza topped with sauce and a dusting of Romano cheese rather than mozzarella, for a nickel. 110 years and two generations later, Eugene’s grandson Steven runs the place and still sells tomato pie or “upside-down” pizza, depending on who you ask. 

Pizza Boys – 9 Clinton St. in New York Mills: Perfect for those who prefer thin-crust New York-style pizza. While honoring that tradition, this shop also offers some creative toppings on their specialty pizzas, like the Mac Daddy (inspired by the Big Mac, this pie includes “secret sauce,” ground beef, and vegetables) and a mac and cheese pizza topped with cheddar cheese sauce, pasta, and crispy breadcrumbs. Pizza Boys has also earned top honors at the Central New York Wing Wars competition for the past several years.

Ed’s Pizza Place – 532 E. Main St. in Little Falls: Don’t sleep on Herkimer County. Though it may be a bit further away from the arena, the county has plenty of dining choices to offer, too. This pizzeria lets customers choose between a New York-style thin crust and a Sicilian-style thick crust. Owner Chris Caban said that their E.B.A. (Everything But Anchovies) pizza, loaded with an array of toppings, is among their most popular.

Upscale selections

Enjoy refined dining experiences with fresh ingredients – but know, reservations are advised for many of these establishments.

The Tailor and the Cook – 311 Main St. in Utica: Founded in 2012 by Hardiman with the mission of celebrating local food and drink, the restaurant moved to this new location in November. It now includes a formal dining room as well as a more casual bar setting, and recently started Sunday brunch service.

Hardiman is passionate about farm-to-table dining and drinking, with a menu that follows the seasons and an award-winning New York State wine program.

“I would want out-of-town visitors to know that when they come here, they're supporting our local community,” Hardiman said. “They can have a taste of locally sourced products – about 75% of our non-perishable inventory is sourced locally, so they can know that the plate of food that's being served to them was sourced with a lot of pride and a lot of care. There are also awesome New York state wines, beers and spirits here to check out for people that might not be familiar with them.” 

For starters, the Tailor and the Cook serves up charcuterie and cheese boards. Current seasonal dishes include winter cassoulet – a hearty stew of confit duck leg, crispy pork belly, garlic pork sausage, white beans and root vegetables – and a pumpkin salad with creamy burrata and crusty bread.

At Sunday brunch, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., guests can choose from classics and creative twists alike: fluffy buttermilk pancakes topped with plump blueberries, chive biscuits with creamy sausage gravy, a breakfast sandwich on local shop Wakin' Bagel's everything bagel with a baked egg, local cheese Jake's Aged Gouda, kimchi and marinated mushrooms.

Hardiman can’t wait to provide the Tailor and the Cook experience to visitors.

“Hospitality is our gig,” he said. “We are making sure that we have staff in place. Everybody knows it's going to be a busy couple of weeks, but we're just really excited to welcome people and treat them the way that we treat everyone. Whether you're a local or a traveler, we aim to make you feel real special when you dine at the Tailor and the Cook.”

Nostro Restobar & Lounge – 268 Genesee St. in Utica: This Italian eatery is housed in the beautiful historic Oneida National Bank building. The walls are bedecked with a bronze mural of the region and paintings by Pezzolanella’s grandmother.

Standout menu selections include the olive oil and rosemary crispy potatoes (you never knew roasted potatoes could be this good) and the campanelle pesto, bursting with the robust flavors of toasted pine nuts and fried capers.

The large wine list is largely Italian, and the cocktail menu features quirky names complete with iconic quotes. Example: the black raspberry margarita is listed with both the title “Mistaken Identity” and the phrase “you talkin’ to me?” 

Mōtus – 234 Genesee St. in Utica: Another farm-to-table spot dedicated to locally sourced products, the name means “movement” in Latin. According to the restaurant’s website, co-owners and Mohawk Valley natives J.D. Smith and Vincent Petronio met while working at the Tailor and the Cook. 

The two share a passion for developing sustainable, farm-fresh cuisine. The name refers to a concept that Smith and Petronio created collaboratively: a movement or revolution in the celebration of Upstate New York agriculture and small business.

The seasonal menu currently includes a delicate yet rich farm carrot and ginger bisque and a pennoni pasta with sauteed winter squash, fresh sage and a goat cheese croquette.

72 Tavern and Grill – 400 Oriskany St. W. in Utica: This restaurant in the Adirondack Bank Center typically offers a more casual sports bar vibe, but Mohawk Valley Garden director of marketing Michael Lehr said that the restaurant is being transformed into a VIP lounge for the duration of the tournament. 

You can buy a VIP pass for $40 for a day or $250 for the full event for food and beverages, available from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. 

“I think that 72 is basically for if you want that elevated experience of the world championship,” Lehr said. “The village will be that public party atmosphere, and then if people want the more elevated, the more elite experience, that’s what 72 will provide.”

As part of the experience, 72 just launched a red, white and blue Lady Liberty cocktail, made with raspberry liqueur, Tito’s vodka and lime and topped with blueberry puree and a blue salted rim.

Turning Stone Resort Casino:

The home base of all 10 hockey teams during their stay in the Mohawk Valley, Turning Stone offers more than 20 dining options across the resort, ranging from sushi to a steakhouse, fast-casual to fine dining. 

“Turning Stone is known for its variety of exceptional and award-winning dining experiences, and we’re eager to show the IIHF athletes, coaches and families first-hand what has earned us this reputation,” said Kelly Abdo, Turning Stone’s director of public relations, in a statement. “Whether players are looking for a quick bite before heading to the rink, a celebratory dinner after a hard-earned win, or a quiet meal in their room, we have it all for them here.”

Here are just a few examples:

7 Kitchens: A market-style all-you-can-eat buffet with seven stations including fresh seafood, authentic Mexican fare and dim sum, not to mention a dessert station stocked with all manner of tempting treats.

TS Steakhouse: This sophisticated steakhouse has won numerous awards, most recently earning four stars from the 2024 Forbes Travel Guide. In addition to juicy, tender cuts of steak, diners can enjoy an array of fresh seafood or an artisanal cheese board. The restaurant’s terrace is perfect for watching a sunset over lush green fields.

The Upstate Tavern: With its own take on chicken riggies and macaroni and cheese made with rich Central New York white cheddar, this is another spot that serves local specialties with pride. The classic American bar and grill allows guests to sip the products of New York state’s many breweries and watch games on more than a dozen televisions.

NY Rec & Social Club: With nightlife vibes, this is one of the newest additions to Turning Stone’s dining and entertainment menu, having just opened its doors in December. Guests can lounge in comfortable booths, play pool, air hockey, foosball and more, and catch the tournament games streaming live, all while enjoying signature cocktails, craft beer, and wings in more than a dozen flavors.

Diverse cuisine:

These restaurants are just a few that highlight the multicultural culinary landscape here in town.

Yummilicious Cafe & Bakery – 1600 Rutger St. in Utica: Married couple Mersiha and Hajrudin Omeragic came to Utica as refugees from Bosnia in the mid-90s. She was a teacher who loved to bake, and he was a culinary school graduate and chef; they both hoped to open their own restaurant one day.

“It’s been our longtime dream,” Mersiha said.

While they chose an inopportune moment to bring that dream to life – the cafe opened its doors on Valentine’s Day, 2020, and had to shut down temporarily a month later – customers loved the Yummilicious flavor. The Omeragics reopened on Mother’s Day in 2020 and have been going strong ever since.

The two of them run the kitchen, and the restaurant operates with help from their four children – a family affair, as Mersiha calls it. 

The cafe offers lunch and dinner options including yes, chicken riggies, burgers, and paninis. Mersiha bakes a variety of sweets, from traditional Bosnian pastries like tulumba (fried choux pastry soaked in syrup – who can argue with that?) to highly decorative cakes for any occasion.

On the weekends, stop by Yummilicious for brunch, where you can choose from a mixture of cuisines: tried-and-true classics like French toast and waffles with all the fixings or breakfast sandwiches, a Turkish breakfast (two eggs any style eggs with cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, feta cheese, honey, jam, and homemade bread) or a Bosnian breakfast (fluffy and crispy fried dough with cottage cheese and plum butter). 

“We present the diversity on the plate,” Mersiha said. “Also, the atmosphere inside is very cozy and comfortable, and the music is also international. It’s very welcoming. I think people will love that.”

Mersiha is used to serving international visitors, saying that she has met customers visiting from everywhere from Australia to Africa. On days off, when she and her husband need a break from the long hours in the kitchen, they like to sample Utica’s rich culinary diversity, too.

“I mean, Utica has a lot, so much beautiful food that it’s hard to pick one,” Mersiha said. “Every week we try to get food from different places when we have dinner at home, because we get tired of cooking. On Tuesdays, we call them local Tuesdays, because we just go around, get food from different places and just have dinner and enjoy. This is how we support each other.”

Pho Mekong House of Noodles – 601 John St. in Utica: Calero, president of Oneida County Tourism, said that this authentic Vietnamese joint is one of her and her staff’s favorite places to order lunch. 

The menu boasts over a dozen varieties of pho, the rich, savory Vietnamese soup that would probably be the most familiar to American diners. But even more types of soup abound, plus a vast array of rice and noodle dishes. Try Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk for a sweet, strong, caffeinated treat, or cool down with a fruit shake in flavors like coconut, mango or pineapple.

Mariam – 372 Oriskany Blvd. in Whitesboro: Opened by Syrian immigrants and married couple Karam Wassel and Kaother Nono in 2022, Mariam dishes up authentic and mouthwatering Mediterranean food.

The couple’s nephew Rafi Wassel, a medical student, and their two children help out around the restaurant while Karam and Kaother keep busy making magic in the kitchen. Start your meal with homemade hummus, drizzled with olive oil, sprinkled with paprika, and dotted with fresh chickpeas, or hearty lentil soup.

Seasoned with a succulent blend of spices, wrapped in a grilled pita with pickled peppers and garlic sauce, and served with tzatziki on the side, the chicken shawarma sandwich is a transcendent experience. If you’ve somehow managed to save room for dessert, you can’t go wrong with flaky, honey-sweet baklava. 

In September, while the family was hard at work preparing food for the St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church annual Mediterranean festival, Rafi Wassel spoke fondly of his culture’s cuisine.

“This is what we cook at home,” he said. “This is the kind of food we make at home every single day. That's what we usually cook and eat, the tradition in our culture. And then when [my aunt and uncle] moved here, they tried to start being independent and build their own business. So they came into the area here and we found a small, cozy, nice place, where you can feel like home and eat some nice dishes.” 

Sazón Frank – 655 Bleecker St. in Utica: Hardiman of the Tailor and the Cook recommends this Dominican restaurant, which opened its doors in 2021. Sazón Frank offers up popular Dominican favorites like four different kinds of empanadas – beef or chicken, each with or without cheese – sweet plantains, and oxtail. 

The restaurant’s specialty is shrimp mofongo. Mofongo is a traditional Caribbean dish with roots in both the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico, made from a base of mashed green plantains mixed with garlic, salt, oil and chicharrones (crispy pork skin). That base is served with broth and often accouterments like chicken, beef, or in this case, shrimp.

Island Breeze Bar and Grill – 517 Mandeville St. in Utica: This hidden gem is yet another restaurant owned by a married couple – in this case Jamaican immigrants Carlloyd and Sandra Gowe.

Carlloyd is the chef, manning the outdoor grill year-round, while Sandra oversees the business operations and returns home to Jamaica every few months to purchase produce and authentic spices for the restaurant.

The jerk chicken is Carlloyd’s signature dish – exquisitely tender and juicy with a rich, tangy barbecue sauce, it must be tasted to be believed. A mere $13 gets you a large platter of that chicken with sides like sweet and sour sautéed cabbage and hearty rice and peas. Other popular items include oxtails, curries and rasta pasta (the only way you could make the jerk chicken better – by tossing it with pasta and cream sauce).

In February, Sandra and Carlloyd spoke to the Observer-Dispatch for a Valentine's Day feature. The couple, still head over heels in love after 20 years of marriage, said that they wanted to bring the flavor of their beloved island to Utica.

“It’s the taste you can’t do without,” Carlloyd said.

Hungry for more? Oneida County Tourism recently launched a digital "Discover Utica" trail featuring dozens of eateries (as well as other attractions) throughout the city.