Mother's Cupboard - Syracuse

Manly Burger Lunch
I wasn't comfortable cutting my burger in half at Mother's Cupboard - there are pickup trucks and Harley's parked outside in the lot, know what I mean?  It's like sitting ringside at a mixed martial arts fight wearing a pink bow tie.  I had to do it though - I wanted you to see the beautiful cross-section.  Just look at it - a juicy patty with bacon, cheese and an over-easy fried egg between a toasted, flaky bun that was up to the task.

Stella's Diner - Syracuse

It's Simple, but Oh So Good!

I spend a lot of time on planes but don't eat the food. While in the air I usually plan my first meal (and sometimes the second through tenth.) On my way to Syracuse, I didn't have to think long - Stella's is near the airport and they serve diner food that's hard to beat. Since Dodo wasn't with me, it's a two-fer: I get a slamming meal and get to drive her into an jealous rage.

Mom's Diner - Syracuse

This One's for My Girlfriend
This blog's readership has grown over time, usually because folks are searching for places to eat in Paris. Some of the Paris entries may lead you to believe we're fancy - but we're not. More often than not we're easily satisifed with the simplest of foods. So, in keeping with the mission of the Puff List, in honor of that cutesie girl whose photos are to the right, I offer up one of her favorite, simple meals - something we in the States take for granted - a nice greasy spoon diner breakfast of scrambled eggs, hash browns and toast.

Heid's - Syracuse

This is How a Dog Should Be, Frenchies!
I promised to take Pingle to Katz's Deli in Manhattan to get her a real dog. Last week, I got her something even better - a frank and a coney from Heid's in Syracuse. Technically, it's located in Liverpool, NY - just outside Syracuse - so no hate mail please. Heid's uses dogs from Hofmann's in Syracuse, sorry Katz - you can't top that no matter how hard you try. Just take a look at these franks - their natural casings charred to a cancer-inducing crisp. My mom's is topped with sweet relish, the other with onions.

Ruston's Diner - Syracuse

Some Have Accused me Of Fanciness
I grew up in Syracuse, a pretty regular, small city in central New York. I came back for a x-mas visit and was confronted: any spots up here getting on your fancy list? Huh, Mr. Paris Fancy-Pants? (Or at least, that is how it sounded to me.) I happen to think that there is quite a bit of good food up here, especially the diner variety. Case in point is Ruston's, a small diner that doesn't have a weakness on the menu. If you go more than a few times the waitresses remember you, how you like your coffee and what your "usual" is. Today I tried something I'd never had before: home fries smothered in brown gravy. A picture is worth a thousand words, they say.