January 28, 2025

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T his week was a whirlwind of a trip around New York State.

A Week on the Road: BBQ, Buffalo Wings, and Indian Spices

Last week was a blur—a beautiful, chaotic blur. The kind where every day starts with the promise of a new town, a fresh plate, and a story waiting to be told. Toss in a snowstorm or two, the kind that makes the thruway feel like a tundra expedition, and you’ve got yourself a proper adventure.

The journey took me from Syracuse to Mendon, Schenectady to Rochester, Baldwinsville, and finally DeWitt. Along the way, I tasted transplant New York in its infinite variety: smoky BBQ, fiery Indian spices, comforting Italian-American fare, and bold Jamaican flavors. From a six-month-old upstart to a decades-old pizza pub, each stop told a story. Here’s how the week played out.

Monday: Mendon’s BBQ Maverick

The week kicked off in Mendon, New York, at Pat’s Pigs, a BBQ joint born out of grit and a food truck’s winter hibernation. Pat himself is the kind of guy you root for—someone who turned his passion into a hometown brick-and-mortar haven for smoky, savory goodness.

Pat’s menu is an extension of his life. His Cuban sandwich with BBQ sauce, stone-ground mustard, and razor-thin pickles, is a buttery and salty and tangy delight. It’s not theatrical, but it’s got a swagger—a BBQ soul masked as a cubano.

Then there’s the Brisket Plate. “Plate” feels like an understatement. This is a mountain: mashed salt potatoes, creamy mac salad, Cajun cream corn, baked beans, slabs of tender brisket, and a shower of BBQ sauce, sour cream, and green onions. It’s excessive, indulgent, and unapologetic—a feast meant for two or one intrepid eater with a weekend to spare. It feels odd to place this in the same category as a Rochester “plate” but there it is.

Tuesday: Discovering Schenectady

Tuesday brought me to Schenectady on an “influencer” gig (a title I’m still coming to terms with). Four stops were handpicked for me by the enthusiastic team at Discover Schenectady. Here’s what I love about working with tourism boards and people from a local chamber…their passion. They LOVE showing off the local businesses in their community and the group at Discover Schenectady was no different. They sent me to: Meat and Company, Mohawk Taproom, Caribe, and Ferrari’s Ristorante.

The standout? Meat and Company. It’s BBQ, but not as you know it—clean, modern, and precise. Their Porchetta Sandwich was nothing short of transcendent. Slow-roasted pork, chimi-mayo, Boursin cheese, and arugula, all cradled in a toasted baguette. It’s the kind of sandwich that makes you stop mid-bite, stare at it, and wonder how they pulled it off.

The garlic Parmesan wings, smoked turkey sandwich, and Reuben were solid, but that porchetta? That’s the one you drive an hour or two for.

Wednesday: Nostalgia in Baldwinsville

Wednesday led me to Baldwinsville’s Pizza Man Pub, a family-owned slice of nostalgia. It’s the kind of place where the regulars have been coming since they were teens.

Their B’ville Dining Weeks menu was simple: garlic knots, wings, and a 12” pizza for $35. No frills, no pretense. Just honest, comforting food. Sometimes, that’s exactly what you need—a reminder that not every meal has to be groundbreaking.

Thursday: Local Love in Rochester

Thursday brought me back to Rochester to visit Peels on Wheels, a spot that never stops keeping things interesting. This time, it was their Chicken Bacon Ranch Cutlet Sandwich and a Buffalo Chicken Pizza, a limited-time creation for the AFC Championship and possibly the super bowl.

What sets Peels apart is their commitment to local. They source from nearby farms and producers whenever possible, even when it can be logistically a nightmare. That kind of dedication isn’t just admirable—it’s essential.

Friday: Exploring Indian Flavors in DeWitt

Friday was a first. I found myself at Dosa Grill in DeWitt, diving into their $13.99 Indian lunch buffet. It’s a steal, sure, but more than that, it’s an invitation into a culinary world I’ve barely touched.

Indian food is a universe—spices layered like stories, dishes steeped in history. The buffet was bold, unfamiliar, and exciting. It left me hungry—not just for more food, but for knowledge.

That’s the beauty of food, isn’t it? It’s never just about what’s on the plate. It’s about the hands that made it, the culture that shaped it, and the stories it tells.