Where to eat during the Syracuse Leatherstocking Cluster, Nov. 18 - 20 - Syracuse dog training

Exhibitors who pull into Syracuse this weekend for the Leatherstocking Cluster dog shows and obedience and rally trials at the New York State Fairgrounds will spend their days enjoying their dogs and the camaraderie of the show site. But when it's time to eat, they don't have to rely on fast food and cold sandwiches. Several restaurants within three miles of the fairgrounds are known for good food and good service at a reasonable price. For exhibitors staying at the Carrier Circle hotels, that area also offers a good selection of reasonable casual and more formal restaurants.

These restaurants are some of Syracuse Dog Training's favorites. Enjoy their hospitality during your dog show visit to Syracuse.

Within three miles of the New York State Fairgrounds, exhibitors should try:

Azeteca Mexican Grill - 3783 Milton Ave., Camillus, N.Y. (in Elmhill Plaza.) Family-owned authentic Mexican food, with lunch specials under $7 and most dinner menu items under $10. Full bar on premises. Closed Sundays.
Eva's European Sweets, Polish Restaurant & Coffee Shop - 1305 Milton Ave, Syracuse, N.Y. 13204, phone: 315-487-2722. Eva's serves authentic homemade Eastern European and Polish specialities, and a full bakery case of homemade cheesecakes and other pastries. Average dinner price is under $15. Hours: Tues - Thurs 11 a.m. - 8 p.m., Fri 11 a.m. - 9 p.m,, Sat noon - 9 p.m., closed Sunday & Monday.
The Gem Diner - 832 Spencer St., Syracuse, N.Y.. Hours: weekdays, 6 a.m. - 11 p.m., weekends 6 a.m. - midnight. Specialities include diner favorites, with breakfast available all day and a dessert case full of pies. Read Syracuse Food's first look at the new Gem Diner for details about the new atmosphere and the food.
Mama Nancy's - Cannon Tire Truck Stop, 512 State Fair Blvd., Syracuse N.Y., phone: 315-701-4994. Mama Nancy’s is open 24/7/365 and their separate day and night menus are available every day of the year. Breakfast is available all day, along with diner favorites. Tired exhibitors looking to turn in early and those taking a quick lunch break away from the show site can order from the carryout menu. Hours: all day, every day.
Stella's Diner - 110 Wolf St, Syracuse, N.Y. 13208 (between Lodi St. and US Rt.11/N. Salina St.), phone: 315-425-0353. Breakfast is served all day, priced from $3-$10. Lunches are all under $8. The dinner menu serves up hearty portions of homemade specialties, most under $13. Hours: Mon - Tues 5 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Wed - Sun 5 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Other inexpensive and tasty dining options near the fairgrounds include:

The Market Diner at the Syracuse Regional Market, 2100 Park St., Syracuse, N.Y. 13208, phone: 315-474-5247. Specialities include standard diner favorites.
Twin Trees Too, 1029 Milton Avenue (corner of Avery Ave.), Syracuse, N.Y. 13204, phone: 315-488-6066. Specialities include pizza, wings, and Italian-American fare.
Aunt Josie's Italian Restaurant, 1110 North Salina St., Syracuse N.Y. phone: 315-471-9082. Specialities include Italian-American family favorites.

Celebrating a special day at the dog show - a new title, a Best of Breed win or just a good day with your dog? Syracuse offers finer dining close to the show site, too. Daniella's Steakhouse, which bills itself as "The Best Little Steakhouse in Syracuse," is located at the Inn at the Fairgrounds just down the road from the dog show at 670 State Fair Blvd., Syracuse, N.Y. 13209, Phone 315-471-9874. Call ahead for reservations, especially on the weekend.

Exhibitors staying in one of the Carrier Circle hotels should try:

Pronto's Pizza, 6596 Thompson Rd., Syracuse, N.Y.
Pronto Joey's, 6594 Thompson Rd., Syracuse, N.Y.
Joey's Italian Restaurant, 6594 Thompson Rd., Syracuse, NY.

That's right, these sister (or brother) Italian restaurants are adjacent to each other and within two miles of the Carrier Circle hotels. Between them they offer every kind of Italian-American specialty including:

take-out pizza at Pronto's Pizza, 315-432-1530
casual Italian bistro-style pastas and entrees, upstairs at Pronto Joey's, 315-432-0620
fine Italian dining downstairs at Joey's, 315-432-0315

Another east side restaurant exhibitors should try is McShanes Restaurant & Pub, 6801 Kinne St. in East Syracuse. Newly renovated by chef Robert Irvine on this season of Food Network's Restaurant: Impossible, McShanes is famous for its special recipe half-chicken dinner, and has added German specialities to the menu since the renovation. The pub serves breakfast and lunch Monday through Saturday, and is open for dinners Tuesday through Saturday. Call the restaurant at 315-463-9950 to confirm hours and that day's menu.

To find more restaurant suggestions near the Carrier Circle hotels, try AllMenus, and type "Syracuse NY 13206" in the search box. To find more restaurant suggestions near the New York State Fairgrounds in Solvay, type “Syracuse NY 13209” in the search box.

Jim Rau Dog Shows, Ltd. superintends this weekend's Leatherstocking Cluster, featuring conformation, obedience and rally events. All events for this cluster are held in the Toyota Exhibit Center at the New York State Fairgrounds. The events are all open to the general public from 8:30 a.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday, November 18 – 20. The cluster also features some of the best shopping for pets and pet owners, including specialty and handmade items from vendors across the country.

The show giving club judging schedules are:

Chenango Valley Kennel Club, Friday, November 18
Central New York Kennel Club, Saturday, November 19
Del-Otse-Nango Kennel Club, Sunday, November 20

Admission for the general public is $2, and children under 12 are free. Parking at the New York State Fairgrounds for all events is free. To get daily updates from the cluster, check out the Utica Dogs columns written by Debra Eldredge, DVM.