Capital Region Best Comfort Foods

If great comfort food is what you are craving, these Capital Region restaurants and dishes can't miss!

When you think 'comfort food' what exactly comes to mind? Merriam-Webster defines comfort food as "food prepared in a traditional style having a usually nostalgic or sentimental appeal." For me, it is anything that gives me comfort and satisfies my taste buds in the most meaningful way. That usually means anything greasy, deep-fried, or full of cheese! Which I guess is nostalgic because its all I ate as a kid!

The Capital Region's Best Comfort Foods

Over the years, we have reached out to you, our listeners, to vote on their favorite foods like pizza, fried chicken, burgers, mac & cheese, hot dogs, and so many more. So below you will find the Capital Region's best in 10 delicious comfort food categories!

Best Pizza:

Credit: Marino's Pizza Facebook Page

Marino's - Schenectady

The Capital Region is known for great pizza, so it is no easy feat to be #1 in this Category. That honor goes to Marino's on State Street in Schenectady.

Best Mac & Cheese:

Druthers Facebook Page

Druther's

With 4 Capital Region locations, Druthers is known for great beers and pub grub. And their mac & cheese? Heavenly!

Best Hot Dog:

Capital Region Living Facebook/Famous Lunch Facebook

TIE! Gus's Hot Dogs - Watervliet/Famous Lunch - Troy

There are a ton of great hot dogs in the Capital Region, it was tough for you to choose only one top dog: so 2 legends tie for #1: Gus's in Watervliet and Famous Lunch in Troy!

Best Chinese:

Plum Blossom Facebook Page

Plum Blossom - Troy

Plum Blossom is known for its great food and ornate setting and atmosphere.

Best Cheesesteak:

Google Maps Street View/Canva

Sammy Cohen's - Schaghticoke

I like to think of a cheesesteak as a cheeseburger on steroids: instead of ground beef, you have steak and way more cheese! Sammy's Cohen's Restaurant and Bar in Schaghticoke serves 'em up best in the Capital Region.

Best Fried Chicken:

Credit: Hattie's Facebok Page

Hattie's - Saratoga Springs

It's no surprise that Hattie's on Phila Street in Saratoga Springs is the area's top fried chicken. It has been serving up its legendary fried chicken to the Spa City since 1938!

Best Chicken Wings:

Credit: 20 Notrh Broadway Facebook Page

20 North Broadway Tavern - Schenectady

20 North Broadway is a very unassuming spot, but their food is spot on especially their wings which are the cream of an amazing crop in the area.

Best Burger:

Illusive Restaurant & Bar Facebook Page

Illusive Restaurant and Bar - Rensselaer

Illusive has quickly become a burger LEGEND in the Capital Region. You can almost taste the burger above through your screen!

Best Italian:

Canali's Facebook Page

Canali's Italian & American Restaurant - Schenectady

Canali's has been serving up great Italian food for 75 years serving all the Italian comfort classics.

The Capital Region's 10 Most Phenomenal Steakhouses [RANKED]

When it comes to having a tasty and satisfying meal, nothing beats a perfectly cooked steak. From filet to NY Strip, to porterhouse and every cut in between, here are the Capital Region's Best Steakhouses according to our listeners and Yelp.

Gallery Credit: Matty Jeff

See Albany's 5 Best Seafood Restaurants [RANKED]

When you go out for seafood, it simply has to be done right. So if you are looking for a can't miss experience for that next seafood dinner, these are the top-rated seafood joints and restaurants in the Albany area according to Yelp users.

The next time you have that seafood craving, no need to head to the coast, head to one of these 5 amazing destinations in the Capital Region for that next order of scallops, salmon, or lobster.

Gallery Credit: Matty Jeff

10 Best Places For Breakfast in Saratoga County

When it comes to breakfast, close, convenient, and tasty are all key when you are waking up with a grumbling tummy. For Saratoga Country residents, all ten of these restaurants within the county's borders check off all 3 boxes.

Gallery Credit: Matty Jeff