The people have spoken! Keep reading to find out the top eleven summer picks of the series, voted for by the capital region community.   We held our first Lia Local Eats Giveaway this summer as a friendly competition to stir up some local excitement! First, we asked you, our local foodie connoisseurs your favorite spot to grab different treats! We then narrowed it down to the top two spots. The community then had a chance to win gift cards to the top location to try them out or give their favorite a visit!  

#1. Ice Cream

The Snowman Ice Cream: 531 5th Avenue, Troy NY 12182 You scream, I scream, here at the Lia Auto Group we all scream for Snowman Ice Cream! For over 50 years The Snowman has been keeping the homemade ice cream tradition alive making all their flavors right on site! Using only the finest ingredients, the Murphy family strives to offer the best ice cream products to families and their community. Serving up everything from hard ice cream to soft ice cream, sundaes, shakes, flurries and even ice cream pies the options are truly endless at The Snowman. While this local favorite has just closed for the 2020 season you'll definitely want to check them out when they reopen in March 2021. We promise it's worth the wait! To check out their never ending assortment of flavors click here.  

#2. Burger

Maxon's American Grill: 2544 Guilderland Ave, Rotterdam, NY 12306 Family owned and operated, this American fare grill is serving up some sizzling burgers which took the win for best local burger! Maxon's adds a twist to their menu with burger specials like the Sweet Chili Pork Burger; a half pound burger loaded with sweet chili pork, cheddar, chipotle ranch and topped with fried onion straws.

• Monday-Saturday 11AM-10PM
• Sunday 9Am-8PM

Click here to check out the burger-mania menu at Maxon's!

#3. Donut

Schuyler Bakery: 637 3rd Ave, Watervliet, NY 12189 We couldn't resist so naturally, we had to try an assortment! Everything from old fashioned to glazed, powdered jelly and Boston creme. Schuyler Bakery is also proud to be a tree-nut, peanut free bakery. Don't pass up the chance to try out one of these sweet treats!

• Tuesday-Friday 5:30AM-5:30PM
• Saturday 5:30AM-2:00PM
• Sunday-Monday Closed

Click here to check out their assortment of donuts and other baked goods!  

#4. BBQ

Dinosaur Bar-B-Que: 377 River St, Troy, NY 12180 At Dinosaur Bar-B-Que they're all about genuine hospitality and bringing their customers fresh, homemade, high quality ingredients. Their menu is shaped around traditional southern Bar-B-Que while putting their own distinct signature twist on their dishes. With a menu complete with every and any combination plates, sandwiches, and sides it's a tough decision deciding what to order. We went with the Original BBQ Brisket Sandwich topped with pickled onion/jalapeño relish and horsey mayo. Complete with a side of mac n cheese, cornbread, and coleslaw. Low and Slow is their motto and it's evident with every juicy and flavorful bite! With 6 different locations throughout NY and 1 in New Jersey this nationally acclaimed Bar-B-Que joint is sure to be a smokin' good time! The local Dinosaur's hours in Troy, NY are;

• Sunday-Thursday 11:30AM-9PM
• Friday-Saturday 11:30AM-10PM

To check out the Dinosaur's website and mouth-watering menu click here .

#5. Burrito

Bombers Burrito Bar: 447 State St, Schenectady, NY 12305 Serving up authentic Mexican burritos, Bombers Burrito Bar takes the win for best local burrito in the Capital Region! Our favorites? The "Red Stripe" Jerk Pork and Smoked BBQ Chicken burritos. Grab your tasty burrito creation at one of their 3 Albany, Schenectady, or Oneonta locations. Hours for the local Bomber's Burrito Bar in Schenectady, NY are;

• Monday-Saturday 11AM-12AM
• Sunday 11AM-10PM

Click here to check out their totally rad menu and order online.  

#6. Cookie

The Crisp Cannoli: 1 Springhurst Dr, East Greenbush, NY 12061 These homemade cookies will even have grandma running to The Crisp Cannoli! Their bakery is home to a variety of cookies including butterballs, chocolate chip, almond horns, peanut butter blossoms, and thumbprints. Something for everyone! While The Crisp Cannoli was voted for best local cookie they also offer other baked goods such as cannolis, eclairs, cupcakes, brownies, and croissants. Needless to say, we'll be back to give those a try!

• Monday-Saturday 7AM-6PM
• Sunday - closed

Click here to view their menu and even order online which includes delivery!  

#7. Bagel

West End Bagels: 5 Southside Dr, Clifton Park, NY 12065 In search of an authentic NYC style bagel? Look no further because we've found the local favorite! West End Bagel's in Clifton Park makes theirs from scratch every morning using the freshest ingredients. Did we mention their cream-cheeses are whipped right on site? With 13 distinct bagel flavors and an assortment of cream-cheese flavors, the combinations are endless! You can even shake things up with a breakfast sandwich or deli sandwich on one of their homemade bagels.

• Monday-Friday 5:30AM-4PM
• Saturday-Sunday 6AM-3PM

Click here to visit their website where you can even order or pickup or delivery!

#8. Mac n Cheese

Tipsy Moose Tap & Tavern: 185 Old Loudon Rd, Latham, NY 12110 Our recommendation? Go big with their flight of 3 where you can mix it up and choose from a variety of their signature mac n cheese's! Some of their cheesy creations include BBQ Pulled Pork, Pizza, Buffalo Lobster, and Cheeseburger. Just when you thought it couldn't get any better, Tipsy Moose Tap & Tavern offers 3 different locations serving up their delicious comfort food and cabin-like atmosphere in Latham, Troy, and Albany NY. Limited outdoor and indoor dining as well as take-out and delivery are available at all three locations! Their current hours for all locations are;

• Monday-Friday 11:30AM-1AM
• Saturday-Sunday 10AM-1AM

Check out their menu here.

#9. Pizza

Kay's Pizza: 10 Walsh Ln, Averill Park, NY 12018 Tucked away between the 2nd and 3rd Burden Lake is the fan pick for best local pizza! This seasonal family owned restaurant is open from early April to mid-October and offers patrons fresh, hot pizza crafted from their family recipe! Kay's pizza recipe was born in 1958 and is the same one still enjoyed today. Be sure to check this favorite before they close for the 2020 season on October 10th! Their operating hours for the remainder of the 2020 season are;

• Monday-Friday 4PM-9PM
• Saturday 3PM-9PM
• Sunday 3PM-8PM

For more information on this hidden gem and their award winning pizza click here.

#10. Brunch

The Cuckoo's Nest: 234 Western Ave, Albany, NY 12203 Are you looking for some southern comfort? Then look no further! Serving up southern cuisine that is sure to impress, The Cuckoo's Nest offers the freshest and most innovative takes on regional Southern Fare right in Albany, NY. These are also the culinary masterminds that have blessed us with Crave Burgers and Frozen Yogurt located right down the street from their sister restaurant. The Cuckoo's Nest is currently offering dine-in and take out options with the following current operating hours;

• Tuesday-Friday 12PM-8PM
• Saturday 11AM-2PM (brunch) & 4-8PM (dinner)
• Sunday 11AM-3PM (brunch only)

Click here to visit their website and check out their menu!

#11. Deli Sub

Deli & Brew: 64 Vandenburgh Ave #6030, Troy, NY 12180 As they say at the brew, "your dang most favorite deli in Troy!" and our Lia Local Eats team would have to agree! This local shop has been open since the 90's and continues to offer up hand-crafted subs, sandwiches, soups, salads, pizza and tons more. With their immense selection of drinks and snacks the options are endless.

• Monday-Friday 6AM-8PM
• Saturday 8AM-8PM
• Sunday 9AM-7PM

Take a look at their menu and daily lunch specials here.

Serving Up Some Good Eats

Make sure to check out these top local picks! Thank you to our followers for making our first Lia Local Eats Giveaways a success! We look forward to supporting local small business' in our community with our upcoming series. Make sure to be on the lookout, you won't want to miss out!