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Friday, February 17, 2012

Friede's: Watertown, NY

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The third stop on the Diner Dames tour of the North Country is a little corner restaurant that goes by the name of Friede's.  Much like Crossroads, this tiny joint is a small business with a whole lot of personality.  Located in Watertown, NY at 455 Court Street, Friede's offers up good food at incredible prices.  Personally I had passed this place many times but had never gone in because I wasn't sure what type of restaurant it was. Would the locals be friendly?  Would the food be good?  We are pleased to say that the answer to those questions are Yes and Yes!  Let's start with the seating:  

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Friede's appears small on the outside and it is on the inside as well.  The restaurant only seats about 36 patrons and that's if the place is packed.  There are five booths to choose from, all facing Court Street for those that want to people-watching.  If you prefer the more traditional diner experience however there are about 12 swirly stools facing the counter for that old fashioned diner feel.  And while some may find this to be a bit cramped, we were absolutely delighted with cozy, intimate feel of the place.  Sit by yourself or turn around and talk to another customer-at Friede's you can easily do either.  Something Jessica and myself really enjoy. 
Our first impression however wasn't the size, but how amazingly clean the place was!  In a word: spotless.  Friede's really works with what they've got and it is very apparent that they carry great pride in not just the food they serve, but in the way they serve it as well.  And unlike some other diners, Friede's did not smell like a vat of fried foods.  In fact we wanted to be sure to reiterate that we left Friede's smelling the same way we did when we walked in (which is delightful, by the way!)
We grilled our lovely waitress on their menu and asked what she would recommend.  After some chit chat and questions, we decided on the following:

Kelly' Meal: Turkey Delux Wrap

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If I had to use one word to describe this wrap it would have to be Fresh. Of course it was served with the traditional lettuce and mayo but instead of tomatos they used carrots, making this wrap all the more delicious.  And the turkey!  Forget about those small, thin slices.  This wrap had thick, juicy slices of real turkey meat.  Between the carrots and the chunks of meat, this wrap acheived the almost impossible: It was both hearty and fresh.  As for the fries they were thin cut and tasty as well but the real star was that Turkey Delux Wrap!  At $7.99 I considered this meal more than worth it.  I only ended up eating half of the dish and saving the other half for dinner.  And even after being in the fridge for a while it was still just as good as earlier.  In all I could not have been more impressed with the ambience, price and food. 

Summary: Did we mention how clean this place is???  Friede's is small but packs a big punch.  The food is awesome and fresh, most likely because all meals at Friede's are Made to Order.  They're a great place to visit on your lunch break because you won't go back to the office smelling like day old hamburger.  It's simple, but offers a ton of choices including a very large variety of the basics. 
They only take cash or check though, so be sure to stop by the ATM before the visit. (Or simply mosey on over to The Hitchin' Post across the street to use theirs)


Specialties:
Appetizer - Bacon Wrapped Scallops
Breakfast - Sundays are All You Can Eat Pancake, Waffles and French Toast; $7.99 for Adults, $5.99 for Kids from 8AM to 11AM
Lunch/Dinner- The Cheesburger Wrap
Specialty: The Wild Side Menu featuring Frog Legs, Aligator, Kangaroo and more!

Other Info:
Where: 455 Court Street in Watertown
Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday 6AM - 8PM; Saturday 6AM - 2PM, Sunday 7AM - 2PM
To Go Orders: Yes
Alcohol: Beer & Wine
Atmosphere: Cozy & Clean
Family Friendly: Yes, but there is no room for them to play or loligag!
Who Owns It: Harry Mussen
Most Likely to Hear: "Sit Down and Relax!"

To learn more about Friede's or to have a look at their full menu, feel free to check out their Facebook page by clicking HERE

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Jean's Beans: Watertown, NY

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Our latest venture was to Jean's Beans in Watertown, NY.  Opened in 1953, Jean's Beans is run and operated by Hilda Fuller and her family, making this a true North Country gem.  We'd heard quite a bit about this local shop from our friends and coworkers and were definitely expecting some delicious food and great prices.  Unfortunately it makes us sad to say that while the prices were right, we found the food to be less than exceptional.

Kelly and Jessica's Meal: Fried Chicken Sandwich with Fries and Homemade Mac 'n Cheese
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This fried chicken sandwich definitely could be categorized as Southern Comfort Food. For $7.00 I got this baby with 2 sides and the fixins (including lettuce, onion, tomatoes) which included the restaurant's own special blend of mayonnaise. The mayo easily can be described as the best part of the sandwich so if you're going to go with the chicken, you must get it with the mayo. As for the fries they weren't as crisp as we would like. The Mac and Cheese was hearty and chunky and according to the servers one of the most popular sides Jean's Beans has to offer. To be honest I wanted to rave about this meal but sadly I can't. It was a bit too greasy for my tastes and left me feeling full despite not eating but half of my lunch. Again this is just my personal opinion, but I felt the food was a little heavy and in retrospect I should have gone with one of their large, yummy looking salads.
Jessica opted for the same meal and unfortunately had the same response.  Both the sandwich and the fries left us feeling so full and loaded down that neither of us ate for the rest of the evening.  In fact, the meal left such a hard feeling in our stomachs that neither of us ate until lunch the next day-a full 24 hours after our meal. So be warned those of you who you have sensitive stomachs.  There will be grease and plenty of it!

We should also note that Jean's Beans has a buffet-style set up with many, many different sides to choose from including Baked Ziti, Potato Salad, meatballs and of course, beans!  The buffet did look incredible and seemed like an option that would be perfect for a hungry guy on his lunch break.
We are also lucky enough to have a guest editor today. Our friend and coworker Tom also tried Jean's but unlike the Diner Dames, Tom was delighted by his meal. Here is his review:

Tom's Lunch:
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Let me start off by saying, unlike the girls, I have been to Jean’s many times, so let me make this clear. If you want to stay on a diet, Jean’s Beans is not for you. If you have an aversion to grease, Jean’s Beans is not for you. If you want good fried seafood and homemade rolls, salads, and baked goods, and plan on packing on a few pounds, then you’re in the right place.
My selection today was a fish sandwich (haddock) with a side of fries. It should be noted they offer sweet potato fries, which I madly covet when the opportunity arises, sadly I didn’t know they served those until after I placed my order. I opted for a side of chicken nuggets instead of salads or baked goods, and I wouldn’t touch them until the day after. There’s a good reason for that, though – the slab of fish on my sandwich was about 1.5 inches thick! I bit into it, and it absolutely melted in my mouth. The roll was tasty and thick enough to absorb any wayward grease, of which there was surprisingly little – a bit of it was trapped with the fish under the breading.
Thing is, it’s almost too heavy. It’s no fun to chow down on a great, greasy sandwich only to nod off at work an hour later. Well, maybe it is fun, but the boss frowns upon it, so… yeah. If the question is, “Can the fried goods stand alone?” I have to admit that the answer is: Not really. The fish comes closest to succeeding with this, but almost everything they offer only achieves “great” status when it’s mated with something else.
For what it is – simple comfort food and homemade baked goods – it’s really good, and priced reasonably. Example: my greasy cornucopia cost just under ten dollars. But if you love seafood and don’t mind digesting a bit of grease, you need to pay them a visit.
Recommendation: Fried haddock, side of coleslaw, tartar sauce, mac & cheese, baked ziti, their breads & baked goods (but not the fudge)


Dessert: Apple Pie
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The crust was crispy, flaky and delicious.  The apples baked inside were tasty as well, but soft and cut into smaller slices than you would normally find with a pie. It should be noted though that all of the desserts at Jean's are made in house from scratch.  They also sell a variety of other sweet treats including fudge and donuts as well as various types of bread.  Jess and I did try the peanut butter fudge but regretfully we were unimpressed with that as well.  The consistency of the fudge was very soft and it did not harden even after being placed for several hours in the refrigerator.  It was very sugary and sweet, and not the kind of fudge we were personally used to.
We did however hear quite a few positive reviews on the turnovers as well as their in-house donuts.  Our coworker also had the Haddock sandwich and assures us that it was tasty and he felt fine the rest of the evening.  If we do go back to Jean's, we plan on trying out those recommended dishes.

Summary:
Overall we found the staff at Jean's Beans to be very friendly and welcoming.  We just wished the food was as delightful as the people who work there!  Again this is just our personal opinion and do encourage you to give them a go.  It says a lot that they have been up and running for almost 70 years.  When a family-owned business has been successful that long, they surely must be doing something right!
You can also view their entire menu by clicking HERE

Specialties:
Appetizer - The Sweet Potato Fries
Breakfast - The Filled Donuts
Lunch/Dinner- The Haddock Sandwich with their homemade rolls
Dessert: Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie

Other Info:
Where: 259 Eastern Blvd, Watertown
Hours of Operation: Monday - Saturday, 6:30AM - 7PM ; Sunday 11AM-6PM
To Go Orders: Yes
Catering: Yes
Seating: Limited (Bar stools and a small island facing the wall if you want to eat in); Primarily for carry-out
Atmosphere: Downhome, friendly
How Long in Business: Almost 70 years!
Family Friendly: Yes if you plan to carry out
Who Owns It: Neil and Hilda Fuller
Most Likely to Hear: "Those are homemade!"

A peak inside (click photo for enlarged version)

Friday, January 27, 2012

Crossroads Diner: Watertown, NY

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Our first visit was to Crossroads Diner in Watertown, NY. At first glance, this little roadside diner may not appear to be anything to sneeze at, but what it lacks in outside appearance it more than makes up for in homestyle charm. When we arrived at the Crossroads, the locals immediately turned and noticed us. We were clearly newbies. And while that may not be a good thing at your average establishment I am happy to say that the folks at Crossroads were more than happy to welcome some new faces. They sat us down, got us a couple of cold ones (Pepsi and Root Beer!) and asked what we would like. Naturally we asked them what their specialties were.
They guided us in this direction:

Kelly's Meal: The Cowboy Burger with Fries
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Served with fries and a pickle, this barbeque burger was as juicy as it was delicious!  It came topped with five slices of cheese, several pieces of bacon, grilled onions and their own sweet BBQ sauce. This was recommended by our server, and cost $7.99.

Jessica's Meal: The Super Supreme Burger
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Served with fries and a pickle, this burger came served with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and their own special sweet sauce. The sauce was similar to a jelly style sauce and gave the burger a delicious, overall light taste. This meal cost $7.95.

Our Dessert: Pineapple Pie and Peanut Butter Pie:
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It must be noted that Robin, the owner of the Crossroads Diner, gets up at 4:30 every morning to begin preperation on her perfect pies. And boy, you sure can tell!
Rich, creamy and dreamy are the only words we could use to describe the delectable decadence of the Peanut Butter Pie. Quite frankly it was one of those desserts you couldn't stop eating, despite being fuller than John Goodman on Christmas. Robin topped this pie with chocolate sauce and whipped cream.
The pineapple pie happened to be a special request from a regular customer, so this was not only a first for us, but for the owner as well. The crust was cripsy and delicious with a hint of cinammon and a flavor similar to apple pie crust. The only negative we'd have to comment on is the amount of pineapple in the pie (there was a lot of it). However while we found it a little overwhelming, some may view this as a positive quality. You certainly wouldn't fing them giving you heaping helpings at your average franchise joint!

In fact, we should tell you that everything at the Crossroads Diner is made in house and much of the food is grown locally. In other words, none of that frozen-solid, cookie-cutter cookin' here. Everything is made to order!
Also, not only is the food more home grown, but the prices are more affordable as well. Some of the sandwiches are as low as $3.99!
Perhaps the most noticable thing about the Crossroads Diner however wasn't the food, it was the familiarity. As each customer entered we noticed that our waitress knew each one by name. "Hey Bob!" she called to one. "How's it going Sue?" one customer asked another. If this place didn't make you want to sing the Cheers theme song, I don't know what will.

Summary:
In summary, we loved our experience at the Crossroads Diner and were thrilled it was our first restaurant on this journey. The place had good food, great atmosphere, and welcomed us like friends. We would highly recommend the Crossroads Diner for couples, friends, or family. It's versatile and afordable, and we can only hope all the dives we dine at are half as delightful!

Specialties:
Appetizer - A few of the regulars highly recommended the crab soup
Breakfast - L.A. Cinnamon Bread
Lunch/Dinner- Friday they make their famous Fish Fries and homemade Mac and Cheese.
Dessert: Peanut Butter Pie

Other Info:
Where: Route 11, next to the Firehouse in Watertown
Hours of Operation: Monday - Saturday, 5:30AM - 3PM (Closed on Sundays)
To Go Orders: Yes, with an additional 25 cents
Atmosphere: Downhome and Friendly
How Long in Business: Over 20 Years
Family Friendly: Yes, includes a small play area for children
Who Owns It: Robin and her husband Charley
Most Likely to Hear: "Hey Bob!"



Thursday, January 26, 2012

Welcome to Two Diner Dames!

Hello and thanks so much for visiting our blog! The two diner dames consist of Jessica and Kelly, two Northern New York gals blogging for your benefit in a quest to find the best food this side of the Adirondack's. We will be dining at various locations in the Upstate area and reviewing their food, detailing their specialties as well as the pros and cons of each establishment. We will also have accompanying photos as well as guest reviews for those dining with us. Our first post will be coming soon and we are excited to begin this journey with you.
We really look forward to sharing our experiences with you as well as hearing your suggestions of great places to eat and what you think of our write-ups. So sit down, strap in, and get ready to chow down because these two dames are ready to dine!