Over the years, I have visited some amazing little restaurants that it seems many people do not know about.  They may be off the beaten path a bit, not with all the clutter of those chain restaurants where everything tastes the same, but in many cases, offer great eats at a great price.

Here are a few area restaurants that you may not know about but should try:

  • Red's Kettle Inn - located across the Johnson City Carousel on CFJ Boulevard, this little retro tavern is full of sports memorabilia from some famous sports figures that played in Binghamton over the last 50 years.  It's also a great place for a hand cut steak, the best hot pie and burgers around, plus steamed clams and tasty wings.
  • China Lake - 3215 East Main Street in Endwell, is the best Chinese sit down (or take out).  The owner told me their secret is in the fact that the owners are their only employees, so the food is always consistently wonderful because the shef never changes.  The Mr. cooks and the Mrs. waits on tables.  The shrimp with black bean sauce is better than China Town in the village.  BYOB.
  • Curry's of India - next to the Galaxy Brewery Company and M&D R Nuts on Court Street in downtown Binghamton, is in my opinion, the best Indian food in town...period.  This little gem serves up some great authentic Indian food. Not all Indian food is spicy, and their menu has quite the variety.  They also offer an all-you-can eat buffet for lunch and early dinner that is incredibly tasty and under $10.  Try a side of their onion kulcha or garlic naan.  BYOB.
  • Clinton Street Cafe - on Clinton Street in Binghamton welcomes you with some vintage photography from Binghamton's bygone days.  This is a nice, bright, clean place to get an extremely reasonably-priced breakfast.  Family run and you can tell they really appreciate your patronage.
  • The Village Diner - located across from the fire station on Floral Ave in Johnson City, this little place has big taste.  Let me read the menu to you:  homemade pumpkin pie pancakes, bananas foster waffles, steak and cheese omelet, root beer float pancakes.  Lunch is equally amazing with fish tacos, grilled Cubans and mac and cheese sandwiches.  Closed Saturday and Sunday.

Let me know of any restaurants I may have left off my list and I will try to do a part two post in the near future.

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