Best Burgers in Orange or Ulster County

About four years ago, I reviewed the burger at the Armadillo Bar and Grill, on Abeel Street in Kingston.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/400173

I had one just last night and it was as good as it has ever been.

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Armadillo Bar & Grill
97 Abeel St, Kingston, NY 12401

georgeb in New York State (exc. New York City)

Newburgh, NY

These (at Cruz Market) were made on a Thursday, I believe... I bought them on a Friday. The tamales at La Amistad Bakery in Newburgh are not available until 7 am on Saturdays, and are sold until they are all gone. It's about a 30 mile trip for me, so I make sure that I get there early on Saturday morning. :)

georgeb in New York State (exc. New York City)

Newburgh, NY

FYI, tamales are now available from Cruz Market again, perhaps for only a short time, so give them a call and see how good they are.

georgeb in New York State (exc. New York City)

Oysters - along thruway NYC - Albany

Try Gadaleto's in New Paltz.

georgeb in New York State (exc. New York City)

Friday night dinner near Victor, NY-suggestions please.

Good BBQ (for New York, at least)... I've pretty much had everything on the menu and never been disappointed.

georgeb in New York State (exc. New York City)

Friday night dinner near Victor, NY-suggestions please.

Hard to go wrong with Dinosaur Barbecue. There is a branch in Rochester, about 18 miles from Victor.

georgeb in New York State (exc. New York City)

walkway over the hudson

Rossi's Deli on Clover in Poughkeepsie.

Kavo's Gyros on Clover in Poughkeepsie.

Andy's Place on Dutchess Ave in Poughkeepsie.

All within walking distance of the walkway;

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Andy's Place
45 Dutchess Ave, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601

georgeb in New York State (exc. New York City)

Arielle Rhinebeck - Pretty Good!

Had a very nice dinner last night (Tuesday evening, early seating) at Arielle. Good fresh salads, excellent entree (Cote de boeuf, ordered medium rare, delivered medium rare) with "limitless" frites, desserts were chocolate pot au creme. Service attentive, but not smothering. Noise level low enough for normal conversation. All in all, a nice experience. Prices in line with other restaurants in Rhinebeck of similar quality (Gigi, etc.)

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Arielle
51 W Market St, Rhinebeck, NY 12572

georgeb in New York State (exc. New York City)

Newburgh, NY

This was several years ago. She was making them on an infrequent basis for one of the restaurants. I would have to ask for them, since they were kept in the cooler. She eventually stopped making them, but they were outstanding. These in Newburgh might be just as good.

georgeb in New York State (exc. New York City)

Newburgh, NY

Cruz Market, near Abeel Street.

georgeb in New York State (exc. New York City)

Newburgh, NY

Yes, I know I should have the plunge for the mixed bag, but my jonesing for the red tamales was too strong for the first trip there... I'll be back (with my adventuring hat on)...

georgeb in New York State (exc. New York City)

Newburgh, NY

So, I made it back to Mill Street for the express purpose of buying fresh tamales at La Amistad Bakery. I arrived at a little past 7 am on a Saturday, asked for tamales, and was redirected to the back of the bakery, past racks of fresh bread and pastries, to the cafe in the back of the store. A young lady explained that there were three kinds of tamales available, green, red, and another type that I didn't understand. I opted for a dozen of the red tamales. She extracted half a dozen from the very large pot and placed them in a plastic bag. She then did the same with the other six. Happily, I returned to the front of the store to pay my $12.

The verdict:
Corn Husk, check
Dense Masa, check
Shredded Spicy Pork, check

I have been searching for this kind of tamale since my source in Kingston stopped production. I'm very happy to have found this.... Thanks, Jim, for the tips!

p.s. The cafe also seems to have an extensive menu of tacos, tortas, menudo, etc. I was so overjoyed with the tamales, I didn't even notice whether or not there were tables, etc.

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Mill Street Cafe
3 Mill St, Nunda, NY 14517

georgeb in New York State (exc. New York City)

Newburgh, NY

I can recommend Tacos Uriel. I tried one of their chorizo tacos... very tasty, lots of filling, spicy, but not too much, didn't even try the green salsa. I did try a large tamale there, in a banana leaf, moister than I am used to.

georgeb in New York State (exc. New York City)

Newburgh, NY

Sorry, got sidetracked by a friend with an emergency.... Will try again next Saturday.

georgeb in New York State (exc. New York City)

Newburgh, NY

I stopped by again, and was told that tamales will be available at 8 am on Saturday, until they run out.

I also stopped in at the Amistad Bakery, and was told (by a young lady forming tamales on a table in the back) that they will be available at 6 am on Saturday, until they run out.

Guess who's going to Newburgh tomorrow morning!

georgeb in New York State (exc. New York City)

Newburgh, NY

So, I headed to Newburgh and Mill Street, with the goal of trying Tacos Uriel, but ended up being diverted to El Gallo Dorado, 53 Mill Street, on the basis of a small sign that said "Tamales". It's a small grocery with three or four tables, very neat and tidy. Sadly, no tamales today, they will have them tomorrow. Then, I noticed a sign for "Desayunos" (breakfasts) and they were still serving. I opted for Huevos con Chorizo. It came with rice and beans and half a dozen corn tortillas, and a garnish of fresh avocado. Very nice, very filling, and cheap.

I'll have to make another trip to try some of the other mexican specialty stores in the area.

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El Gallo Dorado
53 Mill St, Newburgh, NY 12550

georgeb in New York State (exc. New York City)

Newburgh, NY

Thanks for the tips, Jim... Always good to hear from one of the originals!

georgeb in New York State (exc. New York City)

Grimaldi's PIzza in New Paltz (NY)

Went back last night with a friend. I asked for a large pie (with a bit more char than usual).

Was very pleased again. The pie was almost too crisp, but very tasty. The downside of a very thin crust is that it cools rapidly.

No tourists in sight. BTW, the hours (not posted anywhere) are M-Th 11-11, Fri-Sat 11-12, Su 12-11.

I guess that missing the wait doesn't make the pizza taste any worse...

georgeb in New York State (exc. New York City)

Grimaldi's PIzza in New Paltz (NY)

Thursday was a nice day in NYC, so a friend and I decided to make the pilgrimage to Grimaldi's in Brooklyn (at the base of the Brooklyn Bridge) for a real NYC coal oven pie. It was pretty good, albeit a bit crowded with tourists (myself included) and quite a trek from Kingston, about 100 miles total.

Thus, I was chagrined to find that there is a Grimaldi's Pizza in New Paltz, having opened in August. I went into NP today to check it out.

Coal Oven - check.
Fresh Mozzarella - check.
Fresh Tomato Sauce - check
Fresh Basil - check.

Good char - check
Great fresh taste - check.

Bonus points for being a bit ($14 vs. $16) cheaper than the Brooklyn store!

And, it's only a few miles from the house (for me).

There is an ulterior motive to getting the word out. If they stay in business, I will no longer have to make the long trek to NYC for the real thing!

Address is 119 North Main, between Lemongrass and Murphy's Irish Bar.

georgeb in New York State (exc. New York City)

Mexican chorizo in MHV

Anyone have a good source for Mexican chorizo? I'm specifically looking for the finely ground chorizo that can be mixed with scrambled eggs, imparting a reddish-orange look to the eggs. Looking in Newburgh, Poughkeepsie, Kingston area. Thanks in advance.

georgeb in New York State (exc. New York City)

SUNRISE BAGELS in Kingston

Great bagels, and they discount a dozen by a dollar during their last open hour on weekdays. Better that H&H or Essabagel!!!

But, oh yeah, grumpy is the perfect word!!!

georgeb in New York State (exc. New York City)

Ribs in the Hudson Valley

Sad to report that Brotha's BBQ I mentioned above was burned to the ground by a fire a couple of days ago. Hope they get a chance to rebuild...

georgeb in New York State (exc. New York City)

Getting to the CIA without a car

Should be pretty easy as long as you're coming in during "normal" hours. There are always a few cabs at the stand outside the front door of the Poughkeepsie train station. Google maps shows the distance at about 3 miles

You might want to keep the number of the service that took you out there, for the return trip.

georgeb in New York State (exc. New York City)

Ribs in the Hudson Valley

The place in Newburgh is Brotha's BBQ, about half a mile south of 5 points intersection on Route 32. Pretty good. Try the rib tips special... tasty and inexpensive.

There's also the place on Route 44 in Gardiner, about 100 yards west of Route 32. Pretty good, but only open Saturday, Sunday and Monday until he runs out of food.

georgeb in New York State (exc. New York City)

What is an exceptional restaurant in greater Albany area?

Lots of people like Cafe Capriccio.

www.cafecapriccio.com
49 Grand Street
Albany, NY 12207-1409
(518) 465-0439

georgeb in New York State (exc. New York City)

Ixtapa Taco Truck, Newburgh?

Finally had the opportunity to sample their food. The taco truck is parked on Broadway, on the south side of the road, near the front door of Family Dollar in downtown Newburgh.

I ordered 3 tacos ($1.50 each) of the al pastor variety. Double corn tortillas, lots of spicy, tender pork, lettuce, hot sauce and radish slices and lime wedges. Tasty, tasty, tasty.

Best time to catch the truck there is weekend afternoons.

georgeb in New York State (exc. New York City)

Gardiner, NY?

Keep in mind that Uncle Brutha's BBQ place just opened up on 44/55 near Route 32. Pretty good BBQ from a building that's not condemned. Open Friday through Monday..

georgeb in New York State (exc. New York City)

Brothers BBQ in New Windsor, NY

Had a brisket sandwich... meat had good flavor, not too smoky. My only nitpick was that the bun was a bit on the hard side... I'll be back when I'm nearby...

georgeb in New York State (exc. New York City)

ISO Harissa, mid Hudson Valley

Thanks for all the tips. I found some at the Crate and Barrel store on Rte. 17 near Paramus.
(Normally, I wouldn't drive that far, but was down there for another reason.) It was cheap at $6 for about 8 ounces.

georgeb in New York State (exc. New York City)