Lately, I’ve discovered a passion for trying new foods. I love finding underrated, small businesses with good, affordable food. With everything around us closing, it’s especially important to make sure to support the stores and restaurants that make Ithaca so special. Here are some of the best things I’ve eaten in Ithaca recently.
Adam Grill, Center Ithaca
I would go here every day of my life if I could. It always shocks me how few people I speak to know about this place. Located in the back of Center Ithaca (or outside, on warm days), Adam Grill is a small, family-owned, Mediterranean restaurant. The food is amazing, and the prices are excellent. For just ten dollars, you can get a filling meal and a drink. There are vegetarian and Halal options, and everything tastes amazing. I’m usually not a fan of meat that tastes too much like meat. (I basically only eat chicken, I have a very advanced palate, I know.) But on several occasions when they’ve been out of chicken, I’ve gotten lamb or beef gyros. It says a lot about the food that I enjoyed their lamb options: I do not typically like lamb. But somehow everything tastes good at Adam Grill. The food is insanely flavorful and there’s a nice selection of sweets on display as well. The small booth is run by a couple and their son, who are super friendly and remember regular customers. If you want to support local businesses, this is the place to go!
Sangam Indian Cuisine, Center Ithaca, and Eddy Street
In my opinion, the food at Sangam is the best Indian food in Ithaca—especially their naan. I usually go to the booth in Center Ithaca, but the restaurant is the place for you if you’re looking for takeout. The man who works at the Center Ithaca location is very nice, and he always gets you your food quickly since it’s buffet style. The food is great and the prices are very reasonable. Also, the portions are so large that you can have a good meal there and then take the rest home for later! The booth doesn’t have a huge selection, but the restaurant on Eddy Street has everything you could ever want. If you always go to New Delhi Diamonds for Indian food, I would highly recommend you consider trying this place instead.
Cup O’ Jo Café, Ithaca Mall
Even though Ithaca Mall is extremely dead now, there’s still plenty of food there. Don’t get me wrong: Sicilian Delight and Zocalo are great. However, my personal favorite has always been Cup O’ Jo Café, located in a rather deserted part of the mall. The seating and vibes here are already enough to make me like it: the comfy chairs and music always playing are much more preferable to the Food Court seating. But the food is also great! This café has a great list of sandwiches, drinks, and desserts. I especially love the French Onion soup and the mango smoothies here. I’m personally not a huge coffee drinker, but the lattes and other caffeinated drinks here are a good alternative to Starbucks (union-busting is not cool)! They’re just as good and quite a bit cheaper. Next time you are at our abandoned mall, go visit the lovely people at Cup O’ Jo Café!
Silo Food Truck, Liquid State Brewing Company
You may have seen Silo’s food truck at the Apple and Ithaca Festivals. Maybe that’s the only time of the year when you eat their food. That was certainly the case for me until last year. The Silo food truck is most well known for its mac-n-cheese, but I actually think the best food there is its fried chicken and cornbread. Especially during the summer, enjoying some cold lemonade with southern-inspired food is absolute heaven. I wouldn’t say the food is particularly cheap, but it’s a good occasional treat.
P.S.: By the time this article comes out, Silo will also be back open! (They’re closed in January and February.)