Curly's Chicken House

The "Curly's Special"

Curly's Chicken House, very AMERICAN, 2100 Lake Road - see map on right for directions. Chicken, chicken, and more chicken. Broiled chicken, chicken sandwiches, etc. Curly's is an old Elmira kind of place. Stuck in the 1950s. Our last visit was 5/18/2013 with 2 guests - lunch. A true Elmira experience. Elmirans at their most "Elmiran." Sort of a diner. Sometimes good, sometimes not. The "Curly's Special" is sort of a pulled chicken with a barbecue meat sauce. The fries were hot and the gravy was good. For you out-of-towners if you order barbecued chicken, do not expect standard the tomato/barbecue-style recipe - this is "Curly's style" barbecue rotisserie chicken. Welcome to Elmira. This is us. $ 

Food 7 out of 10

Service 7 out of 10

Cleanliness 5 out of 10 

Ambience 5 out of 10

Value 7 out of 10

Total score 31 out of 50 points

McConnell's Hots

2 lunch specials with "spicy" sauce

McConnell's Hots, 1138 Lake Street (Pigeon Point) Elmira, NY. Hot dogs with a hot dog stand ambience. Interior design is befitting a hot dog stand at Pigeon Point. Real lemonade made fresh. It was all right  - we'll go back. 2 guests - lunch. Last visit 5/11/2013.

Food 7 out of 10

Service 7 out of 10

Cleanliness 4 out of 10

Ambience 9 out of 10

Value 7 out of 10

Total score 34 out of 50

Picnic Pizza at Minier's Plaza

"Lunch Specials"

Picnic Pizza at Minier's Plaza, 84 Canal St, Big Flats, NY 14814 - ITALIAN, pizza and subs (submarine sandwiches), New York style pizza. We each had the "lunch special." Underwhelming compared to the other 2 Picnic Pizza locations. This location was uninteresting, a little gritty, and the food was just ok. Try harder, and clean the windowsills. $. Last visit 4/28/2013 - lunch.

Food 5 out of 10

Service 7 out of 10

Cleanliness 4 out of 10

Ambience 3 out of 10

Value 7 out of 10

Total score 26 out of 50

Grand Central Creamery

Grand Central Creamery

This isn't really a "restaurant" so it will not be included in the same way as the others. We call it a "dessert destination."

Grand Central Creamery (formerly Big Nine) 1687 Grand Central Avenue, Elmira, NY - see map on right for directions. Perry's ice cream. Last visit 4/26/2013 with 2 guests - ice cream run!  Ice cream was "ample, cold, and delicious." $

Food 8 out of 10

Service 9 out of 10

Cleanliness 8 out of 10

Ambience 8 out of 10

Value 7 out of 10

Total score 39 out of 50 points

Pudgie's Pizza - Southside

1/2 Cold roast beef sub with pasta salad.

Pudgie's Pizza - Southside, ITALIAN and subs (submarine sandwiches), Southside location 350 South Main Street. Deep dish (Chicago) style pizza. Also try their "Italian Sausage Special," and their meatball sub, calzones and strombolis. We shared a large roast beef sub. Fresh and delicious. It came with free cold pasta salad - also very good. Nice fresh roll. An Elmira institution. $. Last visit 4/20/2013 - lunch.

Food 9 out of 10

Service 8 out of 10

Cleanliness 6 out of 10

Ambience 5 out of 10

Value 7 out of 10

Total score 35 out of 50

Pudgie's stromboli - probably the best thing on the menu!

Soup's On (formerly Barb's Soup's On)

Authentic New England clam chowder - thick with clams!

Soup's On, Soup and Sandwiches, 311 College Avenue. Visited 4/16/2013 - 3 guests for lunch. Navy bean soup had no flavor - needed carrots, celery, and ham, to start.

Food 4 out of 10

Service 7 out of 10

Cleanliness 7 out of 10

Ambience 6 out of 10

Value 7 out of 10

Total score 31 out of 50 points

Fair Shake Ice Cream Stand

This isn't really a "restaurant" so it will not be included in the same way as the others. We call it a "dessert destination."

Fair Shake 1509 Pennsylvania Ave, Pine City, NY - see map on right for directions. Supposedly 50 flavors of Perry's ice cream. Last visit 3/30/2013 with 2 guests - ice cream run!  Were very happy to find an open ice cream stand in March in New York. Cones were nice and fresh. Thank you. $ 

Food 7 out of 10

Service 9 out of 10

Cleanliness 8 out of 10

Ambience 8 out of 10

Value 6 out of 10

Total score 38 out of 50 points

Maple Lawn Restaurant

The Maple Lawn Burger with homemade fries - make sure
ask for "homemade" fries or you'll get regular SYSCO fries.

Maple Lawn Restaurant, AMERICAN, 3162 Lower Maple Avenue - see map on right for directions. All kinds of food - breakfast, lunch, dinner. Last visit 3/19/2013 with 3 guests. Middle of the week and the parking lot was mysteriously empty. Only a half dozen tables were taken. Management was out of sight. It was like Maple Lawn in some sort of a dream. The food was good, service was friendly, but slow. The daily special was good and the Maple Lawn burger was delicious. The meatloaf, however, was "not what my mother made." The homemade fries could have been hotter. Maple Lawn is the diner on the far outskirts of town in a direction that most of us don't travel. Go for the Friday Fish Fry - you won't be disappointed. $ - $$

Food 6.5 out of 10

Service 6 out of 10

Cleanliness 7 out of 10

Ambience 6 out of 10

Value 6 out of 10

Total score 31.5 out of 50 points

Tuna II, Tuna 2, Tuna Two

Spicy Tuna Rolls.

Tuna II, Tuna 2, Tuna Two, JAPANESE, 1900 Grand Central Avenue - see map on right for directions. 4-star perfection in Elmira Heights, New York. EXCELLENT and probably the healthiest choices in Chemung County. Beautiful presentation, attentive service, delicious food, reasonable prices. Don't be scared from the outside - it is not at all what you think - we promise. Be brave and walk right in. $ - $$$. Last visit 3/12/2012, 3 guests - dinner - takeout. SUPERB. "Order your sushi and when it comes to the table, put it in your mouth and close your eyes. ORGASMIC. This food could not be more perfect." Phoenix Roll, Shogun, Spicy Girl, Spicy Tuna Rolls, Summer Rolls, and Tuna sushi!!! Take out, too. Thank the chef on the way out. In the many times we have reviewed this restaurant the food has been consistently good.

4 STARS. Easily, the best restaurant in Elmira.

**Food 10 out of 10**

**Service 10 out of 10**

**Cleanliness 10 out of 10**

**Ambience 10 out of 10**

**Value 10 out of 10**

Total score 50 out of 50 points 

our HIGHEST score EVER!

1900 Grand Central Avenue in Elmira Heights
Don't be shy - go on in.

Evergreen Express

Mongolian Beef

Evergreen Express, CHINESE, 505 North Main Street - see map on right for directions. They must have read our last entry. Our chosen dish was delightfully spicy and flavorful. What an improvement. $. Last visit 2/12/2013 - 2 guests - dinner.  Take-out please - not the best ambience for sitting. 

Food 8 out of 10

Service 9 out of 10 

Cleanliness 5 out of 10

Ambience 3 out of 10

Value 8 out of 10

Total score 33 out of 50 points

Central Hots

Four should be enough for two people!

Central Hots, HOT DOGS, NEW location 2001 College Avenue - see map on right for directions. If you want hotdogs with hotdog ambience - this is it. Last visit 2/9/2013, 2 guests - lunch. Very good Elmira-style Texas hots. Tasty and succulent. Also the only place in Elmira that serves a Garbage Plate. Disappointed with food service french fries. Would love hand-cut, please. And how about some brats, coneys, and sauerkraut while we're at it? $

Food 8 out of 10

Service 8 out of 10

Cleanliness 8 out of 10

Ambience 6 out of 10

Value 5 out of 10

Total score 34 out of 50 points

Horigan's

"Superb" is a great adjective for this Philly Cheese Steak!

Horigan's, 365 Davis Street - see map on right for directions. AMERICAN-IRISH, great food - which is great for Elmira, all kinds of daily specials, hey, you never know what it will be - but it will be good. Our last visit was 1/28/2013 with 4 guests - lunch. Although, not our favorite Lehigh Valley cheesesteak - this is definitely the BEST cheesesteak in Elmira, cheeseburgers are suberb, and the Reubens were A-ok, too. This restaurant maintains high standards and good food. $ - $$. In the many times we have reviewed this restaurant the food has been consistently good.

**Food 10 out of 10**

Service 8 out of 10

Cleanliness 8 out of 10

Ambience 9 out of 10

Value 9 out of 10

Total score 44 out of 50 points

Garcia's Mexican Restaurant

Enchiladas Supreme. Muy bueno!

Garcia's Mexican Restaurant, MEXICAN, 2446 Corning Road - see map on right for directions. Last visit 1/26/2013 with 2 guests - dinner. $-$$ This is the only Garcia's of the small chain that is located on a bowling alley. In fact, if you weren't a local your wouldn't even know it was there. New decor since our last visit - the orange room has been repainted lavender and the yellow room is now screaming green. At least it is fresh. Food is very good. The hot and mild salsas were especially flavorful & spicy. Our server was prompt and amusing. In the many times we have reviewed this restaurant the food has been consistently good.

Food 8 out of 10

Service 9 out of 10

Cleanliness 7 out of 10

Ambience 7.5 out of 10

Value 7.5 out of 10

Total score 39 out of 50 points

Picnic Pizza at Arnot Mall

The "Lunch Special"

Pizza only at this location, Arnot Mall, I-86 in Big Flats - see map on right for directions. New York style pizza, perfect. Last visit 1/20/2013 - 2 guests - lunch. $. Yummy. Unlike other restaurants that we review, Picnic Pizza shares table space in the food court at the Arnot Mall. Picnic Pizza is our favorite choice. Considering it's a food court, the place is kept relatively clean by a roving band of elders who do a pretty good job. The floor show, fellow shoppers, moviegoers, anxious bathroom-seekers, and a steady stream of teenagers totally focused on only one thing - and that's not food or clothing. Bad taste abounds, but the PIZZA is great. We usually get 2 "lunch specials" and it's just right. In the many times we have reviewed this restaurant the food has been consistently good.

Food 9 out of 10 

Service 8 out of 10 

Cleanliness 7.5 out of 10 

Ambience 6.5 out of 10 

Value 8 out of 10 

Total score 39 out of 50 points

Fat Cats Brooklyn Deli

Their "Bensonhurst." Just look at the perfection
in the slices!

Fat Cats Brooklyn Deli, 1002 Walnut Street, 607-368-3790. We have a winner. The food is delicious. Top quality. There is something to be said for merchants who take great pride in their products and service. Thank you for moving to Elmira. Sandwiches are truly a work of art. The guy making the sandwiches is a "sandwich artist." He cuts the most perfect slices of meat we have ever seen. Huge sandwiches. It took two of us to eat a "Bensonhurst." "Boro Park" is great, too. Like the "Vickster" also. Last visit 1/8/2013 with 2 guests - takeout. Lunch only. One person makes sandwiches one at a time so expect to wait for your perfect sandwich. Don't worry - it's a nice wait. In the many times we have reviewed this restaurant the food has been consistently good.

4 STARS - Easily, the best sandwiches in Elmira

 ** Food 10 out of 10 **

** Service 10 out of 10 **

Cleanliness 9.5 out of 10 

Ambience 9.5 out of 10

Value 9.5 out of 10

Total score 49 out of 50 points

Main Street Café

164 North Main Street. American. 

Sorry folks - it just closed. New owners coming in a few weeks. We will review it again.

Los Panchos

Quesadilla, beans and rice. Lackluster.

Los Panchos, MEXICAN, 250 West Water Street - see map on right for directions. Last visit was 12/28/2012 with 5 guests - dinner. Meals were big and looked gorgeous - a little bland, though. $ - $$.

Food 6 out of 10

Service 8 out of 10

Cleanliness 8 out of 10

Ambience 7 out of 10

Value 8 out of 10

Total score 37 out of 50 points

Moretti's Restaurant

Ravioli with meatballs.

Moretti's, ITALIAN, 800 Hatch Street - see map on right for directions - Steaks, chops, ravioli, spaghetti, etc. Every town everywhere has a basic, old Italian restaurant. This is ours. Excellent meat, adequate pasta. An old Elmira kind of place. In the many times we have reviewed this restaurant the food has been consistently good. $ - $$. Last visit 12/26/2012 with 4 guests - dinner.

Food 5.5 out of 10

Service 8 out of 10

Cleanliness 7.5 out of 10

Ambience 8 out of 10

Value 7 out of 10

Total score 36 out of 50 points

Charlie's Cafe

Charlie's Café's Fish & Chips

Charlie's Cafe, diverse menu, in the WOHO district- west of Hoffman Street, 205 Hoffman - see map on right for directions. Visited on 12/7/2012, 4 guests - dinner. Food was ok. Maybe we didn't make spectacular choices, so could have been better??? The primary drawback of Charlie's is SOUND. Acoustics are poor. The staff makes a lot of noise in the prep area and if the restaurant is full the din is insane. Beautiful place. Accommodating staff and management. $ - $$

Food 7.5 out of 10

Service 8 out of 10

Cleanliness 9 out of 10

Ambience 9 out of 10

Value 8 out of 10

Total score 40.5 out of 50 points

Classic Café

Front - Patty Melt, back - Hotdog Basket

Classic Café, very AMERICAN, 805 Pennsylvania Avenue - see map on right for directions, 1950s theme - good hamburgers, onion rings, comfort food. $ -$$. Last visit 11/16/2012 - 2 guests - lunch. Diner-style but with a nice twist of "great burger attitude" and the staff really hustles. A professional diner -- and their homemade potato chips are a treat. Hotdog Basket was excellent as was the Patty Melt.

Look, if you watch Man Vs. Food or one of the other TV shows that visit diners, you know that those diners are spectacular. Spectacular in their service, portion size, presentation, and flavor. Of course, there is a price. Here in Elmira, we don't care about that. We want good food at a cheap price. Maybe someday, some Elmiran will open a diner or restaurant that will be spectacular. Until that time, Classic Café is OK.

Food 7 out of 10

Service 8 out of 10

Cleanliness 8 out of 10

Ambience 7 out of 10

Value 7 out of 10

Total score 37 out of 50 points