July 22, 2021
Our best bets for local dining
Larissa Ryan
Business Manager
Schneider’s Bakery
One of my favorite food shops in Cooperstown, Schneider’s, is also one of the oldest.
It’s one of those shops where if I stop in I just have to buy something. For me, that’s usually one of their chocolate croissants, which are always delicious with chocolate in the middle and light and flaky bread on the outside. However, there are also many kinds of cookies.
They also serve oatmeal, soup and coffee. Also, if you like homemade bread but don’t necessarily have the time or the skill, Schneider’s has bread (white, wheat, rye, and even pumperknickel). It’s no wonder this staple of Main Street has been around since 1887.
Schneider’s Bakery
157 Main Street
Cooperstown
607-547-9631
Tara Barnwell
Publisher
Undercover Eggplant
When you want a sandwich,
a true sandwich, you’ve
got to go to Undercover Eggplant in Oneonta.
On my last visit, I got a Cuban sandwich. It wasn’t traditional, but it was certainly delicious. Full of pork, ham and cheese, it was very tasty. My favorite there is the po’boy, a Cajun style sandwich with Andouille sausage, melted provolone tomato, red onion and creole sauce.
Did I mention their sandwiches are huge? There is always enough to take home for another meal.
Their sandwiches have great names; The Neahwa, City of the Hills, and West End; someone just told me how good the pizza is there too. They recommended the garlic eggplant pizza with battered eggplant, creamy garlic, mozzarella and a touch of marinara. I can’t wait to try that next!
Undercover Eggplant
421 Chestnut St., Oneonta
607-432-9900
Greg Klein
Editor
Mel’s at 22
One of our go-to places these days is Mel’s at 22 in Cooperstown.
Chef-owner Brian Wrubleski is the father of one of my board members at the nonprofit Film COOP, but I think most people here would tell you his food is excellent, even without a connection to Mel’s.
The soul of the community is a good way of looking at Mel’s, from the taste of the food to the story behind the name. Mel, also known as Maryellen, is Brian’s late wife, who died in 2013. There is a shrine to her near the door of the restaurant and I always think of the extended Wrubleski family when we get our food.
The teen and I are burger people and Mel’s burgers are among the best in town. Sometimes I get the bun-less burger, which is almost like a hamburger salad.The Ms. of the house likes the
blackened chicken sandwich.
Extra tots are always a good side to order, too.
For a change up, I like the bacon mac and cheese, which was about three servings for me.
The restaurant has a great decor, and seems picture perfect for a TV show or movie. Hmm, maybe we can film something there in the future?
I should also mention how popular the Friday fish fry is, especially during the Lenten season. Check the website for specials, and online ordering, too.
Mel’s at 22
22 Chestnut St., Cooperstown
607-322-4012
www.melsat22.com
Kevin Limiti
Reporter
Wise Guys Sammy’s
There’s a buzz in Oneonta about Wise Guys Sammy’s. I don’t often get excited about sandwich places, but the hype was so high I found myself ordering the “Easy Rider” sandwich from them. Now I am convinced.
The name of the restaurant implies some kind of mob-esque aesthetic, but you can leave the knuckle-dusters at home, because your hands are going to be full with the gigantic sandwiches that they have.
The “Easy Rider” is chicken cutlet with bacon, pepper jack cheese, chipotle garlic mayo, and topped with lettuce and tomato.
It’s a very hearty sandwich and I was impressed.
I definitely will return to visit.
Wise Guys Sammy’s
261-267 Main St., Oneonta
wiseguyssammys.com/
Kathleen Peters
Graphic Designer
Nicoletta’s Italian Café
If you are in the mood for some traditional southern Italian food with a dash of old world charm, Nicoletta’s is your place to go.
The four of us who dined there all had different ideas of what makes a perfect Italian meal. Our choices were: Bisteca Bianco, a filet with fettuccine in a white gorgonzola cream sauce; pork medallions and pasta with vodka sauce; shrimp and scallops with angel hair pasta in a lemon caper butter sauce, and veal parmigiana with spaghetti.
The portions served are too large to finish unless you are really hungry, so plan on taking some home. We all had a salad to start, and we all passed on dessert.
Nicoletta’s Italian Cafe
96 Main St., Cooperstown
607-547-7499
www.nicolettasitaliancafe.com/