Staff Picks: Our best bets for local dining 8-26-21

Larissa Ryan
Business Manager
The Jive Café
If you’re passing through Hartwick Seminary and need something to eat, try stopping by the Jive Café.
It’s a cute little café that offers breakfast and lunch, including traditional omelets and salads. I grabbed their Cobb Salad with eggs, bacon and a tasty honey mustard sauce. I particularly enjoyed mixing the flavor of the greens with the warm savory bacon and the refreshing hard-boiled eggs. It’s a worthwhile stop if you are just passing through or getting supplies from the grocery store right next door.

The Jive Café,
12 Commons Dr.,
Hartwick Seminary
607-547-4471

Tara Barnwell
Publisher
Cooper’s Barn
Although we reviewed Cooper’s Barn for their wonderful ice cream at the beginning of the summer, they have since added food to their repertoire. Not just a couple of items, but a full menu of apps, burgers and sandwiches, salads and barbecue. They now have beer and wine, too.
The “Food Shack Menu” is hard to choose from. We started with the chips and homemade salsa; they make it every day and it’s so fresh. Then I had the 1/3 lb. cheeseburger (with Havarti cheese), lettuce, tomato and onion.
I had heard about their cheeseburgers and it exceeded its reputation!
My husband got the pulled pork platter, a traditional charcoal-smoked barbecue that was delicious. He had the homemade mac ’n cheese as a side, it was so rich and cheesy. They even make homemade cornbread. Top it all off with their fabulous ice
cream and you’ll be ready
for a nap!

Cooper’s Barn
4833 State Route 28, Hartwick Seminary
607-282-4365

Kathleen Peters
Graphic Designer
Cooley’s Stone House Tavern
Even though it sits in the heart of downtown Cooperstown, you might feel like you walked into your favorite hometown hangout when you enter Cooley’s. There is a large bar in the center, booths around the sides, six TVs, and some classic rock music playing just loud enough that you can hear it and still have a conversation.
Cooley’s offers a typical pub menu with burgers, sandwiches, and wings. Husband and I were both quite satisfied with our dinners, and especially happy with the speedy and pleasant service. He had the Jersey Burger which came with American cheese, Taylor Ham, fried egg, and fries.
I had Cooley’s Cuban, a grilled sandwich on ciabatta bread with pulled pork, smoked ham, Swiss cheese, pickles and honey mustard. Mine came with the homemade potato chips, which were even better than the French fries, in my humble opinion.
Even though I had to come back into work afterward, I had a perfect pint of Guinness to wash down the Cuban. Don’t tell anyone!

Cooley’s
49 Pioneer St.
Cooperstown
607-544-1311

Danielle Crocco
Marketing Consultant
Feel Good Smoothie Bar and Café
Having to stick to certain dietary restrictions is hard, especially when it’s more than one thing you have to worry about. I was nervous about moving to a new state and being able to find food not only within my dietary needs but that was also delicious. I was so happy when I found Feel Good Smoothie Bar and Café.

They are a health food restaurant with delicious vegan and gluten-free options and the owners are the sweetest!

The falafel wrap can be on a gluten-free wrap and is out of this world. I have tried many Immune Boost juices and theirs is the best out there! The fruit medley smoothie is also refreshing, especially on a hot summer day.
Feel Good Smoothie Bar
49 Clinton Plaza
Oneonta
607-386-4079

Kevin Limiti
Reporter
Sal’s Pizzeria
I know there is a pizza divide in Cooperstown and one of the contenders for the crown is Sal’s Pizzeria on Main Street.

Popular with tourists and locals alike, this pizza tastes different enough to distinguish itself from its rival, New York Pizzeria.

The bacon, cheddar, ranch pizza is very good. They use a garlic oil base, which is perfect for this kind of specialty slice. I recommend checking it out and making a decision on the best pizza in Cooperstown for yourself.

Sal’s Pizzeria
110 Main St, Cooperstown
607-547-5721