Clam Bar, North Syracuse

Today I took Dominic Mathiang and Erika Halstead to The Clam Bar in North Syracuse. As one of my surrogate homes in Central New York, I always feel a sense of calm when I visit this restaurant. Why? Well, Butch. If my father isn't at 5388 Amalfi Drive, he's paying his dues at the Clam Bar. Students in my African American Studies classes at Binghamton used to laugh and think I said "Clan Bar" but this is not the case. There are no confederate flags nor white robes hanging on the wall. Instead, there are dead fish, deer, elk, bears, and other wild game.

Helge and Ken, the owners, have done a fantastic job keeping a tradition of excellent food alive for Airport employees and residents of Northern Syracuse. Home to the unforgettable intoxication of Sudy Rip, mom, during dad's retirement party and waitresses who are very tolerant of long winded stories from their clientelle, dad, The Clam Bar is an absolute piece of Syracuse's history.

I grew up on their steak sandwiches, still excellent, but the dinner specials are what makes the food unique. That, and God Bless, their clam chowder. It is out of this world.