Hey everyone! Our names are Marly Quince and Aaron Thow, and we are working in the office of Marketing & External Relations for the summer. Part of our job was to travel to towns and attractions in the North Country and to show you all that this area has to offer. You may have seen some of our posts on Instagram and Snapchat at @ClarksonUniv.
While on these trips, we decided to check out new places to eat that we had never visited. We found some awesome restaurants and want to share them with you!
Coleman’s Dock of the Bay — 2 James St., Alexandria Bay, NY 13607
Coleman’s Dock of the Bay is a must-visit restaurant while in Alexandria Bay. Located about 45 minutes from Clarkson, Alexandria Bay is a small picturesque town on the St. Lawrence River. At the east end of the bay sits Coleman’s Dock of the Bay, with its perfectly located patio that extends over the water. The local favorite is mussels, served with chicken in a rich, buttery sauce. This restaurant is well-known for its smoked barbeque, with everything smoked on site.
Scoops — 22 Main St., Potsdam, NY 13676
During the hot summer months (and, yes, it does get hot in Potsdam!), Scoops, located next to the Roxy Theatre, is a very popular spot to enjoy ice cream. Featuring a walk-up window for orders and a patio with picnic benches, Scoops offers ice cream cones, sundaes, milkshakes and slushies. Scoops is a popular stop for dessert after dinner, a movie or any downtown activity.
The Ole Smokehouse — 3512 County Route 14, Madrid, NY 13660
When craving good barbecue, look no further than The Ole Smokehouse, located just outside of Madrid, NY. Only a 15-minute drive from Clarkson, The Ole Smokehouse offers everything from tender pulled pork to a variety of delicious burgers. The moment you step out of the car, your mouth will start watering due to the smells coming from the meat smoker out back. Whether you sit on the patio to get some sun or prefer dining inside, The Ole Smokehouse is a great place to go with family and friends for a delicious meal.
Schnitzels European Flavours — 158 Pitt St, Cornwall, ON K6J 3P4, Canada
Schnitzels European Flavours is a cozy restaurant in the heart of Cornwall, Ontario, only 40 minutes north of Potsdam, NY. The restaurant specializes in wood-fired pizzas which are cooked in a large brick oven in the middle of the dining area. Other menu items include classic burgers and gourmet entrees. Schnitzels is a must if you are ever in Cornwall looking for a delicious meal and a great atmosphere.
Rideau Centre Food Court — 50 Rideau St., Ottawa, Ontario K1N9J7, Canada
The Rideau Centre, located in Ottawa, Ontario, is one of the closest malls to Clarkson and a great destination for students wanting to spend a day shopping. When it’s time to eat look no further than the food court, which offers everything from Indian and Thai food to classic American dishes. You are guaranteed to find a good meal at a relatively low price. On the way out, pick up a delicious gelato or sweet treat from Purdys Chocolatier to enjoy while you browse the shopping center.
Raquette River Pub — 102 Main St., Colton, NY 13625
If you like wings, this is the place for you. The Raquette River Pub is located right in the middle of Colton, just a few miles down the road from Clarkson, and overlooks the Raquette River. The pub won a local Wing Wars competition for the past two years and offers up some delicious wings. Other food, including some funky fried foods such as fried green beans (they are a lot better than they sound!), is available as well. The Raquette River Pub also offers an all-you-can-eat brunch buffet for just $12 on Sundays — a great way to get off campus and spend time with friends enjoying some great food.
Big Slide Brewery & Public House — 5686 Cascade Rd., Lake Placid, NY 12946
If you make a trip to Lake Placid, include the Big Slide Brewery & Public House on your list of places to visit. The main focus is beer, but the food is top notch! There are all kinds of flatbread pizzas and other pub food, but my personal favorite is the Tater TotTM poutine. I had never seen this spin on poutine before, and, after tasting it, I was shocked that no one else is doing this! There are plenty of awesome eateries in Lake Placid, but this one is near the top of my list.
When you really start to explore the North Country — and the towns on the other side of the river in Canada — you’ll find a lot of hidden gems when it comes to food. If you’re not quite ready to explore for yourself, we hope this list will be helpful to you!
Are you looking to grab a bite a little closer to campus? Check out The Scoop on the Potsdam Food Scene for all of the favorite food options located right in Potsdam!