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Eddie’s

In the spirit of Independence Day I hold these truths to be self-evident: Summer is the BEST season in Central New York, Nothing beats being by the WATER, Eddie’s makes the most DELICIOUS pie in the entire world, and Everyone should TREAT themselves to a hot ham sandwich! Summer is finally here again which means it’s time to get outside, get to a beach and get to Eddie’s Restaurant in Sylvan Beach. For those that have never been – Eddie’s is located on the Eastern shore of beautiful Oneida Lake right in the heart of Sylvan Beach. This means that they are just a short scenic drive along the lake from Syracuse. Eddie’s restaurant is located at 901 Main Street, Sylvan Beach and they are open for dine in and take out seven days a week from noon to 8:30 pm. While you’re making your plans with your favorite furry friend remember that Eddie’s has a wonderful outdoor seating area that is PET FRIENDLY! For takeout orders and reservations give them a call at 315-762-4269.

Whether you are at Eddie’s for breakfast (served all day!), lunch, dinner, or even dessert there is certainly something on the menu for everyone! If you are a breakfast lover then Eddie’s just can’t be beat! They have added new and decadent breakfast items that you’ve just got to see to believe! Be sure to try the Stuffed French Toast, their classic French toast, stuffed with your choice of cheesecake or Nutella filling and that’s not all – next you get to choose your topping – warm cinnamon apples, raspberry, strawberries, or blueberries! With so many delicious options the combinations are endless! You should also check out the new Sweet Potato Waffle Fries with Cinnamon Butter, this sweet and salty combination is the perfect intersection of meal and dessert, so enjoy it accordingly. I also have to mention the most famous item on Eddie’s menu, and an absolute must order, The Original Hot Ham BBQ sandwich! The story of the “Original Hot Ham” BBQ Sandwich is as follows: on one busy summer day in 1946, Eddie Sr. the founder of Eddie’s, ran out of hot dogs! As the tourists grew hungry Eddie decided to make a sandwich that he only made for his family, a toasted seeded roll piled high with capicola ham! The tourists fell in love and the famous spicy sandwich was born! This sandwich is so famous that even celebrities come to Eddie’s just to try it! Eddie’s has been visited by many celebrities over the last (nearly century) including Frank Sinatra, Louis Prima, The Ink Spots, Liza Minelli and even George Foreman! For nearly a century Eddie’s has been happily serving scrumptious food to beach bums, celebrities and everyone in between!

I still remember walking into Eddie’s as a kid and being so impressed with the larger than life pies displayed like scrumptious trophies in a case up front and I am so lucky that I get to pass this experience on to my own little ones! My family and I arrived on a beautiful Tuesday night. As we slowly walked in we watched as the motorcycles lined the streets because Tuesday is bike night in Sylvan Beach. We were quickly seated at a comfortable table that accommodated the four of us and the luggage that is required when you take two babies out of the house. We eagerly looked over the menu and discussed the new items. For appetizers we ordered the Meatballs With Ricotta Cheese, this sharable dish is made up of three of Eddie’s Famous hand rolled Meatballs served with Ricotta Cheese and smothered with their Famous Meat Sauce and topped with fresh basil! Each bite of this dish was absolute perfection on a fork! We also couldn’t pass up an order of the Italian Greens, Eddie’s version of Utica greens featuring Eddie’s famous hot ham. These are amazing and an interesting way to make sure every trip
to Eddie’s includes some hot ham!

Even though I know Oneida Lake isn’t the ocean, something about sitting at Eddie’s always makes me crave seafood, so this evening I ordered the Fried Fisherman’s Platter with a generous serving of shrimp, scallops, haddock and clams fried to a golden brown. I had a Caesar salad (one of the best I’ve ever had) and garlic fries. This meal was a hit not only with me but also with the littles! Kyle was feeling adventurous so he ordered something he had never ordered before – Eddie’s Special Sub – Meatballs, sausage and peppers on a toasted bun with a drizzle of meat sauce and a side of hot peppers in sauce. I’m not exaggerating when I tell you that he talked about how good it was the entire ride home. Even though we had to-go boxes we couldn’t pass up dessert. Pro Tip – ALWAYS get dessert at Eddies. We decided that we would split a monstrous and aptly named “Cookie Monster Sundae” a huge portion of ice cream and toppings and even whole cookies! We also ordered a slice of banana cream pie to take home because I’m pretty sure that it is illegal not to order pie at Eddie’s.

Generations of Central New Yorkers – including yours truly – would agree that it’s just not summer without a trip to Eddie’s Restaurant in Sylvan Beach. From humble beginnings, Eddie’s Restaurant started with a hot dog stand and a dream as the country was finding its way out of the Great Depression. Since its inception, Eddie’s Restaurant has been continuously ran by the Stewart Family through good times and bad, from depression, recession, and even a pandemic! This summer it’s time to bring your family, friends, and even your well behaved furry friend to Eddie’s (or Harpoon Eddie’s across the street for a different vibe but same great food and service) because after all – It wouldn’t be summer in Sylvan Beach without Eddie’s!

Kerilyn Micale
Kerilyn E. Micale is a Cicero native.