The Fish Cove
Let’s see if we can get through this story without getting hungry for a great fish dinner!
A classic vintage photo of the Fish Cove.
Modern Americans have a definite love affair with seafood – and while there are many reasons for that, it’s nice to note that fish not only tastes delicious, it’s good for you. But until modern refrigeration, seafood wasn’t easy to obtain unless you lived near – well, the sea! How fortunate we are to be able to get fresh, tasty fish in so many varieties. And not just on Friday; fish is for any day
The Fish Cove Family
One of our favorite places to get fish when we just HAVE to have some is The Fish Cove in Westvale Plaza. One good reason for that is the Fish Cove is, literally, a grand-daddy of fish restaurants here in Syracuse. Current owner Tracy Tamburo/Nevil’s grandfather, Carl Falgitano, opened the original Fish Cove 70 years ago (this year marks that anniversary) with his brother-in-law. He eventually passed the business along to his daughter, Carlene Tamburo, and Carlene’s daughter, Tracy, says she started working in the business as a teenager. Cousin, Louis Falgiatano, as he spells the family name, has worked at the Fish Cove for more than 55 years!
Avery and Alexandra, the next generation of the Fish Cove!
Though both she and her husband, Mike Nevil, originally thought they would be pursuing other options, something about the business drew
them back —perhaps, as Tracy tell us, “Our customers and staff— they’re the heart and soul of our business.” The business is clearly a labor of love, family, friends, and good food. Tracy pauses and names yet another employee who worked for the restaurant for 50 years, “… who is more like family – Peggy Piccioni.” We suspect she could go on naming long-time customers and staff who amake up what truly is The Fish Cove family.
The Fish Cove was the first tenant of the Westvale Plaza, and now proudly acknowledges they are the oldest. While the location is designed for take-out, there ARE comfortable stools where you can lounge as you wait for your order, or enjoy your lunch or dinner if you just can’t wait to get home!
The menu has “been fish from the beginning,” Tracy explained. “My grandfather also made fresh sausage, and rotisserie chicken, but fish was the focus.”
Chicken is still available, along with hot dogs and home-made clam chowder, but fish dishes remain the reason most Syracusans will head over to Westvale on a Friday – or when the mood strikes. In addition to those traditional fish fry favorites you’ll be looking for, with sides of onion rings, fries, salad (including cabbage, of course!) and baked beans, you’ll find clams, smelt, oysters, scallops and shrimp on the menu. If you prefer to cook it yourself, you can find fresh and frozen seasonal market fish, including lobster, calamari, mussels, just about any type of clam you’d like, and farm-raised salmon. The fish is shipped from the Boston seafood markets.
Christine and Carl Falgitano, the founders of the Fish Cove
If customer loyalty is any measure, we predict you’ll love the food. Fish Cove customers have been coming back for years. “Some of our long-time customers who have moved away will come in whenever they’re in town,” Tracy tells us. “We have some customers who will have us ship to them, and many multi-generational customers!”
On any given visit to the Fish Cove, you may be served by one of four generations of the family who are all working still part of the business. And if Syracuse has its way, the Fish Cove will stay with us, making delicious seafood, for many generations to come.
So, are you hungry yet?
Fish Cove
2130 West Genesee St., Syracuse, NY 13219
Monday – Thursday: 9am – 6:30pm
Friday: 9am – 9pm
Saturday: 11am – 6:30pm
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