Compton’s so Filling for Breakfast, Lunch

By Ruth Fantasia, Albany Times Union, N.Y.

Jan. 4–Saturday and Sunday mornings, they huddle into the small glass vestibule at Compton’s like a box of crayons with one color too many. People wait for tables while others pay their bills and weave their way to the door.

We were lucky. My sister and brother-in-law had arrived first and already had secured a table, and Paul and I needed only to slide into the vinyl booth.

The scent of fried eggs and sausage hangs in the air of the wood-paneled dining room that looks like it hasn’t seen a decorator since the Johnson administration. After browsing the menu, which also reflects an earlier era, we read the advertisements on the paper place mats.

While some other Saratoga Springs restaurants offer exotically flavored pancakes and breakfast burritos, Compton’s still serves the tried and true: eggs in various forms with steak, bacon, sausage and cheese; pancakes; french toast; hash browns. It’s basic, cheap and filling fare at its best.

The servers, hard-working women who can take orders and serve coffee simultaneously, aren’t overly chatty on weekend mornings. They don’t have time to be. Platters clank against the laminate-topped tables and the morning chatter turns into a din.

Omelets are a mainstay here ($5.50-$5.75); we each choose a different version. Name your own ingredients or opt for the three cheese version with American, Swiss and cheddar. The egg layers are flat, not puffed up with extra milk or water, and the fillings are plentiful. They’re served with hash browns and toast, pick from white, wheat or marble rye.

What my sister and I couldn’t finish, our husbands happily cleaned our plates.

During subsequent visits we found the pancakes ($3.25 plain) are light and hot, the French toast ($3.50) is thick and laced with cinnamon, and they’ll give you enough syrup packets for dowsing.

Later in the day, you can choose from lunch standards such as burgers, BLTs, tuna and chicken salads, fried haddock, hot turkey and hot roast beef sandwiches and cottage cheese and fruit platters.

If you visit during the thick of the rush, you’ll get the distinct impression there’s someone in that vestibule waiting for you to leave, but on weekdays and other slower times, you can linger over your endless cup of coffee.

Either way, you won’t go away hungry.

Ruth Fantasia can be reached at 454-5362 or by e-mail at rfantasia@timesunion.com.

Compton’s

457 Broadway

Saratoga Springs

Phone, 584-9632

Eat in, takeout

Average entree: $6.50

Food: Breakfast fare, lunch stuff

Hours: 4 a.m.-2:45 p.m. Monday-Friday; 3 a.m.-2:45 p.m. Saturday-Sunday

Access: There are too many steps for wheelchairs and tight corners and swift servers could make walkers unweildy.

Details: No reservations, cash only.

SHORT ORDERS

Beverly’s, 47 Phila St., Saratoga Springs, 583-2755. Upscale twists on breakfast and lunch staples. Eat in, takeout, catering. Average entree: $8.50. Hours: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily. Narrow spaces between tables can make wheelchair access difficult, but it can be done. Reservations not accepted. Major credit cards accepted. Patio dining. No alcohol.

Bob & Linda’s Windowbox Cafe, 1969 New Scotland Road, Slingerlands, 439-5812. Breakfast and lunch standards. Eat in, takeout. Average entree: $6. Hours: 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday; 6 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Not wheelchair-friendly. Reservations not accepted. Cash and checks only. No alcohol.

Carmen’s Cafe, 198 1st St., Troy, 272-3011. Breakfast standards, Cuban sandwiches, empanadas. Eat in, takeout. Average entree: $6. Hours: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Dining room is accessible but bathrooms are too narrow for wheelchairs. Reservations not required. Major credit cards accepted.

Del’z Dawgs, 1685 Route 9, Castleton, 477-8675. Breakfast sandwiches, burgers, mini dogs; no alcohol. Eat in, takeout. Average entree: $3. 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday. Fully accessible. Credit cards not accepted.

Fireside Pizzeria & Sandwich Pub, 1631 Eastern Parkway, Schenectady, 382-1616; fax, 393-6976. Pizzas, subs, Italian dinners, soups and salads; beer and wine. Eat in, takeout, delivery. Average entree: $6.50. 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 1 to 10:30 p.m. Sunday. Dining room is accessible but bathrooms are too narrow for wheelchairs. Reservations, American Express, Visa and MasterCard accepted.

Front Street Deli, 39 Front St., Ballston Spa, 884-0456. Breakfast and lunch. Eat in, takeout, delivery. Average entree: Pizzas, $14; sandwiches, $6; salads, $4. Hours: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Reservations not needed. Major credit cards accepted. Ample on-street parking.

Jonesville Country Store, 989 Main St., Clifton Park, 877-0507. Eat in, takeout, delivery with $5 service charge, catering. Average entree: $7. Sandwiches, salads, entrees to take home and reheat; no alcohol. Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Food area fully accessible, gift shop inaccessible. Reservations not accepted; major credit cards accepted.

Malta Diner, 2476 Route 9, Malta, 899-5099. Diner staples, Greek and Italian specialties; full bar. Eat in, takeout, on-premise catering. Average entree: breakfast, $6; lunch and dinner, $10. 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Fully accessible. Reservations accepted for parties of six or more. Major credit cards accepted.

Manna’s Restaurant & Banquet House, 17 Low St., Ballston Spa, 885-1195. http://www. mannasrestaurant.com. American comfort food and Italian classics. Eat in, takeout, catering. Average entree: breakfast, $4; lunch, $7; dinner, $14. Hours: 7 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and 4-9 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday (later on Friday and Saturday), 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday. Fully accessible. Reservations recommended on holidays and for parties of eight or more. Major credit cards accepted.

Moe’s Southwest Grill, 3084 Route 50, Wilton, 581-3999; fax, 581-3998; Web, http://www.moes.com. Other locations on Western Avenue in Guilderland, across from Crossgates; Southside Drive in Clifton Park, near Borders. Tex-Mex; beer and wine. Eat in, takeout, catering. Average item: $5.60. Hours: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Fully accessible. Major credit cards accepted. Reservations not accepted.

Night Sky Cafe, 402 Union St., Schenectady, 372-2590. Interesting sandwiches, soups, bruschettas and metzas, assortment of munchies. Beer and wine. Eat in, takeout. Average price: $5.70. Hours: 9 a.m. to midnight Monday through Friday; 5 p.m. to midnight or later Saturday. Wheelchair entry to the restroom may be difficult and there is a small step at the door. Reservations and major credit cards accepted, wireless Internet available.

Okinawa, 61 Main Ave. (Route 66), Wynantskill, 283-7716; fax, 283-7726. Japanese-Chinese. Eat in, takeout, delivery. Average entree: $9. Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday; noon to 10 p.m. Sunday. Fully accessible. Reservations and major credit cards accepted.

The Other Company Restaurant, Loudon Plaza, 376 Northern Blvd., Albany, 463-2208. Breakfast and lunch classics; beer and wine. Eat in, takeout, catering if you pick up. Average entree, $7. Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. breakfast and lunch; Sunday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. breakfast menu only. Fully accessible. Reservations and major credit cards accepted.

Potter’s Tavern, 2113 New York Route 7, Raymertown, 279-1000. Contemporary pub food made with local ingredients. Eat in, takeout, catering. Average entree: $7 on lighter fare menu; $17 on dinner menu. Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday. Fully accessible. Reservations and major credit cards accepted.

Rendezvous Bistro/Coffee Beanery, 1900 Central Ave., Colonie, 452-1231. Breakfast foods, paninis, wraps, sandwiches, soups and salads; no alcohol. Eat in, takeout, delivery. Average entree: $6. Hours: 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Fully accessible. Reservations not necessary but if you plan to have a meeting there, let them know; major credit cards accepted.

Rita’s Lebanese Cafe, 188 N. Allen St., Albany, 437-3537; fax, 437-3543. Traditional Lebanese fare. Eat in, takeout, catering. Average entree: $9. Hours: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Wheelchair accessible. Major credit cards and reservations accepted. No alcohol.

Snyder’s Restaurant, 1717 Route 9, Clifton Park, 371-6100. Breakfast and lunch classics. Eat in, takeout. Average entree: $6. Hours: 5:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday through Wednesday; 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday. Bar open 8 a.m. to midnight daily. Soon to be fully accessible, the restrooms are being remodeled. Reservations not needed, major credit cards accepted.

Torino’s Pizza & Pasta, 952 Troy-Schenectady Road, Latham, 783-9200; fax, 783-5553. Pizzas, subs, Afghan specialties. Eat in, takeout, delivery, catering. Average entree: Dinners, $9; pizza, $13.50; sandwiches, $6. ours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Mon.-Sat.; 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sun. Fully accessible. Reservations not necessary; major credit cards accepted.

Uppity Cruste, 15 Trieble Ave. (in the Hannaford Plaza), Milton, 885-2020. Breakfast sandwiches, soups, sandwiches and salads; coffees, teas, smoothies. Eat in, takeout, catering. Average entree: breakfast, $2.50; lunch, $6.50. Hours: 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Fully accessible. MasterCard and Visa accepted. No alcohol.

Via Fresca, 1666 Western Ave., Guilderland, 452-1179, http://www. viafresca.net. Eat in, takeout, catering. Average entree: $6.95. Italian specialty foods including gourmet sandwiches and salads. No alcohol. Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, closed Sunday. Fully accessible. Credit cards accepted.

Village Pizzeria, 2727 Route 29, East Galway, 882-9431. Eat in, takeout, catering. Average entree: Dinners, $17; sandwiches, $7.50; pizzas, $11. Italian specialties, pizzas. Full bar. Hours: 4 to 10 p.m. Monday; 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Some areas are wheelchair-friendly. Reservations and major credit cards accepted.

Wolf Road Diner, 219 Wolf Road, Colonie, 459-5214. Eat in, takeout. Average entree: breakfast, $5; lunch, $6.50; dinner, $13. Enormous menu of diner standards and Greek specialties, full bar. Hours: 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, 6 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Fully accessible. Reservations and major credit cards accepted.

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Copyright (c) 2007, Albany Times Union, N.Y.

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