Since my return to the Finger Lakes, my partner has been introducing me to new(er) places in the region. Its been a delightful set of adventures - though we both remain a bit trepidatious in what everyone hopes is a post COVID era but may indeed be the start of the next wave of delta variant.
In any case, one of those adventures involved State Bakery and Smokehouse. We have been there twice - and let me just start by saying we will go there repeatedly. The food is good, the service kind and wholehearted, and . . . well, it made us both smile even as we ate in the car the first time.
What's on the menu? Well, there are a variety of bakery delights, including what my partner says are the best croissants locally. My favorites: peanut butter cookie. Raisin croissant (what on earth are those called?) and yes, indeed, we have had the chocolate croissants.
More substantially, we have had two lunches there. The first time we had 2 (yes, one too many) lunches that came with 2 meats (pulled pork and biscuit) and multiple sides (we tried mac and cheese, cole slaw and potato salad). Overall: this is a huge meal and getting two was either a mistake or perfect, depending on whether you want to eat the meat for days. The cole slaw was wonderful - tart, with very supple cabbage, and perfect with the meat. The potato salad came in second, though I would have salted it more. And, alas, the mac and cheese was a distant third - and usually that's my favorite dish of all. The meat: to die for - especially the brisket. The pulled pork - again one of my favorites - was adequate. In fact, I thought it was great until later the same month we encountered another in upstate NY which I preferred!
The second time we visited, we got one brisket sandwich and shared it. The right decision. The bread - house made - was a sour dough and held up to both the meat and the slaw. We drove on to a few more errands and it took us a while to get home to the sandwich. And yet, it remained in good shape! Hurrah!
A few comments: for those of you who are into it, perhaps it matters that this seems to be texas style, no sauced, meat. As they say on their website: texas soul, upstate state of mind.
What else of note?
We got drinks, all iced - once a green tea and thrice (is that a word?) mint lemonade. All were dandy and not too sweet.
Also, we intend to return to try the breakfast sandwiches. This requires getting up just a tad earlier than we did the last time we went!
On Ambience and related matters:
This lovely experience is on Rte 89, so somewhat of a drive from Geneva. (See below for address). Its worth knowing that there are a few chairs and a picnic table but in our case we ate in the car (the first time) or brought things home (the second time). The bakery/smokehouse is in a garage - at the end of a short driveway. And, it is the most welcoming though kind of garage in the non-chic sense place. The people are kind - clearly the folks who run it - and deal well with the discombobulated amongst us. When ordering, they then weigh out the meat - and . . . wrap and hand to you. It's delightful.
I cannot comment on a bathroom as I am not sure whether or not they have one as I have not used it or inquired!
Also worth knowing: they cater.
For other commentary on their lovely establishment: this is a terrific little piece on the business. And, here is a Finger Lakes Times piece.
Address: 3512 NY-89 Fayette, NY 13148 (though my mapquest does not think it is in Fayette).
Phone: (315) 305-2161
Email:[email protected]
