Joshua "Jello" Loughnot Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 Traveled to 20 shows around the northeast last year. Being the great American nolvlist that I'm not, I would always write about each meal I ate at each track.... Food is such an important piece of the racing circle IMO...... In saying that, I can't say I was wowed by any track food... Lebanon Valley had a sandwich that was pretty good tho, but I wasn't wowed.... I think it would be a cool idea if each track almost did catering...... For example tracks in regions would bring in the taste of the near by community...... Like here in Syracuse area, say Brewerton/Fulton/ maybe weeds and wheels would have Dinosouar BBQ, Tully Tenders, Possible top pizza joint, etc etc... The salt potatoes at Brew/Fulton are awesome Syracuse area touch btw....... Again jmo....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fiend540 Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 I think Little Valley has the best food out of the NY race tracks, that's not to say other tracks don't have good food too. I think the problem with your idea is how much more it would cost the race track (which you would assume they pass on to us) and then you need to consider your typical race track kitchen and staff. I think most race tracks have decent food, I'd rather pay 2-3 bucks for an average burger at a race track then the same priced burger at Mcdonalds/Wendys 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fran Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 I think Little Valley has the best food out of the NY race tracks, that's not to say other tracks don't have good food too. I think the problem with your idea is how much more it would cost the race track (which you would assume they pass on to us) and then you need to consider your typical race track kitchen and staff. I think most race tracks have decent food, I'd rather pay 2-3 bucks for an average burger at a race track then the same priced burgers at Mcdonalds/Wendys Little Valley is FANTASTIC!!! And has HEALTHY OFFERINGS!!! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WheelsUpHammerDown10 Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 The food at Leb valley is not only good but also great prices. I made 3 trips to the Valley of speed and while the racing doesn't always float my boat, I've always enjoyed the food each time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GasketCase Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 Mother of God .... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZoOJRKmzKpQ 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Coleates Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 Of all the tracks I've been to Little Valley is far and away the best food. The grinder at Lebanon Valley is pretty tasty as well. CMP had a local Philly Steak vendor for a while,but they went away because of the above stated reasons. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshua "Jello" Loughnot Posted April 8, 2014 Author Share Posted April 8, 2014 I talk. That's what I do. And when I talk, I like to make everyone happy. So lets say you me and everyone else work this out, for the betterment of all parties.....lol............ I would love to eat a Smorgasbord of each regions best local dishes, sandwiches, wings, signature foods...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chas71 Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 I think Little Valley has the best food out of the NY race tracks, that's not to say other tracks don't have good food too. I think the problem with your idea is how much more it would cost the race track (which you would assume they pass on to us) and then you need to consider your typical race track kitchen and staff. I think most race tracks have decent food, I'd rather pay 2-3 bucks for an average burger at a race track then the same priced burgers at Mcdonalds/Wendys Little Valley is FANTASTIC!!! And has HEALTHY OFFERINGS!!! I agree, there should also be a law that the sicilian pizza guy (that's the pizza not the guy) must be present. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farklek7 Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 Interesting idea. Let's play the what-if game. What if the track opened the food service to bids? The providers would bid for the business. What if the track only charged rent to the merchant? What if the track nor the merchant paid for the relationship, but there was a mutual advertisement agreement, i.e. Having a modified outside Dinosaur BBQ on certain nights for track advertisement. There are a lot of ways to go for this, and it is an interesting idea. Obviously, certain tracks would have an easier time than others because of proximity to services. Anyone who spent time in the food business knows that it has a very high overhead, and minimal margins. Remove all that employment cost off your balance sheets, allowing the promoters to focus on the racing product. The only issue you run into when you bid out to third parties is quality control. But if you have a company with a strong reputation, like Dinosaur, they need to self police to protect their brand. I would wonder what percentage of the track's net profit comes from food sales. I know they sell a lot, but the cash flow is gobbled up with paying the employees, and maintaining the products themselves. Interesting idea, and I would think worth exploring. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirt-in-my-beer Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 I've never been blown away by any speedway food so I prefer to eat at a local restuarant before I park at the track. While at the track I like to have a few beers and if they have it, I'll buy some pepperettes or jerkey to go with the brewskies. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aramos14 Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 i do have to say Five Mile has a pretty good bacon cheese burger and i also enjoy Brewerton's Pizza. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matt_s86 Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 Little Valley basically does what some of you are talking about. The track itself doesn't run any of the food. It's all local vendors. Their food is run like it is at the fair. The volunteer fire dept has a booth, a church group, etc. So they make their money off pit passes and grandstands. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WheelsUpHammerDown10 Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 Does the Recovery Room in Amsterdam still have the frame of Matty D's Modified hanging from the ceiling? I always loved that about the place when I worked in that area. I would go to the Recovery Room on the regular to support them for supporting local racing. They had pretty good food too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12A-alltheway Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 Does the Recovery Room in Amsterdam still have the frame of Matty D's Modified hanging from the ceiling? I always loved that about the place when I worked in that area. I would go to the Recovery Room on the regular to support them for supporting local racing. They had pretty good food too! Yes the car is still hanging from the ceiling. I also think Fonda's food offerings will be improved this year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wiseguy Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 Does the Recovery Room in Amsterdam still have the frame of Matty D's Modified hanging from the ceiling? I always loved that about the place when I worked in that area. I would go to the Recovery Room on the regular to support them for supporting local racing. They had pretty good food too! Yes the car is still hanging from the ceiling. I also think Fonda's food offerings will be improved this year. What part of the building is it in ? I was there last week and didn't notice it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KB19 Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 New Egypt has my favorite track food. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan dan Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 generally as a rule if i eat at a track its popcorn to go with the refreshments, as its usually the shortest line. however the exception i make is little valley as i agree with a few others has the best food no matter who you get it from. i always get mine from i believe is the grange folk, its the last booth under stands on back wall towards turn four, great burgers, good prices and very nice people. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leroy Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 Race track food is well.....Race track food. Its not bad. But for the most part its not good either. lol. The best food is cooked out in the parking lot. If I was going to rate track concessions however, I would agree with the majority here and give Little Valley first place. And any track that does not wrap food in foil also gets a vote. Wrapping food in foil makes everything soggy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Rabbitt Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 Does the Recovery Room in Amsterdam still have the frame of Matty D's Modified hanging from the ceiling? I always loved that about the place when I worked in that area. I would go to the Recovery Room on the regular to support them for supporting local racing. They had pretty good food too! I believe EVERY Recovery Room that has the ceiling height to accommodate is has a half of Matt's car... There is one in the Recovery Room across from the Turning Stone Casino. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Paige Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 I only have one rule in general when I eat, never trust a skinny chef. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Friers Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 I'm pretty sure Matts car is in the corner above the game room...next to the patio entrance in the Amsterdam Recovery Grill. And for those heading to Fonda at some point this year....a stop at the Winner's Circle is a must stop either before or after the races. Especially after...lol 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BobMiller Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 Locally, Little Valley is light years ahead of the rest. They say you can tell a good diner by how many tractor trailer trucks are parked out front. The same can be said about the food at Little Valley. I've been there around a dozen times or so, and I have only been able to score grub there like 3 or 4 times because the chow line never dies. Don't just say race track food is well....race track food either, because there are extreme exceptions to the rule. Deer Creek Speedway in Spring Valley, Minnesota is a prime example and is by far and above the the best track food ANYWHERE. Steaks and king cut pork chops straight off the grill, made to your liking, and home made red potato salad and corn on the cob for sides - served family style on a plate. But Deer Creek is a geographical oddity because there aren't any fast food joints for at least 25 miles, which also is part of the draw. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leroy Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 Deer Creek is on the the bucket list! :thumbup: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ask0329 Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 If i go to the track as a fan or crew member, i always make it a point to eat at the track. Support the place. If I go as a driver, I usually eat before I leave the house or bring something along with me. Time and money being the reason. That being said a few ideas. Obviously tracks make the most money doing it the way they do it by running the show themselves. What would be neat as its a hot new trend around syracuse is to maybe have a different food truck brought in each week that serves something unique. Track would take a cut and the remainder to the truck. Another idea or thought is it would be neat if each track had their own signature dish. Brewerton pizza, Fulton maybe has chilli cheese dogs, Cornwall for the poutine, five mile point for their philly cheese steaks. ect ect. I think you see the point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wiseguy Posted April 8, 2014 Share Posted April 8, 2014 I'm pretty sure Matts car is in the corner above the game room...next to the patio entrance in the Amsterdam Recovery Grill. And for those heading to Fonda at some point this year....a stop at the Winner's Circle is a must stop either before or after the races. Especially after...lol Scott, I think the food and drinks always taste better when they are on Outlaw's tab. lol. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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