1. Only Upstate New Yorkers Know The True Meaning Of Chicken Wings
The rest of the country might think they like wings, but they don’t even know wings until they’ve had them from Upstate.
2. For Upstaters, There’s No Joy Like Seeing Half Moons Packed In Your Lunch
Who needs a Snack Pack when you have a baggie of half moons in your lunchbox? Thanks, mom!
3. Everyone In Upstate New York Knows Where Beef Belongs
That’s right. Beef on weck. And that better be a kummelweck roll or else it’s just beef on a roll.
4. In Upstate New York, One Man’s Garbage Is Another Man’s Dinner
Nick Tahou’s Garbage Plates aren’t just a novelty. They’re a work of culinary art. And the dirtier you make them, the better.
5. All Upstaters Believe That Dinosaurs Will Never Go Extinct
Dinosaur BBQ is legend in Upstate New York. Although the original in Syracuse is inarguably the best, they’ve branched out quite a bit over the years, even beyond state borders.
They’ve brought the quality of real barbecue to the Northeast, and that’s what really matters.
6. Upstate NY Folks Know Just How Much Salt A Potato Can Take
Salt potatoes are an Upstate delicacy that seem to only be able to be done right by real Upstaters. Try as you might, outsiders, but you will fail.
7. Upstaters Truly Understand How Versatile A Hot Dog Can Be
A Double Dog from Heid’s, White Hots or Red Hots in Rochester, mini dogs in the Capital District, or a Texas Hot from Rudy’s…Whatever makes the menu, it’s bound to be the best you’ve ever had.
8. Upstate Folks Have Spiedie Sense
Spiderman isn’t real. Spiedie senses, however, are very real. Upstaters know they’re within 30 miles of Binghamton when their spiedie senses activate.
9. Upstate New Yorkers Know What Having Three Football Teams Is Like… But Not Really
The Jets and The Giants are both only New York teams in name. They both practice and play their games in New Jersey.
The Buffalo Bills are the only New York NFL team that plays on New York soil, making them the only real New York football team. The Bills might not win very much, but at least they don’t jump the fence.
10. Upstate New Yorkers Know That If Wegman’s Doesn’t Have It, You Probably Don’t Need It
For the few regions of Upstate that still don’t have a Wegman’s, just hang in there a little longer and keep praying!
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11. In Upstate New York, It’s Not A Party Unless There’s New York Beer
Upstate New Yorkers love their New York beer. There’s Utica Club for the college kids, but once you get older and can pay your own bills, nothing beats an ice cold Saranac.
12. A Taco Isn’t Mighty Unless It Comes From Upstate
Thanks to the geniuses at Mighty Taco, of course. Ring as many bells as you want, but no other taco chain will ever come close.
13. Upstaters Know The Only Thing Better Than Sponge Candy Is Sponge Candy Ice Cream
It might not get as much press, but the day that sponge candy was turned into an ice cream flavor was even more monumental than the day someone figured out sliced bread.
14. Upstate New Yorkers Have Learned That Maps Mean Nothing, Basically
Every region north of New York City might be Upstaters to everyone else, but in Upstate New York, there’s the Northern New Yorkers crew, the Southern Tier, CNY, WNY, and the Capital District (no relation to The Hunger Games.) Western New York takes particular exception to being called Upstate because, well, they’re western.
15. Upstate Locals Know That There Are Bagels, And There Are BAGELS
Take a seat Long Island. Upstate New York has the world’s best bagels and they come straight from Bruegger’s, who just so happened to land in Guinness for this 868 pound beast.
16. An Upstate New York Day Isn’t Complete Without Stewart’s
Coffee in the mornings, ice cream after school, milkshakes just because. Stewart’s is always there for you.
17. Upstate New Yorkers Understand That Their SUNY School Is The Best
Cortland and Albany (party pants), Stony Brook and Geneseo (smarty pants), Purchase (arty pants), and everyone at Buffalo is way too cool for everyone else. With 64 SUNY campus schools across the state, there are bound to be some stereotypes.
18. Upstaters Do Lakes Better
Upstate has The Finger Lakes, two Great Lakes (take a bow, Ontario and Erie!), the Catskills, Adirondacks and all the lakes that fall in between.
These are the best lakes in the world. I’d tell you to cry a river, but that would just pale in comparison, too.
19. Upstate NY Folks Can Pronounce Native American Names Without Hesitation
So you think you’re all up on Upstate lingo after visiting and being able to pronounce Allegheny and maybe even The Adirondacks?
Think again. Try Skaneateles, Waccabuc, Shekomeko, Tioughnioga, Nissequogue… When you’ve mastered those, then you can move onto the hard ones.
20. Upstaters Understand Everything Snow Related
Driving in the snow? Piece of cake. Preparing for a blizzard? Got the milk and bread three days ago, sucker! Favorite sledding spot? (Lincoln Park to the Albany crew!) And everyone knows how bond over making fun of southerners who can’t drive in it. And if you had to live under 1,000 feet of snow every winter, you’d find a way to brag about it, too.
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21. Upstate New Yorkers Know The Adirondacks Are The Best Place On Earth
With the largest park in the country and a view like that, if you hear an Upstate New Yorker talk about The Adirondacks like it might be the gateway to heaven, you’d be a bit of a fool to try and argue.
22. Upstate New Yorkers Understand That It’s Not Called New York City State
Having to clarify “The state, not the city” every time you tell someone you’re from New York gets old pretty fast. So it’s got a Statue of Liberty. Big deal. Jersey has half custody of her anyway.
23. Brand Loyalty Is In The Upstate DNA
Whether it’s their favorite grocery store or their favorite hot dog company, it doesn’t matter. When an Upstate New Yorker likes a brand, especially one they’ve grown up with, they’re loyal forever.
24. Upstaters Know What’s On The Table At Every Potluck
You’re in for a plate full of chicken riggies. Thanks, Utica!
25. And Where The Best Green On Your Plate Came From
That’s right, Utica for the win again! Utica greens are nothing to mess with. Step back, broccoli rabe!
26. Upstate New Yorkers Understand That Miracles Are So Real
In 1980, the American Olympic hockey team—made up of collegiate players and amateurs—managed to dethrone the Soviet Union of their seventh gold medal in an upset in Lake Placid, NY, crowning them The Miracle Team.
Now, an Upstater might not come right out and say that the Miracle Team are probably, almost definitely, responsible for ending the Cold War. But if the coincidence fits…
27. Upstaters Do It For The Love Of Melba Sauce
You order a basket filled with deliciously crispy mozzarella sticks. What do you dunk them in? If you’re almost anyone, you probably answered marinara sauce. If you’re from the Capital District, the answer is melba sauce.
28. How Huge Is It? Upstaters Know.
Billy Fuccillo is single-handedly responsible for making it so that no Upstater can ever say something is huge without saying “it’s HUUUUUUUUUUGGGGE!” Whether they like it or not.
29. Knowing That Upstate New York Is Everything Great About America
Try to think of a state that is such a perfect representation of everything great that makes up the country and you’ll come back to New York every time.
Lakes, farms, countryside, mountains, and all four seasons – when spring cooperates, anyway – and all that glorious food. It’s a little bit of everything rolled into one fantastic state. And all without the help of that big city down below.
Did we miss anything? Tell us what you think is unique about New York in the comments below!
