Best Saratoga track food that’s not at the track

Roma Imports Italian Mix sub

We’re better than 1/4  through the 2018 meet, so time to update this post which was published 3 years ago but still has mostly valid info. I’m going to concentrate on Saratoga Race Course food you can buy in town and bring to the track, keeping in mind they’re quite happy to admit your coolers and non-glass containers.

1. Roma Foods Importing Co. on Washington St. (a little west of downtown) makes the world’s best Italian Mix sub, so while you’re here you might as well have one. Fine as it comes with oil and vinegar, but they’ll mod it with fatty cappy, sharp provolone and hot or mild sorpressata at no extra charge. Go early or call in your order to avoid the crush between 11 and 1. (This is true of all the in-town places.)

2. For a tasty vegetarian (and mostly vegan) experience, load up a to-go box from the buffet at Four Seasons on Phila Street. (Their retail store on Henry has nice panini, if you’re down that way.) They have excellent gazpacho, so be sure to include a cup.

3. Classic deli sandwiches such as pastrami, tongue and Carnegie Deli-style triple deckers are available at Ben & Bill’s Deli which, oddly enough, is inside the Price Chopper supermarket on Ballston Ave. Sandwiches come with a small bag of Saratoga chips and half a pickle; sides like potato salad and cole slaw are available. There’s also a new deli on Broadway, in the alley next to Kilwin’s, but they have a smaller selection and are still ironing out the service kinks.

4. Other good takeout choices on Broadway are Putnam Market (sandwiches and a changeable assortment of soups and a hot buffet) and Mrs. London’s Bakery (excellent pastries and light sandwiches). If you’re coming to Saratoga you already know these places so I will simply add my vote.

Hattie’s Big Daddy fried chicken sandwich, deconstructed for assembly at the track

5. Want a Hattie’s Chicken Sandwich that’s cheaper and better than the one you get at the track? Go to Hattie’s Chicken Shack in Wilton (it’s in a strip mall next to Market 32 on Route 50) and order a “Big Daddy, deconstructed”. You’ll get two huge pieces of chicken leg (one is enough for the sandwich so you can save the second for a snack around the 6th race), a tub of spicy slaw and a kaiser roll. Get some hot sauce from the bar behind the pickup location, then reassemble the sandwich at the track for a real treat.

6. Thirsty? You can buy beer in a plastic growler (which, unlike glass, is allowed at the track) at the Growler Station inside Market 32 in Wilton. They frequently have $5 off sales so ask when they are filling your bottle; coupons will be available at the station or in the flyer you can grab as you come in the door. For a more esoteric (and expensive) selection, go to EBI on Excelsior where they will fill you a 32 ounce crowler (half growler in a can) for a modest charge.

Of favorite places from past years, the Park Side Eatery and Old Saratoga Brewery sadly are no more. Partially making up for it is Taverna Novo, a fabulous new rustic Italian eatery on Beekman. They don’t seem to be on the radar screen of many concierges yet, so you may be able to get a reservation. This is eat-in food, not to take to the track, and service is leisurely so plan to stay awhile.

The links are all to Google Maps, so clicking them will give you directions as well as additional reviews. Enjoy your stay.