Food Network Names Local Eatery as a Top Mom & Pop

SARATOGA — A positive recommendation from an unknown source resulted in a lifelong dream coming true for one local restauranteur this week. The Country Corner Café earned national recognition when it was included in a list of the Food Network’s Taste of Homes Top 24 Mom & Pop Restaurants in the U.S. “It was really quite a surprise,” said owner Roseann Hotaling about receiving the call that she’d been selected. The marvelous power of word of mouth had spread to the article’s Chicago-based writer Samantha Lande about their hearty breakfast and lunch items. “It really is a bit of a mystery, but with us also celebrating our 25th year in business, it’s an especially prestigious honor for us to be included, and really a dream come true,” said Hotaling. Perhaps it is that The Country Corner Café serves a large selection of distinctively Northeastern home-cooked favorites from recipes that Hotaling learned growing up on a farm in rural Delaware County. It was a time when harvesting from the huge garden, putting up preserves, and eating home-grown beef was just the way things were done. “I’ve always focused on home-style country food while adding a fun flare to keep it fun and exciting,” said Hotaling. The Food Network article points out their PBJ Cristo made with Hotaling’s own homemade jam, Saratoga Organic Peanut Butter, and sliced bananas on thick French toast, as well as their large line of “The Benedicts” which play with the definition of eggs benedict. From the traditional, to the Crab Cake “Benny,” and their newest Southern Style with fried green tomatoes and pork sausage on a buttermilk biscuit, they continue to experiment with familiar ingredients to great success. Being singled out as the best is about more than their food, which keeps the locals and the seasonal tourists satisfied year after year. It’s also about how the food brings people together. A community of local producers adds in the fresh flavors of yummy local chocolate, coffee, produce and pantry staples to round out all the preserves, biscuits, scones, muffins and pies baked in-house. For example, from Schuylerville there are eggs from Thomas’ Poultry Farm and milk in refillable glass bottles from King Brothers Dairy. There are vegetables from two local farmer’s markets to ensure the freshest food keeps coming to the tables. Bringing food to you with a smile is the experienced and friendly front house staff in an atmosphere decorated with antiques and family items collected over time. To add to the nostalgic feel, there’s music from the 50’s and 60’s playing in the background of their expanded dining room. “I’m just so honored to be a part of this wonderful community. This just gives Saratoga another plug and it gives people the idea to come to this area any time of the year,” added Hotaling. The Country Corner Café 25 Church Street, Saratoga Springs 518-583-7889 http://countrycornercafe.net Hours: Mon. – Fri. 7 a.m.- 2 p.m. Sat. & Sun. 7 a.m.- 3 p.m.