Glenwood Pines - Ithaca, NY

Posted By Michael Stern on July 6, 2003 7:04 PM

There is a large menu at Glenwood Pines, including eighteen ounce steaks, farm-raised tilapia, spaghetti and meatballs, and multi-combo cold-cut sandwiches. But the main reason for coming to this friendly roadhouse overlooking Cayuga Lake is a Pinesburger. That’s a six-ounce beef oval topped with a couple of slices of cheese wedged into a length of Ithaca Bakery French bread with lettuce, tomato slices, onion slices and your choice of 1000 island dressing or mayonnaise. Connoisseurs told us that we had to have it with the 1000 island, and it would be hard to argue against that. The sweetness of the dressing is a grand compliment for the smoky meat and all its dressings. On the side, good companions include ultra-crunchy fried onion rings and creamy cole slaw.

We said the Pinesburger was the primary reason to visit. The secondary one is the fish fry. A huge, thick length of haddock is breaded and fried crisp and served with either tartar sauce or cocktail sauce. It is sweet, moist, flavorful fish, and a giant meal.

Ambience at Glenwood Pines is old-time tavern. When you walk in, you see a few pinball machines and a bowling game on the right, a pool table ahead of you and, beyond that, the bar where some folks sit and imbibe beers with (or without) their Pinesburgers as a TV delivers sports broadcasts from the upper right corner. To the left are tables and a small separate dining room; also a small case of trophies – for baseball, bowling, and volleyball – earned by teams that Glenwood Pines has sponsored.

Overall Rating

16 out of 16 people found the review helpful. Was it helpful to you?

No Yes

Posted By Amy Wagner on August 19, 2011 1:21 PM

The Ithaca Bakery bread is what makes the Pinesburger so good. Other than that it's a fairly standard dressed cheeseburger.

Overall Rating

Pinesburger

Onion Rings

1 out of 1 people found the review helpful. Was it helpful to you?

No Yes

Posted By Matthew Peterson on July 28, 2008 2:11 PM

On a recent trip up to Ithaca for a wedding, my wife and I made the jaunt up route 89 to Glenwood Pines. The place immediately draws you in with its sign that reads "Glenwood Pines Restaurant Legal Beverages."

The Pinesburger lives up to the hype and is indeed a great burger. I was talking with the owner after my meal, over a game of pinball, and he said they grind their own beef, which helps explain why the quality of the meat seems so high. The buns come from a local bakery in Ithaca as well. My only disappointment was when I asked if the onion rings were made at the restaurant and learned they were not. I opted for the homemade potato salad which, while not terrible, didn't have a lot of flavor and couldn't stand up next to such a great hamburger.

The vintage bowling machine might merit a trip in itself. According to the owner there used to be about six in the area and there were even bowling leagues that were formed around the machines. As far as he knows it is last one in the area.

Perfect Roadfood place.

Overall Rating

5 out of 8 people found the review helpful. Was it helpful to you?

No Yes

Posted By Arthur Decker on September 22, 2003 4:36 AM

This is one of the best restaurants in the area for friendly atmospher and great food. Had the grilled pork sandwich that was delicious and potato salad that was made just the way I like it. The wat staff was very efficient and friendly. Preparation was fast and the food was excellent. I reccommend this to anyone traveling the Cauga Wine trail. It is worth the stop

Overall Rating

0 out of 0 people found the review helpful. Was it helpful to you?

No Yes