Hey, kids, where should we go to eat?

By Ethan Sprouse and Manor Ink Staff

This month Pulse took some important questions to the people: what are the best culinary choices in the area? The survey sparked some heated opinions.

Q: What is your favorite diner or breakfast spot?

A: Wow, a community divided! Munson Diner, 36%; Liberty Diner and Roscoe Diner each with 27% and the Robin Hood with 9%.

Q: Where are the best bagels in Sullivan County?

A: Grizzly Bagels romped with 54%, Monticello Bagels had 30% of the tally and the Jeff Bake Shop had only 3%. One participant insisted there were no bagels outside of New York City.

Q: Where is the best pizza?

A: Again, passions ran high with 30% preferring Raimondo’s, 24% going with Paesano’s in Liberty and the Kaatskeller, and Stella’s with 12%, with two write-ins for Michelangelo’s in Jeffersonville.

Q: Where is the best burger?

A: Controversy abounded with 30% choosing Upward Brewery, 21% for each of the Courtyard and the Junction, 9% for the Arnold House and one each for “I’m a vegetarian” and “Dad’s.”

Q: Where is the best barbecue?

A: Many here expressed some degree of disdain for any place other than their favorite, but hometown Smoke Joint prevailed as the people’s preferred choice, with 60% of votes cast. Big Kev’s, Chick E Ribs and Van Smokey’s pulling in 10% each. Ten percent of participants claimed to be vegetarian or cited other exemptions.

Q: Where is the best ice cream?

A: Main Street’s Evelyn’s claimed the summer crown with 48%, followed by Nifti’s with 18%, and Dahlia’s Delights and Panda’s Parlor with 15% each. One person insisted on Peck’s.

Q: Where is the best place to go for a special occasion such as a birthday or anniversary?

A: The most popular suggestion was the Rockland House. Others receiving more than one mention were Riverside Café, Threshold, The Arnold House and Raimondo’s. Best answer was, “Always Chinatown Kitchen, on Christmas!”