🍔 Capital Region restaurant chains that are taking off

Today in The 518

• Capital Region restaurant chains that are taking off 🍔

• Reader poll: Your reaction to people leaving NYS in droves

• Honoring the colonel who died with a decades-old secret

• And music listings for the entire Capital District!

Capital Region restaurant chains that are taking off

Krispy Kreme. Joe’s Crab Shack. Fuddruckers.

These are all national chains that once had a footprint in the Capital District but have since departed 👋 But no biggie because we have several homegrown—and better—chains that are seeing growing success. And don’t be surprised if one or two of these go national themselves at some point.

First up is Tacos Diablo. The Mexican eatery started as a takeout trailer run out of the Blue Plate restaurant in Chatham, but has since opened restaurants in Nassau and Guilderland. It’s also added menu items like “bowlritos,” salads and quesadillas.

But its signature item is still the humble Mexican street taco, which stays true to its roots here: a bit of braised meat on small corn tortillas, topped with pickled onions, cilantro, guac and salsa. No ground beef. No melted cheese.

Keeping it real is a big focus for founder and chef Dominic Giuliano, who grew up in Southern California and often ate at Mexican food stands across the border.

“This taco is really important to me,” Giuliano told the Altamont Enterprise. “We’re educating people as to what is Mexican street food.”

As he looks to grow the brand, Giuliano is considering potential locations in Clifton Park and Delmar.

Click here to read our full story, with a look at Simone’s Kitchen and Herbie’s Burgers—two more Capital Region restaurant chains that we wouldn’t be surprised to find on the West Coast someday!

Reader poll: Y’all sticking with New York State—for now

Our story on “People leaving New York State in droves” got a big response, leading to our most-voted poll yet. Sixty of you put in a vote—24 said you wouldn’t leave the state, while another 23 said you were sticking around but “keeping your options open.” Just 11 readers said they were planning to leave or have left, and 2 voted for “I’d hate to leave, but it’s getting too damn expensive.”

Taliesin Thomas, a writer in Troy, said it simply: “I HEART NY FOREVER!”

Jugo said: “The lower class and middle class are getting squeezed like no tomorrow. Then our politicians act like it's some big secret that needs to be investigated. A committee was needed??? Really?!”

Another reader wrote in to say: “Not necessarily looking to move out of Albany with all my friends and family close by but the thought has certainly crossed my mind, especially if a great job opportunity arises elsewhere. In the meantime, Albany checks most of my boxes for a place to start a family.”

Albany checks all of our boxes too, and it’s getting better every day—especially if we don’t just complain but do something to make it more livable 💪 

"We might think we are nurturing our garden, but of course it's our garden that is really nurturing us.” —Jenny Uglow

Hot and humid conditions continue this week. Stay hydrated🚰 folks!

Honoring the Colonel who revealed secret in obit

When Col. Edward Thomas Ryan passed away last month at 85, his obituary contained a huge secret held for decades—he was gay. On Sunday, at Rocks Bar on Central Avenue in Albany, family, friends and admirers came to pay their respects.

The colonel’s obituary went viral when he used it as the occasion to reveal his lifelong secret; the story was even picked up by The New York Times.

"I must tell you one more thing. I was Gay all my life: thru grade school, thru High School, thru College, thru Life," he wrote in the obit, which can be read in full on Legacy.com.

Ryan served in Vietnam during a time when being gay could have led to a dishonorable discharge and loss of benefits. "I just wish he could enjoy what I see today," said Linda Sargent, Ryan’s niece. "It breaks my heart that my uncle never had the chance to be open about who he was; he had to hide." Read the full story on Sunday’s memorial at News10.

Saratoga considers curbs on short-term rentals

With 1,380 listings and growing, Saratoga Springs residents are losing patience with short-term rentals, citing issues like people urinating in yards, blocked driveways and noisy parties. Opponents of Airbnb, VRBO and other rental platforms say the influx of temporary guests is changing the character of their neighborhoods. This is a contentious issue that we’ve been covering in The 518. Read the latest story in the Times Union.

Amsterdam residents concerned about density of proposed development

Amsterdam residents are voicing their concerns about a proposed 16-lot development, citing issues about the project's density and potential impact on existing home values. Locals are also concerned about the loss of a wooded area and the impact on local wildlife.

The development is designed for first-time buyers looking for affordable homes. This isn’t the only project aimed at alleviating the housing crisis in the Capital Region that’s getting some heat. Bethlehem residents have also voiced opposition to a 170-unit housing complex planned for Delmar. The Recorder has the full story.

More to explore: See our story on how rising rents are contributing to the housing crisis.