Capital Region restaurant concepts on the rise

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.

Tacos Diablo

First up is Tacos Diablo. The Mexican street taco eatery started out as a takeout trailer run out of the Blue Plate restaurant in Chatham, but has since opened restaurants in Nassau and Guiderland. It’s also expanded its menu to include burritos, “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.

The authenticity is a big focus for founder and chef Dominic Giuliano, who grew up in Southern California and often crossed the border to eat at Mexican food stands.

“This taco is really important to me,” chef and founder Dominic 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 new locations in Clifton Park and Delmar.

Simone’s Kitchen

With locations in Coxsackie and Schenectady, the Mediterranean fast-casual chain Simone’s Kitchen is looking to expand to eight more Capitol Region in six years.

The concept is centered around mezza bowls—chicken shawarma, falafel, Greek meatball, harissa tofu and a Mediterranean burrito bowl. There are also pita sandwiches and small plates like lemon garlic potatoes, hummus and tabbouleh.

Simone's Kitchen began as an experiment out of the Hope Plaza on Route 9W. “Within a week, there was a line out the door,” founder and chef Bashir Chedrawee recalled in an interview with the Daily Gazette. “That’s when I realized the idea had a lot of appeal.”

As a teen, Chedrawee worked in his family’s Lebanese restaurant called Albaraki, which operated in Troy and later in Cohoes. It closed down in 2012. Simone’s Kitchen is named for his mother.

Btw, Chedrawee is really bullish on Schenectady, calling it “a thriving, vibrant area, especially downtown... There’s great energy here.”

Herbie’s Burgers

Herbie’s Burgers is on to its sixth location in the Capital District, having recently taken over the former McDonald’s space in the Empire State Plaza.

Like our beloved In ‘N Out on the West Coast, Herbie’s offers a relatively small menu—just great smash burgers with a secret “Nerdy” sauce, fries and shakes. In the new Empire State Plaza location, however, Herbie’s has added a breakfast menu.

Nicholas Warchol, one of Herbie’s co-owners and also a co-owner of the Larkin Hi-Fi on Lake Street, says the concept is an old-school burger joint, but done LA-style with the freshest ingredients and vegan options—and always made-to-order.

One day, we’ll be driving around Los Angeles and find ourselves at a Tacos Diablo, Simone’s Kitchen or Herbie’s Burgers. We’re calling it now.