Angry Garlic — Restaurant in Town of Lysander

So the restaurant is VERY small and seems cramped due to the limited space, but they make the most of the area with properly spaced tables and putting them at angles to allow a bit more seating than parallel slots and there is adequate seating at the full-service bar, so even if there isn’t an available table you can still sit at the bar and order from the entire menu.

We were seated extremely promptly despite the restaurant being packed at 6:30pm on a Sunday evening, but that was also due to serious luck that there wasn’t any reservations ahead of us and a table got up right as the hostess was telling us it was going to be a little bit of a wait. Our server, Jessica, came over immediately after we were seated with waters and to introduce herself. Jessica was fantastic the entire night, extremely pleasant to talk to and very engaging about the menu and just fun to be around. There aren’t enough servers in the world like her, to be honest.

We started off initially with the Garlic Cheese Dip appetizer. The dip had a great flavor, but it could have been a touch hotter and crispier bread for our preferences. We still ate the entire thing and loved it, but if it was hot, it would have been perfection in a dish instead of the kinda hot dip we got. No complaints from either of us in the end.

We were going to order our entrées when Chelsea realized they had PB&J wings available and, despite not being a chicken wing person, really wanted to give those a shot because of how ridiculous of a concept peanut butter and jelly wings are. So we ordered those at the same time as our entrées and they actually came out before, which was nice. I’m genuinely angry at those chicken wings. They were PERFECTLY crispy and moist throughout. Honestly the best cook on a chicken wing I have experienced when dining out. The sauce was very weird, purely because you expect savory or spicy when eating chicken wings, and instead we were greeted by warm, sticky house-made grape jelly sauce and peanut butter drizzled wings. The flavors were wild and it was genuinely tasty.

For an entrée, Chelsea got their Chicken Salad Wrap. The flavor was mild on the garlic mayo, which was nice to not get absolutely rocked with an overwhelming aioli like some recipes make. Overall, it was a relatively simple chicken wrap but still very good and something she would order again. The house-fried potato chips that come with all sandwich items by default were also delicious with a really nice salty, peppery, garlicy flavor and wonderful crunch.

My entrée was the Cat Fish Tacos. Now, I’m PICKY with cat fish overall, but I have been spoiled by eating authentic southern fried catfish in Alabama. This cat fish was a solid contender for top 5 cat fish I have ever had, fourth only to the Irondale Cafe in Birmingham, Alabama, my own and Southern Fare in Oswego, New York. Perfect crunch, perfect cook, perfect flaky texture. 10/10 execution on the cat fish. Now you go and add all of the accoutrements and you have an absolutely beautiful plate. I got weak in the knees at the first bite of the cat fish and the roasted corn salsa gave a nice, cool, sweet flavor to go along with the crunch of the romaine and mild heat from the garlic chipotle cream. Once again, perfectly crunchy and seasoned house chips came as the default side.

Overall, we had a great meal and wonderful night out at Angry Garlic. Parking is a pain due to the lack of a parking lot in the heart of Baldwinsville, so plan ahead. A reservation during busier times is a good idea to try and alleviate any wait time you may have before being seated as there isn’t ANY room inside the door to wait without blocking the entrance/exit, but there is a set of benches in the back dining area to wait at if they aren’t already taken. Staff all around were extremely pleasant, with Jessica being a major standout. Modern, trendy decor and beer/cocktail selections and delightful food all based around various ways to eat garlic. 10/10, we will absolutely be back for further meals and to try more...

We have been here two other times with good food and good service. Last Saturday was extremely disappointing! I need to mention that we did arrive between lunch and dinner and that may have contributed to our bad experience. here we go......we arrived around 330, when we entered the seating receptionist was taking a togo order, we waited around 5-10 minutes to be acknowledged not even "ill be right with you" We were then approached by a server who wanted to seat us in the bar. We generally do not like that area so asked for the dining room. It was empty except for one table, she then placed us at a very small 2 top right near the doorway, she stated we could not have other tables due to reservations( which turned out to be 0) so we bit the bullet and sat in the bar area. The waitress was very nice but seemed scattered, we ordered our drinks which took quite awhile even in the bar area, they were not busy. She took our order and said she was going on break, we waited quite a long time for our food and observed bar activity, a lot of locals and a lot of shifting of staff, we were never really sure who was taking care of us. When we finally got our food, it was very good tasting and we were enjoying until......I found a long black hair in my burger and fries! Appetite lost! I told the person who brought our food to the table and he said" this happens sometimes, I asked if they wear hair nets or hats while cooking and I was told " I've seen them remove them when its hot in the kitchen" he acted like this was no big deal and I should just accept it! They removed the food and I ordered a new replacement, by this time my husband had finished eating so I decided to take mine home. When the first bill arrived we were charged for the new burger and the hair burger. I brought to the bartenders attention and she removed the one burger and charged the second bill accordingly. When we actually were able to pay a third time there was a comp for the the two burgers which was very much appreciated but we were never told they're doing this. The communication was confusing and sparse thru the entire process, it took three times before bill was corrected and finalized. Also the level of cleanliness has decreased perhaps due to being a popular place. Also the locals at the bar were totally compliant about the hair in the food supporting the error as an okay thing?! Needless to say we will not return even if the food is good due to this very...

As a vegan, finding a restaurant that caters to my dietary preferences without compromising on taste and quality can be a challenge. Thankfully, Angry Garlic in Baldwinsville has exceeded my expectations and become a favorite dining spot. The combination of delicious vegan options, a vibrant atmosphere, and excellent outdoor seating makes it an absolute gem.

Let's start with the food. The house salad perfectly combines crisp greens, vibrant vegetables, and a flavorful garlic balsamic dressing (my go to option). The homemade chips are a must-try—crispy, perfectly seasoned, and oh-so-addictive. And when it comes to the tofu tacos, they are simply sensational. Packed with flavorful crispy tofu and a variety of fresh toppings, they are a vegan dream come true. Make sure to get some Angry Sauce to drizzle over.

One of the standout features of Angry Garlic is the fantastic atmosphere. The outdoor seating areas offer a wonderful opportunity to enjoy your meal while watching the cars cruise by and people watch. It adds a lively and charming ambiance to your dining experience, whether you're there for lunch or dinner.

Owner Jeff, whom I remember from his bartending days at McGreggors in Syracuse, has done an exceptional job with Angry Garlic. His focus on good food, good drinks, and excellent service is evident in every aspect of the restaurant. It's truly a pleasure to dine at a place where such care and attention to detail are shown.

I'm thrilled to hear about Jeff's new venture, Angry Smokehouse, and I can't wait to check it out. If it's anything like Angry Garlic, I know I'm in for another incredible experience.

It's worth mentioning that Angry Garlic occasionally hosts acoustic bands after dinner hours, adding a lively and enjoyable musical touch to the atmosphere. My husband, who is an acoustic musician, thoroughly enjoys playing there, further enhancing the sense of community and entertainment.

In conclusion, Angry Garlic is a haven for vegans and non-vegans alike, offering mouthwatering dishes.. The inviting atmosphere, coupled with great outdoor seating, makes it an ideal spot for enjoying a meal. Jeff's dedication to quality, combined with his passion for good food and excellent service, sets Angry Garlic apart from the rest. I highly recommend giving this little gem in Baldwinsville a visit—you won't be...