SCHENECTADY — The Capital Region is currently experiencing some of the most pleasant days of the year. The weather is not too hot, the days are gradually becoming shorter, and the air is refreshingly dry. It’s the perfect time to dine out.
At The Horses Lounge on McClellan Street, this fact is not lost on anyone. As our server aptly noted, “Everyone’s outside.”
Some may recall The Horses Lounge from its previous owners, Fred and Gladys Fritzen, and later their son Christian, who first opened the establishment in 1976. However, last summer, the lounge closed its doors and began the search for a new owner.
Enter Tommy Nicchi, owner of The Broken Inn in Niskayuna and the Comedy Works in Saratoga Springs. Upon hearing about the closure from his patrons, he attended an estate sale at the restaurant. Within minutes, he knew he wanted to revive the beloved locale.
Christian Fritzen expressed his relief in a previous Daily Gazette article, stating, ”It was important to me to find a purchaser to continue my family’s legacy. We’ve been a staple in the community for nearly 50 years and I’m excited and very happy it will continue on.”
The Horses Lounge reopened in May, sporting a fresh look and a renewed focus on Schenectady. The dining room is adorned with vintage postcards of the city and collages of old photos of customers from the Fritzen era.
My companion Kathy and I were fortunate to secure a prime spot at an umbrella table out front. Despite the bustling traffic in the area, Kathy noted, “It’s not as loud here as I thought it would be.”
The patio walls effectively dampen the street noise, and they’re topped with an abundance of vibrant petunias. The umbrellas are fitted with small lights, and strings of Edison bulbs encircle the patio, creating a cheerful and festive atmosphere even during the day.
The Horses Lounge in Schenectady Reopens (5/2024)
The menu at The Horses Lounge is straightforward, featuring pub staples like wings, burgers, hotdogs, flatbreads, and sides, along with a few appetizers. The layout is unique but intuitive. Simply choose your main item, like a burger or a flatbread pizza, and then add toppings to customize.
A burger costs $13 and comes with fries. Veggie burgers and gluten-free buns are also available. A Sabrett hotdog is $6 and is served with chips, with veggie dogs as an alternative. Sides are $5 and include options like onion rings, tater tots, or sweet potato fries. Dressings can be added for a small additional cost.
There are four appetizers to choose from; if you’re a fan of the sweet corn nuggets ($10) at the Broken Inn, you’ll be pleased to find them here as well. There are also four meal-sized salads on offer.
To view the wine, beer, and drinks menus, you’ll need to scan the QR codes at the table with your phone. Alternatively, you can visit their website and click on the respective links. If you’d rather not do that, the server will likely be able to recite them for you. Our server, for instance, was exceptional.
+8 Images: The Horses Lounge, Schenectady (8 photos)
Upon our arrival, we were warmly welcomed and invited to choose our seats. Our server promptly brought us menus and took our drink orders. Kathy took a moment to admire the petunias.
Our order of fried broccoli and cheese ($10) arrived in no time. The menu simply stated that it was served with blue cheese, so we were pleasantly surprised to receive fried nuggets filled with chopped broccoli and melted cheddar cheese in a crunchy, flavorful coating.
“These are good,” Kathy remarked, just as I exclaimed, “Wow.” They made for a delightful snack.
“They don’t need anything,” Kathy added, but since they came with Horses blue cheese, we used some out of courtesy. I had already consumed six before I realized it, so consider yourself warned.
When Kathy ordered the Buffalo chicken salad ($13), the server asked, “How would you like your chicken, grilled or fried?” It was nice to have the option of a healthier grilled version.
The salad was certainly meal-sized, with a generous bed of lettuce at the base. “I like Romaine, it’s crunchy,” Kathy commented. She also appreciated the chopped celery.
The white meat chicken was grilled, sliced, and tossed in Buffalo sauce. “It’s a nice way to cut chicken,” Kathy observed, referring to the manageable slices. The sauce was ”real mild, but you get the flavor,” and the chicken was “delicious.”
The croutons added a little something extra. They were large, flavorful, and fried for added taste. Kathy savored them one by one, as if enjoying a snack.
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The chicken was topped with blue cheese crumbles, and the server brought extra dressing in case Kathy wanted more. It was a truly satisfying salad.
We shared an order of sweet potato fries ($5). “These are delicious,” Kathy declared. “I love them, you can taste the sweet potato.”
The fries were coated with a very thin batter that became crisp and bubbled up in places, and they were lightly dusted with salt. I found them quite addictive. The portion was more than enough for two people.
I enjoyed an order of wings ($15), a full dozen. You can opt for boneless wings and add sauces like garlic Parm, PB & J, or chipotle mayo for an extra dollar. I chose traditional Buffalo wings, medium heat, with bones.
The wings were large and had a good balance of meat to skin. They weren’t overly large, which was a plus. The sauce was a mild medium, full of flavor. I could have used a little more but didn’t want to ask. I later discovered that you can get extra sauce at no additional cost. The skin was crispy and the meat was tender. What more could you ask for?
The Broken Inn in Niskayuna is a cash-only establishment and donates the three percent credit card fee saved to various community groups. The Horses Lounge, which does accept credit cards, donates a percentage of all cash sales to local groups and causes through an initiative they call #RespectSchenectady.
So, they’re not just good, they’re also kind.
We packed our leftovers into cardboard boxes, and our attentive server, noticing that the boxes didn’t stay closed, ensured we each had a plastic bag to put them in. ”She’s good,” Kathy noted.
The cost of lunch for two, including sodas, came to $57.24 before tip. I paid in cash, so a nonprofit in Schenectady received a portion of the proceeds.
With delicious food and friendly staff, The Horses Lounge is a great place to enjoy a meal outdoors or in the dining room. It’s all good.
WHERE: 912 McClellan Street, Schenectady; (518) 382-0239; thehorseslounge.com
WHEN: 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday to Sunday; closed Monday.
HOW MUCH: $57.24, before tip
MORE INFO: Credit cards: Master Card, Visa, American Express. Street parking available; off-street parking coming soon. The building is not ADA compliant, but the patio is wheelchair accessible.
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+8 Images: The Horses Lounge, Schenectady (8 photos)
The Horses Lounge in Schenectady Reopens (5/2024)
Photos: Horses Lounge, Schenectady
Feast your eyes on this tantalizing Buffalo chicken salad, generously sprinkled with blue cheese crumbles. A perfect blend of flavors that will surely tickle your taste buds.
Photography by: Caroline Lee
Buffalo chicken salad topped with blue cheese crumbles.
Image Credit: Caroline Lee
Another angle of the delicious Buffalo chicken salad with blue cheese crumbles.
Photo by: Caroline Lee
Feast your eyes on this tantalizing Buffalo chicken salad, topped with a generous sprinkle of blue cheese crumbles.
Photography by Caroline Lee
Indulge in these crispy, golden sweet potato fries.
Photography by Caroline Lee
Delicious sweet potato fries.
Photograph by Caroline Lee
Spicy buffalo chicken wings served at The Horses Lounge in Schenectady.
Photograph by Caroline Lee
Another enticing dish from our culinary journey.
Photograph by Caroline Lee
Delicious buffalo chicken wings served at The Horses Lounge, a popular spot in Schenectady.
Photograph by Caroline Lee
A view of the exterior and the inviting patio of The Horses Lounge located on McClellan Street in Schenectady.
Photograph by Caroline Lee
Another captivating view of The Horses Lounge, showcasing its unique architecture and welcoming ambiance.
Photograph by Caroline Lee
Take a look at the vibrant petunias adorning the patio at The Horses Lounge.
Photograph by: Caroline Lee
Experience the cozy and inviting bar area at The Horses Lounge.
Photograph by: Caroline Lee
Another glimpse of the charming atmosphere at The Horses Lounge.
Photograph by: Caroline Lee
Indulge in the delightful combination of fried broccoli and cheese, perfectly complemented by Horses’ signature blue cheese dressing.
Photography by Caroline Lee
Experience the unique taste of fried broccoli and cheese, enhanced by the tangy Horses’ blue cheese dressing.
Image Credit: Caroline Lee
A Must-Visit: El Patron II in Burnt Hills – A Culinary Experience
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Photo Gallery: The Horses Lounge, Schenectady (8 photos)
The Horses Lounge in Schenectady Reopens (5/2024)
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Great punctuation and grammar. Disagree.
Agree with review, Horses Lounge is a must-visit spot!
Disagree – Food was mediocre, service was slow, and atmosphere was lacking.
Exactly what I was searching for, regards for posting.