Good To Go Cafe is gearing up for spring with, among other things, a hot dog cart.

The cafe, tucked away behind Varsity Pizza, is consistently updating its menu and building a rapport with the Syracuse University community. Right near both SU and SUNY Upstate Medical University, Good To Go has helped owner Louise O’Hara accomplish a lifelong goal since opening in December 2015.

“I’ve always talked about running a little cafe, so realizing my dream is the best thing about this cafe for me,” O’Hara said.

Recently, she said business has picked up. O’Hara thinks this newfound interest may be a result of the cafe’s quaint yet lively atmosphere, as well as the servers’ optimism and positivity that she said is reflected in their service.

“Word of mouth seems to be getting out to the students within the past couple of months,” O’Hara said. “Groups of friends are coming in, and they seem to be telling their friends, so the cafe is finally starting to blossom with the students.”

Gillian Pelkonen | Contributing Photographer

The menu sports an array of breakfast and lunch items. Patrons can order breakfast all day long, and lunch menu items include taco salad, rice and beans and chicken riggies. O’Hara said most people gravitate to their fish tacos.

“Our fish tacos have been described as a festival of flavors in your mouth,” O’Hara said.

Server Kiriminett Lopez said the fish tacos are a hit because of the salsa.

“I think our salsa is really one of the best, it’s made right here in the store, fresh,” she said.

The cafe recently started Taco Tuesdays, where an order of a full taco or burrito includes a free beef or veggie taco.

O’Hara also incorporates her Italian heritage into the cafe. The food is homemade, fresh and rooted in recipes that have lasted generations, she said.

Her pasta with meatballs — a recipe from her Italian grandmother — is a menu staple. The award-winning meatballs are a crowd favorite.

Mondays have varying specials, and right now Good To Go is gearing up for an Italian sausage bread special and a vegetable lasagna special.

Kevin Camelo | Digital Design Editor

Good To Go is preparing to set up a hot dog cart for the spring. Once the weather warms up, customers can find the cart on Irving Avenue. O’Hara and her servers are looking forward to setting up the cart, she said.

“We use Syracuse’s famous Hofmann hot dogs, anybody from Syracuse should recognize them – they are just that good,” O’Hara said.

Server Amy Nazario said she enjoys the cart because it enables her to interact with customers.

“The cart will sell hot dogs, chili dogs, spicy potatoes, burgers … we have a lot of good stuff in store, and everybody loves our chili dogs,” Nazario said.

Good To Go’s homemade meals and desserts have pulled in some loyal regulars, O’Hara said, and in the years to come she hopes to continue making her customers happy by serving them good food.

Good To Go Cafe is located at 725 Irving Ave. and is open Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.

Published on February 4, 2018 at 7:12 pm

Contact Leah: ltoney@syr.edu