Ambition Coffee &amp; Eatery

I loved this place! It is incredibly charming inside! There is plenty of seating, complete with…read moreoutdoor garden seating as well. This is a relief because it gets packed! The staff were efficient, kind and knowledgeable about their offerings. My chai latte was delicious! The food was great! I enjoyed everything, except the strawberry macha cookie. The only strawberry part of the cookie was just a thin drizzle of strawberry icing, otherwise it was just macha. I wish it had some freeze dried strawberry chunks in the cookie for some discernible strawberry flavor snd more icing. Otherwise just rename it a Macha.............strawberry cookie. Lol

There is nothing like going into the stockade and stopping by Arthur's Market on a Saturday…read moremorning. This place has such a good vibe. I come here often and highly recommend their bacon egg and cheese. They have this sauce which is so good. I love their matcha and my husband always gets whatever their coffee specials are. They're always great. They also have good baked goods. Finally the staff is always quick and friendly.

Interior

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Lyles Hoagies

4.0(38 reviews)

2.6 mi

Walking into Lyle's feels like stepping into a time warp -- but in the best way. Old-school charm,…read moreclassic counter service, and enough hoagie options to trigger a mild identity crisis. Seriously, there are so many choices I almost needed a life coach. Everything is fresh -- you can taste that the lettuce didn't come from a bag. The staff? Friendly, patient, and clearly used to people standing there in awe trying to decide between turkey or Italian for ten minutes straight. And can we talk about how clean this place is? You could eat off the floor -- though please don't, they worked too hard to keep it that spotless. It's trendy in that way that never stops being cool -- kind of like vinyl records, or good manners. Lyle's Hoagies proves that old-school still rules the lunch game.

Best subs in town ..Hands Down Schenectady #1 please don't…read moreever leave. We need more of you in town like there was before you guys are way better than Subway. That's a whole fact.

Eat-in area.

Placing order with friendly staff at counter.

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Mixed Italian.

Gershon's Deli & Caterers

4.0(152 reviews)

1.9 mi

I know Gershon's is a well-known local institution. We've been here a handful of times over the…read moreyears and, I had their sandwiches on a weekly basis periodically thanks to group lunch orders at a previous workplace, and the experience overall has been mixed. On good days, they can serve one of the best sandwiches. Otherwise, I've had several occasions where I was left wondering why my pastrami sandwich was literally two pieces of bread with a small bit of pastrami - no dressing or anything else, and no questions asked. I like the attentiveness of the staff whenever we come here in person whether for diner in or takeaway, and their fresh pickles are wonderfully crunchy and worth looking forward to. They have some delicious pies, too, and the chocolate cream pie is our fave. I would go back, but the inconsistency over time certainly has dampened my enthusiasm that I may have once had.

Gershon's closed permanently 1/30/26! Sad. It will be…read moremissed by many. R Gershon's Deli (Facebook) Dear Friends of Gershon's, It is with a heavy heart that I share this news with our loyal customers, friends, staff, and extended family. I have made the incredibly difficult decision to close Geshon's Deli & Caterers. Friday, January 30th, 2026, was our final day. This decision was not made lightly as Gershon's has been an integral part of my life since I was a little girl. After my father's untimely passing, I took over with one clear mission, to honor his legacy, keep his dream alive, and continue providing quality service and "good food for good people." For more than 60 years, Gershon's has been shaped by the people who walked through our doors. Every employee, customer, client, and friend has played a role in our story and our success. Unfortunately, rising food costs, ongoing economic challenges, the lasting effects of COVID, and the loss of my final opportunity this week have left me with no other choice. To everyone who has supported me over the past nine years, thank you. Thank you for the memories, for trusting us with your celebrations, holidays, milestones, and everyday moments. Thank you for allowing me to be part of your lives, in both the joyful times and the hard ones. I will miss seeing you all more than I can put into words. I am deeply grateful for the love and support you've shown me and my family over the years. I wish vou all nothina but the best. Please take care

Turkey and swiss sandwich with Russian dressing

Poppy w. delish veggie smear!

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Reuben

Marino's Flying Pizza & Restaurant

4.5(207 reviews)

1.4 mi

I hit a jackpot this week!…read more My daughter and I wanted chicken Parm and Fettuccine Alfredo, but we are plagued by the fact that we cannot finish both and fetty alf does not heat up well when we take it home. We didn't want to waste the food. So, we asked the server if it would be possible to get a half order of Fettuccine Alfredo. He told us it just didn't make much sense; a half order is only a dollar less than the full portion. BUT... if you add Alfredo sauce to your side of pasta on the Chicken Parm, they will charge you an additional $4.50, and BOOM: Chicken Parm and Fettuccine Alfredo. Marino's NEVER disappoints. Fresh, hot, and delicious. ALWAYS.

Ordered three 12 cut pizzas for company, and they were as great. They always get it right unlike…read moreother pizza places mainly because of consistent product. There is no doubt that they are experienced pizza makers who know their craft! --The crust is always crispy and golden not burned or under baked. --The pizza is light and airy not dense, not wet and slightly doughy under the toppings. One pizza was Sausage, Mushroom and Onion. The onions complemented the Italian sausage. This combo was a hit. The toppings were generous. Oh what a bite! Our guests raved. The other two pizzas were White Broccoli and Cheese. The outstanding crusts make these Sicilian style pizzas delicious. No wonder they have been in business for over 50 years. They are master pizza makers. The Chicken Parm and Ziti was also enjoyed. Service: A+ Prices: Reasonable and competitive.

Men at work making great pizza

Calamari appetizer.

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Linguini with baby clam sauce (white) - this is 1/3 of a to-go order. The portion is massive...simple but tasty.

Slick's Restaurant & Tavern

4.1(49 reviews)

0.3 mi

Slick's lived up to its reputation for great sandwiches! The homemade potato salad was excellent as…read morewell. Friendly service and chill atmosphere.

7/29/24 I've been…read moregoing to here since 1979 when I worked nearby, and my teacher assistant Frank introduced me to Slicks. Ever since, I try to stop by about three or four times a year to enjoy the food and ambiance. The owners Mike and Barb are retiring 7/31/24 after fifty years. May they enjoy their retirement. The new owners, a couple from Schenectady, will keep the name and the menu. Bravo! It is a lot of work and long hours, but it was evident that the owners enjoyed their business and their customers, many of whom became regulars. You noticed that the food they prepared was made with love and expertise. It was consistently good. The menu has been constant over the years because it pleased customers and made the place a success. The roast beef and turkey are cooked daily. Plus, the potato salad and macaroni salad are made in house every morning by Barb. I had to stop by today to honor my memories of eating here over the years. I had a huge roast beef and turkey mix on rye with thousand island dressing and macaroni salad. Delicious as always. I took half home for my husband to enjoy. He did! My friend enjoyed a huge roast beef sandwich and a potato salad side. Even the dill pickle spears taste incredible here! It must be the yummy sandwich. We sincerely hope the quality and ambiance continue with the new owners. If that is the case, I look forward to supporting them. It is so much better than a chain restaurant.

Happy Retirement! It is well deserved.

Roast beef/swiss, lettuce, onion and Russian dressing.

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Simple menu has remained constant through the years.

Jersey Mike's Subs

2.6(16 reviews)

2.0 mi

I know this is a fast food joint and all the food from any Jersey Mikes is the same; however, I can…read morenot think of a single thing that would make these subs better. The service is always good, the dinning area clean, and I've always seen a friendly face. These are the subs you crave!

Literally glass in my daughter's sub that tore open the roof of her mouth. Altamont Avenue in…read moreRotterdam. New York is the worst location we've ever used. No more $25 subs that are chintzy and now have glass in them.

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Perreca's Bakery

4.5(143 reviews)

0.3 mi

After hearing how amazing Perreca's tomato pie was, I just had to try it for myself. It totally…read morelives up to its reputation and I can see why it is so popular and often sells out. Its no wonder it's legendary as its crust is thick yet pillowy. It tastes deliciously crisp like a focaccia style bread. The light tomato sauce with a dusting of both Romano and Parmesan cheeses makes it entirely irresistible. So much so that I can't wait to have it again!

We have supported this bakery for over 40 years, and it is time to offer a review…read more This Jay Street icon in Schenectady has the best Italian bread. It comes in round or loaf shapes and in one or two pound sizes. It is available in many local stores including the Niskayuna Co-op. True story: Jack Nicholson was filming in the area and found out about the delicious bread from his driver. He got the bread several times and thought it was great. He had it mailed to him. Photos of Nicholson and a related newspaper article are on display. The bread, rolls, and Tomato pie are baked in a coal fired brick oven from Italy. Besides the bread, there are other outstanding offerings including: Rolls! Breadsticks made at the bakery Bread Crumbs for cutlets and meatballs Tomato Pie -- so popular it often sells out Panini Sandwiches made fresh daily for grab & go. Italian olives and cheeses in the case. Italian cookies Parking in front and in a side lot shared with Cornell's Restaurant.

Soup bread - perfection

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Luca's Eatery

4.0(56 reviews)

0.8 mi

As always the food is delicious sandwiches are huge the fries are great love the salads and…read moremargarita pizza

I have gotten take out from Luca's multiple times but have never eaten inside. I always order the…read moreburgers. They have great burgers and very crispy fries! I highly recommend that you do the same!

Hot wings cooked crispy. Lots of sauce!

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Pizzas, Calzones and Rolls.

La Gioias’ Italian Deli

4.3(13 reviews)

1.4 mi

This is a terrific famiky-run Italian deli. Love the people and staff. Even the customers are…read morefriendly. A gem

This review is on their catering! Five stars are not…read moreenough to accurately represent our experience. In one sentence: The food for my grandson's graduation party prepared by LaGioia Deli was outstanding! All the guests raved by the quality of the food, the preparation, and the quantity! From the moment my daughter contacted Laura, the owner, to place the order to its pickup everything was handled efficiently, with care, and with an emphasis on what the customer desired. A change in the order was made with no problem. Friendly service throughout the process. The food was packaged very well and stayed warm. Portions were generous and the cost less than other places. The items ordered: Cheese Tortellini with Broccoli and Shrimp (excellent) Chicken Parm (outstanding!) Meatballs (like Grandma makes, so GOOD) Ziti with red sauce (freshly made and seasoned perfectly) Cavatelli with red sauce Eggplant Rollitini (popular and delicious) Chicken tenders Three large loaves of house made bread (outstanding, guests returned for seconds) (The owner gave us rolls also.) A large container of grated cheese and extra sauce was included. Our family from Rhode Island took some bread for the car trip home. Check out my photos to view the food! There were lots of leftovers to enjoy another day or two or three. We highly recommend LaGioia for catering. We usually order from Homestyle, but the food here was better. (Not to mention the better attitude plus getting the order correct and ready when requested. Owner at Homestyle sometimes "forgets" to tell kitchen about phone orders. You arrive for pickup, and there is no record of order!!!) Pizzas from Pizza Works in Burnt Hills rounded out the menu along with a tossed salad and fresh fruit. Two large Ice Cream Cakes from Marcela's on Rt. 50 were a hit as always! Nana made Italian Lemon Cookies!

Steak Sub

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16 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Farrah N. A.

18 years ago

Ambition is what THE COFFEE SHOP was to the FRIENDS Cast. It's your friendly, quirky, comfortable neighborhood restaurant and coffee shop. The atmosphere is cozy, artistic and charming. It's one part restaurant, one part lounge area, one part gift store and one part gelato shop. It's like being in the Village. The food is healthy and well prepared. I"ve sampled their soups, salads, breakfasts and sandwiches and enjoyed it every time. They are well priced and the proportions are right on. Service has been great every time. Stop by the Open Book store next door for great books, perfumes and creative gift ideas! FArrah Nayka Ashline read more

Mar F.

14 years ago

I LIKE Ambition a LOT, but with a Caveat- forget weekend (esp. Sunday a.m.) because they are not designed to serve high volume and keep up their normal high standards, For instance, they run out of coffee mugs (in which delish coffee is served) and end up bring you a to-go cup when you are sitting down for a nice breakfast. Also my hubby received his delicious eggs overflowing on a small desert plate with a triangle shape. They obviously make the dishwasher do other things when they get overloaded. But by all mean ENJOY them any other time! They are AWESOME as a general rule!!! read more

Angel C.

14 years ago

Marc has the Most Hollywood Friendly Dive on Jay! If you want to be spotted by Paparazzi this is the place to be ~ you just never know who will stop in next. And the choices offered for Lunch and Dinner range from a perfectly seared Filet Mignon to the health friendly Black Bean Burger! Not to mention Soups and Sandwiches galore! If you think you have Ambition for Hollywood, go check out Marc's Place on Jay Street, "Celebrity Sightings are a regular occurrence! " read more

Nathaniel R.

8 years ago

We were in Schenectady, NY to see a matinee at Proctors Theater, so we parked in a nearby lot and walked to Ambition Bistro to enjoy some Brunch! Our server was polite and friendly, and our food was perfectly prepared and delicious. When in Schenectady, NY be sure to stop into Ambition Bistro for a great Breakfast Lunch or Dinner! read more

Thos. M.

12 years ago

Cool funky and eclectic interior, Great food.. Really helpful and interesting server. Ate there while Kids were at ."Phantom of the Opera" @ Proctors. what a find read more

Ashley L.

107

11 years ago

Fun atmosphere, very laid back with nice waitstaff and excellent food. Their black bean burger is homemade and delicious! I love grabbing lunch there! read more

Yezzy S.

15 years ago

Nice spot for a quick drink or coffee but not a dinner spot. The meals were okay but not satisfying. Perhaps a lunch spot but not dinner.

Virginia L.

9 years ago

Fun atmosphere, nice location, great service. I enjoy eating here and have been many times. Good for lunch and dinner.

Alan J.

12 years ago

Good service, fun atmosphere, and great menu. This is a favorite lunch spot for me.

Jo T.

6 years ago

One of my favorite spots~ Food is awesome! Gelato is Awesome! Drinks are awesome!

Ellen D.

5 years ago

One of the best places in the Capital District. The food and service are great.

Sandy T.

4 years ago

The eatery and the coffee was amazing, will definetly be coming here again

Anthony R.

12 years ago

Lovely little place on Jay st. in Schenectady. Very cozy and different.

Ryan N.

15 years ago

Great vibe, food and people.

Barbara A.

13 years ago

My favorite place to be !!

Janneth H.

14 years ago

Cute place. JH

Ambition Coffee & Eatery - sandwiches - Updated September 2026

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