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    Empire Square

    4.1 (30 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 2:00 AM (Next day)

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    Recommended Reviews - Empire Square

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    Cheese curds
    Ashton S.

    TERRIBLE! Don't eat here! Food was thrown together and cold. Bacon in my BLT wasn't cooked all the way, the salad was a mess. I'll never come back here. I ordered an old fashioned as well and it was hands down the worst old fashioned I've ever had. I don't understand how this place has any good reviews if it serves food like this

    Events nightly!
    D M.

    Kevin's great uncle was the owner of Enrico's and we were in Watertown to see family. He immediately raved about Empire Square as he walked back to greet me. He loves their celebration of Pride month; how they kept the old bar--where he would talk with his uncle and hang out. The food was satisfying and I felt like I was having bc some home cooking. Good comfort food. Had the French toast, fried eggs over hard and Kevin had a burger and fries. So grateful for places that don't oversalt food! Hurray! Atmosphere is casual, family friendly, the art is nostalgic and they display a local artist's work.

    Mural of Paintings inside the restaurant.

    A beautiful setting to compliment the amazing food; served at the heart of Watertown BY the heart of Watertown. That's the best way I can describe the restaurant briefly Both my wife and I are avid fans of this restaurant. The food accompanied with the unorthodox setting gives the Empire Square a feeling unlike any other establishment in upstate New York in the BEST possible way feasible. The service is impeccable; my wife and I showed up at a relatively busy time and we were still taken care of accordingly. We've eaten here before and most definitely will eat here again. 5/5

    Mmmmm
    Josephine S.

    There is nothing like finding a cure to homesickness - and if you've ever travelled outside NY (or to NYC for that matter) nothing compares to the consistency of the clean oil in the fryers, the mood of the staff no matter what, the authenticity of Sarah the bartender...and of course some of the BEST South Western style food you can find!!! And it's all in 65 Public square WATERTOWN, NY!!!

    Southern burger
    Taylor R.

    Fairly new restaurant in town! My husband and I visited the first week they opened and weren't super impressed but knew it would get better when they figured everything out. Came back and we loved it! Our server was great, drinks were great, and the food was good.

    View of the restaurant
    Taron W.

    10/10 Restaurant!!! I was skeptical at first because I'm a picky eater, but WOW. The waffles, biscuits & gravy, & the monkey bread were amazing. On top of that the service was "homey". The chef came out herself to talk to the people here and see how they liked the food. Hands down the best food/service I've had in Watertown. Hidden gem to say the least.

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    10 days ago

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    1 year ago

    Love love this place. The environment, games, food and service. Definitely recommend. They have something to do every day of the week.

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    4 years ago

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    4 years ago

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    5 years ago

    Great change of pace here in Watertown. Went for a family brunch and everything was fantastic!

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    Ask the Community - Empire Square

    Review Highlights - Empire Square

    The pulled pork hoagie was consumed by hubby and the cheese fries as well.

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

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    Shorty's Place - biscuits and gravy, stuffed french toast

    Shorty's Place

    3.6(165 reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $

    A true hometown diner with amazing food and outstanding service. The staff is welcoming, the meals…read moreare consistently delicious, and the cozy atmosphere makes every visit enjoyable. Highly recommend! Great $ too!

    We were visiting the area, and were appealed to this restaurant due to its old time diner look and…read morethe vintage car out front. Once we were inside, that vibe continued. The vintage diner feel was cozy, and the Coca-Cola light fixtures were unique. Each table also had its own vintage jukebox. We came on a busy Sunday morning, but got lucky and were sat right away. From the beginning, and throughout our experience, the staff were very friendly. Our sever brought us drinks within minutes, and we were able to put in our orders pretty quick. Like I said, it was a busy Sunday, so it took awhile for us to receive our food. But this gave my wife and I time to talk, and enjoy the ambiance. I ordered the breakfast lasagna (had never seen this before) with white toast and a side of corned beef hash. When the food came out, it was warm and fresh. The breakfast lasagna had a nice flavor from the peppers and onions and meats that were baked inside. The base was made from what seemed like mashed potatoes which threw me off a little, but wasn't bad. The toast had a good toast to it, and was nicely buttered. I am a corned beef hash lover, and Shorty's was pretty good! The flavors meshed well together and the texture was great. My wife ordered the sausage gravy and biscuits which was not great. The sausage gravy was lacking flavor, with the main taste being cream. The sausage within the gravy was cut up sausage links, and for myself and my wife at least, we prefer ground sausage. Lastly, the biscuits were nothing to write home about. They were not bad but they didn't wow. Overall, I gave Shorty's a three because the food didn't wow me. There was not anything wrong with the food we had at all, and we will probably be back in the future to try some of their other food. Otherwise, my wife and I also loved the feel of the diner itself.

    Photos
    Shorty's Place - Menu cover

    Menu cover

    Shorty's Place - Meat lovers omlette with hashbrowns

    Meat lovers omlette with hashbrowns

    Shorty's Place - Delicious hot coffee

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    Crystal Restaurant - BLT on rye

    Crystal Restaurant

    3.7(103 reviews)
    0.0 mi
    $

    Here's a review that sounds like you--balanced, appreciative, and observant:…read more Walking into the Crystal Restaurant is like taking a step back in time. Before you even open the door, the vintage neon sign proudly advertising "Air Conditioned for Your Comfort" makes you smile and reminds you of an era when air conditioning was a luxury worth bragging about. Inside, the restaurant has done a wonderful job preserving its history. The original pressed tin ceiling, beautiful woodwork, mosaic tile floor, vintage lighting, and classic booths create an atmosphere that is difficult to find anymore. You can tell this isn't a place trying to look old--it is old, and it has been lovingly maintained. If you appreciate historic architecture, take a few minutes to look around. It's worth it. Service was friendly and attentive throughout our visit. My daughter enjoyed her eggs, sausage, and toast, while I had a bacon, egg, and bacon sandwich on toast with mayonnaise, along with a bowl of oatmeal and a cup of coffee. Everything was fresh and satisfying. My only minor suggestion would be that I would have liked my toast a little more done, especially since my daughter's was toasted just the way I prefer. It certainly wasn't enough to take away from the experience. The Crystal Restaurant has been serving the Watertown community since 1925, and it's easy to understand why it has become such a local landmark. Places with this much history and character are becoming increasingly rare. If you're looking for a good breakfast served in a restaurant with genuine historic charm, the Crystal Restaurant is well worth a visit.

    A historic institution in Watertown. My husband grew up coming here and we stop in whenever we…read morevisit. Very cool old vibes. Food is ok, the selling point is the low prices. Very friendly staff that remember regulars.

    Photos
    Crystal Restaurant - Inside

    Inside

    Crystal Restaurant - Reuben sandwich

    Reuben sandwich

    Crystal Restaurant

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    Empire Square - southern - Updated August 2026

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