Pastabilities
About
Syracuse, New York · 311 S. Franklin St.
Pastabilities is a long-running Italian-American restaurant in downtown Syracuse that has been operating for 43 years [1]. The kitchen produces all pasta, sauces, salads, and bread from scratch, rotating offerings through seasonal menus [1]. A signature product — a spicy hot tomato oil marketed under the name "Hot Tom" — has become closely associated with the restaurant's identity [1].
Dining Options
The restaurant runs two distinct service formats. Lunch (Monday–Friday, 11 am–2 pm) is fast-casual and seat-yourself, available for dine-in or takeout [1][2]. Dinner (Sunday–Thursday 4–9 pm; Friday–Saturday 4–10 pm) operates as full table service [1][2]. Reservations are required for parties of seven or more; smaller groups may join a day-of waitlist that opens at 4 pm daily, accessible online, by phone, or in person [1]. Takeout is capped at 10 entrées; larger orders must go through the catering service, which requires at least 48 hours' advance notice and prepayment [1][2].
The Hot Tomato Oil
Most dinners start with olive oil or butter. Here, dinner starts with a free dish of Spicy Hot Tomato Oil, which regulars call "Hot Tom." It's rich, garlicky and hotter than you expect, and it's addictive enough that the restaurant now bottles it for local grocery stores and ships it nationwide.
The Stretch Bread
The oil needs a vehicle, and that's the 24-hour fermented stretch bread: chewy, airy and made for tearing. Demand grew so much that owner Karyn Korteling opened Pasta's Daily Bread, a scratch bakery across the street, to supply both the restaurant and local shops.
Chicken Riggies, Done Right
Every pasta is made in-house, hundreds of pounds a day. The dish to order is the restaurant's take on Chicken Riggies, a Central New York staple. It's rigatoni with chicken and sweet or hot peppers in a spicy tomato cream sauce. Food Network named it one of the best pasta dishes in the country.
Bakery
Pasta's Daily Bread, the affiliated bakery, sits directly across the street at 308 S. Franklin St. and is open seven days a week — Monday through Saturday 8 am–4 pm, Sunday 8 am–2 pm [1][2]. The bakery produces the "Stretch Bread" featured on the restaurant's menus [1].
Recognition & Practical Notes
Pastabilities received the Readers Choice Award for Best Restaurant in 2021, 2022, and 2023 [1]. Gift cards are available, and Hot Tom oil can be purchased separately [1]. Takeout may be suspended during high-volume periods [1]. Catering orders cannot be placed by email or fax and must be made by phone or online [2].
In 2012, Guy Fieri brought Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives to Pastabilities and tried the duck bacon flatbread and the riggies. Since then, food travelers crossing Upstate New York have made it a planned stop rather than a lucky find.
Sources
- Typical duration: 2h
- Hours: Mo-Fr 11:00-14:00; Su-Th 16:00-21:00; Fr-Sa 16:00-22:00
Access & fees
- no entry fee
Things to do
- catering orders
- dine-in dinner service
- dine-in lunch service
- takeout ordering
Amenities
- affiliated bakery on-site
- gift cards available
Events & seasons
- readers choice best restaurant
Features
- 43 years in operation
- all scratch-made menu
- hot tom spicy oil
- seasonal menus