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    Lanie's Cafe

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    157 reviews
    #10 of 532 Restaurants in Albany
    $$ - $$$, Italian, American, Bar
    471 Albany Shaker Rd, Albany, NY 12211-1583
    +1 518-438-5005
    Website
    Menu
    Closed Now:See all hours
    All photos (20)
    All photos (20)
    Certificate of Excellence

    Ratings and reviews

    4.5 157 reviews
    #10 of 532 Restaurants in Albany
    Certificate of Excellence2015 - 2019 Winner
    RATINGS
    Food
    Service
    Value
    Atmosphere

    Location and contact

    471 Albany Shaker Rd, Albany, NY 12211-1583
    Website
    Email
    +1 518-438-5005

    Menu

    SIGNATURE APPETIZERS‏
    11.99
    Stuffed Portabella Mushroom
    Jumbo fresh portabella mushroom caps stuffed with provolone. Lightly breaded and deep fried until golden brown. Smothered with a portabella mushroom tomato sherry butter cream sauce.
    14.99
    Crispy Fried Calamari
    Tender hand cut calamari. Lightly fried. Accompanied with our house marinara sauce for dipping.
    14.99
    Calamari Fra Diavolo
    Sauteed fresh hand cut calamari in a spicy Fra Diavolo sauce accompanied with garlic toast points.
    11.99
    Greens and Beans
    Sauteed escarole and garlic with great northern beans. Sopressata, hot peppers. And a hint of anchovies topped with shaved parmesan.
    13.99
    Kicked-Up Bruschetta
    Tomato basil focaccia stuffed with spicy sopressata. Prosciutto and mozzarella topped again with fresh mozzarella and baked until golden brown. Served with a tomato basil bruschetta shaved parmesan and drizzled with a balsamic reduction.
    13.99
    Scallops Wrapped in Bacon
    Fresh plump scallops wrapped in hickory-smoked bacon, broiled to perfection and served with a creamy horseradish sauce.
    14.99
    Fresh Steamed Mussels
    Fresh New Zealand mussels served in your choice of marinara, Fra Diavolo, or a lemon herb white wine garlic butter with fresh tomatoes.
    11.99
    Eggplant Rollatini
    Fresh eggplant stuffed with ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan. Baked in a homemade marinara alfredo sauce topped with melted mozzarella.
    11.99
    Coconut Shrimp
    Jumbo coconut-encrusted‏ shrimp, lightly fried, accompanied with a pina colada dipping sauce and dusted with a toasted coconut.
    10.99
    Shrimp Cocktail
    Fresh jumbo shrimp served with a homemade zesty cocktail sauce.
    HOMEMADE SOUPS & FRESH SALAD BAR
    9.99
    Fresh Salad Bar
    (In-house only) visit our salad bar heaped with crisp greens, fresh vegetables, and homemade dressings along with crusty Italian bread and mild cheddar cheese.
    7.99
    Express Lunch
    (In-house only) enjoy our fresh salad bar and a bowl of our homemade soup du jour. Monday through Friday from 11.00am to 2.00pm.
    Cup 3.99
    Bowl 4.99
    Homemade Soup Du Jour
    5.49
    Crock of French Onion Soup
    5.99
    Crock of Chili Con Carne
    Homemade chili topped with melted jack and cheddar cheeses and diced red onions served with our homemade crispy tortilla chips.
    3.99
    Cup of Homemade Chili
    Garnished with fresh tortilla chips.
    SPECIALTY PIZZAS‏
    All pizzas are large 12-cuts
    12.99
    12-Cut Pizza
    20.49
    Lanie's Favorite
    White garlic pizza topped with mozzarella and feta cheese, artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, red onion, diced tomatoes, and fresh sauteed spinach.
    12.99
    Daniel's Favorite
    Our twist on the traditional cheese pizza, mozzarella on the bottom and sauce on top. Sure to be your favorite too.
    18.99
    Crispy Buffalo Chicken Pizza
    White garlic pizza with mozzarella and crumbled blue cheese topped with crispy buffalo chicken.
    21.99
    Greek Chicken Pizza
    White garlic pizza topped with mozzarella, feta cheese, grilled marinated chicken, black olives, and diced tomatoes.
    17.99
    Margarita Pizza
    White garlic pizza topped with mozzarella, freshly diced tomatoes, red onion, and fresh basil drizzled with a balsamic reduction.
    20.99
    Meat Lovers
    Cheese pizza topped with pepperoni, sausage, meatball, imported ham, and bacon
    19.99
    Veggie Lovers
    White garlic pizza topped with eggplant, fresh spinach, diced tomatoes, broccoli, red onion, black olives, and mushrooms.
    GOURMET SALADS
    All salads served with a 4 oz. Dressing on the side
    13.99
    Crispy Calamari Salad
    Tender fried calamari over a bed of fresh romaine with cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, and diced cherry peppers served with our Italian lemon vinaigrette.
    10.99
    Teriyaki Grilled Chicken Salad
    Teriyaki grilled‏ chicken breast, portabella mushroom, tomatoes, crispy chopped bacon, and jack cheddar cheese over a bed of crisp romaine served with our honey mustard ginger dressing.
    14.99
    Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp Spinach Salad
    Jumbo bacon-wrapped shrimp, red onion, diced roasted red peppers, sunflower seeds, and feta cheese over a bed of baby spinach served with our house balsamic vinaigrette.
    11.99
    Taco Salad
    Hardy homemade chili over crisp romaine lettuce topped with jack cheddar cheese, fresh pico de gallo, and black olives served with our chipotle ranch dressing garnished with fresh tortilla chips.
    11.99
    House Chop Salad
    Diced marinated grilled chicken, mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, freshly-shredded carrots, red onion, garbanzo beans, diced hard-boiled egg, and sunflower seeds topped with our garlic herb croutons and served with our house balsamic vinaigrette.
    12.99
    Italian Antipasto
    Capicola, Genoa salami, pepperoni, provolone cheese, roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, hot cherry peppers, pepperoncini, fresh tomatoes, red onion, and black olives over crisp romaine served with our Italian vinaigrette - anchovies optional.
    15.49
    Grilled Fresh Swordfish Salad
    Fresh grilled swordfish steak over crisp romaine with crumbles gorgonzola, capers, roasted red peppers, and diced red onions. Served with our Italian lemon vinaigrette.
    11.99
    Ultimate Chef Salad
    Julienne of imported ham, oven roasted turkey, provolone and swiss cheese over romaine, fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, and black olives topped with a sliced hard-boiled egg served with our buttermilk ranch dressing.
    13.99
    Grilled Sirloin and Portabella Mushroom Salad
    Choice top sirloin grilled to your liking, with portabella mushroom, red onions, ripe tomatoes, and crumbles blue cheese served on a bed of fresh greens with our house balsamic vinaigrette.
    HOUSE ENTREES‏
    All entrees include one trip to our fresh salad bar. Unless specified over pasta. All entrees served with a choice of pasta and marinara, garlic parmesan oven-roasted potato and vegetable, or a baked potato and vegetable. Pasta with same sauce as entree 2.99. baked potato available after 4:00 pm.
    2 meatballs, 2 sausages +3.49
    1 meatball and 1 sausage +3.49
    Pasta with same sauce as entree +2.99
    Linguini, Cappellini, or Penne
    14.99
    Pasta marinara +3.49
    Pasta with same sauce as entree +2.99
    House Marinara
    15.99
    Pasta Fra Diavolo +3.99
    Pasta with same sauce as entree +2.99
    Fra Diavolo Sauce
    14.99
    Pasta oil and garlic +3.49
    Pasta with same sauce as entree +2.99
    Oil and Garlic
    16.99
    Pasta alfredo +4.49
    Pasta with same sauce as entree +2.99
    Alfredo Sauce
    16.99
    Pasta with same sauce as entree +2.99
    Quattro Formaggi
    A four-cheese blend ravioli with house marinara served with toasted garlic bread and finished with shaved parmesan.
    16.99
    Pasta with same sauce as entree +2.99
    Baked Manicotti
    Stuffed with fresh ricotta and parmesan cheese, topped with our house marinara and melted mozzarella, baked until bubbly, and served with toasty garlic bread.
    17.99
    Pasta with same sauce as entree +2.99
    Eggplant Parmigiana
    Lightly-fried thin of fresh eggplant layered with mozzarella and our house marinara.
    17.99
    Pasta with same sauce as entree +2.99
    Eggplant Rollatini
    Fresh eggplant stuffed with ricotta, parmesan, and mozzarella baked in a creamy marinara, alfredo sauce topped with melted mozzarella.
    CHAR-GRILLED ANGUS BURGERS
    Served with kettle chips or deli salad. Substitute fries 1.99, sweet potato fries 2.49 or crispy onion rings 2.99
    9.99
    Bacon +1.99
    The Classic
    A juicy 1/2 lb char-grilled burger topped with American cheese, thinly sliced red onion, lettuce, and tomato served on a fresh baked kaiser roll.
    12.99
    Bacon Cheddar Chipotle Burger
    Char-grilled 1/2 lb burger topped with aged cheddar cheese, fried jalapenos, crispy onion straws, and applewood smoked bacon with a chipotle aioli served on a garlic toasted kaiser roll.
    10.99
    Blackened Bleu Jack Burger
    Cajun-spiced 1/2 lb burger topped with bleu jack cheddar cheese, thinly sliced red onion, mixed greens, fresh tomatoes, and our buffalo bleu cheese served on a toasted kaiser roll.
    10.99
    BBQ Texas Burger
    A juicy char-grilled 1/2 lb. Burger topped with melted swiss, applewood-smoked bacon, tangy BBQ sauce, and crispy onion rings served on a toasted kaiser roll.
    10.99
    Memphis Burger
    1/2-lb char-grilled burger topped with aged cheddar cheese, fresh cole slaw, mixed greens, and thinly sliced red onion smothered with a homemade BBQ honey dijon sauce served on a toasted kaiser roll.
    WRAPS‏
    Regular 9.99
    Club 11.49
    Wrap 11.49
    Turkey BLT Wrap
    In-house oven roasted turkey, applewood-smoked bacon, lettuce, and tomato drizzled with a honey mustard ginger dressing served in a whole-wheat wrap.
    Regular 10.99
    Club 11.49
    Wrap 11.49
    Gorgonzola Roast Beef Wrap
    Homemade thinly sliced tender roast beef topped with crumbled gorgonzola, thinly sliced crispy onion straws, mixed greens, and a garlic aioli served in a warm tomato basil wrap.
    Regular 9.99
    Club 11.49
    Wrap 11.49
    Chili Cheese Taco Wrap
    Hardy homemade chili, jack cheddar cheese, black olives, fresh pico de gallo, and crisp lettuce drizzled with our chipotle ranch dressing in a tomato basil wrap served with fresh tortilla chips, sour cream, and salsa.
    Regular 10.99
    Club 11.49
    Wrap 11.49
    Turkey Roasted Red Pepper Wrap
    Thinly-sliced oven roasted turkey breast, fresh spinach, roasted red peppers, sliced red onion, and provolone cheese, dressed with our homemade roasted red pepper hummus and served in a tomato basil wrap.
    Regular 10.99
    Club 11.49
    Wrap 11.49
    Asian Chicken Wrap
    Crispy chicken tossed in our sesame ginger dressing with mandarin oranges, mixed greens, thinly sliced carrots, fresh scallions, and crunchy sesame sticks served in a tomato basil wrap.
    Regular 8.99
    Club 11.49
    Wrap 11.49
    Garden Veggie Wrap
    Fresh spinach, red onion, roasted red peppers, green bell peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, and jack cheddar cheese with a homemade roasted red pepper hummus in a whole wheat wrap.
    Regular 10.99
    Club 11.49
    Wrap 11.49
    Hot Chicken Wrap
    Grilled Italian marinated chicken, diced roasted red peppers, sauteed onions, fresh spinach, and jack cheddar cheese drizzled with ranch dressing and served in a warm tomato basil wrap.
    Regular 9.99
    Club 11.49
    Wrap 11.49
    From the Deli
    Choose from imported ham, corned beef, oven roasted turkey, roast beef, capicola, or salami. Top with American, swiss, provolone, cheddar or mozzarella for 0.75.
    Make any of the above a club or wrap 11.49
    All clubs are served on white toast with mayonnaise unless otherwise specified.
    SIGNATURE SANDWICHES
    All deli sandwiches are served on choice of fresh baked kaiser roll, hoagie roll, white, wheat, deli rye, or Italian with lettuce and tomato.
    12.99
    Melt-in-Your-Mouth Prime Rib Dip
    Thinly sliced tender prime rib served warm with melted provolone, nestled in a garlic toasted hoagie roll and served with piping-hot au jus for dipping.
    10.99
    Buffalo Bleu Jack Crispy Chicken
    Panko-encrusted crispy boneless chicken breast topped with melted bleu jack cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, and our buffalo bleu cheese served on a toasted kaiser roll.
    10.99
    Grilled Reuben
    A hearty portion of in-house braised lean corned beef, thinly sliced, smothered with sauerkraut, swiss cheese, and our russian dressing grilled on deli rye. Make it a sweet Reuben - substitute with fresh cole slaw.
    14.99
    Blackened Swordfish Sandwich
    Cajun-grilled swordfish steak topped with lettuce and tomato dressed with a homemade dill mayonnaise and served on a toasted kaiser roll.
    11.99
    The Hot Italian
    Salami, capicola, imported ham, roasted red pepper, and melted provolone drizzled with spicy mustard and served on garlic grilled Italian bread.
    10.99
    Sliced Sirloin Sandwich
    Choice top sirloin grilled to your liking, sliced on a bias and served on a fresh-baked kaiser roll with your choice of a garlic aioli or tangy tiger sauce.
    12.99
    Tuscan Chicken and Eggplant Panini
    Sliced Italian marinated grilled chicken, roasted red peppers, fried eggplant, fresh spinach, and melted mozzarella with a garlic aioli served on garlic toasted Italian bread accompanied with our house marinara sauce for dipping.
    12.99
    Deluxe Prime Rib Sandwich
    Thinly sliced‏ prime rib, sauteed sliced portabella mushrooms, onions, and green bell peppers topped with melted aged cheddar and a tangy tiger sauce served on a fresh toasted kaiser roll.
    10.99
    Piping Hot Open-Faced Hot Turkey Sandwich
    In-house oven roasted turkey, served over white toast points, smothered with homemade turkey gravy and served with French fries and jellied cranberry sauce.
    BEVERAGES‏
    1.99
    Coffee
    1.99
    Tea
    2.49
    Herbal Tea
    2.75
    Fresh Brewed Iced Tea
    2.75
    Pink Lemonade
    Small 1.99
    Large 2.99
    Milk
    20 oz. 2.75
    Small pitcher 4.25
    Large pitcher 6.75
    Soda
    Cola, diet cola, lemon-lime, ginger ale, saranac root beer, raspberry iced tea
    Refills on 20 oz soda only during lunch - 11am-2pm.
    1.50
    Kid's Cup
    Small 2.99
    Large 3.49
    Juice
    Cranberry, orange, grapefruit, pineapple
    Show full menu

    Details

    Special Diets
    Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
    Meals
    Lunch, Dinner, Late Night
    CUISINES
    Italian, American, Bar
    FEATURES
    Takeout, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Television, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Table Service
    Reviews (157)
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    Traveler rating
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    LanguageEnglish
    Traveler rating
    85
    46
    20
    3
    3
    Show reviews that mention
    All reviews sandwiches trip to the salad bar chicken piccata french onion soup reuben sandwich seafood bread fries huge portions italian choices met friends for lunch parking lot was packed nice atmosphere fabulous restaurant very popular place menu is extensive outdoor patio
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    1 - 10 of 157 reviews
    Reviewed 4 days ago
    Generous portions and great food

    We had lunch there recently and my wife will get 3 meals out of her taco salad. I had a hamburger with sweet potato fries and could not finish either one. The onion soup to start was great... rich broth and plenty of cheese.

    Date of visit: July 2019
    Thank huskiesfan2015
    Reviewed 5 days ago
    Great Find

    Found Lanie’s through Trip Advisor and we were very pleased! Extensive menu, both food and drink. Generous portions, both appetizers and meals. This place has it all, outside, inside and bar seating. The staff is very friendly and attentive. We met friends for dinner and...More

    Date of visit: July 2019
    Thank Terilynn63
    Reviewed 2 weeks ago via mobile
    Large Portions

    Visited here for lunch this week at a friend's suggestion. Wow! The salad was huge. Service was excellent and we weren't rushed to leave despite the fact that the restaurant was very busy. Need to return for dinner soon.

    Date of visit: June 2019
    Thank 484kathleene
    JoshuaG2166, Owner at Lanie's Cafe, responded to this reviewResponded 2 weeks ago

    Thanks for stopping by!! We're so happy that you decided to give us a try and that you enjoyed your first visit. We look forward to seeing you again soon!

    Reviewed 3 weeks ago
    We Came Back!

    We decided to take another weekend trip to Albany....and we just had to return to Lanie’s Cafe. This time, we got there early enough to be seated outside, which is a very charming outdoor area. From beginning to end, our service was great! We both...More

    Date of visit: June 2019
    Thank Lu-AnnR
    JoshuaG2166, Owner at Lanie's Cafe, responded to this reviewResponded 3 weeks ago

    Hello! Thank you so much for the awesome review - and for returning to our business! Our goal is to always have customers leave as happy as you are and am thrilled that you had such an amazing experience yet again. We can't wait to...More

    Reviewed 3 weeks ago via mobile
    Great selection, bountiful portions

    Visited for the first time, although they are local. The menu had eveything imaginable from lite fare to sandwiches and full dinners. We both had the French dip. They certainly did not skimp and it was served on a garlic hoagie roll. Excellent flavor. We...More

    Date of visit: June 2019
    Thank JASUSA
    JoshuaG2166, Owner at Lanie's Cafe, responded to this reviewResponded 3 weeks ago

    Hi there! We really appreciate you writing such a fantastic review. We do try to have a menu that can have something for everyone - and am glad that you took such a liking to your items. Cannot wait for you to come back again!

    Reviewed 4 weeks ago via mobile
    Experience indulgence

    Where to start how about the appetizer great selection went with the spinach dip and chips while chips are usually nothing special the dip is what put this over the top not only good but great enough to take home and you will Enters of...More

    Date of visit: June 2019
    Thank Patrick C
    JoshuaG2166, General Manager at Lanie's Cafe, responded to this reviewResponded 4 weeks ago

    Hi Patrick, We're so glad to hear that you and your party had a great time while dining with us! We do hope you choose to join us again in the near future. Thank you!

    Reviewed June 5, 2019 via mobile
    First Time Visit

    Recommended by friends, very pleased to discover this gem! Excellent salad bar accompanied entrees, chicken Sorrentino was amazing and chicken riggies were equal to the best we’ve had. Portions were very generous, we had two dinners each!

    Date of visit: June 2019
    Thank jeffn499
    JoshuaG2166, Manager at Lanie's Cafe, responded to this reviewResponded June 10, 2019

    Thanks for leaving us such a fantastic review! We are so glad to hear that you had a great experience and we hope that this means you plan on joining us again soon!

    Reviewed May 31, 2019
    Happy customer

    Had not turkey sandwhich,gravy,etc. Excellent,came out hot,good timing,great service ,nice atmosphere,fire place and very cleanlll

    Date of visit: April 2019
    Thank Judy M
    JoshuaG2166, Owner at Lanie's Cafe, responded to this reviewResponded June 6, 2019

    Hi Judy, thanks for sharing your experience! We are pleased to see that you enjoyed your time spent with us and we hope this means we will be seeing you back again soon.

    Reviewed April 9, 2019
    A lunch & a dinner visit recently.

    Two recent visits Fri 3/22 for lunch and Fri 4/05/19 for dinner. Friday's lunch w/ Florida friends in town for the weekend. They always enjoyed Lanie's Cafe when they lived in Albany. We had an one crock of chili & salad bar, which is excellent...More

    Date of visit: March 2019
    Thank napngs
    JoshuaG2166, Owner at Lanie's Cafe, responded to this reviewResponded April 12, 2019

    Hi there, thank you for taking the time to leave us feedback! It means the world to us that you've had a great experience while dining with us. We are looking forward to serving you again soon!

    Reviewed April 3, 2019 via mobile
    Reputation Earned

    I travel for business and I like to test out different restaurants that are locally owned. I like to stay away from the franchises. So I was working in Latham and the folks at Nemer Volkswagen raved about this place so I thought I’d give...More

    Date of visit: April 2019
    1  Thank bsk713bsk
    JoshuaG2166, Owner at Lanie's Cafe, responded to this reviewResponded April 5, 2019

    Hello, thank you for taking a moment of your time providing us with this wonderful feedback. We take a lot of pride in our food and service, so it is reassuring to know that it was worthy of a five-star review in your eyes! We...More

    View more reviews
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    Questions & Answers
    Ask a question
    RwATLLA
    July 21, 2017|
    AnswerShow all 3 answers
    Response from pmjennissen | Reviewed this property |
    Yes there is. Bartender was very seasoned and made a great martini!
    1
    Vote
    canoecatz
    September 21, 2015|
    AnswerShow all 2 answers
    Response from cindyhBinghamton_ny | Reviewed this property |
    I can't remember seeing gluten free on the menu for pasta. However the menu is quite extensive, and this restaurant seems to me like they would definitely have gluten free options.
    -1
    Votes
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