Eddie F’s: Where Everyone is Family

Nestled between Skidmore College and Broadway in Saratoga Springs is a neighborhood eatery serving New England seafood specialties: New England and Manhattan Chowder, Ipswich whole belly clams, lobster rolls, lobster mac & cheese, oysters, scallops, fish & chips, fish fry, shrimp and haddock. The eatery offers homemade salads, soups, pizzas, pastas, wings and sandwiches. Happy hour is every day from 3-6 p.m. Catering is available.

Ed Fazzone and his wife, Lisa, have been running Eddie F’s since it opened in 2016. Ed is in the kitchen. Lisa is greeting the customers and running the restaurant’s social media accounts. The couple, originally from Schenectady, lived in Florida and were restaurant owners there for nearly 15 years when they decided to come home to the Capital District. They chose to settle a few exits north of Schenectady because they enjoy all that Saratoga Springs has to offer, especially the race track during the summer. “We knew it was time to come home,” Lisa said. The couple has poured their heart and soul into Eddie F’s. Lisa points at the memorabilia on the walls. There are pictures of the Saratoga Springs Race Track, pictures of Ed with various jockeys, and patches from first responders all belonging to Ed. “We didn’t just put random things on the walls,” Lisa said. “This is all Ed.”

Lisa and Ed grew up about a block apart in Schenectady. Their families knew each other. Lisa learned how to run a restaurant from watching her grandfather. He owned an Italian restaurant on State Street in Schenectady. Lisa remembers watching her father, uncle and grandfather spend countless hours cooking in the restaurant’s kitchen. “We are third-generation restaurant owners,” Lisa said, “It is in our blood.” And now Ed and Lisa’s daughter and son-in-law have relocated from Florida to join the family restaurant. Their son-in-law has cooked with Ed since he was 15-years old. Lisa happily cares for her grandchildren while her daughter staffs the restaurant. “We really are a family affair,” Lisa said. She laughingly explains that she and Ed can’t convince their son to join the business. Despite working together most days, Ed and Lisa close the restaurant on Sundays for “family day.” On Sundays they will sometimes explore the other restaurants in Saratoga Springs. “We love to eat,” Lisa said. “And we love to eat at other restaurants in town.” Lisa said that she and Ed are happy to support other local restaurant owners because they’ve been so supportive of them. “Everyone, especially the customers, have been so supportive of our journey,” she said. The Saratoga Chamber of Commerce is also a fan of the restaurant. “Ed and I love the chamber. They have been so supportive,” Lisa said.

Ed and Lisa take pride in knowing most of the people that come into the restaurant on a daily basis. “We know many of our customers by name,” Lisa said. “They have become an extension of our family.” Ed agrees with Lisa. “We really focus on the locals,” he said. Lisa said they appreciate their loyal patrons. “They are here with us all year – not just during the summer months. We really are cooking for the people that live in these neighborhoods,” she said. It is for the local patrons that Lisa and Ed try to keep the atmosphere at the restaurant fun. “We play the music a little bit louder. The TV is on with the game on or something light. They know the owners are here. We are bringing their food out and sometimes sitting at the table with them to catch up,” Lisa said.

The eatery recently celebrated its first anniversary and the neighborhood came out to celebrate with them. “We had a packed house here for the celebration,” Ed said. “It was nice to see everyone, visit with them, everyone was smiling and enjoying the food. That’s why we do this. It’s all about good people and good food.”

Any Wednesday is a great day for one of Eddie’s famous Lobster Rolls for just $16 (comes with fries or onion rings and slaw), including Valentine’s Day (reservations are still available)! For more information visit Eddie F’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/eddiefseatery/

Emily Marcason-Tolmie, a Saratoga native, is a writer, researcher, wife and mother. Emily and her husband, Ryan, are the parents to two wonderful little boys, ages 4 and 1.