Don’t let the roadside exterior fool you. Pull up to Red Rooster Pub on Jordan Road in Skaneateles Falls and it might not look like much from the outside. Step through the door, however, and you’ll find one of the most genuinely fun and creative pub kitchens in the whole area — tucked away like a secret the locals have been quietly keeping to themselves.
The Red Rooster sits just up the road from Skaneateles village. It serves the communities of Skaneateles Falls, Jordan, Elbridge, and Marcellus. And it punches well above its weight. The vibe is classic neighbourhood pub — all farmhouse decor and friendly faces. Furthermore, it’s the kind of place where everyone seems to know each other and newcomers feel welcomed immediately. The deck out back is also a serious asset in summer — a big open porch that turns a weeknight dinner into something to look forward to.
What makes the Red Rooster stand out is Chef Dan’s kitchen. The team takes familiar pub food and runs with it in directions you don’t expect. The Owen’s Apple Burger — built with locally sourced Granny Smith apples from Owen’s Orchards, bacon, and housemade onion jam — sounds like a gimmick until you taste it. At that point, you realise it’s actually brilliant. The Korean BBQ crunchy chicken sandwich has similarly developed a devoted following. The Mic Rib sandwich draws consistent praise. Additionally, the poutine is a proper Canadian-style affair. The sweet potato waffle fries, meanwhile, are genuinely worth ordering on their own.
The wings are crispy and generously sauced. Furthermore, the craft beer selection is solid throughout. And the prices are the kind that make you do a double-take in the best possible way. Ask the bartenders what the kitchen is doing beyond the menu too — there’s usually something good that doesn’t make it onto the printed list.
Find them at 4618 Jordan Road in Skaneateles Falls. They’re open Tuesday through Sunday from 11am. Closed Mondays.
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