Utica Italian Food Represented at the New York State Fair

If you're heading out to the New York State Fair this week, which opens on Wednesday and runs through Labor Day, be sure to look for Utica food. The 'It's a Utica Thing' Food Truck will be located on State Fair Boulevard, just down from Gate 3 as you enter the Fair with the Italian culinary specialties that make Utica famous.

"We have Utica Greens as created by the late great Joe Morelle," said Charlie Digristina, owner of It's a Utica Thing. "I love building on what the amazing restaurants of Utica have created over the years and taking it throughout the Northeast," he said. "Chesterfield, Ventura's, Romas, Napoli's, Danielle's and so many others have been a part of creating this huge brand of Utica Italian food and It's a Utica Thing just transports it outside the city. We're in grocery stores around the northeast and e deliver all over the country," he said, "there is a real demand for Utica Italian favorites."

Digristina says the reception he gets at places like the State Fair is enormous as people equate great food with Utica. "When it comes to Italian food we are sought after in Upstate New York. It's really quite amazing to see; but, let's be honest, we have the best Italian restaurants north of New York City."

Digristina also owns the three Charlie's Pizza restaurants in the Utica area.