Located a little over a block from the main strip of bars on State Street, it makes sense that Argo Restaurant recently extended its weekend hours so that those having fun Downtown could get hearty meals until early in the morning.
Christopher Kapatos, owner of Argo Restaurant, has been serving the Downtown Binghamton area for 35 years. The restaurant, located at 117 Court St., is comparable to a diner, and Kapatos proudly notes that it has a “big menu.”
Kapatos and his son Angelos Kapatos work hard to maintain Argo’s great reputation. Since the restaurant only lengthened its late-night hours a few weeks ago, it may not yet be widely known as an alternative to other late-night eating. People can enjoy the restaurant’s cuisine from 8 to 5 a.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. For those who venture Downtown on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays, the restaurant conveniently stays open from 8 to 2 a.m. Looking for somewhere to eat on Sundays? Visit Argo anytime between 8 a.m. and 9 p.m.
Even though the late-night hours are new to Argo, the Kapatos family is still drawing in a decent number of customers looking for after-hours eating. Angelos noted that out of the three days when Argo is open until 4 a.m., Saturday night is by far the most crowded. He estimated that on Saturdays the restaurant attracts around three times as many people as it does on Thursday nights, and approximately twice as many people as it does on Friday nights.
When asked what the most popular meals are for late-night weekend visitors, Angelos hardly had to think about his answers. He listed four appetizing choices: a buffalo wing and chicken tender combo, omelets, gyro souvlaki and pancakes with sausage and bacon.
Nick Herms, a senior cinema and history major, said he enjoys the buffalo chicken wrap.
“I believe that Argo is a great place to go after being Downtown, as it is inexpensive and close.”
Vin Gioe, a senior philosophy, politics and law major, also had positive comments to make about Argo.
“I ordered an omelet to go and the service was quick. I liked that I could spend eight bucks and get a lot of food.”
Jeff Egan, a senior psych major, agrees with the comments made by Herms and Gioe. He ordered what he calls “the breakfast of champions,” which consists of three pancakes, three eggs, bacon and sausage.
“There is efficient service, and I’m happy to have my food soon after I order it. Also, any place where I can get a boatload of food for $6 after being Downtown is a very good place to go.”
New to the late-night Downtown scene, Christopher Kapatos’s Argo Restaurant is definitely worth visiting. Efficient service, delicious food, generously sized portions and an inexpensive menu make Argo appealing to both daytime and after-hours nighttime visitors.