The giant spiedie sauce bottle is up, and that can only mean one thing.
That’s right, the marinated delicacy is hitting the grills for the 37th annual Spiedie Fest.
For Rob Salamida, this weekend is a homecoming. He was one of the people who started the festival nearly 40 years ago. And while it’s evolved over the years, he’ll never forget its humble beginnings.
“I started cooking spiedies when I was 15 in front of a deli up in Endwell,” Salamida said. “I didn’t really have aspirations of being here some day, but it all has turned out much better than I could have predicted.”
Just one year later, Salamida became the youngest person at the time to ever have his own booth at the New York State Fair. He went on to help launch the Spiedie Fest in his hometown in 1984.
“Having this event at this time of the year, this might be the best time in Upstate New York and Binghamton and Broome County, with our foliage just starting to turn, gorgeous weather. You don’t get this down south,” the festival co-founder said.
The Salamida family tradition has only grow over the years. Salamida’s son, Andrew, greets eager customers who are ready to enjoy a local favorite.
“It’s great working with family,” Rob Salamida said. “It’s an interesting challenge, but I really appreciate it. I’m really thankful for what I’ve got.”
If you’ve never had a spiedie, you may want to try one.
“This is the signature sandwich of Broome County,” Rob Salamida said. “The lamb spiedie or chicken or pork or beef. But this is it.”
