SCHENECTADY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — The results are in for the 2026 Schenectady Tater Trot. The event, hosted on Saturday, brought thousands to the city to sample various potato dishes.
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17 downtown businesses participated in this year’s trot, which marked a comeback after the event was canceled in 2025. Each restaurant served 3-ounce potato foods for $1, including options like garlic parmesan Cool Ranch Doritos potatoes, Italian-style home fries and smoked French dip croquettes.
As attendees made their way through the event, they were able to vote for their favorite dishes. A panel of judges were also able to select their own winners.
Take a look below for this year’s winning restaurants and their potato samples:
2026 Schenectady Tater Trot winner
Top Tater (People’s Choice)
- First Place: Lily P’s — Yukon Gold Bombs with Zesty Spring Aioli and Pepperoni Cups
- Second Place: Vice & Virtue — Purple Sweet Potato Pancake with Crispy Pork Belly, Chimichurri and Chili Garlic Crisp
- Third Place (tie): Sabor Borincano — Baked Potato with White Sauce, Chicken and Bacon; Tara Kitchen — Batata Vada
Most Creative (People’s Choice)
- First Place: SUNY Schenectady — Triple Potato Gateaux: Purple Potato, Sweet Potato, Batata with Toasted Coconut
- Second Place: Vice & Virtue — Purple Sweet Potato Pancake with Crispy Pork Belly, Chimichurri and Chili Garlic Crisp
- Third Place: Lily P’s — Yukon Gold Bombs with Zesty Spring Aioli and Pepperoni Cups
Best Flavor Profile (People’s Choice)
- First Place: Vice & Virtue — Purple Sweet Potato Pancake with Crispy Pork Belly, Chimichurri and Chili Garlic Crisp
- Second Place: Lily P’s — Yukon Gold Bombs with Zesty Spring Aioli and Pepperoni Crips
- Third Place: Pho Queen — Yellow Curry Potatoes
Best Presentation (People’s Choice)
- First Place: Manhattan Exchange — Loaded Dutchess Potato
- Second Place: Lily P’s — Yukon Gold Bombs with Zesty Spring Aioli and Pepperoni Crips
- Third Place: SUNY Schenectady — Triple Potato Gateaux: Purple Potato, Sweet Potato, Batata with Toasted Coconut
Top Tater (Judge’s Choice)
- Tara Kitchen — Batata Vada
Most Creative (Judge’s Choice)
- SUNY Schenectady — Triple Potato Gateaux: Purple Potato, Sweet Potato, Batata with Toasted Coconut
Best Flavor Profile (Judge’s Choice)
- Canvas, Corks & Forks — The Devils Tango Tot
Best Presentation (Judge’s Choice)
- Manhattan Exchange — Loaded Dutchess Potato
In addition to handing out potato dishes, three restaurants — Katie O’Byrne’s, Grano and Backstage Pub — joined Sweet Sprig in raising almost $1,200 for Homeward Bound Dog Rescue…