The Long Horn Restaurant and Pub

Vol. 1 Issue 6 - September 2010, Places To Go

By Ed Frulla Tue, Aug 31, 2010

We talk to Jeremy Carner about the Long Horn Restaurant and Pub

In the month of February 2010, I attended a meeting of the area clubs and organizations as they planned the Southern Adirondack Schedule of Events for 2010. An individual approached me and handed me a small wooden token good for a beer and asked me to check the place out. The place happened to be the Long Horn Restaurant and Pub in Lake Vanare NY.

I am sad to say that I did not take the time to ‘check the place out’ because I have missed out on a truly unique establishment. The locals have known the establishment as the Totem Inn and the Long Horn Café. In December 2009, Jeremy Carner took possession of the establishment with the intention of creating a full service restaurant and bar. To that end, the dining room and bar area were stripped and refinished and the kitchen was completely remodeled and equipped with up to date equipment.

I am particularly fond of restaurants and bars that are run by bikers and it turns out that Jeremy, his dad Ken and his brothers Ken Jr. and Pete are all riders and have been for quite some time. That would explain why every time a run makes refreshment stop at the Long Horn there is almost always some extra staff and some snacks or a small buffet waiting. It takes a biker to fully understand the unique needs and wants of the biker critter.

Jeremy also owns Carner’s Catering which runs the dining facility at the Double-H Ranch. This gives him extra flexibility with staffing for an event as he has a ready pool of employees to draw from if needed. Staffing the Longhorn is also a family and close friend affair. Ken Sr. keeps the place from falling down around their ears while Ken Jr. and Pete tend bar and close friends Mosses, Archie, Johnny and Shawn handle the kitchen. Every time I have been to the Longhorn the service has been quick, efficient and friendly which goes a very long way in making you feel welcome.

The food at the Longhorn is excellent. All foods are fresh and prepared in house including the meats for the club sandwiches. I can attest that the BBQ chicken and Beef Burgundy are exceptional and I plan on sampling more of the menu in the very near future.

The bar is well stocked and the bar staff is efficient which keeps the wait time to a minimum. Beer is available in draft, cans or bottles but no matter which you chose, you can be assured that it will be cold. There is also a large selection of wines available as well.

This is the first full year that the Longhorn has been opened under Jeremy’s leadership. A new front patio was added this year with abundant seating and umbrella covered tables. It is not uncommon to ride by the Longhorn and see a gaggle of bikes parked out front and everyone enjoying a cold one on the patio, gabbing and watching the traffic go by. Future plans call for a covered pavilion and outside bar to be added so as to better accommodate bike runs and events.

I had the pleasure of attending Leah’s Ride on the August 29, 2010. The ride originated from and ended at the Longhorn. Upon our return there was a buffet of hamburgers and hot dogs with cold salads prepared and ready for us. As we began to fill our plates with warm food an announcement was made to take it easy. This was just to tide us over until the main buffet was served in a couple of hours. This is just an example of the efforts put forth at the Longhorn to make sure that their guests are taken care and made to feel not only welcomed but valued.

If you are planning a run I would suggest that you work the Longhorn into your plans as an origination point, a refreshment stop or an end point. Just let Jeremy know in advance and your guests will become his guests and based on my experience that is not a bad thing at all. If you are not planning a run, take a ride to Lake Vanare and check out the menu at the Longhorn Restaurant and Pub. I am betting that you will not be disappointed.