You don’t often see a national media personality spotlighting a small-town restaurant, but that’s exactly what happened when Mike “Large” McCarthy of Barstool Sports made a stop at Randy’s Up the River in Allegany last week.
His enthusiastic review put this long-time local favorite squarely on the digital map for millions of Barstool followers.
Who Is Mike “Large” McCarthy?
Mike “Large” McCarthy is a personality and content creator for Barstool Sports, a powerhouse sports and pop-culture brand with millions of fans across its podcasts, YouTube channels, and social media pages.
Known for its unfiltered humor and grassroots vibe, Barstool has built a huge following by showcasing everyday people, small businesses, and local experiences.
McCarthy’s visit to Allegany is a perfect example.
When someone with Barstool’s reach praises your restaurant, it’s more than just a food review. It can be good national exposure for small-town America.
McCarthy’s Visit to Allegany
In his video, McCarthy opened with:
“I’m in Allegany, New York at a place that’s been around for a long time. Randy’s Up the River.
He described the building’s vintage charm:
“You have to adjust your eyes to read the neon sign on the second-floor window, but it says Randy’s Up the River. This place is a dive in the best sense of the word.”
It happened to be Friday, which at Randy’s means one thing — the famous fish fry.
“The waitress told me that meant it was Randy’s mom’s secret beer-battered fish fry night. Flaky fish and a beer batter fresh out of the fryer. My only regret is I ordered a small portion and now I feel like less of a man.”
His sides? A Central New York classic.
“I got a couple of Syracuse salt potatoes on the side — absolutely swimming in melted butter.”
McCarthy wrapped it up with a hearty endorsement:
“Get yourself up to Allegany, New York, and put a pin in Randy’s Up the River, because you gotta try this.”
Randy’s Up the River: A Local Legend
Located at 3767 South Nine Mile Road in Allegany, Randy’s Up the River has been a community mainstay for more than 30 years, owned and operated by Randy and Debbie Korkowicz.
But the building itself has a much deeper story — it dates back to the 1860s, when it served as a stagecoach stop and hotel.
During Prohibition, locals say it doubled as a speakeasy, and even today, staff have reported strange noises, shifting objects, and ghostly figures wandering the upstairs halls.
The Korkowicz family leaned into that colorful past and humor when naming the place: “We figured we’d be up the river without a paddle,” Randy once joked.
What’s on the Menu
Randy’s menu is surprisingly vast for an outpost tavern — part bar fare, part comfort food destination.
Fan favorites include:
- Randy’s Mom’s Beer-Battered Fish Fry — a Friday-only tradition that draws crowds.
- Award-Winning Chicken Wings — with creative sauces like 24 Karat Gold, Tequila Sweet Chili, and Jack Daniels BBQ.
- Half-Pound Burgers — standouts like the Bona Burger (bacon, onion rings, and 24K gold sauce) and the King Kong Burger (a full pound of beef with multiple cheeses and bacon).
- Loaded Sandwiches & “Such” — everything from pulled pork to beef on weck and their cheeky Pull My Finger Sandwich.
- Classic Starters — onion rings, fried cheese curds, and pretzels with beer cheese.
On TripAdvisor, Randy’s holds a 4.3-star rating and is ranked the #1 restaurant in Allegany, with diners praising the food’s flavor, generous portions, and the friendly, unpretentious atmosphere.
Plan Your Visit
If you’ve never been, now’s the time.
Randy’s Up the River serves lunch, dinner, and late-night bites every day. The kitchen is open until midnight daily and the bar until 2 a.m.
Whether you go for the famous fish fry, the wings, or just the vibe, you’ll leave with a story — and maybe, like Mike “Large” McCarthy, a little regret you didn’t order the large portion.
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