Whole in the Wall, Binghamton NY

My sister and I ate here last week while visiting the area, FINALLY, after graduating from Binghamton in 1995. We had always heard about this restaurant and seen the ads in Pipe Dream as students, a.k. A.the days when we had no wheels and the usual fare for us was Denny's. What a treasure this place is! The mushroom soup, to die for! I got the Whole Enchilada, and thoroughly enjoyed it, the chipotle sauce is wonderful. My sister got the mezze platter and loved it - I stole a felafel off of her plate! We both cleaned our plates. The portions are well sized - not huge but not small, just the right size to let you fit in an appetizer/soup, and dessert.
Now let me talk about the dessert. We had seen on Facebook a few hours prior that Eliot had baked up an apple pie. So that's what we asked for! It was fabulous. Whole wheat crunchy crust, some oats and cinnamon mixed in with the crumble-type topping over thinly sliced apples.each bite melted in your mouth. We tried to persuade Eliot to reveal his recipe when we got to speak with him and his lovely wife later, to no avail.
This restaurant is the kind of gem you find, and then it becomes the goal to visit, each time you visit the area.
We were so happy to learn they have a mail order business, because I brought some mushroom soup home for my husband, and now he is climbing the walls wanting more. Also bought a container of Eliot's famous basil pesto, and just had some last night, such flavorful basil with garlic and pine nuts.
Highly recommend this restaurant. While waiting for your food, you are welcomed to flip through an album they have put together, detailing the genesis and evolution of the restaurant through the years. Very unique and interesting.

Stopped in the area for lunch while traveling. Decided to stop by whole in the wall for lunch and wished we hadn't $90.for basic lunch options for 2 adults, 2 kids. The Mexican platter lacked any flavor or meat. Not sure I could even call it Mexican inspired. Upcharge for gluten free with no visible accommodations made. Shrimp scampi was more mushroom than shrimp, which was overcooked. Luncheon pizza the size of a saucer dish and not worth the $13 price dish. Mushroom soup tasted like Cheetos. Would never stop here again.we were the only customers and it took forever for our meals to be served. Unsure why reservations were required. The place was empty.
It made a lasting impression and not a good one.

The food was good here, but my god is it expensive for the portions that you get. I don't think I'll be coming back, unless it's for their pesto.or if I have to find somewhere to take a GF/vegan friend. Parking was awful too, but that's not necessarily their fault.

My wife and I had business in town, and two of our three kids plus a fiancé had business in Ithaca. I suggested we meet at Whole in the Wall for dinner, it had been years. Everything about the experience was amazing. The food was artfully prepared fresh from incredibly fresh ingredients. The service was spectacular, and the vibe was the same as it was back when the place opened!

My wife and I travel quite a bit, and we always seek out the finest local restaurants we can find. I am not being hyperbolic when I say that Eliot is an artist in the kitchen. His skills as a chef are on par with those chefs in some of the finest places in some of the finest food cities in the world (think Paris, NOLA, etc.).

If you are visiting Binghamton, or if you live close enough to drive there, make reservation, show up hungry, and order off the menu what speaks to you.

Visited this restaurant this evening and was greeted by Julie (this is the name she gave. Lady with locks). Julie directed me to the other side of the restaurant as I had take out. Once I entered, I was slighly pushed by a waitress (no apologies) and ignored. I walked over to the bar and asked the man if this is where I pick up. He rudely said give me a second. A second turned into 20 minutes. Two waiters and waitress passed me, never looked at me. I had someone call the restaurant. Twice the waitress hung up the phone. I watched. The third time the waitress answered and was told I was waiting. She turned to me and said we are busy. She asked the waiter to get my food, through the two cokes down. I told her I waited for 30 minutes and no one addressed me and the service was bad and at this her and the waiter cussed me out as I walked out of the store. This is for Toronto location

Whole in the Wall is a fantastic, cozy, delicious little spot in Binghamton on the South Side, 42 years of farm to table & great service! Atmosphere is adorable and homey. Elliot is amazing and has been there the entire time, there is so much history here and the menu is outstanding. Elliot took the time to speak to us and get to know us. Showed us the restaurant scrapbook of memories, which is located near the front counter!

GET THE GARLIC BALL! The menu even says it’s “insanely good” and it most certainly is. I recommend each person who wants one getting their own… it’s that good. Mushroom soup was great! Many meatless options. Their pesto has won awards, buy some to take home, you won’t regret it. Whole in the Wall is an Upstate NY gem!

I've been eating at Whole in the Wall for 40 years. The quality of the meals prepared there as well as the creative use of foods and spices make Whole in the Wall deliciously unique. I'll see you soon!