Post Malone says world’s best Italian restaurant is in Central New York

Post Malone has performed all over the world, from the Super Bowl and “Saturday Night Live” in North America to concerts in Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia and South America. But nothing beats the food in his first home: Central New York.

The Grammy-nominated singer and rapper, who was born Austin Richard Post in Syracuse, N.Y., and lived in Baldwinsville until he was 10 years old, returned to his hometown over the weekend to perform a sold-out concert at the Empower FCU Amphitheater at Lakeview. It was his first concert in the Salt City since a 2015 performance at Syracuse University, before he became globally famous as “Post Malone.”

“I just wanted to say how f—ing grateful and honored I am to be back in this f—ing amazing town, ladies and gentlemen. Thank you so very much,” Posty told the crowd Saturday night. “From Baldwinsville, we went around the world f—ing twice.”

While in town, Malone made headlines when he stopped at Dinosaur Bar-B-Que for some pre-show BBQ. He told local radio station TK99 (WTKW, 99.5/105. FM) that he also got some of Tully’s famous chicken tenders and saw family members that still live in the area, including in Sandy Pond, Rochester and Baldwinsville.

“Whenever I come up I make it a goal to try and see everybody,” he said in an interview with TK99 host Gomez, days after the Syracuse concert. “It’s just a big family.”

If he could’ve stayed longer, he would’ve gone to one more local restaurant: Canale’s in Oswego.

“I really want to make a trip out to Canale’s and go eat (there) because that’s like my favorite Italian restaurant in the world,” Malone said. “I would dare to say it’s better than Olive Garden.”

Posty famously visited Olive Garden for an episode of “The Tonight Show” with Jimmy Fallon in 2018, schooling the late-night host on how to eat breadsticks with extra butter. But the compliment to Canale’s is even more impressive when you consider that Malone has been to Italy: He performed in Rome in 2022.

Canale’s, a family-owned restaurant that originated with Anna “Ma” Canale recipes that originated in Morolo, Italy, said it was “honored” to get the shoutout from Malone.

“We would love to have you come visit us soon!” the restaurant’s official Facebook page said.

Malone may get a chance to visit CNY again soon when he returns to Upstate New York for a Monday, Sept. 23, concert at the Broadview Stage at SPAC (Saratoga Performing Arts Center) in Saratoga Springs. Tickets are still available via Live Nation, VividSeats and StubHub.

Malone is one of the biggest music stars of the past decade thanks to hits like “Circles,” “Better Now,” “Rockstar,” “White Iverson,” “Psycho,” “I Fall Apart,” “Chemical,” “Sunflower” and “I Like You (A Happier Song).” He’s also collaborated with big names like Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Beyoncé, Tiesto, Lil Wayne, Noah Kahan, DJ Khaled, and Ozzy Osbourne — plus recently launched a country era with songs featuring Morgan Wallen, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs and Dolly Parton.

The wide range of styles and influences isn’t surprising to Malone’s father, Rich Post, who told syracuse.com he exposed his son to a large variety of music when he worked as a disc jockey for CNY weddings with Whirlin’ Disc DJs. They moved to Texas when Malone was 10 because Rich was offered a job working for the Dallas Cowboys; Malone now lives in Utah, and the family still owns a house in Baldwinsville.

Malone told TK99 that he’s thinking about getting his own place in Central New York.

“I was thinking about getting a spot out here, just to spend some time, man. The air just smells so good and it’s just a beautiful place to be,” Malone said.

Well, that would certainly give him a chance to get Canale’s, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, Tully’s and all the other fun restaurants in Central New York anytime he wants. When he’s not busy, of course, being a dad himself (with a 2-year-old daughter) or an internationally famous musician who’s also appeared in movies (like “Road House”), major TV commercials (Bud Light), launching a professional beer pong league and promoting his own lines of rosé wine (Maison No. 9), clothing (Trading Post Apparel), and Crocs.

“Thanks for having me home, ladies and gentlemen,” Malone told the Syracuse amphitheater crowd on Saturday.

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