Ninety Years on Washington Street
Balloons has been on Washington Street since 1934 — through nine decades of Auburn milestones, the same philosophy has held: best quality food, best price, no fuss.
Balloons Restaurant & Catering | Our Story
Founded on Washington Street
The D'Angelo Family opened Balloons in 1934, and it quickly earned a reputation as the place for steaks in town. That reputation hasn't needed much defending in the ninety years since.
The Simmons Take the Helm
In 1991, Bernie and Terry Simmons became Balloons' third proprietors — and made a deliberate choice not to change much. Best quality food, best price. That's still the plan.
The Prison Wall Next Door
We're tucked along a downtown side street, right up against a towering historic prison wall — one of the most unusual settings of any restaurant in upstate New York. Step inside and the warmth hits you before the menu does.
Catering Beyond the Dining Room
We've grown into one of the Finger Lakes region's full-service catering operations — weddings, graduations, corporate events — handled the same way we handle dinner service.
Guests Who Come Back Decades Later
People move away from Auburn and come back years later to find the same place waiting. That kind of loyalty is earned one good meal at a time.
