Must Eat Food in Buffalo, NY

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Having lived in Western New York my entire life, I’ve often taken all the great food in Buffalo for granted. While I enjoy my eating adventures in other places, I’m always happy to return home to eat some of my favorite dishes again. Traveling also forced me to realize that some of these delightful foods aren’t available or even known everywhere. So enjoy them when you get the chance!

Must Eat Food in Buffalo

Wings

It almost goes without saying that when you visit Buffalo, you should get wings. Insider tip: locals don’t call them Buffalo chicken wings, they’re just ‘wings.’ 

As the story goes, wings as we know and love them today originated at Anchor Bar on Main Street in Buffalo back in 1964. Since that day the love of wings has grown and spread across the state, country, and world. Anchor Bar now boasts locations across New York state, internationally in Canada, and as far across the US as Texas.

Recently a Buffalo Wing Trail has been established featuring twelve area restaurants known for having some of the best wings around. Included on the trail are Anchor Bar, Bar-Bill Tavern, Blackthorn Restaurant, Cole’s, Doc Sullivan’s, Duff’s, Elmo’s Bar & Restaurant, Gabriel’s Gate, Gene McCarthy’s, Glen Park Tavern, Lenox Grill, and Mammoser’s Tavern.

Generally speaking, everyone has a favorite local joint to get their fix, so definitely ask locals for recommendations when visiting. If you don’t have time to travel the whole Wing Trail, two of the most popular spots that locals often debate between are Anchor Bar and Duff’s Famous Wings. The original Duff’s location is on Millersport Highway in Amherst, and is where President Obama got his wings while in Buffalo (if that sways your opinion one way or another).

Some tips for ordering your wings would be that they’re usually sold in quantities of 10 (known as a single, 20 would be a double, etc.) Often restaurants will allow you to split orders between two flavors (i.e. 10 mild, 10 medium, etc.) Lastly, be aware that they will be served with bleu cheese to dip as a standard, not ranch dressing. You can ask for ranch, but be prepared for the disdain of all Buffalonians if you go that route.

Beef on Weck

This sandwich is Buffalo’s unique take on a roast beef sandwich. What sets it apart, and gives the sandwich its name, is the kimmelweck roll. This is a kaiser roll sprinkled with salt and caraway seeds. After piling the bottom roll with the rare and thinly sliced beef, add layer of sinus-clearing horseradish before placing the salt and caraway crusted top on it. Many restaurants will have a pot of horseradish on the table for you to add the amount you want, or you can ask for it on the side if you’re worried about burning off your taste buds.

The oldest restaurant in Western New York, Schwabl’s in West Seneca was established in 1837, is one of the best places to get a taste of this regional delight. Another of the top places is Charlie the Butcher’s (which happens to be my personal favorite). This casual spot has an open-air kitchen so you can watch the beef being carved right in front of you.

Pizza

Yes, I know New York City usually gets all the love for pizza in this state. However, Buffalo has its own style of pizza that falls somewhere between those thin slices found in New York City and Chicago’s deep pies. The crust is thick and doughy, with sauce that is often a bit sweet but can vary to spicy depending on where you get it, and topped with a decent layer of mozzarella cheese. One of the most distinct parts though is our pepperoni, sometimes referred to as spicy pepperoni or cup & char pepperoni (since the edges of the small slices contract and cup up as it cooks).

There are certainly some of the national chains present in Buffalo, but there are far more small, independently owned pizzerias dotting the neighborhoods throughout the city. Pizza and wings are best friends in this city, and locals consistently place orders to their favorite neighborhood spots. Many pizza shops even offer deals when you order both pizza and wings. Make sure to give Buffalo’s pizza a try when you’re in town!

Ted’s Hot Dogs

Made to order, the Ted’s way!

Another food New York City or Chicago might be better known for their hot dogs. However, again Buffalo has its own style that locals love. This style is best found at Ted’s Hot Dogs, a Western New York institution since 1927. The charcoal broiled franks (regular, foot-long, or all beef) are cooked to order as customers come through the line. Once your hot dog is cooked to your liking (you can request it to be more or less charred to your preference), you tell the employees what individual toppings you want, or you can just ask for ‘the works’ which includes relish, mustard, ketchup, diced onion, and a pickle spear.

Char-broiled hot dogs, fries, and loganberry: a Buffalo Classic.

They also have their own special recipe hot sauce affectionately called Ted’s Sauce which is so popular that it’s bottled and sold in local groceries stores so you can enjoy it at home too. Of course you can’t just have a hot dog with nothing to accompany it, so give the homemade fries and onion rings a try as well. If you’re traveling with a non-hot dog fan, the burgers and chicken sandwiches available on the menu are also tasty options. To round out your meal get a milkshake or a loganberry, or better yet they have a loganberry milkshake. Read on if you’re not sure what I’m talking about.

Loganberry

For anyone who has never heard of a loganberry, it’s a hybrid between a blackberry and a raspberry. It was created by accident in 1881 by James Harvey Logan, hence its name. The Crystal Beach Amusement Park (1888-1989) in Crystal Beach, Canada used to sell a loganberry soft drink. Being so close to our northern neighbors, many Buffalonians crossed the border to visit Crystal Beach Amusement Park over the years and brought home their love for that loganberry soft drink.

Loganberry Wit

Today the sweet drink’s popularity continues and you’ll find a variety of culinary spinoffs throughout the Buffalo area. Some of my favorites include Savage Winery’s Loganberry wine, Resurgence Brewing Co.’s Loganberry Wit beer, and Lake Effect Ice Cream’s Loganberry ice cream. Many local restaurants have loganberry available for you to try with your meal. If you end up falling in love with it, local grocery stores will have loganberry available so you can take some home with you!

Sponge Candy

If you’re not from Buffalo you might know this confection under a different name, it’s sometimes called honeycomb, cinder toffee, sea-foam, fairy food, sponge toffee, or molasses puffs. Sponge candy is a light and crunchy, sponge-like toffee made from sugar, corn syrup, and baking soda. While the recipe seems simple, it produces a unique flavor reminiscent of toasted molasses. In Buffalo’s version, the ‘sponge’ is also coated in chocolate, and many candy shops offer various flavors of chocolate such as milk, dark, orange, white, and peanut butter.

Valentine’s Day in my house means sponge candy and RBC Sponge Candy Stout.

This is one of those treats you can buy to take home with you, and one I often take with me when visiting out-of-town friends. Much like loganberry, sponge candy is a beloved Buffalo treat and many businesses have developed other sponge candy flavored delights. After eating your weight in sponge candy, go try some out some of the other sponge candy fan foods. These include sponge candy flavored ice cream (both by Watson’s Chocolates and Lake Effect Ice Cream), Resurgence Brewing Co.’s Sponge Candy Stout, and Panaro’s Restaurant/Rolling Cannoli food truck has a Sponge Candy Cannoli (which has won awards at the Taste of Buffalo). 

Paula’s Donuts

Per their advertisements, these donuts are made with a special ingredient: love. Paula’s Donuts became an instant Buffalo staple when they opened in 1996 with their hand cut donuts that are made fresh daily. They have now expanded operations with four locations, one of which I lived within walking distance of for about five years. Let’s be real though: I think I only walked there once since I usually went before I had any coffee or on my way to work. There are over 30 varieties of donuts some of which I often joke are the size of my head. They don’t mess around with fillings either, if you get a filled donut, be prepared for there to be just enough dough to hold all the filling inside. 

Paula’s Donuts are made with love!

Wondering what’s uniquely Buffalo about a donut shop? Ask for the Peanut Stick donut. It’s a huge cake donut shaped exactly like it sounds (although perhaps log would be more accurate) which is dipped in glaze before being rolled in finely chopped peanuts. It’s hugely popular in Buffalo, but no one is quite sure where it came from. On that note, this is not a nut free facility, so proceed with caution if you have any nut allergies. 

For special occasions (like a birthday, or you know it’s Tuesday and that’s special) you can also order their Texas donut which is an extra-large donut serving 6-8 people. My sister had one for her birthday a couple of years ago with the raspberry filling and white icing, and it was amazing! In addition to the donuts, they also offer bagels, pastries, carrot cake, breakfast sandwiches, and coffee. Among the pastries you’ll  find the Pastry Heart which is also a very Buffalo treat. It’s a puff pastry shaped like a heart with white sugar icing on top and sometimes sprinkles. Make sure you visit Paula’s while in the area! Maybe pick a day where you’ll be walking a lot though… 

Lake Effect Artisan Ice Cream

Founded in Lockport by two local friends, this artisan ice cream shop has taken the local ice cream scene by storm. I make sure to stop at Lake Effect Artisan Ice Cream whenever I’m in Lockport, and was thrilled when a second location opened in north Buffalo. The owners use local ingredients to create unique flavors that often have a very Buffalo twist to them (think sponge candy, loganberry, and Paula’s Donuts). The results are incredibly delicious. Can’t decide on just one flavor? No problem! They offer ‘flight’ options allowing you to pick several to sample. There are also beautifully crafted artisan sundaes, popsicles, icicles (freezie pops with non-dairy and vegan options), ice cream cakes, ice cream sandwiches, and pints if you become attached to a flavor that you must have an entire pint of.

Honorable Mentions

With so much delicious food in Buffalo, it was hard to narrow it down to just the most important ones that I think everyone needs to try when visiting. Here’s some more foods to try if you have a chance and want to score extra credit! 

Mighty Taco

Mighty Taco, Mighty Taco, Mighty Taco

Buffalo’s very own fast food taco joint with 19 locations throughout Western New York. For me, the most popular time to grab Mighty is after the bars close (which is at 4:00am in Erie County, by the way). Grab a Mighty Taco, Super Mighty, one of their signature burritos, nachos, or whatever your little heart desires with whatever fixings you like. There’s a pretty wide variety of options available including gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan selections. Mighty Taco is also well-known in the area for their unusual commercials.

Pizza Logs

Many of you might be scratching your heads and asking ‘What are pizza logs?’ They’re essentially deep-fried or baked egg rolls filled with cheese & pepperoni which is served with marinara sauce for dipping.

Deep-fried pizza goodness

Although they originated in Niagara Falls, they’ve become popular throughout the area and are served in many Western New York eateries as an appetizer. It wasn’t until I went to college that I learned these crispy snacks are a regional treat, and I still find myself surprised by this. The company that started it all is trying to expand their distribution though, so maybe they’ll find their way to a restaurant near you soon. Until then, make sure to order some in Buffalo.

Chiavetta’s BBQ Chicken

Started as a wedding & banquet catering business on the side of the family poultry farm, Chiavetta’s is a Western New York classic. It became so popular that the family began selling their BBQ sauce in the 1980s. To this day you’ll find it on the shelves of local supermarkets and in the pantries of area natives. Nearly every fair, fundraiser, or event in Western New York has Chiavetta’s catering or pop-up and you can often smell it cooking throughout the region during the summer. For many, it has come to be one of the iconic tastes of summer: juicy chicken that’s slightly smoky and charred from the grill and the herbs and vinegar of the marinade dancing along your taste buds. The menu has expanded over the years and they’ve opened two take-out locations in Lockport, NY and Brant, NY.

Weber’s Mustard

Another old Buffalo company Weber’s Mustard has been making mustards, pickles, and relishes since 1922. Weber’s Horseradish Mustard is a particular favorite in Western New York, and is actually the #1 selling mustard in Buffalo. I can remember the jingle/slogan from commercials when I was a kid ‘A pickle in the middle and Weber’s on top.’ This is another Buffalo product that is also starting to spread beyond just the Western New York region with the company making efforts to distribute their products across the country.

Come hungry if you’re visiting because Buffalo has so much delicious food to offer. Writing this has certainly gotten my stomach rumbling for all these delicious Buffalo treats. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

Have you tried any of these dishes in Buffalo? What are some of your favorite regional dishes?

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