What's your favorite place to eat in WNY?
I'm trying to try out as many different unique places as I can but find it difficult to get information on places since most don't seem to have websites or anything. For example, I was trying to find a menu or website for Empire Grill or Mother's but couldn't come up with anything useful.
Tiburon1724's Journal
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06/02/2007 20:06 #39505
EatsCategory: food
05/11/2007 18:06 #39242
NIMBY'S!!!!!Tying into my last post, I get downright FURIOUS when I read about people trying to stop development in Buffalo/Erie County. Already, a group has filed a petition and hired a lawyer to prevent the 22-story Gates Circle Condominiums from being built. Again, people, where do you think you live?! You're the reason the city has lost over 50% of it's population and is in such a downward spiral!! Developers are coming here with great projects we should feel very fortunate for and there's always some group of idiots to chase them away like the hotel on Elmwood!!!
jason - 05/14/07 08:36
As much as I don't like the suburbanization of Buffalo, I looked at the plan and I don't see why not. I mean, we do have upscale stores for them to shop in. The only thing I always say to Josh about this kind of thing is "Where are these people who can afford $400k-$2M condos going to work?"
As much as I don't like the suburbanization of Buffalo, I looked at the plan and I don't see why not. I mean, we do have upscale stores for them to shop in. The only thing I always say to Josh about this kind of thing is "Where are these people who can afford $400k-$2M condos going to work?"
james - 05/11/07 21:48
Oh ya, there are angry people in this town who will fight any sort of progress tooth and nail. The restaurant that sits where the oh so very expensive condo is going was built in the 70's.
Historical arguments aside, there seems to be a culture in this city that the way it was should be the way it should be.
For example, (e:paul) thinks central terminal should be brought down. But people speak of how we can turn it into... well.. something.
Or people who don't want the skyway to come down because it is part of our heritage.
Buffalo, you have so many wonderful beautiful old homes. But make a little room for some new development or there will be no development and we can just wait until lake erie swallows us.
Oh ya, there are angry people in this town who will fight any sort of progress tooth and nail. The restaurant that sits where the oh so very expensive condo is going was built in the 70's.
Historical arguments aside, there seems to be a culture in this city that the way it was should be the way it should be.
For example, (e:paul) thinks central terminal should be brought down. But people speak of how we can turn it into... well.. something.
Or people who don't want the skyway to come down because it is part of our heritage.
Buffalo, you have so many wonderful beautiful old homes. But make a little room for some new development or there will be no development and we can just wait until lake erie swallows us.
tiburon1724 - 05/11/07 19:46
peter, good point about people maybe having to sacrifice for the greater good of the city. I can understand people being a bit apprehensive about certain development, such as say a Super Wal-Mart going in right behind your house. In Florida the only development that ever got fought was Super Wal-Mart. The idiots there don't even freak out like they do here over development.
But large scale development is what you get when you live in a CITY in my opinion. If you don't want possible development like the Gates Circle tower, move to the suburbs. What if the people of New York City had the Buffalo NIMBY mentality? I supported the Elmwood Hotel because it wouldn't have been like it's a Days Inn or Motel 6 bringing in the trash, it was going to be a more upscale, small hotel bringing in civilized people with money who would discover this great part of Buffalo and return home telling their family and friends all about it. Oh well. As for the politicians, yes it's frustrating but ultimately it's the people of a city who run and determine the fate of the city, not the politicians - standing around and waiting for them to "fix" Buffalo won't solve anything. We all need to do our part and take it on as our responsibility.
peter, good point about people maybe having to sacrifice for the greater good of the city. I can understand people being a bit apprehensive about certain development, such as say a Super Wal-Mart going in right behind your house. In Florida the only development that ever got fought was Super Wal-Mart. The idiots there don't even freak out like they do here over development.
But large scale development is what you get when you live in a CITY in my opinion. If you don't want possible development like the Gates Circle tower, move to the suburbs. What if the people of New York City had the Buffalo NIMBY mentality? I supported the Elmwood Hotel because it wouldn't have been like it's a Days Inn or Motel 6 bringing in the trash, it was going to be a more upscale, small hotel bringing in civilized people with money who would discover this great part of Buffalo and return home telling their family and friends all about it. Oh well. As for the politicians, yes it's frustrating but ultimately it's the people of a city who run and determine the fate of the city, not the politicians - standing around and waiting for them to "fix" Buffalo won't solve anything. We all need to do our part and take it on as our responsibility.
tiburon1724 - 05/11/07 19:40
carolinian -- very true, the taxes here are definitely out of whack with housing values, especially in the suburbs. A big reason I'm not in a huge rush to stop renting. Why pay for problems like broken appliances when I can get it fixed for free and I'm paying the same as I would for a mortgage? Sure, a house would be a big jump in living space, but then I'll be paying a fortune to heat the place.
carolinian -- very true, the taxes here are definitely out of whack with housing values, especially in the suburbs. A big reason I'm not in a huge rush to stop renting. Why pay for problems like broken appliances when I can get it fixed for free and I'm paying the same as I would for a mortgage? Sure, a house would be a big jump in living space, but then I'll be paying a fortune to heat the place.
carolinian - 05/11/07 19:30
Cheap land is great, but kind of pointless when property taxes don't really scale well with housing prices. I've seen on real estate sites houses going for $50000 with an estimated $2500-3000 a year in property tax. It doesn't matter how cheap housing is if your taxes are more than your mortgage. Especially true if you might wind up selling the house for the same price you bought it at.
Cheap land is great, but kind of pointless when property taxes don't really scale well with housing prices. I've seen on real estate sites houses going for $50000 with an estimated $2500-3000 a year in property tax. It doesn't matter how cheap housing is if your taxes are more than your mortgage. Especially true if you might wind up selling the house for the same price you bought it at.
metalpeter - 05/11/07 18:32
The hotel on Elmwood may be a bad example. But I do agree with you. The one advantage Buffalo has is that the the land is cheap compaired to other cities and so that can lead to groth. But if I was in the position to build a building I wouldn't come to Buffalo. The reason is that nimbyism. I do understand that residents don't want historic building brought down, and I do agree with that. I do understand that people who live where there are all homes may not want some huge looming building in there neihboorhood looming over them. I do understand that there have been some (in hindsight) some bad moves in Buffalo's history. Oh like say putting a highway through the parks. I don't remeber it but Humbolt and delaware park used to be all one park, I think before I was born. If it was all connected that could be the best city park on the east coast. I'm not saying it would be but it would be awesome. However that all being said there are a lot of people in this town who want Buffalo to develop and grow but not where they live. That is what Downtown or the waterfront is for. But what these people don't seem to understand is that if you fight things in your neighboorhood then it makes it hard for businesses to come to buffalo so then no one bothers and nothing ever happens. This city is to political a good example is that there still is no new peace bridge. Some of this comes from the politicans fucking things up so the people try to do things the right way. But the problem is that they don't agree so nothing happens. Yes there are projects that are bad and maybe don't fit the neighboorhood and those I can understand if people don't want them there. But I think that most of the time it is that they just don't want it in there neck of the woods. Sometimes people need to sacrifice a little bit so that we get more cool stuff in buffalo.
The hotel on Elmwood may be a bad example. But I do agree with you. The one advantage Buffalo has is that the the land is cheap compaired to other cities and so that can lead to groth. But if I was in the position to build a building I wouldn't come to Buffalo. The reason is that nimbyism. I do understand that residents don't want historic building brought down, and I do agree with that. I do understand that people who live where there are all homes may not want some huge looming building in there neihboorhood looming over them. I do understand that there have been some (in hindsight) some bad moves in Buffalo's history. Oh like say putting a highway through the parks. I don't remeber it but Humbolt and delaware park used to be all one park, I think before I was born. If it was all connected that could be the best city park on the east coast. I'm not saying it would be but it would be awesome. However that all being said there are a lot of people in this town who want Buffalo to develop and grow but not where they live. That is what Downtown or the waterfront is for. But what these people don't seem to understand is that if you fight things in your neighboorhood then it makes it hard for businesses to come to buffalo so then no one bothers and nothing ever happens. This city is to political a good example is that there still is no new peace bridge. Some of this comes from the politicans fucking things up so the people try to do things the right way. But the problem is that they don't agree so nothing happens. Yes there are projects that are bad and maybe don't fit the neighboorhood and those I can understand if people don't want them there. But I think that most of the time it is that they just don't want it in there neck of the woods. Sometimes people need to sacrifice a little bit so that we get more cool stuff in buffalo.
05/11/2007 17:57 #39241
Work & TouristsSo I'm currently working downtown, which has been a very interesting experience. I deal with businessmen/women, homeless, the literally insane and mentally challenged, welfare freeloaders.....basically every type of person imaginable. For lunch I've been shooting over to the Greenhouse Food Court at Main Place Mall, encouraged by the throngs of people there getting food but dissapointed by the 6 or 7 stores in the building, only one of which is a normal mall tenant (Foot Locker). I love looking over and seeing City Hall in all it's glory, nut shudder as I look at the boarded up buildings.
Twice this week while working my first week in Buffalo, I have been approached by tourists who couldn't understand what was wrong. One was a pair of European tourists and the other were two women from Pennsylvania. The Europeans asked if there was a curfew because everything was closed and everyone seemed to be vacating the streets. The other two asked where the stores were and said how depressing it is downtown, saying "this could be such a cool place," specifically referencing Main St. I was working and couldn't spend the amount of time I'd have liked to with either group, but I mentioned Chippewa St. and Elmwood Village as places to head towards. The couple from Pennsylvania asked if anything was planned to reverse the fortunes of downtown and I quickly mentioned Bass Pro, returniing traffic to Main St., the waterfront redevelopment, etc.
I found this personally to be very embarrassing to myself and to the city. These people will very possibly leave with the negative stereotype of Buffalo in their heads and spread it - "we've been to Buffalo, it's all true, depressing and run down!" I know downtown has some newer buildings and in the past decade has made a pretty good swing in the right direction, but clearly more needs to be done fast. And people fighting and arguing about Bass Pro, a Casino, or any other development downtown is only further damaging our city's future. We're not exactly in the position to be picking and choosing what comes to our city. It's not like there's a shortage of abandoned buildings and locales for businesses. I understand the need to preserve the city's historic buildings, but MANY of them are in such a state of disrepair they need to go. The others can be retrofitted, getting an update while still maintaining it's historic shell and significance.
To end my rant, Buffalo needs to do more to reach out to our tourists because they ARE here even though we think they aren't!!!!
Twice this week while working my first week in Buffalo, I have been approached by tourists who couldn't understand what was wrong. One was a pair of European tourists and the other were two women from Pennsylvania. The Europeans asked if there was a curfew because everything was closed and everyone seemed to be vacating the streets. The other two asked where the stores were and said how depressing it is downtown, saying "this could be such a cool place," specifically referencing Main St. I was working and couldn't spend the amount of time I'd have liked to with either group, but I mentioned Chippewa St. and Elmwood Village as places to head towards. The couple from Pennsylvania asked if anything was planned to reverse the fortunes of downtown and I quickly mentioned Bass Pro, returniing traffic to Main St., the waterfront redevelopment, etc.
I found this personally to be very embarrassing to myself and to the city. These people will very possibly leave with the negative stereotype of Buffalo in their heads and spread it - "we've been to Buffalo, it's all true, depressing and run down!" I know downtown has some newer buildings and in the past decade has made a pretty good swing in the right direction, but clearly more needs to be done fast. And people fighting and arguing about Bass Pro, a Casino, or any other development downtown is only further damaging our city's future. We're not exactly in the position to be picking and choosing what comes to our city. It's not like there's a shortage of abandoned buildings and locales for businesses. I understand the need to preserve the city's historic buildings, but MANY of them are in such a state of disrepair they need to go. The others can be retrofitted, getting an update while still maintaining it's historic shell and significance.
To end my rant, Buffalo needs to do more to reach out to our tourists because they ARE here even though we think they aren't!!!!
metalpeter - 05/11/07 18:20
There are two things that kinda happendend at the same time that killed the stores in the mall and the downtown shoping area. No one likes to admit they don't like young black high school kids but most white adults don't. You had all the school kids hanging out in the mall. Then at the same time chain stores that drew a lot of people like AM&A's then bonton moved out to the Galleria mall or other malls. So the few whites who would shop there when it was all blacks wouldn't shop there anymore. Eventully the mall after it was to late realised we can't have high school kids hanging out here and they put in rules to stop that. But by the time they did that it was to late. Taylors then tried to bring people who where downtown into there place. I'm not saying they where to upscale for downtown but when you have a dress code no one is going to shop there so they went out of business. I'm not saying that the high school kids where trouble. But a lot of the kids who hung out there where loud, it isn't there fault when you have a bunch of kids talking and messing around it gets loud. That being said there is no reason why the suburbs can't sprawl back into downtown. With all these High Priced lofts I don't see why more shops don't enter the mall or the close area. Our downtown is really a downtown and not a shopping area. But now that more people are moving in maybe that will change.
There are two things that kinda happendend at the same time that killed the stores in the mall and the downtown shoping area. No one likes to admit they don't like young black high school kids but most white adults don't. You had all the school kids hanging out in the mall. Then at the same time chain stores that drew a lot of people like AM&A's then bonton moved out to the Galleria mall or other malls. So the few whites who would shop there when it was all blacks wouldn't shop there anymore. Eventully the mall after it was to late realised we can't have high school kids hanging out here and they put in rules to stop that. But by the time they did that it was to late. Taylors then tried to bring people who where downtown into there place. I'm not saying they where to upscale for downtown but when you have a dress code no one is going to shop there so they went out of business. I'm not saying that the high school kids where trouble. But a lot of the kids who hung out there where loud, it isn't there fault when you have a bunch of kids talking and messing around it gets loud. That being said there is no reason why the suburbs can't sprawl back into downtown. With all these High Priced lofts I don't see why more shops don't enter the mall or the close area. Our downtown is really a downtown and not a shopping area. But now that more people are moving in maybe that will change.
05/06/2007 20:46 #39186
I have arrived!Finally got into WNY on Wednesday, start work tomorrow (Mon). So far I definitely feel I've made the right decision. Already feel much happier in WNY.
lilho - 05/07/07 15:53
welcome!
welcome!
theecarey - 05/07/07 01:49
YAY! an official welcome to you!
YAY! an official welcome to you!
leetee - 05/06/07 23:07
Welcome to Buffalo!
Welcome to Buffalo!
james - 05/06/07 22:28
you're here?
MWA HA HA HA HA!
Now we tell you that we have sprung a trap of unspeakable horror!!
ahem,
Welcome to town, hope the first day on the job is free of training videos.
you're here?
MWA HA HA HA HA!
Now we tell you that we have sprung a trap of unspeakable horror!!
ahem,
Welcome to town, hope the first day on the job is free of training videos.
chico - 05/06/07 22:27
Welcome to Buffalo!! Hope your first day goes really well!
Welcome to Buffalo!! Hope your first day goes really well!
04/20/2007 00:44 #38969
Season Tix!So today I ordered my Bills season tickets. Not bad, section 241. Didn't want to be in the nosebleeds. Plan on getting the Bills plate when I get up there too, am on the Sabres season ticket waiting list (might take 2 years or so to get to my name :( ) and will get Bandits seasons as well. I'm gung ho Buffalo!
metalpeter - 04/20/07 17:58
The Bandit games are a lot of fun. I wish I could afforod Sabres tickets.
The Bandit games are a lot of fun. I wish I could afforod Sabres tickets.
mrmike - 04/20/07 10:21
Hell, that Monday nighter with the COwboys will be a test of mettle. I'm not looking forward to that one.
Hell, that Monday nighter with the COwboys will be a test of mettle. I'm not looking forward to that one.
jason - 04/20/07 09:13
Well done, my friend, well done! Wait till the December and January games. You'll know how dedicated we are here.
Well done, my friend, well done! Wait till the December and January games. You'll know how dedicated we are here.
I defer to the other, more experienced Thai diners. I have not even eaten at Saigon Cafe yet (so there, (e:jenks) !) so my basis for comparison is artificially limited. While we're on the topic, my old downstairs neighbor had good things to say about The King and I on Kensington.
When I interviewed for my job, the chair asked, "What do you like to do when you're not at work?" And I thought for a second, and replied, "Well, I like to eat." He laughed and said Buffalo was the place for me. I do think that there's a lot of very good food in Buffalo with a low or reasonable price tag.
No one mentioned sushi yet, I had Kuni's Takeout once and liked it a lot, and prices seemed reasonable. But I'm hardly a sushi connoisseur. Unfortunately, for Ethiopian, I think one still has to drive to Rochester. But I've been meaning to check out the Somali takeout place on Grant Street, has anyone been there (I think it's called Somali Star)?
Stillwater (on Delaware in Allentown area) has nice food but is expensive, and I think that the dining room lacks atmosphere. The bar has atmosphere, but the last time I stopped in there it was deserted.
Sounds like I need to have pizza at Aroma! Brick oven, yum.
I had Jasmine the other day- and thought it was not NEARLY as good as saigon cafe. The green curry, at least.
and- damn chico! You've been here a lot less time than I have- and you've eaten EVERYwhere!
and james- yes, aroma's pizza is that good.
korean food?
I have been craving Bulgogi like a fiend and had no idea where to find some delicious Korean smack. Thank you.
Mother's I think is skipable. The only reason you would want to go there is if you wanted a nice dinner at 11:30PM. Other than that there are a dozen of other delicious places at that price range.
I have eaten at about three thai places around here and have yet to like any of them. So...
I hear Aroma on Bryant has brick oven, thin crust pizza so good you would sell your eyes to have another bite. Hm... I guess I am not making dinner tonight then.
To a Buffalo native, this may sound silly, but Andersons' is ridiculously good. Beef on weck is standard here like tortillas are standard in Mexican food. Sure, thin sliced roast beef on a bun covered with rock salt doesn't sound like anything to write home about, but sweet beefy lord it is good, so good.
Huh... funny, we all have our own tastes. I think Taste of Thai and both Saigons are better than Jasmine. Buffalo has some good Thai, so i say try them all and make your own choice. Spicy Thai on Sheridan is in the same area too...
i totally agree with (e:Chico) on Indian food... although good, there are better Indian food places than India Gate on Elmwood. Star of India on Delaware in Kenmore is pretty good, too.
Woochon is the same place i am talking about... i think it's called WooChon Korea House.
People rant about Betty's, but the staff there are totally obnixious. We tried to eat there once and gave up. Hopefully, the guy that swore and me and told me to get out got fired years ago.
Left Bank and Hutch's are very, very good but sometimes difficult to get seated, definitely call ahead. Bacchus on Chippewa has a nice wine list and can turn out some very nice meals from time to time.
For cheap Italian food in the city, see my post (e:chico,38657) and comments from (e:mrmike) and (e:zobar) . For upscale Italian, Ristorante Lombardo on Hertel Ave near Commonwealth is very nice and the food has always impressed.
For Thai, surprisingly perhaps, Jasmine on Niagara Falls Boulevard is tasty. And Taste of India on (I think) Sheridan is delicious, probably a little better than Elmwood Ave's India Gate, even though it is run by the same people. For Korean, Woochon on Evans in Williamsville comes highly recommended by a Japanese student of mine but I haven't tried it yet. For pan-Asian in a contemporary restaurant with a good vibe, try Papaya on Chippewa, and then go next door to Chocolate Bar for dessert and/or after-dinner drinks.
For wings, Gabriel's Gate on Allen Street in Allentown is best in my book, though it is fun to take out-of-towner guests to the Anchor Bar on Main Street near North. For a panini and a drink (including some good beers in bottles), try Allen Street Hardware.
For brunch or lunch, I really like Betty's on Virginia just west of Elmwood Ave. And for cheap eats and questionable service, there's always the Towne Restaurant on Allen St at Elmwood, I'm getting hooked on their Greekburger (lamb and beef combined).
btw, I really like that Empire Grill. Have had a couple of really good meals there, including a delicious pulled pork sandwich (better than most, including Fat Bob's BBQ on Virginia Place), and had a breakfast burrito that was lights-out good.
Oh and for the WNY classic beef-on-weck, so far my personal fave is the Wellington Pub on Hertel.
For pizza served with a snarl, New York Pizza on Allen Street has the closest thing to thin-crust NY/NJ/Long Island style pizza in Buffalo.
Places I've had problems with or have been disappointed by: Vino's on Elmwood Ave, Fiamma Steakhouse on Hertel Ave.
Gee, i do not know how a foodie like me missed this post.
In the better late than never category, here are my favorite places to chow down.
Palenque on Niagara Falls Blvd by Sheridan. Excellent TexMex.
El Cannello on Dingens, by the old toll booths. good tex mex and dirt cheap lunch specials.
The Red Pepper on Maple by the Boulvard Mall. Good, inexpensive chinese, great lunch deals and darn good Pho.
Zhang's Buffet on Union by the Walden Galleria. good all round chinese buffet.
Saigon Cafe on Elmwood and Saigon Bangkok on Niagara Falls Boulevard between Kenmore and Main. Very good thai
Taste of Thai on Hertel. good thai, good service, great deals for lunch.
Falafel Bar on Elmwood. tiny place, good falafel and mediterranean.
Korean House on Evans Road in Williamsville (or is that still Amherst?). little higher in cost, but good food. the lunch bento boxes are good.
the Royal on Sheridan and Military. good greek, and american home style food. prices are decent, too
La Nova. I think their pizza is the best in town. their ny style rocks.
chef's is my favorite restaurant in buffalo. has been since i was a year old.
yeah left bank is one of my all-time faves, and I'm digging trattoria aroma (bryant and ashland) a lot right now.
Left Bank is my favorite restaurant at the moment
i second the vote for bill rappaport's. Pretty primitive but very comprehensive.
Back a few years ago I built an awesome site for posting meal reviews and menus via cell phones. People were not ready for mobile stuff and it is gone now.
Two good resources are artvoice :::link::: and Bill Repaport's :::link:::