125 replies to this topic

[nbash]

Mothers
santsieros
Casa Di Pizza
Ditondos on Seneca!!!

[Eleven]

Best:  Tempo, Hutch's, Lombardo, Torches, Left Bank, Bambino, Cantina Loco

Worst:  Chef's (how does anyone eat there?  "Parm" should not be a verb...)

Overrated:  Anchor Bar, Toro, Mighty (yeah, I said it!), Mothers

[carpandean]

Andrew Amerk, on 07 August 2012 - 10:31 PM, said:

Also, Tahou's does not make the best garbage plate.

Technically, they do make the best and only garbage plates.  It's trademarked.  Others do make very good plates of similar composition, though.  Some are arguably better than the original.  Hard for me to say since most of my experience with the original came in the 1990's before Nick died.

[nbash]

This may be blasphemy, but Jim's steak out is also overrated, even drunk at 3 am.  Seriously, how do you f-up a Steak sandwich?  Not enough steak.

[Suffer_enuff]

I've always considered myself a bit fussy about good food, so when I return to the same restaurants time and again, I think that means they are pretty decent.  Faves:  Curly's Grille and Mulberry Cafe (both in Lackawanna, but hey, that's where I live), Left Bank.

Not faves:  Any Olive Garden, the Southgate Plaza Applebee's (the one near the McKinley Mall seems much better), Hyde Park Steakhouse (Walden Galleria).

Overrated:  Anchor Bar, Chef's (I know it is a Buffalo tradition, but the food is very generic.)

Jury is out on: Rick's on Main (East Aurora) - have only eaten there twice.  The first time, the food was simply wonderful. The second time, both the appetizer and entree were waaaayyy too salty.  May have been a fluke, and I'm willing to give them one more try....but just one more.

[CallawaySabres]

That Aud Smell, on 08 August 2012 - 05:30 AM, said:

*woot*

(can't find emoticons on the mobile.)

Bingo, you got it! That place is ridiculous (Mingh Cafe) - especially the crispy beef...

[Hank]

My favorites for when I visit:

Fingers/wings - Audubon North

Beef - Swistons

Pizza - Good Guys

Greek - Athena's

Sandwich - Smoke on the water

Bar - Crazy Jakes

Dive - Odies

Dining - Salvatore's

[deluca67]

nbash, on 08 August 2012 - 11:36 AM, said:

This may be blasphemy, but Jim's steak out is also overrated, even drunk at 3 am.  Seriously, how do you f-up a Steak sandwich?  Not enough steak.

If you noticed you didn't have enough to drink.

[TrueBluePhD]

DeLuca67, on 08 August 2012 - 06:30 PM, said:

If you noticed you didn't have enough to drink.

What he said

All I have to say is I'm glad I'm not a foodie at all because some of the places being listed as overrated or bad I think are good .

[nobody]

DeLuca67, on 08 August 2012 - 06:30 PM, said:

If you noticed you didn't have enough to drink.

So they expect everyone to be so drunk that they don't realize that they are skimping on the steak?

[deluca67]

nobody, on 08 August 2012 - 08:03 PM, said:

So they expect everyone to be so drunk that they don't realize that they are skimping on the steak?

I think they have built a reputation on what people think they remember the food tasted like. It's a brand built on beer goggles.

[inkman]

That Aud Smell, on 08 August 2012 - 05:30 AM, said:

*woot*

(can't find emoticons on the mobile.)

Type word or symbols inside : :

I will give examples without : :



woot
devil
ph34r

With : :
::
:
:woot:

[d4rksabre]

DeLuca67, on 08 August 2012 - 08:11 PM, said:

I think they have built a reputation on what people think they remember the food tasted like. It's a brand built on beer goggles.

I can honestly say the only times I've ever had Jim's, I was hammered at 3:00am, and I remember taco-in-a-bag tasting fantastic.

I suppose they know their consumer base very well.

[Falstaff]

Fish fry - The Beach House on Grand Island

The Original Pancake House's Apple Pancake is unrivaled.

No votes for The Polish Villa??

It's funny how your perspective on food changes when you move out of town for awhile.  Philly ruined other people's steak sandwiches for me and once you have ACTUAL Mexican food crafted by Mexican people you'll never eat Mighty Taco or ETS again (even at 3am) I have a big population of migrant workers from Mexico near where I live and man the Mexican food is bangin' around here.

Furthermore, the best sandwich in Philly (IMO) isn't even a cheesesteak.  It's Roast pork with sharp provolone and broccoli rabe from Tony Luke's (the real one under I-95 on Oregon Ave not the one the the ballpark)

[MattPie]

Falstaff, on 08 August 2012 - 10:42 PM, said:

It's funny how your perspective on food changes when you move out of town for awhile.  Philly ruined other people's steak sandwiches for me and once you have ACTUAL Mexican food crafted by Mexican people you'll never eat Mighty Taco or ETS again (even at 3am) I have a big population of migrant workers from Mexico near where I live and man the Mexican food is bangin' around here.

Truth. Mighty is good if you only have Taco Bell to compare it to.

Quote

Furthermore, the best sandwich in Philly (IMO) isn't even a cheesesteak.  It's Roast pork with sharp provolone and broccoli rabe from Tony Luke's (the real one under I-95 on Oregon Ave not the one the the ballpark)

Double-plus truth. A couple years ago, a group of us did a cheesesteak ride around Philly. Roughly 10 of us, we'd order 2-3 cheesesteaks at each place (5 total), have a bit, and rate them. Last stop was Tony Luke's. After the steaks, someone ordered the roast pork (exactly as above); that was by far the best thing I had all day. Why the ###### weren't we eating those all along?

Edited by MattPie, 09 August 2012 - 09:29 AM.

[SHAAAUGHT!!!]

Best Barb-Q in WNY is One Eyed Jacks in Lockport.  The pulled pork is amazing.

Edited by SHAAAUGHT!!!, 09 August 2012 - 09:37 AM.

[Suffer_enuff]

Falstaff, on 08 August 2012 - 10:42 PM, said:

It's funny how your perspective on food changes when you move out of town for awhile.  Philly ruined other people's steak sandwiches for me and once you have ACTUAL Mexican food crafted by Mexican people you'll never eat Mighty Taco or ETS again (even at 3am) I have a big population of migrant workers from Mexico near where I live and man the Mexican food is bangin' around here.

When I lived in Tucson, we ate at a bunch of really authentic Mexican places - neither Taco Bell or even Mighty Taco even comes close. (There is a place in South Tucson called the Crossroads that has a salsa verde that will make you weep...)

Edited by Sabre Dance, 09 August 2012 - 11:23 AM.

[That Aud Smell]

weave, on 08 August 2012 - 08:21 AM, said:

Speaking of Shango, it's been about 5 years since I've last been in that place but, while maybe not a best of Buffalo restaurant, I was rather impressed by the food.

It's done nothing but improve. Jim Guarino (owner, chef) is the man.

[Claude_Verret]

Hank, on 08 August 2012 - 12:14 PM, said:

Fingers/wings - Audubon North

I forgot this one!  Every bit as good as Bar Bil and Mammoser's.  Especially if you have them finish the wings on the grill.

[wyldnwoody44]

Best wings,  bar bil in EA,  also larrys in Westfield.
Best pizza,  chucks sub-way,  on north near main
Best Greek,  Olympia in Gowanda
Best Beef,  bar bil again
Best talian,  Ditondos and/or santaserios
Best hot dogs,  Teds
Best Mexican,  cantina loco,  Elmwood and allen

Overrated,  
chop house,  bettys cafe,  chefs,  duffs, gabrielas gate,  casa di pizza.

I also really like the falafel bar,  and black and blue on Sheridan.  Mezza on Elmwood is tasty as well

SHAAAUGHT!!!, on 09 August 2012 - 09:36 AM, said:

Best Barb-Q in WNY is One Eyed Jacks in Lockport.  The pulled pork is amazing.

There's a place in boston NY called buffalo bucks BBQ,  amazing. Best pulled pork and brisket I've ever had. Plus amber bock on tap

[drunken idiot]

carpandean, on 08 August 2012 - 11:34 AM, said:

Technically, they do make the best and only garbage plates.  It's trademarked.  Others do make very good plates of similar composition, though.  Some are arguably better than the original.  Hard for me to say since most of my experience with the original came in the 1990's before Nick died.

Aah yes, Tahous at 3am on Main St. in the 90's. Always interesting/exciting/dangerous at the same time. Nothing like eating a plate and never knowing what is coming through the door next. Brings back a few memories.

[Tom Backyard]

I am going to weigh in on the hot dog debate.  

While I firmly agree that Ted's is the place to go for a hot dog in Buffalo, I would have to say that Johnny's Lunch in Jamestown has my favorite dogs.

They make Texas hots, and they are an entirely different dog from a Ted's dog, but they are so so good.  

Just thinking about them makes me want to drive the 7 hours back home to pick up a half
dozen of them.

[716]

Tom Backyard, on 12 August 2012 - 09:00 AM, said:

I am going to weigh in on the hot dog debate.  

While I firmly agree that Ted's is the place to go for a hot dog in Buffalo, I would have to say that Johnny's Lunch in Jamestown has my favorite dogs.

They make Texas hots, and they are an entirely different dog from a Ted's dog, but they are so so good.  

Just thinking about them makes me want to drive the 7 hours back home to pick up a half
dozen of them.

I grew up in Buffalo in the 60s-70s and now live near Boston, MA. I still crave the Texas Red Hots and the best I remember was Longo's on Kenmore Ave. But they're gone, so I'm a fan of Louie's. Ted's is OK, but it doesn't have that "gulp it down" formula of the steamed bun and dog, mustard-silvered onions-greek sauce.

I haven't been to Buffalo in ages and hope to make the junk food tour one of these years. I miss going to a Mighty Taco at 2 AM, having a pistachio cone at Andersons, the wings at Duff's, the Lone Star Fajita Grill on Hertel and Leonardi's Pizza on Grover Cleveland Hwy.

Buffalo's got to have the best junk food in the country!

Edited by 716, 12 August 2012 - 09:43 AM.

[sabres13]

Freakpop, on 11 August 2012 - 11:35 PM, said:

Aah yes, Tahous at 3am on Main St. in the 90's. Always interesting/exciting/dangerous at the same time. Nothing like eating a plate and never knowing what is coming through the door next. Brings back a few memories.

Your post just brought back so many memories of late night in Rochester. Thank you sir.

[Eleven]

That Aud Smell, on 09 August 2012 - 02:56 PM, said:

It's done nothing but improve. Jim Guarino (owner, chef) is the man.

Guarino is a terrific individual.  I remember his first coffee shop on Main.  I don't get to Shango, but I probably should just to support the guy--and I have heard good things about the food but haven't eaten there.

[I'm Baaaaaaaaack]

tullys rules.

[Claude_Verret]

Hot dogs -  Red Top

[wyldnwoody44]

I, on 12 August 2012 - 01:33 PM, said:

tullys rules.

I have to respectfully disagree,  I went there twice. First time with family friends.  Their famous chickens fingers were awful. So I got a simple Reuben the next and that was bad too. I mean how do you mess up a Reuben lol.

[Jeanbe]

I haven't been back home in years....maybe the early 2000's.  It was a Buffalo-Toronto trip so my nephew (born and raised in AZ) could go to the HOF and see the CUP, he was playing in the high school league at the time.   Best food for me on the trip was the Canadian bacon sandwich at the St. Lawrence Market.   Found a place in Phx that makes a decent Beef on Weck which I drove to yesterday just to have comfort food after a bad day.

[Eleven]

I, on 12 August 2012 - 01:33 PM, said:

tullys rules.

FFS, it's a chain.

[carpandean]

Freakpop, on 11 August 2012 - 11:35 PM, said:

Aah yes, Tahous at 3am on Main St. in the 90's. Always interesting/exciting/dangerous at the same time. Nothing like eating a plate and never knowing what is coming through the door next. Brings back a few memories.

Fear was the secret ingredient.

Mmmm ... cheeseburger plate, double home fries - well, no onions, lots of hot sauce ... load it with ketchup and dig in!

[mudberry]

carpandean, on 12 August 2012 - 09:51 PM, said:

Fear was the secret ingredient.

Best Tahous quote I've heard. Don't think it would work on a billboard but funny as hell.

[MattPie]

Eleven, on 12 August 2012 - 08:43 PM, said:

FFS, it's a chain.

Chains under 10 locations get a pass in my book. You wouldn't dismiss Dinosaur (which I think is good BBQ but not the best I've had) despite there being 4, soon to be 5 locations. Tully's, at 11 locations, still isn't that great though, it's not even as good as the bigger sports bar chains.

Hot dogs: Ted's are great, but they're really just Sahlen's dogs with normal condiments. I usually end up at Louie's or Seneca Texas Hots because of the Texas Hot angle. They have a few places in Eastern PA and NJ that do Texas Style, but it's not the same.

The wiki article on Texas hots is pretty interesting:
https://en.wikipedia...i/Texas_hot_dog

[Eleven]

MattPie, on 13 August 2012 - 10:23 AM, said:

Chains under 10 locations get a pass in my book. You wouldn't dismiss Dinosaur (which I think is good BBQ but not the best I've had) despite there being 4, soon to be 5 locations. Tully's, at 11 locations, still isn't that great though, it's not even as good as the bigger sports bar chains.

Hot dogs: Ted's are great, but they're really just Sahlen's dogs with normal condiments. I usually end up at Louie's or Seneca Texas Hots because of the Texas Hot angle. They have a few places in Eastern PA and NJ that do Texas Style, but it's not the same.

The wiki article on Texas hots is pretty interesting:
https://en.wikipedia...i/Texas_hot_dog

I really thought Tully's was bigger than that.  It feels like Bennigan's in there.

As for Dino, I'm interested to try it, but I'm not going crazy over it until I know whether it's good.

[weave]

Eleven, on 13 August 2012 - 10:45 AM, said:

I really thought Tully's was bigger than that.  It feels like Bennigan's in there.

As for Dino, I'm interested to try it, but I'm not going crazy over it until I know whether it's good.

Tully's is Syracuse based if I remember correclty, and only have restaurants in NY.

And yeah, even as cookie cutter sports eateries go, they're not that good.

[gohansrage]

weave, on 13 August 2012 - 10:49 AM, said:

Tully's is Syracuse based if I remember correclty, and only have restaurants in NY.

And yeah, even as cookie cutter sports eateries go, they're not that good.

Agreed!  Buffalo Wild Wings is much better (although local places are the way to go)

Tully's is one of those place that you wonder who goes there.  You never meet anyone who likes it yet they have 11 locations.  Who is eating there?

Best, Worst, Overrated in Rochester:

Best Plate - Nick Tahou's on Main. The original. (Love to Bill Gray's though).
Worst Plate - Any diner that offers a rubbish or trash plate. It's usually rubbish or trash.

Best Pizza - Matter of opinion on how you're like your pie. For me, the best is Stromboli Express on East Ave
Worst Pizza - Carmine's.  I don't understand how people eat there.
Overrated Pizza - Pontillo's. It's not bad. I just don't understand why some people are obsessed with it.

Best Italian - Rosie's on Chestnut was the best. But it closed. Now I'd say DaVinci's in Greece is my favorite
Worst Italian - I want to say no Italian food is bad then I remember Olive Garden is a thing
Overrated Italian - Mario's Via Abruzzi. Not worth the price. Not even close.

Best Fine Dining -  Get to the Grill at the Strath Allen before it closes (to be made a pool! a tragedy)
Worst Fine Dining - Zeppa Grill on Gregory
Overrated Fine Dining - 2 Vine Grill on Matthews. It's fine. Not worth the price


Best Alternative Menu - The Owl House on Marshall St. Variety of amazing Vegetarian/Vegan/Gluten Free dishes

Best Food Truck - Le Petit Poutine. It's Poutine on a truck. Self explanatory

[BuffaloSoldier2010]

gohansrage, on 13 August 2012 - 12:39 PM, said:

Agreed!  Buffalo Wild Wings is much better (although local places are the way to go)

Tully's is one of those place that you wonder who goes there.  You never meet anyone who likes it yet they have 11 locations.  Who is eating there?

Best, Worst, Overrated in Rochester:

Best Plate - Nick Tahou's on Main. The original. (Love to Bill Gray's though).
Worst Plate - Any diner that offers a rubbish or trash plate. It's usually rubbish or trash.

Nice.

I tried Jimmy Z's over the weekend as i was in brockport and i have to say it was the worst plate I've EVER had. worse than Uhots in Buffalo.  The homefries were absolutely appalling. I don't know if i went on a bad night or its just not good for people like me who like to get double homefries, but i will certainly never be getting a plate from there ever again.

[apuszczalowski]

Never been to the Anchor Bar but its one of those things that you feel you have to atleast try the wings there once (just because they claim to be or are teh original, it doesn't mean they are the best)
I went to Duffs last year (about a year ago this month) near the airport when I went to go pick up my mom. I had wings and a beef on weck and while it was good, it was no where near the best. The wings didn't taste any different then most of the wings I have had at bars or restaurants around here.

For those complaining about the steak content at Jims, I think I know who stole the steak, head accross the border to Garrison Sub & Taco on Garrison Road in Fort Erie and order the steak sub. Its about $12 canadian, its grease, with tons of peppers and onions, cheese and loads of steak......

[IKnowPhysics]

Underrated: Swiston's.

[Ghost of Dwight Drane]

apuszczalowski, on 13 August 2012 - 03:59 PM, said:

Never been to the Anchor Bar but its one of those things that you feel you have to atleast try the wings there once (just because they claim to be or are teh original, it doesn't mean they are the best)
I went to Duffs last year (about a year ago this month) near the airport when I went to go pick up my mom. I had wings and a beef on weck and while it was good, it was no where near the best. The wings didn't taste any different then most of the wings I have had at bars or restaurants around here.

For those complaining about the steak content at Jims, I think I know who stole the steak, head accross the border to Garrison Sub & Taco on Garrison Road in Fort Erie and order the steak sub. Its about $12 canadian, its grease, with tons of peppers and onions, cheese and loads of steak......

Thank you for the Fort Erie tip.....although being 1/2 mile from a track that boasts cheap claimers, might explain the abundance of meat in the "steak" sub. I will try it nonetheless.

I agree that Duffs is the real overrated place. I never hear people boasting how great Anchor Bar is....so I don't get how it can be overrated. It is famous because Mama Theresa invented the thing to shut up a bunch of drunken relatives at 2 AM. That is greatness in itself. The wings are fine.....it's just expensive and you have to put up with the novelty crowd aspect. I guess by some logic, Orville and WIlbur Wright are overrated because their plane went down after 500 feet.