Using custom built Texas smokers, this restaurant in the heart of Allentown boasts the most succulent barbecued meats in the city. Run by restaurateur par excellence Bob Mollot, the sports bar features pork, beef and poultry slow-cooked over low heat to produce that tell-tale red ring around the meat. It is a laid-back kind of place with pool tables, dartboards, and three TVs showing your favorite games. A daily happy-hour gets folks in the mood and the weekend live entertainment keeps them that way.
This is one place you should not judge by its cover. Located in Buffalo's historic Allentown district, the restaurant looks like a dive. However, it has one of the best inexpensive wine lists in the city, not to mention excellent food and service. In the kitchen, the chefs feature dishes like a traditional 'surf 'n turf' and steamed mussels in a Scotch Bonnet Pepper broth. As a bonus, Mother's Restaurant the restaurant is open late, and there's an outdoor patio for warm summer evenings.
You've likely heard of Buffalo wings and may even know that Frank and Teressa's Anchor Bar is where they originated in 1964. Here they consider them to be 'the best in the world' and if you can't actually come to Buffalo, you can still order them online as well as their signature sauce. If wings aren't your thing, you can choose from made-to-order pub-grub. Minutes from the Buffalo Theater District, this casual, unpretentious bar features live jazz on certain nights also. The decor inside features walls plastered with awards and articles extolling their famous and ubiquitous wings.
The decor is not exactly upscale and the dress code is very informal, but the food in this North Buffalo restaurant is outstanding. Basically, it's a pizzeria with pasta, wings, subs and other munchies that will force you to loosen your belt a notch or two. It is an affordable blue-jeans joint—no pretentiousness here—a great place to bring the kids. Nearby attractions include Delaware Park, the Buffalo Zoological Gardens and the Anderson Gallery.
This upscale restaurant, located in an older home on historic Main Street in the Village of East Aurora features creative American cuisine. The restaurant, owned by Chef Rick Pohlman and his wife, Kathy, has a two-story dining room plus a full service bar which includes an outdoor patio. Dinner entrees include steaks, meats, pastas and more. They can accommodate groups from 10-50 in their upstairs dining room. In addition to private events, they also provide catering services.
Lloyd Taco Factory is one of the most popular fast food joints among the locals who want to indulge themselves in some hearty Mexican delicacies. The decor here comprises of dim lights, wooden tables and graffitied walls. The food is cooked made-to-order and is always served freshly prepared using some delicious local ingredients. Some of the better known dishes from the menu are Cortez Salad, Thai Tacos and Mexicali Spring Rolls. Don’t forget to complement your meal with a glass of chilled beer. If you are looking for a budget Mexican meal in the city, Lloyd Taco Factory is a great choice.
Overlooking Hudson Street in Buffalo, Big Big Table is known for their healthy and delicious meals. This community cafe’s menu includes items like sandwiches, soups, pastas and desserts. Patrons are encouraged to pay what they can at this cafe. They can volunteer to work in the kitchen, donate meal tokens or even donate homegrown produce. This concept makes sure that no matter whether your are rich or poor, everyone has a seat at the table here.
A popular dessert, breakfast and brunch spot on Dingens Street, Donut Kraze offers delicious donuts, signature sandwiches and lunch specials to guests. All the ingredients used in the preparation of the donuts and other food items are fresh and locally sourced from farms to ensure there is no compromise on the taste and quality. With 50 different flavors of donuts available at this dessert shop, ranging from peanut butter, powdered cinnamon, jelly sticks, apple spice, cream cheese, strawberry Bavarian to chocolate kreme and key lime pie, customers are surely spoilt for choice. Apart from donuts, this restaurant also offers breakfast and lunch specials, including English muffin, hash brown, meatball on a hardroll with cheese, Chicago beef and turkey club sandwich.
This casual pancake house restaurant operated seasonally February-April, features an all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast served with locally produced maple syrup. Sides include eggs, sausage, ham and home fries. Expect business to be brisk during Maple Weekend in March; they are closed Easter weekend. Watch syrup being made in their wood-burning evaporator and stop by the gift shop for some maple products to take home. If you're so inclined, you can purchase supplies to make your own maple syrup at home. During the summer months you can get locally grown fruit and produce. In autumn, stock up on cider and apples. - Christine A. Smyczynski
Enjoy sampling (and purchasing) olive oils and vinegars from around the world at this unique cooking supply store that stocks over 50 varieties of olive oils and balsamics, along with Mediterranean cooking accessories. You won't find oils and vinegars as fresh as these at your local grocery store. Their most popular olive oil is Tuscan herb, which is great for bread dipping. Their blood orange flavored olive oil is terrific paired with chocolate. Their balsamic vinegars, which come in both white and dark, are imported from Italy. Gift baskets are available, because vinegars and oils make the perfect hostess gift.