Restaurant recommendations for the road warriors

[samspann1]

Hometown: Buffalo
Favorite Wing Spot(s): Kellys Corner, Mammossers, 9-11 Tavern
Favorite Pizza: Leonardi's
That's all that I eat when I go back so no idea what else is great there nowadays. No reason to eat anything else.

Sadly, next time you're in town, you'll have to find someplace else to get your pizza. Leonardi's closed unexpectedly a few weeks ago.

My spin on Buffalo cuisine:

Wings: Elmo's (Elmo's Bar & Restaurant | Home), Bar-Bill {great Beef on Weck, too, and the wings are hand-painted... BAR-BILL TAVERN - Bar Bill Tavern - Restaurant in NY), Gabriel's Gate (Gabriel's Gate - Home)

Pizza: Bocce's (Pizza Delivery Buffalo, NY | Bocce Club Pizza), LaPorta's (LaPorta's Pizzeria and Restaurant), La Nova (https://lanova-pizza.com...the delivery cars are Lincoln Navigators, make of that what you will), Rocco's (wood fired pizza ...https://www.roccoswoodfiredpizza.com)

Italian: Mulberry's (MENU | Mulberry Italian Ristorante), Siena (this is a JB favorite...https://siena-restaurant.com), San Marco's (Menu | San Marco Ristorante)

Steak: Buffalo Chophouse (I recommended this place to cto before one of the NCAAT weekends in Buffalo, maybe 2010, and she said that she, JB and crew went there and loved it. https://buffalo-chophouse.com), Giancarlo's (HOME | Giancarlo's)

Thai: Thai Orchid (Thai Restaurant - Williamsville, NY - Thai Orchid Cafe), Saigon Bangkok (Saigon Bangkok Restaurant - Home)

Burmese: Sun Restaurant (Affordable Thai & Sushi Restaurant Buffalo Ny | Sun Cuisines)

Indian: Alibaba Kebab (shady location, but the food is great), Clay Handi. Apparently, local Indian restaurants are not big on websites

Mexican: La Divina (it's a Mexican market, with a food counter. Awesome tacos and tortas, and dirt cheap https://www.ladivinataqueria.com), El Ranchito (elranchitowny.com), Andale (https://www.andalemexicanwny.com)

Bar food/pubs: Colter Bay (https://colterbaybuffalo.com), Big Ditch (http://www.bigditchbrewing.com), New York Beer Project (nybeerproject.com...recently opened up a location in Rochester (Victor, to be precise)), Glen Park Tavern (awesome fries ...https://glenparktavern.com)

Breweries: See Big Ditch and New York Beer Project above, Resurgence Brewing Co. (https://resurgencebrewing.com), Community Beer Works (https://www.communitybeerworks.com), Flying Bison (http://www.flyingbisonbrewing.com). There's a few around town that I haven't checked out yet, as well

Breakfast: Betty's (great brunch...http://www.bettysbuffalo.com/menus.html), Break'N Eggs (crepes and stuff...https://www.breakneggs-creperie.com), Spot Coffee (https://www.spotcoffee.com)

I'm sure that I'm forgetting some places, but I'll update accordingly!

 

[OttoMets]

Sadly, next time you're in town, you'll have to find someplace else to get your pizza. Leonardi's closed unexpectedly a few weeks ago.

My spin on Buffalo cuisine:

Wings: Elmo's (Elmo's Bar & Restaurant | Home), Bar-Bill {great Beef on Weck, too, and the wings are hand-painted... BAR-BILL TAVERN - Bar Bill Tavern - Restaurant in NY), Gabriel's Gate (Gabriel's Gate - Home)

Pizza: Bocce's (Pizza Delivery Buffalo, NY | Bocce Club Pizza), LaPorta's (LaPorta's Pizzeria and Restaurant), La Nova (https://lanova-pizza.com...the delivery cars are Lincoln Navigators, make of that what you will), Rocco's (wood fired pizza ...https://www.roccoswoodfiredpizza.com)

Italian: Mulberry's (MENU | Mulberry Italian Ristorante), Siena (this is a JB favorite...https://siena-restaurant.com), San Marco's (Menu | San Marco Ristorante)

Steak: Buffalo Chophouse (I recommended this place to cto before one of the NCAAT weekends in Buffalo, maybe 2010, and she said that she, JB and crew went there and loved it. https://buffalo-chophouse.com), Giancarlo's (HOME | Giancarlo's)

Thai: Thai Orchid (Thai Restaurant - Williamsville, NY - Thai Orchid Cafe), Saigon Bangkok (Saigon Bangkok Restaurant - Home)

Burmese: Sun Restaurant (Affordable Thai & Sushi Restaurant Buffalo Ny | Sun Cuisines)

Indian: Alibaba Kebab (shady location, but the food is great), Clay Handi. Apparently, local Indian restaurants are not big on websites

Mexican: La Divina (it's a Mexican market, with a food counter. Awesome tacos and tortas, and dirt cheap La Divina Tacos), El Ranchito (elranchitowny.com), Andale (Andale Mexican Restaurant - Restaurant in East Amherst, NY)

Bar food/pubs: Colter Bay (Colter Bay - Restaurant Bar Buffalo NY), Big Ditch (http://www.bigditchbrewing.com), New York Beer Project (nybeerproject.com...recently opened up a location in Rochester (Victor, to be precise)), Glen Park Tavern (awesome fries ...https://glenparktavern.com)

Breweries: See Big Ditch and New York Beer Project above, Resurgence Brewing Co. (Resurgence Brewing Company | Home), Community Beer Works (Community Beer Works - Embeer Buffalo!), Flying Bison (Flying Bison Brewing Company). There's a few around town that I haven't checked out yet, as well

Breakfast: Betty's (great brunch...http://www.bettysbuffalo.com/menus.html), Break'N Eggs (crepes and stuff...https://www.breakneggs-creperie.com), Spot Coffee (Home - SPoT Coffee)

I'm sure that I'm forgetting some places, but I'll update accordingly!

Allen Burger Venture!

 

[samspann1]

Oh, burgers:

Grover's Bar & Grill (it was once Grover Cleveland's hunting lodge)
The Rock Bar & Kitchen (https://www.rockkitchenandbar.com/menu...they're right across the street from Grover's - the two restaurants have a not-so-friendly rivalry).

I like Allen Burger Venture...it's the same ownership group as Colter Bay, which I mentioned in my post. The burgers are good, but I guess I expected more from a place named after burgers. Their burgers taste the same to me as Colter Bay's...again, good, but not great, IMO.

 

[chugg21]

Sadly, next time you're in town, you'll have to find someplace else to get your pizza. Leonardi's closed unexpectedly a few weeks ago.

My spin on Buffalo cuisine:

Wings: Elmo's (Elmo's Bar & Restaurant | Home), Bar-Bill {great Beef on Weck, too, and the wings are hand-painted... BAR-BILL TAVERN - Bar Bill Tavern - Restaurant in NY), Gabriel's Gate (Gabriel's Gate - Home)

Pizza: Bocce's (Pizza Delivery Buffalo, NY | Bocce Club Pizza), LaPorta's (LaPorta's Pizzeria and Restaurant), La Nova (https://lanova-pizza.com...the delivery cars are Lincoln Navigators, make of that what you will), Rocco's (wood fired pizza ...https://www.roccoswoodfiredpizza.com)

Italian: Mulberry's (MENU | Mulberry Italian Ristorante), Siena (this is a JB favorite...https://siena-restaurant.com), San Marco's (Menu | San Marco Ristorante)

Steak: Buffalo Chophouse (I recommended this place to cto before one of the NCAAT weekends in Buffalo, maybe 2010, and she said that she, JB and crew went there and loved it. https://buffalo-chophouse.com), Giancarlo's (HOME | Giancarlo's)

Thai: Thai Orchid (Thai Restaurant - Williamsville, NY - Thai Orchid Cafe), Saigon Bangkok (Saigon Bangkok Restaurant - Home)

Burmese: Sun Restaurant (Affordable Thai & Sushi Restaurant Buffalo Ny | Sun Cuisines)

Indian: Alibaba Kebab (shady location, but the food is great), Clay Handi. Apparently, local Indian restaurants are not big on websites

Mexican: La Divina (it's a Mexican market, with a food counter. Awesome tacos and tortas, and dirt cheap La Divina Tacos), El Ranchito (elranchitowny.com), Andale (Andale Mexican Restaurant - Restaurant in East Amherst, NY)

Bar food/pubs: Colter Bay (Colter Bay - Restaurant Bar Buffalo NY), Big Ditch (http://www.bigditchbrewing.com), New York Beer Project (nybeerproject.com...recently opened up a location in Rochester (Victor, to be precise)), Glen Park Tavern (awesome fries ...https://glenparktavern.com)

Breweries: See Big Ditch and New York Beer Project above, Resurgence Brewing Co. (Resurgence Brewing Company | Home), Community Beer Works (Community Beer Works - Embeer Buffalo!), Flying Bison (Flying Bison Brewing Company). There's a few around town that I haven't checked out yet, as well

Breakfast: Betty's (great brunch...http://www.bettysbuffalo.com/menus.html), Break'N Eggs (crepes and stuff...https://www.breakneggs-creperie.com), Spot Coffee (Home - SPoT Coffee)

I'm sure that I'm forgetting some places, but I'll update accordingly!

Thats miserable news. La Nova and Bocce were right there for me too so guess I'll survive. Used to love the giant meatball at Mulberry. Your 3 wing spots would have been my next 3 as well.

 

[CuseFaninVT]

Oh, burgers:

Grover's Bar & Grill (it was once Grover Cleveland's hunting lodge)
The Rock Bar & Kitchen (https://www.rockkitchenandbar.com/menu...they're right across the street from Grover's - the two restaurants have a not-so-friendly rivalry).

I like Allen Burger Venture...it's the same ownership group as Colter Bay, which I mentioned in my post. The burgers are good, but I guess I expected more from a place named after burgers. Their burgers taste the same to me as Colter Bay's...again, good, but not great, IMO.

Excellent contributions. Outstanding work.

 

[samspann1]

Excellent contributions. Outstanding work.

I like food, in case you can't tell.

 

[samspann1]

Thats miserable news. La Nova and Bocce were right there for me too so guess I'll survive. Used to love the giant meatball at Mulberry. Your 3 wing spots would have been my next 3 as well.

I'm not familiar with Kellys Corner TBH, but I'll have to check that out, along with Mammoser's, which I've heard great things about. 9-11 Tavern, I've been to twice, but I was a wee bit drunk both times. Have to get back there again.

Leonardo's was great. Lots of people are unhappy about their closure.

 

[chugg21]

I'm not familiar with Kellys Corner TBH, but I'll have to check that out, along with Mammoser's, which I've heard great things about. 9-11 Tavern, I've been to twice, but I was a wee bit drunk both times. Have to get back there again.

Leonardo's was great. Lots of people are unhappy about their closure.

Kellys is definitely a craphole but the hot wings are stupid good. Both them and Mammosers have a heavier pepper flavor in their sauce that is addicting. Think Mamms still has a Sat deal where you buy a double and get a single free so always a good day to check it out. Used to always go to Grovers and order The Bruiser, was my favorite burger in town. Now when we're home its pretty much just a combination of pizza, wings, beef on weck and Mighty. Maybe add in a Chicken Finger sub or some pizza logs. Even while living in CA we still craved Mighty because its like its own genre of food that isn't really duplicated anywhere else.

 

[samspann1]

I tend to think that a lot of hole in the wall type places have the best wings. Elmo's is a dimly lit restaurant in a strip mall that looks like it hasn't been updated since 1990. Yeah, maybe next Friday for one of those wing places you mentioned.

Crap, you mentioned chicken finger subs...I forgot Jim's Steak Out.

 

[Bayside44]

Alexandria, VA/Rosslyn, VA (with some Washington DC places in the dinner section):

Breakfast: Stomping Ground (fried chicken and biscuits)
Lunch (AKA Quick and or Cheap): The Rosslyn food trucks (my personal recommendation is a yellow food truck called Rice Bowl; it's there on Tuesdays and Thursdays and makes some of the best drunken noodles I've ever had)
Dinner by category:
Asian: Caphe Bahn Mi (some of the best pho you'll find in the US IMO), Thai Peppers (if you're looking for cheap but solid delivery), Rasika (pricey but incredible Indian food in DC; probably need a reservation well in advance), Diya (affordable but good Indian in Old Town, don't need a reservation)
Need Something Different For Everybody: Farmers Fishers Bakers (huge menu of drink options, wide variety of food options, still good quality), Union Market (a collection of stalls that are all pretty good and wide-ranging)
Italian: Cucina Al Volo (great pasta, personally recommend the lamb ragu), Sfolgina (locations in DC and Rosslyn; again, probably for the pasta; Rosslyn location is brand new, I recommend asking to sit at the kitchen bar where you can watch the chefs make all the pasta right in front of you)
Mexican/Spanish: Urbano 116 (new place that opened up in Old Town, good drinks and tacos), Estadio (very good tapas in DC)
Seafood: Vola's (could have put this in the lunch category; pretty good bang for your buck for seafood)
Spanish/Asian Fusion: China Poblano (weird combination of cuisines, but very good)
Mediterranean: Maydan (recently awarded a michelin star, and it's well-deserved. Amazing food and also just an awesome ambiance. It's kind of a hidden location, and when you walk in, you have a bar downstairs with smoked meat hanging above you; seems like it would be a fun place to grab some drinks before your dinner)
Drinks and Food: Wasn't sure what category to put it in, but St. Anselm is a cool place down near the Union Market area I believe. Just a kinda cool ambiance; hard to describe the vibe it's going for. Not as good as Maydan, but another cool place to grab some drinks and then have a good meal.

I'll do Alexandria, VA:

Nice breakfast - Jackson 20, Morrison House
Bad diner breakfast you always come back to - Royal Diner
Sushi - Momo
Casual Italian - Mia's Italian Kitchen
Nice Italian - Landini Brothers (also a great steak and Oysters Rock)
Bar for Southern type food and Sports - Southside
Pizza - Faccia Luna, or across town at Valentino's
Ice cream - buy some Breyers, way too expensive
French - Le Refuge (but it's been a while)
Place to run into Obama - Vermillion
Place to run into John Boehner - Ramparts
Greek - Vaso's Kitchen
Irish - Murphy
Subs - The Italian Place of Old Town
Seafood - Hanks
Places to avoid at all costs - Blackwall Hitch, Chart House
BBQ - Rocklands

 

[chugg21]

I tend to think that a lot of hole in the wall type places have the best wings. Elmo's is a dimly lit restaurant in a strip mall that looks like it hasn't been updated since 1990. Yeah, maybe next Friday for one of those wing places you mentioned.

Crap, you mentioned chicken finger subs...I forgot Jim's Steak Out.

What's the deal with Macy's Place? Friends have been talking it up as the new big spot and the pictures make me salivate.

 

[Trueblue25]

Sophia’s in Buffalo for breakfast, literally world class awesomeness

 

[CuseFaninVT]

I'll do Alexandria, VA:

Nice breakfast - Jackson 20, Morrison House
Bad diner breakfast you always come back to - Royal Diner
Sushi - Momo
Casual Italian - Mia's Italian Kitchen
Nice Italian - Landini Brothers (also a great steak and Oysters Rock)
Bar for Southern type food and Sports - Southside
Pizza - Faccia Luna, or across town at Valentino's
Ice cream - buy some Breyers, way too expensive
French - Le Refuge (but it's been a while)
Place to run into Obama - Vermillion
Place to run into John Boehner - Ramparts
Greek - Vaso's Kitchen
Irish - Murphy
Subs - The Italian Place of Old Town
Seafood - Hanks
Places to avoid at all costs - Blackwall Hitch, Chart House
BBQ - Rocklands

Excellent. Got anything for me out by Dulles?

 

[chugg21]

Sophia’s in Buffalo for breakfast, literally world class awesomeness

Do people go out to eat breakfast after college? I don't know that I've went out and sat down for breakfast more than a handful of times in the past decade. Brunch excluded.

 

[chugg21]

I tend to think that a lot of hole in the wall type places have the best wings. Elmo's is a dimly lit restaurant in a strip mall that looks like it hasn't been updated since 1990. Yeah, maybe next Friday for one of those wing places you mentioned.

Crap, you mentioned chicken finger subs...I forgot Jim's Steak Out.

Also the Peanut Creme donut at Paulas. Thats on my everytime I'm home list as well. Tried the cannoli filled donut last month and thought it was fairly gross. Just too heavy, too much going on.

 

[CuseFaninVT]

Do people go out to eat breakfast after college? I don't know that I've went out and sat down for breakfast more than a handful of times in the past decade. Brunch excluded.

Are you asking about late night?

If so, it’s been a long time since I did that. Tough up here with Denny’s being the only choice. I’ll crush some slices or a gyro though

 

[Trueblue25]

Do people go out to eat breakfast after college? I don't know that I've went out and sat down for breakfast more than a handful of times in the past decade. Brunch excluded.

I love diners dearly. Cheap, a lot of food, unlimited coffee and usually friendly service. Nothing like 3 eggs, homefries, bacon and toast with a strong black coffee

 

[OburgOrange]

I love diners dearly. Cheap, a lot of food, unlimited coffee and usually friendly service. Nothing like 3 eggs, homefries, bacon and toast with a strong black coffee

Stellas

 

[Trueblue25]

Stellas

Is great. My diner rankings in cuse goes...

Rustons
Nesticos Too
Tony’s (Burnett)
Stella’s

Market Diner
Finally Ours
The Gem
Village Diner
Rise n Shine

 

[samspann1]

What's the deal with Macy's Place? Friends have been talking it up as the new big spot and the pictures make me salivate.

Funny you ask - I hadn't heard of Macy's Place until maybe 3-4 months ago, but since then, I've had so many people absolutely rave about it. The pics do look unreal...it's definitely on my "to do" list very soon.

Paula's has the biggest damn donuts I've ever seen - with you on the peanut stick. Damn, damn good.

Not sure how old you are (I think that Trueblue25 is far younger than me), but when I was in college, Pano's was a hole in the wall maybe 3-4 blocks further south on Elmwood than its current location. Max capacity was maybe 20, and their daily special was steak & eggs for $2.99. Steak, eggs, toast, home fries and coffee/juice for $2.99. Granted, the steak wasn't a nice ribeye or porterhouse, but for a drunk college kid on a budget, it was an awesome late night meal

 

[Trueblue25]

Funny you ask - I hadn't heard of Macy's Place until maybe 3-4 months ago, but since then, I've had so many people absolutely rave about it. The pics do look unreal...it's definitely on my "to do" list very soon.

Paula's has the biggest damn donuts I've ever seen - with you on the peanut stick. Damn, damn good.

Not sure how old you are (I think that Trueblue25 is far younger than me), but when I was in college, Pano's was a hole in the wall maybe 3-4 blocks further south on Elmwood than its current location. Max capacity was maybe 20, and their daily special was steak & eggs for $2.99. Steak, eggs, toast, home fries and coffee/juice for $2.99. Granted, the steak wasn't a nice ribeye or porterhouse, but for a drunk college kid on a budget, it was an awesome late night meal

Yeah im 26 but dine like a senile 60 year old

 

[samspann1]

haha, Pano's moved up the street like 20 years ago.

 

[maxxyz]

Is great. My diner rankings in cuse goes...

Rustons
Nesticos Too
Tony’s (Burnett)
Stella’s

Market Diner
Finally Ours
The Gem
Village Diner
Rise n Shine

Good list. I’d put Rose & Shine at the top, and leave Stella’s off. Never understood why it’s so popular.

 

[chugg21]

I love diners dearly. Cheap, a lot of food, unlimited coffee and usually friendly service. Nothing like 3 eggs, homefries, bacon and toast with a strong black coffee

Yeah I think thats a young mans game and maybe being single and meeting a buddy post night out. Just something I honestly don't even recall doing more than twice since getting married like a decade ago.

Funny you ask - I hadn't heard of Macy's Place until maybe 3-4 months ago, but since then, I've had so many people absolutely rave about it. The pics do look unreal...it's definitely on my "to do" list very soon.

Paula's has the biggest damn donuts I've ever seen - with you on the peanut stick. Damn, damn good.

Not sure how old you are (I think that Trueblue25 is far younger than me), but when I was in college, Pano's was a hole in the wall maybe 3-4 blocks further south on Elmwood than its current location. Max capacity was maybe 20, and their daily special was steak & eggs for $2.99. Steak, eggs, toast, home fries and coffee/juice for $2.99. Granted, the steak wasn't a nice ribeye or porterhouse, but for a drunk college kid on a budget, it was an awesome late night meal

In my 30s and lived on Lafayette for a bit almost a decade ago. Was fun being able to walk down to CBW before it was really anything and to Santiseros. Obviously walking in daylight as was still a bit dicey. I was a Gordon's guy for the most part.

 

[Bayside44]

Excellent. Got anything for me out by Dulles?

That's a different state!