Dinosaur Stalks Buffalo!!
Ten years ago, the downtown of My Fair City was forever altered when a Big Dinosaur appeared on the scene. Thankfully—unlike 1950’s Tokyo—when this dino showed up our downtown wasn’t flattened, but considerably improved. Dinosaur Bar B Que, a restaurant that originated in downtown Syracuse in the 1980’s, planted its foot in downtown Rochester in 1998. It was an instant hit—it’s common to have a line waiting to get in at all times. And it’s clearly Hog Heaven—for a decade now thousands of Big Bike riders have roared into our downtown and opened their wallets. It’s provided economic development, made downtown more of a destination, and put feet on the surrounding streets. And with all that delicious BBQ aroma drifting around, our downtown even smells better!
The Rochester location is especially nostalgic for my family— the former Lehigh Valley train station was where my parents got their first glimpse of My Fair City. In fact, locating in old downtown buildings has been a big part of the Big D formula for success. After Rochester, it repeated that success by opening in the Harlem/Riverside area of Manhattan in 2004, where it’s also been a big hit. Ironically, it located on a block smack between an elevated highway and an elevated railway—and we all know what happens to those in monster stomper flicks.
With its formula for success well tweaked, Big D got an appetite for more. Like that Big Dinosaur movie franchise, initial success spawned sequels—and folks eagerly line up to await each new opening. The big guy is expanding his stomping grounds to the remaining major metro areas of the state that hatched him. The Capital District is the next target, where Big D will appear on the banks of the Hudson for a second time, with a location on the Troy waterfront opening next year.
Soon, that will mean a Big D in every major metro in the state except Buffalo. But that may not be the case for long—word is that the owner of the franchise was in Buffalo this fall scouting for locations. It seems that on the first pass nothing quite caught his fancy, but that’s not necessarily surprising. This big guy is very particular about where he plants his feet: in addition to favoring downtown locations and old buildings, he likes a bit of stomping room for some outdoor dining and parking (especially for bikes—the kind that roar).
But we know that Buffalo Rising readers are the sharpest location scouts of all—so what do you recommend as a new stomping ground for Dinosaur Bar B Que in Buffalo?
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Comment Options
georged
The "my fair city" thing gets really old. Please call it by its proper name...Crapchestor.
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Hoss
I heard the Central Park Grill was casually looking for a buyer. It's in the middle between UB and Canisius/Medaille. Close enough to the 198. With Ciminelli moving into the old greater Buffalo Savings Bank HQ, you'll have 300 hungry, and thirsty workers looking for lunch and happy hour every day. Kinda has that roadhouse look to it already. Even has a amall stage and a liquor license already in place. Lot's of potential with this place.
I've never been to Dinosaur BBQ, but their bottled sauce is one of the best on the market.
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blackrocklifer
The area around "Rock Harbor" at the junction of the 190 and 198 has great old industrial buildings and lots of space. Very convenient location that is visible and on the waterfront. Also the Kingsman motorcyle club is nearby on East St. providing real bikers for atmosphere.
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Sitler
Luv the Dino-BBQ in Syracuse! Been there many times and it's always, always, packed.
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Aloha
Hoss, Good suggestion. CPG's is also close to the TriMain Center. Sisters Hospital is also just down the Street. The building itself is not that big, but it could probably be expanded.
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scooter
Franklin by Chipp. I forget what it is today. Darcy Mcgee's??? First Floor. Would cater to a mix of the chip youth and the more adult franklin st crowd. I'm sure Croce has contacted them or considered it. Would make for a solid and stable tenant.
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Dangelo23
So he came, he saw, and he was not impressed? ....Not surprised. Fix up some of the horrible store fronts/property and maby it would have been been different.
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al-alo
how about a former Catholic church? oops - they serve beer . . .
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cookjr
Dangelo23, what are you talking about. What have you done for this community. There are entrepreneurs and developers all over buffalo making positive changes. Buffalo is up and coming and needs negative people like you to go where the grass is greener. Bring your sucky attitude with you. The rest of us are seeing a resurgence of buffalo city blocks one by one.
I think somewhere in the cobblestone district would be perfect. Maybe on the street across from the hsbc areans parking garage. It has cobble stone streets and it would be packed before after and during sabres games. Since this is considered a destination location, the erie canal development corp should work with him to find a location by the waterfront. Sounds like a win win for both parties. I thought this would be a great match when I first went to the one in syracuse back in '05. Bar b que, Beer, and Buffalo seems like a good match.
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cyndrome
Simlar to Blackrocklifter..river side of Niagara St, between Forest and Massachusetts Ave. One of those old industrial buildings. Room for parking and could have a great patio overlooking mouth of the Niagara River and the Peace/Signature/Whatever Bridge. Easy access from city, close to Buff State and Art Galleries, and the 190. Grab one before Carl P. gets em all.
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cyndrome
Similar to Blackrocklifter..river side of Niagara St, between Forest and Massachusetts Ave. One of those old industrial buildings. Room for parking and could have a great patio overlooking mouth of the Niagara River and the Peace/Signature/Whatever Bridge. Easy access from city, close to Buff State and Art Galleries, and the 190. Grab one before Carl P. gets em all.
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sbrof
Cobblestone area.. or in the new Genesee Gateway buildings. The rochester place is a huge draw and almost the only place that locals bring me to in Downtown. Mostly because they like to show off that they have one and we don't but the foods not bad. Plus it would stop those who go to Rochester specifically to go there... because there are people who do.
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yellowed
"Blackrocklifer wrote: Also the Kingsman motorcyle club " Please be aware that it is Kingsmen, plural. Like the band that hadit big with "Louie, Louie"
Also, I would love a Dino BBQ here. One of the highlights of any trip to Rochester or Syracuse is a stop in. Fat Bob's and Kentucky Greg's aren't very good, and I've yet to venture to any of the supposed great places hidden on the East Side.
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cookjr
sbrof, absolutly. I forgot about the genesee gateway project. That would be a huge draw for that entire complex. What a location for dinosaur!!! But the water would be great to.
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carlmalone
What? Dinosaur Bar B Que coming to Buffalo. Over my dead body. Has anyone seen them complete an EIS for a potential site? I've got a call into Lippes. Do they honest just expect to come into town and not convene least 4-5 public meetings for input and dialogue. The haughtiness of them. Not in my town; not on my watch.
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Brette
Sorry Georged but that name is already taken. Generic constipation/blood pressure pill.
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Polska
Dinosaur Barbeque somewhere at the Central Terminal would an unconventional choice, just unconventional enough to make it work.
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icecreamsub
Elmwood/Hertel.......the old Dickies Donuts lot...
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sbrof
Donnie's on Jefferson is really good. So was that place on Allen. joe's place. I think he is in the back of Staples now. There is another one of Fillmore that's quite yummy. Don't remember the name and there is often a wait. But if you are looking for Ambiance or that Apple Bees Flare crap none of them are ever going to live up to what you want.
This is where Dino comes in. It is far from the best BBQ out there but it give off a very 'normal' chain appearance that people are comfortable with.
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al-alo
2nd floor of the DL&W
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distas
Erie Canal Harbor........Do it.
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ladyflash
Perhaps the old Ya Ya Bayou on Main Street - it is a huge space and it seems like that location needs a "draw." Perhaps, the Big D would finally be the thing to get people to check out that part of Main Street! Rachacha - personally, I find the use of "my fair city" endearing - keep it up! The proper name is Rochester, an acceptable nickname is Rachacha, not crapchester. I think most people would agree that we in New York State have too many things to fix without having to waste time with senseless mudslinging.
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distas
Erie Canal Harbor........Do it.
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distas
Erie Canal Harbor........Do it.
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whynot
No one has mentioned the Broadway Market...
What about the old Freddie's Donuts on Main Street or the old jazz club around the corner?
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Assaroni
a pathetic sign of our state of things here,,,even a BBQ joint wont come here...patheitc
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rb66
Dinosaur Bar B Que in Rochester is awesome! Great location on the Genesee River.
A Dinosaur Bar B Que would be a great fit in the cobblestone district.
Get it done!
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cookjr
Assaroni, Nice to see your positivity shining through again. I really hope you don't live in Buffalo anymore considering every place is so much better.
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flyguy
This doesnt seem to be the kinda establishment thats going to locate on every street corner so with that said I would think it would be in the best interests of the City to capitalize on this prospect and get it down in the inner harbor as a "regional destination restaurant" that can cater to the greater metro, bring people into town, and cater to the tourist population the inner harbor area is supposed to tap as well.
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vgs
The yaya space is a death sentence forget it, and f$%k them and their bbq anyway, its a Central NY thing and we have our own shit
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oldwaiter
Commercial slip would be a good place. Nice waterfront location, you could walk around afterwards, etc.
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georged
That should solve Buffalo's problems, another bad restaurant. Bas pro and BBQ, the key to solving Buffalo's problems!
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flyguy
Heck, bring back Hooters and put it in the Inner Harbor too. Baltimore has a National Harbor Hooters restaurant. I find it odd that Buffalo cant maintain a Hooters but Rochester, etc. has one still as do many smaller cities and metros. Not that its the best food in the world but its another touristy business to fill space and add more activity.
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rb66
Flyguy, The Hooters in Rochester closed. It's now a place called Cheerleaders USA.
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georged
Sorry ladyflash, Crapchester is more fitting, place is a worse dump than Buffalo
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flyguy
Really? Wow well scratch my last post then. I guess its been awhile. I knew the Rochester one outlived Buffalo's two locations. Either way would be good to get as many places packed in the inner harbor to generate foot traffic and sell tourist goods, getting Buffalo's name out there. Ultimately thats what tourist areas do.
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flyguy
Really? Wow well scratch my last post then. I guess its been awhile. I knew the Rochester one outlived Buffalo's two locations. Either way would be good to get as many places packed in the inner harbor to generate foot traffic and sell tourist goods, getting Buffalo's name out there. Ultimately thats what tourist areas do.
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jamesbflo
wow i was just thinking to myself yesterday that we should have 1 here. I think Canalside would be the logical choice.
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minipanda
The Rendezvous...outdoor space, parking, building with a history.
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minipanda
The Rendezvous...outdoor space, parking, building with a history.
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RLC
My vote is for CANAL SIDE! This is a very popular BBQ joint that would add a unique touch to the project. My question is this...IS THERE ANYONE IN CITY HALL taking any of our advice and actually contacting businesses and turning these dreams into reality? Mayor Brown should be all over this so by summer, we have a canal side that actually exists! Maybe BRO should be mayor? Collectively, we seem to care more than city hall! :)
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reflip
I lived in Rochester for 3 years. Hockey at Blue Cross Arena followed by a few pints and wings/ribs at Dinosaur was my favorite thing to do in that town. Live blues every time. Can't beat it. If they open one up downtown, I will be there more often than not, no doubt.
I would say just make sure the location is accessible from both Thursday at the Square and HSBC Arena. The place will be a gold mine. If it isn't, then bad on me, but I'd be shocked... Try to open before the IIHF World Junior. The WJC could make you profitable for a long, long time.
Make this happen. I'll keep my fingers crossed.
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smellingtheriver
This is just what the city needs.. BBQ and Blues..anywhere downtown would do or along niagara street overlooking the river and thruway. Maybe it will cover up that raw sewage smell Let's get it here before the casino/hotel gets built and puts in their own BBQ joint
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RobH
Perhaps the old Spaghetti Warehouse space at 141 Elm Street.
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Dakovich
ahhh RobH you beat me to it. I was going to say the old SW also.
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buffawakening
i second RLC. write in BRO next election! and what a fantastic oportunity for the canal! never been to this place but from what ive been reading it sounds like it was made for buffalo!
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sonyactivision
Do this Dinosaur BBQ thing in the East Side near the Wonder Bread plant. Start a mixed-use entertainment district there to bring jobs and fun to an area too long deprived of either. I'm all about da East Side, yo.
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westsidedrew
uh hey we have a BBQ & blues joint downtown. the layfayette blues room. great spot beautiful room, good food, great music and authentic bikers. oh yeah and it owned and operated by Buffaloians.
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westsidedrew
uh hey we have a BBQ & blues joint downtown. the layfayette blues room. great spot beautiful room, good food, great music and authentic bikers. oh yeah and it owned and operated by Buffaloians.
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jayferrari
Central Terminal .It would be a spark of life for the old place and bring much needed revenue and attention to the NY Central second best( to Grand Central) OR the richardson towers as a second choice
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