Five Places I Can’t Live Without
While eating lunch today at Romeo & Juliet’s, a strange thought occurred: what would I do if this place ever closed? Have you ever noticed how happy people are when they walk in there? I assume it’s because they know they’re about to have a great meal, and the charming atmosphere doesn’t hurt either (I dig that Italian music).
Anyway, I started to think of the restaurants in Buffalo I couldn’t do without. What if for some bizarre reason I could only choose five places in Buffalo to eat? It’s too hard to rank them, so I assembled a list, in no particular order, of the five eateries I would choose. I know this is a silly hypothetical, but in the spirit of summer, let’s have some fun: If you could only eat at five places in Buffalo, what would they be, and why? Here’s my list:
1. Romeo & Juliet’s: This takes care of pizza, enormous sandwiches, creative salads, and dessert.
2. Joe’s Deli: Sure, its summer now, but I need hearty soup come wintertime. And I need a good Greek wrap once in a while.
3. Ambrosia: Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast.
4. Shango: For special occasions and because they have a great beer selection. Brunch is a bonus.
5. Jim’s Steakout: Because sometimes you need to eat at 3AM.
I know, there are some glaring omissions, and life is going to be boring without Thai and Indian food. And what a drag that couldn't choose Havana House. But I could only choose five places. Life is about difficult choices, right?
One more thing, just in case you’re wondering. This is not a paid endorsement for the five places I named, and I have never received free food from any of them. So just relax, have fun, and tell me five places in Buffalo you can’t live without.
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Joshua
Todd - very true about Joe's Deli. That is my favorite place for lunch. I need to get over to Romeo & Juliet's soon.
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PaulBuffalo
I have just one entry. Any time I'm in Buffalo, I make it a point to visit Falafel Bar on Elmwood repeatedly. It's some of the best mediterranean food I've had in the country. I used to visit Kuni's Sushi, too; I do miss that place.
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Aloha
The Towne, Mings, Bob and John's La Hacienda, Fiddleheads, Bistro Europa
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B-LoLawStu
5 places in Buffalo I can't live with out (in no particuliar order):
1. Lone Star Fajita Grill 2. Falafel Bar 3. Mother's 4. Jim's Steakout 5. Marco's Italian Deli
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MEC
In no particular order (and covering all 4 eating times):
Toro, Tratoria Aroma, ETS, Chris's NY Sandwich Shop (The BEST place for lunch- hands down), Mythos
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TranspoGuy
In No Order
1 - Amy's Place 2 - Kostas 3 - Blackthorn 4 - Falafel Bar 5 - Left Bank
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TranspoGuy
In No Order
1 - Amy's Place 2 - Kostas 3 - Blackthorn 4 - Falafel Bar 5 - Left Bank
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r129
In no particular order: Risa's, Wiechec's, Scharf's, Amy's Place, India Gate
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buffcitybeliever
Too tough a question! That's one of the best things about living here. Whether you want to de-stress, impress, or just pig out...There's always a place to suit your situation or mood. 1-Doug's Dive 2-K Gallager's 3-Santasora's 4-Harry's Harbor Grill
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TheWhyNotGuy
Wegmans, La Tee Da, India Gate, River Grill, the Gourmet Store
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Darrell
I dare any brave soul to eat Jim's Steakout sober. I did a couple times, I have no idea how this place does business before 12 midnight. The food is so bad. I was at Romeo and Juliets last night. I go their often because they have good food, they have reasonable prices, and it's got a cool atmosphere . I still need to hit Ambrosia, Shango, and Joes.
my list in no order
Olivers: Awesome food Cozumel: Pretty decent tex-mex, great Grande Ritas! Somehow I always end up there on the patio. Teds Hotdogs: O-rings and dogs, enough said Stillwater: Equals Olivers in food awesomeness, plus it's got a cool vibe
I can't decide where my favorite pizza place in Buffalo is, so I only have 4.
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MRodgers
India Gate, Taste of Thai, Bill Gray's, Sea Bar, ETS since they opened the new location.
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berniceheartsyou
in no order...1.bob and johns la hacienda- all you can eat spagetti for 2.25 is the best deal in town. 2.towne-best breakfast and cheap 3.louies hot dogs-buffalo staple 4.elmwood market and grille- easily the best cheeseburger combo meal ever. 5. globe- amazing sandwiches and soups.
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scooter
Hard question. I love buffalo for its food.
texas hots on seneca - cheeseburgers with everything
founding fathers - philly cheesesteak
santesierios -best pasta sauce
bettys - anyone can do eggs and bacon, who else can pull of an avacado bfast wrap?
Lagniappes - if you havent tried the pulled pork, you are missin out.
maura's - CBD - great sandwiches.
this is a stupid question. five places? this is buffalo, this list can reach the 100's!!!
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leadi
Aroma Trattoria - everything rocks, but particularly the arrancini and anything with the house made Italian sausage. /
Toro - best calamari hands down /
Left Bank - great food and one of the best off the beaten path places in the city. /
Betty's - best cheese grits ever! /
Hutch's / Rue Franklin / Tempo / - tied, I can't decide.
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queenseyes
India Gate (excellent veggie selections), Betty's (breakfast burritos), Sea Bar on Ellicott Street (sushi tacos rock!), Campieri's 888 for kick-A pizza, Falafel Bar (can't wait 'till they open on Allen!).
Runner's up: brunch at Trattoria Aroma, Ming 'real' Chinese, and Dug's Dive (had to throw one in on the water). Europa's in there somewhere too.
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RaChaCha
The places I seem to keep ending up at in Buffalo:
* Main Place Mall (don't laugh - the Beef & Wing vendor has pretty decent Beef on Weck, especially with extra gravy, and the pizza vendor isn't bad), when I'm downtown and need to grab lunch * SPoT on Delaware, for breakfast when I'm in early on a weekend * Towne, for breakfast when I'm in early on a weekend and will be north of downtown * The Swannie House, for a steak sandwich when I'm anywhere near the Cobblestone District * Pearl Street Brewery, for lunch/dinner when I'm with a group - am addicted to the Beer & Cheese Soup! * Chef's, for Chicken Parm, Chicken Cacciatore, Spumoni, or anything. It's hard to imagine Buffalo without Chef's.
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wheatenwalker
Bettys, Europa, Trattoria,Shango, Torches
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ToddS
Hey folks, thanks for playing along with my hypothetical question. I had fun reading the responses. I notice a lot of people mentioned Falafel Bar. I'm also a big fan. A few people listed Amy's Place. I have to confess, I've never been to Amy's Place. What would people recommend that I try there?
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davvid
I like the bruce bowl or Sherri Melt
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MEC
Margie Meal from Amys (chicken hot sauce, crispy fries in a wrap)
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Joshua
The City has the best food, bar none. I don't care what anyone says.
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SteveP
Panos, Amys Place, Falafal Bar, Fast Frank's (on winspear near South Campus), towne
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ChristaSeychew
Casual-
Joe's Deli (I care for the specialty sandwiches more than the wraps, but other than that, it's all good), Mythos (breakfast and the Greek specialties here are consistently good and well-priced), 99 Fast Food (good, simple, authentic and consistent), Fables (everything here is fresh and tasty all of the time), Bistro Europa's (menu fits into the casual and the upscale categories and is good enough to be in either).
Upscale-
Aroma on Bryant (the attention paid to the food here is remarkable and the menu takes some risks unlike many of our other restaurants), Torches (the menu always hits a home run when it comes to being both familiar and comforting while still being upscale; the service is exemplary), SAMPLE (there are deliberate choices made here by the owners--also a rarity--that exhibit good flavor pairings and culinary dexterity. I just wish Blo diners would pay attention to these guys and be more receptive to great, modern food so that we could see a more adventurous menu here), Tempo (this restaurant could easily hold its own against many of the best in major cities), Shango (delicious, delicious food, a fantastic brunch, super service and a killer wine list).
Wish I'd had more opportunities to visit because I'd like to include them in my list, but can't be certain based on having dined there less than five times: SeaBar (it's Mike A. for christ's sake), Bacchus, Fiamma, Amaryllis
Have great hopes for, but haven't been there: Tabree, Daniel's
I am shocked to see some of the restaurants in the comments listed above, but I've always been surprised how many of our fine citizens dine more with their memory than with their palate. All of this is of course just my opinion, but I've rarely had the opportunity to speak with my guard completely down (and reasonably so), so there you go.
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Tuco
Left Bank, Imperial Pizza, Wayside, Romeo & Juliet's, and E.B. Greens.
Honorable mention (due to being outside city limits): Root Five...great food with the best outdoor (right on the lake) patio in the area.
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leadi
Come back Christa!!!
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Wit
Spot Coffee, Falafel Bar, Fables Cafe, Towne & India Gate
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magoo55
betty's, taste of india, casa di pizza for the best eggplant parm, wegman''s asian hot bar, gino and joes pizza in main place mall
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scottnorwood
1.) Wasabi on Elmwood (new Kuni's blows)
2.) Left Bank
3.) Mythos
4.) Ted's - why the hell is there no Ted's in Buffalo?
5.) The Bar Bill in EA - Best wings in greater buffalo....hands down.
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eberg
1) Kabab and Curry 2) Chester's Pub 3) Kentucky Greg's Hickory Pit 4) Anderson's 5) Chang's Garden :(
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NorPark
santesierios, mother's, ETS, taste of thai,
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sbrof
In no order:
Ulrich's - German food and Heffeweizen on tap, plus the place is like stepping back 150 years... I can hear the horses and breweries every time I walk through the doors.
Amy's Place - nothing beat a Margie Meal.. NOTHING...
Bob N Johns - because how can you complain for 2.25 all you can eat spaghetti! That deal has helped me pay for college.
Ricotta's Pizza - I think I will cry when they close.. amazing pizza.
Jim's - the taste of a hot blue at 5am soothes the soul.
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lulu
Pho 99 (miss it in the City, always super fresh and light) Taste of Thai (house noodles # 2, holy smokes, the dumplings are fabulous and no corking fee, and walking distance from my home) Niagara Cafe (bring on the roasted pork with yellow rice - wish plantains were still included in lunch special, though) Bertha's (my weekend lazy breakfast spot - everything is fantastic here and the owners and staff are wonderful) Panaro's (small place next to Colter Bay, not the chain, yummmmmy, Pasta Fagioli is the best soup I have ever had) Teds Hot Dogs (complete tragedy not at the foot of Porter anymore) Steve's Clam Bar (at MT Pockets on Hertel now - best clams casino ever) Ristorante Lombardo (my favorite fancy place now that Hourglass is gone) Ming Teh (not in Buffalo, but beats any local hands down and is really close as the tern flies) Sterling Place (cheeseburger heaven and super people with laid back atmosphere) Betty's (super fresh always and not afraid to experiment with specials)
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BookGeek
I couldn't live without: Betty's, Amy's Place, Left Bank, Romeo's, and TruTea's (yummiest place for a tasty bite to eat and perfect girlie treat - High Tea).
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sarius3
As a native WNYer who now lives on the beach in SC, I miss a lot of what I grew up on. But, being gone a while now (and having lived in Rochester for 5 years prior to that), I don't know all the big places anymore, but here's the places I hit when I come home for a visit are limited, but here's the 2 places I HAVE to go to, and then where the family always seems to go for Pizza when I come home:
DUFFS! - Best wings in town Mighty Taco - I am a plain guy, I love the beef and cheese and it's too tough to find such a basic item on other fast-food menus
Franco's - The family has decided that's their pizza joint, so I go along since the place I always loved growing up may not even exist anymore for all I know (Brother's Pizza on Elmwood by Kenmore still around??).
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driz716
In no particular order:
Bocce's (best pizza ever, hands down)
Pearl Street (if not for the yummy brews then for those homemade chips that come with the sandwiches)
Ted's (how could I eat any other hotdog?)
Left Bank (for a laid back yet fancy night out just steps from anywhere)
Mytho's (the spanakopita is to die for)
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Metropolis
5 places I can't live without ('cause there is no replacing them. No one does it like them.)
1. Bistro Europa (Far and away. If they close, I would contemplate suicide or maybe moving to Poland. Why aren't more people packing this place every hour of the day? Lunch? Dinner until like midnight I think? Fab beer list. Great staff.)
2. Wasabi (never once have I had any sushi there even remotely off-smelling or -tasting.)
3. Lagniappes (po' boys - oyster please)
4. Trattoria Aroma (real upscale Italian food - not too pricey)
5. Oliver's (yeah, there are a lot of good expensive establishments, but this place FEELS special and always does it right.)
I would have added Ted's or Louie's at the end, but if one goes, I would be fine just as long as the other stayed in business.
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Sjomancykel
Amaryllis (Buffalo's best kept secret), Hutch's, Rue Franklin, Shango, Bijou Grille
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jt1983
(in no particular order) taste of thai, left bank, 1207 restaurant, falafel bar, amy's place
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jsimon
1207, Ulrich's, Sterling Tavern, Taste of Thai, Cafe Aroma
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ablejack
Trattoria Aroma- what pizza can be when it is kept simple and Neapolitan (with an egg on top if you like) Sunday is S.I.N. Nice deals for first course and wines for those in the "biz" Rue Franklin- A Bflo institution. Refined dining we are fortunate to have in town. The Rue is secretly a great bargain. There is no other Buffalo restaurant operating on this level. Bistro Europa- Cozy and friendly, comforting Eastern European cuisine. I always manage to meet nice people while dining at the well appointed tiny bar. Cafe Saigon- Elmwood Ave. Sidewalk pan-asian cafe with a nice tight little wine list. Watch hot college kids stroll along while quaffing a summery Evolution #9, supping up the Thom Kar Guy. Amaryllis- find out about it, find it, and eat well. The decor is not up to the work being done there. Exciting and thoughtful preparations of exquisite ingredients.
Tabree- hope to see you on a similar list next year. Good Luck! Coda- Roo! How can I live without your perfect little spot. Drats! We let this one get away.
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BuffedOut
Ted's hot dogs are hard and dried out; their rolls are mushy white bread. However, their hamburgers are some of the best I've ever had in the whole USA. The hot sauce, well, is unique and never gets the attention it deserves.
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Pauldub
In no particular order: 1) Niagara Cafe 2) Amy's Place 3) Panos 4) Lauglins 5) take out bar at the Co Op
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Aloha
I went to Shango last night, after not going there for a few months. It reminded me how outstanding it is. I have to add Shango to my list.
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Divaliciousone1975
OK there are so many places I couln't live without that I decided to just narrow it down to places that I would actually ball over if that ever were to close:
1. Ted's Hot Dogs Great family atmosphere and the best place to pig out untilyou have to unbutton your pants (if necessary) I miss the waterfront location though 2. The Towne - Covers almost everything and open late 3. Star of India (Much homier than India Gate to me. Because They know me from lunch with my boss on the regular they allowed me to take home dinner without paying when I embrassingly forgot my card @ home. I returned the next to pay and tip heavily. THIS IS NOT A REGULAR PRACTICE but it was extremely kind none the less) 4. Wegman's (It covers every craving, does catering, everyone likes them and is open 24 hours) and 5. Avenue Pizza - Elmwood I just love their friendly nature and they make everyone feel welcome (but any location will do)
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