Sterling Place Tavern: Keeping it Simple
I’ve only been to Sterling Place Tavern three times. After each visit I’ve told anyone who would listen how much fun I had. So I have to wonder why I don’t go more often.
What I enjoy most about Sterling Place is the atmosphere, and I’m not referring to the decor. You won’t find bright colors or cozy chairs there. Rather, it’s the very friendly people and the relaxed vibe that make it such a great place to hang out.
In terms of food, the menu is not extensive. If you ask for a menu, you’ll be directed to a chalkboard located a few steps away from the bar. When I visited on a recent Saturday night, there were a handful of items listed on the chalkboard: burgers, chicken fingers, chicken sandwich, and a few seafood options, including scallops.
I highly recommend the burgers at Sterling Place. About a year ago I did a Google search for “best burgers in Buffalo” and came across a favorable opinion of Sterling Place. I’ve enjoyed their burgers on the two occasions that I’ve ordered them, including this most recent visit. For $7.50, you’ll get a great tasting burger with very good french fries.
When I suggested to my wife that we go to Sterling Place on this recent evening, I have to admit it was a tough sell. Considering we have a three-month-old, we don’t get out much, so when the opportunity came to leave our baby with his grandmother for a few hours, I think my wife was hoping to dine somewhere romantic. But after her first night at Sterling Place, she became a big fan.
As mentioned earlier, the people are very friendly. Within five minutes of our visit I was high-fived by an apparent regular. We sat at the bar and were impressed with our very attentive bartender. Before long we started chatting with a group of couples who were playing darts; by the time we left, we were shaking hands and hugging like old friends.
My advice is to keep it simple at Sterling Place. Try a burger, enjoy the people, and play a few tunes on the jukebox. There’s a wide selection of beers from which to choose, ranging from Woodchuck Draft Cider to Pabst Blue Ribbon. You can leave your credit cards at home. They’re not accepted at Sterling Place.
Being February, many folks have probably already given up on their New Year’s resolutions. I actually never made any, but I think it’s still early enough in the year to start one. So here’s my resolution for 2008: Spend more time at Sterling Place. Hope to see you there.
Sterling Place Tavern
1487 Hertel Avenue, Buffalo, 14206
716.838.2448
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Comment Options
icecreamsub
Sterling is the real deal. John and Judy treat everyone like family except you do have to pay for your food and drinks. Best burger in town and my favorite beer selection in the city...not the most extensive although they do have plenty and quality none the less.....and people that go there actually do drink the good beers on tap so they are always fresh. Pilsner, Beamish, Spaten...tough decisions....well behaved dogs are also welcomed which is a bonus......friday fish frys are great too, if you don't mind the wait
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NBJOHN
Things to do while at the Sterling....
Shoot the shit with John and Judy Play great older rock tunes in the juck box get a Franziskanhner (german beer) Order a huge burger (best in BFLO) Admire the retro bathrooms Bring Dead presidents (they do not take cc's) Go to the Shadow Lounge to look for women... Sterling can sometimes be a sword fight.
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Joshua
If there is Flying Bison available, I'll be there!
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al-alo
i do love Sterling. the beer is great and so are the burgers. staff is friendly, and its a laid back place to catch a sabres game. its the kind of bar you see whole families at.
that said, i wish they would be a little more timely with food service and a little more consistant with the availability of the menu. I go there, and there is a chance that burgers are unavailable for some reason or another. id call ahead. for example, i think there are no burgers during lent on fridays - despite other meat on the menu! what gives!
no matter what, the grub is good, but if i want a burger, i want a burger, and i dont want to wait up to an hour and a half for it.
that said, the quirkiness is part of the charm. and while you wait for your meaty goodness, stick to the great beers, and the free popcorn - help yourself.
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al-alo
Josh,
they do have Flying Bison. id recommend Great Lakes' Elliot Ness and Edmond Fitzgerald (sic?). Theyre out of Cleveland - good stuff!
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lulu
Best burger in town and really chill laid back people. Love it! As for the food availability, I do know that John does not freeze the chicken wings (maybe why they are so good) so when they are gone, they are gone. He is happy to tell you what day they will be ordered again, though. Love Love Love the Sterling!
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sbrof
anyplace with Heffeweisen on Tap is a winner in my Book.
So far I only know of two. Sterling and Ulrich's
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mmiller
sbrof, Pizza Plant in Williamsville has Heffeweisen.
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HotBuffalo
The "Best" takes "Time"
You won't get in and out of Sterling Place in a hurry. This is a good thing. Sterling Burgers are always made with fresh beef that's never seen a freezer. John does his best to order enough for the weekend but very occasionally will run out. John refuses to sacrifice his quality by buying "Freezer Beef" or by rushing a quality job. The burgers are thick too and if you try asking for well-done he'll probably come out to try convince you otherwise.
Personality Plus out of this place!
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Schoebdoo
IMHO - Sterling has probably one of the most underrated beer selections in the city. Much more notable than the burgers.
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buffalostan
I have been told by an extraordinary set of friends that they have an exemplary selection of libations, esp in the beer department. and their hamburgers are very good as well. Is this true? Perhaps I will patronize the establishment tonight if this can be verified.
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ChristaSeychew
It's true, Stan, it's true. Get there early.
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viking
I try not to go there too often, we absolutely love the burgers, the free popcorn always ruins my meal and it's more reasonable than where we work. One of our top five restaurants in the city because it has good food, lots of it, priced right and good service, what more is there.
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vericarl
Best fish-fry ever!!! Food and people friendly.
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RisingDamp666
C'mon, al-alo, go for the Dortmunder Gold.
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FunGuy
This is the place to go! Great people and food make for an easy feelin' kinda night out that doesn't hit the wallet too hard.
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thisoldcrackhouse
Buffalo News is currently surveying for best burger in Buffalo. You can email them at agalarneau@buffalonews.com It would be great if the Sterling got a mention, by far the best burger around!
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buda53
I'm sure that Sterlings offers a great burger.......but.......the BEST burger in the Buffalo area will be found at Grovers (Pres. Grover Cleveland's old hunting digs that were "flipped" into a local eatery) on Transit in Williamsville.......they are awesome
buda
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BuffaloRox
Don't forget to save room for homemade desserts. The cherry pie is amazing.
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cia
Don't be afraid to go into the Sterling, you will be happy you did.
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