The Holy Trinity of Buffalo Calories
Three dishes define the heart of Buffalo's culinary identity, and the Food Trail directs you to the best places to try them:
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Buffalo Wings (The Original): No trip is complete without visiting the birthplace of the Buffalo wing.
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Anchor Bar: The legendary spot where Teressa Bellissimo fried up wings and tossed them in hot sauce in 1964, changing American food history forever.
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Duff's Famous Wings: An Amherst staple with a cult following for its bold heat and no-nonsense approach to flavor—even former President Obama couldn't resist their signature fiery sauce.
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Bar-Bill Tavern: A classic pub known for its jumbo, extra-crispy wings, meticulously hand-brushed in signature sauce.
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Beef on Weck: This signature Western New York sandwich features fresh-carved, tender roast beef on a perfectly crisp kimmelweck roll (a hard roll topped with caraway seeds and coarse salt).
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Charlie the Butcher's Kitchen: Known for the white apron and bump cap, Charlie Roesch is an icon whose freshly carved sandwiches have earned national recognition.
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Schwabl's: A Buffalo fixture since 1837 that keeps it simple with hand-carved beef dripping with juices, served with sides of German potato salad and pickled beets.
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Sponge Candy: This unique regional confection features a crisp, airy honeycomb center coated in rich chocolate.
Alethea's Chocolates: Sponge candy is made here in small batches year-round for the perfect crisp, airy bite, branded with an "A" mark of quality.
Parkside Candy: This old-fashioned candy shop, guided by a glowing pink neon sign for nearly a century, offers a version with a slightly shorter height, creating a richer chocolate-to-sponge ratio.
Must-Try Buffalo Specialties
The trail extends beyond the main three to highlight other unique creations and regional favorites:
- Chicken Finger Sub: Said to have been originated by John's Pizza & Subs, this Buffalo favorite is now copied the world over. Other late-night staples like Jim's Steakout are famous for their signature steak and chicken finger subs.
- Spaghetti Parmesan: Born at Chef's Restaurant in 1962, this legendary dish is the result of a creative experiment with butter and melted cheese, making it a unique Buffalo classic.
- Buffalo-Style Pizza: Distinguished by its light, rectangular, crispy crust, sweet tomato sauce, locally made mozzarella, and frequently, hand-cut pepperoni cups. Picasso's Pizza is one of the original establishments serving this style.
- Frozen Custard: Anderson's Frozen Custard has been serving its rich, egg-yolk-infused recipe since 1946, offering an ultra-creamy alternative to traditional soft serve.
- Seasonal Sip (Tom & Jerry): In the winter, cozy up at spots like Glen Park Tavern or The Place for a Tom & Jerry, a warm, boozy, nostalgic holiday cocktail made from a traditional batter.
