A non-carbonated raspberry-and-blackberry-hybrid fruit drink, deep red and sweet-tart, served from the soda fountain at Buffalo hot dog stands and taco counters. The local soft drink of Western New York.
Where to eat it: 4 restaurants across 1 city.
The loganberry drink originated at the Crystal Beach Amusement Park on the Ontario shore of Lake Erie, where Buffalo families crossed by ferry from 1888 to 1989. The fruit, a California-bred raspberry and blackberry hybrid from the 1880s, was blended with sugar syrup and water as a hot-day cooler. Two Buffalo brands still pour it: Aunt Rosie's, launched 1987 by Pepsi-Cola Buffalo Bottling, and PJ's Crystal Beach, which slowly overtook Aunt Rosie's in recent years. Johnnie Ryan from Niagara Falls bottles the cane-sugar version Mighty Taco runs on every fountain.
Tip from the editors. The Buffalo fountain version is NOT carbonated. Resist topping with seltzer; the slightly syrupy still-water texture is the point.
This is the TableJourney editorial recipe, modelled on the canonical bistro / counter version. The first place to try the dish in its city of origin is below.
Why locals love it: A 1948 charcoal-broiled hot dog counter on Sheridan, Sahlen's franks and homemade hot chili sauce most tourists never reach.
Tip: Order a foot-long with hot chili sauce, a side of onion rings and the loganberry drink. Pure Buffalo.
Mighty Taco on Delaware Avenue is the late-night Buffalo Tex-Mex chain (since 1973) every local defends, with a beef taco and the El Nino burrito.
Signature: Beef taco, El Nino burrito
Anchor Bar on Main Street is the birthplace of the Buffalo chicken wing, invented by Teressa Bellissimo in 1964 for her son Dominic and his friends.
Signature: Original Buffalo wings, Wing sampler
Broadway Market on the East Side has been Buffalo's Polish food anchor since 1888, with Chrusciki and White Eagle bakeries, Camellia Meats and pierogi.
More cities are in research. Want loganberry drink covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.