The places in Buffalo the guidebooks miss.
The places in Buffalo the guidebooks miss. locals-only counters, after-hours rooms and the spots tourists walk past.
Why locals love it: Visitors stop at Anchor Bar for wings and miss Buffalo's older signature dish a twenty-minute drive south at Schwabl's in West Seneca, open since 1837.
Tip: Get the beef on weck with horseradish on the side and German potato salad. The kummelweck roll caraway is the point.
Why locals love it: An East Side neighborhood lounge that serves a haddock fish fry hanging off the plate, far from any tourist itinerary.
Tip: Friday or Saturday for the haddock fish fry. The half portion is still bigger than most full portions in town.
Why locals love it: A 1927 oval Adam-period soda fountain on Main Street that visitors walk past, with phosphates and homemade sponge candy.
Tip: Order the chocolate phosphate at the soda fountain counter. Buy a box of sponge candy on the way out.
Why locals love it: A Greek-American breakfast diner on Military Road locals defend privately, with massive omelets and weekend lines around the block.
Tip: Get the Greek omelet with feta and a side of home fries. Arrive before 09:00 on weekends or expect a wait.
Why locals love it: Buffalo's century-old spaghetti parm room on Seneca Street downtown, family-owned by Billittiers since 1923 and still a quiet local favorite.
Tip: Order the spaghetti parm and a glass of house red. Mid-week dinner is the easiest walk-in for the downtown room.
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.
Why locals love it: A West Side bakery and toast cafe milling its own wheat, far from tourist itineraries but defended by Buffalo bread fans.
Tip: Order a thick slice of whole-grain toast with jam and a drip coffee. The bread alone is worth the West Side trip.