Ranked by TableJourney editorial score.
Rochester's most defining dish: two starches (home fries and macaroni salad), two proteins (white hots are canonical), meat sauce, mustard, and raw onions. Nick Tahou Hots trademarked the name in 1991.
Nick Tahou opened his hots stand at 320 W. Main St in 1918. The plate that would become the Garbage Plate took shape over decades as workers requested everything combined on one dish. Tahou trademarked the name Garbage Plate in 1991 (USPTO registration 1708448). The version served today remains the standard: two starches, two proteins, house meat sauce, yellow mustard, and chopped white onion.
2 editor picks for Garbage Plate in Rochester, ranked by editorial score. All Rochester signature dishes · Garbage Plate across every city.
Nick Tahou Hots on W. Main St in Rochester has served the original Garbage Plate since 1918, the dish that defines the city's food identity.
OrderThe Garbage Plate with white hots, home fries, mac salad, and meat sauce. Order it at the counter; no substitutions needed.
TipCash is preferred. The restaurant is a no-frills diner; the dish is the destination. Closed Mondays.
Dogtown on Monroe Ave in Rochester serves 18 varieties of gourmet hot dog with German-style franks in locally-baked rolls, each named after a dog breed.
OrderThe Saint Bernard with sauerkraut and spicy mustard, or the German-style frank with mustard and onions.
TipClosed Sundays. Counter service; no reservations. The bread is made locally and cut daily.
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