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Hot Dogs and PlatesDowntown
Nick Tahou Hots on W. Main St in Rochester is the originator of the Garbage Plate, serving the trademarked original since 1918 at a no-frills counter.
TipThe white hot Garbage Plate with home fries, macaroni salad, and meat sauce is the canonical order. Cash preferred. Closed Mondays.
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Hot DogsMonroe Avenue
Dogtown on Monroe Ave in Rochester serves 18 gourmet hot dog varieties on locally-baked rolls, each named after a dog breed, with handcut fries on the side.
TipClosed Sundays. The house-cut French bread rolls are made locally and cut daily. The German-style frank has natural-casing snap.
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Market FoodPublic Market
Rochester Public Market on N. Union St has over 300 stalls on Saturdays, with prepared food from tamales and empanadas to Greek pastries and jerk chicken.
TipSaturday mornings from 06:00 to 15:00 is the main event, with the widest food selection. Tuesday and Thursday markets run 06:00-13:00 for produce. Arrive before 09:00 for peak variety.
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Food TrucksPublic Market
Rochester Public Market Food Truck Rodeo runs the last Wednesday monthly from April through September, with over 40 food trucks and live music.
TipThe last Wednesday of each month April through September, 17:00 to 21:00. Free admission, pay per food item. Live music runs the full evening.
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Diner and HotsMonroe Avenue
Mark's Texas Hots on Monroe Ave in Rochester is the late-night diner and hot dog counter that keeps the Rochester hot plate tradition alive after midnight.
TipOpen until 04:00 weekdays and 24 hours Friday and Saturday. The Rochester late-night crowd comes here after bar close. Cash preferred.
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Halal AmericanMonroe Avenue
Halal Spot on Monroe Ave in Rochester is counter-service halal open until 02:00 weeknights, known for cheesesteaks, chicken gyros, and late-night wraps.
TipOpen until 02:00 Monday through Saturday. Counter service only. The cheesesteak and chicken gyro are the most popular orders.
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Artisan Bread StallPublic Market
Flour City Bread at Rochester Public Market bakes organic sourdough loaves and pastries at the market stall, the city's top street-level bread stop.
TipSaturday stall sells out before 10:00 on popular loaves. Bring a bag; multiple loaf purchases are common. The baguette and pain levain are the signature items.