Growing up about 45 minutes from the city of Buffalo, NY meant that I got to experience the thrill of Buffalo food. I am a true Buffalo girl at heart, and I can’t wait to bring my college friends up to the city to get the full Buffalo experience.
Wings and Blue Cheese
As a kid, I never ate chicken wings. Probably because they were messy, and I didn’t like the idea of eating something that would certainly make my hands sticky. Right around Christmas time of 2019, I decided that it was time to dip into the blue cheese and wing fandom. I was shocked by how delicious they were. For those who are curious, I order my wings either mild or medium depending on my spice tolerance for that day. I don’t like drumsticks, and I am a flats gal all the way. This is perfect because my family doesn’t like drumsticks, so we complement each other very well. To settle the debate, blue cheese is superior. :)
Sponge Candy from Fowlers
Tell me what is better than opening up a present on Christmas morning and seeing the pink and white Fowler’s Chocolates print? Sponge candy is a major stocking stuffer and Easter Bunny gift on my mom’s side of the family. Sponge candy always gets stale after a week or two, so it’s optimal to eat all of the candies before they lose their crunch. There’s something so nostalgic for me to bite into a piece of sponge candy surrounded by my family.
Perry’s Ice Cream (specifically white lightning and panda paws)
Growing up, I used to spend evenings with my grandparents where we’d sit outside, play Uno, and eat ice cream out of little glass bowls. It was a guarantee that there would be at least two or three types of ice cream in the freezer. I’d always ask for a bowl of panda paws or white lightning (back when it was still sold in stores). Again, food holds so many great memories for me. If you ever want to make me smile, bring me a bowl of Perry’s ice cream and I will be a happy gal!
Sahlen’s Hot Dogs
Hot dogs>hamburgers was the stance I held as a young kid. My favorite roadside restaurant was Tony’s Bayview Drive-in in Hamburg. My uncle was friends with Tony, the owner, himself. Tony’s was a place where I could play pinball while I waited for my hotdog and curly fries. Sometimes he’d even sit down with us while we ate. He treated everyone like family and so we had only the best Sahlen’s hotdogs.
Chicken Wing Dip
As I previously mentioned, wings are one of my favorite Buffalo foods. Buffalo Bills games are the not the same without chicken wing dip and Tostitos. Chicken wing dip can almost always be found at family gatherings, especially when the Bills are playing and we really need to get into the Buffalo spirit.
Bison Dip and Lays Classic Chips (while watching the Bills game, of course)
Again, Bills games and snacks go hand in hand. Bison dip is one thing I can guarantee you my family always had on hand. Even when the Bills aren’t playing, one of my favorite late-night snacks is classic Lays chips and Bison Dip.
Beef on Weck
Whenever my mom’s brother who lives out of state comes to town, he and his family always get beef on weck to signify their arrival back to Buffalo. It’s a classic that I didn’t partake in until recently. Everyone I know uses au jus sauce, but I’m personally not a fan and will instead enjoy my slightly dry and salty sandwich.
PJ’s Crystal Beach Loganberry
Yes, the Crystal Beach amusement park in Ontario had closed by the time I was born. That doesn’t mean that my mom’s family doesn’t have fun memories of going there. One part of Crystal Beach that is still available is the cans of Loganberry. A cold can of Loganberry while I watch the sun set just feels like being a little kid.
Pizza
I think I just love Buffalo pizza because it’s Buffalo pizza and not dining hall pizza. I really could go for a good slice of white pizza from Pasquales in Derby right now. :)
Chicken Finger Subs
Yum! I love a good medium chicken finger sub with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomato, onions, and blue cheese. Having one after a long week of school always hits the spot and it’s a reward for the hard work that I’ve put forth.
Chiavetta’s Chicken
Chicken barbeques at the churches and fire halls almost always made the surrounding streets smell like the herbs and spices of Chiavetta’s Chicken. It is yummy food, but it comes with a pretty high price tag usually justified by the important cause that it supports.
Fish Fry Fridays
Growing up in the Catholic church meant no meat on Fridays during Lent. Fridays with my grandparents usually meant fish fries and family time. I only started eating broiled fish recently, so I can’t say that I’m the biggest fan of fish fries, but it’s still the mood that it sets that reminds me of younger years.
Food is such a key part of my memories and I hope that everyone gets to try at least one Buffalo-claimed bite!