What food is Buffalo known for? Buffalo's menu is diverse, with several unique favorites and new restaurants opening on the regular. New York City isn't the only part of the state with a vibrant foodie scene. In fact, for some of these dishes, you have better luck further upstate. While it's nice to expand our horizons and try new cuisine, we're always happy to stick to the classics. Here are eleven iconic foods that simply scream "Buffalo."
1. Pizza
Not too thick, not too thin, Buffalo pizza is just right - and we're not the only ones who think so! Buffalo was recently ranked as the third best city for pizza in America by Travel + Leisure. Turns out you can find an amazing slice in many different areas of New York state. The tricky part is deciding what toppings to go for.
2. Wings
You'll be hard-pressed to find a restaurant in town that doesn't offer chicken wings on its menu. Whether you like them saucy, crispy, or a little bit of both, just one bite of an authentic Buffalo chicken wing will make you realize why we're so proud of our city's creation. This is surely a Buffalo food
3. Beef on weck
Thinly sliced roast beef, au jus, and a salty kimmelweck roll. Who could ask for more? Sometimes there's nothing more satisfying than a good old-fashioned sandwich, and this one's pretty hard to beat.
4. Chiavetta's
It's not summer in Western New York without at least one trip for Chiavetta's BBQ. Raise your hand if a jug of Chiavetta's is a staple item in your pantry! This joint has been serving up piping hot BBQ since 1954 and they've been the best in the state at it ever since.
5. Bison dip
When storms loom in Buffalo, we stock up on the essentials: bread, milk, eggs, and Bison dip. This stuff is good on almost anything you can think of — burgers, vegetables, bread, and (of course) potato chips. Don't be intimidated by the name, this is a dairy-based dip that's one of the most delicious Buffalo foods.
6. Weber's horseradish mustard
It's like dijon mustard, but worlds better. That's right, we said it. While horseradish and mustard might seem like an odd combo, there's a reason people from all over the country have Weber's shipped to them after they leave Buffalo! It's just the right balance of flavors for sandwiches and other delights.
7. Sahlen's hot dogs/Ted's
If it's not a Sahlen's hot dog, can you even call it a hot dog? Sahlen's are hands-down the dog of choice, in Buffalo, and for whatever reason, they taste even better when prepared at Ted's! These natural casing hot dogs also have less fat and no skin so they're a slightly healthier choice than your average dog.
8. Sponge candy
There are several methods for eating sponge candy. All of which are delicious. This confection originated in Buffalo and it strikes the perfect balance between creamy and crunchy. At the heart of it, it's lightly toasted toffee covered in chocolate. What more could you possibly want?
9. Chef's spaghetti parmesan
It doesn't get much more Buffalo than Chef's. This classic Italian restaurant is known for its spaghetti parm and famous Chef's sauce. Buy a jar for later - you won't be sorry! It's hard to go wrong when making a classic comfort dish like this, but Chef's has something special in their secret recipe. You'll be dreaming about this meal for years to come.
10. Lloyd tacos
They might be a newer addition to the Buffalo food scene, but Lloyd and their famous food trucks have quickly become a favorite Buffalo food Whatever you order, don't forget to ask for the Rocket Sauce! Like we said, it's good to have a little bit of the new with the old tried-and-true classic dishes.
11. Paula's donuts
Start your day or end a meal with a delicious donut from Paula's! Even better? Bring a couple dozen to the office for some major brownie points from your coworkers!
Are you hungry yet? What are your favorite Buffalo foods to sink your teeth into? We're always looking for an excuse to try something new. Let us know about your favorite foods in the comments!
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