The Roadside Eatery in New York Locals Swear Is Worth the Miles

Upstate New York is a region I've been visiting more in recent years, and it's a place that benefits from taking it slow. It can be a long drive to get there, especially if you're coming from the city, but the good news is you'll pass through some beautiful landscapes and unique cities well worth visiting. Syracuse is home to the massive mall Destiny USA as well as a rich cultural scene, and Buffalo is, of course, where you'll want to go to get some wings!

But Rochester, sandwiched in between them, often gets overlooked. Outside the Empire State, it may not have as much of a cultural footprint, but that just makes it the locals' best-kept secret. It's a beautiful city that also happens to be home to one of the best road trip stops in New York. That's a roadside restaurant located only minutes away from a busy highway that serves up a deliciously gut-busting plate of food that's a true New York original. Not only is it one of the most unexpected places in New York, thanks to its humble location, but this is where this iconic New York food got its start!

Why This Stop Is Worth the Detour

Rochester is one of the most eye-catching cities in upstate New York, thanks to its beautiful High Falls waterfall. Even passing by is a memorable experience, but it's well worth stopping at least for lunch, because only minutes off Interstate 490, you'll find one of the most iconic restaurants anywhere in the northeast.

That would be Nick Tahou Hots, a classic hole-in-the-wall that opened in 1918 and has been operating continuously ever since. Not only is this diner-like spot still serving up great food, but it's the originator of the Garbage Plate, a one-of-a-kind Rochester original. This is one of the heartiest and most affordable dishes you'll ever order—and it's all thanks to New York!

What Makes It So Unexpected

Ordering at Nick Tahou Hots couldn't be simpler. There are very few menu items, and the menu hasn't changed in a long time, but that's fine; almost everyone here is ordering a garbage plate. The name of the game is customization. You pick two bases—macaroni salad, home fries, french fries, or baked beans—and then go on to the meats.

Some of the most popular choices include hot dogs, white sausages, hamburgers, and fried ham. It's then finished with onions and mustard if you want, but the signature topping here is a rich, spicy meat sauce. No matter what your personal combo is—I love home fries, baked beans, red hot, and fried ham, and a heaping portion of meat sauce—the odds are this plate of food will fill you up for the rest of the day.

Have you dined on the over-the-top garbage plates at Nick Tahou Hots before? If not, tell a friend about this article and plan your road trip to one of the best road trip stops in New York! While you're in Rochester, make sure to take some time to see some of the city's other great sites, including the beautiful scenery at Turning Point Park or the stunning botanical garden at Lamberton Conservatory. You can find more information about the restaurant on the Nick Tahou Hots website. If you'd like a few more ideas on how to spend a day in Rochester, let Only in Your State's AI-powered travel planner design a custom itinerary for you!