Guide to Buffalo and Bills Games for Visitors

[plenzmd1]

So, I have been thinking of doing this for a while now. Thought it might be nice if we can pin a thread with a document that gives some nice high-level information on places to stay/ eat/see/do for the folks that come to TBD and ask the "first time to a game." questions. I have put my ideas/ experiences when it comes to hotels and things to do and incorporated the awesome doc @Rubes put together a couple years ago for the Classic Food Tour of WNY. 

 

I am no genius on google docs and only lightly edited/formatted this doc. Someone better at that than me help appreciated!

 

I  will post a link that everyone can edit/add/clean up/post maps etc ( have no clue how Rubes did that) . For instance, I have always tailgated either in ECC or Hammers as that side of the stadium is easiest for me to get to...so would love input on tailgate places on 20A and California etc.

 

Let me see if this works..and if this is worthless..let me know that as well.

 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1F9yhWkCZkeTFX_6yagiiwCPu-JUnhBAxuPILxW8U438/edit?usp=sharing

[Chandler#81]

I’ll give it a shot. For a while anyway.

[Sky Diver]

Watch out for drunks sliding down railing and falling from the upper deck.

 

 

Edited September 3, 2018 by Sky Diver

[Misterbluesky]

Sadly,Peter K's closed,the family retired.

[Hammered a Lot]

Uber Lot moved to western side of ECC.

[Augie]

I’m going to need 6-8 meals/day to get all my wants in....

[plenzmd1]

30 minutes ago, Hammered a Lot said:

Uber Lot moved to western side of ECC.

That’s great Hammer. Did not know that. Do you know exactly where?

Edited September 3, 2018 by plenzmd1

[Hammered a Lot]

Google Buffalo Bills Uber for move info.

[billsfan_34]

3 hours ago, plenzmd1 said:

So, I have been thinking of doing this for a while now. Thought it might be nice if we can pin a thread with a document that gives some nice high-level information on places to stay/ eat/see/do for the folks that come to TBD and ask the "first time to a game." questions. I have put my ideas/ experiences when it comes to hotels and things to do and incorporated the awesome doc @Rubes put together a couple years ago for the Classic Food Tour of WNY. 

 

I am no genius on google docs and only lightly edited/formatted this doc. Someone better at that than me help appreciated!

 

I  will post a link that everyone can edit/add/clean up/post maps etc ( have no clue how Rubes did that) . For instance, I have always tailgated either in ECC or Hammers as that side of the stadium is easiest for me to get to...so would love input on tailgate places on 20A and California etc.

 

Let me see if this works..and if this is worthless..let me know that as well.

 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1F9yhWkCZkeTFX_6yagiiwCPu-JUnhBAxuPILxW8U438/edit?usp=sharing

Really nice job! I park on 20a directly across from the main lot (Bills side)  essentially lined up on the 50 yard line. Their is 4-5 private lots that connect and all are pretty decent. Each one is 20 bucks to park. Plenty of room for cornhole, tossing the ball, bonfires etc...If you are looking for complete chaos this isnt for you but if a nice happy medium is what suits ya then check em out.  I have always had a good time there with plenty of good people as well. Another added bonus if you are sitting on the Bills side it is easy to get to your seats as you are lined up on the 50 when crossing 20a into the main lot. 

Edited September 3, 2018 by billsfan_34

[plenzmd1]

Thank you Billsfan34, I will add to tailgate info. Easy to get to from 219?

[Best Player Available]

2 hours ago, Misterbluesky said:

Sadly,Peter K's closed,the family retired.

That really sucks. 

[Shaw66]

Nice job.  City of Buffalo's website could use it.  

 

I live out of town but visit often enough to test your comments.  I will addnsomenthings, if i can. 

 

I'm a life-time Scwabl's fan.  Is there still feedback about the owners comments.  I thought he apologized, a lot.  And he was really unhappy.  It was a stupid accident and he was out of business for close ton a year.   Sandwiches are still great. 

[Rubes]

Awesome! Glad to see the food guide resurrected!

 

[Augie]

3 minutes ago, Rubes said:

Awesome! Glad to see the food guide resurrected!

 

 

You can call it a guide. I will call it a challenge! 

[Sanners]

Any food guide that doesn't list Bar Bill for Beef on Weck, as well as their wings, is completely inadequate. Update that sucker! 

 

 

[Hammered a Lot]

4 hours ago, plenzmd1 said:

So, I have been thinking of doing this for a while now. Thought it might be nice if we can pin a thread with a document that gives some nice high-level information on places to stay/ eat/see/do for the folks that come to TBD and ask the "first time to a game." questions. I have put my ideas/ experiences when it comes to hotels and things to do and incorporated the awesome doc @Rubes put together a couple years ago for the Classic Food Tour of WNY. 

 

I am no genius on google docs and only lightly edited/formatted this doc. Someone better at that than me help appreciated!

 

I  will post a link that everyone can edit/add/clean up/post maps etc ( have no clue how Rubes did that) . For instance, I have always tailgated either in ECC or Hammers as that side of the stadium is easiest for me to get to...so would love input on tailgate places on 20A and California etc.

 

Let me see if this works..and if this is worthless..let me know that as well.

 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1F9yhWkCZkeTFX_6yagiiwCPu-JUnhBAxuPILxW8U438/edit?usp=sharing

Bills game info what is YouHammers Lot? Should be Hammers Lot. No address on link 4170 Abbott Road Orchard Park Ny14127. Disagree on tight comment. Never heard a complaint on damaged car doors. The problem is every year people are bring more stuff. Everything except the kitchen sink. Also this year I did a major improvement on part of the lot.  Removed topsoil, installed road fabric and covered fabric with crushed concrete and sand binder. I will never be confused with the Mud Lot. The lots on 20a are ok when the ground is hard but when the rain comes...

[plenzmd1]

54 minutes ago, Hammered a Lot said:

Bills game info what is YouHammers Lot? Should be Hammers Lot. No address on link 4170 Abbott Road Orchard Park Ny14127. Disagree on tight comment. Never heard a complaint on damaged car doors. The problem is every year people are bring more stuff. Everything except the kitchen sink. Also this year I did a major improvement on part of the lot.  Removed topsoil, installed road fabric and covered fabric with crushed concrete and sand binder. I will never be confused with the Mud Lot. The lots on 20a are ok when the ground is hard but when the rain comes...

I will amend to read the above with address..only thing I meant with the tight comment was  if you go to Hammers and expect to play a game touch or have your young kids run around play tag, lacrosse etc, it's tight. Prolly not the best lot for that

 

Like I said I have never parked over there on 20A..have zero experience

[Virgil]

If you want a Kiko Alonso jersey, I know a guy who sells them from his car for jaw dropping deals

[Shaw66]

45 minutes ago, plenzmd1 said:

I will amend to read the above with address..only thing I meant with the tight comment was  if you go to Hammers and expect to play a game touch or have your young kids run around play tag, lacrosse etc, it's tight. Prolly not the best lot for that

 

Like I said I have never parked over there on 20A..have zero experience

Hey, Doc -

 

I just added some text to your memo.  It works great.   The Hammer should go into it and make some revisions, if he wants.  By the way, I understood what you wrote about "tight."   But he's right about the mud lot - it's amazing when it's wet.  But there's plenty of other parking on 20A that hold up better in the rain.  

[Orlando Tim]

As a guy who has not been to a game in buffalo in 16 years but is trying to go this will highly useful. I hate when i plan to do something and it is closed/changed. Thanks

[StrikeParry]

58 minutes ago, Sky Diver said:

 

I went to the Denver game last year and will likely go to a game this year.

 

Dos and don’ts should be part of any good guide.

 

Why do you avoid games?

Ah yes “dos and don’ts”. Do you really think out-of-town fans need to be reminded to not physically accost opposing fans? Or that they should not fall off the upper deck of the stadium? Those were your helpful examples. I know not everyone received a UA education, but I think even those unfortunates can figure those things out.

[SDS]

With permission, I can recreate this as a permanant resource on the site. Maybe have an updated date to start and a request for corrections as time passes. 

[AmishRifle]

14 minutes ago, SDS said:

With permission, I can recreate this as a permanant resource on the site. Maybe have an updated date to start and a request for corrections as time passes. 

Concur!  Fantastic idea!

[plenzmd1]

1 hour ago, SDS said:

With permission, I can recreate this as a permanant resource on the site. Maybe have an updated date to start and a request for corrections as time passes. 

That would be awesome

Edited September 4, 2018 by plenzmd1

[Captain_Quint]

2 hours ago, Sky Diver said:

 

Some out of town fans may get caught up in the excitement and adopt a “when in Rome” mentality.

 

I was thinking more about the hazard of having someone fall on them, although it’s good advice not to ride the rail on the upper deck too.

 

Also, even though you may feel like you are in a Third World country, proper bathroom etiquette should be followed. Toilets are for urinating and sinks are for washing your hands.

 

Should you leap on a burning table and catch fire, don’t forget stop, drop and roll. And leaping head first from the top of a RV is strongly discouraged.

 

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.golfdigest.com/story/these-two-buffalo-bills-fans-might-actually-be-dead/amp

 

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5256609/Alabama-teenager-18-accused-molesting-horse.html

 

This is more of a general best practice, not so much football related other than the kid is a rabid bama fan. How many times do we have to remind you, cousins and horses are off limits unless there is consent!

 

[Bills Oil Company]

Wife and I are flying in from Houston for Tennessee game in early October.  Haven't been to a game since 2009 and not from Buffalo.   Any suggestions on the following would be greatly appreciated!

• Will be taking uber to stadium from downtown.  We want to walk around experience the scene.  Best suggestion on how to obtain beer?  Is there a place to buy outside stadium or should i just have the uber driver stop on the way?  :)
• Were staying at the curtiss hotel downtown.  Any suggestions for nice restaurants near the hotel Friday or Saturday night?  What about after the game on Sunday?  Last time we went to anchor bar after the game and had a great time, but wanted to get others suggestions.

Appreciate it and thanks for starting this thread - very helpful for out of towners!

[Ol Dirty B]

6 hours ago, Sky Diver said:

 

I went to the Denver game last year and will likely go to a game this year.

 

Dos and don’ts should be part of any good guide.

 

Why do you avoid games?

 

People my age want to shot gun beers and do all this crazy drinking at 8 am. Fyi, and I'm not proud of it, we are all pushing 30 so I'm a bit tired of that scene. I enjoy the actual atmosphere at the stadium during the game, but at this point, I'd rather enjoy my Saturday night and sleep in. 

 

If you're being genuine I get it. It just didn't come across that way to me. My bad if I'm wrong, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt.

Edited September 4, 2018 by Ol Dirty B

[yall]

No mention of anything near the stadium? I'm thinking Big Tree (wings) and Louie's (hot dogs) might be worth mentioning. Otherwise a great resource!

[Commish]

Great sticky post idea - every other game gets a thread started by someone asking the same question again ... and again.

 

I'm no expert, but a section on traffic would be useful, like busiest and least busiest routes in, time stuck in traffic in and out - depending on the time arrival/departure and route. 

Edited September 4, 2018 by Roch-A-Bill

[The Process]

Misc. Lunch Dining: MIGHTY TACO 

[BillsPride12]

23 minutes ago, The Process said:

Misc. Lunch Dining: MIGHTY TACO 

Add Jim's Steakout 

[boyst]

Amazing work, well done

[Roundybout]

1 hour ago, BillsPride12 said:

Add Jim's Steakout 

 

if you can get out on Broadway, Shy's Steakhouse destroys Jims on steak hoagies. 

[PromoTheRobot]

19 hours ago, Misterbluesky said:

Sadly,Peter K's closed,the family retired.

 

It's a shame. I loved their Polish platter.

10 hours ago, Bills Oil Company said:

Wife and I are flying in from Houston for Tennessee game in early October.  Haven't been to a game since 2009 and not from Buffalo.   Any suggestions on the following would be greatly appreciated!

• Will be taking uber to stadium from downtown.  We want to walk around experience the scene.  Best suggestion on how to obtain beer?  Is there a place to buy outside stadium or should i just have the uber driver stop on the way? 
• Were staying at the curtiss hotel downtown.  Any suggestions for nice restaurants near the hotel Friday or Saturday night?  What about after the game on Sunday?  Last time we went to anchor bar after the game and had a great time, but wanted to get others suggestions.

Appreciate it and thanks for starting this thread - very helpful for out of towners!

 

High end: SEAR Steakhouse at the Embassy Suites. I believe it's owned by ex-Bills.

 

More downscale: Dinosaur BBQ on Franklin near Tupper. 

 

In-between: Frankie Primo's, 51 Chippewa. Nice Italian.

 

Another place is Osteria 166 at 166 Franklin. It was a favorite of ex-Bills GM Doug Whaley and ex-Sabres GM Tim Murray.

Edited September 4, 2018 by PromoTheRobot

[stony]

12 hours ago, Bills Oil Company said:

Wife and I are flying in from Houston for Tennessee game in early October.  Haven't been to a game since 2009 and not from Buffalo.   Any suggestions on the following would be greatly appreciated!

• Will be taking uber to stadium from downtown.  We want to walk around experience the scene.  Best suggestion on how to obtain beer?  Is there a place to buy outside stadium or should i just have the uber driver stop on the way? 
• Were staying at the curtiss hotel downtown.  Any suggestions for nice restaurants near the hotel Friday or Saturday night?  What about after the game on Sunday?  Last time we went to anchor bar after the game and had a great time, but wanted to get others suggestions.

Appreciate it and thanks for starting this thread - very helpful for out of towners!

 

1) Have your Uber driver stop for some beverages.  Cans over bottles.  Or go up to a tailgate and yell "Bills suck my balls!!"  Then wring out your Bills hoodie from all the beer tossed at you into a red solo cup.  Free beer.  

 

2) Curtiss is a beautifully renovated building.  Nice rooftop bar that could be open when you visit.  If you have something specific you want in dining out, let the board know.  Easier to steer you in a direction that way.    

Edited September 4, 2018 by stony

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

4 hours ago, PromoTheRobot said:

Another place is Osteria 166 at 166 Franklin. It was a favorite of ex-Bills GM Doug Whaley and ex-Sabres GM Tim Murray.

However, the odds are the server hands you a note with the bill from Kim and Terry P that says "you're fired".

[Hapless Bills Fan]

18 hours ago, Sky Diver said:

 

I went to the Denver game last year and will likely go to a game this year.

 

Dos and don’ts should be part of any good guide.

 

Why do you avoid games?

 

Except that your "don'ts" are all one-off or rare events, unlikely to be of help to a normal Joe seeking relevant information helpful to attend the game.

 

[plenzmd1]

4 hours ago, PromoTheRobot said:

 

It's a shame. I loved their Polish platter.

 

High end: SEAR Steakhouse at the Embassy Suites. I believe it's owned by ex-Bills.

 

More downscale: Dinosaur BBQ on Franklin near Tupper. 

 

In-between: Frankie Primo's, 51 Chippewa. Nice Italian.

 

Another place is Osteria 166 at 166 Franklin. It was a favorite of ex-Bills GM Doug Whaley and ex-Sabres GM Tim Murray.

All excellent suggestions. I

 

am not a steakhouse guy, think they are all overpriced and can do at home for 1/4 of the cost..leave them for work dinners.

 

Osteria is fantastic!

[The Senator]

15 hours ago, Bills Oil Company said:

Wife and I are flying in from Houston for Tennessee game in early October.  Haven't been to a game since 2009 and not from Buffalo.   Any suggestions on the following would be greatly appreciated!

• Will be taking uber to stadium from downtown.  We want to walk around experience the scene.  Best suggestion on how to obtain beer?  Is there a place to buy outside stadium or should i just have the uber driver stop on the way? 
• Were staying at the curtiss hotel downtown.  Any suggestions for nice restaurants near the hotel Friday or Saturday night?  What about after the game on Sunday?  Last time we went to anchor bar after the game and had a great time, but wanted to get others suggestions.

Appreciate it and thanks for starting this thread - very helpful for out of towners!

 

There’s a Morton’s (steaks) near in the Hyatt on Huron Street or, if you prefer a locally owned steakhouse over a national chain, there’s the Buffalo Chophouse on Franklin Street (owned by Mike Croce, same guy that owns your hotel).  Both are pricey, but I’m guessing that, if you’re staying at The Curtiss, you’re probably looking for someplace nice.

[noacls]

On 9/3/2018 at 5:19 PM, Sanners said:

Any food guide that doesn't list Bar Bill for Beef on Weck, as well as their wings, is completely inadequate. Update that sucker! 

 

 

Imho bar bill wings are way overrated. Beef on weck is fantastic though. Pizza too