Couple of questions for my first Buffalo trip this week for opening day!

[Alphadawg7]

Hey guys, 

 

As a lot of you know from a thread a couple months ago, I am coming to Buffalo for my first time for opening day against the Steelers!  My now fiance bought us tickets to come and I couldn't be more excited!  I have a couple of questions was wondering about...

 

1. As a first timer, what is the best place to go experience Bills Mafia tailgating?  
   1. Do I need to buy a ticket or anything to get into those areas like Hammers Lot or the Grass lots?
2. I got a lot of advice in my last thread on things like where to get wings, but who has the best Beef on Weck?
3. We plan on doing at least one find dining spot, any recommendations for that?  
4. I hear we need to try some pizza too...what is the cant miss pizza spot?

Edited September 6, 2021 by Alphadawg7

[SectionC3]

 Not a tailgater, but Hammer's Lot is probably your best bet.  

 

A vegetarian (not much help here, sorry), but Schwabl's in West Seneca has the reputation of having the best beef on weck around.  Eckl's supposedly is pretty good, too.  (I never tried either before I switched to vegetarian a few years ago.)  Bar Bill in EA probably will get some votes, too.  Great wings there as well.  Now that I've said all of this, I'd probably go to Bar Bill just for the experience.  And, if the line is long, get a drink at the very cool bar next door at 189 Burger. 

 

Depends on where you're staying and what the weather is like for fine dining, but my vote is Rick's on Main in East Aurora.  If you want to stay in OP, and if you like Italian food, then Mangia is the place to go.  Definitely eat on the sidewalk at Mangia, and try to get an outside seat at Rick's.  Excellent experiences at both locations.  

 

Nino's (West Seneca) on the pizza.  You'll have a lot of input here.  Some will say Imperial in South Buffalo (a little too burned for me).  Others will say La Nova.  But I'm a Nino's person.  This answer, though, kind of depends on where you're staying.  If you're downtown, then La Nova is probably where it's at for you.  

Edited September 6, 2021 by SectionC3

[Alphadawg7]

2 minutes ago, SectionC3 said:

 Not a tailgater, but Hammer's Lot is probably your best bet.  

 

A vegetarian (not much help here, sorry), but Schwabl's in West Seneca has the reputation of having the best beef on weck around.  Eckl's supposedly is pretty good, too.  (I never tried either before I switched to vegetarian a few years ago.)  

 

Depends on where you're staying and what the weather is like for fine dining, but my vote is Rick's on Main in East Aurora.  If you want to stay in OP, and if you like Italian food, then Mangia is the place to go. 

 

Nino's (West Seneca) on the pizza.  You'll have a lot of input here.  Some will say Imperial in South Buffalo (a little too burned for me).  Others will say La Nova.  But I'm a Nino's person.  This answer, though, kind of depends on where you're staying.  If you're downtown, then La Nova is probably where it's at for you.  

 

Thanks!  I think we are staying near downtown if I am not mistaken, but will check these out to where we are at!

[Chas56]

I usually still get to one game a year. We always celebrate by going to the Buffalo Chophouse for dinner after. We see Bills players there every year! Bring your wallet.

[hondo in seattle]

I like Charlie the Butcher for beef on weck.  

 

Celebrity chef, Jeffrey Zakarian,  is a also big fan of Charlie's and calls it "the perfect roast beef."

 

www.charliethebutcher.com/index.php/our-story/media-gallery/

 

 

As to pizza, I don't visit Buffalo enough to pick one standout location.  But who ever told you to get pizza, told you right.  While  most cities will have at least one good pizza place, the average pizza joint in Buffalo is much better than the average in any other city I've spent time in.  

 

 

Edited September 6, 2021 by hondo in seattle

[bigK14094]

Of course, Bocce Club Pizza is an institution in WNY.  Several locations, I don't know the southtowns, as we are from northern haunts.

[SectionC3]

26 minutes ago, Alphadawg7 said:

 

Thanks!  I think we are staying near downtown if I am not mistaken, but will check these out to where we are at!

For RB, be advised that Schwabls looks like a dump.  Grew up near there.  Driven by it hundreds of times.  Never set foot in the place.  I was dumbfounded when someone I know who works on a different city drove several hours to go there.  But apparently it’s worth it.  And a quick shot out the 190/400 from downtown.  
 

You should hit the Southtowns at least once.  Bar bill is a Pegulas haunt.  Village of East Aurora is great.  And Mangia (outside) is sort of a perfect Orchard Park experience.  You can’t go wrong.   Might see former bills there if they’re in town for the game.  I have a great Marv Levy story from outside Mangia. 

[joey greco]

31 minutes ago, SectionC3 said:

Eckl's supposedly is pretty good, too.

Unfortunately the original in OP is gone.  Was great for beef on weck and fish fry in its day though. 

[Mango]

I think Roost is my favorite restaurant in Buffalo. The vibe is upscale casual. Sort of trendy. Not fine dining but not not fine dining if that makes sense. It’s approachable, delicious, but high scale food. 
 

Gabes Gate is my favorite wing. 
 

I like almost all the Buffalo pizza. I grew up on the WS so La Novas will will always hold a special spot for me. But I also like Picasso’s and Casa Di Pizza.  
 

Charlie the Butcher hands down. 
 

I grew up on the north side of the arena. South of that might as well be a different country to me outside of a handful of spots. 
 

 

[Boatdrinks]

9 minutes ago, bigK14094 said:

Of course, Bocce Club Pizza is an institution in WNY.  Several locations, I don't know the southtowns, as we are from northern haunts.

No Bocce Club in south towns , but Imperial on Abbott road just a few miles from the stadium is pretty much the same. May even be the same family just a dispute over the name or something. I’m sure someone on the board knows the specifics. 

[hondo in seattle]

17 minutes ago, bigK14094 said:

Of course, Bocce Club Pizza is an institution in WNY.  Several locations, I don't know the southtowns, as we are from northern haunts.

 

I've had Bocce Club and it is indeed  very good.  As for locations, Buffalo is a smallish city with much lighter traffic than the big California metros.  Bocce is worth a trip and not a tough trip where ever you might be staying.  

[JohnBonhamRocks]

Make sure you go across Abbott and honestly if you have time I would just take a lap around Highmark and explore.

 

Bar Bill in East Aurora has in my humble opinion the best wings and beef on weck.

 

Fine dining you can check out Salvatore's Italian Gardens, but I would also say try to find something on the water if possible.

 

Nino's is fairly close to the stadium for pizza. Not necessarily there, but in general buffalo chicken pizza around here is worth trying.

[Bermuda Triangle]

Beef on Weck:  I'm partial to Bar-Bill (you can kill two birds with one stone, and grab wings there too) and Charlie the Butcher

Fine dining:  Downtown,  I would go with Chophouse, Hutch's or Left Bank

Pizza:  I would grab Macy's Place on the way from the airport to your hotel.  It's 2 minutes from the airport, and the pizza is awesome.  La Nova's is probably the best place Downtown.  

Edited September 6, 2021 by Bermuda Triangle

[Buffalo716]

 Hammers lot has a sign up now ... And covid precautions 

 

Grass lots you just pay as you enter ...

 

Barstool goes through the grass lots to film all their footage of bills Mafia , that's where the hardcore partying is 

 

Buffalo is the pizza capital of the world per Capita... There are a few mom and pop pizzerias on every corner 

 

Picasso's, Bocces, Zahz , Rocco's wood fired pizza are some of my favorite

 

[TPS]

22 minutes ago, Mango said:

I think Roost is my favorite restaurant in Buffalo. The vibe is upscale casual. Sort of trendy. Not fine dining but not not fine dining if that makes sense. It’s approachable, delicious, but high scale food. 
 

Gabes Gate is my favorite wing. 
 

I like almost all the Buffalo pizza. I grew up on the WS so La Novas will will always hold a special spot for me. But I also like Picasso’s and Casa Di Pizza.  
 

Charlie the Butcher hands down. 
 

I grew up on the north side of the arena. South of that might as well be a different country to me outside of a handful of spots. 
 

 

I was going to mention Roost if no one had--good recommendation. Waxlight Bar a Vin over in "Chandlerville" is pretty good too.  You can check out Thin Man Brewery over there as well.

[Dan Darragh]

1 hour ago, SectionC3 said:

If you want to stay in OP, and if you like Italian food, then Mangia is the place to go.

Do people actually stay in Orchard Park?  When I've made the 6,000 mile trek to a Bills game I've stayed downtown but it means getting stuck in the miserable stadium traffic.  Next trip I might consider another alternative if there are good suggestions.

[Buffalo716]

7 minutes ago, Bermuda Triangle said:

Beef on Weck:  I'm partial to Bar-Bill (you can kill two birds with one stone, and grab wings there too) and Charlie the Butcher

Fine dining:  Downtown,  I would go with Chophouse, Hutch's or Left Bank

Pizza:  I would grab Macy's Place on the way from the airport to your hotel.  It's 2 minutes from the airport, and the pizza is awesome.  La Nova's is probably the best place Downtown.  

Macy's makes crazy creative pizzas but I honestly think there are 3 better pizzerias within 2 miles lol 

 

Zahz on Cayuga , johnnies on union road and Gandys on union road all put out better pies than Macy's imo 

 

and are all right there near the airport too

 

 

 

[TPS]

1 hour ago, Alphadawg7 said:

Hey guys, 

 

As a lot of you know from a thread a couple months ago, I am coming to Buffalo for my first time for opening day against the Steelers!  My now fiance bought us tickets to come and I couldn't be more excited!  I have a couple of questions was wondering about...

 

1. As a first timer, what is the best place to go experience Bills Mafia tailgating?  
   1. Do I need to buy a ticket or anything to get into those areas like Hammers Lot or the Grass lots?
2. I got a lot of advice in my last thread on things like where to get wings, but who has the best Beef on Weck?
3. We plan on doing at least one find dining spot, any recommendations for that?  
4. I hear we need to try some pizza too...what is the cant miss pizza spot?

Best place to tailgate is with the TBD gang in Hammer's Lot.  Check the TBDAHOT thread that's pinned.

[SectionC3]

14 minutes ago, Dan Darragh said:

Do people actually stay in Orchard Park?  When I've made the 6,000 mile trek to a Bills game I've stayed downtown but it means getting stuck in the miserable stadium traffic.  Next trip I might consider another alternative if there are good suggestions.

There’s a couple of places by the stadium.  Kind of crappy, TBH.  Try the Hampton in West Seneca.  Quick shot to OP and stadium.  I think one can stay in East Aurora, too.  

26 minutes ago, Bermuda Triangle said:

Beef on Weck:  I'm partial to Bar-Bill (you can kill two birds with one stone, and grab wings there too) and Charlie the Butcher

Fine dining:  Downtown,  I would go with Chophouse, Hutch's or Left Bank

Pizza:  I would grab Macy's Place on the way from the airport to your hotel.  It's 2 minutes from the airport, and the pizza is awesome.  La Nova's is probably the best place Downtown.  

Hutch’s and Left Bank are great suggestions.  Left Bank is probably booked, but Hutch’s might have openings.  Be ready to pay big bucks, but probably not as much as the (grossly overrated) chop house. 

Edited September 6, 2021 by SectionC3

[SectionC3]

30 minutes ago, JohnBonhamRocks said:

Make sure you go across Abbott and honestly if you have time I would just take a lap around Highmark and explore.

 

Bar Bill in East Aurora has in my humble opinion the best wings and beef on weck.

 

Fine dining you can check out Salvatore's Italian Gardens, but I would also say try to find something on the water if possible.

 

Nino's is fairly close to the stadium for pizza. Not necessarily there, but in general buffalo chicken pizza around here is worth trying.

Good point.  This is weird, but the cemetery on the southwestern Blvd side of the stadium has always fascinated me.  Just so … odd … to see that tucked away about 100 yards from stadium gates. But definitely get there early, walk the stadium, and walk the lots before the game.  That walk down the old drive five from southwestern to the stadium is simply the best.