Originally published January 2020

During these long winter months, Buffalonians start seeking comfort in something that Buffalo does best, that’s right, food. We put up with months filled with frigid temperatures, harsh ice conditions, and a lot (and we mean a lot) of snow. In this city, it’s only right to be surrounded by locally-owned restaurants that are dedicated to serving us the tastiest foods that will warm us up inside and out. We are honored to present to you a hand-crafted list of some of Buffalo’s best comfort food that you’ll need to indulge in this winter.

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1. Buffalo Melting Point

244 Allen Street, Buffalo, NY 14201| (716) 768-0426 | Website

Not to be dramatic, but Buffalo Melting Point is a grilled cheese heaven. Our friends at BMP are committed to creating thoughtful, flavorful and delicious sandwiches for you to enjoy. We promise their fresh locally baked bread filled with their ooey-gooey cheeses will make your mouth water just by looking at it.

Here’s What We Recommend:

• NO. 42- Cheddar and Smoked Gouda with Thick House Cut Bacon, Fresh Tomato, and Baby Spinach.
  •  Pair it with a bowl of their scratch-made tomato basil soup! You can thank us later.
• NO. 50- Ricotta with Candied Bacon, Nutella, and Banana on Cinnamon Swirl Bread.

2. Juicy Burger Bar 

1 Buffalo St. Suite 101, Hamburg, NY 14075| (716) 648-3200| Website

There’s no question that thick juicy burgers are one of the best comfort foods. Juicy Burger Bar provides you with a full menu of unique burgers, that we honestly wouldn’t judge you if you got more than one. Rumor has it that Hamburg is the birthplace of the burger. So, it’s only right to get one here.

Here’s What We Recommend:

• Poutine Burger- Fresh Mozzarella Curds, French Fries, Gravy.
• Illadelphia Burger- Pretzel Bun, Cheese Sauce, Peppers.

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3. Macy’s Place Pizzeria

3348 Genesse St, Cheektowaga, NY 14225 | (716) 565-6229 | Website

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, we know you’ve seen a Macy’s pizza on your social media feed. Macy’s pizzas are insanely flavorful and are hands-down the most unique pizzas in WNY.

Here’s What We Recommend:

• Stuffed Pizza- Chicken Finger Pizza on the bottom and Cheese & Pepperoni on top.
• Taco Pizza- Homemade taco meat, Monterrey jack & cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and black olives. Hot, medium, or mild.
• Pickle Pizza- Fresh dough topped with garlic butter, pickles, seasonings, and cheese blend.

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4. Mooney’s Sports Bar and Grill 

WNY locations in Depew, Kenmore, Lancaster, Tonawanda, West Seneca| Website

There are plenty of places in Buffalo to get some bomb mac ‘n’ cheese (we even wrote a whole article about it.) However, if you’re a local, then you know that Mooney’s mac ‘n’ cheese just hits differently. Their mac is the perfect combination of creamy and carby and will warm you up inside and out.

Here’s What We Recommend:

• Lobster Mac- Lobster Meat Tossed with Mooney’s Macaroni and Mozzarella, and Baked.
• Stinger Mac ‘N Cheese- Chopped Steak, Chopped Chicken Fingers, Crumbly Bleu Cheese and Hot Sauce Mixed into the Mac, with Cheddar Cheese. Topped with Panko, and Baked.

5. Fat Bob’s Smokehouse

Buffalo & East Aurora| (716) 887-2971| Website 

Barbecue enthusiasts know that Fat Bob’s serves us some of the best southern comfort food, right here in WNY. Everything on their menu is homemade and their meats are cooked right in a custom-built Texas smoker. If you haven’t tried Fat Bob’s you need to ASAP.

Here’s What We Recommend:

• Pulled Pork Dinner- Rubbed Bone-In Pork Shoulder Slow Smoked and Mixed with Bob’s Original BBQ Sauce.
• The Whole Farm Sandwich- Pulled Pork, Chopped Brisket, Pulled Chicken and House Made Bacon W/ Melted Cheddar Jack Cheese.
• Biscuits and Sausage Gravy- Warning you may want to order two sides of these (they’re that good)

6. Ballyhoo

211 South Park Ave, Buffalo, NY 14204| (716) 240-9901| Website

For those of you who thought Ballyhoo was just a bar, think again. Their menu is dedicated to their house-made sausage links and hand-crafted sides. Next time you’re out for a brew you need to try one for yourself.

Here’s What We Recommend:

• TJ Dawg- Chorizo Pork and Bacon, Pico, Crema, Cotija, Avocado
• Steak House- Seasoned Beef, Cream Spinach, Garlic, Parm Crisp.
• Whatever you do, you need to order a side of their mac ‘n’ cheese.

7. Pearl Street Grill and Brewery

76 Pearl St, Buffalo, NY 14202| (716) 856-2337| Website

Pearl Street is a staple restaurants in downtown Buffalo. They have a large menu filled with meals to split at the bar with your pals or gathered around the table with your family. Plus, a lot of their meals are made with their beer that’s brewed right in the restaurant.

Here’s What We Recommend:

• Open-Faced Pot Roast- Trainwreck Amber Ale braised pot roast served over a potato pancake topped with gravy, served with Cherry Wheat stewed apples and seasonal vegetables.
• Beer & Cheese Soup- Smoked gouda cheese and their Lighthouse Blonde Ale

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8. The Place

229 Lexington Ave, Buffalo, NY 14222| (716) 882-7522| Website

The Place offers delicious home-style meals that are made with the freshest ingredients. They are also one of the oldest taverns in Buffalo, first opening in the 1940s. Their restaurant is filled with charm, and it needs to be on your must-try list.

Here’s What We Recommend:

• French Onion Soup- provolone, swiss, crouton. It’s that simple! 
• Flynnie’s Thinnie- Ham, Swiss, Onion, New York Rye
• Mushroom and Truffle Mac ‘n’ Cheese

9. Inizio

534 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY 14222| (716) 424-1008| Website

Inizio is the new pasta-focused Italian restaurant on the block. The pasta is made fresh daily, alongside with some homemade butter, bread, and cheeses. Inizio offers unique pasta dishes, as well as the traditional dishes you know and love. There is nothing quite like indulging in a warm, fresh bowl of pasta after a long day.

Here’s What We Recommend:

• Potato Gnocchi- Pasta dumplings with braised short rib, artichoke, ricotta, and poppy seed.
• Classic Carbonara- Guanciale, Egg Yolk, Black Pepper and Parmigiano Reggiano

10. Toutant

437 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY, 14203| (716) 342-2901| Website

There is no doubt that a lot of love goes into creating high-quality Southern comfort food. Toutant (pronounced too-tawnt) desires to give you the ultimate comfort food experience. If you close your eyes and take a bite, you might actually think you’re in the South.

Here’s What We Recommend:

• Buttermilk Fried ½ Chicken
• Nashville Hot Chicken
• Maw-Maw’s Gumbo