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.
Did one of these places close? Send us a note!
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1. Buffalo Melting Point
244 Allen Street, Buffalo, NY 14201 / More Info
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.
2. Juicy Burger Bar
1 Buffalo St. Suite 101, Hamburg, NY 14075 / More Info
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.
3. Macy’s Place Pizzeria
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.
*Note: Macy’s Place is constantly making new creations so availability of certain pizzas vary.
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4. Mooney’s Sports Bar and Grill
Multiple Locations / More Info
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
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.
- Memphis Mac- Mac n Cheese Topped with Pulled Pork and Coleslaw.
6. Ballyhoo
211 South Park Ave, Buffalo, NY 14204 / More Info
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 / More Info
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:
- Beer Braised Pot Roast- Slow roasted in their own Trainwreck Amber Ale and covered in gravy, served with mashed potatoes and seasoned 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 / More Info
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. The Hoagie Stop
220 Allen Street Buffalo NY 14201 / More Info
Talk about comfort food, what could be more comforting than a good ol’ meaty hoagie? The Hoagie Stop started as an underground business that quickly formed a following, ultimately leading to a brick-and-mortar location.
Here’s What We Recommend:
- #3 Grant // Steak & Sausage Hoagie Combo – 8″ Steak & Sausage Hoagie served w/ Fresh Cut Fries & Drink
10. Toutant
437 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY, 14203 / More Info
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
Did one of these places close? Send us a note!
This post was originally published in 2020 and has been updated.
