Dining around the world ... without leaving WNY
By Sarah Quintal
If there’s something you can always rely on in Buffalo, it’s the indulgent joy of knowing that, if you really wanted, you could go out every meal of the day. And you could do it cheaply. There are so many cafes, restaurants, and eateries to choose from, in fact, that your taste buds can traverse a world of ethnic flavors while your feet remain firmly rooted in the geography we love.
Edrito's Fresh Mexican Grill: 50 Fountain Plaza (on Main St.), Buffalo, 856-8226
Previously in Falafel Bar’s current Elmwood location, Edrito’s Fresh Mexican Grill is now situated downtown, and caters mainly to the eager local business crowd for sit-down or take-out lunches. Daily, and without fail, a line forms sometime between 12:30 and 1 p.m., stretching from the register to the entrance, and, at times, out the door. The chips, salsa, and guacamole (some of the best around) are authentic and made fresh daily. The burritos are well below ten dollars and constitute enough food for two meals—even for big guys. For those looking for great taste on a really strict budget, try a single taco (well-stuffed) for about two dollars; I recommend the veggie taco, which is filled with a savory combination of grilled eggplant, zucchini, yellow squash, and all the regular taco accessories. Edrito’s is open daily from 10:30 a.m. until 3 p.m.
 |
Since I moved to Buffalo a few years ago, Santasiero’s remains the Italian restaurant locals most often urge me to visit. And tempting it is; this family-friendly dining establishment offers an array of high-piled, authentic Italian-American dishes at more than affordable prices, and an atmosphere that suggests the comfort of home. The restaurant has remained in the same family for five generations, and the home-made sauces emit the distinct aroma of tradition. Popular specialties include the eggplant and chicken parmesan, raviolis, and the pasta fagioli—a macaroni and bean soup with hot peppers that many celebrate as the best in Buffalo. Santasiero’s is open daily for lunch and dinner.
Amy’s Place: 3234 Main St., Buffalo,
832-6666
Amy’s has one of those retro diner atmospheres that would rally enthusiastic patronage even without the support of their versatile menu, chalked full of delicious Middle Eastern and Lebanese cuisine at college-town prices. Specialty dishes include shawarma (beef marinated in wine), kibbeh (ground lamb, cracked wheat, and pine nuts), falafel, and souvlaki (marinated chicken or lamb, char-broiled and rolled in a pita). Vegetarian and vegan options are vast and include one of my favorite dishes, the lentil-berry sandwich, combining lentils and wheatberries with greens, cheese, hot sauce, and a special house dressing rolled in flatbread. Also exciting is a long list of burgers and veggie burgers created to represent the styles of different countries and regions. Most dishes come conveniently in smaller and larger portions. Amy’s is open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
India Gate: 1116 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo, 886-4000
The India Gate lunch buffet is phenomenal. For just under eight dollars you’ll find yourself facing a whole lineup of authentic, saucy Indian dishes that normally cost over ten dollars each. With the exception of a few dishes (like tandoori chicken) so popular as to be offered daily, the buffet dishes rotate daily, keeping customers coming back. Specialties include the always-enjoyable chicken tikka masala, lamb madrasi, and, my personal vegetarian favorite, chana masala, a chickpea dish cooked in a special house masala sauce. A variety of naan come with the buffet special, as well as desserts, including the creamy rice pudding dish kheer. This opportunity is not to be missed. Not only do you get as much fantastic food as you like, but, if you’re unfamiliar with Indian dishes, you get the opportunity to find out what you like best. The lunch buffet runs daily from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
 |
|
Tru-Tea's interior.
Photo by Jim Bush. |
Tru-teas, located in the collective building across from Lexington Co-op, is an absolute delight to the senses. The tearoom is distinctly Asian-inspired in setting and cuisine, and the food is as beautiful to look at as it is delicious to taste. One of the most popular dishes is Ochasuke, a simple and tasty Japanese dish made by pouring hot green tea over a bowl of rice and fresh vegetables, topped with umeboshi, or pickled plum. Other Asian-inspired specialties include nori rolls, inari (sweet rice balls in tofu-skin pockets), and sesame-soba-kate (a buckwheat noodle salad), all five dollars or less. Tru-teas also offers a huge selection of exotic teas, many originating in China, India, and Japan, which can be enjoyed in the shop or purchased and brought home. Tru-teas is open 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 12-5 p.m. for brunch on Sunday. A prix fixe supper club is available Thursday and Friday by reservation.
Louie’s Original Foot Long Hot Dogs: 470 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo, 884-0382
If, as I highly recommend, you visit all the previously mentioned restaurants, which offer different foods from around the world, then you’ll need a down-to-earth restaurant/delivery joint that’s truly Buffalonian. Louie’s has a little something for everyone, and at all hours of the day and night. You already know the quality of their hot dogs, but Louie’s should also be recognized for their fresh-cut curly fries and a variety of generously-sized burgers, wings, subs, and a huge selection of Buffalo-style chicken sandwiches, all prepared over a real charcoal grill. There’s even a tasty vegetarian BLT and bacon cheeseburger. I don’t know how they do it, but it’s definitely and deliciously Buffalonian, and that’s enough for me.
Sarah Quintal is a freelance writer living in Buffalo.
Back to the Table of Contents
Back to Top