Hungry?

With the arrival of several progressive Buffalo restaurants, and the community’s embrace of the local food movement, our region has evolved into a burgeoning foodie town.  You don’t have to search far to find a variety of local eateries serving authentic international cuisines.  Italian cuisine is one of the region’s staples as Italian restaurants are abundant along most major streets. Moreover, Hertel Avenue in Buffalo is considered “Little Italy” amongst the locals.

In addition to its selection of fare from all over the world, Buffalo restaurants highlight original specialties that are beloved among natives and visitors alike.  For instance, Buffalo Wings are the most popular dish that is often imitated but never duplicated.

The Buffalo Wings Story

The Buffalo Wings story actually began as a fluke. On a Friday night in 1964, Dominic Bellissimo was tending bar at the now famous Anchor Bar Restaurant in Buffalo, NY. Late that evening, a group of Dominic’s friends arrived at the bar with ravenous appetites so he asked his mother, Teressa, to prepare something for his friends to eat.  She had chicken wings, a part of the chicken that usually went into the stock pot for soup, in a pan in the cooler.  Teressa deep fried the wings and flavored them with a secret sauce. The wings were an instant hit and it didn’t take long for people to flock to the bar to experience this new taste sensation. From that evening on, Buffalo Wings became a regular part of the menu at the Anchor Bar.

The phenomenon created in 1964 by Teressa Bellissimo has spread across the globe. Although many have tried to duplicate Buffalo Wings, the original recipe is still the classic.  You’ll now find variations including barbeque, honey mustard, sweet chili, teriyaki, Italian and Sicilain.  So no wonder our Buffalo restaurants have proclaimed our city home to the “Best Wings in the World.”