By: Lydia Lemmo, Chloe Grant, Payton Ciocca, Suhrat Islam, Hannah Block
Beef on Weck
Courtesy of AllRecipes
A staple food of Buffalo is a take on a classic roast beef sandwich we call “Beef on Weck”. It’s served on a Kummelweck roll, a Kaiser roll topped with salt and caraway seeds that originates from Buffalo itself. After piling on thin slices of roast beef, it’s topped with Au Jus. It’s a thin, almost juice-like sauce made from cooked meat. Most pair it with a spicy horseradish sauce that makes the sandwich as iconic as it is today.
The sandwich was created in Western New York, the classic roll that it’s served on made by a German immigrant from the Black Forest region named William Wahr. Some say that the sandwich was created to feed hungry customers who were drinking, the roast beef sandwich to fill their bellies, and the salt topping on the Kummelweck roll to make them thirsty in hopes they’d buy more drinks.
Beef on Weck is a must-have for anyone who visits the city. It’s often argued which restaurant serves the best sandwich. Some say Schwabl’s, a German-American restaurant in West Seneca, has the best and most fairly priced sandwich in the area. Others say Charlie the Butcher’s has the best, a restaurant just down the road on Wehrle Drive that even sells its own Beef on Weck mix. Though, many people find themselves satisfied with a classic Anderson’s Beef on Weck sandwich.
Beef on Weck has slowly started to integrate itself into places outside of Buffalo, now being served in Saratoga Springs and even featured on the menu at Buffalo Wild Wings. Beef on Weck isn’t just a sandwich, it’s a symbol of Buffalo and part of the culture in “The City of Good Neighbors”.
Buffalo Wings
Courtesy of living lou
A staple food of Buffalo is the world famous Buffalo wing- a crispy chicken wing tossed in a bold, buttery hot sauce and usually served with celery and either blue cheese or ranch (blue cheese is the only right choice). What makes a true Buffalo wing stand out is the balance- the crunchy skin, juicy meat, and a sauce that’s spicy, tangy, and rich without drowning the wing. Whether you order them mild, medium, hot, or “suicidal,” wings in Buffalo are more than just food- they’re a tradition people take seriously. They’re also tied to Buffalo sports culture- especially BIlls games- where wings are basically part of the ritual. And if you want to sound like a local, you usually order them “single, double, or triple” not just mild vs. hot.
Buffalo wings are widely believed to have originated in Buffalo, New York, and they’ve become one of the city’s most iconic claims to fame. Today, wings are a must-have for anyone visiting the area, and locals love debating which places do them best. Some swear by Anchor bar, known for its historic connection to the dish, while others argue Duff’s serves the most classic, no-nonsense wing. Many also recommend neighborhood favorites like Bar-Bill for a consistently popular wing experience. A big part of what makes Buffalo wings “Buffalo” is that they’re not usually breaded, they are fried until crisp. This makes it so that the sauce sticks without turning soggy. No matter where you go, Buffalo wings represent the city’s personality: loud, proud, and unforgettable. Buffalo Wings have grown from a local favorite into a worldwide menu staple.
French Onion Dip
Courtesy of Six Sisters’ Stuff
French Onion Dip is the perfect finishing touch to any event. It’s great for dipping chips, vegetables, crackers, really anything you like. The original recipe, created in Los Angeles in 1954, quickly spread and gained popularity in Buffalo.
The famous dip can be found at the best of parties, barbeques, or even just casual hangouts. The taste–made up of rich, savory caramelized onions–combined with the easy act of dipping a snack makes it irresistible and addictive.
Some brands are more known than others when it comes to French Onion Dip, like HelluvaGood or Bison Dip, but it is produced by a multitude of companies. Many chip companies make their own French Onion Dip as well, one example being Frito Lay’s.
Bison Dip is certainly the most notable brand in Buffalo with it being local. The company, which was founded by Abraham Biltekoff in 1924, focused on dairy products before the creation of its iconic dip in 1958. It was made on Scott Street in Buffalo before being moved to West Seneca in 2005. In 2016, Bison Dip was awarded for their delicious French Onion Dip with top honors at the New York State Fair in Syracuse. Bison French Onion Dip earned first place in the “Dairy Dips” category and their newest flavor at the time, Bison Bacon French Onion Dip was granted an “Award of Excellence” in the same category.
Award winning or not, the dip is a true staple of Buffalo culture, and no Super Bowl party would be truly complete without it.
Loganberry
Courtesy of Amazon.com
In Buffalo, New York and the Western New York area, a drink you can find anywhere that is a staple of the community’s identity and a local favorite, is the popular soda Loganberry! Loganberry is a soda that is a burgundy color with flavors of raspberry and blackberry.
Loganberry became popular in Buffalo through the closing of Crystal Beach amusement park across Lake Erie in 1989. When this business disappeared, Loganberry didn’t vanish with it; the Western New York area embraced it even more and turned it into its own staple soda. The berrie “Loganberry” originated all the way across the country in California in 1883 by James Harvey Logan.
You can find Loganbery in most local restaurants in Buffalo and movie theaters and Buffalo’s famous drive-in in Lockport. If you like a sweet non carbonated drink I 100 percent recommend getting it if you’re in town with a slice of pizza!
Loganberry reaches many different demographics the normal soda reaches younger kids and teens. Loganberry is known as a very sugary sod that this target market loves! On the other hand there are also alcoholic options that can reach an older demographic like Loganberry Hard Cider and Loganberry Blitz .
Next time you’re in the Western New York area make sure to grab a can of Loganberry to take home! Loganberry represents Buffalo’s history and hometown pride and it is not going anywhere anytime soon!
Sponge Candy
Courtesy of Stefanellis Candies
In Buffalo New York a staple and must have is a fragile, air-filled, chocolate-covered, caramelized, sugar confection, called Sponge Candy. Sponge Candy originated in Buffalo, New York in the 1900s and dates back to candy makers in Western New York. Buffalo is famous for perfecting Sponge Candy and due to Sponge Candies sensitivity to humidity, Buffalo’s region and cooler temperature is ideal for production. It is known as a local staple and it has over nineteen speciality makers in the area.
Fowler’s Chocolates claims to be the original maker in Buffalo. Other shops that sell the best Sponge Candy here in Buffalo, New York, are Watson’s Chocolates and Platter’s Chocolate Factory. At Platter’s Chocolate Factory they have award-winning sponge candy! Stefanelli’s and Pulako’s are great shops to find Sponge Candy in Erie, Pennsylvania. It is also widely available online on Amazon, Walmart, and All City Candy if not near you. Online sources are great, as well as other places in the country, but you must come up to Buffalo to try the real deal Sponge Candy, perfectly made! Fans crave the unique texture – a hard, caramelized center that melts in your mouth! Locals may not appreciate how lucky we are to have such an amazing, tasteful and flavorful treat!
Sponge Candy is very popular during Christmas and winter time here in Buffalo, New York. Sponge candy is a fan favorite tradition here and it is mass produced during the winter months, due to there being so many holidays during that time period. You can also find this unique Western New York treat on display at The Broadway Market during Easter, and spring time. The name “sponge candy” comes from its resemblance to a natural sea sponge due to its porous and honeycomb-like structure and texture. A perfect combination of milk or dark chocolate, combined with the caramelized sponge that melts in your mouth is no joke! No stalking hung by the fire is complete without a package of Sponge Candy from your favorite Buffalo confectionist!