A Torontonian driving to Ithaca via Buffalo seeks advice

[leesar]

Hi. Okay, the title of my post is a little misleading. My boyfriend is driving from Toronto to Ithaca via the I-190S and I-190E. He'd like to stop somewhere close to the highway in Buffalo for either lunch or dinner. Any suggestions? He likes just about everything (especially hole-in-the-wall places) but he would prefer not to spend too much money. Also, any recommendations elsewhere along this route would be appreciated. Thanks!

[roseleann]

This would be an easy place to go, either for lunch or dinner, if he likes chicken wings, and it is definitely one of those hole in the wall places! If he takes a short detour, taking the I-290E from the I-190S, it will be inexpensive, and well worth his while. I went there this past summer, having not been there since high school, and the food was better than I had remembered, and the restaurant was still as popular as ever. The restaurant is a 2 minute drive west down Sheridan Drive after he leaves the 290 at exit 6, then he only needs to get back on the 290E to the I-90E, and he is on his way to Ithaca.

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Duff's
3651 Sheridan Dr, Buffalo, NY 14226

[rkaene]

totaly agree

[leesar]

Thanks for the suggestion. We now have Duff's in Toronto so the boyfriend will want to go somewhere new....

[jerryc123]

Just to confirm: from Toronto, he is taking the I-190 south along the Niagara river and going around the south of Buffalo? Then taking local roads or the 390 to Ithaca? Not the I-90 across the state?

If he is indeed taking the I-190, here are a few suggestions...

Exit 14 Niagara St North
Suzy Q's Barbeque Shack at 2829 Niagara St. Good Bar-B-Que. Inexpensive. No Frills Paper Plates etc.

Exit 14 Niagara St South
Santasiero's at 1329 Niagara St. A homey no-frills Italian-American restaurant that is known for food (like nonna makes) and inexpensive prices.

Exit 11 for 198 East to Elmwood Ave South...
will drop you off onto the "Elmwood Village" strip near the state college where you will find plenty of reasonably prices student eateries, including
India Gate Restaurant 1116 Elmwood Ave. Has an all you can eat buffet for lunch.
Pano's 1081 Elmwood Avenue, local favorite, casual dining

Exit 1 North on Ogden St then right onto Dingens
El Canelo Restaurant
Inexpensive Mexican Restaurant owned by real Mexicans - not a chain.

Use google maps, and call ahead to make sure the restaurants are serving when your boyfriend passes by. These are good choices for adventurous open minded chowhounds on a budget - not fine dining.

Give us more details, and we can give you more suggestions.

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Santasiero's Restaurant
1329 Niagara St, Buffalo, NY 14213

Pano's Restaurant
1081 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY 14222

India Gate
1116 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY 14222

El Canelo Restaurant - CLOSED
431 Dingens St, Buffalo, NY 14206

Suzy Q's Barbeque Shack
2829 Niagara St, Buffalo, NY 14207