Cheap Eats in Downtown Buffalo

Buffalo, NY truly is a city of choices, in my opinion, when it comes to dining out. There are chain restaurants you know and trust, and then there are restaurants which offer unique cuisine if you’re a person who likes to take a chance and try new things. The best part is, restaurants in Buffalo are highly affordable. Two people can enjoy a magnificant meal, walk away stuffed, and not feel like they just burned a hole in their wallet.

A restaurant that sits in Buffalo’s theatre district across from Shea’s Performing Arts Center is the Bijou Grille (Located at 643 Main Street). The restaurant has a large, main dining room and there are 2 separate private rooms which can seat six to 130 people. The dinner menu is huge, and encompasses excellent food from many cultures. You can begin your meal with an appetizer of fresh mussels in an herb sauce, or Artichoke Fritters (Artichokes fried golden brown served with numerous different sauces.) Entree options make it difficult to choose, with choices like Sage Crust Pork Chops, Classic Cioppino, or Asparagus Ravioli. Specialty Pizzas, Salads, and even a lighter menu is available for small eaters. Don’t forget about their list of specialty coffees and desserts (If you still have room). Reservations are only recommended before a show, as the restaurant fills up extremely quickly.

Vito’s Gourmet Deli Market is one of my personal favorites, serving Italian traditions with ultra fresh ingredients. They serve breakfast, lunch, take home meals, and event dinners, all reflecting their family traditions. Vito’s Market is located at the Key Center at Fountain Plaza in downtown Buffalo. Food available for take out or delivery includes numerous soups like homemade chicken noodle, vegetarian tomato, and pasta fagiole. The mushroom and artichoke pizzas are exquisite, made with portabello mushrooms, artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, and assorted italian cheeses. They have numerous foccacias, and the sandwich list seems endless, including the Balsamic Chicken sandwich, and the garden hummus italian wrap. The prices are incredibly reasonable, with almost everything remaining under five dollars. Calling ahead to place your order is a smart idea, since the market is always packed with customers, and if you order online by 10 A.M. you save 15% on your order.

Fera’s on Franklin is a unique entity to Buffalo, and its know for its famous “Fera’s Subs” which have been around for 25 years. Fera’s is one of the cheaper places to eat downtown, but their choices can leave you standing in front of the menu for hours wondering what you should try this time. There are over 15 different subs to choose from, including classics like roast beef, steak, and hamburger, but also including unique favorite such as the tomato, basil and garlic sub, and the spinach and egg sub. Wraps, tacos, and salads are all on the menu as well, and there is always a homemade soup special everyday. Extra items like a fruit plate, and homefries are also available. Fera’s is an excellent place to stop for a quick lunch, or for a filling, reasonably priced dinner. It is highly recommended by the locals, and once you’ve been there, you don’t wonder why.