My First Bills Game. Need help!

[Hammered a Lot]

I knew Bruce when that restaurant was a dream. I'm so glad it's worked out for him.....He's a good guy and a verrrry funny guy!

 

Ask him to pole vault some time.

[bbb]

LOL - that should be interesting!

[benbillsfan]

 

Yes, but at Hammers lot I've read that he allows ex-Bills to tailgate there. You may end up stuck next to the guy(s). So be prepared with a camera in case some tool calls ya a liar.

 

Who else tailgates in hammers lot. I. For sure am parking there. Is it first come first serve? Can I park there the night before? Just curious! Man all we need is a win on Sunday! Countdown begins at midnight. 1 week and counting!

Edited November 24, 2012 by benbillsfan

[Hammered a Lot]

Who else tailgates in hammers lot. I. For sure am parking there. Is it first come first serve? Can I park there the night before? Just curious! Man all we need is a win on Sunday! Countdown begins at midnight. 1 week and counting!

What type of beer to you drink?

[mrags]

Hammer. Some friends will be coming into town for the STL game. I've always parked in stadium parking but the time issue about 4 hrs before game time is really killing me the last few years. So we'd like to come to your haven. Wondering if you could answer me a few questions about your lot.

 

1. What time can I start parking there? In not showing up the night before or anything but are we talking 7-8-9?

 

2. How much is it?

 

3. Do you have port o johns? Something better? Some females will be attending.

 

4. Is there enough room for me to bring 2-3 pop up tents and put them together without giving anyone a hassle about not enough room or anything?

 

Thanks in advance. I thought about just making you directly, but thought maybe this info would be helpful to others.

 

[Just Jack]

Hammer. Some friends will be coming into town for the STL game. I've always parked in stadium parking but the time issue about 4 hrs before game time is really killing me the last few years. So we'd like to come to your haven. Wondering if you could answer me a few questions about your lot.

 

1. What time can I start parking there? In not showing up the night before or anything but are we talking 7-8-9?

 

2. How much is it?

 

3. Do you have port o johns? Something better? Some females will be attending.

 

4. Is there enough room for me to bring 2-3 pop up tents and put them together without giving anyone a hassle about not enough room or anything?

 

Thanks in advance. I thought about just making you directly, but thought maybe this info would be helpful to others.

 

I can answer a couple of those....

 

1) Hammer opens before the public lots, so 7 to 8 should be okay.

 

3) Yes, he does have port-pottys, even a few designated "Women Only"

[mrags]

 

 

I can answer a couple of those....

 

1) Hammer opens before the public lots, so 7 to 8 should be okay.

 

3) Yes, he does have port-pottys, even a few designated "Women Only"

thanks JJ. Hammer, your job is easier now to answer.

[PaattMaann]

as mentioned in here:

 

for good italian food, go to Mulberry Cafe in Lackawanna (I think) - its near downtown but on the way-ish to orchard park, this is the best italian ive had in Buffalo bar none, chefs is over rated and bland...

 

for good bar food downtown - go to Fat Bobs, Gabriels Gate or Colter Bay (great BBQ bacon burger)

 

for BBQ - you gotta make the trip to Kentucky Gregs, ive only been to the Cheektowaga location, but there is one in orchard park...it is hands down the best BBQ around the area (famous daves is solid too, i just prefer gregs)

 

and as far as Rochester is concerned....sticky lips > dinosaur.....not nearly the wait and the food is wayyy better, and cheaper, and you get more...dinosaur is good and I wouldnt pass it up, but Sticky Lips is a true gem....mmmmmmmmm

Edited November 24, 2012 by PaattMaann

[3rdand12]

Ok so I and my wife are making our first trek to the Ralph! im pumped up and everything is in line. Just a few things before we make our trek (picked jacksonville game for obvious reasons). Just a couple notes: Every stadium in the NFL has rowdy fans. Ive been to Indy, I have been to hundreds of bears games (grandfather season tickets holder since 72). I have been to Cleveland, and Tennessee. Every time I have had opposing fans in my face. I have seen Jimbos jersey in the walkway at Indy, where everyone wiped their feet on the jersey, Picked it up and stuffed it in my backback and kept it till this day unwashed framed in my football room. I live and Die Buffalo Bills football. I feel good so far even though things havent been the best for Wanny and the D.

My main point is......

 

Every NFL city has its issues whether it be littering at tailgating, or excessive drinking it happens everywhere in every sporting event acroos the WORLD. Does it happen more in Buffalo, maybe. Why is everyone pinned on Buffalo being so horrible? Have any of you seen the other NFL stadiums? Im 32 and been Die hard Bills fan in a city where people look at me weird for wearing bills colors to bears home games, I finally get to sit with 70,000 screaming fans at the Ralph! But I will be damned sure I dont get obliterated with alcohol so I can actually remember this experience. My wife is worried! Deaths after games, fights in stands, people puking on each other. I have been escorted to the FAGEN security a few times not for curseing, or pucking on the elderly fan next to me. But for saying Jesus Chri*t in the stands when a flag was thrown on Hester in last years Bears Jets game. The lady in front of me turns around and says, excuse me my lord and me dont need to hear your blasphemy. What! if you wanted God go to church on Sundays.

Ok last thing! Where should we eat at on sat night. What is a cool place to eat and chill with fellow Bills fans the night before? Any Chance to see a player somewhere better than another? What lot should we park in? Any pointers would be fine.

 

Im telling you the Pats will beat Indy this Sunday, We will beat Indy on the 25th, which Ill be at and I will be there to see Cj run all over the Jags. We have a chance fellas as weird as this season has gone. We just got a Huge divison win! D looks better! Im pumped, garbage, littering, curseing, alcohol, fights aside. Its a reg Sunday at a NFL venue. Ill just be in the old Rockplie Living my Dream!

 

Thoughts

love you Man.

go Bills !

[mrags]

as mentioned in here:

 

for good italian food, go to Mulberry Cafe in Lackawanna (I think) - its near downtown but on the way-ish to orchard park, this is the best italian ive had in Buffalo bar none, chefs is over rated and bland...

 

for good bar food downtown - go to Fat Bobs, Gabriels Gate or Colter Bay (great BBQ bacon burger)

 

for BBQ - you gotta make the trip to Kentucky Gregs, ive only been to the Cheektowaga location, but there is one in orchard park...it is hands down the best BBQ around the area (famous daves is solid too, i just prefer gregs)

 

and as far as Rochester is concerned....sticky lips > dinosaur.....not nearly the wait and the food is wayyy better, and cheaper, and you get more...dinosaur is good and I wouldnt pass it up, but Sticky Lips is a true gem....mmmmmmmmm

100% on all crept for Chefs. I still like it a ton. All else is on the money tho.

[Hammered a Lot]

as mentioned in here:

 

for good italian food, go to Mulberry Cafe in Lackawanna (I think) - its near downtown but on the way-ish to orchard park, this is the best italian ive had in Buffalo bar none, chefs is over rated and bland...

 

for good bar food downtown - go to Fat Bobs, Gabriels Gate or Colter Bay (great BBQ bacon burger)

 

for BBQ - you gotta make the trip to Kentucky Gregs, ive only been to the Cheektowaga location, but there is one in orchard park...it is hands down the best BBQ around the area (famous daves is solid too, i just prefer gregs)

 

and as far as Rochester is concerned....sticky lips > dinosaur.....not nearly the wait and the food is wayyy better, and cheaper, and you get more...dinosaur is good and I wouldnt pass it up, but Sticky Lips is a true gem....mmmmmmmmm

Kentucky Gregs in O.P. closed earlier this year.

 

Hammer. Some friends will be coming into town for the STL game. I've always parked in stadium parking but the time issue about 4 hrs before game time is really killing me the last few years. So we'd like to come to your haven. Wondering if you could answer me a few questions about your lot.

 

1. What time can I start parking there? In not showing up the night before or anything but are we talking 7-8-9?

 

2. How much is it?

 

3. Do you have port o johns? Something better? Some females will be attending.

 

4. Is there enough room for me to bring 2-3 pop up tents and put them together without giving anyone a hassle about not enough room or anything?

 

Thanks in advance. I thought about just making you directly, but thought maybe this info would be helpful to others.

#1 it depends upon if there is snow that has to be moved but usually 7:30am

# 2 what type of beer do you drink

#3 I have 4 restrooms for women and sometimes they let the guys use them

#4 Pop up tents for what don't you need a little sun.

[benbillsfan]

NOW WHY PICK ON THE 80S?, IN THE SEVENTIES fans CARRIED CASES OF BEER IN THE STADIUM WITH NO HASSLES, parking lots were like breweries

IN THE SIXTIES fans RECYCYLED BY GIVING THE PLAYERS THE CANS during the games ,albeit some were still full at the time and in some cases the players were looking somewhere else..

 

one of my funniest bills memories was a raiders game in the 80s when all the beer cans we stuck in the snow under the seats started exploding .it was like minus 20 wind chill that day.just as we," the bills" scored a td .. lost a 6 pack all at once ,total mess but absolutely hilarious

 

as far as now ...... you can do knitting in the parking lots or the stadium .. no hassles.

place is kinda morbid these days , most fans now are alot tamer..

fairly good list of eats for ya there .good luck enjoy the game

People for for Christ's Sake!!!!

 

Haha.

 

I said I was going to make a nice thread about places to go and things to do after the last time someone wanted advise. Needless to say, I never got around to it. Depends in what you want to do, what you want to eat, what kind of budget your on.

 

Quick version of more famous places to eat in Buffalo for your trip.

 

Chefs- Downtown, get the Spaghetti Parm. Amazing. 10-15 per person.

 

Buffalo Chop House- Downtown, probably the best steak in Buffalo. Make reservations. Have t been there in a while. Anywhere from 50-100 per person.

 

Duffs- Orchard Park, Cheektowaga, Amherst. Amherst is the best. The original. Best wings in Buffalo. Cheap, 10-15 per person.

 

Anchor Bar- Downtown. Alright wings. You go there for the experience of being at the place they all started. Cheap.

 

Jim's Steak Out- Drunk food, all over the place. Cheap. Open til 5am. Get the chicken finger sub or the steak Hoagy. It just get the Stinger. It's both in one.

 

Mighty Taco- All over. Cheap. Open late but not as late as Jim's. El Niño Burrito is a nice choice. Probably not a good idea BEFORE the game though if you know what I mean.

 

Teds Hot Dogs- All over. Cheap. Get a foot long with everything on it. You won't regret it. Cheap

 

Charlie the Butcher- Cheap, near the airport, Cheektowaga, Williamsville border. Beef on Weck is the play here.

 

There's many more. But this should give you some ideas and some things for people to chime in on. I'm off to work so ill say ill write up a post when I get out about all the spots, but I probably won't. Hope you enjoy your time here and don't believe all the whining people. It's really not that bad. But you being to many games in your life and coming here for the first time can be the judge. Would love to hear what you think when your done.

 

Enjoy.

 

Wow what a great experience and what great people in WNY.

 

We arrived around 2:30 pm in Hamburg. Stayed at the Comfort Or Quailty in on southwestern. And then unpacked and drove right to the stadium.

 

First thing that struck me is the stadium is in the middle of a suburban town. (kind like Wrigley without the downtown feel). On the day before I was able to park right behind the Welcome the Ralph sign across the street from abbot rd. (I believe that’s right). I was able to get out and walk around free with no one bothering me at all. Which is weird because I have never been able to do such a thing around other venues. The stadium looked great and got the chills seeing it for the first time what a wonderful experience. I talked to a few passer bays for tips and great info on spots to park. We then went out to the Anchor bar didn’t really do much for me but again great to say we ate at the Original spot the Wing started. Then we went to Niagara and that was wonderful for the wife and me to experience. Beautiful Drive through buffalo and seen all the beautiful buildings and workmanship. The beautiful Green lit bridge at night was a great touch. What a wonderful area and I loved every minute of it!

 

The Rain hampered things a bit for The day But I must give my woman full credit for sticking it out all the way with me. She a trooper! We of course had to pony up the 8 dollars apiece for the bills raincoats. Cool to keep though, (Wanted the 24 dollar white ones that are thicker. They were out)! We then went to the field house where I sat and listened to WGR for a bit and I must admit I loved that part. I listen all the time to the bills radio, 97 rock (yuck) Now WGR has them and I love the and The John Murphy show. So to see Howard Simon and Joey B doing the pre-game was a treat. I then waited for Joey B to come down and I talked to him for a bit. And I swear to God he knew who I was from my accent, He said your Ben from Chicago and you call in all the time! I swear that made my whole day right there! Cool stuff!

 

Game time:

 

Entering the gates was great. Walking to see the Buffalo behind Russerts monument was great! The tunnel walk to the seats still gives me CHILLS. That stadium is freaking awesome. I love it. And I hope to god they don’t build somewhere else. But if they do. I seen it! LOL. That tunnel walk and seeing the Bills Endzone and then the Charging Buffalo Emblem, I cant describe it!

 

I have great videos of the game and I will post . Great video of the Bills Shout song after CJ's 42 yd scamper to the house!

 

Dislikes: The fans who left after half time shame on you!

Wasnt packed as I would like.

No vomiting or fights of any kind that I seen. But alot of people peeing in bushes, again something I see all the time nothing new!

Fouls language all around but I really don’t care! I have a foulmouth and let Bull**it slip a few times on those phantom PI calls. Yes a few were bad!

The Huge steps going to the seats! If anyone has been drinking to much who do they ever do it. I stumbled and I was drinking Hot chocolate!

 

Everything else was wonderful. I loved every minute of it and I miss it already! I swear to god I would get season tickets right now, and spend every minute at the ralph, I have seen Chicago literally not kidding 90 something times. Grandfather has season tickets for years! I’ve seen Indy, Tennesee, Cleveland, Cinni. Nothing compared to see the Ralph. I hope to God that team stays there, If they do Im going to be your new neighbor. The area is wonderful (Hamburg) You guys as people are absolutely wonderful, Nice, Tough, Hard Working people and it shows on your sleeve. What brings us together is the passion for that damn football team. Now lets go support them, spend a little money and help that team do something more than 13 years of nothing! I was 19 when the last made the playoffs. Something Good is going to happen soon I feel it. When it does im All in on A full season Package, (besides the ROAD game in Toronto!)

 

Well there it is!

 

Wish I could of found Hammers lot but as soon as game day hit and I see the RV's and fans coming in, I had to park ASAP.

 

Till next time Buffalo. I loved it, SEE YOU SOON< VERY SOON

Edited December 4, 2012 by benbillsfan

[mrags]

Ben. Glad You and your woman had a great time. Glad to see you didn't get mugged In the stadium, or any fights or whatever. Of course, you can see first hand what people over exaggerate about now.

 

The part that you mentioned about walking through the tunnel and seeing the field for the first time really got to me.

 

There's nothing like opening day, walking out the tunnel in a bright sunshiny day, looking at the perfectly green (fake) grass, and listening to the sounds of the stadium. Nothing like walking down to your seats for the first time of the year. Seeing all your fellow Bills fans next to you again for another year. Listening to the national anthem. Watching and hearing the roar of planes flying low. Buzzing the stadium and the crowd with amazing intensity. It brings tears to my eyes like I've never experienced before.

 

The other favorite games of the season are always during the winter when it snows (preferably blizzard conditions) and the entire crowd sings "let it snow, let it snow, let it snow". The Indianapolis game a few years ago was amazing and memorable in every way.

 

Anyways, glad you had a great time. Hope to see you back soon enjoying the Bills again and again.

[weehawk]

Ben,

 

RWS is probably one of the top ten stadiums in the country for the total NFL experience. These are simply my opinions:

 

* There will be drunks - lots of them. Dont get sassy with anyone (even jokingly) and dont try to be a "buddy" to any of the drunks.

 

* There will be fights in the stands - Hopefully you wont be near any of them. If one breaks out near you, dont get involved and get the hell out of the way.

 

* There will be swearing, standing during plays, and general stupidity - Get over it.

 

* There will be drunk drivers before and after the game. Be careful.

 

I've been to the Olympics, the World Series, the Stanley Cup finals, and the World Cup. There is nothing like a Bills game at RWS. However, it's a mixed bag and a lot depends on where you're parked and where you''re sitting, It's the luck of the draw. You could be around the best fans in the NFL or the dumbest, drunkest idiots you've ever seen.

 

Oh, by the way... HAVE FUN and GO BILLS!!

[bbb]

I love your enthusiasm, Ben. I know that feeling and get it on opening day like Mrags said.

 

I heard you on the postgame. I figured it was you from what you were saying - section 138. But, now I know it was you. Very cool!

[mead107]

You only missed one fantastic part of the whole experience, parking at hammers. Just past the RV lot.

 

Glad you enjoyed.

[benbillsfan]

I love your enthusiasm, Ben. I know that feeling and get it on opening day like Mrags said.

 

I heard you on the postgame. I figured it was you from what you were saying - section 138. But, now I know it was you. Very cool!

 

That is to cool dude. You can tell I love my bills. Ills sit through that weather every day just to do that. That will never change!

[mrags]

 

Kentucky Gregs in O.P. closed earlier this year.

 

 

#1 it depends upon if there is snow that has to be moved but usually 7:30am

# 2 what type of beer do you drink

#3 I have 4 restrooms for women and sometimes they let the guys use them

#4 Pop up tents for what don't you need a little sun.

thanks Hammer.

 

I can bring whatever beer that makes my parking cheaper. Lol.

 

Pop up tents for if it rains bad. Or if its freezing. I bring tents and a heater so it's always toasty inside if people get cold. The women usually appreciate it.

[Hammered a Lot]

thanks Hammer.

 

I can bring whatever beer that makes my parking cheaper. Lol.

 

Pop up tents for if it rains bad. Or if its freezing. I bring tents and a heater so it's always toasty inside if people get cold. The women usually appreciate it.

No light beer. The excessive H2O content tends to induce crying after Bills games!

[McD]

Ben,

Sounds like you had a great time! I hear you on the attendance, but I think there's a lot to be said for the close to 60K Bills faithful that did show when:

- At 4-7, the Bills were all but mathematically eliminated...

- Were playing a 2 win team with ZERO star power...

- It was a rain soaked day...

- It was last Millennium when the Bills last made the playoffs...!

 

Now saying all that, there's not another single fan base in the NFL that could withstand that and still have that many seats filled. No excuse for those that were there and left at halftime though...

 

If you loved what you saw on Sunday, you absolutely need to make a trek here for an Opening Day game... COMPLETE and UTTER MADNESS! Lol, you'll be in for an amazingly good time!

 

McD