First ever Buffalo home game- MNF against Titans

[Dopey]

8 hours ago, No_Matter_What said:

Hi there. This year is finally it and my wife and I are coming to MNF vs Titans as our first ever live Bills game from Slovakia in Europe 😊 I appreciate some advice. I found this thread and figured I can us it instead of starting another one.

 

1.       Things to see/do around. Anything worth visiting in wider area? I am talking mainly nature, but anything else might be interesting. We are coming from NYC and plan to stop at Watkins Glen. I’ve been to Niagara Falls in the past and surely check it again. This time I plan to spend more time there, and it seems that Devils Hole SP + Whirlpool SP, as well as Fort Niagara SP are nice place to visit. Anything else? I mean borh around Buffalo/Falls as well as on the way from NYC to Buffalo and back.

 

2.       Things to see/do in Buffalo. Anything what is “must see” in Buffalo itself? Looking for any advice. Any park/museum/building/whatever worth seeing?

 

3.       Wings and football. Sunday before game we’d like to watch other NFL games in some bar and obviously try wings 😊 There is already some advice on these bars in this thread, so just making sure – all these places have lots of TVs and you can watch football there, right? Any special recommendation with this in mind?

 

4.       Tailgating. Just to understand how it works – if I come 3 hours before kickoff, is there a problem to find a parking lot? I guess there are many around stadium, so it is just about distance and price? How much should I expect? And then tailgating – all the parking lots are “open”, so we may just wander around and watch crazy Bills fans? Any chance that we as randoms get offered some wings from fans? 😊

 

Any advice (even about something I didn’t mention) is appreciated!

I live in Florida now, but every time I visit home, I am reminded how beautiful "old" Buffalo architecture is. How it compares to Slovakia, I don't know, but you might enjoy just driving around and enjoying some of the architecture.

https://www.sidewalksafari.com/2021/12/buffalo-architecture.html

[The Wiz]

1 hour ago, Just Jack said:

 

For something unique to the Finger Lakes region, Naples is between Watkins Glen and Buffalo.  Stop at Cindy's Pies and get a grape pie...

 

Cindy's Grape Pies

I hate most types of fruit pie, Cindy's is a "must stop" when I go down to Bristol.

Edited September 2, 2022 by The Wiz

[Buffalo Boy]

9 hours ago, No_Matter_What said:

Hi there. This year is finally it and my wife and I are coming to MNF vs Titans as our first ever live Bills game from Slovakia in Europe 😊 I appreciate some advice. I found this thread and figured I can us it instead of starting another one.

 

1.       Things to see/do around. Anything worth visiting in wider area? I am talking mainly nature, but anything else might be interesting. We are coming from NYC and plan to stop at Watkins Glen. I’ve been to Niagara Falls in the past and surely check it again. This time I plan to spend more time there, and it seems that Devils Hole SP + Whirlpool SP, as well as Fort Niagara SP are nice place to visit. Anything else? I mean borh around Buffalo/Falls as well as on the way from NYC to Buffalo and back.

 

2.       Things to see/do in Buffalo. Anything what is “must see” in Buffalo itself? Looking for any advice. Any park/museum/building/whatever worth seeing?

 

3.       Wings and football. Sunday before game we’d like to watch other NFL games in some bar and obviously try wings 😊 There is already some advice on these bars in this thread, so just making sure – all these places have lots of TVs and you can watch football there, right? Any special recommendation with this in mind?

 

4.       Tailgating. Just to understand how it works – if I come 3 hours before kickoff, is there a problem to find a parking lot? I guess there are many around stadium, so it is just about distance and price? How much should I expect? And then tailgating – all the parking lots are “open”, so we may just wander around and watch crazy Bills fans? Any chance that we as randoms get offered some wings from fans? 😊

 

Any advice (even about something I didn’t mention) is appreciated!

   So, I’m flying in tomorrow for my nephew’s wedding. 
   Gotta say, a WNY staple is the Texas Hot. Everyone talks about Ted’s hotdogs but the first thing we always do after leaving the airport is grab some Texas Hots at Zorba’s.

   Everyone has their favorite place , usually the one they grew up eating at. For my money Zorba’s in Depew is the best. It is owned by the nephew of the owner of Louie’s Texas Hots . They ostensibly share the same sauce recipe but each location is different. There are a bunch of knock off Texas hot restaurants around the region. 

    It a Sahlen’s hotdog ( Same as Ted’s uses) smothered in mustard , onion and Texas hot sauce which isn’t chili or  spicy hot but amazing. 
    You can get wings everywhere these days. You can only get Texas Hots in WNY.

Edited September 2, 2022 by Buffalo Boy

[BubbaT]

9 hours ago, No_Matter_What said:

Hi there. This year is finally it and my wife and I are coming to MNF vs Titans as our first ever live Bills game from Slovakia in Europe 😊 I appreciate some advice. I found this thread and figured I can us it instead of starting another one.

 

1.       Things to see/do around. Anything worth visiting in wider area? I am talking mainly nature, but anything else might be interesting. We are coming from NYC and plan to stop at Watkins Glen. I’ve been to Niagara Falls in the past and surely check it again. This time I plan to spend more time there, and it seems that Devils Hole SP + Whirlpool SP, as well as Fort Niagara SP are nice place to visit. Anything else? I mean borh around Buffalo/Falls as well as on the way from NYC to Buffalo and back.

 

2.       Things to see/do in Buffalo. Anything what is “must see” in Buffalo itself? Looking for any advice. Any park/museum/building/whatever worth seeing?

 

3.       Wings and football. Sunday before game we’d like to watch other NFL games in some bar and obviously try wings 😊 There is already some advice on these bars in this thread, so just making sure – all these places have lots of TVs and you can watch football there, right? Any special recommendation with this in mind?

 

4.       Tailgating. Just to understand how it works – if I come 3 hours before kickoff, is there a problem to find a parking lot? I guess there are many around stadium, so it is just about distance and price? How much should I expect? And then tailgating – all the parking lots are “open”, so we may just wander around and watch crazy Bills fans? Any chance that we as randoms get offered some wings from fans? 😊

 

Any advice (even about something I didn’t mention) is appreciated!

Buffalo has great architecture, particularly from the early 1900’s. Go to the Frank Lloyd Wright’s Darwin Martin House complex on Jewett Parkway. The tour is worth it. One of the great architects of America has his masterwork in Buffalo. There are 3 buildings on a 1 acre campus in the middle of the City. 
 

The guy that designed Central Park in NY did Delaware Park in Buffalo. The area behind the Art Museum on Elmwood is beautiful as is that whole surrounding area.

 

William McKinley was assassinated in Buffalo and Theodore Roosevelt was sworn in at the Wilcox Mansion on Delaware Ave. Worth going in. The houses on Delaware were single family from the early 1900’s when Buffalo was the 5th largest city in the country and are amazing to even just look at.

 

The wings are great everywhere in WNY pretty much. So is a lot of the architecture and history. Hope you have a blast!

 

 

 

 

 

[Just Jack]

Buffalo City Hall has an observation deck, and best of all, it's free. 

 

Buffalo City Hall Observation Deck - Visit Buffalo Niagara

[Malazan]

On 5/15/2022 at 8:49 PM, McBean said:

It’s official.

 

My buddies and I are coming up from

Nashville to our first ever Bills home game. Surreal moment. We are stoked and want to have the best time. We will be arriving the Saturday before and staying at the Seneca Casino. We are sitting in Section 309.

 

We want to tailgate with Bills mafia and experience it to the fullest. Any recommendations and tailgate invites  would be greatly appreciated.
 

Thanks everybody!

 

Awesome, I'm driving up to NY up next Wednesday for a month or so and bought tickets a couple weeks ago. Taking my cousins kids to their first Bills game. It should be insane. 

Edited September 2, 2022 by Malazan

[machine gun kelly]

8 hours ago, Dopey said:

I live in Florida now, but every time I visit home, I am reminded how beautiful "old" Buffalo architecture is. How it compares to Slovakia, I don't know, but you might enjoy just driving around and enjoying some of the architecture.

https://www.sidewalksafari.com/2021/12/buffalo-architecture.html

Dopey, thanks for sharing that link.  Talk about a walk down memory lane.  If you add Chestnut Ridge, letchworth state park and the Falls, the WNY area is really beautiful.  
 

Im actually going up for the Steelers game, so you inspired me to drive around a bit on Saturday.  Can’t go to Buffalo and not have a Beef on Weck, MT, and Blasdell Pizza.  I have to workout twice as hard the two weeks prior as I just plan to gain four to five lbs. and have to workout twice as hard for the following month with zero regrets.

[eball]

On 5/17/2022 at 9:20 AM, Process said:

Bar Bill is the best, definitely check it out

 

But take cash, unless they’ve changed their policy (I haven’t been since Covid).

[plenzmd1]

16 hours ago, Heitz said:

 

Well, WTF, you're blowing Gug!  Guess we'll have to consume for you... 🥃

 

Sadly, I'll be out of town for the Pittsburgh game (not as sadly, I'll be in Venice, not CA).  I'm actually a little sad I won't be around - I wanted to have my Pittsburgh crew come up after they so graciously hosted us in '19.  🙏🤣  

 Any chance one of you guys @Gugnychange your plans and both come to same game? Now I am stuck with one of you two chuckleheads ruining a tailgate in two consecutive games. If ya both came to same game, I could get that pain over in one swift kick to the nuts. 
 

and BTW Heitz, certainly those boys are more than welcome at the Steeler game. Have a couple of Steeler fans with me that game as well! 

Edited September 2, 2022 by plenzmd1

[machine gun kelly]

16 hours ago, No_Matter_What said:

Hi there. This year is finally it and my wife and I are coming to MNF vs Titans as our first ever live Bills game from Slovakia in Europe 😊 I appreciate some advice. I found this thread and figured I can us it instead of starting another one.

 

1.       Things to see/do around. Anything worth visiting in wider area? I am talking mainly nature, but anything else might be interesting. We are coming from NYC and plan to stop at Watkins Glen. I’ve been to Niagara Falls in the past and surely check it again. This time I plan to spend more time there, and it seems that Devils Hole SP + Whirlpool SP, as well as Fort Niagara SP are nice place to visit. Anything else? I mean borh around Buffalo/Falls as well as on the way from NYC to Buffalo and back.

 

2.       Things to see/do in Buffalo. Anything what is “must see” in Buffalo itself? Looking for any advice. Any park/museum/building/whatever worth seeing?

 

3.       Wings and football. Sunday before game we’d like to watch other NFL games in some bar and obviously try wings 😊 There is already some advice on these bars in this thread, so just making sure – all these places have lots of TVs and you can watch football there, right? Any special recommendation with this in mind?

 

4.       Tailgating. Just to understand how it works – if I come 3 hours before kickoff, is there a problem to find a parking lot? I guess there are many around stadium, so it is just about distance and price? How much should I expect? And then tailgating – all the parking lots are “open”, so we may just wander around and watch crazy Bills fans? Any chance that we as randoms get offered some wings from fans? 😊

 

Any advice (even about something I didn’t mention) is appreciated!

FWIW NMW, you’ll want to go to Hammers Lot.  I know when we go up for a 1pm game as we fly up once a year I have to be on the Hammers lot by 8-8:30 am.  Hammer is on this board so PM him.  He’s a good guy.  If you want crazy though, he runs a tight ship.  The other off site lots you’ll see plenty of table crashing, beer chasing through those hollow bats.  You’ll get a kick out of the idiots who chug the beer bat down, spin around 10 times, and the. Trying to hit the empty beer can.  I’m too old to do that silly stuff, but it’s funny watching them.

 

And a lot of this..

 

God I can’t wait for 10/9.  That’s my game this year.  See ya there.

[Dopey]

21 minutes ago, machine gun kelly said:

Dopey, thanks for sharing that link.  Talk about a walk down memory lane.  If you add Chestnut Ridge, letchworth state park and the Falls, the WNY area is really beautiful.  
 

Im actually going up for the Steelers game, so you inspired me to drive around a bit on Saturday.  Can’t go to Buffalo and not have a Beef on Weck, MT, and Blasdell Pizza.  I have to workout twice as hard the two weeks prior as I just plan to gain four to five lbs. and have to workout twice as hard for the following month with zero regrets.

Enjoy 

[plenzmd1]

1 hour ago, machine gun kelly said:

FWIW NMW, you’ll want to go to Hammers Lot.  I know when we go up for a 1pm game as we fly up once a year I have to be on the Hammers lot by 8-8:30 am.  Hammer is on this board so PM him.  He’s a good guy.  If you want crazy though, he runs a tight ship.  The other off site lots you’ll see plenty of table crashing, beer chasing through those hollow bats.  You’ll get a kick out of the idiots who chug the beer bat down, spin around 10 times, and the. Trying to hit the empty beer can.  I’m too old to do that silly stuff, but it’s funny watching them.

 

And a lot of this..

 

God I can’t wait for 10/9.  That’s my game this year.  See ya there.

No need to PM @Hammered a Lot, there will be a signup sheet here on TBD for the at least the first 4 games.  

[No_Matter_What]

13 hours ago, Heitz said:

 

Corning might be a good stop - I've had some nice lunches there.  There's also the Glass Museum, though I've never been.  Letchworth is amazing if you want to hike and check out nature! 🌲

 

I'd also say, you can also find a ton of fun right in Buffalo!  As someone who's not actually from there, but spent a couple weeks there a year ago I really enjoyed walking and seeing Canalside, checking the ships, by the waterfront.  Right in the city, there's a Charlie the Butcher's (express) in the Ellicott Square building (which has an amazing lobby and you should eat a CtB Beef on Weck), Mitsua Chow's, Graylynn, Big Ditch Brewing, and Lucky Day are hip.  Resurgence Brewing and Hartman's distillery are worth checking.  You can go up to Allentown and see what the kids are up to, keep going north and get some banging sushi at Kunis.  Take a tour of Frank Loyd Wright's Martin House (or just drool from the outside).  🙌

 

Then for the game, definitely come to Hammer's - TBD will be in the front, left.  There's always tons of beer and food and this group is, above else, a generous bunch!  🍗🍻

 

Oh yeah, and other Buffalo foods to try (depending on your coronary health) - Ted's Hot Dogs, Mighty Taco, Stinger Sub @ Jim's Steak Out, Anderson's Custard... 👍

 

Can't wait - Let's Go, Buffalo!!!  

 

 

 

Thanks for lot of advice. Esp. thanks for the tip on Letchworth, that looks like exactly what we've been looking for. We definitely stop there. I'll check on your Buffalo tips later today.

 

10 hours ago, Just Jack said:

Buffalo City Hall has an observation deck, and best of all, it's free. 

 

Buffalo City Hall Observation Deck - Visit Buffalo Niagara

Great, very useful. 

 

2 hours ago, machine gun kelly said:

FWIW NMW, you’ll want to go to Hammers Lot.  I know when we go up for a 1pm game as we fly up once a year I have to be on the Hammers lot by 8-8:30 am.  Hammer is on this board so PM him.  He’s a good guy.  If you want crazy though, he runs a tight ship.  The other off site lots you’ll see plenty of table crashing, beer chasing through those hollow bats.  You’ll get a kick out of the idiots who chug the beer bat down, spin around 10 times, and the. Trying to hit the empty beer can.  I’m too old to do that silly stuff, but it’s funny watching them.

 

And a lot of this..

 

God I can’t wait for 10/9.  That’s my game this year.  See ya there.

Lol thanks MGK. I think I am with you on this. Too old/conservative for the stuff like this. I wouldn't mind seeing it once just walking around, but it is definitely not my cup of tea. I will check out Hammer's lot for sure, even though I don't know anybody from TBD (for obvious reasons).

 

Thanks everybody else for their advice too!

[Jauronimo]

11 hours ago, Buffalo Boy said:

   So, I’m flying in tomorrow for my nephew’s wedding. 
   Gotta say, a WNY staple is the Texas Hot. Everyone talks about Ted’s hotdogs but the first thing we always do after leaving the airport is grab some Texas Hots at Zorba’s.

   Everyone has their favorite place , usually the one they grew up eating at. For my money Zorba’s in Depew is the best. It is owned by the nephew of the owner of Louie’s Texas Hots . They ostensibly share the same sauce recipe but each location is different. There are a bunch of knock off Texas hot restaurants around the region. 

    It a Sahlen’s hotdog ( Same as Ted’s uses) smothered in mustard , onion and Texas hot sauce which isn’t chili or  spicy hot but amazing. 
    You can get wings everywhere these days. You can only get Texas Hots in WNY.

That sauce has nothing to do with Texas.  Its greek diner all the way.  I believe the legend is the greek americans made some quasi traditional condiment and marketed it as Texas hots since it resembled hot dogs with texas chili on top. I'm sure in those days that was more marketable than calling it tzakopoulatoulis dogs or something. I've been living in Texas for the past 7 years and no one gives a ***** about hotdogs and I haven't seen sauce like it anywhere.

 

The sauces you get on garbage plates, coney dogs, detroit dogs is all greek as well.

 

https://www.tedshotdogs.com/shop/featured-items/

 

https://roadfood.com/bests/texas-hots/

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coney_Island_hot_dog

[machine gun kelly]

1 hour ago, No_Matter_What said:

Thanks for lot of advice. Esp. thanks for the tip on Letchworth, that looks like exactly what we've been looking for. We definitely stop there. I'll check on your Buffalo tips later today.

 

Great, very useful. 

 

Lol thanks MGK. I think I am with you on this. Too old/conservative for the stuff like this. I wouldn't mind seeing it once just walking around, but it is definitely not my cup of tea. I will check out Hammer's lot for sure, even though I don't know anybody from TBD (for obvious reasons).

 

Thanks everybody else for their advice too!

NMW, a suggestion.  Place a sign on you’re rental car in the windshield, TBD or Two Bills Drive.  They’ll know you and TBDers will come up if they see it intro themselves.  I know I would of at that game.

[Buffalo Boy]

45 minutes ago, Jauronimo said:

That sauce has nothing to do with Texas.  Its greek diner all the way.  I believe the legend is the greek americans made some quasi traditional condiment and marketed it as Texas hots since it resembled hot dogs with texas chili on top. I'm sure in those days that was more marketable than calling it tzakopoulatoulis dogs or something. I've been living in Texas for the past 7 years and no one gives a ***** about hotdogs and I haven't seen sauce like it anywhere.

 

The sauces you get on garbage plates, coney dogs, detroit dogs is all greek as well.

 

https://www.tedshotdogs.com/shop/featured-items/

 

https://roadfood.com/bests/texas-hots/

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coney_Island_hot_dog

   Well, yeah …… they are all Greek restaurants.

   Louis and Tommy G got together 40-50 plus years ago and concocted the sauce with the family tasting their various attempts till they nailed.

    But they are still called Texas Hots and they are still THE BOMB

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

On 5/15/2022 at 10:04 PM, Buffalo716 said:

I'm not joking

 

The scene in the big grass lots after the game is like apocalyptic lol 

 

Imagine 15,000 people grilling and drinking and partying... Then imagine the wasteland after

 

It is a sight to behold

 

I remember showing some out of town colleagues some photos i took on the walk to the playoff game last year.  People huddled around trash can fires and fire pits.  Cans and trash everywhere.

 

My beers kept freezing too.  Then we beat the piss out of the patriots so it was basically the greatest game I've ever attended. 

[BuffaloBob]

16 hours ago, No_Matter_What said:

Thanks man. We will come probably no sooner than 4 hours before the game since we will stop in Buffalo before to see something so I guess Hammer's lot will be full by then. But we'll try to park somewhere and walk there.

 

Haha I can see how big it is. But this won't be an issue. The day we fly in we'll rent a car and get out of NY, probably to Scranton, PA, where I booked a room. From there it is just 4,5 hours to Buffalo, so plenty of time to spend almost whole day in Watkins Glen. Same thing on the way back, where we are just looking for a place to stop. So any tips are appreciated.

I really enjoy the Winery Tour near Niagara on the Lake in Canada. Great wine tasting and food. But be sure to book the guided tour with transport provided. Last time I went I was drunk off my butt by 1 pm. 😎

[elijah]

On 5/17/2022 at 9:36 AM, The Firebaugh Kid said:

Pace yourselves.

Don't play beer pong with the youngins. 

Don't try peeing at halftime.

It's an amazing atmosphere. 

I cant stop grinning just thinking about it. 

‘Don’t try peeing at halftime’ 

 

My season tickets are in the 300’s and I never thought until the end of the year to go to the bathroom at the top of the bleachers rather than in the hallways. Cuts the wait time by more than half. 

 

 

EDIT: Does anyone know where the thread is with the google doc with everything to do around Buffalo? I can’t seem to find it 🤔 

Edited September 2, 2022 by elijah

[T master]

On 5/16/2022 at 11:20 PM, McBean said:

Best wing place for us to eat?

 

Anchor Bar? duffs?

 

They are both very good don't forget to go to Lanova while your in town they have got good wings & pizza too !! Can't beat the food up home !! 

 

EUU - It's so good !!