Buffalo's bests

,Best Italian food: Chef’s

Chef’s, the 90-year-old restaurant located on Seneca Street, is rated one of Buffalo’s best Italian restaurants. Chef’s is famous for its spaghetti Parmesan – a bowl of spaghetti loaded with homemade sauce and cheese and then baked over with cheese overflowing the bowl. It’s a must-have when visiting the restaurant and a dish that’s easily won over The Spectrum staff. After two renovations in 1966, the restaurant now seats 325 people with a banquet room for private parties.

Best cheap eats: Amy’s Place

Amy’s place, conveniently located across the street from South Campus, has been serving the community with authentic Middle Eastern food since 1981. The menu features a number of vegetarian, vegan dishes and healthy options as well as a selection of fried goodness. The Margie Meal, one of Amy’s best dishes, features char-boiled chicken strips, fajita fries, tomatoes, garlic spread and sauce all rolled into a pita for $7.50. You can replace the chicken for seitan – a high-protein vegetarian food made from cooked wheat gluten – or tofu sizzle strips. The one thing you can’t forget about Amy’s is it’s a cash-only restaurant. Luckily for the forgetful ones, there’s an ATM located in the back of the restaurant.

Best food truck: Lloyd’s Taco Truck

Lloyd’s taco truck is known to be one of the best food trucks in Buffalo. During the craziness of food truck Tuesdays at Larkin Square, the lines for the popular food truck are long as residents scramble to get their tacos. The burrito, one of the staff’s favorite itmes, is made with a locally produced flour tortilla and comes with rice, beans, jack cheddar cheese, finely shredded cabbage, chimi sauce and roja sauce and offers four different choices of protein: braised beef, roasted pork, grilled chicken and stewed organic black beans. The entire meal comes out to $6.89 compared to Chipotle, which typically averages around $10.

Best place to eat at 2 a.m.: Elmwood Taco and Subs

If you’re looking for the best drunk eats, head over to Elmwood Taco and Subs. A big heaping bag of waffle fries is a must. You can also try their famous homemade hot sauce with just about anything you order. If you’re in the mood for something sweet instead of salty, then the chocolate-chip cookie brownies are a hit. The giant cookie is nearly the size of a person’s face and is great for sharing. If you didn’t head out that night and still want to pick up a late night snack, then you can call in ahead of time and pick up your order at the drive-thru window. It is open until 5 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Best bagel: Bagel Jay’s

Whether you’re spicing up the flavor with an everything bagel or keeping it low-key with a plain bagel, Bagel Jay’s is the best place in Buffalo for a bacon, egg and cheese bagel sandwich. The store’s three locations make it convenient for UB students living all over Buffalo. With one location on Delaware Avenue, a drive-through spot on Plaza and counter service at the gas station on Millersport, Bagel Jay’s has become a hotspot for UB students, especially on Sunday mornings after a long weekend of partying. Even Long Islander’s who complain about the lack of “good bagels” have found a soft spot in their hearts for Bagel Jay’s.

Best place to watch a game and best beer selection: Pearl Street Grill and Brewery

Pearl Street Grill and Brewery located on Pearl Street in downtown Buffalo has the best beer selection and atmosphere to watch a game. The restaurant offers a draught board as well as sizes ranging from 10 oz. glasses to 180 oz. beer tubes and kegs. From salads and soups to burgers and pizza, Pearl Street has a wide variety to satisfy even the pickiest eater’s cravings.

Best Movie Theater: Maple Ridge

The best movie theater is a clear-cut win with Maple Ridge, according to most of our staff. Aside from the reclining seats that easily swindle you to choosing that movie theater over another less comfortable one, UB students don’t even have to drive there. The UB Stampede makes stops at the Maple Ridge Theater on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays until 3:30 a.m. With the extra money you’re saving by taking the bus instead of driving or calling a cab, you’ll be able to enjoy some popcorn and a drink to top off your relaxed (and ridiculously comfortable) movie experience.

email: features@ubspectrum.com