Duff's Sheridan Patio was our first stop on the Sky Dives trip to Buffalo.
Upon arrival at Prior Aviation at Buffalo-Niagara Falls International Airport, we sped directly to this local landmark/wing legend.
Duff's is a Buffalo tradition. Growing up in Buffalo (I left there 23 years ago but still consider it "home"); we always knew the Anchor Bar was where "wings" were "invented," and we also knew the Bellissimo family story of how wings "came to be" at their family-owned downtown establishment. To be sure, the Anchor Bar holds the honor of starting the wing craze in 1964. However, Duff's is a BIG deal too and it is also "real Buffalo."
Duff's began serving up the fiery plate in 1969. Both the Anchor Bar and Duff's have great wings, but here are the differences:
Anchor Bar: A downtown location on Buffalo's Main Street.
Duff's: Sits diagonally (as it has since 1946) at a main suburban intersection in Amherst, NY; at the corner of Millersport Hwy. and Sheridan Drive.
Anchor Bar: The place is more like a darkened tavern, with wood, a nautical theme and restaurant seating. Motorcycles hang from the ceiling, old license plates adorn the walls, and the restaurant walls are covered with plaques, photos of famous people who've eaten here and sports memorabilia. It also has been expanded to accomodate tour buses. There's even an Anchor Bar restaurant at the airport.
Duff's: This joint is simple. What used to be the bar is now where the wait staff organizes, gets soda and beer for the customers and that's where the cash register is. The restaurant was brightened up a few years ago to get some light in. Basic black Formica tables (without tablecloths) and chairs; and about the only decor you'll see are some photographs on the wall showing how the place looked in the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s and today. From the outside, it looks much the same as it has since it opened, although the Spanish mission stucco style look is a lot more basic than it used to be. Linoleum tile floors, white painted walls and a mix of brick and paneling is about all you look at. As an aside, as a high schooler, I remember there used to be a mural of a beautiful Spanish woman (to match the architecture) in a red dress playing castanets, painted on the wall, just inside the front door. However, someone decided to use a permanent marker and make her "anatomically correct." Her image now hides behind a few coats of paint.... BUT I will NEVER forget her! ;-)
Anchor Bar: The selection of food is fairly wide. The dinner menu includes 20-25 entrees, sandwiches, appetizers, etc. Wings are served on white Buffalo China restaurant plates. You can order wines, desserts, etc.
Duff's: This is a WING joint. There are some other things on the menu (including sandwiches and soup), but people go to Duff's to EAT WINGS. It isn't fancy, and it isn't supposed to be. Black hard plastic plates, a napkin dispenser and a plastic container to throw your bones.
Anchor Bar: It "owns" the wing story; the Bellissimo family got the word out and is very visible with marketing. It receives numerous magazine article write-ups and is often the touted in Buffalo's tourism and chamber of commerce-type magazines.
Duff's: Louise Duffney started this corner joint in 1946. The family is not interested in fame and seems to be very serious about staying under the radar and just doing a good job.
Anchor Bar: It is well-marketed, has its own sauces, which you can buy. It has a fancy website. It is also where the TOURISTS go. Good experience, service and food.
Duff's: This is where you go if you are from Buffalo. Locals know and love it. Duff's doesn't have a website (the website you find when you do a search for for Duff's is actually a Toronto eatery that features wings and is merely licensed to use the Duff's name). Besides Buffalonians, many students from the University of Buffalo stop in. It is located between the University's two campuses, which are about 4 miles apart.
Anchor Bar: The wings are great!
Duffs: The wings are great!
All of this being said, I am amused by people that are disappointed because they expecting to find beautiful decorations and atmosphere at Duff's. Duff's has its own personality and atmosphere. It is a basic as a barbeque stand in a rough Memphis neighborhood. THAT is its charm! Duff's would not be the same if someone put kitsch on the walls, and decorated the place. That wouldn't be Duff's.
It is what it is.....
A legendary, local, Buffalo place.
If you don't like it and you want the usual atmosphere or a "themed" restaurant, go to Bennigan's, Friday's, Buffalo Wild Wings, Quaker Steak & Lube, Chilis or Outback Steakhouse. But, if you want authentic, go to Duff's.
Duff's is unique; it is family-owned and local. Don't expect dinner mints, "cute" stuff, baby changing stations, birthday songs from the wait staff, flowers on the table or anything more than just hard plastic plates and a plastic container to throw your wing bones. That's WHY Duff's is great!
Oh, and try Duff's own beer. You'll get it in one of their plastic pitchers. It's good too! Duff's has another family-owned location in the southern suburb of Orchard Park. The vibe is different (more of a sports bar with big TVs, etc.), and a third location is set to open in the eastern suburb of Cheektowaga, but there's nothing like the original.
Duff's says:
Medium is HOT!
Medium Hot is VERY HOT!
Hot is VERY VERY HOT!
They aren't kidding!
The Anchor Bar may have put Buffalo wings on the map, but Duff's is the real deal too!
Upon arrival at Prior Aviation at Buffalo-Niagara Falls International Airport, we sped directly to this local landmark/wing legend.
Duff's is a Buffalo tradition. Growing up in Buffalo (I left there 23 years ago but still consider it "home"); we always knew the Anchor Bar was where "wings" were "invented," and we also knew the Bellissimo family story of how wings "came to be" at their family-owned downtown establishment. To be sure, the Anchor Bar holds the honor of starting the wing craze in 1964. However, Duff's is a BIG deal too and it is also "real Buffalo."
Duff's began serving up the fiery plate in 1969. Both the Anchor Bar and Duff's have great wings, but here are the differences:
Anchor Bar: A downtown location on Buffalo's Main Street.
Duff's: Sits diagonally (as it has since 1946) at a main suburban intersection in Amherst, NY; at the corner of Millersport Hwy. and Sheridan Drive.
Anchor Bar: The place is more like a darkened tavern, with wood, a nautical theme and restaurant seating. Motorcycles hang from the ceiling, old license plates adorn the walls, and the restaurant walls are covered with plaques, photos of famous people who've eaten here and sports memorabilia. It also has been expanded to accomodate tour buses. There's even an Anchor Bar restaurant at the airport.
Duff's: This joint is simple. What used to be the bar is now where the wait staff organizes, gets soda and beer for the customers and that's where the cash register is. The restaurant was brightened up a few years ago to get some light in. Basic black Formica tables (without tablecloths) and chairs; and about the only decor you'll see are some photographs on the wall showing how the place looked in the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s and today. From the outside, it looks much the same as it has since it opened, although the Spanish mission stucco style look is a lot more basic than it used to be. Linoleum tile floors, white painted walls and a mix of brick and paneling is about all you look at. As an aside, as a high schooler, I remember there used to be a mural of a beautiful Spanish woman (to match the architecture) in a red dress playing castanets, painted on the wall, just inside the front door. However, someone decided to use a permanent marker and make her "anatomically correct." Her image now hides behind a few coats of paint.... BUT I will NEVER forget her! ;-)
Anchor Bar: The selection of food is fairly wide. The dinner menu includes 20-25 entrees, sandwiches, appetizers, etc. Wings are served on white Buffalo China restaurant plates. You can order wines, desserts, etc.
Duff's: This is a WING joint. There are some other things on the menu (including sandwiches and soup), but people go to Duff's to EAT WINGS. It isn't fancy, and it isn't supposed to be. Black hard plastic plates, a napkin dispenser and a plastic container to throw your bones.
Anchor Bar: It "owns" the wing story; the Bellissimo family got the word out and is very visible with marketing. It receives numerous magazine article write-ups and is often the touted in Buffalo's tourism and chamber of commerce-type magazines.
Duff's: Louise Duffney started this corner joint in 1946. The family is not interested in fame and seems to be very serious about staying under the radar and just doing a good job.
Anchor Bar: It is well-marketed, has its own sauces, which you can buy. It has a fancy website. It is also where the TOURISTS go. Good experience, service and food.
Duff's: This is where you go if you are from Buffalo. Locals know and love it. Duff's doesn't have a website (the website you find when you do a search for for Duff's is actually a Toronto eatery that features wings and is merely licensed to use the Duff's name). Besides Buffalonians, many students from the University of Buffalo stop in. It is located between the University's two campuses, which are about 4 miles apart.
Anchor Bar: The wings are great!
Duffs: The wings are great!
All of this being said, I am amused by people that are disappointed because they expecting to find beautiful decorations and atmosphere at Duff's. Duff's has its own personality and atmosphere. It is a basic as a barbeque stand in a rough Memphis neighborhood. THAT is its charm! Duff's would not be the same if someone put kitsch on the walls, and decorated the place. That wouldn't be Duff's.
It is what it is.....
A legendary, local, Buffalo place.
If you don't like it and you want the usual atmosphere or a "themed" restaurant, go to Bennigan's, Friday's, Buffalo Wild Wings, Quaker Steak & Lube, Chilis or Outback Steakhouse. But, if you want authentic, go to Duff's.
Duff's is unique; it is family-owned and local. Don't expect dinner mints, "cute" stuff, baby changing stations, birthday songs from the wait staff, flowers on the table or anything more than just hard plastic plates and a plastic container to throw your wing bones. That's WHY Duff's is great!
Oh, and try Duff's own beer. You'll get it in one of their plastic pitchers. It's good too! Duff's has another family-owned location in the southern suburb of Orchard Park. The vibe is different (more of a sports bar with big TVs, etc.), and a third location is set to open in the eastern suburb of Cheektowaga, but there's nothing like the original.
Duff's says:
Medium is HOT!
Medium Hot is VERY HOT!
Hot is VERY VERY HOT!
They aren't kidding!
The Anchor Bar may have put Buffalo wings on the map, but Duff's is the real deal too!
