Peter and Andrew at the CFL Grey Cup game in Montreal (2008)
Peter Farrell and Andrew Kulyk love to travel, they love sports and they love to document the places they go. What they’ve accomplished since 1998 is nothing short of remarkable; from 1998 to 2002 they managed to visit 102 different venues in 49 cities to see 121 teams. They managed to do something that every sport lover dreams and they documented it on their website The Ultimate Sports Road Trip (now moved to WNYMedia). This did not go unnoticed; they appeared on the The Today Show, Sportscenter and Sports Illustrated (along with other publications).
Since they have been both Buffalo residents for an extended period of time (Peter for 15 years, Andrew for his entire life), I thought they would be perfect for our Buffalo Foodies feature. So I asked them about their favorite places to eat locally as well as what have they fell in love with outside of this Buffalo. Here is what they had to say:
Where is your favorite place to eat in Buffalo?
Peter: Right now I’m a huge fan of Jim’s SteakOut. I generally grab me a steak hoagy and poutine. I think having poutine puts it over the top for me, that’s an item that isn’t found in nearly enough fast food places around here.
Andrew: Now that I am a downtown denizen, I’ll have to go with Mode Bistro on Elmwood and Della Terra at Avant. Both have exquisite wine lists and wonderful ambiance.
What type of foods/cuisine did you grow up on?
Peter (grew up in Horseheads): It’s really not much different there (Horseheads), I can’t really think of a food item that is well known and native to the area.
I was your basic junk food eating kid growing up, much to my folks chagrin. I ate all kinds of sugary cold cereals and fast foods growing up there. Then again, I’ve been around these parts for about fifteen years now and that really hasn’t changed much. I’d say that I have the proper diet for someone who attends sporting events across the country.
Andrew: Growing up on the east side, I used to love the ethnic treats dished up at the Broadway Market. Fresh and smoked Kielbasa, Pyrohy, Holupchi, all those great Ukrainian and Polish foods!
Where would you take a friend from out of town to eat, to show him/her some great “Buffalo” cuisine?
Peter: Since it has the national rep, the Anchor Bar is generally the meeting spot for sports road trippers who come to Buffalo and hang with us. It’s a place they know and wish to see more often than not so we’re happy to oblige. Of course, if said meeting is prior to a Bills game then anywhere in the parking lots surrounding the Ralph for a pregame tailgate. In a sense, what’s more Buffalo than that?
Duff’s is another good option for repeat visitors to town. I’m a bit of wuss when it comes to flavors though, mild or lower for me…
Andrew: The Aud in Depew has the quintessential Buffalo grub menu and a great setting for sports buffs. Fat Bob’s Smokehouse in Allentown is also awesome. The mac and cheese is to die for.
Where is your favorite place to grab a drink in Buffalo?
Peter: I’m getting up there in years and I think my best drinking years are behind me. But I tend to be at Washington Square Lounge after Sabres games when I need to forget what I just witnessed.
Andrew: Ditto on Washington Square Lounge. That’s our signature Sabres post game hang out and Bob the owner serves up our traditional pitcher of Labatt’s and an order of wings as soon as we walk in. Some of the Chippewa taverns: Jack Devine’s, The Local, and Bada Bing are all a short walk for me.
Since you guys travel so much, What have you fallen in love with (food wise) outside of Buffalo, anything you wish we had here?
Peter: Traveling everywhere as we do, we always try to sample the local fare and we have a few favorites. Primanti Brothers sandwiches in Pittsburgh(meat, cole slaw, and fries piled in a sandwich). Pulled pork nachos from Rendezvous in Memphis, Fish Tacos in San Diego, Toasted Ravioli in St. Louis. You could ask me this several times and I’d come up with several different answers.
Simply put, Buffalo. Needs. White Castle!!!! If I were President of the United States I’d take a chunk of that stimulus money and spend it so that no American has to be more than ten miles away from a White Castle restaurant. OK, maybe just spend enough of that money so I wouldn’t have to suffer that fate.
Andrew: Pittsburgh’s Primanti Brothers sandwich is the absolute best. I’ll toss in Montreal’s famous Smoked Meat sandwich (Schwartz’ Deli is the marker), those massive Shopsy’s sausages with all the toppings served up from vending carts in Toronto, and the hand dipped milkshakes at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte.
Peter: You see what I mean? I look at Andrew’s list and I’m smacking my forehead and thinking: “How could I have forgotten that one…and that one!!!” And I’m certain that after we see this get published we’ll come up with a couple more……
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I’d like to thank Andrew and Peter for taking some time out to answer some questions about their favorite restaurants, bars and out-of-town favorites. You can read their newest road trips and adventures, as well as thoughts on general sports talk on their blog on WNY Media.
