Sample These Western New York Specialties
What’s a beef on weck? Ever tried sponge candy? Dig into the can’t-miss local New York delicacies — and the history behind them.
Beef on Weck
Its name may not seem altogether enticing, but we assure you: Once you try the unofficially official Sandwich of Western New York, you’ll get the fuss. Legend has it that this iconic New York food was invented sometime in the mid 1800s by a German baker — “weck” meaning “bread” in certain German dialects — who first piled slow-roasted beef on one of his caraway-and-salt-topped buns. These days, you’ll find the sandwich on oodles of local menus, usually topped with horseradish, often accompanied by au jus.
Where to try it: In Niagara Falls: Judi’s Lounge, Orange Tree Inn. In Lockport: Wagner’s. In North Tonawanda: Woodcock Brothers Brewery.
![](https://niagara.imgix.net/images/main-images/HRC-Rockin-Wings-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=7f1138c234610336764877792cf5018c 320w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/main-images/HRC-Rockin-Wings-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=8f7e461ed8b37be5473dd3f234d3f925 540w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/main-images/HRC-Rockin-Wings-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=0e6df60fc8f9d35ccfadf54155b76fc3 713w)
Chicken Wings
They may have originated in nearby Buffalo, but chicken wings are still a local specialty in Niagara Falls USA. Known elsewhere as “Buffalo wings,” they’re just “chicken wings” here — albeit chicken wings fried extra crispy, slathered in a buttery hot sauce and served with blue cheese dressing and celery.
Where to try it: In Niagara Falls: Duff’s, Anchor Bar, Avenue Grill, Judi’s Lounge — and essentially at every local eatery.
Fish Fry
Consider a fish fry the Western New York version of fish-’n-chips: fresh cod or haddock, battered and fried golden, served with coleslaw and fries. This New York delicacy is a Lenten mainstay — even eateries where you’d never expect to find a fish entrée (like a bakery!) fry up the good stuff on Fridays in Lent.
Where to try it: In Niagara Falls: Griffon Gastropub, Gadawski’s. In Lockport: Lock 34 Bar & Grill, Kith and Kin Bakeshop & Bistro (gluten-free!).
Johnnie Ryan Soda
Three generations of Ryans have been churning out this old-school cane sugar soda since 1935. They pride themselves on using the finest extracts and flavorings available, sweetened with 100% cane sugar. Expect all the usual suspects: cola and root beer, as well as orange, grape, crème, black cherry, ginger ale and birch beer.
Where to try it: In grocery stores and on local menus.
![](https://niagara.imgix.net/images/main-images/popcorn.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=84a1f424aec673392d9dce8bb9b66ce0 320w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/main-images/popcorn.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=82745cd9b4274ff70fcb6c52557260dc 540w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/main-images/popcorn.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=3273d38f9f4e1a0fb226354fbb145280 768w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/main-images/popcorn.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=a6b75501d09f62ac64c0daae18f7f980 798w)
Bye’s Popcorn
The website boasts that this popcorn stand in Olcott is “60 seconds from the Lake Ontario waterfront,” and they mean it. Perhaps that’s why it’s been a summertime tradition for generations of visitors and locals alike, dating all the way back to 1923. The menu is simple: original buttered popcorn, or caramel, with or without nuts. When it’s this good — and this legendary — who needs to complicate things?
Where to try it: At the Bye’s Popcorn stand in Olcott, open seasonally.
Platter’s Orange Chocolates and Sponge Candy
Sponge candy is a light, crunchy toffee unique to the Western New York area; orange chocolate is a confection that real-life chocolate factory Platter’s has been serving up since 1938. Put them together — that is, smother the sponge candy in a coating of orange chocolate — and you have a must-eat New York sweet.
Where to try it: At Platter’s Chocolate Factory in North Tonawanda. Or right to your front door when you order online!
MORE STORIES YOU'LL LOVE
![](https://niagara.imgix.net/images/meta-images/52_Dine-Like-a-Local.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=213&q=80&w=320&s=63dcc20d646fd94b727e5f38f213d798 320w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/meta-images/52_Dine-Like-a-Local.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=360&q=80&w=540&s=b8e3184a8000ceb06213bdaa3dd35ab7 540w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/meta-images/52_Dine-Like-a-Local.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=512&q=80&w=768&s=ad7d654a2defe2566b608ba4127e2299 768w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/meta-images/52_Dine-Like-a-Local.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=683&q=80&w=1024&s=142ffa3e4b5fe8007c28aae0609930a1 1024w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/meta-images/52_Dine-Like-a-Local.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=800&q=80&w=1200&s=635fb81226c55fc8aade64f23528024c 1185w)
Beyond Niagara Falls State Park and the surrounding attractions, the Niagara County region is bursting…
![](https://niagara.imgix.net/images/meta-images/1_HERO_Resized-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=213&q=80&w=320&s=5ffbfbd89485ccd716bb73c6621b495e 320w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/meta-images/1_HERO_Resized-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=360&q=80&w=540&s=f509dac98787c15dc5d725c1ed0eb422 540w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/meta-images/1_HERO_Resized-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=512&q=80&w=768&s=c292e9a33a092b325aafd00579e4875f 768w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/meta-images/1_HERO_Resized-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=683&q=80&w=1024&s=2976ca9e955a87b3128d8c114ccac4d5 1024w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/meta-images/1_HERO_Resized-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=800&q=80&w=1200&s=b085b1afdacb3c9cff94118be9adaa1d 1185w)
Get to know the destination with these guided tours that’ll introduce you to Niagara County…
![](https://niagara.imgix.net/images/meta-images/9_Lunch_A.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=213&q=80&w=320&s=d456162c895cb719c06b9676dcbb1caf 320w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/meta-images/9_Lunch_A.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=360&q=80&w=540&s=8246ff85b90d9d39e66f794c722743db 540w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/meta-images/9_Lunch_A.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=512&q=80&w=768&s=33903eca9b57226f378b268d25c82281 768w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/meta-images/9_Lunch_A.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=683&q=80&w=1024&s=b9cb42d2f983524fb6aad4c9ab0ba2a2 1024w, https://niagara.imgix.net/images/meta-images/9_Lunch_A.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=800&q=80&w=1200&s=598f4c0977a05558adb23320398966d9 1185w)
All that sightseeing got you starving? We’ve got the places to go when you’re ready…