The Norseman's guide to .... Buffalo

In a time before PP.O - yes there was a time like that :-) - on another Vikings fan board was something that was known as the 'Norseman's guide to ...' and featured comments and information for the Nordic fan travelling to road games in the various cities. This was written by Benwah who did
ove over to PP.o albeit for a brief time.
So in attempting to resurrect this I hope that the following guide follows his ideals in providing the Viking fan with information about the foreign city that he or she may be visiting.
* disclaimer - basically I was bored - so forgive my humour! *

Buffalo
The city gets it's name from the creek that runs through it. The name of the creek is unclear but it is believed to possibly have come from an exclamation from a frenchman in the area. Officially it is rumoured that he said "Beau Fleuve" ( beautiful river ), unofficially it was more likely to have been "je me rends" ( I surrender) which would more in keeping with our Gallic friends. Some historians also believe there is the possibility that an interpreter mistranslated the Native American word for "beaver" as "buffalo" - the words being very similar - at a treaty-signing at present-day Rome, New York in 1784. The theory assumes that because there were beaver here, the creek was probably called Beaver Creek rather than Buffalo Creek.
This is the first in the history of cock-ups in the educational system in the area and has been proved by tests run by the state Education Department who found that as the children in the area get older then their reading ability falls. Hence why many opposing fans don't bother with visiting Bills fans forums to talk smack. Firstly there are very few Bills fans that can create and maintain a board and secondly any smack there wouldn't be readable to the average Bills fan.


One of Buffalo's many monikers is the City of Trees, which describes the abundance of green in the city. In fact, Buffalo has more than 20 parks with multiple ones being accessible from any part of the city and it a much valued haven for the entire NY state dog population who constantly show their appreciation for it.

Since 2001 has been the annual NATIONAL BUFFALO WING FESTIVAL. IN 2002, nearly a quarter of a million people have attended the event, where they have consumed more than one million chicken wings.

New for this important 5th Anniversary will be the first inductions into the newly-announced CHICKEN WING HALL OF FAME.
Founder Drew Cerza says the NATIONAL BUFFALO WING FESTIVAL paved the way for the CHICKEN WING HALL OF FAME, which will further solidify Buffalo as the birthplace of what has become America’s most popular finger food.
So there you have it, the next time you're in Hooters enjoying a cold beer, top class conversation with the girls and munching down on a plate of chicken wings - then just remember where the idea came from!
One other food source known in the area is Anderson's Frozen Custard which as yet not gone global thank god, but I'm sure that there is an ultimate plan for global domination of this niche market.

Lastly Buffalo has connections with two well known gentleman. Firstly is Mark Twain who lived there for two years. Obviously two years was enough for him, even without having to watch the Bills on game days. I take comfort from the fact that he suffered for two years and consider it payback for the times that I was forced to read his books or watch the films of the books :-)
Another notable figure is John Walsh, presenter of America's Most Wanted. A little known fact is that in his early days he was president of the local Buffalo Bills booster club. However after 5 years of doing that he decided that he would have more chance of helping catch the nations criminals than adding to the Bills fanbase.

So there you have a quick glimpse of whats on and whats about Buffalo, but for all its little quirks and oddities it has one thing going for it ... it's not New York !
till the next time

When in Buffalo if you want to hit the Wing Scene here are some highlights.

Although it has been several years since I lived up there and these places may have since closed here is my dissertation on the Wing Scene.

Anchor Bar (I think the official full name is Frank & Theresa's Anchor Bar) is north of downtown and is acknowledged as the birthplace of the Buffalo Wing.
Originally made from the wings that were only good for soup stock by Theresa for her son and his friends who wanted a late night snack after a night of partying.
She deep fried these "trash" pices of meat and put hot sauce on them as kind of a joke, and the guys loved them.
An isntitution was born.

Duff's Wings further north (in Tonawanda suburb maybe) has the best (and biggest) wings in Buffalo in my opinion.
And you have to get a Duff's t-shirt when you are there as well.
In fact get me one and mail it to me, mine is wearing out.
Thanks.

Rooties even further north (in like either Tonawanda or Lockport) always had the best Bleu Cheese dressing (which every wing connisour knows is what you have to eat wings with, not ranch dressing as some ametures use).
In fact his Bleu Cheese dressing was so famous he used to have it bottled and sold in local grocery stores.
Dont know if they still do.

There you have the quick Buffalo Wing guide...

The Norseman's Guide to Buffalo?
Not a bad idea actually ...

... Ralph Wilson Stadium (known to Bills fans as "The Ralph") is located in the suburban town of Orchard Park, about 10/15 miles south and east of Downtown Buffalo.
It's an open stadium, so bring your outdoor gear.
Because of its location relatively near Lake Erie, it's likely to be windy, and later in the season, cold and windy.
Late season football games and playoffs games (haven't had one of those in a long time!) have been known to be played in snowy conditions with fans serenading hapless warm weather rivals like Miami with choruses of "Let It Snow"!
Not to worry, though, for this game the temps should be in the upper 50s-60s, with some wind but not the gusts like last week.

Where to stay ... there are three big motel/hotel areas: downtown Buffalo, Northtowns (Amherst), and the airport (Cheektowaga).
There are some motels in the Southtowns (Hamburg) that are close to the stadium but these are relatively few in number.
In all three areas, the stadium is an easy commute on one of the expressways.
Take I-290 East and then I-90 West from the Northtowns or hop on I-90 West from the Airport.
If you stay in Downtown, take the I-190 South to I-90 West.

Downtown Buffalo is famous for its entertainment/nightclub area on Chippewa Street which attracts the 20s-30s crowd.
Someday there will be a casino in Downtown but the Seneca Indians and the "city fathers" are still "at war" over this, so if you want to do casino gambling without crossing the border into a foreign country, you have to drive up to Niagara Falls.
If you haven't seen this truly world class wonder, you should really take a peek before you run off to bet your bucks at the slots.

The Northtowns and the airport have the typical suburban lures of shopping malls, cineplexes, etc.

Buffalo and WNY is famous for good food at reasonable prices, although like most of the rest of the country, it's being overrun by national chains.
There are a number of excellent local independent restaurants and local chains that excellent, though.
Here's a
site for those actually coming to B-lo for the game (or any other time) with restaurant reviews:
http://www.cse.buffalo.edu/restauran...ed.index.shtml.
It contains locations, phone #s, and reviews.

For visitors coming for the game, I'd recommend The Original Pancake House at 3019 Union Road, Orchard Park (there's also one on Main Street in Williamsville for those staying in the Northtowns).

Good wings and good pizza are the norm in WNY, so skip Pizza Hut and try one of the local places.
For submarine sandwiches, skip Subway and go for John and Mary's (a local chain with locations around the area) or Nino's (Southtowns).


If you're very adventuresome and you have some time on Saturday, you can also drive south of the Southtowns to Chautauqua and Cattaraugus Counties where you can view our beautiful scenary, visit our unique Old Order Amish communities, or tour world famous Chautauqua Institution.
It's too early yet for "leaf peeping" although some of the trees are changing already.
Another good day tour is to drive down Route 5 along the Lake Erie shore from Downtown Buffalo to the historic and beautiful village of Westfield.
You can also stop in at one (or more) of the local wineries for some wine-tasting.


Welcome to WNY ...
I'm putting out the welcome mat because I'm sure the Bills won't be so obliging come Sunday!
;D

"kinzua" wrote:

Quote:

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The Norseman's Guide to Buffalo?
Not a bad idea actually ...

... Ralph Wilson Stadium (known to Bills fans as "The Ralph") is located in the suburban town of Orchard Park, about 10/15 miles south and east of Downtown Buffalo.
It's an open stadium, so bring your outdoor gear.
Because of its location relatively near Lake Erie, it's likely to be windy, and later in the season, cold and windy.
Late season football games and playoffs games (haven't had one of those in a long time!) have been known to be played in snowy conditions with fans serenading hapless warm weather rivals like Miami with choruses of "Let It Snow"!
Not to worry, though, for this game the temps should be in the upper 50s-60s, with some wind but not the gusts like last week.

Where to stay ... there are three big motel/hotel areas: downtown Buffalo, Northtowns (Amherst), and the airport (Cheektowaga).
There are some motels in the Southtowns (Hamburg) that are close to the stadium but these are relatively few in number.
In all three areas, the stadium is an easy commute on one of the expressways.
Take I-290 East and then I-90 West from the Northtowns or hop on I-90 West from the Airport.
If you stay in Downtown, take the I-190 South to I-90 West.

Downtown Buffalo is famous for its entertainment/nightclub area on Chippewa Street which attracts the 20s-30s crowd.
Someday there will be a casino in Downtown but the Seneca Indians and the "city fathers" are still "at war" over this, so if you want to do casino gambling without crossing the border into a foreign country, you have to drive up to Niagara Falls.
If you haven't seen this truly world class wonder, you should really take a peek before you run off to bet your bucks at the slots.

The Northtowns and the airport have the typical suburban lures of shopping malls, cineplexes, etc.

Buffalo and WNY is famous for good food at reasonable prices, although like most of the rest of the country, it's being overrun by national chains.
There are a number of excellent local independent restaurants and local chains that excellent, though.
Here's a
site for those actually coming to B-lo for the game (or any other time) with restaurant reviews:
http://www.cse.buffalo.edu/restauran...ed.index.shtml.
It contains locations, phone #s, and reviews.

For visitors coming for the game, I'd recommend The Original Pancake House at 3019 Union Road, Orchard Park (there's also one on Main Street in Williamsville for those staying in the Northtowns).

Good wings and good pizza are the norm in WNY, so skip Pizza Hut and try one of the local places.
For submarine sandwiches, skip Subway and go for John and Mary's (a local chain with locations around the area) or Nino's (Southtowns).


If you're very adventuresome and you have some time on Saturday, you can also drive south of the Southtowns to Chautauqua and Cattaraugus Counties where you can view our beautiful scenary, visit our unique Old Order Amish communities, or tour world famous Chautauqua Institution.
It's too early yet for "leaf peeping" although some of the trees are changing already.
Another good day tour is to drive down Route 5 along the Lake Erie shore from Downtown Buffalo to the historic and beautiful village of Westfield.
You can also stop in at one (or more) of the local wineries for some wine-tasting.


Welcome to WNY ...
I'm putting out the welcome mat because I'm sure the Bills won't be so obliging come Sunday!

;D

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Kinzua,






Thanks for that post, your a class act for taking the time to show some fellow fans the in's and outs of the Buffalo area....

Great thread.
I'm going to go buy some wings, I'm hungry now.
Good stuff though, the Norseman's guide is a must read.

Welcome to PP.O!
We always like having classy fans of our opponents come and visit us.

"Prophet" wrote:

Quote:

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Great thread.
I'm going to go buy some wings, I'm hungry now.
Good stuff though, the Norseman's guide is a must read.

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well if enough people like it then I'll see if I can get one written for the next road trip