Rochester is one of the most underrated foodie destinations in New York State. Here is the best food in Rochester that you need to try.
Rochester, New York, is a city that often flies under the radar for travelers in Upstate New York. Often bypassed in favor of New York State travel hotspots such as Niagara Falls, the Finger Lakes, and Lake Placid, Rochester has become a secret hotspot for foodies.
The quality of the restaurants and food in Rochester has led to an explosion of new cuisine within the city. Chefs who traveled abroad to study their culinary passions are returning to their roots, bringing back fresh ideas, fabulous creations, and an eye for detail that both locals and visitors are anxious to devour.
Amidst local hotspots such as Radio Social and Mad Hatters Restaurant are a breadth of places to eat in Rochester that serve up local specialties such as the Garbage Plate and White Hots. These are Rochester-specific dishes that you’ll have difficulty finding anywhere else, even in other Upstate New York destinations.
But amidst all of the new cuisine and fusion techniques that are exploding across the city, several classic Rochester food experiences are so ingrained in the city’s soul that they will likely never leave. And some of these things to eat in Rochester can’t be found anywhere else.
The Most Iconic Food In Rochester
Experiencing a city through its food is the best way to travel. Rochester foodie spots definitely slide at the low end of the “bougie-meter,” but if you love “real” eats that fill up your belly as much as your soul, you’re going to love these Rochester food options.
So, without any further ado, if you’re looking for what to eat in Rochester, here are the dishes that you shouldn’t miss.
The Garbage Plate
When it comes to some of the culinary experiences that we share on Flavor the Globe, very few of them contain the name “garbage.” From our guides to food in Morocco to our recipe for Anthony Bourdain’s Macau-style pork chop sandwich, we run the range of street food to culinary delights.
But if there is one food you should not leave Rochester without trying, it’s the garbage plate.
This messy hangover helper was trademarked by Nick Tahou Hots, home of the original Garbage Plate. And has been celebrated across the United States. While you can now fine many different variations of the Rochester Garbage Plate in Rochester and across the US, the original is where you want to start. And you can get that at Nick Tahou Hots on Main St.
A Garbage Plate can be found in countless variations, but as a general rule, they work like this:
A combo plate with two hamburger patties and a choice of two sides such as home fries, macaroni salad, or beans.
The base is layered heavily with doses of ketchup and/or hot sauce served with a roll. This is usually mixed together before the diner dives in.
Modern Rochester Garbage Plates are usually served with a choice of cheeseburger, hamburger, white or red hots, sausage, chicken, or a grilled cheese sandwich served on a bed of home fries, french fries, baked beans, or macaroni salad. Nick Tahou’s typically tops this with a meat-infused hot sauce and offers some options such as mustard, onions, and ketchup.
A Garbage Plate is not something to eat if you’re counting your calories, but if you want to experience one of the most classic Rochester food items, it’s a must.
White Hots
You’re probably familiar with white hots if you live in Upstate New York, especially near Rochester. If you don’t, there’s a good chance that you’ve never heard of one of the most classic foods in Rochester.
In Rochester, hot dogs are known simply as “hots.” You can find Rochester hots in the more traditional “reds,” but to experience the true food in Rochester, you’ll want to try white hots. White Hots,” or white hot dogs, are beloved by many people in Rochester, and one of the things that bring many people back to the city is that these delicious hot dogs can rarely be found outside the city.
These unique hot dogs were coined by local company Zweigle’s back in the 1920s. Where traditional hots are made with pork and/or beef, white hots are traditionally made with a combination of uncured and unsmoked pork, veal, and beef. This combination of ingredients and a unique blend of herbs and spices led to their pale coloration, flavor, and classic name.
Rochester white hots are typically topped with mustard and chopped onion. However, diners are free to get creative with their flavoring.
Frozen Custard
Arthur Abbott crafted this delicious frozen treat in the traveling carnival scene in 1902. Abbott eventually found his way to the port city of Rochester, where he decided to lay down some roots and opened up Abbott’s Frozen Custard across from Charlotte Beach, which would eventually become Ontario Beach Park.
While frozen custard, which is similar to soft-serve ice cream, but with a creamier, more flavorful base, can be found throughout the world, it had its first forever home in Rochester, NY. In 1957, Abbott finally hung up his apron, but his franchise was purchased, and the name lived on, rising even further to fame when donut chain Krispy Kreme added this delicious delight to some of their bakeries in south Florida.
Kimchi Pancakes
If you’re looking for food in Rochester that’s truly unique, stop by Atlas Eats on Clinton Ave and try their delightful kimchi pancakes.
These tasty flapjacks are made with whole wheat flour but are crafted with Korean fermented cabbage and topped with a poached egg. The entire dish is brought together by Atlas’ signature dragon sauce.
This dish is remarkably hard to find outside of South Korea, but those who have traveled or lived there swear by the delicious flavor. You can check out our version of the Korean Kimchi Pancake Recipe here.
Dinosaur BBQ
We very rarely talk about chain restaurants on Flavor the Globe, but Dinosaur BBQ in Rochester is such an institution that we couldn’t overlook it.
This restaurant was opened in 1998 and is the second location of the best bbq in New York State. Dinosaur BBQ offers slow-cooked, fall-off-the-bone meat paired with backyard favorites such as beans, macaroni and cheese, and mashed potatoes.
Like many Rochester restaurants, the servings here are more than generous, and you’ll likely be taking quite a bit home with you.
The restaurant is located on the edge of the Genesee River, offering gorgeous views over rapids and the downtown skyline.
Banana Bread French Toast
It takes a brilliant mind to combine two iconic plates into something that the average mind simply isn’t ready for. And Jines, a diner on Park Ave, was up to the challenge. This dish, which I’ve never seen elsewhere in the 50+ countries that I’ve traveled is worth the hype.
Jines may look like a simple diner from the outside, but this Rochester institution has been welcoming food lovers for decades. Along with comfort classics, there are always interesting twists on everyday favorites that keep guests guessing and coming back for more.
Genesee Beer
Situated in a century-old packaging center overlooking the towering High Falls, the Genesee Brew House is a signature foodie experience in Rochester.
The brewhouse, which covers a sprawling 9,200 square-foot space along the edge of the Genesee River, isn’t just the home of this famous Upstate New York beer company but also a full-on visitor experience. You’ll find interactive exhibits, multimedia content, a gift shop, a craft brewery, and even a pub-style restaurant.
The Genesee Brewhouse serves up, surprise surprise, Genesee beer. And it’s one of the largest and oldest continually operating breweries in the United States.
Discover The Best Food in Rochester For Yourself
We have you covered if you’re looking for the best food in Rochester. These must-try plates and meals will delight your flavor senses as you explore one of the most underrated cities in Upstate New York. You can find more great things to do in Rochester, NY, here.
If we missed a dish, don’t hesitate to drop a comment below, and I’ll be sure to check it out on my next visit to Rochester.
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