Finding great restaurants in Buffalo can sometimes be an arduous task, and we here at Generation feel your pain. Whether you’ve got a big date and want to flash a little bit of your parents’ money around, or you’re just jonesin’ for some fine cuisine, it’s hard to know where you can truly get the best dining experience. Fear not, though! As a service to our loyal readers, I took it upon myself to scour the culinary scene of our fair Queen City, and am happy to announce that I have found the perfect spot for all of your gourmet needs: Hubie’s.
Hubie’s is located in the heart of Amherst, just a stone’s throw away from the University at Buffalo academic spine in the Ellicott Complex. It provides a number of dining options including both dine-in and take-out facilities, as well as a convenient delivery service. There is often a short wait during mealtime hours, but with food this great, it is well worth the delay. They specialize in American cuisine, blending classic recipes with avant-garde preparation and presentation. Entrees will run you anywhere from $3 to $5, though as with most upper-end restaurants, everything is à la carte, and a full meal will be closer to the $5 to $8 range.
For my visit to Hubie’s, I decided to sup in the exquisite atrium dining room, which features a wrap-around glass wall with a gorgeous view of the local wilderness and water life, while still providing an intimate feel of indoor elegance and comfort. The ambience of Hubie’s is just what you’d expect from such a classy establishment nestled into a college community – sophisticated and cozy, the perfect environment wherein to masticate.
The food at Hubie’s is simply to die for. I opted to sample their three-course fare, starting with a scrumptious appetizer known under the moniker of Bosco Sticks. It was love at first bite! These lightly seasoned bread tubes are filled with the finest of American cheese products, and then slowly broiled until they release their full-bodied flavor and delectable texture. They are served with an optional marinara garnish that give them an extra dash of flavor, but can certainly be enjoyed alone as well.
For my second course, I tried their gourmet take on an American favorite: Cajun Fries. Though I much prefer them under their patriotic pseudonym, Freedom Fries, these mouthwatering potato delicacies were as delicious as anything I’ve ever tasted. The secret behind these titillating ‘taters is not only the delicate blend of spices with which the esteemed Hubie’s chefs cure them, but also their authentic preparation in a deep fryer, where they are cooked under the knowledgeable staff’s watchful eye in 100 percent pure vegetable oil.
My main course consisted of what has become somewhat of a staple on the Hubie’s menu, the famed Chicken Finger Submarine Sandwich. This dish is truly a tour de force of the culinary arts, combining so many subtle ingredients and rich flavors into one of the most heavenly and exotic creations ever served up in Buffalo. It is hard for a man of such cultured tastes and a discerning palette such as myself to be wowed by anything but the most pretentious sounding of French foods, but this sub… wow! I mean, I’ve been a fan of chicken fingers for months, even years now, but chicken fingers and bread, that’s just genius! Everything about the sub is perfect, from its precise ratio of lettuce to onions, right down to the garden fresh tomatoes that round out its beautifully placed innards.
As far as fine dining in Buffalo goes, Hubie’s is top notch; it manages to blend class, style, and a brilliant group of chefs into one amazing dining experience. Hubie’s is open from noon until midnight daily, 11:30 p.m. on the weekends. Casual attire will suffice, though formal dress is not discouraged. Reservations are not required, but again, not discouraged. Call 645-2694 for more info. Bon appétit.
