Every city has its “thing”, Buffalo is the chicken wing, and Binghamton is the Speedie. If you live within a 100-mile radius of Rochester, you have heard of the Garbage Plate. Which is widely considered to be Rochester’s official local dish. While many places around Rochester have tried to imitate this classic plate, Nick Tahou’s Garbage Plate is the original and in a category all its own.
(Full Disclosure-We make it a point to never tell anyone, at any restaurant that we are Adventures in New York because we want to have the same experience that you would have when visit.)
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History
Nick Tahou’s was opened in 1918 by Alex Tahou. The Restaurant was named for his son, Nick. Nick ran the restaurant for 50 years until his death in 1997. Nick Tahou’s had multiple locations at one point. The restaurant located on Main Street in downtown Rochester is the original location. There was a location on Lyell ave in Gates, but that was sold to another member of the Tahou family and is no longer affiliated.
It was amazing how many of my friends had some great memory or amusing story to share about Nick Tahou’s when I told them I was going there to eat and write an article. Nick Tahou’s is a Rochester institution. You don’t hear people suddenly getting nostalgic about other chain restaurants like they do about Nick Tahou Hots. Many people have fond memories of heading over to Nick Tahou’s late at night to get a good meal before heading home after a night out. While the restaurant isn’t open late nights any longer, the food is still amazing!
Why We Love It
Nick Tahou Hots is located on West Main Street, just outside the downtown, right off 490. While people sometimes try to avoid eating at downtown establishments due to the lack of parking, Nick Tahou Hots has plenty of parking behind the building, and it is very easy to get to.
When we visited, it was just pre-lunch hour on a Saturday. They had just opened, and an employee was diligently mopping and scrubbing down each booth and table. The place was immaculate.
Nick Tahou Hots is cheaper than its counterparts. We ordered a cheeseburger Garbage Plate and grilled cheese with bacon for the same price as a single garbage plate at one of their competitors.
The girl who took our order made sure that we knew what was available to put on the Garbage Plate. They had the Garbage Plate prepared for us in record time. They can pretty much make a garbage plate with anything you want (hot dogs, burgers, fish, grilled cheese, even chicken tenders). They even have a veggie Garbage Plate for vegans. My husband is something of a Garbage Plate connoisseur. He proclaimed the Nick Tahou’s Garbage Plate to be one of the best he had ever eaten.
It was great that we could see our food being prepared right before us instead of behind “the veil.” They were clearly preparing for the lunchtime rush and had the grill going. I ordered a grilled cheese with bacon, and it was fabulous. The grilled cheese was stuffed full of perfectly crisp bacon. Absolutely delicious.
If you haven’t tried this Rochester institution, you have to give it a whirl. You won’t regret it.
Address: 320 W. Main St. Rochester, NY
Have you ever enjoyed a garbage plate from Nick Tahou Hots? What are your fond memories from here? We would love to hear from you. Please share your comments with us!