This quaint restaurant specializes in old-world Polish, German, and European specialties. Start your dining experience with an appetizer, perhaps a single pierogi or potato pancake, or maybe the soup of the day. Entrees include selections like Frau Schlaubraten, godlike, and Heiglschnitzel. If you can't make up y our mind, try a Trappist sample platter, which includes one wurst, one pierogi, and one potato pancake. All entrees are served with a prosit chef salad, vegetables, sautéed apples and bread. Desserts, which are made in-house, include apple pie, cheesecake, and black forest chocolate mousse. - Christine A. Smyczynski

Since 1973, Mighty Taco has been serving up Mexican fast food to Western New York. With 16 locations throughout the Buffalo area, they are noted for their unusual radio and TV ads; many are parodies of current events. The menu offers tacos, including their signature Mighty Taco. Burritos include their Super Mighty Burrito, el Nino Burrito (which has a half-pound of ground beef) and the Buffito, buffalo-style chicken topped with blue cheese dressing. They also have salads, fajitas and roastitos, made with either marinated chicken or beef and topped with roasted peppers and onions. They also offer vegetarian and fish tacos. Desserts include empanadas or cookies. - Christine A. Smyczynski

This tiny, old-fashioned diner is operated by Charlie Roesch, who many consider to be the food ambassador of western New York. The regional favorite of beef on weck is why you come here. Freshly sliced roast beef comes served on a salt-encrusted kummelweck roll. It's actually the "weck" roll, a kaiser-like roll topped with Kosher salt and caraway seeds, that makes the sandwich. Often Charlie himself, wearing his trademark butchers apron and white hard hat, can be seen behind the counter carving the beef himself. During the warmer months, you can dine outdoors on picnic tables. He also provides efficient catering. - Christine A. Smyczynski

When you step into this upscale Thai and Vietnamese restaurant, you'll feel the stress melt away immediately. The classy ambiance includes soft music, muted colors and real cloth tablecloths and napkins. The food is excellent, with choices like Chicken Satay and Hot Basil. Beverages include Thai iced tea and Vietnamese coffee, which is so sweet, it could be considered a dessert. Lunch selections include steamed rice dishes like green curry and pad kapow, with your choice of meat, along with a selection of noodle and vegetable dishes. Some of the Vietnamese dishes include pho, mi xao don, bong cai and ana xao lang. Dessert includes homemade coconut, green tea or mango ice cream. - Christine A. Smyczynski

This bakery and café features delicious pastries, cookies, tartes and other desserts. They are also well-known for their ornate wedding cakes, which are tasty as well as beautiful. Entrées include salads, like Cobb salad and julienne salads, as well as café sandwiches served on fresh-baked, hand-sliced bread. breads include sourdough, sun dried tomato, whole wheat, all grain, sour rye and white. There are several panini sandwiches to choose from, including roast beef and marinated chicken. They also have a selection of gourmet wraps, egg sandwiches and quiche. A variety of coffee and espresso drinks are served. - Christine A. Smyczynski

Have a craving for burgers, hot dogs, thick shakes and ice cream? This is the place to come. Open year-round and close to the north campus of the University at Buffalo, this restaurant features casual fare including burgers, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches and even sweet potato fries. If you have room for dessert, they have a large selection of ice cream treats, including soft serve custard, hard ice cream, sundaes, shakes and floats. There is also outdoor seating in warmer weather. However, be warned, there is always a line here for ice cream on a warm summer night. -Christine A. Smyczynski

This well-known Williamsville restaurant has been offering hospitality since 1827. Once a stagecoach stop for folks traveling between Buffalo and Batavia, the building has changed hands many times, although it has always been an inn, tavern or restaurant. It has the distinction of having the longest continuous held liquor license in New York State. Today, the menu features items like beef Wellington in puff pastry, Yankee pot roast, crab cakes and their famous beer battered fish fry. Lunch selections include pasta, salads, signature sandwiches and chicken pot pie. In February 2008, Bon Appetit Magazine named the Eagle House one of the best restaurants in America. -Christine A. Smyczynski

This casual restaurant has a variety of menu items, including sandwiches, salads, and burgers. However, their real claim to fame is their Buffalo-style Chicken Wings. It was opened in 1946 as a corner gin mill by Louise Duffney, but business really took off in 1969, when Chicken Wings were introduced to the menu. Today, they sell over 12,000 pounds of wings each week. Their wings are hotter than most other restaurants, so be sure to have a cold pitcher of liquid libations handy. It's a popular spot to eat before or after a Buffalo Bills or UB Bulls game. -Christine Smyczynski

Located in a restored 19th-century house, this popular restaurant is noted for its warm and welcoming atmosphere. the breakfast menu features inviting selections like breakfast tacos and blueberry pancakes, and they also host Sunday brunches. For lunch, you may want to try a made-from-scratch chicken pot pie, or perhaps one of their exquisite vegetarian dishes. Some of these vegetarian delights include a spinach veggie burger, vegetarian burrito, and vegetarian "yumwich" sandwiches. Service can be slow at times, so plan for a leisurely meal. - Christine A. Smyczynski

This is one place you should not judge by its cover. Located in Buffalo's historic Allentown district, the restaurant looks like a dive. However, it has one of the best inexpensive wine lists in the city, not to mention excellent food and service. Under the direction of chef Matt Conroy, the menu is inventive featuring dishes like acampi fritters with Chipotle Sauce, and steamed mussels in scotch bonnet pepper broth. As a bonus, the restaurant is open until 3a daily-and there's an outdoor patio for warm summer evenings.