I've decided to take a culinary walk down memory lane. I often pass through my old stomping grounds in LaSalle and get melancholy, not because of the aging and empty buildings, but rather due to what has been lost -- LaSalle Senior High School, Beverly Lanes, the YMCA (remember the "Rec"?), and even Prince of Peace Church is no longer Prince of Peace Church. Determined to find surviving connections to the happy times of my past, I visited three restaurants.
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My first stop was Buzzy's Pizzeria at 7617 Niagara Falls Boulevard.
This is not the original iconic Buzzy's, which opened in 1953 and was located on Buffalo Avenue. That site was torn down in the '80s to make room for the untraveled LaSalle Expressway (now, who made that idiotic decision?). That Buzzy's was the hangout for me and a few hundred classmates throughout our high school years.
Buzzy's continued its success at the current location, but it never hit the cult status it enjoyed on Buffalo Avenue. In the late '80s, three Diletti brothers bought the restaurant, and have since expanded the menu as well as the physical space.
There are three eating areas -- a summer patio, a small enclosed area that is ideal for meetings or small parties, and the main dining room. The kitchen is huge, and the space is what I would call casual comfort -- very fitting for a family night out.
The menu offers something for everyone: specialty pizzas, calzones, pasta, chicken wings and fingers, subs, hoagies and lots of appetizers.
The pizza I ordered was very good -- thin crust, nice and crunchy on the bottom, with a rather mild sauce. I can't compare this to the Buzzy's pizza of yore, because frankly I don't have any recollection of how that pizza tasted -- just wonderful memories of friends and grand times.
Did this visit rekindle those old feelings? No, but I did like the restaurant, the friendliness of the staff and owners, and the menu. I will visit again.
Next stop was Mom's Restaurant in Mil-Pine Plaza on Niagara Falls Boulevard.
Mom's opened in 1955 and has been continuously owned and managed since then by the Catenese family. Other than the addition of wraps and Quick Draw, it was a flashback to the '60s. The tables and long countertop were surfaced with the same dull gray Formica, the same booths hugged the wall, the same round swivel stools perched below the counter.
In my imagination, the eight elderly folks sitting at the end of the counter solving all of the world's problems were the same folks sitting there identically so many years ago.
I ordered a tuna on toast with fries -- my favorite lunch in the day -- not very exciting then and not very exciting now. However, the fries were just like I remember, dark and crisp, and I smothered them in vinegar.
Most local coffee shop specialties are available: fried bologna and onions, greens and beans, chili, liver and onions, and the king of all diner food: roast beef sandwich on white with mashed potatoes and gravy. Yummy.
My only complaint is that meatloaf with mashed potatoes and gravy is conspicuously missing from the menu. What's up with that?
Last stop on the gastronomic train ride was the remodeled Viola's Submarines, 1539 Military Road (the original is located at 1717 Elmwood Ave.).
Entering the restaurant, I harbored serious doubts that the Tardibuono family could possibly still make the best steak-and-cheese submarine sandwich in the whole world.
The aroma hit me as soon as I opened the door -- the same savory smell! Could it be?
I pulled back the cellophane from the end of my hot sandwich, and the aroma of the onions and spices overtook me. The bun was warm, the cheese gooey, and the abundance of oil slopped down over my fingers.
One bite and I was a believer. This sandwich was the Real McCoy, just like it was 40-plus years ago -- the best steak-and-cheese sub in the entire world. What a treat.
Friends, we are so very fortunate to have these reasonably priced family-run establishments remaining in our community. They offer a variety of menus, put their hearts and souls into continuing family traditions, and offer their neighbors character, value and personal service.
Each of these restaurants beats the chains. I hope you'll support them. They may not conjure up reminiscences of days past for you, but perhaps they will be the venues that create memories for your future.
| Niagara Falls Reporter | www.niagarafallsreporter.com | November 24 2009 |