I am writing in response to the "Best of Buffalo" awards printed in Wednesday's paper. Let me begin by stating that I understand the whole point of creating "best of" lists is to stir up controversy, otherwise they would not be much fun. Being a life-long Buffalonian - having cheered through four Super Bowls and bellied up to many a bar in this wonderful city - I feel qualified to assess the selections. Since this one is based on a poll, I suppose my comments are directed to the students as a whole. That being said, here are my two cents.
The category that I am most at odds with is that of "Best Pizza." I am not trying to argue that Sal's does not have tasty pizza (which it does, especially after an all-night bender). It was the reasoning provided for Sal's victory in this contest that offended me. I understand that the Sal's business hours are most convenient for the average college student; this is a legitimate reason to cast a vote for this establishment. Alex Cheng, however, feels the need to condemn Buffalo pizza as "horrid," which makes it explicit that he is not a native of The City of Good Neighbors. This alone brings into question his authority on the subject. I was disappointed to see that Buffalo cuisine was judged solely on its ability to imitate. Buffalo is a unique city with unique tastes, and we take our food seriously. New York City, though an incredible place, is not the measuring stick for the rest of the world. The charm of visiting someplace new is the cultural differences. Believe it or not, there is more to New York State than The Big Apple.
In closing, I would simply like to urge students from the other end of this fine state to keep their minds open to what Buffalo itself has to offer, instead of searching for a city that lies some 400 miles eastward. We're talkin' proud!
Born and raised in Buffalo. (Go Bills!)
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
