It's relatively disheartening knowing that Buffalo's become synonymous with two things: chicken wings and losing. Amongst the bright fluorescent lighting and decay, there's a mirage of culture that keeps the blood pumping through the Queen City's veins and stellar food coming hot and fresh out of her kitchen.
Often lost in the shuffle of big name competition and snooty, over-priced and over-rated Elmwood cafes lies a restaurant rich in tradition, hearty in taste and light on the wallet. Steve's Pig and Ox Roast, located on the outskirts of South Buffalo and Lackawanna (951 Ridge Road) has produced ethnically tinged, salacious sandwiches for nearly 20 years and continues to light up a community built on nourishment.
The crown jewel of Steve's roasting festivities is without doubt the roast beef. With thick, juicy layer upon layer of freshly cut beef, a pillow of just-baked perfection upon which the militia of meet rests upon (available on Kaiser or kimmelweck, which in itself is a Buffalo tradition), and a heavenly brown aura on the roll courtesy of the juices that have slowly soaked in, there is absolutely no competition and no doubting that this is not only the best beef, but the best sandwich in Buffalo.
Complimenting the ethnic angle, upon entry into the restaurant there lies a spit behind a streak-free glass window where you can watch the staffers slow-roast their pig, lamb and pork to perfection. Watching the smoke rise off its base, the spices glistening in the sunlight and the victorious staff removing their vegan-insensitive masterpiece is almost as good as biting in and devouring the meat that's teasing you.
Excluding the king-sized portions of beef you get with every order, Steve's also offers European favorites lamb, pork, and turkey. Appeasing all America taste-buds, Steve's offers golden brown chicken fingers, fresh-fried fish, shrimp, mountains of still skinned curly-fries that are beautifully complemented with vinegar and ketchup, and a homemade vegetable soup that's mouth watering and includes said fries.
And if your hearty-homemade meal wasn't enough, they also offer freshly baked apple and cherry pies and cheesecake to boot.
It's the mom and pop shops that keeps the culture of Buffalo alive. In this day and age of mass-market, big-name cookery, there is nothing better than a beef on weck, possibly with cheddar and or horseradish, a side of fries and a large Dr. Pepper at Steve Pigs. Period.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
