Buffalo Head to re-open in November

[Clipper]

www.wktv.com/news/Buffalo_Head_Restaurant_sold_to_owners_of_Keyes_Pancake_House.html

What is more "Food and Fun" related than a story about a local landmark that is being revived and re-opened.

The Buffalo Head has always been more than just a roadside restaurant where one could grab a meal on the trip North. Over the years it has historically been a "destination" for central New Yorkers. It has had it's ups and downs, with it's reputation and success ebbing and flowing under several owners. Over the years it drew people from all over CNY, in many cases becoming the sole purpose for a leisurely Sunday drive or an easy summer evening ride from the Mohawk valley for a relaxing dinner in a restaurant with a pleasant atmosphere and good food. It is also popular with the snowmobile crowd and is along a very active trail, offering a place to have a cocktail or a meal while relaxing by the fireplace.

I am ecstatic. I hope that they are able to recreate the family sized servings, the great steaks, and all of the other things that sets the Buffalo Head apart from other restaurants in the area. I can't wait to visit next summer and have a ribeye steak, medium rare.

[dave]

I was last at the B.H. in 2005 or thereabouts. Food was good, but the place was crowded and kinda touristy, not how I remembered it from the 70's. I don't remember anything that set the restaurant apart that evening except our memories.

There is nothing new in that observation. I've been back to quite a few restaurants that had changed in twenty or more years. None were like what attracted us decades before. Perhaps they couldn't afford to be.

[Clipper]

Very true Dave. BH did lose some of it's atmosphere over the years as it became overly crowded and busy. In late years we tried to go during the week when there were not so many tourists and snowmobilers. When I lived on Kayuta Lake we were only about 2 1/2 miles down the road past Garramone's. We quite often ate our weekday dinners in one or the other. Garramones was our source for good pizza that area, and I was always a fan of Garramone's food going back to when they were in the city.

I remember when I was first married we used to celebrate our anniversary every year at BH. At the time they served a "steak for two" dinner that consisted of a huge rib steak (over 2 lbs) and all the sides served family style. Over the years I recall seeing the size of the portions as well as the quality of the food and cooking rise and fall.

When I ownedand operated a local carpet cleaning, floor maintenance, and smoke&water damage restoration business (Advanced Cleaning Systems of CNY) I did some work for the owners of the Keyes Pancake House. I don't recall if the name of the proprietor at the time was Timmerman or not, but if the Timmermans that are opening the BH are the same folks that ran the pancake house back around 2000, they are great folks to do business with and their food has always been quite good. The BH is an entirely different sort of venue and hopefully they will find a local chef that can bring back high quality cooking that will make the dining experience a distinct pleasure. That and that alone will make or break the restaurant.

They have some serious competition just down the road from the Garramone's. Garramone's leans towards a predominantly Italian menu, but their food is great and their fish fry is VERY popular among locals.

[hans]

Yes they are open, not to many "locals " have been there, and from what I have heard prices are somewhat high, ie: Fish fry $12.99. www.buffaloheadrestaurant.com/menu1.html
But we have other options, Alder Creek Inn is open again, Fish fry $10.95 and daily specials, and Kratzy's, on Rt-28, Alder Creek and Forestport Diner, staying open till 8 pm on Fridays for a great beer battered fish fry for $10.95

[Deleted]

The prices at Buffalo Head are very high. $7.69 for onion rings! And 12.95 for liver!

The Tailor and the Crook also has very high prices, www.facebook.com/TheTailorandtheCook/menu/?p_ref=pa . Of course I haven't been out to eat at a real restaurant in many years and it looks like my Social Security check will not permit me to do so in the present or future being no raise this year because gas is so cheap. I can drive there but can't eat there. Go figure! Even McDonald's is doing away with the dollar menu. Well beef prices are supposed to drop drastically next year.

[dave]

McDonald's has gotten very pricey. In that meals/price range, Denny's is a great alternative with a wider menu.

Also, the quality of preparation varies quite a bit now between McDonald's franchisees. There are some down here I avoid at all costs. Of course, all I ever get at McDonalds is a breakfast biscuit.

[chris]

Joes Restaurant use to be the cheapest restaurant I ever ate in.. Remember going there for soup on monday and bill for two was about 3.00..can't do that anymore I dont think.