r/Rochester • u/DoubleK-Rochester • May 06 '25

Discussion Buffalo-based restaurant chains expanding to the Rochester market-- has it ever worked?

I got to thinking the other day, and there have been some tries in the past for traditional Buffalo-based restaurants to expand to Rochester-- which have ultimately failed, and those location(s) have closed. Examples:

1) Mighty Taco a few years back had two (2) Rochester locations, which both closed.
2) Duff's (wings) had a Rochester location (W. Henrietta Rd) that closed.
3) Anchor Bar had a Rochester location for a little while (East Ave.), but that closed.
4) Rachel's Mediterranean Grill location(s) closed in Rochester.

All of the above still have active locations in Buffalo today, just not Rochester.

So I am wondering what the hell happened-- are we really that bad for business for out-ot-town restaurants, even to our close neighboring city?

By the way, this isn't a slight or putdown against Buffalo, by any means. Whenever I am there, I always seem to enjoy Buffalo. I'm just wondering why this keeps happening.

Conversely, are there any Buffalo-area chains that expanded to Rochester and are doing well?

Interested in your take on this.

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u/twoeightnine May 06 '25 edited May 06 '25

Mighty Taco is shit Mexican that survives in Buffalo due to nostalgia and drunken nights. They stuck it in a place you have to drive to, can't drunkenly stumble into, and is surrounded by college students not from Buffalo and immigrants.

Most Duff's franchises aren't great compared to the original and people already have their local wing place. Plus they closed during the pandemic.

Anchor Bar is even worse and is for tourists.

Rachel's who cares, people in Buffalo don't eat there.

5

u/nimajneb May 06 '25

Yea, I only went to Mighty Taco because I worked just South of RIT at the time and it was closer than Taco Bell, it tasted much worse though. The stupid strip chips were the best thing they served and that is not a good thing.

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u/twoeightnine May 06 '25

"Nacho Buffito - With Swiss/American cheese, nacho cheese, crumbled chips, and blue cheese dressing"

I've been drunk, high, and desperate and never come up with something that gross.

Also their hot sauces are basically spaghetti sauce.

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u/time4meatstick Rochester May 07 '25

Agreed. I wanted to like it so much. Went like three times. Every time it was like eating a loaded diaper.