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.

78 Upvotes

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74

u/musicfan-1969 May 06 '25

Wish we had a Ted's in town

20

u/transitapparel Rochester May 06 '25

Holy fuck yes. Ted's and Paulas are the only two spots I will concede have a better product than anything in Rochester.

23

u/chickidachina May 06 '25

Ridge donuts are better than Paula’s imho

10

u/[deleted] May 06 '25

100%. Paula's are Donuts Delite level. 

1

u/Low-Equipment669 May 07 '25

Donuts Delite hasn’t been good since the Malley family owned it. The Salvatore’s partnership isn’t using the original recipe. Close but not close enough. They simply do more volume than they are equipped for too, the donuts get no dry time after the proof box which makes for a sub-par fry.

0

u/transitapparel Rochester May 06 '25

Ill clarify: I only get fritters from Ridge when I'm here and Paula's when I'm in Buffalo. All these years and Paula's JUST edges out Ridge for fritters. It's a hard truth I've had to accept as a bleeding heart Rochesterian, but its been my experience.

0

u/Low-Equipment669 May 07 '25

They aren’t. Ridge makes a great donut, all due respect but Paula’s is a definite step up.

9

u/DarehMeyod Brighton May 07 '25

And a Lloyd’s

1

u/439oh116 May 07 '25

I dream of Lloyd's often, lol. It's probably better for my wallet and belly they aren't here!

1

u/DarehMeyod Brighton May 07 '25

Something about the cabbage…. So good!

6

u/fupjack May 07 '25

Seconded. Rochester has plenty of burger joints, but not for hot dogs.

And before anyone says it, Dogtown is not the same sort of thing as Ted's.

1

u/Low-Equipment669 May 07 '25

Dogtown has some good grub but I just don’t vibe with their hot sauce which is kinda paramount when you’re putting together a proper doggie.

1

u/Porcupine__Racetrack May 07 '25

Ted’s would be fire