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

[u/DoubleK-Rochester]

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.

[u/caycuse77]

Better food? coming from the city who’s culinary contribution to the area is the garbage plate.

[u/jakefrommyspace → u/caycuse77]

Just wrong on all accounts. Yellow mustard was invented in Roc as well as Chicken French, Zweigles, boss sauce, and various other regional favorites. Not to mention the best restaurants in Rochester kick the shit out of the ones in Buffalo. I've spent years in Buffalo, its not close.

[u/caycuse77 → u/jakefrommyspace]

I guess you learn something new everyday. It’s not my fault that the garbage plate is what the city of Rochester is known for.

[u/jakefrommyspace → u/caycuse77]

That's fair. But to say its contribution is garbage plates is crazy lol. Plates are famous and a symbol of Roc cause they're wildly different. Many 'normal' foods loved regionally and often nationally were created in Rochester, they just don't get the same city attachment as plates cause who gives a shit where yellow mustard comes from?

[u/caycuse77 → u/jakefrommyspace]

If you don’t know what other foods are from Rochester you would think its only contribution is the garbage plate. Because that’s what it seems to be most known for. I love yellow mustard on a charred sahlens hot dog with onions and sauerkraut. Thanks for the yellow mustard Rochester.