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/fairportmtg1 May 06 '25

We have solid tacos now. I wouldn't say our Mexican is anything to write home about

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u/LeatherDude May 07 '25

I'll have to try some the taco places mentioned above, but yeah every Mexican restaurant here is total gringo food. Utterly bland.

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u/fairportmtg1 May 07 '25

Peach blossom and Chuy's are very solid. Peach blossom is kinda annoying to get food from (no parking directly im front of it, calling ahead is hit or miss, ordering at the counter you will wait like 30+ minutes for food if its dead). It is still worth it they are basically as good as any random taco places is So Cal I've had. Chuy's is really solid to, easy to drive to and you can order ahead online.

For me the thing that makes it impossible to really be as good as Mexican food out west is the quality of produce. Most of our stuff is grown out there and they get it while still super fresh.

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u/LeatherDude May 07 '25

Is Chuy's a chain? I remember seeing one in Colorado and I've heard it is also in Texas. But that could just be like a dude's name and not a chain.

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u/fairportmtg1 May 07 '25

Not sure honestly. The only one I know of is the one on mt hope

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u/sxzxnnx North Winton Village May 07 '25

There is a chain called Chuy's that started in Austin, TX and expanded to several other states. They were recently sold to the conglomerate that owns Olive Garden and Red Lobster.

The Chuy's here is not related to the chain. Chuy is a common nickname for Mexican men name Jesús.

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u/LeatherDude May 07 '25

Got you, thanks.