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Hi, I am heading to Rochester, NY next week and was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on where to eat while there. We will be there for 4 days and are pretty open. The prospect of eating a garbage plate 4 days in a row, though while enticing, is probably not good for my arteries.

Thanks in advance.

Ah, home sweet home. Don't get back as often as I should, but I should be able to help out if you can tell me (a) where you'll be staying and (b) what kind of transportation you'll have at your disposal. Also, any preferences in terms of price, cuisine, etc.?

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Gypsy Boy

“How can a nation be called great if its bread tastes like kleenex?” (Julia Child)

We are staying at a hotel downtown and will be driving so transportation is not much of an issue. I would say that cheaper is better for the majority, but one or two nicer dinners would be good. No preference as far as cuisine, although things characteristic of the region would be good but not required.

Here's a list, emphasis on "a", not "the". Just remember: you're in Rochester. More than one restaurateur with skills, talent, and ambition has foundered on what one might call the provincial tastes of the local populace. (I can say that: it was home and I have lots and lots of family still there!)

Max of Eastman Place
25 Gibbs Street
(585) 697-0491
High-end "continental" with prices (and quality) to match (possibly the best place in town)
menu

Ristorante Lucano
1815 East Avenue
(585) 244-3460
Don't let the strip mall location (or the interior) fool you; solid Italian
dinner menu

Chen Garden
1750 Monroe Avenue
(585) 241-3070
menu

Bacco's Ristorante
Go back to the 50s in this old house with surprisingly good fare
263 Park Ave
(585) 442-5090
no website

Sinbad's Mediterranean Cuisine
719 Park Avenue
(585) 473-5655
no website
Solid, if not outstanding, Lebanese place

Tony D's
288 Exchange Boulevard
(585) 340 6200
OR
Rocco's
165 Monroe Avenue
(585) 454-3510
Get your pizza fix, both have their champions... Tony D's may have the edge

Pomodoro
1290 University Ave
(585) 271-5000
menu
Casual, comfy, relaxing; good (keeping in mind you're in Rochester)
(NOT visible from the street, watch for the sign; it's way around the back)

If you're still with me: Abbott's Custard. A Rochester institution.
Multiple locations. Check the phone book or talk to your concierge.

Good luck! (Report back, too. An update would be great--as would new discoveries!)

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Gypsy Boy

“How can a nation be called great if its bread tastes like kleenex?” (Julia Child)

I left Rochester after high school so my suggestions are based on my palate and wallet at the time:

1. Don's Original (formerly Don & Bob's) for a cheeseburger on a hard roll.

2545 Monroe Ave
Rochester, NY

2. Abbott's frozen custard: several locations as mentioned upthread.

3. Rocky's: tiny old-school Italian place that serves lunch until they run out. Simple red sauce Italian, excellent bread, cheap wine. My first stop when I return home for Christmas each year.

190 Jay St
Rochester, NY 14608
(585) 232-9717

4. White Hot Dog: Not sure where to get this, I used to go to Zab's, which is now gone I believe. But this is, as I'm sure you know, a Rochester kind of food (as I found out when I moved away and was no longer asked "red or white?" when ordering a hot dog).

Oh jeez. Don & Bob's. Another lifetime. Brighton?

And white hots. Of course.

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Gypsy Boy

“How can a nation be called great if its bread tastes like kleenex?” (Julia Child)

I will second Abbott's Custard.

I don't think Rochester has all that bad food. I always have fun at California Rollin' which is basically Americanized sushi. Not for the purist, for sure, but I've enjoyed the unusual menu items there. http://www.californiarollin.com/

I also always bring back Rochester food whenever I go to visit my family. Red hots and White Hots and Boss Sauce. My friend who used to live in Chicago also lived in Rochester during the 90's. He would always have me bring him back a case of Gennesee Cream Ale. I'm not a huge fan personally.

Strained only through the finest horses. Molson is a much better choice in Rochester. (From an '83 Eastman grad).

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trpt2345