Wing Sauce and Kit
- The Anchor Bar is the birthplace of the Buffalo-style chicken wing, and sells kits for making either regular hot wings or wings with bleu cheese, not to mention mild, regular, “hotter” and “suicidal” hot sauces. Here’s Anchor Bar’s own recipe for wings:
• 2-1/2 lb. fresh chicken wings (12-16 whole wings)
• 1/2 cup Original Anchor Bar Sauce
If preferred, split each wing at the joint, pat dry. Deep fry at 350° for 10 to 12 minutes, or bake at 425° for 45 minutes, until completely cooked and crispy; drain. Put in a bowl, add sauce and toss until the wings are completely covered. Serve with bleu cheese and celery.
Places to get a sit-down taste of Buffalo’s tangy namesake cusine include of course, Anchor Bar. www.anchorbar.com
Stuffed Buffalo
- While there is disagreement over how the city of Buffalo came to be named for big, shaggy American range animals that didn’t live in the area, the city has long since adopted them as an unofficial mascot. A hand-size, plush, stuffed Buffalo serves as a fun reminder of visits to Buffalo and, although none are actually made in Buffalo, stuffed buffalo or bison are available from two out-of-state suppliers Snohomish, Wash.-based This Place Is a Zoo or Berlin, Wis.-based Becca’s Workshop. www.thisplaceisazoo.com and http://berlinbear.com
Sponge Candy
- Gary and Sandy Whitt have been making sponge candy, a Buffalo specialty, for 22 years, and sell it for shipment via UPS from Ko-Ed Candies on Abbott Road in Buffalo. They describe sponge candy as “a succulent piece of candy with a center that tastes like molasses and a very unusual texture that is crisp at first and then melts away in your mouth. And of course, don’t forget the creamy blanket of very fine chocolate that covers the tasty inside.” The candy is available in milk or dark chocolate. Start with the half-pound box for yourself and add a three-pounder for everyone else. www.spongecandy.com
The Bills Store
- One thing’s for sure, Buffalo loves its NFL team, the Bills, and attendees can join the team with a stadium full of Bills paraphernalia. Items include jerseys, hats, t-shirts, fleece, sportswear, outerwear and throwback merchandise. www.buffalobillsproshop.com