Going To Bills Training Camp? Try A Garbage Plate

Buffalo Bills fans across Western New York are gearing up to head to training camp when it kicks off Wednesday, July 24th and wraps up August 8th at St. John Fisher University, just outside of Rochester, New York. 

If you manage to score a ticket to one of their 10 practices open to the public, you’ve got to make sure you schedule some extra time in the Rochester area  for one very important thing…

After all, catching your favorite team in action before the season starts is a perfect excuse to treat yourself to an iconic Rochester meal that you might not get to have very often.

READ MORE: Buffalo Bills Training Camp FAQ

You Need To Try The Infamous Rochester “Garbage Plate”

We’re positive that you’ve likely heard of the popular “plate,” and there are some scattered across restaurant menus here in the Buffalo area. However, we get that it’s not exactly the first thing you’d order, considering the plethora of mouth-watering delicacies here in the 716 (wings, pizza, beef on weck, you catch our drift). 

So just in case you’ve forgotten or aren’t that familiar, let’s break down what makes up the famous “garbage plate.” 

What Is A Garbage Plate?

To be an authentic Rochester “garbage plate,” it must consist of these four basic ingredients. 

•  PROTEIN

Your typical plate base consists of a  burger patty or a hot dog. If you’re going to a restaurant in Rochester, they’ll ask you if you want a “white hot” (uncured and unsmoked pork, beef, and veal)  or a “red hot” (beef and pork with red dye). Neither is a wrong answer; both are delicious, and it all depends on your preference. 

Yes, you can find places that will substitute the standards with things like grilled chicken or tofu, but a burger and dog are the OGs of the “garbage plate.”

• POTATOES

Home fries are the standard starch on a plate. French fries are also a common order, but I personally consider that kind of “boujee.”

• SIDES

Honestly, a “side” of a plate is never really a side. The goal is to be able to mix everything together for an amazing mash of deliciousness - but the typical “side” order is traditional mayonnaise-based macaroni salad, and/or baked beans. Getting both is never frowned upon, and often encouraged, 

• TOPPINGS

Spicy meat sauce, chopped onion, ketchup, and mustard are all acceptable toppings - again, all are amazing, and no one will judge you if you choose to slather your plate with each one. 

The Original “Garbage Plate”

As a disclaimer, you’ll likely see the words “trash plate” or just “plate” when this delicacy is listed on menus around Western New York. That’s because the official  “garbage plate” (yes, it’s trademarked) is only served at  Nick Tahou’s Hots in downtown Rochester, New York. Not only are they the inventors and trademark-ers of the famous dish, but they are indisputably the best. 

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Here’s Where To Get A Garbage Plate Near Bills Training Camp

That being said, some great places close to Buffalo Bills training camp come pretty darn close. 

If you’re making the trip to St. John Fisher for Bills training camp, here are five spots nearby that make a solid “garbage,” “trash,” or whatever you wanna call it - plate.