Over the summer,  my friend Barb, originally from the area, but now living in New England,  came for a visit.  When I asked what she wanted to do while she was here, she said "Eat! I want  all the great food I haven't had in forever!"  We started with lunch at Ted's on Sheridan Drive.  She ordered a foot long hot dog with everything, a large order of fries ("You should get onion rings.") and a large loganberry.  Barb is 5'7, and has never weighed more than 120 pounds. She has to explain to people that she "suffers" from an over-active thyroid. " I have to drink a milkshake every night, just to keep  weight on!"  Barb never receives sympathy for her condition.  Mostly people just want to scratch her eyes out.

Barb ate everything at Ted's,  including most of my onion rings.  She drank down her extra side of hot sauce and said. "Wow. this is sooo good.  We don't have good hot dogs where I live, and can you believe they have never heard of loganberry?"




On our way out, Barb squealed loudly and pointed. "Is that Paula's Donuts?"  I explained that the popular donut shop had relocated to Tonawanda.  "We have to go there right now!" she exclaimed and jumped into the car for the quick drive across the street.  Paula's as usual was packed, which gave her a chance to exclaim over everything.  "Oh wow, a red velvet donut, I just have to try that, and of course the peanut sticks, and the....... . How many should we get?" she asked.  "We didn't have dessert. I'll get us a box."  On our way out to the car, I nodded down the street, and joked, "Hey look. Anderson's is right there.  Maybe we can wash all this down with a beef on weck!"  "Oooh, that sounds good!" she scrubbed the confectioners sugar off her chin. "Let's go there for dinner!"


A few days later, Barb headed home.  Her car was packed with boxes and coolers.  Her haul included Platters chocolate, Watson's sponge candy, Frank's hot sauce, Weber's horseradish mustard and dill pickle relish. She had Sahlens hot dogs and  chicken wings from Duff's.  Another box had Wegmans fruit spread, biscotti from Dicamillo's, Chef's spaghetti sauce, and a spatula in the shape of a Buffalo.  I had gained five pounds and Barb had lost three. ("it was all that walking!" she complained)  We'd had a great visit and both of us were reminded about how much good food there is to be had in WNY.