I'm always on the hunt for new diners to try. In my travels around town, I have discovered some reliable standbys such as Amy's Place on Main Street, Nick's on Amherst Street and Riverview on Niagara. There's nothing better than waking up late on a Saturday morning, throwing on an old sweatshirt and heading out for coffee, a 2-2-2, and a big glass of OJ. Now there's another diner-style restaurant to add to the list of favorites. Trina's Family Restaurant is situated within eyesight (well, just about) of the Larkin District and the Central Terminal.
The first thing that we noticed upon pulling up to Trina's was the 'Welcome to Clinton Bailey Community' banners hanging on the lamp standards. Then we saw the old brick side street, where we pulled over to park. I was surprised to learn that until Trina's opened, the blue collar neighborhood did not have a diner in its midst. Upon speaking to the owner, Trina Kidder, she told me that she grew up nearby and recognized the absence of a casual eatery serving good food and coffee at reasonable prices. When I mention reasonable, I'm not kidding. Two of us ate full breakfasts with coffee and sides of sourdough toast, and the total bill came to $12.
You would think that with such low prices, the place would be a dump. Fortunately it's the exact opposite. The building that Trina bought for the eatery was, at one time, on the City's auction list. It was a total wreck - literally falling down. But that didn't stop her from investing in what is now a very handsome interior, with an exterior befitting the surroundings. The diner is charming, featuring a good mix of comfortable booths, two-tops and old school diner stools. Trina's is a 100% family-run business, which adds to the overall charm. There is an extensive breakfast selection, a ton of lunch options, and a number of dinner choices ranging from spaghetti and meatballs to the New York strip steak. There's not a lot that Trina has missed on the menu - fish fries, nacho platters, deep fried pickles, souvlaki salad, hamburgers, veggie wrap, melts, subs, clubs, omelets, breakfast sandwiches, chili, soups and everything in-between.
Trina's features daily specials - the place is open seven days a week, thanks to the size of the family running it. I guess when you have nine kids, there's plenty of help to go around. The service is speedy and the food is a few steps above your everyday diner - for those of you who love the diner atmosphere, but can't handle the grease, be sure to try this place out. It's not on Elmwood or Hertel and that adds to the charm, especially since there is a new generation of Buffalonian explorers looking for obscure restaurants that evoke the historic industrial nature of this city... that's an entirely different kind of grit.
Trina's Family Restaurant
1373 Clinton Street
Buffalo NY
716-783-8373
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The first thing that we noticed upon pulling up to Trina's was the 'Welcome to Clinton Bailey Community' banners hanging on the lamp standards. Then we saw the old brick side street, where we pulled over to park. I was surprised to learn that until Trina's opened, the blue collar neighborhood did not have a diner in its midst. Upon speaking to the owner, Trina Kidder, she told me that she grew up nearby and recognized the absence of a casual eatery serving good food and coffee at reasonable prices. When I mention reasonable, I'm not kidding. Two of us ate full breakfasts with coffee and sides of sourdough toast, and the total bill came to $12.
You would think that with such low prices, the place would be a dump. Fortunately it's the exact opposite. The building that Trina bought for the eatery was, at one time, on the City's auction list. It was a total wreck - literally falling down. But that didn't stop her from investing in what is now a very handsome interior, with an exterior befitting the surroundings. The diner is charming, featuring a good mix of comfortable booths, two-tops and old school diner stools. Trina's is a 100% family-run business, which adds to the overall charm. There is an extensive breakfast selection, a ton of lunch options, and a number of dinner choices ranging from spaghetti and meatballs to the New York strip steak. There's not a lot that Trina has missed on the menu - fish fries, nacho platters, deep fried pickles, souvlaki salad, hamburgers, veggie wrap, melts, subs, clubs, omelets, breakfast sandwiches, chili, soups and everything in-between.Trina's features daily specials - the place is open seven days a week, thanks to the size of the family running it. I guess when you have nine kids, there's plenty of help to go around. The service is speedy and the food is a few steps above your everyday diner - for those of you who love the diner atmosphere, but can't handle the grease, be sure to try this place out. It's not on Elmwood or Hertel and that adds to the charm, especially since there is a new generation of Buffalonian explorers looking for obscure restaurants that evoke the historic industrial nature of this city... that's an entirely different kind of grit.
Trina's Family Restaurant
1373 Clinton Street
Buffalo NY
716-783-8373
Thanks, Q!
Your comments make me want to head over there ASAP.
Establishments like Trina's are the pulse of the City and the way Trina crafted it into being is a great page in our book. We need more like her and leave behind the notion that it's the corporate chains who hold the keys to our redemption.
Long may she thrive and prosper!