Scarf for Scharf's

mmmmm German food...

This is cool, I heard they were closing but glad it's not set in stone just yet. It would be great having a cash mob type thing and highlight many of the restaurants on the outskirts that could use some attention, on the East and South side that don't get posted about very often.

Surprised to see an article on Scharf's appear so late.

Anyhow, a big problem is their out-of-the-way "corner tavern" location in the troubled Schiller Park neighborhood. They've looked at relocating, but in the 'burbs. Although most of their customers are probably not the kind to venture frequently into Elmwood Village, a move beyond the city line won't necessarily be their savior. Wurzburger Hof moved from Bailey Avenue in Kensington to Genesee Street in Cheektowaga in the early 1990s, and closed down for good just a couple of years later. Many older diners in Buffalo believe that the quality of a restaurant always goes downhill after a move or remodel, even if the recipes, preparation, staff and equipment are the same.

That being said, maybe a move to a more prosperous city neighborhood might be in order. They might lose some of their traditional customer base, but they would probably be among those that believe any move is bad.

I grew up three blocks from here, and when I heard about it closing it really got to me. The reasons previously mentioned for it closing are obvious - it's on a dead end street (South Crossman) which is off of Heminway which itself is an isolated street.

The comments about the neighborhood are true too, trust me I lived there for 22 years and my family still does.

I'm surprised they've lasted as long as they have.

That being said, best of luck to Scharf's whatever happens and I will head there at some point for some sausage and to spend a few dollars.

Thanks BR for covering what is a truly forgotten and under-covered part of Buffalo.

The first time I was at Scharfs was about 30 years ago when the News ran a restaurant review on it. The place was packed for months. It was my first experience with a Weiss beer. I still go down there once in a while to eat and although the neighborhood has declined I have never felt unsafe. I think people should post their positive impressions here.
In fact BR should do a food review...They have awesome potato pancakes and sauerbraten.

I think the ground floor of the great building that's being rehabbed at the corner of Breckenridge & Niagara would be a great location for Sharf's to relocate. Forgive me in advance for pointing out that the corner lot opposite is empty, so there would be ample parking. Bill Breeser is rehabbing that building, and the caveat is I don't know if he already has a tenant for the first floor. But it wouldn't hurt for someone to inquire...

That would put, in the space of a few blocks on Niagara: one of Buffalo's favorite Italian restaurants (Santasiero's), German restaurants (Sharf's), and two other great eating spots (Boomerang's and Marco's). Would be a great thing for an up-and-coming part of Niagara Street!

As my parents tell it, Scharf's was the first restaurant that they took me to as a baby, and we've gone with some regularity ever since. It's a great restaurant with delicious German food (liver dumpling soup anyone?) and it would be a blow to the few remaining vestiges of the German population that had lived in the area.

the owner really needs to get a food truck ! he allready has the comissary neccesary to do so ! might have to put up a garage to park the truck in . think about it , less staff, less liability ins. less dissability , less work ?,more money in his pocket!live upstairs from former resaurant ,prep food in morning ,serve food from 11 til 7 go home, clean out truck ,go to bed, get up and do it all over again !if that is what you want to do or all you know how to do ,then it will be easy !i think he would make a killing !!! def. has the recipies. 50 k to set up a truck ? im in with half !SCHSRF'S ON WHEELS "THE ONLY REAL GERMAN FOOD IN BUFFALO" park at larkinville one day a week{ wednedays}parkpark near ball park on gamedays,pak near thusdays at canale ,park near any event where people are !like the guy who invented the viberator said, you make it and they will come !good luck, let me know if you need a partner !

hey townline , put up or shut up, im offering 25 k to invest !!!

Apparently, they "have an offer" to move somewhere else. The Clarence IDA also wants to lure them out to sprawltown.

http://www.buffalonews.com/city/communities/clarence/article956587.ece