A Sports Bar For A Sports Town
Seeing that Buffalo is such a big sports town, I'm always interested in finding the next best place (restaurant or bar) to catch a game. You would think that there would be more sports-dedicated bars downtown where mass crowds congregate to cheer on their favorite teams. Obviously that would mean that great bar food, flat screens, comfortable bar stools and fast service. I'm also a big fan of the bars and restaurants that can manage to stay busy while keeping the place clean. I was recently chatting with Tri Lam, friend & owner of one of my favorite restaurants in the city – Papaya, when the subject of cleanliness in the industry came up. He asked me which restaurant in WNY, do I think, has the cleanest kitchen, dining & bar area. Before I could guess he pointed across the street to Bada Bing Bar and Grill and said, “Let’s go.”
It was Sunday night and the minute we walked in I felt a great energy. The place was packed with patrons watching football [and other sports] on their 13 flat screen TVs. I was so stoked to know there is a cool place, in the city – on a Sunday and Monday nonetheless, that you can go and watch a game. Tri introduced me to Andy D’Aloisio [Owner/Operator], Dominic [Kitchen Guru], “Big” Al [Bartender Extraordinaire - photo] and Gina [Bartendress de caliente - photo].
Without a doubt Bada Bing IS one of the cleanest businesses I have ever been to. The décor is very cool, from the Leg-Lamp [a must see replica as seen in “A Christmas Story”], bar lighting, to the wild new-age paint job on the walls. It has a clean inviting feel that welcomes you the moment you walk in. Andy showed me into the kitchen in which he had no time to prep because my visit was unexpected. I have not been in many restaurant kitchens - Bada Bing’s is spotless. It is said that the minute Bada Bing closes it is in 'cleaning mode' until the minute they open for business the next day- I believe it.
OK, so how is the food? Those that know me know that I rarely do restaurant reviews and even if I do – have no issues speaking my mind [remember the chophouse quasi-bash comment not too long ago?]. Dominic’s protégé Nash cooked me up a sample of some of the best stuffed hot peppers I have ever had- the wings were killer, meatballs were mighty tasty [I’m half Italian and very picky about my red sauce!] – And I really thought the sausage had an old-school, authentic Italian taste. I asked Gina what some of the other fan favorites are. She said “The Bing”, “The Bada Bacon Burger”, and “The Antonio” are very popular as well. Al told me that you will rarely wait more than 10-15 minutes during lunch for your order [they cater as well]. The Bing opens at 11am Monday thru Saturday- that’s a huge plus for us 9-5 working stiffs who like to take lunch at 1130! Trust me when I say you will not be disappointed with the food or atmosphere.
Bada Bing has 5 bottles of beer [bucket] for $10 during games, DJs on Friday and Saturday Nights and a Monday-Friday Happy Hour special 4pm-7pm 2-4-1 domestic bottles and well drinks.
Don’t be intimidated by the monster stickers on the windows of the dude that looks like he wants to kick your ass- Bada Bing is filled with really nice passionate people who take their jobs seriously. The Bartenders are sweet, the food is killer, and the bathrooms are spotless. What else can you freakin’ ask for?
Bada Bing Bar and Grill. 115 West Chippewa. Buffalo NY, 14202. Open 7 days a week – Mon – Sat 11am to ? and Sunday 12 noon to ?
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Comment Options
halljd39
Who ever wrote this great article, never put their name on it....who wrote it?
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Sexy_Beast
It's funny that downtown Buffalo doesn't have any big league sports bars. Ever since the plug was pulled on Network fans have had to scramble to smaller pubs. Would a big sports bar work? I don't know. Why did Network close? Did people just get over it?
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Gioia
I just love trashy bar pictures. Too bad they didn't show anything in the photo that they talk about in the article...
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dougk
great...another joint on chippewa serving grease on on bun and beer in buckets to wash it down...i'd prefer a sharp stick in my eye!
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dougk
great...another joint on chippewa serving grease on on bun and beer in buckets to wash it down and tv's keeping he rubes entertained...i'd prefer a sharp stick in my eye!
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Perry
Wasn't this the establishment who's employees beat up the Days Park volunteer guy?
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flyguy
Not to mention their bartenders...yummy...lol
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flyguy
I wouldnt be surprised Perry if that was the place. Its got a vibe about it that very much is represented by their insignia. Either way yummy bartener-esses
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bradon
THE SERVICE SUCKS!!! 35 minutes to bring a simple cheeseburger and fries, and a plate of chicken fingers. I now know that the cook is probably too afraid of dirtying the kitchen that he takes his time on the food prep. I could understand the wait if the food was phenomenal, but it was mediocre and barely warm. To their credit they comped us a free drink ($10.00) due to our complaints. On the second visit, service was the same so we left after waiting for our food for over 25 minutes.
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rpmcmurphy
any decent beers on tap or bottle?
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gaustad
One thing I always enjoyed living outside of Buffalo for nearly 15 years was watching footbal on sunday.
Sunday afternoons were more fun that going out on Sat. night. As a matter of fact, I used to stay in on Sat. night to save up for beering and wenching at a sports bar on Sunday.
This does not happen in down town buffalo because we have no TRANSPLANTS. Everyone here is a Bills or a Sabres fan and can usually watch the games at home.
Nonetheless, there has to be at least one sports bar downtown on Sun or Mon to go watch football.
This is a good way to market Bada Bing!
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gaustad
By the way - Gina the bartender is SMOKIN
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icecreamsub
is their place on Forest ave. still open? Along with Hutch's, that was always my favorite spot to stop for a drink after the theatre.
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coolrobc
Sweet jeebus!
home-girl either needs to drop the fake tan, or find a foundation that matches it. Yikes!
I recommend the former over the latter.
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stephenjames716
I haven't been to the bing yet, but I have heard nothing but good things from those that have.
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flyguy
The Forest location near BuffState closed when Chippewa opened.
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RonR
coolrobc - Her foundation and tan was the LAST think I was looking at. :)
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philhoneycutt
I haven't been to the bing yet, but I have heard nothing but good things from those that have.
Jimmy Ertel might have a bad thing or two to say as he was beat up just for having the temerity to go into the Bing and ask for change: http://www.buffalorising.com/story/jimmy_knows_community_ownershi
coolrobc - Her foundation and tan was the LAST think I was looking at. :)
Yeah - but they're probably fake as well...
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Perry
Yeah, I thought that was the place (that beat up that Jimmy guy when he asked for change for the bus). Check that off as a place I'll never go visit. More Jimmy, less Soprano's wanna-be's.
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vgs
Its great, no it sucks, its clean no wait it sucks, they are nice and passionate no wait the beat the shit out of people. Gotta love BR.
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tommyBluez
One of the owners is a customer of my company, he's a pompous ass. He treats the women here like shit when he comes in. He's an arrogant, ignorant jerk. I'd try the place, except, I don't want even a dime of my money going to him.
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tommyBluez
Oh, and WTF is with that woman... it looks like Jaundice has set in. Girl, go to any MAC counter, they'll show you how to match your makeup to your body for free!
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Frankenberry
My boyfriend and I went there a while back and had horrible service. There were only 5 people in the whole joint and only 3 out of those 5 were sitting at the bar. My boyfriend and I sat at the bar for 10 minutes and were completely ignored by the scantily clad bar matron who felt that neither of us were worth her time. We walked out without buying any food or drink and have not gone back since. I do not recommend this place to anyone. And if what people are saying is true that this was the place that beat up that poor Days Park volunteer then I will most certainly NEVER GO THERE AGAIN!!! All I can say is shame on them. If you want good food and fast service where people will not ignore you I recommend the place right across the street Salsarita's. They might not be a sports bar but Bada Bing's is not worth the trouble.
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Denizen
She kinda looks like a drag queen, IMHO.
And, I remember the old 'bing when it was on Forest. It was a frat-infested shithole where all sorts of skeezy people would go to rendezvous with their dealer for a bag of shitty blow. I rarely set foot in there then and I most certainly won't check out their new digs.
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SLEEPL8
Dear BRO,
I think the little pictures next to our usernames should be our own pictures. I would like to see the pictures of the beautiful people hurling insults at the bar tender. I am guessing that you superficial pricks aren't much to look at either.
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TheJokester
I thought she was wearing a body duit that had a turtleneck. whew, guess I was wrong.
And the Jimmy guy was from Johnson Park. To bad the kid had to be assalted like that. From what I hear the other guy came from across the street to help beat him up. Was it anyone from Papaya?
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WeLovePanos
you people are pretty pompous and arrogant yourselves... and Im sure you all look like supermodels... with flapjacks and hairy asses!
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icecreamsub
Not usually my style to be critical of an establishment I've never been to but..........is it really going out on limb by guessing that any place called Bada Bing is going to suck? I think I would break out in hives just entering a place like this. This has uber-macho guido jerk written all over it. At least the upscale guidos at Prespa have some class. It harkens me back to my highschool days back in the 80's, dodging those testosterone filled losers on Hertel ave.
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RisingDamp666
How can you open a place called "Bada Bing Bar and Grille" and not have strippers? "Ma Fangool!"
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benfranklin
For those that went to the Elvis Costello show a few weeks back, he mentioned on stage what sounded like 'going to the Bada Bing' for tea. I couldn't quite envision Elvis there, or tea being served. A few days later while in a Niagara Falls coffee shop, I read on the counter "Elvis was here". The coffee shop's name... Bada Bean. Apparently he drove up to the falls, by himself, the day he played at the 'Knox'. He was definately off the tourist track to make it to this coffee shop. He spoke to the owners for a bit, and only mentioned to them that he 'played guitar in a band.'
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Martin
Hmmm. from the comments I can see why the kitchen is so clean, rarely is food prepared/leaves it.
Never been myself cause the "Chip Strip" scares the hell outa me. The crowd seems pretty rough and rowdy, not to mention the fact that the street single handedly controls B district cops on the weekend. I guess it works for the younger crowd though.
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HelloKitty
This article should have the words "The following is a paid advertisement" in small letters at the top, because that's basicaly what it is.
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andalu13
wow do we have some passionate people here ... lol ... i guess i didn't do a good enough job conveying my thoughts on paper [and i'm not much of a public speaker either ...i almost failed dale carnegie...lol] ... ummm ... i went to a bar/grille in the city... on a sunday nite at about 7pm and watched some football ...the bar was incredibly clean ...the food was really good ... the place was packed ...and the people were nice to me ... prior to me deciding to write the article i never met the owner ...i didn't get paid by anyone to write the article [and honestly, when i told the owner that i wanted to write an article about his establishment, he asked me if i could get him some names of people to talk to about advertising on the site....something that a majority of people do not do after i interview them for an article]--it was just nice to see a downtown establishment crowded on a sunday .... i guess i'm just open minded enough not to worry about perception when i go somewhere new. i do love the enthusiasm and maybe the owner will take some of the info here and improve his operation. i hesitated writing a comment here but i guess felt the need to justify myself after some of the people were saying negative things about the bartender ...she is a nice girl ...and doesn't have a bad complexion...lol...my camera is kinda cheap...i actually took a few shots of the bar [and the people], but there was not enough lighting...my bad..... while i am rambling here- i never heard the story of the guy that supposedly was beat up ....that's unfortunate if it is true ... and now i am compelled to investigate ....but... until i hear the story from both sides - i do not have an opinion. didn't think this article would evoke so much emotion --i kinda like --- cya ----J
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WeLovePanos
Maybe you should go to Prespa, oh thats right theyre all on heroin and it is closing, or your beloved Bettys, oh wait the service sucks, or Spot, oh wait I dont want a nose ring dropping in my salad... Get a grip peeps
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platt4
We- are you a full time A-hole or just when you visit BRO? My guess is the former.
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