Tag: Gourmet on a Shoestring
wednesday march 26th 2008
Gourmet on a Shoestring: Vargas Take Out
I had never heard of Vargas before I started writing this column. I imagine I may have walked by it while out and about and not have given it a second glance. Had that been the case, I would have missed out on some very good, authentic Puerto Rican food. For those of you that feel Anthony Bourdain should come to Buffalo, I think this would be his kind of place. It lacks pretense and glitz; it is, quite simply, a good place for a quick and delicious meal.
The Saturday before Easter I stopped in for lunch. I was excited to try the octopus and plantains; this meal will only set you back $9, but it is sadly only available on Fridays. That's alright because now I have an excuse to return Friday during my lunch hour.
Vargas Take Out is not for the vegetarian, they specialize in meat-centric Puerto Rican street food. I sampled some of their famous pork (pernil), which came with roasted purple and white p…
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wednesday february 20th 2008
Gourmet on a Shoestring: The Lexington Co-op
Finding an inexpensive lunch in Buffalo is an easy stroll down Main Street. You can smell the hot dogs cooking, or pop into one of the local sandwich shops for a lunch special. But where do those with discerning palates on a shoestring budget go for dinner?
The Lexington Co-op offers not only fresh, organic produce, dairy and meats; they also have an incredible selection of prepared foods ranging from sandwiches and pizza to sushi. For around $8 you can have a fresh and unique meal on the go.
The real draw that pulls me back to the Co-op a couple times a week is their hot bar. For only $6.99 per pound, customers have an ever-changing selection of meal options. On any given day, the hot bar may include dishes that are Asian, Indian or All-American. Most have a gourmet sensibility, and there are always vegetarian and vegan-friendly options as well. Chef Joe George, the new pr…
