Buffalo Rising Online

There are few things more “Buffalo” than a Friday Night Fish Fry. Every family-style restaurant has one, and every Buffalonian has their favorite. The Hamlin House, located in the circa 1865 Italiante style building at 432 Franklin Street is known for having one of the best, and the restaurant itself is considered one of Allentown’s best kept secrets. This is surprising, considering that the Hamlin House’s fish fry has won two “Best of Buffalo” Artvoice Awards and one from Buffalo Spree.

Troop I Post 665 of The American Legion has owned and occupied this building since 1935. The organization still runs the bar which is only open during the weekdays and on Friday nights when its stools and the chairs in the dining room quickly fill with one of the most diverse crowds you’re likely to find in Western New York. Legion members, lawyers and secretaries from Franklin (also known as Lawyer’s Row), doctors from the Medical Corridor, Allentown residents and those in the know ha…