Chili and more at The Gourmet Store
The recipe for the Gourmet Store’s signature Contradiction Chili isn’t quite as well guarded as, say, the formula for Coca-Cola or the whereabouts of the Holy Grail, but it really ought to be.
The chili comes on strong and fast and hot and, just when you’re about to reach for the ice water, mellows and reveals a sweet savoriness that’s not too hot at all. Not one bit. It’s like magic.
Thursday – today – is Chili Day at the Gourmet Store (Tuesdays too).
That should be reason enough to scrap whatever other lunch plans you have today, but the chili is only one of the many unique offerings at this popular downtown lunch stop that compels the loyal clientele to come again and again and again.
“Our specialty is good food fast,” says owner Martin Safford-Cameron.
Located in the beautiful atrium of downtown’s Olympic Towers building (300 pearl St.), The Gourmet Store is one of those best-kept-secrets destinations – hundreds of people probably walk by the building every day and have no idea that just a few feet from the sidewalk is one of the most unique lunch spots in downtown Buffalo. If only they knew what they were missing.
On a recent visit, with fellow truth seeker Dave Staba, we lunched on the signature chili, along with a great glazed chicken dish, served with sweet potatoes and salad (one of several specials on the menu that day). We finished the meal off with cookies. The food was hot and fresh and it took less than 10 minutes to get to the table from the time we ordered.
The Gourmet Store’s “dining room” is arguably one the most unique in town. Tables are situated throughout the atrium of the Olympic Towers, the office building next to the convention center. The remains of the old YMCA building (razed to make room for the convention center) make up one wall of the space. The high ceilings and glass walls create the effect of being outdoors. This is probably the best place to go in the dead of winter when you miss the simple pleasure of eating lunch outside.
Martin, also a darn good fiddle player, known for standing on bars while playing Fiddler on the Roof with his band Refer To Manual, took over the Gourmet Store from previous owner Geno Principe, who left to open Delaware Avenue’s The Mansion. The two still maintain a close friendship and Martin often recruits mansion personnel for his many catering gigs.
The gourmet store is open Mon.-Fri. from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. and offers several different specials daily. Delivery is available and they also cater. For more info call 855-1970.
You know I never realized how nice the inside of that lobby really is. Not working near there I rarely go.I will ake a point of stopping in to try it out.
Used to work in the building. The Gourmet Store is the best place for lunch downtown. The food is phenomenal, the smell will "get you in" upon entry into the building. And yes, the Chili kicks butt.
The ymca building is actually quite right there. Not razed at all and the atrium is the bridge between it and the new infill building that now houses the bankruptcy court which is most fitting because the project developers in the 80's certainly had that experience.
Excellent salads at The Gourmet Store. One of the best in town.
This is a perfect example of one of the hidden lunch spots in downtown Buffalo - everything is always done well - their regular salads, daily chicken specials, and they have some of the best homemade salad dressing! I love eating here !
Easily the best lunch spot in downtown, arguably the world!!! Healthy yet delicious, fast yet never resembling so, Cheap yet Oliver's quality, I can't say enough. The service is impeccable. I go here 3-4 times a week and am never disappointed.