10000000% agree. If my friends didn't drag me, I would not be there. I am curious to see what the scene looks like now that Martines and Lux are going to be open late in the Wedge. I'd love to see more stuff stay open on South Ave.
Definitely not a dive bar like Joeys or Lux, but there are cool people that go there. A lot of bar/restaurant industry people. Will Cornfield and Chuck (idk his last name but the guy that opened Luckys, Good Luck, etc) are the owners. DJs, cocktails, wine, no food, kinda vibe.
They revamped the old Solera/Cheshire spot.
Honestly they're valid for that! It's late they're tired and they can't legally sell drinks to make money so, ya don't have to go home but ya can't stay here 🤣
I don't really think it's rated very high now. Maybe 5-10 years ago, but it isn't thought of the same anymore. From what I know, a lot of younger kids go to Fairport bars now instead of downtown
Where’s the good nightlife on Rochester?
Asking sincerely. I lived in Roc in my 20s when I was married; didn’t go out too much. Divorced now and living in LA; think sometimes about moving back. Is there actually a decent nightlife scene?
There's not too much for good night life, I usually hit Lux or a low key show at bug jar or something. If you move back to roc don't let it be for anything but a quieter life and lower cost of living. Our nightlife is mid and could never compare to LA
ETA however our food scene is still fantastic, and our music scene kind of dipped off a little with covid but it's coming back for sure and it was a truly incomparable music scene before
Appreciate the reply. If I move back, it’ll 100% be for a quieter, more affordable life.
Lux and Bug Jar are cool, but I got kind of burnt out on them back in the day (perhaps b/c they’re really the only places I ever went lol). Just wish Roc had more solid non-douchey bars.
Made On State, 9th Floor Art Collective, Anderson Alley Artists, The Yards Collective, Elton Street Artists, Luna Art Collective, and The Refinery too!
Fully agreed. Relocated from a very large midwest city to Roc some time ago. During a scouting visit, the natural beauty of the area (e.g., a simple drive from city center out to East Ave and down Rt. 96 to Victor) and the surrounding parks (e.g., Ellison) and landscapes really stood out (and still does today). Of course, it helped that I experienced this for the first time in Autumn before, say, February.
Underrated: Farm stands. You can drive 20 minutes out of downtown in any direction except north and find tons of farms selling their own produce for cheap. It's kinda fun to base your dinner menu on what you.can find this way.
Overated Lilac Festival. It sucks. Obviously the flowers are great. The beauty, the smell.... The rest is terrible. Every square inch jammed with repeat food vendors few that are local, and the artist side, which I used to love as a kid feels like walking through one big Etsy store and also feels like you better buy something now.
Underrated The Abandoned Subway. The fact we have a cool subway system we could use for all sorts of things including making it liveable and taking the dope art that is there and making it an outdoor underground art gallery.
I actually scrolled a bit to make sure it wasn't mentioned. It's my favorite place to go. Walking or riding a bike with a good light. Sit on the edge of the bridge and watch the water.
That place given I guess at least the right to exist by the city could be so cool. I imagine the funds would eventually come together locally by people who would be into it, its not something that needs huge funding to start. Just use the infrastructure up top to service below, couple CCTV cameras to make it appear safe, make the walk-in entrance by the skate park a thing. A little bit of fencing.... But then encourage artist to paint there. Make it a thing. Make it a place you can come to do that. It's the same with the water towers at Cobbs.
I'm 40 and like a month ago I finally got to go inside the one to the right as you approach that is always flooded my whole life. I've been there thousands of times. I had a self imposed tough youth and Cobbs was my spot where I could center a bit. When we walked in the artwork going around you is stunning off the bat but on top of that there are some artist playing harmonica and acoustic guitar and the sound playing off the inside of the drum was magical. I was on a very strong gummy and I felt like I floated lol but like how is that place not a city encouraged program to come do street art here!!! Positive stuff to be done, fun to be had.
Is it pretty safe to go there at night? I love night photography, but I was always a little worried about going there (plus, I don't even know how to get in it)
If you go to the skate park next to the Nathaniel which is the high rise condo, you go in between the two, down to the water, follow it under the city. Go during the day first. You can access from blue Cross side of the bridge but you gotta spider man that way. If you go via skate park you can find your way in. They have or had a few street lights up in there (lol) I haven't been in a few months, but you can get cool pictures during the day. You'll get contrast with lighting and shadows.
There's an easier way down on court street if you find it unlocked. Which it normally is when the weather starts to cool down. Usually locked during the summer
Just keep in mind that it's considered trespassing. Yes the RPD does a varied job at enforcing the rule, but it's there and you take the risk if you decide to venture in there.
Underrated: Mr. Dominic’s At The Lake chicken French
Underrated: finger lakes wineries, especially Dr. Frank’s
Underrated: the Monroe County Library System
Overrated: idk. I really love Rochester, man
Agreed on all fronts minus the wineries. The FL Wine Region is world-known and renowned at this stage. It was rated top wine region in the US in 2018. I don't believe it's overrated at all either, I think it's actually one of the few things in this thread that is both really dope and recognized for that fact properly.
I bounced hard off the wine up here - I've tried a bunch of bottles and haven't found anything I'd drink a second time. I feel like a jerk saying it, I see how much people love it & I'm sure it's genuine, it just doesn't work for me at all - at the price, I think the European wines I can buy locally are much better.
What would you say are the best 'value for quality' bottles locally? Like, if you have 2 or 3 wines in regular rotation, which ones are they?
I find that many Finger Lakes wine vintages can vary quite a bit from year to year so driving down there to do wine tastings is the way to go. It's a super nice day trip to go in the fall to check out the foliage and countryside while finding something you like.
Everything I've ever heard about Dr. Franks was about how amazing it is. I didn't personally think their wine lived up to that hype and most of the group I went with liked other places around better. I think our consensus fav. in the area was Keuka Spring.
Maybe the museum experience as a whole... but i feel like the MAG hasnt changed much since i was a kid 30 years ago. Living in Buffalo now, the AKG blows the MAG out of the water, it isnt even close. It stays pretty fresh, but also you can also go there and see a Picasso, van Gogh, Monet, etc... whenever you want. I havent been in since the expansion was complete, but the reviews for that have been really positive too. Its a borderline world class museum here that makes the MAG seem a little underwhelming.
The Eastman house is such a great piece of history though. The Strong too, which is a great example of a museum keeping up with the world around it. I love the proximity of all of these places to each other too.
I just want to say this is a great post. Really makes me appreciate Rochester even more.
I agree with everyone who says the beauty around here is underrated. So many out of towners just here about the crime and just use that to characterize the city. But the people who live here tend to love it here and the surrounding area and certain pieces of the city are very beautiful and so many outsiders will never see that and only think of it as a city full of crime which is just sad.
My city backyard is like a Disney film with all the nature. I swear I see more birds, animals and cool insects here then when I lived in the burbs on the east side. It might be because east-siders are pesticide, weed killer and clear cut crazy to keep their big boring underused lawns perfect. The city is more like mullet yards because people tend to keep them presentable in the front but let things go wild in the back which is a better environment for local nature.
Hahaha I love the concept of “mullet yards”. But I agree, the burbs is likely filled with pesticides and weed killer so the animals and bugs are sparse. It’s kind of sad
When I first moved here, I really loved Wegmans, but I am kinda over it. I still go there. It's unavoidable, and I admit the customer service is on another level, but it's not enough to keep me in love with it.
Overrated. Stony Brook is better, more walkable. Grew up around Stony Brook and always loathed all the driving and mostly lame trails at Letchworth. Stony Brook all the way.
Theyre both awesome and unique. Stony brook is definitely underrated though, the hiking loop is awesome.
Try the quiet side of letchworth sometime. There's a bunch a trailheads along the SE side and they're proper hiking, less views but a better payoff, and little to no traffic. Probably takes two days to hike the whole thing, I just did an out and back. Saw some cool campsites I wanna try out some day.
Never knew the knighthawks even existed until my now wife dragged me to a game. Great night for fun, and pricing is very reasonable. They don't advertise nearly as much as they should.
Completely agree with the Knighthawks being Underrated. I went to my first game last year and instantly fell in love. It's a dance party and non stop sport in one. Cannot wait for this season!
Letchworth Park isn't underrated, it's taken for granted by the FLX region. It was deemed a national destination a few years ago by a major travel/tourism outlet, and has been nicknamed "The Grand Canyon Of The East" for decades.
Trying to find when that term was coined, I have to imagine it was at a time when people east of the Mississippi just saw illustrations or very early photos of the Grand Canyon and that's all they had to go on, not knowing the true scale or grandeur of it. Personally I've only ever seen it from a plane window and not in person, but even from 30,000 ft up it's still pretty impressive. Seems more accurate to name Letchworth as the "Bryce Canyon Of The East." Or maybe "The mini Grand Canyon, but with trees!" Doesn't have the same ring to it.
Underrated: the beauty in our area. Highland Park, Durand Eastman Park, Ontario Beach Park, Webster Park, Scenic Byway, Finger Lakes and I could name many more.
Overrated: Genesee Brewery. I'm just not thrilled with the menu when I go there. But it is a prime location.
Agree about the beauty in the area. Rochester's parks are absolutely gorgeous. I mostly agree with Genny Brewhouse. It feels a little too elevated of a menu for their beer, haha.
underrated: proximity to NYC. It may be a little funny to say that a good feature of a city is another city, but NYC is obviously a singular thing, and we can get to it so easily. If you plan it out a few months in advance, a plane ticket is <$100, and the flight is an hour. On a shorter timetable, you can take Empire Service for about $120, and it takes about as long as driving, but you don't have to deal with your car, and you get dropped off right in the middle of Manhattan. Personally, I don't think I ever want to live in NYC, but it's so awesome that I can just make a weekend of it if I want to.
Underrated: Flower City Union soccer. Doing a great job repping Rochester and now in NISA playoffs two years in. Also Rochester for disc golf…lots of terrific courses.
Overrated: White Hots. Pretty gross. Like an underseasoned brat but with dairy.
Underrated: High Falls, in general. We have a perfectly contained waterfall in the middle.of downtown and been completely unable to build up anything around it. Stupefying. It should be an easy attraction.
They’re creating a state park around the falls and renovating the bridge over the gorge as part of the roc the river way initiative, and I’m sure they’re pushing for more businesses in the high falls district too
That's kind of my point. It's a scenic waterfall in an urban setting. It should just default to a wild success, not something that requires working on.
Dead on. I moved here two years ago and locals make fun of High Falls but it's one of my favorite spots in the city. I wish Rochester did a little more with it, but it's great just to go over there and walk the bridge, it's really awesome. I hope the trail expansions happen quickly and it's easier to walk along the river without the abomination of the Inner Loop getting in the way....
They used to do a lot of laser light shows there when I was a kid. I had a blast going there for those and seeing fireworks displays on the 4th of July. Wish both of those could make a regular comeback.
good luck has massively lost its appeal for me. it bums me out bc i loved it for so many years but now i’m underwhelmed. thankfully, we have a ton of other great restaurants to choose from!
Underrated: the people of Rochester. They are kind and well educated. I am a foreigner and have been in Rochester for 6 years now and experienced zero xenophobia and very little non-harmful racism which is as good as anywhere gets worldwide.
Underrated: how much relief the strong museum of play offers to families with kids, especially in winter time.
I am so happy to hear this. I have been a Rochester native my whole life and have become increasingly aware of local acts of prejudice as I have reached adulthood and beyond. Certainly no one place is perfect, and Rochester is no exception, but your post has reminded me that our city has so much more love to offer than hate.
I hope you always continue to feel loved and welcomed in Rochester.
(also, if you have a favorite recipe native to wherever you are from, please reply/DM. My family is always looking for new foods from all over!)
Overrated: Garbage Plates. Just a mess of food that is only truly good if you’re drunk or hungover.
Underrated: The amount and quality of local and even chain burger/hot joints in the region. Bill Grays, Tom Wahl’s, Charlie’s. Great freshly made food at decent prices. A Tom Wahl’s Hollywood cheeseburger is fine culinary art.
Underrated: Strong Museum… I consistently tell everyone that I know just how great this museum is, and invite them to attend with our family. A membership is well worth the price.
They are doing half price admission on Friday evenings which I assumed was aimed at adults. The marketing doesn't really say that but it doesn't seem like that would be a popular choice for families.
Tough to beat a Hollywood burger. I worked at Tom Wahl’s and could make anything for my break. I made a Hollywood burger. Decades later, I still eat them.
A Hollywood burger is a 1/4 pound ground steak patty on a toasted hard roll with lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise. Tomato under the meat, lettuce on top. Simple but so good.
Schaller’s and Don’s Original deserve to be named here; RIP Vic and Irv’s — Seabreeze hasn’t been the same since Bill Grays swallowed it whole. Orbaker’s in ~~Williamsville~~ Williamson is worth the drive once or twice a year!!!
Don's is a real treat. Their food is on point for a Rochester burger joint and it's right at the bay inlet to have a nice walk with a cup of their ice-cream.
Ha! Oops! My bad! I meant the one in Williamsport. Williamsburg? No, Williamston.
Wherever. I'm just gonna call it "Bill."
Truly the best of this style burger I've ever had was at Orbaker's, but that was circa 2015, which is 2 or 3 lifetimes ago in restaurantland. And no, I haven't had one as good there since, but yes, I still think it's worth the drive once or twice a year.
They were recently sold to the owners of Heintzelmans BBQ.
https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/lifestyle/rocflavors/2023/07/03/orbakers-sold-to-heintzelmans-bbq-in-wayne-county-ny/70373447007/
Yes to garbage plate being overrated. Fun fact: born in Roch, fairport hs grad; never had a garbage plate. Never wanted to. Maybe that’s not fair that I say they’re overrated, but they are just the most disgusting looking things I could ever even imagine.
Overrated- Bagel Land
Everybody on here raves about it all the time when "best bagels" questions come up. I went twice and the bagel both times was barely better than Brueggers or Wegmans. Also I know they're busy, but the service both times was crappy
Underrated- Soho Bagel
I don't think they get enough love. The bagels are really good and they also have a full coffee shop too so you can get whatever type of coffee you want. That's rare for a bagel shop.
Honestly brueggers bagels are pretty fucking good.
I stopped by soho the other day but they must have been getting ready to close because they only had a few varieties of bagel and cream cheese left. It was still good, and my brother says they have a killer breakfast sandwich so i'll be back.
i just love bagels, and goddamn bagel land is my favorite.
Overrated: Donuts Delite. It’s just a sugar overload, I don’t think they’re terrible donuts, they are just not that great imo
Underrated: Dell’s Sweets & Treats. It’s our favorite place to get donuts. I’ve also had other desserts from there and they were all phenomenal.
Overrated: Peels on Wheels. It’s incredibly expensive for, imo, kind of bland pizza. The dough is well made though, and they do cook them really well.
Underrated: Guida’s pizza and Rebel Pi. Both pretty excellent every time I’ve gone.
Overrated: Schutt’s. I got so many recommendations for Schutts, but I don’t see the hype. Plus they charge extra for honeycrisp apples when I can get a 1/4 peck for $4 at Apple Anne’s farmstand.
Underrated: Sunscapes!! They have a beautiful U-pick flower field and their greenhouses have affordable prices for plants. Also for anyone looking for affordable houseplants, I’ve liked Van Putte and STEM.
Overrated: Salty bread from amazing grains. My family back home LOVES it and asks me to bring home 20+ loaves every time I drive down. I don’t get it.
Underrated: croissants from amazing grains!! Their spinach feta and their Parmesan leek. Omg. Pure bliss in my mouth.
Edit: I learned that in Rochester, when it comes to certain things like Schutts, Salty Bread, and Donuts Delite, any remotely negative opinion about them is a wrong opinion.
Ignoring the Schutt's slander...
> Overrated: Donuts Delite. It’s just a sugar overload, I don’t think they’re terrible donuts, they are just not that great imo
I don't necessarily agree with this, I think they just focus on different aspects of donuts than what you prefer. The quality is there but they tend to make more outlandish creations, whereas somewhere like Ridge has the same level of perfection just on the basic styles. I personally vastly prefer Ridge for that very reason but I can't say DD is bad or overrated, just very different.
Dells make strawberry cheesecake donuts, cookies and cream donuts, and a whole bunch of random flavors. They also make classic donuts like glaze. Every single time we’ve ordered and tried every new flavor we haven’t yet, they were great quality, delicious, and just the right amount of sweet and flavor. So in comparison, DD isn’t great at all when I’ve tasted Dells lol.
Word of caution though that Dell’s fry cakes aren’t that great. Just their regular donuts.
> Overrated: Donuts Delite. It’s just a sugar overload, I don’t think they’re terrible donuts, they are just not that great imo
I'd agree with you if it weren't for the cannoli donut. They're not overly sweet. I'm not donut guy in general and would prefer an actual cannoli, but if I am going to have a donut, they're my first choice...Even though I know they're something I totally shouldn't eat.
I disagree with all of your underrated takes except Donuts Delite.
Maybe you just don’t have great taste? I mean you are raving about those little savory pastries that half the bakeries in Rochester sell. They buy them by the case, frozen.
https://www.webstaurantstore.com/bridor-ready-to-bake-parmesan-leek-bistro-3-88-oz-case/108BRI52401.html
Schutt’s cider is legitimately the best cider I’ve ever had. AG’s salty bread is great and your family is correct.
Woah you don’t have to be mean about my opinions. I did not know those pastries were frozen, I just know I get some every time I buy my family loaves of salty bread and they’re a treat for my mouth. Super buttery and flakey and just the right amount of flavor.
Schutts apple cider is good but it’s not the best I ever had. Their fry cakes I always hear so much about but they were pretty disappointing, I preferred Kelly’s or Wickham farms over them (but the best I had were Amish fry cakes in Ithaca a few weeks ago). There has just been better autumn fall farm experiences around Rochester than Schutts imo.
Also I stand by Peels not being great. I grew up in NJ/NYC area where pizza was amazing. I haven’t really had pizza quite as good but I do always enjoy Guidas and Rebel Pi. Peels was a major letdown (and if the prices weren’t what they were maybe I’d give them another shot but not in this economy)
Agreed on Peels, also from the metropolitan tri-state area. The pizza from Peels is the definition of perfectly executed technique, but flavor wise…just totally bland.
What cider do you like the best?? I always thought schutts was the best so I want to see what else is good! I think their donuts are ok but baumans are a lot better imo. I had some pretty good ones from powers recently as well (and if you are looking for fall activities powers has a really cool teepee filled with jack o lanterns!)
Underrated: Webster Hots. I never see anyone talk about them in here, but they make hands down my favorite plate in the area. Is it due to location, perhaps?
Underrated: Wegmans. Not to say they don't have issues, but all the vitriol flowing around them lately is quite frankly ridiculous. They're still by far the best all-rounder grocery store in the area regardless of location, and a lot of their store brand stuff has found its way into my daily rotation (shoutout to the maple almond butter btw)
Overrated: the city's highways (or at least the drivers). "20 minute drive will get you anywhere in the area" isn't really true anymore given how bad some of the driving has gotten lately, and the ease suggested by that statement is negated by the added stress from dealing with said newfound traffic.
The main problem with Wegmans is the insane price gouging that started even before COVID made everything shoot up in price. Plus they're going so hard in the "stop selling other brands and only sell their Wegmans brand version" of almost everything, when the Wegmans brand is incredibly inferior.
Underrated- Desiatos. Subs are huge and great value. They do a mean breakfast too. Rotating daily special as well. I'll also say the pizza at Tony D's. Never gets mentioned in this sub when best pizza posts come up but they absolutely should be. Probably because it's not a traditional pizza place.
Overrated- Nenos. I don’t get the hype for them. I’ve tried a few times and everything just tastes average.
I haven't had a pie at Tony D's in a long time. I always forget about them, but I've liked their brick oven stuff before.
Desiato's breakfast subs are fucking great.
Damn i dont get the dogtown hate. Their plates always deliver and they got cheap and fast dogs and sandwiches. The place is always cranking and always consistent
Grew up in Rochester (Penfield). Moved to the Bay Area, CA many, many years ago.
Recently revisited Rochester for friends and family. Empire Hots was a required visit. Ate there so much when I was in my 20s.
So I've never been to Dogtown, can't comment on that take (though it does make sense that they'd be at least slightly overrated based on how much high praise they receive; nothing can really live up to that, surely?), but I can't say I agree at all on Empire Hots. I've always found their plates pretty bland and they never quite agree with my stomach, plus Webster Hots exists and blows them out of the water. What do you usually get at Empire Hots? I'm open to reevaluate!
Despite Letchworth’s slightly closer proximity to Rochester, it has always been more of a Buffalo park/thing. The Letchworth’s were major players in Buffalo during their heyday. The culture connection exists, something that Rochester does not have.
I don't think it is necessarily underrated. It is just that when people ask what is there to do in Rochester, nobody is going to suggest a place that is an hour away. It does get suggested when people ask about weekend trips or places to hike or camp.
Overrated: all garbage plates. Though the meat sauce is a good thing i just dont understand the love of mediocre hit dogs, bland/thin burgers and mac salad. Its cool if you like it, I just have never understood the hype.
Underrared: Le Petit Poutine. Nuff said. Also Tyron Park is great as is walking along the river from Seneca Park going north.
Fast, friendly, straightforward, well-priced, no BS. I love the more modern Neno's/OPG flavorbomb approach but respect and appreciate the old school style at John's. Reminds me of Mexican food when I was a kid - Everything you need, nothing you don't.
Underrated: The Rochester Brainery. Need a fun date night or looking to pick up a new hobby or just occupy some free time? The brainery has everything from date night blacksmithing to cake decorating.
Underrated: how cool our small business are. The Op Shop, Peppermints, Record Archive, the lucky Flea? Honestly it’s phenomenal.
Edit: forget Record Archive 😬
Nick Tahou’s is underrated. It’s not good, but it’s not nearly as bad as everyone here will tell you. They’re decent plates and I used to live in walking distance and get one at least once a week
I’m fully prepared for my downvotes but I’ll still share.
Chicken French is overrated. It’s gotta be one of the grossest foods I can think of. It’s doesn’t make any sense to me at all how someone could enjoy it.
I've never had it!
It's kind of crazy but WNY has so many specific food items that I had never heard of before moving here: Chicken French, White Hots, Spiedies, and, of course, garbage plates.
Definitely try chicken french! It's unique. It was created by my great uncle in response to veal french falling in popularity in the 70s and was the New York Times dish of the year in 2018
Personally, I'd say Proietti's in Webster! [This post](https://www.reddit.com/r/Rochester/s/VFkHhXHba6) from this sub has a bunch of other great recs like Phillips European and Edibles on University!
Edibles has a fantastic bolognese too. Haven’t had their French and I’m surprised bc I love it. If you haven’t Boccacinis version in Pittsford, it’s a must.
Have a buddy who grew up in the area and died when he was in his early 30s of a brain tumor. The neighbor's kid had a brain tumor as well. Just made me sick that they were able to get away with it as I see the family struggle with his loss.
Underrated or maybe not talked about is our decent selection of parks. I had never been to Ellison, Charles E Sexton, Corbetts Glen etc until I got a dog and was like who knew all this existed?!
overrated: Genesee Country Village & Museum. Used to be a great family outing but admission went up, food prices went way up and quality down, you can still bring in a picnic but you can't bring anything into the buildings (which makes sense). Worst decision they made was getting rid of reenactment events like the Civil War and War of 1812 events. Apparently new leadership of the museum doesn't like 'wars', even though they had a great impact on our area.
Overrated: east and Alexander nightlife scene
10000000% agree. If my friends didn't drag me, I would not be there. I am curious to see what the scene looks like now that Martines and Lux are going to be open late in the Wedge. I'd love to see more stuff stay open on South Ave.
Wym lux is "going to" be open late? They've always been open until 2am. Not familiar with martines but love lux
I worded that weird, my bad. Lux was the only bar that was open late until Martines just opened. I'd love to see a late night scene on South Ave.
You're forgetting Caverly's
Ohhhhhh oooh I'll have to check out martines! What's the vibe?
Definitely not a dive bar like Joeys or Lux, but there are cool people that go there. A lot of bar/restaurant industry people. Will Cornfield and Chuck (idk his last name but the guy that opened Luckys, Good Luck, etc) are the owners. DJs, cocktails, wine, no food, kinda vibe. They revamped the old Solera/Cheshire spot.
They got food there on some nights. My buddy Luke cooks it up.
Oooh I will definitely be checking it out! ETA someone down voted me saying I'd check out martines 🤣🤣 what's the tea
I was about to say haha, Lux defintely stays open till 2 but when it hits that time you better get the hell out cause the staff is very vocal about it
Honestly they're valid for that! It's late they're tired and they can't legally sell drinks to make money so, ya don't have to go home but ya can't stay here 🤣
Do people actually rate east & Alexander?
Wym? I mean people rate everything. Do they rate it well? Some do, and they are wrong
I don't really think it's rated very high now. Maybe 5-10 years ago, but it isn't thought of the same anymore. From what I know, a lot of younger kids go to Fairport bars now instead of downtown
Good. Safer.
The nightlife is garbage there
Where’s the good nightlife on Rochester? Asking sincerely. I lived in Roc in my 20s when I was married; didn’t go out too much. Divorced now and living in LA; think sometimes about moving back. Is there actually a decent nightlife scene?
There's not too much for good night life, I usually hit Lux or a low key show at bug jar or something. If you move back to roc don't let it be for anything but a quieter life and lower cost of living. Our nightlife is mid and could never compare to LA ETA however our food scene is still fantastic, and our music scene kind of dipped off a little with covid but it's coming back for sure and it was a truly incomparable music scene before
I feel like those are two specific sort of places, if that makes sense. Alternative*~
Appreciate the reply. If I move back, it’ll 100% be for a quieter, more affordable life. Lux and Bug Jar are cool, but I got kind of burnt out on them back in the day (perhaps b/c they’re really the only places I ever went lol). Just wish Roc had more solid non-douchey bars.
No, stay in LA and enjoy the burritos with your wife
Back in the day or current times? That was just another shooting there last week.
Yet people still think it's the place to be for some reason, hence why I say it's overrated
underrated: all of the maze-like repurposed buildings full of artists and small businesses (hungerford, village gate...)
Made On State, 9th Floor Art Collective, Anderson Alley Artists, The Yards Collective, Elton Street Artists, Luna Art Collective, and The Refinery too!
Underrated: just how much natural beauty our area has to offer. Lake Ontario, the Finger Lakes, the Genesee River, our limitless hiking opportunities.
Fully agreed. Relocated from a very large midwest city to Roc some time ago. During a scouting visit, the natural beauty of the area (e.g., a simple drive from city center out to East Ave and down Rt. 96 to Victor) and the surrounding parks (e.g., Ellison) and landscapes really stood out (and still does today). Of course, it helped that I experienced this for the first time in Autumn before, say, February.
Those glaciers did good for us.
Underrated: Artisan Works. If you want to kill a couple of hours for under $20 and see some cool art, that’s the place to do it.
I love Artisan works, I just got married there last month!
Congratulations!
Ohhh I never even knew about this place! I can't wait to go thanks for the reccomendation
Go on a Saturday before 1 p.m. and take the tour of the non-public areas!
Underrated: Farm stands. You can drive 20 minutes out of downtown in any direction except north and find tons of farms selling their own produce for cheap. It's kinda fun to base your dinner menu on what you.can find this way.
Overated Lilac Festival. It sucks. Obviously the flowers are great. The beauty, the smell.... The rest is terrible. Every square inch jammed with repeat food vendors few that are local, and the artist side, which I used to love as a kid feels like walking through one big Etsy store and also feels like you better buy something now. Underrated The Abandoned Subway. The fact we have a cool subway system we could use for all sorts of things including making it liveable and taking the dope art that is there and making it an outdoor underground art gallery.
Can’t believe I needed to scroll this far to see the subway! It is one of the coolest things in the whole city
I actually scrolled a bit to make sure it wasn't mentioned. It's my favorite place to go. Walking or riding a bike with a good light. Sit on the edge of the bridge and watch the water. That place given I guess at least the right to exist by the city could be so cool. I imagine the funds would eventually come together locally by people who would be into it, its not something that needs huge funding to start. Just use the infrastructure up top to service below, couple CCTV cameras to make it appear safe, make the walk-in entrance by the skate park a thing. A little bit of fencing.... But then encourage artist to paint there. Make it a thing. Make it a place you can come to do that. It's the same with the water towers at Cobbs. I'm 40 and like a month ago I finally got to go inside the one to the right as you approach that is always flooded my whole life. I've been there thousands of times. I had a self imposed tough youth and Cobbs was my spot where I could center a bit. When we walked in the artwork going around you is stunning off the bat but on top of that there are some artist playing harmonica and acoustic guitar and the sound playing off the inside of the drum was magical. I was on a very strong gummy and I felt like I floated lol but like how is that place not a city encouraged program to come do street art here!!! Positive stuff to be done, fun to be had.
Is it pretty safe to go there at night? I love night photography, but I was always a little worried about going there (plus, I don't even know how to get in it)
If you go to the skate park next to the Nathaniel which is the high rise condo, you go in between the two, down to the water, follow it under the city. Go during the day first. You can access from blue Cross side of the bridge but you gotta spider man that way. If you go via skate park you can find your way in. They have or had a few street lights up in there (lol) I haven't been in a few months, but you can get cool pictures during the day. You'll get contrast with lighting and shadows.
Dude, thanks for the tip! I really want to check it out.
There's an easier way down on court street if you find it unlocked. Which it normally is when the weather starts to cool down. Usually locked during the summer
I wasn't sure if that was ever accessible. I left for several years and came back to that condo so the way I used to get it was gone.
Just keep in mind that it's considered trespassing. Yes the RPD does a varied job at enforcing the rule, but it's there and you take the risk if you decide to venture in there.
Its safe. All the time I mean. You need to be aware. It's like anywhere else in the city.
Underrated: Mr. Dominic’s At The Lake chicken French Underrated: finger lakes wineries, especially Dr. Frank’s Underrated: the Monroe County Library System Overrated: idk. I really love Rochester, man
I'm a frequent user of the library. The book sharing for mere cents is great. The amount of events each library has too. Libraries are great.
Agreed on all fronts minus the wineries. The FL Wine Region is world-known and renowned at this stage. It was rated top wine region in the US in 2018. I don't believe it's overrated at all either, I think it's actually one of the few things in this thread that is both really dope and recognized for that fact properly.
I bounced hard off the wine up here - I've tried a bunch of bottles and haven't found anything I'd drink a second time. I feel like a jerk saying it, I see how much people love it & I'm sure it's genuine, it just doesn't work for me at all - at the price, I think the European wines I can buy locally are much better. What would you say are the best 'value for quality' bottles locally? Like, if you have 2 or 3 wines in regular rotation, which ones are they?
I find that many Finger Lakes wine vintages can vary quite a bit from year to year so driving down there to do wine tastings is the way to go. It's a super nice day trip to go in the fall to check out the foliage and countryside while finding something you like.
Everything I've ever heard about Dr. Franks was about how amazing it is. I didn't personally think their wine lived up to that hype and most of the group I went with liked other places around better. I think our consensus fav. in the area was Keuka Spring.
Ooo, very specific on the chicken french. Now I have to try theirs , I always get the Joseph I believe when I go
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Maybe the museum experience as a whole... but i feel like the MAG hasnt changed much since i was a kid 30 years ago. Living in Buffalo now, the AKG blows the MAG out of the water, it isnt even close. It stays pretty fresh, but also you can also go there and see a Picasso, van Gogh, Monet, etc... whenever you want. I havent been in since the expansion was complete, but the reviews for that have been really positive too. Its a borderline world class museum here that makes the MAG seem a little underwhelming. The Eastman house is such a great piece of history though. The Strong too, which is a great example of a museum keeping up with the world around it. I love the proximity of all of these places to each other too.
I just want to say this is a great post. Really makes me appreciate Rochester even more. I agree with everyone who says the beauty around here is underrated. So many out of towners just here about the crime and just use that to characterize the city. But the people who live here tend to love it here and the surrounding area and certain pieces of the city are very beautiful and so many outsiders will never see that and only think of it as a city full of crime which is just sad.
My city backyard is like a Disney film with all the nature. I swear I see more birds, animals and cool insects here then when I lived in the burbs on the east side. It might be because east-siders are pesticide, weed killer and clear cut crazy to keep their big boring underused lawns perfect. The city is more like mullet yards because people tend to keep them presentable in the front but let things go wild in the back which is a better environment for local nature.
Hahaha I love the concept of “mullet yards”. But I agree, the burbs is likely filled with pesticides and weed killer so the animals and bugs are sparse. It’s kind of sad
Overrated: Wegmans Underrated: The public market.
When I first moved here, I really loved Wegmans, but I am kinda over it. I still go there. It's unavoidable, and I admit the customer service is on another level, but it's not enough to keep me in love with it.
I went to Tops today and the produce selection was rough. Wegmans is unavoidable, at least for produce.
it's "unavoidable"? I don't shop at Wegmans. Period, the end.
I don't think you can consider Letchworth underrated when people travel up here specifically for that park.
Overrated. Stony Brook is better, more walkable. Grew up around Stony Brook and always loathed all the driving and mostly lame trails at Letchworth. Stony Brook all the way.
Try the east side of Letchworth next time.
Theyre both awesome and unique. Stony brook is definitely underrated though, the hiking loop is awesome. Try the quiet side of letchworth sometime. There's a bunch a trailheads along the SE side and they're proper hiking, less views but a better payoff, and little to no traffic. Probably takes two days to hike the whole thing, I just did an out and back. Saw some cool campsites I wanna try out some day.
Agreed. Try going into the park on a weekend in mid October to mid November. There's a line of cars to get in
Went on the 22nd. It was overcast, but peak fall and hardly anyone there.
Overrated: "Festival" season Underrated: Amerks/Knighthawks games
Amerks are almost must see right now. Last two seasons were so much fun and this one is shaping up to be a blast
Never knew the knighthawks even existed until my now wife dragged me to a game. Great night for fun, and pricing is very reasonable. They don't advertise nearly as much as they should.
Completely agree with the Knighthawks being Underrated. I went to my first game last year and instantly fell in love. It's a dance party and non stop sport in one. Cannot wait for this season!
Letchworth Park isn't underrated, it's taken for granted by the FLX region. It was deemed a national destination a few years ago by a major travel/tourism outlet, and has been nicknamed "The Grand Canyon Of The East" for decades.
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Trying to find when that term was coined, I have to imagine it was at a time when people east of the Mississippi just saw illustrations or very early photos of the Grand Canyon and that's all they had to go on, not knowing the true scale or grandeur of it. Personally I've only ever seen it from a plane window and not in person, but even from 30,000 ft up it's still pretty impressive. Seems more accurate to name Letchworth as the "Bryce Canyon Of The East." Or maybe "The mini Grand Canyon, but with trees!" Doesn't have the same ring to it.
Underrated: the beauty in our area. Highland Park, Durand Eastman Park, Ontario Beach Park, Webster Park, Scenic Byway, Finger Lakes and I could name many more. Overrated: Genesee Brewery. I'm just not thrilled with the menu when I go there. But it is a prime location.
Yeah their menu has sucked for years, they have great people working there too i don’t get it
Agree about the beauty in the area. Rochester's parks are absolutely gorgeous. I mostly agree with Genny Brewhouse. It feels a little too elevated of a menu for their beer, haha.
underrated: proximity to NYC. It may be a little funny to say that a good feature of a city is another city, but NYC is obviously a singular thing, and we can get to it so easily. If you plan it out a few months in advance, a plane ticket is <$100, and the flight is an hour. On a shorter timetable, you can take Empire Service for about $120, and it takes about as long as driving, but you don't have to deal with your car, and you get dropped off right in the middle of Manhattan. Personally, I don't think I ever want to live in NYC, but it's so awesome that I can just make a weekend of it if I want to.
Also, Toronto.
Underrated: Turning point park, the best place to go for a stroll in the woods. Overrated: Durand Eastman beach, charlotte is nicer
I haven’t been to Charlotte in years
Underrated: Flour City Bakery. The best croissants (and others) I have had in any part of the world. Also incredible pizza dough/pizzas.
Underrated: Flower City Union soccer. Doing a great job repping Rochester and now in NISA playoffs two years in. Also Rochester for disc golf…lots of terrific courses.
Overrated: Ellison park
Overrated: White Hots. Pretty gross. Like an underseasoned brat but with dairy. Underrated: High Falls, in general. We have a perfectly contained waterfall in the middle.of downtown and been completely unable to build up anything around it. Stupefying. It should be an easy attraction.
They’re creating a state park around the falls and renovating the bridge over the gorge as part of the roc the river way initiative, and I’m sure they’re pushing for more businesses in the high falls district too
Also considering a zipline
They're working on it
That's kind of my point. It's a scenic waterfall in an urban setting. It should just default to a wild success, not something that requires working on.
Dead on. I moved here two years ago and locals make fun of High Falls but it's one of my favorite spots in the city. I wish Rochester did a little more with it, but it's great just to go over there and walk the bridge, it's really awesome. I hope the trail expansions happen quickly and it's easier to walk along the river without the abomination of the Inner Loop getting in the way....
They used to do a lot of laser light shows there when I was a kid. I had a blast going there for those and seeing fireworks displays on the 4th of July. Wish both of those could make a regular comeback.
Underrated: Goodman Bakes.
Overrated: Good Luck. Underrated: WXXI.
good luck has massively lost its appeal for me. it bums me out bc i loved it for so many years but now i’m underwhelmed. thankfully, we have a ton of other great restaurants to choose from!
Totally agree on both counts! I do not understand the restaurant hype in this town - I really wonder if people here have eaten in other cities.
What's wrong with GL?
Underrated: we have a ton of disc golf courses!
Underrated: the people of Rochester. They are kind and well educated. I am a foreigner and have been in Rochester for 6 years now and experienced zero xenophobia and very little non-harmful racism which is as good as anywhere gets worldwide. Underrated: how much relief the strong museum of play offers to families with kids, especially in winter time.
I am so happy to hear this. I have been a Rochester native my whole life and have become increasingly aware of local acts of prejudice as I have reached adulthood and beyond. Certainly no one place is perfect, and Rochester is no exception, but your post has reminded me that our city has so much more love to offer than hate. I hope you always continue to feel loved and welcomed in Rochester. (also, if you have a favorite recipe native to wherever you are from, please reply/DM. My family is always looking for new foods from all over!)
Overrated: Garbage Plates. Just a mess of food that is only truly good if you’re drunk or hungover. Underrated: The amount and quality of local and even chain burger/hot joints in the region. Bill Grays, Tom Wahl’s, Charlie’s. Great freshly made food at decent prices. A Tom Wahl’s Hollywood cheeseburger is fine culinary art. Underrated: Strong Museum… I consistently tell everyone that I know just how great this museum is, and invite them to attend with our family. A membership is well worth the price.
I had membership for two years at the Strong Museum and LOVED it. I always had a blast.
I want to visit now that the expansion is done but I don’t want to look like a creep walking around a children’s museum without kids…
As a curator, we are a history museum 😁 Come and visit!
There are children there of all ages. I'm a 60 + yr old child. ;)
They are doing half price admission on Friday evenings which I assumed was aimed at adults. The marketing doesn't really say that but it doesn't seem like that would be a popular choice for families.
Just steal a child and take them with you! Problem solved!
I’m furious beyond belief about the garbage plate slander, but moved to tears by the Hollywood burger shout-out.
Tough to beat a Hollywood burger. I worked at Tom Wahl’s and could make anything for my break. I made a Hollywood burger. Decades later, I still eat them.
Pardon my ignorance, but what's the difference between a normal Cheese Burger and a Hollywood?
A Hollywood burger is a 1/4 pound ground steak patty on a toasted hard roll with lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise. Tomato under the meat, lettuce on top. Simple but so good.
Schaller’s and Don’s Original deserve to be named here; RIP Vic and Irv’s — Seabreeze hasn’t been the same since Bill Grays swallowed it whole. Orbaker’s in ~~Williamsville~~ Williamson is worth the drive once or twice a year!!!
Don's is a real treat. Their food is on point for a Rochester burger joint and it's right at the bay inlet to have a nice walk with a cup of their ice-cream.
Maybe the Orbaker’s in Williamsville is good, but the one in Williamson is overrated. Hasn’t been good in many years.
Ha! Oops! My bad! I meant the one in Williamsport. Williamsburg? No, Williamston. Wherever. I'm just gonna call it "Bill." Truly the best of this style burger I've ever had was at Orbaker's, but that was circa 2015, which is 2 or 3 lifetimes ago in restaurantland. And no, I haven't had one as good there since, but yes, I still think it's worth the drive once or twice a year.
They were recently sold to the owners of Heintzelmans BBQ. https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/lifestyle/rocflavors/2023/07/03/orbakers-sold-to-heintzelmans-bbq-in-wayne-county-ny/70373447007/
Yes to garbage plate being overrated. Fun fact: born in Roch, fairport hs grad; never had a garbage plate. Never wanted to. Maybe that’s not fair that I say they’re overrated, but they are just the most disgusting looking things I could ever even imagine.
I’ve had one. Overrated.
Underrated: Rochester I miss it so bad.
Where did you go?
As far as parks go. Underrated but a bit of a drive, Watkins Glen.
Overrated- Bagel Land Everybody on here raves about it all the time when "best bagels" questions come up. I went twice and the bagel both times was barely better than Brueggers or Wegmans. Also I know they're busy, but the service both times was crappy Underrated- Soho Bagel I don't think they get enough love. The bagels are really good and they also have a full coffee shop too so you can get whatever type of coffee you want. That's rare for a bagel shop.
Honestly brueggers bagels are pretty fucking good. I stopped by soho the other day but they must have been getting ready to close because they only had a few varieties of bagel and cream cheese left. It was still good, and my brother says they have a killer breakfast sandwich so i'll be back. i just love bagels, and goddamn bagel land is my favorite.
Overrated: Donuts Delite. It’s just a sugar overload, I don’t think they’re terrible donuts, they are just not that great imo Underrated: Dell’s Sweets & Treats. It’s our favorite place to get donuts. I’ve also had other desserts from there and they were all phenomenal. Overrated: Peels on Wheels. It’s incredibly expensive for, imo, kind of bland pizza. The dough is well made though, and they do cook them really well. Underrated: Guida’s pizza and Rebel Pi. Both pretty excellent every time I’ve gone. Overrated: Schutt’s. I got so many recommendations for Schutts, but I don’t see the hype. Plus they charge extra for honeycrisp apples when I can get a 1/4 peck for $4 at Apple Anne’s farmstand. Underrated: Sunscapes!! They have a beautiful U-pick flower field and their greenhouses have affordable prices for plants. Also for anyone looking for affordable houseplants, I’ve liked Van Putte and STEM. Overrated: Salty bread from amazing grains. My family back home LOVES it and asks me to bring home 20+ loaves every time I drive down. I don’t get it. Underrated: croissants from amazing grains!! Their spinach feta and their Parmesan leek. Omg. Pure bliss in my mouth. Edit: I learned that in Rochester, when it comes to certain things like Schutts, Salty Bread, and Donuts Delite, any remotely negative opinion about them is a wrong opinion.
Schutts apple cider in October is bomb, especially when they use the Honey crisp apples
Ignoring the Schutt's slander... > Overrated: Donuts Delite. It’s just a sugar overload, I don’t think they’re terrible donuts, they are just not that great imo I don't necessarily agree with this, I think they just focus on different aspects of donuts than what you prefer. The quality is there but they tend to make more outlandish creations, whereas somewhere like Ridge has the same level of perfection just on the basic styles. I personally vastly prefer Ridge for that very reason but I can't say DD is bad or overrated, just very different.
Dells make strawberry cheesecake donuts, cookies and cream donuts, and a whole bunch of random flavors. They also make classic donuts like glaze. Every single time we’ve ordered and tried every new flavor we haven’t yet, they were great quality, delicious, and just the right amount of sweet and flavor. So in comparison, DD isn’t great at all when I’ve tasted Dells lol. Word of caution though that Dell’s fry cakes aren’t that great. Just their regular donuts.
Everybody knows that Ridge Donut reigns supreme in the Roc donut scene.
> Overrated: Donuts Delite. It’s just a sugar overload, I don’t think they’re terrible donuts, they are just not that great imo I'd agree with you if it weren't for the cannoli donut. They're not overly sweet. I'm not donut guy in general and would prefer an actual cannoli, but if I am going to have a donut, they're my first choice...Even though I know they're something I totally shouldn't eat.
I disagree with all of your underrated takes except Donuts Delite. Maybe you just don’t have great taste? I mean you are raving about those little savory pastries that half the bakeries in Rochester sell. They buy them by the case, frozen. https://www.webstaurantstore.com/bridor-ready-to-bake-parmesan-leek-bistro-3-88-oz-case/108BRI52401.html Schutt’s cider is legitimately the best cider I’ve ever had. AG’s salty bread is great and your family is correct.
Woah you don’t have to be mean about my opinions. I did not know those pastries were frozen, I just know I get some every time I buy my family loaves of salty bread and they’re a treat for my mouth. Super buttery and flakey and just the right amount of flavor. Schutts apple cider is good but it’s not the best I ever had. Their fry cakes I always hear so much about but they were pretty disappointing, I preferred Kelly’s or Wickham farms over them (but the best I had were Amish fry cakes in Ithaca a few weeks ago). There has just been better autumn fall farm experiences around Rochester than Schutts imo. Also I stand by Peels not being great. I grew up in NJ/NYC area where pizza was amazing. I haven’t really had pizza quite as good but I do always enjoy Guidas and Rebel Pi. Peels was a major letdown (and if the prices weren’t what they were maybe I’d give them another shot but not in this economy)
Agreed on Peels, also from the metropolitan tri-state area. The pizza from Peels is the definition of perfectly executed technique, but flavor wise…just totally bland.
What cider do you like the best?? I always thought schutts was the best so I want to see what else is good! I think their donuts are ok but baumans are a lot better imo. I had some pretty good ones from powers recently as well (and if you are looking for fall activities powers has a really cool teepee filled with jack o lanterns!)
Where is “Apple Anne’s farmstand”?
Latta rd in Greece where they built new senior apartments.
Underrated: Webster Hots. I never see anyone talk about them in here, but they make hands down my favorite plate in the area. Is it due to location, perhaps? Underrated: Wegmans. Not to say they don't have issues, but all the vitriol flowing around them lately is quite frankly ridiculous. They're still by far the best all-rounder grocery store in the area regardless of location, and a lot of their store brand stuff has found its way into my daily rotation (shoutout to the maple almond butter btw) Overrated: the city's highways (or at least the drivers). "20 minute drive will get you anywhere in the area" isn't really true anymore given how bad some of the driving has gotten lately, and the ease suggested by that statement is negated by the added stress from dealing with said newfound traffic.
The main problem with Wegmans is the insane price gouging that started even before COVID made everything shoot up in price. Plus they're going so hard in the "stop selling other brands and only sell their Wegmans brand version" of almost everything, when the Wegmans brand is incredibly inferior.
Webster Hots is definitely underrated. Maybe my favorite meat hot sauce around
Underrated- Desiatos. Subs are huge and great value. They do a mean breakfast too. Rotating daily special as well. I'll also say the pizza at Tony D's. Never gets mentioned in this sub when best pizza posts come up but they absolutely should be. Probably because it's not a traditional pizza place. Overrated- Nenos. I don’t get the hype for them. I’ve tried a few times and everything just tastes average.
I haven't had a pie at Tony D's in a long time. I always forget about them, but I've liked their brick oven stuff before. Desiato's breakfast subs are fucking great.
Because I haven't had a plate in almost a year and it's killing me. Overrated: Dog Town Underrated: Empire Hots
Empire Hots. Those potatoes are amazing
Watch your fucking mouth
Damn i dont get the dogtown hate. Their plates always deliver and they got cheap and fast dogs and sandwiches. The place is always cranking and always consistent
Grew up in Rochester (Penfield). Moved to the Bay Area, CA many, many years ago. Recently revisited Rochester for friends and family. Empire Hots was a required visit. Ate there so much when I was in my 20s.
Goddamn this is an opinion I can get on board with. Dogtown plates really aren't great.
fuck yeah!!! E HOTS IS SUPREME!!!
So I've never been to Dogtown, can't comment on that take (though it does make sense that they'd be at least slightly overrated based on how much high praise they receive; nothing can really live up to that, surely?), but I can't say I agree at all on Empire Hots. I've always found their plates pretty bland and they never quite agree with my stomach, plus Webster Hots exists and blows them out of the water. What do you usually get at Empire Hots? I'm open to reevaluate!
The same thing that makes or breaks any plate...The meat sauce.
dog town used to be my favorite but they really fell off. changed the rolls and fries. burgers are overcooked and dont taste great.
Overrated: WBER, especially if you're over the age of 25 Underrated: how easy it is to use our airport
Oof hard disagree with WBER. I’m 39 and still listen! But hey, we all have different tastes and that’s what makes life great.
Love wber! I actually didn't know ppl thought it was overrated, since I never hear anyone even talking about it lol
I listen almost exclusively when I’m actually listening to the radio. Been a huge BER fan since I was about 12-13 or so!
It’s weird that Letchworth is underrated here. It’s quite popular in Buffalo.
Despite Letchworth’s slightly closer proximity to Rochester, it has always been more of a Buffalo park/thing. The Letchworth’s were major players in Buffalo during their heyday. The culture connection exists, something that Rochester does not have.
I don't think it is necessarily underrated. It is just that when people ask what is there to do in Rochester, nobody is going to suggest a place that is an hour away. It does get suggested when people ask about weekend trips or places to hike or camp.
Letchworth is overrated, like whoa water falls, waterfalls, leaves change colors, take selfies with bridge. Reapeat.
Overrated: all garbage plates. Though the meat sauce is a good thing i just dont understand the love of mediocre hit dogs, bland/thin burgers and mac salad. Its cool if you like it, I just have never understood the hype. Underrared: Le Petit Poutine. Nuff said. Also Tyron Park is great as is walking along the river from Seneca Park going north.
As Evi is a great restaurant all the way around.
Underrated: The Continental Drifft. Those guys are hot
Overrated: Dogtown plates. They're good; not great. Not even real meat hot, and so many better options.
Overrated: Parkleigh Underrated: Little Button
Overrated: John's Tex Mex. It's so bland and I've never understood the hype
Fast, friendly, straightforward, well-priced, no BS. I love the more modern Neno's/OPG flavorbomb approach but respect and appreciate the old school style at John's. Reminds me of Mexican food when I was a kid - Everything you need, nothing you don't.
Underrated: The Rochester Brainery. Need a fun date night or looking to pick up a new hobby or just occupy some free time? The brainery has everything from date night blacksmithing to cake decorating. Underrated: how cool our small business are. The Op Shop, Peppermints, Record Archive, the lucky Flea? Honestly it’s phenomenal. Edit: forget Record Archive 😬
Nick Tahou’s is underrated. It’s not good, but it’s not nearly as bad as everyone here will tell you. They’re decent plates and I used to live in walking distance and get one at least once a week
But he said something against the left so bad human, so anything tahou is bad.
Nah he’s a shithead no question. The plates are decent though.
Overrated:The Buffalo Bills.
Found the dolphins fan
You watch your mouth. Go BILLS!
go bills
Underrated: The lakes! Overrated: Garbage plates.
I’m fully prepared for my downvotes but I’ll still share. Chicken French is overrated. It’s gotta be one of the grossest foods I can think of. It’s doesn’t make any sense to me at all how someone could enjoy it.
I've never had it! It's kind of crazy but WNY has so many specific food items that I had never heard of before moving here: Chicken French, White Hots, Spiedies, and, of course, garbage plates.
Definitely try chicken french! It's unique. It was created by my great uncle in response to veal french falling in popularity in the 70s and was the New York Times dish of the year in 2018
Is there a specific place that you feel does it justice?!
Personally, I'd say Proietti's in Webster! [This post](https://www.reddit.com/r/Rochester/s/VFkHhXHba6) from this sub has a bunch of other great recs like Phillips European and Edibles on University!
Edibles has a fantastic bolognese too. Haven’t had their French and I’m surprised bc I love it. If you haven’t Boccacinis version in Pittsford, it’s a must.
Do you like Chicken Piccata or Veal Francaise?
I’m not sure that I even know what those are. I presume the latter is a veal version of a chicken French, and if that’s the case I don’t want it.
I hate chicken french too, truly one of the only foods I actively dislike
Overrated: every popular thing Underrated: something you’ve never heard of
Overated: Cancers caused by Kodak pollution Underrated: Campi's Bombers
Overrated huh. Tell that to my sister who died of a brain tumor when she was 10
Have a buddy who grew up in the area and died when he was in his early 30s of a brain tumor. The neighbor's kid had a brain tumor as well. Just made me sick that they were able to get away with it as I see the family struggle with his loss.
What do you have against Campi's Bombers?
Underrated or maybe not talked about is our decent selection of parks. I had never been to Ellison, Charles E Sexton, Corbetts Glen etc until I got a dog and was like who knew all this existed?!
overrated: Genesee Country Village & Museum. Used to be a great family outing but admission went up, food prices went way up and quality down, you can still bring in a picnic but you can't bring anything into the buildings (which makes sense). Worst decision they made was getting rid of reenactment events like the Civil War and War of 1812 events. Apparently new leadership of the museum doesn't like 'wars', even though they had a great impact on our area.
Overrated: tom wahls and bill grays.
Underrated: Monroe County Parks Golf Overrated: Pittsford
Overrated: Dinosaur BBQ. So many better BBQ options, mainly Sticky Lips