Shuffling off the Buffalo

My post about morons wearing buffalo horned hats to storm the Capitol Building on January 6, 2020 made me think about Buffalo (the city). I visited there back in the early 1980s in January (so you can only imagine the weather). I was on a business trip to explore rail tunnels they had built. I was probably around 26 years old. 

The city of Buffalo has nothing to do with Buffalo (the animals or idiots who storm the national Capitol). The city of Buffalo in New York is named after Buffalo Creek, which was itself named by early French explorers.  One theory suggests that the name Buffalo comes from the French word "beau fleuve," meaning "beautiful river." Early French explorers in the region may have used this term to describe Buffalo Creek or the nearby Niagara River.

 While on the airplane to Buffalo we flew through Chicago and were stuck on an airplane with the entire New York Rangers hockey team who were playing a game that night in Buffalo. They were quite animated (especially since the average age of them was 18 and they were predominately Canadians who had never been on an airplane). I remember the goalies name was Rocky and he had no front teeth (don't ask me why I remember this). 

While sitting on the airplane watching the hocky players harass the flight attendants and climb over seats, one of my work travel companions struck up a conversation about what there was to do in Buffalo. He suggested going to the Anchor Bar where Buffalo Wings were supposedly invented.

The credit for inventing Buffalo wings is often given to Teressa Bellissimo, owner of the Anchor Bar in Buffalo. The story goes that Buffalo wings were created as a late-night snack for her son and his friends.

The specific details of the creation vary, but the most widely accepted version is that in 1964, Teressa Bellissimo deep-fried chicken wings and tossed them in a sauce made with a combination of hot sauce and butter. This sauce gave the wings a spicy and tangy flavor, which became an instant hit.

The Anchor Bar's Buffalo wings gained popularity locally and eventually became known nationally. Today, Buffalo wings are a staple in American cuisine, often served with celery sticks and blue cheese dressing on the side. They are enjoyed in various variations, with different levels of spiciness and an array of sauce options.

Long story short, while the Rangers were playing their hockey game we went to the Anchor Bar and I sampled Buffalo wings for the first time. Traditionally they are served with celery sticks and blue cheese dressing. I have no idea why.

I don't remember much else about Buffalo, New York other than there was lots of snow and I had only brought dress shoes and a thin overcoat. 

Again I was only about 26 years old. You live and learn.