We at FIFTEEN had the privilege of hosting a presentation from Big Big Table, a remarkable organization that's redefining the landscape of community dining with its "pay as you can" model. This encounter wasn't just an opportunity to learn about a unique approach to addressing food insecurity; it was an inspiration, a call to action, and a reminder of the power of community.Founded on the dreams of Mandy Bailey in 2021, Big Big Table is more than just a restaurant. It's a beacon of hope and inclusivity in the heart of our community, welcoming everyone regardless of their financial situation. The essence of their operation—"Everybody gives, everybody matters, and everybody eats"—resonates deeply with us at FIFTEEN, mirroring our commitment to making a meaningful difference through our work.The operational model of Big Big Table is both innovative and heartfelt. Relying on donations and a carefully managed budget, they skillfully navigate the challenges of providing nutritious meals to all. This approach is grounded in dignity and respect, ensuring that no one is turned away. Offering insight into the foundational vision that drives their mission.Affiliated with the larger network of One World Everybody Eats, Big Big Table benefits from an annual gathering that fosters idea exchange and strengthens the bonds between similar establishments nationwide.This connection underscores the scalability of the pay-as-you-can café model and its potential to make a significant impact on food insecurity across the country.For us at FIFTEEN, today's presentation highlighted an incredible opportunity to leverage our advertising, marketing, and branding expertise in support of Big Big Table's noble cause. With our extensive portfolio of large food clients, we see a clear pathway to forging meaningful partnerships that can benefit this and similar organizations. "We accept everything...$0.10 is enough, $20 is enough," remarked the presenter, emphasizing an ethos of inclusivity and appreciation for every form of support.Volunteering, donating, or simply spreading the word about Big Big Table's mission are ways we can all contribute. By using our skills and resources, we can help elevate their visibility, encouraging more community involvement and support. Moreover, our role can extend to connecting Big Big Table with food industry partners who can provide donations, reducing food waste while supporting a critical community resource.Today's engagement with Big Big Table has been a source of inspiration for everyone at FIFTEEN. It has reinforced our belief in the transformative power of community and the importance of contributing to the greater good. As we move forward, we are excited to explore how we can support Big Big Table's mission, amplifying their impact and contributing to a more inclusive, compassionate world.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Emily Yancey
Delicious homemade food with generous portions. Pay with cash/card, labor, or donation! Support Buffalo's ONLY pay-what-you-can cafe ❤️
Stephanie
Food is fantastic! I love coming here for a quick lunch when I’m in the area. The staff is awesome and always welcoming. Highly suggest trying their pastries. But everything they serve is delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Cari J.
Gotta give the five stars just for the concept. Pay as you can, with money, volunteer time, or canned goods. They have a really great location because the shop is very close to Friends of the Night People and places on Niagara St frequented by homeless people. I went for the first time and I thought my meal was just ok. However, I am a super picky eater-- I don't like cheese on most things or eggs. I also am more inclined to want to eat junk food. So I had to eschew the chicken wing soup that it seemed like everyone was eating. I had the kale and sweet potato soup, some sort of quinoa salad, and red pepper hummus with a maple bar for dessert. Everything was so fresh, but my goodness, that was probably the healthiest meal I've ever eaten. I was just dying for some solid flavor in the soup and more sugar in the maple bar. But like I said, everything was very fresh and I left very full. The ambiance here is great and I love the decor. I hope they will also consider doing some events or expanding to some weekend hours so I could come by on one of the pizza days ;)
Yelper A.
This cafe has fantasic food and is such a valuable asset to the community as a pay-what-you-can cafe. It is the brainchild of years of hard work by its creator, visionary Mandy Bailey. Unfortunately she is in very poor health and is in her own hour of need. Please consider making a small donation to help her return home. She has done so much for so many, let's all do a little something in return. gofund.me/80af728f the food gets 4.5 stars, the love in this place gets 5!
Y S
The team is kind and friendly. This "pay as you can" restaurant is doing something that I think is unique and helps the neighborhood. The food was very good, looked and tasted very fresh. There are options for vegetarians and vegans.Vegetarian options: There is always a good vegetarian option.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kathleen H.
The food was really good and the staff was incredibly kind. It's pay what you can, I'd encourage everyone to pay $12-15 to cover their full costs if they're able to.
Mary Ann
This. Place. Is. A. ? Gem. It. Shows. The. Work. Of. God's. Hand it's. A. Blessing. Pure. Blessing. I am. Thankful. For. Everyone. That. Participates they. All. Work. Hard. Very. Hard. And. I. Appreciate. Everyone there. It. Is. So. Comforting. And. The. Food. I. Experience. Was. Very. Tasty ? ....... very. Blessed. To. Have. In the. Community thank. You everyone. Who made. It. Possible ????❤️
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mary Ann Frank
This. Place. Is. A. ? Gem. It. Shows. The. Work. Of. God's. Hand it's. A. Blessing. Pure. Blessing. I am. Thankful. For. Everyone. That. Participates they. All. Work. Hard. Very. Hard. And. I. Appreciate. Everyone there. It. Is. So. Comforting. And. The. Food. I. Experience. Was. Very. Tasty ? ....... very. Blessed. To. Have. In the. Community thank. You everyone. Who made. It. Possible ????❤️
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Annette Novelli
Very friendly staff. Great community based lunch spot. Food was great!
Donate your time or pay what you can at this everybody eats restaurant.
Dana Nocera Battaglia
Great idea very kind staff we need many more around WNYVegetarian options: Always an option for vegetarian
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Twig Simpson
Good work teaM!
Nicole Zelazny
A really amazing spot on the West Side of Buffalo! I enjoy popping in to work for the day while I eat as well. The food is delicious, healthy and good quality! This is really great concept to bring to the city and for the Buffalo community to participate in. Very friendly & vibrant atmosphere!
Allison H.
I have both volunteered and eaten here, and both were excellent! The meal that I had was delicious, and obviously made with love. I appreciated that I could choose how much I wanted, both to eat and to pay. Signing up to volunteer was easy through the online portal and I could tell that I was helping with what needed to get done. The location is accessible - by bike, car, walking, and bus (route 3, Grant) - and the inside is warm and welcoming. Will definitely come back when I am free for lunch during the week!
We at FIFTEEN had the privilege of hosting a presentation from Big Big Table, a remarkable organization that's redefining the landscape of community dining with its "pay as you can" model. This encounter wasn't just an opportunity to learn about a unique approach to addressing food insecurity; it was an inspiration, a call to action, and a reminder of the power of community.Founded on the dreams of Mandy Bailey in 2021, Big Big Table is more than just a restaurant. It's a beacon of hope and inclusivity in the heart of our community, welcoming everyone regardless of their financial situation. The essence of their operation—"Everybody gives, everybody matters, and everybody eats"—resonates deeply with us at FIFTEEN, mirroring our commitment to making a meaningful difference through our work.The operational model of Big Big Table is both innovative and heartfelt. Relying on donations and a carefully managed budget, they skillfully navigate the challenges of providing nutritious meals to all. This approach is grounded in dignity and respect, ensuring that no one is turned away. Offering insight into the foundational vision that drives their mission.Affiliated with the larger network of One World Everybody Eats, Big Big Table benefits from an annual gathering that fosters idea exchange and strengthens the bonds between similar establishments nationwide.This connection underscores the scalability of the pay-as-you-can café model and its potential to make a significant impact on food insecurity across the country.For us at FIFTEEN, today's presentation highlighted an incredible opportunity to leverage our advertising, marketing, and branding expertise in support of Big Big Table's noble cause. With our extensive portfolio of large food clients, we see a clear pathway to forging meaningful partnerships that can benefit this and similar organizations. "We accept everything...$0.10 is enough, $20 is enough," remarked the presenter, emphasizing an ethos of inclusivity and appreciation for every form of support.Volunteering, donating, or simply spreading the word about Big Big Table's mission are ways we can all contribute. By using our skills and resources, we can help elevate their visibility, encouraging more community involvement and support. Moreover, our role can extend to connecting Big Big Table with food industry partners who can provide donations, reducing food waste while supporting a critical community resource.Today's engagement with Big Big Table has been a source of inspiration for everyone at FIFTEEN. It has reinforced our belief in the transformative power of community and the importance of contributing to the greater good. As we move forward, we are excited to explore how we can support Big Big Table's mission, amplifying their impact and contributing to a more inclusive, compassionate world.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Delicious homemade food with generous portions. Pay with cash/card, labor, or donation! Support Buffalo's ONLY pay-what-you-can cafe ❤️
Food is fantastic! I love coming here for a quick lunch when I’m in the area. The staff is awesome and always welcoming. Highly suggest trying their pastries. But everything they serve is delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Gotta give the five stars just for the concept. Pay as you can, with money, volunteer time, or canned goods. They have a really great location because the shop is very close to Friends of the Night People and places on Niagara St frequented by homeless people. I went for the first time and I thought my meal was just ok. However, I am a super picky eater-- I don't like cheese on most things or eggs. I also am more inclined to want to eat junk food. So I had to eschew the chicken wing soup that it seemed like everyone was eating. I had the kale and sweet potato soup, some sort of quinoa salad, and red pepper hummus with a maple bar for dessert. Everything was so fresh, but my goodness, that was probably the healthiest meal I've ever eaten. I was just dying for some solid flavor in the soup and more sugar in the maple bar. But like I said, everything was very fresh and I left very full. The ambiance here is great and I love the decor. I hope they will also consider doing some events or expanding to some weekend hours so I could come by on one of the pizza days ;)
This cafe has fantasic food and is such a valuable asset to the community as a pay-what-you-can cafe. It is the brainchild of years of hard work by its creator, visionary Mandy Bailey. Unfortunately she is in very poor health and is in her own hour of need. Please consider making a small donation to help her return home. She has done so much for so many, let's all do a little something in return. gofund.me/80af728f the food gets 4.5 stars, the love in this place gets 5!
The team is kind and friendly. This "pay as you can" restaurant is doing something that I think is unique and helps the neighborhood. The food was very good, looked and tasted very fresh. There are options for vegetarians and vegans.Vegetarian options: There is always a good vegetarian option.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food was really good and the staff was incredibly kind. It's pay what you can, I'd encourage everyone to pay $12-15 to cover their full costs if they're able to.
This. Place. Is. A. ? Gem. It. Shows. The. Work. Of. God's. Hand it's. A. Blessing. Pure. Blessing. I am. Thankful. For. Everyone. That. Participates they. All. Work. Hard. Very. Hard. And. I. Appreciate. Everyone there. It. Is. So. Comforting. And. The. Food. I. Experience. Was. Very. Tasty ? ....... very. Blessed. To. Have. In the. Community thank. You everyone. Who made. It. Possible ????❤️
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This. Place. Is. A. ? Gem. It. Shows. The. Work. Of. God's. Hand it's. A. Blessing. Pure. Blessing. I am. Thankful. For. Everyone. That. Participates they. All. Work. Hard. Very. Hard. And. I. Appreciate. Everyone there. It. Is. So. Comforting. And. The. Food. I. Experience. Was. Very. Tasty ? ....... very. Blessed. To. Have. In the. Community thank. You everyone. Who made. It. Possible ????❤️
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very friendly staff. Great community based lunch spot. Food was great!
Restaurantji Recommends
Donate your time or pay what you can at this everybody eats restaurant.
Great idea very kind staff we need many more around WNYVegetarian options: Always an option for vegetarian
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Good work teaM!
A really amazing spot on the West Side of Buffalo! I enjoy popping in to work for the day while I eat as well. The food is delicious, healthy and good quality! This is really great concept to bring to the city and for the Buffalo community to participate in. Very friendly & vibrant atmosphere!
I have both volunteered and eaten here, and both were excellent! The meal that I had was delicious, and obviously made with love. I appreciated that I could choose how much I wanted, both to eat and to pay. Signing up to volunteer was easy through the online portal and I could tell that I was helping with what needed to get done. The location is accessible - by bike, car, walking, and bus (route 3, Grant) - and the inside is warm and welcoming. Will definitely come back when I am free for lunch during the week!