The Place

229 Lexington Ave, Buffalo
(716) 882-7522

Recent Reviews

Jim Szczublewski

Always great.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Chicken Wings, Burger, Steak Sandwich

Chris Plesiuk

Food was great, service was great, very nice place.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

James Riley

The place is great. It is quaint and friendly with a sort of country-club atmosphere. It is usually busy, with either a short wait or none. It's great in the summer because of the nice patio, and great in the winter because it's cozy and they serve warm drinks.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Burger

Ogechukwu Williams

I'll start with the good and say that we've been here twice and the food is delicious. Now to my 3 star rating: poor service. We ordered our foods and waited however long for it to come out. Not a problem. When my duck arrived, it was undercooked, and while I like duck, it is not a meat I will eat rare. My food was taken back to the kitchen and 52 minutes later, I had not gotten it back. Everyone else in my party of five finished their meals and even boxed up leftovers while I was still seated and waiting for my meal to re-emerge. When it did show up, it was as though someone threw something together on a plate and brought to me. Our waitress said as she delivered my meal that they had prepared a new meal for me. One look at the meal and I realize that everything is smaller...ie. portion size was reduced. Good thing I took pictures. This is a $29 plate (before taxes) and except for a half bitten slice of duck, I returned a full plate to the kitchen. What they returned to me was not the full portion size. When the waitress did show up again, I complained about the reduced portion size and she says "the more they cook it, the more it shrinks" and ran off within seconds after she made those remarks. Every thing on the plate - from the asparagus to the duck and the potatoes - had "shrunk" in number! So, did they remake a fresh meal for me like the waitress said or did they recook the same old meal? I wish it was the latter, actually, because then I'd have received a full-sized plate back. I was so tired, hungry, and disappointed at this point that I paid the bill, got up, left the food there for them, and walked away. I didn't even have the energy at this point to ask for a manager. The waitress avoided us as much as she could during our dining and was unwilling to engage with us. We ordered refillable drinks and only managed to get one refill. The rest of the time our waitress was AWOL...no water...no refills. In fact, it was another waitress that had even taken my undercooked duck back to the kitchen. This is a fine place, but they need to address their service issues or they'll ultimately spoil their brand. Can't pay for expensive meals and terrible service. The two do not go hand in hand. I may return to this place again but it will not be anytime soon.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 1

Eric Kaczmarczyk

Great food ! Came out fast and was hot and fresh. Definitely would recommend The Place if you are looking for a good meal at a reasonable price.

Beverlyann Lenahan

Great atmosphere. Great food.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Lobster Roll, Beef on Weck, Chicken Milanese

Dustin Cornell

One of the first places we found in Buffalo and keep coming back! The bannanna pepper dip is OMG.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Beef on Weck

Mho Macfarlane

Friendly family

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Fish Fry

Barbara Cram-Crabtree

Good neighborhood restaurant. Food is ok, some better than others. French onion soup and Mac and cheese are delicious. Burgers are very good too Often

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 4

Frank Badaszewski

Great little neighborhood Gem !

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Lobster Roll, Chicken Milanese

Renee Saracki

Place went upscale but it's still homey and the bartenders are the bomb. Old school.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Jim Hackett

Always a nice

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 4

Zack Schneider

The Place" on Lexington Avenue in Buffalo, NY, is steeped in history and local culture. It began its journey in the late 1870s, initially as a saloon opened by Jacob Beier. Located in a then-rural district north of Buffalo's main city area, the establishment served as a convenient stop for both businessmen and workers. Over the years, the saloon witnessed changes in ownership and shifts in cultural influences, transitioning from German to Irish hands.During the early 1900s, under Christoph Piller's ownership, it operated as "Piller's Cafe". Despite facing challenges like the Prohibition era, the cafe continued its operations. In the 1940s, Bernie Flynn took over, renaming it "The Place" and adding signature elements like the ruby red and India turquoise walls. Bernie Flynn introduced popular items like "Flynnie's Thinnie" sandwiches and the Tom & Jerrys, a warm holiday drink, which became synonymous with The Place.After Bernie Flynn, the business was taken over by Edward "Buddy" Flynn, who maintained many of the establishment's traditions. The Place was known for its unpretentious atmosphere, popular tavern food, and simple drinks, drawing large crowds, especially during the holidays.The Place temporarily closed in May 2015 but was soon rejuvenated by Jay McCarthy, Kevin Brinkworth, and Elizabeth "Betty" Brinkworth. They renovated the space, balancing the preservation of its historic charm with modern upgrades. This included retaining features like the mahogany wood walls and the original ceiling while adding new elements such as a copper bar top.Today, The Place offers a nostalgic reflection of Buffalo's past, blending classic ambiance with old-time charm. It remains a beloved spot for locals and visitors alike, especially with its additions like a porch and open-air patio. The tradition of serving "Thinnie Flynnie" sandwiches and the Tom & Jerry holiday punch continues, keeping the spirit of The Place alive.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Lobster Roll, Beef on Weck, Chicken Milanese, Lobster Mac and Cheese, Steak Sandwich, Gnocchi with Lobster

N T

Ordered Tom and Jerry's with a friend to enjoy and add to our Place mug collection.This year's T&J was a disappointment. Hardly any batter. Tasted more like hot water with a bit of liquor. 15 dollars eachWe did get the mug .Next year, we will pass on nostalgia and go to Coles.

Atmosphere: 5

Service: 5

Patricia Moynihan

Terrible service. We were ignored. We were treated as if we were a bother. Flagged another staff member down to finally get our bill. This was not a busy time. Very disappointed.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 1

Recommended dishes: Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese, Onion Soup

Load More