While my time back in Western New York was short this time, it really gave me a newfound love and appreciation for the place I call home.
I am about to depart for my cross-country trip, and I can’t help but to be overcome by some emotion.
For most of my life, there has been nothing more I wanted than to get out of here and pave my own path forward. While I am still trying to do that, there is just something special about WNY that keeps pulling me back in.
The people
First and foremost the people of WNY are truly a breed of their own.
Their unequivocal pride is second to none, and I have never seen a region of people so proud to be from where they are.
We often hear that the Buffalo Bills are a way of life, and they really are for so many people. Folks move physically move away from the area but never lose their love for Buffalo and their Bills.
It seems like everywhere I go, I find someone from Western New York or has a close connection to the area.
While I may not jive with everyone from the area, I can say the people here just want the best.
Everyone I meet has some sort of genuine appreciation for the world, and that is something truly special. I like most WNYers love a good self-deprecating joke, but at the end of the day, we are proud to be from here.
The food
I mean this goes without saying. WNY is known for some of the best food out there and there is no other place that does it like Buffalo.
It astounds me how other places cannot get crispy wings or load up a plate of spaghetti with a mountain of mozzarella cheese (thank you, Chefs).
I don’t know if it’s some sort of psychological thing, but food just tastes better here. As someone who worked in a kitchen for a bit here, I have no idea how what is done here isn’t duplicated anywhere else. Food from the fryer is so much better here: wings, fries, chicken tenders, and of course pizza logs are always better in Buffalo
Also, sponge candy is elite and anyone who says otherwise is just lying to themselves.
WNY is also just the best cultural melting pot of incredible cuisines from around the world. I need to do a better job at finding and going to these places, so if you have any recommendations, please let me know.
Rapid fire
Sunsets here are like nothing else. I didn’t realize how much I miss them until I’m back every single time. Honorary mention to the stars, they aren’t exclusive to WNY but damn I miss them in Pittsburgh.
I always forget Niagara Falls is here, that’s pretty damn cool.
Pizza logs should be the national dish of this damn country and it blows my mind how this idea hasn’t taken off into the stratosphere. I could (and probably will) write a whole blog about them.
There are just pickup trucks everywhere, and it is always so jarring when I return.
The fall weather is elite (sorry MANIAC).
Meat raffles are cool as hell and I had no idea they weren’t everywhere.
There is nothing like a Buffalo Bills tailgate and game.
Finally, it really just comes down to the people that live here. The people are what make this place so special, and I wish the rest of the country saw WNY as we do.