I decided to go for a walk late this afternoon to get some exercise and attempt to get the creative juices flowing.  I was in a blah mood and figured some fresh air would help.  I set out with my camera and a collapsible umbrella in case the rain decided to return.  As I was walking by School 81 on Tacoma, I couldn’t help but notice that it was time for a new flag.  (click any photos in this post for a larger view)

After walking down Delaware I cut up Hertel and decided to do some window shopping.  I came across a common scene at The Chocolate Shop, bicycles on the sidewalk from kids getting some treats after school.

If you’ve never been to The Chocolate Shop, it is a great place for ice cream, candy, sundaes and hard to find items like Crystal Beach Waffles.

Following is a slide show that mainly consists of window shopping along Hertel Avenue.  The variety of shops on Hertel has been expanding quite a bit recently.

The fresh air and the walking resulted in me being hungry.  I had no set agenda in mind when I started out on my walk and wandered until someplace with food beckoned to me.  That place was the Sterling Place Tavern.

This quintessential neighborhood tavern had just opened 15 minutes before my friend Derrick and I arrived.  The wooden bar is the focal point of this typical Buffalo neighborhood bar.  You know you are going to be comfortable here just by the look of the place.

Judy, who along with her boyfriend are the proprietors, pointed out the chalkboard menu listing in the dining area.  She also did a wonderful job describing the food and answering our questions.

My original plan was to have a hamburger.  I’ve heard that Sterling Place has the best burgers around.  BUT, I found out from Judy that they also have a Hungarian sausage plate.  Hmmm, now I was conflicted.  I ended up bowing to my Hungarian ancestry and opted for the sausage plate.  While waiting for the food, a libation was in order.  The fact that I would order a beer was preordained by two facts.  First, the selection on tap is wonderful, and, second, what else does one order with sausage?    

While enjoying my pint of Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, Judy informed me that she had a couple of the famous burgers cooking on the grill and invited me and my camera back to the kitchen.  The burgers were a site to behold.  They were, according to Judy, Billy Burgers, concept by Johnny (must be his favorite) and cooked by Judy.  The two meaty, juicy looking burgers were topped with spinach and crumbly bleu cheese.  I immediately became hungrier after seeing those two beauties grilling.   Make sure you click on the picture and salivate over the large version!  My next visit is definitely going to be for a burger.

After enjoying about half of by Pale Ale and dreaming of hamburgers, my Hungarian Sausage Plate arrived.  There were two nice sized pieces of sausage and the two side orders I picked.  The sausage was delicious and spiced perfectly.  Spicy flavorful, not spicy hot.  The potato salad was a creamy concoction based on red potatoes with the skins on, just the way I like it.  I could have sworn there was sour cream in the dressing but Judy assured me it was just very good quality mayonnaise combined with her preparation secrets.  I subtly tried to get her to reveal a bit of that secret, but must relent and promise myself to visit here more often.   The french fries were deep fried to a nice, crisp, golden brown — everything a french fry should be.  Add a dash or two of malt vinegar and you have french fry heaven. 

This is the type of neighborhood tavern that Buffalo is famous for.  The food isn’t pretentious, but it is very good.  The ambience is a tribute to Buffalo being called the City of Good Neighbors.  You can’t help but to say “hi” to other people and strike up a conversation.