Toronto foodie looking for a Buffalo diner

It's unfortunate that because of the low volume of posts about Buffalo on this board (almost everything is NYC environs like Westchester and Long Island; these groups should be separate), I don't check it often.

I hope you found some good chow, but let me burst your bubble a little: Buffalo is not known for its diners or its "sloppy sandwiches."

Both Lake Effect and Jim's SteakOut provide serviceable meals. Lake Effect is mainly a destination because of the quaintly authentic building/interior. As for food, it is pretty standard. Probably best to stick to the breakfast items. For a trendier diner experience, try Swan Street Diner, near Larkinville, which is not to be missed.

Jim's Steakout serves up the best Philly-style cheesesteak sandwiches in the area. You can get them any number of ways—I like their French dip the best. However, Philly cheesesteak is not this area's forte.

Where Buffalo truly excels currently is at newer ethnic cuisines, like Cajun/Southern (Toutant, Shango Bistro), farm-to-table/hipsterish (Black Sheep, Roost, The Left Bank, The Dapper Goose, Craving), Burmese (Sun), and Southwestern (Lloyd Taco Factory). Also traditional Italian: Tappo, Trattoria Aroma, Chef's, Mulberry Cafe.

Beware, because we now do poutine better than you guys: Allen Street Poutine Company.

If you must have roadside dive-y food, I would head to Lewiston for the Silo. For soft custard, Lewiston has Hibbard's, which is excellent. Also Buffalo and its suburbs have Anderson's (original in Kenmore) and Bill Gray's (Clarence)—these are small-scale, civilized fast-food chains, with great custard.