Looking for a delicious and satisfying meal? Check out our list of Rochester's best garbage plate restaurants! From cheese-laden plates to hearty burgers, we've got you covered. Plus, find out which local businesses are making waves with their food offerings.

Table of Contents

CURIOUS DORA: The Original (and New) Garbage Plate – Where to Find it in Rochester, NY

Nick Tahou, a restaurateur in Rochester, NY, invented the garbage plate late one night when some college students came in and requested a plate with “all the garbage on it.” The legend says that they wanted to combine all of their favorite foods onto one plate. Nick’s response was to mix together home fries, macaroni salad, baked beans, hamburger patties, hot dogs, and topped it off a meat sauce. This concoction has since become a Rochester staple, and can be found at many restaurants throughout the city.

What Is a Garbage Plate?

The garbage plate is Rochester’s most loved dish.The Garbage Plate is a heaping plate made of meat and potatoes, served with beans, home fries, and macaroni salad. smothered in ketchup and/or hot sauce and is served with a side Italian bread and butter.

An authentic Garbage Plate from Nick Tahou Hots Wikipedia 1

The Garbage Plate™ was created in 1918 in Rochester, NY by Alex Tahou in Rochester, NY and was passed down to his son, Nick Tahou. Originally, it was a plate of hots and potatoes and then over the years it evolved into the popular dish we know today.

The dish is very popular among college students and late night eaters as the dish is considered a “drunk food” and a way to fill up and take care of a hangover.

Other restaurants have added their own variations to the dish to make it their own. Today, there are many different versions of the Garbage Plate available throughout Rochester.

(Photo: An authentic Garbage Plate from Nick Tahou Hots (Photo source: Wikipedia)

What Are the Different Components of A Garbage Plate?

The Garbage Plate in Rochester, NY is typically composed of a homefries, macaroni salad, and meat hot sauce layer, topped with a main-dish item, and a generous ladle of Meat Hot Sauce is poured over the entire plate. A couple slices of Italian bread and a couple pats of butter are served.

These items can be optionally supplemented with chopped raw onions and ketchup, mustard, and hot sauce etc.
The ingredients on a garbage plate allow you to customize your meal however you like it. You can choose from different sauces and toppings to make your dish unique.
Condiments are key to making a garbage plate taste great!

What Are Some of The Different Variations of A Garbage Plate?

Garbage Plate with BBQ sauce
Garbage Plate with chili
Garbage Plate with hot dogs
Garbage Plate with brisket
Garbage Plate with bacon
Garbage Plate with sardines (!!!)

Where can you find the garbage plate in Rochester, NY?

1. Nick Tahou Hots Restaurant in Rochester

Nick Tahou Hots is a restaurant in Rochester, NY that is famous for its Garbage Plate dish. The dish was created by Alex Tahou and named for his son, Nick Tahou. The Garbage Plate is a trademarked dish that consists of a plate of food piled high with various ingredients.

See menu here.

Where: 320 W Main St, Rochester, NY 14608

2. Charlie’s Restaurant – Webster, NY

Charlie’s Restaurant serves up “Charlie Plates” in Webster, NY. A favorite plate is their meat sauce burger.

See menu here.

Where: 1843 Empire Blvd, NY 14580

3. Sticky Lips – Rochester, NY

Sticky Lips is a popular BBQ restaurant in Rochester, NY. The “Sticky Icky Plate” choices are; Hot Dog, Hamburger, Cheeseburger, Pulled Chicken, Pulled Pork and Beef Brisket.

See menu here.

Where: 314 E. Main St. Rochester, NY.

4. Dogtown – Rochester, NY

The Dogtown restaurant offers hot dogs, pizza, sandwiches, and “Junkyard Plates”.

MEATY MENU | VEGGIE MENU

Where: 691 Monroe Ave. Rochester, NY 14607

5. Park Ave Plates and Shakes – Rochester, NY

The popular Park Ave “Park’s Plates” and shakes serve as a delicious and affordable option for diners in Rochester, NY.

See menu here.

Where: 266 Park Ave, Rochester, NY 14607

10. List of Garbage Plate Resturants Near Me (Rochester, NY.)

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a fan of the classic garbage plate or you like to mix it up with different ingredients, there’s no denying that this dish is a popular favorite in Rochester, NY. If you’re looking for a great place to enjoy a garbage plate, be sure to check out one of the restaurants on our list!

Happy Trails,