THE KIDDIE GOURMET
I
n my college days
at Buffalo State,
Coles was a hang-
out on some weekends or
for sorority and fraternity
parties during the week.
So when I was dining there
recently at lunchtime, I was
delightfully surprised to
find a menu that welcomed
foodies and children.
— by Barbara Blackburn
Coles
1104 Elmwood Ave.
Buffalo, NY
716-886-1449
Cuban sandwich was bet-
ter that the ones I ate there.
However, much of the food
there was very good.
colesonelmwood.com
Dad’s choice was picked
from the Cole’s Famous
~ SPOONS ~
Burgers: Colorado Lamb
FOOD 5/5
Burger. This one was topped
with Tzatziki, Baby Arugula,
Red Onion, Feta Cheese,
SERVICE 5/5
and Kalamata Olive Salad
The menu offers tasty
on Wolverman’s Sour Dough
choices to the small fry;
English Muffin ($l4.00). We
FAMILY
half of the entrees were ac-
agreed that this was the best
FRIENDLY 4.5/5
companied by Coles sea-
lamb we had eaten since the
soned French fries. Drinks
leg we purchased at the lo-
are included. Choices in-
cal farmers’ market in Wil-
clude Grilled Cheese with fries ($5.50);
liamsville, because it had that noticeable
Chicken Fingers with fries ($5.50);
“lamby” flavor we miss in much of the
Hamburger with fries ($6.00); Cheese-
lamb we buy today.
burger with fries ($6.00); Mac & Cheese
The extensive menu boasted selec-
($7.50); Penne with Red Sauce ($5.50),
tions we would consider for another vis-
Penne with Butter ($5.00); and Flatbread
it. One was the Sticky Sweet Soy Wings
Cheese Pizza ($8.00).
($10.00, $14.00, $23.00). The descrip-
One of the reasons I started doing
“Kiddie Gourmet” is that I appreciated
knowing exactly what the kids’ food
would cost before ordering. I preferred
that to special half-sized portions and/or
having kids eat from the parents’ plates.
I usually now find that the kids’ portions
are quite ample and friendly to seniors
who want to stay trim.
When we were at Coles, it was fes-
tively decorated for the holiday season;
I must admit that I chose to go there for
the Tom and Jerry, reportedly the best
in Western New York. Nevertheless, we
could find no fault with the fare. I was
pleased with the mini-sized menu for
kids, which offers a maze for a lost dog
finding his way home. Besides this there
are coloring books and crayons and, of
course, high chairs and boosters.
My choice was a Specialty Hand
Held Cuban, served with Kettle Chips
($10.00). This was half a large Cuban,
with thinly sliced pork loin, ham, pickle,
Swiss cheese, and mustard on pressed
garlic bread. Having been to Cuba a few
years ago, I can say that the American
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tion of crispy fried chicken wings, sweet
soy sauce, sambal, sesame and green
onions appealed to me as a happy flavor
combination. (A sambal is a multi-pur-
pose condiment, popular in Indonesia,
Malaysia, and India.) For your informa-
tion, Coles was one of twelve pubs on
the Buffalo Wing Trail.
Another good-sounding choice was
the Fish Tacos ($15.00). That one was
described as spicy mahi mahi, roasted
corn salsa, pickled red cabbage, avocado
creme, cilantro, and white corn tortillas.
If you’re asking about the dessert,
there is a nice selection, but we satisfied
our sweet tooth with the Tom and Jerry
— a frothy, warmed Christmastime-in-
Buffalo traditional cocktail based on
egg nog, with brandy and rum, usually
served in a mug.
Ol’ King Cole was a merry old soul,
and in this case Coles has been a merry
ol’ restaurant since 1934.
Check out Barbara Blackburn’s food
blog at culinarrations.wordpress.com.
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February 2019 WNY Family 47