Sausage: where to find the best in WNY
Italian, Polish, and German varieties, English Bangers and more
A few weeks ago, Jeff and I sat perusing the menu at Sophia’s Restaurant at 715 Military Road in Buffalo. Just down the street from their old location, Sophia’s relocated in the fall of 2023. I had not yet been to this new location and for Jeff, Sophia’s was a new experience. Jeff questioned the description for the Giambotta, “Johnny’s” Italian sausage? We asked and confirmed that this was indeed the Italian sausage from Johnny’s Meat Market at 1191 Hertel Ave in Buffalo. He was sold.
About a decade ago, I was introduced to Johnny’s Meat Market through a sampling of their chicken sausage, made with spinach and feta cheese. A few years ago, I decided to give their Italian sausage a try. Available in mild and spicy versions, it has become the only Italian sausage I use in Italian dishes such as the ragù below.
Johnny’s also offers breakfast sausage and house made Polish sausage which I have yet to try. Alas, my heart belongs to another when it comes to Polish sausage.
In the weeks leading up to Easter, I was dealing with a health issue that prevented me from preparing for our traditional Polish Easter meal, the inspiration for this post. Growing up, Christmas had been Italian, but Easter was always Polish. As Easter weekend approached, I became saddened by the thought of breaking tradition and headed out to Camillo’s Sloan Super Market at 494 Reiman Street in Sloan. If you didn’t grow up in this area as I did, you might not be familiar with the village of Sloan. Think Cheektowaga/Buffalo border.
I was surprised to find the store not nearly as crowded as I had expected. Apparently, most had been better prepared than I, here shopping in the final hours before a holiday. Camillo’s also has a location in The Broadway Market at 999 Broadway in Buffalo, and in addition to my favorite Polish sausage, they offer 25+ varieties of custom blended sausage, freshly made daily.
Not long ago, I found myself staring down at the sausage choices on the menu at Schnitzel & Co. at 9210 Transit Road in East Amherst. Frantically I tried to google the names of the four varieties before our server retuned and I needed to ask, appearing the uneducated consumer that I was. The choices consisted of Knockwurst, Bratwurst, Mettwurst, and Weisswurst. I ended up choosing the Knockwurst and the only one with which I was previously familiar, the Bratwurst.
I have never purchased German sausage for preparation at home, but I have been told that the place to go would be Spar’s European Sausage Shop at 405 Amherst Street in Buffalo. I know that I have purchased sausage from this shop in the past, but it was some time ago and I don’t recall exactly which variety I chose. With limited hours, they are presently open Thursday and Fridays, 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM (I work) and Saturdays, 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM. So, I need to get there on a Saturday morning.
I do really need to make it back here though because not only do they offer a great selection of German sausages, but they also offer sausages from over a half dozen cultures. Included on that list are English Bangers.
This past September, Jeff and I spent a day exploring some culinary delights in and around the city of Rochester, NY. Our final stop on that trip was to The Old Toad, a British pub located at 277 Alexander Street in Rochester. Here, we were introduced to a new dish that would become somewhat of an obsession for us, Bangers & Mash.
We sought out to find English Bangers in the Buffalo area so that we could recreate this dish at home. Our search ended up taking us to Tuscany Market & Deli at 450 E Main Street in Fredonia. Not exactly close to home, this was within our stomping grounds. It was a well worthy trip and the bangers we procured were wonderfully seasoned with nutmeg, ginger, sage, and thyme. Upon sharing our creation in a foodie group on social media, a commenter informed me that English Bangers can be purchased at Spar’s European Sausage Shop. We’ll be trying theirs next time.
Where are your favorite places to buy or enjoy sausage? What places do I need to check out. Please do educate me in the comments.
As always I Love how You write. I chuckled at Your use of the word "alas" in reference to Your preference in Polish Sausage. This Article is a Great Guide. Spars is a place I must try, it was recommended to Me when I lamented the difficulty in finding Bangers for St. Patrick's Day. I fell in love with Bangers and Mash in Ireland, and have gone on to have them in Northern Ireland, Scotland, England, and Wales! When people disparage Traditional Irish/British food You know that they never tried it. For instance, Haggis, the most reviled food in Western Culture? Is delicious. I hope You find a place, as our Food Detective, that serves or sells it. In Scotland its usually ordered by asking for "Haggis, Tatties, and Neaps." That means with potato and turnip. With Trad Food You have to make sure Gravy is on the side, or most places will drown the Plate. I'd Love to read Your Take on it.
I just Love Your Style and Content.
Great work. I'll try to visit these shops.
Keep Writing!
I like Hanzlian's chicken Italian sausage and Redlinski's smoked Polish sausage. My husband makes his own Polish sausage.