09/25/2026
I get lot of questions about this Rochester tradition. Opportunity abounds in Rochester!
In Rochester, New York you’ll find one of the country’s best “garbage plates” at Nick Tahou Hots, where a huge mix of classic comfort food comes piled together on one plate. This Rochester landmark dates back to 1918 and is known as the original home of the Garbage Plate. Pick your meat, then load the plate with choices like home fries, macaroni salad, baked beans, or French fries, finished with chopped onions, mustard, and Nick’s famous meat hot sauce. Bread and butter are served alongside it. The restaurant’s West Main Street home has some history of its own—it was once a Buffalo, Rochester & Pittsburgh Railway station. Founder Alex Tahou actually got his start selling hot dogs to hungry railroad passengers before opening his restaurant. The dining room is simple and old-school, the servings are large, and the Garbage Plate name is a registered trademark. It’s a Rochester food tradition that has been going strong for more than a century.
