Open Letter: I Miss This Closed Down Buffalo Restaurant

One of my favorite activities in life is going out to eat at restaurants. I’ve been the way since I was a kid. My parents loved going out too, so perhaps that’s where I got the spark from.

I think it’s not only the food and drinks, but the comradery of being with family or friends.

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Over the years, we have seen restaurants come and go in the Buffalo area. There are so many places you can choose to go from. It’s not as if one place closes and you’re out of luck. We are blessed with all these options.

However, some places become hugely important to us — even if we don’t see it at the time. Think of all the amazing restaurants in the Buffalo area that are gone but have huge nostalgic value? Dozens, hundreds.

One place that closed for good just four short years ago I miss dearly and I didn’t realize it at the time.

Zebb’s.

Zebb’s had two locations in Western New York; one in the northtowns (Amherst near North Tonawanda) and the other in the southtowns (Orchard Park).

This was one of the first restaurants I ever went to as a kid. I loved the Trivial Pursuit game cards and odd hot sauces on the table.

Then there was the salad and toppings bar. It was so old school and I loved getting a burger and going to grab my toppings. The entire atmosphere was awesome. They also had some amazing fries, similar to Five Guys.

Zebb’s still has locations in Syracuse and New Hartford but shuttered its Buffalo locations.

I was sad but not devastated when Zebb’s closed. Now, I miss it dearly. I think because the fact it was part of my childhood is why. My mom and dad had those places when I was growing up and now I have mine and the list has grown since I was a teenager.

You are not forgotten, Zebb’s.