Lougus' Restaurant
2227 Genesee Street, Buffalo

by Mike Niman & Laura McClusky
Gazette Culinary Arts Critics

Lately we’ve been celebrating change - the new cuisines immigrants have been bringing to the East Side. But we also enjoy eating and writing about good old fashioned down home Buffalo style cooking. Whether you’re looking for smoked ribs, pasta or pierogi, the East Side boasts some of Buffalo’s oldest and best eateries. Foremost among them is Lougus, ’ a hidden treasure located at 2227 Genesee Street who for 41 years have been serving up some of the finest fish fries, seafood and Italian cuisine around.

Their tomato sauce is by far one of the best in Buffalo. Let us say that again - one of  the best in Western New York! I know, I know, you’re skeptical. We’ve got a lot of great Italian food in Buffalo, but believe me, this is it. Perfection!

Lougus’ is an impeccably clean neighborhood restaurant with cute little tables and hints of days gone by. You enter the dining room through the bar and can feel the cool air conditioned comfort immediately. This is a homey little place where patrons seem to know each other yet everyone is welcome.

But let’s talk food. We began with a small antipasto ($3.95), generous with pepperoni, salami, carrots, celery, anchovies, green and black olives, and tomatoes. It was plenty for two to share. For the main course we ordered the Ravioli Parmesan ($4.95) and the Homemade Lasagne ($4.95). Both were superb. The ravioli is an ample serving of cheese ravioli, smothered in that delectable red sauce, covered with quality mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses then baked. Exquisite! The lasagne features a delicious blend of cheeses and pasta, again covered with that magnificent red sauce. Fantastic! The serving sizes were just right, too!

Lougus offers all the standard array of seafood and sandwiches you might expect when first entering, but they do it with style. The hamburger meat ($2.25) is ground fresh and the roast beef (on ‘weck $3.75) is freshly roasted and sliced. The pizza has that restaurant goodness that pizzerias seldom match and the prices are great (16" plain $6.50, 12" plain $3.50 - all the extras available - eat in or take out).

The Wednesday night "all-you-can-eat" $2.99 spaghetti special has got to be Buffalo’s best restaurant deal. That’s right - for the price of a fast food "value meal" you can have real quality food in a real restaurant - and we’re talking Buffalo’s best tomato sauce! The price is just too low, so order up a bunch of drinks and leave a big tip!

But Lougus is more than great deals - there’s no need to switch restaurants just because your number hits. Lougus also has ample fare for the high rollers in your family such as lobster tail ($ 18.95) and broiled steaks (N.Y. Strip - $10.95). They also serve up broiled haddock (with herbs and butter -$6.75), fried fish (breaded, not battered - $5.95) and daily specials (like pork chops, meatloaf, etc.-prices vary), and of course, the those Italian delights (mostly around $4.95). But leave room for dessert because those homemade pies and puddings will make you smile!

Lougus’ kitchen is open Wednesday through Monday from 3 pm to midnight. They’ve got great daily specials and a banquet room in the back for gatherings of up to 175 people. There’s also plenty of parking!