Buffalo, NY lies at the confluence of Lake Erie and the Niagara River, 400 miles northwest of New York City and 100 miles southwest of Toronto. And a few blocks north of downtown Buffalo sits the Anchor Bar, at 1047 Main at North St., home of the ‘Buffalo Chicken Wings’.

It was here, way back in 1964, that Teressa Bellissimo deep-fried some wings, covered them in a special secret sauce and served them to her son’s friends along with blue cheese dip as hors d’oeuvres. Before that fateful day, chicken wings were either used for soup or simply thrown away. Today, Frank & Teressa Bellissimo’s Original Anchor Bar Buffalo Wing Sauce has launched a thousand variations across the globe, and Buffalo Wings are now a staple at eateries around the world, not just in Buffalo or New York.

The Buffalo wings at the Anchor Bar are deep fried chicken wings, served with hot sauce, celery stalks and blue cheese dressing. Here’s the original Anchor Bar Hot Wing recipe, create by Teressa Bellissimo, and brought to you via Totally Hot! The Ultimate Hot Pepper Cookbook.

4 to 5 Lbs chicken wings, freshly ground black pepper, salt (if desired), 4 cups vegetable Oil, 4 TBS butter or margarine (1/2 stick), 5 TBS Louisiana-brand hot sauce or Tabasco sauce (use Franks Red Hot), 1 TBS white wine vinegar

Chop off the tip of each chicken wing, and discard it. Chop each wing in half (cutting at the joint) to make 2 pieces. Grind on fresh black pepper and sprinkle with salt if desired. Heat the oil over high heat in a deep skillet, Dutch oven, or deep-fat fryer until it starts to pop and sizzle (around 400F). Add half the chicken wings and cook until they’re golden and crisp, stirring or shaking occasionally. When done, remove them to drain on paper towels and cook the remaining wings. Melt the butter or margarine over medium heat in a heavy saucepan, add the hot sauce and the 1 TBS of vinegar. Stir well and remove from the flame immediately. Place the chicken on a warm serving platter, pour the sauce on top, and serve.

Today’s Anchor Bar & restaurant serves not only the famed Buffalo wings, but also splendid Italian and American cuisine using original recipes. Try their stuffed hot peppers ($6), served with bread, and stuffed with Italian sausage, cream cheese and romano  cheese, or the combo plate for $7 with two potato skins stuffed with ham and mozzarella cheese, two chicken fingers and two pizza logs served with sauce for dipping. For dessert, try one of their New York style cheesecakes ($4.50).

The Anchor Bar is also good for a quick bite to eat, with an assorted variety of hot and cold sandwiches, pizzas and tacos , washed down with a cheap beer. The food here is tasty, filling, cheap and its historic. It’s what we call a New York experience. Must visit if you’re a foodie in New York.

Besides, Buffalo has a lot of things, other than Niagara, to do and see. There’s the Albert Knox Art Gallery, Wilcox Mansion (site of Theodore Roosevelt’s historic amd improvised inauguration ceremony), The BUffalo Naval Park and the Buffalo Zoo, among others.

Info: Anchor Bar - 1047 Main Street Buffalo, New York 14209; (716) 884-4083, www.anchorbar.com

Web links: Buffalo, New York - hotels, visitors, Niagara USA