McPartlan’s Corner

Western New York often seems to have more in common with the upper Midwest than with downstate New York. For instance, walk into almost any restaurant on a Friday night and, regardless of the sort of food the eatery normally serves, you’ll probably find a dining room filled with people eating fish fry, just like in Wisconsin. Local wisdom says that it’s difficult to find a bad fish fry in the Buffalo area. That might be true, but it’s also true that if you value fresh, not frozen, fish, then there are choices to be made.

Our choice is McPartlan’s Corner. This is a classic Buffalo tavern and it’s extremely popular for Friday fish fry. You WILL wait for a table. Leave your name and take your place with the crowds at the bar, on the benches in the vestibule, or outside. Names are called over a PA system.

McPartlan’s consists of two dining rooms and a bar, and the atmosphere is family-tavern casual. The fresh haddock fillet is served on the skin, wrapped in a well-salted crumb crust, and served with a particularly good tartar sauce. There are various potatoes available on the side. The German potato salad is a warm cup of diced potatoes in a bacony sweet-and-sour dressing, lightened with sliced fresh celery. The slaw is crisp, fresh, and decidedly unsweet. Macaroni salad is like the kind you make at home. There are broiled fish options, and a full menu of other solid American-style fare, such as pork chops and liver and onions, and bar favorites like wings, weck, and burgers.