Today, we’re going to take a break from serious, theological discussions with some Rochester-style frivolity.
In some previous posts, I wrote about Rochester, New York’s unique contributions to haute cuisine; the delectable Garbage Plate (see here) and the indescribably delicious Zweigle’s brand, pop-open hot dogs (see here). In Rochester, one of the mandatory accoutrements to a “plate,” a burger, or a Zweigle’s hot dog is Rochester meat hot sauce. Nope, we’re not talkin’ chili, folks. We’re talkin’ meat hot sauce.
It’s reported that Rochester meat hot sauce originated with local greasy spoon diner, Nick Tahou Hots, home of the original “Garbage Plate.”
My first experience with Rochester meat hot sauce was back in the late-1960s when our family would pick up burgers to-go at Don & Bob’s (see photo far below) on Monroe Avenue. I witnessed other customers asking for hot sauce on their burger and was curious enough to try it myself. Are you kidding me?!?!?! So delicious! Absolutely NO ketchup or mustard for me on my burger or Zweigle’s white hot. Just meat hot sauce and chopped onions.
Every Rochester burger joint has its own version of the meat hot sauce, some are better than others. The common ingredients are finely-ground, ground beef with cayenne pepper, a little cinnamon, and lots of other spices and seasonings. Some use tomato paste or sauce, others don’t. The hotness meter varies widely from joint to joint, but I like hot, spicy food so that’s never a problem. Savvy Rochesterians avoid local McDonald’s, Burger King, and Wendy’s franchises because they don’t have meat hot sauce for their pre-fab burgers.
Some of the Rochester burger joints sell jars of their meat hot sauce over the counter. You can even buy jars of Rochester meat hot sauce at the local supermarkets. Put a few spoonfuls in a cup, heat it up in the microwave for 15 seconds, and voilà, it’s just like being at a local burger joint. Pictured are jars of Momma K’s, Coach Tony’s, and Don’s Original meat hot sauce. A few thoughts on each one:
Momma K’s: No zing to this one. Tastes like “Sloppy Joe” sauce. Strictly for the ladies…er, I mean for more delicate palates.
Coach Tony’s: Has a real meaty, “hamburger-y” taste with LOTS of zing. May be too overpowering for meat hot sauce novices.
Don’s Original: Delicious flavor. My favorite of the three. Takes me back to my introduction to meat hot sauce at Don & Bob’s. More of a tomato-y base than Coach Tony’s and a slightly less-powerful kick.
Also available around town are Steve T’s, Zweigle’s, and Uncle Timmy’s versions. We’ll sample those three in our upcoming part two installment.
Click on the link below to view the various Rochester meat hot sauces available online from NY Style Deli:
https://www.nystyledeli.com/cgi-bin/deli/search.html?fi=products&st=db&se=toppings&op=rm&tf=dl_location&nu=0&ml=50
If you google “Rochester Meat Hot Sauce” you’ll also find many make-at-home recipes.
Postscript: Other local greasy spoon diners owned by Greek families in the area serve their version of meat hot sauce as a breakfast and lunch accoutrement. My perfect breakfast: two eggs, sunny-side-up, rye toast, home fries, and a small bowl of meat hot sauce on the side. I understand that the idea of meat hot sauce over eggs at 8:00 a.m. in the morning can be a little daunting for the uninitiated, but trust me on this one.
Disclaimer: This post is for entertainment and informational purposes only. I take no responsibility for any subsequent, health-related issues. 🥵
Above: An original “Garbage Plate” served at Nick Tahou Hots is comprised of two hot dogs or burgers over home fries and macaroni salad, all smothered with a generous helping of Nick’s meat hot sauce and chopped onions. For calorie counters, that’s 1700 calories and a whopping 88 grams of fat.
Above: Don & Bob’s at 2545 Monroe Avenue, circa 2001. Rochester’s one-time premier burger joint opened in 1954 and finally closed in 2001.
Dropping by with a hi! Finished homeschooling and going to go pick up lunch and read this during my lunch lol
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👋🏼
I hope you had a hot dog or burger for lunch to complement my Rochester meat hot sauce post!
Hope you’re having a good day! I worked all day on the painting details.
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Lol I had a local Italian sandwich which is popular here and the owner is very Italian
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Sounds good! I had a Zweigle’s white hot with “Uncle Timmy’s” brand meat hot sauce.
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Yummy!
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Man I need to visit ROC and try this meat sauce on burgers. I love specialized burgers I don’t know if iI told you that before
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Everybody in ROC asks for meat hot sauce on their burgers and dogs. I like to change it up occasionally with a specialty burger. Blue cheese burger, mushroom burger, or garden burger with lettuce, tomato, onion, and mayo.
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I need to visit ROC
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And I need to visit SoCal to see the Padres and Chargers!
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Yeah! Let me know if you do.
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Thanks! One of these years!
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👍👍🇺🇸
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Tom, great writing! You can keep all the sauce for yourself! I am a plain janer and I am totally fine with it! Which is Corinne’s sauce of choice? Nathan says they all sound good. Nathan wants us to take a road trip this Fall, who knows we may just make the 5 hr drive to Rochester!
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Thanks, Mandy! When I cook burgers on the backyard grill, I usually refrain from any sauces/condiments to get the full charbroil flavor. But meat hot sauce and chopped onions are a must on a hamburger at a burger joint. Corinne is like you and doesn’t like anything on her hamburger. Stop by and say hello if you drive up this way! There’s actually not much to see/do in Western New York except for Niagara Falls so we get excited about little things like hot dogs and meat hot sauce!
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You are SO funny! I genuinely appreciate you!!! How’s the painting?
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Thank you and I appreciate you, too!
RE: Painting
Thanks for asking! Working on the outside window trim which is very slow going. Lot’s of lattice in our windows and they need a good amount of prep. I haven’t painted them since we moved in 16 years ago because they were somewhat protected behind storms. What complicates things is we’re also shopping for a new fridge. Sorry to whine about my “travails.”
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I have to say I just bought a new fridge and I LOVE it! My mom when she gets back to FL is going to get the same thing. It’s a counter depth (they do make a bigger one which is also nice, not sure how much room y’all need!) Samsung 23 Cu. Ft. 3-Door French Door Refrigerator RF23R6201 I really do recommend this fridge. Comes in stainless steel, black and white. NO I am not a paid spokesperson/salesperson for Samsung!
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Thanks, Mandy, but just bought a French door Whirlpool at the 3rd appliance store we visited. I would have bought anything at this point. It’s a huge upgrade over the old Frigidaire that was old when we bought the house 16 years ago. Installing Tuesday. The big box stores were estimating delivery one month from now.
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That’s fantastic!!
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Thanks! I’m glad it’s over with. We spent A LOT of time Tuesday at Lowes and Home Depot getting bombarded with information then walked into a smaller appliance store today that actually had units to deliver and 1,2,3, it was over.
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I’m really interested in the beef sauce, I bet there’s a lot of dishes to make with that 😊
http://www.nyamwithny.com
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Hi Nyasha! The ground beef hot sauce is such a strong, overpowering condiment that it’s restricted to a topping for hots and hamburgers here in Rochester.
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