Mothers Restaurant — Restaurant in Buffalo

My first experience with Mother's was on accident on a week day afternoon. I was looking to entertain a friend from out of town and walked in here instead of the place next door. Since we were looking for a cheap divey atmosphere, when we were greeted by men in suits and women in cocktail dresses, we found ourselves under-dressed and out-of-place. We got sat anyways and looked at the menu and found that we were NOT where we wanted to be. Because my expectations were much different than what Mother's afforded, I left with a bad first impression.

Last night, after some strong coaxing from a friend and a recommendation by a bartender on Pearl St., I made my return. Emboldened by high expectations, I came dressed to impress with money in my wallet.

First off, the bar is pretty well stocked. As far as bourbon goes, they had my Bulleit Bourbon (in both orange and green), Woodford reserve, a slew of bottles I didn't recognize and local favorite One Foot Cock. There's a hefty selection, but don't be discouraged. The bartenders were more than willing to help you make a decision or make a suggestion themselves. And from the 2-3 suggestions we had them make, they were on the money. Speaking of which, their drinks were reasonably priced, a little higher than other places around but not over priced.

The menu was a little daunting as it was a few pages long, one being the menu specifically for that day. The prices seemed a little steep until the food came out. The portions? Huge. My friend ordered stuffed peppers and there were 4 large peppers, a side salad, and 4 pieces of toast all elegantly displayed on a large plate. We ordered a chicken quesadilla which came out the size of a small pizza with what seemed like an unfair amount of chicken with sides of salsa, sour cream, and guacamole. Both dishes were under 10 bucks. Which is crazy surprising when you factor in the atmosphere, friendly staff, and decor.

A steel spiral staircase greets you as you walk in adding setting a modern classic tone to the deceptively large space. (I asked the bartender, it goes to an office and storage.) The walls are adorned with pictures of people I didn't recognize with, I'm assuming, a picture of the venue's namesake "mother" watching over the bar adding character. The white table cloth covered tables each lit with a candle conjure romance and intimacy. An exposed stone wall spans the length of the building enclosing it all with the feeling that time no longer has power...

ARROGANT RESTAURANT OWNER BLAMES FAILINGS ON PATRONS!! I don't normally write online reviews but this time I feel compelled to do so.We had 7:30 pm reservations for four Fri 10/19 for our first time ever experience at Mothers. My youngest son came home from college unexpectedly last minute so we asked him to join us also. Fortunately we got to Mothers early as the parking in the vicinity is quite challenging. When we arrived we asked if it was OK if our son joined us but were told that due to "fire regulations" they could only accommodate us outside on the patio (mid Oct in buffalo, 50 degrees, no heat, no light). We were escorted outside & on the way noticed several vacant tables for four inside, some side by side. I asked again if we could rather sit inside at an empty table with an extra chair pulled up, but was met with the same answer. The patio was cold & dark, & only two other hearty souls braved the elements. Not wanting to make a scene but trying to make the best of a family night out we persevered. The meal was good as was the waiter. During several trips inside each of us continued to notice again the many vacant tables, & wondered why we were not at one of them (we would have been happy to squeeze 5 at our original table for 4). I left a nice tip for the waiter as this was not his fault(my middle son waits tables at a better Buffalo restaurant while attending engineering school, so I do sympathize with the waiters!) Still bothered by this the next day, I called the restaurant & spoke politely about it to the owner Mark Supples. I explained that I am a doctor & was trying to enjoy a nice night out with my family. I identified the time, amount of the bill, & my tip so he could easily see who I actually was. Mark then explained that the entire experience was my fault as I had not done my job. WHAT?? I had come with five instead of four, regardless of the empty tables. When I asked if there was anything he might do to encourage me to ever consider again returning to his restaurant, he answered"Yes, I will provide the same great service I have provided for the past 20 years that has made me successful" Imagine that!! What an arrogant superiority complex this guy has. My rating is a double "F". NOTE TO MARK: BUFFALO IS A SMALL TOWN AND WORD GETS OUT. ARROGANT UNCARING RESTAURANT OWNERS WILL...

There I was, Zack Schneider, ad man and casual epicurean, stepping into Mother's Restaurant in Allentown, Buffalo. The plan? A bit of business chit-chat with a friend. The reality? Oh, much more entertaining than any typical Tuesday night.

The bar at Mother's is where the magic happens. It's like a stage for life's great play, and that night, I had front row seats. I settled in next to this charming older couple who seemed to have mastered the art of enjoying life - and a good glass of wine. They had that 'been there, done that, got the T-shirt' vibe, which was both comforting and slightly intimidating.

As my friend and I delved into the intricacies of our latest advertising conundrums, I couldn't help but throw occasional glances at the couple. Their nods and smiles were like silent cheers to our grand plans. I mean, who needs a boardroom when you've got the wise approval of the bar's sage patrons?

But as the night wore on, the scene at Mother's shifted. Enter stage left: a younger couple, clearly on a mission to redefine the word 'spirited'. They slid next to us, their energy infectious and intentions clear - they were here to have a good time, business talks be damned.

I found myself sandwiched between two generations, each with their own brand of charm. The younger couple's laughter was a live wire, sparking conversations that ranged from the ridiculous to the downright hilarious. At one point, I think we debated the merits of pineapple on pizza - a topic, I assure you, can get quite heated.

The food? Oh, it was the real deal. Each dish was a flavorful nod to the culinary gods, even if the drinks were more 'meh' than 'more, please'. But honestly, who cares about the drinks when you've got such delightful company?

By the end of the night, I'd done more than just talk shop. I'd laughed with strangers, shared stories with new friends, and realized that Mother's isn't just a restaurant; it's a crossroads of life's many paths. As I bid my goodbyes and stepped out into the cool Buffalo night, I couldn't help but think, "Well, that escalated...