Shango New Orleans Bistro & Wine Bar — Restaurant in Buffalo

First time I ever came here was for happy hour to bid farewell to a friend that was leaving Buffalo. They have a wide variety of beers on tap, as well as wine. We had tried the poutine which was delicious in itself but not actual poutine (didn't have cheese curds). While I was there, I saw that they offered brunch on Sundays, who am I to turn down trying a new brunch place?

We came as a party of 4 around 10:45, which is a tad earlier than their 11 am starting time. The only weird part of the whole experience was the hostess that told us that all of their reservations were taken and that she would only be able to seat us if we could finish brunch by noon (next party in). After some time, she then told us that the tables by the bar were also available without the 1 hour time constraint, which we gladly took.

After looking at the menu, I decided to get the biscuits with Andouille sausage gravy and the smoke salmon scramble with fried oysters (ordered over medium eggs on top as well). The food came out within a decent time and nice and hot. You could smell the aroma of the sausage from the gravy and the smoke salmon scramble was intoxicating. Our waitress was very attentive and always ready to refill our coffees and water. I don't think I ever reached the bottom of my coffee cup, despite my best efforts.

They offer a great brunch with a cajun flair. Definitely will come back...

It was a struggle to give this 3 stars which is a shame because I remember when they first opened and the food was fantastic. I should have known better because the reservation was very easily available on a Friday night and when we got there it was initially empty. We were the only ones there. Back in the day you NEEDED a reservation now it’s just for show. The food was mediocre relying on sauces to convey taste instead of the ingredients themselves. I had the salmon which tasted salty and bland. The rice was meh and whatever the little round thing was i took one bite snd spit it out. We had two appetizers which were deep fried and more deep fried; and two dinners.I didn’t even finish mine and definitely didn’t want the leftovers. My companions dish looked worse than mine. Overcooked pasta and frozen shrimp the sauce was watery and only decent thing in the bowl was the sausage. He didn’t finish his meal either. The interior looks tired and the garage door was open which brought in a ton of flies. We spent as much time swatting flies away as trying to eat. I almost knocked over my glass of wine trying to swat one very aggressive fly away from my face. We left without dessert and really wished we had gone somewhere else. This restaurant needs a rethink fast or they aren’t going to be around for long. Really a...

2/3 of my visits to this restaurant have been very poor. Inconsistently inauthentic is probably the best way to describe Shango.

Last year for my birthday, the host made no extra accommodations for my large party. Placed us right by the drafty door. On top of forcing one of my guest to pay the same price for Her orange juice as the rest of us did for our mimosas. Does that mean your alcohol has no value?? Food was lackluster and without flavor.

Today, over a year later I brought my family here for a father’s Day brunch and again, extremely underwhelming. The host and wait staff ignored us waiting for a table with no apologies, and I’m pretty sure I was served mashed potatoes not grits. I got sick to my stomach before the meal was done. When I asked the waitress about the quality she “promised” it’d be better next time. I don’t believe it. Restaurants are like people- when they show you who they really are the first time BELIEVE THEM.

The two stars are held up by a great dinner I had a few months back which prompted me to try brunch again. Won’t be wasting my time again. Hire a new host with a better attitude and chefs with experience making authentic creole cuisine. This restaurant belongs on elmwood with the rest of the...