Nick Tahou Hots

Tahou it may concern: We miss you.
I’ve been to this location twice, but as I come to post this, it turns out this awesome expansion location has closed and I’m quite disappointed to read this. The most recent time was maybe 18 months or so ago (I can’t be sure) to get a White Hot with extra meat sauce, and the first time I came in I got the Garbage Plate and it was every bit as good as the famous one downtown as far as I remember. It’s a real shame for Henrietta that this location is now gone.
I don’t understand all the negativity about this location. I came here several times over the years, usually because the other one had closed already, or my concert happened to be in Henrietta. The Garbage Plate was always as good, or almost as good, as the one downtown. The White Hots were excellent. The prices were fine.
Nick Tahou’s downtown, the place that invented the Garbage Plate, is still serving them up on W Main St, and they’re absolutely delicious. Make sure you get over there and try one before that place closes down, too.

People come to Nick Tahou’s for the iconic hang-​over cure of western New York: the Garbage Plate.
The Garbage Plate has a base of home fries and macaroni salad (you can order baked beans as well), topped with a protein selection (hot dog, cheeseburger, hamburger, chicken tenders, haddock, fried ham, egg, and italian sausage), then covered in a meat sauce. Nick’s creation is often imitated by restaurants throughout the region.
I went to RIT for college, so I had many Garbage Plates from Nick Tahou’s during my time in Rochester. Until a business trip to the region last week, it had been nearly fifteen years since my last Garbage Plate.
Unfortunately, I’m not sure I’d ever order another Garbage Plate, even at its super-​low price point ($ 5.50 for the «Red Hot» hot dog plate I ordered). The tomato-​based ground beef sauce is the only stand-​out component of the Garbage Plate, containing strong elements of garlic, cumin, and onion, with hints of cayenne and allspice. The meat sauce is what «makes» the Garbage Plate. Anything else can be substituted.
As a student, this was a greasy, life-​saving alcohol absorbent; as an adult, I see it as 3 – 4 pounds of shitty food haphazardly heaped onto a paper plate.
Thank you Nick’s for the nostalgic meal, but I guess I’ve learned that your grub is not that great when I’m sober and not hung-​over. Nonetheless, I’ve added +1 star for the memories.

I like the idea of this, and it tasted fine, but really it was only just ok.
Also, there is only a single male and a single female bathroom so when (inevitably after eating this slop) one must use the facilities, one must hope that there isn’t someone already in there.
Good selection of pop.

I really want to defend this place.
I want to five star it solely because of what it has done for Rochester.
I want to thank it for the garbage plate and all the love I have for it.
But I can’t.
Especially not this location (Even the other teeters at a 3star for me)…but this one is a 1 star.
For those of you who don’t know Rochester lore, Nick Tahou’s created the «Original» garbage plate, they are the MASTERS if you will… or were, at least, once upon a time. In recent years they’ve steadily dropped rank from best garbage plate to one of the most bland. Their cooks lack any passion they once had and the food now tastes similar to something from a fast food joint, and even then, a bit more dry.
I try to come back here once a year or so, I always want them to kick it up a notch, I want to find out their better. I want them to suddenly be like «JUST KIDDING» about how bad they’ve sucked recently, but no luck.
I understand they might sell more food than the garbage plate, but I’ll be honest, the only thing I have ever, and will ever order from a Nick Tahou’s IS a garbage plate. It’s the one thing I’d expect them to learn to master before anything else. And it’s the one thing they seemingly mess up each time…
The meat — Dry
The meat — Also cold
The potatos — Don’t get me started…
The mac salad — I think it had been sitting out for a long time… it was room temp and then some, and had that «I’m going to give you food poisoning» taste to it that it get’s after sitting in a hot room for a few hours.
If you’re coming in from out of town and want to try a garbage plate, I know this place is a «legend»…but it should be left as such. Get a plate from a place that can make them better. Do a search on here and you’ll find several places people will swear by.

Nick Tahou’s is a Rochester must do. Don’t count the calories though! We only get a garbage plate a few times a year for this reason alone. This location is a new addition which includes a drive-​through.
Quick service, clean inside and tasty food.

I was determined to try a garbage plate when I made it to Rochester. Unfortunately it was not worth my time. The good is not cooked fresh and the quality of meats is terrible. The hamburgers are the kinds you get in high school cafeteria and everything lacks flavor. Trust me, really not worth your time.

Good friendly service. You can call whatever you want — it’s slop. You literally get garbage. it’s gross, not fresh, and cold. Never again!

If you’re in Rochester, NY, you should go to one of the Nick Tahou’s and get what is surely Rochester’s most famous culinary delights. The garbage plate. This location is safer to go to than the other location downtown, at least from what I remember in college making those late night trips.
This Tahou’s is easy to get to and easy to get out of. They have the regular fare of your choice of garbage plates.
A garbage plate is this: macaroni salad, home fries (or fries), meat sauce (think dirty water dog chili) and your choice of meat red hot, white hot, hamburger, or cheeseburger. They even have a veggie burger option, which according to the staff, gets ordered more than one would think. Who knew? You’ve also got the option of getting mustard and onions on it. Heck, why not get those too!
Best described as a late night hangover food, it’s actually quite tasty. I’d opt to get one at almost any time of day. I personally like the white hot garbage plate, with homefries, mustard and onions.

From what I heard, it suppose to be the best trash plate in town. Great foods, Mac salad tasted plain… (prob.need more salt/​favor).

I am a Rochester native that hasn’t lived there now for almost ten years. So when I come back to visit, Tahous is my number one spot to go. This time on July 14, 2013 I was extremely disappointed.
First when I walked in around 1:30pm it wasn’t even busy. The people behind the counter had no sense of urgency. Finally when I gave the guy my order it took 10 minutes to get my food. You used to be in and out at a Tahous.
While waiting I noticed a few things about looking behind the counter and at other peoples orders. The price of the plates has gone up alot. $ 8.50 for a Cheeseburger plate (to be expected in this economy I guess). The quantity of food is reduced. The mac salad macaroni are smaller as well as the burgers. The home fries arent how they used to make them, apparently they are now dumped in a basket and deep fried instead of on the flat top.
So I got my order. When I opened the styrofoam container I was already prepared for what to expect. Also if you get your food to stay on a plate you get even less food. Also I had a pool of liquid on the bottom of the container. Never had that before. It tasted fine but it just wasn’t the same as it used to. What else arent they doing right anymore.
After doing some research. Apparently the Henrietta location really stinks and quality is in the toilet. For now I would recommend going to the Downtown Rochester location on Main St. instead. Hopefully that location hasn’t gone downhill either. Next visit I will see. I guess the since the Old Man «Nick» passed on, the kids don’t care anymore.

This place is great for a garbage plate. My friend and I like to meet here once in a while for a Rochester favorite. We love how fast it is. Order, get your drink, and then your food is ready. Dinning room décor is nothing special, but it’s really all about the food anyways. I love the cheeseburger plate. The mac salad that they have can be on the watery side, but mixed with the home fries makes it all good. It’s not health food, but great Rochester comfort food. It will make any bad day better!

If you live in Rochester, you know there’s a few dozen different versions of the Plate around the city. This is, more or less, one of the «originals» — the first Tahou’s on West Main begat the one in Gates, and then this one was opened in the old Del Taco location on West Henrietta. In ambience/​atmosphere, it’s a definite improvement without being overly classy — I mean, it’s still a very casual joint, but it’s better than the other two locations.
The food is better prepared than the other locations as well. These guys complaining about their Plates — I’m sorry, I don’t get it. For years, friends and I would go to the other locations and get Plates swimming in grease, with the looks of the angry cooks behind the counter like it was supposed to be that way. It’s not. The Plates at this Tahou’s are «cleaner» — still Garbage-​y, if you will — and just taste better.
The service has always been good, and I went a bunch of times during past semesters at MCC when I had time to take a break between classes. They’re fairly fast. Now, I wasn’t going during the dinner hour, so if it was hectic in there or not fast enough for others… some people aren’t patient.
Red Hot Red Hot Red Hot. I’m not saying douse it, but you (as the eater) should know that Red Hot’s been an integral condiment for a Garbage Plate. Use it.
Overall, a nice joint. I haven’t bothered with the drive-​thru service (a great idea) because part of the experience, to me, is going in and sitting down to enjoy it.

I know I know I should not of gone to this location but convenience got the best of me.
Sigh: Went here on Sunday and the girl at the front looked like she was ready to tie a noose and the girl cooking looked like she wanted to kick the chair. So nice when ppl look like they want to burn their work place down… Anyhoo ordered of course the cheeseburger garbage plate…
She hands it to me upside down… really? Are we going to play this game? I was in a rush and figured whatever its all gonna be mixed up when I go to devour it.
Devour I did not. the burger tasted like a high school cafeteria burger that had been sitting out since oh I dunno since I was a senior in high school? (im 31 you do the math)
So in the trash it went… I was in a bad mood that day. shes lucky I came home to eat or I might of… might just of thrown it at her screaming «you can’t handle the truth!» what? I dunno but I’m sure that wouldn’t of happened. I just like to think that maybe one day I could do something so awesome and remember-​able/​unhinged?
WINNING

Clean place and decent service. Too bad the food was bland and totally underwhelming.
We should have known when we walked in and saw some of the customers had thrown up on their plates. Turns out that was the «garbage plate» they ordered.

I don’t know why there are so many lackluster reviews on here.
I have never had a garbage plate before, so this was my first one. Yeah yeah, I should sample 20 more from other places to compare.
But this meal was as satisfying as Thanksgiving dinner. My plate was definitely not greasy slop as mentioned in another review. Look at my picture if you don’t believe me.
I haven’t scarfed in a while. This time I scarfed. Madly.

Typical place to get a garbage plate! Their plates are a little greasier than other places that I’ve been… But they’re still good!
The service was good and the place was clean.

If you look up the word «slop» in the dictionary, I am pretty sure there is a picture of a garbage plate from Western New York.
Order a garbage plate and you will receive a styrofoam container spewing with white hots (hot dogs), home fries, macaroni salad, mustard, onions, and a frightening spicy meat sauce. The original «Garbage Plate» from Nick Tahou’s is a bargain– for 7 dollars you can feed one Eskimo, or an entire little league team. You can find the plates all over Western NY, or even Upstate in Saratoga at PJ’s BBQ. Just ask for the «Trash Can» or the «Dumpster.»
You will never guess who introduced the garbage plate to me– my health conscious girlfriend, who insists on switching my fatty bacon to turkey bacon, and making salads that combine nuts and assorted fruits. The garbage plate definitely falls under the category of stomach demolishing road food. My experience was unique in that I casually ordered one on a quiet afternoon. I barely put a dent in it, but it was well worth the experience. Recommended eating times are between 10p.m. — 4:00 a.m., preferably after a frat party.
**Not previously acknowledged — the «Original» plate is at the Tahou’s on West Main Street, and it should be ordered with home fries and beans.**

I didn’t grow up in Rochester so I was a little nervous about getting a garbage plate and I was also wondering how I would pull it off not eating beef, chicken, or pork. I was very pleased to see that they offered a veggie burger for the «meat» portion of the garbage plate. I got mine with the veggie burger, homefries, mac salad covered with ketchup, mustard, and lots of Frank’s hot sauce. Sounds disgusting but it was surprisingly delicious. I definitely want to go back and get another one.
The atmosphere was simple, nothing special and definitely not fancy. Prices were very good… I think I paid under $ 8 for a garbage plate and soda. Thumbs up!

I’ve desired a garbage plate for years. No. My whole life, literally, led up to the moment I entered Nick Tahou Hots. My sister gave me two choices, Henrietta Hots or Nick Tahou’s. She claimed Henrietta Hots gave her the runs awhile back. But shouldn’t all garbage plates give you rampant diarrhea?
Seriously. LOOK AT THE PICTURE. It’s mac salad, potatoes, white hots, meat sauce, hot sauce, onions and mustard with white bread, as if this dish wasn’t white enough. I don’t even know where to begin when discussing the dissection of this crazy food amalgamation.
It doesn’t look good. You don’t understand how such a regional food oddity even developed. How do you dive in? Where to start? Do you mix it all together, or eat like a civilized human being.
Wait, it’s a garbage plate for christsake. Sure I would’ve liked more meat sauce, maybe with a better spice. The potatoes were lackluster. The hots were juicy and delicious. Somehow it all works. It’s a regional delicacy, the haute cuisine of Rochester. Go get one. Just to say you did.

When the Executive Director of an Eye and Tissue Bank offers to take you out for a garbage plate, you can’t say no.
Knowing that Rochester is oddly famous for this notorious pile of «food,» I had to give it a go. Basically a «garbage plate» is everything a drunk college student needs at 2am to ward off the munchies. A typical plate includes potatoes, mac salad, some sort of meat, and chili. Nick Tahou is known for their «hots» or hot dogs as we’d call them out west, so I opted for one red hot and one white hot; white hot being like a weisswurst sausage.
The meal was what I expected; meh but satisfying. The plate was served with two slices of white bread, (to make sandwiches?)and pretty much everything on the plate needed a heavy helping of salt to bring out any flavor.
By no means a great meal, I can see the appeal of eating so much food for so cheap in such a cold part of the country.