This past weekend, my baseball team played in Rochester, New York. My good friend Scot, is an alumnus of Rochester Institute of Technology and he has always ranted about this place called Nick Tahou's and their signature dish - the garbage plate. He and I made our own garbage plates back in May and they were delicious. But something wasn't quite authentic. You can read about our attempt (and a little more back-story) here. Saturday night, a few teammates and I visited the birthplace of the garbage plate so I could try to analyze what I did wrong so I could give Scot a more authentic taste of his college days.

This is Nick's. Um, how do I put this? Nick's is not in the nicest of neighborhoods. It is definitely better visiting Nick's when the sun is shining. Apparently, the management agrees. They close at 8:00 p.m.


This was the staff. They were very friendly and very busy. We were going to the Rochester Red Wings game and there were dozens in there getting a G.P. to take to the game. We’re eating in. I doubt that the interior of the restaurant looks much different than it did fifteen years ago when Scot was there. It was pretty sparsely decorated but it was certainly clean enough.


The manager could tell we were tourists and told us what to get: “Five cheeseburger plates with everything.” But, of course! That’s what we were there for. When she set these on the counter Drew was giggling like a little girl.


I’m just getting ready to dig in.


Here’s a closer shot. On the bottom is hash browns and macaroni salad. Two cheeseburger patties are next. Yellow mustard is spread on the cheeseburgers and raw onions are spooned on the mustard. On top of everything is Nick’s Special Sauce. It is served with bread and butter.


We really had to wolf these things down. We were being introduced on the field before the Red Wings game and I had promised Mark, our team captain, that I would get the five of us there on time. I was the only one who finished my meal. Both, Jason and Bob got close but Matt and Drew are a couple of bantams.
(l-r) Matt, Drew, Jason, Bob (sitting) and Me


The manager was really a good sport and very friendly. Do I look noticeably heavier in this picture? I feel like it.


We made it to the game on time and were on the field. Mark and Rich look like they could have used a garbage plate.


Heather (pictured with husband Shane) and Mark threw out first pitches before the game.


Okay, I know this isn’t about food but this is too cool not to share. This kid got TWO foul balls in the first inning of the game. He was just a section away from us. Drew almost got the first ball. He seemed like a good kid. Check out his mom. She was laughing uncontrollably.


Check out how far their seats are from home plate. I love it.


This isn’t about food either, but again, it’s too good not to share. The Red Wings won the game 10-6 and we went back to our campground. Across the street from the campground was a small race track and it was loud – really loud. No one in the campground was going to sleep until the racing was over. Several of us went over to peek through the fence but we got separated and I sneaked though an unwatched gate. I got up to the top of the stands and struck up a conversation with several of the exceedingly friendly and excessively fervent people there. They were incredulous that I had never been to a race like this. When I asked them what they called this type of racing they looked at me like I was an alien. The finally told me after they all had a good laugh – sprint cars. It was very exciting and the people were hilarious.


Oh, I almost forgot – we won our two baseball games – 30-10 and 14-0. It was a good day.