Beef on Weck might not have the same level of popularity as chicken wings, Buffalo’s most famous culinary dish, but it’s a unique sandwich you’ll find in almost any Western New York neighborhood pub or restaurant.

The kummelweck roll, topped with kosher salt and caraway seeds, gives the Beef on Weck sandwich its name and distinctive taste./Wikipedia.com

The origins of the Beef on Weck aren’t clearly defined. The most common belief is a German immigrant opened a saloon about the time of the 1901 Pan Am Exposition, where he introduced the kummelweck roll to Buffalo. The salty roll with caraway seeds was thought to make his customers thirsty and order more beer.

What makes a good Beef on Weck? A freshly baked kummelweck roll filled with juicy, medium-rare roast beef thinly carved by hand. Fans recommend adding a bit of horseradish to give the sandwich a little extra kick.

There are plenty of places to find a Beef on Weck sandwich in Buffalo. But to save you the time to research where the stand-outs here, here are the best five in Buffalo.

Bar Bill Tavern's brilliant Beef on Weck

1. Bar Bill Tavern

Bar Bill Tavern is about 30 minutes outside the city of Buffalo in the town of East Aurora. It’s a bit of a drive, but worth every mile. The small bar is known for its diehard fan-base, which means the waits for a table can get long. Also, prepare yourself, because they only take cash (there is an ATM inside).

We recommend grabbing a seat at the bar if you want front-row seats to the beef on weck. In plain view of the bar is a carving station where you can watch the staff pump out an impressive amount of sandwiches to order. This is also one of our picks for the best chicken wings in all of Western New York.

At Charlie the Butcher, the beef is cooked perfectly and served on fresh baked rolls. / www.buffaloeats.org

2. Charlie the Butcher

Buffalo only has a couple local food “celebrities,” but Charlie the Butcher and his signature helmet/butcher apron is probably one of the most well known. Charlie has locations in gas stations and supermarkets all over Western New York. But the stand-alone, original location in Williamsville is the place to be (even “Iron Chef” Geoffrey Zakarian thinks so).

Charlie the Butcher specializes in Beef on Weck and they don’t mess around. The beef is always cooked to the right temperature and the fresh baked rolls never get soggy.

At Schwabl’s, customers can specify how they want their Beef on Weck cooked. / Courtesy of Schwabl’s

3. Schwabl’s

Schwabl’s is the most “old school” of the bunch. Opened in 1837, the staff wears vintage uniforms and the building’s decor transports visitors 60 years back in time.

Anthony Bourdain and “Lucky Peach” editor Peter Meehan have visited and endorsed Schwabl’s as good eats. It’s one of the only locations in Buffalo where you can specify how well done you want your beef cooked.

We recommend visiting during the winter, when you can order one of their legendary Tom and Jerry’s, an old-fashioned hot cocktail.

Swiston’s specializes in two things: Beef on Weck sandwiches and chili. / Courtesy of Swiston’s Beef & Keg

4. Swiston’s Beef & Keg

Swiston’s won’t come up on many tourist guides. In fact, this restaurant is pretty much only known to its local regulars and that’s the way they’d like to keep it.

The pub only has two things on its menu: Beef on Weck sandwiches and chili. That’s it. This fantastic dive in Tonawanda, about 20 minutes north of the city, is on Ellicott Creek and has a great patio. Like many of the locations on this list, Swiston’s is a great, unpretentious neighborhood bar that simply serves a really great sandwich.

Many consider Ulrich’s Tavern, open since 1869, the best place to order a Beef on Weck in Buffalo. / Courtesy of Ulrich’s Tavern

5. Ulrich’s Tavern

Ulrich’s Tavern is the oldest tavern in downtown Buffalo. The building dates to 1869, when it was a grocery store and saloon. Since the 1950s, the restaurant has become one of the most popular watering holes and lunch destinations for downtown workers.

The current owners renovated the building to recreate some of the essence of historic downtown Buffalo. It’s the best place in the city to order a Beef on Weck sandwich by a wide margin.

Vizzi’s offers huge servings at low prices, and a damn good Beef on Weck. / www.buffaloeats.org

6. Vizzi’s

You’d probably drive by this place on Kenmore Avenue in North Buffalo and not think twice about stopping. Aside from a sign displaying their “Best Burger in Buffalo” award, you’d never assume the food is anything special. But you’d be wrong, because Vizzi’s serves up great eats with huge servings and really low prices.

The Beef on Weck is almost comically large; a towering pile of beef between two rolls. It’s nearly impossible to eat this thing with your hands. So don’t feel bad if you resort to a fork and knife.

The bar is very low key and occasionally you’ll find some live music to accompany your gigantic sandwich and cheap draft beer. Leave your credit cards at home. They take cash only.