73 Allen Street
Allentown and the Delaware District Genuine Mexican cuisine didn't arrive in Buffalo until the 2016 opening of Casa Azul downtown, but Don Tequila was a major precursor. There, chef Sergio Mucino cooks up the usual slate of tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and fajitas, as well as fare like carne asada and mole poblano that bridges the gap between the bastardized and the uncompromisingly authentic. The ambience is chic yet friendly, a lively Allentown approximation of an old Mexican cantina, and the staff displays a genuine flair for customer service. All meals are preceded by a delicious serving of complimentary chips and salsa, with guacamole also available for a nominal upcharge. And if you like tequila, head to the bar.
Mon 11AM-10PM, Tue-Sat 11AM-midnight, Sun noon-10PM; bar open later · $10-35
Ethiopian restaurant Allentown and the Delaware District This place has always been a conundrum: opened in 2012 as one of the first Ethiopian restaurants in Buffalo, locals were torn between their love for the delicious food and their dismay at the unreliable opening hours and service that ranged from merely adequate to downright surly. As time went by and more Ethiopian eateries emerged, the owners responded by jettisoning half the menu and replacing it with Middle Eastern standards such as fatoush, kofta, and shawarma, further complicating matters. Still, if you're arguing with a traveling companion with a hankering for Lebanese, Fast 'N Tasty remains recommendable.
Mon-Thu 11AM-9PM, Fri Sat 11AM-10PM · $10-35
Allentown and the Delaware District Featuring a bevy of imported fashion accessories and gifts: handcrafted necklaces, bangles, beads, earrings, sterling silver rings, handbags, a selection of Afrocentric literature, toiletries such as shea butter and essential oils, and hand-carved art imported from Mali, Senegal, Ghana and elsewhere. Dr. Lonnie Smith, the store's eponymous owner, is a friendly and interesting fellow — a local jazz musician renowned for his prowess on the Hammond B3 organ who's always around for a chat about politics, art, or current events, and often hosts readings of poetry and literature in his shop.