Brick Oven Bistro stands out from the rest of the neighborhood's underwhelming dining scene with its focus on creative, upscale cuisine — especially, as the name implies, a selection of about a dozen artisanal brick-oven pizzas ranging from well-executed classics (margherita, pepperoni, mushroom) to unusual innovations (a Reuben pizza complete with sauerkraut) and paeans to the local cuisine (a beef on weck pizza with Swiss cheese, horseradish aioli, and a kümmelweck crust). If you like your crust thin, this place is for you; one reviewer suggested they'd be better described as flatbreads. At lunchtime is served a selection of sandwiches, the best of which features mouth-watering Angus steak dressed with hot peppers, onions, provolone, and garlic aioli.
Mon-Thu 11AM-3PM and 4-9PM, Fri Sat 11AM-3PM and 4-10PM, Sun noon-8PM·$15-35
Family-owned for over 45 years, the main order of the day at McKay's is work gear, specifically Carhartt brand: their gamut of jackets, cargo pants, coveralls, neon-colored high-visibility vests, tool bags, backpacks, and other accessories earned them Carhartt's Retailer of the Year award in 2006, as well as various brands of work shoes and boots, gloves, lab coats, and scrubs. But if you're looking for something more in the way of a souvenir, McKay's contribution to the Hibernian offerings in Buffalo's Irish Heritage District includes a range of sweatshirts featuring custom-made Irish embroidery designs produced right in-store.
Mon-Sat 10AM-6PM, Thu Fri till 9PM
Kathleen Cunningham's is a small, cheerily-decorated neighborhood cupcake shop where the specialty is imaginatively conceived custom orders for weddings, parties, and other special occasions. But if you're just popping in for a quick bite on a Sunday morning or afternoon, KupKates does stock a selection of premade cupcakes to take home, scratch-made from premium ingredients, as well as cookies, pastry hearts, pies, and other treats. And if you're gluten-sensitive, you don't have to miss out: there's a selection of goodies for you too!
Sun 10AM-4PM or by appointment
By contrast with the spiffier places elsewhere along the Abbott Road strip, Molly Maguire's hews closer to the prototypical grungy South Buffalo dive, with cheap drinks poured in a dark, loud barroom sparsely decorated with the usual Irish-themed tchotchkes. That's certainly no knock on the place, though; the clientele is friendly, the vibe is gregarious, and free concerts by local bands liven the place up further on Saturday nights.