Blackthorn Restaurant and Pub — Review by Food Network
Buffalo, United States — American, Irish Pub
Guy Fieri visits Blackthorn Restaurant and Pub in Buffalo's south side Irish neighborhood to experience the iconic beef on weck sandwich. Head Chef Max Leatherbarrow demonstrates the careful preparation of this Buffalo classic, slow-roasting Angus beef and creating a rich au jus to dip the signature salt and caraway seed topped weck roll. The result is an incredibly tender, flavorful sandwich that exemplifies Buffalo's culinary tradition.
What was great: Perfectly tender roast beef with no gristle, flavorful au jus, authentic salt and caraway seed topped weck roll, high-quality Angus beef preparation
What could improve: Nothing mentioned
The Dishes
The star of the show is the beef on weck sandwich, a Buffalo iconic dish that Blackthorn executes with precision. The sandwich features slow-roasted Angus round beef that has been meticulously prepared with a mirepoix base of onions, carrots, and celery, seasoned with Worcestershire sauce, Montreal steak seasoning, and fresh rosemary from the chef's backyard. The beef is roasted at 300 degrees for 3 hours until it reaches a perfect medium-rare internal temperature of 110 degrees. The accompanying au jus is made from the pan drippings, vegetables, water, kosher salt, a browning agent, ground black pepper, and beef base. The final assembly is done with a weck roll that features a caraway seed and kosher salt topping. The top of the bun is dipped in au jus, then the tender beef is dunked and warmed in the rich sauce before being sandwiched between the bun. The result is soaking wet with flavor, incredibly tender meat with zero gristle, and a perfect balance of savory beefiness enhanced by the salt and caraway seed.
The Experience
The restaurant has a rich family history rooted in Irish tradition. Originally a neighborhood pub partially owned by Kevin (known as Louse), the establishment was taken over in 2002 after his passing by his brother Pat, a local fireman, and their brother-in-law. This multi-generational family involvement demonstrates the kind of tradition that Food Network celebrates. Head Chef Max Leatherbarrow oversees production of approximately 20,000 beef on weck sandwiches annually, showcasing the restaurant's commitment to this Buffalo staple.
Value & Pricing
Specific pricing information was not mentioned in the review, though the sandwich is positioned as a quintessential Buffalo experience worth visiting for.
Notable Moments
I can only probably eat about a thousand of those.
Meat's perfect. It's tender. There's no grizzle, no nothing. No schnitzel on the grizzle.
That au jus is awesome, too.
The Verdict
Blackthorn Restaurant and Pub is a must-visit for anyone wanting to experience an authentic Buffalo beef on weck sandwich prepared with old-school technique and premium ingredients. This restaurant is perfect for food tourists seeking genuine local cuisine, families wanting to explore regional specialties, and anyone who appreciates meticulous preparation of simple comfort food elevated to culinary excellence.