Cheese, pepperoni and sauce in a crispy wrapper. That’s the entire description on a box of frozen pizza logs. But Buffalonians know. We were practically raised on the no-frills appetizer that is rumored to have gotten its start in Niagara Falls. Many would consider them, like the Falls, a wonder of the world.
But why?
Is it the portability?
“They are so easy to eat. Very handheld, once they cool off,” said Ed Fusco, owner of Fat Sal’s in Akron. “But you should definitely wait until they cool off.”
Is it the nostalgia?
“I remember growing up and going to the bowling alley with my grandma and we always got pizza logs,” said Nick Argy, owner of Macy’s Place Pizzeria in Cheektowaga.
Or is it something else?
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“They are sort of a reflection of life. People judge us on what they see on the outside too. But you never know what’s on the inside until you break into it,” said Tierra M. Josey, owner and head chef at SZN Buffalo in Kenmore.
These more elusive qualities may be why so many local restaurants and pizzerias are eager to put their definitive mark on the classic snack.
There are hand-rolled varieties, which use the log concept but fill the egg roll wrapping with inventive ingredients that go well beyond cheese and pepperoni. Then there are saucy logs, which keep the standard lineup of ingredients intact, but douse the outside with wing sauces, introducing bold flavors to everyone’s favorite appetizer.
Either way, there are plenty of opportunities to make something old new again. Try these totally original takes on Buffalo’s beloved pizza log.
SZN Buffalo
Buffalo | sznbflo.com
A recent addition to the 716 food scene, SZN Buffalo is an urban fusion taco and egg roll eatery. It operates out of the Massachusetts Avenue Project (387 Massachusetts Avenue) and is available via takeout and delivery service apps.
SZN Buffalo was started by Chef Tierra M. Josey and her wife, Lena, who recently returned to Josey’s hometown from Atlanta, Georgia. The former Master Chef contestant describes the concept of her menu as “everything is not what it seems.” Her egg rolls play into that perfectly.
The Crab Cake Egg Rolls have lump crab, red bell peppers and SZN’s special creole sauce for dipping. They are big and yet you will still wonder how so much flavor fit into it.
The Lasagna Egg Rolls swap out ground beef for turkey and include marinara, ricotta and a three-cheese blend for a gratifyingly gooey take on an Italian staple. Try, try, try to leave room for dessert because SZN Buffalo also features Cinnabon Egg Rolls, which somehow manage to taste like a summer carnival. You’ll know what I mean.
Each order, which includes two egg rolls, is hearty enough to share or save all for yourself. A unique sauce is paired with each roll that’s inventive and perfectly complements the main dish. The SZN creole sauce is Cajun with a sweet heat, while the cinnamon cream cheese is decadent but not too sweet.
Fat Sal’s Pub & Eatery
Akron | Facebook
A self-described dive bar, Fat Sal’s certainly raises expectations and eyebrows by offering over 17 (!) varieties of Buffalo logs. Owner Ed Fusco started experimenting after having an underwhelming sausage and pepper log at a franchise restaurant. He knew he could do better, so he did. Now Fusco is like a mad scientist, and nothing is too outlandish to roll into a crispy wrapper.
Its Thanksgiving Logs had me skeptical, but Fat Sal’s pulls it off. It’s filled with turkey, stuffing, mashed potato and corn—and tastes just like a certain Thursday in November. Gravy, of course, comes on the side for dipping.
There’s a great attention to detail at Fat Sal’s. For example, the ingredients of the Fried Bologna & Onion Logs are all cooked on the flat top, just like the sandwich, then wrapped together and deep fried. There’s also the Stuffed Hot Pepper Logs. Fusco fills a Hungarian pepper with sausage and cream cheese, completely cooks it and then stuffs it in the wrapping for a spicy one-two punch.
Try as many as you can, then order some to go, and then order frozen ones to enjoy at a later date.
Sal’s
Depew
A blink-and-you’ll-miss-it bar in the middle of a residential side street in Depew, Sal’s is a neighborhood watering hole with big draw. You may have heard about their breaded chicken wings, but don’t sleep on its hand-rolled logs either. Sal’s offers Pizza, Jalapeño Cheddar, Reuben and Philly Logs, paired with marinara, salsa, Thousand Island and cheese sauce, respectively.
You know they are hand-rolled because each has a slightly different look that shows how exactly that particular roll came together. It makes them feel more authentic and legit.
TSG BBQ
Elma | tsgbbq.com
After major successes in BBQ competitions over the last 10 years, the owners of TSG BBQ took their hobby to the next level by opening a restaurant in 2020. You can smell the BBQ joint, located on Seneca Street, before you even arrive.
Its BBQ Egg Rolls come two to an order and are completely stuffed with house-smoked pulled pork and coleslaw. A tasty, thin mustard sauce comes on the side for dipping.
Off the Wall Sandwich Co.
Orchard Park | offthewallsandwichcompany.com
The sandwich joint can wrap a mean roll or two. Its Cheeseburger Rolls and Crab Rangoon Rolls are menu staples, but Off the Wall is known to dream up new rolls and drop them for a limited time. Meatball Bomber Rolls and Cheesecake Rolls have both graced the menu at some point.
189 Burger
East Aurora | oneeightynine.com
A not too light, not too heavy starter before the main course, 189 Burger offers Beef on Weck Egg Rolls. Tender beef and caraway seeds fill the inside with a creamy horseradish dipping sauce on the side.
Macy’s Place Pizzeria
Cheektowaga | macysplacepizzeria.com
The Cheektowaga hot spot is known for doing pizzeria food to the extreme. Macy’s Place even has an entire category of “Instagram Pizzas” with combinations so outrageous you’ll want to post a photo for all your friends to see.
Its saucy logs are no exception. Owner Nick Argy said customers requested them so much over the years that they opened their entire catalog of wing sauces to the craze and started promoting them on social media. Macy’s house rule is: If you can get the sauce on chicken wings, you can get the sauce on pizza logs.
The Cool Ranch Dorito Pizza Logs are definitely camera-ready. They are covered with medium hot sauce, crushed Cool Ranch Doritos, crushed red pepper and a Ranch dressing drizzle. The combination, though zany, works really well and brings a nice kick to the cheese and pepperoni inside. Hot Honey Mustard Pizza Logs are another fan-favorite, but with over 30 flavors, try ’em all and see what makes it to your Instagram grid.
Mr. Goodbar
Buffalo | mrgoodbarbuffalo.com
The Elmwood institution offers a variety of logs, including pizza, taco and apple pie. You can get the pizza logs shaken in your favorite wing sauce: Honey Creole, Balsamic Hot Honey, Cajun Stout and everything in between. The Sweet Chili Pizza Logs are a must-try. It’s a delicious combo that never overpowers. Pack some hand wipes; this one will be a sticky experience.
On Thursdays, all orders of logs are just $5.
Wise Guys Pizza
South Buffalo | wiseguysbuffalo.com
How can you make a Buffalo food even more Buffalo? Add Loganberry to it! Wise Guys serves Loganberry BBQ Pizza Logs that blend the famous Crystal Beach beverage with a tangy BBQ sauce then tosses the logs on the grill for a nice, charred finish. You can also get them Honey BBQ or Honey Mustard. n
