When people from outside Rochester first hear the term “Garbage Plate,” their reactions range from confusion to disbelief. The name alone raises questions. What exactly is a garbage plate, and why would anyone want to eat something with such a name?
A garbage plate is a hearty combination of comfort foods, typically featuring a base of home fries, mac salad, or baked beans topped with protein options like cheeseburgers, hot dogs, or chicken tenders. The dish is smothered in a spicy meat-based hot sauce and finished with optional toppings like onions, mustard, or ketchup. Served with a slice of buttered Italian bread, the garbage plate is famous for its messy, piled-on appearance and mix of surprisingly harmonious flavors.
For many, the concept probably sounds like a messy, unhealthy meal, which would be correct. But for the people of Rochester and Western NY, the garbage plate is as iconic as Kodak and lilacs and represents a long-standing tradition of local comfort food.
The plate, originally called “Hots and Potatoes,” traces its roots back to 1918 when Alexander Tahou founded the restaurant known today as Nick Tahou Hots, a modest eatery catering to the city’s hardworking population.
According to current owner Alex Tahou, the original plate was much simpler than the loaded combination we know today.
“Years ago, there weren’t hamburgers, no sausage, just strictly a hot dog joint, a couple hot dogs, home fries, beans, and a couple slices of bread. All made to feed the working, hungry person who may only be eating once a day. It’s cost-effective and still is today,” Tahou said.
Over the years, the plate evolved, introducing hamburgers, and later cheeseburgers, which quickly became the most popular option. Its now-famous name, however, didn’t come from the restaurant itself.
In the early 1980s, Alex’s father, Nick Tahou, was running the restaurant, having inherited it from his father in the mid 1940s. In the 1980s, Nick Tahou Hots was open 24 hours, making it a popular late-night spot for college students.
“They’d come in and see someone eating a plate and not know what it was, they’d say, ‘Get me a plate with all the garbage on it.’ My father, Nick Tahou, thought the name was terrible. I mean, think about it—if you hear ‘garbage plate,’ it doesn’t make you wanna run down and get one,” Tahou said.
The name “Garbage Plate” became trademarked by Nick Tahou Hots and quickly became a staple of late-night cravings and hearty comfort food in the area.
Jim McAllister and Derek Foster are both longtime customers of Nick Tahou Hots, and their love for a garbage plate is undeniable.
“I’ve been coming here since I was a kid, and now I bring my own kids. My dad used to sit me down, and we’d share a plate,” McAllister said. “Jim and I grew up on this stuff. I’ll admit it, when I first saw a garbage plate, I thought, ‘There’s no way that’s good.’ But one bite changed everything. It’s the ultimate comfort food. No frills, just a ton of delicious food for a solid price,” said Foster.
The garbage plate’s place in Rochester’s food culture was solidified over decades, and now, it’s served all over upstate New York and the United States. Any “Hots” restaurant or burger joint has their own version in inspiration of Nick Tahou Hots. But in the words of Alex Tahou, there is only one true “Garbage Plate.”
“Well, they’re just not garbage plates because we own the name. It’s like if you wanna buy a car and put something on it and say it’s a Chevrolet, it’s not a Chevrolet; we made it,” Tahou said.
Whether it’s a late-night craving or a meal after a long day, the Garbage Plate is an iconic part of Rochester’s history, one that continues to delight those in the know and surprise those who are new to it.
So, what’s a garbage plate? It’s not just a pile of delicious, affordable food, but a symbol of Rochester. A combination of food and culture that will be passed on for generations to come.
