Are chicken finger subs a buffalo thing?

Chicken finger subs have become a staple menu item at many sub shops and restaurants across Western New York. With crispy chicken fingers, tangy buffalo sauce, and creamy blue cheese dressing piled high on a roll, these indulgent subs certainly seem like a food trend born and bred in Buffalo. But are chicken finger subs really a uniquely Buffalo phenomenon, or did they originate somewhere else? Let’s take a closer look at the history and popularity of chicken finger subs to determine if they can be considered a true Buffalo tradition.

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The Origin of Chicken Finger Subs

While chicken fingers themselves were popularized in the 1960s as a creative way to use up leftover chicken pieces, the chicken finger sub is a more recent creation. Most food historians trace the origin of chicken finger subs back to the early 1990s in Western New York. More specifically, the very first chicken finger subs are attributed to a pizzeria in Buffalo called Santora’s. The owners came up with the idea of putting their popular chicken fingers on a roll with buffalo sauce and blue cheese dressing. The combination was an instant hit with locals and quickly spread to sub shops all over Buffalo.

So while the concept of breaded chicken fingers has been around for decades, the uniquely Buffalo-style preparation of chicken finger subs can be traced back to Santora’s in Buffalo. This local pizzeria seems to have created the prototype that other sub shops in the area quickly adopted and popularized. So in a sense, Buffalo can take credit for inventing this tasty regional specialty sub.

Popularity of Chicken Finger Subs in Buffalo

It didn’t take long for Buffalo locals to fall in love with chicken finger subs once they hit the scene in the early 90s. Within just a few years, chicken finger subs were being served at pizza joints and sub shops all over the city. Even national sub chains like Subway began featuring chicken finger subs on their Buffalo-area menus to keep up with demand. The city embraced this indulgent sub as a flavorful representation of the Buffalo palate.

Over the past 30 years, chicken finger subs have become completely ubiquitous across Western New York. No sub shop menu is complete without a chicken finger sub offering. Buffalonians have developed strong opinions about who makes the best chicken finger subs in town. The combination of crispy fried chicken, buffalo sauce, and blue cheese is hard to resist. For many Buffalonians, chicken finger subs evoke a strong sense of nostalgia and regional pride.

Chicken Finger Subs as a Local Specialty

So while chicken fingers themselves have national appeal, the specifically Buffalo preparation of chicken finger subs can be considered a true local specialty. Some key factors that make chicken finger subs a truly Buffalo phenomenon:

Use of frank’s hot sauce – The classic Buffalo chicken finger sub uses Frank’s RedHot original Cayenne Pepper Sauce, which was invented in Buffalo in 1920.

Blue cheese dressing – Crucial for balancing the heat, blue cheese dressing is a Buffalo staple.
Sub roll – The chicken finger sub was invented here to be served on a soft white sub roll, a popular local style.
Chain adoption – National chains added chicken finger subs to their menus specifically to appeal to the Buffalo market.

You don’t see chicken finger subs adopted on menus in other cities the way they are so universally loved in Buffalo. So while the core ingredients may not be totally unique to Buffalo, their preparation in sub form truly originated here and became a regional specialty.

Buffalo Chicken Finger Sub Culture

Beyond just being a popular menu item, chicken finger subs have become part of the culture and identity of Buffalo. Here are some ways chicken finger subs are ingrained in Buffalo culture:

Late night go-to – Chicken finger subs are a popular post-bar and late night snack in Buffalo.

Comfort food – Many Buffalonians have nostalgic childhood memories of eating chicken finger subs.
Game day tradition – No Buffalo tailgate is complete without chicken finger subs.
Regional pride – Buffalo has adopted chicken finger subs as part of its unique local cuisine.

Pop culture cameo – The Buffalo-style chicken finger sub has been featured on national TV shows.

So chicken finger subs have truly become synonymous with Buffalo identity and are considered one of the city’s signature dishes. Any visitor exploring the local food scene will find that chicken finger subs are a can’t-miss Buffalo staple.

How Are Chicken Finger Subs Served Outside of Buffalo?

While Buffalo chicken finger subs follow a pretty standard beloved recipe, interpretations of this regional specialty vary as you move outside Western New York. Here are some of the key differences in how chicken finger subs are served in other cities and regions:

City/Region	Chicken Finger Sub Style
New York City	Fancier bread and ingredients – subs served on artisanal rolls with avocado and other upscale ingredients
Philadelphia	Cheesesteak style – chicken fingers served on long roll stuffed with cheese and fried onions
Midwest	Bland buffalo sauce – mild or plain mayo tends to replace spicy, creamy blue cheese dressing
California	Healthy alternative – subs feature grilled chicken and lighter dressing replacements like ranch and vinaigrettes
South	Nashville hot style – spicy fried chicken tenders glazed in a creamy, peppery sauce

So while the basic ingredients may be the same elsewhere, the balance of spicy buffalo sauce and cool, creamy blue cheese dressing that defines Buffalo style chicken finger subs is unique to Western New York interpretations.

Why Haven’t Chicken Finger Subs Spread Nationally?

If chicken finger subs were invented in Buffalo decades ago, why haven’t they spread to sub shop and restaurant menus nationally? Here are some potential reasons this regional specialty hasn’t gained nation-wide popularity:

Perishable ingredients – Fresh chicken fingers and blue cheese dressing don’t have a long shelf life.

Regional palate – The combination of spicy buffalo sauce and creamy dressing is uniquely Buffalo.
Messy to eat – The heavily sauced subs require lots of napkins, not ideal for busy national chains.
Heavy and indulgent – Health-conscious trends don’t align with these loaded fried subs.

Franchise focus – National chains have stuck to safer, less regional options to appeal to broad audiences.

While chicken finger subs certainly have legions of fans in Buffalo, it’s a very region-specific taste profile that may not have mass appeal nationwide. The logistics of serving fresh chicken fingers and perishable sauces on busy national chain menus may also make chicken finger subs an unlikely breakout candidate from regional popularity. But for Western New Yorkers, this indulgent sub remains a hot commodity.

The Bottom Line: Are Chicken Finger Subs a Buffalo Thing?

After reviewing the origin story, local popularity, and regional variations of chicken finger subs, the verdict is clear – the uniquely Buffalo preparation of chicken finger subs can absolutely be considered a signature local specialty. This indulgent sub was invented in Buffalo pizzerias in the 1990s and spread to become a ubiquitous local menu item unmatched in other cities. With their ideal balance of spicy, buttery, crunchy, and cool flavors, Buffalo-style chicken finger subs encapsulate the regional palate. And beyond just menus, chicken finger subs have become ingrained in the culture, nostalgia, and identity of Western New York. So while the core ingredients may not be totally unique, the standard preparation and sentimentality surrounding chicken finger subs in Buffalo makes this dish undeniably a Buffalo thing.