The Garbage Plate (Burger Version)

UR grad from 98' - if this recipe can replicate the garbage plate, then heaven is that much closer. I'm making this so my wife can understand how wonderful it is to eat. I ate at Nick Tahou's when Jimmy was still there, Pimps, prostitutes, drug dealers, homeless, drunks, business professionals, college students, basically all walks of life - all packed in there every thursday, friday, saturday night. A big, greasy staff member serving the plates, a big stack of homefries on the grill just sitting there, and the smell of garbage plates the next day was something awful. for those that lived in the area and never went - I feel so sorry for you. I even ate the plate sober it was that good. People had plates sent to them in NYC, drunk people would drive (not smart) from Syracuse - grab a plate there and take one back (my brother went and relayed this story to me). It just has no peer equal. i think the hardest thing to find will be that almost stale white, texas toast like bread they had.

it was a rite of passage, just like D-Day was at one point at UR....

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I looooove Garbage plates! Im from a small town about an hour and a half from Rochester and every time I go to Rochester..I always order this! Ive never had the original but do get them from all the different places in rochester...so yummy!

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I've only had a garbage plate from in Rochester one time and this one came pretty close to what I remember. It takes awhile to prepare and destroys the kitchen but it is worth it. If you don't have a healthy spice cabinet it might cost you a fortune to make this.

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My BF is from Rochester and was always talking about how great the garbage plate was so imagine my suprise when I stumbled upon the recipe here! I made it as written and he said that it was very similar. It did take me much longer than the 30 minute prep but maybe I'm just a little slower than most! Thanks for posting!

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I agree with jess, this sauce is far too tomato based. the sauce is good, just not like in rochester....

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I only made the sauce, as that's the only part I was looking for. I thought the spice mixture was really good. My only critique is that it's very heavy in tomato, and Nick's and elsewhere don't seem to have that particular flavor that comes out. I added chicken broth (I didn't have beef broth) as my sauce came out really thick, and I also added worcestershire sauce to give it greater depth of flavor. I'll keep working it, but thank you for the base recipe!!!

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I live in Rochester & have teenagers who are "addicted" to garbage plates. I have been trying to duplicate the Tahou hot sauce for quite awhile. This recipes' spices are definitely the closest ones I have found. After playing with it a few of times I have three suggestions........ 1. use 1/4 tsp. of cloves 2. add salt to taste (this is a must) 3. start with 3 to 4 cups of hot water & simmer for a couple of hours for best flavor. Thanks so much for the combination of spices, you made a whole lot of 17 year old boys very happy!!

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I don't really know how to go about rating this. I didn't want to make changes so as not to ruin the authenticity. I did not make the sauce because it did not look like something I would like. I adore fried potatoes and the hamburgers. I couldn't bring myself to make them well-done, yuck. I used more celery than called for just because I like it with my fried potatoes. I used swiss cheese for the burgers and loved that. This whole thing reminds me of something I would have thrown together during my midnight munchies days. Weird and good. It falls into the "You've just Gotta TRY IT" category. Made and Reviewed for Please Review My Recipe Tag - Thanks :)

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I grew up in Rochester and this is just like I remember it - aweful! This is only to be consumed when intoxicated. Instant heartburn and indigestion - just like the original. To be true to the original, baked beans should be used - not refried beans. French fries are offered at Nick's as a substitution for home fries, but I personally prefer the greasy home fries. I didn't think this would come together while I was making it. The sauce, on it's own, didn't taste like the original and I didn't think the horseradish was in the dish, but it all came together for a very authentic taste. I wouldn't be surprised if this was THE garbage plate recipe used at the "restaurant" (term used lightly)...... Thanks for posting!

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OMG!!! If you have never had a garbage plate you have not lived! Nick Tahou's should be on the list of places to see before you die! No, they are not pretty, but the taste and the experience are so worth it! Thank you so much for posting this! *I have made this and it was very good! Although, something seems to be missing...maybe its all the grease! Next time I make the sauce Im going to add more heat to it per my non-hot sauce users request. ETA my stars were missing!

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This didn't sound like it would be good, But Buddha wanted to try it. And I'm glad he did. I made the special sauce and left out the refried beans. I also quartered the serving size and it made 1 generous serving. We think adding a fried egg or two on top of the burger would be great also.

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Our friends from Rochester introduced us to Garbage Plates a few years ago. We have often wanted a Garbage Plate late night and have no where to buy one since we've lived in Kentucky and Indiana. Today I got the idea to search online for a recipe for the "hot sauce" and came across this recipe. It is FANTASTIC! Almost exactly like the originals that we have had in Rochester. We are so excited! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!!!

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I tagged this recipe because I went to Eastman School of Music in Rochester from 1989-1993 and I never ate at Nick's. (Must have had something to do with being a vegetarian for most of that time.) But I heard about it. What I heard was pretty much as this recipe, except I was told, "and then they take a big ladle full of grease and just pour it all over!" "EUW!" I said. But what did I know? I was a freshman and he was a grad student. But they don't really do that, do they? What did he know? He was from Michigan! *So*, this recipe! It was good. I was surprised to like the special sauce. (It sounded so weird!) Although the cayenne got to me toward the end. And my 11yo son said, "the sauce is good!" initially, but then he didn't really eat it. Cayenne for him too, I think. I posted a picture. It's very un-authentic looking, but hey! at least I didn't use the plate with the hearts and flowers around the edge! If I ever make it back to Ro-cha-cha, I'll definitely check out Nick Tahou's.

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This seemed like an awful lot of food so I left the refried beans out. I also used sour cream instead of mayo in the mac salad because I dont like mayo. Wow this is ALOT of food for one person. Heck its a full meal for TWO people. It is a bit of work though I think it is worth it for a special treat occasionally.

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I am calling this the Garbage Plate pleasure. I just think this is good enough to pass out for, because you pass out from the wonderful taste sensation of it all. Not only is there Saturday Lunch at the Farm, there is Sunday Night Supper at the Farm when this was served. Everyone loved this! I don't know if it was the taste or the name or both. Just all came together so beautifully I can't imagine anyone not loving this. I made this two ways. One the way it was written for carnavores and the other vegan. I made the special sauce for both, using ground beef and ground vegan crumbles and we all could of been sitting around with a spoon just eating the sauce. I added chopped onions (1 large onion) and refried beans as my family loves those. I also microwave the potato and cubed it from there and made the fried potato. I added a small slice of bread to each dish, and we were all happy as ants. I upped the celery too, because for some reason, I am on a celery kick. Thanks so much Anme for a truly fun and fantastic food memorabilia.

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Going to save this recipe to try, parts of it, if not the whole thing, but unfortunately I'll have to ruin the authenticity greatly by subbing ground turkey other non-red meat, or veggie burgers/crumbles because I cannot digest the red meat. I will have to substitute soy cheese also because I cannot eat real cheese and the mayo will have to be subbed for light. Most likely would have to sub french bread or regular bread for the italian because of the questionable ingredients I can't eat in the Italian bread. Too bad, by then this will be a completely different recipe! But having never heard of this before, this sounds delicious as is, even if I can't eat it exactly as the recipe calls for. I sure do miss fatty food, dairy, and red meat. :( Thanks Anme for sharing and for the nice story. :)

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Very filling! I was surprised that the special sauce tasted good on the macaroni salad. I made myself a modest portion, with just one small burger, and I'm still quite full. The sauce will no doubt be good for making chili dogs as well. My other family members chose to eat their portions separately, but my son conceded that he would eat the concoction as written if he were at a party. Thanks for sharing a fun recipe.

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YUMMY!!! I made this for a crowd this weekend and once everybody got past the name they raved! The sauce is really fantastic. I cut back on the cayenne and served hot sauce on the side. Thanks for this great recipe, Amne.

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I haven't made this yet but plan on making it soon. I have friends from Rochester and this is all i heard about. I finally had a chance to visit Rochester and experience the garbage plate for myself. Boy it was so ugly! I was afraid to even try it. I finally got up the nerve to try it and WOW it was great! I almost finished the whole thing! I will update the review once i make it and get the reviews from my Rochester natives!

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I've definitely missed the garbage plate since graduating RIT. A pity you can't find Nick Tahou's dish outside of Rochester.

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