We were lucky to catch up with Tommy Earsing recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Tommy, thanks for joining us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?
Buffalo’s Best NKY
A Brand. A Staple. A Great Family Business.
The Best Wings South of Buffalo.
Growing up in Buffalo, NY, our family was surrounded by the restaurant world. Dad was working
long hours in the kitchen, Mom was serving tables, and destiny sort of took it from there.
My grandfather, Tom, owned a place once known as The Jolly Roger—a true Buffalo
landmark. It was a hub for dining, live bands, weddings, parties of over 200, and everything that
made the City of Good Neighbors special. It wasn’t just a place to be; it was the place. And in
the heart of all that was my dad, Timothy—the behind-the-scenes engine with a natural skill for
running the front of the house and crafting unforgettable food.
Money was tight back then, and family always came first. Dad had a gift, though—a gift for
cooking not just for a household, but for crowds of hundreds, all leaving with nothing but
compliments about his food. Mom knew she had found someone special… I mean, who doesn’t
love someone who can cook, and cook well?
When the family restaurant era came to an end in the early 1990s, my parents felt it was time
for a change. Buffalo had been good to us, but opportunity was calling elsewhere—along with
the dream of bringing a small taste of home wherever we went.
We moved out of Buffalo in the early 2000s, a family of six facing new schools, new jobs, new
friends… but one thing never changed: Dad’s cooking. Family dinners weren’t optional—they
were events. Meals were served hot, fresh, and with care. It wasn’t dinner unless Dad poured
his heart into it.
As we got older, I didn’t just have an idea—I had a vision. What if we could bring that authentic
taste of home to the Cincinnati area? Food is everywhere… but good food? That’s rare. And
that idea sparked something in Dad, too.
In 2019, Buffalo’s Best was born—a family-run food truck serving the flavors we grew up on:
● Beef on Weck
● Loganberry
● Sahlen’s Hot Dogs
● Weber’s Mustard
● Wings (of course)
● And so much more
Buffalo comfort food, served with our family’s pride.
Our food truck—run by Julie, Tim, Laura, and Tommy, with help from our brothers and relatives
whenever they’re in town—quickly became one of the region’s favorite food trucks. Distinct
flavors, genuine customer service, and treating everyone like family… that’s our recipe.
Today, we’re proud to take our next big step: Bottling Our Chicken Wing Sauces so you can
find them in your local grocery stores and online.
From our family to yours, welcome to Buffalo’s Best.
From the City of Good Neighbors—
The Best Wings South of Buffalo.
And as always… Go Bills!
Tommy, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Our brand is one of the leading food trucks in the Greater Cincinnati Area! We provided Buffalo NY oriented food that always seems to make people smile!
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
Keep going and success will happen!
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
We have giving countless hour of time into this business to make the right things happen at the right time!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.buffalosbestnky.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/buffalosbestnky
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/buffalosbestnky
Image Credits
Laura Halenkamp, Tommy Earsing, Tim Earsing, Juile Earsing