Buffalo’s American Food Co.

Cromwell’s Barry Avenue might be a long way from the straight-shootin’ diners of the American Midwest, but plain as day and parked by the hockey stadium is Buffalo’s American Food Co.

Serving a taste of home, one smashburger at a time, the food trailer is owned and run by Alex and Paula Moore. Alex grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, and sorely missed the no-nonsense burgers of his homeland, and the joints they’re flipped in. Flat-top grill, fresh ingredients and nothing piled on for the sake of it. Buffalo’s hit the road in 2021.

In full view of the mountains, you’ll find a white trailer with a big buffalo-and-mountain logo stamped on the side like a cattle brand. Beneath a striped awning and festoon bulbs is a hatchway into a mobile kitchen that on busy nights will house four or five crew. Like many of the tastiest things in life, it’s a blend of two homes that sets Buffalo’s apart: the signature smashburgers are made with Wagyu beef from Southern Stations, a collective of southern farms.

Local, premium ingredients may be part of why the Double Smashburger has been the best seller since day one, with the Spicy Buffalo Chicken Burger hot on its heels. Buffalo’s burgers, boneless wings and fries loaded with gooey, ballpark-style nacho cheese all arrive in biodegradable sugarcane takeaway boxes lined with gingham paper. Rotating specials might include one of Alex’s own creations or a nod to a famous American burger joint. There’s even Dr Pepper to wash it down, and funnel cake to finish.

Buffalo’s forgoes the delivery apps in favour of running orders out to customers’ cars, carhop-style. Such service has seen a loyal herd grow year on year, with one regular’s order evolving from a single burger into a family feed, seasonal workers coming back summer after summer and many a New Zealander discovering authentic American hospitality.