Local's Guide to the Best Tom & Jerry in Buffalo

Cozy season is here

When the temperatures drop, I gear up for my favorite time of the year—Tom & Jerry season.

Buffalo area restaurants typically serve this eggnog-adjacent drink between November and February, and there is a hot debate on who makes the best one. So of course, I need to weigh in.

Wtf is a Tom & Jerry?

A Tom & Jerry is best enjoyed, not explained, but I’ll try. The base is hot water mixed with rum or brandy (or both). The warm liquid is topped with an egg white batter spiced with nutmeg, cinnamon, and allspice, usually housed in a large punch bowl on the bar top. Serve it up with a cinnamon stick and an extra sprinkle of nutmeg.

The drink is often credited to a play from the mid-1800s called "Tom and Jerry, Or Life in London." The play was a hit in the US, and, supposedly, Tom & Jerry the drink was sold as a promotional item to theater patrons.

To the best of my knowledge, it can only be found seasonally in the Great Lakes and upper Midwest regions. Even growing up in Buffalo, this wasn’t a part of my family’s holidays traditions. But over the past decade or so, there’s been a resurgence in interest and now you can find Tom & Jerry’s at restaurants around Western New York.

My Top 3 Spots for a Perfect T&J

The Place on Lexington Ave

229 Lexington Ave, Buffalo, NY 14222

Others have tried, but no one does a Tom & Jerry like The Place. They’ve been serving Tom & Jerry’s since the 1940s and every year features a new commemorative mug. Coupled with the cozy atmosphere of the dark, historic bar and comfort food, there is no place like The Place in the winter.

McPartlan’s Corner

669 Wehrle Dr, Cheektowaga, NY 14225

An underrated corner bar and restaurant where you’re likely to find your grandparents sharing a fish fry. The McPartlan’s Tom & Jerry is always served in traditional mugs, often with a couple of bars of Auld Lang Syne printed on the back.

Cole’s

1104 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY 14222

Straying a bit from the original, Cole’s Tom & Jerry is topped with a lighter, more meringue-like batter. If you find Tom & Jerry’s too heavy, this is probably the one for you.

Other Fan Favorites

Creekview & Glen Park Tavern

5629 Main St & 5507 Main St, Williamsville, NY 14221

Just down the street from each other, why not combine them for your T&J outing? Both Creekview and Glen Park serve a classic Tom & Jerry with Buffalo staples, like beef on weck.

The Garage

1127 Hertel Ave, Buffalo, NY 14216

Tom & Jerry’s are already on the bar at the Garage, so hurry in! They also serve the drink in a commemorative mug and are rising fast in my T&J rankings. Pair this with one of their cinnamon buns and a long nap.

Hydraulic Hearth

716 Swan St, Buffalo, NY 14210

Made with apple brandy and a little bit of milk, this variation of the Tom & Jerry feels right at home among HH’s craft cocktails. But don’t sleep on this stop—Hydraulic Hearth typically only serves Tom & Jerry’s until New Year’s.

Més Que

1420 Hertel Ave, Buffalo, NY 14216

Mes Que spins the classic T&J with apple brandy, a little crushed red pepper, bay leaves, and a dash a turmeric. Follow this one up with a holiday matinee at North Park Theater.

Any other fan-favorite Tom & Jerry’s I need to try? Let me know!

I’m going to be weaving in local guides to my favorite things in Buffalo going forward. Sometimes you don’t need to travel far to experience something new. Stay tuned!