Buffalo: Buffalo Sundae (ice cream sundae)
One of the first “sundaes” (in print several times in 1902) appears to have been the “Buffalo sundae.” The city of Buffalo is located in upstate New York, near Ithaca (where the “Sunday” was made as early as 1892). Why no “Ithaca sundae”?
The name possibly comes from Buffalo’s Pan American Exposition of 1901, where the ice cream sundae might have been popularized.
The “Buffalo sundae,” in one version, consisted of vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce and chopped nuts, much like the “tin roof sundae.” In another version (1913), the “Buffalo sundae” consisted of chocolate ice cream, marshmallow slices and cherries.
18 June 1902, The Evening Item (Richmond, IN), pg. 3, col. 6 ad:
A Buffalo Sundae to keep you cool…5c
(...)
ALFORD’S CUT RATE DRUG STORE
21 April 1903, Mansfield (OH) News, pg. 10, col. 6 ad:
BUFFALO SUNDAE
The most delicious soda requisite of the season, at
LUCAS BROS.
Prescription Druggists
Parachute, CO
Ice cream treats included their specialty, the “walnut and buffalo sundae, both rich and smooth.”
The Daily Sentinel, 24 June 1903.
26 June 1903, Mansfield (OH) News, pg. 10, col. 7 ad:
BUFFALO SUNDAE
The most pleasing dish ever served at our fountain. It is fine and pleases every one beyond their expectation. Prepared and served by
LUCAS BROS.
Prescription Druggists
23 August 1903, Morning Herald (KY), pg. 2 ad:
McGurk & Co. have made the hit of the season on Buffalo Sundae. Call and try one.
29 June 1904, Marysville (OH) Tribune, pg. 3, col. 2 ad:
Try our new refreshment, Buffalo Sundae, Maple and Chocolate, it is something delicious, at the Greek-American Candy Kitchen.
Google Books
September 1905, The Soda Fountain, pg. 19, col. 2:
Buffalo Sundae…15c
23 May 1907, Mansfield (OH) News, pg. 5, col. 6 ad:
The Western Ice Cream Parlors
For Buffalo Sundays, Tin Roof Sundays and the famous Chocolate Float. Sodas and Cream.
Chronicling America
14 August 1907, Richmond (VA) Times Dispatch, pg. 10, col. 1 ad:
Buffalo Sundae…10c
(Miller & Rhoads—ed.)
14 April 1908, Marion (OH) Daily Star, pg. 6, col. 1 ad:
SUNDAES
and every day of the week.
Buffalo Sundae…5c
Tin Roof Sundae…5c
(...)
At KALER’S.
Google Books
December 1907, The Western Druggist, pg. 68, col. 1:
He reads as follows: ‘Buffalo Sundae,’ ‘Coney Island Sundae,’ ‘Club House,’ ‘Persian,’ ‘Dorothy Vernon,’ etc.
17 November 1908, Jonesboro (AR)
, pg. 1 ad:
Buffalo Sundae, 15c
Coney Island Float, 5c
Banana a la Mode, 15c
Johnston’s Palace Drug Store
Google Books
July 1909, The Ice Cream Trade Journal (New York, NY), pg. 22, col. 1:
BUFFALO SUNDAE.
Fill a parfait glass one-third full of vanilla ice cream. Add a heaping spoonful of chopped nuts. Cover with a little ice cream and a little chocolate syrup, then fill with ice cream and top with a cherry.
29 July 1909, Gazette-Telegraph (CO), pg. 5 ad:
Try Our Buffalo Ice Cream Sundae’s
This is not a new dish or drink, but our method of preparation, an our style of service is new and pleasing to the customer. Our entire fountain service is A No. 1 and up-to-date, and our patrons return often to duplicate their orders.
Our Buffalo Sundaes are 10c per.
KORSMEYER DRUG CO.
Google Books
August 1910, The National Druggist (St. Louis, MO), pg. 386, col. 1:
Buffalo Sundae.
This is another style of serving ice cream that has become popular. This name is applied to a number of fancy combinations of ice cream and fruits. When served in a parfait glass, and in the hands of the skilled dispenser, these combinations may be served in an attractive manner.
No. 1.—Fill a parfait glass one-third full of vanilla ice cream. Add a heaping spoonful of chopped nut meats. Cover with a little ice cream and a small ladle of chocolate syrup. Top with whipped cream and a cherry.
No. 2.—Prepare same as above, only fill with ice cream instead of whipped cream and top with a cherry and piece of pineapple.
7 June 1912, Indiana (PA) Evening Gazette, pg. 3, col. 1 ad:
We will also quote you a few names of good Sundaes. Have you ever tried “Banana Split,” “Nabisco” or a fine “Big Buffalo Sundae?” This is the only place they are served.
(Indiana Candy Works—ed.)
Google Books
1913?, Pacific Pharmacist, pg. 21:
Buffalo Sundae.
Chocolate ice cream, marshmallow slices and cherries.—Northwestern Druggist.
Google Books
1916?, Southern Pharmaceutical Journal, pg. 26:
Pg. 26:
Buffalo Sundae. Fill a parfait glass one-third full with vanilla ice cream. Add a heaping spoonful of chopped nut meats. Cover with chocolate dressing.
28 April 1919, Belleville (IL) News-Democrat, pg. 4 ad:
Favorite Sundae…10c
(...)
Buffalo Sundae…20c
(Belleville House Cafe and Ice Cream Parlor—ed.)
30 July 1920, Fort Wayne (IN) News Sentinel, pg. 21 ad:
Buffalo Sundae 25c
(Meyer’s Drug Stores—ed.)
Google Books
July 1922, The Spatula, pg. 384:
BUFFALO SUNDAE
Fill a parfait glass one-third full of vanilla ice cream. Add a heaping spoonful of chopped nut meats. Cover with a little ice cream and add a small ladle of chocolate syrup. Top with whipped cream and a cherry.
Google Books
The Templeton and Allied Families: A Genealogical History and Family Record
By Yolande Templeton Clague
Published by Y.T. Clague
1936
Original from the University of Wisconsin - Madison
Pg. 81:
The first ice cream I can remember eating was a buffalo sundae at Burdick’s drug store. We sat at little tables made for youngsters. To this day, I can remember how cool it was in that drug store, and how good that concoction of ice cream, chocolate syrup and nuts tasted.