Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

actually ignore that one, this is better. the top 5 local places. keep in mind good + local in rochester is usually going to mean a dive/greasy spoon. doesn't mean it isn't good, it just isn't super healthy.

http://www.roadfood.com/Restaurants/SearchResults.aspx?st=restaurants&ps=1&s=NY&c=rochester&kw=&pkw=&ob=restaurantname

Goodness, lexophile, whatever gave you impression that I'm interested in superhealthy? ;-) Seriously, thanks for your help! And you, too, sheeats.

Curlz, can you tell me about Wegmans and why I should go? Unfamiliar to me. Thanks.

I agree with several that Wegmans is worth the trip. Nick Tahoes is an original and should be visited late at night. L& H Charpit that is reference in Roadfood link above is a must stop. I always have one red hot and one white hot there. Make sure to add all the accompaniments on the side table. There are other better restaurants in the city, but to find something local and unique go to Charpit, Tahoes, and Wegmans.

Salt potatoes, just that- salt potatoes. Every time my friend from Rochester comes to visit, she brings salt potatoes! And I think they are from Wegmans.

Got it. If I can get to a Wegman's without a car...

If you don't have a car available and are staying in downtown Rochester then your options will be far more limited than with a car - to say the least. The Nick Tahoe's in downtown Rochester is no longer open late at night but their suburban location is. As for Wegman's - if you visit there (which is worth the trip if you're into food) - you'll want to go to the flagship store in the suburbs (I think it may be in Pittsford). The original very first Wegman's location is still in operation and relatively easy to access from downtown but it's a fairly small and ordinary store - not a huge foodie destination like the new stores.

There is a very good and longstanding ongoing thread in the NY forums on eGullet that covers "Upstate Dining". It has some very detailed Rochester dining discussion that covers the moderately priced ethnic offerings as well as the progressive upscale dining choices available. It's the best compendium I'm aware of at present that covers that scene and is up to date.

It really really REALLY helps to have a car in cities like Rochester (even more so than in Syracuse where I live). Parking downtown is about $3 per DAY and there's abundant free street parking available everywhere in the evening. If you drive then rent a car and get one with a GPS - Rochester has a somewhat screwy "Inner Loop" and "Outer Loop" system that is confusing if you're new to the area.

if you want to catch an independent movie, go to "the little" on east ave. it's one of the best independent theaters i've ever been to, and it's been around since the 1920s. the cafe at the theater is interesting, too, and they serve wine and beer. just down the street is spot coffee - housed in an old car showroom, it's a must-see if you're a coffee lover. enjoy the terrible, depressing weather, too! ;-)

The suburban "Nick Tahoe's" has split from the original downtown location due to a family dispute. It is now called Steve T's. It's on Lyell Avenue. Try to make it there for a Cheeseburger Plate with everything.

Other favorites - Don's Original, Sal's Birdland, Country Sweet Chicken and Ribs. Abbott's Frozen Custard

http://www.donsoriginal.com
http://www.salsbirdland.com
http://www.abbottscustard.com/
http://rocwiki.org/Country_Sweet

Dinosaur Barbeque is good. If you can get to Tom Wahl's I'd do that too. The cult of the Nick Tahou Garbage Plate has always been lost on me-- maybe it's a self-esteem issue, but I've never been comfortable eating something that bills itself as garbage.