About Teressa Bellissimo

Teressa Bellissimo: The Pioneer Behind Buffalo Wings

When you think of Buffalo, New York, one of the first things that comes to mind—aside from its incredibly passionate sports fans—is its most famous culinary invention, the Buffalo wing. At the heart of this story is Teressa Bellissimo, a Sicilian immigrant turned Buffalo icon who unknowingly sparked a nationwide obsession with her simple yet ingenious creation.

From Sicily to Buffalo

Teressa Bellissimo was born Teressa Guzzo in Sicily in 1900. Like many immigrants of the time, she and her husband, Frank Bellissimo, came to the United States to seek opportunity. The couple eventually settled in Buffalo, near the shores of Lake Erie. There, they poured their energy and heart into running a business that would become a legendary establishment.

In 1935, the couple opened a bar that quickly earned a place in the community. By 1940, the Anchor Bar relocated to its current location on Main Street, where it would go on to change the world of American cuisine forever.

Inventing the Buffalo Wing

The story of the Buffalo wing is as unpretentious as the dish itself, rooted in necessity and creativity. On the night of March 4, 1964, the Anchor Bar’s kitchen changed American dining in a way no one could predict. Teressa’s son, Dominic, was behind the bar when a group of his friends came in hungry. To feed them, Teressa improvised with what she had on hand—chicken wings.

At the time, chicken wings were considered low-value cuts, often discarded or used for making soup stock. But Teressa had a different idea. She deep-fried the wings, tossed them in her homemade hot sauce (a blend of cayenne and vinegar tempered with buttery richness), and served them with celery sticks and blue cheese dressing. The combination was an instant hit.

Encouraged by the enthusiasm of those first tasters, the Anchor Bar added chicken wings, labeled as “Buffalo Wings,” to their menu the very next day. The inexpensive yet flavorful dish became an overnight sensation, spreading its charm across Buffalo and eventually the world.

Buffalo Wings Take Flight

What began as an experiment in Teressa’s kitchen grew into a cultural phenomenon. By the 1970s, Buffalo wings were a staple in Buffalo’s dining scene. Restaurants across the city started serving their own versions of the dish. Soon, the reputation of Anchor Bar and its signature wings attracted national attention through magazine articles, cooking shows, and the enthusiastic recommendations of visitors.

Today, Buffalo wings are ubiquitous, seen on menus in everything from local bars to national chain restaurants like Buffalo Wild Wings. On Super Bowl Sunday alone, Americans reportedly consume approximately 1.4 billion chicken wings—a testament to the lasting impact of Teressa’s improvisation in 1964.

Teressa’s Legacy

Teressa Bellissimo remained an active presence at the Anchor Bar until her death in 1985. Her contributions went well beyond wings; longtime patrons raved about her culinary skills, mentioning her hearty Italian dishes like veal scaloppine and squid marinara as other standout offerings. Yet it’s her Buffalo wings that etched her name into the annals of food history.

The Anchor Bar continues to thrive, now boasting multiple locations across the U.S. and Canada, but the original location on Main Street remains a culinary pilgrimage site. Each year, the National Buffalo Wing Festival, held in honor of this iconic dish, draws wing enthusiasts from across the globe to Buffalo.

An Icon of Buffalo

Teressa Bellissimo’s story is one of ingenuity and resilience—qualities that resonate deeply with her adopted hometown of Buffalo. From her small Sicilian roots to creating an all-American classic, she turned a humble bar into a culinary institution.

For Buffalonians, Teressa represents more than just the creator of Buffalo wings. She embodies the hard work and creativity that defines their city, proving that even the simplest idea can leave a lasting mark on the world. Today, as fans dip their wings into blue cheese or rush to grab a plate on game day, they’re also celebrating a legacy steeped in authenticity, community, and bold flavors—just as Teressa intended.