I love the summertime. The days are longer. The weather is warmer. And my favorite roadside food stands are in full swing.

There’s something special about stopping at seasonal restaurants only open during the warmer months. Maybe it’s the aroma of char-grilled Sahlen’s and Wardynski’s wafting through the spring air. Or the experiences that accompany the food, like walking along Lake Erie or the Niagara River for a sunset.

We tend to value the experiences we can’t have all the time – they’re the stuff memories are made of. With that in mind, here are fifteen hot dog and ice cream stands throughout the region that set themselves apart through their atmosphere, location or their food (hand-cut fries and homemade ice cream, for example).

Taffy’s, 3261 Orchard Park Rd., Orchard Park

Milkshakes. Milkshakes. Milkshakes. Did we mention milkshakes? All the staples of a roadside grill can be found at this Orchard Park institution. But the standout is the variety of milkshakes – over 130 in all, from a hot fudge sundae milkshake to peanut butter and jelly.  If you aren’t near Orchard Park, look for Taffy’s food truck roaming around the region.

Mississippi Mudds, 313 Niagara St., Tonawanda

It’s a match made in heaven: a hot dog or ice cream cone from this Tonawanda institution, then a walk across the street to Isle View Park to see a sunset on the Niagara River. Some of the big draws at Mudds are the hand-cut sweet potato fries with honey and butter and dozens of flavors of ice cream.

Lake Effect Ice Cream, 79 Canal Street, Lockport & 1900 Hertel Avenue, Buffalo

Browsing the handwritten menu on the wall of Lake Effect Ice Cream is akin to taking a food tour of Western New York. There’s the Revolution Coffee, blended with a fine, Turkish ground roasted at Buffalo’s Public Espresso. The Paula’s Glazed Donut features chunks of real fry cake baked at the region’s most popular donut shop. Other local options incorporate sponge candy – Buffalo’s favorite confectionary treat – from Platter’s Chocolates and Crystal Beach Loganberry. And the same cinnamon and sugar crumbles that E.M. Chrusciki Bakery sprinkles onto its Polish pastries cover the “El Guapo” sundae.

Nick Charlap’s, 9049 Erie Rd., Angola and 10 Euclid Ave., Hamburg

Nick Charlap’s has five locations in all, but these two are seasonal outdoor ice cream stands. Nick Charlap’s makes all its own hard serve and also has a different custard flavor every week. Lots of unique options here, but my personal favorite is the peanut butter royal – hard serve vanilla with real chunks of peanut butter – a relatively rare find in Buffalo.

Kone King, 865 Center Road, West Seneca

Just look for the massive vanilla cone – you can’t miss it! When you visit, you’ll be greeted with a smile and delicious ice cream that have been a seasonal staple to West Seneca since 1976.

Old Man River, 375 Niagara St., Tonawanda

Just down the street from Mississippi Mudds, this nautical themed stand (complete with a whale on the roof) draws its own large crowds on summer days. Grab a burger or hot dog, or dive deep into Omar’s Seafood Shack for clams casino and steamed mussels.

Connor’s, 8905 Old Lakeshore Road, Angola

This Angola-on-The-Lake institution has been feeding beachgoers and cottage-dwellers along Old Lakeshore Road for more than 70 years. Historic memorabilia, photos through the years and quirky and humorous signs line the walls of the seating and ordering areas. It’s a popular spot after a day at the nearby beach clubs or the beaches across the street along the Lake Erie shoreline.

Red Top Hot Dogs, 3360 Big Tree Rd., Hamburg

Nestled in the town of Hamburg – roughly 10 miles outside Buffalo – Red Top is an institution celebrating over 70 years. Just look closely as you drive by, or you might miss it. The signage and shack-sized exterior could fit alongside any trendy, retrofitted establishment. Red Top offers a solid range of comfort eats at very reasonable (read: cash only) prices. Cheeseburgers come with the option for onions and peppers – served with cheese on the bottom that makes condiment additions clean and easy. Brilliant!

George’s Hot Dogs, 5808 Herman Hill Rd., Hamburg

Looking for a nostalgic place to grab a bite this summer? Located at the corner of South Abbott Road and Herman Hill Road (Route 277) in Boston, New York, just several minutes outside Hamburg, George’s Hot Dogs been serving up grilled hot dogs, milkshakes and other several summertime staples for 50+ years.

Tony’s Bayview Drive-In, 3804 Lake Shore Rd., Blasdell

Steps away from the go-karts and mini golf at Bayview Raceway & Golf, Tony’s Bayview Drive-In draws you in with the aroma of their grilled summertime favorites. Enjoy a dog and a shake while the cool Lake Erie breeze blows in from the shore.

Custard Corner & Grill, 211 Porter Ave., Buffalo

A favorite of folks from Buffalo’s West Side, it’s always a sign of warm weather to come when the shutters of Custard Corner open. Enjoy a burger and fries, or even a fried bologna sandwich. And for dessert, take your strawberry vanilla twist for a walk to nearby Lasalle Park or Frank Lloyd Wright Fontana Boathouse. Custard corner is also the cure for a late night craving, open until 9pm every day!

Clinton’s Dish, Canalside, 44 Prime St., Buffalo

Enjoy a famous Lake Erie sunset along Canalside’s Central Wharf Boardwalk as you chow down on delicious food, including soft serve ice cream, and an ice cold adult beverage.

Pautler’s Drive-In, 6343 Transit Rd., East Amherst

This mini oasis, Pautler’s, has been serving up memorable experiences and flavorful dishes and delights dating back to 1958. The menu alone exudes the nostalgic feeling the only way warm summer days, hot dogs and ice cream could. It’s perfect for…well, everyone.

The Silo, 115 North Water St., Lewiston

Built in an old storage silo dating back to the 1930s, a panoramic view of the swift moving waters of the lower Niagara River is the visual dessert to your burger and fries. And if you’re looking to test the limits of your stomach, try the Haystack, a sandwich featured on the show Man vs. Food.

Hibbard’s Frozen Custard, 105 Portage Road, Lewiston

Hibbard’s often surprises first-time customers who expect their custard to be twisted out of a machine; employees scoop it out of a cooler instead. The hand-dipped custard’s texture – richer than soft serve, smoother and creamier than hard serve – is in a league of its own in this part of the state.  Hibbard’s makes custard fresh on-site every day and uses considerably less air than average when producing it, resulting in a denser product that needs to be scooped.