Sportservice Gears Up to Serve Presidential Gathering.

BUFFALO, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 19, 1999--President Clinton may not have time to sample some of Buffalo's favorite foods during his stop here this week, but the Secret Service has already placed its order with the foodservice company, Sportservice Corp., for two of the area's best-known specialties.

"It wasn't surprising when a special request came through from the Secret Service to make sure Buffalo wings and beef-on-weck were on the menu," said Ed Thompson, general manager of foodservice for Sportservice Corp. at the Marine Midland Arena.

For those who have never experienced beef-on-weck, it's a high caloric sandwich made with kummelweck -- a bulky roll with coarse salt baked on top -- and combined with a mountain of hot roast beef slathered in thick gravy. Beef-on-weck is a party favorite for Western New Yorkers.

Buffalo-style wings -- deep-fried chicken wings coated in a hot, spicy butter sauce -- were invented in 1964 at Buffalo's Anchor Bar and are now considered as nationally famous as Buffalo's snow and its football team. For premium eating, Buffalo wings are best when dipped into a hearty helping of blue cheese dressing. No mention of calories is ever allowed.

Thompson and his staff are prepared to feed the 18,000 people expected to hear the president's address Wednesday at Marine Midland Arena. Concession facilities, as well as the private suites, will be open. The concessions will have a variety of foods from snacks to lunchtime favorites. Sportservice also will cater special buffets for the Secret Service and the national media.

And if, by some chance, President Clinton decides he wants a quick order of Buffalo wings, Thompson's staff will have them wrapped up and ready with extra blue cheese dressing included!