‘I’m sorry’ Rochester native, YouTube star ‘Binging With Babish’ responds to Twitter backlash after garbage plate comments, makes donation

Andrew Hyman
Rea's apology[News10NBC]

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC)— More like "bridging with Babish."

YouTube culinary star and Rochester native Andrew "Binging With Babish" Rea apologized Thursday morning after comments he made on national TV caused some Twitter backlash from a Rochester staple.

Rea made an appearance on NBC’s "The Today Show" and on the menu, was, of course, the one, the only, the garbage plate! Unless you’ve been hiding under a ROC, you know the garbage plate is to Rochester what peanut butter is to jelly.

In his appearance, Rea talked about how he got his start, and then he showed host Carson Daly how to make a plate step by step. He also gave a shoutout to some Rochester institutions like Zweigle’s , and then named dropped a few "hots" restaurants in towns like Henrietta and Penfield

The plate, of course, was originated by Nick Tahou’s, who owns trademark rights to the dish. Rea did give the establishment a shoutout but claimed they were closed.

That caused a bit of an online beef. Excuse the pun. The restaurant Tweeted at Babish asking for an apology, and for him to do some more research.

"Andrew, what an embarrassment!TRADEMARK INFRINGEMENT! WE are NOT closed and you should do HISTORY on something when you go on national TV to copyright and make a dish that’s not yours! You could not even come up with your own name for the dish"

The restaurant is still open, but the building it’s in was previously listed for sale. The restaurant saw a spike in customers following reports it was facing tough times through the pandemic. In its open message to Rea, Nick Tahou’s reiterated it is in fact, open for business.

After some time, Rea later Tweeted an apology to the restaurant, saying in part:

"I am so sorry to Rochester’s own @Nick_Tahou_Hots for misspeaking on @TODAYshow thinking that you were closed. Nick’s is OPEN (and I hope to be welcome back someday!) They’re also providing meals for essential workers, I’ve just donated to their GoFundMe:"

The GoFundMe Rea referred to was set up by a long-time fan of the restaurant. Per the page’s description, it’s set up so every dollar donated goes to essential emergency workers. Rea donated $2,000 to the cause, which is looking at a goal of $25,000.

The restaurant has yet to respond.