We came here on a Saturday night after the restaurant was recommended by someone who lives locally. We were told the wait was an hour, but it was actually under 30 minutes and we sat outside with a view of the lake waiting for our table. The staff is very friendly and attentive. I ordered the broiled fish, which came out hot and fresh with a good portion. I loved that it was also boneless. The coleslaw was creamy with chunks of cabbage. My husband ordered the weekend special, which was prime with rib, and he said it was very tender and flavorful. read more

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Service was impeccable. The view was spectacular. We tried the fish fry for the first time. Maybe we are picky but we did not like or enjoy it. The French fries were perfect but the coleslaw was very bland. Food prices are very reasonable. We will come again but not for the fish fry. read more

We went to have dinner there but there was no a/c. The place smelled. It's unfortunate, I have had good food there in the past... just won't go on a really hot day. read more

Stopped in for a nice lunch on the lakeside deck at this longstanding restaurant on the Hamburg shore of Lake Erie. It's a hot day but the umbrella and light breeze made it most enjoyable. Service was outstanding even during a very packed lunchtime. Cheese sticks were less than great but everything else was top notch. The breaded Buffalo Chicken Sandwich was plate sized gigantic and very moist & spicy. The filled potato salad and dill spear were perfect to balance the heat of Buffalo sauce. Le Piece de Resistance was a goodly portion of the Biscoff crusted cheesecake. It melted in the mouth. Mary, our server, was efficient, pleasant & knowledgeable. read more

What Happened? Used to Love this place. Its a hole in the wall restaurant that is in desperate need of a remodel but the food was always priced reasonable and good but Food prices went up and QUALITY WENT DOWN. Had baked fish- garlic parmesan. It was tasty but instead of Haddock, it is now Cod. Restaurants pay far less for Cod. So why did the price go up from $15 to $18??? Hubby had a fish fry- it was Cod. He said both the fish and fies were awful. You used to get 2 sides plus cole slaw. Now only 1 side plus cole slaw for $18. SHAMEFUL. We wont be going back read more

When we visit family in WNY, this restaurant is our choice for ambience and food. It's surprising that Buffalonians are great lovers of bivalves (clams) and I can't get enough. On the half shell they are the best and Hoaks can keep them coming. If your new to town - try the fish fry because it has so many good things. Another wonderful thing - at sundown you will be blessed by a spectacular sunset. read more

Hoak's Restaurant - Blizzard 2022 - Seafood Near Me - Hamburg, New York

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Hoak's is a nice Restaurant located on Lake Erie. We went in to try the famous fish fry. It was a very healthy piece of haddock, fried perfectly-it was a bit too salty it came with potato salad and coleslaw . We didn't get coleslaw we got extra potato salad. Potato salad was great the meal could have use some bread because the fish was so salty. I also had the clam chowder it was Really good. read more

Hoak's Restaurant - Famous fish fry - Seafood Near Me - Hamburg, New York

I took my dad, a 77-year old Vietnam combat veteran (wearing his 82nd Airborne hat), for dinner tonight, and as soon as we put our forks down and finished dinner we were asked to leave because "people were waiting to sit down???" we had full drinks and we tried to order another round, but were told we need to drink them at the bar--which had no air conditioning. I grew up in Buffalo loving this place--and I've been a server for several years. I've never been asked to leave a table immediately following dinner, while still drinking and ordering, b/c it was busy. they have no idea how to manage operations. they ran out of butter? Horrible customer experience. also, the place is filthy (see pic). so disappointed--they ruined dinner for my elderly parents. Don't go here. So many other great food places in Buffalo. read more

Hoak's Restaurant - Filthy Hoaks - Seafood Near Me - Hamburg, New York

Tough to review. On the positive side the business has been around for a long time. The view is very nice and it's got a classic old decor. The menu was pretty extensive and the prices in today's world are fair. If only their service, food consistency and cleanliness was even mediocre. The hostess was distracted and not overly interested in doing her job. We stood there without greeting while she just chatted and chatted with another employee. No greeting, no acknowledgment. Not the 1 minute finger or nod. She just wasn't gonna talk to us until she was finished with her story. We finally got sat. At arguably the dirtiest, stickiest booth in western NY is my guess. It was as if they wiped the table off onto the booth seats then took another towel dipped in 7up and swirled it around the table. When the server finally arrived it was obvious she was in the weeds as there was no greeting and she was just ready to take the order. We ordered drinks and asked for a busser to rewipe the table. We got a huge sigh an unhappy face and an "I'll see what I can do." No busser until I got up and tracked one down. He was very helpful. Since it was our first time there we must have broken a secret house rule like "thou shall not ask more than one question or you shall suffer the rath of a burned out server". Because on the 2nd question she said "you obviously need more time" pivoted and walked away. We would have gone ahead and left but our relative who had recommended Hoak's was so embarrassed we didn't want to hurt her feelings anymore as she was already mortified. We stayed, sheepishly placed our order and waited and waited and waited. Of course refills were out of the question. When the food came she had gotten my order wrong and when I told her, she argued with me. When the whole table erupted in protest she backed down. But it was obvious we were gonna pay. The food was fine, just on the cusp of good. But nothing worth mentioning. Some of us went to use the restroom and were lucky it was after we ate. Pretty unsanitary but it was pretty much par for the course. The server? She never came back to check on the food, offer refills etc. We saw that she wasn't busy anymore and just stood around the bar chatting. When we finally just wanted to go we asked the busser to get her and she showed up with the check. No suggestion of dessert, no thanks for coming, zip, nada, nothing. She got tipped accordingly consummate to her level professionalism. This was actually a 2 star giving credit for the view. But after rereading this I realized nah it wasn't enough of a reason. read more

My partner, daughter and I went here for dinner about a week ago, and I really wish we had not. My partner ordered stuffed mushrooms, according to the menu was 'shrimp and crab with breadcrumbs and spices' - instead whatever the stuffing was made with was completely drenched in some kind of really gross wine sauce that none of us could stand. I ordered a 6$ cup of New England clam chowder... I received a small tea cup sized thing of soup that tasted like I was in my herb garden back home with a dash of cream. There were maybe two itty bitty pieces of clams, and then tiny little things that tasted like dumplings that I'm guessing were balls of flour that weren't properly mixed in when making the soup. I couldn't even bother to finish it, it was so nasty. My daughter got a steak salad, it initially looked good but then realized the steak strips were full of fat and gristle and the salad mix hadn't been washed very well. I ordered fish and chips same as my partner, he ate most of his as he was hungry (had been a long day on the road) but as much as I tried I couldn't stand mine. The batter was super hard, and the fish inside the batter 'pocket' (wasn't really attached to the fish) was super slimy and weird tasting. The fries also had an off taste, like they had been freezer burnt and then fried in rancid oil. Even with a bunch of malt vinegar they were still overwhelmingly weird tasting. The experience was over all horrible, we were even seated for over an hour before we received our meals. Also, another patron nearby had found several hairs in his food mid bite. read more

The food was delicious. The service was good. Ambience would have been perfect if it wasn't for a complaining table behind us. The staff and management tried to make these people happy but they were very cantankerous. At no fault of the staff. Highly recommend. read more

We stopped in on an off night for business to grab a fish fry. It was awful. It was loaded with so much grease that not my husband, mom, or myself even finished the fish. This is the second and last time that I will be visiting this restaurant. read more

Great local spot with a lot of historical value. Huge patio and a great view of the lake. The building has been a Hamburg landmark for ages and over the past few years has seen some great upgrades. The feeling here is casual and friendly and they offer a lot of classic casual bar food along with seafood options. Lots of great drink and beer options too which makes it a perfect spot for dinner or grabbing a few drinks. I came recently for lunch and had the roast beef on weck and the julienne salad. The beef was a very large portion, tender and cooked to perfection. The salad was also huge and had a generous amount of toppings. I got a great seat on the patio and enjoyed the wonderful view and service. During covid I can see the staff has worked hard to make guests feel safe. The staff is wearing masks, cleaning often and they offer social distancing guidelines inside and outside. read more

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Catch I feel the place needs to be updated and remodeled throughout.. is one of the one and only places on the lake and it needs to be updated and cleaned thoroughly.. read more

The hosts was a horrible person couldn't even get a soda right and wouldn't accommodate to a simple request of being in the sun and hosts was very rude about it read more

Today I had my first Tom and Jerry! Not horrible but not my favorite...def try one again somewhere else. Soups we're definitely homemade! Need to step up their appetizer menu with more options and add some calamari! Big portions for the fish and chicken sandwich. Steak season well shrimp pretty plain. Sad no dessert :( Service was great!!! Overall definitely not our favorite but glad I can say we came. read more

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Stopped at Hoaks on Saturday didn't want to wait to be seated outside sat inside mostly outside seating was in the Sun and just a light wind so better inside. I haven't been in awhile so was waiting for a good meal I really wanted to like the food but it was hit and miss. I got the fish sandwich on other photos on review 's the fish looked bigger then I got had so much coating on it I had to flake some off it was as thin as my favorite frozen fish by Gordon 's the roll was good Cole slaw was alright nothing special. The Onion rings was greasy after 2 I stopped eating them my daughter squeezed alot of grease out of the 1st one and she was done also. she liked her wings but could have been given a paper container to put the bones in you don't need a plastic one to wash but something besides putting them next to your crowed basket. After we were done and waiting for containers and the bill my daughter noticed they had a board with special 's on it didn't even know they had a special. She would have the cowboy burger and the vegetable soup. Our waitress was nice in the beginning then we had a wait looking around for awhile for the waitress to get the bill and boxes to go . It wasn't that busy at that time plenty of tables empty. Like I said it was hit and miss was going to go outside for a drink but that didn't look inviting and we was batting very low so we just left. Hoaks I really wanted to like you Saturday but it wasn't good for me I read the reviews it just wasn't my day I would like to come back before the summers over and maybe I'll leave with a smile on my face! And I'll look or ask what are the specials now that I know about them read more

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The only problem anyone should have at Hoak's is related to limited parking and long wait times for a table, neither of which would be issues if Hoak's didn't deliver an excellent, consistent product, which they do, and they have done so ever since I can remember. The fish fry is a very traditional breaded haddock executed perfectly. On our last visit, I ordered a chicken finger salad, and the chicken fingers were outstanding, crispy outside, tender and juicy inside with a nice, green salad. The Buffalo Chicken sandwich is legend. Unless the building is covered in ice, just go there, enjoy a drink at the bar and enjoy the great view and great food. A standout establishment of Greater Buffalo. read more

I have come here for dinner and lunch multiple times and I am never disappointed. I have had their lobster entrees that are delicious. And most recently I have ordered the clam chowder and shrimp cocktail for my last few lunches. The shrimp are huge and taste great! The chowder is also great as well. read more

Hoak's Restaurant - Sign - Seafood Near Me - Hamburg, New York

Does not look like much driving by but the view and food are definitely worth stopping for. If you want an incredible chicken sandwich that is bigger than your head this is the place for you. Not only is the size great but the flavor is amazing. They do have a very good fish fry and I recommend the clam chowder as an appetizer. They serve prime rib on weekends that had great flavor. The only thing that disappointed us was the broiled fish, it didn't have enough lemon pepper. Other than that it was great and service was wonderful! They are right on Lake Erie and all you have to do is ask for a table close to it to see everything. When it is warm out you can sit outside and get an even better view. Definitely get a chicken sandwich for the best experience! To add to my lunch I accidentally left my credit card at the restaurant and being that it was my last day on vacation I left that night. I called them and they were great, cut up my card for me and I had nothing to worry about. Will definitely go back each time I visit! read more

Hoak's Restaurant - Hoak's view of Lake Erie - Seafood Near Me - Hamburg, New York

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Right on the lake, no waiting, outside Table, Julie our waitress great, nice Amount of food, nice selection on The menu, price not bad, read more

There were 5 of us and it was a busy Saturday evening. We waited a little over a half hour for a table. The food was good. The service was good as well. The view is great. It was a little too windy outside for us. Parking can be challenging. This is a very popular lake front restaurant. We had to park across the street-be sure to cross at the crosswalk. read more

Food was ok. Bartenders were attentive. The worst part was the hostess. The first thing she said was it will be at least an hour and 45 minutes before we get a table. She said the kitchen was a mess. We said no problem. After an hour and a half, we inquired (nicely) how much longer it would be. She said she didn't have our reservation and there was nothing she could do, in a nasty tone. When I asked to speak to the manager, she said she was the manager.. in training. So I asked for her boss and was told she wasn't available. After a few minutes, the boss came over. Though she was snarky too, she got it resolved. The worst part, not one apology. Things happen and we weren't in a hurry. A little customer service 101 would have gone a long way. read more

We stopped here for drinks before Lucia's had the stuffed peppers. They were wonderful along with the stuffed mushrooms and the shrimp. It was a beautiful day and it's right on the water the service was fantastic! read more

Hoak's Restaurant - Windmills - Seafood Near Me - Hamburg, New York

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Very disappointing will not be going here again. Wanted to order a baked potato with my steak dinner and was only offered the option of potato chips, fries or potato salad, I was told the baked potatoes were not ready, are you kidding me, potato chips with a $33 steak dinner ! Fatty Steak and cold fries, came with a salad and a tiny portion of salad dressing that didn't even cover the salad, about a tablespoon full. The salad was a spring mix and not even ice burg lettuce, which should have been mentioned on the menu, I personally do not like spring mix salad, tastes like rabbit food. The table was sticky. The waitress was nice. This place has really gone downhill. Not worth the 30 minute ride there. read more

So disappointing that Hoak's has trouble estimating wait time for Friday Fish. Our 30 minute wait time extended to 90 minutes. Hostess said you only waited 28 minutes. Time to leave and farewell to Hoak's. No need for attitude from the Hostesses read more

We came here in memorial days and it was packed, but we didn't have to wait for a table inside which was convenient. Wings and onion rings were delish, and service was good too. For a burger, wings, and onion ring basket it was I oh 34$ which isn't bad priced either. Overall good spot on the water. read more

Hoak's Restaurant - Seafood Near Me - Hamburg, New York

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Excellent food and the best view by far. The service was excellent, we waited for the patio and the view was worth it. read more

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Lovely outdoor seating! Even on a windy and overcast day, just beautiful! The broiled fish is fantastic! Guests loved their steak salad and beef on weck. Never dissatisfied at Hoaks! read more

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I came here tonight with a few friends for a fun evening out. We were able to sit on the patio, which had a nice view of the water. It wasn't too hot or too sunny, so it was a perfect spot to hang out and relax, after a long day at work. Based on other Yelp reviews, I decided to order the Buffalo style chicken sandwich. I was so glad that I did. It was a huge piece of fried chicken covered with their buffalo sauce, on a tiny roll. It came with a small side of fries and a pickle. I was so hungry when I got there that I ordered onion rings as an appetizer. It really was unnecessary because my meal was so plentiful. (I usually order too much.) I was happy with how the onion rings tasted. They were too greasy and a bit burnt, but that's how I prefer onion rings. The chicken sandwich was so delicious. It was quite large and thick but cooked perfectly. (I saved almost all of it to eat tomorrow.) I love fries and the side of fries were cooked well too. My drink was coffee with Baileys in it, which hit the spot! The waitress came over just the right amount of times to check on us (not too much, not too little) and didn't mind that we were taking our time chatting after we each had paid. (We came in around 4:45pm and left around 7pm.) She had great customer service skills. I'll try to come back this summer and will keep this place on my radar. I was very happy with my experience here today. read more

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I had such a good time sitting on the shores of Lake Erie eating the fish fry with my cousin. I live in Florida and they are rare there. But this was fantastic -the weather was exceptionally nice and I had a great time. read more

Had lunch at Hoak's yesterday. We sat in a booth which looked out over the lake toward the Canadian shore and Buffalo sky-line. There was an off-shore breeze, so the lake was calm. The restaurant was busy, but not over-crowded. The service was outstanding. The vibe was chill. I am writing mostly because of how much I loved my Chicken Florentine sandwich. I cannot get it out of my mind. I am seriously considering going back today and ordering another, and maybe even ordering one to-go for a friend. It was that good! I'm serious. The sandwich consisted of a perfectly marinated grilled chicken breast, topped with sauteed spinach, mushroom, bacon and provolone all stacked neatly on a fresh brioche roll. It was perfect. How am I ever going to sample the rest of Hoak's menu if I am already hooked on the chicken florentine sandwich? I suppose that is not a bad problem to have. read more

Hoak's is the stuff of legends. A multi-generational establishment, this isn't for the trendy. From the views, to the service, to the food, everything is quintessential Buffalo lakeside. Fairly priced and offering a variety of surf, turf, pub food, and salads Hoak's is an excellent choice for somewhere to chill after a round of golf, or in our case a cruise on the Miss Buffalo 2. I ordered a draft of Big Ditch's Hayburner and the fish fry. No German potato salad here but they offer a well rounded house made American potato salad absent of mustard. The coleslaw is simple and crisp, not overly sweet or too heavy handed with mayo, in fact it was hard to tell if there was mayo present. I appreciate all slaw variations so this was not a negative. I really enjoyed my sides! Which brings me to the fish. The main attraction, the fish was light and flaky, could have been eaten without tartar sauce. The breading is corn meal and fries up crispy without being overly greasy. A lot of places offer beer batter, it's delicious too but very heavy and soaks up grease. The cornmeal feels much lighter yet remains satiating. Whether you sit at the bar inside or on the deck overlooking the lake, you'll feel comfortable at Hoak's. So brave the construction, brave the crowded parking lot, and go enjoy yourself! read more

Hoak's Restaurant - Seafood Near Me - Hamburg, New York

Great food great environment. Chicken sandwich huge and so good. Very crispy. Ruben also huge. Ordered half size side to try potato salad and onion rings. Both very good. read more

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I had the Buffalo chicken sandwich. I split it with someone and it was huge. We were both satisfied and we had two adult beverages at the bar. We enjoyed the views of the Lake. The bar tender wasn't to busy. We were there for lunch. She was super nice and we had a great conversation. read more

Convenient place to get fish fry any day of the week. Nice for casual dining with kids, and for lunch or dinner. A Hamburg staple.

The only thing this place has going for it is the view. It's dirty and dated. The food is huge yes but not that great. The hostess is extremely rude. Overall not a good place. Lucias or Rodney's a much better choice. read more

Cool view even in the winter, but I bet it rocks during the summer. We had a table of 11 that was a supposed to 16 people, but due to winter weather we had some out of town people not attempting the drive. I had a beef on weck, the roll was literally toasted. Steak wasn't anything to brag about and the baked potato was cold. Overall the food wasn't anything to go out of the way for, but on the other hand the waitress handled our food mixup very professionally. In the end I would go for drinks and the view, I just wouldn't order food. The price of food is a bit high for the quality. read more

Hoak's Restaurant - Seafood Near Me - Hamburg, New York

The employees are not friendly. The hostess took our name and number and told us 30 min wait so when we walked in 40 min later she had no idea who we were and told us we can go in and take a table because they have few available. The water and soft drinks were disgusting! The water was definitely not filtered and smelled and tasted like chlorine. Why can't you invest few hundred dollars in the water filtration system? Lemonade and ice tea tasted the same. I heard other customers complaining about water and soft drinks. The food was just plain definitively nothing special. read more

Not a bad wait on a Friday considering the beautiful lake view! I was disappointed in my fish fry today, breading was perfectly crunchy with flaky fish inside but way too salty! Potato salad and coleslaw are ok but the French fries totally miss the mark, pale and limp- where's the crunch? read more