All Along the Waterfront: Dinner at The Hatch
Less than beautiful, The Hatch's drab concrete exterior is built to endure our harshest seasons, but it doesn't really scream “waterfront”. That is until you pass through it to the deck that runs along the river's edge, providing diners with a view of the lighthouse and our blue, blue lake.
The Hatch is anything but formal, consisting of a large building with counter service, a handful of tables and a smaller “shack” that serves seafood, snacks and ice cream.
Inside, the menu is decidedly Buffalo summertime fare: Sahlen's hot dogs, hamburgers and sausages are the most popular choices, but one can find sandwiches, salads, soup and even breakfast here. Beer and wine are available, and karaoke, coupled with the Friday fish fry, keeps The Hatch hoppin' on the weekends.
The price points are reasonable, especially when you consider that many waterside establishments inflate their prices. My family of four had hot dogs and hamburgers, killer fries and onion rings, drinks and ice cream for about $25.
Today's weather is anything but sunny, but I doubt that will last for long. I think we can count on a few more warm days where the waterfront, and The Hatch, which stays open until mid-October, will be the ideal way to while away a few sunny hours.
The Hatch
Foot of Erie Street, Erie Basin Marina, Buffalo, 14201
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UrbanMatt2000
we grabbed a snack and a beer here earlier in the season. definitely would go back if looking for that kind of fare on a sunny evening.
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bflorox
This is one of my favorite things to do in the city. I took off of work a couple weeks ago to go there for lunch with my family. Eat, get ice cream, walk to the top of the observation tower, walk back and see the flowers and the naval museum. It's a great place to do something low-key and really enjoy the company you are with. Showcases the city really well.
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GoldenLark
I love the sausage, pepper & onion hoagie there. Such an easy lunch if you work in the city and need to get out of your office for a bit.
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rdominguez
The Hatch's fried bologna with onions was a huge hit with my father-in-law when he visited from out of town. I agree with bflorox that a meal at the Hatch, coupled with a walk to the observation tower, some ice cream and a walk back down to the naval museum is a great way to spend a sunny afternoon. It's a staple on my agenda with out-of-town guests.
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tr1
We had an ice cream at the Hatch yesterday and couldn't help to note that given the severity of the buildings, all that was missing was the barbed wire!
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