Dockside Bar & Grill
Overall: 9.11 (out of 10)
Fry: 9.25 (out of 10)
Sides: 2.57 (out of 3)
Value: 1.37 (avg is 1.36)
Family: 8.43 (out of 10)
Dockside Bar & Grill, on Sweeney St in North Tonawanda is located right on the Erie Canal. The fry is skin on haddock and is available beer battered, broiled, and cajun broiled. The fry is served with coleslaw, hand cut French fries, and Potato Salad for $14.00. The fry is served for lunch and dinner 7 days per week, and reservations are accepted.
Per their website, Dockside "historic building, originally built in 1890 stored feed for the mules that pulled the barges along the towpath of the canal. Established in 2014, the building has been transformed into a casual waterfront dining destination near the Gateway Harbor of North Tonawanda. The existing building and floor in bar area, from 1890 are original. Our establishment is open year round. The warmer months bring us the hustle and bustle of boaters who pull right up to the docks located at the foot of our expansive newly renovated patio. The cooler months keep our guests coming back to enjoy cocktails and meals prepared in our scratch kitchen." The menu is currently restricted due to Covid, but Dockside usually boasts a large, creative menu with many twists on classic dishes. They have a good selection of often rotated draft beers as well. Previously, Dockside has rated as one of the better Clam Chowders. For whatever reason, I forgot to order it this time. Look.... we all have off nights.
Fish: A well cooked piece of skin on haddock. The flavor of the batter is the real star here, its outstanding. A quick squeeze of lemon, and this fry is excellent all by itself. But if you must use tartar, read on. The fry arrives crispy and hot, though I do wish that they didn't serve the fry on top of the fries, as this can cause the undercarriage of the fry to lose some of its crispiness.
Tartar: If you're looking for an out of the box tartar sauce, this is it. In color it resembles a remoulade sauce, but its flavor is incredibly unique. You're immediately hit with a strong herbaceous punch of what I believe is parsley. Its got a touch of sweetness, and finishes with just the slightest spice on the backend, perhaps due to some horseradish. I sure wouldn't mind having this recipe.
Slaw: A very good homemade coleslaw. This has changed quite a bit over the years. Previously, their slaw was a fine shred with a strong red onion flavor. Now its more like your traditional creamy picnic coleslaw.
Sides: I wasn't wowed with their potato salad, but there certainly wasn't left either. Its made with skin on potatoes, which I really enjoy. The star of their sides are their fresh cut french fries. Salty. Crispy. And delicious. Whether you coat them in malt vinegar, ketchup, dunk them in tartar, or slather them with a side of their creolaise sauce, the fries are excellent.
Covid Update: Docksides menu is currently smaller than usual, but still offers plenty of choices. The restaurant is also utilizing their upstairs banquet room for additional seating.
Social Distancing Score: 8/10
The tables were decently spaced with plexiglass partitions in between them. But like any restaurant, the area near the hostess stand can easily become congested.