Dock At the Bay

Terrible service. Took the staff almost an hour to her us burgers and sandwiches. And we were the only table in the restaurant for lunch. Food was equally as bad. All burgers were very well done, borderline burnt, but ordered medium. Fries were either under done and soggy or over cooked. The only thing this restaurant has going for itself is the view, and even that does not make up for bad food and service. Sadly, this used to be a nice place.

Only got appetizers here as I really came for drinks. Their view outside is phenomenal and they always have a band or something going on. It’s a nice place to come and hang with a group of your gals!
X’s and O’s!
J

My boyfriend and I had dinner at this restaurant last night. We both had a cup of the French Onion Soup which was a little different. It was almost sweet. We both liked it very much. Then, rather than ordering entrees, we split 3 appetizers as our meal. We had spinach and artichoke dip, buffalo chicken egg rolls and the fried rissoto balls. The risotto was amazing! Everyone should get it. The spinach and artichoke dip was different but very good. It was very creamy and less cheesy than other versions of tried. It came in a little bread bowl and it was toasted very nicely! The buffalo chicken egg rolls were good, they were just a little dry. They were served with hot sauce which seemed redundant to me, so I asked for blue cheese and our server was happy to bring it. We had a really nice evening sitting on the balcony and listening to some live music with the wonderful view of Lake Erie. The staff was friendly and attentive. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone!

I really wasn’t expecting much (food and service-​wise) when I arrived. I not only write lots of Unilocal reviews… I actually read ‘em too. I knew I’d get a good view… but I was pleasantly surprised with the rest.
Two of us were cheerfully brought to the patio by the hostess. Our waiter (David) soon arrived and introduced himself and took our drink order. My glass of wine and my friend’s bottle of beer were brought rapidly and with a smile.
For our appetizer we shared an order of the «Arancini di Riso». The three fried risotto balls stuffed with fresh mozzarella cheese, served with a roma tomato & sweet onion pan sauce were toothsome and delicious. The sauce was happily lapped up with the yummy bread brought to the table (with packets of butter… yuck!).
For an entrée my friend had the Filet Mignon (topped with herb shallot butter and served with a choice of potato and fresh green beans). He said it was quite tasty, but at $ 32.99 I thought it was a bit pricey… especially since it wasn’t even served with a salad. My Chicken Parmesan (served with asiago stuffed gnocchi) also didn’t some with a salad, but the portion was big enough (chicken-​wise) to bring half home. Those cutlets were perfectly panko breaded and fried, and topped with plenty of tasty sauce and cheese. The gnocci, however, were a lukewarm and tasteless addition to the plate. There were only six thimble-​sized pasta pockets, but since they were overly mushy and extremely bland I hardly wanted more.
The view was amazing (as I had known it would be). The service was great. And, most of the food was quite good. It was a nice surprise.

Really good experience. Obviously the views were beyond spectacular. The food and service was pretty good as well.
There’s live music on the patio and right next door is a sand volleyball court to enjoy those summer days.
Not a bad way to spend a relaxing evening.

I was really excited to try this place out on a perfect Sunday afternoon since I had never been here before. I met a couple friends here and we thought we would have a couple beers and something to eat. They have ample parking and we went out to the very large patio. My first impression of the building is it was something out of a movie from the fifties and I liked it. We got beers at the bar at sat at a table near the water. When it was time for another I went back to the bar and found out we at a self service table, but we were given a menu. Nothing really exciting on the menu so we decided we would go someplace else to eat. End of visit. The patio is in great need of a make over, the furniture is very old and damaged, the patio itself cracking and uneven, and it was littered with last nights beer cans. I heard they are renovating after summer ends, maybe I’ll try again next summer!

My Birthday Dinner was great and my husbands entrée was excellent. The view of the water and beach outside from our table was perfect!!!

Came here because my boyfriend wanted to watch the sunset over the lake while we ate dinner. Location is beautiful and so we decided to try Dock at the Bay. First thing we noticed when we walked in was that the host/​hostess was nowhere to be found, and the bartender noticed us standing there and said he would go to look for the hostess. While coming over to us, he quite literally jumped over the bar — put his foot on the counter and everything. Um, weird.
Hostess greets us and tells us there would be a 15 minute wait. We noticed there were plenty of tables open, but figured they were understaffed. Then, we went to the bar to get a couple beers while we waited. Two bottles of Labatt Blue Lime cost $ 9. To me, that’s a lot of money for a bottled beer you can get anywhere. The hostess approached us shortly after, probably five minutes later and told us our table was ready, but we were still waiting for the bartender to bring back my boyfriend’s credit card. The hostess started talking to us and saying that «sometimes customers come in and see open tables and ask why they aren’t being seated» when they only have 3 servers on. She also told us she made the one server stay for us, for «one more table.» It was a little weird of her to say that to us, like she was doing us a favor, as we were customers, but whatever.
We were seated outside, just like we asked, and began looking at the view of the lake and at the menus to choose what we wanted to eat. We decided to get the crab cakes for an appetizer, and my boyfriend was looking at the «turf» options while I was debating between a goat cheese salad and fish tacos. While we were looking over the menu, the couple seated behind us finished their meal and got up to leave. It was about 15 minutes of us sitting there, and no one approached our table. We were finished with our beers, and no one came over to see if we wanted water, the hostess never checked on us, and no one bussed the table behind us. There were spider webs next to me, wasps flying all around… Then, we checked the Unilocal reviews while we were waiting, and saw how many people said the restaurant was filthy and how slow (and rude) the service was. We left when a server checked on a table near us, but didn’t even glance our way. Honestly, with so many people having bad things to say about this place, I’m surprised it’s still here. I can’t say I would like to give them another chance, either.

Absolutely terrible. The service is a joke. Who serves a warm Corona at a beach bar? The drinks are watered down. I got a Vodka and Water and they literally charged me 50c to upgrade to a bigger cup… not more vodka, more WATER… the food was terrible. Not a good thing to say about the place.

Not happy with the wedding services at all! The staff was friendly, but it was like they had never hosted a wedding before. Bar mix up, slow dinner service with meal mistakes, served cake and cookies that were meant for a dessert table. Not happy

Well, not much to talk about. Came here for our anniversary dinner. Service was slow and the food, nothing special. My wife got the Eggplant special which she enjoyed. I got the stuffed tilapia — found it bland and boring.
Perhaps this place changed management? This place used to have a flavorful menu with interesting ideas and dishes. They even removed the filet mignon!
The ran out of the vodka my wife uses for her drink. The bill does not equal the experience. You would think with the amount of $$$$ it cost, I would have left impressed. Nope.
At the end of the say, I will not return and will not recommend.

I haven’t been to dock at the bay in 3 years, and from reading other reviews it doesn’t look like they’ve cleaned up their act.
From what I remember, the prices were steep for mediocre (at best) food. The service was slow, and the outdoor area was even slower. They also give you these tiny little plastic cups as drinks, filled with ice to the top… So it’s more like 3 sips and you’re done.
I would not go back here, there are plenty of restaurants with better food, service and views of the water.

If I could leave zero stars I would. $ 80 for the worst meal we have ever had. The clams casino and buffalo shrimp for an appetizer were beyond bad. Shrimp was dry and the clams tasted like they were sitting in the sun. My husband and I both ordered the grouper sandwich (blackened). We both sent them back because they were dry, rubbery and fishy. Have I thrown in the fact it took almost an hour for our food to come out? I specifically asked the waitress If the grouper was «fishy» in which she responded «uh well yeah.. It’s fish so obviously.» Really?! When we left the hostess asked in her valley girl voice «ummm so how was everything?» My mom responded and said «the food was horrible, «to which she responds «ohhhh sorry! Byeeeeee»
STAY AWAY

I needed food, to be on the water and a little music and I found it all at the Dock. Dock is a long time Southtowns treasure– always able to accomodate lots of people and activities. There’s volleyball, and bands, and a tri levl deck, and a restaurant and inside and outside bar– what more could you ask for? Oh yes and the great view of the water as you get your groove on dancing to a different band each night.
Food is always prepared fresh and tasty and they can accomodate an intimate table for 2 on the gorgeous outside, 2^nd floor porch, or a 16 person birthday party inside, or a 80 person anniversary get together on the third floor– they have it all. Go enjoy the summer a bit more at the Dock.

Why is everyone so grumpy about DATB? This is a fun place. Service is good. Bands are great. We usually opt for the lighter fare. Appetizers are great, esp. Spinach dip. We go here a lot and have never had a problem. Yes the entrees are expensive and maybe not that great but who cares? It’s the beach! Have another mojito and relax!

Hell no. If their front sign is ratty and filled with bugs the kitchen can’t be any cleaner. Holes hidden under carpet in entryway — floor caved in. Dining room has metal ice cream chairs for seating. Food? Gross and badly prepared. Filthy staff sits in NE corner outside and smokes all day. Just terrible.

I’m going to completely agree with Bethany here. This place is a disaster.
Let me tell you why I’m giving it 1 star instead of 0… great location. It’s right on the water — huge lake front view… could be a nice place to have a drink outside and watch the sun set. But…
The food there is HORRIBLE. I was there one hour ago and I’m contemplating leaning over the toilet and… well, you know. The kitchen staff really don’t know how to cook. Everything on the menu, especially at the outside bar is deep fried. We ordered the chicken wing dip… terribly oily and with weird chicken bits in it. We ordered the hot pepper dip… which was neither hot nor a dip. It had the texture of cream cheese mixed with sand. It was luke-​warm at best. Both dips came with very, very sad sides of round tortilla chips.
Don’t intend on getting served outside. The waitresses are non-​existent. The bartenders weren’t attentive at all. Not a good place to have a few drinks and apps with your friends.
*** Edit 8÷12÷13 ***
I’m a Buffalo lover. I’m an independent restaurant lover. And I try to give places the benefit of the doubt.
But seriously, this place s**ked beyond belief. First impressions are everything and they blew it big time. Sorry Dock at the Bay, you have great potential but need a serious management change.

This place is not a total disaster, but could be SO MUCH more. It’s unfortunate, really… you would hope that waterfront places would have some of the best food in town but it isn’t true here.
I would suggest you have dinner elsewhere on the water and come here for a drink or two and the great view & breezes.
Food: 1 star
Not good, especially for the price. Anything with a sauce (and soup) will taste strongly of condensed chicken stock or some other pre-​prepared, heavily-​preserved base. I suppose it’s possible that they’re cooking everything fresh/​from scratch but if they are then they are totally ruining the taste in the process. It’s as if they’re still cooking like it’s 1993 and they’re a crappy chain restaurant. Most people in our party didn’t finish their meals and chose not to take home the leftovers.
Drinks: 1 star
Limited options and expensive at that.
Location: 4 stars
One of the better places to hang out for lake views. They have a bit of beach (as opposed to places further south) and a huge patio. Great breezes, good view, lots of seating.
Service: 3 stars
I walked in and was ignored by two girls at the hostess stand. The customers walking out while I was walking in were more helpful. Finally I spoke up to them and they pointed to where my table was… thankfully a waitress was walking by at the time and offered to show me to my table.
Our waitress was friendly and accommodating but service was pretty slow, especially at the end when waiting for the check. I don’t know how much was her fault, though.
All in all, it was a pleasant evening but a bit frustrating to spend $ 80 on dinner for two people when the food was so sub-​par and unsophisticated.

Big old meh. We went for my fiancé’s mom’s birthday and, even though there were open tables, had to be insistent that we wanted an outdoor table. After we placed our orders the waitress had to come back twice to tell us that three of the five entrees were sold out — but she didn’t bring menus either time. My entrée didn’t come as described, though it was still good. The food is fine, just overpriced. Probably by $ 4-​$ 6 depending on the dish. Yes the location is great and the sunset is beautiful, but I don’t think I would go there again. Too expensive/​underwhelming even with the location taken into consideration.

Sometimes when a bar has a beautiful lakeside location with an unobstructed view of the sunset, they think they can get away with charging exorbitant prices for cans of beer ($ 4.50) and daiquiris/​margaritas that come out of a slushy machine ($ 7). They also think that the bartenders are entitled to be rude and snobby.
They have a great patio and outdoor bar, but the prices and rude service don’t make it worth it. I’ll go to one of the other lakefront bars and steer clear.