This week's eatery: Wagner's Restaurant
Website: http://wagnersrestaurant.com/
Address: 246 Park Avenue, Lockport, NY
Phone: 716-433-1200
There was a stretch of about five years where, every Friday in the fall, my mom and I would meet at Wagner's for a fish fry lunch. We both looked forward to it all week long, but when mom retired we just stopped going. That was a big mistake that I am hoping to take care of very soon. As I sit here and think about the different meals I have had at Wagner's, I really wonder why we don't go there more often than we do. Missing out on a meal at Wagner's is really a tragedy.
Just thinking about the mashed potatoes, fish fry, chicken wings, roast beef sandwich, turkey sandwich, and everything else I have ever had at Wagner's makes me extremely hungry. The service is always personable at Wagner's because you are probably getting served by one of the owners. Judy and Cathy are extremely nice people, and they know how to strike up a conversation that feels like it really matters to them and to you. The cozy feeling of the dining room along with the excellent service creates an ambiance at Wagner's that makes you want to come back.
But it is the food that makes Wagner's one of the most popular places in the city. Whenever a list of the best chicken wings in Lockport comes up, Wagner's is at the top. Whenever people talk about the area's best fish fry, most of them talk about Wagner's. The portions are always perfect, and Wagner's has no problems making substitutions to make customers happy. It seems like every time I order at Wagner's I ask for some customized change to my dish, and they are more than happy to accommodate.
Wagner's is excellent for lunch, but it really blossoms when evening starts and the dinner crowd shows up. This is the kind of place that people gather to eat, talk, and just enjoy an evening. There is always cross-table talking going on at Wagner's, which has a lot to do with the large pool of regulars that go there every week.
The meals are served fast, and I have never had to send anything back. The appetizer menu is top notch, and I have had more than a couple helpings of their potato skins to get dinner started. The bar drinks are always perfect, and the entire experience is laid back and relaxing. It is difficult to find a fault with a meal at Wagner's, which is why Wagner's earns our first ever 5-star rating. You should head out there and see for yourself why Wagner's is one of the most popular places in Lockport to eat lunch or dinner any time of the year.
Rating: 5 out of 5
George N Root III loves food and loves a great eating experience. Follow him on Twitter @georgenroot3, or send him a message at georgenroot3@gmail.com.