Hidden Gems in the 716: Old Man River

When you couple a delightful menu with a lively atmosphere, it’s no wonder how this family-owned joint has been successful for over fifty years.

A view of the Niagara River from Old Man River, a restaurant in North Tonawanda.

Just across from the Niagara River lies a small yet vividly-colored restaurant by the name of Old Man River. Originally built around the 1940s, it was bought about 40 years ago by the same family that owns Mississippi Mudds, who has been working ever since to ensure that this old-but-gold restaurant truly gets its chance to flourish. Nowadays, this North Tonawandan smokehouse restaurant is perhaps most known for its seafood and grilled meals, their forte perhaps reflected by the Popeye-reminiscent decor decorating Old Man River’s main building that all culminates in an appealing atmosphere that can draw in all demographics of people.

About the Food:

Not even the appeal of the sailor decor of Old Man River or the pleasant outdoor river view can be more appealing than the food menu. The presentation of these delicacies are nothing short of astounding. From just one glance, one can tell that the menu has been prepared with an astounding amount of dedication and care. And if this presentation looks gorgeous, every food item features a delicious taste accompanying this mouthwatering presentation—a taste so scrumptious that it’ll win the hearts of even the most pickiest of eaters.

My personal favorite item that we ordered was by far the french fries. The fries here had just the right amount of crispiness while keeping its fluffy potato interior, a balance that most french fries that I’ve tasted are unable to properly master in full. I also personally enjoyed the crunch of the vibrant onion rings, which was definitely a hit. While I abstained from having the burgers due to my vegetarianism, I couldn’t deny that if I enjoyed the taste of meat that I would vastly enjoy both of the burgers that we ordered. I was lucky enough to get a photo (pictured below) of this burger’s very healthy-looking cross-section. It is also worth noting that while we personally didn’t order any of our items with this in mind, Old Man River has individualized gluten-free and vegan options, which is an excellent omen for those with these diets who are looking for a safe place to dine.

On Being Local:

While dining, we were luckily able to reach out to one of Old Man River’s owners for comment. Upon being asked, he replied: "We’re all local. We have generations who’ve worked here; we have people’s grandkids working here. We also do year-round catering: we feed the football team at UB, the girls soccer team… [...] We’re very lucky to be part of the neighborhood.” This isn’t the only way Old Man River contributes to our Buffalo community, however.

This tree is one of many that adorns Old Man River's main stage. Drums, guitars, signs, discs, and other forms of musical decor are wrapped around this tree's trunk.

As some may know, Buffalo has a big and vibrant music scene featuring big names and smaller, more independent artists alike. Of course, it can be quite hard to find these smaller artists unless you’re looking in the right place. Old Man River makes an effort to bring these small artists to perform live five days a week Sundays through Thursdays, and there is no cover charge for attending! For those curious minds out there, Old Man River’s music dates can be discovered on their Facebook page using this link. It's always nice to see small business owners use its reach to help similarly small artists find an audience and break into the music industry, especially in a world where finding what one would typically define as success is harder than ever.

The summer season is going to come before you know it—or perhaps, if you’re reading this during the summer season, the sun is already beaming in full force—why not treat yourself and try something new to embrace the summer spirit?

Final Remarks:

You should give Old Man River a shot if…

• You want a casual joint where you can dine alongside your four-legged friend

• You would enjoy to dine (and wine) whilst enjoying (weather permitting) live music

• You’re a sucker for a good retro aesthetic 

• You’ve been looking for a great view of the Niagara River

• You are a picky eater who is looking for a varied menu

• You want to support a local family-owned restaurant

Written by: Catherine Beiter