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Rudy’s Lakeside

Imagine it’s 1946. A family is up on the shores of Lake Ontario on a summer day. The war has ended, and families everywhere are re-uniting, looking forward to the season, planning outings, and getting used to life returning to normal. Listening to Perry Como on the radio as they drive home in their Ford Deluxe sedan from watching “Duel in the Sun” at the local theatre. The kids are in the back seat, playing with a Slinky.

As they cruise down the road that follows the shoreline, enjoying the summer air, they see that a new eatery has opened – Rudy’s Lakeside. Curious, and noting a full parking lot, they decide to stop in and take a look.

That’s when they – and most of central and northern New York, discovered a place that would become their favorite place to go each summer for great food, friendly service, and a relaxing view of the lake while they dine.

It was in 1946 when Rudy Gadziala and wife Marie opened the restaurant. The restaurant has never left family hands since, first going to Gadziala’s daughter and son-in-law, Brad and Carol Livesey, and, with the passing of his mother, Carol, Jason Livesey is the now-and-future Rudy’s.

Rudy’s Lakeside made popular its self-described catch phrase: “We cook fish. But we’re the best fish cooks you know!” by doing just that – cooking great fish, and a huge menu of other must-try specialties that say “summer” to the clientele they’ve served for 80 years.

A quick glance at the menu assures you that fish is quite literally the star of the show at Rudy’s. From it’s simple Red Plate of haddock, fries, and slaw, to a Yankee Plate fried clam dinner; from the Gold Plate fried scallops to a Pink Plate fried shrimp, there will likely be something for every member of your family, club, team, or group of friends. And of course there are all the other traditional summer treats like Hoffman hots, hamburgers, wings, and mac and cheese, and the local favorite, salt potatoes, to enjoy. You can take out using their online ordering system, or come and stay to enjoy the view of the lake while you dine.

But they can also trust Rudy’s to change and adjust.

As owner and manager Jason Livesey told us, “Rudy’s aims for that ‘sweet spot’ between fast and leisurely; specialty and old favorites; even ‘hot’ and ‘the way you like it!!’”

One of their most popular ways to season your meat is with Rudy’s Homemade Texas Hot Sauce, “A spicy meat sauce that can be put on anything, and usually is!” But the main point for Rudy’s is: you let us know how you like it – mix, add, subtract – and you’ll get it: fast, just-right, and satisfying.

Though Rudy’s has done some updating, additional seating and streamlining of operations over the years, Livesey assures us that those old photos and display cases you’ve come to love are still there to enjoy – and to be a now-traditional and much-beloved part of summer for everyone for miles around!