Where in the world is Batavia, New York? It is located halfway between Rochester and Buffalo and not far from Niagara Falls. Batavia is known as the birthplace of Western New York. The Holland Land Office divided up property and sold it to early American settlers.
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Batavia Restaurants
Fortune’s Italian Steak House
8315 Park Road, Batavia, NY 14020 // 585-367-8863
Roll the dice and pick your menu choice at Fortune’s Italian Steak House in Batavia Downs. This classy restaurant is a gold mine inside the casino. Batavia Downs is the oldest lighted harness racetrack in the United States, located in Genesee County, just off the New York State Thruway (Interstate 90).
You are sure to find a favorite on their menu including specialty dishes ranging from steak, seafood, and Italian creations.
Start off with Batavia Downs’ Famous Seafood Chowder or Shrimp Cocktail. Speaking of cocktails, sip on the Chateau Batavia Downs Cabernet. The flavors of dark red fruit and black cherry, white round tannins with a hint of vanilla, is a classic.
Land a slow-roasted, mouth-watering, tender prime rib crusted with herbs and garlic on your plate. It comes in a King (14 oz.) or Queen size (10 oz.) portion. This meal includes garlic dinner rolls and herb butter along with your choice of French fries, garlic mashed potatoes, a baked potato, or wild rice pilaf.
Fill your belly with Fresh Homemade Lasagna baked to perfection with homemade sauce, ricotta, mozzarella, braised sausage, and beef. “Cheese,” it’s good.
Let’s get fancy with Seafood Frutti Di Mare. Shrimp, scallops, clams, and mussels are served with a choice of garlic white wine sauce or spicy marinara over linguine.
Eating at Fortune’s is a gamble that you’re sure to win. Extend your stay and enjoy the entertainment. Fun and food can also include a stay at the hotel on site. It will be a rich experience.
Batavia Country Club – The Lodge
7909 Batavia Byron Road, Batavia, NY 14020 // 585-344-8367
On a Friday night, the mood is right to dine upstairs at The Lodge, located at the Batavia Country Club Golf Course and Banquet Lodge. If you are a golfer, consider it the 19th hole. Golfing is not required. Go, eat, and enjoy.
Round up your family and friends to enjoy a fare of flavorful food. Add an appetizer to your dining scorecard. Breaded coconut shrimp with pina colada dipping sauce is a favorite. Artichoke French, egg-dipped and sauteed in a sherry and lemon butter sauce, is popular.
Pasta, steak, and seafood are available, but wait until you taste the Fish Fry (soup and salad bar included). How do you prefer your fish? Beer Battered, Panko Breaded, or Broiled perhaps? Looking for something extraordinary? One option is the French Haddock. Another one is the Italian Haddock broiled in white wine and butter, topped with fresh garlic, seasoned breadcrumbs, diced tomatoes, and mozzarella cheese.
Enjoy the season. Whether you want to play a round of golf, grab a bite to eat, or need a banquet room for an event or wedding, Batavia Country Club will accommodate your needs.
O’Lacy’s Irish Pub
5 School Street, Batavia, NY 14020 // 585-343-3270
Kick up your heels at O’Lacy’s Irish Pub. You’ll feel at home in this authentic atmosphere decorated with Irish artifacts hanging on the walls. Hang up your hat and order a Guinness beer. Then say cheers to a good time and good food. Live music may be on the scene too. Get up and dance a jig.
Be hungry for these hearty meals. Order a generous portion of Beef Tips Over Noodles with a choice of soup or salad. The Trinity Reuben is a hit. It’s made with corned beef, pastrami, and turkey.
A variety of specials are always listed. You may find Fish and Chips or a Shaved Steak Sandwich with peppers, onions, and Swiss cheese. All are sure to please.
The locals will welcome you with a friendly smile. Sit down and talk awhile. Listen to stories and join in the laughter. You may not find a pot of gold, but in their cooking pots, you will get the meal you were after.
Take home some leftovers and this Irish blessing… “May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face. May the rain fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again may God hold you in the palm of His hand.”
Bourbon & Burger Co.
9 Jackson Street, Batavia, NY 14020 // 585-219-4242
Gourmet burger anyone? Go to Bourbon & Burger Co. They serve fresh USDA prime beef burgers made to order.
Ponder over the weekly specials. Every month they feature a unique Burger of the Month.
Can you handle the heat? You made need to have the fire department standing by when you try The Volcano Burger, served with pepper jack cheese, hot sauce, boom boom sauce, jalapenos, and spicy sausage.
Go beyond the beef burger and choose a Bison burger, chicken, turkey, or veggie patty if you prefer. Gluten-free buns are available.
Their signature burger is the Kentucky Bourbon Company Burger topped with bacon, onion rings, lettuce, tomato, and pepper jack cheese covered in bourbon sauce.
Those who have a big appetite will want to order the Everything’s Bigger in Texas burger. You ain’t never heard of this one, I bet. This burger is made with bacon, and fries but it’s not on a bun, it’s between two grilled cheese sandwiches. That’s either just crazy or crazy good. You decide.
Are you undecided between breakfast or lunch? Select the Kansas Breakfast burger. This one comes with a fried egg, two strips of bacon, and nacho-filled tater tots, all drizzled with maple syrup.
Western New York is home to the garbage plate. It’s no surprise the Garbage Plate burger with cheddar cheese, macaroni salad, and chili is on the menu.
You’ll feel like you’ve traveled across the USA with burgers named from different states and towns.
As Lee Greenwood wrote in the song, “God Bless the USA… ”
Across the plains of Texas, from sea to shining sea, from Detroit down to Houston, and New York to L.A., where’s pride in every American heart.
You’ll taste the American pride when you eat here. It will warm your heart and fill your stomach.
Center Street Smoke House
20 Center Street, Batavia, NY 14020 // 585-343-7470
It’s been said that here is where drinks and true Southern barbecue are made right. The décor is an interesting sight. Legs normally go under the table when seated, but don’t be surprised if you see one on a lamp.
This drink is refreshing and made with Fresca; remember Fresca? It’s called The Mr. Clark Wedge mixed with orange vodka, Fresca (grapefruit soda), a splash of orange juice, and a twist of lime.
A barbecue meal isn’t complete without cornbread, right? Did you know there is Northern cornbread and Southern cornbread? What’s the difference? Northern cornbread is sweeter, lighter, and cake-like. Southern cornbread is typically cooked in a cast-iron skillet. It was a staple in the South because wheat and rye didn’t store well in the heat and humidity. Whichever kind you prefer, both go well with melted butter.
Slow-cooked meat produces a tender barbecue treat. Served with a side of cornbread makes the experience so sweet.
If barbeque, brisket, or ribs don’t intrigue you then order a Fish Fry. Every Friday they offer 15% off all desserts like homemade peanut butter pie.
Center Street Smoke House has food trucks around town. Their involvement in the community is profound. Stroll down the street or go inside and grab a seat. Either way, you can’t go wrong. Enjoy live music and request a song.
Alex’s Place
8322 Park Road, Batavia, NY 14020 // 585-344-2999
Make Alex’s Place your place. They are known for their heartfelt hospitality and homey atmosphere, serving people for 25 years. People come from all around to order their favorites or try something new. It’s fine dining in a casual, relaxing atmosphere.
The grilled shrimp is a good start or a stand-alone for lunch. A skewer of grilled shrimp is served with pineapple, grilled with your choice of sauce.
Signature burgers are available. One kind is the Black & Blue burger, blackened and seasoned with blue cheese crumbles.
If you want the full experience, go for the ribs.
The most famous dish is their mouth-watering baby back ribs that fall off the bone and melt in your mouth. Other classics are delicious, char-grilled favorites and steakhouse specialties.
Tasty, tender prime rib au jus and fresh seafood are served with love, special attention, and generous portions.
It’s a truly award-winning place. They won 1st Place in Independent Health Foundation’s Healthy Options from Taste of Buffalo. More awards were for their People’s Choice Best Ribs from Art of Ribs and Roc City Ribfest. Genesee County Chamber of Commerce named Alex’s Place the Business of the Year.
BBQ Dinner Packs are available for order. It’s a great takeout option for families. Whether you dine-in or take-out, Alex’s Place is famous for treating everyone like a VIP.
Main St. Pizza Company
206 East Main Street, Batavia, NY 14020 // 585-343-0007
Tuesday night Pasta and Vino for two for only $28. Choose from a variety of wines. That’s one good reason to dine at Main St. Pizza Company.
The huge difference from any other pizza place is their 20” pizza with sweet sauce. The owner, Victor Marchese, uses his mother’s sauce recipe. They make grilled pizza (not wood burning) and deep-dish pizza.
Would you like wings with your pizza? No problem. There are 32 flavors of chicken wings including Raspberry wings. Yum. The ones barbecued on the charcoal fire are a favorite choice.
The executive chef artfully creates Italian dishes in their pasta kitchen. The meatballs are the best.
Originally, this place was built just for the locals. It became a convenient meeting place between Rochester and Buffalo, so they expanded it to seat more people.
It’s a popular spot to stop for those going to a Buffalo Bills football game or visiting Six Flags Darien Lake Theme Park.
Main St. Pizza Company was named in the Top 100 Pizza Companies in the US by Pizza Today Magazine.
The décor displays a mural of old Batavia from 1962 and the tin ceiling is a unique focal point. You’ll be in good hands here.
