Rudy's Lakeside Drive-In is a family owned and operated, seasonal, lakeside restaurant. Located in the Town of Oswego , along the shores of beautiful Lake Ontario
The opening of the restaurant marks the coming of spring. “Us opening is a sign that winter is over,” Livesey explains.
“Memories of a lifetime often occur on the shores ofLake Ontario
The opening of the restaurant marks the coming of spring. “Us opening is a sign that winter is over,” Livesey explains.
“Memories of a lifetime often occur on the shores of
“The lake is our draw,” Livesey says. “It’s 50 percent of our personality.”
The sunsets are gorgeous and the temperature is always about 10 degrees lower than in the city. It is part of what Livesey loves about the place.
Livesey was born and raised inOswego Rhode Island
The restaurant has always been in the family. It started at the time Rudy first took interest in the restaurant across the street from the old house. The original building was just a small shack with flip up windows. The old house across the street was known for their dances and big bands. In 1976, Livesey’s parents took over the restaurant. It has now undergone 17 additions but “nothing really is new,” Livesey explained. It still has the look of a 50’s diner.
Rudy’s has indoor seating for about 56 people. But, being a seasonal venue, there are about 142 picnic tables on the 1,500-foot beachfront property.
Livesey’s parents moved up fromLong Island in 1962. Living across the street and working with Rudy, it became apparent that it was only a natural fit to buy out Rudy. It was then that the real growth occurred.
Even though the local clientele disappeared, Rudy’s has pulled customers in from other places. And as people moved away, they still come back with friends. Rudy’s has become a big destination to come back to visit. It’s a destination for people to get back together. It’s a “hometown memory.” And for the locals, it’s always a place to recognize someone.
“We take a great amount of pride how much community loves us,” states Livesey.
Rudy’s isn’t just a source of food for the community. The restaurant is very focused in the community. They are involved in many charity events. They also sponsor local sports teams. One of the events they participate in is the “Tour of theLoop ” bike race. The race usually consists of anywhere between 400 to 1,000 riders. “It’s a unique event that’s great for our community,” Livesey says.
Rudy’s opened this year on March 17 and will remain open until September.
“The customers become part of the show right when they walk in the door,” explains Livesey. He describes the place as organized chaos. The wait staff writes the order on a paper plate and calls it back into the kitchen.
The menu consists of about 109 different items. Rudy’s has homemade soups, the famous Texas Hot Sauce, and even apple dumplings a la mode, cheesecake, and rice pudding. All of Rudy’s burger is pounded fresh daily; it’s never frozen. With fish as the signature item, Rudy’s goes through about 10,000 fresh haddock a month.
Other menu items include scallops, clam strips, lobster bites, crab bites, and salmon burgers. Rudy’s also features gyros: both traditional beef/lamb and chicken.
With dinner plates starting at $5.95 and appetizers ranging from $1 to $3, everything on the menu is affordable for any palette.
Rudy’s is also known for their great staff. “If you like to work and like to work hard, you work here,” says Livesey.
“Our staff and customer service makes us what we are,” explains Livesey. Rudy’s has the reputation of hard workers. They teach a good work ethic and the staff learns to take pride in their jobs. Most of the workers are full time staff with some being only part time for the younger crew.
“We not only have consistency with our product but also with our staff,” Livesey says. There is about a 95% retention rate in staff and customers alike.
The sunsets are gorgeous and the temperature is always about 10 degrees lower than in the city. It is part of what Livesey loves about the place.
Livesey was born and raised in
The restaurant has always been in the family. It started at the time Rudy first took interest in the restaurant across the street from the old house. The original building was just a small shack with flip up windows. The old house across the street was known for their dances and big bands. In 1976, Livesey’s parents took over the restaurant. It has now undergone 17 additions but “nothing really is new,” Livesey explained. It still has the look of a 50’s diner.
Rudy’s has indoor seating for about 56 people. But, being a seasonal venue, there are about 142 picnic tables on the 1,500-foot beachfront property.
Livesey’s parents moved up from
Even though the local clientele disappeared, Rudy’s has pulled customers in from other places. And as people moved away, they still come back with friends. Rudy’s has become a big destination to come back to visit. It’s a destination for people to get back together. It’s a “hometown memory.” And for the locals, it’s always a place to recognize someone.
“We take a great amount of pride how much community loves us,” states Livesey.
Rudy’s isn’t just a source of food for the community. The restaurant is very focused in the community. They are involved in many charity events. They also sponsor local sports teams. One of the events they participate in is the “Tour of the
Rudy’s opened this year on March 17 and will remain open until September.
“The customers become part of the show right when they walk in the door,” explains Livesey. He describes the place as organized chaos. The wait staff writes the order on a paper plate and calls it back into the kitchen.
The menu consists of about 109 different items. Rudy’s has homemade soups, the famous Texas Hot Sauce, and even apple dumplings a la mode, cheesecake, and rice pudding. All of Rudy’s burger is pounded fresh daily; it’s never frozen. With fish as the signature item, Rudy’s goes through about 10,000 fresh haddock a month.
Other menu items include scallops, clam strips, lobster bites, crab bites, and salmon burgers. Rudy’s also features gyros: both traditional beef/lamb and chicken.
With dinner plates starting at $5.95 and appetizers ranging from $1 to $3, everything on the menu is affordable for any palette.
Rudy’s is also known for their great staff. “If you like to work and like to work hard, you work here,” says Livesey.
“Our staff and customer service makes us what we are,” explains Livesey. Rudy’s has the reputation of hard workers. They teach a good work ethic and the staff learns to take pride in their jobs. Most of the workers are full time staff with some being only part time for the younger crew.
“We not only have consistency with our product but also with our staff,” Livesey says. There is about a 95% retention rate in staff and customers alike.
By Alisha Tondro, for Table Hopping – with Central New York Nightlife!
Published in July 2010 in Syracuse , NY
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