Rudy’s (generally referred to in my family as the fish fry stand) is an institution in Oswego. Generations of locals and more than a few tourists have made pilgrimages there during the seven months that the restaurant is open each year. Naturally, we had to do so on this trip.
When I was a kid, the menu consisted of burgers, fish sandwiches, Texas Hots, Coney (a pork-based hot dog similar to bratwurst) Hots, fries, and onion rings. More recently Rudy’s has diversified its menu to include other fried seafood and sides. Rudy’s put its nearest competitor, Jack’s, out of business years ago. The soft-serve ice cream stand down the road, Bev’s, seems to be next given that Rudy’s has added an ice cream concession.
The ordering experience at Rudy’s hasn’t changed in 50 years. You belly up to the counter and place your order. The counter person writes it on a receipt and a paper plate. The paper plate goes back to the fry stations, and the guys (I’ve never seen a woman staff a fryer) fill the order. When it’s ready, the guy running the french fry fryer calls out the order and the counter person who placed it: “Two fish and chips, one coney hot, Linda.” (Linda was Rudy’s wife–he passed away many years ago.) Rudy’s does not do credit cards or checks. There’s a handy ATM at the edge of the parking lot to help you pay for your meal.
While there are a few tables inside Rudy’s, most folks eat in their cars or at picnic tables. With the latter, you get a view of Lake Ontario. You also get harassed by seagulls (aka flying rats). The specimen posing behind me in the below picture left disappointed. Some of the gulls will not take no for an answer, especially when small children are involved. Dodging gulls is just another part of the Rudy’s experience.
Last year my high school class had its reunion and made a pilgrimage to Rudy’s. I wasn’t able to make it because I was scheduled to visit town two weeks later for my nephew’s wedding. My former third grade teacher (and mother of one of my classmates) was befuddled that her daughter made a beeline from the southern part of the state
At Rudy’s, with one of the locals.
just to go to Rudy’s. “Is it a nostalgia thing?” she asked me. In a way, yes.
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