It can be hard to make it in the restaurant business, and the pandemic made it even harder. However, Hideaway Grille in Tonawanda is defying those expectations.
Family owned and operated, Hideaway Grille has been serving up hearty, home-style meals where regulars are greeted by name for 23 years. Owner Lorrie May says their success is largely due to a dedicated core staff and the warm, homey atmosphere they create.
“People know our staff – they love them,” she says. “We have a great local clientele, and we make them feel welcome.”
The restaurant is known for its home-style cooking. Weekly specials include roast turkey dinner, braised short rib, chicken pot pie and a Friday fish fry. They’re some of the most popular items on the menu, and for good reason.
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‘We do everything from scratch—they’re all homemade,” May says. “A lot of these meals are ordered to go. I think people just want that home-cooked meal. People are working, and they don’t have time to cook for themselves.”
In addition, Hideaway Grille offers regular bar specials Tuesday-Thursday each week, including $3 domestic bottled beers and well drinks, $5 glasses of select wines as well as half-off select appetizers.
Renovations will take place into the winter, updating the décor while maintaining the atmosphere that people love.
Hideaway Grille is currently preparing for the holiday season, which is always a busy one. Guests can book the entire restaurant for parties on Sundays and Mondays since the dining room is closed those days, and there is live music featuring solo or double acts scheduled for several Saturday nights (Nov. 18, Nov. 30 and Dec. 16 so far).
However, no matter how hectic the season, Hideaway Grille prioritizes its staff—though both Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve are open for dinner service by reservation, the restaurant closes for major holidays.
“We believe in family … we’re closed those days so people don’t have to worry and can spend time with their families, and we can spend time with our family, too,” she says. “That’s very rare for this industry, but it’s important and helps us retain our staff, which then helps us give our customers the best experience possible.”
Fall Cocktails at Hideaway Grille
Embrace the fall season and colder weather with an autumnal cocktail.
Apple cider Aperol spritz
Apple cider, Aperol, champagne, club soda
Brown sugar old fashioned
Bulleit bourbon, brown sugar simple syrup, bitters
Cranberry 75
Aviation gin, fresh lemon juice, champagne, cranberry juice
Apple ginger mule
Wheatly vodka, apple cider, Domaine de Canton ginger liqueur, ginger beer
Pumpkin martini
Rumchata pumpkin, Absolut vanilla vodka, splash of cream
Hideaway Grille is open for lunch Tuesday-Friday from 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. and for dinner from 4-9 p.m. On Saturday, it is open for dinner from 4-10 p.m. It is closed Sunday and Monday except for private parties.