Lumberjack's excels at being deliciously different

By Joshua Maloni

GM/Managing Editor

Lumberjack’s Waterfront Patio Grill is just different.

•The North Tonawanda restaurant is different in that its food quality and ambiance are award-winning. It’s a multi-time winner of NFP’s “Savory Summer” food contest, having taken titles for “WNY’s Best Summer Dining Spot,” “WNY’s Best Hamburger” and “WNY’s Best Fries.”

•Lumberjack’s is different in that it tries things – whether that be events for pet-lovers, or “We did try line dancing – only once” on the outside patio last summer, owner/operator Carol Tallichet said. “It didn’t get many people, but it was fun. In fact, I partook. It was a whole lot of fun.”

“We’re open to everything and anything,” she said.

Chicken wings with a view at Lumberjack’s Waterfront Patio Grill.

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That includes an all-day chicken wing offering, which debuted Tuesday and may return again this summer.

Patrons could purchase 45-cent wings – in any quantity – and have them flavored plain, mild, medium, hot, sweet chili, barbecue or garlic parm, with side sauces including blue cheese, ranch, sweet chili, barbecue, sweet and sour, and garlic parm.

•Lumberjack’s is also different because Tallichet’s goal continues to be preparing staffers to leave – to have seasonal workers so well-trained that they can seamlessly transition into their post-education careers.

Of course, there is a caveat with that last bullet point, and it’s that people don’t want to leave! Roughly 80% of the 2025 team returned this season.

“I’ve been here for nine years; it's my summer home,” Manager Maddie McKie said.

She joined in high school – “I was 16 when I started. I started as kitchen prep; and then I learned the counter; and then on a very busy shift I had to learn how to cook and fill in for somebody. Then when I was old enough, I became a manager,” she said.

Lumberjack’s Waterfront Patio Grill Manager Maddie McKie, left, owner/operator Carol Tallichet, and the custom Anderson’s ice cream cooler.

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Now, “Definitely one of the biggest things is making sure the customer’s happy – and one of the first things we tell everybody is, when they are delivering food, make sure you ask if there's anything else they need; or if they can get anything else; or if everything looks right,” McKie said. “Definitely making sure the tickets match before the food leaves the kitchen, before we deliver the wrong thing.”

Tallichet noted McKie also does scheduling and social media and is “very creative – extremely.”

“Learning every position here has been super helpful,” McKie said. “Being able to pop in wherever needed and be able to help people training that are new; knowing a little bit of everything.”

“We make it a fun place to be,” Tallichet said. “We have an employee night just before everybody leaves in August. We play games.”

“We play life-size ‘Jenga,’ ” McKie said.

“We do pizza and wings and something out of the ordinary that we don't carry. It's a good camaraderie,” Tallichet said.

The cheeseburger basket at Lumberjack’s Waterfront Patio Grill includes a big, beefy burger; loads of fries and a bottomless beverage.

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Lumberjack’s is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily at 1000 River Road.

Again this season, patrons can expect to find an all-star selection of local summer favorites: Wardynski’s hot dogs, Mineo & Sapio Italian sausage on Costanzo’s Bakery rolls, and Anderson's ice cream – served from a vintage cooler.

Plus, Lumberjack’s offers live music from 4-7 p.m. each Wednesday and Sunday. Upcoming performers include Slim Chance (June 28), Retro Phonics (July 4), and Brother James and Friends (July 12).

Oh, and don’t forget “We're right on the water,” Tallichet said.

Lumberjack’s is a unique restaurant/marina combo with a deck that cantilevers right on the river and seats 160 people.

For more information, visit Lumberjack’s on Facebook.

Lumberjack’s Waterfront Patio Grill at 1000 River Road, North Tonawanda.

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•Tallichet is working with the Erie Niagara Sunrise Exchange Club on the 2026 Healing Field, to be presented Sept. 11-13 at Gratwick-Riverside Park, 1300 River Road, North Tonawanda. The display is meant to remember the lives of those lost on 9/11. The community is invited to purchase 3-feet-by-5-feet flags in support of this cause. Visit https://www.erieniagaraexchangeclub.com/ for more information.