Dockside Cafe — Restaurant in Sandusky

Dockside Café has so much going for it — a beautiful location, a welcoming atmosphere, and strong leadership behind the scenes. It’s clear that upper management puts genuine effort into making this a standout restaurant. The space is well-designed, the menu has great variety, and the potential for a five-star experience is absolutely there.

But unfortunately, there’s one glaring issue that keeps this place from being what it should be: a particular front-of-house employee with curly blonde hair, likely in her late 40s to early 50s, who is consistently rude, unprofessional, and frankly unpleasant to deal with.

I’ve witnessed this woman roll her eyes at customers, talk back in a snide tone, and look at both guests and her fellow staff members like they’re beneath her. Her body language and attitude scream “I don’t want to be here,” and it creates a really uncomfortable environment — not just for diners, but clearly for other employees as well. She acts like she's doing everyone a favor by showing up, and it completely kills the otherwise welcoming vibe of the place.

It’s deeply disappointing, because everyone else seems to be trying hard — and you can tell the management team is invested in making Dockside a great experience. But all it takes is one person like this to poison the atmosphere and turn people away.

I truly hope this feedback is taken seriously, because Dockside deserves better. With the right staff representing the restaurant on the floor, this place could be exceptional. But until then, I won’t be returning — and I know I’m not the only one who...

My parents and I went here to eat after a long day cleaning out an empty apartment. We were tired and dirty and needed a good meal. The place was busy but inviting, outside and with a beautiful view of the lakes. We ordered our food at the window, my dad, a chicken quesadilla, and my mom, the walleye tacos. They both really enjoyed their food. I ordered the tuna tacos, which is the real reason I'm writing this review.

I took only one bite, and they were absolutely delicious. But I couldn't eat them, as I could taste that the tuna had been rubbed in garlic, to which I have a nasty sensitivity, and about which I didn't know or think to ask. (The staff had already protected me from my nasty onion sensitivity.)

I had to take my delicious meal back to the counter and tell them I couldn't eat it. I felt just terrible. They were quite gracious, and offered me something else, taking great care to make something that would not upset my stomach. Also, they wouldn't accept payment for the new food. My bacon cheeseburger tasted great, but more than that, I really appreciate the dignity I was shown. And thank you Nick for that extra effort!

Anyway, you won't be disappointed if you visit Dockside. It's a really wonderful place to...

This was our first trip to the Sandusky area and this place rated highly on here.

We didn't realize until we arrived that this is essentially a glorified concession stand in a marina and not a "restaurant." Think snack bar at the roller rink or high school football game.

Granted the menu is far from a snack bar and I do give them credit for aiming high with some pretty aspirational dishes.

While other reviews suggest table service, that was not our experience. You ordered at the counter, given a pager, and fetched your food when the devices beeped incessantly. You buss your own table too.

My wife ordered the lobster roll, which was rather competitively priced. Unfortunately, it was primarily filled with lettuce and tomatoes, with minimal lobster meat. She was really disappointed.

I had the perch tacos, a first for me. Again, novel idea but lacking on execution. A few thin fish strips in each were more breading than fish.

My wife couldn't have more than one sip of her cocktail and my IPA was warm.

Anything waterside will have a natural appeal but the furniture and seating area is nothing more than a sidewalk.

$61 for a serve yourself concession stand experience is more fitting for a stadium or...