Brick Walk Cafe — Restaurant in Town of Chautauqua

Chautauqua has been our family’s annual “1 week” vacation for 23 years. It was easier to afford this week before when the gate pass rates were lower. Also, the lack of competition from independent food establishments offering affordable fare for families has shrunk leaving only Food For Thought and The Tally-Ho. Still, each annual visit had to include a stop at the “Refectory” aka The Brick Walk Cafe for the best French fries in New York State (or maybe the world) and a grilled cheeseburger. How VERY disappointing to have my $9.50 cheeseburger come out of a “hot case” (cooked this morning) with a thin slice of cold cheese. And those mouthwatering fries? Replaced by shoestring fries that were NOTHING like the seasoned fries of prior seasons. I asked the worker why the burger wasn’t grilled fresh. It’s just how the Institution is doing it now to make the wait time shorter. I didn’t complain to the staff—they are just...

Awful food.. I asked for a CHEESE burger with LTO, mayo and ketchup. I got a burnt burger, on a burnt bun, period. I don't even know what to say about the "Fries" they were a blended array of different cut potatoes... Ladies restroom was dirty and unsanitary. Had no toilet paper in dispenser, it was just sitting on back of toilet. The paper towel rolls were also not in the dispenser, just sitting on the sink... VERY far from what I would expect from the Famous Chautauqua Institution. If I could upload a...

A Chautauqua Institution tradition. Have been coming here for as long as I can remember and they are always have great ice cream and friendly staff. The portions are generous. I appreciate that they serve Hershey’s ice cream, instead of Perry’s like many other places on the lake. Will definitely be...