Good places to eat outside of park

^ That would again be Berardi's. You can get off the Rt. 13 (huron) exit (off route 2). It's one exit before (if coming from the east) the Rye Beach Rd. exit to CP. It's about 3/4 mile east (a right turn) on Route 6 after driving north up route 13 first. Some of the best perch and definitely my #1 for French Fries anywhere.

There's a Margaritaville a little west of Sandusky on Route 6. (I like to take side roads and always take 6 into the city on a Cedar Point trip.) I assume there is/was a connection based on the name and proximity.

Thanks CPfan, and Noggin you are correct; that particular Margaritaville is the "original", but it has a different menu (at least for lunch) than the one closer to CP had, and the service left much to be desired. We actually hit that place up after the one I mentioned was closed, and we left pretty disappointed. It may have just been a fluke, and it actually looks like a great place to eat when it's warm (we were there on a cooler May weekday for lunch before hitting up Cedar Point).

Perhaps we'll give it another try when it's warmer, but Beradi's seems like a must-hit spot as well.

p.s.; I notice that on their menu they now offer a "Lake Erie Perch Dinner". That actually was not there when we visited way-back-when...or perhaps it was not available because it was lunch.

For those of you that like pizza, there's an awesome restaurant on Cleveland Road across from Sortino's and the Dairy Frost. The Brick Oven Bistro has only been open for a little over 2 years but they have already made a name for themselves. They've been #1 on TripAdvisor for quite some time. The menu is affordable and the staff is always friendly. The place is relatively tiny though - it fills up quick. The buffalo chicken pizza and chicken parmesan sandwich are my favorites. :-)

Kevinj, I claim no knowledge of the relative merits of the Margaritavilles, not having dined at either.

I did poke around that website a bit, and it says it's under new management since 2014, which may also explain the presence of perch on the menu.

Well for what it's worth, "under new management" is enough to let me try it again. :)

There are actually a few places to find good perch in the Sandusky area. CPFan1976 is right - can't go wrong with Berardi's.

Having lived in Huron for nearly 30 years, I can tell you that for a long time, if you said perch, most locals would respond DeMore's. The original location and original ownership is gone, but it's still a great place to go. Plus they have a self-serve beer wall. :)

Another "go to" place in town is the New Sandusky Fish Company downtown on Shoreline Dr. They won the "Best Perch" award this year in the Register's annual reader poll.

Lemmy's in Huron is a 5 minute walk from where I grew up. I think they still have their "all-you-can-eat-perch" nights on Friday's - $22.95, if I recall, but don't quote me on that.

Dockside Cafe is a newer place. I haven't been there, but I hear good things. Plus they have a great view of Cedar Point.

And if you want to drive a little, there's always the famous Jolly Roger Seafood House in Port Clinton.

missmagnum said:
For those of you that like pizza, there's an awesome restaurant on Cleveland Road across from Sortino's and the Dairy Frost. The Brick Oven Bistro has only been open for a little over 2 years but they have already made a name for themselves. They've been #1 on TripAdvisor for quite some time. The menu is affordable and the staff is always friendly. The place is relatively tiny though - it fills up quick. The buffalo chicken pizza and chicken parmesan sandwich are my favorites. :-)

We went there one time because the line for Sortino's was too long. Come to find out, the owners of Sortino's own Brick Oven Bistro too. While the pizza was good, I like thick crust pizza better than thin. The staff was really awesome though.

I posted this over in the Preview Night thread, but it probably makes more sense here now, so forgive my copypasta:

If it's beer you're after, I'd highly recommend Small City Taphouse, which is on Columbus Ave downtown. They have 46 brews on tap, and the food is also excellent (Asian fusion). I mean come on, how can you not want wings covered in "Magic Sauce"? :D

Probably not the place to go if you're pinching pennies, but it's good stuff. Looks like they open at noon on Fridays. http://smallcitytaphouse.com/

Thanks for a season (or two) worth of recommendations, Walt. The Dockside Cafe looks like a nice little place; that may be first on our list.