Hotel Breakers - Needs better restaurants

Thabto- You’ve mentioned Thirsty Pony a few times. How late are they open, and do they serve food late? Looking for a place to grab a bite after CoasterMania. We are staying at Express this year so that would be really convenient.

I believe the kitchen closes around 10, I think they have a limited menu after that. But they serve drinks later than that.

RCMAC said:

There’s Thirsty Pony at the end of the causeway at Cleveland.
I’ve found the hotel bars and Fridays close early when it’s early in the season.

Thanks! Does Uber/Lyft run frequently in that area (going between Breakers and Thirsty Pony)?

From what I hear, there are only two or three Uber drivers in Sandusky, sometimes it is hard to get a ride.

Uber drivers will not get past the Breakers Lot attendants, unless they’re a full time CF employee with a car sticker.

I’ll add to the chorous for a Maragritaville; it would indeed make a perfect fit. The one on the Vegas actually isn't closing, just the 'concept within a concept' aspect of the Margaritaville casino and the Five O'Clock Somewhere bar. Its a perfect fit for the Flamingo and apparently rakes in tens of millions a year, plus Vegas is a poor indicator of success in other markets as everything new in Vegas is old 14 seconds after it opens. I go through there all the time on my many sojourns up and down the strip because I like their beer specials, and as of last Monday it was wall to wall at 10AM, 6PM and midnight.

Barring that, a Bubba Gumps or Hard Rock would both be familiar enough to attract all demographics but uncommon enough that people might stop for no other reason than not having one close to home. A Cheddars or Yard House would also fit nicely, even a Champps. Make it really fun and put in a Mongolian BBQ.

Thabto said:
I believe the kitchen closes around 10, I think they have a limited menu after that. But they serve drinks later than that.

Limited menu works. Just looking for some wings or something. 2 years ago we managed to get way overpriced Dominos pizza delivered to Sandcastle Suites, last year they were closed when we called as we walked back to SS. We were both too wiped out to go anywhere. This year, staying at Express, we will be in the truck anyway. Guess I’ll give Thirsty Pony a call.

I’ve always been intrigued from all the comments here. Kinda like Chet & Matt’s; tried it years ago delivery style, sucked. My son and I went after the park closed last Labor Day, 1000x better eating at the restaurant.

The Pony had the full menu around 11pm this past Saturday. Might just depend how busy they are. Solid Bar food.

Shane Denmark said:

Thabto- You’ve mentioned Thirsty Pony a few times. How late are they open, and do they serve food late? Looking for a place to grab a bite after CoasterMania. We are staying at Express this year so that would be really convenient.

This might sound weird coming from a place called the Thirsty Pony, but if you like perch I highly recommend it. I'm a bit of a perch hound around Sandusky whenever we visit, and I can't get enough of theirs. With Chet & Matt's being a bit of a drive after a day at the park, I typically drive out to the Pony and grab some perch and pizza and bring it back to Breakers. Perch and a Frickin' Chicken Pizza make for a great post-park dinner. And if you've never been, it's a fun place to hang out and dine in.

And to bring it back to the topic, I guess it says something that in all the times we have stayed in Breakers, we have never actually eaten at any of their food options (aside from Starbucks in the AM).

corpkid, if you are into craft beer and venture into downtown Sandusky, my vote is for Small City Taphouse. We found that place during it's first year, and have made sure to stop back on each trip. Their tap list is insane, and they have fantastic sushi.

ANYTHING is better than Friday's. Perkin's is good for breakfast, and a great alternative to Starbucks overpriced coffee. What I would like to see a seafood shop along the lines of Jolly Roger's in Port Clinton. With the new emphasis on the beach, and Lake Erie, what could be better than Perch and Walleye? We always make a stop there on the way home ( along w/ Cheesehaven), as we always stay at The Breakers and come home the next day.

Whenever I have had the chance to express my opinion, I have strongly been a cheerleader for some type of fresh seafood establishment near the beach in the park. Lake Erie perch and walleye is well regarded for a reason, and it would be my new favorite place to eat.

With CP's current business model, they want to own or at least manage everything in the park. Years ago, they would rent space to outside people and let them run their own business. That changed gradually over the years as agreements expired, and CP took over the shops for themselves. Classic example was Berardi's, they used to be on CP Proper, now they have a place off point. The only place that may be currently is the art drawing places, I think they are still outside owned. The last time Chick Fil A was in park they were outside managed,( this time I am guessing since they are not open yet to verify) Sounds like it will CP employees staffing and managing, as they are advertising specifically for employees to work there.

My point here is that even though there are some great local places that do very well with perch and walleye. I don't think CP would allow them to come in and run the place without CP staffing management and employees.

While I love Jolly Roger, a place like that wouldn't be a good TGIFriday replacement because of it's limited menu focus. Personally, I don't find TGIFriday's so bad, I've had some decent meals there. Now, fresh perch sandwiches at the Sandbar would be awesome!

What I have always envisioned is something very simple; an open-air fish-shack of sorts that just pumps out freshly cooked fish with some sides and beers throughout the day. But yes, fresh perch sandwiches at the Sandbar would be great.

It’s worked at county fairs everywhere for years and years.
And that’s if you want to stink up the place. The lake smells fishy enough, thank you. Now, I happen to like it, but I always see people walking by fish shacks like that holding their nose. Let that waft into hotel rooms and hoo boy!

Ha. Hence the open-air...let them hold their nose; the payoff is worth it.

How's the perch in the park? I've always wanted to try it but I keep getting distracted by all the other eatables around.

F1rePhant0m said:

corpkid, if you are into craft beer and venture into downtown Sandusky, my vote is for Small City Taphouse. We found that place during it's first year, and have made sure to stop back on each trip. Their tap list is insane, and they have fantastic sushi.

There's also an incredible new taco restaurant right next door to Small City called Barra. They have really good guac, fantastic tacos, and great margaritas if you're into a modern take on Mexican. The perch tacos are out of this world.

Perch tacos? Be still my heart.

To answer your question, Solly, it's not been great, although I'm sure reviews are mixed as usual. It has come in a sandwich, and I'm pretty sure what's between the bread has been frozen and reheated in some fashion. I tried them a few times, and seemed to always end up with a not-so-great "chewy" piece of fish; a sure sign it is not fresh or cooked improperly, or both. I'm sure it's been just fine for some...cooked better, etc....but a little perch sandwich simply isn't what I'm looking for with regards to that brand of seafood. Especially when there is a whole lake full of them just waiting for me to eat them.