Rudy's: An Oswego tradition

BY DEREK DUNNING, ASSUNTA CATALANO & MARYL HANEY

Rudy’s seafood restaurant, located on the shores of Lake Ontario next to the Oswego State University campus, has become a popular local hang out since opening in 1946.

“We like to think of ourselves as a tradition here in Oswego,” said manager Doug Appleman. “People of all ages come here to not only eat but to talk with friends and catch up on what’s going in their lives. We give people the opportunity to create memories and that’s something we like to pride ourselves on.”

Rudy’s serves approximately 1,000 customers a day and even up to 1,500 a day on weekends and holidays. For such a small place some wonder how the staff is able to manage it all.

“I like to call it organized chaos,” Appleman said. “It is a little overwhelming on first sight but when you’re doing it day after day for years like I have it’s not too bad. We have six different cooks that listen for specific things when orders are placed. They all have a separate list of food that they listen for. One cook will have hotdogs and hamburgers, another will have fish, the next will have pork, and another will have fries, onion rings and so forth.”

Rudy’s wasn’t always the well-oiled machine that it is today. Back in 1946, when the original owner, Rudy Gadziala opened the restaurant for business with the hope the restaurant’s premise of quick serve seafood for a reasonable cost would thrive in the Port City.

The restaurant started out at one third of the size it is today while it slowly built up its’ customer base. In 1975, after successfully establishing Rudy’s as a prime spring and summer destination, Rudy turned the business over to his cousins, Brad and Carol Livesey. Carol runs the restaurant today with her son, Jason set to take over once she passes as Rudy, his wife Marie, and Brad have already.

One aspect of business that Rudy’s has capitalized on that you can’t find at most quick serve restaurants is a variety in the menu. While the menu is predominately-fried food, Rudy’s still offers some other choices that help make it a more diverse and family pleasing eatery.

“We offer some vegetarian entries as well as meatless sandwiches that help provide options for people who don’t like fried food,” Appleman said.

The fish portion of Rudy’s menu comes fresh from the Boston area everyday. However, the rest of their menu comes from local distributors in the area.

For most Oswego businesses, they struggle to attract both the college and local crowd. Rudy’s doesn’t have this problem, as they have become an active member in both communities sponsoring a local youth hockey team as well as co-sponsoring the Tour de Loop bike race with Ontario Orchards. Rudy’s reaches out to the college community by sponsoring a “Senior Grad Night” for Oswego State students by offering them discounts on food and drinks for the night.

While many things have changed about Rudy’s over the years including new owners, an expanded menu, different hours and staff. One thing continues to remain the same: Every year during the middle of March, a little sign of spring comes to alleviate the long dreary days of an Oswego winter with the opening of Rudy’s for the season.