Pine Lake is a strange one to me. A resort in then Catskills is not the kind of place that would…read morebe desirable growing up, and I grew up not far from here. My wife is from LI and grew up coming, so here I am. The nostaglia factor is huge here, and I don't have it. So to be fair all around, I'm noting what I have experienced and grading them on the food.
Place is upstate ghetto, and I mean that in a good way. There is plenty to do, however most of it is comparable to a park. There is a swimming pool, pool slide, lake, boats, playground structures, pool, basketball, video games, shuffleboard and more. Lots of outdoor activities. The great thing is being with other families with young kids, and being able to drink with the other parents while the kids go off. They also do stuff like a hayride--no hay included, just a dude speeding in a pickup truck on the country roads--a DJ night and a visit to a farm. They make the most of the area which is good. Accommodations are simple, however they have upgraded some of the rooms which has made it a lot better than it was.
The food is better than it has any business being. All meals are 100% homemade, themed with 1 offering each, all you can eat, include dessert, and it is worth noting what is served on what day. The best by far is the roast beef, which is accompanied by german potatoes fried in bacon fat. They are superb, especially with some gravy and the rare roast beef. Thanksgiving is another good one, as are the homemade cold cuts. It doesn't always make sense, however have never had a 'bad' meal here. Even the baked ziti isn't bad. Always ask for the lemonade. Weirdest damn thing is they never have fries (not even at the lunch counter). Shakes at the lunch counter are superb though, as is the over buttered popcorn.
I've grown to like coming here, and my son loves it. That's enough for me. Wish there was a brewery nearby or something instead of the stupid golf course, but such is life.
