Unfortunately, our first ( and last) experience here was very disappointing, largely because of the service (or lack of service I should say). Our server had virtually no customer service skills and very monotonous personality. After taking our order and bringing out our food, she rarely returned to our table. We couldn't get a simple refill on our waters, despite having thirsty kids with us. She never checked in to see if we needed anything, never offered refills, and didn't even stop by to ask if we wanted to-go boxes. Throughout most of our meal, she was sitting at another table chatting instead of attending to her customers. By the end of our visit, we learned it was her mother and grandparents, who apparently visit the restaurant often. While there's nothing wrong with greeting family, it shouldn't come at the expense of every other table. Listening to conversations about coworkers and schoolwork while waiting for basic service was frustrating. We ended up leaving shortly after food arrived so we could find somewhere else to get water for our kids. There was also guests sitting behind us, making comments on the speed of our children eating because they wanted our table. It's unfortunate because this was our first visit to the area, and the poor service left a lasting negative impression. I hope management addresses this, as attentive service is a big part of the dining experience And their reputation will tank at this server's inability to provide quality service. read more

i've loved this place for pretty much all my life, it's never a summer without a doughnut or ice cream from here for me. The deep fried cake donuts are so famous someone local made a song about them! I've always had friendly service when I've come here no matter how busy they get. I've seen the owner do a lot of generous things over the years for the people of Lakeside. read more

We had a wonderful experience at The Patio Restaurant! My cheeseburger was absolutely amazing--one of the best I've had in a long time. (was vegetarian for 7 years so this was my first while introducing meat again) The food was fresh, delicious, and served quickly. What really stood out was how kind and friendly everyone was. The service was fast and efficient without feeling rushed, and the atmosphere was welcoming, relaxed, and enjoyable. Even when busy, everything seemed organized and calm. We will definitely be back and highly recommend stopping in if you're in Lakeside! read more

TL;DR: Go here for the donuts and ice cream and skip the rest. I've been coming to Lakeside for years and, as a kid, never really understood why we didn't go to The Patio for lunch or dinner. And then a few years ago, I got some food that was underwhelming. Because The Patio was all that was open after 3 today, I went to have a perch sandwich because, after all, it is on Lake Erie where the perch are fresh. The sandwich, clocking in at $15, was three small, fried nuggets of perch that were neither crisp, nor juicy, on a few-days-past-fresh bun with a bag of chips. AND--served in a Styrofoam container. For being a business that relies on Lake Erie tourism, you'd hope they'd care enough to drop the Styrofoam for something a little less harmful to our planet. They serve Tofts ice cream, which is always great, and they make an amazing donut. Other than that, catch a meal elsewhere. read more

The Patio Restaurant - Perch sandwich - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Lakeside Marblehead, Ohio

BEST donuts! So many yummy donuts here, the coconut is a household favorite for us. They are surprisingly large and filling. They also freeze well! Remember to bring cash. They do not accept card. $1.50/donut. read more

The Patio Restaurant - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Lakeside Marblehead, Ohio

If you want some yummy homemade donuts you don't have to look any further. The Patio makes the best donuts. The Patio has reasonable prices and serves some good old fashion meals. If you go you have to try the fried chicken. The entire staff is friendly, and the restaurant has a pleasant atmosphere. read more

This is kind of an old-time restaurant. Average food on the menu, but the specials are disappointing. The service was extremely quick and pleasant, and the food came out quickly. I am not sure if I would recommend lunch/dinner. However they do have made to order donuts in the morning. These are amazing. They also have the only Mountain Dew slush that is worth ordering. read more

the cutest place ever! the people can be rude sometimes but that's not the restaurants fault. food is always a 10/10! if you go make sure to get the walleye read more

One of the few restaurants in the area that has a 4 stars rating. So we tried the fried chicken and fried perch they were ok, breading is fairly decent it comes with 2 sides I picked coleslaw and potato salad. We capped it with their peach crumble pie which was the best part. It was really good. Didn't try the donuts they didn't look inviting they also have ice creams by the scoop. read more

The Patio Restaurant - 3 piece fried chicken - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Lakeside Marblehead, Ohio

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Best little restaurant we have ever visited. We eat out almost every meal. The Patio has a great atmosphere, menu, staff and great cooks. The Patio chicken we prefer over Amish restaurants and anywhere else. Their house salad dressing is so good. It is a very busy place. Parking is limited. read more

The Patio is most famous for their donuts. Since this is a seasonal business, locals all anxiously await the first donut of the year (usually late Spring weekends). The full menu is available from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The daily special is very popular, and a Patio cheeseburger is almost as famous as a Patio donut. One warning; bring cash because they don't accept credit cards. read more

The chocolate frosted donut with coconut is top tier. The other breakfast options were hot, fresh and just as delicious!

Expensive deep fried food. Service is great, but the food is just OK and overpriced. I probably would not return.

What a fun place! We arrived at our friend's home in Lakeside, OH around noon, unloaded the car, had carry-out lunch from Lago's and then we walked to The Patio for some ice cream. The folks working at The Patio were friendly and warm and my chocolate malt was delicious. It was creamy and rich with lots of chocolate malt flavor. My parents, our two boys and my wife all liked their ice cream too. We came back the next morning to try some of their donuts and those were delicious-nice crunch on the outside and warm and fluffy on the inside. My dad, our youngest son and I stopped into the café to have breakfast. I had their special, which included two eggs any style, two sausage patties or four strips of bacon, American fries, and toast. Our waitress was great-attentive and kind and the food was delicious. I had mine with eggs over easy, sausage patties and wheat toast. It's just an excellent place. You should definitely check it out. Fair warning, they accept cash payments only. Checks and credit/debit cards are not accepted. read more

Yikes! The chicken noodles over mashed potatoes was as to be inedible. We actually had to go to another restaurant to get food. Picture the worst cafeteria food from grade school then take it down a notch. The noodles were undercooked and the chicken was just boiled without any seasoning. No gravy over it either. My wife sent hers back. I choked down half of mine as I was starving. To think I left the Tin Goose Cafe due to the hour long wait for a table. I wish we had waited. The coffee was the nastiest Vietnamese Robusto that is also the cheapest garbage you can buy. The salad was just shredded heart of iceberg lettuce. read more

I don't think you can review any of the restaurants in Lakeside without taking into consideration one simple question: Would this establishment stand a chance of making it outside the gates of the community and out in the real world? Keep in mind, there are very limited options in Lakeside, and things are not much better in the surrounding area. People don't have much choice but to eat at The Patio if they are staying in town for more than a day. So, with that being understood, back to my original question, I seriously doubt that The Patio would stay in business if not for the fact that it's one of three choices for dinner every single night. It's not a terrible restaurant, but it's just so incredibly mediocre. I've been coming to Lakeside for years and have eaten here more times than I can count (see above paragraph about the limited choices available) and I have never once walked away feeling like I had just gotten my money's worth. First of all, it's a less than appealing dining room. Very dated, usually with a handful of dirty tables, and often flies buzzing around from table to table. The menu is boring. The lack of creativity is matched by the poor execution of very easy to prepare foods. On top of that, everything is way overpriced - especially for what you get. The service is less than great and often extremely unfriendly. Plus, why in the world is this place still cash only? Now, let's talk about their ice cream and donuts that everyone raves about. I'll concede the point on the donuts. They really are excellent. Not much of a variety in flavors, but they are always quality. As for the ice cream, yeah it's good ice cream - but it's Toft's. The very same ice cream that you can get from a million other places all over Lakeside, Marblehead, Port Clinton, Sandusky, etc. Not sure that The Patio can get that much credit for cracking the lid off a tub of ice cream that was shipped in on a truck. It's not their ice cream! They didn't make it on the premises. They didn't come up with the flavors. I can get the same stuff from a gas station down the street. The last thing I'll say is that it kind of sucks writing this review because the owners of this place are lovely people who clearly treasure being a part of the Lakeside community. Still, gate fees to get into Lakeside are steep enough, the fact that this restaurant keeps doing the same stuff year and year with the same unfriendly staff and the same uninspiring and overpriced menu is a true shame. I just wish they'd try harder. read more

Decided we were hungry and happened to see the patio restaurant first. Sort of classic menu, not really a specific type of food. Both ordered burgers. Not a lot of flavor but a solid place if you're just hungry and need a bite to eat. Coleslaw was good, a little strong, but the most flavor. Try adding seasoning to the french fries as a default option. read more

The Patio Restaurant - Coleslaw - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Lakeside Marblehead, Ohio

Love the donuts! We had dinner there tonight and it was great. Perch lightly breaded, jumbo shrimp was really good. The kids had grilled cheese and chicken tenders. I've had the noodles and potatoes before and I loved it. The ice cream portions are very ample. The servers are usually students and are well trained. Thanks Patio Restaurant! read more

My family has been going to Lakeside for over 80 years. I'm not sure when the patio opened, but it's been there ever since I can remember. Brent and Heidi run a great establishment. Morning donuts are a must while you're at Lakeside. Fresh-baked, warm, yummy goodness. The cinnamon sugar is my favorite. My dad misses the past maple flavor. Chocolate are tasty too. Entrees are just dandy and reasonably priced. Daily specials are a good pick. Then there's dessert. I've never met a pie there I didn't like. But best of all... PATIO ICECREAM. Now, I rarely eat ice cream any other time of the year. At Lakeside, we have ice cream every night. My favorites? Mint chocolate chip or black cherry on a regular cone. That's a single dip? It's huge!! Heard rave reviews about the new flavor java chunk. read more

I think the most important thing to keep in mind with any reviews of any establishment inside the gates of Lakeside Chautauqua. Is it coming from someone in love with Lakeside itself? People love these places for where they are located and the memories around the places. I'm sure these people are great and it's nice the little come every summer community they have created. The place and food are nothing special. read more

The most reliable Restaurant in Lakeside. "The Patio" is a diner-style family restaurant. They serve such things as Chicken fingers, tenderloins, sandwiches like BLT's, burgers, spaghetti, etc. The Patio is a basic Restauarant but has a few key things that set it apart. The Patio serves homemade ice cream until 10-11 at night in the summers. They have excellent flavors, waffles cones, toppings, and can make milkshakes and special creations. Perhaps the most important aspect is the patio's famous Cake-batter donuts. The donut windows opens up at 6:00am sharp and there are morning-walkers lined up to buy a box and bring to their cottage for breakfast. These donuts are a must try. Chocolate coconut is one of my favorite flavors. My sister has worked at this restaurant as a summer job and still loves the food and ice cream. The Owners: Brent and Heidi are great have always kept the place up; The Patio is a lakeside landmark. read more

Love this place! The doughnuts are to die for! I stop by the Patio every time I go to Lake Erie

The above stars reflect an average of: 5 for the donuts and 1/2 for everything else. First, the good: The donuts are seriously the best I've ever had. Fresh, warm, yummy. Then, everything else: food is basic diner stuff - how can you go wrong? VERY was the answer. What cook ANYWHERE adds salt to the eggs. That's MY job as the customer, thank-you-very-much. They were barely edible. And why only 2% milk? Hash brown were blech. Finally, the service. Maybe the kids that work there don't realize there's a recession going on and they should be happy to be working. Hmm, but wait, can you really call it working when you spend most of the time socializing with your friends? I'll be back every day for the donuts and making my eggs and toast at home! read more

Always enjoy eating at The Patio. They have great food and friendly service. Especially enjoy their meatloaf and world famous freshly made donuts. read more

Patio donuts are a Lakeside institution. They even have a song written about them! But, they also offer a full breakfast menu for people who don't want to have donuts. There is a nightly dinner special; and, you can always select great hamburgers, broasted chicken, or fish dinners. Remember, they only operate between Memorial Day and Labor Day. read more

The Patio Restaurant - Patio donuts - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - Lakeside Marblehead, Ohio

Enjoyable little diner in the heart of Lakeside. They offer a wide variety of items to choose from. The burgers appear to be made fresh, and were quite tasty. Portions were generous and served nice and hot. It's most definitely family friendly. While not the cheapest (it's in Lakeside, after all), it is a very nice dining experience. read more

Best donuts in the entire universe. I daydream about them. (Everything else is fairly average. Just go for the donuts.) read more

Warm and friendly atmosphere. The service and food are great. Will be coming back during my visits to Lakeside.

Always stop by the patio for ice cream! Good serving spice and not too expensive always have to bring cash though.

Best donuts around. Friendly quick service. A must visit daily spot if you are staying in Lakeside.

We never made it to the restaurant. It is in a gated community and you need to buy a ticket to enter the community. Seemed like too much a hassle for just breakfast. read more

4-stars for FANTASTIC donuts--but if you want soft-serve it seems to be creamier across the intersection.

Homemade donuts, local ice cream and really good food from breakfast through dinner. The fried chicken is excellent!! The burgers and sandwiches are great. We frequent this restaurant and will continue to do so. read more

Robbie and I had lunch here on Monday. Very good food, pleasant and attentive staff. Family atmosphere. We came back later for ice cream. Very generous portions read more

Best donuts you will ever have, especially if you get them while they are warm & fresh in the morning! The owners Brent & Heidi are what you always want in restaurant owners...welcoming, friendly and always wanting to make you happy. Try the daily specials...and ice cream for dessert, well with the size of the servings you receive, you cannot go wrong with this family-friendly part of Lakeside history. read more

I love this place. When we first bought a home here, I refused to eat meals here as it is so small and I thought of it as just an ice cream and doughnut place. I thought restaurant meals would be an afterthought and "just bar food". I could not have been more wrong. The food is great, and service people (almost all high school age kids) are clean cut and very nice and attentive. Great fried chicken which shocks me for such a small place. Great prices. Very good burgers, good specials, really everything is good. They often serve stuffed cabbage which my wife loves. read more

Well they used to be the best donuts on the planet but they've changed something I think it's the oil they don't have that delicious delightful crispy outside anymore now they're just plain old Donuts. I look forward to having these every summer I usually don't even eat donuts and now I will never eat one again unless they change back to whatever they did before. Extremely disappointing. read more

My family has been going to Lakeside for a few years and as far as food goes there the patio is ok. The real reason to go to the patio is their hot and fresh donuts in the morning, they are absolutely amazing. As far as food goes it is nothing special but not terrible, truthfully you are better walking 500 feet down the street to Sloopy's for pizza. As far as their ice cream goes they still aren't bad but you may be better off at one of the surrounding places like Whistle stop. All in all the patio is great for donuts and decent for the rest, regardless you won't go wrong dining in Lakeside even if you have to go to a different restaurant for breakfast, lunch/dinner, and dessert. read more

Nothing comes close to a patio donut. Many of the special Le are very good, but our favorites are the chicken with noodles and fried chicken. read more

Typical diner fare, nothing special but perfectly edible. Donuts are very, very good.