This is a beautiful, cozy restaurant that is great for celebrating special occasions(and they do take reservations). A few times, we were seated in an upstairs room right near the fireplace which is the perfect spot for a romantic Valentine’s Day or anniversary dinner. However, there were only a couple of other diners in that particular room(seated right next to us) and it was very quiet so I felt like I had to whisper. There were two servers or busboys working in the room, and they did a great job of refilling our drinks, but it got to a point where it was a bit awkward(I felt like they were just staring at us waiting for us to take a few sips and then they rushed over). The food is always excellent(chicken pot pie and jambalaya are great choices). I love the side dishes of comfort food that come with the meals. We always leave full! The prices are fair and they often have coupons or discount certificates for sale. Check their website for other specials as well like bring your own wine night.
John T.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Ellicottville, NY
Have come here about 5 times. Food is very good as is the service. Our waiter tonight Cory was especially excellent. Jambalaya special was top notch. Place has been here since 1931 and quaint.
Laura L.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Irving, NY
Excellent all-around awesome food and awesome service! Had my daughter’s bridal shower there and I couldn’t be happier!!! Judy is amazing to work with and a true professional!!! I highly recommend having your party or banquet on the patio. it was just beautiful!!!
Annie Z.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Buffalo, NY
Really cozy restaurant. There’s a flower on every table ! Even if your server isn’t as attentive, there’s lots of busses around to help out. That’s what they’re also there for anyways. There’s mashed potato, sweet mashed potato, and red canned beets for every table too.
Lois R.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Buffalo, NY
They say not to judge a book by it’s cover but the Old Orchard Inn is well… old, and could use an updated edition, at least in appearance, though food is good. Though given a strange impression from the menu at first the food here is REALLY quite good. I’d say the French Onion soup is up there with some of the best I’ve ever had, and I try it everywhere it’s available to me. I’m almost certain the beef stock is made in house and that they use sherry in it. You can tell they use quality ingredients. The salad and main course my partner and I shared were delicious, a case where I could taste all the components separately but appreciated the marriage of them. The décor in this restaurant needs a hand. It comes off as very dated and very dark in the evening. The restaurant is not handicap friendly– lots of steps, teeny tiny bathrooms, tight corners. I think with a few small changes could really help its visual appeal and thus the vibe it gives off. With a change in drapery, brighter lighting in winter, and modern plates(which they seem to in the process of changing), and this spot it could really shine as a year round location. I can see this restaurant being quite beautiful in nice weather, or even a place to snowmobile to on a sunny winter day but it’s just not a spot I’d go out of my way to return to.
Linda D.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Lancaster, NY
Have been here several times and never had a bad experience. They are one of the few places in Western NY where I can get an apricot brandy sour :)
Evan O.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Buffalo, NY
The food is always good here. I ordered the baked French onion soup, which I think is one of the best around, they use the bread from day before to make the croutons that soaks up the broth, and the have a good amount of cheese on it. Before l sat down I order a pomegranate martini, which was good. For dinner, I got that the Cab Calloway, which was a steak with a cheese cream sauce, on a bed of spinach, which was very good, but I could of done with out the cream sauce. Then they serve the sides family style, this particular night was mashed potatoes and mixed veggies, were yummy. The waitress was attentive to our needs though out the service.
Andrea D.
Rating des Ortes: 1 Buffalo, NY
My husband and I were so disappointed in our meal. The soup was inedible. The texture was grainy and mealy. When the waitress picked up our two still filled bowls she didn’t even ask about it. We noticed the that the other diners were sending theirs back not finished also. When I order a meal that costs this much I expect my steak to be cooked correctly and that shrimp is cooked with some type of seasonings! The bread was not fresh. Our waitress never asked if the meal was alright. She just put it down and disappeared. The reason for our disappointment was that we were celebrating our wedding anniversary. We were married at the Old Orchard 13 years ago. I have sent many people there claiming that they will not be disappointed. I was so wrong!
Jill C.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Eden, NY
All the food we enjoyed at the Old Orchard Inn was amazing! There were 6 of us and no one received a bad meal. We ordered three dishes with chicken which were all excellent. The chicken pot pie, chicken fricassee, and the chicken jambalaya. They all tasted like they were home cooked. We also ordered the surf and turf and filet. The roasted red pepper bisque is very flavorful along with the dinner salads. The coffee crime brûlée was very rich and we enjoyed the fresh berries in the penne cotta.
Pat W.
Rating des Ortes: 2 Buffalo, NY
Last night was an experience of two competing entities. While my entrée the famous chicken pot pie was delicious and well made. The service was not so famous. It took well over an hour to get our food. Our waitress would ask you if you wanted another drink and then 15 to 20 minutes later you still didn’t have one. At one point the server brought the wrong beer to one of the people in our party. We had 8 people in our party and most of us were satisfied with our food. One person’s steak was not well done but instead came rare and one of our party members felt their tilapia was greasy. Overall though the food was well made and very tasty. The biggest drawback was the wait. In closing I would not go back to this restaurant. The prices were way too high for the food, and the service was poor. Also plan on being there a couple of hours or more because entrees do not come quick.
David K.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Webster, NY
My dining companion’s special day meant choosing someplace new for us. The Old Orchard Inn, tucked away in a cove of trees and barn-like structures, was a terrific choice. Warm, welcoming, with graceful and friendly presentation. We enjoyed excellent beef entrees, with side dishes and fresh vegetables that simply leapt off the plates. This place is everything a chain restaurant isn’t. Inviting. Romantic. Friendly. Unhurried. Thoughtful. With a view that makes you want to start sketching with colored pencils. One tip: the building is somewhat antique, and a table by some windows may be chillier than you’d like. Otherwise: too bad there aren’t six star ratings. We will return!
Danni D.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Colorado Springs, CO
This private owned restaurant is always such a pleasure to visit. They keep a very homey, warm atmosphere with fireplaces and linens. The original woodwork creates a historic fine dinning atmosphere. The floors, linens, dish wear and silver wear are always clean. Always a pleasure to visit. The menu is diverse with seafood, red meat and white meat. Food is fresh prepared. I love local restaurants and this is one of my favorite! My chicken pot pie was awesome, thick chunks of chicken and veggies with a light flaky crust. Served with mashed potatoes and veggie melody as family style sides. Also very good. The potatoes were thick and creamy, maybe need a bit more milk. Our server was friendly and upbeat, she was a pleasure.
Bill S.
Rating des Ortes: 1 Lake View, NY
Went there to have a nice dinner with my wife and daughter. Walked into an empty restaurant and was treated very rudely by a dark haired man. So we left. we drove 45 mins to get there. I won’t spend a dime in this place. Ever!
Karen M.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Buffalo, NY
We had a grand indoor/outdoor wedding reception at the Old Orchard Inn some thirty years ago. Not much has changed in 30 years. We nostalgically wandered around the outdoor area, admiring the patio, once open-air, now nicely covered and noticed a tent set up for an upcoming party. There is party-goer seating around the premises with splendid views of the lovely countryside, it even looks like there is a spot for a bonfire. The pond now has understated strings of lighting, the kind that might keep someone from accidentally falling in.(Yes, that actually happened at our reception.) We were warmly greeted as we entered from the back side of the building. The place was quite empty, but then lunch is served but three days a week. We were asked where we’d like to sit, and since it was chilly outdoors, thought perhaps inside. Our host guided us to what he pronounced«the most requested seat in the house», a nice window seat overlooking the pond and nature, complete with a real-live chipmunk filling up at the bird feeder. Our server was friendly and helpful; he did a marvelous job. I enjoyed trying the baked French onion soup, it was the best I’ve ever had, really. Honey Pie had a garden salad and it was fresh and varied. Mini bread slices were served too. Our meals were clearly made-to-order. I had the«famous» chicken pot pie which was truly delish, very traditional with a perfectly puffed puff pastry topper, warm and comforting, like your favorite old aunt was in the kitchen. He had the Filet Mignon Duo, two medallions with roasted red peppers, shallot rings, and Gorgonzola cream sauce, served open-faced atop a thick slice of Tuscan boule bread. This is not the place to go if you’re looking for some«skinny plate». The food was simply wonderful: classic American at its best. The reason I’m not rating this five stars is due to the building maintenance that effects the atmosphere. The place has so much potential to look amazing, but it just feels a bit, well, dusty inside. While it is charming, it just needed some spiffing up. I think there must be a way to maintain the quaintness and charm while updating. I know, we’re in the country, the country has flies, but there were several hanging around the window frames. That made me notice the frames needed a good dusting. In fact, they could use a cleaning and a nice glossy coat of polyurethane. There was some carpeting unraveling on some stairs, maybe it could be replaced. And the tables are perma-covered in some kind of textured vinyl, eeew. I think these improvements might draw in a larger target market in addition to the older crowd. The outside could also use a bit of landscape help; how about some nice herb gardens around where the tired hostas reside? Trimming the overgrown vegetation and taking down the dead pine trees would improve the scenery. And not complaining, just saying, that cold-patch walkway had my high heels getting tarry, and the damp grass gobbled at the heels too. I’m no architect, but I’m pretty sure the place is limited regarding improvements(like making the bathroom bigger) due to cost of complying with building codes, but I’ll bet a bit of even minor spiffing up would go a long way in making the atmosphere just as spectacular as the service, the setting and the tradition of what is the Old Orchard Inn.
Shan F.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Orchard Park, NY
Ate here for the first time in January for our anniversary dinner. Loved the atmosphere and food was superb. Our waiter was incredible but I did not feel the host staff took the very cold weather into consideration when seating guests. The building is rustic and subject to temperature fluctuations but we were still sat near the very drafty doorway. We were very cold(uncomfortably so) while a table right near the fireplace sat vacant during our meal. Won’t return during the winter since we couldn’t eat in comfort and felt rushed to leave in order to warm up. I would highly recommend eating here during more temperate months.
Cathy L.
Rating des Ortes: 5 East Aurora, NY
The Old Orchard is wonderful for special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, Mother’s Day and the like. But it is also good if you are looking for a great turkey dinner with the all the fixin’s on Sundays. The food is great and the service is professional and friendly. If you like seafood, the Macadamia Nut Crusted Sea Bass is outstanding.
Larry T.
Rating des Ortes: 3 Cumming, GA
The setting of this restaurant is old country and very scenic. The service was excellent and our waiter was always attentive to our needs. As for the food: My T-Bone steak was a little too fatty, although it was edible. My wife had«The Seafood Special». The scallops & shrimp were tiny and overcooked. I just think for the price we paid, the quality of the food could have been better. The classic«Lemon Angel» dessert was very tasty & light.
Rick S.
Rating des Ortes: 1 Welland, Canada
First time at the inn for my wife’s birthday and what a disappoint . The ambiance is great and from there it’s down hill. My wife had the rack of lamb which see said was good. I had the filet medium rare and and twice I had them to try to get it done right. Never had a worst steak than this mushy piece beef. The only reason for one star it was my wife’s birthday . Rick 30 June 2013
Veronica D.
Rating des Ortes: 4 Dallas, TX
Attended a very nice wedding here. Good food. I suggest you don’t wear heels very bumpy ground and lots of stairs.
Gwen F.
Rating des Ortes: 5 Waltham, MA
Shame on me! I got married here and I didn’t review the place? *wrist slap* If you’re in a hurry, I’ll start off with the most important part; yes, you should get hitched here. Or have whatever event here. Do it in autumn. Why? The scenery is oh-my-gosh gorgeous. The event room has tent-like walls that roll up so you can see the pond that’s just feet away, and the tree-covered hills in the distance. In the fall, the hills look like they’re on fire. There’s also a resident population of ducks that hang out and do duck-like things. I wish I could remember the name of the woman who helped us plan the wedding. She was super nice, though a little hard to get a hold of. She was very good about telling us what our options were, and followed through on every single promise. She also had some nice ideas about centerpieces that probably would never have popped into our wedding-addled brains. On my big day my bridal party and I were allowed to wait in a little apartment they have upstairs. This gave me ample room to pace, primp, sit down, stand up, and bounce off the walls. It also kept all of us out of view of our guests and of course, the groom. Brides — that bathroom in the apartment upstairs? Use it the whole time you’re there. The restaurant downstairs only has one, teeny tiny bathroom that everyone is using. A poofy dress will NOT fit in there. Plus, you won’t have to wait in line if you go upstairs. This is a bride-only thing, though. The staff was amazing, fast, and polite. They get a big Unilocal cookie. The food? Honestly, it wasn’t amazing, though I can’t say I ate that much(too nervous). Our guests raved about it, though. I loved that we had the option to serve it family style, which felt very relaxed and chill(it also came with free ice cream). Another benefit to rolling up the walls — our guests could choose to mingle under the roofed section of the room, or hang out in the sunshine. A couple folks went for a stroll around the pond, and the kids could run around and generally go crazy without being underfoot. It really added up to an informal, casual vibe, which is exactly what we wanted. Oh, and the best part — my grandmother is almost 90 years old, and she’s not exactly winning any track competitions these days. The Old Orchard is situated on a hill, but they have a golf cart specifically to help people with mobility issues get up and down the hill. To have peace of mind that she was taken care of meant a lot.(And yes, you can probably infer something about the age of the typical clientele here from that, but whatever.)