Crow’s Nest Tavern

Just picked up two fish fries from the Crows Nest I always count on their good quality of fish. I need to say their fish fries are possibly the best in western New York the fish is so moist their coleslaw is excellent their homemade macaroni salad is excellent the German potato salad is excellent all around one of the best fish fries you can get anywhere.

The short TL;DNR version: The fish fry here is simply… perfect.
The long version:
The building is far from fancy.
Weathered.
Grey.
Small.
The inside is half bar and half seating.
The tables remind me of old kitchen tables. Worn and discolored, but still comforting and clean.
The staff was friendly and accommodating.
The menu isn’t large, but it has all the familiar bar foods.
I got the fish fry. My son, butterfly shrimp.
(I am glad I got the large, my son commandeered ¼ of my fish.)
Their fish fry.
Oh.
My.
God.
The fish fry.
German potato salad, macaroni salad and coleslaw… and a generous piece of cod.
Cod!
Flakey, buttery cod.
You’d think anything less than haddock is blasphemous in a WNY fish fry… but you’d be wrong.
So, so deliciously wrong.
You’d think that based on the price and the fact you’re getting qualiity fish that the sides would be subpar.
It’s usually the case, something usually suffers.
Not here.
The coleslaw was well seasoned and creamy.
They put crab in their macaroni salad… and it’s amazing. It too, well seasoned and delicious.
Then, the German potato salad. Usually when you get it in a restaurant, it’s too sweet or the dressing is thin and doesn’t cling to the potatoes.
The German Potato salad at Crow’s Nest is tangy and rustic. The only better German potato salad I have had is my mom’s.
I can’t speak for my son’s shrimp but he devoured them so I am assuming they were good too. I tried to ask him in between bites, but he was OM NOM NOMMING so hard, I think he said «Delicious» but it was hard to tell.

This is the best fish fry around and it deserves 5 stars. The atmosphere establishment is dreary enough to bring it down to a 4 star experience. The fish is almost good enough to keep it 5.
Additionally, the sides have recently dramatically improved. Before a couple of months ago there was only one fryer or something because on fish fry night the Crow’s Nest could not serve other fried foods. The french fries served with the fish fry were obviously made earlier and kept warm in an oven and not freshly fried. However, this issue has recently been addressed because my husband and I ate there recently and the French fries were fresh and hot and crispy and they were also able to make fresh tortillas to go with a banana pepper dip that was very good the first time I had it but not as good the last time. Regardless, adding that fryer opens the menu up obviously to help accommodate guests who are not interested in the fish.
Again, though, they should be because the fish is the best in town. The standard sides are palatable — mac salad, cole slaw and rye bread but nothing spectacular. However, the fish is really great. I am going there tonight and can’t wait.

Ordered the sea food platter and was amazed at the size of the half order of delicious and flakey fish! The sides were delicious as well. Go with the German potatoes instead of the fries they are so comforting.

Not bad, pretty good Fish Fry — not great Mac Salad tho. Beers were good and bartender was awesome. VERY LOUD!

The place was packed. Parking is ample. The cod fish fry was good; crispy cooked until flakey. French fries were from the freezer not fresh cut. The staff was friendly and polite but a little dis-​interested. The wait for the food was ridiculously long @ almost an hour after being seated, unacceptable for a place this size and the number of people working the floor. We’d go back if we weren’t in a hurry to get anywhere else.

I wanted to love this place, and maybe I should have ordered a fish fry — but I was really unimpressed with the whole visit.
I did order a broiled fish — and it was one of the worst I’ve had. Mushy, greasy, and small. My lunchmate had the fish fry and liked it, but said it was nothing special.
I imagine that this place is one of those places you go to because it’s down the street, and for that purpose, it’s fine. But it was cold inside, felt a little dirty, had subpar service, and the food wasn’t great.
But I get the sense the drinks are cheap! If you’re driving past, give it a try — but certainly don’t make the trip for this place.

I’m conflicted on how to rate this place…
On one hand, I thought the fish fry was tasty (though not the best I’ve ever had). On the other hand, my brother found a long hair in the burger we ordered him for take out.
Soooooo… Do I rate 4 stars for the tasty fish? Or 1 star for the nasty hair in the burger that will make me never want to eat there again? Hmmm…
I’ll give 2 stars, but honestly hair in food is inexcusable. And I probably wouldn’t order from here again.
HAIR NETS, PEOPLE… HAIR NETS!!!

What the other reviewers have said is spot on. However the Crows Nest has changed hands again. One of the previous owners has left for greener nests leaving the Nest with a single owner who is a personable hardworking young woman.
My wife and I were the only ones in the diningroom on a Saturday night at 6:30pm. Needless to say we received wonderful service. My wife is not a big eater and was pleased to see a mini fish fry on the menu for $ 11. That’s only a buck off the regular price I guess it is supposed to make you feel better to clean your plate. You should note that the fish fry is cod not haddock that I prefer. To me a beer joint fish fry should be haddock… admittedly more expensive but for $ 12.00?

Oh the Crows Nest… how I love thee! I have been going to this place for many many years since I live right down the road. I used to come here when my friend cooked in the kitchen back in high school and I love all the typical bar foods. Trust me when I say this: You’re only coming to the Crows Nest because you like the hole in the wall run down dive bar that pumps out great food. As we grew up my friend started bartending and this is the place we all went to throw some darts and watch the games.
The exterior is kind of off putting since it hardly looks as if this place is standing and a strong wind will inevitably blow it over like the big bad wolf. Whenever I drive past this place now, years later, I wish that someone would do something about the eyesore exterior. The Crows Nest has changed owners a few times over the years, but the Fish Fry remains the same! :)
The main attraction for outsiders (meaning non regulars) is every friday this place is packed with people from all over Buffalo for one reason and one reason only… the fish fry. If you read the other reviews then you have no need for me to write anything more because Christina H. and Coralie B. said it best.

Believe me when I say that I don’t throw this sentence around: Best fish fry in Western New York!
What makes a fish fry great? Not JUST the delicious, flaky fresh fish with the perfect beer batter … you also need the right sides! The french fries, potato salad, coleslaw and macaroni salad (with crab meat!) are all perfect. I have never complained about any of the above!
And that’s just the food! The service is also top-​notch and in years past some of the waitresses were the children of the owners.
About 2 years ago they remodeled the bar area so there is now more seating. Believe me, on a Friday during Lent this place is packed to the brim, so they needed more tables! Even so, the food comes out quick, hot and tasty regardless of how busy they are.
Don’t be put off by the exterior — it looks like a shack and has horse-​shoe pits next to the very narrow parking lot. But isn’t it true that the best fish fries often come out of the small, neighborhood family-​run bars?