The Mess Hall

Love the Mess Hall! Have been there 3 times now and never have been disappointed. Great selection of beer and wine. Friendly and attentive staff. Will definitely be back for more pierogi!

I had amazing service, the food was great, and the atmosphere was incredible. I had the oxtail pierogis and they were amazing. The sauce was really good and the meat in the pierogi was insanely tender. The shell (or whatever you call it) wasn’t burnt at all unlike most places and it actually added a good taste to the whole thing. My server was amazing, one of the best I have ever had. She told us what was good there and she was very friendly. I will definitely be back soon.

Some friends and I recently visited the mess hall for dinner. We left disappointed, although the food was very tasty the portions were very small. When my French onion soup came to the table we all looked at each other and laughed. This was an appetizer not an entrée, if I was the owner I would be embarrassed to serve that as an entrée, its overpriced. I was waiting for Ashton Kutcher to come out of the kitchen and tell me that I was Punk’d. I’m not a very big eater, however if you decide to go to to the mess hall you’re going to have to eat before you go or after you leave.

We had a reservation at 8 pm. We arrived at 7:40 to check in acknowledging we were early. Went to the Bar. At 8 I asked hostess for an update she stated that the people at the table that was slated for us «were just paying their bill» At 8:15 I asked again and she said the people were still there. At this time a noticed an empty table behind us. I asked for this table and she said «well we might get a party of 8» (we were a party of 4) Frankly, I was ready to walk out. I said that we had been waiting and to keep us waiting because they had designated a certain table that was not available– still! By this time it was reaching 8:45. She then said «well, I suppose we can break up the table to make it four. We sat down, our waitress was apologetic. Food: turkey casserole was rated delicious. Red pasta dish (don’t remember the name) was rated delicious. Chicken, shrimp, pasta dish was way over seasoned — blackened shrimp was over seasoned extremely salty, could not eat. Chicken was over flavored with orange. Would never go back.

Heard such good things
Was very disappointed would not go back or recommend serving was very minimal never before have I left a restaurant hungry
Wait staff (sue) was very inattentive
Failing to mention fish on the menu
Sorry was her response
Again no recommendation here

Went for lunch. Wanted to stay for dinner. Had the meatball (a must for everyone who’s ever been to Mulberry’s) and the burger with the bacon/​onion jam. The food is extraordinary as is the service. Will be returning soon.

Fantastic. We had lunch after Christmas shopping. My husband got the hot turkey in Texas toast and I got the Cuban. Both sandwiches were good, but the hot tiredly was a winner. Delicious! And not soggy at all. Perfect amount of gravy

One of my go to places, have been here several times and never disappointed! Fish tacos are outstanding, my husband throughly enjoyed the oxtail pierogis. Pulled pork has a nice added touch when topped off with the blue cheese coleslaw.
Service is excellent wait staff is most helpful. Ample parking in lot a few doors down.
Can’t wait to go back and have breakfast, have heard it is excellent also.

Went here for a nice family dinner and looking to try a new place. Wine list was very reasonable and they had several nice options.
We had the short rib fritters for appetizer and they were really good– the entire fritter was short rib meat except for the crispy coating. Had their Oxtail pierogi for dinner, there are two size options & I got the small that came with two large pierogis, and it was fantastic. It came on a creamy horseradish sauce and then had an onion au jus type sauce. I literally cleaned my plate.
There were probably 5 other things on the menu I would have loved to have gotten as well. Will definitely be back next time we’re in town.

Oxtail Pierogi’s made this Italian’s head spin and mouth water– Delish!

I am a fan. I went there for dinner with my friends and I truly enjoyed it. I had the bow-​tie with broccoli in olive oil with garlic. I loved it. We all shared a piece of cheese cake and let me just say it was worth it. The décor was so cool. It felt like you where in downtown Buffalo while having dinner in Lackawanna.
I am planning on going back.

Went there during restaurant week and was expecting a much better experience based on the word of mouth. The menu they offered sounded great and there were many fun options although the apps were a bit redundant. Almost every choice was slow cooked meat breaded and fried (tater tots?). I had the oxtail pierogi and it was the highlight of my night. My boyfriend had the chicken and dumplings, which was ordinary at best. The worst part about the night was the service. It was SO SLOW. We waited for at least 15 minutes for anyone to even come greet us once we sat down. We ordered everything at once and they would dump food and disappear. I understand that they may have been busier than normal due to restaurant week (it wasn’t that busy!) but that is something they should plan for. Won’t be going back. Mediocre.

Get the banana pepper tots and oxtail pierogis– you won’t be disappointed! Homemade and delicious!

I went there with my partner around 5pm on a Saturday. I loved the décor but it was a bit chilly, especially whenever someone entered or leaved the restaurant. Our waitress was very nice and did her job wonderfully; she even fixed to unbalanced table we were at. I enjoyed the fact that their were only 2 tvs in the place so I didn’t have ESPN blaring at me like so many places.
We started with the Short Rib Tots w/​Steak Sauce Mayo. It was a very strange flavor and texture. After I cut them in half it really looked like dog food. I wouldn’t get these again. Maybe it’s just an acquired taste. We got a side of french fries that i really liked; barely even needed ketchup.
For the entrée, I was really interested in the Cubano until I was told it was made in the morning so i got the Mess Hall Burger w/​Cheddar, Bacon Onion Jam, Fries. This was awesome and if I ever come back I will get that again. The fries, the second time, were not cooked enough and doesn’t seem too consistent.
My partner had the homemade Ravioli w/​meatball. The title is a bit misleading. The meatball is the size of a softball in the center of the plate with 6 – 8 small raviolis scattered around it. The whole plate was very under-​seasoned and again the meatball meat was fine it looked like dog food.
In conclusion: I’m not sure if I’ll ever come back.

First time here and everything we had was awesome. All house made, poutine for an appetizer was great, maybe a little less gravy next time though. I had the spaghetti and meatball. And I mean a meatball, the size of your fist, courtesy of Mulberry’s. The other half had oxtail perogi. Very flavorful and melts in your mouth. We were honestly afraid of the oxtail, but worry not, it was great. Our server was VERY knowledgeable of the menu and how everything was prepared. We will definitely be back for more. You should too.

Just down the street from Curlys, and next to a fast food Chinese spot, across from Lakawana City Hall, is the aptly named Mess Hall. I visited because another Unilocaler suggested we try it. Im always game to try a new spot.
They have a nice but not too large lunch menu. Makes choosing easy. Various pizzas, from the expected Margherita to a meat lovers option, with some in-​between.
The Mulberry meatball is featured here, so if you can’t make it to Milberrys you can come here. Other apps include aranci and wings.
3 salads, all different and interesting sounding.
A selection of sandwiches and burgers come next. Buttermilk fried chicken, muffuletta (Toutant reminder), and a «grilled cheese of the week» all sound good.
There are some large plates too. Ravioli, chicken that comes with homemade duomlings, fish tacos.
We tried three things — arancini, one of the pizzas, the strawberry salad. The salad was by far the best choice. Generous portion, nicely presented and tasted great.
The pizza (one of the sausage options) was my next fav, its a reasonable size, you’ll bring some home for sure. The arancini disappointed me, more than my companion, but neither of us thought it was the best ever. Its very large for starters, and the size of the «filling» does not relate well to the size. So lots of yellow rice in-​between. I didn’t love it.
Its beautiful on the inside, cloth tablecloths, but then that paper over that. I was on the side where the paper ended, and it kept interfering with my arm movements. This is a nice place, not sure why they want that paper covering that way.
There is a nice generous bar, which is a place I could see sitting at. They have a garage door window going on, which I imagine is terrific when its open.
I’m happy others love this place. I wish them well. Some competition for Curlys a block away. I would come back if visiting the Botanical Gardens around lunchtime, but I would not make a special trip. Id get the strawberry salad and skip the arancini.

I must give this place a solid five stars!
Met Maria B. for lunch here yesterday. I really did not know what to expect. Online menus are difficult to come by however the word on Unilocal was that this place is cool. Oh how I agree!
Basic starter for me… wines, decent ones, are $ 6.00 per glass. Prices overall are within what I consider to be an acceptable range for quality lunch food. Both Maria and I started with the arancini. This is where I will diverge and just follow up with my own review. I felt that it was good, not as good as the arancinis from Mulberry, however nicely presented and way too large. Splitting the gargantuan rice ball into two and losing the saffron/​yellow rice (my take on the make) would have made this a bit more palatable. The rice ball was stuffed with peas and sausage. Nice coating, not overly fried. Good. Not exceptional.
I had the salad which incorporated strawberries and greens and oh so many good things. Lovely. For take out… which I always must do since hubby enjoys my lunches out as much as I, I got the oxtail pierogi. This is most likely the best dish I’ve had in months. Simple dish gentrified a la Mess Hall. For those who are unfamiliar with Polish Cuisine pierogi are dumplings. The secret, though, is in the dough. These pierogi are not your mama’s pierogi. They are larger, much attention to detail was put into the dough itself… sour cream is a necessity. and the filling is like no meat you have ever tasted. PERFECT. In balance and texture. Hubby was also the proud recipient of a shrimp «po boy». I don’t eat seafood so I can’t say anything other than he is still speaking of this much maligned sammy. In good terms.
Cute setting. Great waitstaff. What else can I say?

We were told about this place opening awhile back, but then it totally slipped my mind until someone brought it up last week. They said everything was delicious and that we should try to get a seat near the garage door that can open. so we gave it a go yesterday.
We went in on a Tuesday around 7 pm and most of the place was full (a good sign). We were told that we could take a seat anywhere that was open (we would’ve opted to be near the garage door if it had been open but it was chilly anyway). There was only one server on so I’m guessing it was an unexpectedly busy Tuesday (I work in a restaurant so I get it). The bartender ended up coming out to serve us and she was extremely friendly and helpful.
My husband and I had the Mulberry meatball as well as the fish taco. The meatball was just as fabulous as it always is at Mulberry, but the fish taco blew me away. It had just enough spice, and came with black beans and some kind of lite salsa. Next time I will order more than one-​they were so good!
For dinner I had my eye on the chicken and ricotta dumplings. It almost reminded me of a chicken noodle soup flavor with the celery, carrots, peas, and broth. It was delicious. My husband ordered the oxtail pierogis. he ordered 2 and was very pleased. He even said he doesn’t normally order something like that but loved that it had so many different flavors with every bite. Needless to say we were stuffed by the end.
We will definitely be back and plan to spread the word about this hidden gem.

This place was great. It has the feeling of a downtown restaurant placed in Lackawanna/​South Buffalo. They have this nice garage door which opens in the front. Definitely stands out in the neighborhood!
The food was great. My wife has the burger with bleu cheese and gave it a great review. She remarked at the amount of bacon on it. This is always a good sign from her.
I had the ravioli which was basically a play on French Onion soup. It was fantastic. They make their own pasta. Very good!
They had a decent selection of draft beers — a few local ones, too!
We inquired about brunch. My mom is coming to town. Moms love brunch. Anyway, the waitress, Deanne, gave us a copy of the brunch menu to give us a head start! We’ll be back.

Explosions of flavor! Can’t wait to see the full menu. I have been here twice in previews and the food is awesome!
With experienced bartending wooed from other Lackawanna establishments, guests are well cared for.
I will report back whenI have an opportunity to experience the regular menu and the wait staff.