Great little place! Good ice cream, burger good not great. Very crowded but cute atmosphere, cheery, food came up in 1 minute. Onion rings very flaky breaks but I kinda like me that way. Seems more natural or sumthin
(4)
Adryan F.
Old school diner. Very hospitable. Food is american staples with Italian influence. A little greasy but good. Worth stopping by for breakfast ....just wish they had a bloody mary.
(4)
Tom D.
I went here for food only one time. It will be the last time. The chili dogs were horrible. I get that Smith's are the best hot dogs in town, and the dogs themselves were fine, but the chili was terrible, the worst i've ever tasted (i ended up throwing one of my two dogs in the trash), and I was a bit put off that the bun was 3X the size of the hot dog. On the other hand, the ice cream is fantastic, and the Orange Twist is my absolute favorite. Unfortunately, every time I come here, my cone is in some way shape or form broken, chipped or cracked, without fail. Do they throw the boxes around before opening them? It's unacceptable.... I hate to give such a low rating, but it is my average between the fantastic ice cream and the horrible food. I won't even be back to give any other menu items a try aside from the ice cream.... why would I need to, when the best food in Erie is just a few feet away at Stevo's Pizza?
(3)
Katie H.
A must-go place when at Presque Isle. Diner style restaurant with good food and ice cream.
(5)
Blake A.
Have been coming here since I can remember. It's a great burger, hot dog and sandwich shop. And the ice cream, shakes, and Sunday's here and to die for. Nothing like a soft serve on a cone or Sunday and coke watching the fire works from the amusement park up the road. Beautiful place that can never or will never be topped by anyone. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED eating here and then going across the street to the camp ground and watching the sunset and chilling on a beach.
(5)
Joe M.
Fast, delicious dogs and ice cream, Sara's is the perfect stop after a day on the beach. My wife and I stop here every time we visit Presque Isle. The place gets packed and it gets really hot inside, but we always just sit outside at a picnic table. They get so busy that sometimes the staff doesn't have enough time to clean off the tables outside and empty the trash as fast as it fills up. Otherwise, five stars.
(4)
Danielle F.
We visited here just a few days ago. I can see why people like it. It's bright, has lots of seating, and is conveniently located just outside of Presque Isle and Waldameer. I had the bacon burger and fries. Hubby had a footlong hot dog and onion rings. The burger was just OK. The fries were really good. The onion rings were disappointing. Way too greasy and all the breaking came right off. Overall, it was just OK.
(3)
Tom S.
They have hot relish and hot ketchup. That is all.
(5)
Emily C.
I am in love with their fish sandwich! Today was no exception, yet when I bit into it, it was still cold and a good portion of the filet was not cooked through. I'm not the one to make a big deal about things but I really wanted to enjoy this sandwich. So I went up to their counter and kindly pointed out the mishaps and they were extremely apolegetic. They cooked one up right away and brought it out to me. They apologized again and the gal who brought it out told us that my husband and I could come back in after and dessert would be on them! My sandwich was delicious AND I got a free sweet treat, it wasn't necessary but it was certainly appreciated. Good food and good customer service is a win-win for me, Sara's is definitely my favorite food joint in Erie!
(5)
Kaycelyne J.
My turkey burger was cold. :( But I enjoyed their variety of sauces and their coke machine with ever possible flavor was pretty legit. I am a sucker for onion rings but these were crumbling apart, lacked salt and was just as cold as my turkey burger. It makes me wonder if I was given someone's forgotten order... They're ice cream looked bomb though. Wish I got that.
(3)
Emily Y.
For our family, it's not summer if we don't go to Sara's several times. As a kid I went here a lot when we visited family in Erie and now that I'm older I look forward to going here even more! Great place for families. Orange sherbet vanilla twist is my favorite- try it! Also a great place to get food! Really close to the beaches, too, which is great either before or after a long day at the beach!
(5)
Christine V.
I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt and give them 2 because we didn't actually eat there. According to Yelp they were open and we drove way off the highway specifically to eat there. It was closed. Very disappointed. They should keep their Yelp account up to date!!
(2)
Chad W.
I really have no reason to give this place less than 5 stars. It's really cheap, local, and authentic, and it has actually gotten better over the years, rather than declining as so many other things in Erie have appeared to do. As a little kid we used to beg our parents to let us go and get orange sherbet, and thankfully that hasn't changed. The food here is nothing to write home about but it's not bad, just not exciting...typical diner-type food. Every person that visits here should get a orange sherbet / vanilla twist. I'm sure it exists elsewhere, but I've never seen it. It's the only time I ever get soft serve, and it's that good.
(5)
Grace M.
They have SUCH good milkshakes, especially the peanut butter milkshake. Onion rings and fries are classic. I love visiting here for nostalgia reasons on my way to Presque Isle.
(5)
Greg E.
We got lunch here one day while leaving the island and it was alright. I felt it was priced well for myself my wife and my daughter to eat there but the food was "meh". I had the Italian beef which was good but definitely thing special and I got the onion rings. I have to say, they advertise their onion rings as homemade but maybe they should buy them from a vendor. They were slimy and greasy and generally lacked any set of taste worth enjoying. My wife had shot dog which was...a hot dog...so nothing special there but hard to mess up. The fries were good. I will say, the ice cream is great. We enjoyed it quite a bit. Maybe I had high expectations but I left a little dissatisfied.
(3)
Daniel H.
Onion rings, burgers, peanut butter milkshake, this is a treasure and makes obesity ok for a day
(5)
Gordon A.
Nice location. Crossed the road and took in a sunset across the lake. Nice diner type atmosphere. Very limited vegetarian options other than salad and fries. Both the chicken burger and turkey burger were quite good. Onion rings were not very overly tasty and the breading easily fell off. Lots of good condiment options and the peanut butter sundae was a good item to share at the end of the meal.
(3)
Sara Z.
Very good food, we had the grilled chicken and it was hot and fresh. It was not dry or cold at all and the roll was large and fresh. Be sure to check out and print the coupons on their website to save money on your visit. 2 large grilled chicken sandwiches, a soda and curly fries cost around $9-10 with coupon which is cheap. I also had the orange sherbet cone which was excellent and unique but the sherbet part may have been a little too sweet for me. Not sure I would get that one again. It is very hot inside this diner so much so that I was sweating buckets by the time I got done and it was only about 79 degrees out when I was there. There is a lot of outside seating but the few shady spots fill fast so you might be either stuck eating under the beating sun or inside the what felt like over 100 degrees cafe. They had a sign up that the building across from them Sally's has air conditioning but that part didn't seem to be open when I was there. They also have coke machines with a touch screen and a million options for drinks which are amazing to experience but they only have 2 machines and the line was 15-20 deep in the heat for each one which took longer than even getting food (which was very fast). If you are visiting in the heat of summer especially when it's over 90 degrees I would definitely avoid this place and drive a few min down the road to one of the other air conditioned restaurants. Also if you need to use the restrooms they are not located inside the restaurant, they are sort of behind the building. The restrooms are disgusting and are equivalent to a gas station bathroom so I would avoid them unless you are really desperate.
(4)
Brandy B.
Good burgers..lots of toppings and sauces...way more fries then one person can eat...I ordered the onion rings they where just OK..kind of bland and the breading falls off..prices where reasonable family of four ate for 30$ with drinks and shakes!!
(4)
Allison E.
I have had only one thing at Sara's: orange vanilla twist sherbert/frozen yogurt cone. Yes, they have other things (fries, burgers, hot dogs, milkshakes), but quite frankly, my agenda consists of only one thing at Sara's, and that's the orange vanilla twist cone. For those of you with a slightly smaller ice cream appetite, they do serve a child's size, or you can get it in a cup rather than cone. For less than $3, this is an awesome treat. A trip to Presque Isle doesn't seem complete without a visit. I just started going to Erie a few years ago and was a little discouraged by the lack of excitement on the Isle itself. Sara's makes up for this in its own little way. You could get wild and crazy and order a side of fries to dip in your orange vanilla twist cone ... go ahead, I dare you.
(4)
Matthieu K.
Only good because it's on the Peninsula. Nothing special nor unique here ... save the location. Obviously a FAR better choice than a chain restaurant ... but the food is not all that hot.
(4)
Bethany M.
Sara's is an infamous spot you must go to in Erie. Conveniently located on your way down to Presque Isle State Park the old fashioned eatery takes visitors back in time while they enjoy a classic summer treat. The main menu offers customers Erie's famous Smith hot dogs, burgers, fries, onion rings-etc. I would say that my MAIN attraction to Sara's is their ice cream and milkshakes. You are in for a treat regardless of what sweet you order, but I highly recommend their orange and vanilla twist (think creamsicles) or their peanut butter milkshake! They are THE summer essentials of Erie.
(4)
Matthew L.
This place reminds me of the shore shop diner from child hood beach trips. Burgers, hot dogs, curly fries and ice cream. Tons of seating and all the condiments and drinks are self service. The burgers were nothing special, but the fries were really good. They have the recipe for a specialty dog on the place mats and I think I'd give that a try sometime. The restaurant is at the base of the peninsula park and across the street from a spectacular view. Cheap eats in a fun environment.
(3)
Eric S.
Great place to grab a very decent hot dog after the island. You're greeted by a man size hot dog at the entrance with classic diner decaur. Regular or footlong.. They have their own fresh house made onion rings which were delicious. The hot dog itself has a unique casing in which has a crunch sound as you bite on it... quality good and the bun is soft & fresh. There's a rather large fixings bar with everything from chopped onions to vinegar for the fries. Large float and ice cream variety... I'm gonna check it out and git' mahself some now... These are the days people, these are the days.
(4)
Ryan S.
I don't know how anyone could give Sara's a rating less than 5 stars!
(5)
Victor M.
A generic eating experience. I see that many reviewers have a nostalgic tie to this place and If you do too, kudos. I, on the other hand, am judging based on the food quality -- which is forgettable.
(2)
Jessica S.
Amazing ice cream cones!!!!
(5)
Jess M.
This place brings back so many memories when I visit back home! Their food is not as good as I remember it when I was a kid but it is cheaply priced so that makes up for it. I come here for the orange sherbet/vanilla ice cream! So good! The slushies are to die for! Location is great but it gets busy in the summertime. Parking lot gets crazy when busy too! Seating is hard to come by in the busiest of months in the summer but you have the lake across the street. Get your food to go and sit on the beach enjoying the views! Love coming home and reminiscing about memories here! I always make a visit here when I am in town!
(4)
Caitlyn M.
Cheap & fast, but better than fast food. Sara's is a destination that's all about the location and the atmosphere. This place is an Erie landmark, so I'd recommend it for tourists. It's a fun place to take kids to eat in the summer. The food is better than McDonalds; More like Perkins or Eat n Park diner quality. I recommend a Smith's foot long hot dog & curly fries, but a burger & onion rings always hit the spot too. You can stuff a small army of 12 year old boys on the cheap, complete with giant ice cream cones for desert [Trust me, this is a challenge I'm very familiar with ;) ] I think that's why so many people have nostalgic memories of the place!! I'm creating these memories for my children every summer, too :) It has a lot of 50s diner decor & I've been told that its original stuff that's traversed the decades right here at Sara's. If you come wearing anything that clashes with flip-flops, you're over dressed.
(4)
Chuck J.
Thankfully, there is no boardwalk at Presque Isle, but that doesn't mean you can't have an old-fashioned bad-for-you dinner after a day at the beach. Sara's is a retro diner, like grandma used to visit, with basic yums done right--dawgs and burgers, fries and onion rings, but also a surprisingly awesome grilled chicken and some tasty salads. The portions are huge and the prices are reasonable by tourist-trap standards. Leave room for the ice cream, it's delicious.
(4)
Ting Y.
This little restaurant is just around of the doors of Presque Isle state park and Waldameer amusement park, good place for some quick food after your park visiting. I had their Smith's hot dog, to be honest, I didn't feel any thing special about it, Nathan's hot dog tastes better than this. But I like the way to put toppings on myself, their hot relish, and pickles are good. Their onion rings: we got a large, it's about almost 4 bucks. It was really large! That thing was huge. I was glad that we didn't get two as we said at beginning. They are very good, especially with their different kinds of sauce you can choose from. This is something I will order again. My husband ordered a cheeseburger too, he said it was good, but too small I think, after he ate that, he ate a Arby's sub to fill himself up. I got their orange sherbet and vanilla soft serve cone, it was good, but nothing I can write home about. And it's pretty small for $2 I paid, it's the same size as the soft serve I get for $1 like in McD's. Anyway, this is good place to eat when you done with the park, and hungry for some junk food.
(3)
James P.
Smith's Hot Dogs, orange twist ice cream, and so much charm you feel like you stepped into an episode of diners, drive ins, and dives. Outdoor seating is great, and it's truly a gem!
(5)
Alexa J.
Very cool atmosphere with fun, kitschy things to look at, and a great place for tourists to catch a bite after a day at the beach. Sara's has a hell of a lot more personality than most eateries in the area and the ice cream/ sundae selection is excellent. However, I think it's over-rated (probably due to nostalgia) and the rest of the menu is only so-so .
(3)
Long T.
Cheap, local, tasty, and fast... this is a fabulous spot for some traditional American summer fare like hot dogs, burgers, shakes, and fries. Highly recommend the orange vanilla twist soft serve cone... felt like a kid again!
(5)
Neal J.
I used to live near Erie ('97 - '00) and was back in the area last weekend. Sara's is bigger and better! :) Oh and.... Orange/Vanilla twist - 'nuff said
(5)
M B.
The best greasy-fast food place in Erie! Yes, the Orange-Vanllia twist with sprinkles is the BEST!!! Every time we are in the area we make sure to visit Sara's. Lots of sand, swim suits, and flies...they just add to the experience. :)
(5)
Felix J.
I can see the attraction -- burgers and fries to carry into a gorgeous state park. The fries are very good, the burgers are meh, nothing special. I should give them zero stars for wasting that gorgeous silk city diner space, though. It should be more than just a part of the ambiance. Put that place to work!
(3)
Mike L.
Good fast food. Cool motif and throw back appeal and right near the beach. A nice old fashion fast food joint :-)
(4)
Hannah M.
Sara's is a must on every trip back to my hometown of Erie in the summer! From burgers and chicken sandwiches, to ice cream sundaes, Sara's has all of your summer favorites! The relaxed atmosphere is great for big groups or a quick bite to eat with a friend. Located between Waldameer and Preque Isle, its a perfect end to a day enjoying all Erie has to offer! My favorite Sara's treat: Peanut Butter Soft Serve....yum!
(5)
Lin N.
I shall start this review by saying that I have been enjoying the orange and vanilla twist cone for approximately 20 years. A giant, yummy cone - available right on Presque Isle. Actually, it's one of the only things available on the isle. Nonetheless, still a good ice cream cone. I rate Sara's summer only joint 4 stars only because of the ice cream, and the convenient location with expanded outdoor seating. Food is average diner/grill fare - burgers, chicken sandwich's, fries, onion rings, etc.
(4)
Bryan M.
An Erie Standard! I moved away last year and intend on going many times when I'm back home this summer :) Good grill food: burgers, chicken, and the famous Smith's hotdog. I'm a vegetarian but I've never heard complaints from my friends. Enjoy!
(5)
Bender S.
I was born and raised in Erie, Pa moved far far away many years ago and I only visit in the summer and this place is one reason why, Im not sure if its their killer onion rings, footlong SMITH hot dogs or the blueberry milkshakes but I honestly eat lunch here everyday when i'm in Erie. if you like grilled food or picnic style cuisine this place is perfect. Quick, Cheap and right on the peninsula.. If your driving threw northwestern pennsylvania in the summer get off on I-79 follow it till it ends and hit this place up.. *side note this was the first place I was ever employed way back when I was 15 I did two summer tours. and the owner Sean was the nicest dude and worked everyday in the kitchen and as far as I know he still does, even though this place is a cash cow and he could just sit back, Its a passion for him and thats one reason why there so successful or at least thats what I think...
(4)
Jessica D.
Shared the Italian beef, being from Chicago it could not compare although made claims to do so. Fun atmosphere. Servers pleasant and service fast. Appears to be something wrong with water, couldn't drink it and couldn't purchase fountain drinks :( My recommendation: get a cone and walk across the street for a walk on the beach.
(3)
Angelina R.
Atmosphere ok, food horrible. Definitely a tourist trap!!!
(1)
Mary S.
Good food! Fun atmosphere! Great places for families, couples, kids, even dogs! If you come to Erie you have to stop here! If you live in the area, you must frequent this place often!!! It's a summer tradition for all!!
(5)
Amanda K.
Sara's is delicious! If you live in Erie, you know not to go without a coupon, as the prices are a bit on the high side for burgers/hot dogs. The onion rings are the best I've had so far in Erie. With the redesign of space (which provides a lot more space!), it makes Sara's a more enjoyable place to eat then previous years. The only downfall is that other customers can be rude and cut people off with parking and when using the drive-thru window.
(4)
Lynne C.
Great old fashioned hamburgers. Really good
(5)
Jameson J.
Not the best hot dogs you'll ever have (although they are, thankfully, Smith's), not the best burgers either, but the atmosphere makes it worth the trip. There is just something special about hitting up this joint after a long day at the lake.
(4)
Diana G.
This is my absolute favourite place to eat in Erie- hands down! When I'm in Erie, I go to Sara's for Smith's hot dogs, turkey burgers, curly fries, and the BEST onion rings on earth! And, if there's still room after that, I usually have an vanilla/orange sherbet twist ice cream cone. Dairy Queen- you can't compare to Sara's - sorry! Don't forget: this place is only open in the summer so it will most likely be busy. If you go, look around at all the 50's nostalgia, but sit outside for more space. Also, expect there to be many little kids running around, spilling their ice cream, and making a mess. Not to mention, there might be a bumblebee who thinks your milkshake tastes great... If you don't want that experience, go through the drive-thru, and park on the peninsula for a view of Presque Isle Bay instead... Either way, you won't be dissappointed! :D
(5)
Darcy N.
Good food, great service and a wonderful all-American summer experience.
(4)
Erika M.
The second we moved to Erie everyone was like "you have to try Sara's!!!" Well, I had high expectations... And was let down. its got a neat outdoor diner-ish feel to it but honestly for the price of food vs. quality, I'd rather have mcdonalds. My fiance's chicken was the super processed frozen kind of chicken fingers rather than actual meaty chicken tenders and my cheeseburger did not taste good. Their fries were okay, but a little excessively greasy. If we do go back I'll stick to ice cream, because I've heard that is good...
(2)
Deyana U.
Extra star for the cool decor! Take your time, so many things to see, you might feel like you're in an episode of American Pickers! The food was good, cheap, I think four of us ate for under $20 after playing volleyball at a nearby beach. Went back the next day after the lake again for the orange/vanilla ice cream. YYUUUMMM!
(4)
Kat K.
ONION RINGS! Oh my gosh! They are the most delicious onion rings I have ever had! Its too bad they aren't open during the winter (totally understandable), because it would make my winter visits back to Erie sooooo much better. They have Smith's hot dogs, which in my book are one of the seven wonders of the world. I can't wait to go back this summer to chow down!
(5)
Catherine G.
My family and I just went to Sara's earlier this month and we all loved it. The naturally smoked hot dogs are great! THE MILKSHAKES ARE AN EXPLOSION OF CREAMY GOODNESS!!! The orange twist cones are AMAZING! Honest food ... reasonable prices. This diner is a definite stop if you are visiting Presque Isle.
(4)
Chris C.
American godsend. Smith's hot dogs and curly fries by the beach.
(5)
Allicia T.
I don't know how is it possible that this place has such good reviews and so many people every time i pass by to go to presque isle. This is the worst food I have ever put in my mouth. The bread for sandwiches and burgers and hot dogs is just like you are eating paper. i don't even know how they manage to have stale bread like that when so many people seem to go there. their fries and onion rings are yuck, greasy, not tasty at all. McDonald's beats them in taste at least! Junk food at its worst! the tomatoes and onions in the food counters are from last year, very tired vegetables! I will never go back to this place. such a mistake!
(1)
M.A. Y.
Hot fudge, blueberry or peanut butter milkshakes?! Orange/vanilla twist cones?! Great curly fries! From its 50's car counter to its old gas pump, this is a place to make a good memory. And yes! -- You can see neighboring Waldameer Amusement Park's fireworks from the outdoor seating! What fun!!
(4)
carmon k.
Biked here from the State Park. Had most refreshing choc milkshake and curly fries. Yum. Husband had huge sundae- great value. Was very busy- check it out!
(4)
Seth S.
From what I was told, this is an Erie institution. I was traveling on business and was told that I needed to check it out. Good burger with great curly fires. The guy I was with had a Turkey burger and thought it was pretty good. Plentiful outdoor seating makes this a good place to go on a nice day, which works well since it is only open in the summer. If I came back to Erie, I would go back.
(4)
Dean B.
Orange / vanilla swirl worth trying, rest of dinner was good. We had the Italian steak with the works and onion rings.
(3)
Adrienne L.
If you're in Erie, you have to go to Presque Isle, and on your way out, you have to stop at Sara's. Period. If you're not hungry for a full meal, just get an orange swirl Ice Cream cone. Don't be discouraged if the place looks busy, I've been there when it was swamped, and I still managed to get my food in less than 10 minutes. Extremely casual... people go in their bathing suits.
(4)
Casey M.
Pretty good. It's not the best food ever, the hamburgers and onion rings are ok but their fries and cheese sauce are really good. They also have good ice cream and shakes and it's especially good if you want to grab something to eat while down on the peninsula.
(4)
Josh G.
A great diner-style spot, convenient to the beaches at Presque Isle. The food is great - especially for the price - but the real treat is their ice cream. Their famous orange/vanilla twist is to die for. If that's not your thing, their shakes are top-notch, too.
(5)
Chelsea S.
We stopped by Sara's for dinner on our first day of vacation. After our horrible hotel check-in, we decided to watch the sunset at the beach, but first, dinner at Sara's. I had planned on coming here for our trip. It looked like a cool place to dine- and it was! I ordered the cheeseburger meal with fries. Bobby ordered the Chicago style italian beef with onion rings. We enjoyed our dinner outside and he just kept saying how awesome his sandwich was. He ended up finishing half at home and talked about it even more that night. Afterwards, we grabbed ice cream from Sara's and headed to the beach for the sunset. Bobby wanted to head to Sara's the 2 other times we headed to the beach but i said we should try other places... should've listened to him though because the sandbar sucked, lol. If you're in Erie, try it out here. Its a pretty unique spot to eat. The menu isnt huge but it has your basics. It's located RIGHT outside of Presque Isle park and very easy to find.
(4)
Nena U.
When I walk into Sara's.. I thought of "American" ..fun" and condiment lover's dream! It's quite a unique restaurant. Staff was very friendly and our food came fast even though the place was packed. Theres plenty of seating inside and out. I ordered the "Chicago Style Italian Beef Deluxe" and was pretty good but I could barely finish it. ($8.00 plus fries and drink) I tried the onion rings- they were ok - more "meh " But the curly fries were good. The condiment station is absolutely amazing. HEINZ products!!! YES ! I just love that. Mayo, Ketchup, Mustard, Ranch, Hot Sauce .. . and a variety of seasonings yet! I think I must of spent 10 minutes there - deciding my toppings. There was a large variety of pop (coke products) but there wasn't any fresh brewed ice tea.. The only beverage offered that wasn't carbonated was lemonade which is filled with sugar. My best friend and I took our lunch over to the beach and it was fun.. To-go orders are packed in a square cardboard box which is great!! A visit to Sara's is quite "fun".
(3)
Kate W.
We had the Italian Hoagie and one of the burgers plus onion rings and a hot fudge shake. Everything was SUPER tasty but the onion rings weren't hot when they came out. The setting of the restaurant is very family friendly and the decor is old diner style. State park is 50 yards away so you can grab some food and head right over to a pretty beach on Lake Erie. Had to give it four stars because of the onion rings and also the restrooms could use some tlc. Other than that, we plan on coming back when we are in the area.
(4)
Kimberly T.
Every time we go to Presque Isle we see this restaurant. We decided to actually try it. It looks cute. It is very throw back to the 50's. It's totally cute. There is tons of seating which is also nice. It's rare for my husband and I to order the same thing but for that meal we did-bacon cheeseburgers and onion rings. It didn't take long for our food to be ready. Then you "dressed" your food the way you want it with condiments along with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, etc. there are three places to do that which helps the line to keep moving. Soda is also self serve. Our burgers looked good and the onion rings looked great. We dressed our burgers and say down to eat. The onion rings are the only reason i can give even 2 stars. They were lightly coated, lightly crispy and the serving is BIG. We went to eat our burgers and my husbands was almost raw. I traded him burgers since mine was over done and dry. The buns are good but the bread to meat ratio was way off. It was too much bread for the burger patty. The cheese wasn't even slightly melted. My husband ate half of the over done burger and couldn't eat anymore. Even with condiments it was still very dry. I took two bites of the undercooked burger and waved the white flag. I don't mind rare but this was truly raw. YUCK! We are a few more onion rings and headed out. I think it's safe to say that we won't be back.
(2)
Heather L.
Location location location. Nestled right at the entrance to the state park, Sara's is a great place to grab a drive in style bite. The fun old style atmosphere and decor alone is half the draw. I ordered the Bacon/Kraut/Chili dog with curly fries and was not disappointed. They had quick, friendly service and the prices are very reasonable, especially for a tourist area. There is a serve yourself toppings bar with a good variety of sauces (which I used for my curly fries).
(4)
Deborah A.
This review was based upon the highly salted and rather insipid hot dogs that are a part of this location's fame -- Smith's hot dogs, I believe. I was brought here a few months ago by an Erie native welcoming me here (moved here for a good job). They raved about the hot dogs here, and insisted upon buying me one. Let me introduce a few caveats in my analysis here. First, I grew up in Chicago, home of Vienna hot dogs. I mean, it is a hot dog town, so my standards are pretty high. Granted, ever since I read the ingredients on hot dog labels sometime in high school, my hot dog consumption has been really limited. Second, I've been (primarily) vegetarian since 2012, so hot dogs aren't all that high on my daily dietary needs. I will occasionally eat meat though because I struggle with refusing food that somebody offers to me, out of a sense of politeness. I got a chili hot dog. Now given that the last time I'd eaten a hot dog was in 2006 (so 9 year hot dog hiatus), I thought this was going to be special. First, let's talk about the hot dog. Salty, and not much else going on. Plus there's a texture issue I had. See, I hate it when I bite into a hot dog and then the meat in the center comes out but some of the casing is left and I have to bite more on that. Tough casings gross me out. Starts to make me think of the origin of the casing. Second, let's talk about the chili topping. Salty, and not much else going on, same as the hot dog. On that topic, why is it on God's green earth that so many restaurants mess up chili?! Chili requires minimal finesse. No technique really, no making sure you get the Maillard reaction when you sear meat or whatever. Just throw a bunch of stuff in a pot, some of it from cans if you're in a rush, and that's it. Anyway... Third, I don't remember anything specific about the hot dog bun. A proper hot dog bun is important too. This hot dog bun, as far as I'm concerned, was just an edible delivery medium for the hot dog and chili. On the bright side, the setting is nice on a summer day. Since it is right next to the park area, it has that whole "yay we're near the beach" retro feeling, a happy feeling. Given the happy feeling, I could see hanging out with friends and watching them eat, maybe just sipping on a soda from one of those fancy electronic zillion-choice soda machines where you can get lime raspberry diet coke or whatever.
(2)
Mike T.
Directly outside the entrance to Presque Isle State park is a very touristy/beachy little Restaurant called Sara's. At first glance you can tell this appears to be a fun place to stop, but the food was surprisingly really good. On our visit we had the Half Chicago style Italian Beef sandwich with a side of fries and a drink. Both meals were really good, and a great price to boot. Overall this is a really good place to stop while exploring the beautiful State Park.
(4)
Becky W.
Had lunch here today after spending the morning at the beach. We loved the atmosphere, and enjoyed the food! It is very reasonably priced. The fries and orange and vanilla swirl cone were my favorites, but would like to go back and try some more options. :)
(5)
Gina D.
You can't come to Erie in the summer and not stop at Sara's for a milkshake and a Smith's hot dog. It's a great place to grab a bite on your way in or out of the Presque Isle state park. The cheerful atmosphere is full of nostalgia and red and white picnics tables and umbrellas line the perimeter of the restaurant. So grab a dog and take in the gorgeous weather that Erie has to offer before it starts snowing again.
(5)
Scott R.
Fellow Yelpers, I'm not a fan of Erie pa but this place you can easily miss when your not there. It's like a staple to the city. It brings you back in time long long ago. It feels old school when your here for sure. All American. They have coke!! Fountain service free refills. :) Food is decent. Burgers, fries, hot dogs, onion rings etc. Ice cream soft serve, is excellent. And so are the milk shakes. They are famous for a vanilla mixed with orange sherbet swirl cone. Great spot for pics and is located just at the beginning of the presque isle beach area. This is a place the whole family will enjoy! Sara's is seasonal and not open all year
(4)
Ray M.
In our first visit to the area we decided to dis it Presque Isle and wanted the whole experience, including a visit to the famous Sara's, located just at the parks entrance. The first thing to say when you arrive/enter is wow! They have one of the most wonderful collections of 50s and 60s memorabilia and neon decorating inside and outside. It's worth stopping just to check it out. The menus is fast food of course, we heard famous for Smiths hot dogs so we tried one. My wife also ordered the Italian beef sandwich. Service was fast. The hot dig itself was tasty, I would describe as a natural casing Vienna style dog. The bun was awful. Too large, too stale and added nothing to the experience. Ended up discarding most of it. The Italian beef in the other hand was very nicely prepared with peppers and onions and I believe covered in provolone cheese. Is was something I would go back for...but not the hot dog. In summary we'd go back again if visiting he park just to give other menu Irma a try and to "tour" all of their wonderful stuff adorning the walls.
(3)
Laura H.
This a a real cute old-fashioned dinner right before the entrance to Presque Isle state park. Extra points for having "The Simpsons" characters out front! You order at the counter, they hand you a number, and then they call you when it's ready. There is a ton of outdoor seating to augment the limited inside tables. The menu is very no-frills: burgers, hot dogs, fries, ice cream. My bf ordered a footlong hot dog, I ordered the 1/3 lb turkey burger, and we split a large order of curly fries. They have different seasonings you can put on your fries (we chose buffalo) and YUM-these fries were well worth it! Our total tab came to about $11.50 and was ready within 5 minutes. The turkey burger was pretty good-I added some chipotle sauce they had out and it nicely spiced it up. My bf liked his dog too. Of course we had to get ice cream too! While they are known for a creamsicle like twist cone, we went with a good ol' fashioned hot fudge sundae with whipped cream, sadly no cherry though. The ice cream is all soft serve and the hot fudge was evenly distributed throughout the sundae. This was a great size to share after having lunch! I'd recommend stopping by for a quick, casual, cheap yet tasty meal when heading out to Presque Isle!
(4)
Darlene M.
Ordered drive thru and everything was excellent. We had 7 orders with no errors or delays. We'll be back, it is better than in and out burgers in service and quality.
(5)
Tiffany Y.
This restaurant sells hotdogs, burgers, fries, onion rings, salads, chicken tenders, ice cream, milkshakes, and sodas. The food tasted fine but was nothing special.
(3)
Skyler T.
This place was so good it reminded of Portillos in Chicago that I experienced recently. We tried the onion rings, curly fries, Italian beef and chicken strips. The Italian beef was more like a Philly cheese steak but that's okay it was still tasty( or I should say cheesesteak because I was in PA). The service was quick and friendly would definitely come back for my next trip to Presque Isle.
(5)
Tony D.
An okay place near Presgue Isle that is probably best for its convenient location at the entrance of the park. The whole arrangement is somewhat of a classic diner atmosphere, and it got pretty active around the evening, probably when people were all preparing to go home. While it was crowded, seats became available all the time, and lines moved quickly (orders didn't take too long either). I personally found their food pretty average, no better or worse than other burgers or hot dogs I've had. You get to put as many toppings as you wish for both. The onion rings were a bit too greasy and fried for me. The orange twist is apparently one of their specialties--it was pretty tasty and sweet, although I think their regular size is a bit too big to be sensible.
(3)
C.T. C.
Nostalgia. This is the primary reason to visit. The food, service and price is no better or worse than you will find at most competent, non-chain restaurants. But if you're looking for a fun atmosphere, especially with the kids after a day at Waldameer or on the beach at Presque Isle, it's worth the stop. Just keep in mind what at least one other reviewer forgot: this is not a place for health food nuts. Be prepared to digest accordingly.
(3)
Mark D.
This is a great place to grab a bite to eat either on your way in or out of Presque Isle State Park. Classic grille type restaurant with burgers, hot dogs, fries, onion rings, ice cold Coca Cola, milkshakes, ice cream and much more. Lots of seating outside to eat and watch the sunset over Lake Erie. I'm an Erie native who now lives in Chicago so I have to give their italian beef sandwich a D grade. Come to Chicago for the authentic stuff! I stop here every time I'm home visiting and hope to continue coming here many more times.
(4)
Melanie M.
Loved the decorations and atmosphere! The food all looked great. I ordered the Chicago Style beef sandwich, which was huge. I also ordered onion rings. They were okay but the coating did not have much flavor. Definitely needed salt or something. Other than that no complaints!
(4)
Scott M.
It's a great location with vintage nostalgia all over. But the burgers and the buns are chewy. It may be worth the hype for ice cream, but the warm food doesn't match it.
(2)
Winnie T.
Went to the lake with a friend and wanted a some ice cream as we were driving back. Saw the rave reviews for this old school diner and stopped by. I got an orange twist, and it was okay. Very, very creamy. And there was so much! It got too heavy for me mid way through and I couldn't finish it. The food looked okay but again, seemed really heavy. Not sure if I would come back.
(3)
Anne M.
Their turkey burger is amazing!!! Not a dry, frozen patty.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : No Drive-Thru : Yes Caters : No
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Jocelyn W.
Great little place! Good ice cream, burger good not great. Very crowded but cute atmosphere, cheery, food came up in 1 minute. Onion rings very flaky breaks but I kinda like me that way. Seems more natural or sumthin
(4)Adryan F.
Old school diner. Very hospitable. Food is american staples with Italian influence. A little greasy but good. Worth stopping by for breakfast ....just wish they had a bloody mary.
(4)Tom D.
I went here for food only one time. It will be the last time. The chili dogs were horrible. I get that Smith's are the best hot dogs in town, and the dogs themselves were fine, but the chili was terrible, the worst i've ever tasted (i ended up throwing one of my two dogs in the trash), and I was a bit put off that the bun was 3X the size of the hot dog. On the other hand, the ice cream is fantastic, and the Orange Twist is my absolute favorite. Unfortunately, every time I come here, my cone is in some way shape or form broken, chipped or cracked, without fail. Do they throw the boxes around before opening them? It's unacceptable.... I hate to give such a low rating, but it is my average between the fantastic ice cream and the horrible food. I won't even be back to give any other menu items a try aside from the ice cream.... why would I need to, when the best food in Erie is just a few feet away at Stevo's Pizza?
(3)Katie H.
A must-go place when at Presque Isle. Diner style restaurant with good food and ice cream.
(5)Blake A.
Have been coming here since I can remember. It's a great burger, hot dog and sandwich shop. And the ice cream, shakes, and Sunday's here and to die for. Nothing like a soft serve on a cone or Sunday and coke watching the fire works from the amusement park up the road. Beautiful place that can never or will never be topped by anyone. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED eating here and then going across the street to the camp ground and watching the sunset and chilling on a beach.
(5)Joe M.
Fast, delicious dogs and ice cream, Sara's is the perfect stop after a day on the beach. My wife and I stop here every time we visit Presque Isle. The place gets packed and it gets really hot inside, but we always just sit outside at a picnic table. They get so busy that sometimes the staff doesn't have enough time to clean off the tables outside and empty the trash as fast as it fills up. Otherwise, five stars.
(4)Danielle F.
We visited here just a few days ago. I can see why people like it. It's bright, has lots of seating, and is conveniently located just outside of Presque Isle and Waldameer. I had the bacon burger and fries. Hubby had a footlong hot dog and onion rings. The burger was just OK. The fries were really good. The onion rings were disappointing. Way too greasy and all the breaking came right off. Overall, it was just OK.
(3)Tom S.
They have hot relish and hot ketchup. That is all.
(5)Emily C.
I am in love with their fish sandwich! Today was no exception, yet when I bit into it, it was still cold and a good portion of the filet was not cooked through. I'm not the one to make a big deal about things but I really wanted to enjoy this sandwich. So I went up to their counter and kindly pointed out the mishaps and they were extremely apolegetic. They cooked one up right away and brought it out to me. They apologized again and the gal who brought it out told us that my husband and I could come back in after and dessert would be on them! My sandwich was delicious AND I got a free sweet treat, it wasn't necessary but it was certainly appreciated. Good food and good customer service is a win-win for me, Sara's is definitely my favorite food joint in Erie!
(5)Kaycelyne J.
My turkey burger was cold. :( But I enjoyed their variety of sauces and their coke machine with ever possible flavor was pretty legit. I am a sucker for onion rings but these were crumbling apart, lacked salt and was just as cold as my turkey burger. It makes me wonder if I was given someone's forgotten order... They're ice cream looked bomb though. Wish I got that.
(3)Emily Y.
For our family, it's not summer if we don't go to Sara's several times. As a kid I went here a lot when we visited family in Erie and now that I'm older I look forward to going here even more! Great place for families. Orange sherbet vanilla twist is my favorite- try it! Also a great place to get food! Really close to the beaches, too, which is great either before or after a long day at the beach!
(5)Christine V.
I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt and give them 2 because we didn't actually eat there. According to Yelp they were open and we drove way off the highway specifically to eat there. It was closed. Very disappointed. They should keep their Yelp account up to date!!
(2)Chad W.
I really have no reason to give this place less than 5 stars. It's really cheap, local, and authentic, and it has actually gotten better over the years, rather than declining as so many other things in Erie have appeared to do. As a little kid we used to beg our parents to let us go and get orange sherbet, and thankfully that hasn't changed. The food here is nothing to write home about but it's not bad, just not exciting...typical diner-type food. Every person that visits here should get a orange sherbet / vanilla twist. I'm sure it exists elsewhere, but I've never seen it. It's the only time I ever get soft serve, and it's that good.
(5)Grace M.
They have SUCH good milkshakes, especially the peanut butter milkshake. Onion rings and fries are classic. I love visiting here for nostalgia reasons on my way to Presque Isle.
(5)Greg E.
We got lunch here one day while leaving the island and it was alright. I felt it was priced well for myself my wife and my daughter to eat there but the food was "meh". I had the Italian beef which was good but definitely thing special and I got the onion rings. I have to say, they advertise their onion rings as homemade but maybe they should buy them from a vendor. They were slimy and greasy and generally lacked any set of taste worth enjoying. My wife had shot dog which was...a hot dog...so nothing special there but hard to mess up. The fries were good. I will say, the ice cream is great. We enjoyed it quite a bit. Maybe I had high expectations but I left a little dissatisfied.
(3)Daniel H.
Onion rings, burgers, peanut butter milkshake, this is a treasure and makes obesity ok for a day
(5)Gordon A.
Nice location. Crossed the road and took in a sunset across the lake. Nice diner type atmosphere. Very limited vegetarian options other than salad and fries. Both the chicken burger and turkey burger were quite good. Onion rings were not very overly tasty and the breading easily fell off. Lots of good condiment options and the peanut butter sundae was a good item to share at the end of the meal.
(3)Sara Z.
Very good food, we had the grilled chicken and it was hot and fresh. It was not dry or cold at all and the roll was large and fresh. Be sure to check out and print the coupons on their website to save money on your visit. 2 large grilled chicken sandwiches, a soda and curly fries cost around $9-10 with coupon which is cheap. I also had the orange sherbet cone which was excellent and unique but the sherbet part may have been a little too sweet for me. Not sure I would get that one again. It is very hot inside this diner so much so that I was sweating buckets by the time I got done and it was only about 79 degrees out when I was there. There is a lot of outside seating but the few shady spots fill fast so you might be either stuck eating under the beating sun or inside the what felt like over 100 degrees cafe. They had a sign up that the building across from them Sally's has air conditioning but that part didn't seem to be open when I was there. They also have coke machines with a touch screen and a million options for drinks which are amazing to experience but they only have 2 machines and the line was 15-20 deep in the heat for each one which took longer than even getting food (which was very fast). If you are visiting in the heat of summer especially when it's over 90 degrees I would definitely avoid this place and drive a few min down the road to one of the other air conditioned restaurants. Also if you need to use the restrooms they are not located inside the restaurant, they are sort of behind the building. The restrooms are disgusting and are equivalent to a gas station bathroom so I would avoid them unless you are really desperate.
(4)Brandy B.
Good burgers..lots of toppings and sauces...way more fries then one person can eat...I ordered the onion rings they where just OK..kind of bland and the breading falls off..prices where reasonable family of four ate for 30$ with drinks and shakes!!
(4)Allison E.
I have had only one thing at Sara's: orange vanilla twist sherbert/frozen yogurt cone. Yes, they have other things (fries, burgers, hot dogs, milkshakes), but quite frankly, my agenda consists of only one thing at Sara's, and that's the orange vanilla twist cone. For those of you with a slightly smaller ice cream appetite, they do serve a child's size, or you can get it in a cup rather than cone. For less than $3, this is an awesome treat. A trip to Presque Isle doesn't seem complete without a visit. I just started going to Erie a few years ago and was a little discouraged by the lack of excitement on the Isle itself. Sara's makes up for this in its own little way. You could get wild and crazy and order a side of fries to dip in your orange vanilla twist cone ... go ahead, I dare you.
(4)Matthieu K.
Only good because it's on the Peninsula. Nothing special nor unique here ... save the location. Obviously a FAR better choice than a chain restaurant ... but the food is not all that hot.
(4)Bethany M.
Sara's is an infamous spot you must go to in Erie. Conveniently located on your way down to Presque Isle State Park the old fashioned eatery takes visitors back in time while they enjoy a classic summer treat. The main menu offers customers Erie's famous Smith hot dogs, burgers, fries, onion rings-etc. I would say that my MAIN attraction to Sara's is their ice cream and milkshakes. You are in for a treat regardless of what sweet you order, but I highly recommend their orange and vanilla twist (think creamsicles) or their peanut butter milkshake! They are THE summer essentials of Erie.
(4)Matthew L.
This place reminds me of the shore shop diner from child hood beach trips. Burgers, hot dogs, curly fries and ice cream. Tons of seating and all the condiments and drinks are self service. The burgers were nothing special, but the fries were really good. They have the recipe for a specialty dog on the place mats and I think I'd give that a try sometime. The restaurant is at the base of the peninsula park and across the street from a spectacular view. Cheap eats in a fun environment.
(3)Eric S.
Great place to grab a very decent hot dog after the island. You're greeted by a man size hot dog at the entrance with classic diner decaur. Regular or footlong.. They have their own fresh house made onion rings which were delicious. The hot dog itself has a unique casing in which has a crunch sound as you bite on it... quality good and the bun is soft & fresh. There's a rather large fixings bar with everything from chopped onions to vinegar for the fries. Large float and ice cream variety... I'm gonna check it out and git' mahself some now... These are the days people, these are the days.
(4)Ryan S.
I don't know how anyone could give Sara's a rating less than 5 stars!
(5)Victor M.
A generic eating experience. I see that many reviewers have a nostalgic tie to this place and If you do too, kudos. I, on the other hand, am judging based on the food quality -- which is forgettable.
(2)Jessica S.
Amazing ice cream cones!!!!
(5)Jess M.
This place brings back so many memories when I visit back home! Their food is not as good as I remember it when I was a kid but it is cheaply priced so that makes up for it. I come here for the orange sherbet/vanilla ice cream! So good! The slushies are to die for! Location is great but it gets busy in the summertime. Parking lot gets crazy when busy too! Seating is hard to come by in the busiest of months in the summer but you have the lake across the street. Get your food to go and sit on the beach enjoying the views! Love coming home and reminiscing about memories here! I always make a visit here when I am in town!
(4)Caitlyn M.
Cheap & fast, but better than fast food. Sara's is a destination that's all about the location and the atmosphere. This place is an Erie landmark, so I'd recommend it for tourists. It's a fun place to take kids to eat in the summer. The food is better than McDonalds; More like Perkins or Eat n Park diner quality. I recommend a Smith's foot long hot dog & curly fries, but a burger & onion rings always hit the spot too. You can stuff a small army of 12 year old boys on the cheap, complete with giant ice cream cones for desert [Trust me, this is a challenge I'm very familiar with ;) ] I think that's why so many people have nostalgic memories of the place!! I'm creating these memories for my children every summer, too :) It has a lot of 50s diner decor & I've been told that its original stuff that's traversed the decades right here at Sara's. If you come wearing anything that clashes with flip-flops, you're over dressed.
(4)Chuck J.
Thankfully, there is no boardwalk at Presque Isle, but that doesn't mean you can't have an old-fashioned bad-for-you dinner after a day at the beach. Sara's is a retro diner, like grandma used to visit, with basic yums done right--dawgs and burgers, fries and onion rings, but also a surprisingly awesome grilled chicken and some tasty salads. The portions are huge and the prices are reasonable by tourist-trap standards. Leave room for the ice cream, it's delicious.
(4)Ting Y.
This little restaurant is just around of the doors of Presque Isle state park and Waldameer amusement park, good place for some quick food after your park visiting. I had their Smith's hot dog, to be honest, I didn't feel any thing special about it, Nathan's hot dog tastes better than this. But I like the way to put toppings on myself, their hot relish, and pickles are good. Their onion rings: we got a large, it's about almost 4 bucks. It was really large! That thing was huge. I was glad that we didn't get two as we said at beginning. They are very good, especially with their different kinds of sauce you can choose from. This is something I will order again. My husband ordered a cheeseburger too, he said it was good, but too small I think, after he ate that, he ate a Arby's sub to fill himself up. I got their orange sherbet and vanilla soft serve cone, it was good, but nothing I can write home about. And it's pretty small for $2 I paid, it's the same size as the soft serve I get for $1 like in McD's. Anyway, this is good place to eat when you done with the park, and hungry for some junk food.
(3)James P.
Smith's Hot Dogs, orange twist ice cream, and so much charm you feel like you stepped into an episode of diners, drive ins, and dives. Outdoor seating is great, and it's truly a gem!
(5)Alexa J.
Very cool atmosphere with fun, kitschy things to look at, and a great place for tourists to catch a bite after a day at the beach. Sara's has a hell of a lot more personality than most eateries in the area and the ice cream/ sundae selection is excellent. However, I think it's over-rated (probably due to nostalgia) and the rest of the menu is only so-so .
(3)Long T.
Cheap, local, tasty, and fast... this is a fabulous spot for some traditional American summer fare like hot dogs, burgers, shakes, and fries. Highly recommend the orange vanilla twist soft serve cone... felt like a kid again!
(5)Neal J.
I used to live near Erie ('97 - '00) and was back in the area last weekend. Sara's is bigger and better! :) Oh and.... Orange/Vanilla twist - 'nuff said
(5)M B.
The best greasy-fast food place in Erie! Yes, the Orange-Vanllia twist with sprinkles is the BEST!!! Every time we are in the area we make sure to visit Sara's. Lots of sand, swim suits, and flies...they just add to the experience. :)
(5)Felix J.
I can see the attraction -- burgers and fries to carry into a gorgeous state park. The fries are very good, the burgers are meh, nothing special. I should give them zero stars for wasting that gorgeous silk city diner space, though. It should be more than just a part of the ambiance. Put that place to work!
(3)Mike L.
Good fast food. Cool motif and throw back appeal and right near the beach. A nice old fashion fast food joint :-)
(4)Hannah M.
Sara's is a must on every trip back to my hometown of Erie in the summer! From burgers and chicken sandwiches, to ice cream sundaes, Sara's has all of your summer favorites! The relaxed atmosphere is great for big groups or a quick bite to eat with a friend. Located between Waldameer and Preque Isle, its a perfect end to a day enjoying all Erie has to offer! My favorite Sara's treat: Peanut Butter Soft Serve....yum!
(5)Lin N.
I shall start this review by saying that I have been enjoying the orange and vanilla twist cone for approximately 20 years. A giant, yummy cone - available right on Presque Isle. Actually, it's one of the only things available on the isle. Nonetheless, still a good ice cream cone. I rate Sara's summer only joint 4 stars only because of the ice cream, and the convenient location with expanded outdoor seating. Food is average diner/grill fare - burgers, chicken sandwich's, fries, onion rings, etc.
(4)Bryan M.
An Erie Standard! I moved away last year and intend on going many times when I'm back home this summer :) Good grill food: burgers, chicken, and the famous Smith's hotdog. I'm a vegetarian but I've never heard complaints from my friends. Enjoy!
(5)Bender S.
I was born and raised in Erie, Pa moved far far away many years ago and I only visit in the summer and this place is one reason why, Im not sure if its their killer onion rings, footlong SMITH hot dogs or the blueberry milkshakes but I honestly eat lunch here everyday when i'm in Erie. if you like grilled food or picnic style cuisine this place is perfect. Quick, Cheap and right on the peninsula.. If your driving threw northwestern pennsylvania in the summer get off on I-79 follow it till it ends and hit this place up.. *side note this was the first place I was ever employed way back when I was 15 I did two summer tours. and the owner Sean was the nicest dude and worked everyday in the kitchen and as far as I know he still does, even though this place is a cash cow and he could just sit back, Its a passion for him and thats one reason why there so successful or at least thats what I think...
(4)Jessica D.
Shared the Italian beef, being from Chicago it could not compare although made claims to do so. Fun atmosphere. Servers pleasant and service fast. Appears to be something wrong with water, couldn't drink it and couldn't purchase fountain drinks :( My recommendation: get a cone and walk across the street for a walk on the beach.
(3)Angelina R.
Atmosphere ok, food horrible. Definitely a tourist trap!!!
(1)Mary S.
Good food! Fun atmosphere! Great places for families, couples, kids, even dogs! If you come to Erie you have to stop here! If you live in the area, you must frequent this place often!!! It's a summer tradition for all!!
(5)Amanda K.
Sara's is delicious! If you live in Erie, you know not to go without a coupon, as the prices are a bit on the high side for burgers/hot dogs. The onion rings are the best I've had so far in Erie. With the redesign of space (which provides a lot more space!), it makes Sara's a more enjoyable place to eat then previous years. The only downfall is that other customers can be rude and cut people off with parking and when using the drive-thru window.
(4)Lynne C.
Great old fashioned hamburgers. Really good
(5)Jameson J.
Not the best hot dogs you'll ever have (although they are, thankfully, Smith's), not the best burgers either, but the atmosphere makes it worth the trip. There is just something special about hitting up this joint after a long day at the lake.
(4)Diana G.
This is my absolute favourite place to eat in Erie- hands down! When I'm in Erie, I go to Sara's for Smith's hot dogs, turkey burgers, curly fries, and the BEST onion rings on earth! And, if there's still room after that, I usually have an vanilla/orange sherbet twist ice cream cone. Dairy Queen- you can't compare to Sara's - sorry! Don't forget: this place is only open in the summer so it will most likely be busy. If you go, look around at all the 50's nostalgia, but sit outside for more space. Also, expect there to be many little kids running around, spilling their ice cream, and making a mess. Not to mention, there might be a bumblebee who thinks your milkshake tastes great... If you don't want that experience, go through the drive-thru, and park on the peninsula for a view of Presque Isle Bay instead... Either way, you won't be dissappointed! :D
(5)Darcy N.
Good food, great service and a wonderful all-American summer experience.
(4)Erika M.
The second we moved to Erie everyone was like "you have to try Sara's!!!" Well, I had high expectations... And was let down. its got a neat outdoor diner-ish feel to it but honestly for the price of food vs. quality, I'd rather have mcdonalds. My fiance's chicken was the super processed frozen kind of chicken fingers rather than actual meaty chicken tenders and my cheeseburger did not taste good. Their fries were okay, but a little excessively greasy. If we do go back I'll stick to ice cream, because I've heard that is good...
(2)Deyana U.
Extra star for the cool decor! Take your time, so many things to see, you might feel like you're in an episode of American Pickers! The food was good, cheap, I think four of us ate for under $20 after playing volleyball at a nearby beach. Went back the next day after the lake again for the orange/vanilla ice cream. YYUUUMMM!
(4)Kat K.
ONION RINGS! Oh my gosh! They are the most delicious onion rings I have ever had! Its too bad they aren't open during the winter (totally understandable), because it would make my winter visits back to Erie sooooo much better. They have Smith's hot dogs, which in my book are one of the seven wonders of the world. I can't wait to go back this summer to chow down!
(5)Catherine G.
My family and I just went to Sara's earlier this month and we all loved it. The naturally smoked hot dogs are great! THE MILKSHAKES ARE AN EXPLOSION OF CREAMY GOODNESS!!! The orange twist cones are AMAZING! Honest food ... reasonable prices. This diner is a definite stop if you are visiting Presque Isle.
(4)Chris C.
American godsend. Smith's hot dogs and curly fries by the beach.
(5)Allicia T.
I don't know how is it possible that this place has such good reviews and so many people every time i pass by to go to presque isle. This is the worst food I have ever put in my mouth. The bread for sandwiches and burgers and hot dogs is just like you are eating paper. i don't even know how they manage to have stale bread like that when so many people seem to go there. their fries and onion rings are yuck, greasy, not tasty at all. McDonald's beats them in taste at least! Junk food at its worst! the tomatoes and onions in the food counters are from last year, very tired vegetables! I will never go back to this place. such a mistake!
(1)M.A. Y.
Hot fudge, blueberry or peanut butter milkshakes?! Orange/vanilla twist cones?! Great curly fries! From its 50's car counter to its old gas pump, this is a place to make a good memory. And yes! -- You can see neighboring Waldameer Amusement Park's fireworks from the outdoor seating! What fun!!
(4)carmon k.
Biked here from the State Park. Had most refreshing choc milkshake and curly fries. Yum. Husband had huge sundae- great value. Was very busy- check it out!
(4)Seth S.
From what I was told, this is an Erie institution. I was traveling on business and was told that I needed to check it out. Good burger with great curly fires. The guy I was with had a Turkey burger and thought it was pretty good. Plentiful outdoor seating makes this a good place to go on a nice day, which works well since it is only open in the summer. If I came back to Erie, I would go back.
(4)Dean B.
Orange / vanilla swirl worth trying, rest of dinner was good. We had the Italian steak with the works and onion rings.
(3)Adrienne L.
If you're in Erie, you have to go to Presque Isle, and on your way out, you have to stop at Sara's. Period. If you're not hungry for a full meal, just get an orange swirl Ice Cream cone. Don't be discouraged if the place looks busy, I've been there when it was swamped, and I still managed to get my food in less than 10 minutes. Extremely casual... people go in their bathing suits.
(4)Casey M.
Pretty good. It's not the best food ever, the hamburgers and onion rings are ok but their fries and cheese sauce are really good. They also have good ice cream and shakes and it's especially good if you want to grab something to eat while down on the peninsula.
(4)Josh G.
A great diner-style spot, convenient to the beaches at Presque Isle. The food is great - especially for the price - but the real treat is their ice cream. Their famous orange/vanilla twist is to die for. If that's not your thing, their shakes are top-notch, too.
(5)Chelsea S.
We stopped by Sara's for dinner on our first day of vacation. After our horrible hotel check-in, we decided to watch the sunset at the beach, but first, dinner at Sara's. I had planned on coming here for our trip. It looked like a cool place to dine- and it was! I ordered the cheeseburger meal with fries. Bobby ordered the Chicago style italian beef with onion rings. We enjoyed our dinner outside and he just kept saying how awesome his sandwich was. He ended up finishing half at home and talked about it even more that night. Afterwards, we grabbed ice cream from Sara's and headed to the beach for the sunset. Bobby wanted to head to Sara's the 2 other times we headed to the beach but i said we should try other places... should've listened to him though because the sandbar sucked, lol. If you're in Erie, try it out here. Its a pretty unique spot to eat. The menu isnt huge but it has your basics. It's located RIGHT outside of Presque Isle park and very easy to find.
(4)Nena U.
When I walk into Sara's.. I thought of "American" ..fun" and condiment lover's dream! It's quite a unique restaurant. Staff was very friendly and our food came fast even though the place was packed. Theres plenty of seating inside and out. I ordered the "Chicago Style Italian Beef Deluxe" and was pretty good but I could barely finish it. ($8.00 plus fries and drink) I tried the onion rings- they were ok - more "meh " But the curly fries were good. The condiment station is absolutely amazing. HEINZ products!!! YES ! I just love that. Mayo, Ketchup, Mustard, Ranch, Hot Sauce .. . and a variety of seasonings yet! I think I must of spent 10 minutes there - deciding my toppings. There was a large variety of pop (coke products) but there wasn't any fresh brewed ice tea.. The only beverage offered that wasn't carbonated was lemonade which is filled with sugar. My best friend and I took our lunch over to the beach and it was fun.. To-go orders are packed in a square cardboard box which is great!! A visit to Sara's is quite "fun".
(3)Kate W.
We had the Italian Hoagie and one of the burgers plus onion rings and a hot fudge shake. Everything was SUPER tasty but the onion rings weren't hot when they came out. The setting of the restaurant is very family friendly and the decor is old diner style. State park is 50 yards away so you can grab some food and head right over to a pretty beach on Lake Erie. Had to give it four stars because of the onion rings and also the restrooms could use some tlc. Other than that, we plan on coming back when we are in the area.
(4)Kimberly T.
Every time we go to Presque Isle we see this restaurant. We decided to actually try it. It looks cute. It is very throw back to the 50's. It's totally cute. There is tons of seating which is also nice. It's rare for my husband and I to order the same thing but for that meal we did-bacon cheeseburgers and onion rings. It didn't take long for our food to be ready. Then you "dressed" your food the way you want it with condiments along with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, etc. there are three places to do that which helps the line to keep moving. Soda is also self serve. Our burgers looked good and the onion rings looked great. We dressed our burgers and say down to eat. The onion rings are the only reason i can give even 2 stars. They were lightly coated, lightly crispy and the serving is BIG. We went to eat our burgers and my husbands was almost raw. I traded him burgers since mine was over done and dry. The buns are good but the bread to meat ratio was way off. It was too much bread for the burger patty. The cheese wasn't even slightly melted. My husband ate half of the over done burger and couldn't eat anymore. Even with condiments it was still very dry. I took two bites of the undercooked burger and waved the white flag. I don't mind rare but this was truly raw. YUCK! We are a few more onion rings and headed out. I think it's safe to say that we won't be back.
(2)Heather L.
Location location location. Nestled right at the entrance to the state park, Sara's is a great place to grab a drive in style bite. The fun old style atmosphere and decor alone is half the draw. I ordered the Bacon/Kraut/Chili dog with curly fries and was not disappointed. They had quick, friendly service and the prices are very reasonable, especially for a tourist area. There is a serve yourself toppings bar with a good variety of sauces (which I used for my curly fries).
(4)Deborah A.
This review was based upon the highly salted and rather insipid hot dogs that are a part of this location's fame -- Smith's hot dogs, I believe. I was brought here a few months ago by an Erie native welcoming me here (moved here for a good job). They raved about the hot dogs here, and insisted upon buying me one. Let me introduce a few caveats in my analysis here. First, I grew up in Chicago, home of Vienna hot dogs. I mean, it is a hot dog town, so my standards are pretty high. Granted, ever since I read the ingredients on hot dog labels sometime in high school, my hot dog consumption has been really limited. Second, I've been (primarily) vegetarian since 2012, so hot dogs aren't all that high on my daily dietary needs. I will occasionally eat meat though because I struggle with refusing food that somebody offers to me, out of a sense of politeness. I got a chili hot dog. Now given that the last time I'd eaten a hot dog was in 2006 (so 9 year hot dog hiatus), I thought this was going to be special. First, let's talk about the hot dog. Salty, and not much else going on. Plus there's a texture issue I had. See, I hate it when I bite into a hot dog and then the meat in the center comes out but some of the casing is left and I have to bite more on that. Tough casings gross me out. Starts to make me think of the origin of the casing. Second, let's talk about the chili topping. Salty, and not much else going on, same as the hot dog. On that topic, why is it on God's green earth that so many restaurants mess up chili?! Chili requires minimal finesse. No technique really, no making sure you get the Maillard reaction when you sear meat or whatever. Just throw a bunch of stuff in a pot, some of it from cans if you're in a rush, and that's it. Anyway... Third, I don't remember anything specific about the hot dog bun. A proper hot dog bun is important too. This hot dog bun, as far as I'm concerned, was just an edible delivery medium for the hot dog and chili. On the bright side, the setting is nice on a summer day. Since it is right next to the park area, it has that whole "yay we're near the beach" retro feeling, a happy feeling. Given the happy feeling, I could see hanging out with friends and watching them eat, maybe just sipping on a soda from one of those fancy electronic zillion-choice soda machines where you can get lime raspberry diet coke or whatever.
(2)Mike T.
Directly outside the entrance to Presque Isle State park is a very touristy/beachy little Restaurant called Sara's. At first glance you can tell this appears to be a fun place to stop, but the food was surprisingly really good. On our visit we had the Half Chicago style Italian Beef sandwich with a side of fries and a drink. Both meals were really good, and a great price to boot. Overall this is a really good place to stop while exploring the beautiful State Park.
(4)Becky W.
Had lunch here today after spending the morning at the beach. We loved the atmosphere, and enjoyed the food! It is very reasonably priced. The fries and orange and vanilla swirl cone were my favorites, but would like to go back and try some more options. :)
(5)Gina D.
You can't come to Erie in the summer and not stop at Sara's for a milkshake and a Smith's hot dog. It's a great place to grab a bite on your way in or out of the Presque Isle state park. The cheerful atmosphere is full of nostalgia and red and white picnics tables and umbrellas line the perimeter of the restaurant. So grab a dog and take in the gorgeous weather that Erie has to offer before it starts snowing again.
(5)Scott R.
Fellow Yelpers, I'm not a fan of Erie pa but this place you can easily miss when your not there. It's like a staple to the city. It brings you back in time long long ago. It feels old school when your here for sure. All American. They have coke!! Fountain service free refills. :) Food is decent. Burgers, fries, hot dogs, onion rings etc. Ice cream soft serve, is excellent. And so are the milk shakes. They are famous for a vanilla mixed with orange sherbet swirl cone. Great spot for pics and is located just at the beginning of the presque isle beach area. This is a place the whole family will enjoy! Sara's is seasonal and not open all year
(4)Ray M.
In our first visit to the area we decided to dis it Presque Isle and wanted the whole experience, including a visit to the famous Sara's, located just at the parks entrance. The first thing to say when you arrive/enter is wow! They have one of the most wonderful collections of 50s and 60s memorabilia and neon decorating inside and outside. It's worth stopping just to check it out. The menus is fast food of course, we heard famous for Smiths hot dogs so we tried one. My wife also ordered the Italian beef sandwich. Service was fast. The hot dig itself was tasty, I would describe as a natural casing Vienna style dog. The bun was awful. Too large, too stale and added nothing to the experience. Ended up discarding most of it. The Italian beef in the other hand was very nicely prepared with peppers and onions and I believe covered in provolone cheese. Is was something I would go back for...but not the hot dog. In summary we'd go back again if visiting he park just to give other menu Irma a try and to "tour" all of their wonderful stuff adorning the walls.
(3)Laura H.
This a a real cute old-fashioned dinner right before the entrance to Presque Isle state park. Extra points for having "The Simpsons" characters out front! You order at the counter, they hand you a number, and then they call you when it's ready. There is a ton of outdoor seating to augment the limited inside tables. The menu is very no-frills: burgers, hot dogs, fries, ice cream. My bf ordered a footlong hot dog, I ordered the 1/3 lb turkey burger, and we split a large order of curly fries. They have different seasonings you can put on your fries (we chose buffalo) and YUM-these fries were well worth it! Our total tab came to about $11.50 and was ready within 5 minutes. The turkey burger was pretty good-I added some chipotle sauce they had out and it nicely spiced it up. My bf liked his dog too. Of course we had to get ice cream too! While they are known for a creamsicle like twist cone, we went with a good ol' fashioned hot fudge sundae with whipped cream, sadly no cherry though. The ice cream is all soft serve and the hot fudge was evenly distributed throughout the sundae. This was a great size to share after having lunch! I'd recommend stopping by for a quick, casual, cheap yet tasty meal when heading out to Presque Isle!
(4)Darlene M.
Ordered drive thru and everything was excellent. We had 7 orders with no errors or delays. We'll be back, it is better than in and out burgers in service and quality.
(5)Tiffany Y.
This restaurant sells hotdogs, burgers, fries, onion rings, salads, chicken tenders, ice cream, milkshakes, and sodas. The food tasted fine but was nothing special.
(3)Skyler T.
This place was so good it reminded of Portillos in Chicago that I experienced recently. We tried the onion rings, curly fries, Italian beef and chicken strips. The Italian beef was more like a Philly cheese steak but that's okay it was still tasty( or I should say cheesesteak because I was in PA). The service was quick and friendly would definitely come back for my next trip to Presque Isle.
(5)Tony D.
An okay place near Presgue Isle that is probably best for its convenient location at the entrance of the park. The whole arrangement is somewhat of a classic diner atmosphere, and it got pretty active around the evening, probably when people were all preparing to go home. While it was crowded, seats became available all the time, and lines moved quickly (orders didn't take too long either). I personally found their food pretty average, no better or worse than other burgers or hot dogs I've had. You get to put as many toppings as you wish for both. The onion rings were a bit too greasy and fried for me. The orange twist is apparently one of their specialties--it was pretty tasty and sweet, although I think their regular size is a bit too big to be sensible.
(3)C.T. C.
Nostalgia. This is the primary reason to visit. The food, service and price is no better or worse than you will find at most competent, non-chain restaurants. But if you're looking for a fun atmosphere, especially with the kids after a day at Waldameer or on the beach at Presque Isle, it's worth the stop. Just keep in mind what at least one other reviewer forgot: this is not a place for health food nuts. Be prepared to digest accordingly.
(3)Mark D.
This is a great place to grab a bite to eat either on your way in or out of Presque Isle State Park. Classic grille type restaurant with burgers, hot dogs, fries, onion rings, ice cold Coca Cola, milkshakes, ice cream and much more. Lots of seating outside to eat and watch the sunset over Lake Erie. I'm an Erie native who now lives in Chicago so I have to give their italian beef sandwich a D grade. Come to Chicago for the authentic stuff! I stop here every time I'm home visiting and hope to continue coming here many more times.
(4)Melanie M.
Loved the decorations and atmosphere! The food all looked great. I ordered the Chicago Style beef sandwich, which was huge. I also ordered onion rings. They were okay but the coating did not have much flavor. Definitely needed salt or something. Other than that no complaints!
(4)Scott M.
It's a great location with vintage nostalgia all over. But the burgers and the buns are chewy. It may be worth the hype for ice cream, but the warm food doesn't match it.
(2)Winnie T.
Went to the lake with a friend and wanted a some ice cream as we were driving back. Saw the rave reviews for this old school diner and stopped by. I got an orange twist, and it was okay. Very, very creamy. And there was so much! It got too heavy for me mid way through and I couldn't finish it. The food looked okay but again, seemed really heavy. Not sure if I would come back.
(3)Anne M.
Their turkey burger is amazing!!! Not a dry, frozen patty.
(5)