I have never had a fresh egg roll before, and this one is tender on the inside, crispy on the outside and filled with lobster and fresh bean sprouts and black mushrooms. Delish. Portuguese clam chowder was a delicious first for me too. The seafood pile and Viking Dinner was lots of fun, though the clams were smaller than promised. Crab legs which I usually don 't find to be worth all the work, were! Lots of sweet meat easily accessed. So happy to find seafood so fresh and plentiful and uncluttered with sauces and breading and frying. The wait staff was warm but unobtrusive and even the chef came out to ask how everything was. The room has all the old seafaring stuff you want when you're eating fish. Ony two quibbles: My companions and I wished the wall wasn't mirrored, it's distracting while talking and eating to watch yourself. Second, I wish I could find a fish restaurant that did the fish research for me, so I didn't have to ask about whether it's the right swordfish or tuna or shrimp. montereybayaquarium.org/… A great night though, and we'll be back.
(4)
Rob S.
If you are looking for a place that is fancy with Chefs from esteemed culinary institutes, you'll be disappointed. In other words, if you're a snooty person who doesn't mind paying $75 for a meal that only minimally fills you up because it's presented in an upscale manner and cooked craft-fully, then don't come here. If you're more down to Earth and appreciate food that's good, and a lot of it for a very reasonable price, then you should come. Have I had better seafood? Yes but I am a firm believer that seafood is seafood- it's always good. This place has a home-spun, friendly down to earth atmosphere and it's reflected in the food. This is still miles better than chain seafood like Red Lobster. The service is incredible. The portions are beyond generous. Reading the negative reviews, they are all from people who seem like they would complain about the chicken wings at Bar Bill being too spicy- that is if they don't think eating wings is below them. byob a massive plus. I will be back, soon.
Great seafood and great atmosphere. Also the service was great and I don't think the food took very long at all. You could bring your own booze which was nice. I suggest going here it was a great time!
(4)
Katrina O.
This was our second visit and we loved it. It's a very comfortable environment with great service. We like the BYOB! I had the crab feast and it was delicious and fresh. My husband had the steak stuffed lobster which he loved. We really have no complaints and look forward to returning.
(5)
Susan D.
Three of us dined there a couple of weeks ago. When the clams casino and oysters rockefeller were served we fell silent. We were too busy enjoying the subtly seasoned appetizers. Our two pound lobsters were perfectly cooked and the butter was not your run of the mill plain butter but had a hint of garlic in it. One wonderful thing about B.Y.O.B. is that splurging on decent champagne seems quite reasonable. The service was well timed. This is a great place for gluten-free dining. A wonderful food experience does not have to be accompanied by a stuffy atmosphere.
(5)
Alex R.
Really wanted to like it here. Sounds amazing. BYOB and Seafood! But everything was cooked terribly and the mussels smelled horribly rotten. When we presented our complaint to the Chef/owner/manager (they are all the same person) he started screaming at us (a group of 8 hearty dudes in their 30's) and threatened to call the cops. Real class this place has.
(1)
Ada M.
This place is the BEST! Great value for $$. These folks will go out of their was to accommodate their guest in any way they can. They offer a private room for parties of eight (I think thats the number) of the side.Our family has had birthday, anniversary, and cousin's get togethers at this place. No complaints from anyone in our groups. The seafood is universally top shelf-fresh and well prepared. The clam chowder is flavorful and very unusual. They have offered some interesting specials in the past and I expect they will offer them currently. I see that some reviewers have mentioned they were a little put off by the neighborhood-It;s really not so scary unless the entire city frightens you! The owner(s) are really gracious and friendly-very nice people. Can't say enough good things about this restaurant.
(5)
Joe P.
I went with a group of 8 people to dinner here...we were pleasantly surprised to find we were given a private room. Things only got better from here...we ordered two Viking dinners,which were essentially larger sampler platters. Lobters and fish were really good and I loved my meal, but I should mention that my friend's wife who didn't eat seafood wasn't enamored with the chicken - little on the dry side. Several appetizers were outstanding, particularly the egg roll. Best part - bring your own bottle of wine and no corking fee!! We had a amazing meal and barely broke $50 a couple, not including the wine we brought. The place is easy to miss when you're heading over there....it's a renovated house in Black Rock with lousy signage. Service was great...everyone was enthusiastic and upbeat. We had a great time at this place...out little dinner group regularly tries different places in the city and this is the first time I can recall anyone from our group getting "loud" at dinner. And the place was around the block from our favorite bar in Buffalo to see music, The Sportsmans Tavern for a night cap! We'll be back.
(4)
Jason J.
So sad, so sad that Buffalo has no genuine seafood restaurant. A mix of bad reviews and great reviews for VL Co. In reality it's 1.5 stars nothing better, if you go with a big group & get smashed on your own liquor it might seem better but the food is really average, not a trained chef in the kitchen, probably a guy or woman who has been cooking in so-so places for quite a while but has never learned some very basic but important points, like seasoning. Rubber bands still on plated lobster claws, really? Seafood is over-cooked & overly salty. Left a 23% tip and got a super cold shoulder from the waitress. Definitely will not be back.
(1)
Nick K.
A group of 10 of us went to Viking Lobster last week for NYE dinner. Why you ask? Because their fresh lobster and crab was priced extremely fair and it was BYOB. Boom! Not one person from my party has ever dined at the Viking Lobster before and quickly became skeptical of all reviews upon walking in the door. After my experience, you cannot judge a book by its cover. The outside did look a little shady, the inside, a little old fashioned, but the food was definitely something to write home about. All of my friends and I absolutely loved our appetizers and entrees which we had expected from their great reputation. For appetizers, we ordered clams casino, which were done with bacon instead of the traditional bread crumbs. They were great. We also ordered a homemade seafood egg-rolls along with very spicy stuffed banana peppers which both were to everyone's liking. For my entree, I elected to have the 8oz filet with two pounds of fresh crablegs. This entree came with a soup and salad and cost $50. Boom! The soup and salad were good. The crab legs were out of this world. They tasted so fresh and 2lbs is definitely enough to pass around. The steak on the other hand wasn't the best "filet" I've ever had. It was way too chewy to be a filet mignon as described and looked more like a strip than anything else. That is the only thing holding this place back from a 5 star review. Besides that I was very happy with my meal. The service was also very good. We had this younger kid named John who meshed very well with our table. He was prompt with the course sequence and was always around when needed. I noticed that the whole wait staff works together and later found that they all pool their tips. I guess this maybe an ideal way to run a restaurant, I'm sure servers would disagree. There it is, 4 stars and well deserved Viking Lobster. I will be back!
(4)
Mary W.
Super friendly and accommodating when it came to making reservations for 6 on very short notice. Bring your own - huge bonus. Chef/owner came over to chat after the meal. Nice guy. "Up and coming neighborhood" is questionable at best, and we didn't feel great about leaving the Acura 2 blocks away. Wanna judge? You check it out and see who's trolling the streets... Barry's lobster was great. He also ordered steamers for an app and they were teeny and really prepared well swimming in a buttery broth. My seafood paella had imitation crab in it. Still troubles me. The "Portuguese" chowder was bizarro. It was thin, and brown and tasted like it had Chinese 5 Spice in it. I ate it all because I was trying to decipher what the hell the flavor was. The atmosphere has an early attic theme. Neighborhood + loobster in my paella = we won't be back.
(2)
Col Mustard S.
Went with a group of 15 and were seated upstairs, in the summer with no AC, just some old ceiling fans running. Everyone was sweaty and uncomfortable and couldn't enjoy the fact that the place was BYOB. Plus to get upstairs there are these tiny metal spiral stairs that shimmy as you walk on them. It felt like we were at a grandparents house with old decor and just not a place to order a fine, expensive dinner. And the food was mediocre, not bad, not good.
(2)
Chef Nomad ..
The Viking Lobster Company is located in the historic Black Rock neighborhood of Buffalo (Cross st. is Austin st.). The Viking Company is only open on Fridays & Saturdays from 5 - 10pm (which has not been updated on their website). As you approach the restaurant, you might have second thoughts about whether its open or whether its a place you want to dine at, but its deceiving. The inside is all refinished wood work, white table clothes, etc. They do not have an alcohol license of anykind, but it is BYOB as of this review! We stopped in early on a Friday night and was seated immediately (it did get quite busy later on and would suggest reservations to be safe). The menu has a couple of Chicken & steak dishes, but this one page menu consists mainly of different Lobster dishes and Seafood Feasts. We began our meal with the Clams Casino, which were big and the filling was very good. Next, we were served our soups that came with our meals; Seafood Chowder and Lump-Crab Gumbo. Both were filled with chucks of fresh seafood. For entrees, we had the Lobster Alfredo and a 4lb Lobster (which was grabbed from their 1,000 gallon saltwater Lobster tank and steamed. You can order from 1lb - 5lb Lobster). Both were excellent. We ended our meal with slices of Chocolate-Rasberry Cheescake. If you are looking for your Lobster Fix, the Viking Lobster Company is the place to go!
(4)
Zachary E.
A restaurant unlike any other in Buffalo. Pretty well hidden in Black Rock, but worth finding. Very reasonable prices - every entree is like a prix fixe menu, with choice of soup, salad, and side. The atmosphere is awesome - very classy with a nautical theme. They could've dimmed the lights a little, but that's the only critique I could offer. The service was outstanding as well - not stuffy, very friendly and professional. On to the food... Appetizers: We had clams casino and raw. The raw clams were great - very tasty and meaty. The casino were the best I've had anywhere. Not heavy like many clams casino - very light and fresh tasting, with the wonderful smoke and salt from bacon. Soup: Choice of gumbo or clam chowder. Being back from carpetbagging in NOLA, I didn't want the gumbo, so I got the chowder. Unlike any other chowder I've had. Our waitress said it was a portuguese recipe, any like the clams casino, very light and fresh tasting. I usually load up my clam chowder with black pepper, but this was seasoned to perfection. Salad: Very fresh greens with a housemade minced clam and garlic dressing. Perfect intermezzo before the entree. Entree: Excellent lobster tail. Incredibly fresh, cooked perfectly, and very well seasoned. I also like the fact that the butter they served wasn't clarified - the solids add a lot to the flavor in my opinion. Plated with grapes and an orange slice, which was a nice sweet touch. Dessert: Great coffee. Strong, and a good flavor - hazelnut/french vanilla. The cannoli was outstanding - you could tell that it was just piped. All in all, a great meal at a very reasonable price. I'll definitely be back.
(5)
Steve B.
Viking receives outstanding reviews elsewhere, and it has a number of good qualities. That said, it is not family friendly (one high chair for the entire restaurant) and reminded me of the time I met a famous actress: great in pictures but disappointingly average in person. Upon arrival, the location and building do not inspire confidence. You can't see it from the pictures online, but both are horribly run down. Nonetheless, inspired by several strong online reviews, we parked on a nearby gravel lot and trudged across the street. The interior is better, with the exception of the mens' bathroom. The toilet is curiously installed about a foot above the ground, which was fine for me as I am slightly taller than average, but it could be a problem for shorter adults and kids. The lock on the door has also seen better days. Still, it was fairly clean, so I can't knock it too much. As I mentioned at the start, Viking has some very good qualities. It is BYOB, which could be very nice under the right circumstances. It's also very casual and has a great atmosphere once you're seated. The waitress was very friendly and helpful, and the menu has a good balance of seafood options. My wife and I ordered the Viking Seafood Feast for two. This dish is basically some lobster, crab legs, shrimp, mussels and the like on a big plate. We requested something in lieu of the mussels (neither of us can stand 'em) and were told that was fine, but we wound up with mussels anyway. That aside, the seasoning was mild, and nearly all of it was cooked correctly (the only possible exception being the crab legs, which I thought were slightly overcooked, but my wife thought they were fine). I'd rate the quality of the seafood as somewhere between Red Lobster and a moderately above average seafood joint on the Gulf Coast. All things considered, I can see going back with other adults (esp. those who would otherwise be drinking on my tab), but I don't see us taking the kids there any time soon. For what it is - a casual, adult focused seafood joint in Buffalo - it is worth a visit. It's pretty good but definitely not as great as some review sites make it out to be.
(3)
Shauna D.
Great seafood and homemade soups and salad dressings, YUM!
(4)
Jeffrey S.
Probably the worst seafood I have ever had. It was rotten and smelled foul. The owner/chef was angry and argumentative.
(1)
Javid B.
It was my second time back within the last few months and It was a great time. We were seated promptly by a very friendly staff member. We had one of the specials for an appetizer. I believe it was called the "Seafood Pile". Mussels, clams,shrimp and crab that the 5 of us easily shared. The viking feast for one can easily be split between a couple. Food was delicious and reasonably priced considering the amount of food that is provided! Our server actually made dessert for the restaurant that evening and it was out of this world. A pumpkin walnut cheesecake. She was gracious and offered to shuck everyone's lobster at the table as well as provide containers for our "beverages" because the restaurant is the only BYOB in buffalo thats worth going to! Highly recommended. Will definitely be back!
(5)
Diana R.
"Up and coming neighborhood" is questionable at best, and we didn't feel great about leaving the Acura 2 blocks away. Wanna judge? You check it out and see who's trolling the streets..." Oh, gag. I have lived in this area for over 3 years and there is rarely even anyone out walking AT ALL in the evening, unless they are walking their dog or have a stroller. The area isn't perfect looking, it's not "hip" and it's probably not going to be any time soon. Despite the "up & coming" moniker people keep wanting to slap on it, the area is 200+ years old and most of the locals are not interested in turning this into the new "Elmwood." They just want a nicer place to raise their families. I encountered a lot more crime staying at my friends' in Allentown than I have here. Car jackings/car break ins are almost non-existent in the police blotter, and when they do happen its usually because someone was silly enough to leave their purse, visible, in their car. Grow a pair. That aside... I treated a friend to this for his birthday and we were accompanied by friends, totalling five in the party. I thought the food here was excellent and accomodates non-seafood eaters as well. The fussy eaters - Three out of our party of five don't eat seafood but sucked it up for the birthday boy. This place has a pretty good, low-cost menu of non-seafood favorites, like ribs, steak and roasted chicken. My companions found the chicken and steak they sampled tasty. The dishes are very simple, but they are well-cook/seasoned, reasonably priced and decent sized. They weren't sniffy at all about substituting things (one friend wanted double fries because he doesn't eat soup or salad...yah he's that fussy). The seafood - Both soups we sampled contained seafood, a portugese chowder and a gumbo, and were flavorful and aplenty with meat. The portugese chowder in particular had a unique flavor partly due to the use of sweet crab - I really enjoyed it. The birthday boy ordered a large lobster stuffed with steak, cooked to order, and a heap of house-made mashed potatoes on top. He loved every bit of it and my sample was delicious. I had a fish dish (provencal I believe) topped with stewed tomatoes and peppers with rice on the side. My fish was huge, perfectly cooked, and very fresh. The toppings and rice were excellently seasoned. The portion was also huge - two meals for me. I know we got dessert here and it was decent, but I sadly don't remember what it was as this trip was in November. The service - one of the owners (I believe she said she also lives upstairs - yay for her actually being in the 'hood where her business is) was our waitress. She was very attentive, friendly and knowledgable about the menu. The chef (apparently another owner?) also came to our table personally to check on how we were doing and ask our thoughts on the food. Ambiance - this is not an "upscale" seafood place, intentionaly. It's designed to have a quirky at-the-warf kind of feel, which we loved. It was very laid back and fun, and not an eyelash was batted when we got quite rowdy. They are also byob, which I think is great. People sniff at this like its low-class, but why not bring what you really want to drink instead of complaining they don't have it or its too much? It also saves the restaurant the cost and hassle of a liquor license and turns dinner into a party. As far as parking, there is a gravel lot across the street that is easily accessed and street parking is ample. Ignore the naysayers about the area, I've never heard of anyone having an issue with their car around here, and the place is PACKED on Friday and the weekend. What could be better - The house dressing is TOO garlicy, and I love garlic. It was like spreading an extreme garlic paste on my salad. They could lighten it up A LITTLE. I would like to see more side options, especially with the smaller dinners.
(4)
T A H.
My Bride took me the the Viking Lobster Company for dinner this evening and knowing little about this place (other than what she told me she read about it), I was a bit apprehensive. But being a no guts, no glory kind of guy and liking to try new tings, I figured that I would give it a lash. Not being a big drinker and not considering it an important compliment to me meal, the lack of a liquor license was not an issue. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised when they had birch beer available, which is one of my favorite soft drinks so that was kind of cool. The wait staff was excellent and I liked the short, but to the point menu. I'm a firm believer that a long complicated menu is usually a sign of a mediocre meal at best, another plus. I started with an Oysters Rockefeller appetizer. WOW,..it was a fresh as could be and simply delicious. They make their own salad dressings and I had a creamy clam dressing the was awesome. The soup course offered a gumbo and a chowder. I had the seafood chowder which was creamy and surprisingly sweet. Really different and really good! I went with the Alaskan king crab legs for my entree complimented with the fresh vegetables. The veggies were fresh, firm and yummy and the crab legs were OUTSTANDING. Finished it off with a piece of pumpkin walnut cheesecake (did I mention that they make all their own cheesecakes). It was light and fluffy and full of good pumpkin flavor. The " cash only " policy surprised me a bit, especially in this day and age but its not a problem if you are aware of it up front. I gotta be honest, if I didn't know about the place, I wouldn't give it a second thought looking at it from the outside. Clearly this is a "can't judge a book by its cover" situation. Its a "Diamond" on the west side that I hope to return to soon!!!!
(5)
Garret C.
I can't wait to go back. It was an awesome Seafood meal with great service. Next time I'll be going for the steak stuffed lobster or whatever it's called. Next free Friday night we'll be there! Don't waste your time anywhere else.
(5)
Greg R.
What an amazing experience. The minute you walk in there is an unbelievable feeling of comfort. There is no better shellfish experience in Buffalo. You would need to go to the coastal ports to find the selection of fresh fish. Try the clams casino. Not pasty breaded but fresh vegetables and whole clams. Simply the best casino around. Lobster, diver scallops, and crab legs to die for and amazing service to match. All capped by an owner who's care and passion shows. Sometimes the best restaurants are tucked in hard to find neighborhoods. Find this one and you will be pleased.
(5)
Mark R.
Perfect for a group of friends or a date worth the $$$$. Most importantly, the best seafood in the Buffalo area.
(5)
Mike W.
Awesome food!..... great times with friends! BYOB restaurant with amazing Alaskan King Crab and steak....great atmosphere and staff....very friendly and welcoming. ..will be going back 100 times over!!!!!!!
(5)
Frank C.
Overpriced and the quality of the food was just average at best. They sat us on the outside patio in the middle of winter thinking a portable heater would suffice.
(2)
Marcus W.
Came for my friends bday dinner. Sooooo much food. Entrees are huge and come with a soup, salad and 1 side dish. Only thing that kept this from a 5 star rating is lack of seasoning. I'm an old bay fan. They don't use it here but I see that they just want to natural flavors to come through. Another cool part about this place is its BYOB. That alone with help you save a few bucks. Doesn't just have to be beer, bring wine if you wish. If they have their chowder as soup of the day... GET IT! Wasn't a fan of the clam salad dressing. They also only accept cash. Overall this place is a great spot!
(4)
Mike M.
Customer service was outstanding, they even bring out an ice bucket to keep your beer/wine cold. Our waitress couldn't have been any nicer and more helpful. We ordered the Viking feast for two which came with two whole lobsters, scallops, shrimp, fish, ribs, chicken, two sides and two salads. It also came with crab legs but we upgraded to get king crab instead. Everything was delicious and the portion size is insane. We honestly did not even touch the chicken. I would highly recommend this place for a special occasion dinner or a nice night out. Can't wait to come back with a big group of people!
(5)
Jenna W.
Okay. First off. Best seafood in western new York with some of the best service ever. Cash only. BYOB. Come hungry and order a feast. Ultimate Feast = two lobsters, a LOT of crab legs, haddock fillet, scallops, shrimp, chicken, ribs, two sides, two salads, and two sides. I thiiiiiink that's it. This place is incredible. If you didn't know it was there you would pass it and think it was another house on Tonawanda Street. Surprise. Walk inside and you're instantly welcomed by the hostess who points you exactly where to go. They'll open your bottles for you, put them on ice, whatever.... And no corking fee! You know exactly why you're paying for. They're quick, delicious, and just absolutely service oriented. It's one of those hidden gems you have to experience to really appreciate. I want to write so much right now but it won't do it justice. You need to taste it to believe it.
(5)
Ken B.
There seems to be a wide range of opinions on this place, so I was cautiously optimistic that our dining experience would match those who gave it 5 stars. Unfortunately, it wasn't, and for one reason alone...the food. Our sever, Katie, was wonderful...friendly and professional. The decor in the interior is definitely appealing and comfortable. The hostess was friendly. The problem was, the food wasn't very good. We started with drinks...just soda, as none of us are big on alcohol. The cokes were flat and tasted as if the syrup tanks had run out. We returned them for birch beers instead...only then did we learn the the restaurant's CO2 tank was empty so they were flat as well. We made do with water for the duration. We ordered two appetizers...shrimp cocktail and clams casino. The shrimp arrived plump and cooked to perfection, still in the shell. What was bad was that they hadn't been split or de-veined. I had to scrape out the disgusting black "poop-track" before I could eat them. My wife's clams tasted good, but they were very sandy, as if the restaurant hadn't bothered to purge them before cooking them. Moving on to the soup...they had two offerings, neither of which tasted very good. All four bowls were left mostly full on the table, barely touched until Katie came by the collect them. The main courses were so-so. The fish fry was good but the fried shrimp tasted like it came straight from the frozen food section at Wegman's. I ordered the surf and turf with filet mignon cooked medium. The inside was medium, but the outside was burnt to a crisp, like eating charcoal. I had to cut around it to get to the edible part of the steak My wife's lobster was, well, lobster, just like what you'd get at the supermarket, but, of course, much more expensive. On the plus side, the salads and garlic bread were really good., but it's sad when the salad and bread are the highlight of the meal. As I said earlier, I heard good things about Viking, and I really wanted to like it, as good seafood restaurants are hard to come by in Buffalo. However, as we waited for the check, my wife asked me if I'd ever want to come back. Both of us agreed that the answer was "no."
(3)
Kaylynn C.
I came here last night with my boyfriend and his sister for Restaurant Week. We made the reservation a few days in advance and had no idea what to expect. Viking Lobster Company is a tiny place but it has a great atmosphere. I loved that the wait staff was so personable, and the chef actually came out of the kitchen to have a conversation and ask everyone how their food was. Our waitress was new and it seemed like she was the first few weeks on the job. That was okay though, if she didn't know the answer to some of our questions, she would find out for us. I had the shrimp and scallop scampi. It was delicious. The seafood was so fresh and the pasta tasted homemade. Bradley had the Restaurant Week special which was a 1.5 lb lobster, about 5 crab legs, and about 7 clams. He loved it too. We both had the Portugese Clam Chowder and a salad with the house dressing. The soup was delicious. It had a bit of a sweet taste. I loved their house dressing too! And we all had the Lobster Egg Roll. I liked it, but Brad and his sister weren't huge fans. All-in-all, I would come back again. It was a great experience. Just remember, cash only, make a reservation, and BYOB.
(5)
Bev P.
Finally got there. It is a BYOB and cash only establishment. My husband is not a lover of seafood (although I am changing his opinion slowly but surely), so I made sure there were other choices. He had strip steak, soup (which was a seafood chowder) and salad. He enjoyed everything, including the soup. I had the lobster feast for one. Yes, it's a feast for sure. Lots of food, including soup and salad. The feast included a 1 1/2 lb whole Lobster, crab, shrimp, scallops, fish ...a lot of food. If you know how to crack and eat lobster and crab, this is fun food. I didn't, and my husband had alot of fun watching me try. The scallops were by far my favorite. Seared beautifully and tender and sweet. Next time we go back, I will just get a big plate of those. No room for dessert .. table next to us got some and it looked delicious Bring your appetites and your own booze and be prepared for a night long experience . All the previous posters warned that it was slow service and they are right. But all the seafood is prepared to order and sometimes, good things come to those who wait. So don't go if you are in a time constraint. But if the night is yours, sit back, have some drinks and enjoy Don't judge by the outside ..hidden gem awaits inside
(4)
Jami G.
A unique night out for sure. Start with the bring your own booze which easily can shave hundreds off your bill. It is a small restaurant but it's perfect. We've been there 4-5 times and we have always had the same server. She is awesome, fun, and very on top of what goes on in the restaurant. The food is on point! Haven't ever had a complaint about anything here!!
(5)
Shannon T.
Come with a group and bring your own booze! This is a place for great food and boisterous conversation! You need to make a reservation. Oysters are awesome as is the lobster stuffed haddock, fish fry and Viking feast!! For some reason every time I go here I feel like the bill is low for what we got... Probably because there are no drinks on the bill, but alas it's a great feeling! This is the kind of place that feels like a well kept secret that you're happy to tell your friends about. They're actually a local seafood distributor so all the food is super fresh!
(5)
Chris K.
We went here with high expectations. The service was exceptional which is why I would even give it one star. We ordered the apetizers of clams casino and bacon wrapped scallops. They we good. The seafood chowder was short on seafood and big on nutmeg. The gumbo was good. The crab we ordered which was King and Snow was the most freezer burned overcooked dinner I have ever had. For $133 I expect the best and I got the worst. I know what crab should taste like and how it should be cooked. I eat it all over the country and Joe's Crab shack is miles better. Maybe we got the one batch like this but I doubt it. If you have had crab legs cooked right you will not enjoy this place. If you have never had them have at it. You won't know what you are missing.
(1)
Bradley A.
This place is ridiculous! In a good way of course. Restaurant week is the time of year everyone waits for, but at VLC, its always restaurant week. Don't get me wrong here - this place is expensive - but its worth it because of the quality of seafood they use. I got the 1 and 1/4 lb lobster, a crab cluster of legs, and 1/2 doz clams for $39, my sister got the salmon restaurant weeks deal and my girlfriend got the shrimp and scallop scampi. My meal (part of restaurant week) was just your typical steampot which was delicious. The salmon my sister had packed a punch with a great medley of spices and herbs. But was stole the show was my girlfriends scampi. After taking one bite of that dish I knew I should have just ordered off the regular menu. Heres a tip for everyone out there: Just because you go to a restaurant during restaurant week DOESN't mean you have to order from that specific menu! In some cases, like at VLC, you'll be missing out on what they really have to offer **** reservation is a must
(5)
Bethany M.
We love this place! This is definitely ideal for groups - I would recommend parties in multiples of 4 or 6 - and then order the feast! The Ultimate feast easily serves 3-4 people, especially if you started with an app. I'll admit I've had better tasting seafood, but this place is so reasonable for the amount of food you get, it's worth it. And bring your own wine/beer? Yes please! They make their own salad dressing which is delish, we've started mixing the two dressings together - just ask. It's better than you'd think, really. You don't need to park 2 blocks away if you're comfortable parking in the "lot" across the street, and after a few visits we've never had a problem. The service isn't slow or anything, but give yourself the time to enjoy this place and make an evening out of it. You won't regret it! ****CASH ONLY!!**** They have an ATM but save yourself the trouble and bring cash with!
(4)
Connie J.
This is the best argument for Resturant week ever. My husband and I would have never come across this place otherwise. We had the Resturant Week Special 1 1/2 lb lobster with Crab Legs, steamed clams,fries. This came with soup and salad. I chose the Portugese Chowder. My husband had the Gumbo. The Portugese Chowder had a sweetness that took a bit of getting use to. His Gumbo was good. It had a bit of a punch. The Salads were good. It was the homemade salad dressings that made them. I had the clam dressing which was really good. It reminded me of really good Ceasar's dressing. The Basil dressing was also like a very Italian Ceasar's dressing. Let's get to the best part. the seafood. It was plentiful, hot, pretty fresh. Overall a great place. The servers were friendly. The atmosphere is welcoming. I will definately be back. Three things to note. 1) CASH ONLY. 2) BYOB (which I love) 3) Must have reservations. A great find!!!
(5)
Hazel J.
"Fresh" is fine if they mean "fresh from the freezer". Completely gross seafood, and definitely not fresh. However, Both of the homemade dressings were good
(1)
Sue S.
Recently was there; I had reservations for 5:30- only one soup was available which was lukewarm. The salad was gritty- like it wasn't washed thoroughly. My lobster Alfredo was tasty but with very little lobster meat and my husband's haddock and shrimp had only 2 shrimp. I think the only reason people like this place is because their drunk as it's BYOB with no corking fee
(2)
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Address :108 Beach 108th St
Rockaway Beach, NY, 11693
Erin K.
I have never had a fresh egg roll before, and this one is tender on the inside, crispy on the outside and filled with lobster and fresh bean sprouts and black mushrooms. Delish. Portuguese clam chowder was a delicious first for me too. The seafood pile and Viking Dinner was lots of fun, though the clams were smaller than promised. Crab legs which I usually don 't find to be worth all the work, were! Lots of sweet meat easily accessed. So happy to find seafood so fresh and plentiful and uncluttered with sauces and breading and frying. The wait staff was warm but unobtrusive and even the chef came out to ask how everything was. The room has all the old seafaring stuff you want when you're eating fish. Ony two quibbles: My companions and I wished the wall wasn't mirrored, it's distracting while talking and eating to watch yourself. Second, I wish I could find a fish restaurant that did the fish research for me, so I didn't have to ask about whether it's the right swordfish or tuna or shrimp. montereybayaquarium.org/… A great night though, and we'll be back.
(4)Rob S.
If you are looking for a place that is fancy with Chefs from esteemed culinary institutes, you'll be disappointed. In other words, if you're a snooty person who doesn't mind paying $75 for a meal that only minimally fills you up because it's presented in an upscale manner and cooked craft-fully, then don't come here. If you're more down to Earth and appreciate food that's good, and a lot of it for a very reasonable price, then you should come. Have I had better seafood? Yes but I am a firm believer that seafood is seafood- it's always good. This place has a home-spun, friendly down to earth atmosphere and it's reflected in the food. This is still miles better than chain seafood like Red Lobster. The service is incredible. The portions are beyond generous. Reading the negative reviews, they are all from people who seem like they would complain about the chicken wings at Bar Bill being too spicy- that is if they don't think eating wings is below them. byob a massive plus. I will be back, soon.
(4)Rahdne Z.
I have been to The Viking twice in a party of 4-- once we sat on the patio, once we sat in the dining room. This is an important distinction because each offers a different menu. The first experience was eating on the patio. The ambiance is laid back and even though the menu options seemed more limited, the food was excellent. When we visited the second time and ate in the dining room, we were not disappointed. Every single dish-- from the first bite of the salad all the way to the last bite of the entrée-- was delicious. Their creamy clam dressing is simply out of this world. What I like most about this place is that it's completely unpretentious and it's not trying to outdo any other restaurant; instead they focus on good service and great food. That's what keeps people coming back and that's why it's almost impossible to dine there without a reservation. All you have to do is be prepared to pay cash, bring your own wine, and enjoy their incredible spread of seafood. If only all restaurants could be this good...
(5)Tracy M.
Great seafood and great atmosphere. Also the service was great and I don't think the food took very long at all. You could bring your own booze which was nice. I suggest going here it was a great time!
(4)Katrina O.
This was our second visit and we loved it. It's a very comfortable environment with great service. We like the BYOB! I had the crab feast and it was delicious and fresh. My husband had the steak stuffed lobster which he loved. We really have no complaints and look forward to returning.
(5)Susan D.
Three of us dined there a couple of weeks ago. When the clams casino and oysters rockefeller were served we fell silent. We were too busy enjoying the subtly seasoned appetizers. Our two pound lobsters were perfectly cooked and the butter was not your run of the mill plain butter but had a hint of garlic in it. One wonderful thing about B.Y.O.B. is that splurging on decent champagne seems quite reasonable. The service was well timed. This is a great place for gluten-free dining. A wonderful food experience does not have to be accompanied by a stuffy atmosphere.
(5)Alex R.
Really wanted to like it here. Sounds amazing. BYOB and Seafood! But everything was cooked terribly and the mussels smelled horribly rotten. When we presented our complaint to the Chef/owner/manager (they are all the same person) he started screaming at us (a group of 8 hearty dudes in their 30's) and threatened to call the cops. Real class this place has.
(1)Ada M.
This place is the BEST! Great value for $$. These folks will go out of their was to accommodate their guest in any way they can. They offer a private room for parties of eight (I think thats the number) of the side.Our family has had birthday, anniversary, and cousin's get togethers at this place. No complaints from anyone in our groups. The seafood is universally top shelf-fresh and well prepared. The clam chowder is flavorful and very unusual. They have offered some interesting specials in the past and I expect they will offer them currently. I see that some reviewers have mentioned they were a little put off by the neighborhood-It;s really not so scary unless the entire city frightens you! The owner(s) are really gracious and friendly-very nice people. Can't say enough good things about this restaurant.
(5)Joe P.
I went with a group of 8 people to dinner here...we were pleasantly surprised to find we were given a private room. Things only got better from here...we ordered two Viking dinners,which were essentially larger sampler platters. Lobters and fish were really good and I loved my meal, but I should mention that my friend's wife who didn't eat seafood wasn't enamored with the chicken - little on the dry side. Several appetizers were outstanding, particularly the egg roll. Best part - bring your own bottle of wine and no corking fee!! We had a amazing meal and barely broke $50 a couple, not including the wine we brought. The place is easy to miss when you're heading over there....it's a renovated house in Black Rock with lousy signage. Service was great...everyone was enthusiastic and upbeat. We had a great time at this place...out little dinner group regularly tries different places in the city and this is the first time I can recall anyone from our group getting "loud" at dinner. And the place was around the block from our favorite bar in Buffalo to see music, The Sportsmans Tavern for a night cap! We'll be back.
(4)Jason J.
So sad, so sad that Buffalo has no genuine seafood restaurant. A mix of bad reviews and great reviews for VL Co. In reality it's 1.5 stars nothing better, if you go with a big group & get smashed on your own liquor it might seem better but the food is really average, not a trained chef in the kitchen, probably a guy or woman who has been cooking in so-so places for quite a while but has never learned some very basic but important points, like seasoning. Rubber bands still on plated lobster claws, really? Seafood is over-cooked & overly salty. Left a 23% tip and got a super cold shoulder from the waitress. Definitely will not be back.
(1)Nick K.
A group of 10 of us went to Viking Lobster last week for NYE dinner. Why you ask? Because their fresh lobster and crab was priced extremely fair and it was BYOB. Boom! Not one person from my party has ever dined at the Viking Lobster before and quickly became skeptical of all reviews upon walking in the door. After my experience, you cannot judge a book by its cover. The outside did look a little shady, the inside, a little old fashioned, but the food was definitely something to write home about. All of my friends and I absolutely loved our appetizers and entrees which we had expected from their great reputation. For appetizers, we ordered clams casino, which were done with bacon instead of the traditional bread crumbs. They were great. We also ordered a homemade seafood egg-rolls along with very spicy stuffed banana peppers which both were to everyone's liking. For my entree, I elected to have the 8oz filet with two pounds of fresh crablegs. This entree came with a soup and salad and cost $50. Boom! The soup and salad were good. The crab legs were out of this world. They tasted so fresh and 2lbs is definitely enough to pass around. The steak on the other hand wasn't the best "filet" I've ever had. It was way too chewy to be a filet mignon as described and looked more like a strip than anything else. That is the only thing holding this place back from a 5 star review. Besides that I was very happy with my meal. The service was also very good. We had this younger kid named John who meshed very well with our table. He was prompt with the course sequence and was always around when needed. I noticed that the whole wait staff works together and later found that they all pool their tips. I guess this maybe an ideal way to run a restaurant, I'm sure servers would disagree. There it is, 4 stars and well deserved Viking Lobster. I will be back!
(4)Mary W.
Super friendly and accommodating when it came to making reservations for 6 on very short notice. Bring your own - huge bonus. Chef/owner came over to chat after the meal. Nice guy. "Up and coming neighborhood" is questionable at best, and we didn't feel great about leaving the Acura 2 blocks away. Wanna judge? You check it out and see who's trolling the streets... Barry's lobster was great. He also ordered steamers for an app and they were teeny and really prepared well swimming in a buttery broth. My seafood paella had imitation crab in it. Still troubles me. The "Portuguese" chowder was bizarro. It was thin, and brown and tasted like it had Chinese 5 Spice in it. I ate it all because I was trying to decipher what the hell the flavor was. The atmosphere has an early attic theme. Neighborhood + loobster in my paella = we won't be back.
(2)Col Mustard S.
Went with a group of 15 and were seated upstairs, in the summer with no AC, just some old ceiling fans running. Everyone was sweaty and uncomfortable and couldn't enjoy the fact that the place was BYOB. Plus to get upstairs there are these tiny metal spiral stairs that shimmy as you walk on them. It felt like we were at a grandparents house with old decor and just not a place to order a fine, expensive dinner. And the food was mediocre, not bad, not good.
(2)Chef Nomad ..
The Viking Lobster Company is located in the historic Black Rock neighborhood of Buffalo (Cross st. is Austin st.). The Viking Company is only open on Fridays & Saturdays from 5 - 10pm (which has not been updated on their website). As you approach the restaurant, you might have second thoughts about whether its open or whether its a place you want to dine at, but its deceiving. The inside is all refinished wood work, white table clothes, etc. They do not have an alcohol license of anykind, but it is BYOB as of this review! We stopped in early on a Friday night and was seated immediately (it did get quite busy later on and would suggest reservations to be safe). The menu has a couple of Chicken & steak dishes, but this one page menu consists mainly of different Lobster dishes and Seafood Feasts. We began our meal with the Clams Casino, which were big and the filling was very good. Next, we were served our soups that came with our meals; Seafood Chowder and Lump-Crab Gumbo. Both were filled with chucks of fresh seafood. For entrees, we had the Lobster Alfredo and a 4lb Lobster (which was grabbed from their 1,000 gallon saltwater Lobster tank and steamed. You can order from 1lb - 5lb Lobster). Both were excellent. We ended our meal with slices of Chocolate-Rasberry Cheescake. If you are looking for your Lobster Fix, the Viking Lobster Company is the place to go!
(4)Zachary E.
A restaurant unlike any other in Buffalo. Pretty well hidden in Black Rock, but worth finding. Very reasonable prices - every entree is like a prix fixe menu, with choice of soup, salad, and side. The atmosphere is awesome - very classy with a nautical theme. They could've dimmed the lights a little, but that's the only critique I could offer. The service was outstanding as well - not stuffy, very friendly and professional. On to the food... Appetizers: We had clams casino and raw. The raw clams were great - very tasty and meaty. The casino were the best I've had anywhere. Not heavy like many clams casino - very light and fresh tasting, with the wonderful smoke and salt from bacon. Soup: Choice of gumbo or clam chowder. Being back from carpetbagging in NOLA, I didn't want the gumbo, so I got the chowder. Unlike any other chowder I've had. Our waitress said it was a portuguese recipe, any like the clams casino, very light and fresh tasting. I usually load up my clam chowder with black pepper, but this was seasoned to perfection. Salad: Very fresh greens with a housemade minced clam and garlic dressing. Perfect intermezzo before the entree. Entree: Excellent lobster tail. Incredibly fresh, cooked perfectly, and very well seasoned. I also like the fact that the butter they served wasn't clarified - the solids add a lot to the flavor in my opinion. Plated with grapes and an orange slice, which was a nice sweet touch. Dessert: Great coffee. Strong, and a good flavor - hazelnut/french vanilla. The cannoli was outstanding - you could tell that it was just piped. All in all, a great meal at a very reasonable price. I'll definitely be back.
(5)Steve B.
Viking receives outstanding reviews elsewhere, and it has a number of good qualities. That said, it is not family friendly (one high chair for the entire restaurant) and reminded me of the time I met a famous actress: great in pictures but disappointingly average in person. Upon arrival, the location and building do not inspire confidence. You can't see it from the pictures online, but both are horribly run down. Nonetheless, inspired by several strong online reviews, we parked on a nearby gravel lot and trudged across the street. The interior is better, with the exception of the mens' bathroom. The toilet is curiously installed about a foot above the ground, which was fine for me as I am slightly taller than average, but it could be a problem for shorter adults and kids. The lock on the door has also seen better days. Still, it was fairly clean, so I can't knock it too much. As I mentioned at the start, Viking has some very good qualities. It is BYOB, which could be very nice under the right circumstances. It's also very casual and has a great atmosphere once you're seated. The waitress was very friendly and helpful, and the menu has a good balance of seafood options. My wife and I ordered the Viking Seafood Feast for two. This dish is basically some lobster, crab legs, shrimp, mussels and the like on a big plate. We requested something in lieu of the mussels (neither of us can stand 'em) and were told that was fine, but we wound up with mussels anyway. That aside, the seasoning was mild, and nearly all of it was cooked correctly (the only possible exception being the crab legs, which I thought were slightly overcooked, but my wife thought they were fine). I'd rate the quality of the seafood as somewhere between Red Lobster and a moderately above average seafood joint on the Gulf Coast. All things considered, I can see going back with other adults (esp. those who would otherwise be drinking on my tab), but I don't see us taking the kids there any time soon. For what it is - a casual, adult focused seafood joint in Buffalo - it is worth a visit. It's pretty good but definitely not as great as some review sites make it out to be.
(3)Shauna D.
Great seafood and homemade soups and salad dressings, YUM!
(4)Jeffrey S.
Probably the worst seafood I have ever had. It was rotten and smelled foul. The owner/chef was angry and argumentative.
(1)Javid B.
It was my second time back within the last few months and It was a great time. We were seated promptly by a very friendly staff member. We had one of the specials for an appetizer. I believe it was called the "Seafood Pile". Mussels, clams,shrimp and crab that the 5 of us easily shared. The viking feast for one can easily be split between a couple. Food was delicious and reasonably priced considering the amount of food that is provided! Our server actually made dessert for the restaurant that evening and it was out of this world. A pumpkin walnut cheesecake. She was gracious and offered to shuck everyone's lobster at the table as well as provide containers for our "beverages" because the restaurant is the only BYOB in buffalo thats worth going to! Highly recommended. Will definitely be back!
(5)Diana R.
"Up and coming neighborhood" is questionable at best, and we didn't feel great about leaving the Acura 2 blocks away. Wanna judge? You check it out and see who's trolling the streets..." Oh, gag. I have lived in this area for over 3 years and there is rarely even anyone out walking AT ALL in the evening, unless they are walking their dog or have a stroller. The area isn't perfect looking, it's not "hip" and it's probably not going to be any time soon. Despite the "up & coming" moniker people keep wanting to slap on it, the area is 200+ years old and most of the locals are not interested in turning this into the new "Elmwood." They just want a nicer place to raise their families. I encountered a lot more crime staying at my friends' in Allentown than I have here. Car jackings/car break ins are almost non-existent in the police blotter, and when they do happen its usually because someone was silly enough to leave their purse, visible, in their car. Grow a pair. That aside... I treated a friend to this for his birthday and we were accompanied by friends, totalling five in the party. I thought the food here was excellent and accomodates non-seafood eaters as well. The fussy eaters - Three out of our party of five don't eat seafood but sucked it up for the birthday boy. This place has a pretty good, low-cost menu of non-seafood favorites, like ribs, steak and roasted chicken. My companions found the chicken and steak they sampled tasty. The dishes are very simple, but they are well-cook/seasoned, reasonably priced and decent sized. They weren't sniffy at all about substituting things (one friend wanted double fries because he doesn't eat soup or salad...yah he's that fussy). The seafood - Both soups we sampled contained seafood, a portugese chowder and a gumbo, and were flavorful and aplenty with meat. The portugese chowder in particular had a unique flavor partly due to the use of sweet crab - I really enjoyed it. The birthday boy ordered a large lobster stuffed with steak, cooked to order, and a heap of house-made mashed potatoes on top. He loved every bit of it and my sample was delicious. I had a fish dish (provencal I believe) topped with stewed tomatoes and peppers with rice on the side. My fish was huge, perfectly cooked, and very fresh. The toppings and rice were excellently seasoned. The portion was also huge - two meals for me. I know we got dessert here and it was decent, but I sadly don't remember what it was as this trip was in November. The service - one of the owners (I believe she said she also lives upstairs - yay for her actually being in the 'hood where her business is) was our waitress. She was very attentive, friendly and knowledgable about the menu. The chef (apparently another owner?) also came to our table personally to check on how we were doing and ask our thoughts on the food. Ambiance - this is not an "upscale" seafood place, intentionaly. It's designed to have a quirky at-the-warf kind of feel, which we loved. It was very laid back and fun, and not an eyelash was batted when we got quite rowdy. They are also byob, which I think is great. People sniff at this like its low-class, but why not bring what you really want to drink instead of complaining they don't have it or its too much? It also saves the restaurant the cost and hassle of a liquor license and turns dinner into a party. As far as parking, there is a gravel lot across the street that is easily accessed and street parking is ample. Ignore the naysayers about the area, I've never heard of anyone having an issue with their car around here, and the place is PACKED on Friday and the weekend. What could be better - The house dressing is TOO garlicy, and I love garlic. It was like spreading an extreme garlic paste on my salad. They could lighten it up A LITTLE. I would like to see more side options, especially with the smaller dinners.
(4)T A H.
My Bride took me the the Viking Lobster Company for dinner this evening and knowing little about this place (other than what she told me she read about it), I was a bit apprehensive. But being a no guts, no glory kind of guy and liking to try new tings, I figured that I would give it a lash. Not being a big drinker and not considering it an important compliment to me meal, the lack of a liquor license was not an issue. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised when they had birch beer available, which is one of my favorite soft drinks so that was kind of cool. The wait staff was excellent and I liked the short, but to the point menu. I'm a firm believer that a long complicated menu is usually a sign of a mediocre meal at best, another plus. I started with an Oysters Rockefeller appetizer. WOW,..it was a fresh as could be and simply delicious. They make their own salad dressings and I had a creamy clam dressing the was awesome. The soup course offered a gumbo and a chowder. I had the seafood chowder which was creamy and surprisingly sweet. Really different and really good! I went with the Alaskan king crab legs for my entree complimented with the fresh vegetables. The veggies were fresh, firm and yummy and the crab legs were OUTSTANDING. Finished it off with a piece of pumpkin walnut cheesecake (did I mention that they make all their own cheesecakes). It was light and fluffy and full of good pumpkin flavor. The " cash only " policy surprised me a bit, especially in this day and age but its not a problem if you are aware of it up front. I gotta be honest, if I didn't know about the place, I wouldn't give it a second thought looking at it from the outside. Clearly this is a "can't judge a book by its cover" situation. Its a "Diamond" on the west side that I hope to return to soon!!!!
(5)Garret C.
I can't wait to go back. It was an awesome Seafood meal with great service. Next time I'll be going for the steak stuffed lobster or whatever it's called. Next free Friday night we'll be there! Don't waste your time anywhere else.
(5)Greg R.
What an amazing experience. The minute you walk in there is an unbelievable feeling of comfort. There is no better shellfish experience in Buffalo. You would need to go to the coastal ports to find the selection of fresh fish. Try the clams casino. Not pasty breaded but fresh vegetables and whole clams. Simply the best casino around. Lobster, diver scallops, and crab legs to die for and amazing service to match. All capped by an owner who's care and passion shows. Sometimes the best restaurants are tucked in hard to find neighborhoods. Find this one and you will be pleased.
(5)Mark R.
Perfect for a group of friends or a date worth the $$$$. Most importantly, the best seafood in the Buffalo area.
(5)Mike W.
Awesome food!..... great times with friends! BYOB restaurant with amazing Alaskan King Crab and steak....great atmosphere and staff....very friendly and welcoming. ..will be going back 100 times over!!!!!!!
(5)Frank C.
Overpriced and the quality of the food was just average at best. They sat us on the outside patio in the middle of winter thinking a portable heater would suffice.
(2)Marcus W.
Came for my friends bday dinner. Sooooo much food. Entrees are huge and come with a soup, salad and 1 side dish. Only thing that kept this from a 5 star rating is lack of seasoning. I'm an old bay fan. They don't use it here but I see that they just want to natural flavors to come through. Another cool part about this place is its BYOB. That alone with help you save a few bucks. Doesn't just have to be beer, bring wine if you wish. If they have their chowder as soup of the day... GET IT! Wasn't a fan of the clam salad dressing. They also only accept cash. Overall this place is a great spot!
(4)Mike M.
Customer service was outstanding, they even bring out an ice bucket to keep your beer/wine cold. Our waitress couldn't have been any nicer and more helpful. We ordered the Viking feast for two which came with two whole lobsters, scallops, shrimp, fish, ribs, chicken, two sides and two salads. It also came with crab legs but we upgraded to get king crab instead. Everything was delicious and the portion size is insane. We honestly did not even touch the chicken. I would highly recommend this place for a special occasion dinner or a nice night out. Can't wait to come back with a big group of people!
(5)Jenna W.
Okay. First off. Best seafood in western new York with some of the best service ever. Cash only. BYOB. Come hungry and order a feast. Ultimate Feast = two lobsters, a LOT of crab legs, haddock fillet, scallops, shrimp, chicken, ribs, two sides, two salads, and two sides. I thiiiiiink that's it. This place is incredible. If you didn't know it was there you would pass it and think it was another house on Tonawanda Street. Surprise. Walk inside and you're instantly welcomed by the hostess who points you exactly where to go. They'll open your bottles for you, put them on ice, whatever.... And no corking fee! You know exactly why you're paying for. They're quick, delicious, and just absolutely service oriented. It's one of those hidden gems you have to experience to really appreciate. I want to write so much right now but it won't do it justice. You need to taste it to believe it.
(5)Ken B.
There seems to be a wide range of opinions on this place, so I was cautiously optimistic that our dining experience would match those who gave it 5 stars. Unfortunately, it wasn't, and for one reason alone...the food. Our sever, Katie, was wonderful...friendly and professional. The decor in the interior is definitely appealing and comfortable. The hostess was friendly. The problem was, the food wasn't very good. We started with drinks...just soda, as none of us are big on alcohol. The cokes were flat and tasted as if the syrup tanks had run out. We returned them for birch beers instead...only then did we learn the the restaurant's CO2 tank was empty so they were flat as well. We made do with water for the duration. We ordered two appetizers...shrimp cocktail and clams casino. The shrimp arrived plump and cooked to perfection, still in the shell. What was bad was that they hadn't been split or de-veined. I had to scrape out the disgusting black "poop-track" before I could eat them. My wife's clams tasted good, but they were very sandy, as if the restaurant hadn't bothered to purge them before cooking them. Moving on to the soup...they had two offerings, neither of which tasted very good. All four bowls were left mostly full on the table, barely touched until Katie came by the collect them. The main courses were so-so. The fish fry was good but the fried shrimp tasted like it came straight from the frozen food section at Wegman's. I ordered the surf and turf with filet mignon cooked medium. The inside was medium, but the outside was burnt to a crisp, like eating charcoal. I had to cut around it to get to the edible part of the steak My wife's lobster was, well, lobster, just like what you'd get at the supermarket, but, of course, much more expensive. On the plus side, the salads and garlic bread were really good., but it's sad when the salad and bread are the highlight of the meal. As I said earlier, I heard good things about Viking, and I really wanted to like it, as good seafood restaurants are hard to come by in Buffalo. However, as we waited for the check, my wife asked me if I'd ever want to come back. Both of us agreed that the answer was "no."
(3)Kaylynn C.
I came here last night with my boyfriend and his sister for Restaurant Week. We made the reservation a few days in advance and had no idea what to expect. Viking Lobster Company is a tiny place but it has a great atmosphere. I loved that the wait staff was so personable, and the chef actually came out of the kitchen to have a conversation and ask everyone how their food was. Our waitress was new and it seemed like she was the first few weeks on the job. That was okay though, if she didn't know the answer to some of our questions, she would find out for us. I had the shrimp and scallop scampi. It was delicious. The seafood was so fresh and the pasta tasted homemade. Bradley had the Restaurant Week special which was a 1.5 lb lobster, about 5 crab legs, and about 7 clams. He loved it too. We both had the Portugese Clam Chowder and a salad with the house dressing. The soup was delicious. It had a bit of a sweet taste. I loved their house dressing too! And we all had the Lobster Egg Roll. I liked it, but Brad and his sister weren't huge fans. All-in-all, I would come back again. It was a great experience. Just remember, cash only, make a reservation, and BYOB.
(5)Bev P.
Finally got there. It is a BYOB and cash only establishment. My husband is not a lover of seafood (although I am changing his opinion slowly but surely), so I made sure there were other choices. He had strip steak, soup (which was a seafood chowder) and salad. He enjoyed everything, including the soup. I had the lobster feast for one. Yes, it's a feast for sure. Lots of food, including soup and salad. The feast included a 1 1/2 lb whole Lobster, crab, shrimp, scallops, fish ...a lot of food. If you know how to crack and eat lobster and crab, this is fun food. I didn't, and my husband had alot of fun watching me try. The scallops were by far my favorite. Seared beautifully and tender and sweet. Next time we go back, I will just get a big plate of those. No room for dessert .. table next to us got some and it looked delicious Bring your appetites and your own booze and be prepared for a night long experience . All the previous posters warned that it was slow service and they are right. But all the seafood is prepared to order and sometimes, good things come to those who wait. So don't go if you are in a time constraint. But if the night is yours, sit back, have some drinks and enjoy Don't judge by the outside ..hidden gem awaits inside
(4)Jami G.
A unique night out for sure. Start with the bring your own booze which easily can shave hundreds off your bill. It is a small restaurant but it's perfect. We've been there 4-5 times and we have always had the same server. She is awesome, fun, and very on top of what goes on in the restaurant. The food is on point! Haven't ever had a complaint about anything here!!
(5)Shannon T.
Come with a group and bring your own booze! This is a place for great food and boisterous conversation! You need to make a reservation. Oysters are awesome as is the lobster stuffed haddock, fish fry and Viking feast!! For some reason every time I go here I feel like the bill is low for what we got... Probably because there are no drinks on the bill, but alas it's a great feeling! This is the kind of place that feels like a well kept secret that you're happy to tell your friends about. They're actually a local seafood distributor so all the food is super fresh!
(5)Chris K.
We went here with high expectations. The service was exceptional which is why I would even give it one star. We ordered the apetizers of clams casino and bacon wrapped scallops. They we good. The seafood chowder was short on seafood and big on nutmeg. The gumbo was good. The crab we ordered which was King and Snow was the most freezer burned overcooked dinner I have ever had. For $133 I expect the best and I got the worst. I know what crab should taste like and how it should be cooked. I eat it all over the country and Joe's Crab shack is miles better. Maybe we got the one batch like this but I doubt it. If you have had crab legs cooked right you will not enjoy this place. If you have never had them have at it. You won't know what you are missing.
(1)Bradley A.
This place is ridiculous! In a good way of course. Restaurant week is the time of year everyone waits for, but at VLC, its always restaurant week. Don't get me wrong here - this place is expensive - but its worth it because of the quality of seafood they use. I got the 1 and 1/4 lb lobster, a crab cluster of legs, and 1/2 doz clams for $39, my sister got the salmon restaurant weeks deal and my girlfriend got the shrimp and scallop scampi. My meal (part of restaurant week) was just your typical steampot which was delicious. The salmon my sister had packed a punch with a great medley of spices and herbs. But was stole the show was my girlfriends scampi. After taking one bite of that dish I knew I should have just ordered off the regular menu. Heres a tip for everyone out there: Just because you go to a restaurant during restaurant week DOESN't mean you have to order from that specific menu! In some cases, like at VLC, you'll be missing out on what they really have to offer **** reservation is a must
(5)Bethany M.
We love this place! This is definitely ideal for groups - I would recommend parties in multiples of 4 or 6 - and then order the feast! The Ultimate feast easily serves 3-4 people, especially if you started with an app. I'll admit I've had better tasting seafood, but this place is so reasonable for the amount of food you get, it's worth it. And bring your own wine/beer? Yes please! They make their own salad dressing which is delish, we've started mixing the two dressings together - just ask. It's better than you'd think, really. You don't need to park 2 blocks away if you're comfortable parking in the "lot" across the street, and after a few visits we've never had a problem. The service isn't slow or anything, but give yourself the time to enjoy this place and make an evening out of it. You won't regret it! ****CASH ONLY!!**** They have an ATM but save yourself the trouble and bring cash with!
(4)Connie J.
This is the best argument for Resturant week ever. My husband and I would have never come across this place otherwise. We had the Resturant Week Special 1 1/2 lb lobster with Crab Legs, steamed clams,fries. This came with soup and salad. I chose the Portugese Chowder. My husband had the Gumbo. The Portugese Chowder had a sweetness that took a bit of getting use to. His Gumbo was good. It had a bit of a punch. The Salads were good. It was the homemade salad dressings that made them. I had the clam dressing which was really good. It reminded me of really good Ceasar's dressing. The Basil dressing was also like a very Italian Ceasar's dressing. Let's get to the best part. the seafood. It was plentiful, hot, pretty fresh. Overall a great place. The servers were friendly. The atmosphere is welcoming. I will definately be back. Three things to note. 1) CASH ONLY. 2) BYOB (which I love) 3) Must have reservations. A great find!!!
(5)Hazel J.
"Fresh" is fine if they mean "fresh from the freezer". Completely gross seafood, and definitely not fresh. However, Both of the homemade dressings were good
(1)Sue S.
Recently was there; I had reservations for 5:30- only one soup was available which was lukewarm. The salad was gritty- like it wasn't washed thoroughly. My lobster Alfredo was tasty but with very little lobster meat and my husband's haddock and shrimp had only 2 shrimp. I think the only reason people like this place is because their drunk as it's BYOB with no corking fee
(2)