Hirsch's Restaurant: where family and food come together
by KIMBERLY M. KARCHER Clarence Editor

Whether you're in the mood for a succulent steak or craving some mouth-watering barbecued ribs, for Clarence residents and those in the surrounding communities, there's only one place to satisfy those hunger needs - Hirsch's Restaurant.

Brian Hirschauer, who owns the 8445 Main St., eatery, is giving customers even more of a reason to stop in for some fine dining; he's spent the past week remodeling and updating the building's interior and overhauling the restaurant's menu.

"It was time for a little change," Hirschauer said. "We've added brand new carpeting, new paint, and remodeled some of the hallways. Basically everything and every room in the restaurant is being touched upon somehow ... it could be new window curtains or a whole new rug."

Hirschauer said his wife, Rosemary, was an integral part of the renovations.

"My wife designed everything," he said. "She's so talented, and it looks just beautiful."

And as for changes to the menu, both new and old customers will appreciate Hirschauer's thinking on these changes.

"We haven't really changed the menu items per say ... but we've cut prices on a number of them," he said. "Diners can expect anywhere from a 5 to 20 percent decrease in prices on our items.

"We are a family friendly restaurant, and we want our menu to reflect that," he continued. "The quality of the food is top-notch, and that doesn't mean it has to break your wallet to enjoy a nice family meal here."

The menu would indicate the truth of Hirschauer's words. Customers can enjoy an 8-ounce sirloin strip steak with a chef salad and choice of potato for $10.99, or sample a char-broiled chicken breast for $9.99. The traditional favorites still appear on the menu, including Hirsch's special burger loaded with cheddar cheese and bacon for $8.59 or shrimp in a basket filled with fries and coleslaw for $7.99.

But, Hirschauer didn't forget those whose palates may enjoy a finer cut or two.

"We are still going to be offering our filets (9 ounces for $20.99, daily) and our Porterhouses," he said. "Some of our more expensive items will only be featured on the weekends. We understand families are on budgets these days and want to offer them homemade delicious meals at deal prices."

The Italian specialities are one of the diner's favorites, Hirschauer said.

"We go through 20 gallons of sauce every week," he said. "It's amazing, and everything is made from scratch. That's importance to a restaurant like ours because there are so many chain restaurants out there, we want to offer our customers the real thing when they come to Hirsch's."

Italian specialities at Hirsch's include the traditional spaghetti and meatballs (or sausage) for $11.99, chicken Parmesan for $11 or veal Romano for $13.99.

And what restaurant would be complete without its selections from the sea? Hirsch's menu boasts fine seafood specialities such as Nantucket Bay scallops sauteed with Chardonnay wine and lemon zest and then served over pasta for $13.99, stuffed flounder for $15 and, of course, the "famous" Friday fish-fry for $8.99.

"Our busiest day is probably Sunday," Hirschauer said. "We offer a soup, salad and dessert with every entree. And we always have at least two soups to choose from and two dessert selections as well. We offer $9.95 specials on Sunday, which are a big favorite with our repeat customers, and we recognize that, so those won't change."

A children's menu, dessert selections, lunch specials and a full wine list are also available.

With cozy fireplaces, a full-range bar equipped with television sets for sports fans, Hirschauer welcomes the community to the new, always fun, always affordable and family friendly Hirsch's Restaurant.

Hirsch's Restaurant is open from 11: 30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and from 3 to 9 p.m. Sunday. It is closed on Monday.

Hirsch's Restaurant can be reached by calling 634-7148.

e-mail: k k a rc h e r @beenews.com