CLUB SCENE:
LEBOWSKI'S (March 2005)

by Eric Kainass

Along the shores of Oneida Lake, there are many camps; year-round houses; hundreds of boats in the warmer months, and probably the same number of snowmobiles during the other ten months (winter). Lebowski's Sports Bar and Grill on Lakeshore Road is there to provide you with Award-Winning pizza and wings, beverages, televised sports and more-seven days a week.

Lebowski's is owned and operated by Joe Haney and his partner Brian Schultz. Both "cook and do anything and everything necessary" to keep Lebowski's running smoothly. Joe also owns The Hometown Pizzeria in Baldwinsville where he developed his wing, pizza and sub recipes that won prizes in "The Taste of Baldwinsville" competition. Lebowski's was chosen as the name from a long list Joe and Brian had written. They decided on it because "The Big Lebowski"--written and directed by the Coen brothers--is Joe's favorite movie.

Joe and Brian met in Buffalo--Brian's hometown, although he now resides in Radisson. Joe is from Baldwinsville, where he still lives. Lebowski's location is a result of Joe looking for a property in the area-close by Oneida Lake-an area he was familiar with from snowmobiling when he was younger. He realized that the Cicero area was in need of a place such as Lebowski's and when the previous incarnation--The Gator's Mug--became available, he moved in.

The sports bar and grill opened in September 2004 after the cleaning and remodeling of the existing structure. Combining food and a sports bar is something Joe has wanted to do for years. There are four TVs to watch sports on, and Lebowski's features twenty-cent wings during all S.U. basketball games. For other forms of entertainment there is a pool table, a soft-tip dartboard, a jukebox, Megatouch games, GoldenTee 2005 and QuickDraw. Dart and pool leagues will be starting up soon.

Lebowski's also sponsors a softball team. During the winter months, snowmobilers are more than welcome to come in and warm up by the fireplace.

Lebowski's is located right on the main trail around Oneida Lake; there is plenty of parking for the snowmobiles and if snowmobilers are on a "Poker Run," an event where participating snowmobilers ride their sleds around the lake, stopping in at various restaurants and bars in order to get a stamp on a card. At the end of the run they are dealt a poker hand, with the highest hand winning. Lebowski's also provides enough parking for cars and trucks as well.

On Fridays a live DJ spins songs from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m., and on Saturday nights there is Karaoke from 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. with cash prizes and drink specials. Lebowski's also has live bands performing about twice a month. During March Madness there will be bucket beer specials.

Their kitchen is open Monday-Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. and Sundays from 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

The menu is extensive and deliveries are free. Lebowski's caters large parties and events-often for local schools and Fire Departments-offers gift certificates, and accepts all major credit cards. They offer a Beer-Battered Fish Fry on Fridays until 9:00 p.m., as well as lunch, dinner and daily food specials throughout the week. Lebowski's has six types of gourmet pizzas, including their blue-ribbon Philly Cheese Steak Pizza-the six-piece medium is $9.99, the large is $13.05, and the pan-style is also $13.05.

This pizza is made with their Brick Oven crust; a blend of garlic and olive oil; both mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, then "piled high with steak, onions, mushrooms and banana peppers." One of their specialty subs is, fittingly enough, th "Big Lebowski"-featuring steak served on garlic bread with mozzarella cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions and a choice of mayonnaise or Italian dressing is $4.40 for the 8"(small) and $5.84 for the larger 12". Another sandwich of mention is Lebowski's Chicken Finger sub.

This sub, along with their Philly pizza, was voted #1 in "The Taste of Baldwinsville," and is made from chicken fingers, American Cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and onions-$3.99 for the small and $5.50 for the large size.

Lebowski's menu is so large and varied that one must stop in and pick up a menu or risk missing all that they have to offer. Another interesting item, rarely seen, are their grilled chicken wings (also award-winning) a nice diversion from fried wings.

So make a trip to Cicero, pick up a menu and enjoy a great time at Lebowski's-6556 Lakeshore Road-telephone number 699-9410. Do not forget to tell them that you heard about them through Table Hopping.