Corner of 76th Street and Buffalo Avenue

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JustinTyme on the River Family Restaurant

When I was a little kid, the crew of us that rode our bikes around Cayuga Island and played at Jayne Park would peddle over to the Lighthouse Restaurant on Buffalo Avenue once a week to enjoy a hot dog or a burger while the summer days breezed past. Flash forward 15 years and you'd find us at the same location (during one of its many incarnations) at Dockers, playing volleyball on Tuesday nights and afterwards enjoying some adult beverages while watching those dancing on the dance floor to the latest pop songs booming from the bar's speaker system.

The establishment at 7611 Buffalo Avenue in LaSalle may have had many different names and themes over the past few decades, so when I arranged with JustinTyme's to come in and do a review of their new fingerprint on the building, I didn't know what to expect... and honestly, from what I have seen or heard about the last few tries from business owners at that location, I didn't expect much - whoa, was I wrong!

The Chickadee and I pulled up on Friday around 7pm, and after finally finding a decent parking spot amidst a sea of vehicles, we entered the building. This place was HOPPIN'! We put our names down on the waiting list (about 30 minutes we were told) and took in the sights. The general motif of JustinTyme's is a motorhead's dream! If the guys in my highschool's auto shop class were given the project of building their own version of an Applebee's, JustinTyme on the River would be their result. Now, I am more of an NFL die-hard and I generally lean away from anything NASCAR related, but after being there for about five minutes, I started looking forward to the first NASCAR race in Daytona and I started wondering just how fast my Blazer could go down the Robert Moses if I really floored it... maybe it was the hundreds of license plates hanging or the rear ends of classic automobiles sticking out of the walls the way a hunter would hang his prized deer head, but whatever the reason, the motor oil ambiance of the place was hard to ignore!

We were seated within ten minutes and handed a race car styled menu chock full of tastes for every palette. Choosing from the Warm Up Laps, Liquid Fuel, Victory Laps, and Home Stretch Desserts there is plenty of options for every taste. In fact, there isn't enough space in this article to list every offering but let me hit ya up with a few to get your taste buds yearning: Grandma's Pot Roast, The BigFoot Burger, 12oz. Steak Platter, and Southern Pecan Pie just to name a few.

The prices are very reasonable, burgers and sandwiches average about $7.00 and come with fries and larger dinners average about $11.00. I ordered Grandma's Homemade Meatloaf and it came with a choice of soup and potato. The Chickadee ordered the Friday Fish Fry with potato and cole slaw. My dinner was absolutely fantastic and large enough for a big eater like myself. The fish fry was crispy on the outside and perfect on the inside. That fish fry was possibly the best I've ever had... hmmm, I'll have to try it again sometime before I make that judgement! For both meals, the portions were large and the taste was delicious.

The wait time for getting seated was quicker than estimated, the customer service was good, the food came out fast, and the restaurant is very clean and comfortable. I am recommending JustinTyme on the River to anyone who is within earshot (or for the sake of this blog, I guess I would say eyeshot? uh... just trust me on this one). My expectations were surpassed and I definitely plan on visiting again. Not only did they offer great food at a great price, but overall, it was fun place to visit and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves and having a good time.

Times have changed since Scotty Chambers and I rode our bikes to the Lighthouse, and times have definitely changed since Tony Kutis was bustin' moves on the dance floor at Dockers, but in this case, times have changed for the better! Visit JustinTyme on the River Family Restaurant today and help support a local business that is making its mark in LaSalle. You won't be disappointed!


Justin Tyme on the River Family Restaurant also offers an extensive take out menu as well as a catering menu. You can visit their website by

clicking here.


Justin Tyme on the River Family Restaurant
7611 Buffalo Ave. Phone: (716) 283-1339 Fax: (716) 283-1377
Serving Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner


From their website:

Justin Tyme On The River offers a wide selection of food favorites.With more than 16 years of service, our caring staff and talented chefsare dedicated to making your dining adventure fun, relaxing, and pleasurable.Whether you bring your family in for quality time together or gather with your friendsfor a hearty meal, our family-owned and operated restaurant is the perfect place for you!

For the best food and catering services, come to our restaurant! Private Banquet room for up to 40 people.

Voted best "Beef on Weck" and "Best French Fries"in Niagara Falls by Niagara Readers Choice Award 2005. New Menu!
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LaSalle Village Building & Post Office

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When LaSalle became a part of the city of Niagara Falls in 1927, its Library already had a home -- two small rooms in the picturesque village hall on Buffalo Avenue, a facility that it shared with a post office and a police station. An offshoot of the LaSalle Literary Society, the library quickly became the hub of community life under the direction of Mrs. Alfreda Walker and, later, Mrs. Fred Campbell. Youngsters turned the pages of picture books at the slant-topped oak tables in the tiny children's room. Adults congregated in the inviting main reading room with its sunny, arched windows which featured during three seasons of the year, a vibrant display of red geraniums. (Please click here for link)

Corner of Pine Avenue & Military Road 1958

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In 1958, The Plantation and The Milk Cup stood where we now see McDonalds on the corner of Niagara Falls Boulevard (Pine Avenue) and Military Road. Great Photo!

This photo was submitted by Bill S. via the LaSalle Class of 1963 site.



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Albert Augustus Porter House

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House built by Albert Augustus Porter - Buffalo Avenue. Now the site of the Holiday Inn.

Henry P. Smith Home - Buffalo Ave

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This is a sideview of the home built by Henry P. Smith (circa 1910 -20s) - Razed in the 1960s, now the site of Wendt's Dairy.

Basil Brothers Lasalle Theater 1939

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No matter how many times I see this photo (from the Niagara Gazette), I simply can't believe it. This theater stood on the corner of Buffalo Ave and 76th Street. Absolutely astounding.

Street Names Past to Present: LaSalle -1928

In the naming and renaming of streets (in 1928), Niagara Falls, like many other cities had a senseless experience. The merging of the two former villages, with both having similar names for streets, added materially to the confusing condition that had to be corrected. Politicians saw in this situation opportunity to hang the names of some of their party leaders on the city, while still others seized the occassion to hang their family name on some of the thoroughfares. Names of historic interest were abandoned, as we others of geographic value. (from an article entitled "Street Names, Past and Present" by O.E. Dunlop - courtesy of the Local History Department)

Present Name - Past Name:

56th St - Evershed Avenue
57th St - Ericson Place
57th South St - Penn Place
58th St - Roebling Place
59th St - Morse Avenue
59th St - Wilson Avenue
60th St - Harding Avenue
61st St - Manchester Avenue
61st St - Shoreman Drive
62nd St - Chalfonte Road
63rd St - Strathmore Road
65th St - Independence Avenue
66th St - Reliance Avenue
67th St - Shepherd Avenue
68th St - Curtis Avenue
69th St - Joliet Avenue
69th St - Rosewood Terrace
70th St - Lincoln Avenue
71st St - Hennepin Avenue
71st St - Thomas Street
72nd St - Pacific Avenue
73rd St - Atlantic Avenue
74th St - Lynch Avenue
77th St - Duane Avenue
78th St - Hopkins Avenue
79th St - Norman Avenue
80th St - Belden Avenue
81st St - Hamilton Street
82nd St - Seneca Avenue
83rd St - Oneida Avenue
84th St - Marquette Parkway
85th St - Onondaga Avenue
85th St - South Onondage Avenue
86th St - Bollier Avenue
86th St - Roswell Avenue
South 86th St - Burdett Street
South 86th St - Island Parkway
87th St - Griffon Street
87th St - St. John's Avenue
South 87th St - Cayuga Place
88th St - Gombert Avenue
South 89th Street - Seneca Parkway
90th St - Elm Place
91st St - Tompkins Street
South 91st St - LaSalle Parkway
92nd St - Park Avenue
93rd St - Pierce Avenue
South 93rd St - Primrose Parkway
94th St - Dick Street
95th St - Green Street
100 St - Ideal Street
101st St - Pleasant Avenue
102nd St - Wheatfield Avenue
Baker Avenue - South Street
Bollier Avenue - Elizabeth Street
Buffalo Avenue - River Road
Champlain Avenue - Forest Avenue
Edison Avenue - Orchard Place
Edison Avenue - Second Place
Frontier Avenue - Fourth Place
Frontier Avenue - Kernott Street
Frontier Avenue - Meredith Street
Frontier Avenue - Railroad Avenue
Girard Avenue - Lee Street
Girard Avenue - Sixth Place
Griffon Avenue - Woodlawn Avenue
Hennepin Avenue - Center Avenue
Jayne Place - Terrace Place
Joliet Avenue - Rivershore Drive
Lindbergh Avenue - Elon Street
Lindbergh Avenue - Fifth Place
Lindbergh Avenue - Linden Road
Lindbergh Avenue - Lindsey Street
Lindbergh Avenue - North Railroad Avenue
Pasadena Avenue - West Avenue
Perry Avenue - First Place
Pershing Avenue - Niagara Avenue
Simmons Avenue - William Street
Stephenson Avenue - Factory Street
Stephenson Avenue - South Railroad Avenue
Stephenson Avenue - Third Place
Troy Avenue - Washington Street

The following articles (on the subject of the name changes) are from March of 1928, appearing in the Niagara Gazette:

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