Rusty Rudder Restaurant

Used to go here for years and loved it! Went there yesterday for appetizers and drinks. Have to say the food was horrible! Burnt up quesadillas and chicken was dry inside of it! hell the tortilla chips were burnt also and old. If you can’t get an appetizer right, I would of hated to see how the meal was going to be. Waitress didn’t care about laying down the burnt food. We even told her about it, all she said was I know right and agreed with us. Won’t be going back there.

Junk… We frequent ocean city a few times a year and wanted to try a «new» seafood buffet. They are all priced about the same on the shore and I had heard good things about the rusty rudder a few years back. Place wasn’t packed, guess you could’ve called that a clue. Fried shrimp was too over cooked/​crunchy to really eat (how do you mess up fried shrimp?). Clams had to be thrown out while we were there because they were up to high or burnt. The crab legs were really nothing spectacular and the butter they have for them was not good, most likely it was margarine or something else that doesn’t belong on crab legs… they really need to look into that. The steamed shrimp is seasoned with something other than old bay (not in a good way). And the small dessert bar really needs some help. It was all bland, didn’t taste fresh, and my wife’s brownie was as dry as a popcorn fart. We have eaten at many buffets on both the east and west coast, Vegas etc and this was by far the least impressive yet. This place needs some help or it will not be around much longer. I hope management sees this review, sits down and makes some serious adjustments. 70 $ for 2 people and you present this kind of stuff? Please. I wanted to mention some things to management in a constructive way but figured I would be wasting my time.

My first time in Dewey Beach was a couple weeks ago (Early June) and the Rusty Rudder was the exact place my friends and I were looking for.
We got there around 1030 on a Friday night and the band Split Decision was playing there. We paid our $ 5 cover and made our way to the open back area of the bar. The layout of the bar is great. The place is huge, and the back deck has a giant spot for people to dance or just be close to the stage when the band is playing.
There was another bar behind the stage that served us really well during the night. Even though it was pretty crowded I felt like I didn’t wait more than a couple minutes to be served at the back bar. They didn’t skimp on the drinks and they were pretty cheap, too.
We had so much fun Friday night, we came back SATURDAY night too. Every other bar seemed like it was going to be a madhouse, and Rusty Rudder was right next to our hotel so we said screw it and had another great time.
The live music is on point here and it’s a really fun atmosphere. Definitely recommend coming here!

I showed up to the Rusty Rudder for a good time, and boy did they deliver. I was a little standoffish at first, but the hostess’s warm greeting put me at ease. I had heard bad things about people getting Crabs at the Rusty Rudder, so I tried to stay clear of them, but I still ended up getting them. My stomach hurt for a few hours after, but I figured that was all the lu.butter. I will def be going back. And next time, im going to bring a few friends.

A Dewey Beach must. The Rusty Rudder is an instant classic for all ages at all times.

Good place to drink outside/​on the water. Food is mediocre at best and atmosphere in the dining room not great.

Bar staff warmed up eventually, the food and draft beer in small cups were mediocre and way overpriced! They have good bands so my wife and I’d possibly come again.

Kinda off-​season review alert. I went down to Dewey for a bachelorette party and we spent most of our wild nights out at the Rusty Rudder. Although it was technically opening weekend, the crowds were still pretty light.
I liked this place because it had awesome cover bands both nights. On the first night we saw Electric Velvet and the second night we saw the Jump Off. While they were both cover bands, they had different sounds and were totally to play to the crowd. The dance floor was spacious and the bands had a decent sized stage to play on.
I also thought the bathrooms were very modern and pretty clean on Friday night.
I’m not sure how this place would be during in-​season, but I’d definitely go back.

Went for a sunset dinner on a Sunday night, mid-​September so peak season has ended… Sat on back deck while a nice calypso band played music. Server was friendly, I enjoyed the fried seafood platter– the rock fish and shrimp was great, was expecting a little more from the crab cake being were in Delaware at the beach but overall was good. My other half enjoyed his burger but fries were just mediocre. Beers kinda pricey but expected that being at a resort town. Overall great dinner experience!

Visited on while on vacation on September 10, 2015 at about 8:00 pm. We walked in and there was nobody manning the reception station. Had to wait until someone saw us standing there. Staff was down the bottom of a ramp laughing and messing around. When they saw us they did come and seat us right away. We then had to wait and wait for a server. A blonde female server came over and looked at the ticket on the table and said our server was Eric. She said she would take our drink order and then find Eric. Eric finally came over after we watched him serve several tables first. When he got to our table he did apologize for the confusion and took our order. Since we were having the buffet it was an easy order.
This part is rather subjective but we got the feeling that Eric did not want to wait on our table. He was not cheerful nor helpful. Eric did stop by and ask if we needed anything but it seemed to us that this was a real chore for him.
The food was okay and the choices were limited for a buffet. There were plenty of crab legs though. I would not recommend the food as it was just okay and not really worth the $ 35.00 for the buffet. I must say the dessert buffet was good.
As we were leaving I happened to notice a sign with the dress code on it. Laying on the floor under the sign was the American flag. Had I seen this on the way in I would have walked right out.
Skip this one.

Great music venue and bar on the bay! We came to listen to the local band, that played a bunch of covers of pop and alt-​rock songs. The layout is great, with a lower pit to stand and listen to the music and adjacent bar to grab drinks. It seems this is really where all the locals come and they really attract a lot of good bands. Lighthouse is out, Rusty Rudder is the place to party in Dewey!

Visit every year love the food, strawberry daiquiris & live music
Beautiful views of the bay

Often times I read the reviews of others of a particular place before writing my own to get a feel for what other people thought and felt about their visit. It often makes me curious when I see so many reviews that are a mixed bag versus having a specific set of good or bad.
So, here is my take on this place. I think it all depends on your age bracket and what it is you are looking for. Are you there for music, food, drinks, dancing, atmosphere, or all of these? For me I was happy with the atmosphere and the food I had since I was looking for casual dining on the water with a seafood buffet, or a buffet serving seafood. I was here with my wife and some close friends who live in that area. We got we were looking for.
The buffet was pretty good. Seafood, carving station a pasta station a dessert station and a salad bar were all part of the $ 35 dollar buffet. Was this expensive? Yes. Was it worth it? Yes. Why? Because people have to realize seafood including snow crab legs isn’t cheap and neither is prime rib which are all part of the buffet. The other thing too is that everyone has a chance to go look at the buffet before they decide what to eat. I mean, I always check the buffet before ordering it to make sure there are items I will eat and just to see how good the selection is. So for the haters that said the buffet was limited and didn’t offer enough items perhaps checking things our before might help?
The food items were good, for a buffet. The crab legs were steamed just right. The prime rib at the carving station was great! Remember to get the clarified butter and the au jus before leaving that station.
My dining experience was great. It did start to get crowded around 6 so get in early if you don’t like crowds. The patio was staring to fill up too. Great view of the sun setting from the balcony.
Thank you for reading my review. This is based off of my personal opinion and experience.

**Late night review only**
The Rusty Rudder was my first stop on a bachelorette party weekend and I had soooooo much fun here! We got here right around 8:45 and it turned out they charge a $ 5 cover starting at 9pm, so we got lucky!
When we got there the inside bar was dead, so we hung out and got drinks and talked a bit in the AC and then walked outside once the band started playing out there. I wish I remembered who the band was, because they were amazing! I love good live music and they seriously were fantastic and the crowd was super into it. I was also impressed by the satellite bars set up outside; it made it easy to get a drink even when it got crowded.
A little later into the night when the DJ started spinning and the crowd picked up inside we spent several hours dancing and seriously had the best time! The DJ even brought the bride-​to-​be on stage and everyone drank in her honor, which I thought was so sweet. As the night wound down the crowd (inside and outside) got much bigger but everyone we talked to were so nice! Everyone was definitely there to have a good time. I also saw a bunch of other bachelor and bachelorette parties going on, so it seems to be a great place for a large group outing.
My only gripe (hence not 5 stars) is towards the end of the night I walked over to close my tab and grab some water and noticed the bartender grabbed ice out of a bin that was holding several bottles of mix (big no no!) and wouldn’t you know it… I had floaty things in my water. I’m not sure if that’s just bc they got so busy and things didn’t go back where they are supposed to, or if it had been like that all along (I was on the other side of the bar, so I couldn’t see the ice bucket before) but that grossed me out quite a bit and would have made Jon Taffer mad.

Let’s just say, I took two steps in and one step out. Food was lackluster but location was convenient and right on the bay for the fireworks. For a bar; it hit the spot for drinks but looking at the food, the kids said no
So we went elsewhere.

The bouncers at the establishment exercise excessive force as a result of their sense of entitlement. A group of us witnessed 3 bouncers put a non-​threatening man in a chokehold and drag him out. When asked why they did so we were told it was because he was stumbling, when we had seen him leaning against the pole in the same spot for 5 minutes prior. We then saw them do this to a second man, who they also insulted using profane language that was unnecessary. Both men put their hands up defenselessly but the bouncers continued using excessive force regardless.
I also was personally told to «f*ck off» by one of the bouncers when asked why they did this to the guests. I am a lady and do not appreciate being spoken to in such a vulgar and disrespectful manner. They should be extremely ashamed of their behavior and management should be aware of this and train their staff in order to avoid assault lawsuits. By law, bouncers are required to ask guests to leave before attacking them brutally.
Additionally, the drinks are watered down. I will not be recommending this place to anyone and will be sure to tell those of all the wrongdoing they commit toward their guests. What I saw was assault. Know that you are taking that risk and it may occur without explanation if you choose to go here.

Needless to say, the name says it all. They must be using the «rust on the rudder» as their seasoning on most of their seafood.
I am not usually picky about food, but this experience was an insult to mine and my family’s taste buds. Honestly, a 4-​year old could have assembled the dishes they served us. Ridiculously overpriced and extremely bland in taste.
We had: creamy crab soup, seafood platters, buffet, burgers. We were a party of 15.

Food sucks and the owner is a douche. What a waste of a beautiful view…
…dont go late night or you will have to pay a cover… where am I Miami?

Not sure what to say about this Joint… Service was plenty good… But Seafood plater was a wee bit lean! 3 shrimp, 2 fish cakes and a crab cake that is soggy! Oh but enough fries to crust your utter! I’d keep looking for better digs for a meal… Nothing Special here!

This review is based on an off season visit with a performance by Go Go Gadget.
Considering other reviews I’ll say that my groups experience was lucky since there was lots of space and the dance floor was only somewhat packed. The cover was only $ 5 and it was well worth it.
3 different bar areas were open and easy to get a drink at and the service was helpful and fast with delivering 7 G n T’s many times over.
The crowd was very mixed from mid 20’s to late 50’s.
I doubt the night would’ve been as eventful if not for the energetic performance by Go Go Gadget. They performed three sets with a break between to give you enough time to do exactly what the bar wants you to do… take a leak and grab another drink.
I highly recommend seeing a performance by Go Go Gadget as they provide some fun entertainment from array of music varieties, although they probably could’ve left out slim shady.
I could see another visit to the sloppy studder in the future.