Rusty Rudder Restaurant
113 Dickinson St, Dewey Beach, DE, 19971
Rusty Rudder Restaurant Menu
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Address :
113 Dickinson St
Dewey Beach, DE, 19971 - Phone (302) 227-3888
- Website https://www.rustyrudderdewey.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
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Specialities
- Takes Reservations : No
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Late Night
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Loud
Music : Live
Good For Dancing : Yes
Alcohol : Full Bar
Happy Hour : Yes
Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat
Coat Check : No
Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
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Alyssa R.
I love this place. I cannot really review the food, but as a beach bar it is great. There is an inside area with a DJ and then an outside area right on the bay that usually has live bands. Lots of bars to keep the waiting time down. Always fun! They walk through the crowd with beers also so you dont have to wait in line. Only down fall is there is usually a cover of at least $10. However, the bands are usually great so its def worth it! Rudder nights in dewey are the best.
(4)Donna V.
3 stars strictly on food... 0.5 for the nonexistent service. All the tables around us were complaining by the time we finally got our check. The waitress was freaking out and an older white woman went to one of the table unattended tables and said she didnt normally do it, but took their order since they were giving her their order. Ummmm, so why would you go to the table then? are you the person who cleans the bathroom and is not qualified to take an order? It's called following through on customer service, you aren't doing anyone any favors.. Just do your job. Skipped out on dessert cuz we couldn't stand the wait any longer. They are losing money by lacking on service. The crabcake dip was delicious. The bread bowl it came with was warm, crisp, fresh and soooo good. Great crabcakes too!
(3)John G.
Great views, average food, expensive, and often very loud. Eh. Not my first visit here, but likely was my last. There's much MUCH better to be had in the area.
(3)Janet F.
We were staying just north at Rehoboth Beach. Several times planes flew by the beachadvertising a$3 saving on the buffet at 4:30.We called and double checked and were told thge saving was from 4:30 to 5:30/We were also told the $10 voucher we got when we paid for parking would be applied toward our dinner bill.By the tme we left the parking lot was full and nomore cars were being let in.We had 10 in our party and were seated quickly. Serveral requests to the waitress were blatantly ignored. Imagine our surprise when neither discountnt showed up on on our bill. They re-rang the bill for the $3.00 per perspn discount but then told ud to just write in the $20 discount on the bill but they would not re-ring it again, and this was from the "manager . We'll have toi see how the credit card charge ciomes throughServeral requests to the waitress were blatantly ignored. Doubt we will go again.All throughout dinner we had a view on a nice long pier.off the back of the restaurant We wanted to go out on it afterwards- there sre steps - it was definitely not handicappd accessible,. One of iur party said you used to get as free boat ride from the end of the pier included with your buffet. Guess that has been gotten rid of.Sigh, another one bites the dust!
(2)Gene S.
Fantastic buffet, everything you could want and excellent quality. It's not cheap ($35/PP) but if you love shellfish/seafood - it's great. Crablegs, Sushi, Clams (little neck, very tasty), raw oysters and clams, beef station, pasta station, and an entire buffett of other foods (fried chicken, meatloaf etc). I love clams and oysters, the quality here is excellent - not oily/buttery clams you get at most buffets. I doubt there is a better buffett in Dewey/Rehobeth or OC.
(5)B A.
One star is generous for this dump. It's dirty, and staffed by employees with no customer service skills. They actually come around the bar and collect all the stools around 9pm... Regardless of whether or not paying customers are sitting on them. That was about the time we decided to close out our tab and find a place down the street.
(1)Kimberly C.
Really enjoyed the view at this restaurant. We went here to celebrate my girl's birthday party over the summer. There were a few bachelor and bachelorette parties going on, as well as a performance from Split Decision. I had a really great time here. They turn the outdoor seating area into the dance floor so there's lot of room to hang around and talk or get your dance on. Service was good; I never had a problem getting a drink! The bathroom was clean and we didn't have to wait too long. They don't have a great wine or beer selection, but I'm picky about what I drink. I don't typically hang out places like the Rusty Rudder, but I had a great time with my friends and wouldn't mind returning next summer. Don't drive home drunk please. Call a taxi.
(3)Teesh G.
Not sure why all the bad reviews. Was a little skeptical about trying this place but we took a chance anyways. So glad we did. First we sat on the deck and had a drink and some clams ( which were excellent) Then we went inside to have a nice meal. I had the tempura crusted scallops and my boyfriend had the crab imperial stuffed rockfish. Both were delicious. Our waitress. Both inside and outside were very pleasant. I would definitely recommend this place!
(4)Jessica Y.
Over priced buffet ($35 per person)with a very very small selection. The only plus is that our server was awesome. The crab legs seems like they've been previously frozen no they are not as fresh. .......
(2)Andrew G.
What's good about the Rudder: 1) My buddies and I got a free beer coozie upon entrance. 2) Terrific view and atmosphere. 3) Separate indoor and outdoor areas and bars for your tastes The outdoor area was great -- live band playing, open space, and nice views of the water. The band that played was doing covers, and they sounded pretty good. Going into the inside area gives you a club/bar feel, with techno and dance music pumping, complete with a little stage. The one thing is they have a cover charge of $5 (or that's what it was when my buddies and I went this past weekend).
(3)Elaine M.
Spent a 3 night bachelorette party wknd in Dewey Beach. Thursday night we had a blast at the Rusty Rudder on the dance floor. We aren't much of the cover band type (unless they are really good), so we stayed in the room with the DJ for most of the night. On a Thursday night the Rudder was just crowded enough, you still had room to spread out and dance without getting bumped every two seconds. Since Dewey doesn't have that many bars (and we weren't impressed with the others we went to), we decided to try and repeat our Thursday night experience on Saturday. COMPLETELY different experience! First we were greeted with an unexpected $5 cover charge that was not there on Thursday. The dance floor was EXTREMELY PACKED, the music was mostly all rap, rather than the Top 40 hits we heard on Thursday night. Two other downers: They are cash only and only sell Bud products (like all other bars in Dewey). Overall, this is a typical beach bar and you can have a good night there, but just know what you are in for: so-so cover bands or hardcore rap dance floor. Get your Miller Lite fix elsewhere. Also, remember bars at the Delaware beaches are only open until 1, so head out early! This was a shocker for us Pennsylvanians that are used to 2 AM and 3 AM (Jersey shore) closings.
(3)Vincent M.
Ordered the fried seafood platter. That's s huge basket of ordinary fries plus a doughy crab cake and two fried pieces of fish smd 3 fried shrimp. I was not impressed. The margaritas are big and the burgers are ordinary. View is nice. Music on Saturday night is pleasant - calypso - but not going to change your life.
(2)Jennifer S.
Spent a fun and pleasant Sunday evening at the Rusty Rudder! Listened to awesome live music while dancing on their deck! Had a great time!
(4)MArk R.
Baked mac and cheese was cold when served. The food was bland. Fried breaded shrimp was about as flat a a ducks foot. The steak was cooked right and tasty
(2)Patrice M.
Ups: Location. Parking. Downs: the restaurant. Crinkle fries, like comic sans, should never be used professionally. Didn't try the buffet. Rockfish + crab+ lobster dish is like playing rock, paper, scissors and trying to use all three at the same time. You can't really win. It ended up uninspiring and bland. Crab Imperial more like Crab in Peril. Vegetable of the day was a melange of soppy squashes, red onion, green pepper, and a lonely broccoli. My grandmother keeps a better selection of beer, and she only drinks coffee. There's so many restaurants there. Don't choose spontaneously. It had a lovely mural. Lots of old people eating in the dining room.
(2)Kojo B.
Redeeming qualities great view, fantastic actually. Waitress was good. Food ehh not so much, if this place were to be in baltimore they probably will be out of business in prompt order. 1/2 pound shrimp unmemorable.. Menu is just sandwiches etc, didn't want a burger so I ordered wings. Probably pre-packaged.. Drink was weak.. Not sure what is around these parts, but this place at least from what I had is a fail.
(1)Sherry J.
We had a good time here on Thursday night. The music wasn't as sucky as it usually is. We were able to pay our bill in a timely manner, unlike previous visits. And the crushes are good here.
(3)David P.
Had my wife's party their , the staff was great ... The food was even better,,, we will be coming back very soon
(4)Theresa V.
REJECTED AT RUSTY RUDDER! I was excited to visit Rusty Rudder as a few friends told me they had live music and a great view. I stopped in around 6 pm for dinner and thought I'd listen to some music and enjoy a great meal. Well, was I wrong! I sat outside (of course, that is where the music is and the view!). The waitress gave me a menu that consisted of a few appetizers, salads and sandwiches. I asked for a dinner menu and she said , "oh we don't serve dinner on the outside dining area." What???? It is 6 pm and you are not serving dinner? I asked, "Do you have a dinner menu?" She responds, "yes, but you have to sit inside." I looked over the menu and saw a few entrees I would like and asked her again, "are you sure you can not bring me this dinner entree?" "Nope, you have to go inside" No band, no view, nothing I wanted inside. So, I asked another waitress and two hostesses and they all said, "Sandwiches outside. Dinner inside" WHAT A JOKE! I guess they only want to sale drinks and sandwiches. I saved $26 bucks (plus drinks and tip), but was I was in total disbelief and disappointed that I could not order a meal and was rejected! Would not recommend this place if you want to get dinner.
(1)Rachel C.
What an entertaining evening! First off, they had a DJ and live band. The DJ was good but only on for a bit. The main act was a band named Kristen and the Noise. I'm not usually a live band. I think they always sound kinda corny covering radio hits. But the set of pipes on this chick was impressive! They hopped between pop hits, oldies and even some alternative (who knew a chick could sing Rage Against the Machine so well?). I was thoroughly entertained by them and rockin' out all evening! But the other entertainment was also high-larious! The entertainment is called people watching. The bar is mostly college age kids, so I guess we were the old heads at 30. I did spot the random mom and dad out for an evening of "crazyness" too, but they weren't half as entertaining as the youngin's! There was the blacked out drunk couple sucking face and swaying sloppily from side to side. I'm betting neither knew each other before or will remember each other in the morning. I witnessed two almost girl fights, with fighting words such as, "watch where you're going (insert roll of the eyes)." I know, intense! Oh yeah, drinks were cheap, although you will not find any craft beers on tap. Not that kind of spot my friends. Miller Light, Coors Light, Light, Light, Light... you know the drill. But the good thing is, it was mostly happy drunks to out to have a good time, probably a good time that lasted all summer until school started up again. Normally this isn't my scene, but I totally embraced it (except for the getting black out drunk part)!
(4)Dan K.
I have been going to this place for over ten years. We stop every vacation. The last three years have been disappointing! The service and quality of the food has really taken a dive. My group that goes gave it one more year and not sure we'll go again. The buffi is $36 which prior years has been awesome. The last three-everything is dry, over cooked, over seasoned, and mildly below average quality. The kicker is the price, I wouldn't mind eating dry food if it didn't cost me over $70 for two people for just buffi.
(2)J. S.
Hostesses were rude. Someone took our table while they were walking us to it and the hostess didn't tell them they had to check in and wait for a table. So she walked us to a table in the back corner by speakers without a view of the bay. We asked to not be seated there. Then they told us it would be a 30 minute wait as they sat other people in front of us. Not a good start! One hostess talked to us with attitude. Live music and outdoor seating by water are nice.
(2)Pierce H.
Do not come here for good service or food......live bands and view are great, especially later in the night.
(3)Greg W.
This place is a restaurant? Who knew?! You'll get the full Dewey experience here at night with cover bands, awesome crush drinks and general craziness. Good times to be had here - go!
(5)Rose L.
Came for buffet which is $34 for adults. They have an array of items to choose from but that is still a lot $$ for buffet. Food is soso. They do have great location on the water so good views and extensive outdoor seating for those who want to watch sunset. They have renovated so seating is nicer and restrooms are modern.but parking can be painful. They do have cops checking the area a lot. busy area on the weekends.
(2)Sheila C.
As bad as it gets, sorry but can't find one good thing about this dinner we had. 5 people and each one of said the food was terrible. Cold, under cooked, over cooked fried shrimp, crappy salad, horrible! Service was good but the Chef should be ashamed to serve the level of food. Can not find anything good to say about the food. One start cuz I have to give a star.'
(1)Monika V.
The Rudder feels like summer. Perfect view and fun music. Amazing drinks and the clams are excellent. Perfect for families (if you go early)...and always good for a fun night.
(5)Katherine M.
For the number of fun bars and nightlife places in Dewey, do not waste your time coming here. You will wait in a very long line to be met by rude workers. When I went this past weekend all 3 workers checking IDs were yelling and screaming at customers as they approached. When people are rowdy and out of control I can understand, but no one around me was of that sort at all. Then you will have to pay a cover, $10 this time, for who knows what reason. When we got to the bar finally the bartender ignored us for a good 20 mins while taking countless orders of people arriving to the bar after us and other patrons. One customer asked why and the bartender rudely said she had her own system of placing drinks and wouldn't and couldn't get drinks any other way. No workers are there helping the flow of people move. The toilets were all clogged in the ladies restroom except for one. Just all over not a fun experience. Don't waste your time. Go to some place like Starboard or Bottle and Cork where the drinks are better, the staff is 100x nicer, and the overall atmosphere is better
(1)Bailey D.
Specials highlighted online were not offered at restaurant. Beer selection was poor. The dinner band came out much later than advertised and only played for a half hour before taking a break. This place has not only gone downhill, it's bottomed out...and not due to the storm.
(1)Jo H.
Embrace Dewey fully at this bar. Take a slightly over priced shot, elbow your way onto the dance floor, don't get mad when a beer is spilled on you (you're spilling beer on people too), and dance like a maniac to Kristen and the Noise. They rock. Wail it out and then take another shot.
(4)Nancy W.
Do not waste your time here. The food was terrible, and the menu is very limited. I ordered a rum runner, and got some purple drink that did not taste anything like a rum runner. The waitress was not so nice, and service was very slow. I wish I would have looked on yelp before we went.
(1)Pao P.
Not bad......food is ok for buffet. Good selection of food. Cost $35.95 per person. Service was pretty slow though. Took a while to get a refill for ur beverages.
(4)Ryan Q.
Great view of the bay and that's it. They serve drinks in plastic cups with no coasters, creating a watery mess on the table. Invest in bev naps guys. Tuna appetizer was horrible and ice cold, weak effort. Tuna sandwich was garbage and served with a bag of potato chips. Make your own chips with old bay seasoning or some seasoning, anything. My wife's peel n' eat shrimp appetizer needed a shovel to de-poop the shrimp. This place in short is amateur hour, but the bill was high. I would rather eat on the boardwalk in Ocean City or Rehobeth.
(1)Jessica E.
Unfortunately there is not much allure to this place in my opinion, other than a great view of the sunset over the bay. I will throw a few positives out there though: Our server was quite friendly, they have a decent wine by the glass list, and there did appear to be a happening party scene outside with live music. So I ordered the scallop dinner with two sides: french fries and vegetable of the day. When the food arrived the french fries and vegetables tasted like they were from the bottom of the pile, just waiting for some poor sap (me) to order the last bit of them. I was prepared to ask for a fresher serving, but our server was no where to be found for a good 10 minutes after the delivery of the food. The scallops were fine, but it was a very small portion. I found myself staring at my plate in utter bewilderment of the fact that this was a $25 meal. Should I find myself in Dewey in the future, I will avoid eating here, but may attempt to experience the rowdiness of the outside deck.
(2)John S.
This review is based only on my opinion and what I experienced. The bar is fine when you go inside, but it is certainly not worth paying the $10 cover charge that they make every single person pay. The older gentleman and woman collecting money at the front were incredibly obnoxious to my girlfriend and me. They did not seem to understand that when people pay money, they should treat them with respect. Other than that, the music inside is fine, but certainly not worth the cover charge. I will not be coming back to this place.
(1)Monika M.
plus: the view. minus: everything else. outrageously overpriced seafood 'buffet' that is tiny (like 10 items, what??), uninspired, awash in salt, and just generally horrible. service was virtually nonexistent (we saw our server twice - when she took the order and when she brought the check. we actually had to hunt her down for the check and the place was practically empty). never again.
(1)Jennifer T.
My husband and I were in Bethany over 4th of July weekend. We stopped in here on Sunday because we had passed it a few times going to Rehobeth and liked that it was on the water. So, I would probably give this place a 1 or 2 star rating, but it gets 3 for the view of the water. We didn't eat any food and sat out back at the bar. The bartenders were less than professional and dirty. I saw them making mixed drinks with the blender by covering the top with their bare hand instead of a blender lid. At least put a glove on, disgusting. The place looked pretty dirty overall, I probably should have ordered bottled beer, but I had draft. I don't think I would ever eat here because of how filthy the staff seemed to be when simply making drinks, which is a shame because they have a great space on the water that could be something amazing...but it's not.
(3)T R.
Food was good but the management left much to be desired. The night we were there a storm blew in and knocked out power throughout the area. Not the customers' fault, not the restaurant's fault - however, the restaurant management failed where they could have shined. Our food was still in the kitchen when the power failed. 3 out of the 4 of us got our meal, the 4th did not. Instead of offering her something from the buffet in exchange for her meal, the management said she'd have to pay full price for the buffet. She decided not to do so. Good thing because we heard another customer complaining about paying $80 ( the cost of the all-you-can-eat-buffet for 2) only to get just one trip. Apparently, they ran out of food at the all-you-can-eat buffet. The worst part is the managers were nowhere to be found. They were sending wait staff to tell angry customers the bad news. FAIL! Our waitress told us that the management team was trying to work on getting the power restored. Right! If the whole are was out, how would they make a difference trying to restore the power. In my opinion, those managers dropped the ball. They could have won over their patrons with some good customer service and face time, instead, they hid like cowards and made others do their dirty work. They've lost me as a customer and I'm guessing a room full of others, too.
(2)Pia M.
If you're headed here later in the night, get ready for a loooooooong line, but I'd advise getting there as early as you can if you're planning for a night out at the Rusty Rudder. The space is huge, with both indoor and outdoor areas, there are multiple bars, the crowd is fun/rowdy, and the live music is solid. Def a must-go in Dewey (I mean, the options are limited) but your best bet to beat the painful wait is to have dinner here beforehand and stay into the wee hours.
(4)Rodge B.
Great bartenders at the back bar, and the best nights are Thursday and Sunday nights during the summer. Friday and Saturday nights can get pretty crazy out on the deck, but hey, it's the Rudder! Make sure to get your beers by the 6 pack outside because the bar can go several people deep as the night goes on. The inside is okay during the offseason with live music and DJs and benefits from being one of the few places open. The biggest con of this place is the bathroom situation in the summer.
(5)Mike B.
Went for the buffet. Seafood was ok but everything else was below par. Ribs were soggy. Chicken marsala was stale. For the money, disappointing
(2)Tom R.
My experience at the Rusty Rudder was ok. The good first. I greatly enjoyed the food for one thing. The crab cake and the clams stood out the most, they both had great flavor. The prices were not too bad, even for a college student such as myself. The hostess was friendly and the room in which we sat was very nice, I enjoyed the pictures painted on the walls/ceiling. The server was friendly and helpful but this brings me to the bad. Our delicious appetizer came out a mere 3-5 minutes before our entree's rolled out of the kitchen. I could have sent them back but my entree enticed me to eat them both at the same time but I would have liked more time to enjoy my appetizer. I work in restaurants and that is an easily avoidable mistake. Also, the server did not bring out the complimentary biscuits without being asked. Overall the experience was pretty good, some flaws but when it comes down to it the food and atmosphere was excellent!
(3)April N.
Probably the worst restaurant I have ever had the displeasure of visiting. If I could give 0 stars, I would. Really, I'm just surprised they're still in business. I came in on a Saturday night after spending the day at the beach, expecting good food and service...when we first walked in, we were herded in several different directions before we could even find the hostess to be seated. Then, we waited 15 minutes for drinks. I ordered the filet mignon with macaroni and cheese...that is NOT what I got. I got some unfamiliar, tough, Salisbury-steak looking piece of meat. My steak knife couldn't even saw through it. The macaroni and cheese was not only flavorless, but colorless and grainy. I could get better from a box! The waitress was nice enough about taking the dish back, and I ordered something else thinking it was just a fluke. The salmon wasn't much better, especially for the $24 price... I was not comped for my crappy experience, either. This can be considered the worst meal I have ever eaten. I will NEVER go back.
(1)George H.
Got the buffet. Just about everything was tolerable at best. Avoid the 'seafood balls' or whatever they are. I grabbed one thinking it was a mini crab cake. Yuck. Way overpriced, even accounting for the beach area markup.
(2)Ian S.
A tradition at the beach. They recently renovated the inside and spruced it up, but you cant come to the beach and not hit the land and sea buffet. There will always be waits, so grab a drink at the bar and chill, and then CRUSH the buffet. The crab legs, the shrimp, the fried chicken...everything is delicious. Totally randomly my wife, my sister and I decided at about 5pm, in Philly, that we wanted to go to dinner at the Rudder. Two plus hours drive, each way...100% worth it. What a feast. I love this place. The bar scene is never a bad thing either.
(5)chris m.
Very friendly staff at lunch, decent food, weak gin and tonic in a plastic cup (Eh, it's club at night, so nothing breakable, I guess.). Nice view from deck. HOWEVER, NO ONE AT THE RUSTY RUDDER ASKED US WHERE WE PARKED. DEWEY BEACH, LIKE MOST DELAWARE BEACH TOWNS, FROM WHAT WE NOW HEAR, VICIOUSLY ENFORCES PARKING. FOLLOWING OUR LOCAL FRIENDS' PARKING, WE PARKED NEXT TO THEM IN THE NEARLY EMPTY LOT JUST OUTSIDE THE FRONT DOOR TO THE RESTAURANT. THERE WAS A THUNDERSTORM WITH BUCKETS OF RAIN, BUT THAT DID NOT STOP DEWEY'S PARKING DEVILS FROM LEAVING $35 PARKING TICKETS ON OUR CARS. WE HAD NO IDEA ABOUT "PERMIT PARKING". WE REALLY WISH THE RUDDER'S STAFF'S FIRST QUESTION TO ALL GUESTS WOULD BE, "WHERE DID YOU PARK?" THE FREE LOT, WE FOUND OUT TOO LATE, WAS DIRECTLY IN FRONT, ON ROUTE 1. A CALL TO THE RUDDER ABOUT THE TICKETS WAS MET WITH A VERBAL SHRUG. ATTITUDES LIKE THIS WILL COST THE RUSTY RUDDER INCOME. THEY AND OTHER BUSINESSES SHOULD PETITION THE DEWEY BEACH GOVERNMENT AND THEIR GESTAPOLICE TO STOP ABUSING THEIR CUSTOMERS. WE LEARNED OUR LESSON. WE'LL NEVER STOP IN DOO-DOO BEACH AGAIN UNTIL THEY WELCOME TOURISTS, NOT ABUSE THEM.
(1)Laura D.
If you're in Dewey Beach and looking for a fun night out, check out the Rudder. It was happening on the Thursday night we were here, and probably gets crazier on weekends. Decent cover band outside on the packed deck area. Less decent DJ inside... who insisted on sticking with hits from the first half of this decade, classics such as Hollaback Girl. Crowd ranged from early twenties looking to hook up, to 40s and 50s getting drunk off their arses. Many more middle aged folks than I expected, but they were partying and shaking it along with everyone else. Leaving the bar and the parking lot are quite the scene at 2am... if you're still looking for a wasted guy or girl to bring home that's the time... Metered parking til midnight in their lot is a bit of a chafe, especially since one quarter only buys you 12 minutes. But no cover (at least on thurs) and reasonably priced drinks ($3.75 beers and $5 shots). Definitely go if you've got that "I'm at the beach and looking to party" feeling going on.
(3)Karen F.
OMG!!! The "Rudder" still lives. I had not been here in YEARS - and way back then the place was packed with 20-somethings doing chambord-laced jello shots. Nowadays - it's really not my scene - but "back in the day" it was a fun, fun time. (And a great summer beach place to get trashed at...)
(3)Sabrina I.
If you're looking for a meet market filled with boys who've stepped out of the Abercrombie & Fitch web site, then this is the spot for you. Lots of RVCA T-shirts, camo cargo shorts & brown flip flops. Pros: live bands, outdoor & indoor bars, bayside Cons: expect to get the one drunk guy to follow you out of the bathroom & back to where your friends are
(3)Steve G.
Stopped in on a whim on a Wednesday night. Sat out on the deck, which was a bit too casual for us. The live music was nice, but loud, the humidity was through the roof, the tables were dirty, the food was limited in selection, and the service was surly at best. Again, on a whim (partly to use the bathroom), I wandered in to the hostess station and asked for interior seating in the real restaurant. I got a beeper, and maybe 20 minutes later, my group of 4 was seated. Our server, Lynn, was fantastic. She was always eager to help, and with every stop at the table, she explained where she was going, so that we knew how soon to expect her return. Lynn's eagerness and positive attitude was totally 180 degrees from the horrible server we experienced out on the deck. We decided to skip the buffet and order off the menu. Everyone had a pretty nice meal. Not the best in the world, but very good nonetheless. We were SO glad that we moved indoors. With all the great restaurants in the area, I'm sure RR isn't up with the best of them, but it was good enough for us, and we had a good experience. I'd definitely consider returning.
(3)Jeffrey F.
Great place for a late lunch or happy hour on the deck. The sunsets over the bay are punctuated by live reggae music. The evening seafood buffet, while expensive cannot be beat.
(5)Megan M.
Food is ok, but entertainment is great. They seem to always have a band. Their buffet has snow crab legs that taste frozen and over cooked. I usually just order from the menu. Crab cakes are good but place it a little over priced. Great atmosphere though.
(3)Tracy L.
This place was really kind of terrible. We have eaten at both the buffet and the seated dinner and each experience was more horrible than the last. The food tasted bad, and the service was worse. The expensive drinks had almost no alcohol in them. When you get a sandwich or something that comes with a side of chips, they just throw a snack sized back of chips on the side of your grocery store bought bun, very classy. I ordered a side of fries instead ($4 additional) and they were cold and mushy. We were really excited to eat on the water and watch the sunset with live music playing, but the food and the service were not worth it. The only good thing about this place was the nightlife, and I still prefer the Lighthouse (which is next door).
(1)Nicole B.
Love coming to the Rusty Rudder. We usually hit this place up around 10pm for some live music & dancing. Love the orange crushes!!!
(5)Maralee S.
The atmosphere is family friendly. A group of friends and I went for the buffet on a Friday night. We got right in. The food is good and they are constantly replenishing it. I loved the crab legs! I don't think the food is worth the $32 they charge for the buffet.
(3)David R.
In my twenties, I loved this place. Imagine a meet market (or is that meat market) with all of the R-rated fun of a spot in Vegas, minus the gambling. That is Rusty Rudder. Anyone over the age of 30, unless you have a great sense of humor and have no problems with noise and sardine-packed crowds--you may want to avoid this place. I've read its days are numbered, as a condo developer eyes this property. The closing of this place will mark the end of an era for Deviant Dewey Beach. Food? What's that. This place is about beer and the Dewey Devil. And if you've spent any alcohol-soaked weekends in Dewey Beach as a college student, you will be familiar with the Dewey Devil.
(3)Michael M.
Lots of great live acts on weekend nights. Its a little more laid back than some of the more college oriented scenes down the beat. The porch is a nice place to drink if the stars are out as well.
(3)Chel B.
Do not go to the Rudder if you want to have a good time. The service is lousy, the people are rude, and the bouncers are jerks. They can't even tell the difference between a real ID and a fake if they are out of state. They won't ask for a second form of ID, they will just ignore you. You should probably take your passport just in case or just skip it because other bars are way better and it's not worth the trouble.
(1)Sara S.
I have been coming to the Rusty Rudder for as long as I can remember for happy hour in the summer time. It's kid friendly & a beautiful sunset spot. However we went yesterday & there wasn't any happy hour specials beyond a $6 pitcher of Budlight! Gag me!! There wasn't any music on the deck & the worst was the construction noise from the nearby Hyatt Place going up. It was a terrible experience & We will not be returning this summer I can guarantee that. The construction ruined it completely. They will surely suffer this season due to this. I do not recommend going if ya want a relaxing sunset experience.
(1)Victoria S.
Never a big fan of RR. Seems like they are trying to be upscale but really just ends up being kind of trashy...yes, even for DB. It just attracts the girls who wear hooker heels at the beach (PROTIP: This ain't Play Lounge in DC). And guys who wear wife-beaters to go out...so Baltimore/Southern, MD trashy. Yuck.
(2)Brandie G.
iI have bee n come ng here for 7 years and my experience tonight was almost enough to set me back from coming here for the rest of my life. I have always been treated amazingly by all the bartenders through theyears but this evening at the back bar behind kristen and the noise, a short brunette bartender treated me like the biggest piece of crap alive bc I ordered one beer. Little did she know I bought the bachelorette party I was with multiple shots and drinks throughout the night. When I ordered one beer she asked me" one beer that's it?" And I said yes and she snatched my card. I proceeded to give her a 5 dollar tip on a 4 dollar tab and said great way to treat your high paying customers. she then told me to fuck off. Yep, great customer service by the rusty rudder. Your lucky to have good bands or you would have no true customers.
(1)Igor O.
Line to park, line to get in, line to get a drink, line to the bathroom (many don't make it to the end of that one), line to the ATM. Basically, one giant mess smelling of sweat and urine.
(1)Brian B.
Meh. I prefer Starboard and Bottle & Cory to this place. Rusty Rudder is a bit further down the strip then those two establishments, neighbored only by the Lighthouse. (It's funny, I really shouldn't complain about walking in a town that's 0.3 square miles and has a population of 300.) Anyway, they always seem to have a cover band, like Dewey Beach's venerable Burnt Sienna--what does that even mean!? It's okay, but again, try the other two places first. They tend to be a bit livelier and have a better atmosphere.
(3)Isaque F.
Forget the restaurant part of this place the huge outdoor area with live bands is where you ought to be anyway. Great place in Dewey to get your drink on
(4)Lydia M.
Pretty decent spot in Dewey... If you are considering the All U Can Eat buffet, it is well worth it! The hostesses were very accommodating and quickly seated my party of 7. One of my friends is not a seafood fan, so the prime rib was right up his alley. He found plenty of options to satisfy his hunger. Regarding the outside deck area and entertainment, I found it to be quite fun. I am not a fan of places that are so packed that you can neither breathe nor move. This was not the case. My friends and I thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, purchased shots/jello shooters from the ladies circling the crowd and proceeded to get generally trashed. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! ;-)
(4)Leah J.
When I was attending my 1st year in college and freshly turned 17, I was told stories by my roommates of weekend outings to clubs they called "meet markets." Puzzled, I'd ask, "Is the building a 'meat market' by day that transforms into a club by night?" Boy was I clueless. Rudder is the quintessential "Meet" market by night..by day it's a decent restaurant. The salads are HUGE, reasonably priced and filled with numerous fresh ingredients. Now my opinion of the club might be a bit diluted - I went on Memorial Day weekend (tons of singles looking to mingle), but never have I seen so many drunken 20-something in one place...other than the Chicago South Side St. Patrick's Day parade. People were gropping, making out and slurring their game in every direction I looked. Even the 100ft line out the door was a party. Huge club - Outdoor and in. Drinks - cheap price, cheap quality. Entertaiment - Outdoor band kept the crowd mobile and minimized the fighting of the alpha males that filled the place. Inside the dj was spinning hip hop, which had all the ladies dancing. I had to do some quick moves to avoid a few drunken advances. The night was a long, sweaty one....I had a great time.
(3)Marie J.
I was just back in town at the end of summer and ended a few great nights at 'The Rudder'... wish we had something like this in Chi-town... always a great experience... thanks!
(5)Christian H.
Ohhhh the Rudder. Cougar den extraordinaire. Drunk frat guys, weird island/calypso theme, huge frozen drinks, cheap beers, dirty decking/flooring. It's the original Dewey Dive. So foul and yet it manages to produce some of the best memories. Don't go here expecting much but prepare to be amazed if you're willing to put back enough beers to start to really enjoy yourself. It's got waterfront views of the Bay too. The food is kind of a bad idea but again, if you're drinking it sort of all seems like a good idea. So... drink up!
(2)Jamie L.
lots of drunk, trashy frat boys and a mediocre all you can eat buffet.
(2)Tim H.
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.
(4)Kaila W.
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!
(4)Katie S.
**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.
(4)Mary Beth S.
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.
(1)Meredith V.
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!
(4)Chad B.
My review is for the seafood buffet. It was delicious and had basically everything I'd expect. I thought about everything I tasted was good to very good. The high points were definitely the snow crab clusters, fried and boiled shrimp, little neck clams, roast beef, and rock fish. I think the sushi was pretty average, but it was fine for a side dish. There's a full salad bar but I skipped that. The desserts were actually just as impressive. There were mini cannolis, soft mini cheesecakes, and soft ice cream with many toppings. Our server checked on us several times, and the restaurant was very clean inside. If you're looking for a Dewey Beach seafood buffet, this is the place to go.
(5)Tammy Y.
I didn't like this place. All of the seats were taken out and put to the side for the night, so it was standing room only. The band was pretty bad and bar service was slow. With so many choices in the area, I won't be back.
(1)Bob S.
Beers were reasonable, outdoor setting was good, and place did rock. However, watching the back deck bar tender and staff throw empty paper cups/trash into the Bay instead of the trash can and seeing same bar tender sneak shots til she was blotto was just so...high school. Come on Rusty, you can do better. Seeing that trash floating around was b.s.
(1)Liz K.
Visit every year love the food, strawberry daiquiris & live music Beautiful views of the bay
(5)Michael H.
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.
(2)Zarrah S.
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.
(1)Michelle K.
The food was sub-par. The view and the location for an evening sunset was beautiful but I wouldn't go back there to eat. The medium cooked burger we ordered came out well done and the fried seafood platter came out with all fried shrimp. Not so great.
(2)Ben W.
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!
(2)Yvette W.
You come for the Calypso music, deck, bay views, and drinks. It's a family favorite. The food is good. And, you linger as long as you can.
(4)Maria A.
Super slow service. Weak drinks. Didn't have any food so can't comment on that. Skip this place an try something else.
(2)Chris W.
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.
(4)Jason W.
Very impressed, we had the diner buffet the food was very good, i enjoyed the seafood selections. Water front views and a great atmosphere. The live music outside is enjoyable. Prices are a little on the premium side it was about a hundred dollars for two people.
(5)Kenny C.
"Let's take every beach front bar, load them all up with douchey frat boys, and charge a cover to get in!" That's probably what the people behind Rusty Rudder thought. And hey, it seems to have worked. Place was packed on a Friday night. You literally couldn't move if you were in the main dance floor on the deck. But yes, you pay a cover to watch some crappy cover band. I mean, seriously? You're going to play a live game of "power hour"? There's a ton of bars you can go to. I think they all took cards. Drinks and shots were cheap. Almost regretfully so. Bathrooms are way inside, and on the way, you can probably see some interesting things and meet some interesting people. All in all, it's an experience. But if you're looking for good conversation or culture... go somewhere else.
(3)Christina H.
Service slow. Butter too salty in clams. Outrigger drink was very sweet. Views were nice.
(2)Heidi F.
I got the buffet. First thing i tried was the crab legs, cooked alright but had a funny taste. Im used to crabs made with vinegar an water. Then they had something listed as butter but it was margerine and when I asked for real butter they brought solid butter. They said they didnt have it melted. Seriously? Then i tried their shrimp. Very over cooked and tough. My mom had shrimp from the kitchen an they were great. The desserts are good. They did have a wide selection of foods but i didnt care for the seafood from the buffet. Service was good.
(2)David D.
My family and I came from Chicago and we decided to go to the rusty rudder I had the appetizer of steamed clams I felt like they put a ton of salt in the broth next we had the fried calamari was extremely cold robbery and soggy I had the crabcake sandwich which advertised jumbo lump crab it was shredded crab.The bun was like a rock lettuce wilted just horrible. My wife and daughter had the seafood platter which consisted of four scallops which were under done four shrimp which were rubbery and a piece of dried up fish and one crabcake which was all cold again. What a horrific experience. I have never had this much food at one time be so disgusting .
(1)Rita C.
My group of friends (bachelorette party) ended up at the Rusty Rudder twice on a Saturday - once for lunch and the other for late night fun. Lunch: We were a large group (13 people), so we asked to be seated on the deck so that we could all sit together. Our waitress was awesome and even agreed to give us all separate checks... seriously, she was an angel and took good care of us. I went with the blackened grouper sandwich for lunch and I'm not ashamed to say that I had low expectations. The sandwich was actually surprisingly good - the bun was toasted and fresh, the wassabi aioli added just the right kick, and the group was well-seasoned. It hit the spot perfectly! There were no complaints at this table (a table full of girls, I'd like to say). I would definitely come back again for lunch! Late Night: The group headed back around 10:30 pm to hit up the bar scene. Go Go Gadget was playing, so there was a $10 cover, which didn't seem too outrageous. There wasa huge line outside, but it moved quickly. The vibe and the music were not my scene whatsoever, so I made my own fun. I appreciate that there were so many bar areas so I wasn't spending a lot of time waiting on drinks. If you're in the area, check it out.
(3)Nicole B.
Came here for Island Boys on Fri afternoon. Had some drinks and clams for a snack. Clams were actually not bad so upping this review from last time. The waitress was probalby the best I have had here so that helps add to the 3 stars. I have had better clams but also worse. Godo enough that I got a spoon and drank all of the juice at the end.
(3)Tina B.
Where to start ..we went into the restaurant and no one greeted us. We sat there for 15 minutes. We called the head of the restaurant ahead of time to ask about a buffet and they ensured us there would be a buffet at 4:30 pm and when we arrived there was no buffet. The only good thing about the restaurant is the location. Huge waste of time, specifically on Mother's Day when the whole party was mothers and children.
(1)Hillary K.
The restaurant was unclean and unfriendly. I have never been so discouraged in my years visiting Dewey Beach as I was today. For starters our waitress never ever came to our table. It took forever to get served. Then when the party started we were kicked out because we had to pay 10 dollars in cash!
(1)Meg K.
Great food & Great atmosphere!! Food is delicious and wait staff is friendly. Food prices are good. I definitely recommend this place. :) I will recommend this place to my friends.
(5)Kimi G.
Nothing to write home about. Crab cake was too salty, rockfish fingers were a little overly fried, and the side item vegetables were not appetizing at all. However, the fries were addictive, the clams were good, and the mashed potatoes were bangin'! Be careful with the buffet. I like the variety, but when one person orders the stuffed flounder, which is available at the buffet, it's disappointing when you can tell the buffet flounder had been out for a while! Chewy and dry! Overall, not a bad place. The server was attentive and the buffet did have a great variety, but I don't think it's worth the price and the food was okay. Kinda disappointing.
(3)Katie K.
I wish I could give this place a .1 star. It is dirty and gross. Do not eat or drink here, you will regret it. People are rude and mean and are disrespectful.
(1)Dan D.
Good party on the deck two nights in a row. Talk about creatures of habit. Go Go Gadget was awesome and then we saw some other band the next night. If you get a drink be nice to the bartenders they are all pretty great. Ask for a splash of orange juice.
(4)Rachael M.
This was close to where we were staying as first-timers visiting Dewey, and I love sitting out on the water to eat so I convinced my reluctant husband to give this place a try despite the bad reviews. I will apologize, fellow yelpers, because you were correct. I consider myself to be rather "un-picky" when it comes to food and experiences. The place seemed to be decently kept up and clean, and we had no problems with our waitress keeping an eye on us. We were seated quickly and tended to well. After that the positives ended. We got the buffet... looking at all the offerings I figured even if half of the things were gross, we'd still be on the winning end. Unfortunately there were only a handful of things that rated above average to me. I saw a lot of folks with clams, which I don't like, so maybe that's worth it alone. We did not try the specialty meat station, pasta station, or crab legs since we'd had crab legs the night before. Here's what we tried: Salad bar- pretty good actually, I would rate this as the best part of the buffet Seafood cakes- Like a deviled crab, super greasy but decent Crab balls - Kinda like a cheap crabcake, tasted deep fried & greasy not baked Stuffed flounder - Rather good, maybe the best seafood offering Mac & cheese - Not good Butterfly fried shrimp - Average, tasted no better than Long John Silvers Mashed redskin potatoes - Ok, a bit too clumpy Vegetable was squash and onions - Not cooked well Shrimp - Overcooked and chewy Rice pilaf - Average Beer battered cod - Disgusting Fried chicken - Greasy as a stick of butter Sushi - NOT good, I've had better from convenience stores at home. This was a big disappointment to me because I love sushi! Probably the worst I've ever had. Ice cream bar - Tried a rainbow cookie, brownie, and ice cream. The ice cream seemed to be missing sugar and was really watery and unsweet. Brownie and cookie were average at best. I am one to often overindulge in dessert and managed to just have one helping of these items. Didn't try the tilapia, rockfish, jambalaya, or ribs because they looked totally gross Could not find these things listed on the menu: oysters, seafood newburgh, cheddar biscuits, artichoke dip Oh and the kicker... we had to sit INSIDE to get the buffet. This almost convinced us to leave but we decided to stay... wish we'd just kept walking out! Avoid this place if you like seafood that is good. I got better seafood at The Green Turtle (a sports bar!). This place is like old country buffet and nobody who actually enjoys food goes here- it's only for those who prefer quantity over quality and want to spend $35 and eat $100 worth of wal-mart quality food. We spent $82 on two buffet dinners and two beers- AN ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS AMOUNT FOR THE AWFUL QUALITY OF FOOD WE WERE SERVED. We got about $20 worth in my opinion. I wish I wasn't so stuck on a nice view, because the view wasn't worth $62 for the 50 minutes we forced ourselves to be there to try and eat. One more positive... I didn't leave feeling the size of an airplane and unable to walk because I couldn't eat enough of that gross food to get full. Maybe it's a nice place to get a drink and sit by the bay... but I won't return only because I couldn't bear the thought of paying way too much for way too little again.
(1)