The Rusty Anchor is joined with Catfish Johnnys, but has a better menu. An advantage is that you can come by boat and dock at Catfish Johnnys. Seating was quick and the service was prompt. We drank frozen and OT Rocks Margaritas-they were very good. They had a special Sunday menu and we both ordered from it. However, they told me the prime rib was no longer available at that price. Although an inconvenience, I switched to the prime rib sandwich and a side salad which cost more than the dinner. The portions were plentiful. The salads were very good and came with a freshly baked croissant that was delicious,but the lettuce didn't seemed chilled. My prime rib sandwich was great and was on fresh bread. It was more than I could comfortably eat. My wife has grilled salmon which she said was cooked and spiced to perfection. The meal and the service was exceptional. The facility and restrooms were clean. The only distraction was the two restaurants share the kitchen, so the wait staff were constantly coming and going through the door next to our table. It was a little disruptive to a fine meal. We will be returning, even after boating season is over. read more

Dinner one the lake for my birthday last night, and I was looking forward to some good seafood. The ambiance was fine, one the deck overlooking the lake, a band playing (maybe a little too loud), started out with the she crab bisque and its was pretty good, followed with fried oysters. The oysters were cooked right, not overdone, but were so salty they were almost inedible. My fiancee's seafood platter wasn't much better, the fish and shrimp appeared to have been cooked in not quite hot enough oil, were soggy. Overall very dissappointed in the Rusty Anchor. read more

Probably one of the best spots on the lake. Food is good, but really, pull up in your boat and listen to the bands. That's what lake life is all about. read more

Horrible. My daughter and I ordered 2 CLUB sandwiches in a half EMPTY restaurant. 35 minutes later, they come out wrong. I'm not a chef, but I'm pretty sure the only thing that actually has to be cooked on a club sandwich is the bacon (which I'm sure wasn't cooked fresh) and toasting the bread. The only thing that went well is that they took care of the check. Never heard from the manager. I feel badly for our server, who was very pleasant, but was a victim of an inept kitchen and non existent manager. And I love the excuses as we are leaving about what a "challenging" morning that they have had. No one wants excuses. If you are set on eating by the water at this location, I would definitely manage your expectations. read more

Against our better judgement, we decided to give Rusty 1 more try for dinner. We waited, no exaggeration, 30 minutes with no service, even after flagging down management and being waived off by two waitresses. It wasn't even that busy! I ended up having to go to bar, carry our food and drinks back to our table in to-go boxes with a tray a borrowed from the restaurant. I made multiple trips back and fourth and finally found the head manager. We got our tab covered and he said we were one of 3 tables on the deck that night that had the same issue. Save yourself the headache and just go across the cove to liberty. Better food and WAY better service. read more

Good bar food place on the lake. Much more casual,(swimsuits, flip flops,) The view is of the marina, so not so much lake view. If you are near and want to eat at a decent dive bar with decent food, come here. Looking for fine cuisine on the water, not so much. read more

Rusty Anchor Restaurant - Seafood Near Me - Chapin, South Carolina

They have made major changes to the menu. Still good food, still recommend it. They do not have thousand island dressing. The have smaller versions of the tuna. Give it a try. read more

We called ahead and had boat parking for our boat. Assistance parking and getting off boat. There was a band playing on the deck. Due to the temperature, we chose to eat on the deck of the restaurant. We thought it was going to be okay...could hear music and see the water. Unfortunately they do not have bamboo shades to block the evening sun from heating you directly on your back or in your face depending on the location of the chair. Our waiter was very GOOD! Very attentive to our orders and drinks. Highly recommend the Gorgonzola Bleu Cheese Chips...AWESOME! The Calamari was also great. Had Mango Chutney sauce...The various members of the group had order drinks from the bar. Very tasty... The various meals were definitely worth the trip. Sesame Seared Tuna was awesome with the sauce. Seafood Pasta you could not go wrong with...very fresh and plentiful...Shrimp and Grits were with a She Crab Gravy and was delicious. Three members of party got the Whole Crispy Flounder and Filet of Flounder and both were raving about how good it was. We were so full that dessert was not to be tried. Only recommendation would be purchasing roll down shades to block the sun on the west side of the building. We have eaten at numerous places on the lake. This probably one of the best... read more

Had docked here a couple times with my sister and brother in law while visiting for vacation. They feature indoor/outdoor seating a bar live music and a nice menu. After a couple of margaritas I decided to order some food. I went with a buffalo chicken wrap and a side of blue cheese slaw(a house special). The shrimp was crisp and taste with the right amount of heat nice wrapped with lettuce and dressing. The side of blue cheese slaw was a new experience. They go with a thicker cut slaw than I am traditionally used too along with a thick chunky blue cheese. It was very hearty slaw with a nice deep crunch. The blue cheese dressing had a nice strong but not overpowering flavor and definitely tasted home made. Overall very please with the whole experience. The music, drinks food and location were all very good. The have a very nice dock as well and the crowd is very chill. Worth checking out whether your a local or visiting. read more

Visting some friends in town. The best kinds of friends have a boat, which they do. We cruised the lake and stopped by for some beverages and entertainment which were both excellent. The service was slow (but it was 100 degrees!) and I'd advise you to not come starving because the food was mediocre. But the view cannot be beat! read more

Excellent filet! The most tender I've had in a long time. Service was prompt, and our server (Kayla) was very conscientious!

This is as good as it gets with Waterfront Dining in the Columbia Area. The place is happening and service or wait times can be a little long especially around 7pm or so. Come early for the best service, smaller crowds and a more enjoyable experience. I have been coming here for years . The outside part called the Quarterdeck food used to be inedible. And it took forever in the past to get served. But that has changed in the last few years. The selection is lower, but they do well with what they offer. I asked and was told by staff that the menu was lowered specifically to reduce wait times and to ensure quality. Beer prices run around $3.5 and menu prices are $8 to $10 average outside. Inside Rusty Anchor, it is a little pricey, but go on Weds, Thurs, or Sun for their all you can eat popcorn shrimp, flounder or combo of both. Not only are you treated to the best atmosphere, view, and service, but it is much more affordable. These are slower nights, and there is almost never a wait. All in all, this restaurant has done a complete turnaround when it comes to quality and service. Yes the prices are higher, but it is worth it considering the improvements. read more

Rusty Anchor Restaurant - Seafood Near Me - Chapin, South Carolina

Great food, great service and great atmosphere. Their Ahi Tuna is delicious and their desserts succulent.

One of the worst dining experiences ever in Columbia. Guests from out of town visiting and this place was recommended by the hotel they were staying. We had a few drinks in the outdoor area and there was some band and lots of drunk college kids screaming.. it reminded us a bit of Florida which is the atmosphere at beach restaurants there.. weather was great.. it was a fun time (we joked the menu said "twenty five cent natty ice all day!".. We then went into the restaurant. The prices were really high, the food was awful, and our server spilled an entire tray of ice tea all over the table next to us, then she was arguing with (I suppose the manager) about how she can't lose this job and some drama about her family.. The party that got iced was an elderly group they were drenched with tea and were surprisingly calm about the whole incident, while others cleaned up the broken glass and apologized. Finally when we got our food it was horrible.. and really expensive. Still a good day and the outdoor area with the dock was nice, the band was good. Certainly a good spot if you have a boat or want to relax by the lake, but avoid the restaurant by all means. read more

Worst service I've ever received. I waited 25 minutes at the outdoor bar without the bartenders ever making eye contact or even saying "hello." I finally gave up trying to receive service outside and came inside, to receive the same lack of service. I'm a bar manager and would never tolerate this kind of service in my bar. I've been across the country and have never felt so unappreciated at a restaurant or bar. If you want to stand at a bar sober while watching everyone else beside you get served, this is your kind of joint. If I could give it 0 stars, I would. read more

The food is top notch! If you want high end food in a casual atmosphere, this is the place. The chef will tailor your meal to whatever you would like! read more

I absolutely LOVE the quarter deck! The food isn't the greatest, but we received the best service! Allison was our server and she was so friendly and made sure our experience was enjoyable. I highly recommend the rusty anchor for your days out on the lake! read more

The food and ambiance are always good. We always enjoy our visits here. I ordered the blackened chicken dinner salad with dressing on the side and got a grilled chicken salad with the dressing already on it. They did offer to make it right but I declined and the salad I got was excellent. My husband had the salmon and loved it. Service was friendly and everyone was attentive. Enjoyed looking out at the lake and watching the boats. Very nice. read more

Don't bother! We called ahead to say we wanted outside, waited 30 minutes even though tables were empty. We had a glass of melbac they ran out of it so just brought us another glass and said next would be more money. Were out of menus, but table next to us gave us theirs. Were out of hush puppy's forever, but finally bubba came through and got us some. Said he had to fight for them, but he got them. We have been here an 1.45 and still no food. Oh I forgot. The band was on break but they started back up and are way toooooo loud. We are a deck away. They were out of the vege of the day which was corn so they brought hubbie cauliflower . Good for me we Swapped out. What nice people tat was there. One lady was celebrating her 79th birthday and saw us at the bar. She brought us a piece of her cake and when she found out it wS my moms 88th birthday, she brought me2 party hats and horns to take to her. There was also another good family group there that was fun! Needs to have an adult in charge (professional). Could be good with all the kinks ironed out. read more