Kind of a dump. Waited 15 minutes for someone to take our order, and then we started waving down other waitresses to find the one that was handling our table. When she finally came over, she had a really bad attitude. The seafood dishes we ordered were mostly french fries with a few shrimp and a small crab cake. The best part of the night was watching the 50 somethings yell at the band to keep playing Jimmy Buffet. One of the guys in the band played the saxophone, so deserves a second star. read more

Awesome early lunch at the Rusty Rudder! The server was attentive, even though he was the only one there. My mom and I agreed that my meal was the smart choice - popcorn shrimp and fries! Not a huge meal, but definitely leaves you full. Also try the pink gin & tonic! read more

Rusty Rudder - Popcorn shrimp, fries, pink gin and tonic. - American Near Me - Dewey Beach, Delaware

Perfect spot to hang out on the water while listening to music and enjoying a drink! Service is good and the wait staff is very friendly. Parking is $10 but is taken off of your bill. There are plenty of seats inside and out depending on your preference. Bar area outside is super open so you can see the water and stage from all seats. Peel and eat shrimp was good but unfortunately the clams were a bit sandy and the broth was bland. The whole grain bread that came with the clams was actually really delicious! We enjoy going to Rusty when we are in the area. read more

See all

Ordered crab imperial,I did not come out as it was described it was about the size of a $.50 piece. Had a little container of coleslaw that was warm and tasteless and a bag of potato chips for $28. What a rip off. read more

First time in Dewey Beach . Drove to Rusty Rudder at 6pm. Parking lot gate was open so we pulled in not realizing this was not normal as we thought this late in the evening maybe it was free for customers . Had a great dinner , drinks and appetizers. Couldn't complain . Check was $275.00 . We attempt to exit the parking lot and gate was down . Called for assistance on the screen letting the person know we just came in for dinner and are trying to leave . Explained that the gate was open when we entered- first timers here and we weren't aware the was a ticket that should have been given when we entered . No sympathy . Charged us $36.00 to exit and would not let us out until we paid . Terrible !! Not our fault the parking lot gate was up - cannot explain how pissed I was . Ridiculous! We were there for 2 hours . We will never go back and I will post this review everywhere I can . Felt like it was a scam money grab as there was no signs telling you to get a ticket . What a shame !! read more

Chris was very rude to our whole party. I don't recommend coming here. Plenty of other places where you will be treated with respect. Chris was rude and harassed our daughter after she just turned 21. Not with the pain here . Go someone here else read more

Okay so went to this place last night because of a recommendation of a friend. She did mention the entertainment and didn't say anything about the food. We ordered the fish and chips, it was $23, the server did say it was a decent amount: OMG not to be dramatic but it literally had one piece of fish and all fries!!!! So disappointing. We also tried the crab, spinach, and artichoke dip appetizer for $20! I did t see any crab or artichoke, it was all cream cheese. Disappointment #2! We sent the fish and chips back. The server was nice about it. The o my thing good I can say about this place is go for entertainment and cocktails. They have a variety of cocktails and the bartender was inviting! Eat before you go here, food wasn't good and it was so overpriced! read more

Extremely expensive for mediocre food. $40 for a tiny tasteless crab cake. $10 to add 5 pieces of shrimp. Drinks were okay. Cool location though wouldn't recommend. Service was also horrible. Took forever for our waiter to even put in our food. read more

I was passing through Dewey on my may to OC Maryland. We sat at the bar and something to eat a a few drinks. When we were eating and just chatting. One of the staff members came out and ask if we could leave. My mouth dropped he ask us to leave because they were closing. I understand they were closing but he was very rude how he ask us. Poor customer serve skills. read more

Myles M's review rings true. The Rudder's seating policy, especially when the live entertainment starts at night, is somewhat arbitrary and incomprehensible. And at least one of the staffers is just mean. One evening, at one of the sidebars, they began collecting unoccupied stools before a show was to start, but a staffer said I could save 3 for friends who were to arrive shortly. Another staffer came along shortly thereafter and took the stools anyway. When I explained that I was told I could save the stools, he took them anyway. In frustration, I said, "I'm outta here," and he called me a jerk. I said that given I was promised something that he was rescinding for no good reason, I asked "Who's being the jerk here?" He responded that I had to go or he would force me to leave -- which is kinda odd. What part of my "I'm outta here" didn't he understand? Then again, the Rudder is a great place to chill for an afternoon of "unplugged" entertainment. And the frozen mudslides are delicious. read more

Bartender was kind of rude. 7.50 bottle beers, no thanks. The view is fantastic. This place was great years ago. It definitely is not today!

We have been coming here for close to 40 years. Something that you can count on is ambience! The food is good too, but out on the deck, as the sun begins to set, the great music, food and drink has always been totally reliable as everything around this restaurant has Changed! read more

Such a great ambiance!! I liked the food for a more casual restaurant, as it came with great fun! My server was awesome, but I cannot remember her name. read more

The food here was so good!! I got the cauliflower appetizer and holy crap it was so good!!! We also got the rockfish Fingers and they were soooo good. The staff was so friendly. We sat at the bar and Sara was so accommodating and friendly. Chris, Michael and Tony were so awesome too!! Totally recommend this place! read more

ambiance was great for a beach bar and our waitress was kind but the food was terrible. went there with 5 people, we all got different food, and they were all bad. definitely do not get the crab imperial, its more like crab mayonnaise soup on a piece of bread. also the drinks are extremely expensive and have minimal alcohol. my $15 margarita tasted like margarita mix with no alcohol. we won't be going back. read more

I was fully discriminated against here. People of color are not welcome and they fully make that aware. I tried to talk to a bouncer/manager about it but was fully disregarded and it was truly appalling. I recommend to not go. read more

I was at the Rusty Rudder tonight, and was pushed and hit by several trash cans by employees barging through dense crowds. This could have been avoided by the employees strategically going through the crowds instead of pushing them. Horrible experience read more

Would give them zero stars if possible. Always loved this place until they accused a very close friend of ours of groping girls. He was with a group of friends including HIS GIRLFRIEND when he was blindsided by bouncers and carried out in a chokehold. When we asked as to why he was escorted out we were told that bouncers had given him serval warnings, which he was not. As we were all walking out we spoke with another group of people who said that this happens often. This is super unfortunate because we go to Dewey every year and love going to the Rudder, but unfortunately will not be going back again. read more

They used to have an amazing seafood buffet and nice ambiance inside. Now it is solely catering to the bar crowd. We sadly have made our last trip to the Rudder read more

Absolutely horrible! Last chance restaurant...don't go I beg of you! Plenty of other choices read more

Rusty Rudder - Rustyscudder - American Near Me - Dewey Beach, Delaware

Short, pale brunette seating people, and bartender ( female, front bar towards bathroom) were rude. I havent ecperienced those attitudes in a while. Food stiunk..They get by with being on yhe water, but obviously poor run place . I guess management could care less.. read more

Wish I could give zero stars. Rude bouncers ruined our family night. Never coming again. Do NOT recommend

I went yesterday evening. I haven't been there in a while and was surprised that they had gotten rid of the buffet. Which was the only reason why I went there to begin with. My party was hungry and I just paid $10 to park there so I figure I would give them a try. The fish tacos had a funny taste and the crab cake sandwich was alright. I dislike that they don't give you any side options. You get stuck with coleslaw and a bag of kettle chips that I don't like. I would of gone the Crooked Hammock. There price are so much better and the food is better. Rusty Rudders was a complete waist of money. read more

Food is horrible. Greasy rock fish bites, sent nachos back to get Quesadillas which were equally as bad. Crushes were awful as well. Rylee was awesome. read more

Location is cool especially if you have or rent a boat, the drinks are ok, crab legs were nice and big a little bit over cooked. Our server Polly, was the nicest and best thing we had! We're a party of 9, came at around 3 on a Sunday and wasn't really busy so when we tried to bring another umbrella we were ran up on "no! You can't have another umbrella I have other customers" she did end with a half apology like she realized how she came at us.... picture attached shows over crowded patrons sweltering in the sun due to lack of umbrellas. read more

Rusty Rudder - All the unshaded customers. - American Near Me - Dewey Beach, Delaware

George is the best waiter I ever have had. Reminds me of a few years ago when Will was out waiter--that kid was terrific. Mega cheese appetizer and drinks are all we need! read more

This place seemed cool and the food looked really good, but the hostess was so rude. She was very inconvenienced by us showing up to ask for a table. She reluctantly brought us to a table right in front of a speaker with live music. I asked her if we could be moved to a table further away (there were plenty on the other side of the deck). We have a 2 year old and there were plenty of other kids there, not in front of a speaker. She said it was either this or a high top. So we left. read more

It's a great music venue with performers all weekend, good food and definitely a shore vibe!

Fun bar but trash boy was definitely underage and intoxicated. He used a homophobic slur to one of my friends and was yelling at multiple other people for simply walking out of the bar. Also, earlier in the night saw him break the arm to the parking gate. read more

This place is the most inhumane place I have been to . I was there at the front steps to dust the sand off my feet an innocently sat on the steps to wipe the sand off my feet after an event on Saturday 5/27 waiting to enter the establishment when I was approached y an angry bouncer overweight woman who was power hungry and nastily told me to leave now. I was just sitting for 15 seconds and she was verbally assaulted me I'm only 5feet 0ne inches and 64 years old waiting to enter after an event after a big party. I will never go there again to be treated with such disrespect read more

Disappointing. We were going to eat dinner there but after trying to get service for a drink and appetizer we were completely ignored by bartender. This used to be our favorite place in Dewey with great seafood on menu but after looking at menu there's not many options available. Due to bad service we wont be going back. read more

A very pleasant dining experience. My friends and I went on a Saturday night, and the restaurant was almost full. Unfortunately one of the only spots available was one that caught the sunset's glare, but it was a great view of the stage once the sun was down. Families were right in front of the stage dancing along with the live singer; it was adorable. Our waitress was kind; even when my friend's order was put in after the rest of the table, it arrived very timely. All the food that I saw going to other tables - and my own table - looked really appetizing and the drinks were pretty good too. One thing to note is that they do not split checks. You only get 1 recept, but the total bill can be split into equal portions. This isn't a problem for crowds that use Venmo. Overall a great experience. I look forward to coming back here on my next trip to Dewey. read more

See all

Oh this place was crap. It's a huge place with good views, but for a joint that's got a seafood theme, the steamed mussel pot was awful. It came cold, and I mean cold. Not even warm. It must have been sitting out for so long. Even the potatoes and corn were cold. The mussels were so overdone they were hard and chewy. When I complained, they apologized profusely and came back aboit ten minutes later with another pot. It was barely any warmer, and the mussels were still overdone. All the while the rest of my party of a dozen or so were almost done while I was sitting there hungry. So I dug into their extra fish tacos, and they were just as bad. They had so much salt on them I couldn't take more than a couple of bites. And I LOVE salt! I'll lick the salt off a margarita glass, and put extra on most of my meals. I'll even put salt on my ice cream. I've heard of saltwater fish, but this was ridiculous! My nephew's girlfriend found part of a latex glove in her pasta alfredo too! They offered to replace it, but she denied them the chance to turn her stomach again. And when I asked for a toothpick, they didn't have any. I really wanted to get every last vestige of disappointment out from between my teeth, but I was even denied that satisfaction! Oh, and the live "entertainment" consisted of a schlub playing really bad covers of Sublime, Pearl Jam and Goo Goo dolls "classics." And by playing, I mean ruining. Their only saving grace was that they acknowledged the problems and comped the offending "food" from the bill. Then I went drinking to try to forget the whole mess, but alas I could not, hence this review. I think the "rusty" must be in regards to the cook's skills. Stay far away, at least when it comes to seafood! Abandon all hope ye who enter. read more

This location overlooks the bayside of Dewey Beach and has indoor and outdoor seating. Parking is $10 but you get a $10 discount off your meal so essentially parking is free yay. They have a variety of dishes and tons of great options for seafood lovers. The service was okay and the food was pretty good too. I loved the crap dip and fish tacos! The rockfish itself was really good and would have substituted that for the grouper in the tacos. The mango salsa and corn with the four-way rockfish wasn't as fresh as I would have hoped. I did really enjoy the live band that was a great touch. This is a good place to go for drinks at the bar or a long day out in the sun after the beach. read more

See all

They don't allow strollers on the deck, so we weren't able to sit down. They claimed it took up too much space, despite the restaurant being almost empty. Given the reviews I'm glad we didn't end up eating there. read more

Stayed at the Hyatt right next door (which sucked) but the rusty rudder was right next door. This place is great. Came here for drinks during the day and the bartender Phil was incredible. He served us refreshing drinks and gave us the in and outs of the town with a smile. We came here the next night for dinner and everything was great. Post freak hail storm- we got a dry table next to the bay and we're greeted by a friendly server who answered our questions about the menu authentically. Food came orderly and was delicious. While we ate they had a live singer setting an even better mood for the night. Would definitely come back to this place. read more

Rating for drinks and atmosphere (we did not eat here). Definitely a bar that gets rowdy on the outdoor deck at night. Live music and if that wasn't on they had a great playlist going as well. Super fun place that overlooks the bay (great views around sunset when we went). The bar tending staff was friendly and we had an orange crush that was tasty (not our #1 Crush of the weekend but so far considered #2). I would recommend going here for drinks and sitting on the outdoor deck if you want to party a little on your trip at Dewey read more

Poor. Poor. We had an "okay" dinner. We had a friend along who was 20 years old and didn't drink a drop. An older gentleman bought a drink for an older woman in our party ( much older) and then proceeded to make inappropriate advances at the 20 year old. Told us it was okay because he spent money on us. When we told the staff.( including the manager) we were encouraged/ forced to leave due to "she is too young to be here." When she had been there for hours. So the inappropriate sexual advances were okay.. but a 20 year old sitting and eating wasn't.. who didn't ask for attention from anyone? LEAVING IN TEARS, SOBBING!! POOR MANAGEMENT, bad atmosphere, and morals. Thanks for nothing. read more

DO NOT GO HERE. If I could give this place no stars, I would. This is one of the worst dining experiences I have ever had. Family ordered the fish tacos, rockfish, the burger and the penne and All of the food was virtually inedible. It takes real talent mess up a burger that badly. The service was also abysmal. We saw our waitress a grand total of 3 times and there wasn't anyone there. Hindsight being 20/20, It should have been a hint that no one was in the dining room with the exception of one other family. Lastly, my boyfriends mother went to ladies room, and she sees a PHONE pop under the stalls to video tape her on the toilet. When she yelled at the other stall, the girl just pretended she wasn't in there. That's unacceptable anywhere. TLDR: Food is gross, service is terrible, and the atmosphere was gross. read more

What would you do if an establishment pushes a young woman, mother of 2, down on the ground? A group of 8 unqualified bouncers surrounded an innocent lady last night, pushed her down then laughs. Not one person assisted her. The worst part is, the so called "owner" was right there and didn't do anything but instigated the situation more. It's a female!!!!! No wonder the staff acted like that. Absolutely unacceptable and unethical. Luckily she wasn't severly injured. Btw, it was 2 couples who went for a drink. We're all over 30. They treated the situation like we were in a bar fight. We we're out with our significant other having a cocktail. This place is a joke. read more