Rusty’s Surf and Turf

Buxton, United States

4

Open now

20 reviews

Accepts Credit Cards

Contacts

QR code, vCard

Telephone:
+1 252-995-4184
Website:
www.rustyssurfnturf.com
Address:
47355 Hwy 12, Buxton, NC, 27920
Categories:
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Bussiness info

Takes Reservations
Yes
Delivery
No
Take-out
Yes
Accepts Credit Cards
Yes
Good For
Dinner
Parking
Private Lot
Bike Parking
No
Wheelchair Accessible
Yes
Good for Kids
Yes
Good for Groups
Yes
Attire
Casual
Ambience
Casual
Noise Level
Average
Alcohol
Full Bar
Outdoor Seating
Yes
Wi-Fi
No
Has TV
Yes
Dogs Allowed
No
Waiter Service
Yes
Caters
Yes

Today

Today 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Open now
Local time (Buxton) 7:59 PM Saturday, June 14, 2025

Business hours

Monday 11:30 am – 2:30 pm
5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Tuesday 11:30 am – 2:30 pm
5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Wednesday 11:30 am – 2:30 pm
5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Thursday 11:30 am – 2:30 pm
5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Friday 11:30 am – 2:30 pm
5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Saturday 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Sunday 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Description

Specialties

After your day on the water, make it a night to remember!

Rusty’s Surf and Turf brings the bold flavors and colors of the tropics to Hatteras Island. Owner and chef Rusty Midgett, a native who left the island and honed his restaurant and kitchen experience in some of Philadelphia’s top restaurants, is inspired in the kitchen by the places he has traveled on surf trips — the Caribbean, the Mexican Riviera, the Pacific Rim. Let him surprise you with his creative preparations of local seafood and premium hormone free beef. The restaurant is fun and colorful with bright but warm high-​energy colors and cheerful local artwork. Beer and wine are served. All ages are welcome. Rusty’s serves dinner seven days a week in the summer; call for off-​season hours. It’s located between Natural Art Surf Shop and the ABC Store.

History

Established in 2009.

Rusty’s open its doors for business April 2009. The goal was to be a healthy, fun and delicious alternative to the island’s typical tourist restaurants.

Meet the Business Owner

Rusty M.

Business Owner

Rusty left Hatteras island in 1995 to hone his culinary skills in some of Philadelphia’s best restaurants. April of 2009 Rusty opened Rusty’s Surf & Turf.

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20 reviews of Rusty’s Surf and Turf

No registration required
Place rating: 5
Ellwood City, PA
Highly recommend.
Rustys is a great break from the «fried everything» seafood places that seem to be hit or miss. A little on the pricey side but for a great «date night» dinner, look no further. The atmosphere is delightfully festive without being obnoxious and the food is excellent.
Try the shrimp and grits and don’t forget the awesome hishpuppies.
Place rating: 4
Northbridge, MA
Came back this year and while we really enjoyed the burger and fish sandwich we ended up ordering, we were disappointed in the menu selections. We were hoping for more steak and seafood options I think… neither of the things we ordered last time were on the menu, they were specials and the regular menu left us feeling like it was just a bit too different, if that makes sense. We remember thinking the menu was a bit strange last time but we ended up liking what we tried so it was fine… tonight we just didn’t have that same experience … Bottom line Good food with an eclectic menu.
Place rating: 5
St. Augustine, FL
The food and service we’re awesome. We tried the smoked tuna dip, fabulous. I had the pork tenderloin (enough sea food for the day). Delicious! He had the fried flounder excellent. Glad to have found this place and would definitely come back!!!
Place rating: 3
Camden, OH
Disappointed was my reaction. We were put into a corner table. And we did get our first round of drinks and our food order in. meanwhile the waitress sauntered over to some locals and spoke with them at their table for a spell. Then we waited and waited, finally had to flag down the hostess as she went by to see about getting another round of drinks while we waited some more. I wanted to try one of the micro-​brewed beers but every other one was out of stock, so I finally said in disgust, just bring me a Budweiser.
And when the food got there — you guessed it, cold. I did not much care for the rice that came with my meal. They offered to take it back but it was late and we wanted to get back as we were leaving the next morning. They did comp us a little on the meal. But it made what should have been a pleasant evening disappointing.
Place rating: 4
Chesterfield, VA
Some of the best food we’ve found down here and we come back every year! Overpriced but that’s expected given the location… but actual fresh calamari! Fresh oysters! I know you would expect that at the beach but it seems to be the exception rather than the rule… Great place!#
Place rating: 5
Edison, NJ
My husband and I visit Hatteras every year and each time we look forward to visiting RUSTY’S. We have never been disappointed with a meal and especially their deserts. Their seafood is always top notch and never disappoints. I love their scallops and my husband usually goes for one of their fish specials, but don’t fill up on appetisers and entrees because the deserts are to die for! Their key lime pie by far the best on the island and my husband gets their pecan pie which he claims if he leaves any on the plate it’s a sin!
Place rating: 4
Manns Harbor, NC
Very nice atmosphere and good food. The waitress was very nice. A little pricey but being on vacation it was acceptable.
Place rating: 2
Washington, DC
Ok… Ambiance fine– cute house. Cute owner. :). Other than that the food was mediocre at best. Fried shrimp salty. Salty fries nothing special. 3 bean salad– from can! Ordered fish and chips husband is from England, the fish was well cooked and good no mushy peas :). Coconut fish bites over cooked– think fish sticks hard and dry. Mac and cheese kiddos for real-​ish cheese but no taste. Good news is — room for improvement. They are trying. :)
Place rating: 5
South Pasadena, CA
Foodies: eat here! Tender and fresh seafood. The apps were unique and every entrée was delicious! We came here with a big party and the wait staff was quick, kind, and entertaining! We ordered the smoked tuna dip, calamari, baked scallops, summer salad, swordfish, mahi bites, and several cocktails and beers. Also, we ordered 3 different desserts and all were delicious. For great food and a great atmosphere at the beach, come here!
Place rating: 5
Chesapeake, VA
great service and great food! very colorful and welcoming inside. I would definitely come back next time I go down to Hatteras.
Place rating: 1
Sweetwater, TN
mThe old saying «You get what you pay for»…not here… Extremely over priced and not impressed with the food $ 54 for two flounder sandwiches and a kids chicken fingers. Then as we were leaving we asked for refills to go on drinks… they added $ 6 to the bill, we asked the waitress, who was rude to begin with, she said they have to charge for the cup… I just dropped $ 50 in your restaurant for lunch and your going to charge me for a cup??? Don’t waste your time on this place… Not so good food, rude service, and over priced.
Place rating: 5
Alexandria, VA
Highly recommend this place! My boyfriend and I came here for dinner around 6pm, and we were immediately seated. Our waitress Brenda was super friendly and thoughtful. For me, it’s always the small touches that make the difference between good service and great service, like asking if I’d like a lime with the diet coke I ordered and pointing out the quirky and interesting designs on the can of Aviator beer we ordered too.
All in all, our food came out quickly and presentation was very nicely done. The hush puppies were delicious and felt like they just came straight out of the fryer! The calamari appetizer was amazing, batter was nice and crispy. Loved the zingy sauce and the drizzle of sriracha on the side, which gave it a good kick. I had the oysters and my boyfriend had the swordfish, both of which were absolutely delicious! And the key lime pie was phenomenal.
Also, we had no issues splitting our bill. Definitely would come here again!
Place rating: 4
Clarksville, TN
My first time to OBX and eating here was great. Took my wife out for a date and loved it. Staff was cheerful and great. Soft and tasteful music from 80’s to really added to the delightful atmosphere. Food was very appetizing. Had coconut fried mahi mahi for an appetizer and seafood platter. Everything was cooked so well and the dish was delectably prepared and decorated. Will definitely come here again when we are in town.
Place rating: 5
San Diego, CA
Great food, staff was awesome! Debbie was our waitress and she was so flexible and added a great sense of humor to the night! We had a huge group and they were very accommodating. I am also gluten free and they were extremely knowledgeable on their menu. Would absolutely come back again!
Place rating: 4
Carmel, IN
So here is the deal. The food is absolutely fabulous, the staff is friendly and polite. The space is nice, well lit, clean and festive. HOWEVER, the overall experience is a little schizophrenic. The building is beach-​bar-​ish, the menu and the food are absolutely top notch and the presentation is elegant. The service is mom and pop, slow and the servers ware t-​shirts. Go with reasonable expectations, and it’s pretty terrific. I will go back, and I will suggest friends try it as well
Place rating: 3
Kennett Square, PA
We arrived to Rusty’s with high expectations. But I became suspicious as soon as we were seated. It seems every restaurant between Salvo and Hatteras has poor taste in interior design. The dining rooms always feel a little like someone’s house.
Our waitress was very friendly and helpful and the hushpuppies she brought out were delicious. I ordered the wahoo special. Sadly, it was very bland and the curry panko crust was that was promised on the menu was just a thin coating of tasteless bread crumbs. The side of rice was so undercooked it was inedible and the black beans on top had that day-​old dry look.
On the bright side, my wife’s fried flounder and shrimp were done nicely, and my son reports that his chicken nuggets were great.
One other note, and this is for all OBX restaurants. Please get some drafts other than Carolina Brewery. They are great, but NC has an awesome craft beer scene and you all seem to serve the same two or three beers over and over again.
Place rating: 4
Gaslamp, San Diego, CA
Food was good. Had the red drum fish special with mango salsa and Mahi bites app and all were done superbly. The restaurant was busy and had 45 min wait on a summer Friday night so the staff seemed a bit overwhelmed.
Place rating: 4
Toledo, OH
I really enjoyed this restaurant. I went with two kids, they both enjoyed their meals-​angus steak burger and pork loin. I had the carne asada, it was a bit too much food, yet delicious. Perfectly done steak. Wait staff was friendly and prompt. Atmosphere casual yet refined. My only issue was the pre packaged sides-​salsa, sour cream, other sauces-​while good, strange to have the plastic containers in the plate.
We were all too full for dessert but I decided, based on other reviews, to take home key lime pie and it was delicious. I would have never noticed this place from the street but checked Unilocal and found it.
Stop in if you are in the outerbanks. A bit pricy but delicious.
Place rating: 4
Sarasota, FL
Out for Date Night and picked Rusty’s Surf & Turf due to the reviews! If the hush puppies set the stage, I didn’t realize I liked hush puppies so much. I still wonder why do they call them hush puppies, I’ll check Wikipedia. Fun atmosphere, not dancing fun but nice artsy feel, cocktails are yummy. Jeff ordered shrimp & crab roll and Sesame Tuna entrée, I ordered Shrimp & Grits. Food & service was great! Gibbs our server is a lovely light hearted damsel who wants you to enjoy your night and your stay on the island. Fun date night that’s not over yet!
Place rating: 3
Rockville, MD
Good food but sooo expensive $ 30 for scallops that were just ok. If I’m paying that much for scallops I really expect them to be amazing. The calamari was interesting it seemed more breaded and crumbly than other calamari I’ve had in the past and I wouldn’t get it again, the flavors were bland. Cute restaurant and nice pictures on the walls (all for sale). The prickly pear margarita was really good (I would recommend: D) and for those that like free things, all you can eat hush puppies! Those were awesome too!
Lastly, I get it, it’s busy, but geeze the food came out quick but the drinks and the check came out soooooo slowwwww they need to hire more waitstaff or something.