Outer Banks Posts

Chef Peele’s Fresh grouper caught by Lil Will Etheridge topped with Hyde Co grown sweet corn sauce and Fresh NC Blue crab caught by
Dennis Foreman topped with house grown micro greens served with house made pimento cheese grit cake and house grown squash bake #localseafood #waterfrontdining

Owning a restaurant has always been my dream as a chef—a place where my vision for exceptional food and hospitality comes to life. That dream hinges on a team that shares your passion and executes it with precision. Every year brings unique challenges, but sometimes, everything clicks. When I first opened Rusty's Surf and Turf we were overwhelmed by an unexpected rush. The crowds came faster than we could handle, and I lacked the experience to tame the chaos. We nearly crashed and burned, losing great employees and loyal customers in the process. The next few years were about rebuilding our brand—refining systems, perfecting recipes, and earning back trust. Then came COVID, the years of lost opportunity. The island was buzzing, but help was nearly impossible to find. There were moments I considered walking away, letting the dream die. But with my son in school and no better path forward, I pressed on. Every day, I tackled the tasks I dreaded because they had to be done. My reward? A few precious hours cooking and connecting with our guests—the heart of why I do this. Year after year, we improved our processes, our food, and our consistency. The traffic through our front door grew steadily as our deliverable became something we could be proud of. This year, despite its own challenges, we’ve built a team that truly gets it. They understand me, the brand, and our vision for high-quality, consistent food delivered at volume. They’re not just staff—they’re partners in making this dream a reality. If we ever fell short in those early years and disappointed you, I’m sorry. Please give us a chance to win you back. Come experience the Rusty Surf and Turf we’ve worked so hard to become—your table is waiting.

Seeing double!?

Nah...just a perfect pairing in paradise captured by our tour guide extraordinaire, Rick last week!

Interested in joining us on the beach? Give us a call and one of our friendly team members will be happy to help you find a tour that's perfect for you and your crew. 252-489-2020