Rucker Johns Restaurant

Vickie Beavens

2024-04

…More

Sheila Hagerty

2024-02

Stopped here for a late lunch. It's off season in this area, so not a lot open. But I saw this on Google and it was rated well, so I gave it a try. So glad I did! As I was alone, I sat at the bar and was promptly attended to by a delightful lady. I was surprised how extensive the menu was, with several appealing choices. I decided on the shrimp and grits. I was first served a side salad that was so fresh. I had requested the hot bacon dressing, really unsure what to expect. I could have bathed in it! It was soooo good and was wonderful on the salad. That was served with their famous warm croissant with honey drizzled over it! OMG! Right there I was in heaven, and my meal had not even come yet! Well, when it did, it blew me out of the water! Cheddar grits, the most tender perfectly cooked shrimp, bacon, mushrooms, diced fresh tomatoes, a cheese sauce that had just a tiny bite to it sprinkled with chives. It was heaven in each bite. It would have been lovely even without the shrimp as the flavor combination was so good. The portion was very generous, too. That came with some homemade bread that was perfect for wiping up some of the sauce! I have to say, this was one of the best meals I have had in awhile. I wish I lived here as there were other things on the menu to try. But I'm afraid I would just go back to this dish as it was so so good! Thank you for a delicious meal!

Gretchen Lawson

2024-04

I loved this restaurant and the wrap around booths are perfect for date night! We enjoyed the crab dip, perfection! I enjoyed an amaretto sour and the grilled chicken house salad and the sweet buttery croissant that I ate it all! Hubby got the Blackjack ribeye with baked potato and broccoli and said it was one of the best steaks he ever had, thank you to our waitress for the recommendation! 😁

Charley

2023-11

…More

Amber Threadgill

2024-02

…More

Noelia Bautista

2023-10

The waiting list was long but totally worth it. Even I don't understand why they don't give service in the patio area is a good place, it doesn't make sense. The service is good! We ordered the Crystal Coast Chicken, Santa Fe chicken, a beer and a piña colada (of course with Bacacho) everything was great but the star of the night was the Strawberry Cobbler A La Mode. The coffe is not too good. I want to know the other location in Wilmington bc in Emerald is a must!

Kendra Yang

2023-11

We ate dinner with the family here and had a pleasant experience. Three people got ribeyes, I got chicken Alfredo, and another got salmon. Everyone like the regular ribeye better than the blackjack version. My Alfredo was wonderful. Salmon is prepared with the skin, so was a bit fishy. Waitress was great. No wait and easily seated all five of us.

Gigi Foster

2024-04

…More

Nicky Nick

2023-11

Normally the food is good. Tonight it was awful, awful, awful! We ordered takeout and I got the Tomato Basil Pasta dish. I substituted the angel hair pasta, I got penne pasta instead. It was awful tasting, the tomato’s had a rotten taste. It doesn’t even look like the picture. See picture!! The smell when I opened the container wasn’t pleasant at all. It was NOT a good night for Rucker Johns for me. And it’s our Anniversary Dinner 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️

Sandra Moore

2024-04

We were in town for our grandsons motocross race. We stopped in here for supper. Oh my! Some of the most delicious food I have ever eaten!Great atmosphere!The best part was our waitress, Laurel.... she was amazing! I had to hug her when we left.I would definitely recommend this place! Lot's to choose from on the menu.Everything was scrumptious 😋

Poet Satyr

2022-05

The food was delicious! When you walk into the restaurant, youre greeted by the kindest and friendliest faces. Our waitress was really on top of our orders and making sure everything was up to par. While we didn't have a window or outdoor view, the establishment looked super clean. The chefs? Masters of flavor. Our food was divine on every level, and I'm so glad everything is made in-house. It was honestly worth the random 3 hour trip from central NC my girlfriend and I decided to take.

Kenny Bedwell

2024-04

…More

Geoff Travagline

2023-06

Synopsis: Wasn't a good experience in any sense and I cannot find a single part of this I could recommend.Girlfriend and I were on a small weekend vacation to Emerald Isle and looked up local restaurants to get some take out from and Rucker Johns showed up with a fairly good resume. Unfortunately, that's about where the good ended. Our order had over an hour wait, which was perfectly fine for us being that we were on vacation mode. My girlfriend went in and was able to grab our meals with no problem, chicken tender platter for me and shrimp for her.I've attached a picture of what they considered a chicken tender platter. $17 for the package shown. On the menu it states the following "A large portion of those wonderful, juicy chicken tenders. These will take care of any appetite." You also can see the entire side order of french fries that came with the tenders, or rather, lack thereof. The tenders also had no flavor whatsoever and needed to be dunked in the sauces pictured to be able to try and enjoy. I was immensely disappointed in the amount of chicken and the lack of taste and have to say, there was no redeeming quality to this meal.My girlfriend's shrimp was slightly better from the portion perspective. She had quite a bit of shrimp. Although she also ordered a side of fried okra that had no flavor and taste like pure okra with no seasoning.For just under $40 for the two of us, it felt as though we simply wasted our money and would have been better off going to the nearby Food Lion and buying our own tenders and shrimp.1 Failed Star out of 5.Vegetarian options: There are options.Dietary restrictions: Whole portion of the menu dedicated to gluten free.Parking: Plenty of parking with a little bit of a walk to get to the restaurant itself.Kid-friendliness: Has an entire portion of the menu dedicated to kids.Wheelchair accessibility: Is wheelchair accessible. From the parking lot to the restaurant itself.

Peggy Crater

2023-11

Rucker Johns is a family favorite. Our family eats here whenever we are in town. Tonight, we enjoyed a burger, Deb's Chicken Salad, RJs Garden Salad with grilled chicken, and a loaded baked potato. Everything was prepared exactly as ordered. Their signature offering is the honey-drizzled croissant! You HAVE to try one! Our server Allison was courteous, professional, and attentive. A family member ordered the wrong wine; Allison very quickly returned with her intended selection. Another positive is you can call ahead to get your party on the seating waitlist. Lines form quickly here and the wait can be an hour or longer. Our only minor complaints are that the restaurant is always chilly regardless of the time of year (bring a sweater!) and it can be a little noisy in there sometimes. RJ needs to be on your eatery list when in the area.

Fuquay Fun Finds

2023-05

Been going to RJ’s for 20 years when in EI for vacation, so good. There is usually a wait on weekends or summer nights so plan ahead. Always have to get a salad with the house dressing (hot bacon and honey mustard) and fresh croissants of course. Usually get the BBQ Bacon Shrimp but changed it up for crab cakes this time and no regrets! Went for my birthday last year and enjoyed a brownie sundae and pina colada

Mary Lynn McKenzie

2024-03

A friend and I went to Rucker Johns for a "Galentine" event. Neither of us had been before but heard the food was very good, so we figured why not. I thought there would be more going on for the event, which was a little disappointing, but that's neither here nor there.We both ordered the baby back ribs, which had decent flavor but were dry. I had sweet potato fries with mine, which weren't great and my friend had cheese grits, which she said were good. After dinner, we split a piece of cheesecake, which was the driest cheesecake I've ever had. I had no idea cheesecake could be so dry. When you cut into it, it crumbled. We mentioned that to the server but it wasn't removed from the bill.Dinner wasn't terrible, but I won't go back because there are plenty of other good choices out there.

Carolina C.

2022-05

Highly recommended! Visited yesterday for the first time, they have delicious food, the croissants are amazing, salad was very good too. I’m removing a star because our sever didn’t refilled our drinks, other than that we had a great time. You might need to call and make reservations, we had to wait an hour to be seated, and I’ve heard it can get ever busier.

Scott Diekema

2024-04

…More

jeff kramer

2024-03

Staff is incredible, from the front of the house to back, and even the owners/managers (who are seemingly always on the floor helping staff, and asking guests how things are). Over the past few years, there have been many different employees, but every single one ive met is charming, professional, and genuine. Hiring manager must have an incredible sense of character. I come in after work never for more than a couple yuenglings, and maybe a slice , sit at the end of the bar, never say much, but I'm always treated like family. I come here pissed after work, always leave feeling better!

KaEllin Brown

2023-05

Very good food and service. First time going to Rucker John's we'll go back for sure.I had the shrimp and grits with the side salad. My husband had fettuccine alfredo with shrimp and a side salad.We both had the hot bacon honey mustard salad dressing. It was absolutely amazing.

David E Zamora

2024-04

…More

David Kistler

2023-05

I was somewhat disappointed with RJs.We were seated at a table that had 2 chairs on side side. The other side was a bench seat, where my wife sat.The cushion on the bench was so worn out my wife had to come to my side of the table and sit in a chair beside me. She literally sank down in the cushion.I ordered the Texas burger. It was cooked as I requested. However, the chili topping tasted more like spaghetti sauce than chili. The burger lacked any seasoning.My wife ordered the fettuccine Alfredo. It lacked any creamy sauce and she could not eat it.Doubt we return.

Audrey Springle

2024-01

This place is so good!!! We go to Beaufort every year and this is the food I look most forward to!!! This year we had an incredible waitress who was so kind and sweet! She was very attentive and had a nice conversation with me and my family. The food here is beyond good. The nachos are incredible and their salads and croissants are delicious!!!!! They have also perfected the chicken tender!! It is clean and beautiful inside. I 10000% recommend this place and I wish I had one in my hometown!! Whatever yall are doing keep doing it!!!

Charles Elliott Real Estate

2022-05

Very comfortable atmosphere. Greeted w a smile . Plenty of seating large sports bar w TVs and a wide variety on the menu. Outside seating available overlooking a pond. Food was delicious and was delivered hot and promptly. Server very kind and helpful w menu choices. Establishment was clean. Will return. Prices reasonable.

Tim Thompson

2023-05

As close to a perfect dining experience as I've ever had. Outstanding food, service and atmosphere. I had the 12oz prime rib, salad with house made thousand island dressing and a loaded baked potato.

M C

2021-05

Server Sarah and food were great! I loved the quieter atmosphere and the beautiful set up inside. We started off with the Kickin' shrimp appetizer which was so delicious I forgot to take a picture of it. We then had the Seafood Chowder which tasted great, however IF I had to change anything at all about it, I would have added white corn for a subtle sweet undertone. My husband ordered the Chicken Wrap. His plate was clean when we left! I myself ordered the Shrimp Alfredo. Very pleased with the taste and portion sizes. A minor suggestion to the chef, I would have liked it even more, if there was extra residual sauce to dip the perfectly crusted beget into. Other than that, I am excited to have leftovers!Thank you,M.C.

Dr Gonzo Miller

2024-03

The 4 stars is the best you get no matter what.... Gone there at least once a year for 5-7 years....Love the seating and the food is acceptable to good no better than that... And if you go there totally check out the "bar 1957" across the walk way.... Wonderful atmosphere there .... Great place for a drink to forget The mediocre-ness of Rucker Johns when you leave 🏼Kid-friendliness: 🤷🏼‍♂️Wheelchair accessibility: 👍🏿

Nancy Lese

2024-04

Not warm nor welcoming.Food was ok not great.The waitress never came back to check on us and we had to ask other servers to get us refills on our drinks and at the end we had to ask other servers to get our bill so we could leave.

Gale Cvitkovic

2024-04

…More

Nicholas Montalto

2020-05

Great place and it never dissapoints us when we visit the beach. Even on a friday night there was a very short wait which made out decision to go even more worth while. Crab dip was good. Ask for more toasted bread or chips if you run out. Ribs were great and the lightly glazed BBQ sauce made them delicious. Don forget the croissant!