The Rusty Rudder (Lake Norman-Cornelius)

Had food and drinks at the rudder. Food was good and Service was great. Also bartender was very friendly.... more

Bad Idea to go here - go almost anywhere else on the lake for better. The food, service, the selection, and the attitude of staff is all really bad. The view is nice so ride by but dont stop more

To start off with,\r I usually have good experiences at the Rudder, but this time, I was on the lake all day, and arrived with a few friends. When we arrived, we went to the hostess stand, where she gave us a buzzer and we went to the bar to wait on our table. The bar was not busy, and there were at least 5 bartenders. My friend and I waited for a good while, and noone ever attended us. When then waved our hand and a bartender came over (with not the best attitude). We ordered two drinks, but did not like the mix that was put in them. As we went to return our drinks, one bartender yelled at us and said ""GET OUT OF THE WAY THIS IS THE SERVICE STATION"". After this, finally a bartender came over and I apologized in a nice manner and said that we didn't really like the mix, and if they could possibly switch them out for us. After tipping once again, I went and sat at our table that they had just taken us to, and there was absolutely no alcohol in it. I suppose because I didn't like the mix before, she didn't want to ""put up with me"" so she gave me zero alcohol. \r As if this was not enough, we waited probably around 15 minutes for a server at our table, and when we looked around for one, one was just sitting down sending messages on her cell phone. After we looked around for a minute a bit frustrated. A server (I will not mention her name) came over and goes ""Uhm, do y'all need something?"". She didn't tell us her name, nor did she greet us in annnyyyway possible. She was extremely rude the whole time. \r I was so frustrated and in awe at this terrible service that I went and talked to a manager (thing that I have never done before, because I am very easy to please). The manager was attentive and nice, but acted like he didn't really care. \r Therefore, I will never ever go back to this place. more

This place has more drama and trauma than an ER room. They have consistently offended me and many other patrons and I swear I will never go back here again. more

My first and last trip to the Rusty Rudder. We decided to go there on a Saturday afternoon. It was not crowded yet it took forever to be waited on. Our food arrived before our ice teas. Our waitress acted as if we were an inconvenience, and went as far to tell us she would get back to us when we requested mayo and refills on our tea (which had been empty for quite awhile). Food was substandard and after waiting ten minutes for our waitress to come back (we stopped another waitress and she told us she was busy with her own tables and would get our waitress to help us), we had to get up and go to the bar to ask for mayonaise and a refill of our tea. Bad food, bad service, simply bad. more

The rudder has been a staple for the lake as long as I can remember and was one of the first places I went out when I moved to Charlotte, so I cannot be too judgmental on it. As you can expect from being a lakeside establishment in a busy cove, it can get a bit grimey...but that's what being at the lake is about...dive bars, good friends and cold beers overlooking the water. Most recently I went with group of friends to the Rudder for a casual dinner and a few drinks, this time I was less than satisfied with the meal. I had ordered the peel and eat shrimp which were overcooked and just had an unappealing texture; I only ate about 3 of them. Being a place on the lake, I at least figured they would be doing peel and eat right, but oh well, it happens. Since I wasn't happy the way they prepped the shrimp, I stayed away from any seafood entree. Not being too hungry, I stuck with old faithful, chicken tenders. They were good, as to be expected, you can't really do anything to mess them up unless they burn. The food is mediocre, but what do you expect, it's a dive place. Good times will be had, great views of the lake and cold beers floweth throughout. I'd definitely check it out, if you want it to be a perfect night there stick to the drinks and you will surely be satisfied. more

I've been a few times since weather has been nice and thought the food was pretty good. Really nice view and outdoor seating area. when eating there I quickly realized that during the week food tends to be better simply from the fact that it isn't as busy. Weekends are considerably busier so it takes longer to get food. would have rated higher but food times are inconsistant. I usually get some sort of fish and really like the fish tacos and salmon blt. I thought service was friendly and did a pretty good job the weekend I ate there. more

I got a coupon off of restaurants dot com $10 for a $25 gift certificate. The only reason we decided to go there was because it was close to home and described as family friendly. It ended up costing us $75 dollars to feed a family of 5. That included 2 appetizers 3 adult meals and 2 kids meals and a mandatory 18% tip. Amazingly the only thing that tasted good was the fried pickles. From the reviews I have read here, I think the only reason we had such good service was because, besides us, there was only one other party of 6. Every other table was empty. Family's beware, this is a bar, by no means a family restaurant. If you want to drink and party, this is the place for you. If you want good food, go anywhere but here. If you could rate it 0 stars, that is what I'd give it. Pros: Good Service Cons: Food was awful. Over priced. more

Typical chicken strips and french fries place. Sometimes there are good beer specials on not popular beer. Last time I was there I paid $4.00 for a plastic glass of yengling. Lot of money for a mediocre beer. Pros: view Cons: poor beer selection and bad food. more

12/26/08 - 8 family members (4 from out of town) looking to enjoy the holiday season with a few drinks. 3 hours spent at this establishment with 3 bar tender change outs - not one person said hello or thank you -\r Customer Service was not there- unfortunatley the patrons were very nice which made us stay a bit longer.\r After being ignored and snubbed by the last bar tender, we closed out and did not tip him - he became very loud and rude because he did not deserve a tip (in my standards plus my 84 yr.old father) I went to talk with the manager (still question if he was) and he did not want to hear anything we had to say regarding our service - sad, because we will never go back and I will not recommend the establishment to anyone. more

This is THE place to go on the lake for adult fun and food. They have the best drink specails. The wait staff is hot, hot, hot! When night time comes and you want a place to get out and meet people, you GOt to check this place out. I was very impressed. Pros: Drinks, the people and the food Cons: I don't have a boat to pull up at the docks. more

This place is a Lake Norman landmark, nobody throws a better party. Been going there for years and it just keeps getting better. The menu and decor was greatly improved this summer and it is an awsome place to watch Sunday football with all of the new TV's. Even though summer is over the Ladies still look hot ever Tuesday Night. see you there. Pros: Always a good time Cons: Busy summer weekends make parking hard more

Excellent place on the lake. A very fun weekend getaway. They accomodate boat mooring's if you are coming by water. more