One of the benefits that steakhouses have over other restaurants is that they need to execute one thing well. Steak - that's all. Unfortunately Rick Erwin's missed the mark on its primary assignment. The restaurant is nicely decorated in the style of a steakhouse. Dark wood paneling and shutters adorn the walls with pleasant dim lighting shining down from above. Service was strong with a team serving our table. We were greeted immediately and offered water and a drink. However, we were not offered bread, which is unusual for a steakhouse. Our appetizer of Buffalo Cauliflower was just ok. The breading had a subtle after-taste, which may have been from the batter being undercooked. And the buffalo sauce was not very prominent. So the dish was not as strong as I would have wanted. For our main course, we ordered the porterhouse for two--the signature dish at any steakhouse. Unfortunately, it fell short. When the steak arrived, it lacked the expected presentation; it had been grilled rather than broiled and was served without the usual butter or sizzling finish. That missing sizzle wasn't just visual--it showed in the flavor. A proper porterhouse should have a rich, salty, buttery finish, but this one was surprisingly bland. Just as disappointing, instead of being presented as the centerpiece of the table, the steak was served on a plate that we were apparently expected to eat directly from. It felt odd and took away from what should have been a standout experience. Overall, this was a below average experience for a steakhouse. We will try it again down the road since the choices near Clemson are limited. But Rick Erwin's should really revisit what it is trying to be and then decide how to be that. read more

Here at Rick Erwin's Clemson celebrating son's graduation from Clemson Honors College! This restaurant is always hopping with patrons whether in the bar area or dining room! Staff here will bend over backwards to make your experience great. Waiter was on point went over the menu. Started off with She Crab Soup and Calamari, just incredible flavors to both! We all went with the Signature Surf and Turf, 4oz Filet and Crab Cake and Asparagus and Whipped Potatoes!! Amazing experience 5 Stars !! read more

See all

This was our first time at Rick Erwin's, and I must say, the service was exemplary. Our server, Izzy, was delightful. I was thankful we were seated in a quieter section of the restaurant to celebrate my son's birthday. The cocktails were fabulous. Some of our food was delicious (the calamari, potatoes au gratin, and crabcakes). Other dishes would have greatly benefited from more flavor and/or seasonings (the brussels sprouts, creamed spinach, and the fillet, which was cooked perfectly, but needed salt!) Pricey, but worth it for a special occasion. read more

See all

Rick Erwin's is a classic steakhouse with an amazing wine list. We had a hard time figuring out what to order because there were so many great options. We started with the buffalo cauliflower and coconut prawns. The prawns were so huge and fried to perfection. The cauliflower was a very generous portion. When in South Carolina, you must have the She Crab soup. There is a perfect amount of crab toe, crab, and creaminess in the soup here. I ordered the wet aged ribeye. Service is attentive. The scene is Southern money. There were lots of families enjoying a formal dinner out and some business meals. If you're a fan of wine, definitely check out their reserve list. There are a couple of gems that I haven't seen in this part of South Carolina that are worth the splurge. read more

Great place. We sat at the bar for dinner and drinks and had an awesome experience. Our bartender Elliot did a fantastic job even though he was extremely busy. Drinks were on point and the food was delicious. Well done. Dylan and Maia read more

Every time we come to Rick Erwin's we are treated amazing! Gunner and Sarah took such great care of our table and made some really great recommendations. I always appreciate the rotating menu, despite us being here a month prior, there were new dishes to try! Lovely ambiance with dim lighting. Always a good time ! read more

See all

This was my family's second visit. Our first visit was my son's Clemson OV. We loved it so much that we returned with friends from Hawaii. Food- Amazing, fish was cooked to perfection, my husband's vegan diet was accommodated w/ an awesome saffron risotto. Service- attentive and warm. Ambiance- the 9 of us were seated on a bench and chairs. It was perfect, intimate with perfect spacing from the other tables. Minus 1 star for the length of time dessert took. Sorbets were out long before the other desserts were served. Nonetheless, one of the best and memorable dinners ever! read more

We celebrated our son-in-love this past Saturday night and as always it was an amazing evening! Eric & his complete staff never disappoint! Amy is our gal, she has become like family. I know we would still enjoy our food but it's like coming home every time we dine here!! Thanks again for making our night so spectacular.....oh and the food was as great as always!!! Now build one in Athens so we can dine more frequently!!! read more

See all

Great steakhouse! Food and service are top notch in what's otherwise a culinary wasteland.

My first visit was nothing exciting. The place was dead like hardly anyone dining , yet it took forever to get anyone to serve us. We had to tag whomever to get refills, bread etc. After ordering our food was not edible. The shrimp though great size, was not batters correctly. The breading was literally soggy as you pick them up. The fries were like a homemade fry very good, hot, but mine were cold. The burger was more of a medium well, I ordered medium. This was my experience. I'll probably go back but I'll be sure to request a manager oversees my order. read more

Rick Erwin's Clemson - Steakhouse burger cut in half to share. It was ordered as medium. It's more medium well. - Steakhouses Near Me - Clemson, South Carolina

See all

Went to what we considered an upscale restaurant (for the area) to enjoy a nicer atmosphere to impress a candidate we were interviewing for our team. The restaurant was HOT and HUMID. So humid the salt would not come out of the shaker. Izzy (wait staff) was very pleasant and as well the manager (Sophie??) super apologetic. However...be warned...as long as the AC is not allowed to be utilized effectively...this is not a place to go for atmosphere. We might as well of had dinner outside. At least we would've had a breeze. All of us were literally sweating. To say we were embarrassed to have picked this location to impress a potential candidate is an understatement. I/we won't make this mistake moving forward. Downtown Greenville is a hop and a skip down the road. PS...a minor side note...the chef should know better...tomatoes require salt...the fried green tomatoes were severely lacking in taste and texture. read more

Perfect place for a fancy celebration dinner! Our server was amazing! The food was delicious!

This location used to be great. Now it's just rather average the last few times we have been here. For three of us, we spend $200 just for food. At that price and with Rick Erwin's reputation, it should have been excellent, but it's been just OK to not that great. While the main server was good, one of the runners brought us a dish that wasn't ours and set it down on an angle, dumping a portion onto the table. When we told her it was not ours, rather than taking it back to the kitchen to correct, she took it straight to another table short what was dumped on our table. After too many trips of "just OK", I doubt we will return. read more

We had an amazing dinner for our daughter's 50th birthday celebration at Rick Erwin's in Clemson. The food was outstanding as was the service. All this in an upscale, clubby atmosphere! Great place to celebrate special occasions. read more

Ambiance is great- dark classy and moody. Service is excellent and attentive Food is good and wine list is also nice that's the 3 stars The food is over priced for what you get. And no better than some of the other more moderate priced options. Dinner and a drink here is 70 to 90 per person. And I can get a comparable tasting meal for 30 to 40 per person. it strikes me as one of those people were people are willing to pay high prices to "be seen" there. if that you- you will have a great meal. read more

took FOREVER and my medium steak can our MOOING like completely raw it was like it was not cooked at all

This is more than a restaurant, it's an experience. The ambiance is incredible, the service is professional and knowledgeable, the food is phenomenal. The food here isn't cooked by line cooks, it's crafted and it shows from the first bite to the last. read more

Rick Erwin's Clemson - Surf & turf - Steakhouses Near Me - Clemson, South Carolina

5 stars for food, service and ambience we save this restaurant for very special occasions. Best steaks in town! read more

Rick Erwin's Clemson - Celebrating 23rd anniversary - Steakhouses Near Me - Clemson, South Carolina

See all

Clearly, one of our favorite restaurants! Reservations are now available through Open Table (convenient!). And another big bonus - they've just added outside seating!! Tonight we sat inside the bar and enjoyed the chef's take on Fried Calamari. At first I was hesitant when I learned that it wasn't the typical rings and tenacles, but the sliced "steak" calamari. Oh boy was I surprised when they delivered this beautiful dish to our table - one of the best calamari dishes I have ever had! read more

Rick Erwin's Clemson - Crispy Calamari with squash, zucchini, okra and lemon jalapeno tarter sauce - Steakhouses Near Me - Clemson, South Carolina

Go for a filet. I really enjoyed the collard greens as well. Service was just as great as the food!

My wife and I have eaten here several times. Their steaks are excellent as are their specials normally. If you're looking for a good steak, this is the place to go. read more

During our first visit to South Carolina while touring Clemson University with our daughter, we had the pleasure of dining at Rick Irwin's--and what a remarkable discovery it was. The restaurant's atmosphere strikes a good balance - relaxing with subtle lighting and rich dark wood accents creating an elegant yet comfortable environment. My wife's filet was cooked to a perfect medium with exceptional flavor. Our daughter's pork chop--notoriously difficult to prepare properly--was as she's said "super tasty". My rack of lamb arrived at a perfect medium-rare with a glaze that was nothing short of extraordinary. Both the appetizers and desserts had the same high level of excellence. What truly made the evening was the attentive service. The entire staff made us feel welcome, with special recognition to Thaddeus, whose professional yet personable approach and comprehensive menu knowledge just made the night perfect. Whether you're visiting Clemson or are a local resident, Rick Irwin's is an absolute must. We'll certainly be returning on our next visit to the area. read more

First time I came to RE, it was 2014 and I was a senior at Clemson. I was blown away at the time - maybe bc I was a broke college student and impressed by nice fancy food. Fast fwd to 2022, I had to put my memory and taste buds to the test. Rick Erwin's is just as phenomenal as I once remembered it to be- their service was on point and the food was very tasty. I had the she crab soup, calamari, mashed potatoes, Brussels, and lamb. I honestly think the soup is the best she crab soup I've ever had. Calamari was also great, I loved the aioli sauce. However, the mashed potatoes were super salty and the Brussels could've been cooked down a bit more to incorporate that flavor into the folds of the Brussels. Nonetheless, everything was still pleasantly delicious. read more

See all

Shannon was the ULTIMATE last night as we shared time at the restaurant. Couldn't have asked for anyone better serving us, what a DELIGHT and the food was delicious. Will certainly be back! read more

Absolutely wonderful service and excellent food. We loved the seafood tower and the surf and turf was top notch! read more

Love, love, love! Can't wait to take our kids back to Clemson in August so we can eat here again! It is truly first-class dining! Oh, did I mention their wine selection? read more

Service and atmosphere was great. Steaks were good and side dishes (mashed potatoes)were extremely salty. I'll go back and try it again in hopes it was an off night. read more

Best steakhouse in Clemson. Great atmosphere and the steaks are delicious. The service was also excellent.

Once again Rick Erwins was delicious! Bartender Dawson and Chef Malakai are the best! read more

See all

With a $700 tab for four people who know how to dine, the most disappointing experience we've ever had on any continent. I guess if you don't know and have money to throw away, this is the place for you. However if your one who thinks Calamari should be served with relish, then maybe we just have a different palate. read more

YOU THE PLACE to go in Clemson!! The food is Amazing ‼we have gone TWICE ALREADY & going back tomorrow night and bringing others.. this is THE BEST RESTAURANT IN the Clemson AREA.‼ Best service from Emerson! You the Man‼ read more

Rick Erwin's Clemson - Steakhouses Near Me - Clemson, South Carolina

The manager had reached out to me & after a good conversation, I think we will try it again. He has graciously offered to comp a meal for my husband and I. Sounds like this instance wasn't handled as usual. I'll give some grace. We all have bad days. read more

10 STARS if possible!!!!!!!! They provided us with top notch service, Breathtakingly delicious food and even a customized Birthday card for me! Such a sweet gesture! I can't get over how great of an experience we had thanks to Peyton, Bradley and Martin!!! Everyone really. Great teamwork! Your drinks we're never even half empty before they came to refill them. As a group of 7, we ate the Fried green tomato, Deviled eggs and Shrimp cocktail for Appetizers. Duck Linguine, Surf and Turf (Lobster & Scallops), Roasted Chicken, Ribeye and Mac n cheese for Entrees. Pumpkin cheesecake, Pana Cotta and Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream for desert. Best birthday dinner EVER!!! read more

Fantastic service, atmosphere and food! We celebrated our Son's 20th birthday and had a delightful experience. We will return! Thank you!!

We went to Rick Erwin's on Thursday. There was a great variety of appetizers and meals. The service was really good. We had one steak that was over cooked that they fixed without question. The specialty drinks were really good. read more

Visited Rick Erwin's for family weekend and we had 5:30 reservations and we had to come straight from playing in the family weekend cornhole tournament. I was in a dress but my son was in a clemson shirt and shirts w tennis shoes and husband was in jeans and a clemson shirt w nicer shoes. He had a ball cap on and thankfully they seated us! I was really worried about the dress code bc we didn't have time to change!!! Husband did remove his cap at the table. The wait staff was friendly and the food was great! I had a salad w 4oz steak and the guys had NY strip and filet. Our sides were Brussels, max n cheese and mashed potatoes. It was a very nice meal and you are well cared for while there! My son felt like it was the nicest restaurant he'd even been to! We will have to go back! read more

Steaks were tasty and cooked to perfection. Birthday card on the table signed by the staff for son's birthday. Owner Rick Erwin coming by every table to say hello and make sure we were satisfied. read more

Always great service and great food. Clean and good environment. Wait staff is always kind and attentive.

Great atmosphere very classy, steak was a little smaller than I expected overcooked , and very expensive

We came here because of the reviews and to celebrate my son attending Clemson. We give this a 3 1/2 stars. Found a shell in the She Crab Soup and it had pockets of flour lumps. Looked for this soup all over Clemson and I was disappointed!!! Our server, Dawson B. - 947 was attentive, but he did not try to upsell any other items. As a foodie who has travelled the world I was really disappointed with the quality of the food. The risotto was dry and tasteless. The salmon was over seasoned. The cream for the ravioli was too loose and the asparagus was overcooked. The dessert could have been better and super sweet. The strawberry garnishment was unripe and foo presentation was not appealing. In addition, they double charged us. I downgrade it to a one star. read more

See all