We almost passed this place by because, from the photos, it looked like a remodeled house just a couple of miles off I-20. After looking at the website and photos, I began to wonder if we were dressed nicely enough! We made a 5:00 reservation (online), walked in at 5:02, and were immediately greeted with such a warm welcome that we instantly felt welcome. Our server recommended the pineapple lemon drop--absolutely delicious! The house salad with the warm bacon dressing was magical, and my husband loved the peppercorn ranch. Both ribeyes were cooked to perfection, the green beans were fresh (definitely not from a can!), and the mushrooms were packed with flavor. As we were leaving, we stopped to take a picture and learned that the friendly young woman who had welcomed and served us was actually the owner, Semmes. Her father purchased the restaurant in 1990, and after his passing in 2024, she proudly took over the family business. Watching her interact with every guest, it was clear she genuinely loves what she does. She was a ray of sunshine to everyone who walked through the door. I also loved seeing her dad's antique car parked outside--a sweet tribute to his legacy. If you're from the Meridian area or just passing through on I-20, do yourself a favor and stop here. Support this amazing 33-year-old female business owner--you won't regret it. -Lacie and Ryan, Texans passing through to Tuscaloosa read more

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Wow! Superb experience and dining. Truly wonderful food. What can I say? It needs not a long review at all because this can be reviewed easily: Food: A+ Ambience: A+ Experience: A+ Service: A+ Every server was attentive and wonderfully welcoming, nice, and accommodating. I want people to know about this restaurant, so they make lots of money and stay here for a long time. I also want it to be just like it was tonight when I was there - Light crowd, easy going, relaxing. You can let your guard down in this place. And I just loved it. I went for the basics on my first try- Steak, baked potato, broccoli, salad. Let's focus on that steak - Petit Filet, 8oz, medium. Easily one of the best steaks I have ever had. Top 3. Great job. Well done. Keep up the good work. And may I say, Kat was a pleasure to have as a server. Thank you, Kat. And thank you as well, owner. Very good. read more

The Rustler - Steakhouses Near Me - Meridian, Mississippi

Not a place that you would typically stop at however, when you walk inside, everything changes. Love the service! The food was on point! Semmes whistling behind the bar made my night! read more

Had a reservation for 6:30pm. We seated at 6:35. Ambiance is always a ++ here. Started with 1/2lb crab claws, never been let down on these. Make a meal out of those alone. Very good steak and sides. Can't go wrong for what they are known far. If you're out of town, don't let the outside fool you. read more

The steak was very good. The drinks were great. The prices were very high. And the restaurant was very dark. The service was good.

The service was fast and friendly, the ambience was very nice, and the food was excellent! We thoroughly enjoyed our meal! We had the petite filet and the salmon. The main dishes as well as the sides (and bread & butter) were wonderful. read more

Exceptional restaurant! The service was very good. They went above and beyond to make you feel welcome and taken care of. The steak and asparagus was very good! I highly recommend the filet. The Rustler has a very unique and homey look that is welcoming. read more

Steaks are the best! Service is great too!! I've been here lots of times and have never been disappointed!! The owners run it and they're always there!! read more

Was The Rustler worth the trip? ABSOLUTELY! The food was soooo good! I had squash that tasted like my mama cooked it! The blackened salmon was amazing! I enjoyed my meal! The baked potato was hot and delicious! The service was excellent and they constantly came back to the table checking to see if we needed anything. The atmosphere was great. They were very busy when we dined there but the owner took time to chat with us and she checked with us during the meal. We felt like VIP's! My husband had a ribeye steak and he said that it was cooked perfectly! It was worth the price and the dining experience was superb! So glad Meridian has a place where you can enjoy a good meal! read more

Food and service always excellent. Very crowded the night we were there. If you are looking for a quiet, romantic evening out, this restaurant isn't that. read more

I was very disappointed. We traveled and stayed overnight in order to eat here. My steak was well done and charred rather than medium as ordered. It was lacking in flavor and was not tender. The beef I get from a local farm is much better. The sides were nothing special. The baked potato was not tender and fluffy when I tried to break into it with a fork. The mushrooms were not seasoned very well. The cheesecake was mushy on the sides and frozen in the middle. Maybe it had been microwaved to thaw. I expected better considering the high prices. read more

I'm always looking for places to dine and came across The Rustler in Meridian, MS. It's a bit off the beaten path, but well worth the effort especially when you get to meet Semmes and Gracie. These two ladies took exceptional care of me, made sure I lacked for nothing, and made me feel very welcome. The menu decisions were tough but with Gracie's help I decided on the Fried Crab Claws, the Petite Filet Hailey which included a salad, baked potato (I upgraded to a loaded one), and green beans. Gracie brought out the bread service and while it was warm and delicious, I only sampled due to what I had coming. The crab claws are delicious and addictive, BUT you must get some of the Comeback sauce for dipping...it is addictive and will push this over the top! A pound of these with a bucket of beer and a gallon of Comeback sauce would be awesome!!! Nice touch...the salad is delivered on a chilled plate, everything is crisp and fresh and the homemade Blue Cheese with crumbles on the salad "blue" me away. Out comes the 8oz Petite Filet with a mixture of shrimp and crabmeat in a seafood sauce sporting a bit of a Cajun kick. The steak...cooked as requested, very tender, and nicely crusted with black pepper. This was a very thick filet and as you can see perfectly cooked from top to bottom. Overall this meal and the incredible service would rival experiences I've had at high-end steakhouses. read more

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The best filet maybe ever! It's an unassuming place, cozy inside, upscale yet welcoming. 10/10 The wine list could be improved, especially the selection of wines by the glass. I was the only one drinking at my party, and all the wine by the glass were inexpensive, average grocery store wine. $65 entree, and the best I could get by the glass was Meomi; not to sound like a wine snob, but my steak was up there with one you'd find at a fancy fine dining steakhouse; it would have been nice to accompany it with a great glass of wine and not something I can drink at home for $16 a bottle. Since we were paying a premium for dinner, I was also disappointed in our side of green beans. I couldn't tell if they were fresh or frozen previously; they were not good. We had the Bread Pudding for dessert, and it was lovely! The ranch dressing and others were housemade, and very good. Blue crab crab appetizer-10/10 We Would make this a regular dining spot if we lived there. read more

This place is a hidden gem! Food was excellent and the service was great! Party of 10 was completely satisfied. Best filet I've ever had.

Our first time trying The Rustler, we visiting friends In Meridian from San Diego. First off, the young lady that seated us was warm and welcoming. She took our drink orders right away and our server soon arrived. Kat was wonderful! She answered all of our questions regarding the menu and was attentive throughout our entire dining experience. We ordered the grilled shrimp entree with stuffed baked potato and asparagus, along with the crab cakes. Everything was delicious! The dinner salads alone could be a meal! The ambiance was warm and romantic and it could definitely use some updating to make it more modern, but that in NO way detracts from the fantastic food and service! read more

Don't let the outside looks fool you Though the restaurant is located inside an old house, the food and service were superb! Would recommend to anyone. read more

My family of 6 was moving across the country. We were hours into our drive from Texas to South Carolina. It was a late night. We were in foul moods and hungry. Fortunately, we stopped at The Rustler. This gem calmed our nerves and satiated our hunger. If you find yourself in between Jackson and Tuscaloosa, then stop in, unwind, and enjoy good food with good people. read more

Well I was disappointed by this quaint restaurant. I'm a big steak lover and from the reviews, I was expecting excellence. The atmosphere was very romantic. They gave us sourdough bread that was warm and good. Me and my husband ordered a 16 ounce ribeye medium rare with Brussel sprouts and loaded baked potato. The steak was overdone and the quality of meat for $58 was not good. I normally don't mind paying good money for a steak but this was a let down. The Brussel sprouts tasted like they steamed them and threw a ton of salt and pepper on them. The baked potato wasn't bad, relatively good. I will say the redeeming quality of the restaurant was the service. Our waiter was very attentive and nice. read more

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Our first visit to the Rustler great food, great wine, great ambiance! and the service! Kennedy and Sam were over the top! The Bread, Salads, baked S Potatoes, and Prime Ribeyes were excellent! We'll worth the drive, Will not be our last trip up! Todd and Holly Green Heidelberg MS read more

This place is worth going out of your way for. We travel south each winter and literally plan our travel schedule so we can eat here on our way. The food is excellent. Our favorite is the fried mushrooms appetizer. The steaks are some of the best we've had. Meal comes with a salad (you have to try the warm bacon dressing), potato, and veggie. For desert they have more than a dozen types of cheesecakes. Beyond the excellent food is great service and an owner with a personality beyond belief. This is a family owned restaurant where the current generation owner serves as hostess. Semmes is as sweet as you'll ever meet. In fact when we finished our dinner and paid our check she was back in the kitchen when we left. As we got to our car she came running out to the parking lot just to tell us thank you and safe travels. Who does that? We were floored by the kindness and appreciation she showed to her customers. If you are lucky enough to be local you need to make this place a regular go to. If you are going to be traveling anywhere within 100 miles of this place you need to adjust your travel to try this place. I promise you'll want to visit again any time you possibly can. read more

Great service, steak, great bar, great cheesecake! Enough said!! Fried oyster app was amazing!

We found this place after a long debate of where to go for food around that area. It's in an industrial area but wasn't loud and the outside reminded of something out of the ordinary.. it was everything but. It was black table cloth fancy with the food to match! We were greeted immediately upon walking in and sat just as fast. We didn't have reservations, but got there a little early so it wasn't a problem. Service was great and quick. We ordered the half pound of crab claws as these are one of my favorites things to order in Florida. We got them sautéed instead of fried and what a great decision that was because they came dripping in butter and Cajun/blackened seasoning YUM! We ordered the filet medium rare(it was cooked perfect) with green beans and a loaded baked potato, which also came with a salad. The ranch dressing on the salad was unique because it was creamy and thicker than what we are used to.. not a bad thing at all, it was delicious! Green beans seemed a little old or something, but we were able to pick out a few that had a nice crunch and fresh taste to them. Baked potato was a baked potato, always good, hard to mess those up. Now on to the piece de resistance.. THE FILET! My goodness this is one of the best steaks I have had in quite some time. Not only was it a nice portion, but it was cooked to perfection with the best flavor! It was almost fork cut tender and just as juicy as could be. Don't walk, RUN to this place and have yourself a great meal! read more

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I've never left a review before but this place was magnificent!!! Ribeye was cooked and flavored perfectly!! Great atmosphere and the workers were excellent!!! read more

Excellent food and service. The food was delicious and the people were super nice!! I highly recommend it.

This little hideaway was so worth the trip. The service was excellent and I mean excellent. The food was delicious I was full after the delicious salad with hot bacon dressing ( a little too sweet for my taste) but still so good I just added a little ranch to it and it was perfect. I ordered the ribeye , medium rare , Cooked perfectly. My husband ordered the lobster which I usually don't care for because they are always overcooked and dry. But this one was like on the cover of BonAppetite. Delicious tender sweet meat like a real Main lobster. This is not a chain this is independently owned by a young lady Semmes who checked in our table 3 times, walked us out the door and visited with us. This is not a cheap place but it is worth the extra money. Next time I will get the filet. The ribeye is just too much to eat. Wish I had pictures. Give this place a visit for a really date night. read more

Don't walk RUN to this place if you love amazing steak! The service was fun and impeccable The food though-the food is one of the best steaks I ever had and I am from NYC Cant wait to come back next time I am here for the Bulldog game read more

Alex was our waiter, but the whole staff checks in on you. The food was amazing! The loaded sweet potato is a MUST! It is huge and delicious. The Rustler is a must stop in Meridian. Especially for carnivores!! I challenge you to try to finish your meal. With your entree you get a salad, potato, and vegetable plus your protein!! read more

Steak was terrible -- very tough, even hard to cut with a steak knife. The exterior was not seared at all and the steak had no taste. Brussel sprout side was a mushy, salty mess. This was not a good meal at all. read more

The Rustler is a hidden gem of steak houses in the USA. I have eaten all across this country and the greats. The Rustler now has a spot on that list. If traveling or living in Meridian MS. Stop in for great service and great food. Start with the crab fingers, prime rib some of the best I have ever eaten. Finish up with the lemon blueberry cheesecake. You won't go wrong. Thanks Sims read more

In town for a show at The Ellis, staying in Meridian. We wanted a nice dinner before the show & found The Rustler online. We were able to make an early reservation to make the show. GPS took us right to the parking lot with no issues. Now, I gotta say, the initial "curb appeal" was not what I expected. But don't let that deter you. Once inside, we found a dining room & bar side. We opted for the bar side. Tables had black linen tables clothes & candles and gave a 1970's vibe. We ordered martinis & bacon wrapped scallops to start. The drinks were fabulous & just as ordered. The scallops arrived quickly & were very good. Our entrees were the filet & prime rib. Both were cooked exactly as requested. The prime rib came with horseradish sauce & au jus. We both had more food than we could eat & enjoyed a midnight snack back at the hotel. Chloe took great care of us & made sure we had everything needed in our leftover bag. When we left, the parking lot was full & cars across the street. Looks like a popular spot & we will definitely return when in the area. read more

This place never fails to amaze... The food is not pretentious, yet it is always great. The Crab Fingers are to die for, and the Fried Shrimp are always good, as are their Steaks. There's one more thing about this place however, the staff. Semmes is great. She's super friendly and very welcoming. The waitstaff is young, but they know their menu and are very professional. We stopped on the way to a meeting in Nashville and had planned on stopping again on the way home. Unfortunately the meeting didn't end until 5:30, so making it to Meridian for dinner was not an option. Be assured we'll make up for it on the next trip! read more

I know people rave about their steaks, and they are good , but believe me when I advise you to get the salmon cooked medium. Order it with a baked sweet potato and some green veggies. You'll thank me later! read more

The food and ambiance were pretty good. Kind of just meh. If someone asked if I wanted to go back I probably would if they were paying but not somewhere I'd beg to back to. read more

Very cute and quaint restaurant! In my opinion, the steaks were under seasoned and the mushrooms were over seasoned. I enjoyed the atmosphere but the steaks were just not worth the price. My husband had the ribeye it was also under seasoned and a little tough. The baked potato was amazing though! read more

The Rustler - Surf and turf filet - Steakhouses Near Me - Meridian, Mississippi

As previous reviews mentioned, this place was amazing. The food of course was, but more importantly the staff. If your drink was empty, the closest server refilled it. They all chip in. I was advised by one of the female servers (who came to greet me on the way out even) suggested I use the sauce that the baked stuffed mushrooms came in, to double as a dipping sauce for the bread. It was fabulous! I travel a lot and can assure you, when I am back in town, The Rustler is where I will have my dinner!! Top notch! read more

I really wanted to love this restaurant - because everyone in meridian talks so highly about it - but it really fell flat. Granted, I was there for a business meeting... which may have been the problem. For appetizers, we had fried mushrooms, broiled crab legs, and cheese sticks. We were served salads and a choice of chicken, filet, or fish. When I got my filet, it was mostly grizzle and I could barely cut through it. Worst cut of meat I have had in a long time I ended up leaving 3/4 of my steak on the plate because I couldn't cut through it. Because it was a presentation, I couldn't send it back (and I don't usually do that in general). Pretty disappointed. read more

The Rustler - Exterior of the Rustler - Steakhouses Near Me - Meridian, Mississippi

For me it was pricey and nothing was like wow it was just ok nothing special. My husband had the ribeye and I had the prime rib which was served at Luke warm temp. read more

We stopped at this little gem passing through Meridian. Everything was top notch from management to service to food. We had made reservations for 5 pm when they open. We had arrived early and were content to wait until 5; however, Semmes, the manager personally came out and welcomed us in early. The place is in an industrial area, and from the outside, it may appear a little underwhelming. Inside is a totally different story. When we walked in, we felt we may be a little under-dressed. It is a very elegant dining room. I was wearing overalls and steel-toes boots. I apologized for my attire and Semmes assured us we were fine and checked on us quite often taking the time to get to know us. We had Matthew as a server and he was spectacular. We ordered the bacon-wrapped scallops as an appetizer and they were some of the best I have eaten. For our entree's, we had the Hayden Filet and they let me order a filet with the crab meat and Parmesan cream sauce that comes on the Ridge Ribeye. The cook on the steaks was a perfect medium-rare as ordered. The sauces were both unique and definitely enhanced the dish. We're fromTexas and our jobs require a ton of travel. We have eaten at steakhouses that cost two or three times more, and the steaks here are up to par with some of the best we have experienced. We will definitely be back. That Cowboy Ribeye has my name on it. Thanks Semmes and Matthew for making us feel welcome and giving us a great dining experience! read more

Really enjoyed this place. Nice food, service, and atmosphere. We were well taken care from when we entered. Started at the bar, nice bartender, quality drinks. Lovely lady, Miss De, greeted us there. Very impressed by the father and daughter team that run the restaurant. Their attention to moving the folks through and recycling the tables was great. We never felt rushed however and we took our time. The steaks we had were both lovely, dessert was lovely too. Shout out to our waitress, Lanie, happy belated birthday. She helped make our meal special. read more

Wow! What a place. My wife and I went there on a whim and we are forever fans! The Prime Rib and Filet are as good as any I've had. I have been to all the high end steakhouses and they have nothing on The Rustler. We went one night when we were in town and it was so good we went out of our way 30 miles to visit again. Visit and I promise you will not be disappointed. The service is great and the atmosphere wonderful. read more