The Rustler

Overall 4 Stars If…read moreyou want a decent Po-Boy in Meridian, make a pit stop at Seafood Express. Get your gas and chips but you GOTTA' get their sandwiches! Ambiance - A locally owned gas store / deli, you can order a variety of FRIED food, both Surf or Turf, plates, family style or a la cart. The only fresh seafood they might have is Crawfish, when in seasoned. There are three or four small tables to seat and eat. I recommend as order as takeout. Service - the staff were fast and friendly. With a steady supply of locals coming through, they ready to take your order. The deli section is stocked with a lot of fried items so you can get your food quicker. However, I would recommend to get one of their PoBoy sandwiches. You won't go wrong. You may have to wait 5-10 minutes but it worth it. Food - 4 Stars Shrimp PoBoy combo w fries and drink. $13.99 I would have given it 5 stars but the fries were overcooked and too crunchy. The quality of the potato of the fries could be better too. The bread was fluffy and toasty just as it should be for a PoBoy! The amount of shrimp was overwhelming. See pictures. The sandwhich came w lettuce, onions, pickles and tomatoes. No mayo. I ordered the 8" combo meal but they have a 6" size, if you counting your calories because your cholesterol will still be high with the amount of fried food! Oh, I forgot, they have shrimp fried rice too. So get a side order! I forgot to order mine. Bummer. Enjoy

Been 5 years since I've been here. My mom wanted some oysters and shrimp so I made a bee line down…read morehere for her. This place is always hopping and thankfully I got here at just the right time. Got the s6 shrimp and oyster combo plate with fries and hush puppies. She's gobbling it up.

Whole catfish

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A full plate of 8" Shrimp PoBoy combo W fries $13.99

Breaux Bridge - Meridian

3.2(87 reviews)

3.8 mi

Service was friendly, but very slow. The boil was OK, but a pretty low quality of shrimp and only…read more1 potato and 1 corn in the bag along with a pound of shrimp. All the other seafood was frozen Sysco stuff. Crab cakes were the same frozen ones I get at the grocery store - but overcooked and too crisp. I had a crawfish po-boy (they call it the Breaux Boy) - the roll was browned great, the veggies were fresh... and the fried crawfish were overcooked. I honestly couldn't tell if they were crawfish or shrimp - they just tasted burned. Their custom "voodoo sauce" is overly sweet and the sandwich would have been better served by a standard remoulade or even just mayo. I may be prejudiced since we were on our way back from the coast, where we had wonderful fresh seafood. But I wouldn't be back here again.

My mom really likes Bureaux Bridge. While in the area on a Saturday morning I ordered her one of…read morethe Breaux Specials. I was able to order online as soon as they opened. The online ordering process was easy. I went to pick-up close to the suggested time and my wait wasn't long. She gives them 4 stars.

Dropped in after MSU vs USM football game

D-special crab, crawfish, shrimp

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Breaux Special

Long's Fish Camp

4.3(55 reviews)

16.0 mi

Been coming here since it was Troy's and we have always loved it. Hasn't changed much...except the…read morecoleslaw isn't the same. Still the best ice cream around and decent grilled shrimp.

Always great catfish, warm and friendly. Good price. County friendly atmosphere. Would recommend.read more

A brief description of the history.

2 Piece Filet with French Fries

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Okatibbee Creek Fish Camp

3.6(17 reviews)

11.4 mi

Good food,fair price, friendly service. Nice folks…read moreA lot of locals, which is always a good sign.

Seafood platter was very poor.2 pieces of fish were okay. 4 hard fried small sysco shrimp and 2…read moreoysters that were the size of my thumb with no shrimp or oyster taste. Dried out, overcooked stuffed crab. We eat out all the time but this restaurant will not be on our list of places to eat. Very poor quality food.

Sign

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August 2017

Back Forty Seafood Restaurant

4.0(10 reviews)

35.2 mi

The seafood served here is always great! The kitchen cook has been dishing out great food for 45…read moreyears. You can always count on flavorful food and superb service! The restaurant is large and they can handle large parties with their buffet. Go give them a try when in Central Mississippi!

Everything is great love the food bar and great friendly staff and great atmoshere Plenty of room…read moreand nice restrooms that are clean

Catfish Plus

3.6(9 reviews)

11.3 mi

Food, service and environment is so much better without drama employees that cannot do their job…read morethey was hired to do. Now there is no one stealing food and sticking cash sales in their pockets and taking cash out the change box. The service is so much better, no one smoking spice at the window after the owner had repeatedly asked it to stop, and no more employees clocking in and driving off to get paid for hours not worked. Food is definitely cooked more consistently and way more presentable. So y'all need to stop on by and see for yourself.

Wait time is a little long but great food a lot of options ... food stays fresh .. nice standread more

Outside of the catfish stand

2 piece, fried catfish with fries and hush puppies

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Cajun Cooking

4.3(3 reviews)

11.3 mi

Crawfish were ok for up here. But for a redneck from the coast they were overcooked a bit and not…read moreenough seasonings.

Cajun cooking is the place to get your crawfish fix! I always enjoy the 5lb crawfish special!read more

Zac's Catfish and Chicken

3.5(53 reviews)

3.9 mi

Can't wait to be going through Meridian again so I can stop by Zac's for some more awesome fried…read morecatfish. I highly recommend this place.

Disappointed. I visit Meridian 2 or 3 times a year and stay at hotels within walking distance of…read morethe restaurant. Establishment was very dirty including dining room, counter, cooking area. I counted 5 employees, one dinner guest and myself at dinner time. Almost all employees were walking around behind the counter or in drive-thru with their personal drink in their hand. Very unprofessional. One employee sat on the food prep table in front of me while I was waiting on my order. The catfish was good but now I'm questioning the cleanliness of the whole operation.

Behind counter / drive thru

Shrimp platter with texas toast

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Sitting on counter

Harvest Grill

4.2(229 reviews)

2.3 mi

Another wonderful dining experience in Meridian…read more This restaurant came recommended to me by several others and I can totally see why. I had a lovely time. I sat at the bar and was greeted warmly by all of the staff members. The bartender was so kind and welcoming. I enjoyed their Easy Street gin cocktail and I ordered the yellowfin tuna for my meal. The tuna was DELICIOUS. The vibe is very calming and HG seems like a very nice place to unwind. They had a lot of regulars which is always a good sign. I can't recommend this place enough. Definitely a keeper!

Another great meal today !!!! Service was outstanding Keith…read moregave us the bests service !!!! We sat outside the breeze was great total enjoyed the atmosphere!!! Filet was great !! The crab, shrimp, dip was great as well!!! Oh and don't forget the crème brûlée superb !!

The bar

Korean short rib tacos

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Aperol Spritz

Weidmann's Restaurant

4.4(541 reviews)

2.4 mi

Holy cow do not drive within 50 miles of here without stopping! We were driving to NOLA and stopped…read morefor lunch. Blown away by huge menu and incredibly delicious Southern cooking. Generous portions! Owner came by and chatted for several minutes. Our server, Victoria, was so professional and anticipated our every need. Gave us gigantic go cups for our drinks going home. Husband left credit card and she came running down the block to find us! Vegetable plate was so delicious and the fried green tomatoes top notch. Served with a remoulade sauce. Coconut pie outstanding! Cool old building (oldest restaurant in MS), rooms for big gatherings. Tables nicely set.

We stopped at Weidmann's Restaurant in Meridian, Mississippi for lunch while traveling. Established…read morein 1870, it's a historic downtown spot with plenty of charm. We had Felix's Special--Shrimp Remoulade Salad with a grilled pimento cheese and applewood smoked bacon sandwich on sourdough. Both were very good: fresh shrimp, and a well-toasted sandwich with smoky bacon and melted pimento cheese. Service was friendly and attentive, and the atmosphere was pleasant. A solid stop if you're passing through Meridian.

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Downstairs bar

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The walls decorated in framed pictures in one room

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71 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Trisha S.

2 months ago

The Rustler in Meridian was such an unexpected find. We were just looking for a cozy, comfortable place to relax with a few drinks and appetizers on our drive between Tennessee and Texas, and this place absolutely delivered. The crab dip was shockingly good--easily one of the best appetizers I've had in a long time. Everything came out incredibly fast, the food was piping hot, and the drinks were made perfectly. The service was some of the best I've experienced anywhere. Our waitress was attentive, genuinely friendly, and always seemed to appear exactly when we needed something without ever being intrusive. The hostess, Sims, deserves special recognition as well. She was warm, professional, and made us feel welcome from the moment we walked in. She set the tone for a fantastic experience. The atmosphere strikes the perfect balance between comfortable and upscale. It's the kind of place where you can unwind for an hour or spend the entire evening. The bar staff clearly knows what they're doing--they made every drink we requested, no matter how obscure, and the wine selection was surprisingly extensive. If you're passing through Meridian, don't overlook The Rustler. It's a true hidden gem, and I'll absolutely make it a point to stop here again every time I'm traveling between Tennessee and Texas. read more

Jeff M.

118

8 years ago

I've traveled much of the country and have eaten at many steakhouses. I'd be hard pressed to think of a better steak than the ones I've eaten here over the years. I don't visit Meridian often (probably 2 or 3 times a year) and I don't always have the opportunity to eat at The Rustler on my visits. But I so look forward to the times I do! Four of us dinned there last night for a business meeting. The place kind of looks like a dive bar & grill on the outside and you drive through a older industrial & residential area to get there. The inside is a little dark but the atmosphere is pleasant for our purposes. The staff has always been friendly and efficient. The food has consistently been fantastic. The steaks are flavorful, cooked properly, seasoned just the right amount, and I think a little larger than indicated on the menu. Last night we opened with the loaf of warm sourdough bread that was brought to the table, followed by the barbecued shrimp and baked stuffed mushrooms, both were terrific. The shrimp wasn't exactly what I expected. The sauce was more creamy than bbq, but outstanding. My 3 dining companions all had filets while I went for my customary New York strip, cooked to a perfect medium rare. I couldn't finish it all. Great experience all around. read more

Figaro B.

3 years ago

This was our first time here, and it was the best meal I have ever had in my life. Not just me, but me and my family, too! Everyone at the table was saying it before I could even say it! I was proud to have been in such good company! We had and *highly* recommend the bacon wrapped scallops, and the fried green tomatoes for appetizers. We had the petite filet Hailey, with green beans and a stuffed potato, a 16 Oz USDA prime ribeye, sauteed slices mushrooms, house salads with warm, sweet bacon dressing, chicken tenders and fries (secret kids menu, thank goodness), and for dessert, bread pudding and an oreo cheesecake slice, all huge portions. Literally everything just melted in your mouth. I cannot recommend enough. The staff was BEYOND. Just absolutely BEYOND efficient and kind. Wonderful, homegrown people in a very perfectly rustic location with a lit-up atmosphere. Just amazing. Oh! The bread and butter were even showing out, AND I had the pineapple martini with layers that look like fall candy corn, and my husband had a fantastic whiskey sour. Our little one got to blow out the ambiance tea candle on the table as we left and that was just the icing on the cake for her, lol! read more

Latricia B.

9 years ago

I have always been a fan of The Rustler and the wonderful cuisine. The food has always been delicious and perfectly served. Recently, a friend and I chose to try the grilled shrimp; which was featured on Facebook. The picture presented was definitely tantalizing and warranted me wanting to visit The Rustler !!!! I wanted to see if the grilled shrimp were as delicious as they appeared....the picture did not give justice to the scrumptious taste of those grilled shrimp!!!! The entire experience at The Rustler was worth noting. The wait staff was very attentive and SUPER nice. I will definitely be returning and looking forward to the outstanding service and delicious food!!!!! Again, this is definitely a hidden GEM in the community and needs to be explored more by any individual looking for a wonderful meal and very soothe environment. read more

Ali M.

7 years ago

By far the best steakhouse in the south! I literally make my boyfriend drive up three hours from the beach so that we can eat at this quaint, yet outstanding restaurant. Coming from Pensacola, we have some great seafood and steak houses, but The Rustler still puts the best of the best to shame! If you have the pleasure of stopping in here, you will definitely be wowed by the amazing food and even better wine selection. The service was exceptional and the owner and his daughter are in house every time I am there, ensuring an amazing experience. Definitely unique and DEFINITELY worth the drive!!! You get what you pay for- and that's the best quality steak, seafood, cocktails, and service! Already planning my next trip! #mouthwatering read more

Robert M.

111

6 months ago

If you haven't been, you definitely should!!! I think this might just be my favorite meal I've ever eaten. The salad was a basic salad, but the star is the warm bacon dressing!!! You know I have to do the ribeye; it came with two sides and a salad. The bartender recommended the sautéed mushrooms to complement the steak....they were so good!!!...and btw, the steak was fabulous!! Cooked right, hot, flavorful, and super tender!! Semmes, the owner recommended the bread pudding....and WOW!!! It was delicious!!! Made with French bread and served with ice cream. It is a super cool restaurant with a young owner. She does a phenomenal job here!!! You have to try it and support her!! read more

Michele S.

7 years ago

We made the mistake of going out on Valentine's Day. Nothing had less than a 2 hour wait. I found this place on top Steakhouse's in the area. I called to find out wait time and they said no wait. We got there and chuckled because it reminded my husband and I of a local place from home and said it could be really good or really bad. Let me tell you, it was amazing. The staff was awesome and the steak was perfect. The price is a little high, $101 before tip for two meals and an appetizer and a glass of wine, but I will say it's totally worth the price. We will be going back when we come back to town next year. read more

Samuel A.

8 years ago

What a superb restaurant. Easily the best food in Meridian. The staff are well dressed, polite, and very friendly. The interior intimate, rustic, and beautiful. As for the food, it was perfect. It's hard to find a proper medium-rare steak, and they delivered just that. Well done on the outside, and slightly mooing on the inside. Fresh bread was brought to us almost immediately and our water glasses were never empty. The perfect location for a date or an excuse to dress in your best clothes. I will definitely be going back again very soon. read more

Jami H.

8 years ago

My husband and I had a great time here. It's in an out of the way location in Meridian, but the food and the service were both excellent. I had a filet and he had a strip steak-both cooked perfectly, and had great flavor. The portions were large, which is a good thing because it was kind of pricey. But both meals included salad, a vegetable and a potato, and they give you bread as soon as you sit down. So it's definitely worth it! They also have a full bar, and a good selection of wine and beer. We had a really good bottle of red wine read more

Adele G.

7 years ago

Dinner at The Rustler is always a delightful and satisfying experience. From the the time you arrive and receive a warm welcoming greeting from Semmes Martin, this little restaurant keeps you feeling special. The steaks are perfection! The crab claws are wonderful! Their homemade salad dressings make the salads so delicious! The banana pudding cheesecake is over the top!! We feel like family when we dine here! Great place and a true Meridian treasure. I am already planning my next night out at this jewel of a restaurant! read more

Jonathan B.

5 years ago

Wow! Complete hidden gem. Their aren't too many of these restaurants out there. Outstanding food and great, friendly, attentive service. I work for a pharmaceutical company and hosted some customers in a private room. The staff was wonderful and really paid close attention to providing excellent service. I've hosted private dinners all over the country and The Rustler is right up there with the best of them. Keep up the great work and I look forward to doing this again in the future! read more

Scott R.

8 years ago

After reading the first review we wanted to go here! The place is great. Service was on point, very friendly staff, a great steaks and seafood. Please don't consider the 3 extra miles to get here...worth the easy drive. I had the steak special of the evening..."The Hayden". 9 oz filet with a perfect crawfish cream sauce. She got the Blacken Red Snapper...unfortunately I blinked and was unable to have a bite. Guys, this place is the real deal...nice steakhouse!! read more

Joshua L.

4 years ago

This is a local-family owned restaurant that appears to be a whole-in-the-wall dive. The quality of food at the Rustler is amazing! I had the steak and it was perfectly seasoned and cooked to temperature. If you are steak snob, this is your place. Other Big Hits were the fried mushrooms and fried crab claws for apps and the chicken as an entree. This may be one of Meridians's best kept secrets, though everybody I talk to about the Rustler also raves about it read more

Carla R.

9 years ago

This is one of our very favorite steakhouses to eat at. The steak is always cooked to perfection. If you get a salad, be sure to ask for their warm bacon dressing. It is delicious. We always sit at a table in the bar. Not because we are drinkers, but because the staff has more of an opportunity to enter act and cut up a bit. Always a good time. Mr. Mike is very nice and goes above and beyond to make sure you had a pleasant experience. Highly recommend!! read more

Vaughn B.

8 years ago

We have enjoyed this restaurant for years. One thing you can always count on is they are consistent with Awesome Food and Service. We have traveled across this country and I always ask locals where is your best steak house. Well I have just had the best steak of all times at "THE RUSTLER". Alex, aka "ox" was our waiter and was great. Met Semmes tonight, and was so impressed with her. We can't wait to see her next trip! read more

Sally G.

4 years ago

Hidden Gem! Everything from the hostess-recommended pineapple lemonade martini to the crab dip appetizer and dinner salad, through the entrees (salmon and grilled shrimp) with baked sweet potato and fresh veg, then ending with coffee - we couldn't have asked for anything more. The service was attentive and friendly, making us feel comfortable and welcome. The atmosphere was perfect. Definitely fine dining at its best. read more

Kay D.

8 years ago

When we entered through the cozy lounge, an immediate feeling of laid-back class reminiscent of the Sinatra era continued as we were seated at our table. The service could not have been more pleasant or accommodating to our party of 6. The fresh baked sourdough bread melted in our mouths as did the 8 oz. filet that followed and was out of this world good!! This family owned business has got it right. read more

Johanna L.

8 years ago

My family went for dinner to celebrate my birthday. Everything from the appetizer to the main dish was delicious and perfectly prepared. The staff went out of their way to ensure that my birthday ended on a wonderful note. This is a place to not only dine with family and friends, but it is also a place that takes the time for their customers and makes them feel welcome. read more

Cory M.

6 years ago

Found The Rustler on a work trip. Usually eat at a different restaurant while in town. Now that I have found The Rustler those days are over. The owners daughter waiting on us tonight and I can honestly say it was one of the best meals I have ever had. Completely worth the money. Great atmosphere and wonderful staff. So glad they were able to make it through the pandemic! read more

Alyse H.

7 years ago

This place defines swanky. The outside was deceptive, it doesn't look like it would be a very nice restaurant on the inside. My husband and I took my mom here for a mother's day dinner and we had a fantastic time. They bring out a great warm bread to start with. We ordered the salmon, petit filet, and the filet mignon salad. Everything was delicious!! read more

The Rustler - steak - Updated October 2026

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First the Good, seasoning, fry taste and steak tenderness were perfect…read more The Bad, portion for the money and bad wax paper liner under fries and cheese. My order , Loaded Bacon and Cheese Fries add steak PickUp Order. To our dismay the entire bottom cheese layer is and continues to be stuck to the paper liner which makes almost all of the bottom cheese layer inedible. Please ask pickup prep crew to stop lining your pickup boxes with paper that sticks to the cheese fries. Use foil sheets. This has happened on the last 3 orders we've placed from You guys. Second Bad, a full order of Bacon Cheese fries used to fill the entire bottom of the box. It Now it consists of two small handfuls of fries. Not the amount expected for $13. If I'm adding steak for $3-$4 extra I would expect more than 4 small pieces of steak. It used to have 10-12 pieces of steak when the order was $10 a box. I do understand that beef prices have increased but not so much that you skimp too much after raising prices on the order. I'll end on a positive. Sunday Chicken, the Cat is the best door greeter! Plus young ladies that work the front area are polite and personable. They should be recognized. Thank you and please take this as a constructive critique on the paper liner on orders involving cheese bottom layers.

They have the most delicious bread ever!! Everything was good, our server was very good and…read moreattentive. I enjoyed everything we ordered except the dip, would skip it next time.

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Amazing specialty burgers and some of the best fries I've ever had! Brought 3 kids and everyone…read moreleft happy helpful hint: try the fried pickles!

Today marks the second time we have tried to eat at Mugshots within the last month and they failed…read more The first time they only prepared three of our four entrees and we asked for a refund because who wants their food to get cold while you wait on them to make the fourth entree. The second time we were told on the phone our order would be ready in twenty minutes. Forty minutes later we were still waiting. We don't know if the food was good or not because we haven't actually been successful in retrieving our food from this establishment. The restaurant is always crowded so there must be something desirable about it, but if you want your food as a family of four or you don't want to wait excessively long periods of time then go somewhere else. We tried, they didn't. Never again for our family!

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Good food,fair price, friendly service. Nice folks…read moreA lot of locals, which is always a good sign.

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