Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Willie Sue's

    3.8 (362 reviews)
    ModerateBars, American, Burgers
    Open 11:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Willie Sue's Photos

    Business Info

    WILLIE SUE'S ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Good for kids
    Outdoor seating

    You might also consider

    Recommended Reviews - Willie Sue's

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Loaded Baked Potato Soup
    Ted S.

    Welp Yelp, I'm still in town for the holidays visting family and decided to head over to Willie Sue's. If you're looking for some real-deal Southern cooking with friendly vibes, then WS's totally hits the spot. The staff is super welcoming, and the cozy atmosphere makes you feel right at home. The menu has all the Southern staples you'd want First up with the fam we tried: the chili and loaded baked potato soup was creamy and topped with all the classics--cheese, bacon, and green onions. The side salad was fresh and crunchy, and the ceasars salad came with crisp romaine and a tangy dressing that'll have you scraping the bowl For mains, the catfish stew stole the show: perfectly seasoned, with tender catfish that practically melts in your mouth. If you're into fish, don't miss the grilled catfish--light, flaky, and smoky--or the whole fried flounder, which was golden and crispy on the outside. If seafood isn't your thing, the turkey club sandwich was hearty, stacked high, and hit all the right notes Whether you love seafood or just crave comforting Southern eats, Willie Sue's has you covered. The staff treats you like family, the flavors are on point, and the variety is awesome. Trust me: once you try it, you'll be counting down the days until your next visit!

    Amy Lauren S.

    I met up with some longtime friends for lunch at Willie Sue's. Sumter doesn't have a lot of places to hang out or a big selection of restaurants, but they did a great job picking this spot. We started with an order of croissants, which have a sweet glaze that melts in your mouth. Definitely a great option for an appetizer. The $12 lunch menu is an amazing deal with many options- I do wish they had more vegetarian and pescatarian options, but I was glad to find the fried fish sandwich, which came with fries and a drink for only $12. It was only $1 more to upgrade my fries to onion rings, and they were really good. I got lettuce and tomato on the side, and you get a choice as to what kind of cheese you want on the sandwich. One friend had the club sandwich, and the other had the fried cod bites with sweet potato waffle fries. The sweet potato fries aren't on the menu, but you can ask for them as an app or a side. Our server kept our drink cups filled and took great care of us. The restaurant was basically empty as we ate a late lunch, and she was patient with us sitting around for about 30 minutes after we finished eating just so we could catch up. Sumter doesn't have many places to hang out, and it was raining outside, so I was glad that we could sit around and chat.

    Great friends from Ford Motor Credit all meet in the middle, Willie Sue's for the win!
    Chris L.

    What can you say about a locally owned gem like Willie Sue's? We have a group of retired executives from Ford Motor Credit who meet here once a quarter!! Why? It's centrally located for all of us, the food is always good, the service is exceptional, and everyone is friendly Not enough? The drinks are also great and the atmosphere is a cool vibe of a Restaurant with a bar instead of a bar with a restaurant!! Just go, you won't be disappointed!

    Gator bites
    Krystal B.

    This was my first time here and I really enjoyed it. It's a huge restaurant. The service was amazing and the food matched the vibe as well! The food came out quick! Even though it was a busy time, we were sat immediately. It's so spacious that it didn't feel like everybody was sitting right on top of each other. Spacious booths and floor plan. ! I would go back!

    Brownie dessert

    Mom has wanted to eat here for years. We decided to enjoy take out. The food is amazing. Mom was very impressed. We will return soon.

    Apple cobbler a la mode.
    D B.

    A great restaurant/bar! The bar service was terrific and saw the expiditer/manager(?) being super proactive... someone ordered something they had run out of, they came out to talk with her and offer her a special treat. The food was so right on.... starting with the house salad. It comes with a crescent that is so tasty and has all the fixins of a solid starter. Then I had the fried flounder and coleslaw. Look at the pic... it was quintessential! Seasoned well and the meat was like crab meat. Cooked perfectly. Finished with the Apple Cobbler a la mode. The South knows comfort foodnfor sure. There are so many food options that look spectacular. I wish I had a place like this... I'd be there most nights and I would try everything on the menu. If you are anywhere close by to Willie Sue's, be sure to visit and bring a big appetite!

    This is the broken off indicator stick buried inside my steak

    We've been to Willie Sues quite a few times. Last week we brought some friends for a birthday celebration. I ordered the 6oz filet mignon, butterflied and cooked medium. When our meal finally arrived (it took much longer than normal), my steak had not been butterflied and it was very rare inside. The manager assured me they would cook me a new one. She left the potato but who wants to eat a potato with no steak! So I wanted Everyone else was enjoying their meals and I just sat there with nothing to eat. My husband did ask if they could bring me an appetizer but she said the steak would be done soon so I continued to wait. Finally, after 20 minutes, my new steak arrived. And it was also rare. Everyone else was finished eating by now and we didn't really have time to keep waiting for them to get my steak right. The manager did Apologize and said they had a new grill cook. And she made a big deal about how she "was buying my steak tonight". So we paid the check (over $100 with tip) and left. I got home and started slicing my steak up so I could sauté it and found a broken off temp indicator stick buried inside. I did try to contact Willie sues about this experience on their contact us section but never got a reply. Pretty disappointing!

    Broccoli & salmon

    See all

    3 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 days ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 days ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Paul F.
    0
    21
    41

    16 days ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Di V.
    5
    19
    29

    21 days ago

    This place is only good for old people with no taste buds, hence why it's successful out in Sumter

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 36
    Thanks 11
    Love this 33
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 40
    Thanks 9
    Love this 30
    Oh no 0

    3 months ago

    Attend in April 2026. Very good selection and portions. The service was great and the atmosphere was good to lend a great conversation.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jason M.
    289
    10
    0

    3 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Robert G.
    225
    47
    0

    8 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of D B.
    4
    43
    91

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    4 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    5 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Donna R.
    27
    45
    11

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Art M.
    1
    27
    1

    1 year ago

    The food was wonderful, service was fantastic and the evening was amazing. We would recommend the restaurant very highly

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Very limited menu with overpriced food. Staff was soso but I will never go back again.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    1 year ago

    Food and service is great ! Been there several times and never had a bad experience or food!

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jim B.
    13
    45
    0

    1 year ago

    Food is good , service is great , selection is extensive, prices are a little high but worth it

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Wendy N.
    1
    125
    50

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 3
    Love this 2
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Marisa P.
    6
    120
    31

    3 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 1
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 10

    Ask the Community - Willie Sue's

    How does the Ultimate burger come out?

    Cooked to order. Sirloin is ground to order. Your choice of blue cheese. American , cheddar, swiss, blue cheese, provolone or pepper asiago. Come in a grilled kaiser roll and fresh cut fries.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    You might also consider

    Hamptons

    Hamptons

    4.3
    (165 reviews)
    4.9 mi
    $$$

    We went here for lunch of a weekday and it was a wonderful experience. We requested to sit upstairs…read morein the rafters, which had a slightly less formal vibe than their main dining room. There was also an outdoor patio area. We had the entire room to ourselves and our waiter was great. He was super attentive, friendly, and professional. Our food and drinks were delicious. Our waiter even recommended good pairing wines to order. The poke bowl portion was huge. The crème brûlée was one of the best I've ever had. This place was beautiful and upscale, but not overly stuffy. We were allowed to dine in casual clothing.

    My Family has celebrated many special occasions at this restaurant over the year, often with groups…read moreof 8-10 people.This weekend our party of 12was told that our bill could only be split into two checks per table - no exceptions...instead of trying to help, the manager repeatedly explained the policy and suggested we use Venmo, Cash App, or Apple Pay to reimburse each other. I understand that every business has policies, but customer service should never by simply quoting the rules. The way it was handled made my family feel like an inconvenience rather than valued, loyal customers. Sadly,we left feeling disappointed, unwelcome, and questioning whether our business was truly appreciated. As people of color, the experience also left us wondering whether we were being treated differently. Whether intentional or not that was the impact. We hope the restaurant will reconsider both this policy and how it is communicated. Good food brings people in...great hospitality is what brings them back. Sadly, some family members will not return. Signed someone who understands what great service and great hospitality looks like.

    Photos
    The rafters
    The rafters
    Chicken Green Curry
    Chicken Green Curry
    Interior

    See all

    Interior
    Palmetto Oyster House

    Palmetto Oyster House

    3.9
    (200 reviews)
    1.8 mi
    $$

    Prob more like 4.5, but all in all a really great experience…read more The interior is divey in a really fun way. Plenty of space. Fun decor. Server was really nice and on top of things. I ordered a steak, broccoli and salad. The steak was a perfectly medium rare, very nicely seasoned and delicious! Broccoli was just steamed broccoli, but was still nice and crisp. Salad was small and the dressing was pretty bad. Asked for a different one and it wasn't much better. Very clearly food service bottled stuff. But really, that was the only glitch. Would for sure come back here if I'm in Sumter again.

    So we were in town for the holidays, visiting family, and popped into Palmetto Oyster House for…read moredinner - and wow, were we surprised! First off, the crab cakes were loaded with fresh crab, perfectly seasoned, and had this amazing crispy outside. Seriously, some of the best crab cakes ever! The New Orleans shrimp were awesome too - that authentic spicy kick with great herbs and spices, every bite was perfect We also got the Mahi Mahi Club, and it was a solid choice. The fish was grilled just right, and with the fresh veggies, it was super filling Even the sides were great - the coleslaw had a nice tang, the fries were crispy (though a little salty), and the hushpuppies were sweet with real corn in them. Overall, Palmetto Oyster House was fantastic - great food, great quality, and that chill Southern vibe. Definitely check it out if you're craving some amazing seafood!

    Photos
    Cute decorations.
    Cute decorations.
    Mahi Mahi Club Sandwich with potato salad
    Mahi Mahi Club Sandwich with potato salad
    Outside

    See all

    Outside
    Mill Pond Steakhouse

    Mill Pond Steakhouse

    4.1
    (108 reviews)
    16.0 mi
    $$$

    So many lovely things about this place! We had some out of town visitors that we wanted to share…read morethis hidden gem with. They told us afterwards, they were hesitant upon pulling in the parking lot. That is definitely part of the charm. Rustic meets southern charm is the vibe, and they do it well. The food was great! Shareable sides and salads, à la carte entrees. My only qualm was that upon getting home, we noticed they boxed up our sides (including about 8 pieces of fried okra) but didn't box up our entrees like we had requested. Definitely disappointed with this, as the filet specials and shrimp and grits aren't cheap and all had at least half the portion remaining. Other than that disappointment, it was lovely.

    Ambiance - Great, chill vibe with an upscale feel. Comfortable, stylish, and perfect for a night…read moreout. Service - Absolutely outstanding. Gabe was clearly busy on a Saturday night but still stayed attentive to our table of six. He walked us through the specials with great detail, offered thoughtful recommendations, and clearly knew the menu inside and out. Food - The reason we came, and it did not disappoint. Our table enjoyed shrimp cocktail, duck spring rolls, rack of lamb, and the King Tut special--every dish was a hit. The large sides were truly shareable for all six of us. The scalloped potatoes, in particular, were incredibly cheesy and scrumptious. Overall - It was our first visit, and we will definitely be back. The only downside was that the hostess seemed visibly overwhelmed by the Saturday night rush, which made the check‑in experience a bit stressful to watch. It might help to give her additional support during peak hours so the front‑of‑house experience matches the excellence of the food and service.

    Photos
    Mill Pond Steakhouse
    Fried oysters
    Fried oysters
    Mill Pond Steakhouse

    See all

    J O' Gradys

    J O' Gradys

    4.1
    (182 reviews)
    4.9 mi
    $$

    Always great for a sandwich or burger or tacos or onion rings or fries or beer and beer and beer!…read moreCan not recommend more when I'm downtown area. I always like the Chicken Fire Ant on Texas Toast, not sure why I capitalized every other word eit

    Charming Pub located in the heart of Sumter on Main Street just a short walk away from the Hyatt…read morePlace where we were staying while in town. My party of 3 arrived around 5pm and decided to sit at the bar. The ambiance was casual and comfortable, very clean. Our bartender was amicable and attentive. We started off with drinks my husband and I decided on margaritas, they only offer classic no flavors but there were a few tequilas to choose from. Our cousin drinks red wine and they only offered a Cabernet so she went with that. The drinks were ok. I would not come here solely to drink since I'm into handcrafted drinks. Like most pubs they focus on beer, their selection in beers was fantastic. My husband ordered a burger and fries. The burger was huge and he said it was delicious and the fries were ok. Our cousin and I both ordered the Buffalo Shrimp Tacos. For my side I had the beer battered onion rings which came with a jalapeño ranch sauce, they were crispy and really tasty. My cousin had the coleslaw which she mentioned was average. The tacos were exactly as described but wasn't as flavorful as I was expecting, they were not bad but I wouldn't order them again. We had a great experience, customer service was stellar and if ever in town again I would come back.

    Photos
    Great bar!
    Great bar!
    Christian's Mainstreet Melt
    Christian's Mainstreet Melt
    J O' Gradys

    See all

    Willie Sue's - bars - Updated August 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...