Rusty Bucket

The Rusty Bucket is rare stop for us, but we wanted to change things up this night. I was really disappointed with the service. We sat at the bar while we waited for a table and it took 10 minutes before a bartender got to us. They were busy but there were four people working behind the bar and we eventually cornered one of them. I ordered a beer and got one that was ²⁄₃ full… the bartender said they were changing the keg and she would top me off when it was replaced. Ten minutes later we got a table and I never got my top-​off.
We got a table probably 20 minutes in, which was within the expected time frame. I ordered the Fish & Chips. The fish was quite tasty, but the chips were standard french fries. They had a good color but were pretty limp, somewhat soggy and very pedestrian. The price of the Fish & Chips was $ 13.95 which cost more than Bag of Nails or Max and Erma’s and was a smaller serving size. I didn’t mind the smaller size but the value was not there. My wife got a pasta plate that she said was very good. We split a bread pudding for dessert that was made from a sticky bun and very tasty.
But the service… the service was lacking all night. Not that our server was particularly slow, but everybody we interacted with seemed like they didn’t want to be there. So while both of our main courses were good, the overall experience was not.

The first time I went to this location it was to have drinks with a friend after work. The bartender was nice and service was quick. We both enjoyed the pub atmosphere, it has a cozy feel, and the fireplace is a nice touch.
The second time I went with my partner for a late dinner. The menu is a step above bar food, what we really appreciated was the number of vegetarian and fish dishes. I had the blackened fish tacos which were great. I like spicy food and this hit the mark, but I did order a side of the wasabi mayo and that put them over the top. One of the previous reviews stated the portion was small, I have to disagree, after two tacos I was stuffed. Unfortunately I am a hog so ate the third. My partner had the house made black bean burger and really enjoyed it.
The only negative was the presence of very loud, drunken, braggarts who apparently are regulars. Everyone likes to have a good time, but keep it under control. We asked to be moved to a table and we were quickly accommodated. Our bartender/​server Soraya, was fantastic. She apologized for the people at the bar and continued to wait on us, even though we moved from the bar. We will definitely be back.

Solid pub grub, well-​prepared, great recipes, skilled cooks. I’ll start by saying We’ve eaten here twice now and both times were early evening (5:30 pm,-6:30 pm) and the restaurant was about ½ — ²⁄₃ full. Both times, service was relatively quick and efficient and both times the food was prepared exactly as ordered, at the correct temperature and at delivered at the same time.
We ordered one fish sandwich, and one medium rare burger, both sandwiches arrived at the same time, and both were cooked exactly as ordered. The burger was actually medium rare and the fish sandwich was hot and not overcooked. That, in my experience is pretty rare and shows that the kitchen staff has good timing skills. The fries were also fresh and hot both times.
On our second visit I ordered the green chili burger, which for my money is one of the best burgers in the area and the mussels. Their burgers are juicy and nicely browned and always seem to arrive exactly how you order them The mussels were served on focaccia in a Mediterranean sauce with veggies and were also quite delicious. Again, both arrived at the same time and at the same temperature and were delicious. So, we’re 2 for 2.
The atmosphere is also a plus, The noise level was just low enough that you can carry on a conversation with friends. This may or may not be the case if the restaurant is completely full but it was in our case.
Will definitely eat here again.

My favorite
The chicken fingers are the best, and the Gary’s belly buster is awesome.
Can’t go wrong and they are always nice.

I ordered the mahi-​mahi tacos with grilled mahi-​mahi and THE FISH WAS SPOILED. I took one bite and thought it was my imagination, chewed and swallowed and then realized it was definitely spoiled. It STUNK literally. I sent it back and ordered a salad with no meat as I was afraid to try more at that point and they didn’t make me pay for anything but still. Spoiled fish? It was not even borderline. Seems like they might have noticed BEFORE they cooked it and served it to a customer. Did they think I wouldn’t notice if they covered it with enough stuff? Sheesh!
The service was fine and the waitress was nice. The salad was OK but the veggies were a little tired and limp (e.g. lettuce and onion).

Every time I have been to this place service was slow and bad. The burger I ordered medium came out burnt. Not coming back.

In my personal experience, this is pretty much the worst Rusty Bucket location. Having grown up in central Ohio and being a Cameron Mitchell fan by default, I want to love this location instinctively, but things usually go wrong here. First, it’s mustier and darker than other locations (possibly because it is older and the carpet is just gross?). I prefer the New Albany and Lane Ave. locations. Additionally, the servers always, always seem to be incompetent here (other than my friend, Dave, who no longer works in this location, sadly). I’m definitely not coming here for M style service, but refills, courtesy, and timeliness should be part of this location’s major overhaul. For example, on a recent visit, the gentleman and I went and sat at the bar. I went to visit the ladies’ room and upon returning many minutes later (yes, I’m a gross bathroom texter), the bartender had still not acknowledged our presence. She appeared to be busy. But a simple «Hi! I’ll be right with you» would’ve solved the problem. Next, she finally sauntered up to us and asked «Are you all ready to order?». Mind you, the prior guests’ stacks of dishes and glasses were still piled up in front of us; no one had bussed the area or even provided us with menus. When I asked for some menus, the bartender looked nonplussed. Really? We then ordered a turkey burger with fries to split (needed a snack before a grocery store run; hence the split entrée) and it took at least 30 minutes, if not more, for the burger to arrive. On a Sunday afternoon, when most of the restaurant (except the bar) was quite empty. Overall, while I love me some Rusty Bucket, I will not be returning to this location again.

This was my first time here, so I think I need to visit another Rusty Bucket to get another taste. We arrived around 7, so we missed happy hour — darn! They had featured drinks after happy hour, but no specials. I had the mahi tacos, which were ok. They were a bit too spicy for my taste, not enough sauce, and a bit pricey — $ 13 for 3 tacos. I also had the wedge salad, which was good. There are TV’s in the bathroom which I don’t think I’ve ever seen before, but I guess they don’t want you to have to miss any minute of the game! Their patio looked really nice, but it was full so we had to eat inside. I heard Clintonville is getting a RB, so I’ll have to check that one out when it opens!

This wasn’t my 1^st time visiting The Rusty Bucket that’s why there are 4 stars and not lower. On Mother’s Day I visited here to walk in to a 20 minute wait to be seated. Once we were sat we were informed it would be a 20 – 25 minute wait for our food to come out because the kitchen was behind, so we ordered our appetizer and dinner right then. 40 minutes after ordering our dinners finally arrived, we never received our appetizer, but our entrees were delicious as always. The manager apologized to us for our wait, as she delivered our dinners to the table. To sum it up, the food is always good, the servers are always on their game. From my experience I’ve learned to visit through the week, not the weekends OR holidays.

The Rusty Bucket has just won the award for the worst service I’ve received in an almost empty restaurant. I sat at my table for nearly 15 minutes before anyone even acknowledged I was there. Then it took almost 20 minutes to receive my lunch order. Mind you the place is almost empty. The food was good, but my drink was empty when the server sat the food down at the table, and I was nearly done eating before I got a refill. Could I have complained about the service to a manager? Possibly, had one come by my table at all. Overall it was a horrible experience.

Tried to go back to eat lunch on the patio last week. We asked to sit on the patio and the dude acted like we insulted his mom or something. Sourpuss guy who’s been there 10 years and never smiles. He throws our menus and silverware on the table and just walks away. Then we sit down and are seated over 5 minutes as the server walks by us several times. Not even a «I’ll be right with you», just cold shoulders all over the place.
Not going back! Will drive to Dublin location where they do it right.

Food is generally good, albeit overpriced. Service is very spotty and you generally don’t know what you’re getting on a weekday evening.

I want to like this place, I just don’t. Everything about it feels too corporate/​chainy, kind of like Applebee’s. It feels like the more locations they open, the lower the standard gets for them. The quality of food and service was just barely decent. Started with cheesy spin dip and it was served lukewarm, not nearly enough chips and WAY too salty. The French onion soup was decent. The black bean burger was decent too, but was served with a small order of cold fries… That is just laziness on the kitchen to serve those pathetic fries.
When asked for new fries the bartender quickly brought us out a basket of fresh piping hot fries, which is great, just should have been done in the first place.

My husband and I go here about once a week. I always get the salmon which is always outstanding. My hubby gets something new each time. The staff is always fast and very friendly. It’s about a 45 minute drive for us but always worth it

All around my trip to the chain pub called Rusty Bucket, was pretty sad and dismal.
Our waiter enjoyed taking long trips off to some far off destination while patrons sat with glasses empty and tempers rising. Not once did he bother to come back to check in on us until it was time for the tab.
The food here is pretty bland and about as boring as they get. I ordered a burger, which ceased to amaze with it’s bland, unseasoned, greasy, massiveness. Did I mention they can’t even cook burgers to order here? I ordered Medium and it was well done. There was no color in that patty. Fries were unremarkable.
My husband ordered a bucket of Shrimp. Pictures are deceiving here, folks. While it looks like you’ll be enjoying what indeed looks like a bucket of shrimp will soon in reality turn into a bucket of ice, topped with a few meager shrimp. slathered in Old Bay Seasoning, and oh… did I mention it’s cold cocktail shrimp? Not the cooked Shrimp you would think from the pictures.
Clientele here was annoying, too… Yuppie-​ville at it’s best but you can’t really judge a place, because of the people in it, but with bad service and really dismal food. I think I’ll take my business to one of the other many gastropubs in and around C-​Bus.
Pretty da’gone pathetic, Rusty Bucket.

My wife and I go here at least once a week. We always sit at the bar because the bartenders are great. We love the food, you can be bad and get an awesome burger or be good and have a very tasty salad. My wife likes the roasted chicken and you can’t go wrong with the fish & chips.

I’ve been to various Rusty Buckets. All are decent in food and atmosphere.
But the acoustics in the upstairs «party» room are terrible. You could hardly carry on a conversation because of all the noise. There was no music and it was not extremely crowded but you still couldn’t understand people.
They really need to work on that room so it is easier for people to talk and carry on conversations that are audible.

Only been in the bar once here. Have been at private events upstairs several times. There is fireplace downstairs and in the private room, gives a cozier feeling. You can’t go wrong with a Bucket bite or a Double Nickel salad. Those items are consistently good.

It’s an average joint. Good service, decent food.

We rode our bikes up the trail during this «San Diego» weather we have been having and ended @ the Rusty Bucket. We sat at the bar and received excellent service! Bartender comped us a round of beers as the kitchen fixed the wrong entrees when she put the order in.
Beer & entrée prices are reasonable here. Mike ordered the meatloaf and was served on bed of mashed potatoes with side of both carrots and beans. he enjoyed and was a nice portion for $ 10.50. I ordered the oven roasted chicken salad and while the salad was tasty it could have used much more chicken. slightly tangy dressing, with blue cheese apples and walnuts.
They do have a nice size patio. Overall a solid 3 and half if I could.