Rick Erwin's Clemson

Review summary

1. M

   Michael

   Chicago15 reviews

   3.0

   Dined 3 days ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 2
   4. Ambience 3

   Living in Chicago I have high expectations for a steak restaurant ad the experience at Rick Erwins was just “OK”. While we were promptly greeted when we arrived, it kind of felt the entire evening like we were bothering them by having dinner on Monday evening. We were put in a back room next to a table of businessmen who were talking loudly about their business so the ambiance was . . .meh. Our server was modestly attentive, but failed to bring my daughter’s drink and then forgot to bring steak knives when the main course was delivered. The servers walked away after delivering the food and then we sat there for 5 minutes before another server came by and I mentioned that we didn’t have knives. The steaks were fine (nothing special but also not bad - maybe a 7/10 and my daughter’s steak was just a bit underdone). The brussel sprouts were a bit overdone but the cheesy mashed potatoes were good. At the end of the evening, the server brought the check and then literally 1 minute later came back to see whether I had put my credit card in to pay. When I said I had not done so yet (my son, daughter and I were just sitting and having a nice chat) she seemed a bit put out. Again, this just led to the overall feeling that we weren’t particularly valued as customers. May give them another chance on a later visit but they were definitely not on their A game tonight and at this time, I can see why they’re just a 4.0/5.0 on Yelp, etc. it is fine but nothing special - especially given the prices.
   

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2. D

   Diana VIP

   Orlando3 reviews

   2.0

   Dined 5 days ago

   1. Overall 2
   2. Food 2
   3. Service 4
   4. Ambience 5

   The 7oz filet was subpar. Ordered it medium but was more rare+ and even though it was on the rare side it was still chewy meat. I was extremely disappointed in the quality of meat. It was not worth the price point.
   

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3. OT

   OpenTable Diner

   Charleston2 reviews

   3.0

   Dined 5 days ago

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 3
   4. Ambience 4

   On March 22, 2025, I had reservations for Rick Irwin’s restaurant for my wife’s birthday. Upon entering, we were met with an uncomfortable look from the manager, who initially appeared to be dismissive and asked if he could assist us as if we were unfamiliar with the establishment. In contrast, I have consistently been greeted with a warm welcome at Rick Irwin’s, never with a sense of disinterest. I informed the manager that I had reservations for three people at 6 PM and provided my name. He located our reservation and indicated that someone would be available to assist us shortly. However, he then abruptly departed, leaving us and my wife and son perplexed. As frequent patrons of Rick Irwin’s, we had experienced numerous memorable occasions at the restaurant, and this incident was particularly disappointing. A few minutes later, a female server approached the desk and confirmed our reservations for three at 6 PM. She seated us, and my wife, son, and I continued to discuss the manager’s behavior upon our arrival. Throughout our dinner, we observed the manager interacting with various tables, engaging in pleasant conversations with patrons. However, he never approached our table, despite addressing the table to our left and the table to our right. This oversight was particularly noticeable after spending over two hours at the restaurant. While the food was exceptional, as always, the manager’s attitude significantly impacted our dining experience. I am writing this review the following morning, still reflecting on the manager’s behavior and its impact on our evening.
   

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4. RA

   RAltman

   Atlanta15 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on 15 March 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   We had an exceptional evening at Rick Erwin’s last night. It was a special occasion for us and the culinary team went above and beyond in every way to serve us delicious steak and salmon dishes. Kudos to the GM Eric Holton for leading a wonderful culture of impeccable service that is so attentive to their patrons needs. The attention to detail is remarkable and humble but polished service is like what I’ve experienced in the finest restaurants around the globe. Our server Luke did an awesome job of guiding us through the menu and delivering always on time service, anticipating anything we’d want throughout the courses of the meal. What a great personality he had as well as shown by his teammates Henry and Miss Jess and Brianna (and one other gentleman who I regret I lost his name). Our meals were well prepared and delicious. Again, I couldn’t be more impressed with the service attentiveness of Eric, Luke and the team to deliver an exceptional dining out experience. Highly recommend to everyone.
   

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5. S

   Skip VIP

   Baltimore6 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on 13 March 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Always great cocktails, food, and service - Top notch!
   

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6. D

   Doug

   Charleston2 reviews

   3.0

   Dined on 13 March 2025

   1. Overall 3
   2. Food 3
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 2

   Strike two. It was noisy, and the birthday sparklers were annoying for such a confined space. It was good thing we wore short sleeves- it was very humid and uncomfortable- undershirt drenched. We've had a better experience at Texas Road House for less.
   

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7. V

   Victor VIP

   Philadelphia33 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on 12 March 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   This was our first time dining at Rick Erwin's and it was excellent! We received a friendly greeting upon entering the restaurant which was a great start to the evening. The entire staff was extremely accommodating, especially our server Gabriel. He is extremely knowledgeable and helped us pick the perfect meal. The restaurant is very elegant and cozy. We will definitely be back!!!
   

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8. E

   Edward VIP

   New York City17 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on 9 March 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   Great good in a great space. Don’t be afraid to attend on busy Clemson weekends- they always find a way.
   

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9. A

   Alan VIP

   San Diego10 reviews

   5.0

   Dined on 6 March 2025

   1. Overall 5
   2. Food 5
   3. Service 5
   4. Ambience 5

   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.
   

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10. r

    randy

    Denver7 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 4 March 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5

    Inexperienced server. Tried hard but was a bit naive. Otherwise an exceptional experience.
    

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