Old Salty's Restaurant

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162 reviews

#1 of 1 Restaurant in Fishing Creek₹₹ - ₹₹₹, American, Seafood

+1 410-397-3752+ Add website

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Hours

Sun

11:00 am - 6:00 pm

Wed

12:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Thu

12:00 pm - 8:00 pm

Fri

12:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Sat

12:00 pm - 9:00 pm

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Ratings and reviews

4.5

162 reviews

#1 of 1 Restaurant in Fishing Creek

RATINGS

Food

Service

Value

Atmosphere

Details

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CUISINES

American, Seafood

Meals

Lunch, Dinner

FEATURES

Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Table Service

Location and contact

2560 Hoopers Island Rd, Fishing Creek, MD 21634-1504

+1 410-397-3752

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Can a vegan person get a good meal at this restaurant?

Yes

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CUISINES

American, Seafood

Meals

Lunch, Dinner

FEATURES

Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Table Service

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4.5

162 reviews

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M B

Crewe171 contributions

A Very Good Restaurant on the Chesapeake Bay!!

Jul 2020 • none

We have been to Old Salty's once in the past. We decided to take an hour boat ride and go for dinner last Saturday. We called a day ahead and made a reservation and to order the Prime Rib Special. (3 out of the 4 of us) Went to the Restaurant wearing masks. Once we were promptly seated, we were able to take off the mask but the server wore hers. There was plenty of room between patrons, so we never felt crowded or uncomfortable with what is going on. The service was good, but there was a bit of a lag between the salad and the dinner. We didn't mind because it was relaxing to finally get out and dine!! Three of us ordered the Prime Rib Special and had it topped with Crab Imperial ($34 + $10). The size of the Prime Rib at about 34oz was impressive and they gave a very nice portion of imperial for only $10. Nice lumps of crab. The rib was excellent, juicy, and seasoned very nicely. My main complaint was that I ordered it medium rare, and it came out medium. My friends ordered medium and that is what they got. Next time I will order rare. My wife got the Crab Trio which was a crab cake, soft crab, and crab imperial. She loved all 3 and said it was excellent. The vegetables were good. All in all if was a very good meal. It could have received 5 stars if my rib was cooked more to my liking. I still enjoyed it and definitely did not finish it! It made for a nice lunch on Sunday. We will definitely go back!!

Written 23 July 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jason SM

7 contributions

Good food and service!

Aug 2020 • none

We picked up food to go, so I can't comment on the dining in experience, but mine was good. The food took a bit longer than we were told on the phone, so I spent some time waiting in the bar area. All the locals were very nice and the servers were friendly. We ordered a variety of meals and all were great. My only issue is that the price for crabcakes seemed a bit high given that there are literally crabs running around the entire island. I expected the prices to be a bit lower than what we pay at home. The view from the restaurant over the bay during sunset is unmatched though. We stayed near the restaurant and I could see tables out near the water - that would be a great time, but bring BUG SPRAY!

Written 18 August 2020

screw you

Westover1607 contributions

Off the beaten path

Feb 2022 • couples

First time patron. We come with another couple who has eaten here under previous owners and now with current owners. The owners are very friendly and want to ensure you had a great dining experience. Our server while new was very attentive to your needs and very friendly. Food; started off with raw oysters. They were fabulous! Great briny oyster taste and served chilled. Next we tried the crab balls. Not bad, but very small. We each had the bowl of crab bisque. Lot of shells and was okay, but not close to the best I've ever had. Next was our main courses. The broiled shrimp & scallops. Scallops cooked to prefection, shrimp overcooked. Fried Rock fish fillet was small for the price and a little on the fishy side. Sides cole slaw creamy and tasty. Baked pineapple very good. Baked potatoes plain with no options for toppings. Stewed tomato's very good. Inside is spacious and nothing fancy, but clean and very well maintained. They offer the dining room and bar for those that want to have drinks. Parking could be challenging when they get busy. While their is not outdoor seating, the new owners have plans for this which is located in the bay. I'd recommend as I think that the new owners will continue to improve the dining experience and hopefully read these comments to aid in their decisions.

Written 5 February 2022

craftman2015

Lancaster County13 contributions

Absolutely atrocious, dangerous food safety practices, terribly disorganized

Sept 2020 • none

Very memorable, but, unfortunately, in a bad way. Prices are not cheap (about $22 or so for "Rockfish"). What we got was not Rockfish, that's for sure. It was some kind of chewy, very thin fish filets that seemed as though they were grilled frozen. We threw them in the trash. We know Maryland Rockfish and this was not it. Take out order missing sides and rolls. Owner behind bar and in kitchen with NO MASK (staff did have masks. Nice example to set, right? Staff was harried and disorganized. Two pies --- lemon meringue and chocolate cream were sitting out on a low table, uncovered/unrefrigerated on a table in the open area behind the bar seats where customers and staff walk by freely. Disgusting. The time spent waiting for the food was ridiculous. The bright side is that the local General Store/cafe/grill has fantastic cheesesteaks! Highly recommended. Old Salty's is the local monopoly as there are no other restaurants in Fishing Creek, so they get away with high prices and poor everything else. They need to get their act together before the health department closes them down or more people get sick from their lack of hygiene. Just a horrible place and a complete waste of money at any price. It would make a good SNL skit.

Written 11 September 2020

Gio Como

1 contribution

The best place to eat on the island

Jun 2021 • none

Shhh. Don't tell anyone about this place. It is our secret On the Eastern Shore, way off rt 50, past the Blackwater National; Wildlife Refuge. Spectacular waterfront, I had the best soft shell crab dinner I ever had and I am very picky. Crispy, moist and perfectly seasoned. The onion rings were perfectly fried, nice and crunchy and not greasy at all. The salad was fresh. My friend had stuffed shrimp and said they were delicious. The service was excellent, friendly, and made us feel at home.It is a family run business and we were served by three generations. If you are from the Washington-Annapolis area, with its overpriced, uppity franchise restaurants, serving pre-packaged meals you will find this a remarkably refreshing throwback to the way restaurants used to be, when eating out was called dining out.

Written 29 June 2021

Zoe M

1 contribution

What happened…?

Nov 2022 • couples

Disappointed. My husband and I planned to have dinner at Old Salty’s during our weekend visiting the Eastern Shore. We’d had dinner there about a year ago which was delicious. Something’s changed- we know what good Chesapeake Seafood is…unfortunately none to be found here. Prices were premium, product was franchise sub par in quality and preparation. Oysters on the half were poorly shucked and barely recognizable. Anyone who likes raw bar food will share that the mission is not to just get the shells apart, but to protect the amazing morsel inside. If you prefer minced oysters on the half, then these would have thrilled you. If you want an intact bivalve that pops and taste like the sea… do not order here. Ordered the She Crab soup as it was some of the best I had had when we ate here a year ago. What they served tonight was vegetable soup, and not very good veg soup, with a tablespoon of crab layed on top. News flash Salty’s…She crab soup is actually cooked with crab in it. Broth tasted like Campbell’s. Not a hint of crab flavor or anything else that would qualify as seafood. I am with another reviewer…for $28 for a crab cake sandwich I expect more than a ho hum crab patty on a hamburger roll and a handful of fries. One Hundred and thirty dollars later, before tip, we just left disappointed and taken advantage of. As I have said, something has changed. It may be the ownership, or the lack of local competition, but unless something else changes, like actual concern for your customer’s experience, I fear the next change for Salty’s will be either another change in ownership, or accepting a reputation for mediocre bar food. The choice will be Salty’s . We will no be retuening. ☹️🙁😩

Written 5 November 2022

Bruce F

Hampton159 contributions

“Count your fingers because the soft shell crab appetizers are off the chain”

Jan 2020 • family

We had dinner at Old Salty’s on January 24, 2020. Our waitress was very attentive. Where do I start. The she crab soup was packed with crabmeat. My wife does not particularly care for soft shell crabs, but these soft shell crab appetizers will change your mind. She sampled one and it melted in her mouth. The special was white perch fillets. Oh my goodness. This was the very best seafood that I have had in a very long time. I can see why they serve one thousand people on Mother’s Day! The couple behind us were from Saint Michael’s island Maryland. I can see why there is no off season for this restaurant. If you are ever in Cambridge, Maryland, please make the effort to eat at this restaurant. You will not be disappointed.

Written 24 January 2020

chrisgio

Allentown30 contributions

Hoping it was just a bad day, but it was bad enough that I won’t risk repeating my mistake.

Jun 2021 • family

The staff was friendly but they lost points because they said the food was good. This statement could only be true if they’ve never eaten a meal anywhere other than Old Salty’s. Food tasted like it was bought frozen at Wal Mart and just microwaved. My son ordered wings and they were soggy breaded frozen wings. Really bad. We had a crab dip, which was just ok, but far worse than any other crab dip we ordered at other restaurants in the area. Some people mentioned they drove hours to eat here. I’m the opposite. Id drive hours to eat anywhere else.

Written 26 June 2021

J T C

10 contributions

Just OK

Apr 2022 • none

I read a review that said it was the best place to eat on the island...well as far as we could tell, it was the ONLY place to eat on the island! First the good - our waitress was really friendly and welcoming. She sure could talk a lot, but that was OK since there were only a handful of people there at the time. Judging from the size of the place they get a really big crowd at times. They are updating the place which is good cause it really needs it. Now the food - well, when I pay $60 for lunch for 2 (not including tip) for two crabcake sandwiches and some fries (no drinks), I expect it to be really something. My crabcake was lump meat but dry as a bone. Folks, this is the Eastern shore of Maryland and they should know how to make a darned good crabcake without drying it out. It wasn't awful, it just wasn't what I expected.

Written 20 May 2022

Kathy C

7 contributions

Food was awful

May 2021 • none

I cannot understand all of the good reviews. The food was not good. My husband ordered a cup of their cream of crab, it was okay at best, the most I can say is there was a lot of crab. We ordered fish and chips. The fish by look and taste obviously came out of a box from the freezer. I’ve honestly had better frozen fish sticks then the fish in this meal. The fries were the crinkle cut variety and weren’t as good as Ore-Ida brand from the freezer aisle of the grocery store. Really, do NOT make a special trip to this restaurant.

Written 8 May 2021

Bonny K

1 contribution

Disappointed visit

Oct 2021 • none

Had a family outing.Made reservations at Old Salty's after hearing great reviews and wanting seafood. The wait was less than 10 minutes as the place was a bit crowded. Service was prompt. We ordered appetizers which were at best ordinary. I wanted the seafood -expecting a real treat. Instead I soon realized 'my' broiled scallops are much better. The shrimp was nothing more than I would have gotten at a fast food chain. With barely any seasoning, the dish was quite boring. I had much higher expectations. The Chesapeake chicken (ordered by another) was described as 'OK'. Quantity was adequate. Quality left much to be desired. I thought that was the height of my disappointment until we got the check. Over priced is an understatement. First and final visit. Will not recommend to anyone.

Written 16 November 2021

Doria O

Alexandria17 contributions

Worth the Drive

Aug 2024 • couples

My husband read positive reviews and decided to make the drive from Ocean City. Erica our server was pleasant and attentive. The cream of crab soup was heaped with crabmeat and flavor. The crab atop the crab melt was filler free and plentiful. Corn on the cob was sweet and the squash medley awakened my taste buds.

Written 23 August 2024

copycat7

Annapolis207 contributions

Best Maryland seafood! Our

Jan 2021 • friends

Best Maryland seafood! Our dinners were absolutely delicious. Best cream of crab ever tasted. My stuffed oysters were phenomenal and enough for 2 meals! Staff was so friendly with great service! Ty Old Saltys! We will return...your Annapolis friends.

Written 8 January 2021

M B

Crewe171 contributions

Used to be good, but we will NEVER go back!!

May 2022 • none

So we met with some friends and took a boat ride to Old Salty's. There were 4 couples in our group. We have been there many times and always had excellent meals (read my previous reviews). WE heard that the restaurant was sold about a year ago and we hoped that didn't matter. We had a reservation. Walked in and had to wait a few minutes to get seated. You would think that with a reservation, they would have tables put together, but no... Sat down and the waitress said she had to find us some menus. She brought 2 menus and said she would get more. The "more" never came so the 8 of us shared the 2 menus. Took a drink order and we eventually got our drinks. They were slightly busy but nowhere near full capacity. The waitress explained that she worked at a hospital, but her husband called her in to help out. Then explained that "the good thing is that I can mess up and not get fired because I don't work here". who says that? That should have been our first sign of a bad night... We finally ordered. One couple each ordered soup, 1 person ordered an appetizer, and my wife and I ordered soup. For the dinner orders, they were out of a lot of items, but we got through it. So we waited and waited... After about an hour and several inquiries where we were told "the food will be out in a few minutes", one of our party got up and asked if we could at least get bread... We got 1 small roll each. After one and a half hours, one couple got their soup and the other person got their appetizer. Our soup never came. Again we asked, but got the same "it will be right out" statement. After 2 hours, still no soup for us, but the other soup couple and another couple got their dinners. Again we asked about the other 4 of us and again the same answer... At this point we were pretty mad. After almost 2 and a half hours, the couple across from me said we should leave and I agreed. We excused ourselves form the other 2 couples who were eating and proceeded to leave. We saw the waitress and told her we were leaving and she once again said the food is coming right out... Ridiculous!!! Then we saw the owner. We explained to him and all we got was "yeah, we're pretty shorthanded". Not much of an apology. We explained that multiple other people came after us, got food, ate, and left. He once again stated they were shorthanded. It made no sense! He was very nonchalant and offered nothing. Surely with this type of service, they will go down quickly. What a shame! Oh and the couples who did get their food said it was terrible. The woman's steak was cold and the fried seafood platter for $40 was mainly breading... They just lost 8 good customers!!

Written 1 June 2022

Beachy722Maryland

93 contributions

Never Again!

May 2022 • none

We have been to Old Salty's several times and in the past, the service has been good and the food good for the price. We understand that it is under new ownership. We took a trip by boat with three other couples on Memorial Day weekend and called in advance for a reservation. When we got there, the table was not ready and they had to find some menus (???). They found two and bought them out for a table of eight. The restaurant was only about 1/3 full. Someone took our drink order. The waitress came by and said that they were short-handed, she was a waitress and she was just called in to help out, although she had waited on us on a previous visit when she was there helping out. They had put two tables together for the eight of us, but for some reason separated the tables on the order. We all waited for our food at least an hour when finally I asked if we could have some rolls as we were all hungry. Finally, at about the 2-hour mark, the soup and appetizers were brought out for two of the couples in our group. We were told the soup for our table was to be out soon. After about another 1/2 hour, I went and found the waitress and she said that our food was up next. We waited again and no soup, no food. The food for the other two couples was delivered, but the other four of us still didn't get anything served. I asked again and was told it was up next. Meantime, tables around us were getting food served. Finally, the four of us had had it and didn't even feel like eating a meal there so we told the other two couples that we were done and would meet them at the boat. They were very understanding about this because they were so disgusted too. I found the waitress and told her that we were not waiting any longer and was told that our food was "up next" again. She pointed the owner out to me and my husband and the other couple were talking to him. The only thing he said was he was sorry and that they were short-handed. My husband and I have never walked out on a restaurant meal before, but this experience was unbelievable. We were there for three hours and the only thing we got was our drinks and rolls. The other two couples that actually got their food didn't get the correct sides or didn't get them at all and the steak that was ordered medium well came out bloody and cold. The fried seafood platter that was $39.95 was left sitting on the table because the breading was just falling off of it. They were totally disgusted that they had paid $175 for four people for a pretty bad meal. The waitress told the two couples that got their food that the soup that was ordered for us was to be brought out with the meals which was not the case. One in our party ordered an appetizer as a meal and ask that it be brought out with the meals, not the soup. Either way, waiting that long to be served in a restaurant is totally unacceptable. The only thing that we can figure is that the order for the four of us got lost. Okay, that happens, but wouldn't you think that when we kept asking about our meal that someone would check to see what was happening. Needless to say, we will not be going back. Very disappointing as it appeared that they had added a outside bar and beach area and it is a great place to go to by boat. The owner could have salvaged the situation if he would have a least said, let me check on your meal, or let me comp something for you. Total lack of concern for the customer's experience. Very poor management!

Written 30 May 2022

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OLD SALTY'S RESTAURANT, Fishing Creek - Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews - Tripadvisor