Jerome's Steak & Seafood — Restaurant in Shallotte

Let’s say the nice stuff up front.

Server was very kind and attentive. Place was dated but well maintained. Hush puppies and banana pudding were very good.

As for the rest, I had never been in all my years living here, and now I will never go back.

The salad bar could be a major draw, but given that there are only a dozen ish topping choices and very few salad dressings it’s a missed opportunity. If you’ve ever thought to yourself “I’d like to pay for a salad I could do better at home with very little effort,” this is the place for you.

The salad bar didn’t have to be the highlight despite being a disappointment; the hot bars could have been good. But no, the hot bars would not abide the salad bar being the worst part of the meal. The hot bars answered, and answered with vigor.

For a bunch of locals, we couldn’t figure out what the fish was. Perch? Spot? A manager assured us it was flounder, so congratulations to Jerome’s for having the grizzliest looking flounder I’ve ever seen. Eating it, I wondered if God was punishing the flounder for misdeeds from a past life given how the flounder was being desecrated by a tough, chewy, dried out presentation that had zero flavor or seasoning; somewhere a chef on restaurant row in calabash is crying.

The fried chicken tasted like something they’d serve at a Lion’s Club meeting if the chicken had been left out for an hour to get dry on the outside while becoming inexplicably greasy on the inside. Oh, and if the chicken had been wildly under seasoned.

The ribs were the fattiest I’ve ever seen. I guess if you’re doing a buffet and the folks who do ribs to order in the area are charging $20 for a half rack it makes sense to use the lesser cuts, but if you’re gonna do that you have to doctor them that much harder. Not only were the ribs fatty, they were also dry and flavorless with the exception of being mildly smoky.

The beef stew (?) looks worse than what I used to feed my dog (RIP) for being a good boy. Now, granted, I splurged on my dog, so those were some good looking cans of dog food, but, ya know, for a dog. Figured whatever: took a tablespoon sized portion and decided to try it. Tough, dry, flavorless (I feel a theme building) and just gross.

Got the field peas and those had zero seasoning. Got the mashed potatoes and those were clearly instant but weirdly enough the best thing I ate from the hot bar that wasn’t a hush puppy.

The only silver lining is that I was out early running honey dos and didn’t have the Mrs. in tow so we could pay for my mistake twice.

Congratulations Jerome’s! You made Golden Corral seem like The Palm by comparison. For $20 drink, tax, and tip you could have a family feast from Publix (where you would get amazing fried chicken).

Worst dining experience I’ve had at the beach by a...

This is the worst steakhouse I have ever been too. We had 2 different servers with 1 complaining about how she was tired of being at work and dealing with customers. Our steaks were so fatty we couldnt eat them. We had waited over an hour for our food so i didnt bother with having it remade. When we got the check which we had 6 adults and 2 kids with 3 seperate bills. There was a 18% tip added which thr menu or restaurant mentioned anywhere! Our bill came out to $90 for 2 people. I asked to speak with the manager as I was checking out to let her know that our steaks were so bad we couldn't eat them and we just gave them to some of our guests to take home for their pets. She asked if I told my server. I said no I didn't want it remade and then eat after everyone was done I would just eat somewhere else small on the way home I just wanted her to be aware she said that sucks but there is nothing I can do ans I should of told my server, I didn't even know who my server was! She said next time I come back if I have a problem let them know before I leave, like I would be stupid enough to come back as I live in Ohio! I am a previous GM at a restaurant and I would never treat a guest in this way. As my table mates were paying for their low quality over priced meals the manager went and told the server and cook I had complained. The server came out of the back talking about how it's pathetic I complained after my meal which we didn't eat and then the cook came out and stared me down and shrugged at me and talking to other workers about how trashy we are for complaining. All while the manager was standing there. What a joke of a restaurant, the best part of my experience was leaving the building! Would never be back and no have the worst dining experience I have ever had to compare others too...

After 40+ years of family vacationing in Ocean Isle, NC, we finally ate at Jerome's, a local steak & seafood 'institution' in nearby Shallotte. After hearing positive reviews from local property owners and tourists alike, we figured it was time to see what all the fuss was about!

As promised, the black & white themed throwback restaurant has a menu featuring a variety of steaks, seafood, and the famous salad bar. I ordered the BBQ ribs (full rack), mom ordered a sirloin, and sister ordered shrimp scampi (I think?). We all got the salad bar, too. Salad bar was very good. Fresh, colorful, crisp veggies. Chilled fruit. Numerous toppings and dressings. It may have been the best part of the meal?! 🥗

The ribs were a large, hearty portion, and they tasted pretty good. But, the meat was only warm, not hot. And, the ribs were very fatty. The sirloin steak 🥩 was also okay, but not great. Ditto for the 3rd entree (shrimp scampi?).

The server was very friendly, attentive, efficient, and understanding. She said we'd have to come back to try "a little of everything" on the dinner buffet, which is offered on select days of the week, for limited hours. Based on the Facebook video posts, the buffet looks GOOD!

In August, a return trip for this Midwest family may be in order.... 🚗 🌊 🏖️

p.s. I also give Jerome's a LOT of credit for not exorbitantly raising prices during inflation. A family can still come here, get a good meal in a friendly atmosphere, and not pay out the nose. Very hard to find nowadays. THANK YOU,...