The Rustler

Best Place to Treat Yourself

The Rustler is ranked the #1 restaurant in Meridian and #6 in the nation on YELP as the best place to treat yourself!  The reason; very friendly and attentive staff serving excellent food in an inviting atmosphere.  That about sums it up!!  But how did it achieve this success?  The Rustler opened in 1981, and its reputation for great steaks and seafood began.  A new owner took over in 1990, with no plans to run the business day in and day out.  Then along came Mike Partridge.  Mike was well known in Meridian from the Partridge family radio business, where he started working at age 13.  After 18 years of broadcasts, Mike bought The Rustler from the new owner (his brother in law), and has been there ever since.

Mike never dreamed his new venture would become a family business, too, but Semmes Martin, Mike’s daughter, joined the staff in 2016, and now helps manage The Rustler.  She never thought it would happen, either.  “I always stayed away when I was younger, (I only worked here once when I had to pay off a traffic fine) but knew deep down I would end up here.  I had just graduated from MS State in December, 2015, and wasn’t working yet.  I stepped in one day on an emergency basis during a busy time, fell in love with the restaurant and have been here ever since.”  “Semmes has taken The Rustler to another level,” continues Mike.  “She loves making people happy.  Business has seen quite an uptick since she became involved.  Her social media skills are second to none, which has led to some national exposure.  Because of that exposure, our business isn’t just local; a large percentage is regional.”

Yet, The Rustler’s business has always depended on Meridian and its citizens, so during the pandemic, they wanted their customers to be able to depend on them.  For 6 ½ weeks, they continued business with curbside and delivery service, and business levels stayed good.   Their social media presence was off the charts during quarantine; always good for a laugh.  Customer loyalty remains high because of their reputation for delicious food, the personal touch, their location, and because it’s a family run business that makes you feel like family.  Longtime employees like Mark, Bimp, and Chef Jeffery, are a vital part of The Rustler’s family.

Mike says to own a successful business, you should be prepared to work hard, 24/7, market your business, and make your customers feel like family.  Know how to handle every job in your business.  Mike buys the food fresh daily, hand picking almost everything.  And he trims and cuts the meat, too.  That must be why those steaks are especially good!  Mike’s personal favorite is the filet and Semmes’ favorite is the filet and sautéed crab claws.  “I didn’t realize when I started at The Rustler, that it would become my career,” says Mike, “but, I love this business.  It gives me purpose, and after 30 years, I have no plans to retire anytime soon.  I would miss this.”  

Just imagine, ‘Your evening starts in elegant surroundings with top-notch service and the smell of freshly baked bread delivered straight to your table.  From the wine and the steaks to the fresh seafood and desserts, The Rustler delivers an unforgettable dining experience.’

The Rustler – The Best Steakhouse in Town and The Best Place to Treat Yourself!

The Rustler
5915 Old Hwy 80 W, Meridian, MS