Iconic Restaurant Dining: Buck’s Place of Rising Sun, Maryland

My friend Ginny recently told us about a country tavern named Buck’s Place, so a group of us made the trek down to Rising Sun, Maryland, to check it out.

About 30 minutes down Route 1 from Kennett Square, with two extra turns after crossing the Mason Dixon line, I passed Johnston’s Liquors and saw the roadside brick tavern. Turning into the parking lot, I noticed that behind Buck’s Place sits a more upscale dining establishment, Buck’s Restaurant, but we were going casual tonight.

Inside the front door sat a long bar crowded with men in trucker caps and T-shirts drinking Buds and Coronas and enjoying raucous conversation. A shuffleboard table sat along one wall. After walking down the length of the bar, I found myself in a nook that held a handful of tables and booths, and that’s where I found my friends. The wood-paneled walls were worn, the lights antique. A mounted buck hung from the wall. This place was the real deal.

My friends had already ordered a round of appetizers, including a plate of fried pickles served with ranch dressing. We devoured those battered morsels with our first round of beers. Some of us drank Corona while others enjoyed Yuengling Lager on draft. We also shared crispy onion rings and a delicious plate of plump wings.

Our waitress, Amanda, was friendly and funny, making suggestions and answering our questions with a smile. Buck’s Place has nightly specials written on a chalkboard. It was Thursday, so oysters and shrimp were the special.

I decided to try the crab pretzel. The hearty soft pretzel was topped first with crab dip, artichoke and spinach and then baked with a layer of mozzarella and cheddar cheese. Old Bay seasoning was sprinkled on top. This was a decadent and filling appetizer that made me happy that I’d only ordered a half-pound of shrimp for dinner.

We had lively conversation while sharing the appetizers, but our table grew quiet when the main courses arrived. To my right was an amazing-looking steak taco salad. Giant strips of steak topped iceburg lettuce that filled a taco bowl. Another friend chose the fried oysters and fries and another had the fried shrimp and fries. My half-pound of plump u-peel shrimp, served with drawn butter and cocktail sauce, was a deal at $5.75.

We asked Amanda what her favorite dish was, and she replied without hesitation, “the seafood bouillabaisse.” We also learned the most popular dish at Buck’s Place is the crab bisque. We were in Maryland after all. There is much more to try on the menu, and the casual atmosphere of this country roadside tavern makes me yearn to head south again sometime soon.

Buck’s Place is located at 314 E. Main St, Rising Sun, Maryland; phone: (410) 658-2825. Like them on Facebook to follow their specials.

  • Photo Credit: Jim Breslin