“When the food’s this good, you just want to take a picture.”
Anthony t. Hincks
We
had heard about this unique restaurant for many years but every time
we passed here, it was a day they weren’t open. Today we hit the
jackpot and coming home from the mountains, we managed to hit it when
it was open. We drove into the car filled parking lot and knew from
all the people there that this restaurant must be terrific.
We
parked and walked up to the hostess and signed in, getting our name
on the waiting list. It would be awhile before dinner so we had time
to walk around the property. It was a beautiful property with a
large pond featuring a decorative waterwheel. It was the perfect time
to be at the pond as the sun was setting and put a beautiful glow on
everything. This gorgeous windmill stands in front of the restaurant.
We
walked over to the petting zoo area where they had goats, chickens,
roosters, and turkeys. You can buy a bit of feed for a small amount
of change and spend some time feeding the animals. We were thrilled
seeing the baby goats with their mommy's. They were so cute jumping
around enjoying the barnyard.
As
we walked back to the restaurant, we noticed all the ducks and
peacocks just strutting freely around the property. We walked on the wooden bridge over the clean water. When we looked down into the water, we saw all kinds of fish swimming around. Beautiful ducks and swans swam
peacefully by as the peacocks stood proudly near the wind vane on the
roof. We found a seat on a bench under the covered porch and watched
the peacocks exploring the property and the happy children delighting
with feeding the fish.
We
came on a busy Friday night but even with it being busy, our wait
wasn’t too long. We were told Thursday nights is not as busy even
with it being crab leg night. This restaurant specializes in
catfish stew, sandwiches, and fresh seafood that is fried or broiled.
They import the catfish from Mississippi, Flounder from Alaska,
Crab Legs from Canada, Scallops from the New England Coast, Oysters
from the Gulf of Mexico or Chesapeake Bay area, and the Devil Crab
and crab meat from the East Coast.
This
is a family owned restaurant that is only 12 miles from Augusta but
is on a beautiful wide open country property making you feel like you
are much further away from the city. This restaurant opened in 1977
and has a proud tradition of wonderful fresh food, relaxed
atmosphere, and southern hospitality.
Jerry
Bass, the man who started this restaurant, worked as a short order
cook as a teenager and then enlisted in the Navy and worked on board
as a cook. He was known to say when asked about the restaurant
business, “It’s in my blood.” After he got out of the Navy, he
got married to Jackie and worked at Proctor and Gamble in Augusta for
ten years. But that was not his passion so he decided to quit and
try the restaurant business before he got too old. So in 1977, his
friend and contractor Ed Hitt, his step dad, E. L. Swan, and he
cleared the land they had found in Edgefield County and built this
restaurant. He stated he had the dreams and his wife had the
recipes which made a great combination. This restaurant now has the
third generation working here.
When
we were called, we walked into the large dinning room and got seated.
This restaurant can seat 250 people. It was a lovely room with lots
of large picture windows looking out over the large pond. Soon
after we sat down and ordered our drinks, they brought out a large
dish of hush puppies and grits. This is the first restaurant I ever
heard of that served all you can eat grits and hush puppies as
appetizers to eat with your meal. The grits were very creamy and
dished out of a crock in a barrel and the hush puppies were fresh and
delicious. Our ice teas were brought to the table served in mason
jars that they kept full during the meal.
We
picked out what we wanted for dinner from the menu which included all
kinds of seafood, gator and even frog legs. They also offer some all
you can eat options. When our plates came out they were huge and filled to the brim. The
food was delicious and cooked perfectly. We could only eat about a
third of our plates so we would be having a few meals just from this
dinner.
This
restaurant had an eclectic design and was decorated with old farm
equipment, license plates, antique items, and stuffed peacocks, that were perched above the dining room. The wait staff were casually dressed
in tee shirts and jeans giving is a laid back atmosphere and they
were excellent, hard working, and professional.
This
fabulous restaurant is located at 355 Currytown Road, North Augusta,
SC and is opens Thursday and Fridays at 5 pm to 9 pm and Saturdays at
4 pm to 9 pm. They are also available if you want an event catered.
Check them out at: www.oldmcdonaldfishcamp.com.
We
enjoyed our time here at this special restaurant and will be back.
It is not just an eating place; but a destination. Till next time.
Bye for now.
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