Riverfront Seafood Company: Come for the view; stay for the food

Riverfront Seafood Company is a well-known Kingsport restaurant serving great food and excellent customer service.Russ Burdine always dreamed of opening his own restaurant, so when he was offered an opportunity to buy Riverfront Seafood Company in 2019, he jumped at the chance."It has always been a dream of mine, but I never wanted to start one from the ground up," Burdine said. "So Wayne called me out of the blue one day, and my wife convinced me I should follow my dream and go for it."Burdine said he loves working in the food service industry."I just enjoy the food business," Burdine said. "We tell people all the time you either love it or you hate it. You don't normally tolerate the food business. It's either in your blood, or it's not, and it just got in my blood, and I have loved it ever since."Burdine said people come to Riverfront Seafood Company for the view, but they return for something else."The draw is the view, obviously," Burdine said. "What keeps them coming back, I think, is the consistency in the food and the service, which our team does a great job of. God created the view, and Wayne saw the vision and built the restaurant. The view brings them in, but the food and service bring them back."Riverfront Seafood Company serves seafood, including many fresh fish like salmon, trout and sea bass. In addition to seafood, Riverfront Seafood Company also serves steaks and burgers.Burdine said they pride themselves on offering fresh food. They hand-cut their fish every day; nothing comes precut and proportioned.We asked Burdine the following questions:Q: How long has your restaurant been in operation?A: Originally opened by Wayne Michelli in 1991. My wife Serena and I bought it in 2019.Q: What do you consider the specialties at your restaurant and why?A: Largest selection of fresh seafood in Northeast Tennessee. Won Best Burger in the Tri-Cities!Q: What is your culinary education, and how did you learn to do what you do in the kitchen?A: I managed Skoby's Restaurant for five years and worked for Sysco for 13 years.Q: Why is your restaurant appealing to customers, and how do you maintain that ambiance?A: Consistent food and service. The view is a big draw, but the food and our team keep them coming back.Q: How do you think your restaurant differs from other restaurants in the Tri-Cities region?A: We hand-bread everything to order and make all our dressings and sauces in house. Low turnover in team members. We believe that they are our family, and they are what makes it happen daily. Our motto is "Attitude is everything!" This comes from my dad and how he lived the last part of his life after being diagnosed with ALS.Q: What are the advantages and disadvantages of your location?A: Advantage is the view! I don't believe we have a disadvantage with our location.Q: How often do you change the menu at the restaurant, and why?A: Once or twice a year, usually due to an increase in pricing from our vendors. We also add new items and remove slow-moving items.Q: What's your favorite cookbook?A: Our family's recipes!Location: 1777 Netherland Inn Rd, Kingsport, TN 37660Phone: (423) 245-3474Website: https://www.riverfrontseafood.comHours: Tuesday through Thursday, 11 a.m.- 8 p.m.; Friday through Saturday, 11 a.m.- 9 p.m.