If you ask Operations Manager Ericka Modzelewski to describe the journey that Captain Woody’s has taken from its humble beginnings in Palmetto Bay Marina to the sprawling complex it now occupies on Executive Park Road, she’ll express it in terms that suit the beginning of another school year.
“It was like our freshman and sophomore years were spent in the marina, and then when we moved from the marina to Arrow Road, it was like our junior year,” she said. “And then comes senior year – the year where experience meets opportunity, traditions matter more than ever, and the future has never looked brighter.”
Senior year is all about finding yourself, and Captain Woody’s has certainly taken on new dimensions in its new class. Taking advantage of the full footprint of the building they now call “home,” the restaurant anchors the entire complex, joined by a gift shop, a liquor and wine store, and a private dining room, The Reel Room.
Operations Manager Ericka Modzelewski
Dream Big
Since moving to its current home in 2023, the restaurant has served as the beating heart of an entirely different kind of Captain Woody’s experience. Inside, the familiar sight of nautical décor (sourced from local captains, rather than curated from an Amazon wish list) mingles with the tantalizing aroma of fresh seafood and expertly crafted burgers, sandwiches, and more. Just outside, a massive shaded outdoor area creates a party atmosphere, with acts like Vannah and the Rumpshakers, Muddy Creek, The Nice Guys and more setting the soundtrack.
Just off the main stage, the doors open to a full-fledged gift shop. An expansion of the T-shirts that were already a hot item on Target Road, the new space allows for Woody’s gear to be joined by wares from local artisans. The new liquor store, opened in 2024, bears the name Reel Job, taken from the name of owner Russell Anderson’s boat. That same boat used to sail in Captain Woody’s fishing tournaments long before Russell and his wife Shannon bought the restaurant from Capt. Woody Collins.
On the plate and across both locations, Captain Woody’s, like few other restaurants in the Lowcountry, has been able to maintain its reputation as a haven for tourists and locals alike as it has grown, matured, and expanded. From fresh fish sandwiches and fried seafood platters to healthier options like beet salads and and steamed shrimp, Captain Woody’s has something for everyone in the party.
Each brings its own appeal to a visit to Captain Woody’s, while maintaining the authenticity that has always defined it.
“Senior year isn’t about slowing down. It’s about honoring the foundation that brought us here while embracing everything still ahead. The groundwork laid by those before us – the recipes, the hospitality, the relationships, and the values – has given us something incredibly special,” said Modzelewski. “It’s a legacy built one guest, one meal, and one handshake at a time. Now it’s our turn to carry that legacy forward.”
BBQ Bacon Shrimp and Grits
Here’s to All the Memories
Sure, visitors keep a permanent spot on their “must visit” list for the restaurant, returning with every vacation, but this has always been a place with a massive local following because you can draw a straight line from where it is to where it came from. The first restaurant that Woody Collins opened, simply looking for a way to sell his catch, is still very much in the DNA of the place. It’s been seasoned with a little of Russell and Shannon’s Kentucky background over the years, but that just adds to the flavor.
“After decades of serving the Lowcountry, each place we’ve called home has helped shape who we are today. We’ve weathered hurricanes, economic ups and downs, changing trends, and unforgettable summers. We’ve celebrated anniversaries, birthdays, engagements, reunions, and countless ‘just because’ dinners,” Modzelewski said. “Through it all, one thing has never changed: our commitment to treating every guest like family.”
Captain Woody’s Hilton Head Island Location
Just ask the locals who have been coming regularly since Palmetto Bay. You’ll usually find them seated at Table 98, set off from the main dining room behind a red velvet rope. These are the people who have been there through the entire journey, drawn by an atmosphere that still gives the same comforting welcome it has for decades. Serving them is a staff that enjoys the same longevity.
“Our loyal locals are the valedictorians who have believed in us year after year. Our longtime Bluffton and Hilton Head employees are the Hall of Fame inductees whose dedication has shaped our story,” Modzelewski said. “These people didn’t just come to work at Captain Woody’s – they helped build Captain Woody’s into what it is today.”
Captain Woody’s Hilton Head is located at 14 Executive Road, off of Pope Avenue.
Modzelewski herself has been with the restaurant since 2012, apart from a brief sabbatical. And in both Hilton Head and Bluffton, you’ll find staff who have grown alongside the restaurant. Chef William Gish, the creative force behind the new items and weekly specials on Hilton Head, was on hand when the Bluffton location first opened in 2009. Nicole Carlisle, general manager at the Hilton Head location, started working at Woody’s when she was 15 years old. In Bluffton, general manager Ashley Brahm has been with the company for 10 years. Behind the bar in Bluffton, Jeff Wong has been there since Day One, with his fellow bartender Patrick Nelson joining just a few years later (come see them Wednesday nights during B-Town Trivia).
“We definitely don’t have a revolving door when it comes to staff,” Modzelewski said. “I think that comes from caring about the people who work here and the family atmosphere we have. We see each other sometimes more than we see our own spouses, so we really are like a family.”
The Shrimp Pasta features sautéed shrimp, spinach and tomatoes tossed in a cajun cream sauce.
Stay Awesome
Senior year has seen some massive changes to Captain Woody’s. But in maintaining that authenticity, they’ve also taken great care to retain the things people have always loved about the restaurant. That applies to the menu.
“We updated the menu recently, adding a couple of interesting things like the smash burger and the pastrami sandwich. But we definitely kept all of the staples. When we put something out on social media about debuting a new menu, people were desperate to make sure the grouper melt was still on there,” Modzelewski said. “Don’t worry, the grouper melt’s still on there.”
The new liquor store, opened in 2024, bears the name Reel Job, taken from the name of owner Russell Anderson’s boat.
All the old standbys, items that won over regulars when Collins first rolled them out, are still there. Perfectly fried seafood, from shrimp and scallops to flounder and grouper, juicy burgers piled high with fresh toppings, and mouth-watering Lowcountry Boil are joined by new favorites for a menu that effortlessly weaves together elevated preparation with good old-fashioned comfort.
On the plate and across both locations, Captain Woody’s, like few other restaurants in the Lowcountry, has been able to maintain its reputation as a haven for tourists and locals alike as it has grown, matured, and expanded.
“Think of this as our yearbook,” Modzelewski said. “And every person who walks through our doors becomes part of our graduating class. We’re proud of where we’ve been, but we’re even more excited about where we’re going. If this is our senior year, then we’re determined to make it one for the books – not because it’s the end of a chapter, but because it’s the beginning of the next great one.”
If Captain Woody’s had to pick a senior quote, they could do worse than the one found in an old newspaper clipping on the restaurant’s wall. Speaking to the Island Packet for a 1990 story, Woody Collins delivers words of wise simplicity: “Water never stops moving.” Neither does the restaurant that bears his name.