For decades, Ocean Galley has been more than just a seafood restaurant. It has become a familiar gathering place for generations of locals, college students, families and visitors passing through Statesboro. This year, it was voted Best Seafood in the 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards, a recognition that reflects both its consistency and deep roots in the community.

Owner Wayne Sircy and his wife, Keri, moved to Statesboro in 1998 to take over Ocean Galley, beginning what would become decades of service. Before making the move, Wayne had worked in Florida as a regional manager for Cedar River Seafood restaurants, and he brought those years of restaurant experience with him to Statesboro.

Over time, Ocean Galley became more than a business for the Sircy family. Their children — Garet, Malory and Maddie — have all worked in the restaurant, helping create the close-knit atmosphere that has kept both customers and employees returning through the years. Among them is Brandy Blair, the restaurant’s longest-serving employee, who has been part of the Ocean Galley team for 20 years.

Beyond the restaurant, Wayne has also dedicated time to serving the community through the Kiwanis Club of Statesboro, where he has been a longtime member and volunteer. He currently serves as chair of the House Committee, continuing a tradition of involvement that mirrors the hospitality patrons experience inside Ocean Galley every day.

The restaurant has built a reputation for serving quality dishes that keep customers coming back week after week. Best-selling menu items include the fried shrimp, a longtime customer favorite, and the Seafood Platter for Two. According to Wayne, many regular diners plan their weeks around favorite menu specials and rarely miss their usual dining days. It has also become a gathering place for local groups and organizations, playing host to longtime traditions that have helped make Ocean Galley part of the fabric of Statesboro.

One of the restaurant’s most unique conversation pieces is a life-size replica of the 22-pound, 4-ounce largemouth bass that still holds the world record after being caught by George Perry on June 2, 1932, at Montgomery Lake in Georgia. According to Wayne, the fish disappeared for nearly two years after someone reportedly walked into the restaurant, removed it from the wall, ran out and drove away with it. It was eventually recovered during a police raid on a house and returned to Ocean Galley, where Wayne says it is now securely bolted to the wall.

In addition to its popular in-house service, Ocean Galley has also become a trusted name in local catering. From business lunches and meetings to family gatherings, weddings and community events, the restaurant’s catering services have allowed customers to enjoy many of their favorite menu items at events outside the restaurant walls.

While Statesboro has experienced tremendous growth in recent years, including the addition of many new chain restaurants and national brands, longtime local establishments still play an important role in maintaining the character and identity of the community. After nearly three decades in Statesboro, Ocean Galley continues to serve not only seafood, but also a sense of tradition and familiarity that reaches across generations.

In a growing community with ever-changing dining options, that kind of staying power says something special — about both the restaurant and the people behind it.