34 replies to this topic

[JPW]

That's where I'll be.

Any thoughts?

[Al Dente]

That's where I'll be.

Any thoughts?

Back in my bachelor days I took a week-long vacation with a bunch of friends every summer in Pawleys. We had an awesome house there, but dining out was usually a bust.

As for Myrtle Beach, well, let's just say that Myrtle Beach makes Ocean City MD look like the French Riviera.

[jparrott]

Louis's is the slightly more modern joint, with a good wine list. There's a casual side and a frou-frou side, and both do the job.

Caution: I've never had a properly-shucked oyster anywhere in Pawley's. And I've tried. Too hard.

[JPW]

Quick report --

Louis's was a disappointment given all the hype around the guy. Just about everything Mrs JPW and I had was overcooked and dry.
Frank's was better.
The best meals that I had last week were the ones I made myself.

[Tweaked]

My parents recently built a house in Calabash, NC (a short hop north of the border from Myrtle Beach, really where the N. Myrtle Beach sprawl ends)...and the whole area is where the morbidly obese come to eat. Virtually every restaurant that I have been to subscribes to the More is More philosophy. If it's not your usual line up of chain restaurants then its middle brow places (a lot of Italian) that serves mega-portions. Seriously when they talk about the obesity problem in America, Myrtle Beach is pretty scary...especially the children.

However, I have found a few gems

Granny Allyn's in Calabash is a country diner that screams authenticity, the whole restaurant is a smoking section, they have at least 6 different types of sausage on the menu and some killer biscuits. Place closes at 2pm

Calabash Creamery serves some tasty and interesting ice cream.

Randy's Meat is a great butchery store on route 17 around Ocean Isle, NC

The Silver Coast Winery actually makes some half way decent wine...yes wine in North Carolina (although they get their grapes from inland parts of NC and Georgia)

Calabash is known for its Calabash style seafood, which translates into if its from the ocean we batter it and deep fry it, and down on the waterfront are a string of Calabash fish houses...none really stick out as better than the other but if cheap deep fried seafood is your thing than the Dockside restaurant is probably your best bet.

Myrtle Beach is great for the ocean, fishing, golfing, putt-putt and strip joints... bring your own steaks.

[lizzie]

We are vacationing in North Myrtle Beach next week. I know how awful almost all the dining options are, but somebody, at some time, must have found a decent meal. We are willing to drive to Calabash at least once, but probably will not make the trek to Murrel's Inlet or Pawley's Island.

[JeffC]

I lived in that food wasteland--Crescent Beach--for 21 years and know it well. We still manage to go down a couple times a year and I can tell you that things haven't improved much.

Pawley's Island is your best bet, so if you decide to drive down, Frank's is good, as are a couple of the other restaurants around the Hammock Shop. If you like baked goods--pies, cakes, etc.--there is a little bakery in Georgetown, SC, just 12 miles south of Pawley's, that makes the finest pecan pie I've ever tasted, as well as terrific apple pie and red velvet cake. And they have a very interesting selection of wines, albeit a small selection. It's called Kudzu Bakery and it's well worth the trek.

As for Myrtle and N. Myrtle, the pickins are slim--Collector's in Myrtle is OK, but overpriced. Greg Norman's at Barefoot Landing is pretty good. There are some chains that are OK, as well--Carraba's, Bonefish Grill, etc.

What I usually do when I go down is suspend my foodie instincts and go native, eating lots of fried seafood (think Calabash)--thank goodness for cocktail sauce and tartar sauce!--and big breakfasts. Cracker Barrel is one of my serious breakfast guilty pleasures.

[lizzie]

Since the repsonses were slim, I will post a bit about our experience in Myrtle Beach. Bonefish Grill was a good choice - but recommend that you call ahead to reserve a table. We ate at one of the bar tables, which was ok. The meal was good - loads of food, but not bad quality. The calamari was lightly breaded and not at all greasy; one of my kids had a shrimp and scallop dish (a special that night) that she enjoyed; the other had a simple grilled salmon with the mango chutney. Much of the marketing of the restaurant is that you select a type of fish, how you want it cooked, and then choose between about 6 or so sauces. I had the shrimp fettucine, which was also satisfying, although not all that memorable.

A very good choice was Bimini Bar and Grill on Lake Arrowhead Road. This place has been there for over 20 years, and we had never eaten there before.. It is picnic tables and piles of seafood, well cooked and at very reasonable prices. My girls both had the snow crab, which were not watery or balnd. I had a mix of oysters - served fried, on the half shell or steamed, 1/2 price from 4-6pm), steamed clams, and conch fritters. This is a very casual, local place and was much better for the basic seafood fare than any other place we found in our last few trips.

Breakfast at Dino's was diner food as it should be - crisp bacon, tender biscuits, buttery grits, piles of pancakes, and osme of the sweetest tea I have ever had.

Places to avoid at all costs - Joe's Crab Shack at Barefoot Landing - bland, tasteless, overpriced seadfood, plus broccoli cooked to a color best described as sunwashed gray-green.

And most of all, Senor Frog's at Broadway on the Beach (actually, there is no reason for anyone to go to Broadway at the Beach, except maybe for the Ripley's Aquarium, which was not as good as Baltimore or Charleston, but was ok.) Anyway, at Senor Frog's (I said to my kids, it's basic Mexican, how bad can it be?) you wait outside, because if you waited inside you would NEVER stay for a meal. As you enter, the wait staff is blowing whistles and everyone inthe place jumps on their chair to sing and dance, and then they start dancing around the restaurant. We opt ot sit outside, where we are seranaded by the absolute worst lounge singer I have ever heard - I have heard better things at an elementary school talent show. We wanted to pay him to stop singing, although he was still being somewhat drowned out by the music and what not going on inside. The food, when it finally came, was inedible - we ordered a taco platter, which had ground hamburger (not what was described on the menu) that was of a quality somewhere eblow that of the boxed ElPaso mixes from the grocery store; chorizo that looked like what I feed my dogs, crusty refried beans, and and teeny piece of overcooked lobster; and black bean soup that was tasteless. We ate nothing. As we left, the entertainment inside was calling for all people from Virginia and West Virginia to stand on their chairs for free shots. Waiters walked around literally pouring alcohol direct from bottles into the mouths of parents, grandparents, barely of age young adults, etc. as they sat at their tables with their families. A night to go down in family dining history....

[cheezepowder]

And most of all, Senor Frog's at Broadway on the Beach (actually, there is no reason for anyone to go to Broadway at the Beach, except maybe for the Ripley's Aquarium, which was not as good as Baltimore or Charleston, but was ok.) Anyway, at Senor Frog's (I said to my kids, it's basic Mexican, how bad can it be?) you wait outside, because if you waited inside you would NEVER stay for a meal. As you enter, the wait staff is blowing whistles and everyone inthe place jumps on their chair to sing and dance, and then they start dancing around the restaurant. We opt ot sit outside, where we are seranaded by the absolute worst lounge singer I have ever heard - I have heard better things at an elementary school talent show. We wanted to pay him to stop singing, although he was still being somewhat drowned out by the music and what not going on inside. The food, when it finally came, was inedible - we ordered a taco platter, which had ground hamburger (not what was described on the menu) that was of a quality somewhere eblow that of the boxed ElPaso mixes from the grocery store; chorizo that looked like what I feed my dogs, crusty refried beans, and and teeny piece of overcooked lobster; and black bean soup that was tasteless. We ate nothing. As we left, the entertainment inside was calling for all people from Virginia and West Virginia to stand on their chairs for free shots. Waiters walked around literally pouring alcohol direct from bottles into the mouths of parents, grandparents, barely of age young adults, etc. as they sat at their tables with their families. A night to go down in family dining history....

Senor Frog's is a chain whose branches seem to be located in Spring Break type of places. We had a similar experience at the Senor Frog's in Cancun about 7 years ago -- we thought we were just there for dinner, and the waitress pulled us into a conga line with shots being poured at us along the way. I don't remember much about the food. I'm sure the Spring Breakers must have a ball.

[ctay122]

My dad in law lives in N Myrtle. Try the Outrigger for good seafood. It's nothing fancy but they have some great dishes and the hushpuppies are yummy!

If you want something more sophisticated I highly recommend SeaBlue on 17 North.

http://www.seablueonline.com/

[Joe H]

Unfortunately, I've eaten my way through Myrtle Beach over the years and am not proud of it. When Bonefish Grill is among the best restaurants (yes, the same Outback owned Bonefish that has five or six outlets here) it speaks volumes about dining options. For an exclamation point the biggest mound of fried seafood, french fries, french fried onion rings, fried hush puppies and mayonnaisey cole slaw I've ever seen on a plate was in Calabash. And, there was intense competition among the twenty or so restaurants to see who could pile the highest amount of fried food.

But there is one place that I genuinely like. Actually a lot: Flo's Place in (where you said you didn't want to go!) Murrell's Inlet. This is a good website which offers a number of opinions on it:
http://www.myrtlebea...ells-Inlet.html
Flo's Place feels for all of the world like it's a roadhouse on a bayou in Opelousas. Actually, it's a roadhouse on a bayou in South Carolina but very good for what it is. A lot of ambience and worth the drive out of town to get to it. This is their website: http://flosplace.com
Southern Living named the Sea's Captain's House as the best seafood restaurant in the Myrtle Beach area. That's not really saying very much but I thought you should be aware of this! Still, I would go to Murrell's Inlet and Flo's. Unfortunately, it's enormously popular and considered the one "gourmet" dinner for all those who spend a week in Myrtle Beach and eat Calabash "style" every night. Expect a lot of ambience, friendly service and a restaurant that if you stumbled into it in Breaux Bridge-without knowing anything about it-you'd leave happy and contented. Also, after dark, you'll swear there are alligators just off the porch!

Edited by Joe H, 30 August 2006 - 06:23 PM.

[JeffC]

lizzie, I'm glad you found a couple places to your liking. I should have mentioned Dino's, as the owner--Dino Thompson--was one of the first people I met when I moved there thirty-five years ago. He started out with Dino's, but over the years has opened several other restaurants and business. Dino's Pancake House is just as it always was--when I lived down there, it was my go-to for breakfast before work and on weekends. My wife was down there a couple weeks ago and had breakfast at Dino's twice--her reports mirror yours.

Bimini's used to be noted as a music venue--there was a time when there were good bar bands every weekend, including Hootie and the Blowfish, before they made it big. They would clear out the tables and pack 'em in. I only ate there once or twice and remember liking it.

Sea Captain's House is pretty good, but I'd much rather go to Murrell's Inlet. Flo's is a lot more fun and I'm an old Nance's Oyster Roast afficianado--happiness is a tub of steamed oysters and some good hot sauce.

[TedE]

Ugh, I'm headed down there next weekend for a bachelor party golf outing. I think we're staying at the Barefoot Resort. I'm making an incredible leap of logic to assume that Barefoot Landing is one and the same. Is there ANYWHERE there (aside from the Greg Norman place) that would be OK? I'm imagining one nice dinner out, then find cheaper options (greasy diner food will be fine given the amount of drinking that's likely to occur). We'll have a car, but probably not be driving all that much (see the aforementioned drinking).

[JeffC]

Ugh, I'm headed down there next weekend for a bachelor party golf outing. I think we're staying at the Barefoot Resort. I'm making an incredible leap of logic to assume that Barefoot Landing is one and the same. Is there ANYWHERE there (aside from the Greg Norman place) that would be OK? I'm imagining one nice dinner out, then find cheaper options (greasy diner food will be fine given the amount of drinking that's likely to occur). We'll have a car, but probably not be driving all that much (see the aforementioned drinking).

Nope, not the same. Barefoot Landing is a shopping complex, Barefoot Resort is primarily a golf facility, a couple miles down US 17 from the Landing. But Barefoot Resort does have a Greg Norman-designed layout. As mentioned in a couple of previous posts, check out Flo's Place in Murrell's Inlet, about twenty miles south of where you are staying.

I'm afraid that you just won't find the level of restaurants we take for granted in metro DC. Myrtle Beach is about Calabash-style fried food in huge quantities--that's what the tourist like, so that's what you'll find. There are a few decent chains, mentioned in previous posts in this thread. But the golf is terrific.

As far as greasy spoon places, I haven't lived there since 1993. There weren't many late-night places in those day, but that may have changed.

[JeffC]

Unfortunately, I've eaten my way through Myrtle Beach over the years and am not proud of it. When Bonefish Grill is among the best restaurants (yes, the same Outback owned Bonefish that has five or six outlets here) it speaks volumes about dining options. For an exclamation point the biggest mound of fried seafood, french fries, french fried onion rings, fried hush puppies and mayonnaisey cole slaw I've ever seen on a plate was in Calabash. And, there was intense competition among the twenty or so restaurants to see who could pile the highest amount of fried food.

But there is one place that I genuinely like. Actually a lot: Flo's Place in (where you said you didn't want to go!) Murrell's Inlet. This is a good website which offers a number of opinions on it:
http://www.myrtlebea...ells-Inlet.html
Flo's Place feels for all of the world like it's a roadhouse on a bayou in Opelousas. Actually, it's a roadhouse on a bayou in South Carolina but very good for what it is. A lot of ambience and worth the drive out of town to get to it. This is their website: http://flosplace.com
Southern Living named the Sea's Captain's House as the best seafood restaurant in the Myrtle Beach area. That's not really saying very much but I thought you should be aware of this! Still, I would go to Murrell's Inlet and Flo's. Unfortunately, it's enormously popular and considered the one "gourmet" dinner for all those who spend a week in Myrtle Beach and eat Calabash "style" every night. Expect a lot of ambience, friendly service and a restaurant that if you stumbled into it in Breaux Bridge-without knowing anything about it-you'd leave happy and contented. Also, after dark, you'll swear there are alligators just off the porch!

Joe, I ate at Flo's last night. It was as I remembered it--funky, friendly, and the food was decent. I had fried green tomatos--yum--some good hush puppies with honey butter, and blackened catch of the day. The hush puppies were addictive, but I've always been a sucker for those little fried calorie balls, and the fish was pretty good. But I had a table on the porch that overlooks the marsh and spent some time just drinking in the atmosphere....and not a few beers.

[lizzie]

"My dad in law lives in N Myrtle. Try the Outrigger for good seafood. It's nothing fancy but they have some great dishes and the hushpuppies are yummy!"

Way delayed response - for many many years my family always had at least one meal at the Outrigger, which offered all you can eat, but not as a buffet, but it fell victim to property values and other factors, and closed in the past few years. We are again headed to MB on a family and friends vacation. We are looking forward to several breakfasts at Dino's and may try Flo's this time. If anyone has found something new, please respond!

[JPW]

Quick report --

Louis's was a disappointment given all the hype around the guy. Just about everything Mrs JPW and I had was overcooked and dry.
Frank's was better.
The best meals that I had last week were the ones I made myself.

Hmmmm... The more things change and all that.

About the same, but Frank's was more than better. It was actually really good. Tom would give it 2 stars, maybe 2-1/2. Keep an eye on Chef Paul Kelly. The Pawley's Island Tavern more than merits its acronym.

[MeMc]

Hmmmm... The more things change and all that.

About the same, but Frank's was more than better. It was actually really good. Tom would give it 2 stars, maybe 2-1/2. Keep an eye on Chef Paul Kelly. The Pawley's Island Tavern more than merits its acronym.

My parents live in Pawley's. They primarily go to Louis' for music and drinks but head to Georgetown for The Rice Paddy and Thomas's. After, they hit up the shrimp boat dock and pick up a couple pounds, heads on for pretty cheap. It's in a weird spot; it looks like it used to be a junkyard over there.

This is from Southern Living: Rice Paddy Restaurant (Lowcountry): 732 Front Street; (843) 546-2021. The menu changes with the season. On our visit we enjoyed rich shrimp-and-corn chowder, followed by sautéed salmon with grits and tomato-basil butter. Lunch, dinner (closed Sunday).

Thomas Cafe (Traditional Southern): 703 Front Street; (843) 546-7776. Think small and spartan, with only five tables, a few booths, and a handful of counter stools. Order the shrimp & grits for breakfast or one of the rice pilau dishes for lunch. Breakfast, lunch (lunch only on Sunday).

[V.H.]

My sister in law lives in Pawley's and the only restaurant I've really liked in that area is Chive Blossom Cafe, located on Hwy 17 (9428 Ocean Hwy). They are attached to a health/organic food store and the food is very different from what you'll find along the rest of Hwy 17. The last time I was there I had a scallop cake served with a side of orzo that was fantastic. The orzo was done risotto style with a chicken stock and white wine base. It was very creamy and studded with asparagus, shitakes, and a couple other veggies I can't recall. The scallop cake was crisp on the outside with perfectly cooked scallops in the interior. I can only guess that they chill the cakes well before frying so that the scallops don't cook beyond medium.

They also offer several different soups daily with a flight of three soups available.

[Nutty Buddy]

I've been to Rice Paddy (though not recently) but have not heard of Thomas Cafe or The Chive Blossom Cafe. We'll have to try those out next summer.

[JeffC]

I worked in Georgetown, SC, from 1975-92 and had many meals at both the Rice Paddy and Thomas Cafe. In those days, the latter was your basic "locals get together and swap lies over coffee" place. It's just down the street from the courthouse, so there were always lawyers, judges, etc., having breakfast and coffee before going to work. Breakfast was definitely Thomas' best meal in those days.

The Rice Paddy was mostly a lunch destination. It had a tea room feel and had particularly good she-crab soup.

It sounds like both have broadened their scope in the past decade or two.

If you go to Georgetown, do not miss Kudzu Bakery. This is one of those treasures that once you've tried it, you'll go back every chance you get. I still visit friends in N. Myrtle Beach, but always drive the fifty miles to stock up on Kudzu goodies. The pecan pie is the best I've had and they have a pretty decent wine selection for such a small place. I also understand they have opened a larger store in Litchfield Beach.

[wysguymd]

I go to Myrtle Beach a few times a year. I think we've been to nearly every restaurant in town. Sure the chains are fine (Bonefish, Carrabas, etc) but why go out of town and eat at a chain? Here are some of my thoughts:

Collectors: Similar to something you'd find in Rehoboth. Food consistantly good, service not so good. Small portions, very expensive, but it keeps the riff-raff out. ;o) Also great desserts.

Pomodoros: Good modern Italian food.

Villa Romano: Traditional red-sauce Italian. And I do mean red-sauce. Everything is drowned in it. But it's good for what it is. Good value - garlic bread, soup AND salad are included with all entrees. Veal is always excellent.

(Come to think of it, all restaurants in this area tend to be excessive with salad dressings and sauces. Ask for it on the side if you don't like salad with your dressing.)

Bistro 217 in Pawley's Island: Worth the drive. The Eggplant Treasure Chest is a highlight.

La Playa in Pawleys: Latin restaurant, authentic, huge menu. Top quality ingredients.

Sea Captains: Tourist trap, but good choice for lunch/breakfast. Great view.

Throughbreds: If you are looking for a nice "classic" evening out, give this place a try. I'm not sure I'd frequent it back home in the DC area, but if you are looking for an upscale "romantic" steak & seafood place (think Ruth Chris/Palm/Mortons wannabe), Throughbreds is one of the only options in town.

Bummz: great lunch place - big sandwiches, right on the beach. (warning, prostitutes working at the motel across the street will approach you.)

Little Pigs BBQ: good hole-in-the-wall bbq joint. not greasy!

Franks/Louis @ Pawleys: Haven't made it to Franks yet - seems like it's always closed when I'm there. But only heard good things. Louis' was okay, nothing to rave about but the atmosphere is good. They did have a GREAT Peanut Butter Pie dessert that was amazing.

Capt Daves Dockside (Murrells Inlet): Good view, but underwhelmed by the food. Fly problem.

Olivers (Murrells Inlet): Has very good reviews & word of mouth, but again, I was underwhelmed. Service wasn't very good either. I think the hushpuppies were the best part.

Margaritaville @ Broadway: Friends picked this place...stay away unless you like tourist places. Bad food, noisy, bad service.

Umbertos Pittsburgh Italian: My all time WORST dining experience in Myrtle Beach. This place gets RAVE reviews, yet I found it truly horrible. The food was disgusting (even the soup and salad), the place was dirty, flies everywhere, the service awful. I will never understand why this place is always highly recommended. I've had better meals at fast food restaurants.

I don't eat seafood, but I've heard that the Calabash style places are terrible. Apparently everything is fried in years old grease.

[zoramargolis]

We did the oyster roast at Nance's, which was an amusing local tradition, and a lot of work for small oysters without a whole lot of flavor. Except for the cold boiled peel and eat shrimp, which were tasty, the rest of the food was totally forgettable--crab cake, bleh. Cole slaw, way too sweet. Key lime pie, eh...

[Tweaked]

I have found the dining in the Greater Myrtle Beach area to be mediocre at best. Thai Season in North Myrtle Beach has become a solid option for the family, esp with veggie gf and sister-in-law.

The menu reads pretty standard but they put out good versions of the familiar, and they do not dumb down the heat...food ordered "medium" will definitely have a kick!

I've eaten here twice, and I believe that if located in DC, Thai season would be considered one of the good-better Thai restaurants in town.

1004 Hwy 17 South (at 9th Avenue S)
North Myrtle Beach

[JeffC]

I have found the dining in the Greater Myrtle Beach area to be mediocre at best. Thai Season in North Myrtle Beach has become a solid option for the family, esp with veggie gf and sister-in-law.

The menu reads pretty standard but they put out good versions of the familiar, and they do not dumb down the heat...food ordered "medium" will definitely have a kick!

I've eaten here twice, and I believe that if located in DC, Thai season would be considered one of the good-better Thai restaurants in town.

1004 Hwy 17 South (at 9th Avenue S)
North Myrtle Beach

Mediocre at best pretty much nails it....but you're right, Thai Seasons is a pretty good option, easily the best Thai on the beach. There are a few gems to be found, but they are few and far between.

Have you made it to Scott's yet? If you go, don't forget that they are only open Th-F-Sat.

[johnb]

Mediocre at best pretty much nails it....but you're right, Thai Seasons is a pretty good option, easily the best Thai on the beach. There are a few gems to be found, but they are few and far between.

Have you made it to Scott's yet? If you go, don't forget that they are only open Th-F-Sat.

I would go a bit further and say that mediocre is about what you can expect if you do some research and seek out the best. If you don't do that, and just take a shot at it, then you're really in trouble! Best meal I had there on the latest visit was a nice mixed seafood stew I cooked up myself. Woe be it to he who has no alternative to eating in restaurants.

[JeffC]

I would go a bit further and say that mediocre is about what you can expect if you do some research and seek out the best. If you don't do that, and just take a shot at it, then you're really in trouble! Best meal I had there on the latest visit was a nice mixed seafood stew I cooked up myself. Woe be it to he who has no alternative to eating in restaurants.

There are a few places in Myrtle Beach that are better than mediocre.....Mr. Fish on US 17, around 31st Ave. N. is connected to the Mr. Fish seafood market and has some very good seafood, not at all like the Calabash-style places favored by most tourists. And because there are so many transplants from PA, NY, and NJ, there are quite a few very good red-sauce Italian places. Ciao on US 17 is one well-worth checking out. They are as good or better than any of that genre that we tried when we lived in DC. They are not particularly creative--mostly the red-sauce standards--but some do it very well, indeed.

And then there's Scott's, maybe the best bar-b-cue in the Carolinas and certainly miles better than anything in the DC area. It's nearly 60 miles from Myrtle Beach, in Hemingway, SC, but their bar-b-cue is famous, having been profiled in the NY Times, on Nightline, and in other foodie venues. The stuff is simply amazing....check out my post in "Hemingway, SC" on this forum...you'll find a link to the NY Times article and a documentary that is well worth a look.

When we moved down here in February, after 17 years in DC and hundreds of wonderful meals, many because of my love for this forum, I made a concerted effort--perhaps even an obsession--of finding decent food. It's been mostly frustrating, but has yielded a few gems. The fried chicken at Fresh Catch, just a few miles outside of MB on Highway 90, is wonderful and well-worth trying. The only Ethiopian restaurant in South Carolina is in downtown Myrtle Beach--it's owned by a professor at Coastal Carolina University and is pretty good. There's one Indian restaurant--Bombay at the Beach--and it's decent. Not Passage to India good, but it would hold its own with some of the lesser Indian restaurants in metro DC. I like it better than Minerva, to name one. There are several taquerias which cater to the may Mexican immigrants in the area....some are quite good, albeit inconsistent. I've ordered the chile rellenos maybe five times at Maya--on US 17--and have gotten it five different ways. Sometimes with beef, sometimes with cheese, once as a soup!....but each time good.

But as johnb notes, the best bet is to cook your own food...and we probably eat in five or six nights a weeks and go out maybe once per week. What we've lost in quality, we've made up in money saved.

[Tweaked]

yes, my parents live in Calabash and eat a lot of fresh seafood, either caught off the fishing pier at Sunset Beach, or bought from small fish shops that dot the back roads. Down at the Calabash harbor (where all the crappy Calabash-style seafood restaurants live) there are a couple shrimp shacks, selling fresh caught shrimp for dirt cheap as well as any by-catch they gets in the nets. There is a small shrimp fleet in Calabash, they go out for a couple days and then bring in the catch. Some of the best shrimp I've ever had!

[stilgar]

Just back from Myrtle Beach and went to a couple places that were very good.

Chianti South in Little River is excellent. Was our third time dining there and they do not disappoint. We started with the Italian Antipasto comes with prosciutto, salami, cantaloupe, mozzarella, olives, anchovies, and tomatoes. The meats are melt in your mouth good, and the vegetables and cheese are very fresh. The cantaloupe was sweet and juicy and was just awesome paired with the prosciutto. House salad of field greens, all dressings made in house. I went with the house specialty - the veal chop. It was approximately 16 oz and all of it delicious. Seasoned perfectly. It was a little over cooked however. Ordered it medium rare, came out medium but still great. Served with three sad roasted red potato halves. They could improve a lot there. Plate looked silly with the large chop and three quarter sized potatoes. The wife had the veal special that day, veal scallopine with a garlic white wine sauce, roasted red peppers, olives and artichokes. Came with pasta marinara. Hers was delicious as well. The only bit i would criticize would be the marinara. It is a bit too acidic for me. The pasta however is great. They make all their own pasta. They have an extensive wine list covering the major wine producing regions of the world. I forget how many exactly, but my best guess would be 900 - 1200 bottles. We didn't do desert as nothing on the desert menu was grabbing us. Service was very good, attentive but not in our face. Before wine the bill averaged $35 per person. $6 charge for sharing. Map

Carolina Roadhouse in Myrtle Beach is part of a restaurant group that has locations throughout the south. This place reminded me of a slightly more upscale Sweetwater Tavern. They have one of the best salads around. Boiled egg, bacon, tomato, and almonds. Really good. The croissants drizzled with honey are light and delicious. I went with the bone in NY Strip. Cooked to a perfect medium rare. Slightly under seasoned. Came with underwhelming fries. The wife had an entree salad. Worked out to about $17 per person. Menu Map

For the best fried shrimp you have ever had go to the Inlet Crab House in Murrells Inlet. They are fresh shrimp lightly battered. I can't recommend anything else there because I only get the fried shrimp. Website Google maps has it in the wrong place. Here is the correct place - Map

Lastly there is Key West Grill at Broadway at the Beach. This is in the tourist trap shopping mecca of Myrtle. It was surprisingly good however. $3 Red Stripes all day.

[will_5198]

I perused this thread before making my first trip to Myrtle Beach, and a week later I have to echo most of what's already been written. This place is like one giant Cheesecake Factory, with obscene portion sizes that I struggled to finish at every meal. Being with a group, I resigned myself to their choices without any debate or complaint. Impressions:

Joe's Crab Shack -- I've had a lot of mediocre meals at nationwide chains, but never one where the air conditioning wasn't working and the heat index was 104 degrees at dinner. Cheap beer only partially helped.

T-Bonz -- Although bearing an unfortunate name, this was possibly my favorite dinner of the trip. Their fried pickle chips were nice; the kind of greasy beach food I was in the mood to enjoy. Burger was nondescript but cooked to the requested temperature. The service was excellent, with a great waitress and multiple managers checking in despite a dining room packed to the hundreds. It was actually better service than I've received in some esteemed D.C. restaurants.

Liberty Grill -- Also owned by the T-Bonz group (uh, we had a lot of time to read walls at the bar while waiting), this was another cavernous restaurant pumping out a huge volume of food per night. I did get to try a burger with pimento cheese on it -- not sure how I missed that after living several years in the south -- and it was surprisingly good. I might even recreate one for myself at home.

Key West Grill -- Annoying up-sells (prepare for a blank stare from your waiter should you not indulge in their $45 lobster platter!). There's some scary "Caribbean" + southern fusion going on here: Sloppy Joes with Cuban slaw, burgers stacked with onion rings, pineapple, swiss cheese and horseradish mayo, diced mango added to everything else…you get the picture. I split some nachos and cut my losses with happy hour tacos.

Sugami -- Bizarre atmosphere. The sleek leather booths, dressy wait staff and Daft Punk blaring from the sushi bar seemed aimed at a hip, young crowd -- an audacious attempt considering the Treasure Island mini-golf course next door. I started with a couple pieces of salmon nigiri, which tasted OK but failed in execution (I realize it's Myrtle Beach, but the fish was cut almost paper thin…presumably to save money). Having seen enough of the sushi, I pressed on to a menu consisting of steak, hibachi grill items and classics such as orange chicken. I went for the sesame chicken, and received one of the blandest versions I've ever had (and I actually *like* the over-sauced, MSG-saturated versions from many Chinese take-outs). Drowning it with soy sauce didn't even help, and I stopped eating after my overcooked white rice ran out.

Sticky Fingers -- Southern franchise that reminded me of Red Hot and Blue. Best (frozen) fries of the trip -- thin, crispy on the outside and well-seasoned. My pulled pork platter was inoffensive and unmemorable. It also came with one of the sweetest corn muffins I've ever tasted. A friend ordered dessert and received a chocolate cake that was literally the size of two bricks, stacked next to a scoop of vanilla ice cream. For $6.99.

The two best things I ate were a cinnamon bun donut from Krispy Kreme and roast beef sub from Jersey Mike's.

[The Delicious]

[Bump]

Any recent visitors willing to share their experience? I'll be making a trip with the family down there in a month or so. Thanks!

[JeffC]

A few things to add to my previous posts....

The Blue Elephant--a little Thai restaurant in Murrells Inlet (a few miles south of Myrtle Beach), it's only open for dinner and can be a little pricey if you're used to DC Thai prices, but the food is excellent, the spice level--if you order levels 3 or 4 (this is too hot for me, and I LOVE hot food!)--is incendiary, and all the meals are prepared by the owner/chef. Be prepared to spend a couple hours, as the food comes out at a leisurely pace. Far and away my favorite MB Thai.

Scott's Barbecue--see the "Hemingway, South Carolina" thread. It's a bit over an hour from MB and isn't really a restaurant, but you can pick up what is probably the best barbecue in South Carolina. It has been featured in ABC Nightline and the NYT. Well worth the drive.

Ciao--small Italian restaurant on business 17. No unusual dishes, but everything is done very well. Call for reservations.

Bombay at the Beach has slipped...not a good thing for a place that was mediocre on their best day. The little family-run Ethiopian place is still open and, despite a VERY limited menu, is pretty good. Mr. Fish has raised their prices, but it's still very good.

[jayandstacey]

About 2 1/2 years later, thank you for this:

 

I have found the dining in the Greater Myrtle Beach area to be mediocre at best. Thai Season in North Myrtle Beach has become a solid option for the family, esp with veggie gf and sister-in-law.

The menu reads pretty standard but they put out good versions of the familiar, and they do not dumb down the heat...food ordered "medium" will definitely have a kick!

I've eaten here twice, and I believe that if located in DC, Thai season would be considered one of the good-better Thai restaurants in town.

1004 Hwy 17 South (at 9th Avenue S)
North Myrtle Beach

 

They may have dumbed down the heat now - or maybe we ordered things with no heat.  But that's just fine - we enjoyed our meal, the prices were good, there was no "theme" and at $4.50, the happy hour mixed drink seemed like a steal.

 

I don't think I ever want to go "concept dining" again after being in Myrtle Beach. 

- Key West Grille - I got the dozen oysters and was happy. Geeze, what a food factory. 

- Margaritaville - the staff was SUPER nice, they seem to have imroved that aspect from the comments above.  Again, what a factory - Fun atmosphere but if I want to just get some drinks I'd rather go with places like Fat Harold's up the road. 

 

We've been mostly eating in despite the avalanch of ginormous food options.  We might still hit Ciao. in the meantime, we're making notes for our second trip: Bring all the spices and stuff we like to have to cook, then rent a place with a decent kitchen.   

[jayandstacey]

Update to the above review:

 

When at the "Broadway on the Beach" place, we chose Key West Grill as it seemed...I dunno, like it might focus a little on the food compared to the others.  Kind of like picking a restaurant in Epcot based on what seems most authentic I guess.  I bring up Key West grill again as I got 14 oysters for $12.99 - and that's a pretty good deal.  The merrior wasn't listed and there isn't a choice, however they seemed  the larger more briney Atlantic oysters.  If I were to go back, I might grab a beer and a few more oysters and enjoy the deck on a warmer day. 

 

Ciao Italian was pretty good.  We were lucky to get there early (4:30) and get a seat without a reservation - it was booked solid on a Thursday night in March.  They only have about 20 tables so this makes sense.  It is the kind of place where people were running into each other - shaking hands in the aisle, "how have you been" kind of thing - and this was table-to-table, not the host working the room.  The food was good and prices were fair. 

 

I feel like there's got to be more of the smaller places, places more about the food and less about the concept.  Maybe not. 

[wysguymd]

 Another good option not mentioned is Tommy Bahama in Market Commons.  Yes, a chain and "concept", but the food is very good.  Service is hit or miss, and it's somewhat overpriced, but I'd recommend TB over any of the Broadway at the Beach places.  http://www.tommybaha...yrtle_Beach.jsp

 

  There are several restaurants in Market Commons, I recommend avoiding all of them.  Travinia was horrible, as was Nacho Hippo.  I've had better tacos at Taco Bell.

 

A nearby gem is Rivertown Bistro in Conway.   Definitely worth the drive.   http://rivertownbistro.com/