Murrell's Inlet SC Restaurant Advice

[ShipwreckPat]

This year I need some advice from my forum buddies that know Myrtle Beach/Murrell's Inlet. We are meeting my 84
year old Mom there and spending a week in a beach house.
None of us have ever visited the area so I am open to all suggestions. Been reading a little bit on the other
forum but don't necessarily trust those guys as much as y'all. Practicing my southern! Restaurants are my main
interest, you know researching so the trip can be a write-off but if there are any must dos or sees in the area, I would love to here from you.

Thanks
Shipwreck Pat

[Berlingirl]

No advice, but would love to see some Southern Shrimp and grits on your menu. They are a specialty to the region!

[ShipwreckPat]

Last year, after we returned from Charleston and Isle of
Palm, where I ate shrimp and grits for the first and second and third time, I attempted it at home. Dennis pronounced it respectable so I ran it for a lunch special. As we already have shrimp 4 different ways, you may just have to give me heads up as to when you are coming so I can make it again.

[philbetm]

Myrtle Beach has been a part of my life since
age 10...I am now 56 and all of that area
still is our most visited for long weekends
away.
Want a killer beautiful beach: head to
Huntington Beach State Park.
Good seafood: drive a little below Murrels
Inlet to Surfside and eat at SARAH J's .
( I know the Inlet area was always known
as the best seafood area)but so many of the
old places have either closed due to economy
or been torn down for the "progress" building
of newer "chain" restaurants! NOT GOOD!

Since the Historic old Pavillion has been
torn down...the downtown area of Myrtle is
alot quieter. But it was a great loss.
Kenny C. sings about it in his song "ANYTHING
BUT MINE"
Burgers amd fried mushrooms with ranch dressing
are very good at River City Cafe in Murrels Inlet.

Can't think of anything else right now.

Sherry

[RD]

Pat,

Much like Sherry, I have frequented that area since I was a kid. Most of the last two decades we have vacationed regularly in the Surfside/Garden City/Murrells Inlet area. My two favorites in Murrells are the Gulfstream Cafe and Bovines. Bovines is on the land side of the inlet and Gulfstream is on the ocean side. Food is great at both but I personally like the views better at Gulfstream.

Hope that helps!

RD

[djmom]

Pat,
We haven't been there for years, but I would second the recommendation for River City and Bovines as a reasonably safe bet. My husband grew up there and knows the guy who owns them. They own lots of restaurants in the area and at least in the past did a pretty good job at it.

Assuming they still own them... If they don't-all bets are off

But one disclaimer. Myrtle Beach isn't really known for its food or fine dining. At all.

I guess the only thing it is known for is "calabash shrimp" which is basically fried shrimp that can be very good (compared to other fried food) if done correctly and not served up at some buffet where it is sitting for an hour. Be very wary of the giant buffets-although even though I don't know you I am thinking you wouldn't do it anyways!

MB may be getting better, but it is more of a place that caters to the masses and large crowds.

I would think you might want to do some cooking in the house.

We have had some really nice dinners in Murrells inlet and at Bovines though-but even then- it is pretty high volume all things considered and you might not find the attention to detail you would see in Charleston for example. But you might find something nice like shrimp and grits or a nice crabcake-

[philbetm]

You're right DJMOM...those GIANT buffets
are really not so good at all. Big crowds,greasy
food and everybody pushing as if it's all going
to disappear!

Pat...like Hilton Head Island, that area is
becoming just a golf and shopping mall area. if
you like that...then you'll be fine. I don't.

In Murrell's Inlet if you stay off the main
highway it's still a pretty place. Try to take
a little day trip up to Garden City...they have
a very quaint little river front town with
many sidewalk cafes.

But with everything said and done...the best
fish and chips can be found at Shipwreck Landing I have them at least twice everytime
we come over!!

Hope to see you soon
Sherry in SC

[greyhoundmom]

Pat,

Advice from a friend who lives in the area; Lee's Inlet Kitchen and Nance's Creek are good local places. For finer dining, Divine Fish House and Drunken Jack's. Enjoy your stay

[djmom]

Divine Fish house- owned by same family as Bovines(and previous owners of River City chain- just found out they sold it.)

River City should still be fine with new owners since it is simpler food).

[ShipwreckPat]

Thanks for all the advice. We just got back and in case anyone else is headed in that direction, here is a what we found. Drunken Jack's was some of the best crab and shrimp that I ever ate. Gulfstream Cafe was in walking distance to our beach house and was also very good. Stay away from Creek Ratz (guess the name should have been a give away) and Spudz(not sure how but they screwed up fried flounder)
All I can say is that if you are an oyster fan like me, just do it, mercury be damned. I ate them everyday, sometimes twice a day and still did not have enough. Guess watching them roll around in the tide
in your front yard was very inspirational. Could not be any fresher.

Once again thanks for the help from the forum

Pat

PS Isn't a buffet a place where your old aunt kept a
tea pot and cozy?