North Myrtle Beach Eats

[coolhandluke]

Hey all-

Industry foodie going down to Myrtle Beach in April. Will be staying just north of North Myrtle Beach (will be playing the big cat courses) I know pickins in Myrtle are somewhat slim, but i would love any advice on good seafood (any crabhouses down in these parts...used to love the ones in Maryland) and would love recs on good BBQ and low country food. I'm willing to drive a bit if need be, but looking for some decent food, or cool beachy spots with decent food, good scene and cold beer. Overall, looking for cool things on a few different levels. Any help would be greatly appreciated, as last time I was down, my buddies dragged me to a bunch of crappy seafood buffets on the strip and would like to avoid this again.

Thanks!

[arbyunc]

When in NMB, no need to fool around, and no need to drive to Murrell's Inlet. Calabash, NC is a short drive away, where you'll find the original restaurant families still churning out great local seafood as they have for 80 years or more. Ellas, Seafood Hut, Dockside, and Beck's are the real deal.

[countgrog]

We usually Eat at Biminis when in North Myrtle. It has character, the steamed shrip and oystrers are good though last fall the oysters were very small but they gave us extras. Good live Jimmy Buffet music usually being played. It can get smokey.

[Upstater]

For North Myrtle Beach I recommend Bimini's on Lake Arrowhead Road, severely local, great prices and quality. Been there since the 1980's at least. If you are up on the far end of North 17 the Raw Bar and Marina is a good too, cool setting on the Intracoastal waterway is hard to beat.
I personally like Molly Darcey's on Ocean Boulevard for its beachfront patio, Irish pub, and good prices,again very local for North Myrtle.

[blueasinocean]

You are correct, picks are slim. If you have a half way decent kitchen I suggest you buy several newspapers and do your low country boil/ crabs, especially if you have a nice balcony to spread out the newspaper. I think one of the best places to buy seafood is at the Hong Kong Supermarket in Myrtle Beach. Everything is brought in by local fishers and very fresh. There number is 843-839-2988. Cal first to see what's in before heading down. They usually have crabs in season. Really fresh. I just bought shrimp, head on only and clams (you can ask for the small/lg ones) large shrimp was 4.00lb and clams were 3/doz. In season, they have superb small squid about 5 to 6 inches in lenght, delicious and variety of local fish. Oysters clusters were in this week, cluster are hard to open for me so I didn't buy any. You get the picture. They have great fresh ginger, shallots and baby bok choy (1.89 large bag) and the freshest bean sprouts and herbs in the refrigerators....which is one of the reasons I stop in once a week.
Most restaurants are chains and some of the non chains mentioned already, like the Calabash Seafood Hut are not even close to foodie fare in my opinion, same goes for Rockefellas, yuk. Eugene Platts is just plain horrible and overpriced. When I'm not buying seafood at the Chinese place, I travel for work, I found an awsome little store in Whiteville, NC. Very local fishers sell their extras there.
One more thing, in April the Myrlte's market may be reopened...it is the Farmers Market near the Chinese grocery at the park. If it's open look for Indigo Farms stall, they bring produce actually grown on their farm and do have some organic. Most of the other stalls are not local grown vegetables.
I have not found one decent, small non corporate owned restaurant for seafood that has been anything but just okay. Most decent restaurants are expensive like Collector's Cafe but,it is at least original and fresh.

[snakeyes]

I would suggest at least one trip to Murrels Inlet, but the drive is long and I think you are looking for something around town. I have been coming here for years as my wife's family are locals. Here's the skinny on what you wanna know:

1. kudos to taximike, as Eugene Platt's is the place to go if you're looking for a good seafood market. I haven't had the blue crab here, though.

2. Duffy St. Seafood Shack 202 Main St, North Myrtle Bch, SC
dingy hole in the wall with the good ol' fashioned low country boil. paper on the table,
cold beer at your side. not the best I've had, but real good and right in NMB.

3. Hoskins 405 Main St North Myrtle Bch, SC
classic southern meat and veggie joint. been here for decades, and once again, in NMB. we never leave without at least one meal here(my mother in law eats here every day, no kidding.)

4. head 11 miles north to Calabash, NC for calabash style(fried) seafood. might not be what you're looking for, but is closer than Murrels Inlet (30 miles south).

It's true, Murrel's and Pawley's is the way to go for foodies in the area, but there are some gems in NMB, you just have to go in knowing what you're in for.

[ncarolinagirl]

Lots of good options in North Myrtle. Definitely avoid the large buffet places. Try Joe's Bar & Grill (NOT Joe's Hamburger!), Flamingo Grill, Rossi's, Throughbred's, Sea Blue for good steaks and seafood entrees. For more casual fare, Finn McCool's has great sandwiches (the BEST rueben ever) and their peel 'n eat shrimp are great. Bimini's also has really good steamed shrimp, etc. and is a fun place but it is smoky.

[coolhandluke]

Bump...trip is getting close. Any other news?

[bmgsmg72]

Go to Miabyes in north myrtle beach. Best japanese steakhouse in myrtle. Go during the happy hour for like 15 bucks you can get an amazing meal including soup, salad, shrimp, rice, steak and chicken. The best part about it is that they give you soo much you will have 2 meals for the price of one

[few]

If you have a car
try just north of NMB in Calabash

I just came back and experienced my first Oyster Roast at a place called Ella's

I was in heaven and can;t wait to tell all my BFF's about that dining experience....

Ella's is a casual place - - great seafood menu and this Oyster Roast is to DIE FOR!!!

Only available certain times of year - but it should still be around in April !!!

HINT: if its just you ordering the Oyster Roast - go for the Half pot - even then its enough for 2 hearty appetites if you go for a appetizer ahead of time !

[big1515]

few:
is Ella's on Hwy 17 ..please give location .How are the prices thanks

[few]

Prices are very good - and portions are generous - we all took home leftovers.

http://www.ellasofcalabash.com/

[few]

The oyster roast prices are seasonal and specials

If I recall
a Half pot was about $20 and the full pot was $29????

[LaLa]

Follow the sign that says Calabash off hwy 17 then turn right at the light before Callahans
http://www.callahansgifts.com/
then go just a little bit and Ella's is on the right....if you follow the road out it comes out at the docks where there are some dining places too.

[big1515]

I am going down in April are oysters in season them ? I like Pat and Mike sandwiches ,but will now stop @ Ella's ..thanks for info

[few]

any month with an "R" should work

Call Ella's ahead of time if u r going fo r hte Oyster Roast to make sure it is still available

[big1515]

any orther nugget in the area .?? I and my crew play golf in the North end ..We like Pat and Mikes . thanks

[Sombra]

Harrelson's Seafood Market. Not exactly in Myrtel Beach but well worth the drive. Only open for lunch and recommended by locals. Located in Murrel's Inlet. Related to the local crab cake operation (i think it is called the Crab Cake Lady). Obviously awesome crab cakes. The grouper was excellent. Best Seafood at the best price plus you can get some to cook for later. Total hidden gem!

[BlueHerons]

Yes, the Crab Cake Lady supplies Harrelsons with her freshly caught and made crabcakes.

[LaLa]

I think they had a sign up this week that said they are doing dinners too,

[taximike]

for blue crabs go to EUGENE PLATTS in cherry grove they will cook them for you 10 to12$ a dozen.

[Lewes17266]

If this price is correct, coolhandluke, you should definitely not miss the opportunity because a dozen steamed crabs here in Delaware cost more than $30 last summer. I think Lazy Susan's in Lewes sold them last summer for $36 a dozen - steamed "hot fat crabs" covered in Old Bay.
If you find steamed crabs I would love to read your review.

[taximike]

for bbq try pig out bbq in little river just north of you

[JayL]

Do NOT do the Pig Out BBQ in Little River. That is one of the two worst bbq places I've stopped at in South Carolina. H-O-R-R-I-B-L-E

Bad, Bad, Bad

[bmgsmg72]

Best BBQ in Myrtle is Little Pigs BBQ the place is smal and may not look like alot but the food is amazing. Really good pulled pork and sweet tea.

[coolhandluke]

Bump...
I am really looking for a place that sells blue crabs, steamed with Old Bay. Someplace selling them by the bushel or half bushel, with paper on the table and some cold beer at my side....is there any place like this in Myrtle or within a half hour drive from N Myrtle?

[BeachBacchus]

I'm from MD originally, and most crabs will be really light this time of year. Backfinz in Murrell's Inlet is a MD-crab place. Never been there but when looking at their website it appears to be the real deal. Probably miore than a half-hour drive tho.

[ReggieL.]

coolhand - I lived in Maryland for the past 15 years and tend to think that I know a bit about crabs. Backfinz in Murrells Inlet is the real deal. The owner is from Dundalk, MD and does things the right way. The crabs are a little smaller than they were in MD due to the fact that these crabs are fresh from local waters and not brought in from the Gulf like everywhere in MD. I think they're open thur - sun and the A.Y.C.E. crabs go or about $30.

[WVdls]

I have been searching for the same type of place for a couple years now. We had found a little place near Little River and I can't think of the name of it now. It was right on the water where the Sun Cruz gambling boat sails. We have since bought a place in Murrells Inlet and are looking for somewhere closer to sit (at the brown paper table cloth), drink, beer, and enjoy blue crabs steamed with old bay. I guess we have been spoiled all these years living near Baltimore. If anyone knows of any "hole in the wall" type places please let me know :)

[BlueHerons]

The closest (but not blue crab) will be Prossers BBQ. Also, my husband and I make the thirty minute or so drive to Awendaw to See Wee. The best way to describe it is a seafood meat and three.

[BlueHerons]

Boulineau's is fantastic for a meat and three. The fried chicken and banana pudding are to die for.

The Calabash Seafood Hut is excellent in Calabash.

The very best seafood buffet is Prossers BBQ in Murrells Inlet. It is also inexpensive. Otherwise I do not advise buffets.

[Cpt Wafer]

Love to stop by Prosser's. It's a departure from the usual beach fare and a value, too. I'm gonna have to get up to Boulineau's sometime. Fried chicken and banana pudding are two of my all-time favorites.

[bmgsmg72]

Prossers is amazing such a great locals place

[LaLa]

I have never been to Prossers but my husbands loves it. He and co workers think it is out of this world...I have got to get over there.

[LaLa]

i read that Phiilips seafood is reopening their main dining room to be a Maryland style buffett.

[big1515]

Lala
Having a daughter in Maryland we eat some good crab .The Phiilips @ the Balitmore Harbor is the real thing .The one MB is very weak .There are far better place in Murrels inlet

[LaLa]

I dont eat buffetts ...except the breakfast brunch at Dockside in Murrells Inlet on Sundays...but I was trying to answer his specfic question.I did not give it a thumbs up. He is staying NORTH of North Myrtle Beach so I am guessing that no matter how much better the food is in Murrells Inlet he isnt going to eat every meal down here.LOL.
I on the other hand prefer to eat pretty much only in Murrells Inlet and even though I have only lived here since the end of the summer ...I have been coming at least three times a year for 35 years and no matter where I would stay we came to Murrells Inlet almost every night. ;)

[big1515]

I really like Austin's .Where is his new place and how does it compare to the place on Hwy 17

[ReggieL.]

Phillips is reopening as "Phillips World Buffet" whatever the heck that is? Whatever it opens as, I would not eat there.

[big1515]

Check my resent posting "" Myrtle Beach any new eatries "" .It has some good info .I am a golfer from NJ that has a place in Myrtle Beach for 12 years .Your first good idea is stay away from the buffets .Your best seafood is toward Murrels Inlet .The Best raw bar in your area is Rockafellas .,Excellent sandwiches @ Pat &Mike's in Little River ,High End steak house New York Prime @ 28 St. MB ( heavy prices) ,but the best. .Golf courses try Heather Glenn ,Oyster Bay

[Lewes17266]

Go to Wallace Lee's or Lee's Inlet Kitchen in Murrell's Inlet for the best she-crab soup.
I also think Frank's in Pawley's Island would be worth the drive.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/586697