Key West may have its signature Sloppy Joe’s Bar, but Murrells Inlet boasts its own version: Sloppy Jose’s Cantina and Seafood Grill. The lively waterfront restaurant overlooking Crazy Sister Marina at the end of the MarshWalk recently opened, but hasn’t taken long filling up its indoor/open-air dining areas and back decks.

The ambiance and vibes at Sloppy Jose’s mimic a playful, colorful fiesta, and there isn’t a bad seat in the house, with waterfront views of the inlet and the incoming/outgoing boat traffic from the boat launch next door. We usually grab a seat at one of the high-tops on the back stone patio closest to the massive pirate ship playground anchored on a sand bar play pit for my son’s entertainment.

The menu here is a mingling of Mexican, Latin, and Caribbean cuisine in creative, coastal combinations. If you want more than the complimentary tortilla chips and salsa they bring to the table, order one of the other dips, such as guacamole, queso, birria, street corn dip, chorizo crab dip, or chorizo queso. More munchies include Cancun Tuna Nachos, Ceviche, Mini Chimis, Plantain-O-Pus (smashed plantains with their signature octopus ceviche), Coconut Shrimp, Bacon-Wrapped Scallops, and more. 

I recommend the Street Corn Caesar Salad, a refreshing take on the classic, with Romaine lettuce, freshly shaved corn, croutons, Parmesan, cotija cheese, Caesar dressing, and your choice of protein, such as grilled shrimp.

Beyond Sloppy Jose’s taco, quesadilla, and fajita offerings are the specialty tacos, like Caribbean chicken or shrimp. Handhelds that are not tacos include the Sloppy Jose Sandwich (carnitas, birria, sweet plantains, and guacamole packed into a hoagie roll) and the Pollo Grande (Tinga chicken, guac, three-cheese blend, pickled jalapenos, and sloppy sauce in a hoagie roll).

Entrees are artistic and impressive, such as the Guajillo Octopus, marinated octopus with Guajillo chile, topped with chimichurri and citrus sauce, and served with seasoned rice; the Sloppy-Changa, a lightly fried flour tortilla stuffed with chicken, elote, black beans, peppers, and onions; and Grilled Seafood Basket, a flounder filet, shrimp, and fries with a side of sloppy sauce and pineapple slaw.

And don’t forget to indulge in a dessert of a stack of sugar and cinnamon churros served with a cup of vanilla ice cream drizzled with chocolate syrup and any of their many margaritas, tequilas, craft beers, wines, and sangrias.

Sloppy Jose’s Cantina and Seafood Grill hosts live music most nights on the outdoor stage, a $5 Marshwalker Margarita special all day, a daily happy hour from 4-7 p.m., and Wednesdays are Family Nights, featuring a face painter and balloon maker for the kiddos. It is a welcome addition to the lineup of restaurants along the MarshWalk, spicing things up in this “Seafood Capital of South Carolina.”