Written By Paul Grimshaw
Images by Divine Dining & Scott Smallin
Clark’s Seafood & Chop House
720 Hwy 17, Little River. (843) 399-8888
Clarksseafoodandchophouse.com
As the name would imply, Clark’s combines two great loves of the casual-fine dining set along the Grand Strand: fresh seafood along with steaks and chops. In the seafood realm, Clark’s, a sister restaurant to Oyster Rock and The Boundary House, offers crab cakes, blackened tuna, a fresh catch of the day, and signature dishes including shrimp, scallops and grits, salmon and chef’s specials. Of course, a large selection of steaks, bone-in pork chops, prime rib, beef short ribs, and more are served in a variety of creative ways, rounding out the offerings of this popular North Strand staple. Marina waterfront dining on the Intracoastal Waterway at its finest.
The Oyster Rock
9931 Nance St., Calabash, NC
(910) 579-6875
Theoysterrock.com
Along the famed historic Calabash River Waterfront, The Oyster Rock, part of a family of fine area restaurants, opened with great anticipation in early 2018 and has been setting tongues wagging ever since. Serving a wide variety of seafood (much of it brought in by local boats), along with pork, beef and chicken dishes, the large restaurant with an outdoor patio, separate riverside tiki bar and modern-meets-Southern traditional décor is best known for…what else…its oysters. Pit-roasted, Rockefeller, stewed, raw on the half-shell, Ragin’ Cajun and more. Try ‘em all!
Rockefellers Raw Bar
3613 Highway 17 South, North Myrtle Beach. (843) 361-9677
Rockefellersrawbar.com
Rockefellers is known for its creative seafood menu that includes, of course, baked oysters Rockefeller, along with fried and shucked raw oysters on the half shell. Clams are served in a variety of preparations as well, along with spicy shrimp, giant steam kettles packed full of Lowcountry favorites, scallops, mussels and more. A staple for North Myrtle Beach seafood lovers, the ultra-casual restaurant/bar is where the locals hang out. Maybe you should, too?
Pawleys Raw Bar
9448 Ocean Hwy, Pawleys Island
(843) 979-2722
Pawleysrawbar.com
With its Lowcountry boiler pots, hot hushpuppies, shrimp (steamed in the shell or fried “Bangin’” style), she crab soup, fish tacos, fresh catches, crab legs, sandwiches, soups & salads, steaks, burgers and much more, this member of the Divine Dining family of restaurants calls itself a “seafood shack.” Here, the casual fish camp-style family eatery with rustic décor, made-to-order entrees, great desserts, and,of course, oysters and clams on the half-shell (which come steamed, as well) seems to suit even picky eaters because of the diversity of its menu. A staple of the South Strand for many years, PRB is a favorite go-to for locals and visitors to the area.
Russell’s Seafood Grill
4906 Highway 17 Business, Murrells Inlet. (843) 651-0553
Russellsseafood.com
Having been relocated by Hurricane Hugo, this longstanding (since the 1940s) and beloved Murrells Inlet seafood restaurant is known for its fresh fish dishes, grilled oysters, crab cakes, seafood baskets and platters. Add pasta, chicken, burgers, steaks and sandwiches to the mix, and it’s easy to understand how Russell’s has built and kept its following for many decades! Ask about the chef’s specials, and hope that Grouper Creole is served on the night you’re visiting.
Bubba’s Fish Camp & Smoke House
1565 21st Ave N., Myrtle Beach. (843) 839-0505
Bubbasfishcamp.com
Bubba’s Fish Camp & Smoke House in Myrtle Beach features a “fish camp” style of seafood and smoked BBQ selections. The newest member of the Divine Dining family, this Bubba’s seafood menu offers AYCE catfish, crab cakes, popcorn shrimp, fried oysters, flounder, grouper, blackened mahi mahi and more. Peel & eat shrimp, oysters on the half-shell and mussels are also available.
Big Tuna Restaurant and Raw Bar
807 Front St., Georgetown
(843) 546-1045
Bigtunarawbar.com
Offering tuna (seared or tartare), grouper, oysters, shrimp, and scallops lightly battered and fried, along with fresh caught whole flounder, handpicked blue crab, raw oysters, as well as a burgers, chicken/steak sandwiches, salads, and ribeye steak for the land lovers, Big Tuna (The Old Fish House) has it all covered. Sitting on the Sampit River along the historic HarborWalk of old Georgetown, Big Tuna is a local institution. Don’t forget to say hello to Sassy, Big Tuna’s 33-year-old parrot mascot and enjoy the ambience, food and drink of this iconic Georgetown honky-tonk and raw bar/restaurant.
