Written By Paul Grimshaw
Images By Paul Grimshaw; Scott Smallin; courtesy Chuck’s Steak House; Catie Todd; courtesy of the Gracious Pig Smokehouse; Jon Stell; courtesy of Ultimate California Pizza; courtesy Chimichanga Llama Cantina; Taylor Fontaine & Eric Masson
Wild Wing Café
4706 Hwy 17 S.
North Myrtle Beach
(843) 361-9464
Wildwingcafe.com/location/north-myrtle-beach-sc
Arguably the best chicken wings on the Grand Strand, this North Myrtle Beach staple also delivers a casual sports bar theme, seasonal live music, two bars, two giant interior dining rooms and a large outdoor waterfront deck at its Barefoot Landing location. Of course, burgers, salads, a spinach-stuffed chicken dish wrapped in bacon, boneless wings (in addition to traditional), dips, BBQ, Philly cheesesteak and even a Mexican flare with nachos, sirachos, quesadillas and guacamole. Lots of craft and domestic beers on tap with a full bar, too.
Chuck’s Steak House
9695 North Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach. (843) 449-7611
Chuckssteakhousemb.com
First opening in the famed “Restaurant Row” section of Myrtle Beach in 1979, Chuck’s has regularly won “Best Happy Hour” awards, but many also come for the steaks, chops, prime rib, lobster tails, BBQ ribs, chicken and seafood dishes. Patrons enjoy the wide-open hunting lodge feel with Waterway views on enclosed decks and the casual, unpretentious approach to dining. A full bar and children’s menu has made Chuck’s an all-around, family-friendly favorite for more than 40 years.
Bonfire: A Smokin’ Taqueria
951 2nd Ave., Conway
(843) 488-4227
Smithsbonfire.com
Along the historic Waccamaw River in Conway, Bonfire regularly wins awards for its BBQ and its smoky take on a wide variety of dishes. With indoor/outdoor seating and a large bar, Bonfire offers rotating daily specials, a Sunday brunch and the best slow-cooked meats in the region: crispy smoked chicken wings, pulled pork, chopped smoked chicken, a seafood sampler, and a surprising number of salads and veggie-centric options, too.
The Boundary House
1045 River Road, Calabash, N.C. (910) 579-8888
Boundaryhouserestaurant.com
Calabash sits just over the SC/NC state line, and The Boundary House is one of the Callahan family of restaurants. It sits adjacent to the popular gift shop, Callahan’s of Calabash. With an open, airy dining room, show kitchen and large, double-sided bar, the restaurant is a popular choice for lunch and dinner, with a diverse menu of USDA choice steaks and fresh seafood creations, salads, burgers and much more.
Gracious Pig Smokehouse
12 Ocean Blvd S., Surfside Beach. (843) 945-2017
Graciouspig.com
Having celebrated its one-year anniversary in September, the Gracious Pig Smokehouse serves up delectable BBQ in the form of beef brisket, with a perfect crusty char, smoked turkey, pulled pork, smoked sausages, ribs, and more. The house-made sides are a perfect accompaniment, including corn souffle, collard greens, mac & cheese, and others. It’s all served up with old-timey ambience, moonshine, a full bar and desserts, too.
Austin’s Cabana Café
1 Norris Drive, Pawleys Island (843) 235-8700
Austinsoceanone.com
This come-as-you-are indoor/outdoor, oceanfront, poolside restaurant serves lunch and dinner, just downstairs from Oceans One at the Litchfield Inn. It’s an ultra-casual spot with a wide variety of menu items from which to choose, like soups, salads, burgers & dogs, sandwiches & wraps, and because this a part of the Austin’s group of restaurants, there’s always something a little extra special; such as fresh locally caught grouper, crab cakes, surf & turf and much more.
Chianti South
2109 Hwy 17, Little River
(843)249-7888
Chiantisouth.us
In a humble home built more than 100 years ago, surrounded by a glassed-in, wraparound porch, and towering live oaks, Chianti South (since 1997) has been serving fine Italian cuisine from perfected recipes prepared by seasoned chefs. A Wine Spectator award winner each year since opening, Chianti South has made casual fine Italian dining its hallmark. An open-air patio is also available, weather permitting.
Dirty Don’s Oyster Bar
408 21st Ave. N, Myrtle Beach. (843) 448-4881
910 S. Ocean Blvd, MB Boardwalk.(843) 213-1632
661 Main St., North Myrtle Beach. (843) 663-0219
Dirtydonsmyrtlebeach.com
Including the original location on 21st Ave. N. in Myrtle Beach, Dirty Don’s over the years has expanded onto the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk and Main St. in North Myrtle Beach, with the same attention to what hungry tourists and locals crave; oysters, seafood, and a lively bar often with live music nearby. Oysters come raw or roasted, such as Oysters Parmesan, “Rockafella,” blackened or a combo. Betty Sue’s Tuna Avocado Boats are another good bet, stuffed halved avocados with tuna, cucumber, ginger, sesame and a drizzle of wasabi, teriyaki and siracha.
Pizza Hyena
13 South Ocean Blvd., Surfside Beach. (843) 945-9025
Pizzahyena.com
Clever, funky and fun, Pizza Hyena, sitting at the foot of the one-day-to-be-completed Surfside Beach Pier, offers traditional pizzas, but why do that, when you could enjoy one of the 22 specialty gourmet pizzas. Try the Funny as Shiitake, Goudawill Hunting (with Gouda cheese and wild boar sausage), Kale Yeah, and Ricotta Be Kidding Me. Hyena Balls (meatballs made with Kobe beef, lamb and veal) are served with crispy flatbread wedges and a spicy marinara sauce.
Vegetarian and gluten-free options are also available.
Ultimate California Pizza
2500 N. Kings Hwy
Myrtle Beach (843) 626-8900
4003 Deville St., The Market Common
Myrtle Beach (843) 839-9880
4862 Hwy 17 S. Barefoot Landing North Myrtle Beach. (843) 361-8108
1502 US 17 Bus. Surfside Beach
(843) 477-8282
Ultimatecaliforniapizza.com
With four locations serving the Grand Strand, this locally owned, award-winning, small pizza chain offers dine-in or carryout and is well known for its dizzying array of specialty pizzas and customizable pies with some 70-plus toppings from which to choose. Try their homemade Italian white, gluten-free or thin & crispy cauliflower crusts, and then let your imagination run wild. Bar service, subs and salads are available, too.
River City Café
404 21st Ave. North, Myrtle Beach. (843) 448-1900
9550 Shore Drive (inside the Sands Ocean Resort), Myrtle Beach. (843) 497-5299
208 73rd Ave. North, Myrtle Beach. (843) 448-8877
4742 Highway 17 South, North Myrtle Beach. (843) 272-7077
4393 Highway 17, Murrells Inlet. (843) 651-1004
11 North Seaside Drive, Surfside Beach. (843) 232-9797
5835 Dick Pond Road, Myrtle Beach. (843) 215-8808
Rivercitycafe.com
An institution along the Grand Strand, regularly winning “best burger” accolades from dozens of sources, River City Café is a throw-your-peanut-shells-on-the-floor, family-friendly burger joint with multiple locations. Traditional and creative specialty burger options, plenty of starters, chicken dishes, fish sandwich options including mahi mahi, grouper, shrimp, and beer to wash it all down.
Joe’s Bar & Grill
810 Conway St., North Myrtle Beach. (843) 272-4666
Joesbarandgrillonline.com
Ask a local and they’ll tell you, don’t judge this restaurant by its name. Sure there’s a Joe (the owner), and a bar, and a grill, but this three-decade-plus North Myrtle Beach establishment is known for its casual yet elegant fine dining experience. Equally famous for its happy hour and back patio on the marshlands of Windy Hill, Joe’s is also famous for its seafood dishes (try the rainbow trout), prime rib, and some seven steak options from Au Poivre to NY Strips, to Diane and Filet Mignon. Set in a sportsman’s hunting lodge (complete with cozy wood fire) Joe’s is a carnivore’s delight.
Chimichanga Llama Cantina
14 Ocn. Blvd S., Surfside Beach. (843) 945-9306
Chimichangallama.com
If you’ve noticed an animal theme behind three new Surfside Beach restaurants, you’re not wrong. The Pizza Hyena, the Gracious Pig and now Chimichanga Llama Cantina, are all extra-casual concepts from local restaurateur Nate Anderson. The newest in the group, Chimichanga Llama, is unashamedly a Mexican-themed, open-air cantina concept with items as diverse as octopus ceviche, jicama salad, and of course traditional Mexican favorites such as chips and dips, guacamole, the El Smasho Torta (a smashed burger with a Mexican flare), and of course, chimichangas. No Llamas were harmed in the creation of this menu.
