If breakfast is king in Myrtle Beach, and dessert comes in a close second, then guests won’t be disappointed in restaurateur Heidi Vukov’s latest foray into a space she already knows so well. The Croissant’s Bistro & Bakery and Hook & Barrel owner, cookbook author, and creative force behind the newly opened Coffee & Cream Cabana, has struck gold focusing on four important factors; convenience (the new eatery is primarily a drive through), breakfast (they serve hot breakfast sandwiches, a few lunch items and baked goods), coffee (the beans are roasted on premises daily and brewed fresh non-stop from open to close), and homemade ice cream, a year-round gourmet treat that should not be relegated to the summer only.

“We had an opportunity to expand our parking for Hook & Barrel and Croissants,” says Vukov on a recent visit, “and we thought ‘why not create an ice cream and coffee drive-through?’ So many people, like parents with kids in the car, prefer the drive-through option.”

Vukov got her wish this summer, adding plenty of parking for her well-established and busy restaurants, plus the July opening of a high-end gourmet ice cream and coffee shop sharing ‘Heide’s Corner’ at 82th Ave. N and Kings Highway in Myrtle Beach.

Vukov opened the first Croissants in 1995, expanding to its former location on 38th Ave. N. and finally to its current location. Vukov, voted South Carolina Restaurateur of the Year in 2011, and appointed South Carolina Chef Ambassador by Governor McMaster in 2018, is ever the entrepreneur. She sits on the boards of several statewide and regional industry trade groups, and finds time to expand her businessess.

“I’ve had this keen interest in ice cream for a while,” she said. “I believe that in the city limits of Myrtle Beach we’re the only homemade ice cream shop and we spent a lot of time and resources to get it right.”

Such was her commitment; she and a few staff and managers spent a week of training at Carpigiani, an ice cream university that held classes in High Point, N.C.

In order to be called ‘ice cream’ the FDA (Federal Drug Administration) requires it must contain at least 10 percent butterfat. “Ours has 14-16-percent butterfat," she says, "and you can tell the difference.” 

Coffee & Cream Cabana sells 12 flavors including Cookies & Cream, Strawberry, Bourbon Peach, Wild Berry and its most popular Cappuccino Chocolate Chunk. There are the occasional runs of some new inspirations that come and go throughout the year. Customers are encouraged to weigh in on social media to suggest flavors.

“The most popular ice cream flavor in South Carolina is Butter Pecan,” says Vukov. “We buy pecans from a local farmer and roast them here to bring out the wonderful flavors. We wanted to create the best butter pecan ice cream you’ve ever tasted, and I think we have.” 

You’ll also find a variety of Croissant’s muffins and sandwiches available, including baked goods, savory sandwich options such as chicken salad on a croissant, bacon, egg & cheese croissant and homemade chicken noodle soup. 

Cabana Coffee & Cream
8014 N Kings Hwy, Myrtle Beach
thecabanasc.com
Monday-Saturday
Drive-thru: 6 a.m.-2 p.m.
Counter Service: 8 a.m.-10 p.m