Fresh Face in the Wing and Tender Market
Chicken tenders and wings are like edible cliches in America’s diet. They’re a mainstay on menus at just about every restaurant and food chain here at the beach. But I’m about to reveal a hidden gem in Socastee, self-touted as having “The Best Chicken Tenders and Wings in Myrtle Beach,” and my family and I couldn’t agree more.
The Chicken Joint, family-owned, is a fresh-casual restaurant in the bones of a former Firehouse Subs that didn’t make it in Socastee’s Food Lion shopping center. Inside, it’s clean and modern, boasting digital menu boards, an ordering counter for takeout, and a few tables that line the walls for dining in.
What makes this Joint stand out from the others, however, is the magic they make in the kitchen. All chicken wings and tenders are made with fresh, never-frozen chicken, which have been marinated for 24 hours before service, Southern-style in buttermilk and spices, then hand-breaded in an Asian-style batter and coated with Japanese panko breadcrumbs (a katsu-style technique), and finally fried crispy to order, tossed in your choice of sauce or dry rub (there are 15 options) and served with your choice of any of their house-made dipping sauces (we like their ranch and CJ Signature Sauce). The plated result is heaven.
But there’s more than perfectly fried chicken served here. More menu items include a housemade chicken salad sandwich, chicken and waffles sandwich, homemade pimento cheese, mac and cheese bowls, French fries (add cheese, gravy, or Parmesan truffle), fried okra or green beans, Asian slaw, and sweets, like their scratch-made banana pudding and funnel cakes.
The Chicken Joint’s history has humble beginnings, with father Will and son Curtis once serving their unrivaled chicken tenders from a small kitchen and a walk-up window at Lakewood Campground. Unfortunately, during that time, Curtis’ mom was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s, her health declined, and she passed away before she could see today’s brick-and-mortar location. At the same time, Will was diagnosed with cancer, but, after a CAR T cell transplant, he’s currently in remission and back to work alongside Curtis.
This family’s story is one of survival and success—and one that we all get to witness, gather, and eat up, one delicious chicken tender at a time.
Address:
5407 Dick Pond Road, Myrtle Beach
(843) 650-2600
Hours: Daily, 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
