Restaurant Row Myrtle Beach
A strip along Kings Highway between Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach has gained itself a bit of a reputation for its concentration of restaurants all packed into a few short blocks. This area is known locally as the Myrtle Beach Restaurant Row This is strictly word of mouth. No signs designate the neighborhood and only the traffic will let you know that you’ve arrived.
Bennett’s Calabash Seafood and Original Benjamin’s are popular among the tour bus set. Each serves more than 100 items on a huge buffet, a smorgasbord for the eyes and perfect for anyone who likes variety and just wants to graze. Three Myrtle Beach locations dish it up continuously at 2900 Highway 17, (843) 448-2977; 9701 Highway 17 in Restaurant Row, (843) 449-7865; and 1010 Highway 17 South, North Myrtle Beach, (843) 361-9743.
Cagney’s is owned by two fellows who both happen to be named Dino. The architecture of the building and the unique furnishings and fixtures create an eclectic atmosphere, and most nights live entertainment takes over the dance floor. Steak and seafood are on the menu. 9911 Highway 17 North, (843) 449-0288.
Chesapeake House gives its diners a view of a lake filled with turtles and an occasional alligator. It is family-owned, and family recipes are used for the fish stew, baked flounder, southern fried chicken, and steak. 9918 Highway 17 North, (843) 449-3231.
Chestnut Hill offers seafood, beef, pasta and veal, and for the Sunday Brunch buffet you get all that plus homemade breads and desserts. You also get a fireplace and a view of the lake. 9922 Highway 17 North, (843) 449-3984.
The Dog House has some pasta entrees on the menu that break the mold of the type of finger food you might expect to find at a pool table, bowling alley and sports bar joint. You could have fettuccine alfredo on karaoke night or rigatoni a la vodka during the nine-ball tournaments. Or you can stick with the “table scraps” portion of the menu during Sunday NASCAR. 9814 Highway 17 North, (843) 692-9663.
Giant Crab Seafood is hard to miss, and the buffet is giant too. It has a soup bar, a carving and pasta station, a hibachi grill, steam and raw bar, bread bar, hot food bar, salad bar, dessert bar and a kids’ corner. 9597 Highway 17 North, (843) 449-1097.
Rossi’s is renowned for fine Italian food and impeccable service, its menu a selection of authentically prepared fish, veal and pasta. Adjoining the dining room is the Eighty Eights piano bar, where you might try dessert, coffee, cordials, and dancing. 9600 Highway 17 North, (843) 449-0481.
Thoroughbred’s is an upscale chophouse and seafood grill, with a Kentucky Derby portion of the menu that offers poultry, veal and lamb, and a Preakness section with seafood. You can place your bet they’ve heard plenty of horse meat jokes. 9706 Highway 17 North, (843) 497-2636.
