Frequent Grand Strand visitors know that the region — as one of the premier beach-vacation destinations in the Southeastern United States — offers an amazing variety of delicious dining options. After all, with 1,700-plus restaurants located along our 60-mile stretch of Carolina coastline, there are flavors here to satisfy all types of culinary cravings.
But as the most budget-conscious of Myrtle Beach travelers are well aware, when it comes to stretching your vacation dollar, some eateries are much friendlier on the wallet than others. If you head to the right places here, you can get a delectable, well-portioned meal that both hits the spot and leaves you with plenty of future dining-excursion dough.
So, the next time you’re looking to feed your vacation crew on a budget, head for one of these five tasty (and budget-friendly) restaurants near Ocean Reef Resort, listed in order of proximity:
River City Cafe
Found just a 2-minute walk from the resort’s front door, this family-friendly restaurant known for serving up some of the Grand Strand’s top burgers can be reached via a short stroll up Ocean Boulevard. In addition to its fresh-grilled gourmet burgers (which are available in beef, turkey, chicken and veggie varieties, all with a long list of toppings to choose from), River City Café offers hand-cut fries, massive homemade onion rings, and a wide selection of fresh salads, sandwiches and more. Explore all the options at rivercitycafe.com.
Sam’s Corner
Best known for its Surfer Dogs and Kahuna Burgers, this local diner found on North Kings Highway less than a mile north of the resort serves up all-American fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Menu highlights include footlong hot dogs and corn dogs, the quarter-pound, all-beef Big Dogg, and the Pimento Cheeseburger topped with the South’s favorite type of cheese — all available with fresh-made fries, tots or onion rings. Other entrée options include chicken baskets and sandwiches, hoagies, fish sandwiches and more. See the full dining lineup at samscornermb.com.
Fish Seafood
A list of Myrtle Beach dining destinations wouldn’t be complete without some seafood on the menu, and this seafood restaurant/fish market found on North Kings Highway about a mile south of the resort provides an excellent example of the area’s signature cuisine. The father/daughter-run Mr. Fish Restaurant serves up a full menu of freshly prepared items ranging from Shrimp & Grits, Crab Mac and Cheese, and Oysters on the Half Shell to appetizers like Boom Boom Shrimp, Crab Balls and specialty sushi rolls. At Mr. Fish Seafood Market, the variety of local and seasonal catches available includes shrimp, softshell crab, blue crab, cluster oysters and seabass, just to name a few. And the homemade goodies on offer include she crab soup, crab cakes, clam chowder, sauces and more.
Little Pigs BBQ
Tucked into a strip mall off the Highway 17 Bypass just north of Pine Lakes Country Club and within a 10-minute drive of Ocean Reef Resort, this family-run restaurant may be short on frills, but its focus on food and flavor is apparent in every bite. Serving North Carolina-style barbecue smoked over hickory coals for 18 to 20 hours then slathered in a vinegar-based sauce, Little Pigs is famous for its tender and moist pulled pork sandwiches, succulent ribs, and chopped beef plates, as well as its mouthwatering hush puppies, golden onion rings and some of the best banana pudding on the beach. You can wash it all down with some of the area’s best sweet tea. Visit the Little Pigs Facebook page to learn more.
Burky’s Grill
The staples at this 1950s-style grill located on North Kings Highway about 3 miles south of Ocean Reef Resort include hamburgers, hot dogs and ice cream. Other handheld offerings here include grilled cheese, grilled chicken, BBQ, bologna and veggie sandwiches, and the sides available include fries, salads, baked potatoes and steamed vegetables. The soft-serve ice cream can be ordered in a cup, cake cone or waffle cone, and sundaes, banana splits and shakes are among the other awesome meal-enders on tap. Check out the menu at burkysgrill.com.
With so many budget-friendly eating options on the Grand Strand, you’re sure to find something that fits the bill for your hungry crew without breaking the bank. Book your oceanfront getaway at Myrtle Beach’s Ocean Reef Resort today, and come see why the Grand Strand is such a popular destination for thrifty foodies and beach-lovers alike.
