Monday, Feb. 22, 2010

Leave it to Beaver (Bar) for Tasty, Casual Fare

The Beaver Bar at County Line

By Ashley Morris -

Setting the Table

OK, although I agree it helps to have a sense of humor on this one, I'm going to need you to control the snickers after I tell you I drove south of Suck, Bang, Blow to get to The Beaver Bar at County Line on the main drag in Murrells Inlet to have dinner with my parents and children.

I'm serious.

I had heard The Beaver Bar was not only known to host a bevy of thirsty bikers during biannual rally gatherings, but to cook up some mighty good grub. That and I caught a glimpse one night of The Beaver Bar's TV ad that promoted its famous Butterbean Sandwich. How palatably peculiar. But more on that later.

The Beaver Bar, which recently shuffled less than a half-mile south to its new location (former site of Ghost Ship Restaurant), has a fun, casual curb appeal dressed for one big party: Dozens of worn, wooden rocking chairs circling a chiminea and lining the front porch (which boasts another long layout of iron café tables and chairs), plus strings of orange lights clinging to the rusted metal roofline that tops this huge building that looks a lot like an old backyard garage.

Inside, the party continues, with the bar taking up the main room and two side rooms boasting pool tables and the latest in bar video games. A jazz band was warming up on the stage in the corner of the main room on our Tuesday night visit. Hardwood floors stretch throughout. Dining tables are almost an afterthought, but you can take your pick of any of the four-tops available along the front wall. Your very own personal flat screen is mounted on the wall above your table.

Down the Hatch

We made use of the only highchair at The Beaver Bar to strap in my toddler who somehow manages to grab anything placed anywhere on a table - I mean anything, anywhere.

With four of us in attendance, we were able to sample a good range of Beaver Bar goodies, starting with a fried pickles appetizer basket ($4.49). The light breading was pleasantly peppery, a good balance to the salty dill middle. I ordered a dozen steamed oysters ($7.95), which I hadn't had in more than a year. The Beaver Bar's mollusks were delish: Tender and meaty.

Mom loves a good Reuben and was confident that she'd get one because the sign outside clearly announced "Voted Best Reuben." By whom and what, I'm not sure, but she did say the Reuben was "excellent," packed with plenty of corned beef and sauerkraut and served with hot Beaver Chips (homemade, seasoned potato chips) and a cup of cold pasta salad ($5.49).

Dad digs his cheeseburgers, so he went with The Beaver Bar's classic, hand-patted burger topped with anything one desires (he chose cheese, lettuce, tomato and onions) for $5.49. He claims the burger was melt-in-your-mouth and bursting with phenomenal flavors.

I was into trying something new, so I couldn't wait to bite into the Butterbean Sandwich. But then our fabulous server returned with a frown to report they had run out of butterbeans. What? No butterbeans to be found in the kitchen for The Beaver Bar's famous Butterbean Sandwich? It's like a seafood buffet running out of its famous crab legs. But that's exactly what I substituted for the butterbeans. The Beaver Bar was running an unbeatable special on crab legs (several clusters and hushpuppies for $10.95), another seafaring menu item I hadn't cracked into in quite a while. The presentation was impressive and the sweet crab meat seemed even sweeter than usual. I couldn't get enough of the crab-and-melted-butter combo. I even enjoyed The Beaver Bar's homemade cole slaw - crisp, yet creamy.

Check, Please

My honest- to- goodness gut reaction is that you can have a divine dinner at The Beaver Bar - from burgers and sandwiches to seafood and sides. And the friendly servers and bartenders welcome anyone with a smile - from bikers in leather to moms in khakis toting a baby carrier. No pretensions.

The Beaver Bar is at 3534 U.S. 17 Business, Murrells Inlet. Hours are 11 a.m.-until, daily. Call 651-3838.