Thursday, Mar. 04, 2010

Tasty food with affordable, family-friendly atmosphere

Chelsea Jo's

By Ashley Morris -

Setting the Table

It seems more common to see a snowbird tourist splashing in the surf this time of year than a restaurant parking lot packed on a Tuesday night in February. But that was the scene at Chelsea Jo's, just north of Murrells Inlet on U.S. 17 Business.

On the other side of those Bermuda shutters and stained glass doors, the raucous crowd of diners inside and the smiling, middle-aged hostess who greeted us while catching her breath, wiping her brow and grabbing menus, reminded me of a noisy family holiday gathering. Folks at four-tops waved and shouted a "hello!" at others across the room; some milled in the aisles, leaning close to catch up on the latest news; a lot of people polished off their plates, wiping their mouths with linen napkins; and a mom talked happily and bounced her baby on her knee while taking a sip of sweet tea.

It was chaotically harmonious. Just the sort of ambiance I needed to slip into, with one squirming son pretending to scream like a monkey and the other spitting and sporting a bib drenched in carrots from his dinner 15 minutes prior.

This is the new location of Chelsea Jo's, which was further down the road south, in the building now occupied by Saltwater Creek Cafe.

Down the Hatch

After the hostess made sure Mom, Dad and I were comfy and secure in one of Chelsea Jo's long, padded booths - plus each boy in a booster and highchair - our male server made his rounds so we could order a round during happy hour (4-7 p.m.): two domestic drafts ($1.50 each) and a glass of wine ($3.50). We also took advantage of the $3 appetizer happy hour special and ordered a basket of Deep-Fried Pickle Spears and Dynamite Shrimp. I'm used to most fried pickles arriving as small, round discs, so I liked that you got more pickle for your nickel here. And the shrimp were dynamite, tossed in a spicy sauce and served with a dipping side of ranch dressing.

My monkey-of-a-son needed to be catered to quickly before I went bananas, and I appreciated the server including his dinner with the appetizer course. Our table was much more peaceful as he munched on his generously portioned child's meal of a hot dog and French fries ($4.95).

We didn't try to, honestly, but the rest of us chose beef dinners in some way, shape or form.

Dad went with Chelsea Jo's Tuesday dinner special of a Half-price Hamburger (or Cheeseburger) for $3.25 with a side of fries. The price may have been thrifty, but Chelsea Jo's didn't trim any meaty corners with this thick, juicy burger.

Mom was hankering for a home-cooked dinner - so serious that she asked our server if Chelsea Jo's mashed potatoes were real or instant ( big deciding factor for us). Real was the answer, so the answer for Mom was the Hot Meat Loaf Sandwich ($6.95), an artistic tower of two thick slices of white bread topped with a hunk of meat loaf, topped with a ball of mashed potatoes, topped with a garnish of French-fried onions - all drizzled in brown gravy. She said it was excellent, but filling, so half of the tower went home with her in a to-go box.

I decided on the 8-ounce Sirloin Steak ($9.95), paired with a baked potato loaded with butter and sour cream (or you could choose smashed or French fries) and vegetable; I chose green beans. Prepared perfectly medium, the steak was tender and delicious, sprinkled with seasonings and pepper. I couldn't get over how this little heavenly home-cooked dinner was less than $10.

Check, Please

Chelsea Jo's has a tagline "Where Friends Meet." And the owners must know that their patron friends like good food at an affordable price served in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. That's why it has a packed parking lot on a Tuesday. For a follow-up on my fun, I'd like to return on another night to sample a Dirty Banana drink at the Dirty Banana bar, which is next door, but under the same roof.

Chelsea Jo's is at 3010 U.S. 17 Business South, Garden City Beach. The restaurant is open at 11:30 a.m., daily, with the Dirty Banana Bar next door open later. For additional info, call 357-2799.