Lush Life | This is the time of year to enjoy spots that deliver big flavor, local love
The beach is quieter. The traffic is lighter. The weather is cooler.
It is as if a switch goes off after Labor Day that turns our bustling beach into a tranquil city. This time of year, there is a good chance of seeing someone you know while you run errands. While we love the busy season, it does make for some longer wait times at our restaurants.
This is our time of year to enjoy spots that deliver big flavor and local love.
Tupelo Honey Cafe (3042 Howard Ave.) was a welcome addition to The Market Common eateries. It has roots in Asheville, N.C., which means that the food and drink follow the hand-made, fresh and tasty methodology. Their claim to fame is their classic Southern food and cocktails.
A clever Build-Your-Own Old Fashioned option as well as their popular Queen Mary, a rendition of the Bloody Mary with a garnish that resembles a buffet, are clear stand outs at the bar. It is not fair to say that Tupelo Honey is joining the craft beer trend. They come from one of the greatest craft beer towns in the south, so they have been on the craft beer train for years. They offer some of the finest they can get their hands on. In fact, their draft program is a who’s-who of craft brews on most occasions.
From happy hour to brunch, Tupelo Honey delivers the good stuff. As the reservations during the off-season are more readily available, it is a great time for the locals to go back to get their southern food fix.
One of the things we do not see a lot of in Myrtle Beach is a local restaurant that has been in business for decades. Even more rare is one with history that serves excellent food.
Joe’s Bar & Grill (810 Conway St., North Myrtle Beach) has been operating for more than 30 years and serves some of the freshest seafood on the beach. As the area of mass produced chain restaurants built up around them, the folks at Joe’s just kept doing what they do: great food with not much fuss and excellent service.
Hidden from the bustling lanes of U.S. 17 across from Barefoot Landing, Joe’s is a true hidden gem. The back deck has a bar and a fireplace which makes it perfect for this time of year. The raccoons that trek through the marsh and onto the trestle built for feeding is great entertainment as well.
The food is comfort food that fills your belly and just makes you happy. Most days, there is an addition to the menu and it is, normally, seafood. I highly recommend that you try that item. Often times, those offerings were swimming that morning and made their way to your plate that night. It is amazing to see that type of local, fresh fish coming to the plate.
A full bar and sensible wine list make the evening on the back deck or in the lounge one that you will not soon forget. In the summer, the place is packed with long time tourists in the know. This time of year, it’s our turn to enjoy this local mainstay.
As the old Pavilion vacated the now, home to the Carolina Country Music Fest, there was a lot to be uncertain about. Sun City Cafe (801 Main St.) celebrated its 14th year in business just across the street from that same spot earlier this summer. I would venture to say that things are going to be just fine.
Locally owned and operated and cooking up some of the most interesting Mexican cuisine is their claim to fame. That and the unusually amazing decor. The food is fresh, delicious and fun. Mashed potatoes in a burrito? Yes, they do that and it is outstanding.
Consistently a top contender from the review sites online for Best Restaurant in Myrtle Beach, Sun City sees its fair share of tourists. It is a small restaurant, which is part of the draw, where you can see the chef, bartender and server at the same time. As we enter the off-season, the locals get to claim our space for a margarita and some Mexican food once again.
While there are plenty of new openings near Sun City that are worth the trip, this place has a certain tenacity that stands the test of time. Through major changes in the area, the economy and the taste of food, these guys stuck to doing what they do best: cooking things fresh and correctly with a fun, inviting atmosphere. Anchored around friendly service, this place is not going anywhere.
While it is easy to continue to frequent your same-old bar with the same-old chicken wings and fried cheese, there is little excuse not to try some amazing local and semi-local places this fall. Supporting our mom and pop restaurants is what will carry our food scene to the next level. Most importantly, supporting the ones that care about making fresh food with great service is the real game changer.
This story was originally published September 26, 2015 at 9:29 AM with the headline "Lush Life | This is the time of year to enjoy spots that deliver big flavor, local love."