Even during low tide, the flow of people remains steady for the many restaurants along the estuary in Murrells Inlet. Flo’s Place, closing in on 40 years of service, remains a popular choice for locals and tourists, and is the to-go place for a New Orleans atmosphere and meal.

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Established by Flo straight from The Big Easy, the restaurant is proud to be the Grand Strand’s bridge between Lowcountry and Creole cuisine. Simply walking through the doors leaves no room for doubt concerning the business’s origins. Mardi Gras colors and decorations bombard the eyes including the occasional bejeweled alligator and inflated pirate.

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Being on the water, Flo’s naturally has patio seating, most of which is kept nicely cool thanks to a roof and regular breeze from the unseen ocean. Many of the tables inside also have a view of the marsh, though the bar that rests inside the original Flo’s building has screens if that’s what you’d prefer to watch.

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Right away, the menu introduces Creole favorites, including deliciously barbequed alligator bites. Served on a bed of fried onions, Flo’s gator is surprisingly tender and a fun way to start a meal, especially for those who haven’t had the opportunity to try the scaly creature.

Other popular bayou dishes include gumbo, crawfish, po’boys, and shrimp creole. Red beans and rice has also been made into a meal, but many dishes also come with it as a side. Flo’s version of this comforting food is flavorful with a delightful balance of beans, rice, and sausage.

Many guests who come to Flo’s, besides appreciating the Nawlins cuisine, also love the seafood options, with the kitchen team preparing local and freshly caught options every day. The catch of the day is perfect blackened, which can then be served as a meal on its own, or as a fish taco. Flo’s servers also work hard to ensure that communication between the table and kitchen is coherent for the occasional dietary concern.

Even if the food doesn’t come out promptly, the quality of the food is worth the wait, like the chargrilled seafood platter. Customers who also enjoy a stronger kick can splash some of Flo’s Famous Green Sauce on top, which the restaurant also happily sells at the front. Even without the sauce, every dish is a delectable little serving of New Orleans.

Though Flo is no longer with her “krewe,” they have kept her spirit alive in every way possible. Her original recipes are still the basis for the menu, and her standards for serving are seen on every smiling face, especially the kids gifted with Mardi Gras beads. Thanks to Flo, our Lowcountry marsh has become a wonderful home and the perfect fit for a piece of bayou culture.

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What | Flo’s Place

Where | 3797 Highway 17 Business, Murrells Inlet

Hours | 11:30 a.m. – 10 p.m. daily

Information | flosplace.com, 843-651-7222