Is North Myrtle Beach’s Local on the Water worth it for lunch?
When I walked into Local on the Water for lunch on Wednesday, Aug. 13, I could have picked any table to sit at for my meal.
The massive restaurant was near empty, with only a handful of friends or couples grabbing a meal. Despite the lack of entertainment, I could tell this restaurant would be amazing come 7:30 p.m., especially on a weekend.
The Sun News decided to review Local on the Water because we wanted to try a restaurant with views of the Intracoastal Waterway in North Myrtle Beach. After eating lunch at about noon on a Wednesday, here is what we thought.
The experience
I did not know much about Local on the Water before coming for the review and was surprised at its size and variety of activities. There had to be hundreds of tables, including ones inside with views of the Intracoastal Waterway, others on the outdoor deck next to the water and more scattered everywhere in between.
There were three bars, one indoor and two outdoor, several couches to sit on and a handful of swing chairs. For entertainment, there are several arcade games and giant outdoor games like Connect Four. There was also a performing space inside and a second stage with room for dancing outdoors. A few of the walls were set up so they could be opened to let outside air and music inside on nice days.
After seeing the restaurant, I was disappointed that I came for lunch. It is clear from the size of the venue and videos from Local on the Water’s Facebook page that the place is more fun on a Friday night. However, if you prefer a quiet spot where you can overlook the Intracoastal Waterway, Local on the Water is a good option for lunch.
I found the service to be decent. I knew my waitress was going to be good when she called me “baby girl.” Overall, my server was prompt and kind but did not try to connect with me or make small talk.
I overheard the waitress at the table next to me go above and beyond with the two friends sitting there. At one point, one of the women asked for more soda water for her cocktail, and the waitress instead offered to comp the drink and bring out a new one.
The food
Similar to the service, I found the food to be up to the mark. Local on the Water serves elevated bar food, pizza and seafood. The restaurant does not serve pizza until 3 p.m., which left me a little disappointed as that was what I had planned to order.
There was a large selection of sandwiches and entrees to choose from. As someone who doesn't like seafood, I asked the waitress for help in deciding. She immediately recommended the brisket nachos, but I wanted a sandwich. She then pointed the three most popular ones, the Turkey ‘Basil Infused’ Burger, the Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich and the Chicken Avocado Bacon.
I ultimately ordered the Chicken Avocado Bacon with fried chicken, homemade chips on the side and a virgin blackberry mojito to drink. The sandwich had a piece of fried chicken, bacon, avocado, pepper jack cheese, Siracha mayo, pickles, lettuce and tomato while the drink had blackberries, mint, tonic water and simple syrup.
For me, the chips were the star of the show. They were still warm when my food came out so I knew they had just been made. They were crunchy, had a good seasoning mix and were best when dipped in ranch. After I finished my sandwich I was full but could not bring myself to stop eating the chips.
I found the sandwich lacked a uniform flavor. Every bite tasted a little different, with chicken being the most prominent flavor at the beginning. Some bites tasted more like pepper jack, others like bacon.
While the flavor was hard to describe, I found the sandwich to be fresh. It was clear this was not a frozen piece of breaded chicken or pre-mashed avocado. Despite it being a heavy lunch, I did not feel heavy afterwards.
The blackberry virgin mojito was the perfect mid-day drink. The mint and blackberry flavors were strong and paired perfectly with the fizzy tonic water. It was a little sweet, especially towards the end, but I love a sweet drink. It cost $7 which is $2 to $3 less than the regular cocktails.
After tax and tip, I paid $30 for my sandwich and drink, which I found reasonable. It was not a cheap meal, but given the atmosphere, I thought the price was worth it.
Local on the Water reminded me how lucky I am to live in a beachy tourist destination. It was wonderful being able to look out on the Intracoastal Waterway and watch vacationers ride around on jet skis while eating a yummy meal. I know that without tourism, a restaurant of that size with multiple entertainment options would not be a feasible business in North Myrtle Beach.
With all considerations, I will not be back for lunch. However, I will make the trip for dinner on a Friday night.
