She-crab soup to shrimp and grits: Where to eat Lowcountry faves in Myrtle Beach
The South Carolina Low Country is known for its coastal cuisine.
Food is intertwined with history and culture, taking influences from traditional African, Caribbean and European cooking.
It is because of this that some dishes have become well-known on southern tables and on the menus of restaurants.
There’s no shortage of restaurants that serve up chicken bog, shrimp and grits or banana pudding in the Myrtle Beach area.
Here’s where you can find these low country favorites. And just like any good Southerner, make sure you order a glass of sweet tea to go along with your meal.
She-Crab soup
This rich soup is similar to bisque and is made with blue crab meat. The name comes from the female crab and is a lowcountry specialty.
Blue crab can be found up and down the South Carolina coast. It’s so popular that each year Little River hosts the World Famous Blue Crab Festival that brings thousands to the area to get their fix of the crustacean.
But you don’t have to wait until May for the next festival, these Myrtle Beach area restaurants have the soup on their menu year-round.
- Hook & Barrel, 8014 N. Kings Highway.
- Sea Captain’s House, 3002 N. Ocean Blvd., Myrtle Beach.
- The Chesapeake House, 9918 Highway 17 N., Myrtle Beach.
- Pine Lakes Tavern, 5201 N. Kings Highway, Myrtle Beach.
Pimento cheese
Although this cheese spread has become a Southern favorite, it actually began in the North, in New York. Residents from New York and New Jersey make up a large percentage of transplants from Horry County, which is probably why the spread has been added to so many Grand Strand restaurants’ menus.
And in case you’re wondering what a pimento is, it’s a variety of chili pepper that is sweeter with less heat.
Myrtle Beach area restaurants have become creative in their use of pimento cheese, including a pimento cheese pizza, pork rinds to dip in pimento cheese and a pimento cheese and friend green tomato sandwich.
- AJ’s Pizza, 5917 N. Kings Highway in Myrtle Beach. Offers a pimento cheese pizza.
- Croissants Bistro and Bakery, 8014 N. Kings Highway in Myrtle Beach. Diners can order a pimento cheese and fried green tomato melt.
- River City Cafe has several locations, including Myrtle Beach, Conway, Socastee, Murrells Inlet and Surfside Beach. It offers a Palmetto Cheeseburger that’s topped with homemade pimento cheese.
- Swig & Swine, 525 Broadway St., Myrtle Beach. The barbecue restaurant has pimento cheese to go along with its pork rinds.
Chicken bog
The one-pot dish of chicken, sausage and rice is most popular in Horry County, where it has been a staple for at least a century. It’s so popular that the city of Loris has a “Bog Off” every fall that honors the dish and draws thousands from the region to sample it.
The dish itself is moist, or boggy. It’s believed its name comes from the low-lying wetlands where the meal originated.
- Shorty’s Grill, 4115 Meeting St. in Loris.
- Simply Southern Smokehouse, 1913 Mr. Joe White Ave. in Myrtle Beach.
- Southern Chicken, 1012 U.S. 17 Business in Surfside Beach.
- Back Home BBQ, 3750 Highway 17 Business in Murrells Inlet.
Hushpuppies
It’s just a fact that every plate of fried fish or shrimp is not complete without a basket of hot hushpuppies. And it really doesn’t matter whether it’s an upscale restaurant or a barbecue joint, these little fried cornmeal balls are tasty on their own or slathered with honey butter.
- Drunken Jack’s, 4031 Highway 17 in Murrells Inlet
- Bimini’s Oyster Bar, 930 Lake Arrowhead Road in Myrtle Beach
- Sara J’s Seafood, 314 Atlantic Ave. in Garden City
- Judy Boone’s Family Traditions Kitchen, 4664 Highway 17 Business in Murrells Inlet
Shrimp and grits
This southern staple can be eaten for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The dish normally combines sauteed shrimp with a creamy base of grits.
The dish can be made in a variety of ways, including spices and cheese.
- Aspen Grille, 5101 N. Kings Highway in Myrtle Beach
- Big Mike’s Soul Food, 504 16th Ave. N. in Myrtle Beach
- Winna’s Kitchen, 507 9th Ave. N. in Myrtle Beach
- Chestnut Hill, 9922 Highway 17 N. in Myrtle Beach
Banana pudding
You can find this dessert on many lowcountry menus. The chilled, layered mixture of pudding, bananas and vanilla wafers can be a satisfying and cooling treat on those hot southern summers.
- Little Pigs BBQ, 3901 Dick Pond Road in Myrtle Beach
- Victoria’s Country Kitchen, 1102 3rd Ave. S. in Myrtle Beach
- Tupelo Honey Southern Kitchen & Bar, 3042 Howard Ave. in Myrtle Beach
- Boulineau’s, 212 Sea Mountain Highway in North Myrtle Beach
This story was originally published July 12, 2025 at 1:00 AM.
