Ashley's Creative Corner: 7 Year Itch

September 9, 2006
Cary, NC

September 2013
Myrtle Beach, SC

This month is our 7 year anniversary. We celebrated by taking a trip down to Myrtle Beach, SC for a long weekend. We ended up getting a place in a resort close to the Boardwalk for cheaper than we planned and it was oceanfront. Couldn't wait.

We stayed at The Camelot by the Sea one of the Oceana Resorts. The condo was decent-not the best, not the worst. Here's my review from tripadvisor.com...

One of our favorite things to do is...EAT. Especially on vacation. We're always looking for good places to try and see what new dishes we can get.

Here are my restaurant reviews from our trip. We stayed in Myrtle (as opposed to North Myrtle) so most places are in that area.

1. Giant Crab Buffet - in restaurant row beside the Original Benjamin's buffet. We've always gone to this one over the others because it has Greek owners and some great Greek desserts on the buffet. The reviews aren't that good but once you find something you like it's hard to change. I thought this trip wasn't nearly as good as the other times we've been but the she-crab soup is delicious. LOL

from a trip to MB in February 2012

kataifi and baklava from the buffet (kataifi is fantastic...baklava is dry)

2. Crabby Mikes Calabash Seafood Company - this is all the way south of Myrtle in Surfside beach. A good drive for most but it was good. Had the BEST crab legs of any place we've been. I would go back there for soup, salad and crab legs. All buffets are just that though...a lot of money and a lot of food. Just depends if that's what you want.

our view of the ocean from the table at lunchtime

3. Bummz - this was next door to our resort so we walked over after sitting on the beach. It had a patio that overlooked the ocean and had pretty good food. I had a grouper sandwich and JGIII had a burger. Would have gone again if we were there longer.

mahi reuben sandwich

4. River City Cafe - this was around the corner from our resort so we walked over there one night. It's a chain so there are like 7 locations around the area (I think there's one at Barefoot). I had a mahi reuben which was AWESOME! JGIII had a burger which was pretty good too but not my cup of tea. They were pretty reasonably priced and I also had a coupon from one of the free books you pick up all over the place. #28 on urbanspoon.com's list of best restaurants in Myrtle Beach.

5. Duffy's tavern (attached to the Bowery at the boardwalk) - this was the cheapest meal we ate (except for Bojangles) the whole trip. Nothing terribly exciting but we were looking to save some money on this lunch and the food was decent. It was Sunday and they had football on in the bar so that was fun. The Bowery is Alabama's bar and Duffy's has similar clientele.

Hot Beer, Lousy Food, Bad Service ;)

6. Joe's Crab Shack - Location at Broadway at the Beach. Read the review that I posted on this place at urbanspoon.com. Save your money. Don't eat here.

Moonshine tea

King Crab preparing for his steam pot

These are places we've gone on past trips that we like:

1. Dirty Dick's Crab Shack - in North Myrtle. Has All-you-can-eat crab legs for $28.99. Always had good food here.

2. The Shack - in Cherry Grove. Small but decent food. It's on the left on Sea Mountain Highway when you're headed into Cherry Grove from N Kings Hwy.

3. Margaritaville - you pay for the atmosphere but it's always fun

These are places that I wanted to try while we were there but didn't get a chance;

1. Landshark Bar & Grill - Margaritaville on the Boardwalk, it's another Jimmy Buffet restaurant but's actually on the beach. I went in the gift shop but didn't buy anything.

2. Mammy's Kitchen - this was south of where we were staying on Kings Hwy. Read that is has a wonderful breakfast buffet. We had plans to eat here on our anniversary but had car troubles that got in the way.

3. Flying Fish Market & Grill - this is at Barefoot. I have no idea if it's any good but I read several good things about it. I would like someone to try it and let me know if it's worth the money

4. Sea Captain's House - this was recommended to me by a friend and also on several lists about the best waterfront place to eat in Myrtle. It's not in North Myrtle but supposedly has fresh seafood not frozen stuff. It's also #4 on urbanspoon.com's list of best restaurants in Myrtle Beach.

5. The Original Benjamin's buffet - this one is in restaurant row and is NOT the same as Captain Benjamin's which are all over the place. I read lots of good reviews about this one.

Here are some other shots from our vacation: