Restaurants & Dining
Food Dude’s Best Restaurants for Packing a Beach Lunch
The Food Dude loves the Fourth of July, not just for the obvious patriotic reasons, but also for the great American tradition of stuffing ourselves senseless to celebrate our independence.
Family reunions are like an all-you-can-eat buffet on steroids, with uncles gathering around the grill arguing about the exact moment a burger is done while aunts trying to force feed your their special dish. There's no greater shame than taking home leftovers from a picnic.
Of course, many families take advantage of the holiday to get away to Myrtle Beach for their reunions, which is great for having fun but not so helpful when it comes to trying to cook a full course meal in a hotel room. Here are five great places to check out for your Fourth of July or really anytime-of-year picnic:
Maryland Fried Chicken
No Southern picnic is complete without the original white meat that’s deep fried to a golden crisp, but that can be tricky without the proper kitchen utensils.
No problem, if you can fight through the traffic to Maryland Fried Chicken’s downtown location at Five Points. Located just three blocks from the beach, it’s the perfect place to get carryout for a picnic on the ocean.
Unlike the more popular Kentucky version, Maryland-style fried chicken is slightly more spicy but offers the same great side items that make a picnic, plus burgers, sandwiches, fried oysters and fish.
Croissants Bistro and Bakery
This upscale eatery may be a bit stuffy for the occasion, but it’s the perfect place to pick up some carryout for a family picnic.
Located at the corner of Bob Grissom Parkway and 38th Avenue North, this French cafe puts out a spread of baked goods at the front counter that are designed to get and go.
Tasty breads, rolls, cakes, pies and other desserts are sure to please your brood, and Croissants also serves excellent sandwiches and sides for consumption in the great outdoors.
Magnolia's at 26th
This buffet-style restaurant is famous for its country cooking, but many diners do not realize that you can take the taste of Magnolia’s home with you.
Simply ask for a to-go box and load it with your favorites from the breakfast, lunch or dinner bar. The cashier will weigh it for you, charge you accordingly and send you on your way.
Located on Ocean Boulevard and 26th Avenue North in Myrtle Beach, it’s just a short walk across the street to a family beach picnic. Fried chicken and pork chops never tasted so good.
Little Pigs Bar-B-Q
6102 Frontage Road, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
Slow smoked pork shoulder over hickory chips is a Southern tradition at most family reunions, and you won’t find any better than at Little Pigs.
With locations in Myrtle Beach and Socastee, those craving for barbecue can get a family pack on the fly featuring pulled pork, sides, buns, hot sauce and all the fixins to make your picnic complete.
Oh, and don’t forget the excellent side dishes, available in a one-point cup. Brunswick stew, cole slaw, baked beans, fries and hushpuppies are among the home-cooked sides available for those on the go.
Jersey Mike's
Sandwiches might not sound like the ideal family reunion food, but Jersey’s Mikes certainly look and taste like prime candidates for a picnic.
Serving foot-long subs piled high with meat, cheese and toppings, picnickers can use their hands and sink their teeth into such tasty deli selections such as the Jersey Shore Favorite, the Club Sub and the Philly Cheesesteak.
Pick up a sack full of subs, chips and cookies and carry them to the picnic; you will be the hit of the party. Jersey Mike will even make extra-long sandwiches perfect for picnics. Just be sure to grab lots of napkins.
