Garden City Area restaurants - good one to try (Murrells Inlet: live, prices)

[nanasparks]

What would you recommend as great restaurants near Garden City?
Vacationing end of July and would love input.

[Tinabean]

I'm not a huge buffet fan but I really enjoy SEAFARE. It has some of the calabash fried stuff but it has an incredible raw/steamed section of seafood. I usually just eat the crab legs, oysters and a salad....and I MORE than get my money's worth compared to going to one of the raw/steamed places in Murrell's inlet. I don't like ANY of the other buffets in the area at all...this is the only one I can recommend. STay away from Tommy Bahama's cafe....food is ok but way overpriced for what it is. There is a surprisingly good Italian restaurant on the end of a strip mall but I can' think of the name of it right now. If it comes to me, I'll post it. Also, my husband and I really enjoy the pizzas and salads from California Pizza kitchen....the name is something like that. It is a brown shack like building and not a chain restaurant. It is beside a thrift store. My friend who bought down there before us introduced me to it and it is one of my fav places to grab lunch. The salads and sandwiches are large enough to have half at lunch and the other half for dinner. Those are my 3 favs......hope that helps.

[PawleysDude]

Any specific preferences - seafood vs steak? High end vs casual?

Sara J's in Garden City is a popular casual place with pretty good seafood. They don't take reservations, so if you hit a busy time, be prepared to wait a little while. Gulf Stream Cafe in Garden City is also a popular spot, primarily because of their views. IMO, the views are better than the food, but they do a good business.

I recommend taking a very short drive down to Murrells Inlet. You'll find a string of excellent restaurants. Divine's or Hot Fish Club for sophisticated seafood, Bovine's for excellent steaks and seafood, Russell's for the best, freshest simple seafood around. DeadDog Saloon or CreekRatz for sandwiches and live music. Don't miss the MarshWalk - the perfect spot to stroll off the calories after dinner.

[Teddyterp]

Try Pacino's for Italian. Try the veal, it's the best in the city.

[creekgirl4life]

It is worth the short trip from Garden City to Murrells Inlet for dining out. If you are looking for seafood Lee's Inlet Kitchen is great! Not on the waterfront but it has been operated by the same family for over 50 years. Prossers BBQ also has a great buffet at reasonable prices.
IMHO if you are going to eat at one of the places on the Marshwalk Drunken Jacks would be the best seafood. Followed by Dockside. Divine's is pricey but you could grab an appetizer at Wahoo's

[SC122]

do any of these have the timeshare vultures hanging out there? I really can't stand them,and I refuse to go to any place that sells out their customers to them.

[PawleysDude]

do any of these have the timeshare vultures hanging out there?

Not sure what you're talking about. I've never been approached by any vendors in any restaurant in Murrells Inlet or Garden City, or anywhere else on the South end, for that matter. You may find some brochures laying around, but they're easy to ignore.

Now, if you choose to sign up for any "free" dinner drawings or give aways, that's a different situation. Those are almost always sponsored by somebody selling stuff, and not by the restaurants themselves. If you fill out a form with your name, phone, email in almost any tourist destination, you can count on being a "winner."

[SC122]

Thanks,I mean ppl who hang out outside of restaurants(once the patrons are finished eating and are leaving) and try to lure them into going to a timeshare presentation with various free offers and cash.This has happened to me several times in myrtle beach,and they can get pretty aggressive if you say no.I try to avoid them altogether,even if I otherwise like the restaurant.
I've never been to garden city,but it sounds nice and worth the drive.

[Tinabean]

I have seen a person at SeaFare but they have never been a bother. They ask on the way out and we just say no and keep walking. No problem. I haven't seen any at the Murrell's Inlet restaurants-- none at Drunken Jacks nor Lees INlet Kitchen. All in all you shouldn't run into any problem on this end of the beach.

[tguru]

Yes to Pacino's and Lee's Inlet Kitchen. No to Drunken Jack's. Unremarkable food. You can do better almost anywhere.