Local Knowledge: Myrtle Beach's Top 5 Chain Restaurants

Friday, October 21, 2011 by Chris King
Ruth's Chris is a great steakhouse to enjoy on a Myrtle Beach golf tripWhen we’ve ranked restaurants in the past (everything from seafood and steak to chicken wings and oysters), we’ve tried to stay with locally owned establishments. But a lot of people find comfort in chain restaurants where the food is a known quantity.

With that in mind, we offer you a look at the area's five best restaurants that have familiar names and, in most cases, multiple locations for your convenience on a Myrtle Beach golf trip.

1. Ruth’s Chris - It doesn’t feel right to include a restaurant of this caliber on the list, but it’s a chain. You know the drill: the food at Ruth’s Chris, located beside the Marina Inn at Grande Dunes, isn’t cheap but it is outstanding. There is an argument to be made that it’s the Grand Strand’s best steakhouse, though New York Prime will argue otherwise. The only thing bad about the filet at Ruth’s Chris is the final bite.

2. Carrabba’s – From the fresh bread and seasonings mixed in olive oil to the last morsel of dinner, Carrabba’s offers a tasty meal. With three locations – Murrells Inlet, Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach – one is never far away. The pastas are all good, but here is a vote for the pork chop Marsala.

3. Outback Steakhouse – Nearly everyone is familiar with America’s most popular steakhouse – the Aussie inspired Outback. With four locations, a bloomin’ onion and a reasonably priced steak on your next Myrtle Beach golf vacation are always nearby.

4. Cracker Barrel
– Few restaurants are more synonymous with comfort food than Cracker Barrel. Though it’s more popular as a breakfast spot – hash brown casserole, mmm – dinner at one of the area’s three Cracker Barrels is just as good and the sweet tea is a must.

5. Buffalo Wild Wings – Enough with the steak and pasta, chicken wings are a staple of many golf trips and Buffalo Wild Wings is one of the country’s most popular purveyors of poultry. It offers the added benefit of being a great place to watch a game.

Now that we’ve revealed our list of area’s top chain restaurants, let us know what you think? Agree or disagree?

Comments for Local Knowledge: Myrtle Beach's Top 5 Chain Restaurants

Friday, November 11, 2011 by edd witt:
I agree on ruth chris......
Friday, November 11, 2011 by don fox:
Hi, well that's all well and good for those restaurants but when we visit Myrtle Beach we are looking for seafood and would like to know who are your 5 best seafood restaurants. I'm not aware of any chain seafood restaurants that are on a par with the other type of chain restaurants you just had in your article. Evidently they are all one of a kind. Thanks, Don fox
Friday, November 11, 2011 by Ryan:
Carrabba's is a good choice. While the seasonings in the olive oil are tasty, I learned after the second visit they put me in gastrointestinal distress. LOL Never been to Ruth Chris, hard to top NY Prime. Not a chain, but Throughobreds was always excellent.
Friday, November 11, 2011 by Chris King:
Don - Here is our list of Myrtle Beach's 5 best seafood restaurants ...
http://www.myrtlebeachnow.com/a_Top5SeafoodRestaurantsinMyrtleBeach.cfm
Friday, November 11, 2011 by Butch:
No reason to go to Ruth's Chris as long as Chuck's is open.
But then again, when I go to Myrtle Beach I insist on the local institutions (and my buddies agree).
Friday, November 11, 2011 by Bruce:
Waterside is the best resturant I've gone to in MB. It is great for seafood. Don't bother to go to Sea Captain's or buffets. Not worth the time or money
Friday, November 11, 2011 by Tom:
Every year when I visit the M.B. area, I have only one rule when eating: I refuse to eat anywhere that I can also eat at home - which means no major chains. I echo Butch's comment about Chuck's. It is usually the first restaurant I go to on my first night in town. Pat & Mike's and Gulf Stream Cafe are also a must for me. I check with the locals for other places that are good ones to hit during each respective trip.
Saturday, November 12, 2011 by Steve:
My top 5 Myrtle Beach Eats:
NY Prime for a steak(can't beat it), that Sushi/Hibachi house up on the north side for an overload of Sushi(can't remember it's name), Damon's for the Ribs, and that Irish bar on bus. 17 for a Big Burger and Hot wings, and I agree with the Carrabba's outing for some Italian. Cracker Barrel works for a hefty breakfast, but not for dinner.
Saturday, November 12, 2011 by Oddbody:
If you want chain food, stay home. Martini's by far has the best prime rib and food for that matter in Myrtle Beach!
Monday, November 14, 2011 by Gogs Rennie:
How about a shout out for restaurants that support the local community like TBonz, Liberty Steakhouse or Rioz. Its a win win situ. Having visited from Scotland since 1991 and observed how these places put something back into the community they are worth supporting. France restricts their borders unofficially, so should Myrtle Beach spread the wealth locally!