Dining out in Myrtle Beach can be a little tricky for folks on a budget, but affordable and delicious meals can be found if you are willing to be a bit flexible. Just as the airlines offer discounts for travelers with flexible flight schedules, Grand Strand restaurants also serve cheaper meals for those who don’t mind dining a tad early, usually between 4 and 5 p.m.
Beat the dinner rush and enjoy a delicious and discounted meal for a fraction of the normal price. The early dining time will allow you plenty of opportunities to take in a show at a local theater or visit one of Myrtle Beach’s fun attractions.
Ocean Reef guests don’t even have to leave the resort to enjoy some excellent food and drinks. The on-site Banana Boat Bar & Grill offers happy hour drinks and reduced appetizers. But if you want to get out on the town and take in the full dining experience at a less than full price schedule, here are our top five early bird specials:
Captain George's: The best seafood buffet in town also offers one of the best early bird specials or as the Cap'n calls it, the “First Catch” special. Make it through the door between 4 and 5 p.m. and receive $3 off the regular price. The special runs from 3 to 5 p.m. on Saturdays if you want to beat the weekend rush. The best part is you can stay as long as you like, so arrive early and enjoy a seafood feast at a leisurely pace. Just don't fill up on the hushpuppies.
Chesapeake House: If you prefer your seafood in smaller portions and at cheaper prices, this Restaurant Row institution offers an entire early bird menu from 4 to 5 p.m. Offering the same nightly specials and menu favorites at a discounted price, the Chesapeake House has been packing in the early birds since the 1970s. As an added bonus for arriving early, you can usually get a table overlooking the lake in the back, and you might even see an alligator sunning on the banks.
Liberty Tap Room: Located only two blocks from Ocean Reef, this steakhouse and brewery is home to one of the best happy hours in Myrtle Beach. Yes, the house special drafts are reduced to $2, but the food is the main draw. An early bird could easily make a meal out of the half-priced appetizers, which include Buffalo Shrimp, Texas Cheese Fries and a Nacho Platter that's big enough to feed the masses. The specials run from 4 to 8 p.m. so you really don't have to be too early to enjoy the discount.
Miyabi Japanese Steakhouse: Enjoy a great dinner and show at a greatly reduced price by being seated at this Restaurant Row hot spot between 4 and 5 p.m. Featuring talented and friendly hibachi chefs performing stunts while preparing your food tableside, Miyabi offers a discount between $5 to $10, depending on which meal you order. The hibachi meals are usually more than anyone can finish, so the smaller portions are hardly missed and usually mean you carry home a smaller to-go box. The adjoining sushi bar also has good happy hour deals.
Texas Roadhouse: For those who prefer a good old-fashioned American meal, it's hard to beat this steakhouse for early bird deals. Arrive before 5:30 p.m. and choose from nine different meals for only $7.99, which includes two side items and a salad. Main courses include the 6 ounce sirloin, the 10 ounce chopped steak, fried chicken, pork chops and three different dinner salads.
Remember, the early bird gets a lot more than the worm in Myrtle Beach. Visitors can use the savings to spend an extra night or two at Ocean Reef Resort.
(Posted: 10/21/15)
