South Strand Special:
Litchfield Beach and Fish House

By Shane Sharp,
Contributing Writer

LITCHFIELD BEACH, S.C. - If you are looking for good seafood in the South Strand, it is tempting to take the easy way out and just pick a random restaurant in Murrells Inlet. Chances are the seafood will send you home happy.

But the operative word here is "good." If you don't mind the extra ten-minute drive down to Litchfield Beach - and you won't - there is a place where the seafood goes beyond "good," and into the realm of "best you'll ever get."

Bob Mimms has owned the Litchfield Beach and Fish House for close to twenty years, and you can only imagine how much things have changed in his little sliver of Pawleys Island. One thing, however, has been as steady and stable as one of the large fishing boats that heads out from the Inlet each day - Mimms way of doing seafood.

That "way" is fried, with a batter so light and airy, you will have to get a picture of it just to prove it exists. You say that fried seafood will never go over in this Zone friendly, Adkins diet society? Fine, I will think about that assertion during by half hour-long wait for a table. Not that I mind the wait, what with Mimms new outdoor patio, which comes fully equipped with bar and acoustic crooner.

Once inside the "Fish House," as locals refer to it, you are treated to true Lowcountry seafood décor. Not the ubiquitous feel of a Denny's, nor the elegance of a Morton's. We are talking wood paneling, trophy fish hanging on the wall, waitresses in tee shirts seafood joint.

"Our specialties are our fried fish, and our crab dishes," says the Fish House manager as he politely guides droves of guests through the front door. "My favorite has to be the Flounder."

That is all I needed to hear. Flounder ($14.65), fried, complete with French fries, Cole slaw, and an ice-cold long neck to wash it all down. And boy does the Fish House deliver. Unlike Grouper, which tends to come in thick steak like portions, the Flounder came in two large, thin filets that simply looked over at my knife and laughed. There would be no need to cut anything tonight.

If all this talk about fried fish is beginning to scare off a few northerners, bear with me. The special of the night was Triggerfish (market price), cooked anyway you want it. In fact, any of the Fish House's fish dinners can be prepared in the manner of your choosing. My dinner partner opted for the Trigger fish blackened, and in place of fries, steamed vegetables. The Triggerfish portions in no way rivaled my legion of Flounder, but it was melt in your mouth good nonetheless.

Unlike the entrees, the appetizers at the Fish House lean more towards Lowcountry (coastal South Carolina) than Calabash (seafood capital just over the border in North Carolina.) You'll find some true Sandlapper offerings like Alligator fritters ($5.25), Lowcountry Shrimp Dip ($4.50), and crab stuffed mushrooms ($5.75)

If scarfing down a pound of fish and French fries sounds like a little too much to eat before bedtime, the Fish House puts all its best seafood offerings in sandwich form, all of which will run you just a few dollars less than the complete meal.

The only chink in the armor on this night at the Fish House where the hush puppies. For two dollars, you get a huge basket of these southern staples. But on this particular evening, the puppies were a bit dry and chewy. Nothing a solid dousing of red wine vinegar didn't fix.

During or after your meal, there is a good chance that you will see Mimms walking around his restaurant, talking to locals and tourists about golf, how much good fish he has been getting, or whatever the topic may be. The point is, Mimms and his crew put their heart and soul into every plate of food, and the bossman is there on the spot to back it up. That, my friends, is old school.

Directions

From Myrtle Beach, take U.S. 17 South to Litchfield Beach. Drive all the way down to the final entrance to Litchfield Plantation, and the Fish House is across the street on the left. There is a big fish coming out of the roof - you can't miss it.

Litchfield Beach Fish House
843-237-3949
U.S. Hwy 17

Atmosphere: ****
Food: *****
Service: ****
Value: ***

Rating System
* - Put your dog under the table
** - Drink a lot, and it will be great
*** - Solid birdie effort
**** - Qualifies for the Tour
***** - Could easily win a major