"Seafood Capital" of
the South Welcomes
four new restaurants

By Shane Sharp,
Contributing Writer

MURRELLS INLET, SC (July 1, 2002) - Securing a spot on Murrells Inlet's famed U.S. Highway 17 seafood corridor is a bit like getting traded to the New York Yankees. If you are good, you can bask in the limelight of the biggest stage in town. If you're not, you'll wallow in the ire of fans like a Grouper stranded on a fishing line.

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Anchovies is gone, but as no result of its succulent cuisine. The Italian restaurant with seafood overtones packed its bags for the great Northeast where the original restaurant resides in Boston's Beacon Hill district. In its place is the Dead Dog Saloon -- a venue that is popular with the locals based on the number of SC plates in the parking lot.

This is Dead Dog's second restaurant, the other is located in North Myrtle Beach, but the song remains the same: cold beer, good service, and great food. The menu stretches far beyond typical bar food with a number of seafood diner entrees. Former Anchovies patrons will notice a variety of changes, the best of which is a new outdoor bar with seats that face out to the marsh. The deck has also been expanded and a big screen TV graces the screened in patio.

Next door to Dead Dog Saloon and connected by the Inlet Boardwalk is Creek Ratz. Creek Ratz actually opened in January 2001, but with all the veteran establishments on 707, it still comes off as feeling new. "Ratz" is a popular locals spot, anchored by its three-hour happy hour, D.J. and Shagging sessions, and its artificial turf putting green that keeps kids busy for hours. Supper at Creek Ratz comes courtesy of "baskets" that range from Catfish to Pork Chops.

Appetizers are of the garden variety for a pub and grub spot, with the exception of the Oriental Dumplings and the McClellanville Caviar (shrimp and black bean salsa.) As you might expect, there are plenty of sandwiches. As you might not expect, there's a pretty eclectic assortment of pizzas, including Yellow Fin Tuna and Spinach Feta Cheese.

One of the Inlet's most ephemeral addresses, directly across the street from Drunken Jacks and Bovines, is now The Tapped Out Grill and Tap House. Tapped Out leaves little mystery as to its modus operandi: cheap eats, cold beer, and live music. As you might imagine, this concept is quite popular with Sandlappers and tourists. Monday is Karaoke night, so consider yourself warned, and live music wafts from the joint Thursday through Saturday. The menu is equal parts appetizers, sandwiches, and pizza. The fried flounder sandwich with fries and slaw is solid, but the burger (at ¼ pound) is lacking. Evenings at Tapped Out can be on the wild side, with dancing on tables and the occasional "flesh" sightings being perfectly regular occurrences.

At the far end of the Inlet, the Hot Fish Club is churning out some great seafood and upholding the Inlet's tradition as the original location of the circa 1800's Hot and Hot Fish Club. The original club was established on Drunken Jack's Island, present day site of the Huntington Beach State Park. The members of the original club described their time spent on the island as the "happiest hours" of their lives.

According to historical records, these happy times consisted of entertained diversions such as racecourse, billiards, and a ten-pin alley, but the main purpose of the gathering was to enjoy good food, good wine, and good conversation. A typical meeting would begin at noon on Friday, with each member bringing a favorite dish or wine. After discussions of rice and politics, a young fisherman would go out into the ocean to bring back a fresh catch. When he returned, the fish was cooked and served hot.

The chef at the Hot Fish Club isn't going to breast stoke his way out to your supper, but there's plenty of fresh fish to choose from, including Flounder, Tuna, Catfish and Salmon. You'll also find an assortment of shellfish, buoyed by oysters, shrimp, and crab legs. Landlubbers will appreciate the multiple steak offerings, ranging from NY Strip to Prime Rib. If you just want to drop in for a drink and some conversation, the Gazebo bar out back is one of the hottest spots along the corridor.

Inlet Banter

The goats are back. The owner of Drunken Jack's has shipped the seasonal goats to the small island across from the restaurant so that patrons may get a better view of the Inlet. The goats keep the coastal grasses from growing too high, and provide for some solid six-plus beer entertainment . Hats off to Georgetown County for striping U.S. 17 for bike lanes. With its grid street pattern and laid-back atmosphere, the Inlet is the perfect place to tool around on an old Schwinn.