Just look for the huge, colorful sign out front, and you'll know that you've found Locals. A light and airy atmosphere awash in white serves as the backdrop for a menu that dishes up traditional American eats. Open for breakfast and lunch, Locals offers a traditional country breakfast of eggs made to order with bacon, sausage, country ham, grits, hash browns, biscuits and toast. In addition to a regular menu of burgers, sandwiches and fries for lunch, Locals has daily specials of a meat and three vegetables. If you still have room for dessert, try a slice of pie a la mode.
Recommended for Late Night because: Locals Corner is a great final destination on your night out on the town.
Terry's expert tip: Locals Corner is located in an industrial park area so it gets pretty busy around lunch time. For quicker service, visit a little before or after the noon hour.
Break the burgers-and-fries routine for some excellent Japanese cuisine that's good to go in more ways than one. Chef and owner Jimmy is a bit of a local legend, operating several other Japanese restaurants and catering services over the years, but now he has his own place and a loyal local following. Patrons can dine in, but the carry-out window makes for a quick and convenient way to enjoy a hot meal at home or your hotel room. Choose from a wide range of meats and vegetables, including steak, shrimp, grouper, chicken and pork with mixed veggies over fried rice or garlic soy noodles.
Recommended for Late Night because: Jimmyz also delivers hot and fresh hibachi, sushi and more to your door.
Terry's expert tip: To feed the whole family for less, the triple combination dinner allows you to pick three meats with veggies and rice for less than $15.
As far as oyster shacks go, this is about as good as it gets. Located in a strip mall just off Restaurant Row, Bimini's doesn't look like much from the outside - or the inside, for that matter. Picnic tables fill the small space and the patio deck and the decor is far from fine dining. But the proof is in the food, and Bimini's does not disappoint. Famous for its fresh shrimp and oysters, Bimini's doesn't do fancy - just good portions of fresh seafood served the way you like it. Grab a beer from the bar and soak up the beach atmosphere of good times and great food.
Recommended for Late Night because: The party keeps going after the kitchen stops serving entrees, but the late-night apps are worthy of a meal.
Terry's expert tip: Sunday afternoons during the season sees the best oyster roast in town - all-you-can-eat for $15 and cheap draft beer specials.
Located in the heart of Myrtle Beach's downtown district, Black Thai offers a healthy menu Asian cuisine in a unique setting. Serving both vegetarian and gluten-free versions of everything on the menu, Black Thai has stepped to the forefront in leading the healthy eating trend in Myrtle Beach. Lunch specials start at $5.99 and include Pad Thai, Drunken Noodle and Thai Fried Rice,. Dinner specials start at $9.99 and the long list include Pad Sei Ewe, Asian Curry Noodle and Garlic Basil Thai.. Meat-free soups, salads and starters feature fresh ingredients and an array of herbs and spices, Black Thai also offers great stir fry blends.
Recommended for Late Night because: Black Thai has become a popular late-night hot spot for locals and tourists alike.
Terry's expert tip: Come for dinner and stay for drinks at the adjoining Lounge 22, a trendy new hangout in the Five Points area.
A Rockefeller in name only (you won't run into any high-falutin attitude or pretense), this roadside seafooder appeals to folks from all walks of life. For those who prefer their seafood in a more natural state, order from the raw bar or the steam kettles, featuring fresh shrimp, scallops or mussels in old bay and beer, garlic and wine or spicy marinara sauce. Or try the shrimp dinner (you can have it fried, blackened or saut�ed in garlic butter) or the crab cake dinner, either of which are served with choice of potato and vegetable medley. Off course, the shrimp-n-grits will never steer you off course.
Recommended for Late Night because: Best of Philly is proof positive that great things can come from small places.
Terry's expert tip: For an extra buck you can get your steam kettle served over linguini.
For a taste of true Italian cuisine without the fancy candles and high prices, Michael's Pizza and Pasta in downtown Myrtle Beach is the place. Featuring all the traditional Italian favorites - hand-tossed pizzas, calzones, lasagna and spaghetti - Michael's puts out a big spread in a small and modest atmosphere. For those on the go, Michael's also offers delivery and take out, a great way to enjoy sandwiches and subs on a beach picnic or grab a late-nght snack back in the hotel room. Michael's also serves great cannoli and tirmisu among other tasty desserts. Entrees include Chicken Parmigiana, Veal Marsala and Shrimp Scampi. Sandwiches, burgers, subs and salads are also available.
Recommended for Late Night because: Michael's makes some excellent Italian dishes, but regulars swear by the pizza. Yes, they deliver.
Terry's expert tip: The Mega Calzone, stuffed with unlimited toppings, is enough to feed two for less than $8.
Dudley the dog and inspirational namesake may be dead and gone, but this saloon is still going strong! Another in a long line of solid Murrells Inlet eateries, Dead Dog Saloon delivers a tasty array of fresh seafood, steaks, burgers and pasta dishes. Without a doubt, the place's chief asset is its awesome patio deck, which offers great views of the water and even a few hammocks for lazing with a cold one. Speaking of spirits, this fish-shack style restaurant is believed by many to be haunted by the ghost of Dudley, so be sure to save a hushpuppy or two as a peace offering.
Recommended for Late Night because: Akel's caters to golfers and the late-night crowds, but it's the good food and people-watching packs them in.
Terry's expert tip: This legendary establishment burned to the ground in 2011, but a new-and-improved version was reopened in under 100 days. If you haven't been to the new Dead Dog, it's worth a revisit.
Legendary crooner Jimmy Buffett sang about this mythical place back in the 1970s, and now it has become a reality. Margaritaville is everything Buffett sang about and more, featuring shrimp that are beginning to boil and generous servings of frozen concoctions that help you hang on. Located in the Heroes Harbour section of Broadway at the Beach, just below a tall lighthouse and beside a mock shipwreck, walking through the doors is like taking a trip to the Caribbean with Buffett himself. There's always a party going on in the huge bar and outdoor deck, where live music plays nightly during the summer months. The dining area is decorated in typical tropical style and the menu, loaded with fresh seafood, salads, sandwiches, and music are inspired by the life and times of Buffett.
Recommended for Late Night because: Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville is Broadway at the Beach's best late-night option for food and drinks.
Terry's expert tip: Grab a seat on the patio deck at night and enjoy live music with your dinner and drinks.