When you're looking for a good local restaurant at North Myrtle Beach, sometimes the best places are the ones that have been around for years. That's exactly what we found when we decided to return to The Shack Restaurant in Cherry Grove Beach, South Carolina.
I had eaten here years ago, long before Southern Food Junkie was ever a thing. Back then, I wasn't taking pictures of every meal or writing reviews. I was simply enjoying good food. Since we were spending time in the area with family and friends, we decided it was time to see if The Shack was still as good as we remembered.
Where Is The Shack Located?
If you're headed to Cherry Grove Beach, you'll find The Shack at:
1128 Sea Mountain Highway
North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
Now technically the address is North Myrtle Beach, but it's located in the Cherry Grove section of town. That's why you'll hear people refer to it as both a Cherry Grove restaurant and a North Myrtle Beach restaurant.
Speaking of local restaurants, if you're making the drive toward Myrtle Beach, be sure to check out my review of Big's Meats & More, located right behind McLeod Farms in McBee.
Returning to The Shack in Cherry Grove Beach
We pulled into the parking lot around 3:50 p.m. on a Monday afternoon. The restaurant didn't reopen for supper until 4:00 p.m., and honestly, we figured we'd be the first ones there.
We were wrong.
There were already a few people standing outside waiting for the doors to open. We had a large group of about twelve family members and friends, so we checked in with the hostess and got our name on the waiting list.
As we stood there talking, car after car kept pulling into the parking lot. Before long, there were probably thirty people or more waiting outside. That's usually a pretty good sign when you're looking for a restaurant. Locals know where the good food is.
Right at 4:00 p.m., they started calling names. We were third on the list and were seated almost immediately.
Hush Puppies That Didn't Taste Like Hush Puppies
Not long after we sat down, a basket of hush puppies hit the table.
Now let me tell you something.
These weren't your traditional hush puppies.
Instead of being dense and savory, they reminded me more of a donut with a little cornmeal mixed in. They came with a honey butter that was absolutely incredible. The combination was sweet, warm, and downright addictive.
I had to slow myself down because I knew if I kept eating them, I wasn't going to have room for my meal.
If you visit The Shack, do yourself a favor and don't skip the hush puppies.
If you're a fan of Southern seafood and comfort food like we are, be sure to check out my homemade Catfish Stew recipe, another Southern favorite that's packed with flavor.
A Menu Full of Southern Comfort Food
One thing I really liked about The Shack was the variety on the menu.
Whether you're craving seafood, burgers, salads, chicken, or Southern comfort food, there's something for just about everybody.
What really caught my eye was their meat and three option. If you're from the South, you already know there's something special about walking into a restaurant and seeing a meat and three on the menu.
The regular meats appeared to be fried chicken, grilled chicken, and fried or grilled fish. They also rotate daily specials. On our visit, the featured meats included beef stew and rice along with chicken and dumplings.
The side selections were exactly what you'd hope to find in a Southern restaurant:
- Mac and cheese
- Lima beans
- Coleslaw
- French fries
- Rice and gravy
- Mashed potatoes
- Cabbage
- Squash casserole
- Corn
- Green beans
- Tomato pie
- Black-eyed peas
They also had homemade soups including clam chowder and potato soup.
One thing I thought was pretty neat was that you could choose a dessert as one of your sides with the meat and three plate. That's a dangerous option for someone like me.
On this particular night, the dessert choices included Oreo pie, peach cobbler, and cheesecake.
Want to experience the flavors that define our state? Several of these dishes are considered iconic South Carolina foods.
My Meat and Three: Beef Stew, Black-Eyed Peas, and Squash Casserole
After looking over the menu, I settled on the beef stew and rice with black-eyed peas, squash casserole, and Oreo pie for dessert.
The portion size was generous, and there was more food on the plate than I expected.
The beef stew was rich, savory, and full of flavor. It tasted like something that had been simmering all day.
The black-eyed peas were cooked exactly the way I like them. They were thick and cooked down just right. If you're Southern, you know exactly what I'm talking about.
The squash casserole was loaded with cheddar cheese and had that homemade flavor that reminds you of church potlucks and family gatherings.
By the time I got to the Oreo pie, I was already getting full. Looking back, I probably should have stopped halfway through, but it was too good to leave sitting there.
No regrets.
What the Rest of Our Group Ordered
One of the advantages of dining with a large group is getting to see a lot of different plates come out of the kitchen.
Several people in our group ordered fish and talked about how good it was. Others went with the fried chicken and were equally happy with their meals.
I didn't hear any complaints from anyone at the table, which is pretty impressive when you're dining with twelve people.
Everything looked fresh, hot, and well prepared.
Is The Shack in Cherry Grove Worth Visiting?
Absolutely.
The Shack isn't trying to be fancy, and that's part of its charm. It's the kind of place where locals and visitors gather for good Southern cooking, seafood, and comfort food served in generous portions.
The fact that dozens of people were lined up before the doors even opened on a Monday afternoon tells you everything you need to know.
Between the addictive hush puppies, the homemade sides, and the comforting Southern flavors, our visit reminded me why this restaurant has remained so popular over the years.
If you're visiting Cherry Grove Beach, North Myrtle Beach, or the Grand Strand area and you're looking for a local restaurant with Southern charm and great food, The Shack deserves a spot on your list.
And yes, I'd definitely go back.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Shack in North Myrtle Beach, SC
The Shack is located at 1128 Sea Mountain Highway in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. While the physical address is in North Myrtle Beach, it's located in the Cherry Grove area that many visitors know and love.
Yes. The Shack serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner throughout the week. The restaurant is especially known for its Southern-style breakfasts, daily meat-and-three specials, and Calabash-style seafood.
No. The Shack does not accept reservations or call-ahead seating. Guests are seated on a first-come, first-served basis, and the entire party must be present before being seated.
Many guests visit for the daily meat-and-three specials, fried chicken, seafood platters, shrimp and grits, and homemade Southern sides. During our visit, the beef stew and rice, black-eyed peas, and squash casserole were standouts.
The Shack serves dinner Monday through Saturday beginning at 4:00 p.m. While the restaurant's official website lists dinner hours as "4:00 p.m. until," dinner service typically runs until around 8:00 p.m. The restaurant is closed on Sundays.
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