Myrtle Beach may be famous for its fresh seafood and fine dining, but every once in awhile you just have to have a burger. And not just any old burger, but a big, fat juicy mound of ground round piled high with all the toppings and a side of fries.
Guests at Long Bay Resort are in luck. Not only does Myrtle Beach boast some excellent burger joints, but several of them are within smelling range of the resort. Here's a list of the top five places to grab a burger in Myrtle Beach. Be sure to use a napkin:
* Burky's Grill: This locally owned and operated burger joint/ice cream parlor takes diners back in time to the 1950s-style cafe. Featuring music and decor from the era, Burky's also offers an old-fashioned hamburger served hot off the grill with all the usual toppings – lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles, along with some not-so-usual toppings like chili and nacho cheese. Burky's also offers great fries, baked potatoes, soups and salads, but the burgers are king. Kid’s meal combos come with a free scoop of ice cream, and biweekly car shows in the parking lot pack in a big crowd of folks who love to take a cruise down memory lane.
* Cheeseburger In Paradise: Located just two blocks away from Long Bay, this national chain delivers a burger that lives up to the popular song's lofty standards. Jimmy Buffett's mouth-watering lyrics, “I like mine with lettuce and tomato, Heinz 57 and French-fried potatoes” is one of the many culinary creations served on a bun at CIP. Offering a wide selection of tropical-themed burgers, CIP uses half-pound patties of 100-percent Black Angus beef that melt in your mouth. Try the Cuban Burger with ham, salami, Swiss cheese, mayo, mustard and pickles on pressed sourdough bread, or the Baja Burger with fresh avocado, salsa, sour cream, onions, jalapenos and pepperjack cheese. Add on some fries or onion straws and wash it down with an ice-cold beer or a signature margarita.
* Peaches Corner: This downtown cafe is a Myrtle Beach institution. Serving hot and greasy fast food for more than 75 years, Peaches Corner has been attracting generations of visitors to the downtown oceanfront for an unforgettable experience. This lunch counter-style diner is famous for its burgers and dogs, as well as milk shakes and malts. The burgers are fairly basic but in terms of toppings, but it’s the flat-top grill flavor that sets them apart. Go for the Southern-style favorite with slaw, chili, mustard, pickles and onions, and take the edge off with a tasty shake and a stroll down the adjoining Myrtle Beach Boardwalk.
* River City Cafe: Located next door to Long Bay is one of several local franchises that specialize in the all-American classic hamburger. Sure, River City also offers, chicken sandwiches, fish sandwiches and even fried bologna sandwiches, but the burger is king. Made of half-pound hamburger patties that are good enough to eat alone, River City offers a long list of topping options, as well as some creative combinations that keep locals and tourists coming back year after year. Try the Black N' Bleu Burger with Cajun seasonings and melted bleu cheese, or the popular Peanut Butter Burger, just to name a few. Add a side of hand-cut fries or onion rings that are the size of wagon wheels.
* Sam’s Corner: Long Bay guests who get the late-night munchies don’t have to go far to find their fix. Sam’s Corner is open 24/7, serving breakfast, lunch and dinners around the clock. But burgers are the highlight of the extensive menu, served hot off the grill and topped the way you want it. The Ocean Burger is the crown jewel of the menu, featuring a hot burger patty placed in a pita pocket and topped with lettuce, tomato, onion and tzatziki sauce. Sam’s Corner also has a full bar so you can have a beer or cocktail to go with your burger.
(Posted: 1/9/15)
(Photo Courtesy: burkeysgrill.com)