If you’re in Murrells Inlet and are looking for a little café with nice calm atmosphere, simple cooking and great prices, look no further than Salt Water Creek.
(Don’t be confused; the name was Salt Creek up until a few months ago, but the menu and service remain the same). Locals and visitors alike can cozy up in a booth or small table, or even at the bar and enjoy some Lowcountry favorites in their simplest incarnations. You won’t find any hard to pronounce ingredients or experimental cuisine here; the menu is very straightforward and homey, with sides such as sweet potato fries, mashed potatoes or steamed vegetables. They even have Blue Plate Specials, a different one for every weekday, like the Fried Chicken with Macaroni & Cheese complete with a Dixie cup of Vanilla Ice Cream.
The décor is very clean and light, and evokes the feeling of being at the beach. Colorful fish drift by in a saltwater aquarium, and the walls are adorned with silvery shells and large pictures of the pier and ocean. Glass accents in cool blue hues and white clapboard make you feel like you’re in a little beach cottage.
Appetizer-wise there is much to choose from. The Lowcountry Shrimp and Grit Cake is tasty without being heavy or salty, and the Loaded Chips- homemade potato chips with cheese, bacon and scallions and served with a Buttermilk Chive sauce- are great for sharing, as are the Portabello & Zucchini fries, served tempura style.
For entrees, there is a nice variety. The menu features salads with homemade dressings, sandwiches, quesadillas, and handmade pizza. (Try the Buffalo or Chicken Pesto pizza; both are outstanding). I’m a fan of their Chicken and Mushroom Fettucine, a great pasta dish that is flavorful and not heavy like most cream based sauces.
Salt Water Creek also has great happy hour, featuring a wine list of nice wines that would usually be 7, 8, 9 dollars by the glass for a mere $3 until 6 o clock. Champagne splits are also $3, and there are Oyster Shooters for the adventurous. They have an early bird menu, which features some of their best items for a discounted price. They also offer sushi on weeknights; the Sesame and Asparagus Tuna roll is a personal favorite and definitely worth trying.
If you’re looking for a nice brunch spot, they have that as well, Saturdays and Sundays 10am to 2pm. They feature Crabcake, Shrimp or Surf and Turf Benedicts, Lobster Omelettes, Chocolate Stuffed French Toast and plenty of $3 Bloody Marys, Mimosas and Mojitos.
Salt Water Creek is located on Highway 17 in Murrells Inlet, slightly south of the Wachesaw Road intersection. Look for the blue neon adorning the building.Visit http://www.saltcreekcafe.com/ to see their menu.
