Big Mike’s Soul Food

Where, Oh Where to eat in Myrtle Beach?

A hungry first-time visitor to Myrtle Beach could get dizzy contemplating its endless restaurant choices. The roster roves from plain to fancy and from tourist trap to hidden gem. Big Mike’s Soul Food is not exactly a hidden gem. Locals know and love it. It’s often crowded and sometimes you will wait. But despite its many fans, it retains the feel of a secret spot that in-the-know eaters like to keep to themselves. However you classify Big Mike’s, it’s a restaurant that belongs on any roster of the best of Myrtle Beach.

There’s Only One Big Mike’s

It’s one of a kind, that’s for sure. A sign on the front door boasts Locally Owned, Locally Operated, Locally Cooked. The dining area is a quirky, multi-level space. The specials menu is a large, free-standing placard that a staff member brings to your table. Room tone is ebullient — the sound of happy eaters savoring a good meal in the right place at a fair price.

Soul Food

There are plenty of burgers and sandwiches available, but the reason to come to Big Mike’s is to tuck into soul food standards that range from fried chicken and pork chops to peach cobbler and sweet potato pie for dessert. Notable daily specials include ribs on Monday and Saturday, meat loaf on Tuesday, and chicken bog Friday and Saturday.

I’ll be coming back for crunchy-crusted chicken. As far as fried chicken goes, it garners my Best of Myrtle Beach award. Get it as the blue plate special, aka Big Mike’s Special. This way, you get to choose three side dishes from a repertoire of collards, yams, mac & cheese, fried okra, rice & gravy, mashed potatoes, green beans, and field peas. All blue plates come with a block of cake-sweet cornbread. Ice tea (sweet, natch) is what’s to drink. And do save room for peach cobbler.