Grand Strand Restaurants Review
The architecture, food and entertainment make Benjamin’s a landmark restaurant
A lot of all-you-can-east restaurants on the Grand Strand try to claim they have the largest buffet or the best recipes, but there is even more to Benjamin’s Calabash Seafood restaurant, the one they call the “Original” located in Restaurant Row just north of Myrtle Beach.
The first indication that the customer is in for something unusual is the parking lot. There are a couple of old shrimp boats and a bunch of ocean bouys anchored among the parking spaces and one could spend many minutes just studing the front of the restaurant building because of all its fishing and ocean decorations and designs.
The same goes for inside. The first thing a customer notices is the huge replica of the Mayflower sailing vessel that dominates the entry way. But that’s not the only boat in the place. There are other replicas spread throughout the building and downstairs there is a sailboat building shop where Jimmy Frost, a 14-year veteran employee of Benjamin’s spends his time building more boats. One of the newer creations is a 35-foot-long mockup of the QE-2 and more are on the way. The company also employs a master craftsman to upgrade and maintain all the woodwork in the cavernous building.
When it comes to food, there are 170 different items on the buffet and when the tourist season is in full swing, as many as 2,000 hungry customers will occupy the restaurant in one evening. Many of them come in tour busses because tour companies have found even returnees to the Grand Strand want to have at last one meal at Benjamin’s while they are visiting the area.
Although most people think of Benjamin’s as a place to choose anything from the extensive buffet bar, there are also special stops along the way where staff members will prepare pasta dishes to order, cut prime rib of beef and cook steak to order.
There are 11 different dining rooms and an outside veranda area that overlooks the Intracoastal Waterway.
There is plenty of room for special occasions such as wedding receptions, graduation parties and business gatherings. Special rooms are available to separate those events from the main restaurant.
Not to be forgotten are the kids. There’s a special downstairs area that has been set aside and equipped just for them. “When you are on a wait in the summertime you can bring the children down here. You then can hear when your table is called over the loudspeaker. In the center of the room is a mockup of a boat on which the kids can play and there are even lifejackets for them wear…just in case. Spread all over the restaurant are stuffed sea creatures, what marketing director Tammy Elvis said is the largest “Dry-Quarium in the Southeast.
Local businessman Bill Howard owned and ran the restaurant for many years, but he has turned it over to his children and family, many of whom manage and work there. And yes, there is a bar that would make any lover of Pirate lore, including rum drinks, happy.
ORIGINAL BENJAMINS, THE
9593 North Kings Highway
Myrtle Beach, SC 29572
(843) 449-0821 | Menu
Restaurant Type: Buffet, Family, Seafood
Meals Served: Dinner
Food Type: American
Features: Alcohol Served, Child Friendly, Early Bird Specials, Group Discounts, Group Seating, Handicap Accessible, No Smoking Area, Open Holidays, Private Room, Smoke Free Facility
Avg Cost: Over $20. Location: Central
