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Land or Sea: 7 of Our Favorite Grand StrandSeafood Markets and Butchers
Numerous seafood markets along the Grand Strand provide residents and visitors with fresh-caught fish and harvests of local shellfish.While some varieties are available year-round, others have peak seasons. You can find seasonal guides published by local fishing charters.
Check out the fish chart published by the SC DNR. https://www.dnr.sc.gov/aquaticed/pdf/fishchart.pdf
If you’d like to learn more about area species, check out the in-depth SC DNR pocket guides:
https://www.dnr.sc.gov/fish/pdf/SaltwaterFishPocketGuide.pdf
https://www.dnr.sc.gov/fish/pdf/FreshwaterFishPocketGuide.pdf
Murrells Inlet is widely known as the Seafood Capital of South Carolina, but you’ll also find active fishing hubs in Little River and Georgetown. The fishing fleets in these areas supply local fishmongers and restaurants with an amazing array of fresh seafood — from dock to table!
Common inshore and offshore species to enjoy include red drum, flounder, king mackerel, mahi-mahi, wahoo, blackfin and yellowfin tuna, tilefish, corvina, red snapper, grouper, cobia, tarpon, seabass, and triggerfish, while shrimp, mussels, blue crab, and oysters top the list of local shellfish.
We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite seafood markets and butcher shops from North Myrtle down through Murrells Inlet.
Hoof, Line, and Sinker has a beautiful new store just down the street from the owner’s popular, established Hot Fish Club. The warm hospitality is apparent upon entering, no doubt a mirror of the family’s restaurant culture, and I’m quite sure the local community and existing loyal patrons of Hot Fish have spilled over to the new venture. This premium butcher shop and seafood market offers the highest quality beef and responsibly sourced fresh seafood from local day boats and other regional fleets, as well as provisions from non-regional fleets for non-native species like cold water lobster tails.
I was greeted by Robert Bates, who partners with his father Phillip in operating the location. Robert discussed the new venture and highlighted various details around the store. The meat counter was filled with a beautiful array of Certified Angus Beef options and special grass-fed cuts. Hand-cut and fresh ground, the beef selection is ample. They also make their own sausages and marinated meats.
In addition, they offer an assortment of exotic meats, including elk, lamb, venison, wagyu, and others.
Robert mentioned his wife comes in a few days a week to make her wildly famous pimento cheese. I sampled the sellout favorite, and I concur it is scrumptious. There are numerous choices of prepared foods.
They make their own signature seasoning blends, which are for sale in-house, along with their expanding pantry area where you’ll find all the necessary goods to prepare dinner. And, for your furry friends, they make homemade pet food. You’ll find a freezer full of tasty whole food meals — “Woof, Line, and Sinker.” Two blends are currently available, and I’m sure I’ll be back to purchase a couple for our pup. The first blend is composed of ground beef, broccoli, beef liver, blueberries, sweet potato, butternut squash, and green beans. The second blend is composed of ground turkey, carrots, peas, sweet potatoes, and butternut squash.
Visit often to take advantage of seasonal fresh catch and butcher counter specials!
4886 Highway 17 Business, Murrells Inlet, SC
Open seven days a week, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
facebook.com/hooflinesinker
Continuing our roundup, we have Lee’s Farmers Market. Much more than a seafood market or a butcher, this fun location houses a sandwich shop, fresh produce, fresh-caught local seafood, a butcher shop, and a vast array of pantry and frozen items. Once you enter the location, you’ll feel the nostalgic vibe. This family-run business has been providing locals with provisions for over twenty-six years. They consider themselves an “everyday to gourmet” market, and I can see why; they have plenty of staples as well as epicurean options.
Much of the produce is sourced locally, and they have fresh blueberries during season, from their own farm, Lee’s Blueberry Farm in Tabor City. The sandwich shop is a busy place. Their daily specials are posted on their Facebook page. They also offer a wide variety of prepared foods, and I noticed they have an entire freezer full of handmade pierogies. The pantry items are extensive and include oils, vinegars, glazes, olives, pickled delicacies, gourmet Italian products, and a multitude of other provisions.
Be sure to check their Facebook page for daily specials!
4883 HWY 17 Bypass, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
Mon – Sat 7am to 5pm
facebook.com/leesfarmersmarket
Next, I made my way up to Harrelson’s Seafood Market. This family-owned location was my go-to store when we vacationed in the area before our move to SC. They have an ample supply of fresh catch and frozen items, along with staples of seasonings, fish fry breadings, and accompaniments. The sign out front touts that they are the oldest and largest in the area, with the tagline “keep’n it local.” I’ve personally had some amazing local products from this location, one such item being the fresh flounder, which I like to flash-fry “calabash” style and serve with a lemon-dill tartar. If you face the seafood counter and then turn around, you’ll see a beam with a massive amount of awards and memorabilia stapled to it. Check it out when you’re there! They often make their way to area “best of” and “greatest” lists.
New for 2025, the Hot N Ready Low Country Boil Pans have been a big hit. They give locals discounts, create travel packs for tourists, and often offer daily BOGO specials in the off-season. As retailers and wholesalers, they pack out three local boats and work with numerous fish houses along the eastern seaboard. Most local catch is from the legend himself, Captain Reese Hair. They have homemade seafood specialty items as well. Check their Facebook page for more information. Also to note, they recently opened a new location in Pawleys Island.
4368 Highway 17 Business, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
Open Mon-Sat 8am-7pm Sundays 9-6
9752 Ocean Highway, Pawleys Island, SC 29585
Open Everyday 10am-6pm
facebook.com/harrelsons.seafood
A couple of miles north, I visited Seven Seas Seafood Market. They maintain a fleet of fishing boats and focus on local daily fresh catch and responsibly source items from farther regions, as needed. They cut portions to order and offer a selection of specialty and ready-to-cook items. They foster and maintain strong ties to the community and pride themselves on supporting local fishermen.
Chris Conklin stepped into his father, Phil Conklin’s, shoes with partner Henry Ford to run the business. Phil was a respected fisherman and had a passion for local, quality seafood, built on a business foundation of integrity. When Phil served in the Navy, he visited the inlet while on shore leave from Charleston, and years later, after working on a few top charter Miami fishing boats, he came back to Murrells Inlet to form a co-op with area skippers offering fresh, local catch at an affordable price. Fast forward many years, Seven Seas has become a local staple, and they just opened a second location in Georgetown. Their seafood counter is well stocked, and you’ll find ample supplies of accompaniments. They have frequent chalkboard specials, from local stone crab claws, littleneck clams, oysters, shrimp, grouper, and yellowfin tuna. Visit their Facebook page for seasonal deals!
3476 Highway 17 Business, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576
Sun-Thursday: 8am-6pm, Friday and Saturday: 8am-6pm
1212 Church Street, Georgetown S.C 29440
Monday-Saturday: 10am-6pm
https://www.facebook.com/fromtheboattoyourthroat
At Mr. Fish Seafood Market and Grill, you can always find something special on the menu. It’s a seafood market and restaurant combo. They smoke fish on-site to make several dips, including salmon, tuna, and whitefish. They also craft signature sauces in-house and often have a she-crab, gumbo, seafood chowder, or Brazilian fish stew simmering on the stove. They also offer catering (full service or drop-off/pick-up), and they have a cool food truck.
You can drop by for lunch or dinner, choosing from several specials, or order straight from the regular menu, grab a glass of wine or a beer to accompany your meal, and then also get fresh fish or shellfish to take home. They have ample space for diners and picnic tables outside. Some of the daily specials include Crab Mac and Cheese, the Cod Father, and the occasional all-you-can-eat steamed oyster event. Sheina Hamrman and her father, Ted Hammerman, run the successful venue. Sheina is a graduate of the Johnson & Wales culinary program and heads up the catering and restaurant. Ted became fascinated with designing fishing gear and providing quality seafood and has built a reputation as “Mr. Fish,” the area’s legendary fisherman. Check their Facebook page for specials!
6307 North Kings Hwy. Suite B, MBSC 29572
Winter hours are currently 10am-7pm
Grill Opens at 11 AM Daily
facebook.com/mrfishmyrtlebeach
As we continue northward, be sure to visit The Salty Butcher. I’ve enjoyed shopping at this location with their homemade crab cakes and other house-made creations, fresh-caught seafood, and their butcher counter. They offer Certified Angus Beef and other top-quality premium options.
They are known for their handmade pork rinds, shrimp salad, and delicate crab cakes. I can attest to the crab cakes; they are delightful. They also have an extensive selection of grab-and-go meals and side dishes. They are supplied with fresh seafood from Seven Seas (prior entry in this article), and they source chicken from Joyce Farms in NC and pork from Cheshire Farms in NC. They consider themselves the familiar neighborhood butcher and enjoy cultivating community. They offer a nice selection of fresh, frozen, and pantry items. They often have specials, which you can monitor on their website and even place your order online. I also joined their frequent shopper program and try to take advantage of their Wednesday 20% off seafood deal. FYI, the homemade crab cakes are always in my cart. I also recommend the béarnaise butter.
7901 N Kings Hwy. Myrtle Beach, SC 29572
Open Monday- Saturday 10am-6pm
thesaltybutchermb.com
Ending our round-up of a few of our favorite local markets and butchers is Platt’s Seafood in Cherry Grove. This establishment is now a part of the Boulineau’s portfolio. Ask anyone in the North Myrtle Beach area where to buy fresh seafood and Platt’s Seafood is the only answer. The original owner of the establishment, Eugene Platt, was a commercial fisherman prior to opening the location in 1970. His son, Timmy Platt, was a commercial crabber and also worked for his father at the seafood market. Timmy and the Boulineau’s family have been partners for more than twenty years. The long-standing relationships Timmy has built with local fisherman in the Carolinas have allowed him the opportunity to sell high quality local seafood to Grand Strand residents and visitors. In addition to the wide assortment of fresh seafood, Timmy loves crabbing, and he attends to the season with gusto, bringing in tons of local blue crab to hungry patrons. I’m told these precious babes go fast! They also have soft-shell blue crab (in season.)
They handcraft their own sauces and seasonings, coleslaw, seafood salads, and dips, as well as other masterful creations. You can order seafood fresh, steamed, grilled, or fried, plus low country boils. Check the Boulineau’s Sales Flyer for specific specials during the week. The store itself houses bait and tackle, cooking supplies, pantry items, and most any fishing gear, in addition to the pre-made goodies and fresh and frozen selections.
1104 Sea Mountain Highway, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582
Winter Hours 6:30AM to 8PM Sunday-Thursday, Friday and Saturday 6AM-9PM
facebook.com/plattsseafood
While these are a few of our favorite stops for fresh seafood and quality meats along the Grand Strand, it is by no means all-inclusive. I do want to mention Conway Fresh Meat Market; it is a busy place! You can witness the bustling activity of the butchers when you walk through the doors of this institution.
Locals will undoubtedly share recommendations of the best places to shop, and like any town, residents will never steer you wrong!
