While the hamburger’s true origins are widely disputed (and countries around the world claim to be its birthplace), few dishes are more quintessentially American. Boasting patties of ground beef piled on a bun with cheese, lettuce, pickles, tomato and other toppings of choice — the burger has been a prominent feature of American cookouts since folks began gathering around the grill in backyards.
And as one might expect in an all-American family vacation destination like Myrtle Beach, there are plenty of great burgers to be found on the Grand Strand. Here are 5 of the top burger destinations to check out on your next beach getaway to Myrtle Beach and The Strand Resort:
River City Cafe: With seven locations on the Grand Strand (and one of them on 21st Avenue North just a half-mile south of The Strand), “Your New Favorite Burger Joint” serves creative and award-winning burger creations the likes of the Cheetos Burger topped with melted cheddar and crunchy Cheetos, the Fried Mac & Cheese Burger with a breaded cake of fried mac & cheese on top, and the Surf N Turf topped with fried popcorn shrimp, a spicy chili glaze and pepper jack cheese. Signature appetizers include River City’s Gravy Fries, World Famous Onion Rings and Fried Pickles. Another nice touch here is the roasted peanuts guests can crack open and snack on, then just toss their shells on the floor.
Wahlburgers: Located at Myrtle Beach shopping/dining/entertainment hot spot Broadway at the Beach, this fast-casual burger joint is almost as renowned among its devoted followers as its founding movie-star/musician brothers, Mark and Donnie Wahlberg. Head here for chef-inspired gourmet burger creations such as the O.F.D. with a half-pound of Angus beef, Swiss cheese, bacon, sautéed mushrooms house-made tomato jam, or the Fiesta Burger with Southwestern spices, jalapenos, pepper jack cheese, salsa and chipotle mayo. House-made frappes and floats are popular burger accompaniments here, and a full lineup of beers, wines and cocktails is also available.
Burky’s Grill: Found on North King’s Highway about a mile north of The Strand, Burky’s serves traditional American fare in a 1950s diner-style setting. The tasty burgers are cooked fresh to order, and ice cream sundaes, banana splits and shakes are a popular choices for finishing your meal on a sweet note. If you’re in town on a Friday evening and are a fan of vintage American horsepower, be sure to swing by between 5 and 9 p.m. for the weekly Classic Car Night at Burky’s, when local auto enthusiasts bring their prized classic vehicles for visitors to check out.
BurgerFi: Boasting three Grand Strand locations — the closest of them less than a mile south of The Strand the THEBlvd dining/entertainment complex — this gourmet burger joint uses fresh, natural ingredients to take its bun-bound offerings up a notch. Examples of popular entrees include the CEO burger featuring a pair of Wagyu and brisket-blend patties topped with candied bacon-tomato jam, truffle aioli, and aged Swiss cheese, and the Conflicted Burger with an Angus beef patty and a veggie patty, all topped with American and white cheddar cheeses, lettuce, tomato, and BurgerFi Sauce. Round out your meal with hand-cut French fries, double-battered onion rings, and an array of craft beer and wine choices.
Pine Lakes Tavern: Located on North Ocean Boulevard a strong tee shot away from the famous Myrtle Beach golf course of the same name (and about 2 miles north of The Strand Resort), Pine Lakes Tavern is Myrtle Beach’s first gastropub. Its acclaimed PLT Pub Burger features a half-pound patty that blends Black Angus beef and short rib meat, all char-grilled and topped with homemade pimento cheese, Swiss or cheddar. With a friendly neighborhood bar feel and a beautiful back patio overlooking Pine Lake, the tavern also serves up draft beers (15 on tap, mostly microbrews) and a range of cocktails, and its food menu features other tasty offerings such as Creamy Crab Dip, Traditional She Crab Soup, Carolina Pulled Pork, Colossal Wing Drumettes and more.
After enjoying some of the Grand Strand’s best burgers, head back to your comfortable oceanfront accommodations at The Strand Resort to rest up for another day of all-American adventure in the Myrtle Beach area. Book your Myrtle Beach vacation at The Strand today!
