You haven’t been to Hilton Head unless you’ve been to: Casual Eats Edition
When I travel, I make a sometimes annoying habit out of asking locals one simple question. “You’ve not been to (insert name of city) unless you’ve been to…..” and I let them insert the name. I ask bartenders, baristas, Uber drivers, hotel employees. Anyone basically who’s attention I can grab for about 30 seconds. The logic behind the frequency is if you get a lot of the same answers then THAT is the place I want to go.
The practice has taken me to some fantastic spots in Pittsburgh, Phoenix, Seattle and elsewhere. Last weekend, I applied that logic to a group of friends who live on the island. I mean, I’ve been in this area for 2 decades so I can feel comfortable making my own list, but there is nothing like posing the question to the natives. There was some push back, of course. Some spots that I had on my list were removed, while some that I hadn’t considered were added. Ultimately, we came up with a solid group of 5 knowing full well that would could probably take the list to 10.
Criteria? Iconic Casual Eats on Hilton Head Island. Not modern favorites like Java Burrito Company or Tin and Tallow, for example. Casual eats spots on the island that have stood the tests of time-as in decades. I’m fairly certain my tribe will disagree with some of this, but I get final say simply because it’s my name on the shingle hangin’ out on the porch. Keep in mind this, as always, is not a ranking. It’s just a list of ten. It is, however, divided by 1st five and 2nd five.
Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks
Hudson’s is an island institution. Family owned and operated for decades, the goal has always been freshness and quality. A lot of people will tell you the location-on the docks-is their big draw, but that doesn’t pay enough respect to how well run this restaurant is. There are dozens of employees running around Hudson’s at any given time, particularly in the summertime, but you will always see boss man Andrew Carmines right there with them in the trenches. Running food to tables, helping to clean some fish that just came in or just making sure everything is as smooth as possible. In the Summer, like everywhere else on this island-it can be a zoo, especially at dinner time. But the locals love it for very good reason.
A stone’s throw from Hudson’s you will find two restaurants both under the same ownership. Skull Creek Boathouse and Skull Creek Dockside. In the big picture, Dockside is fairly new to the scene. But Skull Creek Boathouse is just about as iconic on this island as anywhere. Their casual menu offers anything from burgers to steaks and sushi. The views, particularly at sunset, are among the island’s best. (photo at top of the page). You will be on a wait list here for dinner in the summer. There is just no other way around it.
Earle of Sandwich Pub
Earle of Sandwich Pub in Coligny Plaza is one of those places that has essentially been doing the same thing since the day they opened in 1973. From the ‘if it aint’ broke, don’t fix it’ file comes what is widely regarded as the best Reuben Sandwich on the island. Locals will swear by their favorite items, too. That could be the Roast Beef sandwich, the club or the burger. Earle’s fits the bill here.
Located practically in the middle of the island you will find the Palmetto Dunes community. Inside the property (and very much open to the public) is the General Store. In there, just like any other general store, you will find supplies that you may have forgotten about on your vacation. Toothpaste, shampoo, paper towels come to mind. Toward the back you find the hot bar. In the mornings there is breakfast, but at lunch time it flips to legendary status with their fried chicken. I’m almost embarrassed to say I’ve never tried it, but I’ve only been hearing about it for a decade or so. The line forms early for good reason most days. There isn’t much seating, but that doesn’t stop people from grabbing a spot on the porch and enjoying some of the island’s best comfort food.
Another on my list that the locals insisted on that I’ve never visited. Sea Shack is essentially just that, a small window of a casual eatery on the island’s South end featuring a lot of the staples that visitors come to expect from a seafood shack. Fried or Steamed Shrimp, Crab Cakes and more. The price is right, but it is as popular as it is because the quality is as well. In the Summer, you will likely wait in line.
The 2nd Five
Stu’s Surfside Subs
It should be noted that I put deli sandwiches in my list of categories that I can be very particular about. I’m usually a turkey/bacon guy, but I have, of course, hit up the occasional Roast Beef or Italian or or or or. I usually love them all. I share this off the top with you because the first time it was suggested to me that I pay Stu’s a visit, I had ridiculously high expectations. Why? I was told it could very likely be among the best subs in the State of South Carolina. Hyperbole? Of course it was, but the result? Stu’s absolutely delivered for me that day and every day since. They bake their bread in house every day and are located about 2 blocks from the beach. Grabbing them and hitting the sand is as much a ‘to-do’ on this island as golf and tennis. True dat.
Harold’s Diner is the closest thing you will find to a ‘greasy spoon’ on this list. And it is, in every sense. Their burgers are among the most popular on the island. Breakfast starts at 7am. You grab a slip of paper, check off your boxes on what you would like and watch the magic happen on the grill. It can get busy on weekends particularly at peak times of day. Breakfast and lunch only…they close at 3pm.
Quarterdeck Restaurant at Harbourtown
The list giveth and the list taketh away. There was some debate over whether or not to include The Quarterdeck on this list. Some of the locals didn’t feel like it could be included because the building is fairly new (only 3 or so years old). The history and the memories of the old Quarterdeck faded away once the old building was torn down to make way for the new one. I maintain that there is no more photographed spot on Hilton Head Island than its practically world famous lighthouse. I mean, how could you not? Add to that, the food at QD is very good as are the cocktails and the views. You toss all of that into your Magic 8 Ball and give it a shake and you’ve got no choice but to visit this spot if you’ve never been to the island, which is the whole point of this list in the first place.
This is another Jesse ad-lib. None of my tribe mentioned One Hot Mama’s, but I feel it needs to be here. Orchid Paulmeier first opened One Hot Mama’s in 2003. A few years later, she became a star on the Food Network. I think it’s fair to say her career path has never been the same. The reason is simple, Orchid and her crew do some of the best BBQ on the island and absolutely the best chicken wings. At least they are in my book. 22 years and now 2 locations is as good of a run as you can find on this island particularly when they’ve been as consistently good as they have been since practically day one. One Hot Mama’s has become an island institution. She makes the 2nd five.
Truth be told, I had forgotten about this spot until it was mentioned to me and didn’t have any issue at all adding it to our 2nd five. I’ve never taken a straw poll, but I would feel comfortable saying that Palmetto Bay is the most popular breakfast spot on the island. On the weekends, particularly in the summer, you will absolutely wait for a seat. Meanwhile, that seating has poured out from their space out on the walkways of the building that houses them. There is seating everywhere and it is always full. Always full. They’ve earned that reputation and it makes it a must visit when you are on the island.
There are a lot of iconic names on Hilton Head Island here that are missing. Just keep in mind that, as we mentioned above, these are casual eats only. I suspect an ‘upscale’ list will be coming along soon.
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