Few things smell as sweet as the salt air blowing in the sea breeze in Myrtle Beach … unless there happens to be a barbecue restaurant in the vicinity. Mix in the aroma of hickory smoke and succulent meat, and the mouth starts to water with anticipation. Fortunately for guests at Compass Cove Resort, you don't have to go very far to experience the great smell and flavor of great barbecue. Here are five of our guests' favorite places to go to enjoy some authentic Southern barbecue:
* Big D's BBQ Barn: Bring a hearty appetite to this establishment, which has been serving up good BBQ and country cooking for decades. Located just over the Highway 501 Bridge near Fantasy Harbor, Big D's features a buffet of its famous pulled pork barbecue, as well as traditional Southern fare, such as fried chicken, rice and gravy, vegetables, cornbread, sweet tea, and tasty banana pudding. Not hungry enough for the buffet? Patrons can plate their own meat-and-three special for a fraction of the price.
* Damon's Oceanfront Grill: Although not a traditional barbecue restaurant, this place has the ribs and the view to warrant a visit. Its famous baby backs are grilled over an open flame and smothered in Damon's special sauce until they are fall-off-the-bone tender. Damon's is located in an oceanfront beach house on the south end of Ocean Boulevard, so Compass Cove guests can literally follow their noses to one of the best indoor/outdoor dining facilities in Myrtle Beach. This place is perfect for families with mixed palates — some can enjoy the ribs while others choose from great prime rib, steak, chicken and chops.
* Little Pigs BBQ: You don't have to drive all the way to North Carolina to enjoy authentic North Carolina barbecue; a short trip to the north side of town will do. Located at the corner of Highway 17 Bypass and 62nd Avenue North, Little Pigs offers the brand of BBQ this region is famous for — whole pork shoulders slow-smoked over hickory coals then pulled, chopped and drenched in a vinegar-based sauce. Little Pigs serves pulled-pork sandwiches and platters, as well as BBQ chicken and ribs. The sides are plentiful and delicious, like the BBQ slaw and baked beans. This place has been in business for more than 20 years for a reason.
* Simply Southern Smokehouse: There's a new player in the local BBQ game, and Simply Southern is a legitimate contender. Its buffet features a wide variety of country-cooking classics, including fried chicken, home-style veggies and chicken bog, but the barbecue is the headliner. Slow-cooked pulled pork is perfectly smoked and set out for folks to come and get it. Patrons can select their own favorite sauce — vinegar-, tomato- or mustard-based — and the slaw is a nice topper to a sandwich. Located on Mr. Joe White Avenue in central Myrtle Beach, Simply Southern also has a singing busboy who takes requests for tips.
* Sticky Fingers: The name says it all at this Charleston-based regional chain. Offering a variety of sauces you can take home to use on your own backyard BBQ, Sticky Fingers is also known for the barbecue underneath the layer of sauce. Ribs, chicken and pulled pork are served in generous portions, and guests can choose between the Memphis Sweet, Carolina Classic, Tennessee Whiskey and Southern Heat sauces to add flavor to the meat. Located beside Coastal Grand Mall, Sticky Fingers is a great place to stop after you shop.
No matter how you like your barbecue, everyone in your party can agree on one thing — a fantastic vacation experience at Compass Cove Resort in Myrtle Beach. We look forward to being your home away from home.