Chef Swap at The Beach: Season Two

The second season of Chef Swap at the Beach is airing soon on the Cooking Channel. Each episode pits two chefs against each other in a friendly competition with a twist. The chefs have to cook in the other chef’s restaurant with their sous chef! We are once again bringing in chefs from all over the Myrtle Beach area to compete for the coveted Chef Swap Knife. Here’s a sneak peek into the local chefs and Grand Strand restaurants featured on season two of Chef Swap at the Beach.  

 

Crafty Rooster Bar & Grille 

1125 Third Ave., Conway, SC 

Located in the heart of downtown Conway, Crafty Rooster Bar and Grille is owned by two Coastal Carolina Alumni, Sean Kobos and Dan Katawczik, and was named after a notable mention in the “Canterbury Tales” novel. Their chef, Ben Flores who will be featured on the show whips up tasty sharables, wings, curly cavatappi mac and cheese concoctions, burgers, sandwiches, nachos, and tons more. Crafty’s highlights include Lobster Dip, Chanticleer Shrimp, and the Jalapeno Beast Burger which includes a blend of ground bison, elk, venison, and wagyu beef topped with sauteed onions, jalapeno, pepper jack cheese, and jalapeno mayo.  

 

Drunken Jack’s 

4031 US-17 BUS., Murrells Inlet, SC 

Casey Blake runs the kitchen at Drunken Jack’s along the Murrells Inlet MarshWalk. This popular restaurant is a staple in the area for both locals and tourists at The Beach. The menu focuses mainly on fresh seafood from right off our coast but there are plenty of grilled meats and even some BBQ. Chef Casey’s Risotto is the highlight at Drunken Jack’s and comes with Blackened Mahi-Mahi, Blackened Sea Scallops over an award-winning lobster and crab risotto with a lobster cream sauce. Other highlights include Baked Stuffed Flounder, Steak Neptune, Flounder prepared your way, and Low Country She Crab Soup. Don’t miss out on their fabulous hushpuppies!  

 

Inlet Prohibition Company 

4891 Hwy. 17, Murrells Inlet, SC 

Head to the south end of The Beach for “Good Food and Bad Advice” at Inlet Prohibition Company. Chef Dan Sheppard is the mastermind behind the signature dishes, scratch-made soups, and Southern Comfort belly busters. Start off with Grouper Chunks or Oysters Rockefeller and move onto classics like Chicken Pot Pie or Mama’s Meatloaf. Signature dishes include Shrimp and Grits, a huge Seafood Platter with shrimp, flounder, oysters, and a mini crabcake, and a bubbling Steam pot. Save room for a Dessert Jar stuffed with Banana Pudding or Key Lime Pie.  

 

Hop N’ Wich 

1029 Third Ave., Conway, SC 

There is certainly no way you’ll leave Hop N’ Wich hungry! This downtown Conway restaurant opened in late 2022 but quickly became a fan favorite with their creative handhelds, scratch-made dips, fresh oysters, and tasty entrees. Chef Danny Jira invites you to try the Naughty Grandpa sandwich topped with blueberry onion jam, brie, white American, and Applewood bacon or maybe the Italian Beauty with fried eggplant, mozzarella, pesto, roasted red pepper and tomato. They also make Traditional Pierogis, Fried Green Tomatoes, and Spin Dip Balls (spinach and artichoke dip compressed, hand-breaded, and lightly fried.  

 

Filet’s Steaks, Seafood and Sushi 

2120 Sea Mountain Hwy., North Myrtle Beach, SC 

Situated directly on the Intracoastal Waterway, Filet’s is worth the trip to the north strand. They have plenty of seating areas with indoor and outdoor views of the water. Chef Derrick Carrozza uses fresh, local ingredients whenever possible and has a great mix of seafood, steaks, pastas, salads, and appetizers. You’ll love the Scallops served over pork belly with a balsamic glaze. Looking for a little something more filling? Try the Par Four 45 which comes with a Certified Angus beef filet topped with a crab cake, shrimp, scallops and a bearnaise sauce. Signature Entrees include Seafood Cioppino, Asian Salmon, Tuna Oscar, and Grouper Piccata.  

 

Fiesta Mexicana Authentic Mexican Cuisine 

410 70th Ave. N., Myrtle Beach, SC 

Fiesta Mexicana is arguably one of the top Mexican restaurants in Myrtle Beach – and Chef Gabriel Hernandez will prove it to you. The menu has a long list of traditional recipes and new creations from the chef like Fiesta Table Side Guacamole, Fajitas with chicken, steak, shrimp, carnitas, and vegetables, chimichangas, and a whole fried fish to name a few. The Pina Rellena is a gorgeous (and tasty) display featuring a stuffed pineapple with grilled shrimp, chicken, and steak strips topped with a creamy tequila sauce. Fear not- they still serve the usual combos for those that want a little bit of everything!  

 

O.A.K. Prime Kitchen and Bar 

4210 River Oaks Dr., Myrtle Beach, SC 

Chef Jerrett King and the team at O.A.K. Prime in Myrtle Beach want to provide each guest with a One of a King experience each and every time they visit. They use only fresh, never frozen, ingredients and has a long list of cocktails. Starters include One of a Kind Biscuits, Grilled Octopus, Escargot, and Hudson Valley Foie Gras. Move onto Mains like an 18-ounce Prime Kansas City Strip, New Zealand Elk Chops, Smoked Wagyu Meatloaf, or Sweet Corn and Polenta Ravioli. The O.A.K. Prime Seafood can be served for two or four guests and includes sweet petite oysters, colossal shrimp, Coldwater lobster tail, and Jonah crab claw.  

 

Lekker Eats 

3751 Grissom Pkwy, Suite 101, Myrtle Beach, SC 

The idea behind Lekker Eats is to use local, organic ingredients to make the tastiest and healthiest foods you can grab and go or sit down and enjoy in-house. Chef Jordan Lazarus traveled across the world and ended up back in her hometown to serve clean, healthy breakfast and lunch dishes. They serve bowls, plates, toasts, salads, and a variety of homemade sides. Highlights include the Hout Bay plate featuring blackened salmon, coconut quinoa, pineapple pico, and roasted asparagus. The toast is all served on their homemade sourdough bread and topped with house made sundried tomato hummus, cucumbers, olives, goat cheese, micro arugula, and smashed avocado just to name a few!  

Nonna’s Taste of Italy 

2132 Oakheart Rd., Myrtle Beach, SC 

Nonna’s opened in 2022 and offers true Calabrese cuisine with its pizzas, pastas, antipasti, and desserts. Chef Jonathan Glass works his magic to dish up specials like Cod Risotto, Linguini and Clams, Ravioli, Chicken or Eggplant Parmigiana, and Short Rib Risotto. The Arancini are made with the chef’s choice risotto and mozzarella and fried to perfection and the Burrata Caprese will keep you digging for more bread to scoop up every bit of what’s left on the plate. Pizzas include two types of Margherita pies, Broccoli Rabe and Sausage, Italia with whipped ricotta, spinach, garlic and olive oil, and even a Sicilian-style pizza.  

 

Fire & Smoke – A Gastropub 

411 79th Ave. N., Myrtle Beach, SC 

Fire and Smoke is tucked in its own little world in the northern section of Myrtle Beach. Chef Justin Feasel prides himself on making everything on the menu from scratch with the freshest ingredients and finest meats and seafoods. The unique menu features Smoked Wild Boar and Free-Range Bison Meatloaf with a Blackberry Chipotle Glaze. Another popular menu item is the Lobster Escargot which comes with a Butter Poached South African Lobster Tail, Cognac and Herb Maitre D’ Butter, Lemon Zest Buttered Panko and Toast Points. Fire and Smoke is a great date night location that serves some of the most unique dishes in Myrtle Beach.  

 

ZARDIN – A Healthy Eatery 

3077 Howard Ave., Myrtle Beach, SC  

Healthy Foods begin with the freshest ingredients and many of the items at ZARDIN are inspired by the Greek background of Chef Michael Mammola. He took his love of gardening and used those fruits and vegetables in every dish he creates because as they say, “health is wealth.” One bite of the Pear With Me Salad will have you hooked with its spring mix, kale, honeycrisp apples, pears, Bleu cheese, fresh basil, roasted almonds, pumpkin seeds, and homemade balsamic vinaigrette. The restaurant offers a wide variety of Power Bowls, Toasts, Soups, coffees, and even a few sweet treats.  

 

Dead Dog Saloon 

4079 US 17 Bus., Murrells Inlet, SC 

This long-standing Murrells Inlet restaurant is a favorite among locals and visitors all year round. With its casual ambiance and salt marsh views, it’s a great place to dine with friends and listen to live music. Chef Rex McKinney of Dead Dog Saloon has just about everything you can think of on the menu including house-made BBQ, five flavors of tacos, build-your-own burgers, and plenty of seafood. Steam Pots will please a crowd and come with your choice of steamed shrimp, Alaskan Snow Crab Legs, Clams, or all the above. Order what he calls the “holy trinity of seafood” which features a freshly made crab cake, shrimp, and scallops. Dead Dog Saloon serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  

 

Rivertown Bistro 

1111 3rd Ave., Conway, SC 

Prepare to be wowed by the season menus, fresh sushi, sandwiches, salads, and delicious specials at Rivertown Bistro. Chef Terry Flores helps to create masterpieces like Duck Confit Banh Mi, a Daily Fondue, Lowcountry Spring Rolls, and a crispy Eggplant Stack that could be a meal in itself. For lunch the Bistro has incredible Blue Plate Specials including Meatloaf, Chicken Chimichanga, BBQ Chicken, and a Fried Pork Chop. The Parmesan Encrusted Grouper never disappoints and is served over a creamy risotto cake with oyster mushrooms, sweet peppers, spinach, and capers with a white wine lemon butter sauce. This classic Conway restaurant has a private dining room, main dining room, and an upstairs patio overlooking downtown.  

 

Bar 19 Twelve 

1912 Hwy. 17 S., North Myrtle Beach, SC 

For the finest cocktails and top notch tapas look no further than Bar 19 Twelve in North Myrtle Beach. This glamorous restauarant and bar has an extensive list of bourbon, craft cocktails, and infused liquors to highlight the cooking of Chef Vinny Tumminello. He’s famous for his made-to-order deviled eggs and his Kobe beef burgers. However, the main attraction is his true Maryland-style crabcake with four ounces of Jumbo lump crab, OId Bay, a fried green tomato, and chipotle tartar. If you’re extra hungry there’s a great list of entrees like Surf and Turf with Risotto, Beef Short Rib, and Lamb Lollipops.