Where the Chef’s Eat: An Interview With Chef Jamie Daskalis of Johnny D’s

With over 1,800 restaurants along the Grand Strand, deciding where to dine can be daunting. Thankfully, we have Chef Jamie Daskalis from Johnny D’s Waffles and Bakery, to tell us her favorite Myrtle Beach area spots.

Johnny D’s has two locations—in Myrtle Beach at King’s Hwy and 33^rd Avenue North and in North Myrtle Beach at King’s Hwy and 40^th Avenue South. Both serve up great benedicts, a fun assortment of waffles, and an extensive list of local favorites. Chef Jamie grew up in the restaurant industry, working for her father’s diners in New Jersey and New York.

First, her father fell in love with Myrtle Beach while on vacation and decided to move to the area, then Chef Jamie followed after she too couldn’t resist the charms of the Grand Strand. Since opening up her restaurant--named after her father--she has been named a 2020 Chef Ambassador for the state of South Carolina and published a cookbook called “Making It Delicious.”

One of her favorite area restaurants is Sol Cocina Mexicana in Pawleys Island. She says after seeing their beautiful Instagram account, she visited and was blown away. It has an open kitchen where you can see the husband and wife owners making your dish to order. Try their guacamole, tuna ceviche, pork tacos, and salmon.

Another favorite of Chef Jamie, and her son, is Joey Doggs Burgers & Fries in Surfside Beach, SC. This is a mom and pop stop for burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, and wings. Her go-to order is a hamburger with pickles, sautéed onions, mushrooms, and jalapenos with a side of fries and ranch. The onion rings are a must-try!

Costa Coastal Kitchen & Bar in Murrells Inlet is the perfect spot for date night or families. This Italian restaurant has fresh seafood and an extensive craft cocktail menu that perfectly complements the dishes.

If you can’t decide where to eat in Myrtle Beach, try a restaurant approved by a chef!

Find more Myrtle Beach area restaurants.