Hilton Head Island

[fabfive]

We will be Hilton Head Island this July for 2 weeks. Looking for out of the way places to eat (more where the locals go) rather than tourist places. Last year we went to San Manguals (sp?), It's all Greek to me, Mellow Mushroom, Hudsons, Flamingo Donut and the grill at the Salty Dog. We are looking for less touristy places. Also cool inexpensive things to do besides the beach, bike riding and fishing.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

My in-laws live in HHI. I spend quit a bit of time there. Frankly, there aren't that many places that are not touristy....that's just the nature of HHI.

Our favorites for casual lunch or dinner, and the least touristy places are:
- Fiesta Fresh (a real hidden gem...we eat here almost daily...few tourists know about it)
- Kenny B's French Quarter Cafe
- Ruan Thai
- Sea Shack
- TJ's Take & Bake Pizza

Our favorites for nicer, but not super-fancy dinner:
- Truffles Cafe or Grill (visit every trip)
- Redfish
- Seagrass Grill

Favorites for special dinner:
- Old Fort Pub
- CQ's
- Robert Irvine's Eat! (The guy from Dinner Impossible/Worst Cook in America - he lives on HHI)

You can see menus for many of these places at hhidining dot com.

 

[Bob Gnuheart]

When I saw the thread topic listed I knew befoe opening it up that you were going to be from Ohio.

We live in SC - not Hilton Head - and whenever we are there it is just weird the number of Ohio license plates and Ohio transplants that are there.

I don't get it.

Also seems like 75% of the people who call themselves "parrotheads" are from Ohio.

Anyway, you can't go wrong eating at Kenny B's and Hudsons. Drive safely

 

[fabfive]

When I saw the thread topic listed I knew befoe opening it up that you were going to be from Ohio.

We live in SC - not Hilton Head - and whenever we are there it is just weird the number of Ohio license plates and Ohio transplants that are there.

I don't get it.

Also seems like 75% of the people who call themselves "parrotheads" are from Ohio.

Anyway, you can't go wrong eating at Kenny B's and Hudsons. Drive safely

That is so funny. Last year was our first visit. When we went to the beach, we parked our car and the car next to us was from our same township. They had a sticker on their car from the high school my DH and I graduated from. Maybe that is the draw for us Ohioans is that there are people there just like us. LOL You know, crazy mid-west people.

 

[dis-happy]

My in-laws live in HHI. I spend quit a bit of time there. Frankly, there aren't that many places that are not touristy....that's just the nature of HHI.

Our favorites for casual lunch or dinner, and the least touristy places are:
- Fiesta Fresh (a real hidden gem...we eat here almost daily...few tourists know about it)
- Kenny B's French Quarter Cafe
- Ruan Thai
- Sea Shack
- TJ's Take & Bake Pizza

Our favorites for nicer, but not super-fancy dinner:
- Truffles Cafe or Grill (visit every trip)
- Redfish
- Seagrass Grill

Favorites for special dinner:
- Old Fort Pub
- CQ's
- Robert Irvine's Eat! (The guy from Dinner Impossible/Worst Cook in America - he lives on HHI)

You can see menus for many of these places at hhidining dot com.

ITA with this list and will add one more favorite: Claude and Uli's which is located just over the bridge. They used to own a French restaurant on island, sold, the later re-opened this place right off-island. Wonderful French cuisine and a favorite place of locals too.

The Jazz Corner is nice too.

Think about the early bird specials---most places have them---great food at a wonderful price (usually 3 courses for around $15.), plus avoid the hour long waits that you get later in the evening. Eat early, then head back to the beach for a sunset walk.

 

[gdulaney]

For seafood, we like Captain Woody's and the Sea Shack.

Ginny

 

[fabfive]

Yes, back in the day my husband and I were both "Parrotheads". I think my DS18 was the youngest one at the concert one year when I was pregnant. The local news station carried a story on us. Cincy people are crazy for Jimmy Buffet. It is a great time at his concerts.
Fins to the Left... Get it.

 

[skw444]

Our favorite for seafood is Sea Shack. Just be warned that the wait can be very long at dinner time and the wait is all outside.

 

[bamagirl@hrt]

It's loud and touristy, but my family loves Marley's Island Grille. The fish is always fresh and they have great frozen drinks.

When we went to HHI last year, I didn't learn until after dinner on our last night that Robert Irvine has a restaurant in HHI! I would LOVE to eat there!

 

[fabfive]

I am compiling a list then I will go to the dining site and print menus so we can pick our favorites as a family. There are 5 of us and we let someone pick a day. It is a lot of fun and the kids are involved.

 

[deezeealum]

If you can't find the menus online, there is a free restaurant guide you can pick up almost anywhere on the island that has over 100 of the local restaurants with menus and prices! It also tells you where to go for breakfast and early bird specials if you are trrying to save more $. WE have been going to HHI for 38 yrs and still pick up the restaurant guide to see what is new! You could also check chowhound.com and go to the SOuthEast region board and search Hilton Head. They have some great ideas and tons of local stuff. There was a new restaurant last year called Roastfish and Cornbread and it was fantastic! Definitely a local place and always gets rave reviews. We will be going back this year!

 

[Lucky4me]

Our favorite for seafood is Sea Shack. Just be warned that the wait can be very long at dinner time and the wait is all outside.

Call ahead and place a take out order. Walk right in front of everyone in line (be prepared for dirty looks) to pick it up and either go on a picnic or take it back to your villa.
Love Sea Shack, love HH and it's killing me we didn't go this month! KILLING ME!!
(lol) It's only the 2nd time we've missed in 17 years for me, 28 for dh.

Have a great time!

 

[fabfive]

Call ahead and place a take out order. Walk right in front of everyone in line (be prepared for dirty looks) to pick it up and either go on a picnic or take it back to your villa.
Love Sea Shack, love HH and it's killing me we didn't go this month! KILLING ME!!
(lol) It's only the 2nd time we've missed in 17 years for me, 28 for dh.

Have a great time!

Love this idea. I will do that. We are about to bust at the seams we can't wait.

 

[deezeealum]

Just a reminder for everyone. We can all get a our HHI fix this weekend! The Heritage will be on CBS right from Harbour Town. Time to get our plaid on!

 

[chalee94]

There was a new restaurant last year called Roastfish and Cornbread and it was fantastic!

i'm a big fan also. the chef at roastfish and cornbread was the one who made the sea shack famous (when the food network did a segment on them) but he recently started his own place, which had yet to catch on with the tourists when i was there (it also was not in the tourist guide to HHI restaurants). i was disappointed by the sea shack last year but blown away by R&C. (could just have been a bad night for the sea shack, though.)

i also enjoyed ruan thai very much. and hinoki for sushi.

the "ferg group" restaurants like frankie bones and skull creek boathouse are probably more on the touristy side, but i still was impressed...

 

[fabfive]

At the R&C is this on the beach or should we order and go?

 

[deezeealum]

Charles I think you are referring to the Serg Group. They also own the Black Marlin.

 

[deezeealum]

At the R&C is this on the beach or should we order and go?

R&C is not on the beach and I can't recall if they do take out. But if you are trying to stretch your budget, most of the restaurants do take out and that way you save on tip and drinks!

 

[chalee94]

Charles I think you are referring to the Serg Group. They also own the Black Marlin.

yes.

i didn't try the black marlin but thought the other 2 restaurants were well run...i would give the others in the group a try based on my experience.

 

[chalee94]

R&C does have a take-out option BTW.