Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2008

life's a beach at inlet eatery

k-rae's beach house

By Ashley Morris
For Weekly Surge

setting the table

The dog days of December – when you’re mindlessly juggling shopping lists, greeting cards, holiday get-togethers, decorating duties and cookie baking – somehow seem milder during milder weather. Like on our lunch date at K-Rae’s Beach House in Murrells Inlet, where we were able to hide from our holiday horrors for about an hour on a sunny 70-degree day.

K-Rae’s new digs (moved from its former home in Garden City Beach) are boat house beachy, one block inland from the properties along the Murrells Inlet Marshwalk. I remember eating here a handful of years ago when the location was known as Hana’s, an Asian/sushi bistro. And just last year, the beach house building was Chadwick’s.

A few front steps climb up to a porch scattered with high-top tables, each set with a color candle bucket. Inside, the multi-purpose room is laid out with the bar directly in the front, the karaoke/DJ/dance area with two mounted flat-screen TVs to the right of the entrance, and an ocean of tables stretching along the right of the restaurant into a section of video games, dart tables, two La-Z Boys and a pool table in the back. Whew. That should accommodate just about every taste.

Wainscoting walls and ceiling, pretty rattan chairs, as well as windows dressed in bamboo shades finished the beach house effect. After the bartender’s joyful greeting, we sat down at a four-top ocean-blue table in the center of it all.

down the hatch

Noon called for non-alcoholic drinks of sweet tea and Diet Pepsi ($2). My son stuck to sucking down a kiddie-size pink lemonade.

K-Rae’s menu, while not mammoth by any means, had a smattering of unique items – from dips and Chili Cheese Tots or Irish Nachos (which could be named French Nachos, because the standard nacho toppings are heaped onto a pile of French fries instead of tortilla chips) to chicken tenders and chicken wings. Overall, menu item prices were very affordable.

We couldn’t resist trying the tempting Potato Pizza Pie ($7.95), red bliss garlic mashed potatoes with cheese and bacon toppings poured and then baked in an actual mini-deep dish pizza crust. And the side cup of sour cream made it simply magnifique. The potato pizza was a healthy helping and was such a yummy alternative to the standard slop of fries smothered in cheese and bacon. And we could tell the pizza dough was fresh, not frozen.

Pizza seemed to be a highlight at K-Rae’s (the words “Pizza and Subs,” after all, are slapped on the lower part of the establishment’s outdoor sign). Tons of topping choices and specialties include the Barbecue, Teriyaki, Caesar or Buffalo Chicken Pizza in 12- or 16-inch servings. We decided to go with a sub and split a baked Italian Grinder (a great deal at $5.95) stacked with ham, turkey, salami, provolone, oil, mayo, lettuce and tomato, and served with pickles and chips. The layers of deli flavors blended well between the hot grinder roll. Lots of layers at that very affordable price.

check, please

Happy hour and nights offer Karaoke with DJ Shelby Wednesday through Friday at K-Rae’s, dart nights, themed parties and live entertainment soon to come. I can also see K-Rae’s as a happening hog heaven during Bike Week, given its location, as well as its support for the annual event and appeal for biker photos on the Web site.

K-Rae’s was cute and clean, the service was merry and bright, and the food was tasty and filling. With tight quarters (juxtaposed locations of the bar and dining area), I’m sometimes leery of trying to lunch smoke-free at a place like K-Rae’s. But we had such a pleasant visit, that I have no fear of returning to K-Rae’s Beach House any time of day.

K-Rae’s Beach House is located at 4078 U.S. 17 Business, Murrells Inlet. Hours are noon-until Tuesday through Friday and noon to 2 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. For additional info, call 651-2869 or visit www.kraes.com.

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