13 South Carolina Friday Fish Fry Spots That Draw Families Weekly
In South Carolina, Friday nights mean more than just the start of the weekend; they signal fish fry time.
Families gather around tables stacked with crispy, golden fish, hush puppies, and all the fixings.
These spots have perfected the art of Friday tradition, creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere that keeps people coming back week after week.
From cozy diners to hidden local gems, every visit promises hearty portions and a taste of community that never disappoints.
1. Lee’s Inlet Kitchen
Since 1948, this Murrells Inlet institution has been frying up seafood perfection that makes people drive hours just for Friday dinner.
The calabash-style coating creates an impossibly light crunch that never feels greasy or heavy.
Families pack the wooden booths every week, with grandparents introducing grandkids to the same flounder they ate decades ago. The all-you-can-eat option turns cautious eaters into competitive champions.
Their secret involves fresh-caught local fish and a batter recipe guarded like nuclear codes. Kids get crayons and coloring sheets while parents enjoy sweet tea refills that never stop coming.
2. Sea Captain’s House
Perched right on the Myrtle Beach sand since 1962, this oceanfront gem serves fish so fresh it practically swam to your plate that morning.
The Friday crowds arrive early to snag window tables where waves crash during dinner.
Three generations often share tables here, passing down the tradition like a treasured family heirloom. The fried grouper gets raves, but regulars whisper about the flounder like it’s classified information.
Between courses, kids press their noses against glass watching surfers while parents actually relax for once. The she-crab soup starter has converted countless skeptics into believers.
3. Mr. Fish Seafood Market & Grill
Walking into this spot feels like visiting your uncle’s backyard cookout, except the fish is restaurant-quality and nobody makes you help clean up afterward. The market-to-table concept means your Friday fry features catches from that very morning.
Locals love the no-frills vibe where paper plates and plastic forks somehow make everything taste better. Kids can peek at the market side and pick their own fish, turning dinner into an educational adventure.
The portions could feed a small army, and the prices won’t require a second mortgage. Regulars know to order the whiting for maximum crunch-to-tenderness ratio.
4. Captain Benjamin’s Calabash Seafood
Buffets get a bad rap until you experience this calabash wonderland where the fried shrimp alone justifies the trip.
Fridays transform this place into a multigenerational gathering where toddlers and great-grandparents both find something to love.
The calabash style keeps everything light and crispy, never that heavy, regrettable feeling some fried foods deliver. Smart families pace themselves, but most throw caution overboard by the second plate.
Over 170 items rotate through the buffet, though the fried flounder and catfish steal the spotlight every single week. The dessert bar has ended more diets than New Year’s resolutions.
5. Crabby Mike’s Calabash Seafood
Despite the grumpy name, nothing crabby exists here except the delicious crab cakes that complement the Friday fish fry spread.
This Murrells Inlet favorite has mastered the art of keeping fried food hot and fresh despite constant crowds.
The all-you-can-eat format creates friendly competition between siblings arguing over who can eat more hushpuppies.
Parents appreciate the reasonable prices that don’t punish families for actually feeding everyone properly.
Their oyster bar adds variety for adventurous eaters, while picky kids stick safely to the perfectly golden popcorn shrimp. The staff treats regulars like extended family, remembering names and usual orders.
6. Captain George’s Seafood
Stepping inside feels like boarding a luxury cruise ship, except you’re anchored in Myrtle Beach and the captain specializes in epic Friday feasts.
The sheer scale of options overwhelms first-timers who stand frozen trying to strategize their plate arrangement. Veterans know the fried catfish station in the back corner delivers the crispiest results.
Families celebrate everything here, from report cards to retirements, making it a backdrop for countless memory-making moments.
The crab legs get attention, but the fried whiting quietly dominates as the most underrated star. Somehow they keep everything piping hot despite hundreds of diners cycling through nightly.
7. Drunken Jack’s Restaurant & Lounge
Named after a legendary pirate who supposedly buried treasure nearby, this waterfront spot serves Friday fish that’s worth more than gold doubloons.
The marsh views provide entertainment when conversation lulls, with dolphins occasionally making surprise appearances.
Families claim deck tables early, turning dinner into a sunset-watching event with exceptional fried seafood as the soundtrack.
The grouper sandwich has achieved cult status among regulars who order it even when trying to explore other menu options.
Kids love the pirate theme and parents love the full bar that makes waiting for tables far more pleasant. The fried shrimp comes piled so high it defies physics.
8. D*ad Dog Saloon
Don’t let the name scare you away because this quirky joint serves some of the most honest, delicious fried fish on the entire coast.
The dive bar aesthetic attracts an eclectic crowd where lawyers sit next to fishermen, all united by their love of perfectly fried flounder.
Fridays bring families who appreciate authenticity over fancy presentation and flavor over Instagram-worthy plating. The baskets arrive overflowing, with fries and hushpuppies threatening to cascade onto the table.
Local musicians often perform, creating a lively atmosphere that makes dinner feel like a neighborhood block party. Cards are accepted, so you can skip the ATM and head straight for the fish.
9. Hot Fish Club
Rooted in an old local tradition, this Murrells Inlet landmark elevates the fish fry concept without losing its soul or doubling the prices.
The name comes from a historic social club that gathered here generations ago, and the tradition of gathering for Friday seafood continues strong today.
Families dress up slightly more here, though nobody judges if kids arrive in beach clothes after a sandy afternoon.
The fried seafood platter could feed a small village, featuring shrimp, scallops, and whatever fish looked best that morning.
Reservations get recommended for Fridays unless you enjoy long waits, though the marsh views make time pass quickly.
10. Seewee Restaurant
Hidden in tiny Awendaw, this unassuming spot has been frying up coastal and freshwater fish since 1969, creating a Friday tradition for Charleston-area families seeking authenticity.
The building looks like it might blow away in a strong breeze, but the food keeps people returning for generations.
Fried catfish reigns supreme here, cooked with a cornmeal coating that achieves textbook Southern perfection.
The staff treats everyone like regulars, even first-timers who stumbled upon the place accidentally.
No fancy cocktails or trendy small plates exist here, just honest cooking that reminds you why simple done right beats complicated every time.
11. Old McDonald Fish Camp
Yes, the name sounds like a children’s song, but the only thing childish here is how giddy adults get over the fried catfish platters.
This North Augusta institution has served families along the Savannah River for years, maintaining standards that fancy restaurants struggle to match.
The fish camp vibe means paper towels instead of napkins and sweet tea served in mason jars that sweat in the humidity. Fridays pack the place with regulars who’ve claimed the same tables for years.
Everything gets fried to order, so patience pays dividends when that golden catfish finally arrives. The hushpuppies contain actual corn kernels, not just cornmeal, creating textural magic.
12. The Wreck of the Richard & Charlene
Built literally on the water at Shem Creek, this Mount Pleasant legend serves fish so fresh it was probably swimming past the deck that morning.
The ramshackle appearance belies the serious seafood skills happening in the kitchen every Friday night.
Families grab outdoor tables where shrimp boats unload their catches just yards away, providing dinner and a show simultaneously.
The fried flounder sandwich has converted countless visitors into permanent fans who plan beach trips around eating here.
No reservations accepted means arriving early or embracing the wait with a cold drink and waterfront views. Locals fiercely protect this gem from over-tourism.
13. Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks
Situated on actual working docks in Hilton Head, this spot offers the rare combination of tourist-friendly location with local-approved quality that usually don’t coexist peacefully.
Fridays bring families who want their kids to see where seafood actually comes from before it hits the fryer.
The fried shrimp basket arrives loaded with plump, sweet shrimp wearing golden jackets of perfection. Watching shrimpers unload their boats adds authenticity that landlocked restaurants can never replicate.
Prices stay reasonable despite the prime location, and portions ensure nobody leaves hungry or disappointed. The key lime pie provides the perfect tart finish to all that savory fried goodness.