This Giant South Carolina Italian Deli Has Enough Imported Meats And Cheeses For A Full-Day Feast

Corned beef and pastrami from the Carnegie Deli get shipped from New York to a coastal market in South Carolina. Yes, that Carnegie Deli.

I still can’t get over that one.

The cheese case is just as bold. It holds around 150 varieties, many of them imported.

That’s a lot of choices for one grocery run.

Then there’s the rest of the place. A lobster tank, a butcher shop, fresh sfogliatelle, and shelves of imported pasta all share one roof.

I like how it feels like a little slice of the Northeast landed near the beach.

The founders started with a simple produce stand. Customers kept asking for more, and they kept saying yes.

So how much can one market really hold before lunch turns into dinner?

A Produce Stand Grew Into A Northeast-Style Feast Hall

Back in 1999, Lee’s Farmers Market started out as a humble produce stand. Founders Scott Lee and Ed “Skeeter” Dombrowski weren’t Italian, but they were proud Northeast transplants.

Their goal was clear and pretty delicious. They wanted to bring classic Jersey and New York flavor to the South Carolina coast.

Dombrowski had a background in produce, so fruits and vegetables came first. Then shoppers started asking for cheeses and Italian imports.

The owners listened, and the shelves kept growing.

That customer-driven story explains a lot about the place today. It doesn’t feel planned by a corporate office in some faraway tower.

It grew one request at a time, like a family recipe that keeps getting better.

I believe that’s why the market feels so personal. Every new section seems to answer someone’s craving for a taste from back home.

For you, that means variety you won’t expect from a spot with a farmers market name. You get a deli, a butcher, a bakery corner, seafood, and an Italian grocery.

Honestly, calling it just a farmers market is like calling a lasagna just noodles.

Carnegie Deli Pastrami Made The Trip South Just For You

New York’s famous Carnegie Deli corned beef and pastrami travel all the way to Murrells Inlet. That’s a long road trip for a sandwich, and it pays off.

The deli at Lee’s Farmers Market uses those meats to build genuine Carnegie Deli sandwiches. Think corned beef piled high on rye, the kind of stack that needs two hands and a plan.

Pastrami fans have a reason to plan a whole outing here. A sandwich like this isn’t something you find on every corner of South Carolina.

The deli also serves other popular sandwiches beyond the Carnegie classics. That gives everyone in your group a fair shot at something they love.

Here’s a smart move for your visit. Head over around lunch, grab your sandwich, and then shop with a happy stomach.

Hungry shopping leads to a cart full of everything, and the cheese case won’t help your willpower.

Also, keep the market hours in mind. The doors open Monday through Saturday, from 7 AM to 5 PM.

Sunday is a day off, so don’t let a weekend craving catch you by surprise.

About 150 Cheeses Are Waiting To Test Your Decision Skills

One hundred fifty. That’s roughly how many cheese varieties fill the case, many of them international and imported.

The market calls this part of its Old-World Favorites, and the name fits. You can wander through classic Italian styles and plenty of options from across Europe.

Planning a charcuterie board? This is your launch pad.

Pair a few cheeses with imported meats from the deli, and your platter basically builds itself.

My best tip is simple. Pick one cheese you know and love, then add one you’ve never tried before.

That mix keeps your board familiar but still exciting.

Bringing a game plan helps too. Decide how many people you’re feeding before you start pointing at wedges.

Otherwise, you might go home with enough cheese for a small Italian village.

I like how this case turns a regular grocery trip into a tiny adventure. You can taste your way around the world without leaving South Carolina.

Not bad for a stop off a busy highway, right?

Just remember a cooler bag if you’re heading back to a beach rental. Coastal heat and cheese aren’t best friends.

Dinner Is Basically Done Once You Hit The Grab-And-Go Case

Cooking on vacation sounds fun until you’re sandy, tired, and starving. Good Food to Go at Lee’s Farmers Market solves that problem nicely.

The prepared lineup includes homemade tomato pies, eggplant Parmesan, and meatballs. There are also fresh lump crab cakes, which feel perfect for a coastal dinner.

Tomato pie deserves a special mention. This Southern favorite layers ripe tomatoes with a creamy, cheesy filling and a flaky crust, creating the kind of comfort food South Carolina knows and loves.

It’s a delicious reminder that Lee’s Farmers Market celebrates more than its Northeast roots. Some of the best finds here come straight from Southern food traditions.

These dishes work great for families staying in rentals along the Grand Strand. You can heat things up, set the table, and look like a kitchen hero.

Nobody needs to know you skipped the chopping.

The café also offers daily specials, so the choices change. That makes repeat visits feel a little like checking a surprise menu.

A smart plan is grabbing tonight’s dinner during your lunch stop. Then you’re free to enjoy the rest of the afternoon without worrying about meals.

One stop, two meals, zero stress. That’s my kind of math.

Save Room, Because Sfogliatelle And Cannoli Are Calling

Sfogliatelle are those shell-shaped Italian pastries with crisp, flaky layers. Finding them in coastal South Carolina feels like a sweet little miracle.

Lee’s Farmers Market carries them alongside fresh bread and ready-to-fill cannoli. That last detail is a fun one for home dessert makers.

Ready-to-fill cannoli let you add the filling right before serving. That keeps the shells crunchy instead of soggy.

It’s a small step that makes a big difference at the table.

Kids especially love helping with this job. Hand them a spoon and some filling, and dessert becomes an activity.

Just expect a few to vanish before they reach the plate.

The fresh bread belongs in your basket too. It pairs beautifully with the deli meats, the imported cheeses, and any of the prepared Italian dishes.

If you’re building that full-day feast, the bakery corner closes the loop. Breakfast pastry, lunch bread, and dessert can all come from one stop.

I can’t imagine a better way to end an Italian-style spread in South Carolina than a crunchy cannoli.

Long Hots And Broccoli Rabe Prove The Farmers Market Name Still Counts

Long hots, broccoli rabe, and fava beans aren’t everyday grocery finds down South. Here, they sit right alongside seasonal fruits and vegetables.

Produce is where this whole story began, so it makes sense the market still takes it seriously. The team sources tomatoes year-round, which is good news for sandwich lovers.

Long hots are a Philly and Jersey favorite. Many cooks fry them up and serve them with sharp cheese or tuck them into sandwiches.

Spotting them here is a clear nod to the founders’ Northeast roots.

Broccoli rabe brings a pleasant bitter bite. It’s tasty sautéed with garlic and olive oil, then tossed with pasta or sausage.

Fava beans show up for spring-style Italian dishes. They take a little prep work, but they’re worth the effort.

Selection changes with the seasons, so flexibility helps. Go in with a loose idea, then let the bins decide your menu.

That approach turns dinner into a fun experiment. Besides, how often do you get to say you cooked with long hots near the beach?

A Lobster Tank And A Butcher Counter Upgrade Your Grill Night

Live lobsters swim in a tank at the seafood section. Fair warning, kids may want to name them.

Seafood options also include jumbo shrimp and crabs. Oysters and mussels show up in season, so the lineup shifts through the year.

Right nearby, a dedicated butcher shop handles fine cuts of meat. It also offers European-style specialties, which fit the market’s Old-World flavor.

Together, these two counters can power a serious cookout. Picture steaks for the adults and shrimp skewers for everyone else.

Okay, you don’t have to picture it, just shop for it.

A smart tip is asking the staff for help when you’re unsure. The team here has a reputation for being friendly and helpful.

They can point you toward a cut that fits your recipe.

Staying near the coast makes seafood feel extra fitting. Murrells Inlet sits right by the water, after all.

Grabbing fresh shrimp or crabs here keeps your dinner tied to the area. Pair it with crusty bread from the bakery, and your grill night suddenly feels fancy.

Pasta Aisles Here Could Stock An Entire Nonna’s Pantry

Shelves at Lee’s Farmers Market overflow with imported pastas, canned goods, and olive oils. It’s the kind of aisle that makes home cooks slow way down.

Gourmet groceries cover everyday needs and special projects alike. You can grab a basic box of spaghetti or hunt for something new for Sunday sauce.

Olive oil gets real attention here. Having several to compare lets you pick one for cooking and another for drizzling.

Little choices like that can quietly lift a whole meal.

Canned goods matter more than people think. A good can of tomatoes forms the backbone of many Italian sauces.

Stocking up here gives your future dinners a strong head start.

My advice? Bring a list, then leave room for one wild card.

Maybe it’s a pasta shape you’ve never cooked. Maybe it’s a jar you can’t pronounce yet.

Shopping like this turns a vacation errand into a souvenir run. Edible souvenirs beat refrigerator magnets every time.

Plus, they remind you of your South Carolina trip long after the tan fades.

Plan Your Party Spread Around This Highway 17 Stop

Feeding a crowd gets easier with the deli’s catering service. The menu features scratch-made salads, including macaroni salad and potato salad.

Those classic sides pair perfectly with deli sandwiches. Add a tray of cheeses and cured meats, and your party table looks ready for a family reunion.

Finding the market is simple. Lee’s Farmers Market sits at 4883 Highway 17 Bypass North, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576.

It’s an easy stop for anyone heading up or down the Grand Strand.

Timing matters, though. The market runs year-round, Monday through Saturday, from 7 AM to 5 PM.

It’s closed on Sundays, so plan Saturday pickups for weekend gatherings.

Catering works for birthdays, beach house dinners, or game days. Reach out ahead of time so the team can prepare your order.

I believe this is where the full-day feast idea really comes together. Breakfast pastries, a towering lunch sandwich, an Italian dinner, and party sides all live under one roof.

South Carolina has many food stops, but few cover a whole day this well. Your only real job is bringing enough appetite and enough cooler space.