You'll Love Visiting Lee’s Inlet Kitchen, A South Carolina Restaurant Loaded With Local History
By AnneMarie|Published September 07, 2022
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AnneMarie
Author
South Carolina has been home for AnneMarie since 2001. Her favorite part of the state is Lake Jocassee. An App State alumna, it's always the mountains; the lake bonus makes it heavenly. When not writing about the state, she may be spending time with family, relaxing by the pool, or out somewhere enjoying nature.
Since its inception in 1948, Lee’s Inlet Kitchen has remained in the same location in Murrell’s Inlet, South Carolina, and is an absolute local treasure. It is adored by both locals and travelers alike.
The last of the original Murrell’s Inlet restaurants still operated by the same family, this delightful eatery is truly a classic.
Pearl and Eford Lee moved to Murrell’s Inlet in the 1940s. They were originally from the Cool Springs area of Horry County. Before opening Lee’s Inlet Kitchen in a converted country store, Pearl worked at Garden City Grill as a waitress and Eford with the Army Corp of Engineers. He helped build the intercoastal waterway but often completed odd jobs as well to support his family of seven. After managing several restaurants together, the couple decided to open their own.
In the '60s, the Lees’ son, Bill, took over until Pearl died in 1983. Dexter and Kelly Dorman, Bill’s oldest daughter, and her husband have been running the restaurant ever since.
In the early days, Lee’s Inlet Kitchen was open every day except Christmas.
Memories passed down through the family reveal admirable perseverance through nights without a single customer gracing the restaurant’s doors. Little did the Lees know how much this would pay off.
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The smaller original structure was only big enough for ten tables.
Lee’s Inlet Kitchen is truly an amazing, American Dream success story of dedication and hard work. Before they could afford to build a house, the family even lived in an attic, where a business card later discovered showed the restaurant’s hours during that time as 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.!
Don’t worry about missing it if you’re coming to dine after dark.
Murrell’s Inlet is known as “the seafood capital of South Carolina.” Brimming with seafood selections, the Lee’s Inlet Kitchen menu represents the area’s renown well.
It has been important to Dexter and Kelly to preserve and still use the same recipes as when the restaurant opened, with the traditional Murrell’s Inlet seafood style that cannot be found anywhere else. Be sure to ask about Today’s Fresh Catch if you’re interested in a special!
You can even add seafood to your greens if you get the dinner salad, your choice of shrimp, tuna, salmon, or oysters. Yum!
Did someone say bacon? Why, yes! The Murrell’s Inlet Salty Dog, with half-rim bacon smoked salt, is just one of an interesting variety of options to choose from on the Cocktail Menu.
With such sweet history, the special thought put into the menu and preparation of food, and the cozy atmosphere, what’s not to love about this place? Oh, and if you’d like the dibs on the secret menus, pop over to the Lee’s Inlet Kitchen official website and join the VIP list! Follow Lee’s Inlet Kitchen on Facebook for more information.
Murrell’s Inlet is a nature lover’s dream, so check out the castle or over 1,400 works of art in the sculpture garden while you’re in the area.
Have you ever eaten here? If so, what did you choose from the menu? Share with us in the comments below!
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