The Bent Rod Restaurant, McClellanville, SC

We were on our way back to North Myrtle Beach from Charleston, SC. We had spent the entire day at Patriots Point and by this time we were starving. The Bent Rod, located in McClellanville, SC, was the first eatery that showed on Google maps. McClellanville is a small fishing community with a population of approximately five hundred. The town sits directly on the east coast just north of Bulls Bay, and currently, it was our next stop.

The place looks small from the outside and it doesn't particularly stand out from its surroundings. In fact, if you aren’t paying attention then you may drive by and miss the place all together. On the inside, the owners have done a fantastic job of creating a cool vibe and an enjoyable atmosphere with limited space. They have also incorporated an open-air bar and added patio seating to maximize capacity.

When we arrived, I asked our server if they serve local seafood, I was assured that they do. Our server said that they purchase the bulk of their seafood from a local marina Just around the corner. This is the trend along the entire east coast, where there are several small fishing communities and a lot of great local restaurants. As a result, it is in this area that you can find some of the freshest and best seafood in the world. In my opinion of course.  

We started with the truffle fries; they were good but too oily for my taste. One of the locals overheard our conversation and recommended the shrimp his wife recommended the flounder. In the end, my wife ordered the shrimp, and I chose the flounder, so that we could try both. The portions were large, and everything was cooked perfectly. We had more than enough to eat and even left a few bites on our plates.

The Bent Rod is a wonderful place to stop and have some authentic local dishes. I also get the feeling that this would be a great place to enjoy a beer and try some local bar foods. If you are traveling along highway 17, the Bent Rod is worth a visit.


The Bent Rod