Friday Finds – Johnny D’s, Myrtle Beach

Last night you arrived into your beautiful condo rental in Myrtle Beach and today is your first official day of vacation! Waking up to the mesmerizing sunrise and beach sounds has your stomach starting to rumble. It’s breakfast time and you’re ready for your first taste in Myrtle Beach!

With over dozens of breakfast and brunch options along the Grand Strand, one might be overwhelmed in which one to choose. Our selection of choice is Johnny D’s Waffles & Bakery!

Chosen by the Food Network in 2018 as the Best Waffles in South Carolina, the restaurant(s) have taken the beautiful art of breakfast and lunch and perfected it into a worthwhile and memorable tasting experience!

Jason and I were able to visit Johnny D’s Waffles & Bakery Myrtle Beach location this past Monday morning. Immediately walking into the joint, we felt right at home with the comfortable beach styled interior and “diner vibe” feel.

As excited as Jason and I were to choose what tasty breakfast choice we wanted to try, we both were on a mission to see what all the hype was regarding the famous red velvet waffle! We chose it as our breakfast “appetizer.”  As the red velvet waffle made its way over to our table, our mouths started watering.

We suddenly became those people who started organizing the silverware and table appropriately to get a worthy instagram photo of this beaut! After a few minutes of just gazing upon this cream cheese icing, red velvet cake batter waffle goodness, we needed to see if it tasted as excellent as it looked. We split the waffle in half and dug right in.

The only word that I can come up with to explain this waffle is “unforgettable.” Believe me, this was unlike anything that I had ever tried. Jason just kept repeating, “It’s tough to believe that this is actually breakfast.” We now understand why Johnny D’s Waffles & Bakery was voted Best Waffle in South Carolina!

As you read this post, you may be thinking, “Glad you enjoyed this red velvet waffle, but is this all Johnny D’s Waffle has to offer?”

My answer would be a flat out no. The menu has over a hundred options ranging from premium breakfast omelettes, one-of-a-kind french toast treats, and classic eggs benedict. There are three available menus (early bird, breakfast, lunch) which can be viewed here.  For anyone with dietary specific restrictions, Johnny D’s Waffles & Bakery also offers a wide selection of gluten free options and recipes made with cage free eggs and antibiotic free chicken.  Jason, being the true southern breed gentleman that he is chose the classic Chicken & Waffles option. I tried the satisfying Turkey Delight Omelette.

While there, I also had the enjoyment of meeting with the renowned and lively Chef Jamie Daskalis! Originally from New York, Jamie began working in the culinary world from the ground up through her father’s four restaurants near the big apple. With over fifteen years of experience in the food industry and a degree in Baking and Pastry from the Culinary Institute of America, Jamie’s knowledge and passion for the trade expands far and wide.

When asked about what her favorite part is of heading Johnny D’s Waffles & Bakery, automatically she said, “the customer’s reactions!” Jamie is all about providing satisfaction, surprise, and excellence to everyone who walks through her doors.  She has personally chosen every item on the menu and is constantly looking to advance new menu options fit for her customers delight.

When not driving the Johnny D’s Waffles & Bakery train, you can find Jamie being a powerful activist for Autism Awareness in the community and spending quality time with her seven year old autistic son, James. In the restaurant, they are currently selling t-shirts and bracelets to raise support for two local organizations, Champion Autism Network and SOS Health Care. Learning more about Jamie and her amazing passions for the community made Johnny D’s Waffles & Bakery even more set apart from the other local restaurants in the area. When asked what is on the horizon, Jamie hinted at a new cookbook coming out in 2019 featuring over 90 recipes with less than 140 ingredients and a possible new business venture.

Now that you have a quick glimpse into the powerhouse behind the delicious restaurant and review of a few tasty options being offered, it’s time you actually have a taste for yourself!

We know your stomach is still grumbling and ready for some tasty breakfast on your next Myrtle Beach vacation. Treat yourself and head on over to one of the two Johnny D’s Waffles & Bakery locations in the Myrtle Beach and North Myrtle Beach area. Jason and I might see you there!

Restaurant hours, information, and social media outlets are listed below.
Johnny D’s Waffles – Myrtle Beach Location: 33rd Ave North Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 Hours: 6:30 AM-2:00PM

North Myrtle Beach Location: 3900 Hwy 17 South, North Myrtle, SC 29582 Hours: 6:30 AM-2:30 PM

Website: http://johnnydswafflesandbakery.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnnydswafflesandbakery/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnnydswaffles/?hl=en

Twitter: https://twitter.com/johnnydswaffles

About Alison Lashower

Originally from New York, Alison moved to the Myrtle Beach area with her family twelve years ago. Gamecock at heart, she graduated from the University of South Carolina with a marketing and entrepreneurship degree in May of 2017. When Alison is not spending time taking photographs around the Myrtle Beach area, you can find her writing, dancing, or on some type of adventure. Fun fact, she just spent this past year living abroad in Cape Town, South Africa!

Friday Finds – Topgolf Myrtle Beach

Topgolf Myrtle Beach

Topgolf Myrtle Beach

In this week’s thrilling edition of Friday Finds, your heroes visit a brand new attraction that is sure to lure  tons of golfers, families, and anyone looking to have a great time on their Myrtle Beach Vacation. Today, we visit Topgolf Myrtle Beach and get the scoop on this amazing venue.

Topgolf is more than a state of the art driving range, complete with micro-chipped golf balls, distance calculators, climate controlled bays, and everything golfers of all skills could desire – it’s a total entertainment complex! Before I delve into the details, let me first say one thing: This place is amazing! With so many features for every type of traveler, it’s easy to see why this is going to be a big hit with those looking for entertainment options outside their Myrtle Beach Condo Rental.

Topgolf now has it’s 53rd location with the Myrtle Beach Venue. This over 55,000 entertainment complex has over 100 HD screens for sports enthusiasts, multiple bars, a chef-driven menu, and even a conference room for business outings. One of the best features is the comfortably seated patios that overlook nearby Broadway at the Beach. They play classic and contemporary music that adds to the entertaining ambience. Did I mention this place was amazing?

The staff is very informed, attentive, and promote having a great time in a safe environment. We spoke with their marketing manager, Mikayla, who expects big things for 2019. She let us know of upcoming events that include college nights, family specials, and themed celebrations. She also let us know of other locations coming this year to Greenville and even Dubai! Topgolf is going to be a big win for Myrtle Beach as yet another entertainment option for everyone.

Topgolf is located at 2850 Robert M. Grissom Parkway in Myrtle Beach. It’s easy to get to and right across from Broadway at the Beach. You can visit topgolf.com/myrtlebeach, facebook.com/myrtlebeach or @Topgolf on Twitter and Instagram.

Be sure to check out Topgolf Myrtle Beach on your next Myrtle Beach Vacation and book with Palmetto Vacation Rentals. 888-808-2788.

View our Topgolf visit HERE

Jason Coker is originally from the metropolis of Burlington, NC and is passionate about vacation rentals. Having served on the front lines of a premier vacation rental company, Jason has a great understanding of all aspects of this fantastic industry. An aficionado of music, sports, and all things geeky, Jason spends his free time performing music, grilling out, and relaxing with his son, daughter, and lovely wife, Amy.

Friday Finds – Hi-Fi Coffee Bar

In this week’s edition of Friday Finds, Alison and I made our way down the storied Myrtle Beach Boulevard where we visited a truly unique Myrtle Beach coffee shop. Hi-Fi Coffee bar started as a project for businessman, Chris Walker, who has a great love for art and nostalgia.

Everyone Loves INXS!

What makes Hi-Fi different than your run-of-the-mill coffee shop is the fantastic, comfortably retro aesthetic that makes you feel right at home. Here you’ll find a large collection of vinyl records (patrons can pick out and play at their leisure), a muli-cade arcade machine complete with Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, Frogger, and more, and a hodgepodge of cassette tapes. You’ll also find framed album covers, and Atari 2600 cartridges, and even a 1980’s handheld football game. It’s all tastefully placed and never feels cluttered. What a great place to reminisce, unwind, or contemplate life’s mysteries!

Fresh Ingredients and Retro Decor

The atmosphere is all well and good, but let’s get to the real reason we visited today: The Coffee. Our barista Connor, was excellent in explaining the many options that they have and let us know that if we “Ever thought of being Mad Scientists, working as a barista is a great start!”. Soon, I saw what he meant as he went to work on my Caramel Frappe and Alison’s Coffee Frappe. Connor and his colleagues take great pride in producing the perfect cup for each order and it was entertaining to see the caffeine concoctions come to life. Boy did they ever! Both Frappes were better than anything we’ve had at that larger, ubiquitous coffee empire. Definitely Hi-Octane in nature, they helped us shake off the afternoon cobwebs.

Free to play. Who could ask for more?

The next time you visit the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk, definitely step in for a cold or hot treat that will help you get to where you’re going!

Hi-Fi Coffee bar is located at 918a, Ocean Blvd in Myrtle Beach and are open 9 a.m. to Midnight.

Follow them on Facebook HERE
and their website HERE

Jason Coker is originally from the metropolis of Burlington, NC and is passionate about vacation rentals. Having served on the front lines of a premier vacation rental company, Jason has a great understanding of all aspects of this fantastic industry. An aficionado of music, sports, and all things geeky, Jason spends his free time performing music, grilling out, and relaxing with his son, daughter, and lovely wife, Amy.

Friday Finds – The Uncommon Chocolatier

The highest quality of ingredients and flavors!

Welcome to our first installment of Palmetto Vacation Rentals “FRIDAY FINDS”. Each week we’ll be visiting local businesses and attractions, bringing visitors to the Grand Strand a taste of new places to visit and focusing on attractions that are off the beaten path.

This week we visited “The Uncommon Chocolatier” a brand new fudgery located in the heart of The Market Common in Myrtle Beach. Made from the finest ingredients, The Uncommon Chocolatier offers a variety of handmade fudge, chocolates, and gift items.

Fudge is a staple of Myrtle Beach shops, restaurants, and markets. For half a century, travelers have been able to find fudge at mom and pop stores all along the Grand Strand. Usually only offering Chocolate and a few other flavors to eager travelers, the fudge presence here is as ubiquitous (and drab) as saltwater taffy, hermit crabs, and $99 cent shark tooth necklaces. But, No longer! Today, Alison and myself have discovered a culinary pleasure that would make Gordon Ramsay silent with content.

Originating in Pittsburgh, The Uncommon Chocolatier was started by Christine Falvo. Christine was inspired by her mother, Teresa and now has a third generation of fudge makers in her granddaughter, Elle, whom we spoke with this afternoon.

With over 35 varieties of fudge, chocolate-dipped fruit, and even specialty items, such as chocolate footballs, you can easily spend a whole day sampling and debating which is your favorite. Good luck, though – they are ALL fantastic! Some of the most amazing taste combinations and textures can be had such as: Crème Brule, raspberry cheesecake, cherry bourbon, chocolate strawberry, birthday cake, bananas foster, peanut butter, mint chocolate, red velvet, and “Unicorn Poo” (Cotton Candy – it’s delicious, I swear!).

The décor of the establishment is classic and inviting and is only rivaled by the breathtakingly artistic designs and textures of the main attraction – the fudge. Great care is taken by their artisans Elle and Brittany as you’ll find candy, nuts, and other delectable toppings that make it almost too pretty to eat – ALMOST!

The next time you are near The Market Common, take time to stop in and sample this very unique delight on the Grand Strand. You’ll be glad you did!

You can find the Uncommon Chocolatier at 3351 Reed Street in the Market Common. Be sure to like and follow them on Facebook under “The Uncommon Chocolatier”.

Jason Coker is originally from the metropolis of Burlington, NC and is passionate about vacation rentals. Having served on the front lines of a premier vacation rental company, Jason has a great understanding of all aspects of this fantastic industry. An aficionado of music, sports, and all things geeky, Jason spends his free time performing music, grilling out, and relaxing with his son, daughter, and lovely wife, Amy.