Bubba's Fish Camp & Smokehouse — Restaurant in Myrtle Beach

I went there with my family for one thing, and one thing only. I wanted some crab legs! We've seen them advertise the 1 or 2 cluster crab leg dish. We got there and found parking easy, there is a small lot right there. It's easier to get in than it is to get out, because the spots are a little shallow (sedan and compact car should have no issue, but larger SUV might need to be careful backing up). The place wasn't super busy (which, at 5pm on a Friday, should have been a bit of a red flag) so we were seated pretty quickly. Our party was 2 adults, 1 teen, and one smaller child. Menu selections looked good, they do offer a little bit of everything for everyone. But, like I said, I was there for some good seafood. When the waiter went around and asked what everyone wanted, I put in my order for the crab clusters. He shook his head, and at first I didn't notice it, but it dawned on me - as he walked off to check if they had any, while saying they've been out for a while and he wasn't sure if they got any back in. He came back and confirmed that they still don't have any crab. Major bummer, because it's still on the menu (despite "being out for a while"). Reluctantly picked the fried shrimp plate. Big mistake. Taste wise, it wasn't half bad - but it should be noted that the fries were barely warm, the hush puppies were hard and dry, the breading on the shrimp was soggy and crumbling off (a sign that the previously frozen shrimp may have thawed a bit before being chucked into the fryer) and it sucked up A LOT of the fryer grease. The cole slaw was watery, but it tasted good. Nice and crisp! The waiter didn't seem too interested in really serving us, and part of our order came out significantly later than the other 3 plates. Not that big of a deal, but it was sort of brushed off as there being a new cook in the back who "wasn't aware of how the burger process worked" (not sure what, exactly, that means). None of our food was very good, we sort of picked at it all and brought the rest home to maybe throw to the dogs. After all, the bill with tip came to almost $100. A bit pricey for food that was on the lower side of average, honestly. We just wanted to get out of there and put the meal behind us. How I wish I could say the super greasy food didn't linger, but we all feel rather awful right now. Thinking maybe the fryer grease could've used a good change, as you can taste when it's old and on the cusp of needing to be completely disposed of (and not just strained out and reused). Thoroughly disappointed, and I'm not one to really be so vocal about a meal that didn't meet my expectations. This is a touristy place, I guess. Given it's close proximity to the attractions and such, it could be a good little place to maybe grab a quick small bite - but I wouldn't recommend it for a meal you're looking to enjoy. And, to top it all off, when they bring the bill - it's on a wrist point of payment unit, and they hold it while your card is run and they wait (and watch) for your tip amount. You also don't get a receipt of any sort. So, that's something to keep in mind. I see that others have loved it there, I just don't share that same sentiment. This isn't a place I'd take a date, for sure. At least not if I wanted there to be a second date. Just my two cents. Maybe I'll change my tune after the Pepto and Pray moments we're all feeling right now, but for now we won't be returning there...

Decided to give this place a try our last night in town. Got there at around 7:30 and waited about 5 minutes for a table. There was a guy singing and playing guitar by the host stand and what he lacked in singing talent he made up for with volume.

This is a DDI restaurant (River City Cafe, Nacho Hippo, etc) so they have the brown paper on the table which is great for the kids to color and stay occupied. Our waiter came and got our drink order and then our food order.

We ordered the hush puppies with honey butter to start. If you’ve been to Salty Dog Cafe or any other purveyor of Carolina style hush puppies you’ll be sorely disappointed by these. Dense, flavorless and served with tiny foodservice packets of honey butter(?) spread.

To make matters worse these came after a very long wait and only about 5 minutes before our entrees. Our waiter had put in the kids order with the appetizer which was appreciated but all for naught since the kitchen couldn’t produce it any sooner. During this long wait no refills were brought as our waiter was busy with probably too many tables. They seemed pretty understaffed for a Saturday night.

My wife got the pulled pork platter which is probably the value on the menu. A large portion of some decent pulled pork bbq, fries, a small cup of beans, some slaw and hush puppies for $16.99. She really liked the beans as well.

I got the Going Overboard platter because I really wanted a lot of seafood. It comes with a piece of salmon, blackened mahi, fried oysters, fried shrimp, fries, slaw and (sigh) more hush puppies.

The fried oysters were good but many were way over breaded so you got a mouthful of mushy undercooked batter with some of them. The fried shrimp were good. The salmon was overcooked but frankly I expected that at a place like this. The Mahi was overcooked as well but the blackening seasoning was very good. All in all it’s a very generous, flavorful meal but could stand some refinement.

The kids meals were fine and very generous for the price. They were happy.

The atmosphere was mostly just TVs. They had tons around the bar showing sports and then large jumbo screens on the walls showing random underwater and adventure scenes. All in all the food isn’t bad and with seafood and BBQ they have something for everyone but there is really nothing special about the food or service.

Seems to be the...

My wife and I normally have a great experience at Bubba’s Fishcamp and Smokehouse in Myrtle Beach but today we had a horrible experience and will not be returning. When we first entered the restaurant, I was overwhelmed by the loud, head-banging music that was being played. Not only was the music too loud but I don’t think it was being played for the patrons as there was one older couple, one younger couple, and one young family with four children in the restaurant when we arrived. My guess is that the staff chose the music that was being played in total disregard to the tastes of their customers. After being seated I asked the music to be turned down as I am a disabled combat Veteran with hearing issues and this was met with some resistance and a laugh by our server Kelsey and the manager. After being seated we were given our menus which were extremely sticky, unsanitary, and left a residue on my hand. There was a stain on one of the menus (see attached photo). I guess the staff here do not have time to wipe down the menus even though the restaurant was not that busy and the manager had time to socialize and play on his phone but not attend to more important job-related duties! After my food arrived, I had to ask for paper towels as there were only a couple of rolls in the bar area but none near where I was seated. I ordered the rib plate, and the ribs and coleslaw were very good, but the fries were too salty and I could not eat all of the fries. While I was eating, I was asked by the “photographer” if we wanted to have our picture taken. I politely declined as this is the second time recently I was asked in a restaurant to have my picture taken in an effort to extort more money out of me for a photo I could take myself and print at home or a local CVS for a lot cheaper. Don’t the restaurants make enough money off us from the food and alcohol we purchase where they don’t need to resort to tourist trap tactics in an effort to make more money? It is unfortunate that Bubba’s did not live up to our expectations we had based on our prior experience. Hopefully management will make the necessary changes to return this restaurant back to its...