Some families plan a Myrtle Beach trip around the ocean, and others plan it around a plate of fried chicken. Big Mike’s Soul Food is the kind of place people remember for years, then bring their kids back to try.
One visitor first ate there in 2001, returned with young children in 2013, and came back again with those same kids all grown up. Here is what keeps that table full, one generous plate at a time.
A Down-Home Kitchen Off 16th Avenue North
Just a few blocks from the beach crowds, a modest building at 504 16th Ave N in Myrtle Beach hides one of the busiest kitchens in town. Big Mike’s Soul Food is an easygoing, down-home joint built around Southern home cooking.
Think big plates of fried chicken, collard greens, and all the sides that make a Sunday dinner feel complete.
The numbers tell part of the story. The restaurant holds a 4.3-star rating across more than 6,500 Google reviews, which is a huge pile of opinions for a casual neighborhood spot.
That kind of volume only happens when people keep showing up, eating, and telling their friends.
Many of those guests are vacationers who stumbled onto the place by searching for good food nearby. Others are longtime Myrtle Beach visitors who treat a stop here as a required part of the trip.
One couple said that after 35 years of beach vacations, they finally found their favorite meal in town.
So whether you are a first-timer with an empty stomach or a returning regular, the address is worth saving before you head out.
Three Visits Across Twenty-Five Years
Picture a Massachusetts traveler walking in for the first time in 2001, curious about real Southern cooking. Twelve years later, she came back with her younger children in tow.
Then, in 2026, she returned once more, this time with those kids grown and ready to order for themselves.
Stories like hers explain why the title of this piece mentions families. She calls the food some of the best Southern cooking she has ever tasted, and she admits to being a proud Northern Yankee.
Her family now makes sure every Myrtle Beach trip includes a stop for what she happily calls their grub.
She is far from alone. Other guests describe it as a mandatory stop and say they are already planning their next vacation around a return visit.
One person who has eaten in homes and restaurants all over the country said it might be the best food they have ever had.
That loyalty is the real secret ingredient. A restaurant can earn one good review with luck, but earning a second and third generation of fans takes steady cooking and a welcome that feels like family.
The Fried Chicken Everyone Talks About
Crispy outside, tender inside, and seasoned all the way through. That is how diners keep describing the fried chicken here, and it is the dish that headlines the menu for good reason.
One vacationer picked it as her meat and said it was tender, flavorful, and crunchy, then admitted she left completely stuffed. Another guest called the chicken juicy and paired it with collard greens and mac and cheese.
A third said everything was good, but the chicken was amazing.
That last diner made a point that matters. Many places save their best cooking for busy weekends, yet this visitor found the chicken just as good on a Monday.
Plenty of travelers arrive midweek, so consistency counts.
For the full experience, regulars suggest building a plate around the chicken with classic sides. The longtime Massachusetts fan specifically recommends fried chicken with mac and cheese and collard greens, plus the BBQ ribs if you have room.
Not every bite in the reviews is perfect, and a few guests found some dishes cooked harder on certain days. Still, the chicken remains the plate most people come back for.
Pork Chops, Whiting, and the Rest of the Fryer
Chicken may get top billing, but the fryer stays busy with plenty more. Fried pork chops come up in dozens of reviews, and one fan described them as crispy, juicy, perfectly seasoned, and flawless.
Seafood lovers have options too. The fried whiting earns praise for being well seasoned and crisp, and one guest said it pairs perfectly with potato salad and sweet tea.
Others enjoyed fish filets and noted they were nicely seasoned.
Adventurous eaters can try fried livers and gizzards. One soul food-loving couple said both had good seasoning and a satisfying crunch.
The menu also includes BBQ ribs, gumbo, chicken bog, oysters, and a seafood boil. Opinions on fish vary more than on chicken, though.
A few diners found the whiting or catfish fried too hard, and some wanted more seasoning on their fish.
A smart plan is to order your main favorite, then let someone at the table try something new. Sharing bites is half the fun at a place with this much on the menu.
Sides That Steal the Spotlight
Ask a regular about the sides and you might lose an hour. One visitor wished she had her own pan of the baked mac and cheese so she could finish every bite.
The collard greens get compared to the kind served at grandma’s house. Candied yams, mashed potatoes, cabbage, field peas, lima beans, fried okra, and rice and gravy round out the lineup.
One guest said the gravy on the rice was so good she wanted to lick the plate.
Here is a fun tip from a fan: mix the mac and cheese with the candied yams. The savory cheese and sweet yams together reportedly taste out of this world.
Vegetable lovers do well here too. One traveler ordered the veggie plate with lima beans, field peas, mac and cheese, and greens, and called it the best meal of the whole trip.
A few guests felt some batches of greens or mac and cheese needed a pinch more seasoning, and salt and pepper sit on the table for that. Reviews on the cornbread are mixed, so you may want hush puppies on the side instead.
Hush Puppies, Beignets, and That Peach Cobbler
Save room. Seriously.
The little extras at the start and end of the meal are some of the most talked-about items here.
Peach cobbler leads the pack with more mentions than any other food in reviews. Guests praise its sweetness and texture, and even a diner who was unhappy with her fish called the cobbler a winner.
Hush puppies come close behind. One visitor said that if you go, you simply have to order them, and she was still thinking about the meal months later.
Then come the beignets, which surprise a lot of people. They are croissant-style and served with butter and honey.
One couple had never tried beignets with honey before and decided they could definitely get used to it.
Wash it all down with sweet tea, which several guests call perfectly sweet. Fruit punch and Kool-Aid are also on hand for anyone wanting something colorful and cold.
Crowds, Cozy Seating, and Friendly Servers
A long line outside is usually a good sign, and here it shows up a lot. One guest noted that the pickup line is always long, which tells you plenty about the food.
Seating is limited, both indoors and out, so expect a short wait at busy times. Some diners have been placed on a list and told to wait for a text.
One couple never got their message and had to check back inside after 30 minutes, so it helps to keep an eye on the host stand.
The service, though, wins hearts. Visitors describe servers as courteous, attentive, and full of Southern hospitality.
Several mention staff members by role, like the friendly lady at the counter or a waitress who took excellent care of their table.
On packed days the team can be stretched thin. One reviewer counted just two servers handling the whole room, yet still called them warm and helpful.
The vibe suits families, road-trippers, and anyone who loves comfort food more than fancy decor. Big appetites are welcome.
Planning Your Plate: Hours, Parking, and a Final Word
Good news for hungry travelers: Big Mike’s is open six days a week. Hours run from 11 am to 9 pm Monday through Saturday, and the kitchen is closed on Sunday.
You can reach the restaurant at +1 843-712-2048 or browse the menu at bigmikessoulfood.net before you go. Calling ahead for takeout is common, though one guest still waited a bit after being told the order was ready.
Parking is tight, with a small lot. Luckily, so many people grab food to go that cars come and leave at a steady pace.
On price, diners say portions are generous and costs feel fair, with one fan noting the value for the amount of flavor on the plate. Many walk out completely full.
So is it worth the trip? Not every dish lands for everyone, and a few reviews point to off days.
But with thousands of happy guests and families returning across decades, the fried chicken and fixings here have earned a spot on your Myrtle Beach list.
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