Creek RatZ Sets Vacation Tone
With a laid-back ambiance reminiscent of a riverside fishing shack, frequent live music, a casual menu full of fresh seafood and a deliciously gorgeous view of the serene waters of Murrells Inlet, Creek RatZ has the components of a vacation spot. Even if you're a local, you'll feel like you're on vacation at least as long as the meal lasts.
Inside is a bar and several wood tables, plus an oversized chalkboard wall where children enjoy coloring and drawing. The transition from inside to the deck is an open wall, bringing the outdoors in.
The outdoor dining patio is where live entertainment takes places several nights per week, and it's surrounded by a lush green lawn that abuts the Murrells Inlet Marsh Walk. Diners there get to enjoy the ever-changing hues of the water, plus watch sea birds and boat traffic.
Appetizers are designed for comfortably pleasing palates, such as Boneless or Bone-in Wings (Buffalo, teriyaki, garlic parmesan, Jamaican jerk), Deep-fried Calamari served with marinara, Crab-stuffed Mushrooms, Fish Nuggets, Fried Dill Pickle Chips and Fried Okra. A local favorite appetizer that's perfect for sharing is house-made Pimento Cheese Dip served with chips.
Every October a chili competition, called the Chilympics, takes place in Murrells Inlet. On cold winter nights, frigid bones are warmed by soups and hearty chilis, and all the inlet chefs are adept at fish stews, chowders, chili and soups. At CreekRatZ the specialties are Black Bean Chili and Murrells Inlet Clam Chowder.
But then there are those sultry summer days when just the thought of eating hot food makes you break out in a sweat. On those occasions, CreekRatZ salads fill a welcome niche.
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Salad choices include Chicken Salad over greens, Classic Caesar that can be topped with chicken or shrimp, Greek Salad served with red skin potato salad, pepperoncinis and feta, and Grilled Pizza Salad with a wealth of toppings including pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms, onions, peppers and cheeses.
Good old Fried Baskets are served here, and they come with fries, slaw and hushpuppies. Those baskets can be filled with Crab Cakes, Fried Flounder Fillet, Shrimp, Mahi-Mahi and Oysters. If you've never before had the cluster oysters harvested from Murrells Inlet, they are a salty treat.
Seafood basket combos are also available along with a surf and turf option. Others prefer their baskets filled with Chicken Strips that can be grilled, fried, Buffalo style, blackened or Jamaican jerk.
Fried seafood can also be placed in a long soft bun to create a regional favorite called Po' Boys. In addition to flounder, oysters and shrimp, diners can also choose a Clam Strip Po' Boy.
Of course sandwiches are served at this casual spot, with fries and a dill pickle, and a few choices include Barbecue Bacon Cheeseburger, Chicken Salad Melt, Crab Cake Sandwich, Fish Taco with chipotle ranch dressing and Sloppy Joe. Of special note are the Creek Rat Reuben with spicy shrimp; and a Yellow Fin Tuna Philly served with onions, mozzarella and Cheddar.
In the days when Murrells Inlet was a quiet fishing village, shrimp was considered poor folks' food because it was an easily harvested staple. These days the dish has been elevated to a coveted entree status, and at Creek RatZ the seasoned grilled shrimp are served over Cheddar cheese grits.
Children have a variety of selections, from Macaroni and Cheese and Chicken Fingers to Fried Shrimp or Fish.
As the sun sets and casts a net of glimmer across the inlet, meals can end with Murrells Inlet Wedding Cake, which is a warm Moon Pie topped with ice cream, whipped cream and chocolate sauce.
Creek RatZ is at 4065 U.S. 17 Business in Murrells Inlet, and the phone number is 843-357-2891. It's open daily for lunch and dinner.
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