International Cafe Brings Variety to North Myrtle Beach
By Becky Billingsley
International Cafe may be overshadowed by its shag-famous neighbors like Fat Harold's and Duck's, but this cozy North Myrtle Beach restaurant deserves its own spot in the Main Street dining hall of fame.
The restaurant and bar is recessed a bit into the buildings lining Main Street just a half-block from the ocean, which may account for it being easy to overlook. But once diners venture in and discover the extremely comfortable ambiance, fun menu, variety of beers and well-executed dishes, they don't forget about it.
International Cafe is long and narrow - to the left is a long wood bar backed by a series of carved wood shelves holding a cocktail-lover's dream of liquors. Below those bottles are several draft beer taps, and below the taps are coolers containing dozens of international bottled beer choices.
To the right are high-back wood booths where diners can spread out a little to enjoy their food and drinks. No matter which side of the aisle diners choose, everyone in the house has a good view of sports action on televisions over the bar.
The International Cafe menu is entertaining and contains much more than recipe descriptions. The laminated booklet is a monument of fun and flair with cartoons, humorous sayings, a map of the North Myrtle Beach oceanfront and clever dish descriptions.
Those dishes are indeed international and represent cuisines from throughout the world.
Appetizers range from Corn Dogs and Nachos to Quesadillas and Southwest Spring Rolls containing spicy chicken, black beans and corn that are served with Ranch dressing. The Egg Rolls are particularly delightful and come out of the kitchen piping hot and crispy. They're filled with pork and vegetables, and are accompanied by soy sauce, sweet and sour sauce, and hot mustard.
Soups include Chicken and Rice infused with Southwestern spice and served with tortillas for a pleasant crunch, classic cheesy French Onion, and Chili with cheese. Salad choices are many, such as Caesar, Buffalo Chicken and Chicken Salad.
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Of course there are burgers, and this is a fine place to experience the delicious classic South Carolina version topped with slaw and chili. And while we're talking about classic favorites, you can also order a tomato-based pulled pork sandwich topped with slaw, which combines northern and southern American barbecue recipes. Other pork-based sandwiches include Grilled Ham and Swiss, and the Oral-Yentl Express that's a triple-decker sandwich with ham, roast beef, two cheeses, lettuce, tomato and horseradish mustard on marbled rye bread.
Want to talk turkey? The Turkey Trotsky is piled high with turkey along with bacon, provolone cheese, tomatoes and Thousand Island dressing on wheat bread. If you're wondering where the beef is, it's in several sandwiches like the Open Face Roast Beef with gravy and fries, or the North Myrtle Beach Cheese Steak. If you crave even more beef, there are sandwiches built upon foundations of thinly sliced sirloin steak including one called Dracula's Last Words with Swiss cheese, sauteed onions and mushrooms.
Bratwurst is a specialty of the house that can come with a variety of toppings on a toasted bun. Bratwurst, as well as many of the sandwiches, comes with a side dish. The Potato Salad at International Cafe is a locally renowned favorite that's full of flavor and textures, including crunchy diced onion and celery.
Several bread, meat, cheese and vegetable choices make for a delightful build-your-own Panini option, and wrap lovers have similar choices. Diners who like to forgo meat have five luscious sandwich options including Grilled Cheese and Tomato, Vegetable Wrap and one called Not For The Major League where fried eggplant is covered with marinara and provolone and served on a toasted roll.
That leaves a page of seven economically priced entrees: Fettuccine Alfredo, Beef Stroganoff, Stir-Fry, Ribeye Steak, Pork Chops, Fish and Chips, and Bratwurst with Sauerkraut.
The wine list has several creditable choices, and some are offered by the glass for $5-$6. Several house shots have been created for bar patrons' sling-back pleasure such as the Thin Mint with Rumple Minze, Kahlua and cream.
And then there are the beers, and its list includes international micro brews as well as eight American classic favorites.
International Cafe is at 221 N. Main St. in North Myrtle Beach, and the number is 843-281-2325. It's open daily beginning with lunch, and there are always several lunch specials like hot dogs cooked in baked beans, or soup and sandwich deals.
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