Step Up Your (Gourmet) Game
I love this time of year. Spring break, longer days, March Madness, family and friends coming to the Grand Strand. Time to fire up the grill and kick off the season in high style.
We're not just gonna eat. We're gonna eat like a champion today.
For times like these, a trip to the grocery store or Costco/Sam's Club just isn't enough. I'm talking quality over quantity here, and if that's your mission, too, then a quick drive to Murrells Inlet will do the trick.
First stop: J & J's Butcher Shop (830 Inlet Square Drive, near Inlet Square Mall; 843-357-7407). They've got a full selection of top-shelf Angus beef products, poultry and pork. Brats & dogs for the grill? Please. Step up your game, and let these guys help you do it. Don't Sabrett all-beef franks and gourmet sausage sound better? Try the specialty chicken sausage, either with spinach and feta or sundried tomato, and slap it on a bun. Sure, you can add your condiments or other favorites, but one bite of these and you'll quickly realize you might have been better off leaving well enough alone.
Now some might argue that "Angus" is French for "not cheap," and in that sense, they're right. But remember our mission here. C'mon, live a little. Plus, we've got another stop to make.
That's just down the road to Lee's Farmers Market (4883 U.S. 17 Bypass, Murrells Inlet; 843-651-7398). It's a lot more than produce. Lots of jarred fruits and pickled vegetables packaged specially for Lee's. Deli meats. Breads. An extensive Italian gourmet selection, including 21 different kinds of ravioli from New Jersey's premier supplier, Casa di Trevi (I'm trying the goat cheese & roasted red pepper ravioli tonight). And, of course, desserts to finish off your feast (how does chocolate swirl cheesecake from Evelyn's Delights sound?).
If nothing else, it'll ease the blow of letting your wife beat you in the March Madness office pool (don't look at me - I'm not the one who told you to pick Texas A&M - Corpus Christi for the Final Four). Good times, man. Good times, indeed.
I go to Lee’s all the time for my Italian gourmet stuff. If you’re making a big serving of spaghetti sauce, they even have the big 6 pound cans of peeled tomatoes.
You can still get the Angus beef for a little less at places like Bi Lo when it’s on sale, but it’s nice to know that these two places are in close proximity.
Yes, you have expensive tastes, but yes, both places are very, very good. The staff at either store is very friendly and helpful, and you won’t regret the trip.