Two New Jamaican Joints
By Becky Billingsley
Two Jamaican restaurants opened in the Grand Strand area in the fall of 2010: one in Myrtle Beach and one in Pawleys Island.
The one in Myrtle Beach is called Bingy's (rhymes with dinghy), and chef/proprietor Charlene Rice grew up in Ochos Rios, Jamaica. The recipes she prepares were learned at her mother's knee.
With the help of a couple extra women in the kitchen, and her manager husband, Gale Rice, handling front of house duties, the couple are turning out Oxtail, Rice & Peas, Jerk Chicken, Beef Patties, Vegetable Patties, Curry Goat, Curry Chicken, Jerk Pork and Escovitch Fish.
American dishes are also served, including Fried Chicken, Cheeseburger, Hot Dogs, Macaroni and Cheese, Cornbread and Potato Salad. Other side dishes are Fried Plantain and Steamed Cabbage with Vegetables.
Bingy's is the smaller of the two Jamaican options. You place your order at the counter, and then a staff member will bring your food to one of their four tables. Much of the business is carry-out, and they do not have a liquor license.
Bingy's is across from Socastee High School at 4989 Socastee Blvd. It's open from 11 a.m. to close Mondays through Saturdays, and the number is 843-293-2481.
The other new bluesy Jamaican restaurant, in Pawleys Island, is called Mama Rue's. Many locals are already calling it a juke joint due to the business' casually fun ambiance with sexy undertones.
Mama Rue's is in a humble single-story building tucked under massive live oaks. The main dining room and bar are painted vibrant colors and furnished with mismatched tables and chairs and funky art. When there isn't live music being performed on the weekends there are hot licks coming over the sound system.
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Chef Eric Sutherland is a native of Jamaica who for many years has been cooking in successful American restaurants that serve Jamaican food. His dishes are a bit more elaborately prepared than those at Bingy's, with luscious sauces and lavish side dishes.
Meals can start with Steamed Shrimp, Wings (Jerk, Honey Jerk, Citrus Garlic, Garlic Parmesan), Onion Loaf, Fries smothered in cheese and bacon, or Island Dumplings filled with jerk spiced ground pork.
A terrific salad is the Shrimp Salad Plate that comes with fresh fruit and festival bread (similar to a hushpuppy). Burgers are each made with a half-pound of ground chuck, and there's a grilled Jamaican Cheddar Bacon Burger with jerk spices, grilled onions and a special sauce.
Jerk pork, chicken and fresh local fish are available on sandwiches, and smaller lunch entree portions of the jerk meats are available. Other lunchtime entrees include Fried Chicken, local fish and shrimp and Curry Chicken.
The dinner menu adds larger portions and a few more entrees. Fish can be prepared with jerk spices, in Jamaican butter sauce or escovitch style, which involves lots of vegetables and spicy seasonings. Side dishes include Fried Plantains, Steamed Cabbage, Festival, Collards, Rice and Peas, and Fries.
The full bar has Blue Moon, New South Nut Brown and PBR on draft. From 4-7 p.m. all drinks are discounted by $1, and there are food specials.
Mama Rue's is at 9737 Ocean Highway in Pawleys Island. It's open for lunch and dinner Tuesdays through Saturdays, and the number is 843-235-3853.
Went there last Saturday, the place (small and funky) was packed, service was casual but good and the food was awesome. Had the shrimp in brown sauce (spicy but not overbearing), the shrimp were large and plentiful. One of the best dishes I have had in a long time anywhere. Two thumbs up! Heading in for lunch this week.
IN a review of this restaurant on the Urbanspoon site Joe says “If you’re disappointed with anything at Mama Rue’s, you have no palate. Best food, best staff and best atmosphere anywhere. ” I am not sure how your palate can tell. Except for the atmosphere, which you can cut with a knife- the smoke is so thick in here that we couldn’t stand it and left without ordering. They need to decide if they want to be a restaurant a smoke-filled bar.
They have added a smoke eater and exhaust, the outside is open also.
What great food, full of flavor and cooked with the best ingredients like real olive oil and fresh herbs. Wow to the ribs or any of their dishes we’ve had so far.