I'm going to preface by saying I'm a seafood snob. I grew up in a family who owned several seafood restaurants, plus my dad was a captain, so if it comes out of the ocean I know how to catch it, clean it and cook it. I'm not easily impressed. Tonight a friend who was visiting wanted to take me out for my birthday and my daughter mentioned Sara J's. There were 5 of us in the party including a 3 year old. The hostess was very nice, seated us quickly and on the deck where we requested. Our Server was Anna, again super sweet, was attentive without hovering. She took extra care when we mentioned a food allergy and the kitchen staff was diligent in ensuring no cilantro was anywhere near our food. I had the shrimp and scallops. The shrimp was cooked perfectly and the scallops melted in your mouth. Hands down the best seafood meal I've had since moving to the area 8 years ago (and I've tried many places during that time). The only constructive criticism I have is they could try a new hush puppy recipe, they have a good consistency and they are cooked well, but they are bland, no real flavor to them. My friend has the crab cakes which she devoured. My son-in-law raved about the chicken parm and ate the entire meal except a couple spoonfuls of pasta. I cannot remember the last time he cleared a plate - he's never had much of an appetite. My daughter, who is probably one of the pickiest eaters you'll ever meet and is self proclaimed "seafood intolerant" tried the fish tacos (here's where the kitchen needed to get creative because of the cilantro issue) and she too ate every bite. The four of us thoroughly enjoyed our meals, that doesn't happen ever. Well worth the 40 minute drive. We will definitely be returning. read more

First time here Friday April 24, first night of the annual beach week. First thing you notice is the entrance. It says "come on in and enjoy", se we did. Walked in the this place is extremely clean and organized. We asked for a table for 6 and was immediately seated. I went with the oysters on the half shell and bowl of clam chowder. Oysters were really good and clean; meaning to grit, silt, etc. Had I not ordered clam chowder, I would have ordered another 6. Clam chowder was rich and creamy and the clams were delicious. It's hard to make clam chowder that's not super rich (meaning sweetness) but Sara J's does it well. This will definitely be a return trip....post this week. read more

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Atmosphere was beautiful and we loved our waiter. He was very personable and made us feel at home. Food missed the mark. I got the scallops which were a weird/stringy texture. The risotto the scallops were on had a strange taste and were super gritty, almost inedible. Thankfully I got a baked potato as a side that I could eat with my scallops. I did enjoy the kale and brussel sprout slaw that came with my meal. Another person at our table got the shrimp scampi which they felt was underwhelming and lacking flavor. Others ordered the early bird sautéed shrimp and the mahi mahi, which were thoroughly enjoyed. I don't think I'd come back to this place but if I did I would definitely give something else on the menu a try! read more

Sara J's - Scallops - Seafood Near Me - Garden City, South Carolina

We brought cousins from our home state of Massachusetts since they love seafood. The service was outstanding and we had a table with a lovely view. The meal was terrific and we all had more than our share of hush puppies. This has been one of our favorites for a long time and it never disappoints. read more

Sara J's - Waterfront view - Seafood Near Me - Garden City, South Carolina

My wife and I are on vacation in the area and decided to go here tonight with another couple that we know . I ordered the grilled salmon with slaw and butter beans. My wife ordered the flounder with butter beans too. Brittany was our server, very friendly and helpful. He hush puppies were served before the food with honey butter. They were really crispy and tasty. The yelp app shows that the restaurant is closed Monday through Wednesday but, the website does not. There was not a big crowd on Monday night so service was quick. My meal was fixed perfectly and the butter beans were good. My wife said that her flounder was good. It was so much food that we ordered the key lime pie to take out. There were plenty of tables and a bar area. Noise can be an issue with a lot of people in the restaurant. We have been here in years past. read more

Sara J's - Grilled salmon with butter beans. - Seafood Near Me - Garden City, South Carolina

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The atmosphere was not there. The food was overpriced. We started with cocktails. (A cosmo for me). My cosmo seemed to be a little week. I believe a lot of locals come here. We shared the crab Rangoon which seemed to be homemade. For dinner, I got the salmon with a side of rice. It comes with a side of coleslaw. The salmon came with two sauces but it would have been better if they cooked it with the sauce. He got the teriyaki shrimp with a baked potato. We were given the bill. A cocktail, two glasses of wine, an appetizer -and two dinners. $140.00. WHAT!!! Way over priced. read more

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The food was average but higher priced vs. other local restaurants. We are ok paying more but the food quality didn't warrant their prices. Our server was great and place had a nice vibe. read more

It's like an Applebee's that has a lot of fish on there menu. It leave a lot to be desired for ambiance, a big family restaurant obviously, a lot of screaming and hollering kids... and I don't know, just kind of expensive mediocre food, but I will say that our waitress was very attentive and competent at her job! Our table was underneath an oil painting of a wet monkey dressed in a blue dress and the restaurant was also just pretty cold read more

Sara J's - This is the wet monkey in a blue dress - Seafood Near Me - Garden City, South Carolina

Nice location but very expensive given quality of food. Chose grouper-grilled. Mushy. Loaded baked potato was meh. Condiments pre-packaged. Whipped spread (not even real butter). Same w sour cream-served in a cheap, diner style basket. Ketchup on table a restaurant, cheap brand...not even Heinz. Given all the great restaurant choices nearby, I would not recommend this one. read more

They do not take reservations but we got here at 4:30 and put our name in. We had 20 people so we expected a wait. I sat at the bar while I waited and had a few beers. They have local varieties as well as your national brands and a full bar. The bartender was friendly and prompt. We were seated after waiting for 20 minutes as the rest of my family showed up then. On Saturday nights they have all you can eat son crab legs for $39! Which is a great deal for those of us that can eat a lot of snow crab. Our waitress was friendly, courteous, and knowledgeable. I never had to wait for new crab legs, they were always bringing out hot crab legs for the many in my party that ordered them. Such a great experience. Some in my party got steak and fish and they all said it was delicious. Great views of the marsh as well. Look forward to coming back! read more

Was looking forward to trying this place and was sorely disappointed. The frozen Bahama mama's had absolutely no flavor no taste just like a plain icy. The hush puppies were decent. Hopefully you will have a better experience than we did. The location is nice though. ‍ read more

Sara J's - Frozen Bahama Mama - Seafood Near Me - Garden City, South Carolina

Food - bucket of old country seafood potatoes were hard Corn on the cob was mushy probably was cooked for many hours The skin on the sausage was tough The restaurant was cold read more

We had not been to Sara J's in several years of visiting Garden City Beach, but I am glad we went for dinner tonight. No wait on a Monday night at 6:15. Great service and atmosphere. We tried 3 different fresh market fish options and all were very good. read more

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Diane and I had Shrimp and Grits(4star) Scallops and shrimp (3.5star) Drinks were not impressive z(no on spiked lemonade-sweet) Service was quick and very helpful . Location cannot be beat. We are on the outside patio . It is amazing . read more

Sara J's - Outdoor dining at Sara J's in Garden City - Seafood Near Me - Garden City, South Carolina

Crab soup was a disappointment , but the waitress did warn us that it was not typical she crab soup

Had a fis,devil crab, and shrimp combo. CAame with a good sized baked potatoe. Slaw on the side. All was tasty and service was good and attentive. A little pricey but isnt everything down here. read more

we went there Valentine's Day for lunch. I had the shrimp fettuccine alfredo, my husband had the mahi mahi-both were excellent. generous serving, big salad came with mine all was good. We brought dessert home only to find out the chocolate cake was twice as much as the cheesecake guess you have to ask how much as there was no dessert on the menu waitress just told us. I'd go back just won't order dessert. read more

I love Sara J's Restaurant & Bar!! The view, service and food were great! I got the ribeye which was AMAZING! also came with a side of Cheese Grits which were great. The view is a deal breaker for Sara J's, you get to look out over the marsh while you eat! If you are in the Pawleys Island, Garden City, Surfside, or Myrtle Beach areas, stop on by to Sara J's!! read more

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Went there 3 years ago was great. This time the server was great but food was not shrimp and fried oysters were not good & lobster freezer burnt . Won't go back hush puppies were good. read more

Great Coastal place for dinner. Good food, good service and friendly staff. I had the blackened snapper, which was wonderful.

We ate here on a whim tonight. I wish I would've went to McDonald's because I would have enjoyed a mcfish more than I did my dinner tonight. The hush puppies were cold, did not even melt the butter. My sautéed shrimp tasted like they were thawed and cooked at the same time in the microwave with very little flavor to them. Soda were almost $10 for two. The server was not very friendly at all and would answer questions before we could even finish asking them. We definitely will not be going back $85 on the early bird for two dinners and two sodas. The cocktail sauce was sweeter than the hush puppies. Not good at all. read more

I'm wondering if they changed ownership. We have been going there for years. The parking lot was half filled at 5:30. In years past we would have to wait an hour to be seated. This should have been our first clue. The service was excellent. The food was subpar. We ordered cold boiled shrimp which was overcooked and chewy. I also ordered fried fish and shrimp. Again fish was dry and overcooked. My husband's ribeye is much thinner and was ordered medium rare but was medium well. Normally we have a large party and now are glad they weren't with us. read more

Very disappointing... Had an hour wait and not sure why. The food not worth waiting for. 3 of us had the scallops with risotto. Scallops were fair at best and the risotto had a strange flavor, no one finished theirs. Daughter ordered steak, rare and at best was medium, hardly pink. Someone got shrimp and grits... the texture of the grits was not good and shrimp were fair. Those that got the catch of the day were satisfied. Will not be returning. I will say. Our waitress was very friendly and attentive. I can't say anything about the ambiance since the outside deck was full. Inside was very noisy. read more

The food was so good it did not make us leave my uncles oysters looked so good It was great

We have dined in and done take out. Food is always fantastic! Service is excellent! Perfect evening sitting outside overlooking the marsh!

Was lucky enough to hear about them from a local Facebook group. What a hidden gem. Right on the inter coastal with nice views of the marsh. The hushpuppies were hot & crispy. My favorite was the Thai-Dye Shrimp. The oysters were large. The shrimp burger was chunks of shrimp. The pimento cheese & blue crab grilled cheese didn't use lump meat but made up for it with how much they put in. Would highly recommend this place when visiting the area. read more

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LOVE SARA Js!! Have to make a stop every time we're in garden city. Always expect a wait but the food is worth it and the service is great with a great view of the marsh! read more

We went on a Monday night. Place is full of locals and that's always a good sign. I ate stuffed shrimp that were perfectly cooked. I will be back. Service was great too! read more

Our food tonight was awesome! I didn't take a picture of the Thai dye shrimp but we are obsessed with them and get them every time we come in the winter season. I had fried oysters and they were outstanding, light breading and lightly salted which I was grateful for! We love Sara Js and make sure we come every time we visit Murrells Inlet read more

Sara J's - Fried oysters - Seafood Near Me - Garden City, South Carolina

Opened up early. Normally take 2 months off but are open Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Food came out quick and hot . Had the Flounder, Shrimp and Oysters basket. Tell Moma, thanks for being open. Hope it works out. read more

Right on the marsh. The views out over the inlet. The gentle breeze was great and the food was fantastic. We were there for an outdoor event. I gotta say. It would be a great place for a wedding read more

Food was good but very pricey. Paid $31 for a small fried shrimp platter, consisting of shrimp, french fries and coleslaw along with a side of hush puppies. read more

Wonderful food and service! The view from the restaurant is beautiful. Located right on the intercoastal waterway.

We have always loved Sara Js. We vacation in Garden City every year and normally eat here twice during the week. The food is still good, but the portions have decreased a lot, and a $6 up charge for a loaded baked potato and another $6 for a side salad is a bit much. We ate here once while on vacation and it was the most expensive meal of the week and far from the best. As much as we have loved Sara Js this was really disappointing. Please step it up. Lots of other options to choose from. read more

Both of us ordered the sautéed shrimp and scallops. Shrimp were good and plentiful, scallops could have used some seasoning. My baked potato was as expected, cooked perfectly and served with sour cream and an imitation butter product. Her rice pilaf was on the dry side. Service was pleasant and responsive. Ambience was unremarkable and very loud. Bottom line, good, but not worth the prices charged. read more

My in-laws have a condo in Surfside, so we have been coming to the area for the past few years. We had heard mixed reviews about Sara J's, but we decided to try it. There were six of us, so we expected a wait. We were seated after 45 minutes or so. The atmosphere was great, but that was about it. The service was very slow, and the food was okay but not worth the price. read more

I ordered the crab cake appetizer with corn and poblano. The crab cake was tiny with no crab taste at all. There was about 2 teaspoonful of the corn mixture and the sauce that came in a little cup had a skin over the top. I ordered a side salad as well and the portion was large and it tasted great! Waitress was nice. Ambience was NONE because of the number of bikers there!! We couldn't even hear our waitress!! Not their fault I know! read more

Great food, staff acts like they're glad you came. Seafood chowder was like a meal Dave Lewis read more

Flounder and shrimp basket was excellent! Cheese grits - yummy for this northerner! Cocktail sauce was zesty and great!

My husband saw the commercial showing the big thick steak and beautifully cooked scallops and decided to go to Sara J's for dinner. I wish I took a photo of what he was served. The dish looked nothing like the dish in the commercial. The steak was an embarrassment and scallops it browned. I ordered the Stuffed red snapper. My plate had a piece of fish with a tiny flattened bread filled crab cake mixture. We will not be returning to Sara J's. The stars are for the pleasant waitress. read more