Loris restaurants open for outdoor dining

By Annie Rigby

Local restaurants are allowed to provide outdoor dining. On Friday, May 1, Governor Henry McMaster lifted the stay home or work executive order as well as restaurants allowed to open for outdoor dining beginning Monday, May 4.

The Grind picnic tables had a few guests eating under an umbrella to enjoy a friendly meal with family and friends while continuing the rule of social distancing. Joey Vaught, owner of Back Street Café, said he has stayed afloat during this pandemic with to-go orders and carry-out meals. He has one table outside his restaurant and plans to add another table for customers to enjoy a meal. Ricky Dew has brought back the food truck with southern cooked meals no seating, but good food to take home.

Dew has posted to Facebook where he will be located and what items are on the menu.  On Friday, May 1, he was ready for lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and reopened for supper from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. at Dr. Mills’ office on Broad Street next to the old high school. For $10 a plate he serves low country bog with chicken, turkey, ham and sausage, turkey and dressing, fried chicken and barbeque chicken and choice of side dishes of corn, green beans, yams and macaroni and cheese. Supper he offers shrimp and grits for $15, combo seafood (choice of two) shrimp, crab cake or a 10 ounce steak with sides of French fries, cheesy potatoes and best known for low country potatoes. The lines were long, and lunchtime Dew was sold out before 2 p.m.

Shorty’s Grill has been hopping through town delivering food to the Loris city workers donated by an anonymous donor; Covalen on Walnut Street donated lunch to the City of Loris Police Department; and a 1980 Green Sea Floyd’s graduate wanted to give back to the community in this great time of need providing a chicken bog lunch for Horry Electric Cooperative workers.

Wendy’s ran out of hamburgers on Monday, May 4. “Where’s the beef” catchphrase introduced in 1984 asked the little gray haired ladies. To many disappointing customers they were told that they have chili, salads and chicken to order. On Tuesday, May 5, pallets of supplies including the beef were delivered and Wendy’s was back in business.

Backyard Barbeque has outdoor tables set up and on Facebook have said, “Join us for we are ready to serve you outside under the moonlight.

This is the new normal for dining outside while the weather is nice and the sunshine brings people out to sit at an outdoor table and enjoy a meal as we continue to social distance and wear protective masks or gloves. Enjoying seeing friends and remembering not to gather in groups of more than 3 unless you are from one family/household.

The mom and pop restaurants are as ready as the citizens of Loris are to get outside and enjoy a good meal and are asking locals to shop in Loris and eat at their restaurants.

On another note, Carolina Food Services, a distribution center for restaurants opened their doors in March to the citizens in Loris. Cameron Dozier was waiting for his food at Ricky’s food truck where he stated that once the pandemic is over the company hopes to continue to provide resident’s food, paper goods and spices and unique foods to the public. No decision has been made, but an attempt will be made to continue to service the Loris community. Dozier said, “If we are able to continue selling our products to the public it will be delivery only.” Currently they are offering their goods to the public to visit their distribution center to pick up items they have ordered, they will deliver free on orders in the amount of $75 and more.