All Dogs Go To Heaven...

...and, surprisingly, Dog Heaven may be as close as Murrell's Inlet, SC, at a very uniquely themed restaurant and pub called The Dead Dog Saloon.

Billing itself as having "the best view on The Inlet," (it's darned impressive, for sure) the Dead Dog Saloon deserves your attention for a few other reasons, including the quality of the food, the efficiency and friendliness of the staff and the beer list (with seventy more beers available from their Beer Garten five steps away from the saloon proper). But more about that later.

Originally called "Anchovies," The Dead Dog acquired its name from a dog named Dudley a dog which used to accompany his owner, Charlie Campbell, who was supervising some renovation at Anchovies. Dudley would frequently play "dead" on The Marshwalk while Campbell was working.

Until one day, Dudley wasn't playing dead. He actually was dead.

And Campbell decided to rebrand the restaurant as the Dead Dog Saloon to honor his faithful canine partner. Ever since, the place has been a shrine to man's best friend, and the walls are covered with pictures of favorite dogs submitted by dog lovers whose pets have "crossed the rainbow bridge."

The business suffered a disastrous fire some years ago, requiring even more renovation, and many former pictures were lost. In fact, the frame below contains the only pictures (six) that were salvaged from that fire.

You can even add your own canine pet to the gallery by submitting a 4X6 photo and a frame. That will allow your Fido to live perpetually in a canine shrine which takes the love of dog and master quite seriously.

But before you do that, take the trip to check out the food and beer at this place. Laid out in a labrynthine fashion, there are various indoor and outdoor seating areas available to suit any mood you're in--or weather you might face.

My party ordered Chipotle Shrimp Tacos, Surf and Turf Tacos with Mango Salsa (below), Carnitas Tacos and a Blackened Flounder sandwich. The consensus was that the food was totally worth the hour drive from southeastern Brunswick County, NC. And we'd do it again. One in my party declared hers to be the "best meal she's had while down here on vacation."

But be advised. The lovely gals like Carly (below, and with whom I'm maintaining specified social distancing rules) and Jameson (not shown) who work the front desk said there could be as much as a two-hour wait during peak times in season, due to the current restrictions mandating social distancing. I asked how long the wait would be without the restrictions, and they said it would likely be cut in half.

And, despite having live entertainment, those restrictions warn against rebellious activities like "congregating" (???) and even "dancing."

I'd bet if Seinfeld's Elaine Benes showed up and started to "get down" with her unique brand of dancing, the authorities would turn a blind eye (as would most everyone else) because Elaine would guarantee at least a six-foot circle of "empty" around her.

I ordered two Sierra Nevadas from the menu, and they went spectacularly with my blackened fish sandwich, which arrived perfectly prepared. But had I known there were twenty more beers on tap, I'd have definitely varied my choices, because there were some solid ones available.

Fortunately, the blokes at the bar informed me of the "Inlet Beer Garden" adjacent to the Dead Dog (and abutted by The Claw House on the other side). So, while my party sauntered along the fabulous Marshwalk, I sashayed into the Beer Garden, where I struck up a most pleasant chat with Laurel, the affable bargal who poured me a 12 Oz. Dirty Myrtle--for just $6.

Lots of beers were available, and when my pals returned to collect me, I convinced them all to stay for one more. It was not a difficult task, and it put an exclamation point on a wonderful afternoon adventure, even though Mother Nature was sending thunder and lightning signals that a storm was imminent.

Sated, saturated, and laden with "merch" from this unique place, and with raindrops splattering on the windshield, we eventually wended our way back to NC with fond memories of our first visit to the Dead Dog Saloon.

I guaran-damn-tee you it will not be our last.

PS: Oh, if you get a chance, the Gator Piss cocktail is worth trying!

Cheers!

The Original PubScout--immersed in the craft beer scene since 1996

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