The Tiny Town In South Carolina With The Most Scrumdiddilyumptious Restaurants
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Robin Jarvis
Author
If you’ve ever traveled on Interstate 95 in the Palmetto State for any distance, then you’ve likely passed by Santee (population approximately 900). In the past, this tiny town was known for both the outlet mall that never quite blossomed to its full potential as well as for the nearby golf courses. But you may not realize that even though that outlet mall is no longer an attraction, there are many things to do in Santee including heading to nearby Lake Marion for some R&R — and eating your way through town at some of the most delicious freshwater seafood eateries in the state. Take a look below at many of the things Santee has to offer.
Lake Marion, also known as the state's inland sea, has 315 miles of beautiful shoreline.
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The park offers visitors miles of hiking trails as well as camping, boating, fishing, and swimming.
But the tiny town of Santee shines in yet another way: FOOD. Take a look at the delicious places to catch a meal in this small South Carolina town:
But the tiny town of Santee shines in yet another way: FOOD. Take a look at the delicious places to catch a meal in this small South Carolina town:
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No visit to Santee can ever be considered complete without a stop at Lone Star Barbecue and Mercantile. From the mouthwatering barbecue to the other delectable entrees and the irresistible sides like tomato pie, collard greens, hush puppies, and baked beans — to name a few, Lone Star is sure to leave your taste buds and tummy completely satisfied, until next time.
You'll find everything from salads and soups to seafood and steaks on the menu at this upscale eatery in Santee. Order it up fried as shown above, or opt for a healthier prep. The catfish is among the most popular entrees. Yum!
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Not surprisingly, one of the very top restaurants in Santee features Thai and Asian cuisine. The colorful interior, friendly staff, and stellar food all contribute to the popularity of this local eatery where you'll find everything on the menu from giant sushi rolls to hibachi stir fry.
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Classic American fare highlights the menu at this Santee eatery. From seafood to pasta and everything in between, there's sure to be something to please everyone in your party at Captain's Quarters. The dining room is upscale, yet casual. So come as you are and eat up!
A New York-style deli, Craig's Place dishes up your faves from up North and makes them hot or cold, just the way you like them. From the outside, this restaurant may seem anything but adventurous, but inside you'll find an eclectic mix of colorful seating surrounded by fun art on the walls.
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If you haven't tried this combo market/restaurant then you're really missing out. Firstly, it's a seafood market so if you want you can just buy fresh seafood and take it home and prepare it yourself. But if you're visiting the area, it's also a restaurant so you can get that fresh seafood prepared just the way you like it and delivered to your table. They also have some fantastic offerings that aren't local, like the lobster mac 'n cheese shown above. Yes, please... I'll take one of those!
For a wicked good time, head to this Mexican Restaurant in the middle of the state. Aside from the fantastic food, they have great service and fun props for you to get as many silly selfies and photos of the kids as you can stand. The menu item shown above is called "The Rock," and is served in a stone dish. You'll love pairing it with a tasty margarita.
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And finally, because every small town needs a place to satisfy your sweet tooth, Santee has Smith's. You may as well just plan to have an entire meal of sweets while you're in town. Walk in, grab one of everything and then sit down to stuff your face with cakes, candy, and ice cream in more flavors than you care to count.
Have you been to Santee lately? We’d love to know if you’ve tried any of the eateries in this tiny town.
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