After spending a lifetime on Edisto Beach, its impossible to not have a few favorites when it comes to the restaurants. Like any loyalist, I certainly love all of the restaurants, but the one I crave the most when away from the island is McConkeys Jungle Shack.
Located at 108 Jungle Road, this restaurant is one of the most popular on the beach. Whats great about it is that it offers that authentic beach-feeling in that patrons sit outdoors either in the screened in porch or on the deck. This gives patrons the chance to listen to the ocean as they scarf down a fish sandwich and sip sweet tea.
My favorite meal at McConkeys is Charlies Turkey Wrap. In a word, its delicious. The sliced turkey, pepper jack cheese, ranch dressing, jalapenos all of it adds up to an explosion of flavor in the mouth. I generally get it with the hand-cut chips and a sweet tea.
Whats great about McConkeys is that it has something to offer for everyone. Want seafood? They have it. My favorite seafood dishes include the fish tacos, classic fish & chips as well as their salads with fresh grilled shrimp. The seafood is fresh, and the flavoring cannot be beat. You will love their homemade potato chips and coleslaw on the side.
Want a burger? They have it. And if you do get a burger, get it with the pimento cheese on it. Their burgers are huge, juicy, and you will need at least three napkins.
During the colder months, try one of their homemade soups. These are especially delicious and fun to enjoy while sitting outdoors feeling the cool salty air on your face while warm soup fills your belly.
Another great thing about McConkeys is that because it features semi-outdoor seating, theres nothing wrong with showing up in your beach cover-up and flop flops on your way to or from the beach. You can also drive your golf cart or ride your bike right up to the restaurant and order from the to-go window. If youve been to the restaurant before, this is also the window you go to for ice cream. (Be sure to call first if you want to get ice cream as sometimes they do not have it).
McConkeys also offers beer and wine, so those looking to relax a little bit harder on vacation have the opportunity to kick back with their favorite drink. As for other drinks, McConkeys serve soft drinks by the can (no free refills) and sweet and unsweetened iced tea (free refills).
Another fun perk about the restaurant is that they offer a free book swap so you can come in, leave a book behind, and take another one home with you to read.
Throughout the year, McConkeys also hosts a few events and has various specials. You can keep up with what the restaurant is doing by signing up for the mailing list online at mcconkeysjungleshack.com or by visiting them on Facebook.
For those of you who have been coming to Edisto for years now, you might remember some of the establishments that occupied the Jungle Shack location in the past. There was the Ruby Seahorse about a decade ago, Burger King before that, and Bobs Burgers before that. Now that McConkeys Jungle Shack is favorite among many visitors and tourists alike, heres to hoping that the restaurant stays around for years and years to come.
Need to get in touch with McConkeys? Call 843-869-0097 or stop by. It is open seven days a week all year long. During the high season, the restaurant is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and from 11 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. during the off season.
