To Us, Ella’s of Calabash was the Best Seafood Restaurant in Calabash, and when it burned in 2023, we were left with a Hole where our Seafood Restaurant of choice use to be. We have been on the hunt for a new Spot for the Best Calabash Seafood ever since. On March 8, 2025, we decided to try Beck’s: The Old Original Calabash Restaurant, and we found a New Calabash, NC Seafood Restaurant.
What is Calabash Seafood?
You may be wondering what is Calabash Seafood. Calabash is more than just the name of a Quaint Town on the North Carolina Coast. Calabash Seafood was created by 2 Sisters in the 1930s, and is a style of preparing Seafood such as Shrimp, Fish, Oysters, Clams, or Crabs, by coating it in a Light, Flavorful Batter before submerging it in Searing Hot Grease until they are fried Lightly Golden Brown. It is largely found along the Lower North Carolina Coast, as well as the upper South Carolina Coast reaching from Little River all the way down to Murrells Inlet.
History of Beck’s in Calabash, NC
The Family Tradition is still Going Strong. Beck’s was founded in 1940 by 1 of the 2 Sisters that created the Calabash Seafood Style. The Restaurant and Family Recipes have been passed down through the Generations. The Family still owns and operates “The Old Original Calabash Restaurant” Today, while continuing to cook and serve up Fresh from the Coast Seafood in the Original Calabash style that Visitors have come to Know and Love.
Atmosphere
The Fishing Town Vibes are all around at this Calabash Classic. Upon Arrival, you are greeted by a Pretty Blue Building lined with Gorgeous Palm Trees. The Restaurant Interior is decorated in a Beautiful Coastal Style. It features a Hand Painted Mural, Fishing themed Pictures and an Entry Area adorned with Family Photos and a Boat named for “Miss Beck”. The Relaxed Family Friendly Atmosphere is a great place for a quiet meal. We choose to eat at a booth inside, however they do also feature an Outdoor Seating area.
Food
Menu Features
Beck’s offers a large menu Highlighted by their Traditional Calabash Seafood. They have a wide variety of Appetizers, Soups and Salads, including Shrimp Cocktail, Onion Rings, Fried Okra, Low Country Crab Bisque, and a Side or Dinner Salad. In addition to their Traditional Calabash Seafood Plates available in Small, Large, or Combo, they also feature such House Favorites as Shrimp and Grits, Stuffed Flounder, and a Shrimp Trio. They have some great options for the Non-Seafood Fan in your Group from their Hamburger Steak, to their Barbecue Pulled Pork, to their Ribeye Steak and More. They also offer a selection of Sandwiches both with or without Seafood. Each Meal is started with a Basket of House Made Hushpuppies, and they are Delicious.
Beck’s does also offer Broiled Seafood for those who wish for an alternative option to the Fried Calabash Seafood Style. They also offer Daily Lunch Specials and Fresh House Made Desserts.
After our starter of Hushpuppies, We choose to skip the Appetizers and go straight for the Entrees. Most Entrees including the Seafood Platters come with Coleslaw, but we choose No Coleslaw for our meals.
Our Entrees and Meal Thoughts
Mama choose the Deluxe Seafood Platter, which features Deviled Crab, Flounder, Oysters, Scallops, and Shrimp all served Calabash Style, with a side. Mama picked French Fries for her side. She said that this was one of the Better Deluxe Platters that she has had in recent years.
Daddy choose the Large Combo Platter of Shrimp and Flounder cooked Calabash Style, and came with a side. For his side, Daddy choose French Fries, but you could get a Baked Potato among other things. Daddy said that Both the Flounder and Shrimp were very good.
I choose the Large Calabash Shrimp Platter with French Fries for my meal. I thought the Shrimp were Crunchy and I enjoyed the seasoning on the French Fries.
We were full after eating our Entrees and decided not to have dessert.
We felt like all of our Meals were a good amount of food, and thoroughly enjoyed all of our food.
Final Thoughts
We went to Beck’s in hopes of finding a New Best Seafood Restaurant in Calabash North Carolina for Us. But did we find one? Yes. Beck’s Calabash Restaurant is the Best for Us, because it offers delicious food and is open for Lunch, which is when we like to eat. The Restaurant was clean with Friendly Staff and a Menu with Lots of Options.
Beck’s is a Popular Restaurant so be sure to get there early or be prepared to wait to be seated. They are also a short walk on Sidewalks to the Waterfront where the Fishing Boats come in.
Day Trip to Calabash, NC
Beck’s, the Original Calabash, NC Restaurant, is about an Hours drive from Myrtle Beach, SC, or Wilmington, NC. A fun stop is Callahan’s of Calabash, which features Nautical Gifts, Sweet Treats, a Christmas Shop, and More. If you would like to make a Day of It, Consider Checking out a Dolphin Cruise that leaves from the Calabash Waterfront.
Your Thoughts on Beck’s in Calabash, NC
Have you ever eaten at Beck’s The Old Original Calabash Restaurant? What did you think? Will you be trying Beck’s on your next trip to Calabash or the North Carolina/South Carolina Coastal Regions? Do you have another Seafood Restaurant that is the Best Calabash Seafood Restaurant for you? Let Us Know in the Comments.