Top 5 reasons that Frank’s is a popular restaurant in Pawleys Island
Among the most popular and beloved restaurants in Pawleys Island, Frank’s and Frank’s Outback have been serving delicious food to customers near the North Causeway to the island since 1988.
When the restaurants are open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday, the parking lot is almost always full, and vehicles usually overflow into neighboring lots. In fact, Frank’s recently started offering complimentary valet parking to help alleviate parking issues. Reservations are essential.
“The best advice always comes firsthand, so ask any local where to eat,” Frank’s owner Salters McClary said. “Chances are Frank’s will be at the top of their list.”
But what makes this business so special? We have boiled it down to just five reasons: history, atmosphere, cuisine, service and special events.
History
Frank’s and Frank’s Outback have a long history that relates directly to Pawleys Island and the surrounding area. Opened in the 1930’s as Marlow’s Supermarket, the Marlow family owned and operated this historic business for almost 50 years.
The supermarket was a favorite local meeting spot for buying groceries and catching up on gossip. For many years, it was the place to make phone calls since it had the only phone in Pawleys.
In the late 1970’s, a high school student named Salters McClary worked summers for Frank Marlow. Bagging groceries, stocking shelves and pumping gas, Salters became good friends with the Marlows.
After graduating from college and returning to Pawleys Island, Salters continued his friendship with the Marlows. And when, at age 65, Frank Marlow decided to retire, Salters approached him about leasing the building and opening a restaurant.
In 1988, Salters and Elizabeth McClary opened a restaurant and named it Frank’s after Marlow. In 1992, the McClarys also took over the house behind the restaurant where Marlow’s mother once lived and turned it into Frank’s Outback.
Atmosphere
Favored by locals and tourists alike, Frank’s and Frank’s Outback provide a unique atmosphere. It offers two restaurants in one location, with four dining venues and four bars to choose from.
Featured in Gourmet, Bon Appetite, Southern Living and National Restaurant magazines, Frank’s has set the standard to which other restaurants aspire. What the staff affectionately call “the main dining room”, Frank’s offers a low light, high style and bustling bistro atmosphere: white linen and candlelight; tantalizing aromas; bold vintage posters; hardwood floors covered with oriental rugs; muted colors bouncing off oversized mirrors; and the soothing hum of low laughter and a well-managed open kitchen.
The Courtyard & Bar is an extension of Frank’s Restaurant & Bar. Enjoy alfresco dining at its best. Visit the Courtyard Bar for one of several specialty drinks, or order something from the menu. Walk-ins are welcomed in the Courtyard, weather permitting. You may order any Frank’s and/or Frank’s Outback daily specials or full menu items in the Courtyard.
Frank’s Outback is, quite literally, “out back” of Frank’s, it was Frank Marlow’s Mother’s house. Frank’s Way Back features a high ceiling tin-roof covering, an open long bar, a gathering seating area near the fireplace, and covered dining seating with plenty of fans. In the fall and winter, guests are warmed by an enormous outdoor fireplace. Visit the Way Back Bar for one of our specialty drinks and/or order something from the menu.
Walk-ins are very welcomed in the Courtyard and the new Rock Garden in Frank’s Way Back, weather permitting. Frank’s menus are served in all four bars and restaurant areas.
Cuisine
Frank’s and Frank’s Outback are open for dinner Tuesday to Thursday from 5 to 8:30 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 5 to 9 p.m. Daily specials are a menu of their own from both kitchens. No matter the venue you choose, you can order from either Frank’s or Frank’s Outback menu.
Some of the highlights of the Frank’s menu include appetizers like fried deviled eggs with bacon and jalapeno topped with crispy Prosciutto, Ahi tuna poke, and fried okra with spicy Cajun dipping sauce; entrees such as lemon Parmesan chicken Francese, New Zealand rack of lamb, cornmeal crusted trigger fish, and blue crab ravioli with fried avocado.
The Frank’s Outback menu features appetizers like G.O.O.P. (roasted garlic, olives, capers and EVOO with freshly baked bread). Lowcountry spring rolls, and Bahamian conch fritters; and entrees like grilled local mahi and a seared tuna bowl. They also have delicious wood-fired pizzas.
Special events
Plan your next special event at Frank’s and Frank’s Outback, but make sure to call or visit the website for reservations. Many people meet at Frank’s for an end-of-the-day celebration. The wine list, hand-selected by the owners, is reasonably priced but reads like the who’s-who of the world’s vineyards, and many of them are available by the glass.
All four bars open at 4 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday. With free Wi-Fi, one could finish work in a relaxed environment, grab a favorite appetizer, or stay for dinner.
Service
The professional service at Frank’s is low key and unobtrusive, yet attentive to customers’ needs. The waiters are knowledgeable and well trained and most of them have been associated with the restaurant for many years.
Frank’s and Frank’s Outback are located at 10434 Ocean Highway in Pawleys Island, just south of the North Causeway to the island. For more information, or to make reservations call 843-237-3030, or click here to visit the website.
Compiled by Clayton Stairs / tourism manager for the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce