The Best “Soft Foods” in North Myrtle Beach: A Local’s Guide to Eating Well (When You Can’t Crunch)

Let’s be honest: When Dr. Davis or our team says, "Stick to soft foods for a couple of days," your heart probably sinks. You start picturing a gloomy weekend filled with lukewarm chicken broth and fluorescent gelatin.

But we live in Little River. We’re the gateway to the Grand Strand and the home of the Blue Crab Festival. We don’t do "boring" food here—even if you did just have a crown placed or a deep cleaning.

Whether you’re recovering from a procedure or just looking for a meal that doesn’t require a heavy-duty workout for your jaw, here’s our "Official Team Favorites" list for the best soft eats in our neck of the woods.

1. The "Gold Standard" She-Crab Soup

Where: The Parson’s Table or Brentwood Wine Bistro. If Lowcountry comfort food has it’s own Mount Rushmore, She-Crab Soup would be front and center. It’s velvety, rich, and requires zero chewing.

• The Dental Pro-Tip: Just ask them to hold the extra sourdough crostini on the side for a day or two. The soup itself is a masterpiece that feels like a hug for your mouth.

2. Grits That Make You Want to Cry (In a Good Way)

Where: Big Mike’s Soul Food (A short skip away) or Snooky’s on the Water. You can’t live in South Carolina and not appreciate a bowl of stone-ground grits. When they’re done right—creamy, buttery, and smooth—they’re the ultimate "safe" food.

• The Recommendation: Go for the creamy cheese grits. It’s filling, soulful, and won’t bother a single suture.

3. The "Post-Appointment" Acai Bowl

Where: Kosta Bowl. If you’re feeling a bit swollen or just want something cold to soothe your gums, a smoothie bowl is your best friend.

• The Dental Pro-Tip: Ask them to skip the granola and the chia seeds for now. Those tiny guys love sneaking into hard-to-reach places in your teeth. Stick to the blended fruit, honey, and maybe some smooth peanut butter.

4. Proper Southern Mashed Taters & Gravy

Where: Capt. Juel’s. Sometimes, you just need some "Grandma-style" comfort. A big scoop of whipped mashed potatoes alongside some squash casserole is basically the unofficial dentist-approved comfort platter. It’s soft, savory, and keeps your energy up while you heal.

Why are we telling you this?

Because at Carolina Family Dental, we aren't just looking at your X-rays; we’re looking at you. We know that life happens between appointments, and a big part of that life is enjoying the incredible food our community has to offer.

Taking care of your "Carolina Smile" doesn't mean you have to stop enjoying the Little River lifestyle. It just means knowing where the best soup is hidden!

Do you have a favorite "soft food" spot in the North Myrtle/Little River area that we missed? Let us know next time you're in the chair!