Captain George’s Myrtle Beach is a popular seafood buffet restaurant located along the Grand Strand in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Known for its all-you-can-eat seafood spread, Captain George’s has become an iconic destination for visitors and locals alike. But with its expansive buffet and waterfront location, many wonder – how much does it cost to dine at Captain George’s?
An Overview of Captain George’s Myrtle Beach
Captain George’s Myrtle Beach first opened its doors in 1976 and has remained family owned and operated ever since. The nautically themed restaurant is located along the intercoastal waterway and features both indoor and outdoor waterfront dining. The main draw is the legendary all-you-can-eat seafood buffet, which includes over 50 items like fried shrimp, snow crab legs, mussels, clams, fish, chicken, salad, and more. Diners can return to the buffet as many times as they’d like to keep enjoying the endless seafood offerings.
In addition to the buffet, Captain George’s also has an a la carte menu with items like appetizers, soups, sandwiches, and plated entrees. There’s also a well-stocked bar serving beer, wine, and cocktails. Daily lunch and dinner buffets are offered, as well as Sunday brunch. The restaurant has a casual, family-friendly vibe and is popular with tourists and locals alike.
Buffet Prices at Captain George’s
The main draw at Captain George’s is the all-you-can-eat seafood buffet. Pricing for the buffet varies slightly by time of day and day of the week. Here’s a breakdown of current buffet pricing:
- Lunch Buffet (Mon-Fri): $16.99 for adults, $8.99 for kids 6-10
- Weekend Lunch Buffet (Sat & Sun): $19.99 for adults, $9.99 for kids 6-10
- Dinner Buffet (Mon-Thurs): $27.99 for adults, $13.99 for kids 6-10
- Weekend Dinner Buffet (Fri-Sun): $31.99 for adults, $15.99 for kids 6-10
- Sunday Brunch Buffet: $27.99 for adults, $13.99 for kids 6-10
Kids ages 5 and under eat free with the purchase of an adult buffet. Lunch prices are offered between 11am – 4pm, and dinner prices apply starting at 4pm. So if you go for an early dinner, be sure to ask about when the lunch pricing ends to get the best value.
The buffet prices include unlimited trips to sample all of the seafood, side dishes, soups, salads, and desserts on the buffet. All non-alcoholic beverages like soda, tea, and coffee are also included. For an additional charge, you can add on items like lobster tail, snow crab legs, or shrimp cocktail. So the base buffet price covers plenty of food – any extras or add-ons will just cost a bit more.
A La Carte Menu Pricing
In addition to the all-you-can-eat buffet, Captain George’s also offers an a la carte menu for those who may not want the full buffet. Here’s an overview of pricing for some popular a la carte menu items:
- Appetizers: $5.99 – $12.99
- Soups & Salads: $3.99 – $9.99
- Sandwiches & Burgers: $9.99 – $12.99
- Seafood Entrees: $14.99 – $29.99
- Chicken & Steak Entrees: $15.99 – $23.99
- Sides: $2.99 – $5.99
Appetizers like calamari, shrimp cocktail, and crab dip range from $5.99 to $12.99. Soups and salads offer lighter options from $3.99 to $9.99. Sandwiches and burgers, including classic fried shrimp po’ boys and burgers, cost between $9.99 to $12.99. Fresh seafood entrees like fried shrimp, salmon, and crab cakes range from $14.99 to $29.99. Chicken and steak offerings are $15.99 to $23.99. And sides like fries, rice, and coleslaw are an additional $2.99 to $5.99 each.
Kids menu items are also available a la carte, with options like fried shrimp, chicken tenders, grilled cheese, and more for $5.99 each. Desserts like key lime pie and brownie sundaes range from $4.99 to $6.99.
Keep in mind that ordering a la carte does not include the endless buffet trips – you’ll have to stick to just what you order. But it can be a good option for lighter eaters who don’t plan to indulge in the full buffet.
Beverage Prices
Beverages are an additional cost on top of food at Captain George’s. Here’s a look at typical beverage pricing:
- Non-Alcoholic Beverages: $2.99 (free refills)
- Beer & Wine: $5+ per glass
- Mixed Drinks: $7+ per cocktail
Soft drinks, iced tea, coffee, and juice are $2.99 each with free refills. The restaurant serves domestic and local craft beers for around $5 per glass, and a variety of white, red, and blush wines by the glass from $6-10. Mixed drinks like margaritas, daiquiris, and piña coladas range from $7-12 each depending on the liquor.
For something non-alcoholic, be sure to check out the signature “shark bowls” like the Shark Attack and Blackbeard’s Revenge for $6.99 each. Virgin frozen drinks are $4.99 each. And for the kids, milkshakes and floats are $3.99.
So when budgeting for your meal, don’t forget to factor in extra for drinks – especially if you plan to order alcohol, which can add up quickly. But unlimited free soda refills help save a little.
Daily Specials & Discounts
Captain George’s does offer some specials and discounts to help save on your seafood feast. Here are some current offerings:
- Happy Hour: Monday – Friday from 3pm – 6pm with $2 domestic drafts, $3 wells, and $6 wine.
- Military Discount: 10% off meals for active or retired military with valid ID.
- Kids Eat Free: Monday & Tuesday evenings from 4pm-close, up to 2 kids per paying adult eat free from kids menu with purchase of adult entrée.
- Seniors (60+): 15% off buffet 7 days a week.
- Groupon or Restaurant.com: Occasional discount gift certificate deals available.
Taking advantage of happy hour, the military discount, or kids eat free nights are good ways to save a few dollars. Budget-conscious families can go on Monday or Tuesday and have their kids eat free with the purchase of an adult meal. And the senior discount applies to the buffet every day.
The restaurant also occasionally offers deals on Groupon or Restaurant.com for discounted gift certificates, so it’s worth keeping an eye out for those. Any advertised specials or coupons can help you save on your feast of crab legs and shrimp!
Average Cost for Family of 4
To give an idea of how much it costs to dine at Captain George’s, here’s a sample average total for a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 kids under 10):
| 2 adult weekend dinner buffets | $31.99 x 2 = $63.98 |
| 2 kids weekend dinner buffets | $15.99 x 2 = $31.98 |
| 4 sodas | $2.99 x 4 = $11.96 |
| 1 appetizer | $8.99 |
| Total (before tip) | $116.91 |
For a family of 4 visiting for dinner on a weekend night, the total comes out to about $117 before tip. This covers the adult and kids buffets, 4 sodas, and an appetizer for the table to share. The total price will vary based on factors like:
- Number of people in your party
- Time of week (weekend vs. weekday pricing)
- Which drinks and extras you order
- Any discounts or coupons used
But in general, you can expect to spend around $100 – $150 for a family of 4 sampling the buffet, drinks, and extras. The all-you-can-eat format means you get your money’s worth in seafood!
Tipping Etiquette
Tipping is expected at full-service restaurants like Captain George’s. Here are some tips on tipping etiquette:
- For good service, tip 15-20% of your pretax total.
- Tips can be left in cash on the table or added to your credit card payment.
- Tip based on the total before any discounts or coupons.
- For large parties of 6 or more, automatic gratuity may be added.
- Tip the buffet server who assists your table, not the main hosts.
- An easy method is to double the tax to calculate a tip.
Servers and bartenders rely on tips as their main source of income, so tipping well helps support the staff. For great service at Captain George’s, a 20% tip is appreciated and encouraged.
Saving Money During Your Visit
Here are some tips for saving money on your meal at Captain George’s Myrtle Beach:
- Go during lunch hours for lower buffet prices.
- Avoid premium add-ons like lobster tail – load up on crab and shrimp instead!
- Split a dessert instead of getting multiples for the table.
- Check for discounts and coupons before going.
- Go on a kids eat free night if dining with family.
- Order water instead of sodas or alcoholic drinks.
- Fill up on cheaper sides like coleslaw and hush puppies.
By choosing cost-effective menu items, taking advantage of discounts, and limiting extras, you can enjoy the amazing seafood buffet while sticking to a budget. Just pace yourself so you don’t overindulge!
Is it Worth the Cost?
Given the generally moderate prices per person, is dining at Captain George’s worth the cost? For most visitors, the answer is a resounding yes!
Consider the value you get with the all-you-can-eat seafood buffet, allowing you to sample endless crab legs, shrimp, fish, and more for one flat rate. The very reasonable prices offer great bang for your buck – where else could you get this much high-quality seafood for around $30 per person?
Beyond the food itself, there’s the lively ambiance, waterfront location, and welcoming service that enhance the overall dining experience. Families appreciate the casual, affordable atmosphere where kids can eat their fill of seafood.
For seafood lovers visiting Myrtle Beach, Captain George’s is often considered a “must-do” dining destination and a quintessential part of the Grand Strand experience. Many make it an annual tradition to indulge in the buffet during their trips. So if you’re a fan of shrimp, crab, and lobster, the value is well worth the very fair pricing.
The Verdict on Pricing
When considering the pricing at Captain George’s Myrtle Beach, most visitors feel it offers an excellent value, especially factoring in the all-you-can-eat buffet format. Diners can fill up on high-quality seafood, including snow crab, peel and eat shrimp, mussels, oysters, and much more. The reasonable buffet prices encourage sampling a bit of everything. And kids discount pricing makes it notably affordable for families.
The a la carte menu also provides fairly priced options for lighter eaters or those not interested in the full buffet. Standard pricing applies for drinks, with discount specials like happy hour helping offset costs.
Overall, Captain George’s beloved status among locals and tourists shows that its legendary buffet and dining experience are well worth the very fair pricing. When planning your Myrtle Beach travels, be sure to budget for a meal at this classic seafood restaurant for delicious cuisine, incredible value, and memories to last a lifetime.