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Bonfire: A Smokin’ Taqueria

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Sister restaurant to Downtown Conway’s prestigious Rivertown Bistro, Bonfire: A Smokin’ Taqueria, brings a fun, swanky, take on a classic southern smoked Barbeque.

Chef Darren Smith, who owns the business with his wife Cyndi, has crafted an exciting menu that combines southern barbeque with a Tex-Mex flair.

Cyndi Smith, a Conway native and College of Charleston graduate, met her future husband when he worked as chef at a Charleston restaurant. Her plan after graduation was to take some time off, waiting tables. She happened to apply for a job at the restaurant where Smith worked. The couple was married in 1992 and the rest, as they say, is history.

A move to Conway and two restaurant openings later, the couple enjoy sustained success with both Rivertown Bistro and Bonfire.

At Bonfire, customers enjoy that combination of Southern BBQ and Tex-Mex. In keeping with SC BBQ tradition, all the meats are “cooked low and slow over hardwood oak and hickory.”

A quick look at the menu

Appetizers include BBQ spiced pork rinds, pulled pork sliders, and crispy smoked wings. Taco, spinach, tropical and smokehouse salads are available with a “pick a protein” such as pulled pork, Jamaican jerk turkey or catfish option.

Plate options include half a chicken, half a rack of ribs and grilled or fried catfish. Bonfire serves these plates with your choice of two sides, pickles, and Texas toast. Combo plates are also available.

In the “Wanna Taco ‘bout it?” category, options range from the BBQ Sweet Heat Shrimp to the smoked chicken stuffed Down South to the Al Pastor with pulled pork.

In addition to extraordinary barbeque food, Bonfire is one of the first restaurants in the area to offer wine “on tap” – which has been highly touted by Wine Spectator. With canned beer and growlers, bags of ice, and plastic wine “glasses,” they offer the perfect summer boat/takeout package.

Located on the Waccamaw River, Bonfire brings a fun atmosphere with its industrial, rustic, interior, and imaginative murals by local artist, Luke Horowitz.

So, if you’re on a Road Trip in South Carolina or just happen to be in the area, drop into Bonfire for something deliciously familiar yet interestingly different.

NOTE: While the address is East Main St., really it looks like access is only via 2nd Ave. See below:

Take a Look Inside of Bonfire

What Folks are Saying

One of many Google Reviews, Google’s Local Guide Kathleen French writes about her favorite restaurant in all of the Myrtle Beach area.

Located literally on the Waccamaw riverfront, this restaurant is our overall favorite in the Myrtle Beach area.

You can dine indoors in their spacious casual pub-style interior, or my personal favorite, on the deck right over the water and watch all manner of boats, kayaks, etc float by.

Their menu is contemporary with a nod to The smokehouse. They serve a fun selection of gourmet tacos. For instance, the seared tuna taco is my favorite but the BBQ sweet hot shrimp comes in a close second. In addition, they have a variety of barbecue, grilled and fried fish, etc.

Their prices are moderate and reasonable, and their service is wonderful. They’re pleasant, helpful and available but they don’t hover.

For casual, gastropub-style dining, my husband and I have not found better.

In a Yelp Review, Conway native Ben A gives Bonfire: A Smokin’ Taqueria five stars. See why:

Bonfire is hands down my favorite restaurant in Conway, SC, and it’s not even close.

The staff here is so welcoming and warm. In addition, the beer selection is fantastic and the prices are extremely reasonable. And the food, the food is out of this world.

My favorite menu item there is the burrito. It’s got brisket and all different types of BBQ meat mixed with some other stuff and it tastes incredible. The last time I went I got their double bacon burger, and that too was five stars.

Looking forward to trying the whole menu.