Some breakfast spots have a line even on a random Tuesday, and once you eat there, you understand exactly why. That was Johnny D’s Waffles and Benedicts in Myrtle Beach for us. We showed up on a weekday, still ended up waiting for a table, and it was worth every minute.

The original Myrtle Beach location

This is where Johnny D’s got its start, tucked into the heart of Myrtle Beach just minutes from Broadway at the Beach and the Convention Center. It is a small spot, recently renovated, family run and chef driven, the kind of place that leans on scratch made food rather than a big flashy space. Small does not mean quiet though. Expect a wait, even outside of peak weekend brunch hours.

The chicken and waffles

Crispy fried chicken on top of a proper Belgian style waffle, the combination that always sounds simple on paper and is much harder to nail in practice. Johnny D’s gets the balance right, chicken that stays crunchy without drying out, waffle sturdy enough to hold its own under the chicken and syrup without turning to mush. Classic for a reason.

The red velvet waffle

This is the dish Johnny D’s is known for, and it earned a number one ranking from Food Network for good reason. A red velvet batter waffle with all the richness you would expect from the cake version, dressed up enough to feel like a treat but still very much a real breakfast. If you are only trying one thing here, make it this one.

A few practical tips

  • Go early if you want to minimize the wait, weekday mornings still get busy.

  • The Myrtle Beach location is compact, so larger groups may want to plan for extra wait time.

  • If chicken and waffles and red velvet waffles are both calling your name, split them between two people so you get to try both without overdoing it.

  • There are additional Johnny D’s locations in North Myrtle Beach and Surfside Beach if the original spot has too long a line.

Johnny D’s is proof that a breakfast spot does not need to be big to build a loyal following. Between the chicken and waffles and that red velvet waffle, this is a Myrtle Beach stop worth planning your morning around.