Make your “island escape” to Sunset Beach complete with a trip to The Sugar Shack – an authentic Jamaican restaurant -just a few minutes from Sunset Beach. Go over the bridge to the mainland and head east on Beach Drive (highway 179) toward Ocean Isle Beach. The Sugar Shack is on the right, just across the street from the Lowes Food Grocery Store.
Sugar Shack features authentic Jamaican home cooking (yes, the chef/owner is Jamaican) in a colorful, intimate setting about a mile from the beach. Amid greenery, tropical artwork and floral table coverings, recorded reggae music adds a lively island feel, while live music is offered on weekends.
The house specialty is a huge steak, marinated, slowly grilled and richly flavored. But the flavorful jerk selections, served with a hot ‘n’ sweet sauce, are the highlight of their delightful menu that also includes Stamp & Go (a traditional spicy cod fritter), Brown Stewed Fish (slowly cooked red snapper) and a curried goat so tender it literally falls off the bone. But be sure someone in your group gets the award-winning baby back ribs.
Nothing is too spicy for the average palate, but imported hot sauce is available if you want to hurt yourself. Some appetizers are enough for a meal, and the Jamaican Sampler is a good introduction. Other offerings include a grilled mango tuna, spiced-just-right crab fritters, homemade soups, great burgers and nightly specials, such as lightly fried coconut shrimp served with mango-pepper marmalade. Then you just need to top it all off with a luscious slice of homemade Key lime pie. Guinness and Red Stripe beer are served. Take-out orders are welcome.
Sugar Shack is one block west of the intersection of Ocean Isle Beach Road, a few yards off N.C. 179. Sugar Shack is open nightly for dinner in summer and Tuesday through Saturday off-season. Live entertainment is featured on Saturday nights. Reservations are strongly suggested. Sugar Shack is located at 1609 Hale Beach Rd SW, Ocean Isle Beach, NC 28469 and the phone number is (910) 579-3844.
