Saturday, August 30, 2025 was a day that marked a major milestone, and not one most of South Carolina’s Grand Strand was happy to celebrate.

Dagwood’s Deli made the decision to close down its original location on Joe White Avenue, closing that day after a parade of locals got in line one last time like they’d done so many times before. Staffers were bummed. Ownership group was bummed. Those who’d relied on this as their weekly tradition were bummed.

Not all was lost.

Dagwood’s long-established name was disappearing. Locations in North Myrtle Beach and Surfside Beach had already give their respective corners of South Carolina’s Grand Strand a deli away from their deli. The timing of the decision for Surfside, however, came on the heels of another significant move.

Back in May of 2025, that location was rejuvenated with its own re-opening after a fire days after New Year’s forced a temporarily closure. Within days, the scene looked like old time. Patrons were bellied up to the bar or sitting in their regular booths watching individualized sporting events (and an occasional Law & Order: Special Victim’s Unit) while devouring all of their favorites.

Dagwood’s, for all of the hullabaloo with the Myrtle Beach location, was back.

What nobody knew was that it would be better than ever.

Much like a golf course’s aging over the years, Dagwood’s had started to show some of its own over the past decade. Post-fire, the Surfside Beach location held on to its best attributes while still focusing on a menu that already exceeded the expectations of Myrtle Beach’s more traditional deli; whereas the Joe White location had long since opened Bumstead’s Pub to serve the dinner crowds while enjoying a beverage, the day-time routine was all deli.

Surfside Beach turned that plan on its head, and the crowd loved the even more casual dining approach. That’s all fine and good if the menu didn’t carry the load. But it does.

There is a bevy of cheesesteaks, from the standard you know and love to an Oriental Shrimp Philly to a chicken to a veggie. The Lynn Swann Dipper gives you more turkey and roast beef than should be allowed on a sandwich. The Italian sub is a favorite (at either of Dagwood’s current locations, as well as its O.G.). The Gamecock makes South Carolina fans re-think their long-held beliefs. And the Famous Dagwood Burger is a monster piled on top of a brioche bun.

What Surfside tacked onto the equation was a more bar-feel with its appetizer list. Hot pretzels, wings, fried pickles, breaded mushrooms and buffalo shrimp are perfect starters, especially if you’re there for a two- or three-hour game.

Package all that with the full bar that’s open if the doors are unlocked, and it’s evident that the fire and ensuing five-month closure wasn’t going to be enough to prevent a comeback.

Yes, 2025 has been stressful for Dagwood’s as a whole. But Surfside Beach is already proving the name isn’t disappearing from the Grand Strand any time soon.

Photos for this feature from Dagwood’s Deli & Sports Bar’s Facebook Page