Don’t sound like much, but come sundown this ballroom of sun-baked concrete garnished with that 200-Selection Wurlitzer was the Oz of our social universe for 25 years and partner dancing headquarters. Just a loafer landing strip of sole-worn concrete pierced with a 60’ flag-flappin flagpole, overlooking the endless Atlantic. 22 rifle booth with the bent sights.But the powdered sugar on this giant summer cupcake was always the sacred sticky of Atlantic salt, the hand in hand barefoot beach stroll and oh-so-sweet moonlit first kisses with baby-oiled, big-eyed girls in oh-so-tight britches.And for a cultish few the forbidden race music at the Pavilion with a delicious backbeat and sinful dancin.The Pavilion dance area wutn’t zackly Roseland. It was the sensual banzai of squealy screams from Roller Coaster and Round-Up riders, the dangerous clack of meshing gears, the whump of bumper cars and a bouquet of memory stapled smells… Popcorn poppin, cotton candy spun into webs of edible silk, burgers bein spatula’d, butterized corn on the cob, donuts drippin rivulets of hot grease, salty fries bein catsup’d and vinegar’d, the sweet metallic taste of electric in your mouth from the bumper cars and the nasal burn of spent ammo from the. What Einstein did for fission, Edison did for night and Carver did for the peanut… the Pavilion, the Hill and Atlantic Beach did for southern boogie.For most kids our PAVILION was the carney magic of pinball, putt-putt, skinny/fat mirrors, the mysterious and babushka’d fortune teller booth, balloon busts with bent darts, a tap-dancin monkey and the endless quest for a Skeeball cupie doll. Specially if you grew up a slinky flip from the Myrtle Beach Pavilion, a baseball throw from the Hill and a one-hour Schwinn ride from Atlantic Beach. One visit and you’ll be a member of the family.Ĭasual dress is fine and you can call ahead for preferred seating at (843) 449-5388.MYRTLE BEACH PAVILION MEMORIESMusic, boogie and the backbeats of beach life jived like popped collars and pegged pants, rental bathing suits and jock itch. Simply stated, you can’t go wrong when you order. All of the dishes are time tested or they wouldn’t be there. If you mention the words “Flamingo Grill” to someone, it is usually followed by “I love their Fried Lobster Bites.” The dish is as iconic as the neon sign on the building. In order to maintain its reputation as a locals’ favorite, Flamingo Grill has been serving some of the finest seafood and steaks on the Grand Strand. There have been 33 marriages over the years of employees who met while working together and every week is homecoming for prior employees, annual visitors and local residents. Every position is honorable and staff are treated with respect and loyalty, which is mutually returned. Take, for example, the four cooks who have been with both restaurants for 40 years each or the bartenders whose tenures range from 18-35 years. Even though many of Myrtle Beach’s prominent residents started as busboys and waitstaff at the restaurant, the Dinos could not be prouder than of the employees who have made this their career. A smile and positive attitude are the required foundation of every resume. On the menu is printed “Lovingly operated,” and nothing could be closer to the truth. Both live by it and have a good time doing it. Their business relationship has endured through the years thanks to mutual respect and a heartfelt belief that service is an honorable profession. The Flamingo Grill would open nine years later in 1985. Drosas responded “That’s the last thing I want to do.” Fortunately, he changed his mind and Cagney’s opened in 1976. At a Christmas party in 1974, Thompson floated the idea of becoming partners and opening a restaurant together. After they attended college, Drosas entered the world of stocks, bonds and mutual funds while Thompson followed his family roots and opened Dino’s House of Pancakes in North Myrtle Beach. With a friendship that started 66 years ago at a family gathering and a business partnership spanning 45 years, Dino Drosas and Dino Thompson have managed to nurture and maintain a working atmosphere reminiscent of old Myrtle Beach based on respect, loyalty, honesty and a positive attitude.īoth Dinos are the sons of Greek immigrants and saw early on the possibilities and opportunities available to them.
Good guys really do finish first, and the owners of the Flamingo Grill are living proof. Dino Drosas and Dino Thompson have been in business together for years (inset) Reminiscent of when Myrtle Beach was a one-hotel town, the neon sign is a classic.