Description: If there is a Hard Rock in town, then you know I have to go. So after visiting the aquarium, we were starving and the Hard Rock was right beside of us, so that is where we would be dining for lunch that day.
You can start your meal off right with appetizers such as Hard Rock Nachos, Potato Skins, or Santa Fe Spring Rolls. There are almost a dozen burgers to choose from. There are several options from the smokehouse. You can choose from 3 sandwiches. This place also offers 6 different kinds of pizza.
Nick goes with the South Carolina sandwich from the smokehouse and I go with the Goat cheese chicken sandwich. The South Carolina is a pulled pork sandwich topped with South Carolina’s signature mustard BBQ sauce ( that is why SC is not known for its BBQ) it comes with an order of fries and has slaw and onions. I love the slaw since it isn’t a mayo based slaw but being a native North Carolinian, I don’t think mustard has not business being near BBQ sauce! My sandwich is divine. My 708 calorie chicken salad sandwich consists of celery, green onions and is mixed with a tangy citrus mayo that has been combined with Dijon mustard and dill. It is piled on a hoagie roll with a spring mix of cranberries and goat cheese crumbles. I get mine with a side salad and vinaigrette dressing. It is soooo yummy despite the more than 700 calories!!!
To add to my calorie laden sammy, Nick and I decide to split a piece of chocolate peanut butter pie (which actually has over 100 calories less than my sandwich). The pie is sinfully delish and is made from peanut butter, cream, and chocolate and is topped with peanuts. Oh my..it is good.
The Hard Rock does have a kids menu and there are options for vegetarians but fewer options for vegans. There is plenty of space for large groups and parties. In fact while we were here there was a cheerleading championship going somewhere and there were groups of cheerleaders and families all over the place. And we got some funny looks when we asked to be sat as far away from those groups as possible. In the summer months you can even enjoy dining outside which overlooks Broadway at the Beach. The restaurant is located at Broadway at the Beach giving you plenty of entertainment options including the Ripley’s Aquarium. Oh and if you are going to enjoy the complex after dining and you collect the squished pennies like I do, they have them at Broadway at the Beach but get some change from the Hard Rock first since you can not find it there!
The Hard Rock is easily spotted by the 70 foot pyramid that you enter to get inside. The restaurant is located on 2 levels. They do have a Hard Rock Shop and even have a special edition HR pin in connection with the Ripley’s Aquarium which benefits the aquarium, that is if it isn’t sold out! There is plenty of rock and roll memorabilia here including an autographed guitar from hottie Joe Perry of Aerosmith as well as items from Johnny Cash, Elvis, and Axel Roses leather kilt. This particular Hard Rock is first come, first serve and does not accept priority seating. Parking is free. AAA members can show their card and save 10%.
Recommendation: Highly recommended.
Cuisine: American fare
Price rang: $15-$20 per person
Website: www.hardrock.com
They are on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Tumbler, and Pintrest.
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