01-05-2025
Iconic Myrtle Beach fast food joint to reopen after 2023 fire
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) – Myrtle Beach residents are anticipating a local fast food joint to reopen Thursday, more than a year after the restaurant was damaged in a fire.
After 40 years of serving hot dogs, hamburgers, and Cincinnati-style chili, Burky's Grill had a spontaneous combustion in December 2023.
Owner Wayne Burkart says starting over was not easy.
'It was a pit,' he said. 'If it wasn't fire damage, it was smoke damage. So, we just had to throw everything out and start over.'
Almost a year-and-a-half later, Burky's is finally reopening.
'It's been a long road for him to get back to opening the restaurant, and I'm just excited for him,' Kevin Klein, Burkart's hair stylist and a loyal Burky's customer, said. 'I'm excited for his customers and for Myrtle Beach.'
Matthew La Gala, a Burky's employee, says Burkart showed him the restaurant is not just about the hot dogs and hamburgers.
It is also about looking out for each other.
'When we burned down, he actually financially supported all of his employees for a couple months after it, so everybody could find jobs,' La Gala said.
Burkart says 14 people who worked at Burky's before the fire quit their current jobs to work there again.
'We're so fortunate that they all put their notices in and came to Burky's to help me open up,' Burkart said. 'Now, we're all family again.'
Many customers told News13 they feel like family, too.
'The staff is amazing,' Joshua Newman said. 'It's all a homey feel. You can walk in there, and it actually feels like they know you.'
'We celebrated some really important moments here,' Annie Watson, who has brought her family to Burky's for decades, said. 'After they received their First Communion, we came over here, for each one of my children.'
Burky's customers also love how quickly they can get their food.
'I've got a store to run, so I can't be gone long,' David Heller, a local store owner, said. 'I'm able to step over there, get my food, come right back, not miss a beat.'
However, Burkart says reopening day will not be about speed.
It will be about accuracy, consistency, and welcoming their customers back home.
'Welcome back,' Burkart said. 'You'll recognize the crew, and the crew will recognize you. Nothing has changed, menu-wise and a lot of people-wise.'
Burky's Grill is on North Kings Highway and reopens Thursday at 11 a.m.
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Skylar Musick is a multimedia journalist at News13. Skylar is originally from Long Island, New York. She joined the News13 team in June 2024 after graduating from Villanova University in May 2024. Follow Skylar on X, formerly Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram, and read more of her work here.
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