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There are plenty of pizzerias on the Grand Strand - and you can't expect us to try them all.
Still, staffers at the (Myrtle Beach) Sun News did hit a smattering of pizza shops just to show you their area has mighty good pizza.
Here are two options; we'll publish more next Sunday.
King's Famous Pizza
3511 U.S. 17 S., North Myrtle Beach. Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. daily. Details: 843-272-8414.
The pizza: We opted to mix it up here with a slice of Hawaiian pizza. Generally, this would include just cheese, pineapple and ham as toppings, but at the suggestion of cook Brian Powers, we added bacon. The fruity flavor of the pineapple was a nice change from some of the more savory pies; the bacon added a touch of crisp that the ham didn't. The hand-tossed crust was decent, but the thing that really stood out was the sauce - a bit sweet and a perfect complement to the toppings. According to Powers, the owners are very secretive about their "made fresh daily" sauce and go to great lengths for their ingredients.
The place: King's (open since 1978) exudes an old-school charm, with wood-panel walls and red plastic booths. It's a family-friendly tourist favorite. "We see folks that used to come in here as kids now bringing their kids in," said Powers, a family friend who has worked at Kings on and off for 17 years. According to him, the place can get packed during the high season, but the owners recently expanded the dining room, which has helped cut down wait times.
The price: The 16-inch Hawaiian is $15.25; other large pizzas start as low as $11.95.
Gino's
3521 Belle Terre Blvd. (at Forestbrook Village), Myrtle Beach. Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. or later Monday-Saturday; opens noon Sunday. Details: 843 -236-8885.
The pizza: I've never tasted pizza this good elsewhere on the Grand Strand. I ordered a slice of cheese pizza, and it was just right. The crust was thin, tasty with the right amount of chewiness. The sauce was homemade, and my tongue could tell. It was also cheesy enough, but not overly so. The slice was truly New York style in flavor and size. A single slice filled me up. Gino's is now my favorite pizza spot on the Grand Strand. I'm looking forward to trying other toppings. The pizzeria also serves Sicilian style. The topping choices seem endless, including ground beef, garlic, pineapple and banana peppers.
The place: Gino's is a simple pizza parlor. It's not fancy. However, it is clean and airy and has an extremely friendly and knowledgeable staff. The place has a dedicated following. It doesn't have a large dining hall, but there is enough of room to sit down, relax and still get a sense of privacy while dining.
The price: A cheese slice is $2.06. Daily specials give you an opportunity to buy more for less. I got two cheese slices and a drink for $7.39 (with tax). Whole pizza prices range from $12 to $22. Speciality items cost more. Johanna Wilson
Major concerts
Train with Uncle Cracker, 8:30 p.m. Saturday at House of Blues, 4640 U.S. 17 South, North Myrtle Beach. $32.50 and $80. Details/tickets: www.houseofblues.com.
A.F.I. with Jonny Craig , 8 p.m. next Sunday at House of Blues. $22.50 and $24.50. Details/tickets: www.houseofblues.com.
Matisyahu , 8:30 p.m. Nov. 19 at House of Blues. $25 and $48. Details/tickets: www.houseofblues.com.
