Johnny D's Waffles and Benedicts, Surfside Beach

Johnny D's Waffles and Benedicts is a restaurant in Surfside Beach, SC. It is a chef-driven, family-run diner-style spot serving creative breakfast, brunch, and lunch to locals and visitors across three locations in the Grand Strand Area. The restaurant holds a rating of 4.50 based on 1686 reviews.

The restaurant was founded by Johnny Daskalis, who bought his first restaurant, the Hills Diner, in Washington, New Jersey in 1978 at age 17. After moving to Middletown, NY, the family took over the Forum Diner, and in 1996 opened Johnny D's Diner in Newburgh, NY, a true authentic 50's style diner with neon lighting, stainless steel, a porcelain facade, and mahogany booths. After years in New York, the family moved to Surfside Beach and opened Johnny D's Waffles and Benedicts. Following Johnny's passing in April 2022, his son, Chef Jamie Daskalis, continues to run the restaurant with the family, keeping his father's legacy alive. All recipes are scratch made in house, and the menu features original, creative dishes and cocktails alongside classic diner breakfasts and sandwiches. Signature items include the Red Velvet Cake Batter Waffle, which was rated among the Best in the US by Food Network Magazine and ranked #1 in SC, and has been featured on the Weather Channel's AMHQ. The menu also includes a variety of house-made waffles, gluten-free options, and an extensive selection of Benedicts served with grits, including pork belly, corned beef hash, avocado, flat iron steak, brisket, and crab cake variations.

Johnny D's Waffles and Benedicts has built a solid reputation among the customers it has served, with an established track record based on a large base of customer reviews. The restaurant's 4.50 rating from 1686 reviews reflects the strength of its standing in the local dining scene.

The family's dedication to quality, value, and complete guest satisfaction, combined with its chef-driven, scratch-made approach, has made Johnny D's a well-regarded breakfast and lunch destination in the Surfside Beach area.