July 2009: return to Holden after 10 yrs! Advice please!

I grew up vacationing with extended family at Holden Beach every summer. After nonstop visits for about 15-18 yrs, I%26#39;m now returning for the first time in over a decade. I have heard some people say that the ';old'; HB I remember from childhood is gone, and I%26#39;m sure a lot of the little OF duplexes and cottages we used to rent have been replaced with boxes-on-stilts, but I%26#39;m happy to be getting back.

I%26#39;m probably in need of some updated info on good restaurants in the HB/Shallotte/Calabash area. Which ones are new in the last 10 yrs and worth a visit? Which ones do I remember fondly but are now under poor management or going downhill? Please steer me towards some good family-friendly places, as we will have three kids ages 2.5-5 with us. Good seafood dinner spots? Good casual lunch/cafe options?

Also, since our rental doesn%26#39;t have internet access, where is the closest place to check email? We%26#39;ll be staying OF between the bridge and the pier. Is there a cafe with a computer available, or is there somewhere that offers wifi if you bring your own computer?

Finally, I remember the annual rite of falling off your waterslide mat and losing some skin on the way down the pipe at the waterslide park. Are they still open? How old do you have to be to ride a slide? Can young kids ride with a parent on the mat?

Thanks in advance!

Julie

July 2009: return to Holden after 10 yrs! Advice please!

Our family has been vacationing here for the past 12 years. We absolutely love Holden and can%26#39;t ever get enough.

Restaurants:

The Provision Co. - as your coming across the bridge from the island to the mainland, take your first left. Provision is a great open-air restaurant right on the ICW and a better choice with kids for lunch. It gets a little more Jimmy Buffet around happy hour.

Archibalds - close to HB on 130 going toward Shallotte - open for lunch only (11-2), but you won%26#39;t be disappointed. We enjoy Richie%26#39;s Roaster - a Grilled Chicken sandwich with cheese, lettuce, and tomato. We also pick up one of his chocolate chess pies to take back to the house to eat on during the week. Delicious!

Purple Onion - in Shallotte, #1 rated restaurant in Shallotte on TripAdviser.com. I%26#39;ve eaten there for breakfast and lunch. Their portions are huge and aren%26#39;t over-priced. Great choices for breakfast include pancakes and omelets. For lunch we enjoy their Angus burgers-they have the best flavor. The Purple Onion also sells all kinds of great desserts, cakes (killer red-velvet), and huge brownies. You might be tempted to take something home.

The Boundary - in Calabash, this is a little more upscale steak/seafood restaurant right next to the Christmas shop. This has become a regular visit for us when we%26#39;re staying at Holden. Reservations are recommended on the weekends. This place gets busy for a reason--the food is great!

For internet, I know there is Cappuccino By the Sea. They offer wi-fi for $5 for 1/2 hour access. She has computers to check e-mail or you can use your own. I%26#39;m not sure if there are any other hotspots. Some of the rentals have unsecured wireless internet access which you might could tap into with your laptop.

Not sure about the waterslide-but I%26#39;m sure they%26#39;ll let you ride!

July 2009: return to Holden after 10 yrs! Advice please!

Provision CO. is good and the view is priceless.

Duffer%26#39;s in Shallote is one of my favorites for Burgers or a Philly Chessesteak. (they have pretty much anything)

Pretty much any restaraunt in Calabash is good but Betty%26#39;s in HB if very good and is right on the waterway.

Any other ?%26#39;s ask away

Cant forget about icecram after dinner. I like the putt putt place for a cone or Tasty Freeze? Beside of Food Lion for a HUGE banana split.