<b>By Pamela Brownstein</b>

I have a confession: After 10 years in Beaufort, I had never been to Boondocks. So when Lunch Bunch met last week at the restaurant located off Sea Island Parkway on St. Helena Island, I

[caption id="attachment_17147" align="alignright" width="150"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/DSC_0208.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-17147" alt="Grilled shrimp skewers over homemade coleslaw" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/DSC_0208-150x150.jpg" width="150" height="150" /></a> Grilled shrimp skewers over homemade coleslaw[/caption]

was excited to finally see what it had to offer.

[caption id="attachment_17142" align="alignleft" width="150"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/DSC_0209.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-17142" alt="Blackened swordfish over rice" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/DSC_0209-150x150.jpg" width="150" height="150" /></a> Blackened swordfish over rice[/caption]

New owners Travis and Jesse are enthusiastic about their new menu and serving fresh, local seafood along with hearty, homemade Southern comfort food. It’s a combination that is fine. Actually, it’s more than fine, it’s fantastic.

We started with a piping hot basket of tasty hush puppies, as well as a glass of white wine for each of us, a perfect way to enjoy a summer Friday afternoon.

Next, we tried grilled shrimp skewers over homemade coleslaw, and it was an excellent dish. The shrimp had a glaze with a slight kick, that paired perfectly with a bite of cool, fresh slaw.

Our sweet, friendly server also brought out two whole fried Soft Shell Crabs for us to share as

[caption id="attachment_17146" align="alignright" width="150"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/DSC_0206.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-17146" alt="Boondocks nachos." src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/DSC_0206-150x150.jpg" width="150" height="150" /></a> Boondocks nachos.[/caption]

well as succulent pieces of blackened swordfish over rice, which was my favorite. We also devoured the Boondocks nachos, and Kim declared a must-have with homemade chips, cheese, tomatoes and barbecue.

Nikki insisted that we try the homemade crockpot mac n’ cheese, and it was really awesome.

With the dining area on the first floor, upstairs features a spacious sports bar with big screen TVs, a pool table, video games and a large screened-in porch.

[caption id="attachment_17148" align="alignleft" width="150"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/LB-Boondocks2.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-17148" alt="Mac n' cheese" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/LB-Boondocks2-150x150.jpg" width="150" height="150" /></a> Mac n' cheese[/caption]

There are also plans in the works for a miniature golf course adjacent to the restaurant, which will only make this worthy establishment that much more of a must-stop destination.

Boondocks Restaurant and Sports Bar is at 1760 Sea Island Parkway on St. Helena Island. Lunch is Monday through Sunday at 11 a.m., Sunday brunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The restaurant and bar are open until 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and until 9 p.m. Sunday. Call 843-838-0821.