SURFSIDE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) — Neal & Pam’s Bar and Grill in Surfside Beach rung in 2025 with its community Wednesday at its annual complimentary New Year’s Day Feast.
Zach Baker, the owner of Neal & Pam’s, says the feast is all about tradition. Neal and Pam started it when they first opened the restaurant.
“I think it’s important to maintain tradition,” Baker said. “And it always brings a big crowd and gets everyone excited for the new year.”
Almost 40 years later, the Surfside Beach community still visits Neal & Pam’s to eat iconic southern dishes, meant to bring health and wealth in the new year.
Baker says most people’s favorite dish is the collard greens.
“You got to have your collard greens,” he said. “That’s to manifest wealth going into the new year. Then, you’ve got your black-eyed peas, Hoppin’ Johns, black-eyed peas and rice. That’s for your health. And then, I’m not really sure what the pork and the fat back is for. But I think that’s just because it tastes good.”
One family has been coming to the New Year’s Feast for four years. They say it is a tradition for them, too. The food is supposed to bring good luck.