Great experience, service and food! We sat outside late afternoon for drinks and seafood. The local shrimp was amazing, and so were $1 oysters! Drinks were fabulous. We loved their frozen sangria, and both mild/spicy bloody's. Would recommend coming here over Krazy Crab! Much better experience overall and way better, nicer, more professional service here at Skull Creek! read more

Skull Creek Dockside - DAILY OYSTERS ON THE 1-2 SHELL* - Seafood Near Me - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Ok-- my family loves an early dining menu, we plan our vacation meals around trying to hit all of them. If a restaurant offers and advertises an Early Dining Menu, why is it so hard to get that menu? We did the usual dance at this restaurant-- we got seated, reviewed the menu, realized we didn't have the early dining menu. We waited for our (abysmal) waitress, who never materialized and then went to the hostess to get the menu. When ordering, it seemed to frustrate the waitress? Next, the seating. Lovely outdoor seating which we were not fortunate to get. We did however, enjoy the big booth. Big is subjective here because six of us squeezed into this booth with mere inches of our lives. Our foot placement under the table required intentional organization. Once the foot hit the table, all bets were off. The pièce de résistance was how sticky the booth was, it made sliding into it a sporting endeavor. Now the actual food? Pretty solid. The she crab soup? Delectable. Broiled shrimp? Satisfying. BBQ brisket platter? Great. Meatloaf? Solid choice. If this place could get its act together with service and seating, it would be a solid 5 with the food and waterfront dining. (Isn't it always the way though?) read more

If there were an award for turning fresh seafood into something indistinguishable from aquarium water, this restaurant would be a strong contender. The experience began with a waitress whose attitude suggested that serving customers was an inconvenience. She was dismissive, inattentive when it mattered, and then somehow managed to become intensely attentive when the check arrived--hovering over my shoulder while I calculated the tip. Frankly, she was fortunate to receive one at all. The food somehow managed to be even more disappointing than the service. The children's burger was advertised in a way that would lead you to expect substance, yet what arrived was a pathetically thin patty--barely a quarter-inch thick--buried beneath an oddly sweet, doughy bun that overwhelmed what little beef there was. The seafood tower, the restaurant's premium offering, was astonishing for all the wrong reasons. Fresh seafood should taste of the ocean. This tasted like the water from a neglected fish tank: bland, watery, and utterly devoid of the clean, briny flavor you'd expect for a dish carrying such an outrageous price tag. The shrimp and grits completed the trifecta of disappointment. The shrimp were greasy, aggressively salted, and lacked any nuance or balance. It was less a Southern classic than an exercise in how much sodium and oil a single plate can absorb. If there was a standout dish on the menu, I certainly didn't find it. Perhaps the food becomes enjoyable after several drinks, because sober, it's difficult to imagine anyone describing this meal as worth the money. Poor service, mediocre food, and premium prices make for an easy recommendation: spend your money somewhere that respects both your palate and your wallet. The view is nice, watching the sharks of the pier was the highlight. Or rather, the only light. read more

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We had dinner at the bar on June 27th. I had fried oysters which were fine. My husband, on the other hand, had a half-dozen raw oysters. Next morning, he became ill and was very sick for over 2 weeks! Everything went right through him for days and days. He finally had to go to Urgent Care and have a huge IV and antibiotics. The first time he was able to digest solid food was just July 7th! Enjoy the restaurant, but do not eat raw oysters there!! read more

This place is pretty big. The weight can be long so it's probably best to do reservations or you can do the table tops or the outside seating area first come first serve doing is outside gives you an opportunity to take in the view to take the people and the great atmosphere food was OK but the atmosphere makes up for it. I will be back to try some other stuff. I typically go to Hudson's not too far but skull Creek has an upstairs and downstairs and they do have live music some days pretty cool. i'll come back just for the views every time. read more

Skull Creek Dockside - Seafood Near Me - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

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We visited for Sunday brunch. It wasn't very crowded at all, but we still had a reservation for our large group. Our waitress was a little quiet, but everything came out quickly. I ordered the lobster quiche. It was good, but I might try something different next time. It was a great size. The breakfast potatoes were amazing! Next time I would ask to sit on the patio. read more

Skull Creek Dockside - LOBSTER QUICHE - Seafood Near Me - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

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fish and chips for me. this was a really nice piece of freshly battered fish. the pimento cheese grits were a great side dish. the fries were ok ... pretty average. Got a side of hushpuppies that were fantastic with a maple butter read more

Skull Creek Dockside - Seafood Near Me - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Our table of 5 had reservations for 7:30 and were seated on time at an outside patio table. My husband and I ordered 2 alc drinks and waters, both were very heavy on the pour. Not a bad thing for price but if you're looking for a fancy cocktail this wasn't that. Our friends ordered the hush puppies as an app and they came out cold and basically falling apart. We ended up just sending them back and had them taken off the bill. I ordered the Deviled eggs which were great!! My only complaint is I wish there were more than 4. I will say I felt like we waited quite a while for our main food. Our waitress even came over and commented on the wait and said she'd check on the status. Luckily everything came out hot and everyone was content with what they ordered. My reason for giving 4 stars is this; we decided on a seafood restaurant because we were obviously at a beachy location known for seafood... Every seafood option was listed as from MA or RI. As someone from MA, going back next week, I was a little disappointed thinking I was going to get something new as the people with us also raved how good the seafood is here. Needless to say I didn't order any seafood listed from NE. Oh well read more

Skull Creek Dockside - SEARED TUNA DEVILED EGGS - Seafood Near Me - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

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My best dinner on the island so far! Our apps were very good, and I got BBQ for dinner but I ate it before I got a pic!! I got a pick 2: 1/3 ribs and pulled pork! Sooooo good!! They bring you 3 different BBQ sauces, so try them all! The brisket was also very good! Other items we got were baked wings, potato skins, fried shrimp, and the fried bounty! So good! A lot of their menu can be gluten free, including fried items! Definitely go here! Inside takes reservations, and outdoor is first come first serve just grab an empty table! It sits right on the water and is beautiful during sunsets. read more

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First time here for my husbands birthday. The bacon hush puppies are so good, and the butter with it is even better! The food was amazing and decently sized. Cons- it took a really long time to get our alcoholic drinks, and my husband's was wrong. We waited so long that he ended up just drinking it. It also took a long time to get condiments for our food. I had asked our waitress to tell happy birthday to my husband. I can't remember what she said.. something along the lines of it wasn't in her abilities. She offered to comp the dessert, we didn't get it comp'ed, I just wanted him wished happy birthday ‍ read more

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This place is so overated. I specifically booked this for my parents 51 anniversary. My dad ordered a pasta dish which was severely underseasoned. The biggist issue is the service. The service was awful. I told our server that it was my parents anniversary .. My mom specifically ordered mussels in white and they took forever which was understsndle if they are busy, but then they were red and the server gave my mom who is late 70s an attitude. She never came around and not even a free piece of cake or a happy anniversary. This place shows they dont need my business so they wont get it again. read more

We visited for lunch and really enjoyed our experience! For appetizers, we tried the bacon hush puppies and calamari. The calamari was our favorite, it came with a Korean aioli sauce which was delicious. We ordered the crab cake sandwich and lobster roll and were very pleased with our food. For drinks we ordered the blue lagoon and dreamsicle. Both drinks were yummy but the dreamsicle was our favorite. We were also pleased with our customer experience, everyone was friendly and service was quick! We will definitely visit again. read more

Skull Creek Dockside - CRAB CAKE SANDWICH - Seafood Near Me - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

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Skull Creek Dockside was... fine. Not bad, not great, just fine. One thing I learned pretty quickly is that Hilton Head seems to have a deep and abiding love affair with frying seafood. Maybe that's a local thing. Maybe I'm the weird one. But when I'm on the coast, I'm usually hoping for fresh seafood that tastes like the ocean rather than the fryer oil. I started with the stuffed clam appetizer. Usually a stuffed clam comes chopped up and mixed into the stuffing so you can actually eat it in one bite. This was a whole clam with fried stuffing piled on top. It created a unique challenge where it was too big for one bite but also nearly impossible to cut in half. To make matters worse, it wasn't cleaned particularly well, so I got to shuck it myself and enjoy a little bonus grit with dinner. The seafood chowder was decent. The hushpuppies were overcooked, which is a tough miss around here because every restaurant on the island seems locked in an arms race to make the best hushpuppies. You've got to bring your A-game. Service was solid. Our server was attentive, competent, and did everything right. The drinks were fine. One big plus is that they take reservations, which is a blessing on this packed island where most places seem to treat reservations like a mythological creature. Overall, if you're looking for fried seafood and a convenient reservation, you'll probably be happy. If you're searching for fresh seafood that really shines on its own... you may want to cast your net elsewhere. read more

The parking is insanely busy! They said 30-minute wait but we got seated in about 10 minutes (outside would have been much longer). The low country punch was sweet, but could be a tad stronger. The rolls they bring out are good. I had to send the tiki rum punch back as there was no pineapple or orange juice in it (completely clear). The server was trying to say it's premade and seemed argumentative, rather than just offering to add pineapple juice. The Stuffed mushrooms were kind of pricey for their size. The alternative drink Blueberry lemonade was just ok. The Dockside collection with mac & cheese the grits are good. The scallops are a little weird to have tangerines on top of them, but they were fresh. Crabcakes are good. They're not as good as Maryland obviously but they're much better than all the places we get in Georgia, and a little pricey for the portion. This place is huge with great sunset views. The coconut cream pie was the best thing (cane back another night & got some to go). The key lime pie was great too read more

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We had a lovely Sunday brunch at Dockside. The beet salad and shrimp bowl were delicious. The enormous biscuit was a bit underwhelming. I should have tried it with jam. The grits were perfect. My husband loved the Brisket Benedict. At first we wanted to sit outside, but it was chilly, so we were kindly moved inside. The hostess was very accommodating. The ladies bathroom was clean. The music didn't fit the Sunday brunch vibe. It was like 80's pop and a bit loud. The menu had great choices. read more

Skull Creek Dockside - CRISPY SHRIMP BOWL - Seafood Near Me - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

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Food was a 3/5. Service was a 5/5 our server was super nice. The restaurant got busy at 5 pm. The view itself was the highlight of our experience here. Paying $35 for 4 scallops and 4 pieces of shrimp is a bit of a stretch though. read more

Skull Creek Dockside - Pina colada with a view. - Seafood Near Me - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

We were able to get in quickly, but it was a rainy day. From beginning to end, the service was superb! Multiple people came around to our table and ask how we were doing! We got drinks, appetizer, and entrees for under $90. Food was excellent! Great experience. We would love to revisit on a clear day! read more

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Our food was very tasty and delicious, very tasty and perfect temperature. Our server Julio , was knowledgeable and cheerful. And the restaurant itself was amazing, open clean welcoming,. We loved the atmosphere. Thank you for a great evening., read more

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Of the three different seafood restaurants we went to while in Hilton Head this might be my favorite spot! Perfect for lively good time, Dockside has a little bit of everything. The wait for a table can be rather long if you don't sit at the bar (which was full) or sit at the uncovered bar-top tables (which were also mostly full). But the wait wasn't a bother. They have a gift shop to peruse and a walk-up bar outside to grab cocktails while you wait. The property is adorned with huge trees that provide shade for the play areas below. There you'll find corn hole boards, a fire pit surrounded by Adirondack chairs, and other things to do to pass the time. The restaurant is quite large but we got sat in one of the best seats in the whole place. Outside, under the shade, closest to the walking path and in front of the dock. Perfect to see the skies, the water, great for people watching and covered from the elements. I started with the Dockside Reel Lemonade which was fine but had nothing worth writing home about. Aside from the drinks, we then ordered the oysters and fried pickles and okra which were stupid good! I could have made a whole meal of them alone but I munched on a few then ordered the crispy shrimp with calamari and the tuna avocado stack (clearly all I wanted was seafood). Unfortunately, the tuna was bland and did not taste fresh, but the calamari and shrimp was really good. Flavors all there. I tried my sons lobster mac n cheese and it was good too. Could have had a little more seasoning but pretty good. My daughter had the fish and chips and my husband had the shrimp and grits that were good too. Notice the theme though, good. The only thing that was GREAT, food and beverage-wise, was the fried okra and pickles and the oysters. Even though the wow factor was missing in regards to the food, the overall experience was a great one. Our server was nice and the wait didn't seem so long with all the things to do and see. The service was steady even though it was a busy summer night. I'd happily come back here again. read more

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This was our last dinner while in the area on vacation and it was perfect. My food was delicious. My drink was really good too. Ambiance and service were nice. We were seated inside but I went outside to take some photos :) read more

We had a very very large group of 14 people that went for Easter. I know it is difficult to serve that many people, but our waitress did the best job that she possibly could. She was very pleasant, and worked very hard. They did give us only one waitress for our huge table. I have absolutely no complaints about the service whatsoever. I ordered the she crab soup, which is one of my favorite soups. I found it very thick and paste like, and it also wasn't hot. That was a major disappointment to me. And I know everybody else who had the soup in my party felt exactly the same way. Usually when we get she crab soup, it is a thinner bisque with pieces of crab in it. I must say that there was a lot of crab in the soup, though, but the consistency and the temperature were off. My dinner, was a sautéed softshell crab over pasta with a white wine, cream sauce, spinach, and tomatoes. The size of my softshell crab was so small, I couldn't believe they actually served that to me. I also found it overcooked. I was also not a fan of the pasta and the sauce. It also was a major disappointment to me. I was so looking forward to having softshell crabs, and this sort of burst my bubble a little bit. I have eaten here before and liked the food. But this time not so much. I still had a wonderful time because I was with my friends, but after having this meal, it makes me not want to go back. Also, the air-conditioning kept going on and off. When it started blowing, it blowed right down on a couple of people in our party. One person was a 95-year-old woman. So it would get very cold and windy when it was on, and then when it got turned off, it got hot. Also, the seafood pot pie did not look appetizing, it was much smaller than expected. But the people who ate it said they enjoyed it I know it was a holiday and extremely busy, but I just did not live up to my standards this day. read more

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Ambience 6/5 We pulled into the massive parking lot Dockside shares with the Boathouse at about 5:30 on Good Friday. Not a parking spot to be found. I dropped my wife and daughter off at the door. I finally got a spot after a couple of laps around the lot. I thought we would have an hour wait or more, but the parking lot is too small for the restaurants. My wife found a table outdoors right away. We had a great table with an awesome view. Service 5/5 Dakota was our server. He was awesome. Our drinks, apps, entrees and deserts came out in a timely manner Food 4/5: We started with some drinks. They now have hibations there (nonalcoholic THC ). We got one of those and a Paloma. Both were good. We started with the fried pickles and okra. 3.5/5. I split a dinner with my wife. It had whipped potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, scallops, stuffed shrimp, and a large crab cake. 4.25/5 We ended the dinner with a bourbon pecan crème brûlée 5/5. It's a great experience 5/5 read more

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Excellent food. Stuffed shrimp seafood casino was quite tasty. Low country punch was on point. Service was disappointing. Server had a comment for each ordered item and then checked on our table maybe twice during or meal leaving a large gap between refills. read more

Relaxing atmosphere, food was outstanding. The service was fast and friendly. Get there early, it's worth the wait. read more

Skull Creek Dockside - FROZEN SANGRIA - Seafood Near Me - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

I've only been here for brunch, but hope to change that sometime! I love that you can make reservations at Dockside, and the brunch was amazing. I got the praline French toast and loved it. My kids both loved their meals too, and my son was especially into their chicken tenders. The view outside was spectacular, we loved walking around on the deck after we ate. The service was also spectacular. Everyone was so nice and our server kept checking in with us about the weather, it looked like rain was imminent and he wanted to be able to smoothly move us inside when the time came, but thankfully the rain held off. Very attentive and great food, I'm most definitely going to give the dinner service a try. read more

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Quick seating at the outdoor tables where we could watch the sunset . The menu is quite extensive with many choices . I had the broiled scallops with the broccoli and cauliflower and beans and rice . It was really good . My husband had the garden salad with salmon and said it was delicious as wel read more

Skull Creek Dockside - Garden salad with salmon - Seafood Near Me - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

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Perfect location right on the creek which was recommended to us by a 41 year native Miss Robin. This restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating and we decided to sit outside and we're quickly greeted by lovely gentleman, Adam. Very extensive menu but we knew what we wanted right away. Started with Dockside Rockefeller and a smoked salmon dip. Oysters cooked to perfection with the sauce having a tangy taste. Dip was smoky and creamy . Loved it. Hubby ordered the cold shrimp which were local, large with a sweet taste. I got the dozen oysters with all the fixins' and they were the best I have EVER had on Hilton Head Island. Our efficitent waiter was so attentive and very good at his job and was kind enough to bring us a warm towel and lemon to refresh our hands The view was so nice we will always be coming here every time we stay on the island. read more

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This was one of best meals we had this trip. We chose a high top table and had a short wait. Our server Ryan S was attentive without being overbearing. His response to recommendations on food choices were spot on. He had such a calm demeanor. We will definitely be back read more

Our sever was amazing! The seafood was fresh and dinner was during "golden hour" it was super nice I would definitely go again. You definitely need a reservation for this place, get one for outside if you can. read more

Skull Creek Dockside - After dinner photo - Seafood Near Me - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Great food and service , our waiter was incredible. Highly recommend! We will return ASAP!

Skull Creek Dockside, Hilton Head, SC Food: We ordered the smoked wings, pick 2 (brisket and chicken) and pick 2 (brisket and ribs). The smoked wings were delicious, loved the seasoning and smoke flavor. The wings were moist not dried-out. The brisket was flavorful and tender with a nice smoke ring however sliced really thin nevertheless a good eat. Service: Had a great server, this restaurant is huge and he had tables on the other side however never allowed us to feel abandoned. Great job Ambiance: I loved the ocean front view and the dock with outdoor dining. The wall art was cool and the decor has a shipyard vibe... really cool. Don't forget to visit the onsite swag store. read more

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Like everything Serg, it was just ok. Food was acceptable and arrived almost freakishly quick. Service was good. For the price, food should be better, but Serg restaurants always turning those tables! $$$ read more

Mike, our server, was tops and salvaged an otherwise terrible experience. Made reservations 2 months ago for 2 people and requested indoor. Arrived and the hostess with magenta hair began to escort us outside. I brought it to her attention that I made the reservation long ago and specifically requested indoor. She walked to the hostess stand and came back and said they have nothing indoor for the balance of the evening. This was 6 pm. She pointed to the bar and said the hi tops are first come first served. Sit there and she walked away. Rudest and unfriendliest person I've ever met on HHI in 30 years. Now. Food was excellent and Mike saved the evening. read more

Skull Creek Dockside is an excellent waterfront eatery on Hilton Head Island. It is a huge place with multiple indoor and outdoor places to eat, complete with a gift shop. Interiors are modern and trendy, and the expansive windows let you relax and enjoy your meals with a wonderful view of all the activity out on the water. Reservations are a must during their busier seasons. For food, I went with their specialty smashburger while my dining companion went with the shrimp & grits. The smashburger (4/5) came with 3 huge onion rings on top which would be impossible to eat as presented. The onion rings (3/5) that came on top weren't greasy, but also didn't have much flavor to them while the fries (3.5/5) were your standard above average fries. My dining companion said the shrimp & grits (5/5) were incredibly flavorful and tasty, using a unique recipe for the grits you'd find in a more upscale kitchen down south. Service and ambiance (both 5/5) were top notch, as we really enjoyed the view, and wished we could have spent more time enjoying it. Overall, it was a great experience, and would recommend Skull Creek Dockside to others looking for a decent meal in a unique setting on the waterfront in Hilton Head. read more

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First time (as annual tourist) dining here. Not the last!! Boy!!! Their location alongside Skull Creek (opposite Pinckney Island Wildlife Refuge) was just beautiful. The boats, dock, trees.. and then the evening sunset, .. just wonderful. The ambiance, both outside and inside, is terrific. But the best (truly) was our waiter DAVE! He is a seasoned food connoisseur and restaurantour that is enjoying bringing his exceptional food knowledge (and stellar personality!) as a server to all his (very lucky) customers. Truly a gem for Dockside! We enjoyed Shrimp and Calamari Appetizer (never had it their way, delicious!) and from the Early Bird menu ($24) we enjoyed both our Red Seafood Chowder and Charleston She Crab soups (choice soup or salad) and our entree's which were a Crabmeat Stuffed Trout (Crispy Skin-On Trout, Crab Cake Stuffing, Dijon Butter, Whipped Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetables) and Seared Salmon (Mustard BBQ Glaze, Creamy Collards, Roasted Baby Sweet Potatoes) entrees. The fish was so incredibly fresh, (restaurant known for amazing seafood and BBQ) as were the vegetables. Our dessert of Coconut Custard Cream pie was simply unforgettable. Dave said a local baker provides them. Make trip to North End and enjoy Dockside! Then go next door to enjoy cocktails or sitting fireside. Open for lunch and dinner... go go go!!! read more

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Came here by accident as we were trying to go to Hudson's and got confused but overall the food and service were great. East coast oysters from Massachusetts were recommended by our waiter and they were incredible. I also got the she crab soup (9.5/10) and the smoked wings (9/10) which were completely fall off the bone, only thing was they do not have a buffalo sauce which i would have liked. read more

Skull Creek Dockside - Smoked chicken wings - Seafood Near Me - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

We were greeted with smiles and had attentive service. Fabulous happy hour specials. This has been a favorite of ours because it never disappoints! We had oysters and shrimp so good. Had the pecan pie with ice cream for dessert-yum! read more

Most beautiful view on the island! And Lilly gave us the best service at the bar! 10/10 would recommend! read more

Skull Creek Dockside - Seafood Near Me - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Awesome views. Extensive menu. Great service. Delicious food. I enjoyed the salmon with veggie farro and my husband loved the shrimp and grits. Can't beat lunch on the water! read more

Skull Creek Dockside - Salmon with VEGETABLE & FARRO RISOTTO - Seafood Near Me - Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Skull Creek dockside is a beautiful restaurant. We sat outside, it was a little hot, but you just can't predict the weather. And of course it's the middle of summer. Our entrées were meatloaf and mashed potatoes, grilled chicken salad, margarita pizza. The sauce that was on the meatloaf was fabulous, better than any red sauce or ketchup recipe that I have had. My daughter loved the Margarita pizza and asked if I could try and duplicate it when I got home . Were plentiful, we had enough for lunch the next day. We walked out on the pier afterwards and watched the sunset. Just a lovely experience. read more

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