Road Tripping South Carolina For 10 Meat And Three Plates You Won’t Forget
South Carolina has a way of turning a simple road trip into something bigger, the kind of journey where the food, the towns, and the people all blur into one long, unforgettable story.
It’s like a vintage postcard, and a soundtrack that could’ve been pulled straight from an old Hottie & the Blowfish cassette, rattling around the glove compartment.
I rolled past gas stations that looked frozen in time, and suddenly I was craving a classic meat and three like it’s 1965.
And tell me, isn’t that part of the charm of a real American road trip, finding food that tastes like it’s been perfected over generations, not invented last Tuesday?
These ten spots are built for that kind of nostalgia.
Vinyl booths, handwritten menus, and plates served with zero pretense, just fried chicken so good it might make you rethink your life choices, and sides that taste like they were passed down from somebody’s great aunt.
I heard so many stories from locals, ate so many pies and saw signs looking like they haven’t been updated since the Eisenhower era.
A road trip I surely will remember.
1. Wade’s Restaurant
Starting my drive through South Carolina, the first place that instantly slowed me down and reminded me of home was Wade’s Restaurant on 1000 N Pine St, Spartanburg, SC 29303.
There’s something about walking into a spot that feels familiar even if you’ve never been there before, and Wades had that effect right away.
This is the heartbeat that keeps Spartanburg comfort food steady.
The famous plate here is fried chicken with mac and cheese and stewed okra, a trio that sings.
Also, there is meatloaf that leans tender and turkey dressing that feels like Sunday on a Tuesday.
Wade’s is famous for those buttery rolls and a peach cobbler that radiates like late afternoon.
My first bite of their rolls surprised me, how good a roll could be.
It was wholesome in the most effortless way.
I felt like the trip had finally eased into the right rhythm.
2. Charlene’s Home Cooking
This diner spot on 1136 E Blackstock Rd, Moore, SC 29369, was next on my “to visit” list.
Charlenes was exactly what the name promised, home cooking, but with that extra layer of love only a real kitchen can give.
From the first step inside, it felt like someone was personally invested in making sure I left full and happy.
The signature plate is fried chicken with rice and gravy, collards, and sweet potatoes that whisper home, so obviously I had to try it.
And it was “to lick my fingers”, which I did.
What caught me off guard, in the nicest way, was that Charlene, the owner, passed me my plate and smiled like she already knew I’d return.
Naturally, my final move was to ask for banana pudding and it floated like a soft drumroll.
Everything about this place was honest and welcoming, and it gave me hope that the next one will be too.
3. OJ’s Diner
OJ’s Diner, don’t worry, your mind probably went to the wrong OJ.
This diner located on 907 Pendleton St, Greenville, SC 29601, serves breakfast and lunch that by the first look, you know it’s that good.
I tried fried pork chops with mac and goose cheese and cabbage, followed closely by turkey with dressing.
My cravings were more than satisfied with this choice.
The chatter, the clinking plates, and the smell of grits and eggs, it all blended into something really comforting.
It reminded me how grounding simple meals can be.
Driving away from Greenville, I realized the stop had left me in a better mood than I’d arrived in.
4. Haile Street Grill
When I came across this tiny restaurant, part rustic tavern, part nature lover pit stop, I knew I had to go in and see what it was all about.
Haile Street Grill on 1350 Haile St, Camden, SC 29020, had this gentle, small town charm that made everything feel a bit nicer.
The menu was straightforward but full of flavor, the kind that’s clearly made by people who care.
The house favorite is country fried steak with white gravy, mashed potatoes, and butter beans, but baked chicken with rice and fried okra rides close behind.
I have to admit that I couldn’t resist, so I tried it all.
I was pleasantly surprised, but if I’m honest, not really shocked, as it had smelled so good the whole time that I pretty much knew it would be great.
Haile Street keeps the lane clear for simple joy and well earned seconds, and it made my trip even better.
5. Genesis Family Restaurant
This family oriented restaurant back at 516 Cheraw St, Bennettsville, SC 29512, is one of those places where everyone knows everyone, but they make room for a stranger without hesitation.
I really felt welcomed, and it was nice to see how everyone is so friendly.
Checking the menu, I decided to order baked chicken with rice, mac and cheese, and collards that carry a gentle smoke memory.
The cooking had a homemade honesty, nothing fancy but everything satisfying.
There’s a tiny patio in the back for kids to play on while the adults get into more serious conversations, and hearing the kids’ laughter was honestly really sweet.
This is the kind of stop that grounds the road trip, and for me, it was like a map that points home and hands a fork for the ride.
6. Lizard’s Thicket
It has the feel of an old school ’80s diner, and I felt like I’d just time travelled about 40 years back.
Lizards Thicket on 818 Elmwood Ave, Columbia, SC 29201, delivered the food and the looks in the most classic, Southern way.
Everything I expected to be on the menu, there it was.
So I ordered their signature dish, which is fried chicken with rice and gravy, lima beans, and collards, a parade of dependable joy.
And I didn’t make a mistake, even though I ended up ordering more than a half of the sides, just to “try a few things”.
The booths felt like reliable living rooms with better lighting, so it was really relaxing.
Finally, once again, I let my sweet tooth go wild, and ordered lemon pie and banana pudding, and it was amazing.
On a busy, hungry day, Lizard’s Thicket is exactly the steady hand you want, and it made sure I didn’t leave hungry.
7. Mary’s Cafe
Those big red letters made it impossible to miss this diner, and I’m so glad I didn’t walk past it.
This is a tiny cafe on 1349 Fire Tower (Firetower) Rd, Rock Hill, SC 29730, and it looks like a hidden corner of comfort.
The place was small, warm, and inviting, the kind of place you end up staying much longer than planned.
There were handwritten notes taped near the counter, the soft buzz of conversation from regulars who clearly knew each other by name, and the kind of easy laughter that makes you feel like you have walked into a living room rather than a restaurant.
The food was classic Southern cooking done right, and I decided to have the fried pork chop with mac and cheese, green beans, and rice and gravy.
It was nothing overdone, nothing rushed, and yet very delicious.
The staff really made my visit, and later, as I was leaving, I caught myself thinking, “Wow, I talked to them like I’d known them forever.”
Mary’s turned out to be the perfect place to rest, refuel, and recharge my batteries before the next stretch of the trip.
8. Bertha’s Kitchen
Oh, that blue on the walls just drew me in.
I don’t think I can even explain why, but it made me smile the second I saw it.
2332 Meeting St Rd, North Charleston, SC 29405, hides a real gem that I’m so happy to share with you.
Bertha’s Kitchen had the kind of soul food that makes you stop talking mid bite.
The flavors were bold, rich, and comforting.
It just sits right with me.
While I was eating red rice with fried chicken or pork chops, backed by lima beans and cabbage, I kept nodding after every bite like I was agreeing with the food.
Each spoon carries history with a bright present tense.
The place had a steady flow of locals, which is always the best sign.
I knew I wasn’t wrong for stopping by.
Everything really felt genuine and full of heart.
Bertha reminds me that love can be measured in scoops and seconds, and maybe, I fell a little bit in love with it.
9. Big Mike’s Soul Food
Honestly, who can see a sign like this and not walk into the restaurant?
Big Mike’s Soul Food on 504 16th Ave N, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577, catches your eye once and suddenly you’re walking in and ordering a plate.
And that’s exactly what it did to me.
So I sat down and ordered a fried chicken with rice and gravy, collards, and candied yams, a harmony that wins.
The portion was big and the flavors were even bigger, while the atmosphere was easy and friendly.
Couldn’t resist, so I had cornbread, and it was so good, I promise you, it’s worth the visit.
The whole experience felt warm and outgoing.
His food makes vacation out of Tuesday, and it prepared me for whatever the rest of the day had planned.
10. Cahill’s Market And Chicken Kitchen
I’m all about boho vibes and festival looks, and this restaurant fits right into that aesthetic.
Cahill’s Market on 1055 May River Rd, Bluffton, SC 29910, has this teenage, flower child kind of vibe, and it honestly put a smile on my face the moment I saw it.
The market outside added this charming, country touch before I even sat down.
When I asked what to try, all of the servers agreed on the fried chicken with field peas, rice, and tomato pie.
The chicken was crispy, flavorful, and exactly what Southern fried chicken is all about.
This place had a friendly, open feel, and it made me feel like I have been here a thousand times.
I ended South Carolina’s comfort food trail in exactly the right place, and as I headed back on the road, a sense of Southern kindness lingered with me.