This South Carolina Icon Keeps Pulled Pork Sandwiches Exactly Like You Remember
The Beacon Drive-In feels less like a restaurant and more like Spartanburg holding onto one of its favorite memories. Walk up to the counter and that famous order call rolls through the room like a tradition being passed down in real time.
The trays come loaded: fries and onion rings stacked in those joyful “A-Plenty” mounds, sweet tea poured with a wink, pulled pork tucked into soft buns that smell like every childhood road trip you ever loved.
Cars still line the lot, people still linger, and the whole place radiates the kind of comfort you don’t outgrow. If you’re chasing the flavor you grew up with, The Beacon delivers it with all its original soul intact.
Pulled Pork, Just Like You Remember
The Beacon’s pulled pork sandwich leans into nostalgia: tender strands, lightly sauced, and cradled in a soft bun that soaks up every savory drop.
It’s not fussy barbecue; it’s familiar, faithful, and satisfying, the kind you ate after ballgames and Sunday drives. Order it “A-Plenty” to crown it with Beacon-famous fries and onion rings, a tradition locals swear by.
Pair with sweet tea and you’ll understand why regulars return weekly. It’s a sandwich that respects memory, balancing smoke, salt, and tang without drowning the meat. One bite, and Spartanburg’s past feels present.
The Legend Of “A-Plenty”
At The Beacon Drive-In, “A-Plenty” is more than a side, it’s a celebration. Order nearly anything and those fries and onion rings avalanche onto your plate, golden, crunchy, and unapologetically abundant. It’s the ritual: a mountain of crisp edges and salty satisfaction that turns a simple sandwich into an event.
Locals counsel newcomers to share, but many bravely go it alone. The portion speaks to Beacon generosity and the old-school carhop spirit that built its legend.
Whether you’re chasing nostalgia or feeding a crowd, “A-Plenty” remains Spartanburg’s most reliable feast.
Carhop Soul, Counter Speed
The Beacon’s rhythm is fast, friendly, and famously loud, orders called out with gusto as the line hustles. That cadence defines the experience: check the menu first, be ready, and feel the energy of a Spartanburg institution doing what it’s done for decades.
Staff efficiency keeps the flow, while Southern hospitality softens the edges. Families, travelers, and locals mix easily under fluorescent light and vintage signs.
It’s part theater, part community ritual, and all Beacon. You don’t just eat here, you join a living tradition that turns a meal into a memory.
Value That Feeds a Crowd
With prices in the $10–20 range and portions that border on legendary, The Beacon Drive-In remains one of Upstate South Carolina’s best values.
A pulled pork sandwich A-Plenty can easily satisfy two, and platters arrive with generosity baked in. It’s budget-friendly comfort food that doesn’t skimp on quantity.
Fueling a road trip? Feeding a family? The math always favors the Beacon. Locals call it a “can’t-leave-hungry” guarantee, and first-timers usually learn why before the tray hits the table. Bring an appetite, and maybe a friend.
Sweet Tea And Southern Finish
Ask regulars and they’ll tell you: the Beacon’s sweet tea is canon. Cold, balanced, and bottomless in spirit, it pairs perfectly with salty “A-Plenty” crunch and smoky pulled pork.
For dessert, warm peach cobbler or creamy soft-serve channels the South’s sweetest instincts. It’s a classic ending after a classic meal: simple, comforting, and proudly old-school.
Even critics of the grease factor concede the tea shines. Add a spoonful of nostalgia and you’ve got Spartanburg in a cup and a bowl.
What To Order: First-Timer’s Guide
I suggest you start with the pulled pork sandwich A-Plenty for the quintessential Beacon bite. Add hush puppies or baked beans, locals rave about both, and consider a pimento cheeseburger if you’re splitting plates.
If you prefer seafood, the small flounder A-Plenty delivers crisp satisfaction. Keep the sweet tea flowing and save room for cobbler.
Pro tip: review the menu online before you arrive; the line moves quickly and the order call is brisk. With this plan, you’ll savor the icons without overthinking.
Know Before You Go
The Beacon Drive-In sits at 255 John B White Sr Blvd, Spartanburg, with plenty of parking and a lively crowd. It’s open most days 7 AM–9 PM, later on weekends, and Sunday hours start at 11 AM.
Expect fast-paced ordering, big trays, and a classic diner environment that can be loud and bustling. Prices are friendly, the vibe unpretentious, and the experience delightfully old-fashioned.
It’s best that you check the website for updates, and bring cash or card. Come hungry, leave with leftovers.
Why It Endures
The Beacon isn’t perfect, some find the food greasy or under-seasoned, but its charm is enduring: consistency, community, and portions that feel like a promise.
Staff kindness shines, the order call entertains, and the menu reads like a love letter to American diner classics. Most importantly, the pulled pork sandwich tastes like memory: simple, savory, and steady through decades.
In a world of trends, The Beacon holds the line. That’s why Spartanburg keeps coming back, and why you should, too.