Tiger paws and famous hot dogs -- you'll find both in South Carolina's Upstate, home of Clemson University and Skins' hot dogs.
On a recent trip to Anderson (home of the original Skins' at 203 Hudgens St.), we followed the orange paws and took the short drive over to Clemson to check out the hot dogs at the location near campus.
From the minute you walk in the door, there is no doubt you are in Tiger country. Clemson memorabilia covers the walls. There are framed photographs of Clemson coaches eating at skins, including Frank Howard, Dabo Swinney and Rick Barnes. It's hard to find anyone not wearing some form of purple or orange. (Although the waitress still smiled when she served my son, who was wearing Gamecock gear, including his University of South Carolina national championship baseball hat.)
Skins' was started in 1946 by Lloyd "Skin" Thrasher, who sold sandwiches, burgers and dogs in a pool hall in Anderson. As the hot dogs became the best seller, he got rid of the pool tables and focused on hot dogs, and started building a reputation with his blend of pork and beef hot dogs covered in chili. Now there are 10 locations throughout the Upstate, but the menu still features one dish -- hot dogs.
Famous Hot Dogs at Skins'
