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Libby Wiersema lived in California and Alabama before settling in South Carolina 38 years ago,
where she's covered the state's best culinary offerings and tells the stories behind the food.
Up for a dining adventure? Then consider taking a less-traveled path. South Carolina’s byways and back roads—and even an occasional unpaved pathway—are dotted with wonderful restaurants with demonstrated staying power.
Beloved by locals, these time-honored establishments are known for consistently serving up deliciousness, from hearty breakfasts to satisfying meat-and-three plates to gussied-up steak dinners. When the travel and hunger bug bites, hit the road and bite back with a hidden gem dining discovery like the ones featured here.
The Track Kitchen
Eggs, sausage, grits and more warm up equestrians on winter mornings at The Track Kitchen.
420 Mead Avenue, Aiken 803-641-9628
Known for: Rib-sticking breakfasts
Getting there: To find The Track Kitchen, navigate your way to Mead Avenue and follow the dirt road for a third of a mile (watch for ruts, large puddles after rain and equestrians on horseback). Look for the clapboard house on the right with cars parked in front.
Details: This historic cafe opened in 1957 and catered mainly to horse owners, riders, grooms and trainers. Located near Aiken’s horse training track and surrounded by polo fields, it is open to anyone willing to traverse this rural pathway. If you are a fan of the basics—white bread French toast, crispy baked bacon, cooked-to-order eggs, homemade grits and such—you are invited to come eat like an equestrian.
Notes: Open only during the winter season, and only for breakfast. Cash only; coffee is self-serve.
McCutcheon’s Cheeseburger House
McCutcheon's famous cheeseburgers ensure you won't leave hungry.
512 Ninety Six Highway, Greenwood (864) 227-2721
Known for: Hot-off-the-griddle burgers and snappy service
Getting there: McCutcheon’s Cheeseburger House is located between the towns of Greenwood and Ninety Six. Navigate to SC-219 toward Newberry and follow to Wilson Road; turn left and follow Wilson Road to SC-34 West. Turn right onto SC-34 and follow until it becomes Main Street/Ninety Six Highway. Look for the weathered yellow building on the left with neon signs for burgers, shakes and fries.
Details: Opened in 1963, this family diner has served generations of locals. Those in the know as well as instinctive travelers rave about the burgers (made with 1/3-pound fresh ground beef), shrimp and chicken dinners, classic sandwiches, tasty wings, fresh salads and old-fashioned milkshakes.
Note: You’ll find a friendly local crowd here and lots of fun, nostalgic wall decor. Serves lunch and dinner only.
Carolina Cafe
Juicy steak and shrimp pairings are worth the drive to Carolina Cafe in Gaffney.
211 Old Metal Road, Gaffney (864) 406-0333
Known for: Hand-cut chargrilled steaks
Getting there: Carolina Cafe is located in the Upstate between Gaffney and Chesnee just off SC-11/Chesnee Highway/Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway. If you’re traveling north on SC-11, take a right onto Old Metal Road; if traveling south, hang a left. The restaurant will be on your left with clearly marked signage.
Details: Many a wrong turn off SC-11 has been deliciously rewarded at Carolina Cafe. Whether you’re lost or local, slay your hunger with sizzling steaks cooked to order as well as seafood, pasta, chicken, burgers and more. Your favorite cuts are here: ribeye, T-bone, top sirloin, prime rib and a melt-in-your-mouth 28-day aged filet. Extra hungry? The “Killer Combo”—a half rack of saucy ribs with skewered shrimp—will do the trick. Leave room for the homemade warm apple dumplings with ice cream.
Note: This place draws a crowd, so go early or grab a drink from the bar and take a porch rocker until your table is ready. Because steaks are cooked to order, allow ample time for preparation.
Laird’s Bar BQ Pit
Slow-cooked ribs will satisfy your smoked meat craving at Laird's Bar-B-Q Pit in the town of North.
4827 Savannah Highway, North (803) 247-5121
Known for: Barbecue plates
Getting there: North (not the direction) is the name of the town where you’ll find Laird’s Bar BQ Pit on a rural stretch of US-321/Savannah Highway. Look for the big blue barn with red doors.
Details: Barbecue fans have been lining up at Laird’s for nearly half a century. From pulled pork to hash to fried chicken to gizzards and fatback, this old school barbecue house and cafe has earned a solid reputation for good eats. Fill your plate from the buffet brimming with meats and veggies or order a sandwich, hot dog, burger and more from the menu. You will find your favorite sauces here: vinegar-based, ketchup-based and mustard-based. Don’t forget the perfect finish: house-made banana pudding.
Note: Laird’s is only open three days a week. On Thursday and Friday, lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and dinner from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. On Saturdays, the restaurant opens from 7 to 11 a.m. for breakfast and reopens from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. for dinner.
(843) 800-0269 Destination BBQ
McClellanville Diner
Seafood platters with all the trimmings fly from the kitchen at McClellanville Diner.
Getting there: McClellanville Diner, located in the small fishing town of McClellanville, is a bright spot on a rural stretch of Highway 17 in Charleston County—literally. Look for the blue building with the lemony bright yellow screen doors, metal awnings and the South Carolina and American flags waving.
Details: You’ll find a laid-back Lowcountry vibe at McClellanville Diner. Serving up local shrimp since 2001, this unassuming eatery also tantalizes with oysters, flounder, crab cakes, fish, clams, pasta, salad and homemade she-crab soup (ask for a sherry pour if you like). Po boys, burgers, pasta and a daily rotation of vegetables and sides—including red rice, a Lowcountry favorite—are also on the menu. Breakfasts hit all the right spots: eggs, biscuits, bacon, grits, ham, sausage and pancakes.
Note: McClellanville Diner serves breakfast from 7 to 11 a.m. Monday through Saturday and lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Fridays are special with the diner reopening from 5 to 8 p.m. for dinner.
The Front Porch
Country cooking is a time-honored tradition at Front Porch.
3072 Lancaster Highway, Richburg (803) 789-5029
Known for: Fried chicken and sweet tea
Getting there: Located on SC-9/Lancaster Highway between Great Falls and Rock Hill, you can’t miss The Front Porch’s rustic facade situated at a crossroads that is now punctuated by a small clutch of fast-food joints.
Details: Since 1984, hungry customers have been welcomed to visit The Front Porch, an old farmhouse run by the Gaston family. Its reputation was built on a solid foundation of locally sourced farm-to-table fare before it was a trend. This is as close to Grandma’s cooking as you’ll get: fantastic fried chicken, meatloaf, chicken and dumplings, barbecue, fried green tomatoes, macaroni and cheese, biscuits, cornbread—you get the picture. Sandwiches, salads and soups abound on the menu, too. Wash it all down with icy cold sweet tea and finish with a dish of cobbler or a slice of pie.
Note: The Front Porch Country Restaurant serves lunch and dinner but is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Shug’s Steakhouse
Shug's offers classic steakhouse sides like asparagus and scalloped potatoes.
2404 Kelleytown Road, Hartsville 843-383-3747
Known for: Great steaks and super sushi
Getting there: You can find Shug’s Steakhouse in the agricultural community called Kelleytown in Hartsville. From SC-151/Bo Bo Newsome Highway, turn onto Kelleytown Road. You will see Shug’s on the right just past Stadium Road.
Details: Shug's Steakhouse has been luring back-road drivers and people of the Pee Dee to its dining room since 2018. The casual restaurant takes pride in friendly service and a menu that aims to please. Steaks take center stage and wow beef lovers with everything from a French cut, bone-in Angus ribeye to a chargrilled New York strip. Accoutrements include an array of sauces, and you can opt to pair your steak with shrimp, chicken, scallops and more. Steakhouse sides include classics like grilled asparagus and scalloped potatoes. Sushi lovers satisfy their cravings here thanks to an extensive lineup of expertly crafted rolls.
Note: Shug’s is only open for dinner Wednesday through Saturday. Live music is routinely on the menu, too.
Libby Wiersema lived in California and Alabama before settling in South Carolina 38 years ago,
where she's covered the state's best culinary offerings and tells the stories behind the food.
