South Carolina's Throwback Drive-Ins
A throwback culinary moment in South Carolina is just a drive-in away. Not many original 50’s style drive-ins are left in the Palmetto State, but the few that are still serving made-to-order burgers are cherished icons.
SNO-CAP
SNO-CAP Drive-In is slightly off the beaten path in North Augusta where
locals still gather at the counter, sitting on the black barstools or at the red booth tables that line the pale yellow walls for a shake, burger and time to reminisce.
Joe Montalvo took over the restaurant in August 2008, improving the quality of the hotdogs and beef. SNO-CAP now serves all beef hotdogs and Angus certified beef. Montalvo is also working to restore the drive-in speakers so customers can order from their cars again.
Don’t miss the cruise-ins the last Tuesday of the month at SNO-CAP when the parking lot is filled with shiny vintage cars. Come even if you don’t own one. You’ll love looking at these classics. Diners also look forward to bike night, held the last Tuesday of the month.
The Clock
Look for the bright blue clock and the boxes stacked in the window for to-go orders and you know you’re at The Clock Drive-In in Greenville. It’s the place to go when a burger and fries from a fast food chain just won’t do. The Clock also ticks in Anderson and Fountain Inn.
The Beacon
“Calllll it” when you get there. Your order that is. If you’re next in line at 
The Beacon, be ready to place your order. Hopefully, you’ll be fortunate enough to be greeted by J.C. Strobel, ready and waiting to take your order. J.C., a blind man who has been featured on 60 Minutes, is just as famous as The Beacon itself. He’s a hit on YouTube as well.
Please note, The Beacon is not for those who care about their diet! Come with a big appetite because The Beacon serves a-plenty! All a-plenty plates are served with a mound of fries and onion rings. Don’t forget to order The Beacon’s iced tea. They claim to sell more tea than any single restaurant in the U.S. If you love it, take home a gallon. The restaurant also has a dairy bar, serving more than 20 ice cream flavors.
The Beacon has been a Spartanburg tradition since 1946 and still holds the title of being the second largest drive-in in the U.S.
The Drive-In
If you’ve ever driven through Florence, surely you remember passing the 301 Drive-In or pulling over for a bite to eat. A (new) bright yellow marquee still stands, but the folded plate canopies and the restaurant have been replaced with brand-new fixtures. The restaurant was remodeled in 2007 and reopened as The Drive-In, serving the same delicious steak dinners, fried chicken, shrimp and onion rings.
The Dixie Drive-In
The original neon sign with an arrow pointing towards the restaurant still lights up at The Dixie Drive-In in Greenwood. Opened in 1959, The Dixie still has the classic short-order menu items. Sorry, no sundaes or milkshakes, but you can get a scoop or two of ice cream.
Robert Adams, one of the original employees of The Dixie, remains loyal. He comes in daily to prepare chili, barbecue, pork and cold cuts. Adams once worked as a car hop, a service the restaurant no longer offers.
Manager Scott McCray says “it’s a local place that’s always been family owned. You’ll find everyone from the trash collector to lawyers. Everybody in town comes in here.”
Cruise in to one of South Carolina’s classic drive-ins and experience a blast from the past. Call some of your old buddies and ask them to meet you at a drive-in for some good old-fashioned fun.