Somewhere in South Carolina right now, a tray is being hooked onto a car window, and nobody inside that car has to unbuckle a seatbelt to eat lunch. Carhop service started as a mid-century novelty, yet a handful of spots across the state never stopped doing it.
Some have been at it since the 1950s, and one even has a helicopter pad. Here are five drive-ins from Florence to Myrtle Beach where the parking lot is still the best seat in the house.
1. The Drive In, Florence, SC
Some places adopt a retro look. The Drive In simply never changed its mind, serving burgers, fries, shakes and chicken since 1957.
You will find it at 135 E Palmetto St, Florence, SC 29505, with a diner-style look that fits its long history. Carhops still bring orders out to cars, and that service is a big part of why families keep coming back.
The menu is huge for a drive-in. Burger boxes and thick milkshakes are the headliners, but gyros, Calabash Shrimp and a Grilled Chicken Salad share the lineup, and there is even a salad bar.
Hours run Monday through Saturday from 10:30 AM to 10 PM, and Sundays are closed. Friday and Saturday afternoons into the evening get busy, so a weeknight visit is the calmer play.
A drive-thru, outdoor seating, a kids’ menu and high chairs round things out. Most meals land around $10 to $20 per person, which keeps a family outing friendly on the wallet.
2. The Beacon Drive-in, Spartanburg, SC
How many burger joints can say they have a helicopter pad? The Beacon Drive-in in Spartanburg can, and that is just the start of its quirky charm.
This storied institution sits at 255 John B White Sr Blvd #6047, Spartanburg, SC 29306. Stay parked, and a carhop takes the order and hangs the tray right on the car window.
Portions run big here. Burgers, onion rings, fries, chicken stew, lemonade, a Chili Cheeseburger Plate and a Pulled Pork Sandwich all show up on trays, and a dairy bar handles the ice cream end of things.
Early birds win at this stop. Doors open at 7 AM Monday through Saturday, closing at 9 PM Monday through Thursday and 10 PM on Friday and Saturday, while Sunday runs 11 AM to 8 PM.
The pace is fast and kitschy, with college students, families and travelers all mixing in the lot. Friday evening and Saturday afternoon bring the biggest crowds, so plan around them if patience is short.
3. Sno-Cap Drive in, North Augusta, SC
Root beer floats deserve a home with personality, and the Sno-Cap Drive in delivers one with a 60s-inspired setup.
Find it at 618 West Ave, North Augusta, SC 29841. Pull right in and order from the car, or grab a picnic table for prompt table service.
The menu leans comfort-first. Chicken tenders, a BBQ sandwich, a pound of BBQ and chili cheese fries cover the savory side, while vanilla soft-serve, the Double Hot Fudge Cake and the Snocap Root Beer Float handle dessert duty.
Here is a fun bonus. The lot occasionally hosts car shows and bike shows that raise money for charity, which suits a drive-in perfectly.
Hours run Monday through Saturday from 10:30 AM to 9 PM, and it closes on Sundays. Indoor tables, outdoor seating and a dog-friendly policy make it easy for the whole crew, four-legged members included.
4. Clock Drive-In, Greenville, SC
Bring cash. That is the first rule at Clock Drive-In, a family-owned Greenville classic that still runs things the old way.
The address is 1844 Wade Hampton Blvd, Greenville, SC 29609. Curb hops take orders from parked cars, though heading inside to the counter works too.
Chili cheeseburgers, classic hot dogs, crinkle fries and the Cheeseburger Plate keep the grill busy. Milkshakes come in chocolate, vanilla and strawberry, and the chocolate peanut version has a loyal local following.
Timing matters here. Hours are Monday through Saturday from 11 AM to 5 PM, so this is strictly a lunch and early dinner stop, and Sundays are closed.
The retro vibe feels like a 1950s movie set, minus the dance numbers. Tipping the hardworking curb hops generously is a nice way to keep the tradition rolling.
5. Sonic Drive-In, Myrtle Beach, SC
Chain or not, this beach town stop keeps carhop culture alive from sunrise to midnight.
The Sonic Drive-In sits at 1930 Mister, Mr. Joe White Ave, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577. Carhops bring orders out fast and with a friendly attitude, and the drive-thru moves quickly too.
Coneys, footlong hot dogs, the Supersonic Double Cheeseburger and crispy tender wraps fill the menu. Sonic Blasts, slushes and Frozen Refreshers handle the sweet side, which helps on a warm coastal day.
Hours stretch long, with Monday through Saturday running 6 AM to midnight and Sunday from 7 AM to midnight. Afternoons and evenings stay busy all week, so mornings are the quiet window.
Your own car is the dining room, and plenty of people like it that way. Dogs are welcome, and the kids’ menu keeps younger riders happy after a day at the beach.
Enjoyed this story?
Add Fast Food Club as a preferred source to see more of our reporting on Google.