Some places feed you lunch, and some places feed you a little piece of history. Midway BBQ in the small town of Buffalo, South Carolina, has been serving Southern food since 1941, and the lines out front suggest people still care.
Folks come for hash, chicken stew, and a long row of homestyle sides that taste like a church supper. So is it the most old-fashioned barbecue spot left in the state?
Let’s take a closer look and you can decide.
A Main Street Landmark in Buffalo
Drive through Buffalo and you might notice the traffic before you notice the sign. Midway BBQ sits at 811 Main St, right in the middle of this little Upstate town near Union.
It is a barbecue restaurant at heart, but it works more like a country kitchen with a steam line full of Southern favorites. You walk in, check the menu board on the wall behind the counter, and order your plate.
Visitors driving past often say they kept seeing the busy lot and finally had to stop. One couple made the dash through pouring rain just to see what the fuss was about, and they left calling it a great discovery.
With a 4.6 star rating from more than 1,400 Google reviews, the place has earned plenty of trust. That is a lot of happy eaters for a town this size.
Roots Stretching Back to 1941
Think about what was happening in 1941. Radios were the big entertainment, and Midway was already dishing out Southern food in Buffalo, according to longtime fans.
That long run is a big reason the restaurant earned a spot on the South Carolina BBQ trail. Places that last over 80 years usually do it by keeping recipes steady and customers fed well.
Regulars describe it as a community staple, and they mention Jay and his crew by name with real affection. Families who have been coming for years still make the drive just to get their fix.
So when people call this place old-fashioned, they mean it as a compliment. The food tastes like it came from a time when lunch was the biggest meal of the day.
The Famous White Beef Hash
Hash is the word that comes up more than any other at Midway, with well over a hundred mentions. If you have never tried it, you are in for a true Carolina staple.
Midway is known for a white style of beef hash, which surprises folks from other parts of the state. One diner from further south called it good but very different from what they grew up with.
Others had no such doubts and labeled the beef hash phenomenal. Some guests even got a free sample from the staff before ordering, which is a sweet touch.
Fun fact: hash was once a way to stretch every bit of meat after a big hog or cattle cooking. Ordering it here is like tasting a page of South Carolina history.
Chicken Stew Worth a Quart To Go
Ask a regular what to order and there is a good chance they say chicken stew before barbecue. It shows up in dozens of reviews, often as the star of the meal.
Fans call it unique, warm, and so yummy, saying it lives up to every bit of the hype. One guest liked it with a little mustard sauce mixed in.
A visitor who felt so-so about other dishes still crowned the stew the best thing they ate. Their advice was simple: grab a quart to take home.
On a chilly day, a cup of this stew might be the coziest thing in Union County. Do not skip it.
Pulled Pork, Ribs, and Smoked Turkey Fridays
Let’s be honest about the meat, because diners are. The pulled pork gets mixed feelings, with some saying it needs sauce or lacks a smoky punch.
Others love it, especially piled on a sandwich with slaw. Guests also recommend the ribs, and one longtime fan praised the brisket as really good.
Friday brings a special that regulars plan around: the smoked turkey dinner. One worker who eats there often says it is a weekly highlight.
If you want deep, heavy smoke, you might look elsewhere. If you want a hearty meat plate with great sides, you are in the right place.
Macaroni Pie, Heavenly and Cheesy
One reviewer said that even if you do not like barbecue, you should come for the macaroni pie. That is bold praise, and plenty of people agree.
It is described as smooth, creamy, and made with a blend of cheeses. Another regular called the mac and cheese heavenly gold.
Portions are generous too, with one food truck customer noting a huge side for a good price. A wife on a date night said it was really good.
Macaroni pie is a Southern classic, baked firm enough to slice. Here it tastes like a holiday table any day of the week.
Sweet Potatoes and Casserole Sides
Some folks come for the meat and stay for the vegetables. Midway’s side line is long and full of comfort.
The sweet potatoes get raves, with one diner calling them maybe the best ever ordered at a restaurant. The sweet potato casserole is another favorite, along with the broccoli casserole one fan said was to die for.
Collard greens are a hit, though some find them on the sweet side. The staff once even sent a traveler home to Georgia with greens for his wife, who called them the best she ever tasted.
Coleslaw, okra, pimento cheese, and chicken and dumplings round out the choices. Meat and three plates let you sample plenty.
Banana Pudding and Sweet Tea
Save room. That is the advice one happy local gave, and they meant it for the banana pudding.
It is a classic Southern finish, the kind that brings back memories of family reunions. A meal here feels incomplete without it.
Wash it down with sweet tea, but be warned. One diner called the tea really sweet, which might be perfect or too much depending on your taste.
The cornbread has its own quirk, described as spongy like cake. Old-fashioned touches like these give the meal its homey character.
Friendly Faces Behind the Counter
Even the critics agree on one thing: the people here are great. A reviewer who rated the food just okay still called the service top notch.
Staff get described again and again as friendly, helpful, and patient. A guest who is gluten and dairy free said they answered every ingredient question kindly.
Just know the kitchen is not gluten free, so cross-contamination is possible. That honesty matters for anyone with allergies.
Food often comes quickly too, with one couple getting their plates in about five minutes. A clean facility earns praise as well.
Old-School Atmosphere and Who It Suits
Nobody comes here for fancy decor. As one guest put it, the atmosphere is what you would expect for barbecue, plain and comfortable.
It suits road trippers, local workers on lunch break, and families wanting a hot home-style meal. Couples even call it a nice date spot.
There is also a little meat store as you walk in, which fans enjoy. It adds to that general-store feeling of a small Southern town.
If you love polished dining rooms, this may feel too simple. If you love authentic local flavor, you will feel right at home.
Takeout, Catering, and a Food Truck
A wedding the day after Hurricane Helene almost did not happen. Roads were rough and power was out, yet Jay made sure Midway’s food arrived on time and drew many compliments.
Catering is a big part of the business, and local workplaces use it regularly. Takeout is busy too, with quarts of stew and plates heading home daily.
A few takeout customers have complained about missing sides or burnt okra, so check your bag before driving off. Most still praise the overall quality.
Midway also runs a food truck, which has convinced some people to make the drive to the original.
Hours, Prices, and Timing Your Visit
Planning matters here because the hours are short. Midway is open Tuesday through Friday from 10 AM to 6 PM, and Saturday from 10 AM to 4 PM.
It is closed Sunday and Monday. You can call ahead at 864-427-4047 or check midway-bbq.com.
Arrive early if you can, since regulars say popular items sell out. Lines are common, and one guest waited about 20 minutes before ordering.
Diners call the prices reasonable for what you get. Both dine-in and carry-out are available.
The Verdict on Buffalo’s Barbecue Treasure
So, is Midway BBQ the most old-fashioned barbecue spot left in South Carolina? That crown is hard to prove, but it makes a strong case.
It has cooked since 1941, it serves hash and chicken stew like generations past, and its sides taste like grandma made them. Smoke lovers may want more, but comfort food fans leave smiling.
Add friendly staff and a loyal town behind it, and you get something rare. Next time you pass through Buffalo, pull in, grab a plate, and judge for yourself.
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