Ah! Those hidden gems. Those places that every local knows about, but the rest of us have never heard of. Places where the food is good, but you might pass by if you didn’t know the area. South Carolina’s food is famous and in some cases infamous. We do love the deep fried, the gravy, and all the bad stuff, but it’s oh, so good! Here are 10 unassuming restaurants in South Carolina that may not look like much from the outside, but their food is rocking the place and the people who eat there can’t wait to go back for more!
- Sunrise Drive-In Restaurant, Florence, SC
Sunrise Drive-In Restaurant/FB
Katharine Shilcutt/Flickr Located outside of the city limits of Florence, you will find the Sunrise. The food is amazing, homemade onion rings, hot and crispy chicken, but everything is so good! Visit their page by following this link.
- Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar, Greenville, SC
Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar/FB
Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar/FB They are cooking up some A-Mazing burgers in this place with milkshakes, and a gluten-free menu as well. Visit their page by following this link.
- Grits and Groceries, Belton, SC
Grits and Groceries/FB
Grits and Groceries/FB You might ride right by this place, but you would be missing something special here. They are serving up Southern food with a gourmet flare! Visit their page by following this link.
- SeeWee Restaurant, Awendaw, SC
SeeWee Restaurant/FB
SeeWee Restaurant/FB Everyone who has been there raves about their food and they should! Just look at what they are serving! That, my friends, is a steak covered in blue cheese and fresh out-the-water shrimp! Oh, man, my mouth is watering. Visit their page by following this link.
- Ike’s Korner Grill, Spartanburg, SC
Ike’s Korner Grill/FB
Ike’s Korner Grill/FB One burger from there or other special sandwich and you’ll be hooked for life! If you don’t believe me…just ask my readers. They will tell you exactly how it is there. Visit their page by following this link.
- Sara J’s Seafood Restaurant, Garden City, SC
Sara J’s Seafood Restaurant/FB
Sara J’s Seafood Restaurant/FB This is a family-owned restaurant that is putting out some delicious seafood. It’s all fresh and cooked to perfection! Visit their page by following this link.
- CountrySide BBQ, Swansea, SC
Country Side BBQ/FB
Country Side BBQ/FB A little place with BIG taste! True to the Lowcountry style of BBQ with mustard-based sauce, loads of fresh vegetables, and the wait staff are excellent! What more could you ask for? Visit their page by following this link.
- Early Bird Diner, Charleston, SC
Early Bird Diner/FB
Early Bird DIner/FB It was featured on Triple D and this place just didn’t make specials for him, oh no, they make them for everyone. It’s no joke. The food this place serves outranks some 5-star restaurants with much higher menu prices! Everything on the menu is not just good, but absolutely amazing. They spin Southern comfort food into gourmet dishes and they are doing it from early in the morning until late at night. Visit their page by following this link.
- Shrimp Boat, Rock Hill, SC
Shrimp Boat/FB
Shrimp Boat/FB The place may be a bit small and a bit old, but don’t let that stop you from going in. Their motto is, “There ain’t no chicken like Shrimp Boat chicken!”, and it’s even embroidered on the sleeves of their shirts! They do serve seafood, but the chicken is the real draw for the people here. It is true Southern soul food cooking so, make sure you like it fried! They even have fried corn-on-the-cob on the menu. Visit their page by following this link.
- Pat’s Sub Shop, Aiken, SC
Pat’s Sub Shop/FB
Pat’s Sub Shop/FB A family-owned sub shop that is making headlines with their homemade chicken salad! The subs are always fresh and the bread is really great! Go see them and give them some love! Visit their page by following this link.
Is your mouth watering yet? Did we miss one of your favorite unassuming restaurants in South Carolina? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
Sunrise Drive-In Restaurant/FB
Katharine Shilcutt/Flickr
Located outside of the city limits of Florence, you will find the Sunrise. The food is amazing, homemade onion rings, hot and crispy chicken, but everything is so good! Visit their page by following this link.
Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar/FB
They are cooking up some A-Mazing burgers in this place with milkshakes, and a gluten-free menu as well. Visit their page by following this link.
Grits and Groceries/FB
You might ride right by this place, but you would be missing something special here. They are serving up Southern food with a gourmet flare! Visit their page by following this link.
SeeWee Restaurant/FB
Everyone who has been there raves about their food and they should! Just look at what they are serving! That, my friends, is a steak covered in blue cheese and fresh out-the-water shrimp! Oh, man, my mouth is watering. Visit their page by following this link.
Ike’s Korner Grill/FB
One burger from there or other special sandwich and you’ll be hooked for life! If you don’t believe me…just ask my readers. They will tell you exactly how it is there. Visit their page by following this link.
Sara J’s Seafood Restaurant/FB
This is a family-owned restaurant that is putting out some delicious seafood. It’s all fresh and cooked to perfection! Visit their page by following this link.
Country Side BBQ/FB
A little place with BIG taste! True to the Lowcountry style of BBQ with mustard-based sauce, loads of fresh vegetables, and the wait staff are excellent! What more could you ask for? Visit their page by following this link.
Early Bird Diner/FB
Early Bird DIner/FB
It was featured on Triple D and this place just didn’t make specials for him, oh no, they make them for everyone. It’s no joke. The food this place serves outranks some 5-star restaurants with much higher menu prices! Everything on the menu is not just good, but absolutely amazing. They spin Southern comfort food into gourmet dishes and they are doing it from early in the morning until late at night. Visit their page by following this link.
Shrimp Boat/FB
The place may be a bit small and a bit old, but don’t let that stop you from going in. Their motto is, “There ain’t no chicken like Shrimp Boat chicken!”, and it’s even embroidered on the sleeves of their shirts! They do serve seafood, but the chicken is the real draw for the people here. It is true Southern soul food cooking so, make sure you like it fried! They even have fried corn-on-the-cob on the menu. Visit their page by following this link.
Pat’s Sub Shop/FB
A family-owned sub shop that is making headlines with their homemade chicken salad! The subs are always fresh and the bread is really great! Go see them and give them some love! Visit their page by following this link.
South Carolina certainly has the market cornered on great food. Nominate your favorite SC restaurants by clicking here!
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Address: 3624 E Palmetto St, Florence, SC 29506, USAAddress: 1025 Woodruff Rd Ste D101, Greenville, SC 29607, USAAddress: 2440 Due West Hwy, Belton, SC 29627, USAAddress: Seewee Restaurant, 4808 N Hwy 17, Awendaw, SC 29429, USAAddress: 104 Archer Rd, Spartanburg, SC 29303, USAAddress: 314 Atlantic Ave, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576, USAAddress: 706 St Matthews Rd, Swansea, SC 29160, USAAddress: Early Bird Diner, 1644 Savannah Hwy, Charleston, SC 29407, USAAddress: 771 S Heckle Blvd, Rock Hill, SC 29730, USAAddress: 728 E Pine Log Rd, Aiken, SC 29803, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Unassuming Restaurants In South Carolina July 03, 2020 Leah What are the best hidden gem restaurants in South Carolina? The best restaurants may not always be the ones that stand out the most. There are hidden gems all over the Palmetto State. Mill Pond Steakhouse in Rembert is a bit out of the way, but worth the trip. Their food is phenomenal - not just in the steaks but the seafood, too. Hiding in a gas station and country store in Salters, South Carolina is a popular, delicious BBQ restaurant. Locals love them, especially their BBQ sandwiches that are tastier than you could ever imagine. You can try fresh fish at an unassuming fish market in Conway by means of Ocean Fish Market. They cook up fresh, locally caught fish and you can take home some of their catches to cook yourself, too. What are the best mom & pop restaurants in South Carolina? If you’re looking for the best local restaurants in South Carolina, you can’t do much better than the old mom & pop shops that have been around for decades. If you’re visiting Myrtle Beach, check out Hoskins Restaurants. It’s been around since 1948 and has been owned by the same family the entire time. Their seafood and fried chicken will remind you of grandma’s kitchen. Eva’s Restaurant in Summerville is another great example. It has been around for 70 years and continues to serve up timeless recipes in generous portions. Residents of Rock Hill, South Carolina love Mary’s Cafe when they’re looking for tasty home-style cooking. Their menu is loaded for all your favorites. Which restaurants serve the food South Carolina is known for? Enjoy some of South Carolina’s favorite foods at these restaurants. For some spectacular BBQ, visit Sweatman’s BBQ in Holly Hill. Don’t expect fine dining here - just delicious, piled-high BBQ. All your favorite side dishes are there, too, and the BBQ itself is (of course) amazing. It’s been featured on multiple national TV shows as a go-to place for good South Carolina food. For tasty Lowcountry food, take a ferry ride to Lucy Bell’s Cafe on Daufuskie Island. From shrimp to po’boy sandwiches, plus a beautiful seating area underneath a giant oak tree to enjoy your meal outside. When visiting the iconic city of Charleston, enjoy a visit to the wonderful restaurant of Husk. They only use food sourced from South Carolina - whether it be locally grown or caught. Their menu includes fantastic fish, shrimp, fried chicken, and more in a constantly changing line up.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Unassuming Restaurants In South Carolina
July 03, 2020
Leah
What are the best hidden gem restaurants in South Carolina? The best restaurants may not always be the ones that stand out the most. There are hidden gems all over the Palmetto State. Mill Pond Steakhouse in Rembert is a bit out of the way, but worth the trip. Their food is phenomenal - not just in the steaks but the seafood, too. Hiding in a gas station and country store in Salters, South Carolina is a popular, delicious BBQ restaurant. Locals love them, especially their BBQ sandwiches that are tastier than you could ever imagine. You can try fresh fish at an unassuming fish market in Conway by means of Ocean Fish Market. They cook up fresh, locally caught fish and you can take home some of their catches to cook yourself, too. What are the best mom & pop restaurants in South Carolina? If you’re looking for the best local restaurants in South Carolina, you can’t do much better than the old mom & pop shops that have been around for decades. If you’re visiting Myrtle Beach, check out Hoskins Restaurants. It’s been around since 1948 and has been owned by the same family the entire time. Their seafood and fried chicken will remind you of grandma’s kitchen. Eva’s Restaurant in Summerville is another great example. It has been around for 70 years and continues to serve up timeless recipes in generous portions. Residents of Rock Hill, South Carolina love Mary’s Cafe when they’re looking for tasty home-style cooking. Their menu is loaded for all your favorites. Which restaurants serve the food South Carolina is known for? Enjoy some of South Carolina’s favorite foods at these restaurants. For some spectacular BBQ, visit Sweatman’s BBQ in Holly Hill. Don’t expect fine dining here - just delicious, piled-high BBQ. All your favorite side dishes are there, too, and the BBQ itself is (of course) amazing. It’s been featured on multiple national TV shows as a go-to place for good South Carolina food. For tasty Lowcountry food, take a ferry ride to Lucy Bell’s Cafe on Daufuskie Island. From shrimp to po’boy sandwiches, plus a beautiful seating area underneath a giant oak tree to enjoy your meal outside. When visiting the iconic city of Charleston, enjoy a visit to the wonderful restaurant of Husk. They only use food sourced from South Carolina - whether it be locally grown or caught. Their menu includes fantastic fish, shrimp, fried chicken, and more in a constantly changing line up.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
The best restaurants may not always be the ones that stand out the most. There are hidden gems all over the Palmetto State. Mill Pond Steakhouse in Rembert is a bit out of the way, but worth the trip. Their food is phenomenal - not just in the steaks but the seafood, too. Hiding in a gas station and country store in Salters, South Carolina is a popular, delicious BBQ restaurant. Locals love them, especially their BBQ sandwiches that are tastier than you could ever imagine. You can try fresh fish at an unassuming fish market in Conway by means of Ocean Fish Market. They cook up fresh, locally caught fish and you can take home some of their catches to cook yourself, too.
What are the best mom & pop restaurants in South Carolina?
If you’re looking for the best local restaurants in South Carolina, you can’t do much better than the old mom & pop shops that have been around for decades. If you’re visiting Myrtle Beach, check out Hoskins Restaurants. It’s been around since 1948 and has been owned by the same family the entire time. Their seafood and fried chicken will remind you of grandma’s kitchen. Eva’s Restaurant in Summerville is another great example. It has been around for 70 years and continues to serve up timeless recipes in generous portions. Residents of Rock Hill, South Carolina love Mary’s Cafe when they’re looking for tasty home-style cooking. Their menu is loaded for all your favorites.
Which restaurants serve the food South Carolina is known for?
Enjoy some of South Carolina’s favorite foods at these restaurants. For some spectacular BBQ, visit Sweatman’s BBQ in Holly Hill. Don’t expect fine dining here - just delicious, piled-high BBQ. All your favorite side dishes are there, too, and the BBQ itself is (of course) amazing. It’s been featured on multiple national TV shows as a go-to place for good South Carolina food. For tasty Lowcountry food, take a ferry ride to Lucy Bell’s Cafe on Daufuskie Island. From shrimp to po’boy sandwiches, plus a beautiful seating area underneath a giant oak tree to enjoy your meal outside. When visiting the iconic city of Charleston, enjoy a visit to the wonderful restaurant of Husk. They only use food sourced from South Carolina - whether it be locally grown or caught. Their menu includes fantastic fish, shrimp, fried chicken, and more in a constantly changing line up.
