Non-BBQ RF near I-95 from VA to Miami, FL? .. Also I-75 and I-4 in FL

 
Hi all - 
 
We would like some suggestions for RoadFood on our next trip from the northern part of VA down to Miami, FL, and possibly the Keys.  We will mostly be traveling I-95.  We are willing to make some minor detours, (maybe an hour off route), but prefer places closer to the route, if possible.   We didn't see any way to search along or near certain highways in the RF search.
 
We have done this drive to FL several times, and are pretty familiar with many of the Barbecue joints, especially in the Carolinas (Parker's, Skylight Inn, D&H, and scads others, etc.)    For this trip, we're looking for something different; ....  maybe some 1950s-style drive-in type places or burger stands that serve a good burger, dog, and fries, etc.   We're open to other recommendations, too.  Fried chicken, meat and 3, whatever.  .... just trying to accumulate more non-BBQ suggestions.          
 
We will also be driving from Miami to the Tampa area along I-75, and then along I-4 from Tampa back toward I-95. 
 
With a few exceptions, we're not big fans of southern seafood, so non-seafood places would be better bets.  The few exceptions for southern seafood that we like are Yellowtail snapper, grouper, and dolphin (Mahi-mahi).    Other than those, we're more northern fish fans (Cod, Haddock, etc.).
 
Thanks much!
 
Glenn and Janet
 
 

Immediately off of I4 in Tampa is a place called Brocato's.  It is excellent Cuban food and such.  And excellent value for the quanities received.  While they do not have a website I can refer you to, there is another website with reviews on Brocato's.
 
http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/30/340659/restaurant/Tampa-Bay/East-Lake-Orient-Park/Brocatos-Sandwich-Shop-Tampa

Before you get to NC on I 95 at Exit 31 try Stony Creek Tastee Hut for good fried chicken or BBQ.
Stony Creek Tastee Hut @ 12420 Blue Star Hwy., Stony Creek, VA. 434 - 246 - 2328.
For outstanding BBQ and country fried chicken get off I 95 at Exit 79 at Benson, NC and go W on E Main Street to N Fayetteville Street which is the first street to your right. Take a right and go N to E Church Street. Take a right and go to N Honeycutt Street. White Swan will be on your left.
White Swan BBQ and Fried Chicken @ 105 N Honeycutt St, Benson, NC 919 - 894 - 4446.
http://www.whiteswanbarbeque.com/
At Exit 73 in Dunn, NC get off I 95 going W on Cumberland go about a mile take a right on General Lee and next left on Broad for some fine fried chicken at Kim's. Don't let the name bother you. They sell a BBQ sandwich but 99% country food.
Kim's BBQ House @ 900 W. Broad St., Dunn, NC. 910 - 892 - 7750.
If you don't mind driving 30 miles out of the way for the best burger's in NC get off I 95 going S at Exit 31 at St. Paul's, NC and go E. 10 miles on # 20 which is Broad St. Turn right on # 87 and go 15 miles to # 41 and turn left. Melvin's is on the right 4 miles up the road which is Broad St. also. If you would rather have a nice southern lunch or dinner stop before Melvin's at Front Porch Cafe for a real southern treat. Help yourself to the fried chicken at the buffet and some great desert then head W on Broad St. which is # 41 and go 25 miles to Lumberton, NC. Going S to FL don't go back to St. Paul's or the way you came in as that's out of the way. Lumberton, NC has some fine road food so be on the look out for something on your return trip.
Melvin's Hamburger's @ 133 West Broad Street, Elizabethtown, NC 910 - 862 - 2763.
Front Porch Restaurant @ 1100 West Broad St., Elizabethtown, NC 910 - 862 - 3330.
http://frontporchrestaurant.com/Home_Page.html
For some fine country road food get off I 95 at Exit 2 at Rowland, NC and go W on # 130 which is Main St. to S Railroad. Take a left and go 2 blocks to The Pink Restaurant on Church St.
Pink Restaurant @ 104 West Church St., Rowland, NC 910 - 422 - 0020.
Get off I 95 at Exit 181B near Latta, SC and go one mile to Highway 917. Take a left and go about 3 miles to Abingdon Manor Inn and Restaurant at Latta, SC. Spend the night in a soft bed in a grand old inn and have a fantastic dinner.
Abingdon Manor Inn and Restaurant @ 307 Church Street, Latta, SC 843 - 752 - 5090.
http://www.abingdonmanor.com/
In SC get off I 95 at Exit 160 A going S and go E on # 20 less than a mile to Red Bone Alley in Florence Mall Shopping Center on Palmetto St. for a RBA Black and Bleu Burger or a Bubba Burger.
Redbone Alley @ 1903 West Palmetto St., Florence, SC 843 - 673 - 0035.
http://www.redbonealley.com/
Get off I 95 in Summerton, SC at Exit # 108 and go N less than a mile to Church St. and good country cooking at Summerton Diner.
Summerton Diner @ 32 Church St., Summerton, SC 803 - 485 - 6835.
Get off I 95 at Exit 98 and go W on Highway 6. Take a right on State Park Road and go to Lonestar BBQ for good southern food. Clark's Inn and Restaurant is also a fine place to spend the night and have breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Lonestar BBQ @ 2212 State Park Rd., Santee, SC. 803 - 854 - 2000
http://www.lonestarbbq.net/
Clark's Inn and Restaurant @ 114 Bradford Boulevard, Santee, SC 803 - 854 - 2101.
http://www.clarksinnandrestaurant.com/
Get off I 95 at Exit 33 to the right at Yemassee, SC on Highway 17 and go E one mile then turn left on Highway 17 Alternate or Highway 21 for 4 miles. Look for Harold's Country Club on the left for outstanding burgers on Wednesday, potluck on Thursday and steaks on Saturday. Be sure and call ahead to place your order for good road food.
Harold's Country Club @ 97 U.S. 17 Yemassee, SC 843 - 589 - 4360.
http://www.savannahoffthe...m/Food/harold's_cc.htm
Get off I 95 at Exit 87 at Richmond Hill, GA and go W on Highway 17 half a mile to Smoking Pig BBQ next to the BP Station on N side of Highway 17. The ribs and chicken are excellent. This is probably your best stop for BBQ in GA.
Smoking Pig BBQ @ 3986 U.S. 17, Richmond Hill, GA. 912 - 756 - 7850.
Get off I 95 at Exit 76 at Midway, GA and go E on Highway 38 to Sunbury Rd. Take a left and go to Brigantine Dunmore Rd. Take a left and go to Sunbury Crab Co. which is open for dinner serving outstanding fresh seafood. This might be the best place you stop for the seafood is outstanding.
Sunbury Crab Co. @ 539 Brigantine Dunmore Road Midway, GA 912 - 884 - 8640.
http://sunburycrabco.wp.net/
Get off I 95 at Exit 67 at Townsend, GA to the right and go S on Highway 17 for 1.2 miles then take a left going E onto Harris Neck Road just past a small church. Go 5.7 miles E to the Jessie Grant Road and look for the purple OSD sign on your left. Turn to the right at the sign for about 100 feet to Old School Diner for the best fresh seafood around. OSD is open for dinner Wednesday/Saturday and Noon to 10 PM on Sunday. They are closed on Monday and Tuesday. This might be the best road food you will have on your trip.
Old School Diner @ 1080 Jesse Grant Road, Townsend, GA 912 - 832 - 2136.
http://oldschooldiner.com/
Get off I 95 at Exit 58 at Townsend, GA to the right on Highway 99 and go less than a mile to Highway 17. Turn left and go N about 2 miles to Pine Harbor Rd. Take a right and go E about 2 miles to Sepelo Station Crossing and fantastic fresh local seafood and hand cut steaks.
Sapelo Station Crossing @ 1172 Pine Harbor Marina Road, Townsend, GA 912 - 832 - 3555.
If you want the best fresh seafood on your trip get off I 95 at Exit 49 in Darien, GA to the right and go E on Highway 251 to Highway 17. Take a right on Highway 17 and go S for 1.2 miles. Turn right on Broad St. just before crossing the bridge. Go one block and take your first left on Screven St. and have some outstanding fresh seafood at Skipper's Fish Camp. [size=3 font="times new roman"].
Skipper's Fish Camp @ 85 Screven St., Darien, GA 912 - 437 - 3474.
http://www.skippersfishcamp.com/
Get off I 95 at Exit 29 at Brunswick, GA and go W on Highway 82 about a mile to Gary Lee's Market for good road food.
Gary Lee's Market @ 3636 U. S. Hwy. 82, Brunswick, GA. 912 - 265 - 1925.
　

The Summerton Diner (as Littleman suggested above) is easily accessed from I-95 and has great food. They have daily specials, its my favorite in the area so far.
 
The Ward Street Diner in Darlington, SC is really good, but its 20 minutes off I-95. Great little place though. Jewels Deluxe diner is also in Darlington, but has limited hours.
 
 
 

 
Wow!  Great list of places!  We'll have to make a lot of trips to cover all these.  
 
Also, are there any 1950s-style drive-ins, say something along the lines of Wright's Dairy Rite? 
 
Thanks!
 
Glenn and Janet
 
 

This is the closest place that I know for a drive in along I-95. It is here in Florence, SC, people can hit it on the way to Myrtle Beach. I didn't mention it, because it takes a little bit (20 minutes) to get to.
 
http://www.thebestdrivein.com/
 
If you decide to try this coming south, get off at exit 164 (Highway 52). Take a left onto 52 (Lucas St), follow this across Irby Street to Palmetto St (Hwy 76). Take a right under the train tracks onto Palmetto and it is up on your right. You can go inside or go to the drive in.
 

 
DirtDude -
 
That drive-in looks perfect.  No problem being 20 minutes off route.  Even 30-60 minutes off-route is fine.   Sometimes we stay in Florence as a stopover on the way to FL....usually at the Holiday Inn Express off Rt 327  (Exit 170) near the PeeDee Electric Cooperative on Florence-Harleeville Rd.   That drive-in won't be too far from there...less than 30 minutes.
 
Also eaten at the buffet located in the Thudenrbird Motor Inn.  (I think it is Exit 164, if I recall?).   It was pretty good, but not great.  Have you tried it?   
 
Thanks much! 
 
Glenn and Janet
 

Glenn1234-

 
The Thunderbird has to be the worst buffet around here, it is on exit 164, the same exit I work on. I think it used to be great 20 years ago. Up 52 towards Darlington (from the Thunderbird) is one called B&B, which I like better. Rogers and Cains in Florence are probably the best buffets around here, but they are both BBQ.
 
If you do stay in Florence there are two breakfast places near the area of the Drive In. The Lamplighter is on Irby (52) , near the intersection with Palmetto (76). Ate there with friends this morning and thought it was really good.
 
The Venus Pancake House is on Palmetto (76) heading back west from the Drive In. Its always crowded, but they were closed this morning for the holidays, so I still can't give a recommendation till I try it. You can follow Palmetto all the way back to 95.

 
Thanks DirtDude.
 
Glenn and Janet