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Beacon Drive-In - Spartanburg, SC

The Beacon is fast, loud and big, a quintessential drive-in with instantaneous counter service as well as car hops. Have the pork-a-plenty plate, and be sure to order ice tea. The Beacon is proud of serving the most and the sweetest in the South.
82% Approval Rating (64 votes)
4 - Overall: Worth planning a day around
Overall: Worth planning a day around

Must Eats

ice tea ($2.00)
Hush Puppies (N/A)
Cole Slaw (N/A)
chili cheese-a-plenty ($6.00)
outside pork-a-plenty ($5.00)
A-Plenty (N/A)

Written Reviews

rating
Michael Stern
Roadfood.com Editor
"Fast, loud, and big, The Beacon is the most intense restaurant you will ever visit. The moment you enter and approach the serving line, you are virtually accosted by an order-taker – J.C. Strobel, the senior man, if you’re lucky – who will demand, “CALL IT OUT!” (If ..."   [Read More].
rating
wjevans3
January 12, 2009
"The entertainment factor is high with the order taking: the "AAA-Plen-Tee" call out was killer. However, this is the single worst meal I've ever been served. I had the fish platter: two kinds of fried fish, fries, onion rings, and hush puppies. I tried a bite of ..."   [Read More].
rating
bargecapt
April 21, 2007
"I went to the Beacon on 4/7/07. Th first thing I noticed was that it was filthy. The whole ceiling in the food prep area was flaking; some areas were several feet in size. There was a good chance that you would get plaster-a-plenty with your meal. Second thing I ..."   [Read More].

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Logbooks

Map & Directions

Yahoo Link
255 John B. White Sr. Boulevard, Spartanburg, SC
864-585-9387

http://www.beacondrivein.com

Hours & Policies

Seasons:Open Year Round
Meals Served:Breakfast, Lunch
Operational Hours:Always Call Ahead!
Credit Cards Accepted:No
Alcohol Served:No
Outdoor Seating:No
Reservations Accepted:No
Delivery Available:No
Takeout Counters:Yes
Notice there are two buns on the bottom!  A great design to keep the sandwich from getting soggy.  I was surprised there was cole slaw on the meat but what a great complement.  I loved it!
"Notice there are two buns on the bottom! A great design to keep the sandwich from getting soggy. I was surprised there was cole slaw on the meat but what a great complement. I loved it!"
BiggieB





A syrup-and-whipped-cream topped banana split that is big enough for at least four pigs!
"A syrup-and-whipped-cream topped banana split that is big enough for at least four pigs!"
Michael Stern


Fried nearly instantly when ordered, this hot catfish is whole and soulful (although headless), the way true catfish devotees like it.
"Fried nearly instantly when ordered, this hot catfish is whole and soulful (although headless), the way true catfish devotees like it."
Michael Stern


A-plenty, as in this chili cheese-a-plenty, means that it comes with onion rings and fries, doled out in generous portions.
"A-plenty, as in this chili cheese-a-plenty, means that it comes with onion rings and fries, doled out in generous portions."
buffetbuster


The Beacon's tea is lemony, very sweet and just might be the best in the entire South!  They sell the regular and peach tea in gallons and half-gallons to go.
"The Beacon's tea is lemony, very sweet and just might be the best in the entire South! They sell the regular and peach tea in gallons and half-gallons to go."
buffetbuster


Uhhh... A-Plenty!  One of the things they are most known for.  A HUGE stack of homemade onions rings and french fries.  I had to dig my way down to get to my Outside Pork sandwich!  WOW!
"Uhhh... A-Plenty! One of the things they are most known for. A HUGE stack of homemade onions rings and french fries. I had to dig my way down to get to my Outside Pork sandwich! WOW!"
BiggieB


The outside pork-a-plenty features a fine chopped pork sandwich with just a small amount of sauce.  Extra sauce is available on request.
"The outside pork-a-plenty features a fine chopped pork sandwich with just a small amount of sauce. Extra sauce is available on request."
buffetbuster


Great side dishes!  Hush puppies, baked beans and cole slaw.  Even the baked beans had a little cole slaw in it and it tasted great!
"Great side dishes! Hush puppies, baked beans and cole slaw. Even the baked beans had a little cole slaw in it and it tasted great!"
BiggieB


This newer sign, located at the front of the ordering line, is there to help newcomers with the Beacon's distinctive lingo.
"This newer sign, located at the front of the ordering line, is there to help newcomers with the Beacon's distinctive lingo. "
buffetbuster


One of the many signs above the order counter, where patrons are encouraged to CHOOSE FAST and WALK THE LINE
"One of the many signs above the order counter, where patrons are encouraged to CHOOSE FAST and WALK THE LINE"
Michael Stern


Found in the small middle dining room, this nostalgic mural shows the Beacon Drive-In from olden days.
"Found in the small middle dining room, this nostalgic mural shows the Beacon Drive-In from olden days."
buffetbuster


This evocative print of the Beacon in 1946 is available for sale at the restaurant and at the Beacon's web site.
"This evocative print of the Beacon in 1946 is available for sale at the restaurant and at the Beacon's web site."
Michael Stern


This lighthouse stands at the far corner of the Beacon's immense parking lot.  A helicopter pad for airborne approach is across the street.
"This lighthouse stands at the far corner of the Beacon's immense parking lot. A helicopter pad for airborne approach is across the street."
Michael Stern


Souvenir of excellent pork and sweet tea
"Souvenir of excellent pork and sweet tea"
Michael Stern


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