Some of the best meals I have ever eaten came from places I almost drove right past. In South Carolina, those quiet little spots often hide a secret weapon: a burger crowned with a thick, melty layer of pimento cheese.
It is creamy, a little tangy, sometimes spicy, and it turns a simple burger into something you will think about for days. Grab your keys and an empty stomach, because these nine burgers are worth every mile.
1. Pawleys Front Porch, Columbia, SC
Picture a sunny afternoon, a breezy porch, and a burger dripping with jalapeno pimento cheese. That scene sums up Pawleys Front Porch in the Five Points area of Columbia.
The kitchen pairs a sweet and savory patty with a spicy pimento spread that has earned a loyal following.
Burgers here are cooked to order, and the specialty list gets creative, with toppings like pineapple and guacamole showing up next to the classics. Fried green tomatoes make a smart starter, and frequent specials keep regulars guessing.
Sandwiches, salads, fish tacos, and a full vegetarian menu round things out.
The vibe is relaxed and college-town friendly, with TVs for game day, a roomy deck, and a pet-friendly patio. Families are welcome too, thanks to a kids’ menu and high chairs.
Reservations are not taken, so aim for a weekday lunch to skip the Friday and Saturday crowds. Prices usually land between $10 and $20.
2. Northgate Soda Shop, Greenville, SC
Step inside and the clock seems to roll backward a few decades. Northgate Soda Shop on North Main Street in Greenville is a nostalgic diner with a quirky, cozy charm and a historic feel that never tries too hard.
Its claim to fame is an award-winning pimento cheeseburger with a generous, substantial layer of cheese, jalapenos, and a nicely toasted bun. Adding bacon is a popular move, and the result is pure Southern comfort.
Do yourself a favor and order the onion rings, which are crispy, golden, and easy to love.
Beyond burgers, the menu covers textbook patty melts, hot dog plates, and a well-loved salad for lighter appetites. Prices stay friendly, service is quick, and kids are welcome.
Plan carefully, though. Hours are short, the shop closes on Sundays, and Saturday service wraps up at 2 PM.
Thursday and Friday offer the latest window for an early dinner.
3. Sesame Burgers & Beer, North Charleston, SC
Pickled okra on a burger? In North Charleston, it makes perfect sense.
Sesame Burgers & Beer serves a Charleston burger topped with pimento cheese and tangy pickled okra, a combo that tastes like the Lowcountry in every bite.
The straight-up pimento cheese burger is another winner, rich and creamy without hiding the beef. Start with the pimento cheese appetizer, served with warm pita bread for scooping.
A long list of toppings lets you build almost anything you crave.
Diet needs are easy to handle here. Gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options are on the menu, so mixed groups can all order happily.
Desserts get plenty of attention too, and brunch is available.
The Spruill Avenue spot feels trendy yet casual, with fast service, a kids’ menu, and dogs allowed outside. Weekday afternoons can get busy, while Sunday mornings tend to be calmer for a relaxed visit.
4. Ike’s Korner Grille, Spartanburg, SC
Small spaces sometimes pack the biggest flavor. Ike’s Korner Grille in Spartanburg is a compact, lively joint with unfussy digs and a menu built around honest, hearty food.
Chili cheeseburgers are a local favorite, but the pimento cheeseburger deserves equal fame. Go bold with the double pimento cheese burger if you are truly hungry.
Thick, fresh-cut fries come alongside, and sweet potato fries and onion rings are tempting swaps.
Curious eaters should also try the fried bologna sandwich, sliced thick and griddled the old-school way. Hot dogs and chili round out a lineup that feels proudly Upstate.
Timing matters here. The grille is closed Sundays and Mondays, runs only until 2 PM on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and stays open until 8 PM on Thursdays and Fridays.
Expect a crowd around lunch, quick service, TVs for sports, and plenty of free parking out front.
5. Burgers & Barley, Rock Hill, SC
Smoke changes everything, and Burgers & Barley proves it. This warm, brick-walled restaurant on Cherry Road in Rock Hill makes a smoked pimento cheese that shows up as a dip with fries and as a topping on its burgers.
Big appetites should meet Mr Big Stuff. It stacks double patties cooked to order with Boars Head bacon, smoked pimento cheese, and barbecue sauce on a brioche bun.
The plain pimento cheese burger is a strong pick for anyone wanting something simpler.
The innovative burger menu keeps things interesting, and the setting adds extra comfort. A fireplace, live music, and TVs for sports give it a lively energy, while free wi-fi and changing tables make family visits easier.
Dogs are welcome too.
Open late most nights, it suits a casual dinner well. Friday and Saturday evenings get packed, so weekday lunches are your calmest bet.
6. Cahill’s Market & Chicken Kitchen, Bluffton, SC
Farm stand meets country kitchen at this charming Bluffton favorite. Cahill’s Market & Chicken Kitchen sits on May River Road inside a country cottage, selling fresh produce and serving Southern cooking made with farm-to-table ingredients.
Chicken may be in the name, but the spicy pimento cheeseburger has fans of its own. It brings a little kick, and the fries served alongside are seriously good.
Fried chicken and waffles and shrimp tacos make it hard to choose, so bring a friend and share.
Unlike most burger stops, Cahill’s opens early. Breakfast starts at 8 AM Monday through Saturday, and Sunday runs from 9 AM to 3 PM.
That means a burger after a morning stroll through the market is fair game.
Vegan and vegetarian menus, great desserts, and a tea selection add variety. Weekends get busy with visitors, so a weekday morning feels most relaxed.
7. River City Cafe, Surfside Beach, SC
Salt air and melted cheese are a pretty unbeatable pairing. River City Cafe in Surfside Beach is a casual beachfront hamburger spot known for its ocean views and famous onion rings.
Order the pimento cheese burger and you get a Southern classic with a seaside backdrop. Feeling playful?
The mac and cheese burger is another fun option for anyone who wants extra comfort on a bun. Either way, a side of those onion rings is practically required.
Location is the real bonus. After a morning in the sand, you can walk over, grab a seat outside, and watch the waves while you eat.
Families feel right at home, with a kids’ menu, high chairs, and free wi-fi.
Doors open daily from 11 AM to 10 PM, which fits any beach schedule. Evenings bring the biggest crowds, so lunch is the easier time to snag a table.
8. The Feed Sack – Aiken, SC
Soft piano notes drifting across the room set The Feed Sack apart from every other stop on this list. Located on Whiskey Road in Aiken, this restaurant blends a cozy, welcoming feel with a touch of upscale polish.
The star for burger hunters is the Feed Sack Burger topped with pimento cheese, jalapenos, and bacon. It hits creamy, spicy, and smoky notes all at once.
Before it arrives, try the hot pimento cheese appetizer, or go with deviled eggs or Brussels sprouts.
The menu also stretches to seafood, steaks, and sandwiches like hot roast beef on a hoagie, plus vegan and vegetarian choices. A private dining room makes it handy for celebrations.
Expect to spend a bit more here, usually $20 to $30 per person. Reservations are accepted and recommended for dinner, especially on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday evenings.
Sunday hours end at 3 PM.
9. Julia Belle’s – Florence, SC
Look for the red barn on West Lucas Street. Julia Belle’s in Florence serves homespun Southern classics with a Lowcountry twist, and its pimento cheeseburger is a big reason to pull off the road.
Each one comes on a toasted bun with a thick spread of pimento cheese that melts right into the patty. The smash burger is equally tempting, so splitting both is a smart plan.
Shredded barbecue pork and a fried green tomato BLT also deserve a spot on your radar.
Save room for dessert. Peach egg rolls are a sweet, creative finish you will not find just anywhere.
Inside, the clean, cafeteria-style setup moves quickly, and outdoor tables offer fresh air on nice days. Families fit in easily with a kids’ menu and high chairs.
Hours run Monday through Saturday, 11 AM to 9 PM, and prices stay between $10 and $20.
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