LOCAL’S TAKE RESTAURANT GUIDE: 8 INCREDIBLE CLASSIC RESTAURANTS IN ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA
I grew up in Rock Hill, and some of these restaurants have been around for decades longer than I have. Though they may be simple, these classic local staples should not be overlooked. I recently took a tour of the best local restaurants in town and created this round-up of the eight best places to eat in Rock Hill.
Local tip: Many of these restaurants accept cash only, so be sure to stop by an ATM before chowing down.
Mary’s Cafe
One of the best restaurants in Rock Hill is Mary’s Cafe. Since 1995, Mary’s Cafe has served classic Southern homemade meals for breakfast and lunch in a cozy environment. Lunch options usually include the meat and three format with a protein and three sides. The country-fried steak is the most popular menu option, and I loved the lima beans alongside options like collard greens, macaroni and cheese, and fried green tomatoes.
Red’s Grill
Rock Hill’s oldest continuously operating restaurant, Red’s Grill, opened in 1948. For the past 75 years, it has served classic Southern dishes. Known primarily for their salmon patties and livermush, visitors and locals alike stop by for breakfast and lunch in Red’s dining room seven days a week. It’s even so popular they have a drive-thru! I stopped by for breakfast and thought their grits were the best I have had in town. To complement your southern breakfast, remember to order a biscuit hot from the grill.
Sonny’s Dutch Mill
Sonny’s Dutch Mill is known for its homemade chili, which is served atop its famous hotdogs and chili cheeseburgers. House-cut fries and freshly spun milkshakes make this one of Rock Hill’s best local restaurants. Visitors will love the vintage feel of this mom-and-pop shop, while locals will tell you they always run into someone they know – because everybody loves it here. For a local favorite, order off the menu and get your burger or dog Carolina style—with chili, slaw, and onions.
Ebenezer Grill
As soon as you step inside, the nostalgia covering the walls conveys the coziness at Ebenezer Grill. Wall-to-ceiling and even tables are covered with signatures from decades past. Families will often come to sit at the same tables, their once young child’s signature nearby, reminding them of years they’ve spent enjoying the same great food. Breakfast and lunch are equally as popular at this iconic local diner, but a few specials shine. Famous for their hotdogs, you can’t miss the giant sign from the road. Ebenezer Grill is known for its BBQ, which is smoked and pulled on-site. Locals also love homemade vegetable soup.
Anna J’s
Anna J’s is a greasy spoon diner known for its no-frills breakfast in Rock Hill. The restaurant has been serving up hot coffee and breakfast plates for over 50 years. It is located in the same strip mall as another classic place to eat in Rock Hill on this list: Time Out. Everything at Anna J’s is affordable, so I enjoyed ordering a smorgasbord of options. With a table covered in plates like the biscuit smothered in gravy, scrambled eggs, silver dollar pancakes, and some of the best hashbrowns in town – you’ll leave stuffed but happy.
Time Out
Time Out is a long-standing bar in Rock Hill, known for being the oldest one still in its original location and loved by the locals for its unpretentious charm. Locals and visitors flock to Time Out for its renowned burgers, widely acclaimed as some of the best in town. Additionally, patrons can enjoy the allure of cheap drinks served generously during its daily happy hour, making it a favorite haunt for locals. This local watering hole is a crowd favorite, drawing a party on Thursday afternoons through the weekend. Come on weekdays for one of Rock Hill’s best-kept secrets, serving up tasty options like great hot wings and, of course, Taco Tuesdays.
Little Café
The Little Cafe has been a family-owned restaurant in Rock Hill since 1990. Offering a buffet with a wide range of choices for both breakfast and lunch, as well as made-to-order dishes, this local restaurant is a great place to eat in Rock Hill. The real stars of this little diner are the freshly made dishes. The menu boasts southern favorites like biscuits and gravy, liver mush, toasted pimento cheese, and blue plate specials every day of the week. The Millie is a great breakfast option with a little of everything!
Passmore’s Grocery & Grill
Though it is a little further away than other restaurants on this list, Passmore’s Grocery & Grill should not be missed. This roadside store and grill is one of Rock Hill’s favorite places to eat. Owner John Michael Black took over the store from his great-granddad, who started it in 1935. It has been a family-run business for three generations now. The walls are lined with printed-out photos of John Michael and his customers, who he says make the soul of the place. Stop by for simple fixes like cheesy grits with hand-patted sausage or a homemade cheeseburger and fries for lunch. Make a day of it and visit the historic town of Brattonsville, just minutes down the road from Passmore’s.
Written by author Michele Granera – Michele is your go-to for all things adventure – big and small, and the brains behind theadventuresabound.com!
