Travel Itinerary
Burgers so big they could feed a giant – that’s the magic pulling travelers straight to Spartanburg’s Beacon Drive-In. Since 1946, this South Carolina icon has grilled up cheeseburgers bursting with nostalgia and flavor. Neon lights sparkle like carnival charms, while clattering trays and lively voices create a soundtrack of Americana. Orders get shouted with gusto, a show as famous as the mountain-sized portions that follow. Every visit feels like dining in a storybook feast hall, where Southern warmth fills both hearts and plates to the brim.
Lighthouse Landmark With History
Marked by its iconic lighthouse-style neon sign, The Beacon has illuminated Spartanburg’s food scene for over 75 years.
What began on Thanksgiving Day 1946 has evolved into America’s second-largest drive-in while preserving its nostalgic charm. Generations of South Carolinians have made pilgrimages here, creating a legacy as bright as its namesake beacon.
Legendary ‘A-Plenty’ Cheeseburgers
Ever seen a burger that requires a search party to find under mountains of fries and onion rings? That’s the famous ‘A-Plenty’ style that made The Beacon a household name.
These cheeseburger mountains aren’t just meals – they’re challenges! Locals swear the secret lies in decades-old griddles that have never lost their seasoning, creating flavor impossible to duplicate elsewhere.
World-Famous Sweet Tea Experience
What makes it special is how perfectly that tea pairs with their cheeseburgers. The salt, smoke, and melted cheese from those hefty patties get balanced by the sugary chill of the tea, creating the kind of flavor combination South Carolinians have been loyal to for decades.
It’s no exaggeration to say that many folks won’t order one without the other – burger in one hand, tea in the other is the Beacon tradition.
Unique ‘Call It Out’ Ordering System
Where else can you shout your order to a legendary ‘caller’ who memorizes and broadcasts it to the kitchen without writing anything down?
This theatrical ordering tradition has become performance art at The Beacon. First-timers stand mesmerized as veterans confidently bark their orders. The fast-paced system moves hundreds of hungry customers through daily, creating an atmosphere as entertaining as it is efficient.
Community Hub For Generations
Saturday nights at The Beacon transform into unofficial car shows as classic auto enthusiasts gather in the parking lot.
Beyond burgers, this Spartanburg institution serves as a living museum where political candidates make mandatory campaign stops and families celebrate milestones. The walls practically talk, whispering stories of first dates from the 1950s and business deals sealed over cheeseburgers and fries.