Sorry to disappoint some of you but Buc-ee's is not on the list

I've eaten at Mr. Bunky's many times.

I am also familiar with Cooper's Country Store in/near Salters I think @fulminate and I have discussed this one.

The Indian restaurant in Irmo has my current attention. ETA: FULL STOP it's not a restaurant it's someone selling "Indian Food Bowls" out of a refrigerator case. Hard pass.

Kingstree? Never been there.

https://www.postandcourier.com/food/food-convenience-stores-gas-stations-south-carolina/article_d34c32e2-f12f-11ee-8394-c78a620391f3.html

I live right down the road from Coopers. It's my morning coffee stop and I usually hit it up for lunch on Saturday when I am piddling around in the yard.

They have a hot bar for lunch now. It's usually fried chicken, fried quail, pileau and some types of vegetables. I can't tell you it's an emotional experience, but the fried quail and rutabagas I had last Saturday were good to me.

I've been driving from salters to concord, nc twice a week since last august for a project up there and have come across a couple of places that I haven't really stopped at because nothings really open at 5AM when I go through Bishopville and Bethune. There's a gas station on the road between those two towns though. I've stopped for a bologna and egg sandwich a few times. Place isn't much to look at, but like Cooper's, it's a hardware store, gas station, auto parts store with a meat counter.

The Watermelon Patch in Pageland has good breakfast and clean bathrooms. https://thewatermelonpatchpageland.com/menu/ - I'm not sure why anyone would go to Pageland, except to go through Pageland.

On 601 from Monroe NC to Concord NC there's a shipping container converted into a walk up burger joint that has a good burger. Place is called Hot Mess. https://hotmessburgers.com/

Last place isn't really what I'd call a Culinary Landmark, but the place in McCleod farms in McBee has a restaurant.

I grew up in Kingstree.

https://bigsmeatsandmore.com/bigs-wp/

Will give a + ++ for the burger box at think Big's the burger place at McCleod peach farm, also the peach ice-cream in the produce store.

Has anyone been to Harry and Harry Too's in Bishopville?

Nelson's Wee Bake, the Mennonite bakery in Denmark, SC.  Good stuff. Only sandwiches are BBQ, Chick salad or a hot dog. But the baked goods are fabulous. Bear claws with Pecans on top FTW.





https://www.ar15.com/forums/manageReply.html?b=8&f=65&t=674249&tl=Hidden-Culinary-Landmarks-restaurants-in-gas-stations-and-truck-stops-&r=7406771&page=1#

I used to work in Blackville for a time. Three places to mention over there...

Miller's Bread Basket is pretty good food for lunch.
Country Cupboard in Barnwell
Healing Springs Store about three miles outside of Blackville

The bear claws you mention from Wee Bake are the only reason I drive back over to that area once or twice a year.

Backside of Lake Wateree on John G Richards rd./Hwy 97 at Beaver Creek is a gas station/restaurant inside with a hell of a good burger.
Riverdeck Store and Grill.

Wateree Dam Road has a small local joint that opened last year. Saints and Sinners.  Typical bar food. Burgers, wings, onion rings, fried mushrooms, etc.   Not open every day, Wed-Sat.  Also a great burger and onion rings. Well, everything is great.

I've been in there although it's been years ago. As in around '94. If I'm not mistaken at the time the place might have also been an FFL.

I've passed both of these places when I decide to take the long way home from Charlotte. Never stopped. Now I'll have to be on the look out.

The Thai House recently moved from a shared spot in a Santee gas station to a free standing building that used to be Georgio's House of Pizza.

The panang curry tasted like what I make at home.

https://thaihouseofsantee.com/