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Best Hot Dogs In South Carolina

First, you’ll never see someone eating a hot dog in a bad mood. Hot dogs put everybody in a happy mood. They are served at ballparks, street hot dog carts,…

Best Hot Dogs In South Carolina

The Rough House on the square in Abbeville serves a great hot dog with friendly service.

Tee Gentry/BMG

First, you'll never see someone eating a hot dog in a bad mood. Hot dogs put everybody in a happy mood. They are served at ballparks, street hot dog carts, and, my favorite, roadside dive cafes throughout the South. The Best Hot Dogs In South Carolina are right here!

I'm not talking about Chicago dogs with toppings like tomatoes, dill pickles, peppers, etc. No self-respecting Southerner would eat that. I'm talking about a hot dog topped with mustard, onions, and homemade chili in a steamed bun. The only thing you add is some hot sauce.

Best Hot Dogs In South Carolina

Here are three places I've found that have great hot dogs as I travel the back roads. First up is the Rough House on the square in Abbeville. If you've never been to Abbeville, check it out! This is a beautiful small town with cool shops, historic homes, some good restaurants, and the Rough House, which has some great hot dogs. This cafe has been in business since 1932. It was worth the trip, for sure. You'll love the hot dogs!

Wait In The Truck

Not far from the Rough House is another great place for a good hot dog. Saxon's Hotdogs is on 381 SC-72 in Abbeville. Like all three of these places I'm recommending, this diner is not fancy. It's small, and usually, the line is long around lunchtime because word has gotten out about Saxon's. It's worth the wait. I got mine to go and ate them in my truck. I'll be back.

A Couple of Dogs, A Bag Of Chips And A Coke

One very unlikely hot dog stop was recommended to me by an antique shop owner in Ridge Spring, SC. I asked her where a good place to eat was, and she asked if I liked hot dogs. I quickly said yes! She gave me directions to 503 W Church St, Batesburg-Leesville, SC. Kwik Karry is a convenience store and small, I mean really small, diner with excellent hot dogs. Grab a couple with a bag of chips and a Coke, and have a great lunch. This is another sit in your vehicle and eat in the parking lot places. A dirt parking lot, of course, packed with people doing the same thing.

Gentry's Drive-In

The last picture below is my favorite hot dogs that I make at home. The chili recipe comes from my dad and mom's restaurant, which they operated for years. Gentry's Drive-In Chili. I still make them at least once a month!

Tee has worked with KICKS 99 for over 24 years as Operations Manager and Program Director and is on-air each afternoon 3p-7p. When he’s not working, you’ll find him traveling the back roads, taking pictures, and searching for the next dive diner. Favorite place to visit? That’s easy. Folly Beach, SC. He’s usually there at least a few times a year. He lives in North Augusta and on Saturdays in the fall, you’ll find him cooking out and watching his Clemson Tigers. Tee likes to write about travel, Augusta local dive bars and diners and destinations in the Carolinas, as well as new business.