Petee's Drive In — Classic American Burgers and Shakes in Sumter

What Petee's Drive In serves and where to find it

Petee's Drive In is a burger stand in Sumter that serves the kind of food that built American diners: hand-formed beef patties, milkshakes made to order, and hot dogs cooked on a flat-top grill. The restaurant operates as a walk-up counter with a handful of outdoor seating, and the menu stays focused on what it does well rather than chasing trends. You order at the window, wait a few minutes, and eat at a picnic table or take your food with you.

The location is straightforward to find in downtown Sumter, and the place has been running long enough that locals know exactly what to expect when they show up. The portions are generous, the prices stay reasonable, and the kitchen moves orders quickly even during lunch rush. If you are looking for a sit-down restaurant with table service and a full bar, this is not it — Petee's is built for people who want a good burger without ceremony.

Key Takeaways

• Petee's makes hand-formed burgers and milkshakes to order, with hot dogs and other classic diner sides available.
• The restaurant is a walk-up counter operation with outdoor seating, not a full-service sit-down venue.
• Lunch and dinner hours are the busiest times, so expect a short wait during peak times on weekdays and weekends.
• Cash and card payments are both accepted, and the menu prices are typical for a casual burger stand in South Carolina.

The burger and what makes it different

The signature item at Petee's is the burger, which the kitchen makes by hand rather than using pre-formed patties. This means the texture and flavor change slightly depending on how the grill is running that day and how busy the kitchen is, but it also means you are eating something made fresh to order rather than something that sat in a freezer. The patties are seasoned simply — salt, pepper, and the beef itself — and cooked on a flat-top grill until the edges brown and the inside stays juicy.

You can order a single or double, and the toppings are the ones you would expect: lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, mustard, ketchup, and mayo. The bun is toasted lightly, which keeps it from falling apart under the weight of the patty and toppings. If you want something beyond the basic burger, Petee's also serves cheeseburgers, and you can ask for modifications — most burger stands in this style will work with you on what goes on the sandwich.

Milkshakes, hot dogs, and sides

The milkshakes at Petee's are made by hand in a mixer, which means they are thicker and colder than the soft-serve consistency you get from a machine. Vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry are the standard flavors, and the kitchen can usually make other flavors if you ask — the exact options depend on what syrup the stand has in stock that day. A shake is large enough to be a meal on its own, and the price reflects that.

Hot dogs are grilled on the same flat-top as the burgers, which means they pick up flavor from the grill surface and the beef drippings. They come with the same basic toppings as the burgers, and you can order them plain or loaded. Petee's also serves fries, onion rings, and other fried sides that come out hot and crispy. The portions are large — a single order of fries is enough for two people to share.

When to go and what to expect

Petee's is busiest during lunch (roughly 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.) and dinner (roughly 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.) on weekdays, and the lunch rush on Saturday is usually the single busiest time of the week. If you go during these windows, expect to wait 10 to 20 minutes for your order, depending on how many people are ahead of you. The kitchen moves quickly, but hand-forming burgers takes longer than dropping a pre-made patty on a grill.

Mid-afternoon (2 p.m. to 5 p.m.) and late evening (after 8 p.m.) are quieter, and you will usually get your food within 5 to 10 minutes. Breakfast is not served — Petee's opens for lunch and closes in the evening. The exact hours vary by day, so it is worth calling ahead if you are planning to go outside the standard lunch or dinner window.

Parking and seating

Parking at Petee's is street parking in downtown Sumter, which is usually available but can fill up during the lunch rush. The restaurant itself does not have a dedicated lot. Once you have parked, the walk to the order window is short, and the outdoor seating is right next to the counter — you can watch your food being made while you wait.

The seating is picnic tables under a roof or awning, which keeps you out of the rain but does not provide air conditioning. In summer, the heat can be intense, so many people take their food to go or eat quickly and leave. The tables are cleaned between customers, and the area is kept tidy despite the high volume during peak times.

Price and payment

A single burger at Petee's costs less than $10, and a double burger with fries and a drink stays under $15 for most combinations. Milkshakes are priced separately and are large enough that many people order one as a standalone item rather than as part of a meal. The exact prices change over time, so it is worth checking the menu board when you arrive or calling ahead if you want to know the current cost of a specific item.

Petee's accepts both cash and card payments. There is no table service, so you pay when you order, and the kitchen calls your name or number when the food is ready. Tipping is optional but common at counter-service restaurants, and most payment systems will prompt you to add a tip if you are paying by card.

Why Petee's matters in Sumter's food scene

Petee's is one of the older burger stands still operating in Sumter, and it represents a style of American eating that has largely disappeared from chain restaurants and modern diners. The hand-formed burger, the made-to-order milkshake, and the simple menu are deliberate choices that reflect how burger stands worked before fast food became standardized. Eating at Petee's is not a novelty or a nostalgia trip — it is just how this restaurant has always done business.

For visitors to Sumter, Petee's offers a genuine local experience and a meal that tastes different from what you would get at a national chain. For people who live in Sumter, it is a reliable lunch spot and a place where the food and the service stay consistent year after year. The restaurant does not advertise heavily or try to be trendy, which is part of why it has lasted as long as it has.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I order ahead or do I have to wait in line?

Petee's operates as a walk-up counter with no phone orders or online ordering system. You arrive, order at the window, and wait for your food. During busy times, the wait can be 15 to 20 minutes, but the kitchen moves quickly once you have placed your order.

Are there vegetarian options?

The menu is built around beef burgers and hot dogs, and there are no dedicated vegetarian entrees. You could order a bun with toppings, but Petee's is not set up to serve vegetarian diners as a primary focus. It is worth calling ahead if you have dietary restrictions and want to know what the kitchen can offer.

Is Petee's open for breakfast?

No, Petee's opens for lunch and serves through dinner. The exact hours vary by day, so call ahead if you are planning to go outside the standard lunch (around 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.) or dinner (around 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m.) windows.

What is the best time to go if I want to avoid a wait?

Mid-afternoon (2 p.m. to 5 p.m.) and late evening (after 8 p.m.) are the quietest times. The lunch rush peaks around noon to 1 p.m., and dinner rush peaks around 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., so avoid those windows if you want to minimize your wait time.

Do they have indoor seating?

Seating is outdoor only, under a roof or awning. There is no air-conditioned dining area. In hot or rainy weather, many customers take their food to go rather than eat at the picnic tables.