Whiteford's Drive In — A South Carolina Barbecue Institution Since 1946

What Whiteford's Drive In Offers

Whiteford's Drive In is a barbecue restaurant in Timmonsville, South Carolina, that has operated continuously since 1946. The restaurant serves whole hog barbecue — the animal is cooked whole over a pit — which is the traditional method across the Pee Dee region of South Carolina. You order at a counter, then eat in your car, in a small dining room, or take food home.

The menu centers on barbecue plates with sides like coleslaw, hushpuppies, and cornbread. Whiteford's also serves barbecue sandwiches, chopped or sliced. The restaurant makes its own sauce, which leans toward vinegar and pepper rather than tomato or sugar — a style common to eastern South Carolina barbecue. Portions are substantial, and prices are moderate for a full meal.

The building itself is modest and has changed little since the mid-20th century. The drive-in setup — where you can eat in your vehicle — reflects an older American dining tradition that has largely disappeared. For that reason alone, Whiteford's draws people interested in barbecue history and vintage roadside culture, not just locals seeking lunch.

Key Takeaways

• Whiteford's has served whole hog barbecue in Timmonsville since 1946 and remains family-owned and operated.
• The restaurant's vinegar-and-pepper sauce reflects the barbecue tradition of the Pee Dee region, distinct from other South Carolina styles.
• You can eat in your car, in the dining room, or take food to go — the drive-in format is part of the experience.
• Whiteford's is a working barbecue restaurant, not a museum, so hours and menu items may vary seasonally.

Location and Hours

Whiteford's Drive In is located in Timmonsville, a small town in Florence County in the Pee Dee region of South Carolina. Timmonsville sits about 30 miles east of Columbia and roughly 40 miles west of Myrtle Beach, making it accessible from both directions on US Highway 52.

Hours vary by season and day of the week. The restaurant is typically open for lunch and dinner but may close on certain days or have reduced hours during slower periods. Before you visit, call ahead to confirm the restaurant is open — a single phone call prevents a wasted trip to a rural location.

The Whole Hog Barbecue Tradition

Whole hog barbecue is the oldest form of pit cooking in South Carolina. The entire pig — head, shoulders, ribs, belly, and legs — is cooked low and slow over coals or wood, usually for 12 to 18 hours. The meat is then chopped or sliced and mixed with the rendered fat and crispy skin, creating a texture and flavor that cannot be replicated by cooking individual cuts.

The Pee Dee region, where Timmonsville sits, has maintained this tradition longer than many other parts of South Carolina. The vinegar-and-pepper sauce — made primarily from vinegar, red pepper, and salt — is designed to complement the richness of whole hog meat without masking it. This sauce style differs markedly from the tomato-based sauces of the Midlands or the mustard-based sauces of the Lowcountry.

Whiteford's has cooked whole hog continuously for nearly 80 years, which means the restaurant has survived consolidation, chain competition, and changing eating habits. That longevity is itself a form of cultural documentation — the restaurant is a living example of how barbecue was made and eaten in rural South Carolina across multiple generations.

What to Order and What to Expect

A barbecue plate at Whiteford's typically includes a generous portion of chopped or sliced whole hog meat, two or three sides, and cornbread or hushpuppies. Common sides are coleslaw (usually vinegar-based to match the sauce), baked beans, and sometimes hash — a mixture of meat and vegetables cooked together. You order at the counter and pay before eating.

The dining experience is casual and unpretentious. The restaurant does not offer table service or a full bar. Beverages are usually soft drinks and sweet tea. The space is clean but worn, with the patina of decades of use. This is not a destination for ambiance or novelty; it is a destination for authentic, unchanged barbecue.

Portion sizes are large enough that many people take leftovers home. Prices are reasonable — a full plate with sides typically costs less than $15. The restaurant also sells barbecue by the pound if you want to take a larger quantity home or to a gathering.

Why Whiteford's Matters to South Carolina Barbecue

Whiteford's is one of the few remaining whole hog barbecue restaurants in the Pee Dee region that has operated continuously since the mid-20th century. Many similar restaurants have closed, been sold to chains, or changed their cooking methods to faster techniques. Whiteford's has not.

The restaurant represents a specific regional barbecue tradition — not the mustard-based style of the Lowcountry, not the tomato-based style of the Midlands, but the vinegar-and-pepper tradition of eastern South Carolina. For people studying barbecue history or regional food culture, Whiteford's is a primary source, not a secondary one.

The drive-in format also connects Whiteford's to American automotive culture and mid-20th-century dining. The ability to eat in your car, a feature that was once common across the country, is now rare. That format, combined with the unchanged building and the continuous operation, makes Whiteford's a time capsule of sorts.

Planning Your Visit

Whiteford's is a working barbecue restaurant in a rural location, not a tourist attraction with extended hours or seasonal adjustments for visitors. Before you drive to Timmonsville, call to confirm the restaurant is open and ask about current hours and menu items. The phone number is available through a local directory or online search.

If you are traveling from the coast or from Columbia, plan for travel time and build in a buffer. Timmonsville is not on a major highway corridor, so GPS navigation is helpful. Parking is available on-site, and the restaurant accommodates both drive-in and walk-in customers.

Bring cash or ask in advance whether the restaurant accepts cards. Rural restaurants sometimes operate on cash-only or limited card acceptance. If you want to take barbecue home in quantity, call ahead to ask whether you can order by the pound and how much advance notice the restaurant needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Whiteford's a drive-in where you order from your car?

Whiteford's has a drive-in format, meaning you can eat in your vehicle, but you order at a counter inside the restaurant, not from a speaker or window. The restaurant also has a small dining room for customers who prefer to eat indoors. The drive-in option is available but not required.

What makes Whiteford's barbecue different from other South Carolina barbecue?

Whiteford's cooks whole hog and uses a vinegar-and-pepper sauce, which is the traditional style of the Pee Dee region in eastern South Carolina. This differs from the mustard-based sauces of the Lowcountry and the tomato-based sauces of the Midlands. The whole hog method produces a different texture and flavor than cooking individual cuts.

Can I order barbecue to take home in bulk?

Yes, Whiteford's sells barbecue by the pound for customers who want to take a large quantity home or to an event. Call ahead to ask about pricing, available quantities, and how much advance notice the restaurant needs to prepare your order.

What are the hours and how do I know if it's open?

Hours vary by season and day of the week. The best way to confirm current hours is to call the restaurant directly. Because Whiteford's is in a rural location and operates on a traditional schedule, calling ahead prevents a wasted trip.

Is Whiteford's accessible from Myrtle Beach or Columbia?

Yes. Timmonsville is roughly 40 miles west of Myrtle Beach and about 30 miles east of Columbia, both reachable via US Highway 52. The drive from either city is 45 minutes to an hour. GPS navigation is helpful because Timmonsville is not a major destination.