The Drive-In: South Carolina's Classic Chicken Spot on Wheels

What The Drive-In is and where to find it

The Drive-In is a food truck permanently stationed in Columbia that serves fried chicken, sides, and sandwiches in the style of a mid-century roadside stand. The truck parks at a fixed location on Main Street in the Five Points neighborhood, making it easy to find once you know where to look. It operates most days during lunch and early dinner hours, though hours can shift seasonally.

The space around the truck is designed for eating on the spot—you order at the window, grab your food, and eat at nearby picnic tables or in your car. This setup keeps the experience casual and quick, which is part of what makes it feel authentic to the drive-in tradition, even though you're not actually driving anywhere.

Key Takeaways

• The Drive-In serves hand-breaded fried chicken and classic sides like mac and cheese, collard greens, and biscuits from a food truck on Main Street in Five Points.
• The menu is small and focused—fried chicken by the piece or box, sandwiches, and a rotating selection of sides—so you know what you're getting.
• Seating is outdoors at picnic tables or in your vehicle, which fits the casual, grab-and-go nature of the place.
• Prices are moderate for fried chicken, and the truck accepts both cash and card payments.
• Five Points is a walkable neighborhood with other restaurants and shops nearby, so you can make an afternoon of it.

The menu and what to order

The chicken is the main event. You can order pieces individually—a breast, thigh, leg, or wing—or buy a box with a mix. The breading is crispy and seasoned, and the meat stays juicy inside. The kitchen doesn't rush the frying, which means wait times can be 10 to 15 minutes during peak lunch hours, but the quality justifies it.

Sides change based on what's being made that day, but you'll usually find mac and cheese, collard greens, green beans, and cornbread or biscuits. These are cooked in the traditional way—the greens are slow-cooked with seasoning, the mac is creamy and rich, and the cornbread is dense and slightly sweet. A single order of chicken with two sides costs less than $15 for most combinations.

Sandwiches—usually a chicken sandwich on a bun with pickles and sauce—are also available and are a good option if you want something you can eat while walking around Five Points. Drinks are cold and simple: sweet tea, lemonade, and standard sodas.

Why The Drive-In matters to Columbia's food scene

The Drive-In represents a style of eating that was common in South Carolina 50 years ago but has largely disappeared. Drive-in restaurants were gathering places where families ate in their cars or at outdoor tables, and the food was straightforward—fried chicken, biscuits, and vegetables cooked the way people's grandmothers made them. The truck keeps that tradition alive without pretending to be something it's not.

It also sits in Five Points, a neighborhood that has become a hub for independent restaurants and local businesses. The Drive-In fits into that ecosystem—it's locally owned, it draws people to the area, and it serves food that reflects South Carolina's culinary history. For visitors and locals alike, it's a place to eat something real and unpretentious.

Getting there and what to expect

The truck is located on Main Street in Five Points, near the intersection with Devine Street. If you're driving, there is street parking along Main Street and in nearby lots. If you're walking, Five Points is accessible from downtown Columbia and has sidewalks throughout the neighborhood.

When you arrive, order at the window. The staff will tell you the wait time and what sides are available that day. While you wait, you can sit at the picnic tables or stand nearby. The atmosphere is relaxed and informal—people eat alone, in pairs, or in groups, and there's no pressure to linger or move quickly.

Bring cash if you can, though the truck does take cards. During warm months, the outdoor seating is pleasant; in winter, eating in your car or taking food to go is common. The neighborhood around Five Points has other shops and restaurants, so you can combine a visit to The Drive-In with browsing nearby stores or grabbing dessert elsewhere.

Hours and seasonal changes

The Drive-In typically operates during lunch and early dinner, usually opening around 11 a.m. and closing by 7 p.m., though exact hours vary by day and season. Summer hours may be longer, and winter hours may be shorter. It's worth checking ahead by phone or social media before making a special trip, especially if you're visiting from out of town.

The truck is closed on some holidays and may have reduced hours during very cold weather. If you're planning to visit on a specific day, a quick call or text to confirm they're open is a good idea.

How The Drive-In fits into Columbia's chicken tradition

South Carolina has a deep history with fried chicken. The dish arrived through West African culinary traditions brought by enslaved people and became woven into the state's food culture. Fried chicken appears at family dinners, church gatherings, and casual restaurants across the state. The Drive-In continues that tradition by focusing on technique—hand-breading, proper frying temperature, and quality ingredients—rather than shortcuts or mass production.

Unlike chain chicken restaurants, The Drive-In sources from local suppliers when possible and cooks to order. This means the chicken you eat was fried that day, not reheated from a warming bin. That difference is noticeable in the taste and texture, and it's one reason people return.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Drive-In a full restaurant or just a food truck?

It's a food truck with outdoor seating. You order at the window and eat at picnic tables or in your car. There's no indoor dining area, but the setup is intentional—it's part of the drive-in experience. During bad weather, most people take their food to go.

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

Most food trucks operate on a first-come, first-served basis, though some accept phone orders. Call ahead to ask if they take advance orders, especially if you're visiting during peak lunch hours when the line can be 10 to 15 minutes long.

Are there vegetarian options?

The menu is built around fried chicken, so vegetarian choices are limited. Sides like mac and cheese, collard greens, and cornbread are usually available, but they may be cooked with meat-based seasoning or broth. Ask the staff about what's made without meat on the day you visit.

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

Mid-afternoon, between 2 and 4 p.m., is usually quieter than the lunch rush (noon to 1 p.m.) or early dinner (5 to 6 p.m.). If you go early in the week rather than Friday or Saturday, waits tend to be shorter as well.

Is The Drive-In cash only?

No, the truck accepts both cash and card payments. Bringing cash can sometimes speed up the transaction, but cards work fine. Ask at the window if you're unsure.