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McCormick Drive Inn — South Carolina's Classic Chicken Wing Stop

By Constance Obi · Culture & Recreation Writer

What McCormick Drive Inn Serves

McCormick Drive Inn is a casual counter-service restaurant in McCormick, South Carolina, known for chicken wings and traditional fried chicken. The restaurant operates as a no-frills spot where you order at the counter and pick up your food — there is no table service, though seating is available inside. The menu centers on fried chicken parts, wings, and sides like hushpuppies, coleslaw, and fries.

The wings come fried and seasoned, served by the piece or in small buckets. Portions are generous for the price, and the restaurant has maintained a local following for decades. McCormick Drive Inn represents the kind of independent, family-run chicken place that has largely disappeared from South Carolina's smaller towns, making it worth the trip if you are in the area or passing through McCormick County.

Key Takeaways

  • McCormick Drive Inn is a counter-service restaurant with no table service, so expect to order at the window and eat in your car or at one of the few inside tables.
  • The restaurant specializes in fried chicken and wings at prices lower than chain restaurants, with generous portions.
  • Hours and exact menu items can change seasonally, so calling ahead before a long drive is worth the time.
  • The location sits in downtown McCormick, a small town in the Piedmont region about 30 minutes from Greenwood and 45 minutes from Augusta, Georgia.

Location and Hours

McCormick Drive Inn is located in McCormick, a town of roughly 2,700 people in McCormick County in South Carolina's Piedmont. The restaurant sits on the main road through town, making it easy to spot if you are driving through. McCormick itself is a quiet rural community, not a destination with multiple attractions, so most visitors are either locals or people passing through on the way to somewhere else.

Hours vary and have shifted over the years as the restaurant has changed ownership and staffing. Before making a special trip, call the restaurant directly to confirm it is open and to ask about current hours. The restaurant does not maintain a social media presence or website, so a phone call is the most reliable way to check.

What to Expect When You Arrive

McCormick Drive Inn operates in the old drive-in style: you pull up to a window or walk inside to a counter, order your food, and wait a few minutes while it is prepared. The restaurant does not take orders ahead of time or over the phone. Inside seating is minimal — a handful of tables — so most customers eat in their cars or take their food to go.

The atmosphere is casual and unpretentious. You are not paying for decor or service; you are paying for fried chicken made the way it has been made for years. The staff moves quickly, and the wait is usually short unless there is a crowd. Cash and card payments are both accepted, though it is worth confirming payment methods when you call.

Menu and Pricing

The menu is straightforward: fried chicken, chicken wings, and a few sides. Wings are the draw for most visitors, and they come fried with seasoning. You can order by the piece, in small quantities, or in larger buckets. Prices are significantly lower than chain wing restaurants — a bucket of wings typically costs between $8 and $15 depending on size, though prices may have changed.

Sides include hushpuppies, coleslaw, fries, and sometimes mac and cheese or other vegetables. Drinks are available, and some locations offer sweet tea. The restaurant does not serve alcohol. Because this is a small independent operation, menu items and pricing can shift, so ask what is available when you call or arrive.

Why McCormick Drive Inn Matters Locally

McCormick Drive Inn is one of the last independent drive-in chicken restaurants in rural South Carolina. These kinds of places — family-owned, unchanged for decades, serving the same recipe to the same customers year after year — have nearly vanished as chains have moved into small towns. McCormick Drive Inn survives because locals support it and because it has never tried to be anything other than what it is.

For visitors interested in South Carolina's food history and independent restaurants, McCormick Drive Inn is a genuine piece of the state's casual dining past. It is not a tourist destination in the way that a famous barbecue joint or historic restaurant might be, but it is authentic and worth knowing about if you are in McCormick County or exploring the Piedmont region.

Getting There from Nearby Towns

McCormick is roughly 30 minutes south of Greenwood, 45 minutes north of Augusta, Georgia, and about 90 minutes northwest of Columbia. If you are visiting Greenwood for shopping, dining, or recreation, McCormick Drive Inn is close enough for a side trip. The drive from Greenwood takes you through rural Piedmont landscape — farms, forests, and small communities — so the trip itself is part of the experience.

There are no major attractions in McCormick itself, so most people visit the restaurant as part of a larger road trip or because they live in the area. If you are passing through on your way to or from Augusta or the North Carolina border, McCormick Drive Inn is a reasonable stop for lunch or dinner.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I order wings ahead of time?

No, McCormick Drive Inn does not take phone orders. You order at the counter when you arrive. However, calling ahead to confirm the restaurant is open and to ask about current hours is a good idea before making a trip.

Does McCormick Drive Inn deliver or offer takeout?

The restaurant operates as a counter-service location where you pick up your order in person. There is no delivery, but takeout is the standard way most customers get their food. You can eat at one of the few inside tables or take your order to go.

What payment methods does McCormick Drive Inn accept?

Both cash and card are typically accepted, but payment methods can vary. Call ahead to confirm what the restaurant accepts before you arrive, especially if you plan to pay by card.

Is McCormick Drive Inn open year-round?

The restaurant has operated for many years, but hours and seasonal closures can change. Calling before you visit is the safest way to confirm it is open on the day you plan to go.

Are there other restaurants in McCormick?

McCormick is a small town with limited dining options. There are a few other local restaurants, but McCormick Drive Inn is the most well-known. If you are planning a meal in the area, it is worth calling ahead to confirm hours and menu availability.