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Courtesy of Brent’s Drugs
Brent’s Drugs
Jackson, Mississippi
First opened in 1946, this famed eatery served as a filming location for 2011’s The Help, and the traditional diner atmosphere that attracted Hollywood continues to draw visitors today. Aqua-blue booths and retro neon signs set the stage for deli sandwiches, malted milkshakes, and scratch-made cheese soup. For some after-hours fun, head to the Apothecary, a speakeasy behind the kitchen serving reinventions of classic cocktails. Claim a spot at the marble bar and sip on the Patagonia, a Moscow mule with chili-infused vodka and cacao nibs. And take home a quirky souvenir: Signature fry seasoning is packaged in a pill bottle.
Courtesy of Sutton’s
Sutton’s Drug Store
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
A favorite gathering spot for locals and UNC students, Sutton’s celebrated its centennial in 2023. Photos of customers (look for Michael Jordan) practically wallpaper the space, and jerseys of former Tar Heels players hang overhead. Owner Don Pinney can point them out, having worked at the establishment for nearly 50 years. No-frills burgers, served with chips, fries, or onion rings, star on the vast menu, and barrels of old-fashioned candy tempt on your way out the door.
The Pickwick
Greenville, South Carolina
Throwback charm can be found in every corner of this family-run establishment, which dates back to 1933. The chili dog and barbecue sandwich (the latter drenched in a Vidalia onion–based sauce) are lunchtime mainstays, best complemented with a fresh lemonade or phosphate soda poured from a restored 1949 dispenser. Grab a slice of housemade fudge, which has garnered its own loyal following, and a scoop of ice cream from an assortment of 30 flavors.
Courtesy of Elliston Place
Elliston Place Soda Shop
Nashville, Tennessee
After an extensive restoration, Elliston Place reopened in 2021, a shinier version of the circa 1939 original with reconditioned red-vinyl barstools, refurbished mini jukeboxes, and a stage for live music. Although breakfast is served all day, standard-issue Southern classics, such as fried catfish, chicken and dumplings, and hush puppies attract the biggest crowds. The diner excels at sweets, too. Linda Melton, the “Pie Lady,” has been sating patrons’ dessert cravings with chocolate, chess, and coconut meringue pies for more than 30 years.
Griffith & Feil Soda Fountain
Kenova, West Virginia
Stepping into this 132-year-old institution, with its tin-tiled ceiling and black-and-white photos of the area’s past, is like being dropped into a Norman Rockwell painting. An array of 38 fountain-drink flavors are available to mix and match, plus 33 milkshake options, but don’t count out the generous banana split or egg cream for a treat. The Appalachian is a worthy choice for dinner, placing thickly sliced bologna, grilled onions, and mustard between slices of Texas toast.
This article appears in the Spring 2025 issue of Southbound.
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