Tag Archives: restaurant

-South Carolina, Signs

Spartanburg’s Sugar -n- Spice Drive-In

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On the corner of S. Pine and E. Henry Streets in Spartanburg, South Carolina, there sits the Sugar-n-Spice Drive-In restaurant. Opened in 1961 by Pete Copses and John Stathakis, the restaurant became a local favorite known for its souvlaki.

The restaurant began with drive-in and counter service. In the 1970s, a renovation added a sit-down restaurant and removed the drive-in option.

The restaurant is still very popular. Over the years, as I have grown to appreciate mid-century architecture, it took me many tries on visits to my hometownto catch the parking lot empty with good light.

I took this photo almost 20 years ago. I still love old school neon.
-Georgia, National Register of Historic Places, Signs

Lula’s Kitchen of Sapelo Island

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Sapelo Island is one of my favorite places in Georgia. It’s mostly untouched, with fewer than 100 people living there. With so few people on the island, there aren’t restaurants, but there is Lula’s Kitchen.

Located in Hog Hammock, Lula Walker is the chef behind Lula’s Kitchen. She grew up on Sapelo Island as Lula Ward and later married George Walker. She now provides meals to visitors on the island. Meals are made by request before you arrive on the island.

On the recent Spring Ramble for the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, attendees were treated to a day trip to Sapelo Island, and were fortunate enough to enjoy Mrs. Walker’s food. Fried chicken, collards, mac-n-cheese, squash casserole, and homemade pies were part of the menu. After lunch was done, Mrs. Walker shared stories about her life on the island. She’s cooked for President Jimmy Carter and other dignitaries.

If you ever get the chance to visit Sapelo, I highly recommend ordering ahead for meals cooked by Lula herself. Your host for the island will be able to connect you with Lula or one of her staff members.

-Georgia, Black History, Historic Photos, Hotels and Motels

Paschal’s Brothers Restaurant and Motel-Atlanta, Georgia

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Paschal’s Restaurant and Motel in Atlanta, Georgia, is a historic building with deep ties to Atlanta and the Civil Rights Movement. Founded in 1947 by brothers James and Robert Paschal, the restaurant became a hub for a good meal and social change. Originally a small 30-seat luncheonette, it was known for its fried chicken, which was Robert’s secret recipe. Because of its popularity, Paschal’s expanded to include a full-service restaurant and a motel, which is photographed above.

Paschal’s was more than just a place to eat. It was a meeting place for civil rights leaders, including Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Maynard Jackson, and John Lewis, who often strategized there. Other famous visitors included Aretha Franklin, Dizzy Gillespie, and Al Gore.

While the original Paschal’s is no longer open, the restaurant can still be visited at their Castleberry Hill location on Northside Drive.

-Georgia, Black History

The Retreat Cafe-Dublin, Georgia

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Herbert “Hub” Dudley was the son of Clayton and Katie Dudley, who started several businesses in Dudley. At the corner of Jackson and Truxton Streets, the family opened up a motel, gas station, and cafe to accommodate Black travelers.

Dudley opened up this space to provide food for the Black officers of the United Services Organization, hence the name “Retreat.” After the conclusion of World War II, Dudley continued to serve food, but now It was to the general public. Well-known acts such as Little Richard, Rosetta Tharpe, and James Brown stopped by the restaurant; sometimes, they entertained patrons. It was a full-service restaurant that offered such treats as fresh doughnuts, ice cream, and Coca-Cola.