Cruise The Cherokee Foothills | Listen

Eating and exploring along the Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Highway

As the name suggests, the Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Highway, also known as Highway 11, beckons travelers to depart popular routes for a more picturesque journey. Besides offering beautiful views of farmland, forests, and foothills that Interstate 85 cannot provide, Highway 11 is the gateway to a number of towns where the culture, food, and history of the Palmetto State await.

At the southernmost end of Highway 11, the town of Walhalla boasts cafés, shops, and seasonal events, such as September’s Hispanic Heritage Month or October’s Wahalloween. An independent pharmacy, performing arts center, and selection of restaurants round out the main district.

For an afternoon pick-me-up, try ShugaBear Sweets and Treats, owned and operated by the Anderson family in downtown Walhalla. But don’t be deceived by the name—in addition to sweets, this eatery has a savory menu of pizzas, wings, and salads. “We try to draw people here with items no one else has and with variety,” notes Edward Anderson, who runs the restaurant with his wife, son, and daughter-in-law.

Farther up the highway, the town of Landrum offers its own lively business district well worth a stop. The Hare and Hound is a perfect spot for a late lunch, appetizers, or a cocktail—try their “famous” spicy onion straws, which are sliced red onions marinated in hot sauce, then hand-breaded and deep fried, according to the menu. Pair them with a gin martini for a sophisticated afternoon snack; friendly servers and hosts are willing to swap stories while you munch.

South Carolina’s oldest bridge, the Old Poinsett, was named after Joel Roberts Poinsett; built in 1820, it remains one of the oldest in the Southeast. At one time part of a highway leading from the coast of South Carolina to the mountains of North Carolina, the stately stone structure is tucked into the woods of the Poinsett Bridge Heritage Preserve, just moments from downtown Landrum. Your GPS might not get you to the exact spot, but any local is likely to have the directions. Visitors can explore beneath the bridge’s structure for a closer look at Little Gap Creek or stroll and bike on the preserve’s nature trails.

For another intriguing part of Carolina roadway history, check out Campbell’s Covered Bridge. Crossing over Beaverdam Creek and part of the surrounding 19-acre park, it’s the sole remaining covered bridge in South Carolina. It has been restored twice—in 1964 and 1990—and was open to car traffic until the 1980s.

About six minutes from Campbell’s Covered Bridge is The Junction Family Restaurant, a solid choice for lunch during a day of exploration. Open every day except Monday from 11 a.m. until 3 p.m., and for breakfast on Saturdays starting at 7 a.m., the restaurant was founded by Rod and Roxie Pearson and now is run by their daughter, Kim Pearson Blackwell. Though The Junction offers a menu of salads and sandwiches, savvier folks opt for their impressive buffet brimming with Southern staples such as savory meatloaf, juicy fried chicken, lima beans, mashed potatoes with gravy, assorted cakes, and cobblers with the ideal ratio of fruit to dough. Skip breakfast and arrive right at 11 a.m., if you can, then wash it all down with their delightfully good coffee.

Near the other end of Highway 11, in Chesnee, South Carolina, visitors can take their pick from two beloved restaurants, Bantam Chef and Strawberry Hill Cafe—though only Bantam Chef is open for supper. For breakfast, arrive at Strawberry Hill before 10:30 a.m., but if you’re late, don’t fret: Lunch is still delicious. This place stays busy with folks enjoying everything from pancakes and omelets in the mornings to salads, burgers, and sandwiches in the afternoons, and everything is prepared with a personal touch.

On the back of the Strawberry Cafe menu is the story of the Cooley farm, initiated by “Papa Gene” Cooley after World War II and perpetuated by his son, James Cooley, who grows strawberries, cantaloupes, and blackberries, plus the original peaches, on 110 acres. Restaurant visitors can score fresh fruit following a hearty meal or enjoy handmade ice cream in flavors like peach and butter pecan.

Up the road at Bantam Chef, the scene is reminiscent of the 20th century—and so is the coffee, priced at just 25 cents per cup. The restaurant doubles as a museum of the time; the showroom has 1950s memorabilia, as well as a Studebaker parked right inside the diner. While hot dogs and sandwiches are tasty menu options at Bantam, we recommend their veggie platter. Piled high with mac and cheese, green beans, slaw, corn, potato salad, and fried okra, it’ll keep you fueled for more Highway 11 adventures.

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