The Best IS Sometimes The Oldest ESTABLISHED Eats

By VikhrT on 07/25/2008

I have eaten at the South 21 since I was a child and over 50 years later, it is STILL the BEST Drive-In in North Carolina.

There is NOTHING on the menu that isn't 1st rate and I have never had a less than perfect meal.
The box meals are A-1 (fried chicken and fish) and I crave their onion rings!!!! I live in Greensboro, NC now
and whenever I am in Charlotte it is a given I eat at least one meal at South 21!!!

The "hops" take you back to a more relaxed time, and just driving up and having a "window meal" in the car is a great family experience.

Don't skip out on this one-of -a-kind dining experience before it goes the way of the drive-in movies!!!

 

 

South 21 is the best

By CANNGOODWIN on 07/25/2008

South 21 has the best menu you will ever have to choose from. I use to eat at the South 21 on South Blvd. before it closed.

Its always delicious. Its no very expensive to eat there either. You get alot of food. Best vanilla shakes ever.

 

 

CLICK ON SNEAKY SUNDAY

The BEST! 02/08/2008
 

I've being going to South 21 since I was a kid! My parents were going back in the day when they were dating and my grandparents even before then! This place is the best! If I lived closer I would be absolutely broke because I would eat every meal possible here! The Jumbo Cheeseburger is my favorite and is by far the best burger in the world! The staff is super friendly and how could any southerner not appreciate some good 'ol southern food!?!  

Old Fashioned Goodness 08/19/2007
 

My husband and I love South 21's Burgers and Fish Sandwiches. We are so glad we have one nearby (Independence)....The staff has always been very courteous... 

What Happened! 03/19/2007
 

My husband and I went to South 21 in Matthews and we thought they were rude. We placed our order and ask for onion rings instead of fries and was not told that we would only receive 5 onion rings. I think we should have been told that in order to receive a full order of onion rings we would need to pay more. When we inquired about it they acted like we should have known. They were very rude! The burgers were fair with too much mustard and the trout dinner was greasy. The mens bathroom had no paper towels to dry your hands. I have been very happy with the service and the attitude of Showmars. Their burgers and flounder are always great and hot. You receive a full order of onion rings and I am not sure if you pay more or not... (that is not the issue). I have lived in Charlotte all my life and have always loved South 21. I am very sorry to have this life long dream come to a end. 

They're okay 03/11/2007
 

Neat place to eat, but hard to believe the burgers were rated 1st in Charlotte. It must be all about the "drive-in" effect.  

My memories at South 21 02/11/2007
 

I was brought up on fresh onion rings and Jumbo Cheeseburgers ever since I can remember. My family always went there every Friday night. Once I was old enough to work, I got a job there working up front. I worked there for many years while going to college and continued even after I got a job working in a hospital. I enjoyed working and making sure I took everyone's order down correctly. Good food and good service always begins with a smile. Not only is the food fresh and fantastic, so are the many people who work there.... and they work hard to make sure that everything they prepare for you is exactly as you want it. Enjoy! 

South 21 The Best Food in Town 02/03/2007
 

When I first started coming to South 21 with my family , it was open on Sundays. We would go to church and then go to South 21 for lunch. It hasn't opened on Sundays for a number of years ,but me and my wife and children go to South 21 at lease once. We are South 21 lovers from Indian Trail N.C. . 

Best of Charlotte & Matthews 01/12/2007
 

The big dilemma - Jumbo cheeseburger or 1/4 fried chicken dinner ! Best burgers and fried chicken I have ever eaten. Been going to Indep. location since about 1960, at least once a week. Great to have a new Matthews location closer to home, the quality and taste are the same. Best onion rings in the USA ! 

~South 21 Memories~ 01/03/2007
 

Since I was old enough to walk... My parents would cart my Twin sis and I from deep in union county... up Hwy 74 to South 21!!! I remember sitting in the back with my sis waiting on the Lemonade with the Cherry in the bottom... We LOVED IT!!! and still do! !!! Thats been nearly 40 yrs ago... We lost our Father in 98 and my Mother moved to live with me in the Dilworth Community... Well, needless to say... Its a wonderful place to venture to (Atleast once a week) to take a moment to enjoy some Rock-N-Food and stroll down memory lane with the ones you love!!!! If you love a good old fashion Cheeseburger... Then you MUST order the Jumbo Cheeseburger w/Onions,Mustard and Chili!!!! Slap on an order of Onion rings and wash it all down with a nice cold shake or soda... Now thats the Ticket! Make sure to tip your Server... They "Take" Good care of you!!! :) "Shorty" (South Blvd Location) is one of the Best!!!! The Pritchard family Dilworth 

South 21 on Brookshire 10/03/2006
 

We recently moved into the Mountain Island Area and found out there was a South 21 Family Restuarant on Brookshire Blvd. (Highway 16) The food was VERY fresh and delicious. There was fast service and the woman behind the counter was a sweetheart. My family and I will definately be going back to the Brookshire Blvd Location. It's right next door to the Auto Auction and a few buildings down from the DMV. Highly suggest it.. 

Memories 09/06/2006
 

I remember going to South 21, as a child, and marveling at the menu board that talked. Now, as an adult, I take my children there as well, oh and my husband! The superboy is something that can never be mocked. It's awesome in it's own right.  

Pure nostalgia and fresh food 07/24/2006
 

We stopped in South21 last weekend. The parking lot had lots of cars. It was like a slice of the 1950's. The food was really good. We had fresh burgers, crinkle fries, good chili on our hot dogs and friendly service. Everything came fresh cooked and it was far better than any window food in Charlotte. Everybody and anybody can show up here, so be prepared for people watching. We will return...again and again for this great food and a half hour in this time machine.  

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Yum Yum 04/29/2006
 

Best fried chicken in the area...reasonably priced 

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. 04/28/2006
 

The Best.

 

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The best 12/29/2004
 

I've been going their for 19 years almost 20. So have my grandparents. They have been takin me their since i have been born. i always get the flounder dinner. You can't go wrong with anything you order. The food always stays the same and that is the best part. 

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N/A 11/13/2004
 

Living in Germany now, one of the many things I miss is the guaranteed great food from South 21. The hot fried foods can't be beat, but the cold pork roast sandwich on a bun is fabulous also. I can't wait until I can be there again!!!!! 

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. 11/01/2004
 

Best Jumbo cheese burger in Charlotte 

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. 10/13/2004
 

I've eaten here since 1963 and it has always been excellent! You must try the trout dinner with onion rings instead of fries - and extra tarter sauce, which is the best around. The slaw is great too! I remember when a fried chicken dinner was 77 cent! Wash it down with a cherry-lemon-sprite with finely crushed ice. YUM!!!!!!!!! 

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South 21 08/30/2004
 

They opened in '55, I was born in '56, and am a lifelong customer. Nothing beats their Superboy with onion rings and a side of that wonderfully unique coleslaw. Don't ever change!