All 10 of the South's best 'travel stops' are in SC, says Southern Living. By Lyn Riddle November 2, 2026 5:55 AM Gift Article Southern Living has a new list of the best travel stops in the South, and South Carolina has at least one of each business listed - and in one case, 171 of them. That would be Waffle House. The breakfast restaurant's official number for the state is 171, but some travel websites say there are 182. Where the mismatch comes remains to be seen. South Carolina aces the best rest stop test thanks to the opening of Buc-ee's in Florence in 2022. It was a big deal. Even the governor came. And Buc-ee's is still a big deal. People driving to the beach on Interstate 20 and through South Carolina on Interstate 95 can't resist the clean bathrooms, brisket stations, jerky wall and, of course, Beaver nuggets (sweet, crunchy, puffed corn-meal snacks). Buc-ee's came in at No. 1 on the Southern Living list. "Buc-ee's is best understood by stepping foot inside a sprawling location, then you get the hype," the magazine said. "Founded in 1982, what was once a Lone Star State secret has become a Southern obsession, thanks to its famously spotless bathrooms - dubbed the "cleanest in America" - and made-in-house fresh food stations turning out brisket sandwiches, fudge, breakfast tacos, kolaches, and more on an hourly basis." The company is also planning to build farther south on I-95 in Hardeeville. Expected opening date is 2031. The one announced for Interstate 85 in Anderson is a no-go as of now due to the need for highway improvements and not enough money to do them. Cracker Barrel and Waffle House round out the top 3. Cracker Barrel is No. 2 on the Southern Living List. It has 26 locations in South Carolina, including three in Columbia and one in Irmo. Southern Living called out Cracker Barrel's southern comfort food (slow-braised Pot Roast, Chicken n' Dumplins, and the Hashbrown Casserole, anyone?) and country store shopping. Mashed says the pot roast is the best item on the menu - tender meat and not too big yummy veggies, although they did take issue with the carrots being cooked a touch too much. "Known for its 24/7 diner service and storm resilience," Southern Living said. "Waffle House is known for remaining open as long as possible before storms and hurricanes, so much so that FEMA has even coined an informal 'Waffle House Index' to gauge community recovery based on whether Waffle House locations are serving food amidst the weather," the magazine said. And can we say Loaded Hashbrowns - scattered, smothered, covered or all the way. Southern Living graded Waffle House's offerings in a story this summer and decided Pecan Waffle was "hands down" the best. That was followed by the hashbrown bowl, grits all the way Texas Melt, grilled biscuit, waffle melt, all-star special. Top thing not to order is chicken and waffles, which they called a controversial choice. "Waffle House isn't in the business of frying things," the magazine said, so the chicken is grilled. "Waffle House is an iconic Southern road-trip beacon with Georgia roots that's been serving up comforting plates for decades," Southern Living said. The rest of the best. Love's Travel Stops is No. 4 on Southern Living's rest stop list. "Known for its widespread snack selection and charity/nonprofit support," the magazine said. South Carolina has 13 of these, including one each in Lexington and Cayce. Love's is a nationwide family-owned chain (670 locations) known for providing 24-hour highway services, truck care, and convenience offerings. It is known for its long-standing support of Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and local causes to the tune of $75 million. "The brand is primarily known for its widespread snack selection, including its own branded candy line featuring favorites like peach rings, frosted heart pretzels, and saltwater taffy," Southern Living said. And most locations allow you to sleep in your car. They mean it when they say "Clean Places, Friendly Faces." No 5 QuikTrip is another perennial spot for South Carolina travelers with 80 locations, including in Columbia, Lexington, Cayce and Irmo. "Known for its roller grill food options," the magazine said. They also have made-to-order food like fresh pizzas, sub sandwiches, wraps, breakfast burritos, and soft-serve ice cream. Don't forget the massive drink bars. Stuckey's at No. 6 has a location in Summerton, which has a dog park, Texaco station with EV charging and is hailed as the longest running in operation; and another location in Walterboro... It is home to the classic pecan log rolls. Stuckey's has been around since 1937 and is run by third generation family member Stephanie Stuckey. You can also order online. No. 7 is Circle K, which has three South Carolina locations - Columbia, Myrtle Beach and Hardeeville. Southern Living says it's known for holiday price slashes and convenience items. Also, signature slush drinks and hot food like hot dogs, taquitos, personal pizzas and sandwiches. No South Carolina list would be complete without the unusual and highly visible South of the Border, which Southern Living ranked at No. 8. "Known as a kitschy, iconic roadside landmark on I-95," Southern Living said. Alan Schafer, a beer distributor, founded it in 1949 as a small beer stand at the border of North Carolina. It has gas stations, a truck stop, family restaurant, ice cream shop, fireworks stand, a Peddler Steak House, a bar and even a huge open-mouthed shark (plastic) and a reptile display that South of the Border says is the largest indoor facility in the U.S. Count them: 15 species of crocodilians and 50 species of snakes. Southern Living called a stop there "a rite of passage." No. 9 is Flying J with six South Carolina locations including Columbia. Part of Pilot Flying J chain, it is now owned by Berkshire Hathaway. "Known for long-haul truck driver amenities and fuel stops," Southern Living said. Amenities like full-service dining, RV and camper support, deluxe showers and laundry facilities. No. 10 is Parker's with seven South Carolina locations, mostly in the Lowcountry. "Founded in 1976, Parker's has grown from a single convenience store in Midway, Georgia, into a regional favorite with locations across Georgia and South Carolina - and Florida next on the horizon," Southern Living said. It offers grab-and-go options as well as hot bars serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner at select Parker's Kitchen locations. Food & Drink October 27, 2026 2:46 PM October 23, 2026 4:53 AM

Cracker Barrel unveils 2026 Thanksgiving menu with new Country Fried Turkey Sandwich. Cracker Barrel has launched its 2026 holiday menu with new Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes, a Country Fried Turkey Sandwich, and pre-orders for Thanksgiving Heat and Serve meals. Holiday entertaining is arriving early across the country as Cracker Barrel Old Country Store rolls out its festive menu alongside complete Thanksgiving dinners designed for at-home gatherings. The Lebanon, Tennessee-based restaurant chain officially introduced its holiday lineup under the banner of its Get Your Season's Worth campaign. Available nationwide for a limited time, the seasonal collection introduces new handheld lunch options and sweet breakfast dishes while opening pre-orders for the brand's popular Heat and Serve Thanksgiving feasts. Inside the new handheld sandwich and Cinnamon Swirl dishes. Headlining this year's seasonal dine-in innovations is the Country Fried Turkey Sandwich, which translates Cracker Barrel's traditional seasonal dinner plate into an everyday handheld. The sandwich layers a crispy, hand-breaded turkey tenderloin with savory herbed pan gravy and tart cranberry relish on a toasted bun. For morning diners, the restaurant is expanding its skillet offerings with Cinnamon Swirl Pancakes. Inspired by the brand's Cinnamon Swirl French Toast, the dish features fluffy buttermilk pancakes layered with cinnamon roll filling and drizzled with sweet cream cheese icing, served alongside two eggs and thick-sliced bacon or smoked sausage. The beverage lineup also welcomes a Cinnamon Swirl Latte, served hot or iced with whipped cream and cinnamon sprinkles, alongside a customizable Rich DIY Hot Chocolate. Pricing and details for Thanksgiving Heat and Serve meals. For hosts planning to skip kitchen prep on Thanksgiving Day, Cracker Barrel has opened pre-orders for its fully prepared Heat & Serve meals, designed to go from the refrigerator to the table in two hours or less: * Thanksgiving Heat & Serve Family Dinner: Serves four to six guests for approximately $119.99, featuring one roasted turkey breast, cornbread dressing, turkey gravy, cranberry relish, sweet potato casserole with pecans, green beans, and sweet yeast rolls. * Thanksgiving Heat & Serve Feast: Serves eight to ten guests for roughly $189.99, including two roasted turkey breasts, all sides from the family dinner plus mashed potatoes, and two complete whole pies: classic pumpkin and Southern pecan. Pickup windows and seasonal availability. Heat and Serve packages are available for scheduled pickup between November 21 and November 29, 2026, with 12-hour advance notice required. Guests who schedule pickup for November 23 or November 24 receive an exclusive digital bonus card. Individual whole holiday pies - including pumpkin, pecan, chocolate pecan, and cinnamon roll - are also available freshly baked at restaurant bakeries for roughly $14.49 each.

Crunch Fitness signs a 30,000-square-foot lease on Mechanicsville Turnpike in Henrico. Crunch Fitness has signed a lease for nearly 30,000 square feet at 3800-3824 Mechanicsville Turnpike in Henrico, according to Richmond BizSense's commercial real estate roundup for September 11. At 29,916 square feet, it's one of the largest single leases the roundup reported that week, and it lands in a different part of Henrico than the chain's existing Brook Road location a few miles away. A big-box gym for a different corridor. Mechanicsville Turnpike runs through the northern edge of Henrico, closer to the Lakeside and Montrose areas than to the county's better-known western retail corridors. It's also a corridor with existing GRTC bus service, with stops including Mechanicsville Pike + Carver and Mechanicsville Pike + Fairfield, so the new gym will be reachable without a car for residents along the route. A lease this size for a full-service gym chain - with the space for group fitness studios, a full weight floor and recovery amenities that brands like Crunch typically build out - is a meaningful commitment to that stretch of road, not a small storefront test. For a sense of how retail tends to follow rooftop growth elsewhere in the region, Short Pump's own recent retail reinvestment and Manchester's ongoing restaurant turnover follow a similar pattern in very different parts of the metro. At nearly 30,000 square feet, this is one of the largest single retail or fitness leases reported in the Richmond area this September. Why the location matters. Henrico's own economic development arm points to more than 25,000 businesses already operating in the county, and leases like this one are part of how that number keeps growing corridor by corridor rather than only in the handful of retail centers that get the most attention. A large fitness lease outside the usual western Henrico cluster is also a small but real signal for anyone weighing a home purchase near Lakeside or Montrose: national chains generally don't commit to a 30,000-square-foot buildout without doing their own homework on rooftop growth and household spending in the surrounding area first. You can see what's currently listed near this part of Henrico on its active listings page. Wondering what a lease like this means for home values nearby? Let's talk through what's actually happening in your neighborhood. Frequently asked questions. Where is the new Crunch Fitness location in Henrico? At 3800-3824 Mechanicsville Turnpike, in the northern part of Henrico County near the Lakeside and Montrose areas. How big is the new location? Is this Crunch Fitness's first Richmond-area location? When will this location open? Does a new gym lease affect nearby home values? Is this part of Henrico a good place to buy a home? Check out this article next. After Cracker Barrel sold Maple Street Biscuit Co. and closed locations nationwide, both of the chain's original Richmond-area spaces in Short Pump and Midlothian already...