The Oldest Operating Rush’s In South Carolina Has Been Serving Mouthwatering Burgers And Milkshakes For Over 60 Years
By AnneMarie|Published October 06, 2022
×
AnneMarie
Author
South Carolina has been home for AnneMarie since 2001. Her favorite part of the state is Lake Jocassee. An App State alumna, it's always the mountains; the lake bonus makes it heavenly. When not writing about the state, she may be spending time with family, relaxing by the pool, or out somewhere enjoying nature.
You know you’ve got a great thing going as a restaurant when your customers who move away or who’ve discovered you while traveling call for a location in their area! Such is the case for a local chain that started in Columbia on the only road in the area at that time leading to Lake Murray and the Upstate. Rush’s at Broad River Road is one of the oldest operating iconic restaurants in South Carolina and one of nine locations.
The current building is a new look the restaurant adopted when renovations were being completed years ago and as the company expanded with new locations opening.
The original building had a much different look and started in 1940 as Carolina Dairies, one of the first fast-food drive-ins in America.
The Rush family had a multi-acre dairy farm, and this restaurant was situated at the edge of the farm. Carolina Dairies was six years ahead of any other quick-service chain, a pioneer of the concept for many others across the country!
Advertisement
Sadly, in the 1950s a fire destroyed Carolina Dairies. The family decided to re-open as a Dairy Queen at this same site. This was the look for the restaurant at that time.
The milk carton on top of the building was placed there to let long-term customers know it was being operated by the same family as before.
Advertisement
In the ‘60s, a conflict over the big milk carton between Dairy Queen and George Rush led to the decision to part ways. This is when what is now known as Rush’s came to be.
The family re-branded with blue and orange colors and a fun, whimsical logo. Long-time fans of Rush’s lament the change from this older design.
Through the years, Rush’s has been a staple in the community, a favorite hangout spot for diverse groups of people, from high schoolers during summer and school-year weekends to retirees.
But day or night, from year-to-year, you can count on Rush’s commitment to quality and service. It will even remain a locally-owned and operated restaurant chain, for this reason, to ensure the highest standard of quality control is maintained.
If you’re traveling through Columbia, on I-20, you can visit the Broad River Road location via Exit 65, the Harbison location from Exit 103 off of I-26, and take Exit 9A from I-77 for the Garners Ferry Road location. Visit Rush’s website or Rush’s Facebook page for the operating hours of each location and other information. If time permits, be sure to Explore The Best of Columbia, South Carolina’s Capital while you’re in the area.
Have you ever eaten at Rush’s? Share about it with us in the comments below!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
