Churn — Restaurant in Branchville

I didn't give it a rating for atmosphere because you don't go to the turn for atmosphere. My husband has been going to the turn since he was a little boy and he is not a young man anymore.🤣 When he was little his family stopped and got ice cream or milkshakes there on their way to their grandmother's house. When our four daughters were growing up and we were going to see their great grandmother we always stopped and got them whatever they wanted and they mostly wanted ice cream. Now, when we travel we purposely get off the interstate and take the back roads just so we can hit up The Churn. I like the way they prepared their food and this is not a restaurant and this is a drive up to it get out of your car go to the window and place an order. Some of you might remember places like it if you went to Myrtle Beach when you were a kid. You'll find things like cod fish sandwiches, catfish sandwiches, burgers, cheeseburgers, chicken gizzards (ew but the husband loves them), onion rings, hush puppies, etc. And wonderful milkshakes, of course! I don't know if anyone else would purposely get off the interstate and take the back roads just to go here but we do. While some of it is sentimentality not all of it is. We really do like the food and the way they prepare it. If you are ever in Branchville, South Carolina and drive past The Churn, definitely stop and try something from their menu. It could be the start of a tradition for your...

We drive through Branchville several times a year, and I've always wanted to stop at the Churn, a little walk-up shop.

As the name implies and our experience suggests, its specialty is ice cream. If you don't want ice cream, your options are hot dogs, burgers, fried fish squares, and the like. We ordered a meal and "ate in," by sitting at a picnic table out back under a cover. While we were there, a number of folks stopped for takeout.

I had a burger; wish I'd realized they had corn dogs or had opted for a milkshake instead. I've been served buns that were straight out of a plastic bag; this burger bun was straight out of the fridge. (Not a pleasant surprise.) The combo of a bland patty with cold bun wasn't inspiring. (The fries were fine.)

So I might stop to try the ice cream sometime, after this memory fades, but I won't be ordering off the...

Such a cute little stop. We got shakes, a scoop of peach icecream (my favorite!) and lunch (burger, pork chop sandwich, hot dog and fries.) Food took longer than we'd have liked to cook, so order ahead if you are thinking of a quick stop. Perfect lunch stop if you're taking a detour on 21 instead of the interstate. Some picnic tables in the back to sit and eat, a big field next door if kids need to run around, and something called Branch Junction, an old timey town that may just be seasonal because it was closed. Still a fun spot to get energy out while we waited for lunch.

Food was basic, but the icecream was legit. Better than drivethru for sure, so make the stop and stretch your...