Editor’s Note:
Wes Hennings never met a meal he walked away from and is an opinionated eater! Each Thursday he shares the results of a business lunch he’s had with a colleague as a way to advise our business community on the good, bad, and tasty across the CSRA. He doesn’t let ABD or the restaurant know where he is going and his opinions are his own. He grades the restaurants he visits on a 1-5 scale with “5” being outstanding. We call this our “Real Business Lunch Review”.
Food Quality: 5
Service: 4
Business Meeting: 3
Value: 5
Average Score: 4.25 of 5
One of the area’s oldest, most well-known diners got a fresh face a few years ago, but the fresh burgers will make you want to visit the Sno-Cap Drive-In on West Avenue in North Augusta.
My first experiences with this storied diner were almost a decade ago. It was trying to live up to its glory days when car-hops and roller skates reigned supreme. Its television appearances on shows like Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives, had to be what kept it afloat.
But slowly, the large crowds trickled away, just like they did from the roller rinks, and it seemed both would be relics of a bygone era. That’s when Fatman’s Hospitality Group stepped in to give the Sno-Cap a new life.
I’ll admit when it first opened, it seemed a bit pricey for burgers and fries. In the days after the pandemic, it seems like they were just the first to find the now typical pricing of $12-$15 for a burger, fries, and a drink.
On this visit, we got the typical diner fare: a bacon cheeseburger and a chicken strip basket. Our first impression was that the fries were hot and oh-so-good. The experience was replicated when we dove into the entrees as well. They even offer smiley face fries in case you have little ones in tow.
The service was quick and friendly, and the food came out fast. The ambiance harkens back to the era where diners reigned supreme, so it’s a fine place to visit and feel like you’ve traveled back to a place of our past.
And, of course, what’s a diner experience without ice cream! On this visit, we opted for the delicious vanilla layered with a brownie and drowning in whipped cream. You won’t be disappointed if you opt for the same.
And perhaps my favorite part of the experience was that my soda was delivered in a very frosty mug, meaning that the first sip hit just right and it stayed satisfying for the entire experience.
The Sno-Cap is going to be a better meal for family night as opposed to a business lunch, but that doesn’t mean you need to pass it by. You can eat inside, outdoors, or pull up in your car and call.
And for a classic diner that predates most local establishments, the end of the meal was the most technologically advanced of any I’ve experienced around town. I simply scanned a QR code, clicked a card from my phone wallet, and then walked out the door. A great ending to a great meal at what is once again a great addition to our community.
Sno-Cap Drive-In
618 West Ave
North Augusta
