Amazing food and service. Seriously, come get a double cheeseburger and onion rings! You will be so happy!

We were in the area and decided to try Ruth's Drive In. I was expecting a bright green building, and was surprised by a demure off white building, we nearly passed it. My husband and I got out of our car and were met with an employee who pleasantly asked us to move to the other side of the building, so she can serve us better. This employee didn't give us her name, but she gave us a menu and explained the Big Hot and Little Hot, she wore a mask the whole time. Due to Covid, they were not seating indoors, she would deliver our food to the vehicle. One young man pulled up beside us on a bicycle and he, too waited outside, while his beverage was made and delivered to him (see photo). She also remarked that this restaurant has been in business for 75 years and they sell 100 lbs. of hamburgers daily. I ordered a half Doc Hot and my husband ordered a full Doc Hot. Our bag was brought out to the vehicle and we left, not wanting to eat in our vehicle. We had a 25 minute drive back to where we were staying and we opened our bag to find our food relatively still warm enough to eat without needing to microwave. My Half Hot was 5 oz. burger on one slice bread, coated with carmelized onions and gravy. My French Fries were still warm enough to enjoy and coated with gravy. Both items were delicious, although after eating our meal, I did note that I had a strong salty flavor in my mouth. I hadn't noticed any greasiness to the burger at all. My husbands order was exactly the same, except he ordered a Big Hot, he received exactly the same as mine but with two burger patties. He didn't receive the two slices of bread he was told he would. All in all this was a nice, nostalgic place to dine at and the food is inexpensive and good. If you're on a salt restricted diet, I would not recommend. The food did not taste overtly salty at the time we were eating, but it was noted on my tongue after the fact. We enjoyed our meals and will go back. read more

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I mean ok so I'll keep it real. For a small town it was pretty good but was it stellar no. Granted I travel all of the lower 48 states so I'm pretty bias when it comes to food. The cut fries were pretty good but u had to eat them pretty quick while they were hot because once there cold it's no bueno. The hamburger was cooked perfect yes and the gravy wasn't bad either. It just seemed to be missing something imo is all. The staff were extremely nice and very helpful with my questions about things on the menu. This location has been in business for decades and I can tell why too. Yes it's In small town in the middle of nowhere but it has some good nostalgia as well as a college right down the street that I'm sure has helped keep the doors open over the years. What I thought was cute is there were several older couples that had come in and ordered hotdogs and I'm sure they had been coming here for years. It is a cool place to check out while in town read more

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If you're in Hartsville, Ruth's is a must! You will find lots of loyal locals here. So you know it's good.Takes you back in time to high school. Great food, great friends, what more could you ask for! read more

There's several great places to eat in Hartsville but none is better than Ruth's ! Food is great along with service . Great Hamburger Steaks especially on Friday's ! read more

I ate at Ruth's for the first time today. I am a meat and 3 guy that loves my veggies. Had country fried steak, okra, lima beans and okra. The staff is great and friendly. Be ready for the mob that overwhelms the little restaurant. Cost $9,00. If you know of another place around Hartsville for this price please let me know. They are closed on Sunday but open Monday thru Saturday. Plus it is located about a mikle from CVS and very close to Food Lion and downtown Hartsville. Try it- you will like the endless choices and food is good. read more

Surprisingly excellent breakfast and service for a small hole-in-the-wall place. This was one of those hidden gems!

See my post. This place has history, a great staff and good food. Simple, good, fast and filling. If you're looking for authentic drive-in food Ruth's has it. Hamburger meat is ground twice. Buns toasted perfectly. Hand cut fries. Low prices. And you get Uncle Albert's BBQ sauce too. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. read more

Ruth's Drive In - Hard to beat prices. Hamburger meat is ground twice. Fries are hand cut. Sweet tea available of course. - Burgers Near Me - Hartsville, South Carolina

I love Ruth's bc I grew up in Hartsville and it's a classic . Great hamburgers and half a hots . Love their fries

Hands down best spot in hartsville! I've been coming here Since I was a little girl with my mom and dad, you have to try the half hot with gravy and cheese. They do get very busy but Food still comes out fairly quickly! Price is great!!! Definitely recommended. read more

Family and locally owned and operated for 70 years, Ruth's is a landmark spot for good chow in Hartsville. The meat and three lunch or any of the tried and true staples like a Half Hot done your way will satisfy your hunger. read more

Great service. Simple food done well. Cheese fries are great. Had the grilled pimento cheese sandwhich---delicious. My mom had a cheeseburger and she said it was juicy and cooked perfectly. Surprising little joint. read more

Ruth's is the best ever. The half hot is amazing and the service is always wonderful with a little southern hospitality. My family lives in hartsville and I always make it a point to go get a chili bun and dog with some chili cheese fries. Yyyuuuummm read more

I get the urge to eat here several times a year. Double cheesburger with chili hits the spot every time. Ambiance is old school charming. Menu is simple, but the food is prepared with fresh ingredients and very tasty. This place gets very busy at lunch, but the service is always good. Great food at very reasonable prices. read more

Wanted to give this place a try based on their trip advisor ranking. I arrived with my boyfriend and we sat down and took a second to look at the menu to decide what to order. We were served our drinks, but then received no further service after that. We waited for 15+ minutes to get our order taken. We watched other groups that had come in after we had taken care of before us. After sitting there for about 20 minutes and having completely lost our patience, we got up and left. For being such a small establishment there is no excuses for not having the time to serve us. It was a rather disappointing experience. read more

Every time I go to Ruth's, I'm greeted at the door by the nicest waitstaff you'll find. The food...To Die For!!! My very favorite is the Pimento Cheeseburger!! It even won them a mention in Better Homes and Gardens magazine, and for a small town like Hartsville, that's a big deal! I love the home town feeling that Ruth's has, and I am in love with all of the food I've ever ordered. If I HAD to come up with a con, it's that on several occasions, I couldn't go in and eat there, because the restaurant is tiny, and nearly always full!!! No problem though, they have take out service, and if it's REALLY packed inside, there's a walk up window outside!!! I'd eat at Ruth's every single day if I could! read more

I really liked this place until tonight. Hopefully it won't keep me away. The owner asked if I was dining in. I told her I would like to make an order to go. She proceeded to talk to another customer as I was standing in front of her. After about 5 minutes she turned to me and got out her pad to take my order. I told her that I would need to look at a menu. I told her what I wanted first while my husband decided. I asked for a piece of the HoneyBun Cake. She said there may be one left and ran to the back to check. She was gone for quite some time. I noticed her walking around.. She wrote something on a board, talked to the staff and then finally came back stating that my order was placed. I reminded her that she went back to check on the cake. She was like "oh yeah! That's right! We are out." She talked to my husband forever about her family story (which was nice) before finally taking his order. I watched her walk out the door with her cigarettes. Um... 20 minutes later and after several tables that came in after us were finishing up with their meal! One of the servers asked if we ordered... OUR FOOD HADN'T EVEN BEEN PUT IN!! The slip was still sitting where she put it when she got her cigs!!! EPIC!! Lol. So we waited about 10 minutes longer. When we finally got our order I asked for a discount. The cashier was very rude and then had the nerve to ask if I wanted to leave a tip!! When I said "no" she became even more rude!!! The two other times I went to Ruth's several people were complaining about how long it's taking their food to cook and about how the toast is flat as paper. Breakfast is far better than dinner in my opinion:) read more

If you want good old fashion hamburgers, hot dogs, hand cut fries and stuff like that, this is the place. I've frequented this joint for over 30 years. Make special drives over with my kids about once a month. I usually get a hamburger with chili and onions with fries. Never been let down. Their specialties are famous in the area. This is a local place with local folks and local friendliness and atmosphere. It is not fancy dancy dining. If you want a good experience with southern hospitality, welcome home. read more