Diamond Drive-in
Clarksville, AR
Photo courtesy Tony Craig

There's no mistaking Diamond Drive-In once it comes into view. The building itself is shaped like a giant diamond, making it one of those classic roadside designs that immediately catches your eye. Back in the 1950s and 1960s, restaurants were built to stand out from the highway, and this Clarksville landmark still does exactly that. 10-05

Opened in 1962 along busy U.S. Highway 64, the Diamond has been welcoming hungry travelers for more than sixty years. Pull into the parking lot and you'll find the same kind of old-fashioned drive-in atmosphere that once lined highways across America. Walk up to the window or use the drive-through, then settle in with a burger, hand-breaded catfish, a basket of fries, or one of the restaurant's thick milkshakes.

What makes the Diamond special isn't just the food, it's the building itself. The sharp angles, broad roofline, and unmistakable diamond shape were all designed to grab the attention of passing motorists. It worked then, and it still works today. Even with the front signage updated over the years, the restaurant remains one of those places that's instantly recognizable from the road.

Diamond Drive-in
Clarksville, AR
Photo courtesy Tony Craig

Take a look around and it's easy to imagine families pulling in after a long drive or local teenagers gathering here on a Friday night. The Diamond has outlasted countless roadside restaurants that once dotted Arkansas highways, and that's part of what makes it worth seeking out today.

UPDATE: Diamond Drive-In is still serving customers today, and its distinctive diamond-shaped building continues to be one of Clarksville's best-known roadside landmarks. 08-26

Beacon Drive-in
Spartanburg, SC
Photo courtesy Doug Harvey

Here is the Beacon Drive-in restaurant in Spartanburg S.C. Check out the old Pepsi logo in the sign. The Beacon is located on U.S. 29, close to downtown. The patio flies all 50 state flags and the foods pretty good as well.

The Beacon has been serving hungry customers since 1946. According to the Beacon Drive-in website, the road its on was renamed to John B. White, Sr. Boulevard in 1999 in honor of the Beacon's original owner. Many thanks to Doug Harvey for info. 03-06

Long before fast-food chains lined the highway, the Beacon was already serving burgers, barbecue, hot dogs, and enough sweet tea to satisfy an army of hungry travelers. First-timers quickly learn the famous "A-Plenty" style, where sandwiches arrive buried beneath a mountain of fries and onion rings. Just don't spend too much time studying the menu. The line moves fast, and the folks behind the counter expect you to know what you're having before you reach the register.

The Beacon grew right alongside Spartanburg, becoming a favorite stop for road-trippers, race fans, politicians, and generations of local families. The restaurant has welcomed millions of customers over the years, earning a reputation as one of the busiest drive-ins in the country. The road outside was even renamed John B. White Sr. Boulevard in 1999 to honor the restaurant's founder, a fitting tribute for someone whose little drive-in became one of South Carolina's best-known roadside landmarks.

Beacon Drive-in
Spartanburg, SC
Photo courtesy Doug Harvey

Take a few minutes before you leave to admire the sign. The old Pepsi logo may be gone today, but the towering marquee still dominates the corner just as it has for decades. Between the flashing beacon, the sea of flags, and the steady stream of hungry customers, it's easy to see why so many travelers have made this a regular stop through the years.

UPDATE: The Beacon continues serving customers today and remains one of the country's busiest drive-in restaurants, with its famous marquee still welcoming motorists to Spartanburg. 08-26

Dog n Suds
Paragould, AR
Photo courtesy Doug Harvey

It's getting harder to find a real Dog n Suds, which makes this Paragould location worth pulling over for. Tucked along Kingshighway, it's one of the few surviving Dog n Suds drive-ins left in the country, where you can still pull into a parking stall, place your order, and enjoy one of the chain's famous Coney-style hot dogs and a frosty mug of root beer. See other locations at Roadside Peek's Root Beer East. 12-06

The building has a well-worn look these days, but that's part of its charm. The old drive-in layout is still here, and the vintage sign out front still hints at the days when Dog n Suds restaurants could be found across much of the Midwest and South. If you grew up stopping at one of these roadside favorites, this place is sure to bring back a few memories.

While the classic menu remains the main attraction, this location has developed a personality all its own by adding Salvadoran specialties alongside the familiar burgers, hot dogs, and fresh root beer. It's an unexpected combination that somehow fits right in.

Dog n Suds
Paragould, AR
Photo courtesy Doug Harvey

For travelers who enjoy hunting down the last survivors of once-common roadside chains, this is one stop that's well worth the detour. Places like this become a little more special every year as more of their counterparts disappear from the American roadside.

UPDATE: Dog n Suds continues serving customers in Paragould today, remaining one of the few surviving locations where you can still enjoy the classic drive-in experience. 08-26