'Quality food, timeless appeal' puts longtime Spartanburg restaurant among nation's best

Samantha Swann, Spartanburg Herald-Journal
·2 min read

Wade's Restaurant, a Spartanburg staple for more than 75 years, is receiving recognition for its "quality food and timeless appeal" by the James Beard Foundation.

The America's Classics Award is given to locally-owned restaurants that "serve quality food, have timeless appeal, and reflect the character of their communities," according to the award announcement. The category was added in 1998.

Wade's is one of six restaurants to receive the James Beard Foundation's 2024 America's Classics Award, presented by HEINZ.

These are pies prepared by the workers at Wade's restaurant in Spartanburg on Nov. 3, 2022.
These are pies prepared by the workers at Wade's restaurant in Spartanburg on Nov. 3, 2022.

The restaurant on North Pine Street in Spartanburg will be recognized on June 10 at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards ceremony at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

The other five receiving the award include Mandalay in San Francisco, Vietnam Restaurant in Philadelphia, Pheasant Restaurant and Lounge in Brookings, South Dakota, Sylvia's Restaurant in New York City and Peppermill Restaurant and Fireside Lounge in Las Vegas.

Co-owner Hamp Lindsey said the award is humbling and unexpected.

"I'm most proud for all of those at the restaurant that put the hard work in every day. People may not realize we have 130 staff members in that big old restaurant and they work so hard every day. To receive an honor like this, that you didn't apply for and is given by industry professionals, is very special," Lindsey said.

Wade's celebrated its 75th anniversary on March 6, 2022. Wade and Betty Lindsey opened Mrs. May's Grocery, a small grocery store and lunch counter on South Pine Street in 1947. At that time, the restaurant served sandwiches, hotdogs and soups.

The lunch counter became Wade's Restaurant in 1949, offering barbecue and meat-and-three options.

Wade's Restaurant will be celebrating its 75th anniversary on March 6, 2022.
Wade's Restaurant will be celebrating its 75th anniversary on March 6, 2022.

When their children and the restaurant's current owners Hamp Lindsey and Carole Miller took over in 1977, they continued the meat-and-threes and began creating the menu they're famous for today.

The current location at 1000 N. Pine St. opened in 1985. A third generation has joined the family business. Wade Lindsey III is the general manager and Anna Lindsey Liles, is the marketing director.

"I'm excited for Spartanburg," Lindsey said. "Spartanburg has been really good to us, and it's just as fun to see the city get this recognition. I think it's something the whole community can celebrate, not just us."

Samantha Swann covers city news, development and culture in Spartanburg. She is a University of South Carolina Upstate and Greenville Technical College alumna. Contact her at sswann@shj.com or on Instagram at @sam_on_spartanburg.

This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: Wade's Restaurant in Spartanburg receives James Beard Foundation award