Source: Post and Courier
Root beer floats, onion rings, hot dogs and burgers are on the menu at a new Darlington restaurant.
A&W, a fast food chain known for root beer and burgers, is officially open. The new location is the second in South Carolina, following one in Rock Hill.
The restaurant opened June 4 at 2270 Harry Byrd Highway and is attached to the 151 Travel Center.
A&W is known for serving root beer based on its original 1919 recipe, its website says. The root beer is made fresh at each restaurant and Darlington’s location is no different, said Ishan Chodha, one of the managers of the new location.
The menu doesn’t stop at root beer though. Customers can also get the brand’s signature Papa Burger or choose from menu items like chicken tenders, coney dogs and even Wisconsin cheese curds.
The fresh root beer is unique to A&W, but what also makes the chain stand out is its fresh ingredients for burgers, Chodha said.
“Other competitors of ours have fillers whereas ours is 100 percent beef,” Chodha said.
Customers at A&W can expect a fresh meal. The service is quick, but if it takes longer than your typical fast food joint, that’s because the meals are all made to order, Chodha said.
Kam Singh, another manager of the location, opened the 151 Travel Center in July 2024 and said A&W was a unique choice that would give customers something new to experience.
“We figured we’d bring something different,” Singh said.
Another perk of the new restaurant is its location, Chodha said. He had heard from community members that it would be nice to have somewhere to eat on the stretch of highway between Darlington and Hartsville, so he’s hoping the A&W fills that gap.
The chain has more than 850 restaurants and has opened more than 80 restaurants since 2011, according to its website.
The new A&W is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays, and from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Customers can expect great food and great service, Chodha said.
“Friendly service, a welcoming atmosphere — that’s especially what we’re going for,” Chodha said.
