'South of the Border' Reviews

[Mickey's Sister]

We always drive from PA to Disney. The kids always want to stop at 'South of the Border' after seeing all the signs & the big sombrero - though we never have. I'm thinking it may be worth one stop, but my SIL has heard horror stories about it being filthy. Yet, on our last trip, while at Hollywood & Vine, we sat next to a delightful southern gentleman from SC & his son who told us it was their favorite spot. Were they pulling my leg??? Any thoughts or comments would be appreciated. Thanks!

Jessica

 

[ECU Pirates]

South of the Border is a harmless tourist trap. It is getting along in years, so it is not the cleanest or brightest spot on I-95 anymore, but it is still delightfully tacky.

 

[hobogary]

ECU Pirates hit it right on the head, but there are new sections too. We hit it every trip, usually stay and eat there. I think the bad rep comes from the public restrooms at the gas station. Be aware it will take you several hours to hit all the gift shops.Their gas is high, diesal is usually not bad. Pedro's Junque is probablly cheaper than Mickey's and food is not bad, "Steak house" is good.They do have and indoor pool and hot tub, and a fairly nice campground. My advice is stop if you never have and see for yourself (how can you pass bye after 200 miles of billboards).

 

[Kris-PA]

The billboards are hilarious! We've stopped several times. I agree with the previous poster....it's tacky, but harmless during the day. I wouldn't stop there late at night or in the wee hours of the morning. For us, it's usually a place for a snack & bathroom stop.

 

[Mickey's Sister]

The billboards ARE a hoot, aren't they? I just feel like we need to give the place a try. But I didn't want the kids to get excited only to find out the place was gross & we had to leave right away.

Seeing those billboards & the big sombrero are just a quintessential part of the trip to Disney for us. The excitement just builds as you see them, then your first sight of palm trees & spanish moss...well, you know what I mean! My son likens the drive down to Christmas Eve, LOL.

We usually travel as far as Florence, SC the first day - arriving around 7-ish. So an hour stop at SotB for something to eat would work right into the schedule. Sometimes corny & touristy is just what you need!

What kinds of food are we talking about? Though I know my brother & nephew would opt for the steak.

Thanks for the info everyone

Jessica

 

[idofabric]

....ok, I live in SC, and used to go up to NC. My children begged me for 2 years to stop. So I did. I won't again, it is very tacky. I kind of like tacky, but I like clean.... and it wasn't. Even my kids did not like it, and have never asked to stop again...
However, having said that, I am sort of glad I did stop. Now when the kids beg to stop at some "really GREAT!" place I remind them of South of the Border.... and the bathrooms at the gas station.... So it was worth it .... sort of....

Also, my SIL was stuck there with abroken down car fairly late one night and as she waited for help some strange guys hasseled her. She had her cell phone so she called the State Troopers... The lights were burned out, she was in a parking lot next to the gas station. Not fun.

 

[cranbiz]

Yes it is tacky but my last trip was about a month ago and we arrived about 7:30am.

Ate at the restaurant by the surf shop, food was good and not real expensive. I left my lights on (I know, real dumb) and had no problems from SOB security in getting a jump.

The restrooms in the restaurant were clean. Gas was expensive, so we just went further down the road for gas.

It is not a bad place for a break.

PS: The truck stop in Manning where we usually stop for gas and potty was MUCH worse (disgusting actually). This really surprised me as this had always been a good place to stop. It used to be the Union 76 but is now BP.

 

[punkin]

I stopped once. it was filthy and I would not recomend it.

 

[sanibelover]

We stopped a couple of years ago. They have a little train and some other midway type rides. It was a nice stop for the kids although I don't remember the bathrooms (I think I would if they were filthy because I'm kind of neurotic that way...). We didn't eat there either, so I can't comment on that.

We enjoyed it - quite tacky, that's for sure. You gotta do it once......

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

See http://www.pedroland.com/

 

[Uncleromulus]

We stopped there only once, a # of years ago on the way down.
Was for gas and to use the restroom. There appeared to be a small gang of what looked to be (I'll be polite and say "unsavory characters") standing around the restroom entrances. We didn't even leave the car and went on to the next exit.
This was in late afternoon, by the way--broad daylight.

 

[hobogary]

The "Peddler" steak house is only open at night. We have eaten in the diner and were not really impressed. The "Sombrero" restaurant is pretty good. Its across the road from the gas stations. They do have their own security and even their own fire department, so i'd have an employee call them if i had any kind of problem, including the "unsavory" types. I read a lot of posts from people with "clean" problems in the NC/SC areas, including the chain motels, so i think this is happening all around. We've stayed there many times and never had any real problems, or been worried about our saftey ( we did have our truck stolen from a motel in Fl, so SOB's carports are a plus for us, Parking right outside the room door.) I always tell people to stop at least once, but for petes sake don't buy anything , lol. Then you can join the ranks of the love it's or hates it's. But i would not judge it by the gas station rest rooms. By the way, the SC welcome center is just down the road for clean rest rooms.

 

[Mickey's Sister]

The steakhouse would probably still work for us since we pass that way about 6-ish. I just think we Must try it at least once. But maybe we'll steer clear of the gas stations.

Hobogary, I see you're a Fort Wilderness Vet. I Love that place!!!

Thanks again everyone!

Jessica

 

[hobogary]

Yes, we loved FW when we had our camper.

 

[Bill From PA]

"delightfully tacky" sums it up. We stopped there once on the way to Myrtle Beach because they accept pets. As far as going back, my attitude is, 'Been there, done that, got the receipt'.

Bill From PA

 

[Mickey's Sister]

Hey Bill,

What was the food like?

Jessica

 

[Bill From PA]

Mickey's Sister,

Apparently it was, in a word, 'forgetable'! I don't remember much about that except it was counter service that we had and neither awful nor great enough to stick in my mind. we had a late meal there and breakfast in Myrtle.

Bill From PA

 

[skiwee1]

SOB is a classic tourist trip that must been seen once! We drive from MD to Fla quite a bit and it is a must on the way down every time. DD loves the huge junk store there. It really breaks up the ride and lets us stretch our legs for an hour. DD gets some cheap toys to further entertain her and we go on from there. We have never eaten there nor do we plan to. It is just a fun diversion in an otherwise boring drive.