77-year-old Spartanburg restaurant named Southeast James Beard ‘America’s Classic’

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After 77 years of business, a Spartanburg family-owned restaurant has been named one of six James Beard America’s Classic winners.

The family-run establishment Wade’s Restaurant, 1000 N. Pine St., considers its more than 130 employees the heart of its operation.

“It means so much to our family, our team, and the city of Spartanburg (to win this award),” said Wade and Betty Lindsey’s grandchild Anna Liles. “To be recognized on a national level is surreal. We don’t do what we do for the accolades, but it sure feels good to get recognized like this. Our team works hard to provide a delicious home-cooked meal at a fair price — we are so proud to be recognized for our efforts.

Founded in 1947 by the Lindseys, Wade’s follows family recipes for its Southern meat-and-three menu. Today, 2,500 guests visit Wade’s daily, with 3,500 made-from-scratch yeast rolls served along with 750 turkey plates and more than 1,500 orders of mac and cheese.

“We are still family owned,” said Liles. “The third generation is now in the business. Wade and Betty Lindsey founded Wade’s back in 1947 when they purchased a small grocery story with a lunch counter in Spartanburg. Their kids, Wade “Hamp” Jr. and Carole took over the operation in 1977.”

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It’s a place where tea is steeped the old-fashioned way, and chicken is breaded by hand.

Turkey and dressing is the restaurant’s most popular item by far, said Liles.

“It is a quintessential southern dish that you just can’t get everywhere,” she added. “We are also known for our hand breaded fried chicken — everything we do at Wade’s is homemade. If it doesn’t meet our high standards, we don’t serve it.”

Following the Lindsey children taking the helm in 1977, grandkids Wade Lindsey and Liles have joined the team and lead operations alongside Joey Basso. Sonya Hunter and Ray Pearson lead the charge in the kitchen and have been part of the Wade’s Restaurant family for more than two decades.

“But every team member is made to feel valued, and it shows up as part of the warm, yet efficient, hospitality,” said Hamp Lindsey in the post. “We want our employees to be proud to wear the Wade’s logo. Come taste our Southern hospitality.”

Other awards Wade’s has won are: Best All-Around Restaurant, Best Place to Work, Best Meat n ‘three, Best Country Cooking, Best Sweet Tea, Best Fried Chicken, Best Meal for the Money, Best Diner and Best Family Restaurant by Herald Journal’s Best of the Best Spartanburg Contest, Best Family Restaurant by Southern Living, Restauranteur of the Year by the Piedmont Area Restaurant Association, and the Small Business Award by the Spartanburg Chamber of Commerce.

“We pride ourselves on serving consistently great food and great service,” said Liles. “We strive for excellence in everything we do, every day. Excellence doesn’t happen by accident. It takes a lot of behind-the-scenes work from a lot of great people to make it happen. We feel that this award will help bring recognition to Spartanburg and put us on the map. There is a great culinary scene in Spartanburg with many longstanding restaurants. We hope this award will bring a spotlight to this great city — we are proud to be able to do that.”

You can read the full list of winners here.