In the northern part of the state close to the North Carolina border lies a tiny town known as Ruby with just over 300 people. There’s not much in Ruby. It doesn’t even have a stoplight. This area of the state is remote, about 1.5 hours from Columbia and a little over an hour from Charlotte. If you ever happen to be traveling through or perhaps just out exploring, there is a top-rated, hole-in-the-wall spot that’s one of the best markets in South Carolina you should stop at for lunch!

Meet the Sparrow Hill Market, located on Market Street (off of Highway 9) in Ruby, South Carolina. Don't let its humble outward appearance fool you!
Doug Green via Google Reviews
Grab a parking spot and step inside this South Carolina market and up to the counter, where you'll see an old-fashioned menu board. Notice the daily specials in case you're open to something besides the chicken salad it's so well-known for.
Best Markets in South Carolina
Lisa Simpson via Google Reviews
If you're traveling through the area, you may wish to order to-go. But there is a nice-sized clean and comfortable dining area if you want to break for lunch and rest from driving!
Doug Green via Google Reviews

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Some say the chicken salad is the best they've ever had! You can order it over a salad ...
Sparrow Hill Market via Facebook
... or on a croissant along with some sides of your choice. It's made fresh in-house. In fact, you know it's good when there's a customer who doesn't even like chicken salad was somehow convinced to give it a try here and said it's "amazing"!
Sparrow Hill Market via Facebook
As you can see from the menu pictured above, Sparrow Hill Market sells certain menu items, including chicken salad, in "picnic portions by the pint." Another favorite of customers is the pimento cheese.
Sparrow Hill Market via Facebook
Customers also love the ice cream at Sparrow Hill Market. In all honesty, it's the type of place where you really couldn't go wrong no matter what you have from this best little market in South Carolina. So go with whatever you happen to be in the mood for if it's just not a chicken salad kind of day!
Ryan Johnson via Google Reviews

Visit the Sparrow Hill Market Facebook page for updates as it sometimes adds new items to the menu. It’s built quite a following for such a little small-town market! Have you ever stopped here to eat?

If you’re traveling along Highway 9 and need a place to stop and rest for the night, check out this cute remodeled historic rental a few miles west of Ruby. For other things to do nearby while you’re in the area, check out Cheraw State Park!

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Featured Addresses
Sparrow Hill Market, 263 Market St, Ruby, SC 29741, USA