Kounter

How One Rock Hill, South Carolina, Restaurant Preserves the Legacy of 1961 Civil Rights Sit-In Protest | Eater Carolinas

"Housed in the former McCrory’s Variety Store in downtown Rock Hill, this restaurant places the original 1960s lunch counter—the site of the 1961 Friendship 9 sit-in—at the center of its identity, preserving the tacky pink laminate countertop complete with nail holes and coffee stains and epoxy-stabilizing it so guests can sit where history happened. The counter fronts an open cooking station that creates a theatrical dining experience and remains the most requested seating; staff are trained on the Friendship 9 story (it’s even in the employee handbook) and regularly guide diners through the building’s Civil Rights history, often provoking emotional reactions. The food is playful and modern rather than retro diner fare: inventive plates such as chicken-and-waffle sushi, pan-fried halloumi, and lobster gnocchi share the menu with reinterpretations like “Spaghetti O’s and Meatballs” (lamb meatballs with anellini pasta, orange-scented ricotta, forest mushroom cream, and crispy basil), while the top seller is a bacon-wrapped meatloaf finished with “Funion dust” and cilantro crema. By blending reverent historic preservation with bold, funky cuisine and a commitment to keeping the site’s story alive, the restaurant aims to honor the past while engaging a diverse present-day community." - Matt Lardie