After visiting the Clinch River Yarn Company, Tom and I went looking for a place to eat lunch. One of the top-rated places to eat in Clinton is Hoskins Drug Store. Yes, that is correct. A drug store is one of the best places to eat. Not sure that we really wanted to eat in a drug store, Tom and I decided to check it out.
Hoskins Drug Store is located in downtown Clinton, immediately across the street from the county Courthouse. That seems an excellent location. The store originally opened on Market Street in 1930 with Mr. Hoskins as the pharmacist. In 1947, the store moved into its present location on Main Street. The store was a Rexall superstore, which meant that it had phone booths, a beauty salon, a bookstore, a soda fountain, and a full-service restaurant. In addition to a pharmacy. Mr. Hoskins raised the produce and meat for the restaurant on the family farm.
Tom and I entered Hoskins Drug Store and found that half of it was, indeed, a pharmacy and gift shop. The other half was a soda fountain and restaurant. I saw a picture on the wall of the restaurant in the 1950’s/early 60’s and it it looked exactly like it does today. We felt like we had stepped back in time.
The hostess told us to order at the register. I asked the woman at the register what was the best thing on the menu, and she said it was whatever the special was for the day. On the day we went, it was meatloaf. That sounded good to me, so I ordered the meatloaf. Meatloaf with two veggies and a corn muffin was $10.50. The special was in warming pans at the soda fountain, so she immediately scooped up my meatloaf and my two sides of macaroni salad and coleslaw. She also gave me sides of green beans and creamed corn because it it was my first time there. Tom ordered a cheeseburger and fries.
The meatloaf was delicious! And I really liked the corn muffin and the macaroni salad as well. Tom thought his cheeseburger was very good and he enjoyed his french fries. He also ate a good portion of the coleslaw and the side veggies. And, when we went to pay for our tasty and filling meal, it was less than $20. What a deal!
After our scrumptious food, Tom and I explored Clinton a little. We wanted to take a walk so we headed to Aspire, a privately owned park open to the public. Although the park was beautiful, situated along the Clinch River, the afternoon temperature was close to 95 and none of the walking trails were in the woods. I snapped a few pictures and we walked down to the river, but then we headed back to the car shortly after.
Tom and I really enjoyed the Hoskins Drug Store restaurant. The food was great, and we really felt like we were stepping back in time. The restaurant is open for breakfast and lunch six days a week, closed on Sunday. Definitely a highlight of Clinton.