Chef's Best Burger: Gerald's Restaurant

GERALD'S RESTAURANT

Double Bacon Cheeseburger

SERVICE WITH A SMILE

A Mullins, South Carolina, native who was one of 15 siblings learned early in life that treating people with respect and kindness would help him get far in life. Today, his daughter Patrica carries that same objective in their family restaurant, Gerald’s Ice Cream Parlor, located in downtown Marion.

While Nathaniel didn’t stick around in South Carolina in his early years, like many, he later returned. He originally moved to New York City to start his career and his family. Nathaniel worked as an orderly at Brooklyn Hospital where he continued to learn the value of servicing people with a smile and a kind word. In the late 70s, Nathaniel moved his family back to South Carolina to help care for his ailing parents. That’s when he began his first entrepreneurial venture, Gerald’s Amoco Station in downtown Marion. Working with people and cars became his favorite thing. Not long after, Nathaniel had the idea of an ice cream parlor and restaurant, and Gerald’s Restaurant was born. For years Nathaniel cooked up delicious meals for his customer, whom he referred to as friends. If they couldn’t make it to the restaurant, he would pack up meals and deliver them around town. His specialties were chili and chicken salad but he also served hot dogs, hamburgers, fried chicken, fried pork chops, and a whole lot more. Sunday dinners were a thing at Gerald’s restaurant with the good old-fashioned cooking like macaroni and cheese and southern-style vegetables. In 2018, Nathaniel suffered a stroke which took a big hit on his ability to serve his community. For several months, the building that used to be a gathering spot for locals became a vacant lot losing its vibrant colors. In 2019, Patricia, Nathaniel’s daughter, was approached by a friend about revitalizing the old restaurant. Keeping the restaurant in the family was a huge decision for Patricia but with much prayer, she knew it was the right path to follow. “We have done major changes to the exterior of the building,” explains Patricia, “adding pops of color to attract customers.” However, the menu stayed relatively the same. Some local favorites are the hot dogs with chili and cheeseburgers served with a platter of seasoned fries and onion rings. Not to mention the crispy fried chicken that will remind you of Sundays spent at your grandmother's. In addition to food, Gerald’s Restaurant now offers Blue Bell and Blue Bunny ice cream where they serve up the best milkshakes, Sundaes, and Banana Splits in town. Nathaniel still pops in at the restaurant, giving Patricia advice on seeking God first, on the ins and outs of business, and of course, sharing the importance of serving everyone with a smile like he always did. “It brings so much joy to us to be able to serve the people of Marion that know and love my father,” shares Patricia. “I want to thank everyone for your support when my father had the business and your continued support since I’ve filled his role.”

Some local favorites are the hot dogs with chili and cheeseburgers served with a platter of seasoned fries and onion rings. Not to mention the crispy fried chicken that will remind you of Sundays spent at your grandmother's