Loyd Ardrey, owner of Rock Hill’s Ebenezer Grill and its ‘giant weenie’ sign, dies
When somebody stole Loyd Ardrey’s giant smiling weenie sign 21 years ago from his Rock Hill’s Ebenezer Grill, he did not scream and yell.
“I just want my weenie back,” Ardrey chuckled in 2005 as he gave what probably was his first-ever news interview.
Ardrey smiled in that story, which went worldwide with The Associated Press, when it was clear that a stolen 10-foot weenie sign was news. Then he sold more hot dogs.
A longtime Rock Hill police officer named Jerry Waldrop who heard about the theft and was a lieutenant in the detective division told The Herald about the crime of the century — which police would certainly investigate — and then quipped: “It’s tough to hide a 10-foot weenie.”
The giant weenie became famous and so did Ardrey, who gave phone interviews across oceans as far away as Europe.
His hot dogs won The Herald’s ‘Best of Rock Hill” contest 19 years in a row, so Ardrey chuckled some more and had thousands and thousands of yellow bumper stickers printed that read “Eat At Ebenezer Grill.” There was a smaller version of the smiling weenie on them.
“Award Winning,” the stickers said, and still do.
Ardrey died Friday at age 77 after an illness and hospice care, according to the restaurant and longtime friend Gary Simrill. His death hit the community like a sucker punch to an empty gut.
Rock Hill Mayor John Gettys said Ardrey was a Rock Hill institution just as much as the Ebenezer Grill is. Ardrey was famous for having kids at the restaurant on special occasions or just any day. Ardrey ran the business since 2003.
“Loyd was a friend to all, especially the young people of Rock Hill,” Gettys said. ‘Loyd loved the people of Rock Hill almost as much as the people of Rock Hill loved Loyd.”
His Ebenezer Grill employees, many of whom have been there for years, posted on Facebook: “We are saddened to announce the passing of our beloved owner Loyd Ardrey. We are more than co-workers, we are a family.”
Hundreds of people commented on social media about the hole in their lives left by this smiling guy who welcomed all inside. They ranged from Doug Echols, Rock Hill’s former mayor, to people who took their kids there for hot dogs and got not just fed but charmed by the owner.
All praised Ardrey, with his trademark generosity and smile.
“Loyd shared his friendship with so many. ... a true gentleman and always welcoming,” one Facebook posting said. Hundreds of others said similar glowing things.
Around the corner on Herlong Avenue, longtime Rock Hill ice cream shop PW’s changed their big sign outside to say “You will be missed Loyd Ardrey,” for thousands of drivers to see each day.
Because Loyd Ardrey was not some guy running a chain restaurant. His building looked like a house. The parking lot was and is gravel.
You wanted French food at Ebenezer Grill, Loyd would likely say sure, we got French toast and we got french fries, too.
He greeted people who came in. He joked with them. He laughed with them.
And Ardrey believed in giving back, too. He fed countless people who didn’t have the few dollars for hot dogs or burgers or breakfast. He gave to charities. He sponsored events. When the Dorothy Day Soup Kitchen needed buns for its clients back in February, Ardrey brought over enough buns to feed everybody.
“A quiet philanthropist,” is how former S.C. Rep. Simrill described Ardrey. “Generous with all.”
His restaurant is so well known he hosted South Carolina governor candidates and national presidential candidates. Ardrey welcomed everybody.
He held a hot dog eating contest for years on July Fourth at the restaurant where he would dress up like Uncle Sam and give all the proceeds away to charity. He never wanted recognition, though.
“You give the people want they want,” Ardrey said before giving away the proceeds at the 2010 contest. “They want hot dogs. And they want a contest. So I give them both. A man of the people, I am.”
Ardrey bought a new 10-foot weenie sign not too long after the first one was stolen, and had it put back up on the restaurant on Rock Hill’s Ebenezer Road. The sign remains and still welcomes people to this day.
The door is locked, though. The Ebenezer Grill closed for a few days after Ardrey died, and someone put flowers on the door. The huge American flag outside is at half staff.
The restaurant will re-open Thursday at 6:30 a.m.
Ardrey’s funeral will be May 29 at 11 a.m. at Rock Hill’s Westminster Presbyterian Church, Simrill said. There will be a reception with food after in the church hall.
On the menu: Hot dogs, all the way with chili and onions.
This story was originally published May 18, 2026 at 2:25 PM.
