Our Story

The Cattle Car came to fruition when an old-school restaurateur was bitten by the restaurant bug once again. After years of a family member and colleague encouraging him to dive into the abyss one more time, The Cattle Car was born.

Clover, SC is a town built on railroad roots, and The Cattle Car is our tribute to that history. Named after the train cars that once transported livestock through the area, our restaurant blends the spirit of the past with a fresh, modern dining experience. Just like Clover — the town with "love" in the middle — we're all about good food, great company, and a warm, welcoming environment.

We're proud to bring a new favorite gathering spot to downtown, where old school charm meets bold new school flavor. All aboard for a meal you won't forget!

The company is owned and operated by Ian Terhune and Justin McFalls.

Ian got his start making pizzas at a hands-on pizza shop in upstate New York at the age of 15. Fast forward 30 years, two bachelor's degrees, over 10 new restaurant openings, and years of experience in single and multi-unit restaurant operations. Ian's last endeavor was as the owner and founder of Hoof & Barrel in York, SC. Before that, he was the operating partner of Moo & Brew, where his acclaimed "Large Marge" was the most Instagrammed food item in Charlotte for 2017 and 2018. His creations have been featured on both The Travel Channel and The Food Network, and now he's bringing that same passion for next-level flavor to Clover.

Justin spent many of his years with a pipe wrench in his hand and red dirt on his knees. As the owner and founder of Queen City Heating, Air, & Plumbing, one of the most acclaimed plumbing companies in the Queen City, Justin has grown the company into a multimillion-dollar powerhouse. Justin purchased several downtown Clover buildings in the fall of 2023 and quickly began working on his vision for revitalizing downtown. Justin's dedication to bringing business to Clover speaks to his love for his hometown.