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Lizard's Thicket Restaurant

4.6
·491k reviews·,

A family-owned chain serving classic Southern comfort food with a wide array of country sides in a cozy, low-key setting.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

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From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Wed/Fri 18-21h

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Lizard's Thicket Restaurant

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

A family-owned chain serving classic Southern comfort food with a wide array of country sides in a cozy, low-key setting.

4.6
(491k reviews)

"You won't be disappointed if you go there for delicious country cooking!"

TIP

Visit During Off-Peak Hours

Avoid crowds and ensure quicker service by visiting during less busy times.

Don't Miss Breakfast

Enjoy Southern classics like bologna and egg sandwiches or chicken fried steak.

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Quick Facts

Open·Closes 9PM

Cuisine

Southern

Price

Mid-range

Phone

(803) 779-6407

Address

818 Elmwood Ave, Columbia, SC 29201, USA

Insta-Factor

Medium

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Authentic Southern Comfort Food

Authentic Southern Comfort Food

Indulge in home-cooked Southern favorites like fried chicken, meat-and-three platters, and a wide array of country sides.

Generous Country Sides

Generous Country Sides

Explore a vast selection of delicious sides, with fan-favorites like cornbread dressing, collard greens, and mac and cheese.

Cozy, Welcoming Atmosphere

Cozy, Welcoming Atmosphere

Experience a warm and casual setting, perfect for family meals or impromptu gatherings with friendly service.

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Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Visit During Off-Peak Hours

Avoid crowds and ensure quicker service by visiting during less busy times.

Don't Miss Breakfast

Enjoy Southern classics like bologna and egg sandwiches or chicken fried steak.

Handles Large Groups Well

Consider this spot for impromptu gatherings; the staff is known for gracious service to big parties.

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Tips

from all over the internet

Visit During Off-Peak Hours

Avoid crowds and ensure quicker service by visiting during less busy times.

Don't Miss Breakfast

Enjoy Southern classics like bologna and egg sandwiches or chicken fried steak.

Handles Large Groups Well

Consider this spot for impromptu gatherings; the staff is known for gracious service to big parties.

What Travellers Say

4.6
(491k reviews)

Reviews Summary

Lizard's Thicket is a beloved spot for traditional Southern comfort food, with many praising the flavorful chicken and generous sides like cornbread dressing and collard greens. The atmosphere is often described as cozy and welcoming, with friendly service that makes diners feel at home. However, some reviews note inconsistencies in food quality, with occasional dry dishes or less flavorful preparations, and a few mention disappointing dessert portions.

"We arrived at 3:30pm. Prompt service. Delicious food. If we lived in this town we would come here all the time. Absolutely delicious flavoring and crust on the chicken strips. Excellent variety of sides. The cornbread tastes great, not floury or like a box mix."

V Mars

"Now I will say the cashier at the window was very polite. I paid $4 for a half slice of carrot cake that is not cool. If I wasn’t fat I would take it right back to them. I have not touched it yet at all and this is how it was"

Nicole Brown

"I drive through SC often. I stop by to get food about once a month. The porkchops were different from the other location I go to but they were still good. The people are always nice and the restaurant is always clean."

Briar Godineaux

What People Like

Delicious soul food with excellent flavoring
Wide variety of country sides
Prompt and friendly service

What People Dislike

Inconsistent food quality
Small dessert portions
Dry chicken

Frequently Asked Questions

Lizard's Thicket is known for its fried chicken, meat-and-three platters, and a variety of country sides like cornbread dressing and collard greens.

Yes, they offer an extensive breakfast menu featuring Southern specialties alongside traditional options.

Yes, it's a family-friendly restaurant with a welcoming atmosphere and a menu that appeals to all ages.

Popular sides include cornbread dressing, collard greens, mac and cheese, mashed potatoes, and candied yams.

Yes, the staff handles large groups graciously, making it suitable for impromptu gatherings.

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About: Lizard’s Thicket is most known for their meat and veggie meals for lunch and dinner, but it is important to note that they also serve breakfast!. This restaurant will give you “home-cooked meal” vibes with all the country sides and fixin’s you could ever dream of. Location: 10170 Two Notch Road, Columbia, SC 29229711 University Village Drive, Blythewood, SC 29016501 Knox Abbott Drive, Cayce, SC 290337411 Nates Road, Columbia, SC 292233147 Forest Drive, Columbia, SC 29204818 Elmwood Avenue, Columbia, SC 292011824 Broad River Road, Columbia, SC 292107938 Garners Ferry Road, Columbia, SC 292092234 Sunset Boulevard, West Columbia, SC 296194616 Augusta Road, Lexington, SC 29073621 West Main Street, Lexington, SC 290721772 S Lake Drive, Lexington, SC 290737569 St. Andrews Road, Irmo, SC 29063Hours: Hours vary based upon location.

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10 Handpicked Kid-Friendly Restaurants In Columbia, South Carolina

Lizard’s Thicket Restaurant is the eatery you will want to be at, especially because it opens as early as 6am every day and features a wide variety of food for breakfast, lunch, and supper. For example, if you come during breakfast time, you can indulge in a bologna and egg sandwich while your little sunshine enjoys a bowl of cereal served with raisins or banana. If you prefer going at lunch time, the whole family can order chicken and waffles, fried pork chops, and chicken fried steak and share them all together.

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columbialivingmag.com

Top breakfast restaurants in Columbia SC

For more than 35 years, Lizard’s Thicket has been a unique Midlands eatery, serving country food and attracting happy southerners for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Today, there are 15 locations (one in Florence) and 700 employees, but the menu still reflects southern home cooking. Starting your day off with Southern fried catfish, country ham and eggs, Lexington County homemade onion sausage, a steak biscuit, or even creamed chipped beef on Texas Toast is guaranteed to fill your tank and make you smile.

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The Post and Courier

Best of Columbia 2020: Food and Drink | Free Times

The fact that Lizard’s Thicket is named “Lizard’s Thicket” and has the slogan “Y’all come” ought to let you know just how Southern this Southern restaurant is. It’s been a meat-and-three staple in the Midlands for decades, and it’s the kind of spot where macaroni-and-cheese is most certainly considered a vegetable. Get the chicken fried steak, then thank us later.

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The State

10 best ‘cheap’ Columbia South Carolina restaurants in 2024

Lizard’s Thicket got its start in Columbia more than 40 years ago and now has 14 locations. It focuses on traditional South Carolina home cooking, offering many choices, from steak and eggs and country liver pudding to southern fried catfish, hamburger steak, beef stew or chicken and waffles. Fried chicken and mac and cheese from Lizard’s Thicket.

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Family-Friendly Restaurants in Columbia SC

When you’re looking for a warm reception and great value, you can be sure that every child will find something to love on the home-cooking inspired menu at Lizard’s Thicket. Speaking of the Thicket, it’s a well-known fact that you’re never more than a few minutes away from one in Columbia, so it’s always a good choice when you need to eat now.

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15 Best Restaurants In Columbia SC You Must Try

While you are making a mental list of places to eat in Columbia, be sure not to overlook Lizard Thicket. This restaurant, with a rather unique name, serves southern comfort food from breakfast to dinner. If you are looking for some true southern cuisine, Lizard Thicket is where you will want to go for some delicious country cooking!

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Our Pick For The Best Restaurants In Columbia SC

Meat and three is an institution in the South and the Thicket has a large selection. The most popular is the fried flounder (meat is used loosely – it’s really a “protein and three”) Do I really have to tell you the three?. How could it be anything else but mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, and green beans?

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Ultimate Guide to Breakfast & Brunch in Columbia, SC

Breakfast Details: Lizard’s Thicket has such an extensive menu including southern specialties like country ham & eggs, southern fried catfish and chicken fried steak. They also serve up all the traditional breakfast options you would expect. Beverage Details: Drip coffee, tea, soft drinks, juice

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The 10 best ‘cheap’ restaurants in Columbia SC for 2024, Tripadvisor ranking shows

Lizard’s Thicket got its start in Columbia more than 40 years ago and now has 14 locations. It focuses on traditional South Carolina home cooking, offering many choices, from steak and eggs and country liver pudding to southern fried catfish, hamburger steak, beef stew or chicken and waffles.

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Highest-rated Restaurants in Columbia, According to Tripadvisor

- Rating: 4.0 / 5 (407 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.0/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)- Type of cuisine: American- Price: $- Address: 818 Elmwood Ave, Columbia, SC 29201-2027- Read more on Tripadvisor. You may also like: Best suburbs in Columbia

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Dishes Diners Love: Columbia

Head to any one of the many locations of this Columbia-based, family-owned and -operated country cooking restaurant. Then, dive into some fried chicken, pot roast or meatloaf. Just make sure you leave room for a time-honored customer fave: a bowl of warm blackberry cobbler.

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For some good ol’ Southern cooking, head to Lizard’s Thicket behind Williams-Brice Stadium. “Lizard’s Thicket is known for their meat ’n’ threes an entrée and three side dishes,” says Blake. “This is a place where you can and should call macaroni and cheese a vegetable.

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Lizard’s Thicket | Various locations | The Midlands breakfast, lunch, and dinner staple is as reliable as the sun coming up each day. Have you ever ordered a Carolina Wrap?. It’s a simple Southern delicacy made of white bread, yellow mustard, and sausage.

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Lizard’s Thicket: For the best meat-and-three in town, this family-run restaurant is the go-to spot. Fried chicken, collard greens and fried okra are my usual picks — it’s Southern comfort food at its finest.

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There is a current trend of Chas restaurants opening up G'ville locations (High Cotton, Liberty Tap Room, and Boathouse). I thing Ye Old Fashioned would do ok but I'd prefer a Kickin Chicken or Yo Burrito.

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Enjoy delicious barbecue at Smokehouse or a plate of fried chicken at Lizard’s Thicket. These spots are part of the local dining culture.

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