TL;DR- I will never stop anywhere else while driving through South Carolina. My word! We saw Lizard Thicket pop up while looking for a lunch spot, and the name intrigued us. When I found out that since it's Thursday, the meat special was liver and onions, I knew we'd found the place. The ambience is classic small-town restaurant, the service is the reason people talk about Southern Hospitality in reverent tones, and the food is like every Sunday supper at your Meemaw's house. For $12.99 you get a meat and three vegetables. "Vegetables" includes Cornbread Dressing with Gravy, Macaroni and Cheese, and a host of actual vegetables. I got the liver and onions- two thin slices of beef liver, cooked fork-tender and smothered with gravy and onions. For vegetables I had the fried okra, fresh collards, and the carrot and raisin salad. The fried okra was good. The collards were better. The carrot and raisin salad would make the church ladies of my childhood hang up their aprons and retire to the porch. I also had a couple of dinner rolls, and a sweet tea that's sure to keep my dentist busy. My Bride, more health conscious than I, got baked dark meat chicken with squash casserole, grilled vegetables, and candied yams. The chicken was a little salty, but otherwise cooked to perfection. The grilled vegetables were exactly what you'd expect, and the yams were a little too sweet for her taste, but contrasted nicely with the wonderfully tart piece of lemon meringue pie that we split for dessert. She also had cornbread, and when our server brought us the bread basket she'd thrown in a surprise biscuit, which is about going to make me stop making biscuits for shame. Tammy and the other ladies we met were all so sweet and friendly, and a gentleman who I assume was the manager came around to make sure that everything had been good. He needn't have worried. All of this was a bargain at $38.45 including tax but before tip. And as this is about halfway between where we started and where we're heading, I'm looking forward to updating the review once we've tried new items! read more

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Seasoning on the food is pretty good. Could use a little more. But it didn't taste fresh so that's a plus. Ordered fried okra, mac and cheese, creamed corn and cornbread dressing. read more

Lizard's Thicket Restaurants - Veggie 4 Vegetable Plate - Southern Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

Good food and good service I'm not sure why the rating is so low. But I can show you it is a good restaurant.

A1 Just check your order, they are human. Call ahead is always best. Great people, almost always kind at the window. They are good so they run out close to closing times so have alternates selected to keep the line moving please read more

My family and I stopped in and ate dinner one afternoon and it was wonderful. The staff was nice. The atmosphere was nice and the food was great. Most definitely will be back when we go through Columbia. read more

Real good southern cooking. Staff was friendly and helpful. Will eat here again, given the opportunity, and Lord willing.

Definitely was disappointed in the food that I had there. I remember years ago, visiting lizard ticket as a child and it was good. But my last experience was not so I would not recommend it. read more

Came by this place instead of Denny's for a taste of the country south and I'm not sure if I made the right decision. This place was mediocre at best and I'm a bit sad to say the least. If I am being honest everything was just okay. Nothing special about this place from the food to the service. The sausage gravy ordered for the delicious biscuit was bland. The star of my plate was the biscuit and ham. Both were chefs kiss. Everything else was meh. I will say for it to be crowded the tables were being turned rather quickly by one man so give that guy a raise read more

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This place is so delicious, got baked chicken plate. And loved all our sides. Definitely will be back!

Very good nice service old school diner atmosphere. Meat and three good prices . In photo I added the meat and three menus that changed. Great option. read more

Lizard's Thicket Restaurants - Southern Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

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It is so good to get southern cuisine!! When we lived in South Carolina, we had to eat at Lizard's Thicket every time we visited Columbia. I love the casual feel of these restaurants. The value and taste of the food is hard to beat. read more

Swing and a miss! Read about this place a while back and decided to give it a try. We love meat and three southern cooking restaurants and were hoping to find something in Columbia SC. Husband drove like a bat out of hell to get there for lunch. Pros: Ample parking because not many there. Service was efficient and good. Prices seemed fair. Cons: We were hopeful for a good meat and three lunch - we are not that picky! Rolls are the kind from a 24 pack that are torn off, not homemade and were soft, tasteless and not good. (Like you would get at Kroger or the grocery store.). Butter was a spread of some kind, cheap and tasteless. Most of the food, we both had veggie plates, appeared to be from a can or box. The Mac and cheese was good. The mashed potatoes and gravy appeared to be from a box and a jar. Green beans and Lima beans were fair. Collards appeared to be fresh though. We won't be back and recommend if you are on the fence about it to just go on by, especially if you just want veggies. If you are traveling and ever on I75 in Cleveland Tennessee go to the Old Fort Restaurant- that is a great place and worth a stop! Yes, I know it isn't close to Columbia SC, just wanted to share for those travelers out there. read more

Love their daily specials roast beef is always pretty good so is there meatloaf 10 out of 10 it is a southern restaurant great atmosphere and good service read more

The food was good but Dalton the GM needs some customer service and sensitivity training! He makes the restaurant look bad, especially for out of town guests that packed out the restaurant. Lots of money spent for him to address us in such a hostile manner. The employees appeared very afraid of him or passing along constructive feedback regarding his hostile approach for no reason - simply unacceptable. read more

The food was good; a large group of us came to town for a church conference and the waitress spilled an entire glass of tea on two of the ladies dresses- one was white and we had to return to service . The nice waitress apologized and comped both meals as a courtesy. Once our Pastor was preparing to pay for the group a gentleman came from the back and rudely addressed the lady and said well it was accident and you will pay or I will call the police. We were shocked ... it was no reason for him to be so unprofessional and rude - never apologizing. He was angry and rude and the waitress was afraid to give him our feedback because he ran to the back and would not come back out. The food was good but he ruined the experience to out of town guests. read more

The service and staff are friendly and quick to serve. I had the stew (a little better than a canned stew) with carrot salad (excellent with sweet raisins) and cole slaw (good and crisp but not great. The corn bread was dry and fell apart. I also had the blackberry cobler. It was good but the ice cream improved it. Price for the value is good. read more

No frills! Affordable! Great food! This is my go to spot for Southern comfort food and sassy waitresses. Every year my dad and his two brothers and I spend time in Columbia, South Carolina. We play golf frequently at Fort Jackson and eat breakfast and lunch before and after our rounds at Lizard's Thicket. You can't really call this soul food because everyone eats it. It's just southern food. The kind of food everyone down here was raised on. You're not going to find fried okra and smothered pork chops up north. read more

Good food at a fair price. We always take the family there while in Columbia SC. Everyone likes the food.

Had to go home and recook and SEASON my food. Smh had my mouth set on Sunday dinner and after all i should've just cooked myself. read more

Lizard's Thicket Restaurants - Half cooked pot roast & unseasoned green beans & cabbage - Southern Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

When I saw the name of this company I had to laugh and I said to my husband it sounds funny but I want to go in there and get something to eat so long as I don't have to eat a lizard maybe they're talking about a gizzard not like a gizzard a good gizzard but the food and there was not at what I expected it was awesome it was enjoyable the staff was enjoyable yes I would recommend it read more

What a great restaurant! We were looking for a close place to take our granddaughter for breakfast and we only had an hour before her next class at CIU...what a great find!! The biscuits are delish, the bacon crisp, French toast and scrambled eggs scrumptious...would highly recommend and if you can get Zee as your waitress you will have hit the jackpot! read more

Great food and waitress was very attentive and awesome personality. However young man at cash register was confused. I handed him $80.10 for a bill of $76.09 change back given to me $2.90. The service out weighted this issue. read more

I think I'll stick with the Lexington location. Went here because I was by the movie theater. Service was beyond slow, waitress even admitted that she forgot to check if anyone was coming in the door. Quiet Sunday night, no excuse. Had to ask for bread twice. When food did come out it was cold like it had been sitting for awhile. Waitress would stop during order to talk with kitchen help about repairing a car. Yeah... avoid this location, Lizard Fail read more

Thursday around 12:30 for lunch; I had the chef salad with lo-cal ranch. Good salad, tons of chicken and diced name. Be careful though, oddly enough there were bones in the chicken. I am not used to searching for bones in a salad. I could have used more than one cherry tomato but otherwise, it was a good salad. Lettuce was just right. Mom had chicken fried steak, black eyed peas and collard greens; she ate every bit. Her friend had country fried steak, squash and collard greens... again .. ate it all! No room for dessert. This is a no frills, but very clean, efficient local chain. At $25 for lunch for 3 people, its a keeper. I would definitely go back and eat more than salad!! They do have lo-carb meal options too. read more

Great food at a very reasonable price. We were just passing through S.Carolina and we're spending the night in a motel for the night. What a wonderful treat to get a great home cooked meal. The chicken and greens were fantastic. I'm stopping back on my next trip through. The wait staff was exceptional. read more

Southern food, ample portions at a great price. It's not fine dining but it's just plain good. Love to stop in when we are in the Columbia area. They need a couple in Myrtle Beach! read more

I understand it's super cheap but I don't care how much it is the food is awful. Took literally 2 bites and hated it. Evan let the waitress know the food was no good and no offer to take it off the bill no manager came to see why or if they could get me something else simply brought the bill and no apology stay away from this trash food. read more

Food was horrible! Chicken wasn't done! Mac and cheese was cold! Should be shut down! Piece of shit place!

Excellent food. Great service. Inexpensive. Perfect for an on the go lunch while traveling.

This place I want go back to. Each time the food is overly cooked. The turnip greens were very bitter. And there was this waitress. She was so depressing. Telling everyone how the boss just pays them just enough to survive and hearing this makes me loose my appetite. It as she was begging for an expensive tip. This drama and the overly cooked food I do not want. Enough is enough!!!! This is not like home cooking. I'm a cook myself and this isn't worth the trip people. read more

Country cooking with a flair that is consistent. Good cornbread made fresh and served hot is the kind of greasy you don't mind. They make heavy plates here. Meatloaf, fried chicken or pork chops are all very well crafted. There's a ham hock in the bean pot. Superior black eyes, Mac n cheese do good they had all those Yankees eating it alone as a meal for supper. Corn is sweet and buttery. Thick gravy that will make you hesitate choosing between rice or the real, lumpy mashed potatoes. Even the iced tea is good. The fried okra is light, non greasy and served hot fresh out of the grease. Folks smile a lot here. It's contagious as the staff is grinning from ear to ear happy they pleased their customers. C'mon by, they've been waiting on ya. read more

I have been to the Thicket on Two Notch a lot, I have been to the one on Elmwood several times, but I must say the place on Broad River is the best! I have been there a few times. The food was great, my Pork Chop was awesome, my vegetables and everything is the best at this location. Nick the waiter is super, checked on us a few times making sure we were satisfied, good service, better food, better service at the place on Broad River. My Daughter, her husband, children, and her inlaws were up from Florida, and I can't remember which 1 we were at, but I haven't been back, the service wasn't great at that 1, the servings were small (like a child's plate) I have to admit I had fun, my Grandson didn't want any Lizards to eat, I had to laugh at him, he was only 6 or 7 years old at the time. Broad River, the folks are nice, my food is always great, I can't say that about Two Notch or the service, once we had a good waitress, I worked on that street so my husband and I ate there often, no more since I have awesome food and service at Broad River. At times I get another meal to take home, that's how good they are!! read more

Every time I've eaten here my food has ither Been burned or is old...And when you call to complain the management is never available... read more

Last time. Waited 25 minutes for a hamburger and fries. Final cost $8.10. What's Paul the manager response? That will be $8.10 please. And, seemed disturbed I did not know his servers name. Simply outrageous. This is the kind of mentality shoyld not exist in this community. I could have walked out and paid nothing a legitimate gripe. We need a decent diners in this area that will respect its customers and be accountable for God service. . You expect patronage plus tip, we expect good, timely service and respect. I'm afraid we'll have a long wait read more

Place is outta sight, outta control great. Ate there at the recommendation of Former boxing world champ Nate Campbell, who was with us when we driving down 1-77 South (Blythewood) last week from a boxing match in Charlotte. The Collard Greens alone should earn them a spot in my will and testament. Had the sausage but shared the beef stew with my son - lights out. Mac and Cheese- divine. I took the blackberry cobbler home for my wife, we split it, I still dream about it a week later. Why can't you Lizard people open a restaurant in Jacksonville. Please I beg of you please. Lizard Thicket is a 10 outta 10 (but there's only 5 stars here). And the staff was so dang polite, fast and nice to boot. Bravo. Get off the 177 exit in Richland County and do your taste buds and memory a favor. It's that good! read more

I was excited to try this restaurant having heard so much about it, but I admit I was disappointed. It started with an 8min wait for someone to take our drink order and waitresses arguing about when they were starting what sections. Once we actually got a waitress she was very nice but clearly stretched thin. The food was pretty mediocre except for the fried chicken. That was delightfully crispy and delicious. My mash potatoes tasted like instant box potatoes so major loss of points there. The mac and cheese was pretty bland. One thing I didn't care for was you can't order a kids meal with two drumsticks. Even if they don't want a side. If you want two you have to pay for a full meal that also comes with two sides. For bigger kids that's an issue. I think with the staffing issues created by COVID caused most of the problems and this was probably not a typical experience. I will try again. read more

Authentic southern cooking just like at Mom's House. Lightly breaded fried flounder, perfectly executed fried chicken. Corn muffins and sweet tea all around! Enjoyed the Mac and cheese, squash casserole, greens and fried okra. Huge portions. read more

Ate at my first lizards thicket today at this location and when the server put the plate of food in front of me, I felt like I was at grandmas house!! Then I tasted the chicken fried steak with white gravy and I was in heaven!! I cannot wait to go back and try more! My boyfriend had the flounder with okra and coleslaw, all of it was awesome! We finished with peach cobbler even though we never have room for dessert we just had a feeling that was going to be the bomb too and it was! Yummy!!! If you want some good country cooking, this is the place to go! read more

Lizard's Thicket Restaurants - Southern Near Me - Columbia, South Carolina

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Lizard's Thicket is mediocre food for an okay price. Most of the food isn't terrible (although I HIGHLY recommend against the chicken and dumplings). My favorite dish is the turkey and dressing that is served on Sundays, and is pretty much the only reason I go whenever I feel like going. Unfortunately, that's not very often. If you do go, you have to get the banana pudding. It's wonderful. read more

I've always loved stopping for breakfast a Lizards Thicket. This was my first time walking in and sitting at the counter area. The service was amazing! Debra had my coffee filled and my food out very quickly. I ordered their corn beef hash with scrambled eggs and hash browns. It's my go to breakfast and I'm always satisfied. After breakfast I was able to enjoy good conversation and some more coffee. I recommend stopping here if you need to kill some time in the morning. read more