News Summary
The Lizard’s Thicket restaurant in Lexington has reopened following extensive renovations that began in March. Known for nearly 50 years of service, the beloved eatery upgraded its facilities while maintaining its local charm. The revamped location will continue to serve its famous meat-and-three meals and prepare for a busy New Year’s Day event. With future plans for expansion, Lizard’s Thicket aims to adapt while remaining a staple in the community’s dining landscape.
Lexington, SC
The Lizard’s Thicket restaurant located at 621 W. Main St. in Lexington has officially reopened after an extensive remodeling process that began in March. The restaurant, a beloved staple in the Midlands for nearly 50 years, reopened its doors on Friday morning.
The closure on March 17 was part of a significant plan to upgrade the 30-year-old building. The renovations included the installation of new kitchen equipment, ensuring ADA-compliant restrooms, and making aesthetic improvements to both the interior dining area and the exterior of the restaurant. These upgrades were undertaken to enhance the dining experience and bring the establishment up to modern standards while retaining the charm that has made it a favorite among locals.
With a rich history spanning 47 years, Lizard’s Thicket is particularly renowned for its meat-and-three lunch and dinner options, which feature popular dishes such as fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, and cornbread dressing. The restaurant chain operates a total of 13 locations throughout the Midlands area and also serves breakfast, appealing to a broad range of customers.
The Lexington location, situated on a busy corridor with approximately 40,000 vehicles passing daily, is well-positioned to attract both long-time patrons and new diners. To engage their audience and encourage visits, the restaurant invited customers back through an announcement on its Facebook page, promoting the reopening with the slogan “Y’all come!”
Upcoming Events and Meal Offerings
As the restaurant returns to normal operations, it is also preparing for a high-volume event on New Year’s Day, scheduled for January 1, 2025. This tradition includes serving classic Southern dishes, such as collard greens, black-eyed peas, and pork chops. Last year, during the New Year’s celebration, Lizard’s Thicket prepared over 5,500 pork chops, 8,500 servings of black-eyed peas, and 9,000 servings of collard greens for eager customers.
The New Year’s Day service will commence early, with breakfast available starting at 6 a.m. and lunch service beginning at 11 a.m.. Meals start at $11.99 and provide diners with a choice of meat along with three sides, reflecting the generous portion sizes that patrons have come to expect from Lizard’s Thicket.
Future Expansion Plans
Looking ahead, Lizard’s Thicket is also planning to open a new location in Lexington County. This new site will feature a drive-thru, a significant addition influenced by shifts in customer preferences during the pandemic that have increased demand for takeout and drive-thru service options.
The successful reopening of the Lexington location marks a positive step forward for Lizard’s Thicket, as it looks to continue its legacy while adapting to the evolving needs of its customers. With preparations underway for the New Year and expansion plans in the pipeline, the restaurant is set to remain an important part of the community dining landscape.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Columbia Welcomes Its First Open-Air Food Hall, Gather COLA
Columbia’s Lizard’s Thicket: A Family Legacy of Comfort Food
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Additional Resources
- Cola Daily
- Wikipedia: Lizard’s Thicket
- WACH
- Google Search: Lizard’s Thicket
- Post and Courier
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Lizard’s Thicket
- The State
- Google News: Lizard’s Thicket

Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.


