13 Best Southern Restaurants near Lexington

“My biggest complaint with this place is they don't have any real dishes and they don't have any real silverware. I just do not like to eat with a plastic fork on pieces of paper. So I probably will only go rarely. I think if I gotta take out it would be cold and unpleasant when I got to my destination. The menu has attractive options and they have first class employees perhaps the best I've seen in Lexington at similar restaurants.“

“Wowza! This place served up a grilled chicken sandwich that rocked my taste buds like a concert! Paired it with a diet coke because, you know, gotta watch that figure while indulging in deliciousness. The sandwich was so juicy, it had me questioning if chickens secretly moonlight as magicians. And the coke? Well, it fizzed and danced like it was auditioning for a soda commercial.But seriously, folks, this joint knows how to do food right. The ambiance was cozy, the staff was as friendly as a litter of golden retriever puppies, and the whole experience left me grinning like a Cheshire cat.In conclusion, if I could, I'd eat here every single day without hesitation. Do yourself a flavor and swing by for a grilled chicken sandwich extravaganza! Five stars !!!“

“5 stars, because the food is *chefs kiss” I picked up my to-go order during a lunch rush and when I got home I realized it was not what I had ordered. I called once I realized the mistake and Crystal (manager) was so polite and even asked ME how I wanted it to be handled. I completely understand how hectic it gets and sometimes things get mixed up. No biggie, I was able to go back and get my correct order with Crystals help. She even gave me a cookie. So with that being said…. 5 STARS.“

“Debbie was AMAZING!! We had 3 to order the shrimp & grits and when we told her the tasso gravy was not to their liking, she quickly resolved the issue..KUDDOS to her!! She was personable & friendly. Thank You to the ladies that assisted her with our party. The food was GREAT! Steak, chicken breast, salmon & burger were ALL TOP NOTCH! Will be coming back. Must try ALL the desserts...Delicious“

“Tried this place for the first and it was okay. The service was great and I loved the old timey feel to that place. I got the fried chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy and cabbage. The chicken had good flavor to it but was a bit dry but the mashed potatoes and gravy were delicious. The cabbage was cooked well but it turns out I don’t like it when it’s cooked with ham hock (not a mark against lizard thicket since it’s a personal preference and not anything they did wrong). I didn’t try the rolls there but the cornbread muffin was very dry and dense. It felt like I was chewing on the muffin for 5 minutes before I finally washed it down with my drink.“

“Ribs had a nice, mildly sweet, smokey flavor . The ribs are not the most tender, they aren't smoked for long. Mash potatoes and gravy was tasty. Broccoli casserole is ok. They try way harder than most restaurants with the Mac and cheese. 3 sides, 4 bones of ribs, $15. And the plate is heavy! They're not stingy with portions. I will try their very affordable chicken baskets next time. Customer Service was good.“

“We were visiting Columbia and wanted to stop somewhere with some homemade burgers. We stopped here, and it was worth it. The people were friendly, the food was freshly made and the taste was amazing. The burgers were definitely homemade. Reminds me of a mom n pops spot back home.“

“Carolina Buffet is a country cooking paradise where everyone can enjoy a great meal. As soon as you walk in, you'll be met with friendly faces and the delicious smell of home-cooked food. The buffet is truly amazing, with a wide range of classic Southern comfort foods as well as tasty dishes from around the world. There is food for everyone, whether you want fried chicken, BBQ ribs, or fresh fish. The food is always hot, fresh, and given with a smile. It's a great place to get together with family and friends because it's cozy and the staff is helpful. Carolina Buffet is the place to go for a hearty meal that makes you feel like you're at home.“

“This food is really good. The candied yams are ? ? ? and I’m a yam snob! Cornbread is homemade, chicken is definitely on point and the Mac n cheese definitely has soul! I’ve tried the other soul food places around town and I grew up in the south. This little store is giving them some serious competition!“

“I stop here for breakfast several times a week some weeks and this is the easily the most consistent restaurant around! Always on point- fast, friendly, CLEAN and they never mess up your order. The line could be wrapped around the building, and you'd still be out of there in under 5 minutes.“

“Although the music was jazz, it was way too loud specially for people that wear hearing aids. The food was very good. It was nice to see prime rib on the menu and would love to see that again on Mother's Day, which we have already booked! Thank you to all of your people that work on this day, it makes Easter nice for us“

“I had an amazing experience with the crab legs – it felt like heaven! The Jamaican jerk butter was absolutely amazing – you have to try it! My daughter enjoyed the chicken tenders and fries, which were so delicious. Everything was seasoned to perfection! The service was fantastic, and everyone was super friendly and helpful. I can't remember the last time I finished all my food from a restaurant. Looking forward to returning for more delightful meals!“

“We stopped there to have dinner on our return trip to TN from FL. This was our second visit and I was surprised that we were the only overnight RV travelers. Food was tasty and the service was great, too. Clearly marked signs for RV parking is a huge bonus!“