Well, as you’d imagine we get asked that question quite often. All we know is our founders, Bob and Anna Williams, heard the phrase "Lizard's Thicket" over 30 years ago while living in Alabama. It had such a down-home country ring to it that years later, in 1977, after moving back home to Columbia, they figured it was the perfect name for their new down-home Country-Cookin’ establishment. They were right! It sort of caught on.

Lizard’s Thicket, a family owned and operated country cooking restaurant dedicated and specializing in authentic regional southern home cooking (at reasonable prices), was first opened by  Williams in Columbia, South Carolina in 1977.

The original Lizard’s Thicket was a five room house converted into a restaurant with three small dining rooms and a small kitchen.  Today we have grown into a multi-unit operation with well over 600 employees including Bob and Anna’s children and grandchildren.  

It is our belief that this family dedication and pride in providing the best quality food, authentic preparation, customer service, and dollar value has made Lizard’s Thicket so successful!  

It is our pledge to you that the Williams family and Lizard’s Thicket will continue to provide our guests with the finest and tastiest food in country cooking.