Lexington, South Carolina’s 10 highest-rated ‘cheap eats,’ according to Tripadvisor
Finding a quality, yet relatively inexpensive meal has become more necessary than ever in these times of high inflation and gas prices.
Tripadvisor, an online travel company that collects user-generated content and compares retailers and restaurants, has plenty of data on what residents think are relatively inexpensive and good places to eat in the Lexington area.
A visit to the website shows rankings of the best ‘cheap eats’ in Lexington. The ranked, inexpensive restaurants offer a variety of cuisine, from breakfast to Mexican and BBQ.
Below is a list of the 10 highest-rated ‘cheap eats’ restaurants in Lexington, according to Tripadvisor.
10. Salsarita’s Fresh Mexican Grill
Rating: 4.5/5 (30 reviews)
Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5)
Type of cuisine: Mexican
Address: 5123 Sunset Blvd., Lexington
Founded in North Carolina in 2000, this Mexican food franchise currently has more than 80 locations in 17 states. The restaurant offers fresh, house-made salsas every day, along with a variety of meal options like tacos, burritos and quesadillas.
9. Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes and Fries
Rating: 4/5 (39 reviews)
Detailed ratings: Food (4/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4/5)
Type of cuisine: American
Address: 1792 S. Lake Dr., Lexington
This burger chain, which began in North Carolina, has more than 100 locations. The chain offers 50s-style dining. Items on the menu of course include a variety of specialty burgers, such as the sizable 55-ounce burger. The restaurant also serves cheesesteaks, sandwiches, various platters and salads.
8. IHOP
Rating: 4/5 (45 reviews)
Detailed ratings: Food (4/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4/5)
Type of cuisine: American
Address: 5571 Sunset Blvd., Lexington
When you’re craving breakfast food, it can be hard to go wrong with IHOP and people in Lexington appear to agree. From pancakes to waffles and everything in-between, this national chain should have something for everyone in the mood for some breakfast goodness.
7. El Jimador Restaurante
Rating: 4/5 (22 reviews)
Detailed ratings: Food (4/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4/5)
Type of cuisine: Mexican, Spanish
Address: 5343 Sunset Blvd., Lexington
This small, but popular Mexican restaurant chain has five locations in the region, including two in Lexington. The restaurant offers a wide variety of different grilled fajitas and quesadillas, along with a selection of seafood specials and Mexican classics from the grill.
6. Roy’s Grille
Rating: 4.5/5 (33 reviews)
Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (5/5), Value (4.5/5)
Type of cuisine: American, BBQ
Address: 711 Main St., Lexington
Found inside a gas station, this popular restaurant was founded in 2014 by Chef Chris Williams in honor of his late grandfather, Leroy Carter. The restaurant offers a breakfast menu that includes pancakes, shrimp and grits and omelets, as well as a lunch menu loaded with barbecue and burger options. And everything from the barbecue sauces to the spice rubs are made in house.
5. Groucho’s Deli
Rating: 4/5 (58 reviews)
Detailed ratings: Food (4/5), Service (4/5), Value (4/5)
Type of cuisine: American
Address: 117 1/2 E Main St., Lexington
Opened in 1941 in Columbia by Harold “Groucho” Miller, this chain now has delis peppered across South Carolina, North Carolina and Georgia. Groucho’s has always been known for its sandwiches, including the Apollo Dipper, a sub roll filled with hot ham, turkey and Swiss cheese melted together with your choice of sauce. Then there’s the STP Dipper, which has a special blend of roast beef, turkey and Swiss, melted with bread crumbs on a fat sub roll, also served with your choice of sauce.
4. Brothers and Beer
Rating: 4.5/5 (46 reviews)
Detailed ratings: Food (4/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4/5)
Type of cuisine: Mexican, Southwestern
Address: 205 Columbia Ave. Ste F, Lexington
Another Mexican restaurant makes the list. The restaurant, which also has a location in Columbia, offers a variety of specialty fajitas, chimichangas, burritos, enchiladas, as well as different chicken and beef dishes.
3. Lizard’s Thicket
Rating: 4.5/5 (46 reviews)
Detailed ratings: Food (4/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4/5)
Type of cuisine: Mexican, Southwestern
Address: 205 Columbia Ave. Ste F, Lexington
This restaurant 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.
2. Knead Pizza
Rating: 4.5/5 (67 reviews)
Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4/5)
Type of cuisine: Pizza
Address: 104 Scarborough Dr., Lexington
Knead Pizza was founded in 2014 by Ian and Kassie Walls. The two first came to the Midlands with the Air Force and fell in love with South Carolina, according to the restaurant’s website. After the couple moved to Lexington in 2011, they became frustrated with the lack of local, all natural food options and thus, Knead Pizza was born.
The restaurant uses all-natural ingredients for its pizzas. Its green peppers, banana peppers, Roma tomatoes, pineapples and much more are cut and prepared daily.
1. Creekside Restaurant
Rating: 4.5/5 (69 reviews)
Detailed ratings: Food (4/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5)
Type of cuisine: American
Address: 1711 E Main Street Set L2., Lexington
Creekside Restaurant has been open for over 10 years now. The restaurant offers a varied menu from breakfast served all day to a full lunch menu that includes sandwiches and salads.
This story was originally published June 2, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
