Private Property
Lexington, SC
Family-owned Cajun and Southern restaurant in downtown Lexington
I am going to tell you about a restaurant in Lexington that I did not expect to love as much as I do. Private Property is tucked into an old historic house on West Main Street, and honestly, it could look like a million different things from the outside. But you walk in, and it feels like somebody actually thought about how a restaurant ought to feel.
It has been family-owned since 2013, and the owners have roots in both New Orleans and Lexington. You can taste both in the menu, I don't mind telling you. It is Cajun and Southern, done the way those cuisines were meant to be, not the watered-down version that a lot of places serve. There is a garden patio out back that is perfect on a mild evening, string lights overhead, the whole thing. It has the kind of charm that makes you forget you are on a dinner out and not visiting someone's home.
They serve dinner only, Tuesday through Saturday starting at 4:30. That tells you something about the way they operate. They focus on doing dinner right instead of trying to cover breakfast, lunch, and dinner and doing none of them well. Closed Sundays and Mondays, so plan accordingly.
The shrimp and grits are some of the best I have had, and I do not say that lightly. I have tried shrimp and grits at a lot of places across the Midlands, and Private Property does something with theirs that just works. The Cajun Egg Rolls are a thing people rave about, and I get why. The Magic Juju Shrimp is worth ordering just to say you tried it. And the Blackened Redfish, that is the dish I keep coming back for. A 16-ounce blackened ribeye if you are in the mood for steak. Pecan crusted pimento if you want something with a Southern twist. Daily specials rotate in and out, so there is always something new to try.
If you are new to Lexington or you have lived here your whole life and somehow missed this place, go. It is the kind of restaurant that makes a small downtown feel like it has something special. Honestly, it reminds me of why I love this area. Good food, good people, and a setting that makes you want to sit down and stay a while.
What to Order
Start with the Cajun Egg Rolls. That is not something you see on every menu around here, and they do them right. Stuffed with spicy crawfish, blackened chicken, and pepper jack cheese, served with a Creole dipping sauce. If you are a first-timer, that is where you begin.
The shrimp and grits are the headliner though. Order them and you will understand why people keep coming back. Creamy grits, perfectly cooked shrimp, and a sauce that ties it all together without overpowering either one.
For the main course, the Blackened Redfish Royale is outstanding. They blacken it the way it ought to be done, with a good crust and a tender inside. The 16-ounce blackened ribeye is another strong choice if you are in the mood for steak. And the Mardi Gras pasta, that one has a loyal following for a reason. Andouille sausage, chicken, bell peppers, and onions in a creamy Cajun sauce. You will not leave hungry.
They have a full bar too. The garden patio out back is the place to be on a nice evening, especially if you are going with a group. It feels like a secret back there, string lights and all.
Stop In and Taste for Yourself
Whether you are new to Lexington or you have lived here your whole life, Private Property is worth your time. Good food, a relaxed atmosphere, and a menu that actually has some personality. You will be glad you stopped in.
220 W Main St, Lexington, SC 29072
Dinner only, Tue-Sat 4:30 PM - 9:30 PM. Closed Sun & Mon.
Jill Hydrick
REALTOR with EXIT Real Estate Consultants - SC License #102864
Nine years in real estate, 34 years in accounting. She knows the Midlands and she will tell you the truth about it.