Just west of Columbia and a short detour from I-20, Lexington has a range of dining options for the hungry traveler. Roy’s Grill serves some of the area’s most expertly made southern food, even if it is located at the side of an Exxon gas station. Its menu features Creole-seasoned shrimp & grits, house-cured bacon, smokehouse rice, Caribbean slaw, and Chef Chris Williams’ dazzling Bold & Beautiful BBQ sauce. The Root Cellar is known for downhome southern food with an uptown twist, such as fried green tomatoes with red pepper relish, Cobb salad that includes BBQ pork, and banana pudding that substitutes pieces of pound cake for Nilla Wafers. For Mexican seafood in a class by itself, Lexington boasts 7 Mares, a shopping-center storefront on the way to the airport. Nearby in West Columbia, the Backyard Cafe is a destination for burgers, hearty Dixie fare, and a dessert menu that includes gooey butter cake and house-made ice cream.