What is Yelp’s favorite Kentucky restaurant? It’s this hidden gem in west Lexington
A family owned deli in Lexington that got its start 12 years ago selling handcrafted cheese spreads is now the highest-rated restaurant in Kentucky on Yelp.
Located at the back of the arcade in Garden Springs Shopping Center at 820 Lane Allen Road, Dad’s Favorites Deli is the quintessential hidden gem, according to reviewers.
Today, it’s known for its signature sandwiches made with specialty ingredients.
A popular menu item is the Asiago pot roast served on a French roll with roasted red pepper dipping sauce, and there are many other options to choose from. There are sandwich specials that rotate each weekday, such as the farmhouse chicken salad sandwich with pimento cheese or the pulled pork barbecue topped with honey lime coleslaw.
Dad’s Favorites draws rave reviews on Google and Yelp. The latter ranks the deli as the No. 1 restaurant in Kentucky with more than 350 five-star customer reviews. Yelpers, as the website’s reviews are called, praise the deli’s fast and friendly service, including from “Dad” himself, James Caudill, who often mingles with patrons.
Reached Monday, Jayson Caudill, one of two sons running the deli, said he feels “blessed” by the success Dad’s Favorites has enjoyed. In 2009, he flew home from a tour with the U.S. Army in Iraq to help get the family business off the ground.
“I work with my family, and so where else would I want to be?” said Jayson, whose work certainly keeps him busy.
It’s not at all unheard of for the deli to serve 600 sandwiches during a typical four-hour shift, Jayson said. Dad’s Favorites is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Kentucky’s top restaurants on Yelp
Along with Dad’s Favorites, several other Lexington eateries make Yelp’s list of the best restaurants Kentucky has to offer. Here’s a rundown of those that rank within the top 10:
No. 5 - Big Kahuna at 904 Liberty Road
What it’s known for according to Yelpers: spam musubi, kalua pork sandwich, pork katsu plate, loco moco, teriyaki chicken sandwich, coconut shrimp, pulled pork plate, Hawaiian BBQ, BBQ chicken plate and the grilled tofu plate.
No. 7 - DV8 Kitchen at 867 South Broadway in Suite 140
What it’s known for according to Yelpers: orange marmalade chicken sandwich, chicken salad sandwich, huevos rancheros sandwich, breakfast sandwich, breakfast tacos, breakfast burger, southern eggs benedict, french toast and the caramel pecan roll.
No. 10 - Minton’s at 760 North Limestone
What it’s known for according to Yelpers: huevos rancheros, savory French toast, little brother, elvis, buffalo chicken, chorizo breakfast tacos, pulled pork tacos, sriracha tempeh sandwich, smoked sausage and the stuffed french toast.
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