Lexington is home to one of the 10 best independent restaurants in the US, ranking says
A family-owned Lexington deli favored by University of Kentucky athletes has been recognized yet again, this time as one of the 10 highest-rated independent restaurants in the country.
In a recent analysis of publicly available Yelp reviews, Dad’s Favorites Deli ranked ninth in the country alongside local eateries in much more populated cities, including Las Vegas and Phoenix.
The ranking comes from OnDeck, a lending company that specializes in loans for small businesses. According to OnDeck’s report, the company used Yelp reviews for almost 150,000 restaurants located in the most populated cities in every state. The company looked at broadly-defined categories, such as restaurants serving pizza, burgers, breakfast, vegan and international food.
“We could then rank restaurants within each state and within each category overall based on average ratings, breaking any ties by placing a restaurant higher if it had the greatest number of reviews,” OnDeck said of the results.
While Dad’s Favorites placed among the top 10 nationwide, other Lexington eateries numbered among the highest-rated restaurants in Kentucky. They include Big Kahuna, which serves Hawaiian barbecue, and the breakfast spot DV8 Kitchen, which is also known for its second-chance employment program for those recovering from drug abuse.
What makes Dad’s Favorites Deli special?
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.
While the deli got its start more than a decade ago with its housemade cheese spreads, it’s since grown and made a name for itself with its signature sandwiches.
On Yelp, reviewers praise the deli’s fast service, along with its friendly staff. That includes “Dad” himself, James Caudill, who often mingles with patrons.
The deli was Kentucky’s highest rated restaurant on Yelp as of August.
In a previous interview with the Herald-Leader, Jayson Caudill, one of two sons running the deli, said there’s nowhere else he’d rather work.
“I work with my family, and so where else would I want to be?” he said.
Which restaurants are the top 10 highest-rated nationwide?
According to OnDeck’s analysis, the top 10 best independent restaurants nationwide are as follows:
Hey, Sunshine Kitchen in Los Angeles
Beewali’s Vegan AF in Los Angeles
Destination Taiwan in Cheyenne, Wyo.
Waffle and Berry in Honolulu
Franky’s Deli Warehouse in Miami
Scotty’s Cafe in Columbus, Ohio
It’s Izakaya in Las Vegas
Garlic Yuzu in Las Vega
Dad’s Favorites in Lexington, Ky.
Casa de Falafel in Phoenix
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