Restaurants News & Trends

A Lexington restaurant was just named one of the best in the South. Here’s why.

A homegrown Lexington restaurant (that’s expanding) recently won a big honor from “Southern Living.”

The magazine recently named the best locally owned restaurants in every Southern state for 2023 and for Kentucky picked Ramsey’s Diner.

Ramsey’s, owned and operated by Rob Ramsey, has been around for more than 30 years, serving a menu of “meat and three” options for lunch and dinner with “basics like chicken livers, chicken and dumplings and pot roast” and a slew of seasonal veggies. In the summer, Ramsey’s had “Corn Daze” featuring free Kentucky corn on the cob, tomatoes and other locally grown items.

“Ramsey’s Diner is Kentucky’s favorite spot for all things Southern. The cornbread sticks are properly not-too-sweet. The fried chicken is crispy outside, dreamy tender within. An impressive list of sides include yellow squash and onions, honey-mustard carrots, stewed tomatoes, sweet pickled beets, apple fritters, and creamed corn,” “Southern Living” said.

They specifically called out Ramsey’s Hot Brown as “the best in town” and highlighted Missy’s Pies too.

Ramsey’s Diners are known for its “meat and three” offerings.
Ramsey’s Diners are known for its “meat and three” offerings. Lexington
Ramsey’s Diner on West Zandale Drive, like all the other locations, features garage sale tables and chairs.
Ramsey’s Diner on West Zandale Drive, like all the other locations, features garage sale tables and chairs. Marcus Dorsey mdorsey@herald-leader.com

Ramsey’s Diner locations

Ramsey’s Diners has four locations: 151 W. Zandale, 4053 Tates Creek Center, 3090 Helmsdale Dr. and 4391 Harrodsburg Rd. The Helmsdale Drive location in Andover briefly closed earlier this year after the winter freeze burst pipes and damaged the walls and floor. It has since reopened.

A fifth location at 2751 Leestown Rd. is expected to open this spring.

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Janet Patton
Lexington Herald-Leader
Janet Patton covers restaurants, bars, food and bourbon for the Herald-Leader. She is an award-winning business reporter who also has covered agriculture, gambling, horses and hemp. Support my work with a digital subscription
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