LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Dasha Barbours Southern Bistro is a hidden gem in an area that isn’t often associated with fine dining.

It offers everything you could ask for when it comes to good home cooking, like fried green tomatoes and porkchops. The recipes have made Dasha and Aaron Barbour household names among their regular customers.

“It's just like somebody's mama cooked it back there in the kitchen. I love the macaroni and cheese, and the greens, and the sweet potato casserole. Really good food, really good food," Jenee Byrd said.  

It's tucked away at the Old Walnut Street development on Muhammad Ali Boulevard in the West End. Many might know as the Louisville Central Community Center.

The West End often falls behind other parts of the city, but the new restaurant location shows that it’s well on its way to rising above its reputation.

“I think it's important that we know we can have a restaurant that's nice and sat down and quality. Doesn't always have to be cafeteria-style restaurant. It doesn't always have to be drive-thru. We can have nice restaurants with a table cloth and a hot plate just like any other restaurant so,” Dasha Barbour said. 

“We are meeting a whole different class of  people and it's definitely it's not what most people would expect. And that's just phenomenal, the diversity that's down here," Aaron Barbour said. 

The food is worth every minute of the wait. Between the collard greens and delicious desserts, you'll be sure to leave full. However, the bistro represents something much deeper than its delicious courses.

“To rebuild West of 9th street means that little by little we bring back things like this bistro so that people can see what they use to have and what they have again in the future," Clarence Glover, Board Chairman of The Community Center, said. 

For Dasha, it's even more personal.

“I’m from the West End, my family lives in the West End, a lot of family still live in the West End. So, you know it's home. And, I know what the people want cause I’m one of the people," Barbour said. 

Both Dasha and Aaron have a way of making everyone feel like family. They've made a commitment and are honoring it by employing people who live nearby. Their restaurant is giving people a reason to see the West End through a different lense.

“This change is taking place and it's happening and here's a result like we are here and come on out and enjoy it embrace it it's happening," Barbour said.