LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Dakshin Indian Restaurant in southeast Louisville, like all Kentucky restaurants, is only available for take-out. However, every day, owner Sanjay Taxak and his staff also dish-up extra meals, but not for paying customers.

“Now we are all in this situation where it’s hard for people. They have no jobs and stuff, and so we are privileged to at least provide them with one of the necessities.,” Taxak said.

Seven days a week the restaurant provides lunch and dinner. The meals are free for anyone that needs them, regardless of where they work or if they work. No questions asked.

“We are not here to judge who needs and don’t need it. We have laid out whoever needs the food. We have it,” Taxak told Spectrum News 1.

Both lunch and dinner offer vegetarian and non-vegetarian options. Special requests are also considered, like vegan and nut-allergen free options.

Depending on the day, Taxak said between 50 to 100 meals are given out. To maintain social distancing, 25 meals at a time are put into a heated container outside the restaurant’s front door. 

That way someone can open the door to grab a meal without having to receive it from someone. Taxak or another staff member keeps an eye out from inside. When someone takes a meal, then one of them goes out there to disinfect the handle.

Louisville resident Sharon Johnson has eaten at the restaurant before, but as a senior citizen, this kind gesture provides her with more than just a meal.

“Well not having to go to pick up at a normal crowded facility, you can come here, and it’s very safe and [provides] social distancing. It’s a great opportunity,” Johnson said. She added that was looking for something positive in the community.

Taxak wants everyone to know about this so he posted about the free lunch and dinner to his restaurant’s Facebook page. He even paid to have the post boosted so more people are reached. The positive feedback helps motivate him.

“Like one of the messages was, ‘Dinner was wonderful. My little girl and I appreciate it so much.’ It’s so touching when you see two people fed and one of them was a kid,” Taxak said. With two daughters of his own, he feels for parents with kids. 

Taxak said next week he plans to take his food truck to downtown Louisville and provide free lunches for medical workers.

After having the community’s support to keep his restaurant in business for almost 12 years, this is one way to give back.

“We are all in this together and we will come out of this altogether,” Taxak said.

Dakshin Indian Restaurant is located at 4742 Bardstown Road. The free lunch is provided Monday through Friday 11:00 a.m. until  2:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from noon until 2:00 p.m. Dinner is available Monday through Sunday 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.