LEXINGTON, Ky. — Lexington Restaurant Week is back and kicks off Thursday with over 20 local restaurants participating. 

Lexington Restaurant Week will feature 11 days of staple local restaurants in Lexington and last until Aug. 1 to promote the support of local restaurants.

Last year, Lexington Restaurant Week was canceled due to COVID-19 concerns, now phones in local restaurants are ringing more than usual to make reservations for the week. After more than a year of challenges, restaurant owners are anxious to serve up delicious meals to people.

“Every day is a little different. Every day is a challenge, but this is a bright little piece for us to have to look forward to,” said Debbie Long, owner of Dudley on Short.

Long's restaurant is in the heart of downtown Lexington. It has existed since 1981 and has taken part in Lexington Restaurant Week every year since it started in 2013. Not just restaurant owners, but chefs are ready for a lot of diners coming through their doors.

“Finally glad to be getting some signs of being back to our normal. We are so happy to be part of this and to serve our Lexington community,” said Mark Richardson, executive chef of Dudley on Short. 

The purpose of Lexington Restaurant Week is to “encourage and promote dining establishments that enhance tourism, our economy and quality of life here in the Bluegrass. Our goal is to increase awareness and repeat business for local restaurants that help define our community,” according to Connie Jo, executive director of Lexington Restaurant Week.

“You are hoping that you can actually introduce some new guests to your restaurant. That is sort of the idea behind it. It is to try to get people to try restaurants that they have not tried,” said Long.

Lexington Restaurant Week will support seven local art organizations in which $2 of every guest's meal served will go to one of the organizations. The art organizations receiving a portion of this year's funds are Carnegie Center, Central Kentucky Youth Orchestra, Lexington Art League, Lexington Children’s Theater, Lexington Philharmonic, Living Arts and Science Center. The week features three price points to choose from, including $19, $29, and a $39 option like the one at Dudley on Short.

“My idea is to have our customers have a good time and our employees to enjoy themselves,” said Long.

At the center of Lexington Restaurant Week is enjoying each other’s company with great food.

“We love each other, we love what we do and we absolutely want to, at the end of day, make sure we are giving our guests the best possible experience they can have,” said Richardson.