Dee’s Diner has been voted Owensboro-Daviess County’s favorite breakfast restaurant in the Owensboro Times Eat Down the Street contest. Dee’s Diner now moves on to the championship week of the voting competition. For a full breakdown of how the entire contest works, including our list of restaurants and categories, click here.
Dee’s son, Kenneth Harper, took over the family business in early 2019. Harper said he’s grateful for the award, saying it’s just another way the community supports the diner.
“It feels good – we definitely love the recognition,” Harper said. “I love what I do. I’m the one who comes in every day and works the kitchen. Breakfast is just what my family has always done.”
Dee’s Diner opened in March of 2009 at 1362 East 4th Street, and it quickly became one of the favorite spots to eat by locals. Over the years, the diner has garnered numerous awards based on public vote, including being named Best Diner/Deli in a voting contest OT hosted in 2021.
While the diner specializes in breakfast, they also have a lunch menu featuring plate specials and classic home-style cooking.
Harper said he wants to preserve the legacy created by his parents — and that’s what he’s doing, one Chuck’s Special breakfast plate, gigantic pancake, and french toast platter at a time.
“I loved cooking breakfast as a kid,” he said. “I always wanted to be just like my mom and dad, a short-order cook. Here I am, at 31, doing just that.”
Harper said they’ve never viewed their establishment as anything special, but rather as a place where they could do what they love while serving the community that continually gives back.
“It’s nice hearing people say you’re a pillar of the community because we’ve never really viewed ourselves that way,” Harper said. “I’m just thankful. Every time we won, it gives me validation that what I’m doing is bigger than myself.”
