As a child at the dinner table, you probably looked on as the biggest, most delectable part of the main course was saved for the head of household. Big responsibilities, big appetite, big reward, right? At this neighborhood restaurant, the title of tastiest goes to the fittingly named Dad's Burger, once spotlighted on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. However, anyone at Dad's Kitchen can enjoy the 12-ounce bacon- and blue-cheese-crusted grassfed beef patty topped with tomato, lettuce, onion, and aleppo-chili spread—not just the person at the head of the table.

That friendly, egalitarian attitude pervades the eatery, where comforting bar food is on offer but gourmet flair is a priority. Local organic farmers provide many of the ingredients that go into meals. Diners enjoy brioche french toast on the covered patio, hearty meatloaf sandwiches at the indoor tables, and street-style carnitas tacos at a bar papered with the logos of every craft brew that has poured out of the taps.