DV8 Kitchen’s most compelling angle is its second-chance employment mission.
The restaurant hires and trains people in early recovery from substance use disorder, pairing life-changing food with life-changing opportunities.
What if your brunch order helped someone rebuild their life? At DV8 Kitchen on South Broadway, every plate supports a bold mission.
Rob and Diane Perez built this spot to hire people in recovery and prove second chances work. Locals keep coming back because the food is great and the purpose is real.
How DV8 Kitchen Won Local Hearts
DV8 Kitchen opened in August 2017 as Lexington’s first restaurant focused on second-chance employment, creating a new model for how a local eatery could serve both food and people in need of a fresh start.
Rob Perez, who has been sober for decades, and his wife Diane saw addiction’s toll up close in their own restaurants, which gave them a personal reason to build something that could change lives behind the counter.
Diane pushed the idea forward with relentless energy, and Rob found a way to make it practical with a bakery-driven model that could train new employees without overwhelming them on day one.
The building lease fell into place fast, and the team raced to open in just four and a half months, turning a bold concept into a real kitchen in record time.
Local lawyers, CPAs, artists, and contractors donated time and services once they heard the mission, creating a community-wide effort that helped DV8 launch on a tight budget
Twenty-five families invested even though most new restaurants struggle in year one, showing how strongly people believed in the power of second chances in Lexington.
DV8 partners with five transitional housing programs to recruit staff actively working recovery, ensuring that every hire has a support network and a clear path toward stability.
Employees attend weekly life-skills workshops covering finances, professionalism, conflict resolution, and more, so their growth extends far beyond flipping sandwiches or pulling pastries from the oven.
The menu leans on scratch-made breads and baked goods, which also makes training new staff more forgiving because the rhythm of baking creates structure and room to learn.
Early on, some people worried “second chance” might mean “second rate,” but five-star reviews and repeat customers quickly changed minds across town.
Regulars return for the fresh flavors, the welcoming vibe, and the knowledge that their visit supports real change, turning a simple meal into a small act of support for someone’s recovery.
For many staff members, DV8 became a safe place to grow, learn skills, and step into a stable future, with some moving on to new jobs and others building long-term careers in food.
Food Highlights
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Orange Marmalade Chicken Sandwich: Fried chicken tenders with honey butter and bright orange marmalade on a house-made bun. 🍗
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Breakfast Burger: Black angus patty with bacon, cheddar, caramelized onions, and a fried egg on a brioche bun. 🍔
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Southern Eggs Benedict: Poached eggs over a biscuit with ham and rich hollandaise for a hearty morning classic. 🍳
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Basil Chicken Sandwich: Grilled chicken with avocado, tomato, and basil aioli on a fresh bun. 🥪
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Caramel Pecan Roll: Laminated dough cinnamon roll with caramel and pecans, baked fresh in-house. 🥐
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DV8 Salad: Crisp lettuce with feta, red onion, peppadews, pecans, and dried cranberries in balsamic vinaigrette. 🥗
Atmosphere
The space feels bright, casual, and community-minded, with a fast-casual counter setup and bakery display up front.
You’ll see uplifting messages, local art touches, and a vibe that matches the mission of hope and fresh starts.
Bottom Line
DV8 Kitchen serves standout brunch and baked goods while giving people in recovery real jobs and real support. It’s a Lexington original worth knowing and sharing.
Address: 867 S Broadway Ste 140, Lexington, KY 40504
📞 (859) 955-0388
🕔 Open Mon–Fri, 7 AM–2 PM | Sat–Sun, 8 AM–3 PM