Nakato, Daddy Dz BBQ Joynt Earn Designation as ‘Historic and Culturally Significant’ Restaurants

Nakato Japanese Restaurant and Daddy Dz BBQ Joynt were selected by the National Trust for Historic Preservation and American Express as one of 25 “historic and culturally” significant restaurants in the country.

As a result of the designation, the Atlanta restaurants received a $40,000 grant, according to a press release this week. Nakato and Daddy Dz were the only two restaurants in Atlanta out of thousands of applicants nationwide to receive the designation.

“These restaurants have demonstrated their resiliency for decades, and even while dealing with the financial impacts of the pandemic, they have continued to support their communities in many ways,” according to the release. “We are honored to partner with American Express to help these landmarks write the next chapters in their amazing stories.”

The funding could be used to enhance the restaurant’s exteriors, build new outdoor seating areas, and upgrade online businesses to help mitigate operating costs as they work to recover from the financial impacts of the pandemic.

“We are honored to play a role in supporting these historic small restaurants that have served our communities for decades,” Jennifer Skyler, chief corporate affairs officer, American Express, and chair of the American Express Foundation, said in the release. “This program expands on our legacy of backing small businesses by helping to preserve these iconic restaurants and support their recovery from the pandemic so they can continue to welcome customers for years to come.”

Here’s the entire list:

• The Four-Way Restaurant, Memphis, Tenn.
• Dooky Chase Restaurant, New Orleans, La.
• Stutts House of Bar-B-Q, Tulsa, Okla.
• Suehiro Café, Los Angeles, Calif.
• Maneki Restaurant, Seattle, Wash.
• Casa Vicky, San Jose, Calif.
• Chinatown Garden, Washington, D.C.
• La Posta de Mesilla, Mesilla, N.M.
• Daddy Dz BBQ Joynt, Atlanta, Ga.
• Ben’s Chili Bowl, Washington, D.C.
• John’s Place, Cookeville, Tenn.
• Alfreda’s Soul Food, Houston, Texas
• Kegel’s Inn, Milwaukee, Wis.
• Galloways Landing Bar & Restaurant, Boquerón, Puerto Rico
• Tex Miller’s Hamburgers, Cameron, Texas
• Historic Neir’s Tavern, New York, N.Y.
• Baker’s Keyboard Lounge, Detroit, Mich.
• Nakato Japanese Restaurant, Atlanta, Ga.
• Lee Lee’s Baked Goods, New York, N.Y.
• Sweetheart Cafe & Tea, Oakland, Calif.
• El Cristo Restaurant, Miami, Fla.
• Harold & Belle’s Restaurant, Los Angeles, Calif.
• Wanda J’s Next Generation Soul Food Restaurant, Tulsa, Okla.
• La Fonda El Taquito, Kansas City, Mo.
• Ray’s Luncheonette Inc., Montclair, N.J.