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Mechanicsville restaurant named among Top Places to Eat for 2019

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MECHANICSVILLE, Va. -- With James Beard Award nominated chefs and restaurants that gain national publicity, the Richmond food scene is no longer the South's best kept culinary secret. But even the owner and chef at More Than Greek on Atlee Road in Mechanicsville were shocked to learn their restaurant made Yelp's list of Top 100 Places to Eat for 2019.

"We knew we had a good following, we follow our reviews and we take them very seriously. But we had no idea that we would land in the Top 100 and that we're the only restaurant for the state of Virginia. Very humbling," new owner Denise Katz said. "We're grateful for all the support in the community."

Kurt Knachel and Denise Katz

Katz and chef Kurt Kanachel said the ingredients to their success include atmosphere, service, and quality of their Greek, Italian, and American dishes. Favorites include their pastas, roast beef sandwiches, and lamb gyro.

"It's all good. That's what we hear in the reviews," Kanachel said.

Those Yelp reviews ("The lamb gyro was massive and delicious") and convenient location right off Interstate 295 have proved to be good for the restaurant's bottom line.

"Having good reviews on Yelp from the locals draws a lot of people in that are traveling and use Yelp to find a place to eat," Kanachel said.

To determine the Top 100 list, Yelp reviewed its restaurant reviews.

"We considered both the rating and the volume of the reviews, while accounting for the overall volume of reviews in each business's area so as not to disadvantage businesses in areas with relatively low review volume," a Yelp spokesperson said.

"All the credit to the staff, in the kitchen, on the floor," Katz added. "They're the ones who really sell it."

Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat in the US for 2019

1. Bangers & Brews - Bend, OR ♥
2. Tender Smokehouse - Celina, TX
3. Ciao! Pizza & Pasta - Chelsea, MA ♥
4. Gyromania - Santa Clarita, CA
5. BROKEN MOUTH | Lee's Homestyle - Los Angeles, CA
6. Bajamar Seafood & Tacos - Las Vegas, NV
7. Tommy Tamale Market & Cafe - Grapevine, TX ♥
8. Xicamiti La Taquería Bistro - Golden, CO
9. ACHILLES - Santa Clara, CA
10. Yardie Spice - Homestead, FL ♥
11. Porky's Kauai - Waimea, HI
12. Pappa Gyros - Katy, TX
13. CAFE CLUB by les artistes - Hollywood, FL
14. Worth Takeaway - Mesa, AZ
15. Local - Big Bear Lake, CA
16. Wally's Cafe - Rocklin, CA
17. Crafted Greens - El Cajon, CA
18. Halls Chophouse - Charleston, SC ♥
19. It's a Punjabi Affair - Amarillo, TX ⧫
20. Long Nine Junction - Springfield, IL
21. Scotty's Cafe - Columbus, OH
22. Korai Kitchen - Jersey City, NJ ⧫
23. Kat's Barbecue - Santa Fe, TX
24. Mee Thai Restaurant - Orlando, FL
25. Franky's Deli Warehouse - Hialeah, FL ♥
26. Kodo Sushi Sake - Scottsdale, AZ
27. Dad's Favorites - Lexington, KY
28. Moose-AKa's - Denali, AK
29. Chuy's Taco Shop - San Diego, CA
30. Miss Shabu Restaurant & Sake Bar - Buena Park, CA
31. Kaffe Crepe - Reno, NV
32. JJ's Diner - Pleasantville, NJ
33. Myles and Jun Yakitori - Summerville, SC
34. OTIS - Brooklyn, NY
35. Pampa-Rara - Apple Valley, CA
36. Angel City Grill - Redondo Beach, CA ⧫
37. TKB Bakery & Deli - Indio, CA ♥
38. Bunz - Huntington Beach, CA ♥
39. Homer's Smokehouse BBQ - San Tan Valley, AZ
40. DV8 Kitchen - Lexington, KY
41. Express Deli - Brook Park, OH
42. Amy's French Bakery & Bistro - Pompano Beach, FL ⧫
43. Haywood Smokehouse - Dillsboro, NC
44. Cahill Bistro - Edina, MN
45. Ali'i Coffee - Honolulu, HI
46. Pharaoh's Village - Fayetteville, NC
47. Farmbird - Washington, DC
48. Chico and Chang - Macon, GA
49. Strada Eateria & Coffee - Los Angeles, CA ⧫
50. The Alcove - Sunnyside, NY ♥
51. Mountain Goat Market - Monteagle, TN
52. The Shed Market - Abilene, TX
53. Alamo Restaurant - Hialeah, FL
54. J28 Sandwich Bar - Hollywood, FL ♥
55. More Than Greek - Mechanicsville, VA
56. Uncle Af's - Agoura Hills, CA ⧫
57. Papa Marcos Grill And Kabob - Waukegan, IL
58. Pho Dien 1960 - Humble, TX
59. Maple Street Biscuit Company - Greenville - Greenville, SC
60. Big H Deli - Fairfield, CA
61. Golden Drops Café - Decatur, GA
62. Los Takitos Taco Shop - Palatine, IL
63. Kahuku Farms - Kahuku, HI
64. Nick's Grill - Pulaski, TN
65. Bistro 6050 - Chicago, IL ⧫
66. Inkanto Peruvian Cuisine - Fort Lauderdale, FL ⧫
67. POTs - Las Vegas, NV ⧫
68. Cocina Madrigal - Phoenix, AZ
69. Tahini - San Diego, CA
70. The Modern Tea Room - Lancaster, CA
71. Lula Jane's - Waco, TX
72. Bud & Rob's New Orleans Bistro - San Diego, CA ⧫
73. The Local Wood Fired Grill - Alpharetta, GA
74. Taste Community Restaurant - Fort Worth, TX
75. Pho Guys - Vista, CA ⧫
76. Momo Bowl - Apache Junction, AZ
77. Aviva by Kameel - Atlanta, GA ♥
78. Calabash Tea & Tonic - Washington DC
79. Rejoice Café - Tamarac, FL ⧫
80. Quixote Bakery Cafe - Richland Hills, TX
81. Monse Pupuseria - Colorado Springs, CO
82. Tony's Italian Delicatessen - Montgomery, TX ♥
83. Not Your Typical Deli - Gilbert, AZ
84. Spicy Bite - Milan, NM
85. Mi Ranchito Veracruz - North Hollywood, CA ⧫
86. Nini's Deli - Chicago, IL♥
87. The Crepe Shop - Chicago, IL ⧫
88. Ali'i Poke - Indianapolis, IN ⧫
89. Ekiben - Baltimore, MD
90. Hatsuyuki Handroll Bar - Fort Worth, TX
91. Don Pollo Mexican Grill - West Valley City, UT
92. Diced Poke - Houston, TX
93. Butler's Pantry Breakfast - Stowe, VT ⧫
94. Empanada Kitchen - San Diego, CA
95. Tribute Coffee - Garden Grove, CA ⧫
96. The Rolling Pin Bakeshop - Denver, CO
97. Waffie - Baltimore, MD
98. Everyday Thai - Springfield, MO
99. Guy's For Lunch - Roseville, CA
100. Mariscos Jalisco - Pomona, CA

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