The honorees were determined by OpenTable staff after examining more than 5 million reviews of more than 20,000 different restaurants across the country, submitted by verified diners.

Zzest was one of eight Minnesota restaurants to make the list, and the only establishment outside of the Twin Cities. “I am very humbled to be in the same breath as them,” said owner LeeAnn Zubay, referring to the Minneapolis restaurants that were honored.

“Most of the people in Rochester don’t know what’s in their own backyard,” Zubay said. “People tell us we should be in a big city, but I’m a home girl and I’m happy to be here.”