Having a hard time deciding where you want to eat with your family or where to hang out with friends? This small list of restaurants in Dakota County are the absolute best variety of family-owned and chain restaurants in the area.

Coming in at number 5 is a family-owned restaurant called Taste of Thaiyai, located at 7704 147th Street in Apple Valley. It is an authentic Thai restaurant. It is rarely too busy, and the employees always welcome you with a warm smile. Many customers say that it’s the “best Thai in the Twin Cities” and Taste of Thaiyai lives up to that rep. If this restaurant piques your interest, stop in for a visit and get the pad thai or the egg rolls. If you are vegan or vegetarian, they have something there for you too!

At number 4 is Teresa’s Mexican Restaurant located at 20202 Heritage Drive in Lakeville. With a large variety of Mexican food and plenty of space, it’s perfect for a fun family outing, or a post-football game meal. Past customers have said it has the “best enchiladas they have ever had,” and they would all definitely come back a second time. It is worth stopping by for the enchiladas or the vegetarian burrito. By the time you exit, you’ll have higher expectations for Mexican food.

At number 3 is Shogun. Located at the Burnsville Center, it is perfect to swing by while at the mall. They cook all of the food right in front of you, and they put on live show. People who eat there always enjoy their visit and eagerly anticipate the next one. Their best menu items are the yellowtail sushi and the angus NY strips. While they have many adult customers, it would also be perfect for a family with younger kids. Next time you are at the mall, stop in to Shogun for some sushi and hibachi cooking.

At number 2 is Raising Cane’s located at 7501 150th Street in Apple Valley. Best known for their chicken fingers, they have made a big name for themselves in Dakota county. Customers are “always craving Cane’s” and come back for more monthly. The best thing on the menu is the chicken strips with the Cane’s signature dipping sauce. Employees are always smiling and will make your visit the best possible. If you are ever in the mood for some of the best chicken strips, head on over to Raising Cane’s.

Finally, at number 1 is Chianti Grill located at 14296 Plymouth Avenue in Burnsville. It is a fine-dining Italian restaurant with a wide selection of foods including pasta, pizza, and seafood. Chianti is a favorite for all customers and always sets a high bar for Italian food. The best items on the menu are definitely the spicy chicken penne and the tenderloin steak skewers. If you are ever in the mood for some of the best Italian, stop by Chianti Grill.

Hopefully this Top 5 list proves useful in helping you find a place to eat with your family. If you ever go to one of these restaurants, we’d love to hear what you thought of it. And if there is a restaurant you’d like us to review, let us know!