Drink
Bartender & location
Jessica – Curve Inn
3219 S. Sixth Street Road, (217) 529-5806
Finalists: Elizabeth Wake – The Wakery, Billy Monnett - Win, Lose or Draught, Brady Meredith - The Blue Grouch Pub, Nina Meidel - Bar Bella
Beer garden
Obed and Isaac's
Microbrewery & Eatery
500 S. Sixth St., (217) 670-0627
Finalists: Route 66 Motorheads Bar & Grill, Museum & Entertainment Center, Curve Inn, Sangamo Brewing, Restaurant & Museum, The Shed – Pawnee, The Blue Grouch Pub
Beer selection (on tap)
Buzz Bomb Brewing Co.
406 E. Adams St.
Finalists: Obed and Isaac's Microbrewery & Eatery, Anvil & Forge Brewing and Distilling, Home Plate Bar & Grill, Terra Ferment
Coffee place
Grab-A-Java, Inc.
1702 S. Sixth St., (217) 523-5282
3115 Hedley Road, (217) 698-9773
300 Chatham Road, (217) 670-1353
Finalists: Hae's Bakery and Coffee Shoppe, Scoop Du Jour, Yellow Bird Coffee House, Custom Cup, The Wakery
Craft brewery
Anvil & Forge Brewing and Distilling
619 E. Washington St., (217) 679-1195
Finalists: Obed and Isaac's Microbrewery & Eatery, Hand of Fate Brewing Company, Buzz Bomb Brewing Co., Engrained Brewing Company, Springfield Beer Company
Darts
Curve Inn
3219 S. Sixth Street Road, (217) 529-5806
Finalists: Route 66 MotorHeads Bar & Grill, Museum & Entertainment Center, The Bird Tavern, Mama Lee's Sandbar, George Rank's
Happy hour
Curve Inn
3219 S. Sixth Street Road, (217) 529-5806
Finalists: Boone's, Luminary Kitchen & Provisions, Brewski's Pub, Buzz Bomb Brewing Company
Juice or smoothie bar
Smoothie King
605 W. Jefferson Street, (217) 670-1962
Finalists: Hae's Bakery & Coffee Shoppe, Shake This Eat That, Wellthy Juice Co., Genius Mango Smoothie
Margaritas
Blue Margarita Mexican Bar & Grill
3151 Horizon Drive, (217) 670-1394
Finalists: AZ-T-CA Mexican Grill, Xochimilco Mexican Restaurant, La Fiesta Grande, Tacology 201
NA cocktail
The Wakery
5 W. Old State Capitol Plaza
Finalists: Ad Astra Wine & Tapas Bar, Luminary Kitchen and Provisions, Vele, Roots Latin Grill
New bar (opened after 8/1/23)
Bloom Wine Bar & Florals
2 S. Old State Capitol Plaza
Finalists: Trish & Mary's Public House, The Filling Station – Rochester, Socavon by Roots Latin Grill, Jack McNamara's Par Fore Lounge
Overall bar
Route 66 MotorHeads Bar & Grill, Museum & Entertainment Center
600 Toronto Road, (217) 679-7323
Finalists: Curve Inn, Obed and Isaac's Microbrewery & Eatery, Clique, Ad Astra Wine & Tapas Bar, Bloom Wine Bar & Florals
Place to play pool
Floyd's Thirst Parlor
210 S. Fifth St., (217) 522-2020
Finalists: Weebles Bar & Grill, Dockers Tavern, The Bird Tavern, The Gin Mill & Lounge
Specialty cocktail & location name
Butterbeer - The Wakery
5 W. Old Capitol Plaza (217) 753-7933
Finalists: Bloody Mary - JP Kelly's Pub, The line cook's Old Fashioned - Luminary Kitchen & Provisions, Blooming Blackberry Spritz - Bloom Wine Bar & Florals, The Ad Astra - Ad Astra Wine & Tapas Bar
Tea
Whimsy Tea Company
316 E. Adams St., (217) 331-6920
Finalists: Hae's Bakery and Coffee Shoppe, Grab-A-Java, Inc., BUNN Gourmet, The Wakery
Trivia night
Anvil & Forge Brewing and Distilling
619 E. Washington St., (217) 679-1195
Finalists: Engrained Brewing Company, It's All About Wine, Brewski's Pub, Jamie's Route 66
Wine bar
Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant
2501 Wabash Ave., (217) 321-9100
Finalists: It's All About Wine, Bloom Wine Bar & Florals, Ad Astra Wine and Tapas Bar, Bar Bella
Winery
Danenberger Family Vineyards
12341 Irish Road, New Berlin, (217) 488-6321
Finalists: Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant, West of Wise Winery, Hill Prairie Winery, Arpeggio Winery
Food
Asian
China Star
1899 E. Sangamon Ave., (217) 789-0800
Finalists: Little Saigon, Mimosa Vietnamese and Thai Restaurant, Mekong Café, Yummy Bowl
Bakery
Incredibly Delicious
925 S. Seventh St., (217) 528-8548
Finalists: Apple Barn, Scoop Du Jour, Wildflower Bakery, Beelzebunz, Sapori Pizzeria & Italian Market
BBQ
Mission BBQ
2401 Wabash Ave., (217) 275-5610
Finalists: Twyford BBQ, Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill, PT's BBQ, The Railyard
Breakfast
Charlie Parker's Diner
700 W. North St., (217) 241-2104
Finalists: Le Peep, Lulu's Diner, Incredibly Delicious, Starr 66 Cafe
Brunch
Le Peep
3232 Ginger Creek Road, (217) 679-1752
Finalists: Luminary Kitchen & Provisions, Charlie Parker's Diner, Three Twigs & Co., Boone's
Build your own bowl
Yummy Bowl
3434 Freedom Drive, (217) 953-3777
Finalists: Pita-or-Bowl, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Nami Poke, CoreLife Eatery
Burger
Krekel's Custard & Hamburgers
2121 North Grand Ave. East, (217) 525-495
Finalists: Burger Bar and Backdoor Lounge, Bill's Toasty Shop, Luminary Kitchen & Provisions, Joseph's Fine Cuisine
Business lunch
Bella Milano
4525 Wabash Ave., Suite 3, (217) 547-0011
Finalists: Café Moxo, Loukinens' on 4th, Obed and Isaac's Microbrewery & Eatery, Boone's, Dublin Pub
Cajun seafood
Aunt Lou's Soul Food
524 E. Monroe St., (217) 717-1916
Finalists: Chesapeake Seafood House, Yummy Crab, Big Sharks Fish & Chicken, Replay Lounge
Caterer
Nelson's Catering of Central Illinois
3005 Great Northern Ave., (217) 787-9443
Finalists: Cured Catering, Hamilton's Catering, Poe's Catering, Twyford BBQ
Chef
Jordan and Aurora Coffey,
Luminary Kitchen & Provisions
3121 Hedley Road, (217) 679-1819
Finalists: Michael Higgins – Maldaner's Restaurant & Catering, James "JoJo" Solomon – Joseph's Fine Cuisine, Brady Thompson - Legacy Pointe Eatery, Keith Loukinen - Loukinens' on 4th
Chicken strips
Raising Cane's
3100 W. White Oaks Drive, (217) 361-0988
Finalists: Chick-fil-A, County Market, Home Plate Bar & Grill, Legacy Pointe Eatery
Chili
The Chili Parlor
820 S. Ninth St., (217) 523-4989
Finalists: Cook's Spice Rack & Chili, Dew Chilli Parlor, D'Arcy's Pint, Dublin Pub
Cookies
Café Moxo
411 E. Adams St., (217) 788-8084
Finalists: Incredibly Delicious, Crumbl Cookies, Crave Cookies, Apple Barn
Country Fried Steak
Lulu's Diner
608 S. Ninth St., (217) 210-2277
Finalists: Cracker Barrel, Ritz's Lil Fryer, Charlie Parker's Diner, Texas Roadhouse
Diner
Charlie Parker's Diner
700 W. North St., (217) 241-2104
Finalists: Chatham Café, Lulu's Diner, Star 66 Café, Ritz's Lil Fryer
Doughnuts
Mel O Cream
217 E. Laurel St., (217) 544-4644
3010 S. Sixth St., (217) 529-7708
525 North Grand Ave., (217) 528-2303
4411 Yucan Dr., (217) 679-1107
1953 W. Monroe Ave., (217) 546-4651
Finalists: Scoop Du Jour, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Johnny O's Mini Donuts, Dunkin'
Drive-thru
Chick-fil-A
2431 Wabash Ave., (217) 546-2000
Finalists: Grab-A-Java, The Taco Joint, Maid-Rite, Abelardo's Mexican Fresh
Farm-to-table restaurant
Luminary Kitchen & Provisions
3121 Hedley Road, (217) 679-1819
Finalists: Sapori Pizzeria and Italian Market, Joseph's Fine Cuisine, Broadgauge, Maldaner's Restaurant & Catering
Fine dining
Vele
3241 W. Iles Ave., (217) 210-2177
Finalists: Bella Milano, Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant, Luminary Kitchen & Provisions, Joseph's Fine Cuisine
Food delivery
Antonio's Pizza
antonios-pizza.com
Finalists: Café Moxo, Sam's Too Italian Pizza, Jimmy John's, Flavor of India
Food truck
AZ-T-CA Mexican Grill
Finalists: The Taco Joint, Vose Korndogs, Twyford BBQ, Johnnie O's Mini Donuts
Fried chicken
Track Shack
233 E. Laurel St., (217) 522-0444
Finalists: County Market, Pizza Ranch, Route 66 Motorheads Bar & Grill, Museum and Entertainment Center, Dublin Pub
Fried fish
Carter's Fish Market
1900 South Grand Ave. East, (217) 525-2571
Finalists: MJ's Fish and Chicken Express, Chesapeake Seafood House, Dublin Pub, Dolphin Chicken, Fish and Grill
Gluten-free menu
Legacy Pointe Eatery
1130 Legacy Pointe Drive, (217) 670-1217
Finalists: Tacology 201, Luminary Kitchen & Provisions, Bella Milano, Sapori Pizzeria and Italian Market
Gyro
Gyro Stop
2907 S. MacArthur Blvd., (217) 698-6463
Finalists: Yannis Gyros, Pita-or-Bowl, Star 66 Café, Mr. Gyros
Hibachi
Osaka Japanese Restaurant
1665 Wabash Ave., Suite A, (217) 726-8037
Finalists: Yummy Bowl, Empire Korean Steakhouse and Sushi Bar, Hibachi Madness, Yummy Yummy Hibachi food truck
Horseshoe
D'Arcy's Pint
661 W. Stanford Ave., (217) 492-8800
Finalists: Dublin Pub, Westwoods Lodge Pub & Grill, The Corner Pub and Grill, Obed & Isaac's Microbrewery & Eatery
Ice cream or froyo
Scoop Du Jour
95 W. Plummer Blvd., Chatham, (217) 697-8327
Finalists: Baskin-Robbins, Krekel's Custard & Hamburgers, Cold Stone Creamery, Cocoa Blue Chocolates
Indian
Gateway to India
3115 Chatham Road, (217) 726-6890
Finalists: Flavor of India, Jaalsa
Italian
Bella Milano
4525 Wabash Ave., Suite 3, (217) 547-0011
Finalists: Saputo's, Sapori Pizzeria & Italian Market, La Piazza Cucina Italiana, Papa Frank's
Lake club
Firefighters Lake Club
940 W. Lake Shore Drive, (217) 691-6472
Finalists: Island Bay Yacht Club, Anchor Boat Club, Lake Press Club, Aqua Sports Club
Late-night eats location
Star 66 Cafe
3752 Camp Butler Road, (217) 523-0611
Finalists: Bill's Toasty Shop, Dublin Pub, 3rd Shift Kitchen by Floyd's, Obed and Isaac's Microbrewery & Eatery
Mexican restaurant
Xochimilco
2941 W. Iles Ave., (217) 546-3116
3210 Northfield Drive, (217) 544-9206
Finalists: AZ-T-CA, El Dorado Tacqueria, Tacology 201, The Taco Joint, Blue Margaritas Mexican Restaurant
New restaurant (opened after 8/1/23)
Sapori Pizzeria & Italian Market
1941 W. Iles Ave., (217) 679-3760
Finalists: Yummy Bowl, Fairgrounds Café, Aunt Lou's Soul Food, Seoul 4 Soul, The Railyard
Outdoor dining
Obed and Isaac's Microbrewery & Eatery
500 S. Sixth St., (217) 670-0627
Finalists: Home Plate Bar & Grill, Curate, Incredibly Delicious, The Railyard
Overall restaurant
Old Luxemburg Inn
1900 S. 15th St., (217) 528-0503
Finalists: Luminary Kitchen & Provisions, D'Arcy's Pint, Route 66 MotorHeads Bar & Grill, Museum & Entertainment Center, Joseph's Fine Cuisine
Pet-friendly restaurant
Obed and Isaac's Microbrewery & Eatery
500 S. Sixth St., (217) 670-0627
Finalists: The Railyard, Finley's Tap House, Curve Inn, Tacology 201, Culver's
Pizza
Sapori Pizzeria & Italian Market
1941 W. Iles Ave., (217) 679-3760
Finalists: Bernie & Betty's Pizza, Antonio's Pizza, DiCarlo's Pizza – Virden, La Piazza Cucina Italiana
Place for a date night
Vele
3241 W. Iles Ave., (217) 210-2177
Finalists: Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant, Old Luxemburg Inn, Luminary Kitchen & Provisions, Joseph's Fine Cuisine
Place for Steak
Old Luxemburg Inn
1900 S. 15th St., (217) 528-0503
Finalists: Texas Roadhouse, LongHorn Steakhouse, Vele, Joseph's Fine Cuisine, Outback Steakhouse
Restaurant for dessert
BUNN Gourmet
2941 Plaza Drive, (217) 793-1840
Finalists: Incredibly Delicious, Joseph's Fine Cuisine, Luminary Kitchen & Provisions, Sapori Pizzeria and Italian Market
Seafood
Chesapeake Seafood House
3045 E. Clear Lake Ave., (217) 522-5220
Finalists: Carter's Fish Market, Happy Sushi, Vele, Joseph's Fine Cuisine
Server
Gina Rapp - Route 66 Motorhead's Bar & Grill, Museum & Entertainment Center
600 Toronto Road, (217) 679-7323
Finalists: Dennis Butchek - Lulu's Diner and Joseph's Fine Cuisine, Betsy Thornton - Route 66 MotorHeads Bar & Grill, Museum & Entertainment Center, Rheanna Bray - Luminary Kitchen & Provisions, Kensey Grumish - The Wakery
Soul food
Aunt Lou's Soul Food
524 E. Monroe St., (217) 717-1916
Finalists: Boyd's New Generation Restaurant and Catering, MJ's Fish and Chicken, Clay's Popeye's BBQ, Big Sharks Fish & Chicken
Sports bar and grill
Route 66 Motorheads Bar & Grill, Museum & Entertainment Center
600 Toronto Road, (217) 679-7323
Finalists: Home Plate Bar & Grill, Brickhouse Grill & Pub, The Corner Pub and Grill, D'Arcy's Pint
Sub/Sandwich
Head West Sub Stop
1124 W. Jefferson St., (217) 793-9101
3311 Robbins Road, (217) 726-9202
2432 Denver Drive, (217) 744-7990
1281 Toronto Road, (217) 585-7990
530 E. Capitol Ave., (217) 789-9101
3325 S. Sixth St., (217) 679-2477
450 State St., Rochester, (217) 498-1182
401 S. Main St., Jacksonville, (217) 271-1614
136 S. Oakland Ave., Decatur, (217) 791-6623
Finalists: Monty's Submarines, Jersey Mike's Subs, Jimmy John's, Sapori Pizzeria and Italian Market
Sushi
Happy Sushi
846 South Grand Ave. E., (217) 528-9799
Finalists: Mimosa Vietnamese and Thai Restaurant, Pao Bistro, Osaka Japanese Restaurant, Hunan Restaurant, Sky Lounge
Tacos
The Taco Joint
710 South Grand Ave. E.
Finalists: Tacology 201, Taco Gringo, AZ-T-CA Mexican Grill, Xochimilco
Take out
Magic Kitchen
115 N. Lewis St., (217) 525-6975
4112 N. Peoria Road, (217) 525-2230
Finalists: Bernie and Betty's Pizza, Little Saigon, Sam's Too Italian Pizza, Mekong Café
Vegetarian-friendly
Legacy Pointe Eatery
1130 Legacy Pointe Drive, (217) 670-1217
Finalists: Yummy Bowl, Luminary Kitchen & Provisions, Pita-or-Bowl, Little Saigon, Mekong Café
Wedding cakes
Incredibly Delicious
925 S. Seventh St., (217) 528-8548
Finalists: The Cake Shoppe, Cakes by Ashley, Wildflower Bakery, Cabin Cakes Bakery
Wings
Westwoods Lodge Pub and Grill
2406 W. Jefferson St., (217) 698-9256
Finalists: Wing Stop, Coz's Pizza and Pub, Buffalo Wild Wings, Wings Etc.
