Drink
Bartender & location
Elizabeth Wake – The Wakery
Finalists: Alyssa Moriconi – Locals, Rhyan – Curve Inn, Justin Rebee – Clique, Andrew MacCartney –Route 66 Motorheads Bar & Grill, Museum & Entertainment Complex
Beer garden
Obed and Isaac's Microbrewery & Eatery
500 S. Sixth St.
217-670-0627
Finalists: Route 66 MotorHeads Bar & Grill, Museum & Entertainment Complex, Curve Inn, Boone's, Weebles Bar & Grill
Beer selection (on tap)
Obed and Isaac's Microbrewery & Eatery
500 S. Sixth St.
217-670-0627
Finalists: Anvil & Forge Brewing and Distilling, Home Plate Bar & Grill, Buzz Bomb Brewing Co., Finley's Tap House
Coffee place
Grab-A-Java, Inc.
1702 S. Sixth St., 217-523-5282
300 Chatham Rd., 217-670-1353
3115 Hedley Rd., 217-698-9773
Finalists: Hae's Bakery and Coffee Shoppe, Brezie's Roasted Beans, Custom Cup, Scoop du Jour
Craft brewery
Obed and Isaac's Microbrewery & Eatery
500 S. Sixth St.
217-670-0627
Finalists: Hand of Fate Brewing Company, Anvil & Forge Brewing and Distilling, Springfield Beer Co., Engrained Brewing Company, Buzz Bomb Brewing Co.
Darts
Curve Inn
3219 S. Sixth St., Southern View
217-529-5806
Finalists: Mama Lee's Sandbar, Weebles Bar & Grill, George Rank's
Happy hour
Curve Inn
3219 S. Sixth St., Southern View
217-529-5806
Finalists: Luminary Kitchen & Provisions, Boone's, Buzz Bomb Brewing Co., Weebles Bar & Grill
Juice or smoothie bar
Smoothie King
605 W Jefferson St., 217-670-1962
4319 Yucan Dr., 217-679-4590
Finalists: Hae's Bakery and Coffee Shoppe, Shake This Eat That, Wellthy Juice Co., Genius Mango Smoothie
Margaritas
Blue Margarita Mexican Bar & Grill
3151 Horizon Dr.
217-670-1394
Finalists: AZ-T-CA, Xochimilco, Ramona Tacos + Mezcal, La Fiesta Grande, El Dorado
New bar (opened after 8/1/24)
Vine & Rind
3267 Ginger Creek Dr.
217-970-2977
Finalists: The Tipsy Toad, Little Corner Bar, Fluid Lounge
Overall bar
Route 66 Motorheads Bar & Grill, Museum and Entertainment Complex
600 Toronto Rd.
217-679-7323
Finalists: Curve Inn, Bloom Wine Bar & Florals, Clique, Obed and Isaac's Microbrewery & Eatery, Floyd's Thirst Parlor
Place for NA Cocktail
The Wakery
Finalists: The Tipsy Toad, Luminary Kitchen & Provisions, Clique, Whimsy Tea Company
Play pool
Mowie's Cue
1277 Toronto Rd.
217-529-7616
Finalists: Floyd's Thirst Parlor, Dockers, Gin Mill, Weebles Bar & Grill
Specialty cocktail & location
Lavender Bees Knees – Bloom Wine Bar & Florals
2 S. Old State Capitol Plaza
217-679-1830
Finalists: The Line Cooks' Old Fashioned – Luminary Kitchen and Provisions, Butter Beer (NA) – The Wakery, Mango Habanero Margarita – Cheers, Charisma (NA) – Clique
Tea
Whimsy Tea Company
216 E. Adams St.
217-331-6920
Finalists: Grab-A-Java, Hae's Bakery and Coffee Shoppe, Brezie's Roasted Beans, The Wakery
Trivia night
Anvil & Forge Brewing and Distilling Co.
619 E. Washington St.
217-679-1195
Finalists: It's All About Wine, Engrained Brewing Company, Buzz Bomb Brewing Co., Knights of Columbus – Iles
Wine bar
Bloom Wine Bar & Florals
2 S. Old State Capitol Plaza
217-679-1830
Finalists: It's All About Wine, Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant, Vine & Rind, Bar Bella
Food
Asian
Yummy Bowl
3434 Freedom Dr.
217-953-3777
Finalists: Little Saigon, Magic Kitchen, Mimosa Vietnamese and Thai Restaurant, Osaka, China Star
Bakery
Incredibly Delicious
925 S. Seventh St.
217-528-8548
Finalists: Apple Barn, Golden Hour Bake House, Pease's at BUNN Gourmet, Scoop Du Jour
BBQ
Mission BBQ
2401 Wabash Ave.
217-275-5610
Finalists: Twyford BBQ, The Stadium Smokehouse, Smokey Bones, Clay's Popeye's BBQ, PT's BBQ
Breakfast
Le Peep
3232 Ginger Creek Dr.
217-679-1752
Finalists: Charlie Parker's Diner, Lulu's Diner, Cafe Moxo, Star 66 Café, Incredibly Delicious
Brunch
Cafe Moxo
2661 Chatham Rd.
217-788-8084
Finalists: Le Peep, Luminary Kitchen & Provisions, Charlie Parker's Diner, Incredibly Delicious
Build your own bowl
Yummy Bowl
3434 Freedom Dr.
217-953-3777
Finalists: Pita or Bowl, NAMI Poke, CoreLife Eatery, Noodles and Company
Burger
Krekel's Custard & Hamburgers
2121 North Grand Ave. E.
217-525-4952
Finalists: Burger Bar and Backdoor Lounge, Obed and Isaac's Microbrewery & Eatery, Anvil & Forge Brewing and Distilling, Luminary Kitchen & Provisions
Business lunch
Bella Milano
4525 Wabash Ave.
217-547-0011
Finalists: Saputo's, Cafe Moxo, Obed and Isaac's Microbrewery & Eatery, Boone's
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, Luminary Kitchen & Provisions, Hamilton's Catering, Twyford BBQ, Poe's Catering, Emerald's Eats
Chef and restaurant
Jordan and Aurora Coffey, Luminary Kitchen & Provisions
3121 Hedley Rd.
217-679-1819
Finalists: Michael Higgins – Maldaner's Restaurant & Catering, James "JoJo" Solomon – Joseph's Fine Cuisine, Brady Thompson – Legacy Pointe Eatery, Chef Mane – Ramona Tacos + Mezcal
Chicken strips
Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers
3100 W. White Oaks Dr.
217-361-0988
Finalists: County Market, Chick-fil-A, 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 Parlour, Dublin Pub, D'Arcy's Pint, Route 66 MotorHeads Bar & Grill, Museum & Entertainment Complex
Cookies
Cafe Moxo
2661 Chatham Rd.
217-788-8084
Finalists: Incredibly Delicious, Crumbl, Crave Cookies, Apple Barn, Grab A Java
Country fried steak (not frozen)
Ritz's Lil Fryer
2148 North Grand Ave. E.
Finalists: Cracker Barrel, Charlie Parker's Diner, Lulu's Diner, Texas Roadhouse
Diner
Charlie Parker's Diner
700 W. North St.
Finalists: Chatham Café, Star 66 Café, Lulu's Diner, Ritz's Lil Fryer
Doughnuts
Mel-O-Cream Donuts
217 E Laurel St.
3010 S. Sixth St.
525 North Grand Ave E.
1953 W Monroe St.
4411 Yucan Dr.
217-529-7708
Finalists: Scoop Du Jour, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Johnnie O's Mini Donuts, Golden Hour Bake House
Drive Thru
Grab-A-Java, Inc.
1702 S. Sixth St., 217-523-5282
300 Chatham Rd., 217-670-1353
3115 Hedley Rd., 217-698-9773
Finalists: Chick-fil-A, Taco Gringo, The Taco Joint, Maid-Rite
Farm-to-table restaurant
Luminary Kitchen & Provisions
3121 Hedley Rd.
217-679-1819
Finalists: Sapori Pizzeria & Italian Market, Engrained Brewing Company, Maldaner's Restaurant & Catering, Vele, Joseph's Fine Cuisine
Fine dining
VELE
3241 W. Iles Ave.
217-210-2177
Finalists: Chesapeake Seafood House, Luminary Kitchen & Provisions, Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant, Bella Milano
Food delivery
Antonio's Pizza
2114 North Grand Ave. E., 217-523-5544
3219 Lake Plaza Dr., 217-529-3600
2701 W. Lawrence Ave., 217-529-3600
1233 Toronto Rd., 217-787-3355
1013 Wabash Ave., 217-585-0323
Finalists: Jimmy John's, Cafe Moxo, Sam's Too, Flavor of India
Food truck
The Lumpia House and Truck
1731 S. MacArthur Blvd.
447-448-8262
Finalists: Twyford BBQ, AZ-T-CA, Johnnie O's Mini Donuts, The Taco Joint
Fried chicken
County Market
210 E. Carpenter St., 217-528-3145
1501 S. Dirksen Pkwy., 217-525-2372
1903 W. Monroe St., 217-546-8671,
1099 Jason Place, Chatham, 217-483-9053,
119 Illini Blvd., Sherman, 217-496-2817
Finalists: Track Shack, MJ's Fish and Chicken Express, Pizza Ranch, Route 66 MotorHeads Bar & Grill, Museum & Entertainment Complex, Luminary Kitchen and Provisions
Fried fish
Chesapeake Seafood House
3045 E. Clear Lake Ave.
217-522-5220
Finalists: Carter's Fish Market, MJ's Fish and Chicken Express, Finley's Tap House, Dublin Pub
Gluten-free menu
Legacy Pointe Eatery
1130 Legacy Pointe Dr.
217-670-1217
Finalists: Luminary Kitchen & Provisions, Sapori Pizzeria & Italian Market, Bella Milano
Gyro
Yannis Gyros
1814 Adlai Stevenson Dr.
217-585-9300
Finalists: Gyro Stop, Joey G's, Pita-or-Bowl, Mr. Gyros
Hibachi
Osaka Japanese Restaurant
1665 Wabash Ave.
217-726-8037
Finalists: Yummy Bowl, 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 Creek Pub and Grill, Finley's Tap House
Ice cream or froyo
Scoop Du Jour
95 Plummer Blvd.
217-697-8327
Finalists: Baskin-Robbins, Krekel's Custard & Hamburgers, Cold Stone Creamery, Cocoa Blue Chocolates
Indian
Gateway to India
3115 Chatham Rd., Suite 5306
217-726-6890
Finalists: Flavor of India, Jaalsa
Italian
Sapori Pizzeria & Italian Market
1941 W. Iles Ave.
Finalists: Bella Milano, Saputo's, La Piazza Cucina Italiana, Papa Frank's
Lake club
Firefighters Lake Club
940 W. Lake Shore Dr.
217-691-6472
Finalists: Island Bay Yacht Club, Anchor Boat Club, Elks Club, Aqua Sports Club
Late-night eats
Star 66 Café
3752 Camp Butler Rd.
217-523-0611
Finalists: Bill's Toasty Shop, 3rd Shift Kitchen by Floyd's, Dublin Pub, Route 66 Motorheads Bar, Grill & Entertainment Complex, Obed and Isaac's Microbrewery & Eatery
Mexican restaurant
Xochimilco
2941 W. Iles Ave., 217-546-3116
3210 Northfield Dr., 217-544-9206
Finalists: AZ-T-CA, Ramona Tacos + Mezcal, El Dorado, The Taco Joint, Blue Margarita Mexican Bar & Grill
New restaurant (opened after 8/1/24)
Ramona Tacos + Mezcal
4403 Yucan Dr.
217-970-5065
Finalists: Vine & Rind, Izumi Rotary and Bar, Dave's Hot Chicken, Golden Hour Bake House, Japan House
Outdoor dining
The Railyard on Route 66
2242 S. Sixth St.
217-717-1136
Finalists: Obed and Isaac's Microbrewery & Eatery, Curate, Incredibly Delicious, Home Plate Bar & Grill, The Shed
Overall restaurant
Old Luxemburg Inn
1900 S. 15th St.
217-528-0503
Finalists: D'Arcy's Pint, Luminary Kitchen & Provisions, VELE, Route 66 MotorHeads Bar & Grill, Museum & Entertainment Complex, Sapori Pizzeria & Italian Market
Pizza
Sapori Pizzeria & Italian Market
1941 W. Iles Ave.
Finalists: Bernie and Betty's, Antonio's Pizza, Gabatoni's, DiCarlo's Pizza – Virden, La Piazza Cucina Italiana
Place for date night
VELE
3241 W. Iles Ave.
217-210-2177
Finalists: Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant, Old Luxemburg Inn, Chesapeake Seafood House, Luminary Kitchen & Provisions, Curate
Place for steak
Old Luxemburg Inn
1900 S. 15th St.
217-528-0503
Finalists: Texas Roadhouse, LongHorn Steakhouse, VELE, Mariah's Steakhouse & Pasta, Mick and Mary's
Restaurant for dessert
Incredibly Delicious
926 S. Seventh St.
217-528-8548
Finalists: BUNN Gourmet, Scoop Du Jour, Luminary Kitchen & Provisions, Whimsy Tea Company, Sapori Pizzeria & Italian Market
Seafood
Chesapeake Seafood House
3045 E. Clear Lake Ave.
217-522-5220
Finalists: Carter's Fish Market, Happy Sushi, VELE, Aunt Lou's Soul Food, Yummy Crab, Luminary Kitchen & Provisions
Server & location
Bri - Ramona Tacos + Mezcal
4403 Yucan Dr.
217-970-5065
Finalists: Kayla Gruber – The Creek in Chatham, Tyler Estell – Luminary Kitchen & Provisions, Titi – Charlie Parker's, Betsey – Yummy Bowl, Shawna Stevenson – Smokey Bones
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 Express, Clay's Popeye's BBQ, Sharks Fish & Chicken
Sports bar and grill
Route 66 MotorHeads Bar & Grill, Museum & Entertainment Complex
600 Toronto Rd.
217-679-7323
Finalists: Home Plate Bar & Grill, The Corner Pub and Grill, D'Arcy's Pint, Finley's Tap House, The Shed
Sub/Sandwich
Head West Sub Stop
2432 Denver Dr., 217-744-7990
1124 W. Jefferson St., 217-793-9101
530 E. Capitol Ave., 217-789-9101
3311 Robbins Rd., 217-726-9202
,
Finalists: Monty's Submarines, Jersey Mike's Subs, Jimmy John's, Sapori Pizzeria & Italian Market
Sushi
Happy Sushi
846 South Grand Ave. E.
217-528-9799
Finalists: Mimosa Vietnamese and Thai Restaurant, Izumi Rotary and Bar, Osaka Japanese Restaurant, Hunan Restaurant
Tacos
The Taco Joint
710 South Grand Ave. E.
Finalists: Taco Gringo, AZ-T-CA, Xochimilco, Chadito's Mexican American Grill
Take out
Bernie and Betty's Pizza
1101 S. Spring St.
217-528-1821
Finalists: Magic Kitchen, Little Saigon, Mekong Café, Sapori Pizzeria & Italian Market
Vegetarian-friendly
Legacy Pointe Eatery
1130 Legacy Pointe Dr.
217-670-1217
Finalists: Pita-or-Bowl, Yummy Bowl, Mekong Café, Luminary Kitchen & Provisions
Wedding cakes
Incredibly Delicious
925 S. Seventh St.
217-528-8548
Finalists: Cakes By Ashley, The Cake Shoppe, Wildflower Bakery, Mockingbird Bakery
Winery
Danenberger Family Vineyards
12341 Irish Rd., New Berlin
217-488-6321
Finalists: Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant, West of Wise Winery, Hill Prairie Winery, Arpeggio Winery, Vixen Hill Winery
Wings
Westwoods Lodge Pub & Grill
2406 W. Jefferson St.
217-698-9256
Finalists: Wing Stop, Buffalo Wild Wings, Wings Etc., Curve Inn, The Shed
