Bartender & location
Natalie Bernal – Luminary Kitchen & Provisions
3121 Hedley Road, (217) 679-1819
Finalists: Alyssa – Locals, Katie Hopper – The Wakery, Katie Kauffman – Coz’s Pizza and Pub, Shane G. – Papa Frank’s
Beer garden
Obed and Isaac’s Microbrewery & Eatery
500 S. Sixth St., (217) 670-0627
Finalists: Route 66 Motorheads Bar, Grill & Museum, Locals, Clique, Boone’s, Sangamo Brewing, Restaurant & Museum, 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, Springfield Beer Co., Terra Ferment
Coffee place
Grab-A-Java, Inc.
1702 S. Sixth St., (217) 523-5282
3115 Hedley Road, (217) 698-9773
300 Chatham Rd., (217) 670-1353
Finalists: Hae’s Bakery and Coffee Shoppe, Yellow Bird Coffee House, Custom Cup, The Wakery
Craft brewery
Obed and Isaac’s Microbrewery & Eatery
500 S. Sixth St., (217) 670-0627
Finalists: Hand of Fate Brewing Company, Buzz Bomb Brewing Co., Anvil & Forge Brewing and Distilling, Springfield Beer Co
Happy hour
Boone’s
301 W. Edwards St., (217) 679-3752
Finalists: JP Kelly’s, Luminary Kitchen & Provisions, Buzz Bomb Brewing Co., Locals
Juice or smoothie bar
Smoothie King
605 W. Jefferson Street, (217) 670-1962
Finalists: Shake This Eat That, Little Saigon, Genius Mango Smoothie, Mimosa Vietnamese and Thai Restaurant
Margaritas
Blue Margarita Mexican Bar & Grill
3151 Horizon Drive, (217) 670-1394
Finalists: AZ-T-CA, Xochimilco, Roots Latin Grill, La Fiesta Grande, Tacology 201
New bar (opened after 8/1/22)
The Wakery
5 W. Old State Capitol Plaza
Finalists: The Shed – Pawnee, Ad Astra Wine Market and Bar, Bar Bella, The Range Bourbon & Brew
Overall bar
Curve Inn
3219 S. Sixth St., (217) 529-5806
Finalists: Obed and Isaac’s Microbrewery & Eatery, The Wakery, Clique, Locals, Ad Astra Wine Market and Bar
Specialty cocktail & location name
Bloody Mary at JP Kelly’s
300 E. Adams St., (217) 753-7933
Finalists: Watermelon Crawl – Broadgauge, Espresso Martini – The Wakery, The Ad Astra – Ad Astra Wine Market and Bar, Dungeon Master – Ad Astra Wine Market and Bar
Tea
Whimsy Tea Company
316 E. Adams St., (217) 331-6920
Finalists: Grab-A-Java, Inc., BUNN Gourmet, The Wakery, Stella Coffee & Tea
Wine bar
Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant
2501 Wabash Ave., (217) 321-9100
Finalists: 1st and 3rd Boutique & Wine Bar, Ad Astra Wine Market and Bar, It’s All About Wine, Curate
Winery
Danenberger Family Vineyards
12341 Irish Road, New Berlin, (217) 488-6321
Finalists: Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant, Hill Prairie Winery, West of Wise Winery, Arpeggio Winery
Food
Bakery
Incredibly Delicious
925 S. Seventh St., (217) 528-8548
Finalists: Scoop Du Jour, Mockingbird Bakery, Beelzebunz, Golden Hour Bake House
BBQ
Mission BBQ
2401 Wabash Ave., (217) 275-5610
Finalists: Twyford BBQ, Broadgauge, Hickory River Smokehouse, Smokey Bones, PT’s BBQ
Breakfast
Charlie Parker’s Diner
700 W. North St., (217) 241-2104
Finalists: Le Peep, Brunchfield Café, Lulu’s Diner, Incredibly Delicious
Brunch
Luminary Kitchen & Provisions
3121 Hedley Road, (217) 679-1819
Finalists: Biscuits + Brunch, Brunchfield Café, Boone’s, Legacy Pointe 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, 3rd Shift Kitchen by Floyd’s
Cajun seafood
Chesapeake Seafood House
3045 E. Clear Lake Ave., (217) 522-5220
Finalists: Brunchfield Café, 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, Twyford BBQ, Hamilton’s Catering, Conn’s Catering
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Chef
Jordan and Aurora Coffey, Luminary Kitchen & Provisions
3121 Hedley Road, (217) 679-1819
Finalists: Brady Thompson – Legacy Pointe Eatery, Keith Loukinen – Loukinens’ on 4th, Michael Higgins – Maldaner’s Restaurant & Catering, Nathan Peak – Anvil & Forge Brewing and Distilling
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: Dew Chilli Parlor, Cook’s Spice Rack & Chili, Dublin Pub, Lake Springfield Tavern
Chinese
Mimosa Vietnamese and Thai Restaurant
4201 Wabash Ave., (217) 787-7733
Finalists: China Star, Little Saigon, Mekong Café, Sunny China
Cookies
Café Moxo
411 E. Adams St., (217) 788-8084
Finalists: Incredibly Delicious, Apple Barn, Mockingbird Bakery, Beelzebunz
Country Fried Steak
Cracker Barrel
5975 S. Sixth St., (217) 529-2290
Finalists: Charlie Parker’s Diner, Boyd’s New Generation Restaurant and Catering, Texas Roadhouse, Mama Lee’s Sandbar
Diner
Charlie Parker’s Diner
700 W. North St., (217) 241-2104
Finalists: Star 66 Café, Ritz’s Lil Fryer, Lulu’s Diner, Brunchfield Cafe
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, Three Twigs Bakery, Golden Hour Bake House
Drive thru
Grab-A-Java, Inc.
1702 S. Sixth St., (217) 523-5282
3115 Hedley Rd., (217) 698-9773
300 Chatham Rd., (217) 670-1353
Finalists: Chick-fil-A, Abelardo’s Mexican Fresh, Chadito’s, Maid-Rite
Farm-to-table restaurant
Broadgauge
101 N. Seventh St., Petersburg, (217) 386-5669
Finalists: Luminary Kitchen & Provisions, Engrained, Curate, Maldaner’s Restaurant & Catering
Fine dining
Vele
3241 W. Iles Ave., (217) 210-2177
Finalists: Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant, Bella Milano, Broadgauge, Luminary Kitchen & Provisions
Food delivery
Antonio’s Pizza
antonios-pizza.com
Finalists: Café Moxo, Jimmy John’s, Nancy’s Pizza, Flavor of India
Food truck
The Taco Joint
230½ South Grand Ave. E.
Finalists: Vose Korndogs, Twyford BBQ, AZ-T-CA, Genius Mango Smoothie, Vessini Concessions
Fried chicken
County Market
2777 S. Sixth St., (217) 744-2290
1501 S. Dirksen Parkway, (217) 525-2372
1903 W. Monroe St., (217) 546-8671
Finalists: Track Shack, Pizza Ranch, Route 66 Motorheads Bar, Grill & Museum, Lake Springfield Tavern
Fried fish
Carter’s Fish Market
1900 South Grand Ave. East, (217) 525-2571
Finalists: Chesapeake Seafood House, Dublin Pub, Dolphin Chicken, Fish and Grill, Locals
Gluten-free menu
Legacy Pointe Eatery
1130 Legacy Pointe Drive, (217) 670-1217
Finalists: Tacology 201, Broadgauge, Golden Hour Bake House, Beelzebunz
Gyro
Gyro Stop
2907 S. MacArthur Blvd., (217) 698-6463
Finalists: Yannis Gyros, Pita-or-Bowl, Mr Gyros, Dolphin Chicken, Fish and Grill
Horseshoe
D’Arcy’s Pint
661 W. Stanford Ave., (217) 492-8800
Finalists: Dublin Pub, The Corner Pub and Grill, Charlie Parker’s Diner, Locals
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
Italian
Razzo’s Family Pizzeria
129 S. John St., Rochester, (217) 498-9565
Finalists: Bella Milano, Saputo’s, Papa Frank’s, Joe Gallina’s Pizza & Restaurant
Japanese
Osaka Japanese Restaurant
1665 Wabash Ave., (217) 726-8037
Finalists: Mimosa Vietnamese and Thai Restaurant, Happy Sushi, Hibachi Madness, Bowl Plus
Late-night eats location
Star 66 Cafe
3752 Camp Butler Road, (217) 523-0611
Finalists: Obed and Isaac’s Microbrewery & Eatery, Bill’s Toasty Shop, Dublin Pub, 3rd Shift Kitchen by Floyd’s
Mexican restaurant
Xochimilco
2941 W. Iles Ave., (217) 546-3116
3210 Northfield Drive, (217) 544-9206
Finalists: AZ-T-CA, The Taco Joint, Tacology 201, Blue Margarita Mexican Bar & Grill
New restaurant
Legacy Pointe Eatery
1130 Legacy Pointe Drive, (217) 670-1217
Finalists: Ugly Restaurant & Bar, Yellow Bird Coffee House, 3rd Shift Kitchen by Floyd’s, Good Decisions at Danenberger Family Vineyards
Outdoor dining
Obed and Isaac’s Microbrewery & Eatery
500 S. Sixth St., (217) 670-0627
Finalists: Home Plate Bar & Grill, Incredibly Delicious, Curate, Maldaner’s Restaurant & Catering
Overall restaurant
D’Arcy’s Pint
661 W. Stanford Ave., (217) 492-8800
Finalists: Route 66 Motorheads Bar, Grill & Museum, Luminary Kitchen & Provisions, Broadgauge, Legacy Pointe Eatery
Pizza
Bernie and Betty’s
1101 S. Spring St., (217) 528-1821
Finalists: DiCarlo’s Pizza – Virden, Antonio’s Pizza, La Piazza, Anvil & Forge Brewing and Distilling, Coz’s Pizza and Pub
Place for date night
Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant
2501 Wabash Ave., (217) 321-9100
Finalists: Vele, Bella Milano, Broadgauge, Curate, Luminary Kitchen & Provisions
Place for Steak
Old Luxemburg Inn
1900 S. 15th St., (217) 528-0503
Finalists: Alexander’s Steakhouse, Texas Roadhouse, LongHorn Steakhouse, Vele
Restaurant for dessert
BUNN Gourmet
2941 Plaza Drive, (217) 793-1840
Finalists: Incredibly Delicious, Luminary Kitchen & Provisions, Broadgauge, Beelzebunz
Seafood
Chesapeake Seafood House
3045 E. Clear Lake Ave., (217) 522-5220
Finalists: Carter’s Fish Market, Happy Sushi, Vele, Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant
Server
Jake Hankins – Dublin Pub
1975 Wabash Ave., (217) 793-6871
Finalists: Niki – Luminary Kitchen & Provisions, Rick Ramsey – Broadgauge, Ryanne Gleason – Brunchfield Café, Kensey – The Wakery
Soul food
Boyd’s New Generation Restaurant and Catering
1831 South Grand Ave. East, (217) 544-9866
Finalists: MJ’s Fish and Chicken, Clay’s Popeye’s BBQ, Ms. D’s Kitchen
Sports bar and grill
Route 66 Motorheads Bar, Grill & Museum
600 Toronto Road, (217) 679-7323
Finalists: Home Plate Bar & Grill, The Corner Pub and Grill, Brickhouse Grill & Pub, Burger Bar and Backdoor Lounge, Dublin Pub
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, Firehouse Subs
Sushi
Happy Sushi
846 South Grand Ave. E., (217) 528-9799
Finalists: Mimosa Vietnamese and Thai Restaurant, Osaka Japanese Restaurant, Pao Bistro, Hunan Restaurant
Tacos
The Taco Joint
230½ South Grand Ave. E.
Finalists: Tacology 201, Xochimilco, AZ-T-CA, Taco Gringo, Abelardo’s Mexican Fresh
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Take out
Magic Kitchen
115 N. Lewis St., (217) 525-6975
4112 N. Peoria Road, (217) 525-2230
Finalists: Bernie and Betty’s, Little Saigon, Bella Milano, Mekong Café, Tacology 201
Thai
Magic Kitchen
115 N. Lewis St., (217) 525-6975
Finalists: Mekong Café, Little Saigon, Mimosa Vietnamese and Thai Restaurant, Thai Kitchen 2, Hawaiian BBQ
Vegetarian-friendly
Pita-or-Bowl
848 South Grand Ave. E., (217) 670-1895
Finalists: Luminary Kitchen & Provisions, Mekong Café, Beelzebunz
Wedding cakes
Incredibly Delicious
925 S. Seventh St., (217) 528-8548
Finalists: Cakes by Ashley, Wildflower Bakery, The Cake Shoppe, Emmy Cakes
Wings
Westwoods Lodge Pub and Grill
2406 W. Jefferson St., (217) 698-9256
Finalists: Buffalo Wild Wings, Coz’s Pizza and Pub, Wings Etc., Locals