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Best of 2016: Dining JUNE 29, 2016 BY HEATHER LESZCZEWICZ (HTTP://MAKEITBETTER.NET/AUTHOR/HEATHERL/) PRINT (HTTP://MAKEITBETTER.NET/DINING/BEST-OF-2016-DINING/PRINT/)
Lou Malnati's (Photos courtesy of each winner.)
Make It Better’s Best of 2016 drew more than 168,000 votes across 11 categories. Share your thoughts with us on social media using the hashtag #Bestof2016.
Best Burger (Suburbs) Edzo’s Burger Shop (http://edzos.com/) The undisputed suburban burger champ for five years running. 1571 Sherman Ave., Evanston (http://edzos.com/)
Best Burger (Chicago)
!
Au Cheval (http://auchevalchicago.com/) A burger that will make you salivate and is worth the long wait. 800 W. Randolph St., Chicago
Best Burger (Chain) Shake Shack (https://www.shakeshack.com/) While burger chains can be hit or miss, you can’t go wrong with these juicy burgers and craveable milkshakes. Various locations
Best Pizza (Suburbs) Lou Malnati’s (http://www.loumalnatis.com/) When you think of Chicago pizza, the Lou’s pies are the epitome of deep dish. Various locations (http://www.loumalnatis.com/)
Best Pizza (Chicago) Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Co. (http://chicagopizzaandovengrinder.com/) Delicious pizza enjoyed amidst an old-school Chicago atmosphere filled with delicious pizza. 2121 N. Clark St., Chicago
Best Cocktail Bar (Suburbs) Ward Eight (http://www.wardeight.com/) A four-time winner offering stellar cocktails and a speakeasy atmosphere. 629 Howard St., Evanston
Best Cocktail Bar (Chicago) The Aviary (https://theaviary.com/site/) Cocktails go beyond simple mixology at The Aviary. Go for the mixology, stay for the experience. 955 W. Fulton Market, Chicago
Best Barbecue Smoque BBQ (http://smoquebbq.com/) Get your fill of brisket, pulled pork, chicken or Texas sausage and don’t forget the sides! 3800 N. Pulaski, Chicago
Best Sweet Bakery (Suburbs) | Best Donuts Bennison’s Bakery (http://bennisonscakes.com/)
Bennison’s Bakery repeats as a fan favorite for delectable treats. 1000 Davis St., Evanston
Best Sweet Bakery (Chicago) | Best Cupcakes Sweet Mandy B’s (http://sweetmandybs.com/) We’ll take a dozen cupcakes with dreamy buttercream frosting, and we don’t want to share. 1208 W. Webster Ave., Chicago (http://sweetmandybs.com/)
Best Bread Bakery Hewn (http://hewnbread.com/) Crusty loaves of bread, flakey pastries … what more could you want? 810 Dempster St., Evanston (http://hewnbread.com/)
Best Brunch (Suburbs) | Best Neighborhood Hangout Ten Mile House (http://www.tmhevanston.com/) Choosing what to eat for brunch will be the hardest decision you make all weekend. 1700 Central St., Evanston
Best Brunch (Chicago) “The Lobby” at the Peninsula Hotel (http://chicago.peninsula.com/en/fine-dining) If you’re looking for an elegant brunch, this is where it’s at. 108 E. Superior St., Chicago
Best Breakfast Walker Bros. Pancake House (http://walkerbros.net/) It’s all about the pancakes. Various locations (http://walkerbros.net/)
Best Gourmet Market Foodstuffs (http://www.foodstuffs.com/) All the gourmet products, plus in-house creations, you’d want. (Don’t miss their pudding.) Various locations (http://www.foodstuffs.com/)
Best Wine Store
Schaefer’s Wines, Foods & Spirits (http://schaefers.com/) Having been around since 1936, these folks knows a thing or two about wine. 9965 Gross Point Road
Best Coffee Glenview Grind (http://www.glenviewgrind.com/) A great cup of joe with a side of giving back to area nonprofits. We love that. 989 Waukegan Road, Glenview (http://www.glenviewgrind.com/)
Hippest North Suburban Restaurant | Best Al Fresco Dining (Suburbs) Found Kitchen and Social House (http://www.foundkitchen.com/) Retaining its title of hippest, Found is also the place to dine outdoors in the suburbs this year. A farmto-table audience favorite you don’t want to miss. 1631 Chicago Ave., Evanston (http://www.foundkitchen.com/)
Best Al Fresco Dining (Chicago) FIG & OLIVE (http://www.figandolive.com/) The garden terrace is a fabulous spot to grab a glass of wine or a bite to eat. 104 East Oak St., Chicago
Most Romantic Dining (Suburbs) Oceanique (http://www.oceanique.com/) Perfect for date night and a bit of romance. 505 Main St., Evanston
Most Romantic Dining (Chicago) North Pond (http://northpondrestaurant.com/) Nothing says romance like an unparalleled location within Lincoln Park, stunning views of the skyline and a Michelin-starred chef. 2610 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago (http://northpondrestaurant.com/)
Best Italian (Suburbs) Campagnola (http://campagnolarestaurant.com/)
Find all of your favorite Italian comfort foods with a little bit of modern flair. 815 Chicago Ave., Evanston
Best Italian (Chicago) Spiaggia (http://www.spiaggiarestaurant.com/) This three-time Best Of winner serves up four-star Italian food that is both simple and elegant. 980 N. Michigan Ave., 2nd floor, Chicago
Best Asian Koi (http://koievanston.com/) Look no further for authentic Chinese cuisine than Koi with its bold flavors and tastes from all over the region. 624 Davis St., Evanston (http://koievanston.com/)
Best Grocery Store Mariano’s (http://www.marianos.com/) From organic to prepared offerings, there’s a new grocery leader in town. Various locations
Best Steakhouse (Suburbs) Pete Miller’s (http://petemillers.com/) Eat a juicy steak while being serenaded by jazz artists. 1557 Sherman Ave., Evanston
Best Steakhouse (Chicago) Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse (http://www.gibsonssteakhouse.com/) Calling all carnivores to this repeat winner in this category. 1028 N. Rush St., Chicago (http://www.gibsonssteakhouse.com/)
Best Ice Cream Homer’s Ice Cream (http://homersicecream.com/) A North Shore staple since the 1930s, a summer wouldn’t be complete without a trip. 1237 Green Bay Road, Wilmette (http://homersicecream.com/)
Best Mexican/Latin
Depot Nuevo (http://depotnuevo.com/) Grab a margarita while you wait for your pleasingly spicy meal. 1139 Wilmette Ave., Wilmette
Best New Restaurant (Opened Since September 2015) Napolita (http://www.napolitapizza.com/) Neapolitan-style pizza? Get it fresh from the wood-burning oven. 1126 Central Ave, Wilmette (http://www.napolitapizza.com/)
Best Sandwich Nick’s Bar & Grill (http://www.nickswilmette.com/) Sandwiches made from locally sourced, high-quality ingredients make for a happy meal. 1168 Wilmette Ave., Wilmette (http://www.nickswilmette.com/)
Best Sushi Coast (http://coastsushi.net/) Bust out the chopsticks for a California roll or a fresh piece of tuna nigiri or a signature roll (White Dragon, anyone?). 2545 Prairie Ave., Evanston
Best Juice/Smoothie Peeled (http://peeledjuicebar.com/) Drink to your health with a daily dose of fruits and veggies. 940 Church St., Evanston
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Paul Galus · Technical Support Specialist 2 at Advocate Dreyer Lou Malnati's? Really? You need to branch out to Pequod's... and not only eat it while it's hot, but reheated the next day. Like · Reply · Jul 21, 2016 6:23am Facebook Comments Plugin
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