PLACES
Best Restaurant: Inexpensive (under $10)
Winner: Chela’s
chelas.co/index.html
Runner-Up: Jerusalem Garden
Best Restaurant: Overall
Winner: Amadeus Restaurant
amadeusrestaurant.com
Runner-Up: Zingerman’s Roadhouse
Best “Splurge” Restaurant
Winner: Sava’s
savasannarbor.com
Runner-Up: Weber’s
Best View
Winner: The Boro
theborotogo.com
Runner-Up: Johnny’s on the Lake
Best Outdoor Patio/Dining
Winner: The Session Room
sessionrooma2.com
Runner-Up: Bigalora
Best Waterfront Dining
Winner: Zukey Lake Tavern
zukeylaketavern.com
Runner-Up: Webber’s Waterfront Restaurant
Hidden Gem
Winner: Dolores
doloresypsi.com
6 S. Washington St., Ypsilanti. 734-547-3727. Doloresypsi.com.
The heart of Ypsilanti hides some of the best spots in Washtenaw County. One of the best-kept secrets is Dolores, a small Mexican restaurant that hides around the corner from Red Rock Barbecue. The tricky part is finding it. Dolores has managed to make itself a hidden gem by keeping its outside unmarked. The lack of marking can make it difficult to find, but once you find it, you won’t want to leave. Dolores works in an a la carte style, where you can pick out a wide range of foods to try. The menu is short, sweet, and authentic, and even includes a few vegetarian options for those who want to avoid any type of meat. Although the menu may seem a little too short to some, there is enough variety present to let patrons try all sorts of different flavor combinations to find the perfect mix. Due to COVID, the restaurant is currently only open two days a week. However, you can still stop by two days a week to try some of these tasty tacos, tostadas, and quesadillas the restaurant has to offer. It’s the perfect place to pick a dish and share with friends to try the different options Dolores has to offer!
Runner-Up: Jefferson Market
Fast-Casual Eatery
Winner: First Bite
firstbitefoods.com
Runner-Up: Frita Batidos
First Date Restaurant
Winner: Amadeus Restaurant
amadeusrestaurant.com
Runner-Up: Miss Kim
Mom & Pop Restaurant
Winner: The Jefferson Market
thejeffersonmarket.com
Runner-Up: Alpha Coney Island
New Restaurant
Winner: The Boro
5400 Plymouth Rd., Ann Arbor. 734-669-3310. theborotogo.com.
Want something new to try? Head on over to The Boro in the picturesque village of Dixboro. The restaurant is settled in a century-old barn that was originally erected in the 1880s but has been utilized as a restaurant since 1934. The restaurant opened during the pandemic and is spearheaded by Adventura and Seva owner, Sava Farah. With chef Louis Maldonado and baker Annemarie Maldonado, the team has created a beautiful, rustic restaurant with a beautiful backdrop. The Boro holds a rustic feel, which pairs perfectly with the rustic style of food. The Boro has both a dine-in menu and a take-out menu, providing patrons with options on how they want to dine. For the dine-in menu, you can try the entrees they have to offer. This includes caramelized scallops, roasted half duck, or even the bone-in ‘prime’ filet! If you’re on the go, the take-out menu can give you a variety of items that travel well. Whatever way to dine you choose, you definitely should at least try one of their pizzas. The Boro has redone their location to accommodate the menu item that the restaurant wanted to focus on: wood-fired pizzas. There are a variety of pizzas you can pick up, and each one will appeal to your taste buds.
Runner-Up: Bellflower
Old School Favorite
Winner: Knight’s Steakhouse
knightsrestaurants.com
Runner-Up: Fleetwood
Restaurant You Want to Try
Winner: The Boro
theborotogo.com
Runner-Up: Paesanos
Restaurant to Take a Foodie
Winner: Zingermans’ Roadhouse
zingermansroadhouse.com
Runner-Up: Bellflower
Place for a Late Night Munchies
Winner: Fleetwood Diner
orderfleetwooddiner.com
Runner-Up: Kosmo
Place for a Business Lunch
Winner: Zingerman’s Roadhouse
zingermansroadhouse.com
Runner-Up: Carlyle
Place to Impress Your Date
Winner: Blue LLama Jazz Club
314 S. Main St., Ann Arbor. 734-372-3200. bluellamaclub.com.
Since the Blue LLama opened, it’s brought some of the best jazz shows to Ann Arbor into an intimate setting. Paired with the sophisticated ambiance, it makes for the perfect place to impress your date! The lighting in the venue is low, which creates a romantic atmosphere for dates. The ceiling is sprinkled with lights that glow and twinkle, giving the feeling of eating below the stars. Each table has its own lighting as well, which keeps seeing your date and dinner easy while ensuring the jazz musicians are easily visible for all audience members. Everyone is spaced out well enough that you don’t feel too close to the tables next to you. Our suggestion would be to select a high-top table when possible. Although it seems like these tables would be too far from the stage, the higher-up position makes it the ideal place to have a quiet dinner for two while never missing a note. And don’t get us started on the food. Every plate is delicious and ideal for sharing with the person you’re trying to impress. If you’re wanting to make an impression on your date, the Blue LLama Jazz Club is the place to go!
Runner-Up: The Earle
Place to Be Seen
Winner: Cafe Zola
bistrozola.com
Runner-Up: Zingerman’s
Restaurant: Ann Arbor
Winner: Amadeus Restaurant
amadeusrestaurant.com
Runner-Up: Real Seafood Co.
Restaurant: Brighton
Winner: Brighton Bar & Grill
brightonbarandgrill.com
Runner-Up: Bourbon’s
Restaurant: Chelsea
Winner: The Common Grill
commongrill.com
Runner-Up: Grateful Crow
Restaurant: Dexter
Winner: Dexter’s Pub
dexterspub.com
Runner-Up: Jolly Pumpkin
Restaurant: Plymouth
Winner: Campari’s on the Park
comparisdining.com
Runner-Up: Park Place Gastropub
Restaurant: Saline
Winner: Salt Springs Brewery
saltspringsbrewery.com
Runner-Up: Mac’s Arcadian Seafood
Restaurant: Ypsilanti
Winner: Bellflower
bellflowerypsi.com
Runner-Up: Maiz Mexican Cantina
Restaurant Worth a Drive
Winner: Shorty’s True American Roadhouse
shortystoledo.com
Runner-Up: AQUA Restaurant
Spot for Breakfast
Winner: Northside Grill
sites.google.com/site/thenorthsidegrilla2
Runner-Up: Avalon
Spot for Brunch
Winner: Cafe Zola
bistrozola.com
Runner-Up: Avalon
Best Use of Local Ingredients
Winner: Maiz Mexican Cantina
maizmexican.com
Let’s face it: Nothing is better than delicious tacos made from local ingredients. Maiz Mexican Cantina is the perfect example of how to best use local ingredients. The restaurant provides both indoor and outdoor seating, making every spot comfortable for patrons. If you get a seat outside, you may even have a chance to wave as the passenger trains pass by! And the food at Maiz is nothing short of phenomenal. Chef’s prepare food from scratch daily. They obtain local ingredients from local purveyors as well, which is something you notice with your first bite. Each bite contains some of the best local ingredients combined in a perfectly balanced Tex-Mex dish. We could recommend a specific dish but, to be honest, everything we’ve tried here has been phenomenal. The burritos are stuffed full with a delicious mix of fresh vegetables and meat. Or you can get it as a vegetarian dish, no problem. The chips and salsa (which is provided to each table) are crisp, delicious, and are definitely prone to filling you up before your meal if you’re not being careful. Maiz doesn’t know what it means to make a bad dish, and it’s amazing.
Runner-Up: Spencer
Spot for Lunch
Winner: Jerusalem Garden
jerusalemgarden.net
Runner-Up: Amadeus Restaurant
Food Truck
Winner: Bao Boys
instagram.com/baoboysaa
Runner-Up: Shimmy Shack
PEOPLE
Best Baristas
Winner: Arbor Farms
arborfarms.com
Runner-Up: Hyperion Coffee
Best Bartenders
Winner: Wolverine State Brewing Company
wolverinebeer.com
Runner-Up: Frasers
Best Brewer
Winner: Nick Panchame, HOMES Brewery
homesbrewery.com
Runner-Up: 734 Brewing Company
Best Chef
Winner: Chef Christian at The Ravens Club
theravensclub.com
Runner-Up: Eve Aronoff Fernandez at Frita Batidos
Best Overall Staff
Winner: The Last Word
thelastwordbar.com
Runner-Up: Aventura
Farmers Market Vendor
Winner: Sparr’s Flowers & Greenhouse
sparrsfloral.com
Runner-Up: Spicey Mike’s
Local Food Supporter
Winner: Argus Farm Stop
argusfarmstop.com
Runner-Up: Growing Hope
Coffee Roaster
Winner: RoosRoast Coffee
roosroast.com
Runner-Up: Hyperion
Pastry Chef/Baker
Winner: Ellen Whitehat from Ellen’s Fine Goods
ellensfinegoods.com
Runner-Up: The Chop House
Restaurateur
Winner: Paul Strozynski from Amadeus
amadeusrestaurant.com
Runner-Up: Jon Carlson from Sava
Cooking Classes
Winner: Zingerman’s
zingermans.com
Runner-Up: Last Bite Chef
POTIONS
Bar: Ann Arbor
Winner: The Last Word
thelastwordbar.com
Runner-Up: Ann Arbor Distilling Co.
Bar: Saline
Winner: Salt Springs Brewery
saltspringsbrewery.com
Runner-Up: Smokehouse 52 BBQ
Bar: Dexter
Winner: Beer Grotto Dexter
dextergrotto.com
Runner-Up: Jolly Pumpkin
Bar: Chelsea
Winner: Robin Hills Farm
robinhillsfarm.com
Runner-Up: Ugly Dog Distillery
Bar: Ypsilanti
Winner: Maiz Mexican Cantina
maizmexican.com
Runner-Up: The Wurst Bar
Bar: Brighton
Winner: Brighton Bar and Grille
brightonbarandgrill.com
Runner-Up: Stout Irish Pub
Best Bar Overall
Winner: The Last Word
thelastwordbar.com
Runner-Up: Nightcap
Dive Bar
Winner: 8-Ball
blindpigmusic.com/8-ball
Runner-Up: Alley Bar
Wine List
Winner: Vinology Restaurant & Event Space
vinologya2.com
Runner-Up: Blue LLama Jazz Club
Craft Cocktail Selection
Winner: The Last Word
thelastwordbar.com
Runner-Up: Bobcat Bonnie’s
Local Spirits
Winner: Ann Arbor Distilling Company
annarbordistilling.com
Runner-Up: River Raisin Distillery
Happy Hour
Winner: Maiz Mexican Cantina
maizmexican.com
Runner-Up: Real Seafood
Hangover Cure
Winner: Frita Batidos
117 W. Washington St., Ann Arbor. 734-761-2882. fritabatidos.com.
Have you ever tried a frita after a night of partying? If not, then you need to head down to Frita Batidos. A Frita is a burger that is made with spicy chorizo and is served with shoestring fries on top of a soft egg bun. It’s the perfect combination to absorb your long party night! Frita Batidos also offers a variety of variations of the frita if you’re looking for something that better fits your diet, culture, or religion. If chorizo isn’t for you, Frita Batidos also offers chicken, black bean, beef, or fish instead. If possible, you should make your frita loco. This will add muenster cheese, a sunny side-up egg, cilantro-lime salsa, tropical slaw, and avocado spread. What’s more, each ingredient at Frita Batidos is from Michigan or the Midwest whenever possible. The fresh meat is obtained from farms that only use humane practices, and they’re always looking for local, humane farms or purveyors to add to their resources. Check out their Menu Guide for all the vegetarian, gluten-free, vegan, and other dietary options that are present on their menu. If you feel the frita isn’t soaking up your night out fast enough, you could also take the hair-of-the-dog approach and pick up a batido. These shakes are served with a little rum, but you can also get it without rum and it’s just as delicious.
Runner-Up: Fleetwood Diner
Locally Brewed Beer
Winner: Wolverine State Brewing Company
wolverinebeer.com
Runner-Up: Arbor Brewing Company
Place to Buy Local Beer
Winner: Arbor Farms
arborfarms.com
Runner-Up: Jolly Pumpkin
Place to Drink Local Beer
Winner: Wolverine State Brewing Company
wolverinebeer.com
Runner-Up: Corner Brewery
Bloody Mary
Winner: Gandy Dancer
gandydancerrestaurant.com
Runner-Up: Bobcat Bonnies
Margarita
Winner: Maiz Mexican Cantina
maizmexican.com
Runner-Up: Isalita
Martini
Winner: Blue Llama Jazz Club
bluellamaclub.com
Runner-Up: Alley Bar
Uncommon Cocktail
Winner: Bobcat Bonnie’s
bobcatbonnies.com
Runner-Up: The Last Word
PLATES
Creative Burger
Winner: Amadeus Restaurant
amadeusrestaurant.com
Runner-Up: HopCat
Creative Pizzas
Winner: Blaze
blazepizza.com
Runner-Up: Anthony’s Pizza
Steak
Winner: Knight’s on Dexter’s Road
knightsrestaurants.com
Runner-Up: Chop House
Sushi
Winner: Yotsuba
yotsuba-restaurant.com
Runner-Up: Godaiko
Falafel/Gyro
Winner: Jerusalem Garden
jerusalemgarden.net
Runner-Up: Palm Palace
Mac N’ Cheese
Winner: Zingerman’s Roadhouse
zingermansroadhouse.com
Runner-Up: Wolverine State Brewing Co.
Pie
Winner: Big Bear BBQ
instagram.com/bigbear_bbq
Runner-Up: Grand Traverse Pie
Ribs
Winner: Big Bear BBQ
instagram.com/bigbear_bbq
Runner-Up: Wolverine State Brewing Co.
Tacos
Winner: Maiz Mexican Cantina
maizmexican.com
Runner-Up: Chela’s
Pasta Dish
Winner: Palio
paliorestaurant.com
Runner-Up: Mani Osteria and Bar
Killer Salads
Winner: Seva
sevarestaurant.com
Runner-Up: Knight’s on Dexter
Wings
Winner: Ma Lou’s Chicken
ma-lous.com
Runner-Up: Wing Stop
Desserts
Winner: Big Bear BBQ
instagram.com/bigbear_bbq
Runner-Up: Zingerman’s Bakehouse
Gluten-Free Options
Winner: The Blue Nile
bluenilemi.com
Runner-Up: Anna’s House
Vegan Options
Winner: Seva
sevarestaurant.com
Runner-Up: Detroit Filling Station
Vegetarian Options
Winner: Seva
sevarestaurant.com
Runner-Up: The Blue Nile
Most Instragram-Worthy Plates
Winner: Chef G
instagram.com/_chef_g_
Runner-Up: Pacific Rim
Comfort Food
Winner: Zingerman’s Roadhouse
2501 Jackson Ave., Ann Arbor. 734-663-3663. zingermansroadhouse.com.
Zingerman’s is a nationally recognized restaurant. People from across the country come to Ann Arbor to try some of the delicious sandwiches. But Zingerman’s Roadhouse brings something a little more comforting to the table. Zingerman’s Roadhouse has some of the best comfort foods in the area. It’s not just about their delicious Poutine and Chili & Cheddar Fries, either. They also offer some delicious BBQ meats, provided by pit-master Ed Mitchell. The BBQ at Zingerman’s Roadhouse is made using traditional methods, which means the meats are slow-cooked over a wood-fired open pit. This gives their BBQ the perfect amount of time it needs to be packed full of flavor. For those not really interested in the meat aspect, you can indulge in a variety of their macaroni and cheese. The Cabot cheddar that is caramelized with the Martelli pasta makes it all worthwhile. Maybe you’re just looking to get something comforting while heading up to the next University of Michigan Football game? Good news! Zingerman’s Roadhouse also provides tailgating catering, making it the perfect place to get something tasty before heading out into the cold stadium. Those looking for a taste of something delicious yet comforting should definitely try Zingerman’s Roadhouse.
Runner-Up: The Bomber
Appetizers
Winner: Wolverine State Brewing Company
wolverinebeer.com
Runner-Up: Bobcat Bonnie’s
Healthy Fast Food
Winner: Core Life Eatery
corelifeeatery.com
Runner-Up: KouZina Greek Street Food
