New (Opened between Feb '14-Jan '15)

Winner: Seabear Oyster Bar

297 Prince Ave., Ste. 10 · 706-850-4367

There was a niche waiting in Bottleworks for somebody who knows what to do with the best oysters from all over and just the right libations to chase them with. Seabear has nailed it!

Runner Up: Pouch Savory World of Pies

151 E. Broad St. · 706-395-6696

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Italian

Winner: DePalma's Italian Cafe

401 E. Broad St. · 706-354-6966
1965 Barnett Shoals Rd. · 706-369-0085
2080 Timothy Rd. · 706-552-1237

At all three locations you expect freshly made Italian food, including the salads, desserts and drinks that punctuate it perfectly, in comfortably elegant surroundings, and DePalma’s exceeds your expectations every time, every place.

Runner Up: La Dolce Vita

323 E. Broad St. · 706-353-3911

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American

Winner: Clocked!

259 W. Washington St. · 706-548-9175

Clocked! is famous for fast food that tastes like it is slow-cooked gourmet. Take their tater tots—please—as a fine example. Add a burger and a salad, and you’ll understand.

Runner Up: Trappeze Pub

269 W. Washington St. · 706-543-8997

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Asian

Winner: Siri Thai Cuisine

367 Prince Ave. · 706-548-7667
1040 Gaines School Rd. · 706-850-3500

Siri Thai’s menu is a well illustrated book, featuring many pages of items, all with careful attention to taste and presentation.

Runner Up: Thai Spoon

149 N. Lumpkin St. · 706-548-9222

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Sushi

Winner: Shokitini

251 W. Clayton St. · 706-353-7933

Like it raw? Shokitini’s got you covered, with some of the freshest rolls in town, plus creative, delicious nibbles from the kitchen for the less adventurous. Great cocktails, too—and karaoke!

Runner Up: Utage Athens Sushi Bar

440 E Clayton St. · 706-227-9339

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Mexican/Latin American

Winner: Cali-N-Tito's

427 S. Lumpkin St. · 706-227-9979

Bruno Rubio’s flagship resto is a winner for its Latin fare, including yummy sandwiches and Peruvian favorites like Lomo Saltado (basically fajitas with French fries). And don’t get us started on that divine pink sauce.

Runner Up (Tie):

Agua Linda Mexican Restaurant & Cantina

2080 Timothy Rd. · 706-543-0154
1376 Prince Ave. · 706-543-1500

Tlaloc El Mexicano Restaurant

1225 N Chase St. · 706-613-9301

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BBQ

Winner: Pulaski Heights BBQ

675 Pulaski St. Suite 100 · 706-583-9600

Chef Chuck Ramsey took the concept of Southern BBQ and added hip, in-town flair without losing any of that delicious, authentic flavor. Chicken, pork, ribs and brisket are available on plates, sandwiches and salads or by the pound.

Runner Up: White Tiger Gourmet

217 Hiawasee Ave. · 706-353-6847

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Bakery

Winner: Independent Baking Co.

1625 S. Lumpkin St. · 706-850-3550

Independent shows us what bread can be when it is made nearby with fresh ingredients by people who know and care about bread.

Runner Up: Ike and Jane

1307 Prince Ave. · 706-850-1580

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Downhome/Southern

Winner: Mama's Boy

197 Oak St. · 706-548-6249

Mama’s Boy knows how to ply you with Southern comfort food and make you feel like you’re right back down home.

Runner Up: Weaver D's Fine Foods

1016 E. Broad St. · 706-353-7797

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Local Coffee House

Winner: Jittery Joe's Coffee

1860 Barnett Shoals Rd. · 706-354-8000
1480 Baxter St. · 706-548-1099
1230 S. Milledge Ave. · 706-208-1979
297 E. Broad St. · 706-613-7449
425 Barber St. · 706-227-2161
1880 Epps Bridge Parkway · 706-354-8900

The coffee is just as good at every location, but each place has its own ambiance and fits into its own neighborhood just so.

Runner Up: Hendershot's Coffee Bar

237 Prince Ave. · 706-353-3050

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Local Pizza

Winner: Ted's Most Best

254 W. Washington St. · 706-543-1523

Thin crust, just enough choices of toppings and salads, bottled or draft, indoors or out, a dessert case that makes you want to break through the glass: What’s not to like?

Runner Up: Little Italy

125 N. Lumpkin St. · 706-613-7100

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Local Burger

Winner: Clocked!

259 W. Washington St. · 706-548-9175

Local burger may be the toughest call of all, and Clocked! is always the team to beat. Cooked fresh to order, organic, no additives except taste.

Runner Up: Grindhouse Killer Burgers

1553 S. Lumpkin St. · 706-612-9327

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Fries

Winner: Trappeze Pub

269 W. Washington St. · 706-543-8997

Trappeze is known for its beer list, but you’re gonna need something to sop up the suds. Their Belgian fries or sweet potato fries are hot, crispy and come with your choice of sauce. Drool away.

Runner Up: The Grill

171 College Ave. · 706-543-4770

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Burrito

Winner: Barberitos Southwestern Grille and Cantina

259 E. Clayton St. · 706-549-9008
1860 Barnett Shoals Rd. · 706-549-9954
1880 Epps Bridge Rd. · 706-354-0300
1739 S. Lumpkin St. · 706-548-1866

Roll your own with ingredients fresh daily—rice, beans, pico de gallo, cheese, chicken, steak, turkey or tofu; flour, wheat, chipotle or spinach—and you can’t go wrong.

Runner Up: Taco Stand

2230 Barnett Shoals Rd. · 706-549-5481
247 E. Broad St. · 706-549-1446
670 N. Milledge Ave. · 706-549-2894

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Taco

Winner: Taqueria del Sol

334 Prince Ave. · 706-353-3890

Was it the Memphis, the Brisket, the Fried Chicken, the Carnita, the Fish or the Veggie that pushed Taqueria del Sol into the top taco spot? (Answer: All of the above.)

Runner Up: Taco Stand

2230 Barnett Shoals Rd. · 706-549-5481
247 E. Broad St. · 706-549-1446
670 N. Milledge Ave. · 706-549-2894

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Steak

Winner: Porterhouse Grill

459 E. Broad St. · 706-369-0990

If it’s a fancy steak dinner you’re after, there’s no better place than this beloved downtown standby. The affordable weekend brunch buffet is a hit, too.

Runner Up: The Branded Butcher

225 N. Lumpkin St. · 706-850-5152

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Seafood

Winner: Seabear Oyster Bar

297 Prince Ave., Ste. 10 · 706-850-4367

Yes, as crazy good as they are, it’s not just about the oysters. There’s also mini-lobster roll, crab Louie salad, clam chowder (a meal in itself), crab and shrimp cakes, steamed PEI mussels, etc. A new favorite.

Runner Up: Marker 7 Coastal Grill

1195 S. Milledge Ave. · 706-3451

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Wings

Winner: Amici

233 E Clayton St. · 706-353-0000

They’ve got pizza and sandwiches on the menu, too, but the wings are where it’s at: juicy, crispy, with your choice of sauce. Yum.

Runner Up: Locos Grill and Pub

1985 Barnett Shoals Rd. · 706-208-0911
2020 Timothy Rd. · 706-549-7700

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Vegetarian Options

Winner: The Grit

199 Prince Ave. · 706-543-6592

After 25 years in its familiar spot on Prince Avenue, the Grit is obviously doing something right—a lot, actually—from the daily specials, to the menu filled with old favorites, to the desserts carefully made by hand.

Runner Up: The National

232 W. Hancock Ave. · 706-549-3450

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Sandwich

Winner: Big City Bread Cafe

393 N. Finley St. · 706-353-0029

If you’ve got it, flaunt it. That good bread just happens to make good sandwiches, because Big City Bread has a lot of good ingredients to go inside.

Runner Up: Marti's at Midday

1280 Prince Ave. · 706-543-3541

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Dessert

Winner: The Last Resort

184 W. Clayton St. · 706-549-0810

The first thing you see is the famous dessert case that makes your mouth water before your table is even ready. Of course it’s the winner!

Runner Up: The Grit

199 Prince Ave. · 706-543-6592

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Ice Cream/ Frozen Yogurt

Winner: Menchie's

196 Alps Rd · 706-208-7223
1860 Barnett Shoals Rd. · 706-850-8336

Everybody loves fro-yo, and Menchie’s is the local spot that delivers the goods. Pile on the toppings, or keep it simple; either way, you’ll leave happy.

Runner Up: Ben & Jerry's Scoop Shop

105 College Ave. · 706-208-0031

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Buffet

Winner: Taste of India

131 E. Broad St. · 706-559-0000

The Taste of India buffet is a cornucopia of tastes and textures, with no waiting. Fill your plate with delicacies and then fill it again. It’s a great way to sample this exotic cuisine.

Runner Up: Hibachi Grill Supreme Buffet

2020 Barnett Shoals Rd. · 706-546-8777

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Breakfast

Winner: Mama's Boy

197 Oak St. · 706-548-6249

The Mill Town breakfast plate will get your day off to a start with a couple of eggs, cheese grits, thick-cut bacon and a really big buttermilk biscuit. There’s also a very generous tofu stir fry or salmon cakes Benedict, not to mention a low-calorie breakfast if you swing that way.

Runner Up: Big City Bread Cafe

393 N. Finley St. · 706-353-0029

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Lunch

Winner: Marti's at Midday

1280 Prince Ave. · 706-543-3541

Marti’s is the go-to joint for hospital workers and other nearby pros on their break, and for good reason; the homemade salads, sandwiches and sides are some of the best in town.

Runner Up: Last Resort Grill

184 W. Clayton St. · 706-549-0810

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Brunch

Winner: Mama's Boy

197 Oak St. · 706-548-6249

If you have ever seen the crowds waiting patiently for weekend brunch at Mama’s Boy, you know they’re a favorite, and once you eat that brunch, you know why, and you join the crowd.

Runner Up: Heirloom Cafe and Fresh Market

815 N. Chase St. · 706-354-7901

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Late Night

Winner: The Grill

171 College Ave. · 706-543-4770

To be at The Grill with the munchies late at night is the very essence of Athens, and the menu reads like poetry: fresh cut fries with feta cheese dressing, handmade shakes, fresh-ground chuck, never frozen, made into a triple cheeseburger, a BLT, even a Sunburger. It’s all good.

Runner Up: The World Famous

351 N. Hull St. · 706-543-4002

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Date Night

Winner: The National

232 W. Hancock Ave. · 706-549-3450

If your date takes you to The National, you know immediately that she wants to impress you. If you are not impressed, she should drop you immediately, because the food is delicious and inventive, and the surroundings are Athens-elegant.

Runner Up: The Last Resort Grill

184 W. Clayton St. · 706-549-0810

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Meal for a Deal

Winner: Taco Stand

2230 Barnett Shoals Rd. · 706-549-5481
247 E. Broad St. · 706-549-1446
670 N. Milledge Ave. · 706-549-2894

The Taco Stand has always been an affordable place to eat, but it’s the popularity of the standbys that keeps people coming back: the burritos, the tacos, the veggie chili, the quesadillas.

Runner Up: Little Italy

125 N. Lumpkin St. · 706-613-7100

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Special Occasion

Winner: The National

232 W. Hancock Ave. · 706-549-3450

Everything about The National is special: the Power Lunch, the chicken salad, the grilled Romaine heart, the pan roasted salmon, the vegetable plate, the (gasp) Portuguese custard tarts, the Manhattan Project or a shot of Penicillin at the bar…

Runner Up: Five & Ten

1073 Milledge Ave. · 706-546-7300

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Kid-Friendly Local Restaurant

Winner: Ted's Most Best

254 W. Washington St. · 706-543-1523

Kids love Ted’s, so parents do, too. What kid wouldn’t love Ted’s pizza? But, after all, the pizza is secondary to the bocce court sandbox with room for all.

Runner Up: Cali ‘n' Titos

427 S. Lumpkin St. · 706-227-9979

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Outdoor Dining

Winner: Ted's Most Best

254 W. Washington St. · 706-543-1523

Ah, to be outside at Ted’s with your delicious pizza coming and your draft beer right in front of you, surrounded by good friends and warm sunshine. Everything tastes better outside.

Runner Up: Cali ‘n' Titos

427 S. Lumpkin St. · 706-227-9979

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Take Out

Winner: Siri Thai Cuisine

367 Prince Ave. · 706-548-7667
1040 Gaines School Rd. · 706-850-3500

There’s takeout, and then there’s Siri Thai Cusine, just about the most elegant and tasty takeout imaginable. Just don’t take it so far that the spring rolls cool off or you have to re-heat the Massaman chicken curry.

Runner Up: Choo Choo Japanese Korean Grill Express

1055 Gaines School Rd. · 706-543-8888

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Catering

Winner: home.made Catering

1072 Baxter St. · 706-206-9216

Modern, classic, Southern, aka “culinary school grandma”—approachable, thoughtful, creative and delicious. Fried tomato pie with grits ice cream, anybody? Fried pickled okra? All the traditional foods, too, of course.

Runner Up: Epting Events

eptingevents.com · 706-353-1913

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Chef

Winner: Peter Dale at The National

232 W. Hancock Ave. · 706-549-3450

He’s not a star; his restaurant is, and you’ll find his sure touch making everything about the dining experience more enjoyable and reliable.

Runner Up: Hugh Acheson at Five & Ten

1073 S. Milledge Ave. · 706-546-7300

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Restaurant for Adventurous Eaters

Winner: The Branded Butcher

225 N. Lumpkin St. · 706-850-5152

The Butcher puts out some of the most well thought-out plates in town. The charcuterie list is where things get adventurous—more head cheese, please!

Runner Up: Seabear Oyster Bar

297 Prince Ave., Ste. 10 · 706-850-4367

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Restaurant That's Worth a Short Drive (20 miles or less)

Winner: Chops and Hops

2 South Main St., Watkinsville · 706-310-1101

And well worth the short drive, too. Chops and Hops has it all for a complete dining experience for everybody in your group.

Runner Up: The Savory Spoon

705 Sycamore St., Jefferson · 706-367-5721

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Uniquely Athens Restaurant

Winner: The Grit

199 Prince Ave. · 706-543-6592

The Grit is like your favorite pair of jeans, like a down comforter on a cold night, like a familiar face in a crowd, like the song that keeps playing in your head, like home.

Runner Up: Last Resort Grill

184 W. Clayton St. · 706-549-0810