QUICKIE HISTORY In the mid-1980s, Illinois Times asked readers
to pick their favorite restaurants and entertainment venues for an annual special
section we called “Food & Fun.” In the late ’80s, we expanded the number
of categories celebrating the capital city, and the “Best of Springfield” was
born.
BY THE NUMBERS This year, we received nearly 1,100 ballots and counted
more than 1,000. That was almost twice the number we received and tabulated
a year ago. More than 550 of the ballots this year were cast online at www.illinoistimes.com.
We disqualified nearly 100 ballots because they lacked contact information,
didn’t have the required minimum of 10 answers, or arrived after our Aug. 13
deadline. Of the 87 ballot categories, the most popular was Best Pizza. We counted
524 votes in this category. Best Sub Shop was next with 477 votes.
YOU BIG SILLIES Top vote recipients for Best Springfieldian included
Vachel Lindsay (a dead poet) and Homer Simpson (a cartoon character). Homer
and Vachel tied for third place. Because we made a point of excluding Honest
Abe from this category (we said, “not Abe Lincoln”), many of you decided
to vote for Mary Todd Lincoln. A local radio personality received the most votes
in the Best Chinese Restaurant category, the result of a joke promulgated by
one of his colleagues. We didn’t think it was funny, so we shipped the personality
to a small radio station in a small state, where he entertains hoosiers. His
colleague is next.
NO HANGING CHAD In almost every category, the winner is the top recipient
of your votes. In a few — specifically Best Cubs Fan and Best Cardinals Fan
— we received almost as many different answers, including joke votes, as the
number of ballots cast, so we picked the winner. Go Sox!
THE BOARD OF ELECTIONS This year’s “Best of Springfield” is written
by Illinois Times writers Tom Irwin, Dusty Rhodes, and Todd Spivak, as
well as regular contributors Job Conger, Phil Funkenbusch, Tom Teague, and Penny
Zimmerman-Wills. Nick Steinkamp and Susan Rich designed the newspaper. Elisa
Crye and Megan McGhee helped tabulate ballots. Bosco is our cover dog.
THE COURT OF APPEALS All results are final. If you’re unhappy, you
can write a letter, call your alderman, or go to the Best Local Watering Hole
and drown your sorrows. But keep hope alive: You don’t have to wait four years
to elect someone new. We start taking votes again in July 2005.
People & Places
Best Springfieldian: Carolyn Oxtoby
Best city or county politician: Tim Davlin
Best state politician: Larry Bomke
Best hair on NewsChannel 20: Sunrise Today
Best hotel: Crowne Plaza
Best broadcast journalist: Kavitha Cardoza
Best print journalist: Bernie Schoenburg
Best schoolteacher: Anne Weller
Best neighborhood: Washington Park
Best neighborhood association: Enos Park Neighborhood Association
Best photojournalist: T.J. Salsman
Best place for a wedding reception: The Inn at 835
Best place to meet singles: Chantilly Lace
Best place to people-watch: Old State Capitol Plaza
Best place to take visitors: Lincoln Home and Tomb
Best reason to pick up the State Journal-Register: Chris Britt
Best new statues: The Lincoln family
Best public-spirited landlord: Steve Myers
Best tree: The elm on South State Street
Arts & Entertainment
Best actor: Gus Gordon
Best actress: Cynda Wrightsman
Best artist: John Erickson
Best gospel group: The Fantastic Jones Family
Best band: F5
Best singer: Rod Grant
Best solo musician: Tom Irwin
Best theater production: Big River
Best museum: Illinois State Museum
Best place to dance: Chantilly Lace
Best place for live music: Underground City Tavern
Best place to see a movie: ShowPlace 12 West
Food & Drink
Best bakery: Panera Bread
Best barbecue: Corky’s Ribs and BBQ
Best beer selection: Brewhaus
Best breakfast: Charlie Parker’s
Best buffet: Buffet City
Best burgers: Steak ‘n Shake
Best chili: Joe Rogers’ Original Recipe Chili Parlor
Best Chinese restaurant: Hunan Chinese Restaurant
Best coffeehouse: Trout Lily Café
Best desserts: Incredibly Delicious
Best diner: D & J Cafe
Best fish shack: Carter’s Fish Market
Best frozen desserts: Baskin-Robbins
Best happy hour: Alexander’s Steakhouse
Best horseshoes: D’Arcy’s Pint
Best hot dogs: Wienerdog
Best Italian restaurant: Saputo’s
Best late-night munchies: El Presidente Burritos
Best martini selection: 11 West
Best Mexican restaurant: Xochimilco Mexican Food
Best new restaurant: Mariah’s
Best pizza: Vic’s Pizza
Best place to eat healthy: Bentoh’s
Best shakes: Steak ‘n Shake
Best sports bar: Sammy’s Sports Bar
Best sub shop: Head West
Goods & Services
Best auto mechanic: Dave Floyd and Eric Floyd
Best bartender: Mike Parkes
Best store for new books: Barnes & Noble
Best store for used books: Prairie Archives
Best fitness instructor: Teresa Meyer-DeStasio
Best florist: Fifth Street Florist
Best hair stylist: Velma Chiaro
Best massage therapist: Mary C. Atkins
Best nail technician: The staff of TC Nail Salon
Best nursery/greenhouse: Green View Nursery
Best personal trainer: Chip Wagner
Best place to buy a hammer and a hotdog: Ace Hardware
Best place to buy antiques: Springfield Antique Mall
Best store for new video games: Best Buy
Best store for used video games: Game XChange
Best store for used CDs or vinyl: Recycled Records
Best thrift store: Goodwill Industries
Best waiter or waitress: Carlos Patino
Best wine selection: Corkscrew Wine Emporium
Best place to get your lawnmower fixed: JD’s Lawnmower and Small Engine Repair
Sports & Recreation
Best bingo hall: Caritas Hall
Best bowling alley: Strike N Spare West
Best fishing spot: Sanchris Lake
Best golf course: The Rail Golf Club
Best athlete: Andre Iguodala
Best Cardinals fan: Rod Blagojevich
Best Cubs fan: Rod Blagojevich
Best coach: Ken Leonard
Best picnic spot: Washington Park
Best place to hike: Lincoln Memorial Garden
Best place to shoot pool: Break Time
Best public park: Washington Park
Best tennis courts: Washington Park
Best weekend-getaway destination: St. Louis
This article appears in Sep 16-22, 2004.
