BEST OF BOULDER - EAST COUNTY Food

Lucile’s was taking top honors every year in the Best Breakfast/Brunch category. Now, the eatery’s new Erie location is introducing more East Boulder County diners to Creole-style shrimp and grits, sausage gravy over a house-baked biscuit, red beans and crawfish etouffee. A plate of warm, sugary beignets usually seals the deal.

Burger The Waterloo

817 Main St., Louisville, 303-993-2094

Louisville Winner: Mudrock’s Tap & Tavern

Longmont Winner: Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar

Erie Winner: 24 Carrot Bistro

The name of this category should really be “Best Burgers” for this year’s winner. The Waterloo serves a burger suited to every taste at your table whether they crave a half-pound beef patty, grilled chicken breast, bison burger or Beyond Burger patty. Besides the classic lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles, topping choices range from gorgonzola cheese to peanut butter on a regular or gluten-free bun. The Waterloo’s fries are fantastic.

Burrito

EFRAIN’S MEXICAN RESTAURANT

101 E. Cleveland St., Lafayette, 303-666-7544

Longmont Winner: Jefes Tacos & Tequila

Lyons Winner: La Mariposa

Restaurant & Margarita House

Niwot Winner: Raza Fresa

Against top-notch Mexican restaurant competition from Lyons to Longmont, Efrain’s won top burrito honors in East Boulder County. Adventurous diners can choose the Efrain Burrito and let the chef decide what to stuff inside a large flour tortilla. We recommend having it Christmas-style — topped with half red enchilada sauce and half hot green chile. Kids can order the smaller, milder Nino Burrito.

Business Lunch The Roost

526 Main St., Longmont, 303-827-3380

Lafayette Winner: Teocalli Cocina Louisville Winner: 740 Front Erie Winner: 24 Carrot Bistro

The Roost’s comfortable dining spaces aren’t too noisy or worse, too quiet. The veteran servers know how to get diners in and out of the eatery in an hour. From Thai pork tacos to Chilean salmon with couscous, the menu aims to satisfy diverse tastes. The Roost owners, Sean and Rebecca Gafner, know business people’s needs since they also operate Jefes Tacos and Tequila, Smokin Bowls, Swaylo’s Tiki Restaurant and this year’s Best New Business, 99 Saloon.

CATERING GEORGIA BOYS BBQ CO.

250 3rd Ave., Longmont, 720-999-4099

East Boulder Winner: A Spice of Life Catering

Lafayette Winner: Butcher & The Blonde

Louisville Winner: The Huckleberry

If you conducted an anonymous poll of people who attend parties, we bet the majority would rather have barbecue than whatever the host is serving. Over the years, folks have learned to leave the catering to Georgia Boys, whether for 10 people or a hundred. Guests rave about the ribs, mac-ncheese and smoky pulled pork with savory sauces. Take the pressure off yourself and let Georgia Boys cater your next shindig.

Chinese Tasty Asia Restaurant

736 Main St., Longmont, 303-772-6888

Longmont Winner: East Moon

Asian Bistro & Sushi

Lafayette Winner: Colorado Wok

Fans love Tasty Asia because it delivers no surprises with fast service for delivery, take-out or dine-in. The menu focuses on the popular favorites of Chinese-American cuisine from kung pao beef to moo shu shrimp. Complete lunch choices include an egg roll, a crab cheese wonton, steamed rice and a choice of soup. The huge menu also features Thai noodle dishes and curries.