Food BEST OF BOULDER - EAST COUNTY

DOUGHNUTS LAMAR’S DONUTS

133 McCaslin Blvd., Louisville, 720-890-3875

Longmont Winner: Landline

Doughnuts & Coffee

Lafayette Winner: Noks Donuts

Broomfield Winner: 5280 Donuts

Niwot Winner: Niwot Market

Once a year, East Boulder County residents fill out their ballot and always agree on one thing: They love their LaMar’s Donuts and name it their favorite. That sort of doughnut devotion only comes from serious research sampling 50 flavors of knots, twists, fritters, cream-filled maple iced bars. We’ll take two original glazed and a strong cup of regular coffee.

Fine Dining 24 Carrot Bistro

578 Briggs St., Erie, 303-828-1392

Louisville Winner: 740 Front

Longmont Winner: Sugarbeet

Niwot Winner (tie): 1914 House; Farow

Lafayette Winner: Community Supper Club

Even though 24 Carrot Bistro is a bit of a drive for most Boulder County diners, they happily trek to this intimate Erie eatery. Diners offer kudos for the imaginative cuisine using fresh, seasonal, local ingredients, not to mention the ambience and service. The menu from co-owners Bianca Retzloff and Kevin Kidd includes an irresistible small-plates lineup ranging from crispy duck confit with polenta to crab cakes and savory Parmesan-roasted cabbage. The lemon brick chicken is a genuine finger-licking treat, with salt-roasted fingerling potatoes. Three words about dessert: 24 Carrot Cake!

FOOD TRUCK BISCUITS@MIKE’S

Longmont area

Lafayette Winner: Ruby Ru’s Street Eatery

East Boulder Winner (tie): McDevitt Taco Supply; Temaki Tornado

Simply put, chef Mike Simuns crafts a superb fluffy biscuit. Fans make a beeline for his popular food truck no matter where it is parked for his savory or sweet biscuit of the day, such as cinnamon raisin or dill. Biscuit sandwich choices range from sausage or bacon with egg and cheese to The Heather, filled with fried chicken, ham, cheese and plum jam.

GLUTEN-FREE MENU MORNING GLORY CAFE

1377 Forest Park Circle, Lafayette, 303-604-6351

Erie Winner: Piripi

Longmont Winner: The Roost Louisville Winner: Love’s Gluten Free Bakery

Diners seeking gluten-free fare have gotten pickier. They want true choices, not simply that “gluten-free buns are available.” Morning Glory Cafe owns this category because it goes the extra mile when it comes to dietary restrictions. GF breakfast selections include plain, blueberry, and chocolate chip pancakes and a large breakfast burrito. Lunches include GF burgers and a blackened shrimp salad. For a gluten-free meal ender, fork into a slice of Morning Glory’s carrot spice cake with cream cheese frosting.

ICE CREAM / FROZEN YOGURT SWEET COW ICE CREAM

637 Front St., Louisville, 303-666-4269

Lafayette Winner: Eats & Sweets

Longmont Winner: Scrumptious

From a single shop in Louisville, Sweet Cow has built an ice cream empire with multiple locations on the Front Range. Sweet Cow’s secret is simply to handcraft smallbatches of ice cream and gelato from great ingredients. We’re huge fans of the coffee ice cream and the Thai iced tea vegan ice cream. Certain favorites, like chocolate chip cookie dough, are so popular they remain in the always-changing flavor rotation.