Food BEST OF BOULDER - EAST COUNTY

KID FRIENDLY LUCKY PIE PIZZA & TAPHOUSE

637 Front St., Louisville, 303-666-5743

Lafayette Winner: Ruby Ru’s Street Eatery

Superior Winner: Noodles & Company

East Boulder Winner: Pica’s Mexican Taqueria

You don’t need to be a friendly kid to understand why Lucky Pie always wins this category. Parents appreciate the first-class ingredients and full flavor of the pizzas, as well as the full selection of adult beverages. The younger generations know a playground when they see one like the yard behind the restaurant. Kids also notice that Sweet Cow Ice Cream is next door.

LYONS RESTAURANT OSKAR BLUES GRILL & BREW

303 Main St., Lyons, 303-823-6685

The original Oskar Blues location is still arguably the best. While the company has since expanded to include iterations as far as Brevard, North Carolina, and Austin, Texas, there’s still no better place to enjoy a Dale’s Pale Ale than in the place where it all began. Come for the beer and stay for the Silo Burger, topped with smoked pork, swiss, bacon and Dale’s buffalo sauce.

Mexican Restaurant Teocalli Cocina

103 N. Public Road, Unit C, Lafayette, 303-284-6597

Longmont Winner: Jefes Tacos and Tequila

East Boulder Winner: Pica’s Mexican Taqueria

Lyons Winner: La Mariposa

Restaurant and Margarita House

Head chef Julio Gaspar has been cooking since his childhood. Growing up in Oaxaca, he’s mastered a variety of regional styles from across Mexico. His charred pasilla ribs, posole verde and pork shank pibil are as robust as they are enticing.

New Restaurant

99 BAR SALOON

449 Main St., Longmont, 720-815-2875

Lyons Winner: Marigold

Lafayette Winner: Ruby Ru’s Street Eatery

Images of the Gafner family’s long commitment to great cattle line the walls of this excellent new pub and eatery. The name has been in the family since owner Sean Gafner’s grandfather established his cattle brand in 1930. With deep generational knowledge, Gafner is serving up some of the best burgers on the Front Range, especially The Aspen, with blue cheese, arugula, bacon-pepper jam, white onion and garlic mayo. As an added bonus, all the beef comes from neighboring Buckner Family Ranch.

Niwot Restaurant Niwot Tavern

7960 Niwot Road, Unit D12, Niwot, 303-652-0200

Since 2005, Niwot Tavern has been a local favorite for its rustic decor and cheery service. Dishes range from Irish Nachos — kettle chips topped with corn beef, mozzarella, cheddarjack, scallions and stone ground mustard — to an udon noodle bowl, with miso broth, shiitake and edamame. There’s also pretty much everything in between.

Overall Restaurant The Roost

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

Lafayette Winner: The Post Chicken & Beer

Louisville Winner: Parma Trattoria & Mozzarella Bar

Erie Winner: 24 Carrot Bistro

Niwot Winner: Farow

This is not the first time The Roost has graced this list and it surely will not be the last. Burgers, burrito bowls and Thai pork tacos are joined by a solid whiskey list. It’s a foundational spot, proof that owner Sean Gafner is well on his way to becoming one of Longmont’s culinary head honchos.