Food BEST OF BOULDER

BAKERY MOXIE BREAD CO.

4593 Broadway, Boulder, 303-903-9961

641 Main St., Louisville, 720-420-9616

Silver: Lucky’s Bakehouse

Bronze: Boulder Baked

Despite experiencing the tragic loss of its founder, Andy Clark, in late 2022, Moxie Bread Co. has continued its mission of producing the best bread in town with 100% heirloom grains. Baguettes, sourdoughs and ciabatta rolls are joined by sweet and savory pastries like a pulled pork pie and an orange cardamom cruffin.

Barbecue Georgia Boys Bbq

250 Third Ave., Longmont, 720-999-4099

Silver: KT’s BBQ

Bronze: LuLu’s BBQ

Write-in: Hattie’s BBQ

What began as a brown bag delivery service in 2010 has morphed into a growing empire of truly exceptional Georgia-style ’cue. Georgia Boys BBQ founders Nick Reckinger and Matt Alexander are the real deal. The duo serve massive sampler plates alongside innovative sandwiches like the maple whiskey chicken, which comes topped with cheddar cheese, bacon, onion rings and house-made maple Old Fashioned sauce. Though the meats are the star of the show, the cauliflower wings are one of the spot’s surprise highlights.

BREAKFAST/BRUNCH

LUCILE’S CREOLE CAFE

2124 14th St., Boulder, 303-4423-4743

Silver: Tangerine

Bronze: The Buff

Lucile’s Creole Cafe is a Best of Boulder mainstay. That it’s been serving the community since 1980 is the first of many indicators that the Creole cafe means business. The pain perdu — a New Orleansstyle French toast — and the beignets are what make this a local institution.

Burger Mountain Sun Pubs And Breweries

1535 Pearl St., Boulder, 303-546-0886

627 S. Broadway, Suite E, Boulder, 303-543-0886

Silver: World Famous Dark Horse

Bronze: Blackbelly Market

Write-in: Wild Pastures Burger Company

Each of the Mountain Sun Pubs and Breweries is burger-centric. The classics are all fine and good, but it’s the more elaborate creations that really give the place gusto. The Junk Burger — with bacon, cheese, sauteed mushrooms and onions, roasted garlic mayo, lettuce, tomato and onion — is drippily delicious, while the Basil Blue with basil blue cheese dressing adds a layer of refinement.

BURRITO ILLEGAL PETE’S

1447 Pearl St., Boulder, 303-440-3955

1124 13th St., Boulder, 303-444-3055

Silver: Efrain’s

Bronze: Santiago’s Mexican Restaurant

Write-in: Tierra y Fuego Taqueria

Since opening in 1995, Illegal Pete’s has expanded to an empire that now covers locations across the Front Range and even down into Arizona. The straightforward menu and roll-to-order counter service have helped to make it an institution, with a set of powerful margaritas helping Pete’s maintain an edginess befitting the name.