2021 Readers' Choice Award Winners

Downers Grove Magazine readers select their favorites.

There’s a culture about Downers Grove; a spirit of caring for neighbors. That includes our favorite businesses. Those special, local merchants and their products. Let’s be honest. If 2020 was good for anything, it made us realize what we miss. Ordering takeout broke the monotony and let us check in with our favorite restaurateurs, but we missed our daily contact with other business owners. Some things just can’t be replaced.

We asked and you let us know what you found to be the best. The best restaurants. The best places to shop, from gifts to clothing to home décor. The best place for an outing or weekend away. The categories are vast, the winners few. They are Downers Grove’s best.

AMERICAN

Pierce Tavern, Cadence Kitchen & Co., Emmett's Brewing Company

BARBECUE

Uncle Bub’s BBQ & Catering, Mission BBQ, City BBQ

CHINESE

Wasabi, Lao Sze Chuan, Katy’s Dumplings

INDIAN

Shikara Restaurant, Priya’s Kitchen

ITALIAN

Gia Mia, Gatto’s, Capri of Downers Grove

JAPANESE/SUSHI

Sushi House, Wasabi

MEDITERRANEAN/MIDDLE EASTERN

Cedar Grill, The Foxtail, Greek Islands

MEXICAN/LATIN

Los Dos, Tacochela, Alfredo’s Taqueria

SEAFOOD

Parkers’ Restaurant and Bar, The Foxtail, Devon Seafood & Steak

STEAK

Carnivore and the Queen, Cooper’s Hawk, Parkers’ Restaurant and Bar

THAI

Thai Café, Thai First, Wasabi

BREAKFAST/BRUNCH

Egg Harbor, The Baked Apple Breakfast Co., The Foxtail

DATE NIGHT

The Foxtail, Cadence Kitchen, & Co. Pierce Tavern

KID-FRIENDLY

Gatto’s, Another Round, Pierce Tavern

OUTDOOR DINING

Cadence Kitchen & Co., Cellar Door, Pierce Tavern

BURGER

Pierce Tavern, 3 Corners Grill & Tap, Country House

HOT DOG

Portillo’s, Teddy’s Red Hots, Eagle Restaurant

PIZZA

Angelo’s Pizza, Gia Mia, Lou Malnati’s

BAKED GOODS

Busy Bee Bakery, Great Harvest Bread Company

DONUTS

Busy Bee Bakery, CHI-SHACK Doughnut Co.

ICE CREAM

Every Day’s A Sundae, Cocomero, Oberweis Ice Cream and Dairy

COFFEE

Mud & Char, Peet’s, Starbucks

COCKTAIL BAR

Cadence Kitchen & Co., The Foxtail, Pierce Tavern

KARAOKE BAR

Bryan’s American Grille, Shanahan’s Irish Pub

MICROBREWERY/BREWPUB/BEER BAR

Goldfinger Brewing Company, Alter Brewing Company, Orange and Brew

SPORTS BAR

Another Round, 3 Corners Grill & Tap

WINE BAR

Cellar Door Cooper’s Hawk WAGS Wine Shop

WOMEN’S BOUTIQUE

Evelyn Jane Boutique, Style Studio, Adorn512

MEN’S STORE

Enzo’s Tailor Shop Louis for Men, *Favorite Response from Editorial Team: D & M Corvette

HOME DÉCOR STORE

Maple Home Market, Style Studio, 221 Creations

BEST NEW STORE

Topiaire Plant Boutique, Orchid Heart Boutique

UNIQUE GIFTS

Evelyn Jane Boutique, Style Studio, Fair Game

LIVE MUSIC VENUE

Ballydoyle Irish Pub & Restaurant, Fishel Park

FESTIVAL or FAIR

Rotary GroveFest, Ice Festival