Meet the ‘best of the best’
Fans have chosen their favorites in more than 60 categories in this edition of the Readers’ Choice Awards
All you have to do is look at social media to know everyone has an opinion. Whether it’s about the best restaurant, doctor recommendations or best date night spot, folks want to share their favorites and why.
It’s those opinions that were sought for the 2023 Meeker County Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers were asked to name their favorites in more than 60 categories. Many are repeats, which speaks well to ongoing customer satisfaction and high-quality goods and services. There are new names, too, which is encouraging.
Like you, we want to know about the best people and the best places to go. The winners in more than 60 categories were culled from submitted ballots. The top two finishers — winner and second place — are listed in each category on following pages. So on that note, meet the “Best of the Best” in the 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards.
FAVORITE ACCOUNTANT
Winner: Jen Riebe, Tax Depot
Second Place: Christianson PLLP
FAVORITE ASSISTED LIVING
Winner: Ecumen/Emmaus Place
Second Place: Lincoln Apartments
FAVORITE AUCTION HOUSE
Winner: Steffes Group, Inc.
Second Place: Lundeen Auction & Appraisers
FAVORITE AUTO BODY SHOP
Winner: Northland Body & Paint
Second Place: Davis Auto Body & Towing
FAVORITE AUTO MECHANIC AND WHERE
Winner: Miller Automotive LLC
Second Place: Crow River Tire & Brakes
FAVORITE BAKERY AND WHERE
Winner: Family Fare
Second Place: Little Bear Bakery
FAVORITE BANK TELLER AND WHERE
Winner: All Tellers, Center National Bank
Second Place: Lorie Kruse, MidCountry Bank
FAVORITE BARTENDER AND WHERE
Winner: Stephanie Westphall, Half Bushel Brewing
Second Place: Hailey Mellen, Honky’s Bar & Grill
FAVORITE BINGO PLACE
Winner: Muddy Cow
Second Place: Manannah Hilltop Tavern
FAVORITE PLACE FOR A BOWL OF SOUP
Winner: Simply Good
Second Place: Parkview Grille
FAVORITE BREAKFAST PLACE
Winner: Swan’s Cafe
Second Place: Mimi’s Cafe
FAVORITE BUS DRIVER AND WHERE
Winner: Brian Lawrence, Hicks Bus Line
Second Place: Roxanne Godejahn, Hicks Bus Line
FAVORITE CABLE/INTERNET PROVIDER
Winner: VIBRANT Broadband
Second Place: Nuvera
Litchfield Independent Review September 2023 LITCHFIELD READERS’ CHOICE | 3
THANKSFORALL YOURVOTES! WEAREPROUDTOBERECOGNIZED INSOMANYCATEGORIES. 2-4-1’sALLDAY,EveryDay!PlusBOGOPizza. DailySpecials-DineInOnly •Mon.-1/2OFFAllBurgers •Tues.-KidsEatFREE* •Wed.-Chef’sSpecial •Thurs.-1/2OFFWingsfrom3-6pm •Fri.-FishFry$13.99 TAvailable SundayFundayJoinusforourBloodyMaryBar and1/2OFFSelectApps! Dog-Friendly Patio! *withpurchaseofadultmeal Winners to 4 ➤
Miller
FAVORITE CHICKEN
Winner: V’s Grill & Pub
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FAVORITE CAR WASH
Winner: Central Counties Co-op Cenex
Second Place: Speedway
Second Place: Peter’s Ribs and Catering
FAVORITE CHILDCARE/PRESCHOOL
Winner: Mighty Dragons Pre school
Second Place: Kids of the Kingdom
FAVORITE CHIROPRACTOR
Winner: Kinsella Chiropractic Clinic
Second Place: Patten Chiropractic Center
FAVORITE CHURCH DINNER
Winner: Knights of Columbus Fish Fry, Church of St. Philip
Second Place: Pork Chop Dinner, Church of Our Lady
FAVORITE CONVENIENCE STORE
Winner: Casey’s
Second Place: Meeker County Co-op Cenex
LOCALMATTERS
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4 | LITCHFIELD READERS’ CHOICE September 2023 Litchfield Independent Review
WINNERS
Winners to 6 ➤
Staff photo by Marcie Dean
THANKYOUFORVOTINGUSYOURFAVORITEEYECARECENTER! primaryeyecare2020.com
•DesignerEyewear&Sunglasses •ContactLenses•LasikReferrals •On-siteLabinHutchinson •ThoroughVision&EyeHealthExams Dr.MatthewHoppe•Dr.AbbyTrettin Dr.MarkKorthals
Automotive, LLC of Litchfield was named the winner in two categories: Favorite Auto Mechanic and Favorite Customer Service. It also tied for second place in the Favorite Place to Buy Tires category. Pictured are from left, Andy Miller, owner of Miller Automotive, Matt Bengtson and AmyJo Brummond.
520Hwy12EastLitchfield•320-693-9333 COMPLETEOPTICALSERVICE
YOURTOWN.YOURNEWS. INYOURMAILBOX ATYOURDESK WHEREVERYOUGO!
READALLABOUTIT BEST NEWSCOVERAGEINTHE NEWS SPORTS EVENTS OPINIONS &MUCHMORE SUBSCRIBETOTHE TOSUBSCRIBECALL(320)753-3657
toalldigitalversions!
LITCHFIELDAREA crowrivermedia.com/independentreview
Litchfield Independent Review September 2023 LITCHFIELD READERS’ CHOICE | 5
Staff
photo by Marcie Dean
www.AdaraHomeHealth.com Call320.753.0936or800.624.9024 formoreinformation AdaraHomeHealthisproudtoofferthefollowing servicesinthecommunity: SkilledNursing•PhysicalTherapy•SpeechTherapy OccupationalTherapy•CertifiedNursingAssistants ProvidingCareinCentral&SouthernMinnesota THANKS MEEKERCOUNTY FORVOTINGUSYOURFAVORITE HEALTHCAREPROFESSIONAL!
DeAnn’s Country Village Shoppe in downtown Litchfield was voted the winner in the category of Favorite Place to Buy Arts/Crafts.
WINNER 2022-2023
WINNERS
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FAVORITE COFFEE SHOP
Winner: Simply Good
Second Place: Scooter’s
FAVORITE CUSTOMER SERVICE
Winner: Miller Automotive LLC
Second Place: VIBRANT Broad band
FAVORITE DATE PLACE
Winner: Half Bushel Brewing
Second Place: Sonora’s Mexican Restaurant
FAVORITE DENTIST
Winner: Dr. Amber Cziok, Sibley Dental Suite
Second Place: Dr. Ryan Swenson, Litchfield Family Dental
FAVORITE ELECTRICIAN
Winner: Mid-Minnesota Electric
Second Place: D&F Electric
FAVORITE EYE CARE PROVIDER
Winner: Primary Eye Care
Second Place: Fisher Laser Eye Center
6 | LITCHFIELD READERS’ CHOICE September 2023 Litchfield Independent Review
Staff photo by Marcie Dean Brian Lawrence of Hicks Busline Inc. always has a smile for his young riders. He was voted the winner in the Favorite Bus Driver category.
Winners to 8 ➤ the Best ThankYouForCastingYourVotesFor inMeekerCounty YourLocalBusinesses AppreciateYour Support. 217NSibleyAvenue,Litchfield (320)693-3266|independentreview.com YOUARETHE BEST! 30W2ndSt,Litchfield,MN55355•(320)221-0281
ChildCare/Pre-schoolinMeekerCounty
ThankyouforvotingMightyDragons PreschoolMeekerCountyFavorite ChildCare/Pre-schoolforthreeyearsinarow. MightyDragonsPreschoolserveschildrenages3-5inmultipleclassoptions Weprideourselvesongettingyourchildreadyfor kindergartentothebestofourability. Withtwolargeclassroomsandaninteriorgymnasium, wehavespaceforthemtobecomeindependent, exploreandlearninaplaysetting
Litchfield Independent Review September 2023 LITCHFIELD READERS’ CHOICE | 7
the
Favorite
Favorite Employer. DennisGartner VotedFavorite RealEstateAgent EdinaRealtyislucky tohaveagreatteam ofagentstoserve thearea! Congratulations
Staff photo by Brent Schacherer Brennan and Jessica Rosenow, owners of downtown Litchfield’s Half Bushel Brewing, earned plenty of kudos from fans. Their business was named the winner
in
following categories:
Bartender, Favorite Date Place, Favorite Pizza Place and Favorite Place
to Get a S andwich. The brew pub earned
second place in the category of
McDonald’s was a double winner this year. It was named the winner in the Favorite French Fries category and earned second place in Favorite Fast Food Restaurant category.
WINNERS
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FAVORITE ENTERTAINMENT SPOT
Winner: Honky’s Bar & Grill
Second Place: Red Goat Bar & Grill
FAVORITE FAST FOOD RESTAURANT
Winner: Dairy Queen
Second Place: McDonald’s
FASTEST DRIVE-THRU
Winner: Taco John’s
Second Place: Simply Good
FAVORITE FINANCIAL ADVISOR
Winner: Steve Dengerud at Edward Jones, Litchfield
Second Place: Kyle Kalkbrenner at Thrivent Financial, Litchfield
FAVORITE FISH FRY
Winner: Litchfield Knights of Columbus P.J. Casey Council 2029
Second Place: Darwin Rod & Gun Club
Special prize giveaway winners
Just for voting in the 2023 Meeker County Advertiser Readers’ Choice Awards, participants were entered into a special prize drawing. The winners are:
First prize: Stephanie West-
FAVORITE FITNESS CENTER
Winner: Anytime Fitness
Second Place: Snap Fitness
FAVORITE FLORIST
Winner: Essence of Flowers
Second Place: Hope Blooms
Flower Farm
phall, one-year subscription to the Litchfield Independent Review
Second prize: Jennifer Siegle: 4 tickets to the Minnesota Renaissance Festival
FAVORITE FRENCH FRIES
Winner: McDonald’s
Second Place: Honky’s Bar & Grill
FAVORITE FROZEN TREAT PLACE
Winner: Sweet Escape Treats & Co.
Second Place: Dairy Queen
8 | LITCHFIELD READERS’ CHOICE September 2023 Litchfield Independent Review SaraJoPollock InteriorDesigner [P]320.593.3031 [E]sarajo.pollock@gmail.com 823N.SibleyAve.•Litchfield,MN55355 Residential& CommercialDesign FullTimeDesigner since2006 Tile&CustomTile Designs Flooring:Carpet, Wood,Tile,Vinyl HunterDouglas WindowCoverings Art&Accessories Design Consultations $45/hour Thankyoufor votingforusas yourFavoritePlace toBuyFlooring! Weappreciate yourvotes! LOCALMATTERS YOURTOWN.YOURNEWS. crowrivermedia.com/independentreview AREYOUTHEBEST? CHECKTHECLASSIFIEDSFORLOCALJOBLISTINGS! EMPLOYERSARELOOKINGFORYOU. YOU.
File photo
THANKS forover 30years ofyoursupport. 320.693.0298 DaveCarlson 101NorthMiller Litchfield
andStaff.
FAVORITE GARDEN CENTER
Winner: Stockmen’s Greenhouse & Garden Center
Second Place: Runnings
FAVORITE HAIR
STYLIST/BARBER
Winner: Candace Fank, Grand Concepts Salon
Second Place: Roxanne Knutson, Serenity Salon
FAVORITE HAMBURGER PLACE
Winner: Honky’s Bar & Grill
Second Place: The Muddy Cow
FAVORITE HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL
Winner: ADARA Home Health
Second Place: Dr. Deb G. Peterson
FAVORITE INSURANCE AGENT
Winner: Jason Tibbits, State Farm Insurance
Second Place: Lehr Agency
Litchfield Independent Review September 2023 LITCHFIELD READERS’ CHOICE | 9
Dr.TimothyKinsella Dr.MarkMahoney Dr.NathanTurck
the Favorite
Winners to 10 ➤ #1 “TheChickenPlace” YOUR FAVORITECHICKEN V’sGrill&Pub ThankYoutoOurCustomersFor YourSupportOvertheLast 5YEARS &NamingOurChicken 311North1stStreet,Darwin | 320-693-3333 | findusonfacebook Ryan Blad *Far m *Residential *Commercial *Free estimates Professional service at a reas Phone: 320-221-1659 Mid-Minnesota Electric, LLC BestElectricianinMeekerCounty sonable 9
File photo Enjoy a margarita at Sonora’s Mexican Restaurant in Litchfield. The eatery was named the winner in the Best Ethnic Restaurant category and earned second-place honors as
Date Place.
Voted#1
FavoriteFloristinMeekerCounty
EssenceofFlowersisThankfultoallofourwonderfulsupportivecustomersandweare verythrilledtobecelebrating30yearsservingLitchfieldandthesurroundingcommunities.
WINNERS
➤ continued from 9
FAVORITE LANDSCAPER/ LAWN CARE
Winner: Larry’s Lawn Service Plus
Second Place: Grow Rite Lawn Care
FAVORITE LAW FIRM
Winner: Wood & Rue PLLP
Second Place: Thornton, Sperry, Jensen & Keithhan Law Office
FAVORITE MASSAGE THERAPIST
Winner: Azalea Wolong, Sleeping Dragon Acupuncture
Second Place: Colleen Erpelding, Heavenly Hands Massage
FAVORITE MEAT MARKET
Winner: Carlson Meat Shop
Second Place: Corvuso Meats
FAVORITE MOTORSPORTS
Winner: Mies Outland
Second Place: Lindy’s Repair Shop
FAVORITE NAIL SALON SPA
Winner: Pro Nails
Second Place: Serenity Salon
FAVORITE PHARMACIST
Winner: Family Fare
Second Place: Walmart Supercenter Store 4374
Iamthankfulforbeingchosenfor“BestofMeekerCounty”FavoriteMassageTherapist. Igreatlyappreciateallyoursupport.SleepingDragonAcupunctureandMassage hasbeenenjoyingservingthecommunityfortenyears.Ithasbeenapleasure toserveyouandthisgreatcommunity.
FAVORITE PLACE TO GET A SLICE OF PIE
Winner: Swan’s Cafe
FAVORITE PIZZA PLACE
Winner: Half Bushel Brewing
Second Place: Jimmy’s Pizza
FAVORITE PLACE TO BUY A VEHICLE
Winner: Davis Motors
Second Place: Litchfield Chrysler Center
FAVORITE PLACE TO BUY ARTS/CRAFTS
Winner: DeAnn’s Country Village Shoppe
Second Place: Riebe’s Rustic Room
FAVORITE PLACE TO BUY FLOORING
Winner: SJP Designs
Second Place: Tom’s Carpet Kingdom
FAVORITE GROCERY STORE/MARKET
Winner: Family Fare
Second Place: Walmart Supercenter Store 4374
FAVORITE PLACE TO BUY TIRES
Winner: Binsfield Tire
Second Place Tie: Crow River Tire & Brakes and Miller Automotive LLC
FAVORITE PLUMBER/HVAC
Winner: Rick’s Plumbing & Heating
Second Place: Kramer Plumbing of Watkins, LLC
FAVORITE REAL ESTATE AGENT
Winner: Dennis Gartner
Second Place: Chad Loch
FAVORITE PLACE TO GET A SALAD
Winner: Parkview Grille
Second Place: Peter’s Ribs and Catering
FAVORITE PLACE TO GET A SANDWICH
Winner: Half Bushel Brewing
Second Place: Subway
FAVORITE SPORTS BAR
Winner: Honky’s Bar & Grill
Second Place: Manannah Hilltop Tavern
FAVORITE ETHNIC RESTAURANT
Winner: Sonora’s Mexican Restaurant
Second Place: Herradura Family Mexican Restaurant
FAVORITE EMPLOYER
Winner: Meeker Co-op/VIBRANT Broadband
Second Place: Half Bushel Brewing
FAVORITE HARDWARE STORE
Winner: Ace Hardware
Second Place: Runnings
10 | LITCHFIELD READERS’ CHOICE September 2023 Litchfield Independent Review
WINNER Thankyou foryoursupportandwehave enjoyedservingthecommunity overtheyears Azalea WolongMS 1(320)221-4069 30East3rdStreet, Litchfield,MN55355
Wearebothhumbledandgratefulto bechosenas“BestofMeekerCounty” AssistedLivingFacility!Thankyouto thereaders,tothevoters,toourteam members,andtoourresidentsand residentfamilies.Wearehonoredto serveMeekerCounty!
Weofferafullrangeoflifestyle choicesandcareoptions,including independentliving,assistedliving, memorycare,adultdayservices andmealsonwheels.
Litchfield Independent Review September 2023 LITCHFIELD READERS’ CHOICE | 11 WhereMeatisQuality• 1052ndStN,GroveCity,MN•(320)857-2261• carlsonmeatshop.com WINNER Thanks FORVOTINGUS FAVORITEMEATMARKETINMEEKERCOUNTY (320)693-3611 22E3rdSt,Litchfield,MN55355 rick-plumbing-heating.business.site THANKYOU Forallyourbusiness SINCE1955 Andweappreciatebeingabletoservicethe communityovertheyearswithplumbingand HVACneeds. THANKYOU toourlovelycustomerswhovoted us FavoriteGardenCenter and aspecialthankyoutoourdevoted andtirelessteam whohave made itallpossible. 320.234.7673 HutcHinson,Mn•1150MnHwy7East 320.693.7787 LitcHfiELd,Mn•60973Hwy12 www.stockMEnsgrEEnHousE.coM 25%OFF RemainingTrees,PerennialsandRosesShrubs, FallClearanceUnderway SUBMITTED PHOTO This is what it looks like when VIBRANT Broadband hooks up highspeed internet to a home in Meeker County. The company was named the winner in two categories: Favorite Cable/Internet Provider and Favorite Employer. SpecialThankstoOurValuedCustomersforvotingusYourFavorite! 1021EHwy12•Litchfield•320-593-7182 VotedFavoriteFrenchFriesandRunnerUp FavoriteFastFoodRestaurantinMeekerCounty!
Forinformation,call320-693-2430. www.ecumenlitchfield.org WINNER 2021,‘22‘23
12 | LITCHFIELD READERS’ CHOICE September 2023 Litchfield Independent Review 2023BestofMeekerCounty Reader’sChoice WINNER! Best Bank Tellers CongratulationstoouramazingTellerteamforbeing votedBestBankTellersinMeekerCounty! Youdeservethisrecognitionofyourlegendaryservice! CenterBankisafamily-ownedCommunityBankinLitchfield,MN. Stopin,orcallustoday!301NRamseyAve|Litchfield|320-693-3255 visitusat:millerautomotivelitchfield.com THANKYOUFORTHEVOTES! Wearehonoredtobeyour FAVORITEAUTOMECHANIC inMeekerCountyfortheFourthconsecutiveyear! WINNER Youvotedus BESTINTERNETPROVIDER inMeekerCounty! We are proud to be your neighborhood Internet Service Provider. WeareproudtobeyourneighborhoodInternetServiceProvider. Call 320-693-3231 or visit orvisit vibrantbroadband.com to learn about our fast and reliable Internet! tolearnaboutourfastandreliableInternet! Thank You! 2023 R E A D E R S ’ READERS’ C H O I C E CHOICE Awards Awards
