4.20.17 Best of Guide Pt. 1 by Vidette Online

TABLE OF CONTENTS FOOD & DRINK

LIVE & SHOP BEST

BEST

SONG OF THE YEAR

REDBIRD SPORTS MOMENT

SPORTS BAR

WINGS 7

PLACE TO STUDY CUSTOMER SERVICE

SMALL APT. MEDIUM APT.

ASIAN CUISINE

PIZZA

LOCAL COFFEE SHOP

HANGOVER FOOD

SANDWICH

ADDITIONAL WINNERS

CREDITS 11

LARGE APT. SPECIALTY STORE

TATTOO/PIERCING PARLOR

UPTOWN BAR

DOWNTOWN BAR

MARGARITAS

BREAKFAST PLACE

MOVIE THEATER DATE LOCATION

DRINK SPECIAL

CONCERT VENUE

RECREATIONAL ACTIVITY

BANG FOR YOUR BUCK

Echo in the Videtteâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Best of Blono survey , survey.

THE VIDETTE

BEST OF BLO-NO | 3

DYLAN STEVENS | NEWS REPORTER “Closer” by The Chainsmokers featuring Halsey was named Bloomington-Normal’s Best Song of the Year. This question was sponsored by WZND. Climbing to No. 1 on several weekly charts around the world, including places such as Australia, Canada and Europe, The Chainsmokers has made itself known with its “Collage” album. States Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 spot for 12 consecutive weeks. Vince Maltese, on air DJ of WZND, claimed there were several listeners who requested “Closer” on a daily basis. “I knew it was a popular song, but I never expected it to be as demanded as it was. I think I can pretty much recite the lyrics by memory at this point. I have heard it that many times,” Maltese said. Spotify shows, as of April 15, 2017, that “Closer” has been played more than 955 million times by listeners around the world, making it one of the top-played songs on its charts for several weeks. It is also played at virtually every party or dance and is most likely on the radio at any point of the day. The Chainsmokers duo continues to be a No. 1 hit around “Memories…Do Not Open,” April 7 and is expected to make it to U.S. Billboard 200’s No. 1 album spot again.

BEST SONG OF THE YEAR

“CLOSER” - THE CHAINSMOKERS

2 “Work” - Rihanna 3 “Heathens” - Twenty One Pilots

Single Artwork Cover

STUART STALTER | FEATURES REPORTER BEST CONCERT VENUE

U.S. CELLULAR COLISEUM

The U.S. Cellular Coliseum, located at 101 South Madison St. opening in 2006. Illinois State University radio station WZND honors U.S. Cellular as the Best Concert Venue. U.S. Cellular Coliseum Marketing and Event Coordinator Yessenia Nunez gladly accepts the recognition for high entertainment value. “We here at the Coliseum do everything we can to make sure everyone that walks through our doors is treated well and has a great time! We love what we do and we want the community to enjoy it as well,” Nunez said. To ensure high quality and community enjoyment, the stadium

2 The Castle Theatre 3 Braden Auditorium

venue. Grammy award-winning country music performer Keith Urban performed in November 2016, while fellow star Chris Stapleton will perform on April 29. Rising country star Brantley Gilbert performed April 7. Beyond country music, a host of other musicians, family-friendly ice-skating shows, various comedians and even the WWE have held events at the Coliseum. For competition, U.S. Cellular Coliseum hosts localized sports teams, such as the Bloomington Edge football team and the Illinois State Hockey Clubs. Below the semi-professional level, the stadium occasionally hosts Illinois State High School Association athletic tournaments, as well as commencement ceremonies. KELLY MCNAMARA Photo Editor

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BEST OF BLO-NO | 5

BEST REDBIRD SPORTS MOMENT

ISU BEATS WICHITA

114 North St, Normal, IL 309.452.7999

2 Football upsets Northwestern 3 Kobe Buffalomeat Sensation

ALEX AND ANI BRACELETS KELLY MCNAMARA Photo Editor

KARALYN COLLAZO | SUPPLEMENTS EDITOR

home season in Redbird history, the team incited an enormous amount of school spirit and made Doug Collins Court in Redbird Arena the place to be. It comes as no surprise that ISU students voted men’s basketball’s 12-game winning streak and Jan. 14 win against Wichita State the Best Redbird Sports Moment of the Year in a WZND-sponsored survey question. The Redbirds beat Wichita State 76-62, leading them to since 1998. “It was really cool to see the team take control and play us dominate what has been the top team in the league for a while,” Danny Bugg, an intern within ISU Athletics, said. “It was also the loudest Redbird Arena had been during program as a whole.” ISU men’s basketball coach Dan Muller and the team have made Redbird fans proud and have brought a new level of excitement to students. “Being at the games, especially when we won against Wichita, was like being a part of Redbird history,” ISU senior Connie Garritano said. “It was beyond satisfying to beat the Shockers — I felt like I was screaming my lungs out.” A celebration of the historic men’s basketball season will be held at 6 p.m. Monday at Redbird Arena.

FRI. THURS. WED. TUES. MON.

The ISU’s men’s basketball team had an extraordinary

$5 Domestic Pitchers $3 Fireball Lunch Special: Ribeye Steak Sandwich $2 Domestic Longnecks $3 Rail Calls $3 Imports and Micro Brews Lunch Special: Reuben $1 Tacos (3pm-9pm) $5 Bud Family Pitchers $4 Vodka & Redbull $4 Bombs Lunch Special: Pork Tenderloin $2 Domestic Bottles $3 J.P. Wisers Rye Whiskey $3 Sailor Jerry Lunch Special: Ham & Cheese $3 Jack Daniels $2.50 Keeper Cup $2.75 Corona and Corona Lite Lunch Special: Cod Sandwich

Patio Open & Margarita Specials Everyday! 102 N. Linden St. | 309.452.0699

6 | BEST OF BLO-NO

THE VIDETTE

PORCHIA WHITE | NEWS REPORTER Whether it is sweet BBQ, spicing it up with the “Blazin’ Wing Challenge” or somewhere in between, Buffalo Wild Wings has all I. BEST SPORTS BAR II. BEST WINGS

BUFFALO WILD WINGS

I. 2 Pub II

3 Firehouse Pizza

II. 2 Mugsy’s Pub 3 Hooters

PRICE

Initially the only Buffalo Wild Wings in Bloomington-Normal was located miles from Illinois State University. Two years ago, students celebrated the restaurant making its way to the 603 S. Main St. location, within walking distance from ISU. -

The restaurant draws its biggest crowds on Tuesdays and Thursdays for the half-price promos. Tuesday is half off traditional wings and Thursday is half off boneless. “Their 65 cent wing days are the best time to come because you get the same great taste for a cheap price,” ISU senior Maurice Earskines said. “Most students know about the specials and the lot is usually packed on those days, but it’s worth it.” Buffalo Wild Wings tries to provide a comfortable atmosphere along with great customer service. Along with wings, the restaurant is also known for its atmosphere for watching sports and drinking beer. Buffalo Wild Wings believes these three aspects are important since these are what the fans want. Televisions are hung around the restaurant so students can watch their favorite sport while enjoying food and drinks with good company. Tiffany Morrison Buffalo Wild Wings proudly serves the ISU community and Vidette Photographer locals with a smile and quality dining experience.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY.

THE VIDETTE

BEST OF BLO-NO | 7

BEST RECREATIONAL ACTIVITY

BOWLING

2 Rock Climbing (Upper Limits)

3 Yoga (Main Street)

NATALIE STUCKSLAGER Vidette Photographer

ALEX CAMPBELL | NEWS REPORTER College is one of the most stressful environments in the world with multiple coinciding deadlines, extracurricular meetings and social gatherings all taking up time and energy. Personal relaxation is often overlooked, but that does not make it any less important. Relaxation is a huge part of a balanced, healthy lifestyle; it gives your body and your mind time to recuperate. The Bowling and Billiards Center was chosen as the Best Recreational Activity by The Vidette readers. ation time takes place in a similar location: the Bowling and Billiards Center. The building is open from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday. There are special hours for the weekend. A program called “Bowl Out Your Candles” was started at the Bowling and Billiards Center in January 2015 in which those with a valid ISU ID and a state ID/driver’s license can have a free shoe rental and a game of bowling on their birthday. While he is no Jeff Lebowski, avid bowler and occasional pool hustler Max Quinn had high praises for his favorite hangout location. Quinn said, “The people there are super friendly and the music is always enjoyable. Not to mention it is really affordable!”

DYLAN STEVENS | VIDETTE REPORTER AMC Starplex Normal 14 Cinema has been titled Bloomington-Normal’s Best Movie Theater. With matinee ticket prices at $5.99 to night tickets at $7.99, the average college student is able to afford it. The cinema includes all of the latest movies, is well-maintained and provides affordable snacks and comfortable chairs. Freshman Brittany Fugger is a frequent patron at Normal’s Starplex cinema and gladly supports it. Fugger said, “I tried to bring my boyfriend there a couple times this year so we could see a movie. It’s awesome because we don’t go broke from paying for it. It’s also a very nice and clean place to go to.” Starplex Cinema prides itself on high-quality experiences for its customers. It also makes sure that each movie theater is clean before the next show. Freshman Ethan Salzman is another avid moviegoer that appreciates all that Starplex Cinema has to offer. Salzman said, “My friends and I love to go to this theater, simply because we all appreciate watching movies in a clean environment. The 3-D movies that they have are mind blowing. We can’t get enough of them.” Starplex Cinemas’ 3-D theaters create a unique and innovative visual experience, featuring incredible depth and clarity. Customers are ecstatic about this experience because they feel that they are in the movie when they put their glasses on. Starplex is currently the most updated cinema in the Bloomington-Normal area.

BEST MOVIE THEATER

STARPLEX CINEMAS

Archive Photo

2 Wehrenberg Galaxy 14 3 Normal Theater

8 | BEST OF BLO-NO

THE VIDETTE

ANDREW DOUGHERTY | NEWS REPORTER

BEST DATE LOCATION

MEDICI

Having been open for nine years, Medici, a unique and familyowned restaurant has once again won recognition for being the Best Date Location. This romantically lit yet comfortable restaurant continues to provide an atmosphere of love euphoria for Illinois State University students. Students walking by Medici can feel its energy and atmosphere, which the restaurant prides itself on. Unique to Medici is its very tall outside can easily access its outdoor atrium and dine under a star-lit night. Medici offers an environment where local residents, visitors and students can come in, relax and have an enjoyable meal. gathering, family outing or friends dining. We always have something for everyone and it’s easy for us to make our guests happy,” General Manager Joe Slane said. “Illinois State students look to our restaurant when they bring their parents and other family members into town. It’s much more affordable than people realize.” Medici also offers a very diverse menu which correlates with its wondrous atmosphere. The menu offers brunch, lunch and dinner options. Students and patrons have a variety of meals to choose from, whether it is salad, sandwiches or steak. “I think what we and our staff take pride in is that we’re very integrated into the local community. A lot of our staff are from the local colleges,” Slane said. “We love that people enjoy coming here and

2 DESTIHL Restaurant 3 Biaggi’s Ristorante

are.” At 120 North St. in Uptown Normal, students can easily walk to

Italiano

Archive Photo

CLAIRE WEINZIERL | NEWS REPORTER BEST PLACE TO STUDY

MILNER

Illinois State University’s own Milner Library is students’ favorite place to study on campus. Next to the Bone Student Center, Milner offers a variety of study areas such as learning spaces, individual cubicles, small tables, group study spaces and lounge chairs alongside books, periodicals and other library materials. -

The collection at Milner includes 1,622,355 print volumes, 81,448 electronic serial titles and 1,927 print journal titles. There are 84 public workstations, 63 classroom workstations, 110 computer lab workstations and 30 laptops. Milner Library operates 120 hours per week. Milner Library has received awards such as the Outstanding College Researcher Award and the Outstanding College Service Award. Dane Ward is the dean of Milner Library and believes that Milner won Best Place to Study because of the support for study, variety of spaces and coffee that the library provides for students.

TIED FOR 2 Atrium in the Bone Student Center and the coffee shops around campus

NATALIE STUCKSLAGER Vidette Photographer

spaces that meet the needs of students, faculty and the larger campus community,” Ward said.

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GreatViews Views of Great of Campus Campus Front Loading Washer/Dryer Full-Size Washer/Dryer Sectional Leather Couch in Living Room Sectional Leather Couch in Living Room Elevator Accent Walls Rain Drop Shower Heads Rain DropLighting Shower Heads Elegant

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10 | BEST OF BLO-NO

BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE (SMALL APT.)

THE EDGE

2 The Flats 3 Walk2Class

Archive Photo

CASSIE MCNEILL | NEWS REPORTER The Edge Apartments on Hovey Avenue has won Best Customer Service among small apartments by the students of Illinois State University. The apartments are just steps away from campus and feature around-the-clock customer service from the management and maintenance teams. “I have been with The Edge for two years. I know that we won this award last year and I am just really excited that we can continue this legacy under the new management we have now,” Property Manager Jacob Campbell said. Campbell helped put together the Bum-A-Bike program, which is a free service for all residents to rent a bike for up to 24 hours, free of charge, from the apartment complex. “We rolled out the Bum-A-Bike program about two months ago, which has been going great. We are also in the process of expandWe are hoping to open it by the end of next week or the beginning of the following week,” Campbell said. of the line equipment, a touch screen interactive system and much more. “As a whole, one of our primary goals as a company is our peak mindset and the top one is (that) people matter most and we always keep that in the forefront. We try to create a residence experience here that is above and beyond any of our competition,” Campbell said. The Edge is committed to interacting with its residents and making them feel like they are home. “We plan to continue building, brainstorming and taking suggestions to making the residents’ experience here above and beyond any place they have lived before,” Campbell said.

THE VIDETTE

BEST OF BLO-NO | 11

MARY CULLEN | NEWS EDITOR Five years running, First Site Apartments has won Best Customer Service for the medium-size apartment category in The Vidette’s Best of Guide. In all college apartments, there are complaints ranging from broken appliances to insects and everywhere in between. Though First Site does not stand above these complaints, it is students’ favorite to make right. With its 24 hour, 7 day-a-week maintenance service, placing a request is as simple as a phone call. Typically, response rates are detailed over the phone so that students can plan ahead. In the case where First Site residents do hit a bump in the road with their apartment, customer service providers know exactly how the best handle the situation. First Site resident and senior food nutrition major Kylee Hennessy recalls a recent incident with one of her roommates in which First Site exhibited excellent customer service. “My roommate had left her window open one day that [First Site] was having work done on the external [wall] of our apartment. They actually sprayed some sort of cleaning agent in her window, completely ruining the coloring of her bedding,” Hennessy explained. Development and Marketing Ulises Napoles assured Hennessy’s roommate that the problem would be handled and instructed her to buy all new bedding on the company’s dollar. For a college apartment leasing company, First Site knows how to keep their customers happy.

BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE (MEDIUM APT.)

FIRST SITE

ALI RASPER Vidette Photographer

2 College Station 3 Campus Point

KEVIN SCHWALLER | SENIOR NEWS REPORTER BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE (LARGE APT.)

YOUNG AMERICA

Local leasing agency Young America has won Best Large Apartment Customer Service several years in a row. Property Manager Randy Paulissen said winning the title again is an honor for the company. “It is something that our entire staff works for every year,” Paulissen said. “From our leasing staff to our maintenance, we want our customers to feel taken care of. Whether you live with us, or you got a free T-shirt from us, we want every interaction with our customers to be a positive one.” Paulissen said the staff takes pride in its customer service and providing multiple locations, which makes the leasing experience as easy as possible for students. emergency maintenance staff, we accept online payments and we are constantly trying to give back to our community,” Paulissen said. “We know that we might not always be perfect, and problems

2 SAMI 3 Redbird Apartments EMMA HORATH Senior Photographer

separates your company from the rest. That’s why we say ‘Where you live matters.’” Some notable Young America locations include The Lodge, Kensington Suites, the Lofts on Hovey, Willow Trails and Rutherford Suites. “Our staff is very happy to accept this award,” Paulissen said.

12 | BEST OF BLO-NO

THE VIDETTE

TARA BABIC | FEATURES REPORTER

BEST SPECIALTY STORE

APRICOT LANE

Illinois State University students have chosen Apricot Lane Boutique as the Best Specialty Store on campus. For all the chic girls into fashion and the latest trends, Apricot Lane never fails to have the best looks for every season. customers because of its trendy clothing, accessories and promotions. A unique fact about Apricot Lane is that it is willing to host fashion parties for registered student organizations, sororities and more. For example, if a large group plans to come in together, the boutique works to give the group a discount. The boutique will also provide customers with complimentary snacks while they shop during special events. Apricot Lane keeps up with the ever-changing fashion industry. Current employee Morgan Basso said, “I’m super grateful to have a job at Apricot Lane because we have a lot of creative freedom even as sales associates. I’ve learned so much about photography and merchandising although I’m only a part-time employee.” The boutique has its own local Instagram account that lets followers know when there are new arrivals. Stop into the Best Specialty Store for a wardrobe makeover.

2 Uptown Gifts & Accessories 3 Mother Murphy’s Archive Photo

REDBIRD

ALE RT : THE AV ANTI’S

GONDOLA

IS EVE RYWHERE.

Students at ISU report the Avanti’s® Gondola® is taking over campus and, if treated well, will actually go to classes for you and raise your grade point average. We believe this phenomenon was brought about by our online ordering system. If you have seen the Gondola® in action, please document this on Facebook or at #GOGONDOLA.

Order your Gondola ® online (the most convenient way to satisfy your hunger)

WW W .AV A NTI S NO RMA L .CO M