WEST SUBURBAN LIVING’S 18TH ANNUAL
BEST OF THE WEST When it comes to knowing what’s BEST in the western suburbs, we go right to the source — our readers. Following are your
choices for the BEST the western suburbs have to offer in more than
85 categories — a very impressive list, indeed.
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Photo courtesy of Two Brothers Brewing
Dining BEST STEAK BEST: Gibson’s Bar & Steakhouse in Oak Brook and Rosemont 2nd: Morton’s Steakhouse in Naperville, Rosemont and Schaumburg 3rd: TIE: The Capital Grille in Lombard and Rosemont and Ditka’s in Oakbrook Terrace Other Favorites: Foxfire Restaurant in Geneva; The Grotto in Oak Brook; Jameson’s Charhouse in Bloomingdale and Woodridge; Magnum’s Prime Steak House in Lombard; Shula’s Steak House in Itasca; Sullivan’s Steakhouse in Naperville; and Wildwood in Geneva
BEST PLACE FOR SEAFOOD BEST: Chinn’s 34th Street Fishery in Lisle 2nd: Parkers’ Restaurant & Bar in Downers Grove 3rd: TIE: Devon Seafood and Steak in Oakbrook Terrace; and Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen in Westmont Other Favorites: Catch 35 in Naperville; Seasons 52 in Oak Brook and Schaumburg; Shaw’s Crab House in Schaumburg
BEST NEW RESTAURANT BEST: Barbakoa in Downers Grove 2nd: Altiro Latin Fusion in Geneva 3rd: Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille in Oak Brook Other Favorites: Davanti Enoteca in Western Springs;
Best Microbrewery/ Brewpub: Two Brothers Brewing Fox’s Pizza Pub In Hinsdale; and Neat Kitchen & Bar in Westmont
BEST ROMANTIC RESTAURANT BEST: Fiora’s in Geneva 2nd: The Melting Pot in Downers Grove, Naperville and Schaumburg 3rd: Niche Restaurant in Geneva Other Favorites: Gibson’s Bar & Steakhouse in Oak Brook and Rosemont; Parker’s Restaurant & Bar in Downers Grove; and Wildfire in Oak Brook and Schaumburg
BEST MICROBREWERY/ BREWPUB A sincere THANKS to all those who voted. For those who didn’t, we hope you will next year. And to all our readers, we hope you find this information both fun and useful.
BEST: Two Brothers Tap House in Warrenville 2nd: Emmett’s in Downers Grove and West Dundee
3rd: Gordon Biersch in Bolingbrook Other Favorites: Geneva Ale House; Hofbrauhaus in Rosemont; Lunar Brewing in Villa Park; Old Town Pour House in Oak Brook; Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery in Lombard and Warrenville; Stockholm’s in Geneva; and World of Beer in Naperville
BEST RESTAURANT IF MONEY IS NO OBJECT BEST: Capital Grille in Lombard and Rosemont 2nd: TIE Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse in Oak Brook and Rosemont; and Niche in Geneva 3rd: Nick’s Fish Market in Rosemont Other Favorites: Atwater’s at the Herrington Inn & Spa in
Geneva; Tallgrass in Lockport; and Vie in Western Springs
BEST OUTDOOR DINING BEST: Redstone American Grill in Oakbrook Terrace 2nd: Ivy in Wheaton 3rd: TIE: Fiora’s in Geneva and Meson Sabika in Naperville Other Favorites: Ballydoyle in Aurora and Downers Grove; DOC Wine Bar in Lombard; Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse in Oak Brook; Harry Carays in Lombard; Maya del Sol in Oak Park; Palmer Place in LaGrange; Roberto’s Ristorante in Elmhurst; Topaz Café in Burr Ridge; and Villa Verone in Geneva
BEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT BEST: Clara’s Pasta
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Photo courtesy of the Forest Preserve District ofDuPage
best of the west
Best Park or Forest Preserve: Blackwell in Woodridge 2nd: Biaggi’s RIstorante Italiano in Naperville 3rd: Capri Ristorante in Burr Ridge Other Favorites: Carrabba’s Italian Grill in Naperville and Woodridge; Francesca’s, multiple locations; Gatto’s Restaurant & Bar in Downers Grove; Il Poggiolo in HInsdale; La Tosca Ristorante and Pizzeria in Villa Park; Mamma Onesta’s in Lockport; Marconi’s Ristorante in LaGrange; Olive Garden, multiple locations; Roberto’s Ristorante in Elmhurst; and Volare in Oakbrook Terrace
Best Sunday brunch Best: Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace 2nd: Allgauer’s at the Lisle/ Naperville Hilton 3rd: Nosh in Geneva Other Favorites: Atwater’s in
Geneva; Pheasant Run Resort in St. Charles; and The Red Oak Room at Cantigny Golf in Wheaton
Best place for breakfast Best: Egg Harbor Café, multiple locations 2nd: Nosh in Geneva 3rd: TIE: Jam ‘n’ Jelly in Darien and Woodridge; and Blueberry Hill Breakfast Café in Aurora, Darien, LaGrange and Oak Brook Other Favorites: Butterfield’s Pancake House in Naperville and Wheaton; Egg’lectic Café in Wheaton; Honey Jam Café in Bolingbrook and Downers Grove; Juicy-O in Downers Grove, Naperville and Willowbrook; Moondance Diner in Burr Ridge and Westmont; Omega Restaurant in Downers
Grove and Schaumburg; Our Kitchen in Elmhurst; Red Apple Pancake House in Carol Stream; and Suzette’s Creperie in Wheaton
Best barbecue Best: The Patio in Bolingbrook, Darien and Lombard 2nd: Famous Dave’s in Addison, Bolingbrook and Oswego 3rd: TIE: Q BBQ in LaGrange and Naperville; and Uncle Bub’s BBQ in Westmont Other Favorites: Russell’s Barbecue in Elmwood Park; Salt Creek Barbecue in Glendale Heights; and Sweet Baby Ray’s in Elk Grove Village and Wood Dale
Best pizza Best: Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria, multiple locations 2nd: Giordano’s,
multiple locations 3rd: Aurelio’s Pizza, multiple locations Other Favorites: Angelo’s Pizza in Downers Grove; Di Nico’s in Berwyn and LaGrange; Giuliano’s Pizza in Hinsdale; Nancy’s Pizza, multiple locations; Nonno’s Pizza in Berwyn; Papa’s Pizza Place in Bolingbrook and Woodridge; Papa Passero’s in Westmont; and Roberto’s Ristorante in Elmhurst
Best burger Best: Country House in Clarendon Hills, Geneva and Lisle 2nd: Five Guys, multiple locations 3rd: Tom and Eddie’s in Geneva, Lombard and Naperville Other Favorites: Alfie’s Inn in Glen Ellyn; Back Alley Burger in Elmhurst and LaGrange;
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Photo by Ed Ahern
Photo courtesy of the Forest Preserve District ofDuPage
Best deli/ sandwich shop
Schmaltz Deli
DuPage Inn Bar & Grill in Downers Grove; Meatheads, mutiple locations; Palmer Place in La Grange; Portillo’s, multiple locations; Red Robin, multiple locations; Smashburger, multiple locations; Stockholm’s in Geneva; and Tap House Grill in Glen Ellyn
Best hot dog Best: Portillo’s, multiple locations 2nd: Doggie Diner, multiple locations 3rd: Scooby’s Hot Dogs in West Chicago Other Favorites: Gene and Jude’s in River Grove; Kombs Beef & Dogs in Countryside; and Mickey’s Drive-In in Villa Park
Best ice cream or dessert Best: Oberweis, multiple locations 2nd: Graham’s Fine Chocolate & Ice Cream in Geneva 3rd: Tates Old Fashioned Ice Cream in LaGrange and Wheaton Other Favorites: Every Day’s a Sundae in Downers Grove;
Kimmer’s Ice Cream in St. Charles; Petersen’s Ice Cream in Oak Park; Seven Dwarfs in Wheaton
Best place for vegetarian and/or healthy fare Best: Pinched Mediterranean Grill in Lombard 2nd: Borrowed Earth Café in Downers Grove 3rd: Munch in Oak Park Other Favorites: OMango in Aurora; Prasino in LaGrange and Rosemont; Shree in Westmont; and Vegan Café in Lockport
and Ginger & Garlic in Naperville 3rd: P.F. Chang’s in Lombard and Schaumburg Other Favorites: China Chef in Carol Stream and Westmont; Gen Hoe in Geneva; Gong Ho in Downers Grove; Kiku in Naperville; Stir Crazy in Oak Brook; and Yokohama in Westmont
Best coffeehouse Best: Grahams 318 in Geneva 2nd: Arcedium in St. Charles 3rd: Funky Java in Villa Park Other Favorites: Café La Fortuna in Hinsdale; Elijah’s Coffee & Tea in Elmhurst; Le Chocolat du Bouchard in Naperville; and Safari Café in Lisle
Photo courtesy of The Patio
Best Deli/ Sandwich Shop:
Best: Schmaltz Deli in Naperville 2nd: TIE: Berto’s Deli & Pasta Shoppe in Downers Grove; and Jersey Mike’s, multiple locations 3rd: TIE: Augustino’s Rock and Roll Deli in Carol Stream and West Chicago; Fontano’s Subs in Hinsdale and Naperville; Frankie’s Deli in Lombard; Rosalia’s Deli in Elmhurst; and Shane’s Deli in Wheaton Other Favorites: Snackers Café in Western Springs; Westchester Deli
Best sushi Best: Sushi House, multiple locations 2nd: TIE: Nabuki in Hinsdale; and RA Sushi in Lombard 3rd: Swordfish in Batavia Other Favorites: Bistro Nami in Clarendon Hills; Japan 77 in Glendale Heights; JuRin in Geneva and South Elgin; Sushi Nest in Elmhurst; Wok ‘n Fire, multiple locations; and Yokohama in Westmont
Best asian restaurant Best: Wok ‘n Fire, multiple locations 2nd: TIE: FuYuan in Wheaton;
Best Barbecue: The Patio
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best of the west
Best: Adagio Teas in Naperville 2nd: Pinecone Cottage Tea House in Downers Grove 3rd: TIE: Emerson Creek Pottery and Tea Room in Oswego; and The Little Traveler in Geneva Other Favorites: Argo Tea in Schaumburg; Bello Tea in Downers Grove; and Suzettes Creperie in Wheaton
Best irish pub Best: McNally’s in St. Charles 2nd: Ballydoyle’s in Aurora and Downers Grove 3rd: Muldoons in Wheaton Other Favorites: Irish Times in Brookfield; Quigley’s in Naperville; and Shannon’s in Glen Ellyn
BEST service at a restaurant
Steakhouse in Oak Brook and Rosemont 3rd: Morton’s Steakhouse in Naperville, Rosemont and Schaumburg Other Favorites: Fiora’s in Geneva; and Parkers’ Restaurant & Bar in Downers Grove
best cheap eats Best: Portillo’s, multiple locations Other Favorites: Back Alley Burger in Elmhurst and LaGrange; Labriola Bakery Café in Oak Brook; and Panera Bread, multiple locations
best french restaurant Best: Mon Ami Gabi in Oak Brook 2nd: Tallgrass in Lockport 3rd: Suzette’s Creperie in Wheaton Other Favorites: Paris Bistro in Naperville
Best: Ditka’s in Oakbrook Terrace 2nd: Gibson’s Bar &
best kid-friendly restaurant
Best downtown chicago restaurant
Best: Chuck E. Cheese, mulitple locations 2nd: All Aboard Diner in Downers Grove 3rd: Gabby’s Kitchen in St. Charles Other Favorites: Christy’s Restaurant and Pancake House in Wood Dale; and Portillo’s, multiple locations
Best: Girl and the Goat 2nd: Signature Room at the 95th 3rd: Grand Lux Café Other Favorites: Aliena, Blackbird, Café Iberico, Harry Caray’s, Pump Room, The Purple Pig, Spiaggia and Tru
best place to buy wine Best: Binny’s, multiple locations 2nd: Malloy’s Finest Wine & Spirits in Glen Ellyn, Lisle and Naperville Other Favorites: Galena Cellars in Geneva; Gibby’s Wine Den in Geneva; Hillgrove Wine & Bistro in Western Springs; Hinsdale Wine Shop; Lynfred Winery in Roselle and Tasting deVine in Naperville and Wheaton; Trader Joes, multiple locations; and Wine With Me in Itasca
Favorite TV Show: Modern Family
Best fish fry Best: Village Tavern & Grill in Carol Stream and Schaumburg 2nd: The Little Owl in Geneva 3rd: Johnson’s Door County Fish in Lombard
Best mexican restaurant Best: Bien Trucha in Geneva 2nd: Yerbabuena Mexican Cuisine in Lisle 3rd: Front Street Cantina in Geneva, Lemont, Naperville, Plainfield and Wheaton Other Favorites: Jose Maria’s in Geneva; La Campana in Bloomingdale; Maya del Sol in Oak Park; and Uncle Julio’s in Lombard
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fa Photo courtesy of ABC/Bob D’Amico
Best tea room/ tea house
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Photo courtesy of Hindale Chamber of Commerce
3rd: Downtown Chicago Other Favorites: Door County; Kohler, Wisconsin; Las Vegas, Saugatuck, Michigan; Starved Rock; and the Wisconsin Dells
Best historic landmark/attraction Best: Cantigny Park in Wheaton 2nd: Graue Mill and Museum in Oak Brook 3rd: TIE: Naper Settlement in Naperville; and the Prairie Path
Best Craft or Art Show:
Best park/ forest preserve
Hinsdale Fine Arts Festival
Photo courtesy of ABC/Bob D’Amico
favorite tv show Best: Modern Family 2nd: Homeland 3rd: TIE: Chicago Fire and Downton Abbey Other Favorites: The Big Bang Theory, CSI, The Good Wife, Mad Men, Nashville, NCIS and Scandal
Best festival or fair Best: Ribfest in Naperville 2nd: Swedish Days in Geneva 3rd: Scarecrow Festival in St. Charles Other Favorites: Lockport Old Canal Days; Eyes to the Skies in Lisle; Festival of the Vine in Geneva; and Last Fling in Naperville
Best farmer’s market Best: Wheaton 2nd: Downers Grove 3rd: Naperville Other Favorites: Hinsdale, LaGrange, Oak Park and Western Springs
Best AREA Museum Best: DuPage Children’s
Museum in Naperville 2nd: Cantigny Park in Wheaton 3rd: Naper Settlement in Naperville Other Favorites: Elmhurst Art Museum; Geneva History Museum; Graue Mill and Museum in Oak Brook; and Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art in Elmhurst
Best public library Best: Naperville 2nd: Schaumburg 3rd: TIE: Indian Prarie in Darien; and Hinsdale Other Favorites: Bloomingdale, Elmhurst, Geneva, Oak Park, St. Charles, Woodridge, Wheaton
and Gravity 3rd: 12 Years a Slave Other Favorites: American Hustle, Blue Jasmine, and Silver Linings Playbook
Best craft or art show Best: Hinsdale Fine Arts Festival 2nd: Geneva Arts Fair 3rd: LaGrange Craft Show Other Favorite: Autumn Festival in Villa Park; Downers Grove FIne Arts Festival; and Festival of the Vine Arts & Craft Show
Best weekend getaway Best: Galena 2nd: Lake Geneva
Best movie theater Best: Tivoli in Downers Grove 2nd: Hollywood Boulevard in Woodridge 3rd: Cinemark at Seven Bridges in Woodridge Other Favorites: Marcus Theatres in Addison; York Theatre in Elmhurst; and AMC Yorktown in Lombard
Photo courtesy of Columbia Pictures
Activities & Entertainment
Best: Blackwell Forest Preserve in Wheaton 2nd: Morton Arboretum in Lisle 3rd: Danada in Wheaton Other Favorites: Graue Mill and Museum in Oak Brook; Green Valley Forest Preserve in Naperville; Herrick Lake in Wheaton; LeRoy Oakes Forest Preserve in St. Charles; Ty Warner Park in Westmont; Waterfall Glen Forest Preseve in Darien; and Wilder Park in Elmhurst
Best place for kid’s party Best: Chuck E. Cheese, multiple locations 2nd: Laser Quest in Downers Grove
Favorite Movie in the Past Year: Captain Phillips
Best movie in past year Best: Captain Phillips 2nd: TIE: The Book Thief
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Photo by Ed Ahern
best of the west
Best Place to Buy Antiques: Affordable Antiques
Best place for live music Best: FitzGerald’s in Berwyn 2nd: EvenFlow in Geneva 3rd: First Midwest Bank Amplitheatre in Tinley Park Other Favorites: The Lodge at Four Lakes in Lisle; Mojoes in Joliet; Paramount Theatre in Aurora; Rosemont Theatre; and Toyota Park in Bridgeview
venue for live theatre Best: Drury Lane in Oakbrook Terrace 2nd: Paramount Theatre in Aurora 3rd: Theatre of Western Springs Other Favorites: McAninch Arts Center in Glen Ellyn; and Steel Beam Theatre in St. Charles
Best place for singles Best: The Lodge at Four Lakes in Lisle
Best book you’ve read lately Best: 50 Shades of Grey 2nd: The Hunger Games
Shopping Best Mall/ shopping center Best: Oakbrook Center in Oak Brook 2nd: Yorktown Shopping Center in Lombard 3rd: Geneva Commons in Geneva Other Favorites: Promenade Bollingbrook; and Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg
Best bargain shopping/ outlet store Best: Chicago Premium Outlets in Aurora 2nd: Nordstrom Rack in Oak Brook, Naperville and Schaumburg 3rd: TJ Maxx, multiple locations
Other Favorites: Marshalls, multiple locations
Most unique gift shop Best: Cocoon in Geneva 2nd: Avec Panache in Downers Grove 3rd: Gabby’s Gifts in Downers Grove Other Favorites: Little Traveler in Geneva; Odalisque Beauty Apothecary in Geneva; and Vini Vidi Val in LaGrange
Best Women’s clothing store or boutique Best: Alixandria Collection in Hinsdale and LaGrange 2nd: Jeans and a Cute Top Shop in Downers Grove, St. Charles and Wheaton 3rd: Hot Mama in Naperville, Oak Brook and Wheaton Other Favorites: Chico’s, multiple locations; Coldwater Creek in Bollingbrook, Geneva, Naperville and Oak Brook; Dress Barn, multiple locations; Katy’s Boutique in Glen Ellyn; and Nordstrom, multiple locations
best department store Best: Nordstrom in Oak Brook and Schaumburg 2nd: Macy’s, multiple locations 3rd: Von Maur in Lombard and St. Charles Other Favorites: Carson’s, multiple locations; JC Penney, multiple locations; Kohl’s, multiple locations; and Target, multiple locations
Best Pet Store: Wet Nose
Photo by Ed Ahern
3rd: Sky High Sports in Naperville Other Favorites: All Dressed Up Costumes in Batavia; Jump Zone in Bolingbrook and Schaumburg; and Pump It Up in Elmhurst, Lisle and Schaumburg
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Photo by Ed Ahern
Photo courtesy of The Dump
Other Favorites: Here Comes the Bride in Addison; and Jasmine Galleria in Lombard
Best place to buy appliances
The Dump
Best place to buy men’s clothing Best: Nordstrom in Oak Brook and Schaumburg 2nd: Men’s Warehouse, multiple locations 3rd: Jos A Bank Clothiers in Burr Ridge, Oak Brook, Schaumburg and Wheaton Other Favorites: Billy’s Closet in Wheaton; Hinsdale Clothiers; Kohl’s, multiple locations; Louis for Men in Downers Grove; and Macy’s, multiple locations
Photo by Ed Ahern
Best place for women’s shoes Best: DSW, multiple locations 2nd: Nordstrom in Oak Brook and Schaumburg 3rd: Clark’s, multiple locations Other Favorites: Giesche Shoes in Geneva and Glen Ellyn; and Nora’s Shoe Shop in Geneva and Oak Park
BEST NEW STORE Best: The Dump Furniture Outlet in Lombard 2nd: Bella Roba in Wheaton 3rd: Nothing Bundt Cakes in Naperville and Wheaton Other Favorites: My Other Closet in Countryside; Old Time Pottery in West Chicago; and Quilters Quest in Woodridge
Best place to buy women’s jeans Best: Jeans and a Cute Top Shop in Downers Grove,
St. Charles and Wheaton 2nd: Gap, multiple locations 3rd: Coldwater Creek in Bollingbrook, Geneva, Naperville and Oak Brook
Best place to buy ChILDREN’S clothes Best: Gap Kids, multiple locations 2nd: Nordstrom in Oak Brook and Schaumburg 3rd: My Sister Kate in Hinsdale Other Favorites: Justice, multiple locations; and Old Navy, multiple locations
Best KITCHEN AND HOUSEWARES STORE Best: Bed Bath and Beyond, multiple locations 2nd: TIE: Sur La Table in Oak Brook and Naperville; and William Sonoma in Geneva, Oak Brook and Naperville 3rd: Crate & Barrel in Geneva, Oak Brook, Naperville and Schaumburg Other Favorites: HomeGoods, multiple locations; and Marcel’s Culinary Experience in Glen Ellyn
Best resale/ consignment store Best: Plato’s Closet in Geneva, Glendale Heights, Oakbrook Terrace, Naperville and Schaumburg 2nd: Resale Connection in Lisle 3rd: TIE: The Courtyard in Hinsdale; and My Favorite Things in Downers Grove and St. Charles Other Favorites: Consign and Redesign in LaGrange; Jane Pabon in Geneva; and Wise Penny Resale Shop in Wheaton
Best bridal boutique Best: Veiled in Elegance in Geneva 2nd: The Dress by Nicole in Wheaton 3rd: The Crystal Bride in Geneva
Best decorative accessories for the home Best: HomeGoods, multiple locations 2nd: Kirkland’s in Bloomingdale, Hoffman Estates, Joliet and Woodridge 3rd: Pottery Barn in Geneva, Oak Brook and Naperville Other Favorites: Cocoon in Geneva; Crate & Barrel in Geneva, Oak Brook, Naperville and Schaumburg; Pier 1 Imports, multiple locations;
Best Nursery/ Garden Center: Wannemaker’s
Photo courtesy of Wannemaker’s
Best New Store:
Best: Best Buy, multiple locations 2nd: TIE: Grants Appliances in Aurora, Downers Grove and Joilet; and Sears, multiple locations 3rd: Abt Appliances and Electronics in Glenview Other Favorites: Young’s Appliances, Glen Ellyn
Best place to buy antiques Best: Affordable Antiques in Naperville 2nd: Jackson Square Mall in La Grange Other Favorites: Antique Market III in St. Charles; and Bella Roba in Wheaton
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Photo courtesy of Chicago Blackhawks
best of the west
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Best Chicago Area Sports Team: Blackhawks
Restoration Hardware in Oak Brook; and 610 Home in Geneva
Best place for furniture Best: Tom’s Price in Bloomingdale, South Barrington and Wheaton 2nd: Ethan Allen in Lombard, Naperville and Schaumburg 3rd: Pottery Barn in Geneva, Oak Brook and Naperville Other Favorites: Beidelman’s in Naperville; The Dump in Lombard; Linly Designs in Clarendon Hills; Macy’s, multiple locations; Room & Board in Oak Brook; Walter E. Smithe in Geneva, Glendale Heights, Naperville, and Oak Brook
Best pet STORE/boutique Best: Wet Nose in Geneva and Oak Brook
2nd: TIE: Happy Dog Barkery in Downers Grove; and PetSmart, multiple locations 3rd: Two Bostons Pet Boutique in Geneva and Naperville Other Favorites: Dog Patch in Naperville; and Urban Mutt in Berwyn, Glen Ellyn and LaGrange
Best grocery, food market or gourmet shop Best: Whole Foods; multiple locations 2nd: TIE: Marianos, multiple locations; and Trader Joe’s, multiple locations 3rd: TIE: Blue Goose in St. Charles; and Standard Market in Westmont Other Favorites: Caputos in Addison, Bloomingdale, Carol Stream, Hanover Park, Naperville and South Elgin; Casey’s Market in Western Springs; Devries Grocery &
Meat Market in LaGrange; Kramer Foods in Hinsdale; and Lemon Tree Grocer in Downers Grove
Best nursery/ garden center Best: Wannemaker’s in Downers Grove 2nd: The Growing Place in Aurora and Naperville 3rd: TIE: Wasco Nursery & Garden Center in St. Charles;and Vern Goer’s Greenhouse in Hinsdale Other Favorites: Planter’s Palette in Winfield; and Platt Hill Nursery in Bloomingdale
Services Best hair salon Best: Mario Tricoci Hair Salon & Day Spa, multiple locations 2nd: Zano Salons in Batavia, Lisle and Naperville
3rd: Rocco & Rocco in Downers Grove Other Favorites: Dye Hard Salon in Western Springs; Icon Salon in Villa Park; and Zazu in Hinsdale, Naperville and Wheaton
Best FITNESS CENTER/ HEALTH CLUB Best: X-Sport Fitness, multiple locations 2nd: Edward Health & Fitness in Naperville and Woodridge 3rd: Good Samaritan Health and Wellness Center in Downers Grove Other Favorites: Anytime Fitness in Bartlett, Glendale Heights, Naperville and Roselle; LA FItness, multiple locations; Life Time Fitness in Bloomingdale, Burr Ridge, Romeoville, Schaumburg and Warrenville; Parks Plus Fitness Center in Wheaton; and YMCA, multiple locations
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Best: Kirschbaums Bakery in Western Springs 2nd: Ingram’s Busy Bee Bakery in Downers Grove 3rd: Kean’s in Itasca Other Favorites: Blackberry Market in Glen Ellyn; Flour Barrel in Glen Ellyn; Graham’s 318 in Geneva; Harners in Aurora; Jarosch in Elk Grove Village; Kirsten’s Danish Bakery in Burr Ridge; Labriola in Oakbrook Terrace; and Weber’s Bakery in Chicago
Best Auto Repair Shop Best: Bartel’s Auto Clinic in Carol Stream, Oswego and Plainfield 2nd: Lang’s Auto Service in Downers Grove
Best LOCAL HOTEL Best: Herrington Inn in Geneva 2nd: Westin Lombard 3rd: Hilton Lisle/Naperville in Lisle Other Favorites: Carleton in Oak Park; Chicago Marriott Naperville; Eaglewood Resort in Itasca; Hotel Arista in Naperville; and Hotel Baker in St. Charles
General
Sports Best AREA PUBLIC GOLF COURSE Best: Arrowhead Golf Club in Wheaton 2nd: Cantigny Golf in Wheaton 3rd: Downers Grove Golf Club Other Favorites: Cog Hill Golf & Country Club in Lemont; Orchard Valley in Aurora; Prairie Landing Golf Club in West Chicago; Village Greens of Woodridge; and Zigfield Troy Golf in Woodridge
Best golf driving range Best: Riedy’s Tee Time in Lisle 2nd: Arrowhead Golf Club in Wheaton 3rd: Top Golf in Wood Dale Other Favorites: Downers Grove Golf Club; Oak Brook Golf Club; Mill Creek Golf Club in Geneva; Village Greens of Woodridge; and Zigfield Troy Golf in Woodridge
Best AREA Bowling alley Best: Brunswick Zone, multiple locations 2nd: Lucky Strike in Lombard 3rd: Suburbanite Bowl in Westmont
Best AREA CELEBRITY Best: Chicago Blackhawks Coach Joel Quenneville 2nd: Former Chicago Bears Coach Mike Ditka 3rd: Oprah Winfrey Other Favorites: TV weather person Tracy Butler; radio host Eric Ferguson; former pro athlete Bo Jackson; and actresses Jenny McCarthy and Melissa McCarthy
RECENTLY CLOSED SPOT YOU’LL MISS THE MOST Best: Dominick’s, multiple locations 2nd: Grant Square Restaurant in Hinsdale 3rd: Courtright’s Restaurant in Willow Springs Other Favorites: My Favorite Toy Store in Downers Grove and Elmhurst
Best Landmark or Historic Attraction: Cantigny
Other Favorites: Bowling Green Sports Center in West Chicago; Stardust Bowl in Addison; St. Charles Bowl; and Willowbrook Lanes
Chicago Area
FAVORITE sports bar or place to watch sports
Best: Ron Magers, ABC7 2nd: Tom Skilling, WGN9 3rd: TIE: Tracy Butler, ABC7; and Allison Rosati, NBC5 Other Favorites: Dick Johnson, NBC5; and Alan Krashesky, ABC7
FAVORITE BROADCAST NEWS PERSONALITY
Best: Champps Americana Restaurant in Lombard and Schaumburg 2nd: Buffalo Wild Wings, multiple locations 3rd: Another Round Bar & Grill in Downers Grove Other Favorites: Ditka’s in Oakbrook Terrace; and Poor Phil’s Bar & Grill in Oak Park
Best NEWSPAPER OR MAGAZINE COLUMNIST
FAVORITE CHICAGO AREA SPORTS TEAM
Best: John Kass, Chicago Tribune 2nd: Neil Steinberg, Chicago Sun-TImes
FAVORITE RADIO PERSONALITY
Best: Blackhawks 2nd: Bears 3rd: Cubs Other Favorites: Bulls, White Sox
Best: Steve Cochran, WGN 720 AM 2nd: Eric and Kathy, WTMX 101.9 FM 3rd: TIE: Roe Conn WLS 890 AM; and Steve Dahl, podcasting
FAVORITE CHICAGO athlete/personality Best: Chicago Blackhawks Coach Joel Quenneville 2nd: Mike Ditka, former Chicago Bears coach 3rd: Michael Jordan, former Chicago Bulls player Other Favorites: Patrick Kane, Chicago Blackhawks; Brandon Marshall, Chicago Bears; Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls
person you would most like to have lunch with Best: Oprah Winfrey 2nd: President Barack Obama Other Favorites: Warren Buffet, Hillary Clinton, Ellen DeGeneres, Mike Ditka, Pope Francis, and Michael Jordan Photo courtesy of Cantigny
Photo courtesy of Chicago Blackhawks
Best AREA BAKERY
town you’d want to live in (other THAN YOUR OWN) Best: Hinsdale 2nd: Wheaton 3rd: TIE: Glen Ellyn and Naperville Other Favorites: Burr Ridge, Downers Grove, Elmhurst, Geneva, Oak Brook and St. Charles
BEST ANNUAL CHICAGO PUBLIC EVENT OR FESTIVAL Best: Taste of Chicago 2nd: Lollapalooza 3rd: Blues Fest Other Favorites: Chicago Marathon and Tall Ships n WEST SUBURBAN LIVING | WWW.WESTSUBURBANLIVING.NET | MARCH/APRIL 2014 53
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