Welcome to the Best of Annapolis issue!

You’re holding the result of six months of campaigning, vetting, and production to deliver the names of winning restaurants, retailers, and service pros in a variety of essential, compelling, and creative industries. Whew!

In January and February, we called on readers to vote for their favorite places to dine and shop. And who you favor for services ranging from spa treatments and eye exams to real estate and auto repairs—really, the whole gamut of community business categories. More than 36,500 of you voted!

During March, our inhouse staff was busy tabulating the surveys, reviewing top vote getters, and verifying the results. In the midst of this frenzy, I received a call from my mother to set up a lunch date with the family. The two of us usually bounce ideas off each other for an ideal spot in town, bantering and figuring it out. Sometimes we choose an old favorite; other times, a new restaurant creating buzz in town. Regardless, we generally opt for a restaurant with spotless silverware.

On this call, however, she already had a place picked out and it had me second-guessing her sanity. I won’t name names (you’ll figure it out) but suffice to say it was a neighborhood joint best known for its list of tap beers, throwing darts… and chicken wings. Okay then.

Later, it clicked with me. “Hey, this restaurant has won for Best Wings in the past; I wonder who won this year?” With the highly-classified 2023 winners list in hand, I checked. Sure enough, they’re the winner. And sure enough, we traipsed in on a Saturday for lunch, ordered a batch of wings, and, dang (!), if they weren’t the best darn wings I’ve had in a long, long time. Large, plump; perfectly crisp skin; and tossed in a Buffalo sauce that kissed heat but didn’t kill with it. The wings made my day. I couldn’t stop talking about them. It was a great and qualified lunch.

By April, and later May, all Best of Annapolis winners had been checked over for accuracy and informed of their upcoming wins. With this June issue, the word is officially out. And now the fun begins!

Like that lunch this past March, try giving these winners a visit. Make a game of it by checking this magazine for who won “such and such.” Then try them out. You might be surprised in a very good way! See if you agree with the 36,500 readers who cast their votes. And if not, please let us know and be sure to cast your vote in next year’s Best of Annapolis campaign.

Until then, we hope you’ll keep this issue handy all summer long and into the fall as a reference for enjoying some of the best businesses in the best towns of the best state! Cheers.

James Houck, Editorial Director