Here we are on the red carpet, waiting anxiously for the winners of the first annual Cream of the Crop Awards. Initiated by and voted for on the Chattanooga Dine Out Forum, these lucky winners will be receiving 1) increased business by virtue of their august presence here and 2) undying notoriety for making the Cream of the Crap list. A (photo of a) Platinum Cream Pitcher is awarded to the first place in each category and a Gold Cream Pitcher to second place. Honorable mentions will receive Crystal Cream Pitchers.
Thanks to Janet for allowing me this flight of fancy to get some new names out in front of Chattanooga diners. It has been fun for me to tally the votes and have more insight into other’s tastes. This allows me to more finely focus and weight my experiences against those with similar and drastically divergent opinions.
First, a bit of explanation as to how votes were counted. A simple name of a restaurant got one point. If multiples were listed in the same post, they got ½ or 1/3 of a point, if there were 2 or 3 different places. If a place was described but not named it was not counted. If a second place is not listed it is because, as the Queen of England was told when asked “Who is second?” regarding the first America’s Cup Race: “There is no second place.”
So, without further ado, let me begin:
BEST ALL-AROUND no votes!
BEST APPETIZERS First place:Terra Nostra Second place: PF Chang’s
Honorable mentions: Foodworks, Café Roma, 212 Market, Sweet Basil
BEST BAKERY/SWEET SHOP First place: City Café
Honorable mentions: Panera, Jackson’s, Whipped Cupcakes, Deli Man and Cake Lady
BEST BBQ no winner
Contenders: Master Blaster’s, Spur’s, Spencer B’s, Ringgold
BEST BREAKFAST First place: IHOP Second Place: New York Diner
Honorable mentions: Murphy’s Eats, Cracker Barrel, Waffle House, 212 Market,
Aretha Frankenstein’s, Richard’s (Ringgold)
BEST BRUNCH Tie: (the late, lamented) Red Rock Grill, 212 Market
BEST BUFFET 3 way tie: Asia Buffet, Chef Lin’s, Curry Pot
Honorable mentions: Sitar, Golden Corral, Genghis Grill, Jenkin’s, Buffet King
BEST CAJUN First place: Tilda’s (the place, not the person. OK, maybe the person, too!) Honorable mention: Deena’s
BEST CHINESE First place: PF Chang’s Second place: Formosa
Honorable mention: No. 1 Chinese, Mandarin Garden, Chef Lin, Buffet King
BEST D BEST DELI/SANDWICH SHOP First place: River St. Deli Second place: Courthouse Grill (Ringgold) Honorable mentions: Mercantino, Jason’s, Deli Man & Cake Lady, Mykano’s Greek, Gollywopper’s, Neidlov’s
BEST FINE DINING First place: Café Roma Two way tie for second place: 212 Market & St. John’s Honorable mentions: Alleia, High Point, Monteagle
BEST HAMBURGER First place: Five Guys Second place: Hardee’s
Honorable mentions: Country Side Café, Kevin Brown’s, Public House
BEST INDIAN First place (way out front): Sitar Second place: Curry Pot
Honorable mention: India Mahal
BEST ITALIAN First place: Alleia Second Place: Café Roma
Honorable mention: Nina’s (the person and the place), Boccacia, Terra Nostra
BEST LOUNGE/BAR First place: Tilda’s Barn (there was no second place)
Honorable mention: St. John’s Meeting Place, Easy Bistro, Lamar’s, Bud’s
BEST MEAT & THREE no winner
Contenders: Country Side, Harrison, Angus Café, Cherry Street; Public House, Blue Plate
BEST MEXICAN First place: Taco Roc Second place: Mojo Burrito
Honorable mention: La Altena, Tres Amigos, Cleveland; Taco Mamacita
BEST NEW RESTAURANT First place: Alleia Second place: Public House
Honorable mention: Spur’s Fish House, Terminal, Virginia’s SouthSide Café
BEST OLD RESTAURANT no winner
Contenders: Lupi’s, Mt. Vernon, Bea’s, 212 Market, Nikki’s
BEST PIZZA First place: (by a mile) Lupi’s Second place: Gondolier
Honorable mentions: Mellow Mushroom, Nina’s, Rosselli’s
BEST SEAFOOD/FISH First place: Easy Bistro Second place: Spur’s
Honorable mentions: Blue Water Grill, Café Roma, Terra Nostra, Canyon Grill
BEST SERVICE First place: Public House
Honorable mentions: Alleia, 212 Market, Terminal, Sweet Basil, Terra Nostra, Macaroni Grill, Genghis Grill
BEST STEAK no winner
Contenders: Outback, Spur’s, Chop House
BEST SUSHI First place: Seisuki
Honorable mention: Ichiban, FingerFoodie’s
BEST TAKEOUT no winner
Contenders: Lupi’s, Thai Smile
BEST THAI First place (very large margin) Sweet Basil
Honorable mentions: Rain Thai, Sawasdee, Royal Thai
BEST VALUE no winner
Contenders: Formosa, Rain Thai, Armando’s, Taco Roc, Northshore, Tony’s Pasta, (remember, I’m just reporting results here!!) McDonald’s
CREAM OF THE CRAP
By far the most popular category, only one place received more than one vote: Mom’s Italian
Contenders: Bea’s, Boathouse, Café Francais, Chili’s (Cleveland and Hixson), Christie’s (East Ridge) Country Diner (Tiftonia), Denny’s, El Meson (Hamilton Place), Epicurean, Giggles (Comedy Catch), Kacey’s, Karl’s Family Restaurant, Northshore Grill, O’Charley’s (Cleveland), Wanda’s (Rock Spring)
I intentionally did not include Best B&B as a category. Our favorite, a secret location in Hixson, is the best Bed and Breakfast in town. Multi-course dinners are available by special invitation. It is terribly expensive and only the privileged few have been there, but maybe someday….
Thank you all for joining us for these awards and keep those posts coming. CDO is the very finest in culinary web sites and we are happy to welcome (pleasant) new members all the time.
