The Free Press, Mankato, MN

Readers' Choice '09: Food and Drink

The Free Press

MANKATO — With more than 40 percent of the votes, El Mazatlan was the most passionate choice among Free Press readers in the Best Mexican sub-category for Food and Drink.

Mazatlan bested the competition, with 16 percent more votes than the second-place finisher, Mexican Village.

Every year, Food and Drink is a fun category. Certainly, people love to eat out for the obvious reasons, but also because it’s a social activity, a reason to gather and break bread with friends and family.

Readers chose their favorite places for Asian food, beer and wine, breakfast and business lunches, among others.

Best Asian

• First place: Mongolian Grill
• Second place: Pho Saigon
• Third place: Yu’s Chinese Cuisine
• Honorable mention: China Wok, China Buffet, LeeAnn Chin

Best Barbecue

• First place: Famous Dave’s
• Second place: Token Barbeque, Mapleton
• Third place: Buffalo Wild Wings, hilltop
• Honorable mention: Buffalo Wild Wings, downtown, Applebee’s, Pub 500

Best Breakfast

• First place: Wagon Wheel Cafe
• Second place: Northwoods Cafe
• Third place: Perkins, hilltop
• Honorable mention: Perkins, North Mankato, Christy’s Cafe, Panera Bread

Best Buffet/Sunday Buffet

• First place: Old Country Buffet
• Second place: Charley’s
• Third place: Hy-Vee Deli, hilltop
• Honorable mention: Applewood, 101 Main, Mankato Golf Club

Best for Beer and Wine Choices

• First place: MGM Liquor, Mankato/North Mankato
• Second place: Hy-Vee Wine and Spirits
• Third place: Stadium Spirits
• Honorable mention: Snyder Liquor, Captain Jack’s, WineStyles

Best Fast Food

• First place: Chipotle
• Second place: Tie between Massad’s and Panera Bread
• Third place: Culver’s
• Honorable mention: Taco John’s, Subway, Noodles & Co.

Best Mexican

• First place: El Mazatlan
• Second place: Mexican Village
• Third place: Plaza Garibaldi
• Honorable mention: Bonito Guadalajara, Chipotle

Best Pizza Pie

• First place: Pagliai’s
• Second place: Jake’s Pizza
• Third place: Dino’s
• Honorable mention: Papa Murphy’s, Topper’s, Godfather’s

Best Place for a Business Lunch

• First place: Olives
• Second place: Tav on the Ave
• Third place: The Neighbor’s
• Honorable mention: Number 4, Charley’s, Pappageorge

Best Steak

• First place: Grizzly’s
• Second place: Charley’s
• Third place: Tie between George’s, New Ulm, and Pappageorge
• Honorable mention: Applebee’s, Number 4, Olives

Best Seafood

• First place: Red Lobster
• Second place: The Neighbor’s
• Third place: Richard’s
• Honorable mention: Number 4, Charley’s

Best Place for a Coffee/Cappuccino

• First place: Kwik Trip
• Second place: Caribou Coffee
• Third place: Dunn Bros.
• Honorable mention: Fillin’ Station, Coffee Hag, Panera Bread

Best Restaurant for a Special Night

• First place: Neighbor’s
• Second place: Olives
• Third place: Olive Garden
• Honorable mention: Number 4, Pappageorge, Richard’s

Best Place for a Cold Drink After Work

• First place: Tav on the Ave
• Second place: Buffalo Wild Wings
• Third place: Buster’s
• Honorable mention: Tav on the Ave, Pappageorge, Blue Bricks