Best of the Best

City Pulse and Fox 47 present the 2018 Top of the Town winners

Posted

Best Asian Buffet

1. Hibachi Grill & Buffet

“Great choices, always fresh and warm.”

We all love a good buffet, and to throw theatrical hibachi grilling into the mix? It’s a no-brainer. Hibachi is a surefire crowd-pleaser.

2. Xiao

3. Asian Buffet

Bakery

1. Roma Bakery

From earthy peasant bread you tear and eat like a grizzly bear to delicate, spongy, creamy objects that dulcetly dissolve in your mouth, the colorful array of goods in that long glass counter is a wonder to behold, let alone eat.

2. Bake n' Cakes

3. Glazed and Confused

BBQ

1. Meat Southern BBQ

Meat has made waves since arriving in Old Town. All of its patrons, no matter what they order, are served a smoldering slab of meat that has a solid chance of being the most satisfying meal of their entire life. The Meat Mountain is no misnomer — its one of those few instances where not being able to finish a meal is a compliment rather than an insult. The metal band banners are a nice touch too

2. Saddleback

3. Crossroads BBq

Breakfast

1. Golden Harvest

What hasn’t been said yet about the cramped, crazy-quilt cube of culinary catharsis? Lines of 40 or 50 people snaking into the street, in the shadow of a north Lansing cement plant at 8 a.m. on a winter morning say it all.

2. Good Truckin' Diner

3. Soup Spoon Cafe

Brunch

1. Soup Spoon Cafe

The Café Specialties Brunch, one of four brunch menus, lays out a tasty array of better-than-breakfast dainties ranging from smoked salmon Benedict to vegan scrambles and the San Diego, an avid avocado adventure with ancho pepper hollandaise.

2. Golden Harvest

3. Good Truckin' Diner

Burger

1. Dagwood's

The classic neon sign, the Sistine Chapel ceiling with floating clouds and the cozy booths make this corner bar an East Side icon. The no-frills burgers, at $2.50 plus $2 for every patty added, are fresh and lively, the best burger bargain for miles.

2. Crunchy's

3. Five Guys Burger and Fries

Chinese

1. PF Chang's

Lansing, we love you — but Ukai doesn’t serve Chinese! Teriyaki isn’t Chinese, nor is hibachi. Not all spicy, tangy or peppery chicken comes China! Hell, the restaurant’s full listed name is Ukai JAPANESE Steakhouse. So, we’ve given the award to the second-place winner — P.F. Chang’s. The franchise is just as ubiquitous to Chinese food as Buffalo Wild Wings is to, well, wings. So much so, it beat out the local competition. Those giant horse statues don’t lie

2. Charlie Kang's

3. Chen's

Cocktails

1. Zoobie's

“Zoobies is the best.”

The Potent Potables Project managed to completely revive the elder watering hole and it is once again a favorite of North Lansing. Don’t be fooled, the bar’s cocktail options are creative, expansive and most importantly, delicious and intoxicating.

2. Houlihan's

3. American Fifth Spirits

Dessert

1. MSU Dairy Store

“The ice cream is the best ever.”

Perfect ice cream seems to be as much of a study at MSU as agriculture and physics.

2. Grand Traverse Pie Company

3. Bake n' Cakes

Donuts

1. Quality Dairy

Who says Lansing is landlocked? Quality Dairy Long Johns are lined up like thousand-footers at the Soo Locks, rectangular slabs of fried dough, filling and icing that swamp your sweet tooth like the Paul R. Tregurtha. Fritters, nutty donuts, sour cream donuts and seasonal specialties fill the most generous donut cases in town.

2. Glazed and Confused

3. Cops and Donuts

Diner

1. Fleetwood

Fleetwood is a Michigan standard with its own famous signature dish — Hippie Hash. The combined powers of this delicious hash, as well as all the other cheap and tasty options make it a favorite across town. You can keep Denny’s.

2. Good Truckin' Diner

3. Golden Harvest

Family Friendly Restaurant

1. Deluca's

Artisanal pizzas with wheat kidney dough, tapir toenails and hydroponic arugula have their place, but DeLuca’s Restaurant is about generous, saucy, cushiony comfort that changes about as often as my grandma’s home made bread recipe. That means never.

2. Cugino's

3. Cancun Mexican Grill

Fast-Food

1. Chick-Fil-A

The South rises again, if only to export delicious chicken to us Yankees. But then again, Michigan was a Trump state, so maybe we have more in common than we thought

2. Olympic Broil

3. Culver's

Fish Fry

1. East Side Fish Fry

The hardest working fryer in show business is at East Side Fish Fry, another Guy Fieri-approved destination where everything goes into the oily crucible, from the catfish to the Oreos. MSU is a scallop’s throw away, so expect to see both tailgaters and gator tails.

2. Claddaugh Irish Pub

3. Fresh Fish Market - S. MLK Blvd.

Food Truck

1. El Oasis

El Oasis lives up to its name: it’s a sheltered micro-hacienda, consisting of two trucks, a few tables and numerous potted flowers, tucked into a bleak parking lot on Lansing’s far east side — the last desert stop on Michigan Avenue before crossing the city limits.

2. Streetkitchen

3. Meat Southern BBQ

Fries

1. HopCat

Since the original Grand Rapids HopCat opened in 2008, the gastropub has exploded across the Midwest and even dipped its toes into the south. The beer list is more akin to a beer library, and the fries — well, they’re called crack fries for a reason.

2. Five Guys Burgers and Fries

3. Red Robin

Greek

1. Zaytoon

Healthy, tasty and fresh kabobs, shaved shawarma good enough for Thor, raw juices, and much more, are made from fresh, wild and raw things at Zaytoon’s. Guy Fieri ate there last August.

2. Woody's Oasis

3. Lou and Harry's

Ice Cream Shop

1. MSU Dairy Store

“The ice cream is the best ever.”

Perfect ice cream seems to be as much of a study at MSU as agriculture and physics.

2. Lick-ety Split - Grand Ledge

3. Tasty Twist

Italian

1. DeLuca's

Artisanal pizzas with wheat kidney dough, tapir toenails and hydroponic arugula have their place, but DeLuca’s Restaurant is about generous, saucy, cushiony comfort that changes about as often as my grandma’s home made bread recipe. That means never.

2. Cugino's

3. Bravo

Kids Eat Free

1. Texas Roadhouse

Even if children couldn’t eat free, Texas Roadhouse is still a great place for children. It’s loud and rowdy, so a screaming toddler isn’t too jarring to deal with for your neighboring diners. There’s peanuts to satisfy impatient hungry children and, best of all, it’s expected they will throw the messy shells on the ground! The children will get a kick out of that. If you need a good smokescreen for a misbehaving child, there’s few rivaling options.

2. The Cosmos

3. Applebee's

Late Night Food

1. Taco Bell

Not even the locals can beat the mighty Taco Bell’s ability to scratch that 3 a.m. itch. If you find yourself at a Taco Bell in the witching hours, chances are you’ve had a great time. Or, you are in a deep state of sadness or heartbreak. Either way, Taco Bell has got your back.

2. Famous Taco

3. Fleetwood

Margarita

1. Los Tres Amigos

Go for the Mexico Viejo with correlajo reposado, not the salty-syrupy house lime margarita, and you will experience rich, dark undertones and mighty undertows.

2. Cancun Mexican Grill

3. El Azteco - East

Mediterranean

1. Zaytoon

Healthy, tasty and fresh kabobs, shaved shawarma good enough for Thor, raw juices, and much more, are made from fresh, wild and raw things at Zaytoon’s. Guy Fieri ate there last August.

2. Woody's Oasis

3. Aladdin's

Mexican

1. Cancun Mexican Grill

Cancun captures the first win of the new Best Nachos category. The local franchise continues to grow, satisfying the greater Lansing area with a great authentic sit down Mexican restaurant.

2. Pablos Old Town

3. Los Tres Amigos

Nacho's

1.Cancun Mexican Grill

Cancun captures the first win of the new Best Nachos category. The local franchise continues to grow, satisfying the greater Lansing area with a great authentic sit down Mexican restaurant.

2. Buddie's - Holt

3. El Oasis

New Restaurant

1. Saddleback BBQ - Okemos

Saddleback BBQ, a staple in REO Town, set its smoky sights on Okemos last year and scored. Ribs, brisket, pulled pork, the infamous “Wu-Tang Wings” and other meats are often hailed as the best in Lansing, and even in Michigan.

2. Streetkitchen

3. Mr. Taco

Pizza

1. DeLuca's

Artisanal pizzas with wheat kidney dough, tapir toenails and hydroponic arugula have their place, but DeLuca’s Restaurant is about generous, saucy, cushiony comfort that changes about as often as my grandma’s home made bread recipe. That means never.

2. The Cosmos

3. Cugino's

Restaurant Beer List

1. HopCat

Since the original Grand Rapids HopCat opened in 2008, the gastropub has exploded across the Midwest and even dipped its toes into the south. The beer list is more akin to a beer library, and the fries — well, they’re called crack fries for a reason.

2. Lansing Brewing Company

3. Zoobie's Old Town Tavern

Restaurant Wine List

1. Dusty's

2. Bridge Street Social

3. Capital Vine

Reuben

1. Claddaugh Irish Pub

Ah, the Reuben, one of the most classic sandwiches. Claddagh is your ideal destination if you’re craving a perfect corned beef stack.

2. Stateside Deli

3. Dagwood's

Salad/ Salad Bar

1. Leaf – Frandor

“Love the variety of available produce.”

Never forget to treat yourself to something healthy. Leaf’s diverse selection of soups and salads, and innovations in takeout have been widely recognized. For many, Leaf is the go to feed spot on a busy workday.

2. Ruby Tuesday's

3. Streetkitchen

Sandwich/ Deli

1. Jersey Giant

Jersey Giant is a bar-none classic. Its simplicity and old-school nature makes it a hit with nearly everyone.

2. Soup Spoon

3. Mancino's

Seafood

1. Mitchell's Fish Market

The old adage “you get what you pay for” is certainly true at Eastwood Towne Center’s finest fishmonger. Creative and diverse, customers have happily delved into Mitchell’s oceanic menu. Any possible dish of fish has been worked over into something delicious by Mitchell’s.

2. Ukai Hibachi Grill

3. Maru

Steak

1. Capital Prime

A heavyweight steakhouse could make even an order of “well-done with ketchup” into something gourmet. Voters showed such confidence in Capital Prime in multiple categories, including Best Upscale Dining. How can one avoid falling in love with a restaurant boasting classy ambience and expertly crafted steak?

2. Texas Roadhouse

3. Airport Tavern

Sushi

1. Maru

The competition for Best Sushi in Lansing grows harder and harder. There’s a surprising amount of options for a Midwest town, but Maru rose above them all. It has the rare combination of well-prepared food, convenience and a moderate price range. It’s accessibility — food is served up quick and doesn’t totally burn your wallet — has made it a favorite for the raw sea-dwelling delight.

2. Ukai West

3. Sansu

Taco's

1. Pablo's - Old Town

They’re soft, the right size to demolish in four or five bites and come in many varieties, from the earthy, soft lengua (tongue) to the spiky-salty marinated pork

2. El Oasis

3. Mr. Taco

Thai

1. Bangkok House

After rebuilding from a nasty fire, this unpretentious, enduring Lansing favorite is back and just as reliable as ever. The menu is long and varied, the service is efficient and the prices are super-reasonable.

2. Taste of Thai

3. No Thai

Upscale Dining

1. Capital Prime

A heavyweight steakhouse could make even an order of “well-done with ketchup” into something gourmet. Voters showed such confidence in Capital Prime in multiple categories, including Best Upscale Dining. How can one avoid falling in love with a restaurant boasting classy ambience and expertly crafted steak?

2. English Inn

3. Soup Spoon Cafe

Vegetarian/Vegan/Gluten Free

1. Zaytoon

Healthy, tasty and fresh kabobs, shaved shawarma good enough for Thor, raw juices, and much more, are made from fresh, wild and raw things at Zaytoon’s. Guy Fieri ate there last August.

2. Soup Spoon Cafe

3. Altu's Ethiopian Cusine

Wings

1. Buffalo Wild Wings

Sometimes you can’t beat the old standbys. The Ohio-born wing slinger has grown past its days as a restaurant and has morphed into somewhat of a cultural phenomenon. Their brand has expanded past just food and has perfected a party-like atmosphere for watching sports. Given the ravenous hunger for all things Spartans, it’s no wonder they came out on op.

2. Meat Southern BBQ

3. Saddleback BBQ

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