City Pulse+WKAR TOTT voters are singing the classics – and plenty of new hits as well!

This is it: The moment and the issue with the results and the WINNERS that you’ve all been waiting for! Like the aging classic rock stars after they’ve reunited and revived their act with a new great album or finished tour, and it’s time to step up and accept their Grammys!

To the 250 winners of the 18th Annual City Pulse + WKAR Top of the Town Contest, their proverbial “Grammys,”we are able to say they’re the best of the best, the people’s choice in our 2025 showdown. We launched this a little later this year, but with no less fanfare, on Oct. 1. Now it’s the first week of December and we have the final results.

In the pages of this issue (and online at http://lansingcitypulse.revfluent.com/tott) are the winners and top three that you selected in 250 categories, voted on by more than 3,300 of you, introducing nearly 2,300 nominees and casting nearly 72,000 votes in two rounds. We thank you so much (and the winners do, too)!

First, we must thank our new partners at WKAR for joining and supporting us, as well as tirelessly and enthusiastically promoting our contest over the airwaves and on their website and socials. And as always, gratitude to Dennis Preston and his fantastic artwork, which has delighted us with every issue.

Thank you!

As is nearly always the case, your winners and top three placers included many beloved classics in Greater Lansing — but plenty of new “hits” as well!

You’ll see in our breakout features in this section all the love that voters gave to two Old Town superstars in multiple categories: Preuss Pets and newly relocated Constellation Cat Café. But who were some of the others who were most appreciated?

Some are no surprise; they’ve been TOTT mainstays for many years: Horrocks Farm Market (and the adjacent Beer Garden) continues to thrive in numerous categories. Old school and new school veteran standouts like Dagwood’s, Crunchy’s, The Avenue Café, MEAT BBQ and Flour Child and more are all attractive for not just their cuisine, but also their entertainment and being, for many of them, the best places to work in the area.

Said one Flour Child voter, “What a local gem, with great owners and a wonderful staff. Go-to for treats and orders for gifts.”

Some of the other multiple-winners included Douglas J Salon+Medspa, Old Town Lansing, Olympic Broil, Soup Spoon Café and Zap Zone, to name a few.

You’ll notice The Green Door is missing this year; and don’t be surprised if it makes a big comeback next year as it plans to reopen.

But how about the feisty newcomers?

Cooper’s Hawk Winery, newly opened in Eastwood Shopping Center, has made a big impact, winning Best New Restaurant, Best Upscale Dining and Best Restaurant Wine List. Its neighbor there, Art & Jakes Sports Bar & Grill, was also touted among new restaurants, as was the latest One North Kitchen & Bar location where the old Reno’s East once stood in East Lansing.

“Wonderful service, numerous options, and happy hour is great!” said one Cooper’s Hawk voter.

Best New Businesses also featured culinary delights, like Frandor’s Phillips Cider Bar and Market, The Cheese Lady’s new location here on Coolidge in East Lansing and the yummy Dunk’d cookie shop on East Michigan Ave.

In the “Whatever” group, look for multiple wins/placements for Big Penny, the Truck-Munching Bridge, and perhaps the bridge’s greatest proponent, the memesters at STUPID – Lansing.

So we hope you enjoy the results of our 18th Annual Top of the Town contest — just like you enjoy those classic hits from those aging rock stars — and keep coming back to support your favorite restaurants, businesses, hangouts, local artists and all the rest. And remember, returning early next year will be our 2026 Top of the Town People Contest.  So those of you that missed the People categories this fall will get to honor these great folks once again!