BEST BURGER
BEST BURGER Krekel’s Custard and Hamburgers 2120 North Grand Avenue, 525-4952. What do you get when you take a ball of fresh ground beef, place it on a sizzling hot griddle, smash it until nearly paper thin, and cook it until the edges are crispy? According to IT voters you get a “Krekel burger”—the best burger in town.

Krekel’s began serving up hot, delicious burgers in Decatur in 1949, opening the Springfield establishment in 1993. Most diners describe Krekel’s as a “blast from the past.” To fully understand where they are coming from, you must grab a bite inside. The retro décor will have you looking around for Fonzie, Richie and the rest of the “Happy Days” gang.

Though it’s been quite awhile since we’ve seen the Krekel vehicle — a big 1970s Cadillac, with a rooster head on the roof and a paint-job resembling a chicken — thousands of Springfieldians and out-of-towners continue to flock to Krekel’s for a good old-fashioned burger.

Far from the north side but craving a good burger? Readers say D’arcy’s Pint, our second place winner, is sure to hit the spot. These burgers are grilled to order with a half-pound of black angus beef served on a Kaiser bun.
Runner-up: D’Arcy’s Pint

SUSHI SELECTION & PRESENTATION
Pao 2824 Plaza Dr, 546-4660 It seems that in the past few years, our humble capital city has been gifted with a number of sushi options, the likes of which we’d never dreamed of way back in the long long ago of the early 2000s. With all this recent sushi glory, Pao remains a standout. Big windows looking out at The Gables and candlelit tabletops give a nice calm ambience, while the food and drink menus are voluminous and varied with something for everyone (including non-raw fish sushi for those turned off by that kind of thing – some involving steak). There’s more than 30 kinds of sushi made with the freshest fish and other sushi accoutrements (try the Hollywood Roll), a full list of entrees and appetizers, and a martini list that will leave you wanting all of them (see the delicious and candy-like Raspberry Lemon Drop in our Best Martini section).
Runner-up: Ginger Asian Bistro

BEST BARBECUE
Smokey Bones 2660 S. Dirksen Parkway, 528-6410 The votes are in. And the streak has been broken. Smokey Bones dethrones three-time-winner Hickory River Smokehouse and gains the title of best barbecue in town.

Not usually ones looking for trouble, after scanning the menu we asked for double trouble — a third rack of baby back ribs (with Memphis-dry rub) and smoked St. Louis ribs (with Jamaican rub). Now, we’re no connoisseur, but when we’re sucking meat off of visibly naked bones, we conclude that it’s darn good barbecue. Equally fabulous is the fire-roasted corn. It’s so good that we wolfed ours down and placed a side order to go.

While we indulged (or should we say “overindulged”) in the ribs, most customers, says Manager Stephanie Sprinkle, gravitate towards the pulled pork. With outstanding ribs, handpulled pork smoked over hickory logs for 11 hours, and a beef brisket marinated 24 hours and smoked for six hours, the crown of best barbecue has been earned.

In second place, Hickory River Smokehouse has some fabulous barbecue, with ribs that are so tender they fall off the bone, and beef so tasty it will leave you wanting more. Not to be outdone by the larger establishments, the votes indicate that McCormick’s Restaurant and Custom Catering — this year’s third place winner — gives competitors a run for their money.
Runner-up: Hickory River Smokehouse