BEST GYROS Gyros Stop 2907 S. MacArthur., 698-6463 One might say that the Gyros Stop is definitely on a roll, winning our best gyro category for the third consecutive year. And no doubt Gyros Stop’s wide variety of gyro sandwiches and salads, as well as its daily specials, make the restaurant a favorite among voters. Barbecue gyro, chicken gyro, western gyro, horseshoe gyro, and gyro melts, burgers, and salads. Whatever you choose you can believe that you’ll love it just as much as our voters. The list of $1 off specials include gyro burgers on Monday, gyro salads on Tuesday, and gyro specials on Wednesday. Thursday features buy one sandwich and get another for half price. On Nov. 30, the Gyros Stop plans to open a second location at the old Fieldhouse on Dirksen Parkway and Sangamon Avenue – making it easier for gyro lovers to get their fill of the tasty Greek dishes. Unlike the current location, which opens Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 12 to 5 p.m., the new store hopes to capture the evening crowd, opening daily 4 to 11 p.m. Not in the mood for a gyro? For a wonderful alternative, Gyros Stop makes a mean barbecued pulled pork sandwich.

BEST PIZZA Gabatoni’s 300 E. Laurel., 528-9629 3219 Lake Plaza Rd., 529-5030 In a building located on Springfield’s southwest side is a tiny restaurant that just so happens to roll out the best pizza the capital city has to offer. At Gabatoni’s, the crust is cracker thin. The sauce is sweet. And the sausage is homemade. There are some who favor thicker, deep pan pizzas cut in large triangular slices. Sorry. That’s just not the Gabatoni’s way. There’s nothing better than a “squared” slice of a bubbly hot pizza pie. Don’t knock it until you try it. Many a “deep panner” has been converted. With nearly 60 years of experience serving up piping hot pizza to hungry Springfieldians and tourists, it’s safe to say that Gabatoni’s has earned this title.

BEST STEAK Alexander’s Steakhouse 620 Bruns Lane, 793-0440 If you’re new to Springfield, you may find it hard to believe that we pay Alexander’s Steakhouse good money to do our own grilling on its mega-grill. Trust us. It only takes one visit to see that the steakhouse offers grade A beef that you won’t find at grocery stores. The steaks – top sirloin, ribeye, New York strip, T-bone, Kansas City strip, and filet mignon – are dry-aged for 28 days for added tenderness before placed in a meat case to await your selection. Grilling your own steak with family and friends is just as much fun at Alexander’s as it is at home. Though you won’t escape without spending a bit (a steak will cost $20 to $30, depending on the type), each one is so big that you’re sure to have some left for the next day. The Early Bird Evening Special will save you a few bucks if your order’s placed before 6 p.m. For non-beef eaters, Alexander’s has chicken, fish, and other items.

BEST SOUP The Feed Store 516 E. Adams., 528-3355 At 6:45 a.m. when many of us are just starting our day, chefs at The Feed Store are busy preparing soups that, over the years, have knocked our socks off. The recipes are quite simple. Take a pot of water and some stock. Add a little bit of this, and a little bit of that. And, voila, you’ve got about 175 quarts of soups and a restaurant full of soup lovers who can’t get enough. When The Feed Store opened in 1977, the restaurant served two soups – beef barley and mushroom bisque. Today, customers enjoy a variety, including cream of spinach, vegetable beef, zucchini chowder, tomato bisque, minestrone, chicken and corn, cream of broccoli, seafood chowder, French potato, and cheese. During the warmer seasons, The Feed Store also serves several chilled soups – gazpacho, cucumber and mint, cantaloupe and strawberry. The restaurant generally offers six varieties each day.

BEST SOUL FOOD Clay’s Popeye’s Barbecue 1121 E. South Grand Ave., 522-0386 When it comes to soul food restaurants, there’s not a lot of competition in the capital city. But that doesn’t make the dishes at Clay’s Popeye’s Barbecue any less mouthwatering. Ribs, chicken, beef and pork entrees, with the choice of cole slaw, fried okra, baked beans, potato salad and fries. Clay’s has been cooking from the soul for more than 50 years. Last year Clay’s, which had undergone extensive renovations on the building’s exterior, hosted a grand reopening ceremony, launching its BBQ horseshoe – featuring traditional-type horseshoes, with your choice of meat, dipped in Clay’s 100-year-old recipe sauce. It leaves most customers lickin’ their fingers.

BEST SUBS Head West 530 E. Capitol St., 789-9101 • 1124 W. Jefferson St., 793-9101 3311 Robbins Rd., 726-9202 • Toronto Rd., 585-7993 North, south, east or west. Springfield has its share of sub sandwiches. But if you’re looking for the best, voters say that you should definitely Head West, selected best sub shop seven years straight. What makes Head West stand head and shoulders above the rest? Some say it’s the sweet French bread made fresh each day. Others say it’s the load of meat piled high on the bread. With 16 subs to choose from (we recommend the Italian or pastrami) you’re sure to leave Head West with a full tummy and a smile. Matt and Grace Bluhm opened the first Head West shop nine years ago. Last August, they opened the fourth sub shop on Toronto Road. So, regardless of where you live in Springfield, there is a Head West sub shop near you.

BEST VEGETARIAN FOOD Holy Land Diner 107 W Cook St., 544-5786 Longtime IT readers won’t be surprised at this one. Holy Land Diner has won “best vegetarian food” several times, and they’re reclaiming the throne this year, despite a growing number of vegetarian options in Springfield. Holy Land’s fresh, made-from-scratch fare is a satisfying Middle Eastern treat, from the veggie-friendly salads and savory lentil soup to the unique falafel, which owner Afaf Rashmawy makes herself. (It’s even rumored to be President Obama’s favorite falafel, though the Commander-in-Chief wasn’t available for comment.) There’s an all-vegetarian buffet on Saturdays, and even during the week there are only a handful of dishes that vegetarians must avoid. It also doesn’t hurt that Afaf is always smiling, friendly and eager to please.

BEST SALAD Olive Garden 2991 S. Veteran’s Pkwy., 793-0318 Since Olive Garden opened its doors in 1990, we immediately began raving about the salad, which is really very simple – lettuce and a light vinegarette dressing. Twenty years later, we are still raving, as voters have named it the best salad the city has to offer. But what many of us don’t know is that Olive Garden is giving some of us more than great salad. For the past 16 years, the corporation’s Pasta for Pennies has joined forces with several million children across the country to raise money for cancer patients. For a three-week period, the students fill collection jars with “spare change.” The class collecting the most at each participating school is rewarded with a pasta party, featuring some of Olive Garden’s most popular dishes. The program has generated more than $53 million to fight leukemia and lymphoma.