BEST BAKERY BEST WEDDING CAKES

Incredibly Delicious 925 South Seventh St., 528-8548

You no longer have to go to St. Louis or Chicago for good pastries and bread, and this year’s winner, Incredibly Delicious, is one of the main reasons why. The “all butter” handmade croissants (available in plain, raspberry, chocolate and almond cream) are melt-in-your-mouth delicious and the tarts shouldn’t be missed. There’s much more to Incredibly Delicious, including its everrotating list of daily lunch specials. But, if you ask us, it’s the variety of homemade bread that keeps people coming back. While Incredibly Delicious is a great place to get your daily bread, it’s also tops for special occasions, not the least of which is weddings. You’re guaranteed a cake that tastes every bit as good as it looks. Runners-up Best Wedding Cakes: Specialty Cakes, Batter Matters Bakery and Cafe Runners-up Best Bakery: Hy-Vee, Specialty Cakes

BEST THAI RESTAURANT

Magic Kitchen

115 North Lewis St., 525-6975 4112 North Peoria Road, 525-2230

Yet again, Magic Kitchen earns top honors as Springfield’s best Thai Restaurant. Although some like Magic Kitchen due to its BYOB policy at the Peoria Road location, it’s really the food that elevates Magic Kitchen to the top. Of course there are your classics like Pad Thai and a variety of Thai Currys. But don’t miss some of the other, lesser known, dishes like Thai noodle soup and Tua Nawk Si Kai (bean sprouts, green onions, tofu and egg served with a spicy sauce.) We like that you can custom order your level of spice for most of Magic Kitchen’s dishes. On busy nights, we also like the tailgate feel at the Peoria Road location as diners wait their turn for Springfield’s best Thai food. Runners-up: Little Saigon, Taste of Thai

BEST JAPANESE RESTAURANT

Osaka Japanese Restaurant

1665 Wabash Ave., 726-8037

Osaka has once again earned the top honors for Best Japanese Restaurant in Springfield. Perhaps it’s the hibachi table, where you might find yourself having a fried bit of goodness launched by the chef into your mouth like a trained seal. Or perhaps it’s the more traditional and restrained Japanese dishes and sushi. Maybe it’s the exhaustive list of exotic drinks guaranteed to help transport you to the Far East. Whatever it is, Osaka’s got it figured out and we hope they continue to please our collective palates. Runners-up: Happy Sushi, Kiku

BEST DOWNTOWN DINING BEST OUTDOOR DINING

Obed and Isaac’s 500 South Sixth St., 670-0627

Court and Karen Conn’s success has been recognized by Illinois Times readers, who voted Obed and Isaac’s as Springfield’s best downtown and outdoor dining. And it’s well deserved – who else has an enclosed dog run where man’s best friend can cavort while its owner plays bocce ball and wets the proverbial whistle with craft beer brewed on premises. Need something more substantial? There’s a full menu offering tasty morsels like Scotch egg appetizers, a beer and whiskey burger and Cajun shrimp and Andouille sausage. Enjoy all this in turn-of-the-century buildings repurposed to a new life and saved from the wrecking ball. Runners-up Best Downtown Dining: Julia’s Kitchen and Lounge, Maldaner’s Runners-up Best Outdoor Dining: Julia’s Kitchen and Lounge, Fire and Ale

BEST BREAKFAST BEST RESTAURANT WHERE KIDS EAT FREE

Charlie Parker’s Diner - 700 West North St., 241-2104

Springfield’s own Charlie Parker’s Diner and Chef Mike Murphy have just won the national Thomas® Hometown Breakfast Battle and the $25,000 that goes with it for the Charlie Parker’s Breakfast Horseshoe on a Thomas® English Muffin. Charlie Parker’s wins again this year for Springfield’s Best Breakfast. Mike and Cindy Murphy, the fifth owners of Charlie Parker’s, have just about perfected the diner breakfast while keeping costs reasonable. Although Springfield might wish the old Quonset hut offered more seating, the ambience is just right. Plus, kids 3 and under eat free with an adult. Runners-up Best Breakfast: Sunrise Café, D & J’s Café Runners-up Best Restaurant Where Kids Eat Free: Steak ’n Shake, Dublin Pub

BEST BBQ

McCormick’s Smokehouse - 2930 Plaza Drive, 793-1183

Although it started out as a downtown deli in 1994, McCormick’s Smokehouse shifted emphasis to BBQ in 2007. And Springfield is happy for that fact, awarding McCormick’s with a “best of” in this competitive category. One might think that a smoker wouldn’t fit in over at the Gables, but McCormick’s fully functional drive-through is testament to the fact that if you make good BBQ, they will come. And come they do, not just for the pulled pork, chicken, ribs or brisket, but also for McCormick’s deli sandwiches and more traditional fare. Runners-up: Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill, Hickory River Smokehouse

BEST CHILI

The Chili Parlor - 820 South Ninth St., 523-4989

There are as many versions of chili in Springfield as there are ways to spell it. And Springfield says the very best purveyor is the Chili Parlor (where there’s just one “1” in chili). Using a menu that goes back over 50 years, Marianne Rogers leads a team turning out chili that’s inspired the Food Network and Travel Channel to make pilgrimages to Springfield. If you’re not brave enough to face a bowl of firebrand (eat it all, and you get your name memorialized on the wall), you can order yours customized to meet your own heat, oil and bean standards. Runners-up: Dew Chilli, Dublin Pub

BEST COFFEE HOUSE

Grab-A-Java

1702 South Sixth St., 523-5282

Springfield likes its coffee, and Grab-A- Java is devoted to helping its citizens get going in the morning. Its dedication to the craft of brewing the perfect cup earned it a “best of” award for 2015 – not just for its many varieties, but also because of the ease its drive-through offers. You’re virtually guaranteed to find your preferred brew (or Chai, tea, smoothie or freeze) here. Need something more? Make sure to pick up some freshly baked scones, muffins or cookies – reportedly almost as good as the coffee. Runners-up: Starbucks, Wm. Van’s Coffee House

BEST FROZEN DESSERTS

Cold Stone Creamery

124 South Sixth St., 523-6666

Who doesn’t love frozen desserts? Especially when it comes from Cold Stone? Cold Stone ice cream is churned on premises every day. For that reason and for many more, Cold Stone is the place to go, according to BoS voters. Whether you feel like a scoop of ice cream with delicious toppings mixed in or the ever popular waffle cones, sundaes, smoothies or milkshakes, Cold Stone has it all. Have a special occasion coming up? They can do an ice cream cake for you. There really is something for everyone – including those who require gluten-free or lactose-free dishes. Runners-up: Baskin Robbins Ice Cream, CherryBerry

BEST FISH FRY EVENT

Firefighters Postal Lake Club

940 West Lake Shore Drive, 529-0755

Catholics looking for Lenten Friday night eats have many options in Springfield, but the most popular in 2015 was the Firefighters’ fish fry. This is one big operation, but the food doesn’t suffer for it. Not into seafood? They’ve got you covered with plenty of other options. But if you’re into fish, this is the place to be. You’re almost guaranteed to know a handful of patrons, most of whom sit at one of the many communal tables. Thanks to the high demand, you’re always getting fish right out of the fryer. The meal is priced right and, thanks to the equally reasonably priced adult beverages, one can take the whole family out without breaking the bank. Runners-up: Little Flower Parish, Chatham American Legion

BEST GYROS

Gyros Stop

2907 South MacArthur Blvd., 698-6463 2345 West Monroe St., 546-3442 4127 Wabash Ave., 546-8830

For the seventh year in a row you voted Gyros Stop Springfield’s go to destination for gyros. But there’s plenty more than gyros here, like the classic Greek souvlaki (shish-ka-bob), falafel and yes, even burgers and horsehoes. For something a bit lighter, opt for one of their many salads. No matter what you get, make sure to ask for a side tzatziki, a Greek yogurt and cucumber sauce. Gyros Stop has about perfected the dish. Runners-up: Yanni’s Gyros, Chi-Town

BEST HORSESHOE BEST PORK TENDERLOIN BEST WAIT STAFF

D’Arcy’s Pint - 661 West Stanford Ave., 492-8800

Based on the lines in front of D’Arcy’s on most weekend nights, it’s not surprising that it was voted the best Horseshoe, Pork Tenderloin and Wait Staff. Good food and good service seem to be a rarity today, but D’Arcy’s is bucking the trend. Ask your friends where they’d take an out-of-town visitor to for their first horseshoe, and D’Arcy’s is almost always the first name that you hear. But the breaded pork tenderloin sandwich (available grilled if you’re feeling healthy) also has Springfield excited – generously sized and well seasoned, this is pub food at its best. And everything tastes better when served by a well-trained and pleasant staff – something that D’Arcy’s has just about perfected. And for all these reasons, Springfield’s given D’Arcy’s the culinary equivalent of the Triple Crown. Runners-up Best Horseshoe: Dublin Pub, Ritz’s Little Fryer Runners-up Best Pork Tenderloin: Sportsman’s Lounge, Abe’s Hideout Runners-up Best Wait Staff: American Harvest Eatery, Engrained Brewing Co.

BEST SUB/SANDWICH SHOP

Head West Sub Shop

1124 West Jefferson St., 793-9101 • 3311 Robbins Road, 726-9202 2432 Denver Road, 744-7990 • 1281 Toronto Road, 585-7990 530 East Capitol Ave., 789-9101 • 7032 Kings Mill Court, Chatham, 670-0111 450 State St., Rochester, 498-1182

With rumors of even more stores to come, Head West has built what can only be called an empire. There’s lots of competition for sub and sandwich shops in Springfield, but Head West is always at the top of the list. Voters like the slightly sweet bread that holds together the generously sized sandwiches, as well as the reasonable prices. The verdict is out on whether to toast the bread or not, but Springfield’s certain that Head West is tops in this category. Head West serves up a great product in a “chill” environment. Don’t be afraid to ask for extra Italian dressing. Runners-up: Monty’s Subs, Penn Station East Coast Subs