Each year, readers of the Northwest Herald cast their votes for their favorite businesses in our communities. With thousands of votes cast and counted, here are all the winners of this year’s Best of the Fox-MCHENRY COUNTY Readers’ Choice Awards! Congratulations to some great local businesses, events and destinations!
ART GALLERY
Best
Lakeside Legacy Arts Park
One of the Best
• Starline Factory
• Old Courthouse
Arts Center
Best Festival
Best
Lakeside Legacy
Arts Park
One of the Best
• McHenry Fiesta Days
• Woodstock
Groundhog Days
Birthday Party
Venue
Best
Young Masters
Martial Arts
One of the Best
• Twisted Limits
Escape Rooms
• Cary Gymnastics
Center
Fundraising Event by a Non-Profit
Best
Bark-a-Paw-looza
One of the Best
• Gavers Barndance
• Lemonade Brigade
Just For Fun
Best
Young Masters
One of the Best
• Twisted Limits
Escape Rooms
• Brush Home Decor
and Paint Studio
Karaoke
Best
Hot tracks DJ service
One of the Best
• The Breakers
Restaurant
• Double J
Entertainment
Listen to Live Music
Best
Raue Center For
The Arts
One of the Best
• Stage Left
• Broken Oar
Marina and Grill
Movie Theater
Best
McHenry Outdoor
Theater
One of the Best
• Classic Cinemas
Woodstock
• McHenry Downtown
Indoor Theater
Music Lessons
Best
Victory Voice
One of the Best
• Music Makers For Life
• Player’s Bench
Music Inc.
Theatre Company Group
Best
Dickinson’s
Little Vaudeville
One of the Best
• Williams Street
Repertory
• Town Square Players
Travel Agency
Best
Cary Travel Express
One of the Best
• SW Travel Inc
• Crystal Lake Travel
Watch Live Theater
Best
Raue Center For
The Arts
One of the Best
• Woodstock
Opera House
• Joe Diamond STUDIO
Auto Body Repair
Best
Herrick Auto Rebuilders
One of the Best
• Adams Auto Body
And Service Center
• R K Autobody
Auto Repair
Mechanic
Best
Northtown Auto
Service and Tire Center
One of the Best
• Douglas Automotive
Crystal Lake
• Allstar Auto Repair
Car Wash Detailing
Best
Fast Eddie’s Full Service Car Wash & Detail
Center
One of the Best
• Unicorn Details
• Matt’s Express Wash
Tire Store
Best
Northtown Auto
Service and Tire Center
One of the Best
• Quality Tire Service
• Douglas Automotive
Crystal Lake
BBQ Ribs
Best
BBQ King Smokehouse
One of the Best
• Crystal Lake Rib House
• The Texan BBQ
Bloody Mary
Best
Tracks Bar & Grill
One of the Best
• Crystal Lake Rib House
• Benedict’s La Strata
Breakfast
Best
Benedict’s La Strata
One of the Best
• Brunch Cafe
• Tony’s Cafe
Burger
Best
The Tracks Bar & Grill
One of the Best
• DC Cobbs
• Pub 47 - Huntley
• Goal Line
Sports Bar & Grill
Chicken Wings
Best
Buffalo Wild Wings
One of the Best
• Wings Etc.
• Jexals Wing-Zeria
McHenry
Egg Roll
Best
Plum Garden
One of the Best
• The Breakers
Restaurant
• Chen Chinese Cuisine
Fish Fry
Best
Rusty Nail Saloon
One of the Best
• Tracks Bar & Grill
• Goal Line
Sports Bar & Grill
Hot Dog
Best
Portillo’s Hot Dogs
One of the Best
• Tommy’s Red Hots
• Breaking Bread
Catering & Deli
Ice Cream Frozen Custard
Best
Julie Ann’s Frozen
Custard
One of the Best
• Culver’s
• Dairy Queen
Italian Beef
Best
Portillo’s Hot Dogs
One of the Best
• Buona Beef
• Mr. A’s Italian Beef
Margarita
Best
Mixteca
One of the Best
• Main Street Station
• El Niagara
Martini
Best
da Baffone Cucina
Italiana
One of the Best
• Olive Black Lounge
• Cucina Bella
Omelets
Best
Benedict’s La Strada
One of the Best
• Brunch Cafe
• Tony’s Cafe
Pancakes
Best
Benedict’s La Strada
One of the Best
• Brunch Cafe
• Tony’s Cafe
Pizza
Best
La Pizza Via
One of the Best
• Georgio’s Chicago
Pizzeria & Pub
• Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria
Seafood
Best
Port Edward
Restaurant
One of the Best
• da Baffone Cucina
Italiana
• Bonefish Grill
Steakhouse
Best
Jameson’s Charhouse
One of the Best
• Texas Roadhouse
• Addison’s Steakhouse
Sushi
Best
Kyoto Japanese
Restaurant
One of the Best
• Golden Rolls
• Bistro Wasabi
Vegetarian
Best
Benedict’s La Strata
One of the Best
• Expressly Leslie
Vegetarian Specialties
• Duke’s Alehouse
and Kitchen
Banquet Facility
Best
31 North Banquets
& Catering
One of the Best
• D’Andrea Banquets
and Conference
• Cucina Bella
Caterer - On Site
Best
31 North Banquets & Catering
One of the Best
• Breaking Bread
Catering & Deli
• Meals Like Mom
Chinese Restaurant
Best
Plum Garden
One of the Best
• Chen Chinese Cuisine
• The Breakers
Restaurant
Coffee Shop
Best
Conscious Cup
Coffee Roasters
One of the Best
• Taste of Benedicts
& More
• Ethereal Confections
Deli
Best
Epic Deli
One of the Best
• Hub Market
• Breaking Bread
Catering & Deli
Dining on the
Waterfront
Best
Port Edward
Restaurant
One of the Best
• The Snuggery
• Broken Oar Marina
and Grill
Donut Shop
Best
Country Donuts
One of the Best
• Riverside Bake Shop
• Roll N’ Donuts Cafe
First Date
Best
da Baffone Cucina
Italiana
One of the Best
• Cucina Bella
• Breaking Bread
Catering & Deli
Gluten Free Menu
Best
Benedict’s La Strata
One of the Best
• Breaking Bread
Catering & Deli
• Duke’s Alehouse
and Kitchen
Italian Restaurant
Best
Cucina Bella
One of the Best
• da Baffone Cucina
Italiana
• Bimbo’s Italian
Restaurant
Kids Menu
Best
Benedict’s La Strata
One of the Best
• Duke’s Alehouse
and Kitchen
• Chili’s Grill & Bar
Local Craft
Brewery
Best
Crystal Lake Brewing
One of the Best
• Scorched Earth
Brewing Company
• Cary Ale House &
Brewing Company
Mexican
Restaurant
Best
Mixteca
One of the Best
• Main Street Station
• El Niagara
Neighborhood
Bar
Best
Tracks Bar & Grill
One of the Best
• The Cottage
• Sticks Pub and Grub
Outdoor Patio
Dining
Best
Benedict’s La Strata
One of the Best
• Tracks Bar & Grill
• Duke’s Alehouse
and Kitchen
Restaurant That Uses Local or
Organic Foods
Best
Duke’s Alehouse
and Kitchen
One of the Best
• 1776 Restaurant
• Cary Ale House &
Brewing Company
Sports Bar
Best
Goal Line Sports Bar & Grill
One of the Best
• Offsides Sports Bar
& Grill
• Tracks Bar & Grill
Sub Shop
Best
Algonquin Sub Shop
One of the Best
• Epic Deli
• Breaking Bread
Catering & Deli
Tavern Pub
Best
Tracks Bar & Grill
One of the Best
• Sticks Pub and Grub
• Duke’s Alehouse
and Kitchen
Chiropractic
Office
Best
A to Z Chiropractic
One of the Best
• Crystal Lake Family
Wellness
• PWC Chiropractic
CrossFit
Best
CrossFit Phoenix 815
One of the Best
• CrossFit Prevail
• CrossFit AMRAP
Dentist Office
Best
Cary Dental
Associates, LLC
One of the Best
• Ridgeview Family
Dental, Greg Canizzo
• Woodstock Dental
Associates, Drs. Szurek
and Ha
Eye Doctor
Best
Coventry Eyecare
Associates, Ltd.
One of the Best
• Lifetime Vision &
Contact Lens Center
• Family Eye Care of Lake
Geneva & Woodstock
Fitness Studio
Best
Focus Health and
Fitness
One of the Best
• Fitness For Life
• Happy Hour Yoga
Health Club
Best
Sage YMCA
One of the Best
• Centegra Health
Bridge Fitness Center
• Anytime Fitness
Health Food Store
Best
Nature’s Cornucopia
One of the Best
• Crystal Lake Health
Food Store
• Fresh Thyme Market
Massage Therapy
Best
Natural Therapy
Wellness Center
One of the Best
• Jennifer McDonough,
Paul Hyland Salon
and Day Spa
• Moonstone Wellness
Studio
Memory Care
Facility
Best
Shepherd Premier
Senior Living
One of the Best
• REVERE COURT Autumn
Leaves of Crystal Lake
• White Oaks Assisted
Living
Orthodontics
Best
Conlon & Thompson Orthodontics
One of the Best
• Hoffman
Orthodontics
• Dr. Gregory F. Kubik,
Orthodontist
Pediatrician
Best
Pediatric Specialists (Altshuler, Braverman, Collins, Gawronski,
Kershaw, Miniciotti,
Zarzuela)
One of the Best
• Pediatric Associates
of Barrington
• Children’s Medical
Group, S.C., Tjaden
Physical Therapy
Best
Smith Physical Therapy
+ Running Academy
One of the Best
• Crystal Lake Physical
Therapy
• Given Sports &
Physical Therapy
Senior Living
Best
Shepherd Premier
Senior Living
One of the Best
• Fair Oaks Health
Care Center
• Heritage Woods
of McHenry
Yoga
Best
Fitness For Life
One of the Best
• Cultivate Yoga,
Fitness, & Wellness
• Happy Hour Yoga
.
Appliance Store
Best
Gulgren Appliance
One of the Best
• Ehrke Used Appliances
& More
• The Home Depot
Flooring
Best
Kenny’s Floor Covering
One of the Best
• Murphy’s Flooring
• Howell’s Flooring
and More
Furniture
Best
Donahue Furniture
One of the Best
• Bob’s Custom
Woodworking Inc.
• Steinhafels
• Amish Furniture
Garden Center
Best
Countryside Flower Shop, Nursery and
Garden Center
One of the Best
• The Barn Nursery
and Landscape Center
• Harms Farm & Garden
Center
Hardware Store
Best
Ziegler’s Ace Hardware
One of the Best
• Ace Hardware
McHenry
• Menards
Home Decor
Best
The Quirky Haven
One of the Best
• Wickham Interiors, Inc.
• Blind Ambition
Mattress
Best
Verlo Mattress
One of the Best
• Donahue Furniture
• American Mattress
Paint
Best
Lloyd’s Paint ‘N Paper
One of the Best
• Sherwin-Williams
Paint Store
• Ace Hardware
McHenry
.
Appliance Repair
Best
Gulgren Appliance
One of the Best
• Appliance Marshall
Repair
• Ehrke Used Appliances
& More
Carpet Cleaner
Best
Howell’s Carpet
Cleaning, Inc.
One of the Best
• Clean Bee
• James Metallo
Contracting
Deck Builder
Best
Rock Solid Builders
One of the Best
• MasterCut
• Strait Renovations Inc.
Electrician
Best
Black Diamond
Plumbing &
Mechanical, Inc.
One of the Best
• Althoff Industries, Inc.
• Loud Brothers
Fence
Best
Woodmaster Fence
One of the Best
• Aronson Fence Co.
• Meier’s and Sons
Fence Mfr.
Home Builder
Best
Gerstad Builders
One of the Best
• Scholl Construction
Company
• John Reinert
Home Remodeler
Best
Innovative Home
Concepts, Inc.
One of the Best
• Diamond Bath
• Scholl Construction
Company
HVAC
Best
Althoff Industries, Inc.
One of the Best
• Black Diamond
Plumbing &
Mechanical, INc.
• Loud Brothers
Interior Designer
Best
Wickham Interiors, Inc.
One of the Best
• White Oak Interiors
• DF Design, Inc.
Landscape Design
Best
The Barn Nursery and Landscape Center
One of the Best
• Countryside Flower
Shop, Nursery and
Garden Center
• Dream Gardens
Painter
Best
R&J Painting LLC
One of the Best
• JP Interiors, LLC -
Professional Painting
• Quality Painting
by Rick
Plumber
Best
Black Diamond
Plumbing &
Mechanical, Inc.
One of the Best
• MPT Plumbing Inc
• Althoff Industries, Inc.
Pool Care
Best
Arvidson Pools & Spas
One of the Best
• Pool Werks
• Novotny True Value
Roofing
Best
Innovative Home
Concepts, Inc.
One of the Best
• Expert Roofing Inc
• Charles Copley
Roofing, Inc.
Barber
Best
Beardsley’s Barber Shop
One of the Best
• Strack’s Barber Shop
• Cary Barber Shop
Cosmetic Skin Care
Best
Paul Hyland Salon
and Day Spa
One of the Best
• Spa TheraPe
• Butterfly Spa
Day Spa
Best
Paul Hyland Salon
and Day Spa
One of the Best
• Spa TheraPe
• Rustic Roots Salon
& Spa
Hair Salon
Best
Paul Hyland Salon
and Day Spa
One of the Best
• Chazio’s Boutique
Salon
• International
HairWays
Hair Stylist
Best
Charles Nelson,Chazio’s
Boutique Salon
One of the Best
• Steve Marshall,
International
Hairways
• Claudia Heinz,
International
Hairways
Nail Salon
Best
Spa TheraPe
One of the Best
• Paul Hyland
• On The Brink Salon
Preschool
Best
St. Barnabas Christian Preschool
One of the Best
• Trinity Oaks
Christian Academy
• Sage YMCA
Tattoo Shop
Best
Monster Ink Tattoo & Piercing Studio
One of the Best
• Area 51 Tattoo
• Full Moon Tattoo
Animal Shelter
Rescue
Best
On Angels’ Wings Pet Rescue & Resale Store
One of the Best
• Helping Paws Animal
Shelter
• Animal House Shelter
Dog Trainer
Best
Happy Tails Ranch, Inc.
One of the Best
• Alden’s Kennels Inc.
• A+ Dog Training
Doggie Day Care
Best
Paws on Pingree
One of the Best
• Happy Tails Ranch, Inc.
• Fur the Love of Dogs,
Inc.
Feed and Seed
Best
Nature’s Feed
One of the Best
• Blain’s Farm & Fleet
• Thomas’ Tails
Pet Groomer
Best
Paws on Pingree
One of the Best
• Petco
• Lavage Pet Spa
Pet Kennel
Best
Alden’s Kennels Inc.
One of the Best
• Paws on Pingree
• Happy Tails Ranch, Inc.
Pet Store
Best
Nature’s Feed
One of the Best
• Thomas’ Tails
• Petco
Veterinarian
Best
Fox Valley Animal
Hospital
One of the Best
• Richmond Veterinary
Clinic
• Animal Hospital of
McHenry
Accountant
Best
Laura Mraz, LMM &
Associates, Inc.
One of the Best
• JL Accounting Inc
• John W. Huff CPA
Attorney
Best
Law Office of Carin Brio, P.C.
One of the Best
• Owens Law, LLC
• Waggoner Law Firm
Computer Repair
Best
Echelon Computers Inc.
One of the Best
• ProFix Computer
repair Virus removal
• CSI Technical Services,
Inc.
Financial Advisor
Best
Dunlap Financial
Services
One of the Best
• Dorion-Gray
Retirement Planning
• Fraser Wealth
Management
Funeral Service
Best
Davenport Family
Funeral Home &
Crematory
One of the Best
• Colonial Funeral
Home and Crematory
• Justen Funeral Home
and Crematory
Insurance Agent
Best
Cris Bimbi, State Farm Insurance Agent
One of the Best
• Caterina Flower,
Farmers Insurance
Agency
• Scott Halford
INSURANCE
Most Charitable Company
Best
La Pizza Via
One of the Best
• Compassionate
Dental Care
• Berkshire Hathaway
Starck Real Estate
Moving Company
Best
Dreiske Moving &
Storage
One of the Best
• Two Men and a Truck
• Advantage Moving
& Storage
Photographer
Best
Alicia Wehby
Photography
One of the Best
• Ron McKinney
Photography
• McCarrel
Photography
Printing and
Signage
Best
Eby Graphics
One of the Best
• Sticker Dude
• Copy Express, Inc.
Real Estate
Company
Best
Berkshire Hathaway Starck Real Estate
One of the Best
• The Bremer Team
• Northwest Suburban
Real Estate
Bakery
Best
Riverside Bake Shop
One of the Best
• Blessed Little Kitchen
• Konrad’s Bakery
Butcher
Best
Butcher On the Block
One of the Best
• Hub Market
• Kalck’s Butcher Shop
Chocolate Candy
Best
Ethereal Confections
One of the Best
• Riverside Chocolate
Factory
• Morkes Chocolates
Liquor Store
Best
Garfield’s Beverage Warehouse
One of the Best
• Armanetti
• Sam’s Liquor
Wine Shop
Best
Garfield’s Beverage Warehouse
One of the Best
• Winestock Market
& Lounge
• Armanetti
Bridal Formal
Wear
Best
Kathryn’s Bridal
& Dress Shop
One of the Best
• Gipper Formal Wear
• The Perfect Fit Bridal
Clothing Boutique
Best
Wear Did U Get That
One of the Best
• Shay Boutique, LLC
• Clothes Gallery
Florist
Best
Twisted Stem Floral
One of the Best
• Wildrose Floral
Design
• Countryside Flower
Shop, Nursery and
Garden Center
Gift Shop
Best
Out of the Box
One of the Best
• Taste of Benedicts &
More
• Apple Creek Flowers
Jewelry Store
Best
Nelson’s Jewelry
One of the Best
• Steffan’s Jewelers
• Dalzell Jewelers
Music Store
Best
Siren Records McHenry
One of the Best
• Player’s Bench Music
Inc.
• Piano Trends Music
Company
Resale Shop
Best
On Angels’ Wing Pet
Rescue & Resale Store
One of the Best
• Too Cute Consignment
• Sparrow’s Nest Thrift
Store and Donation
Center
Shoe Store
Best
Heisler’s Bootery
One of the Best
• The Running Depot
• Achieve Footwear
Specialty Item Shop
Best
The Olive Tap
One of the Best
• Kitchen Outfitters
• Silver Prairie Natural
Soap Company
Store for Kids
Best
Marvin’s Toy Store
One of the Best
• Too Cute Consignment
• Reduce Reuse Reteach
Vintage Clothing and Furniture
Best
Roscoe Woodstock
Antique Mall
One of the Best
• A New Interiors Anew
• Your Best Friend’s
Closet
Wedding Cake
Best
Konrad’s Bakery
One of the Best
• The Sugar Circle
• Riverside Bake Shop
Apple Orchard
Best
Royal Oak Farm
Orchard
One of the Best
• All Seasons Orchard
• Stade’s Farm & Market
Bike Shop
Best
Bike Haven
One of the Best
• Lucky Brake Bicycles
• Wheel Werks Bikes
Bowling
Best
Raymond’s Bowl &
Entertainment Center
One of the Best
• Metro Bowl
• Kingston Lanes
Bowling and Sports
Lounge
Dance Studio -
Instruction
Best
Summers Academy
of Dance
One of the Best
• Judith Svalander
School-Ballet
• Full Circle Dance
Center
Golf Course
Best
RedTail Golf Club
One of the Best
• Bull Valley Golf Club
• Turnberry Country
Club
Gymnastics Cheer
Best
Cary Gymnastics Center
One of the Best
• Crystal Lake
Gymnastics Training
Center
• Huntley Cheer
Association
Hiking & Running Trail Path
Best
Moraine Hills State Park
One of the Best
• Glacial Park
Conservation Area
• Veteran Acres Park
Martial Arts
Best
Young Masters
Martial Arts
One of the Best
• Lee’s Martial Arts
Academy
• Z’s Martial Arts
Academy
Park Outdoor
Best
Veteran Acres Park
One of the Best
• Emricson Park
• Three Oaks Recreation
Area
Shooting Range
Best
On Target Range &
Tactical Training
Center
One of the Best
• Second Amendment
Sports
• TAZ Archery
Swim Lessons
Best
Sage YMCA
One of the Best
• Dolphin Swim Club
• Centegra Health
Bridge Fitness Center,
Huntley
Video Gaming
Best
Lucky Lulu’s Deli
One of the Best
• Dino’s Pizza & Pasta
• The Spot Tavern of
Marengo